Senate archives impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte, adheres to Supreme Court ruling
by AJPress
LAs VeGAs – A Las Vegas man who violently attacked his 75-year-old filipino American neighbor in a racially motivated assault has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years of probation, following a plea of guilty but mentally ill.
christian Lentz, 44, was sentenced on August 4, 2025, by clark county District Judge Jennifer schwartz, who also ordered him to enter the clark county mental health court program. if he violates the terms of his probation, Lentz could face 12 to 30 years in prison. the attack occurred on may 30, 2023, in the garage of Amadeo Quindara, a retired engineer and longtime resident of the moun-
sAcrAmeNto – Women now comprise 49 percent of the california state Legislature, marking a historic milestone that positions the state as one of the most gender-diverse political bodies in the United states. With 37 women serving in the Assembly and 21 in the senate, the current 2025–2026 session represents a dramatic leap in representation, including numerical parity in the senate for the first time in state history. in total, 59 of the Legislature’s 120 seats are now held by women—nearly double the national average of 33 percent for state legislatures in 2025.
This isn’t just a win for women — it’s a win for all Californians,” said Assemblymember cecilia Aguiar-curry, chair of the california Legislative Women’s caucus. “We are shaping a Legislature that better reflects the people it serves. the california Legislative Women’s caucus, which has grown to 50 members across both chambers, continues to expand and is expected to reach 58 members later this year. Women lawmakers now lead or co-
mANiLA — Up to three more arrest warrants related to the war on drugs of former president rodrigo Duterte may be issued by the international criminal court (icc) by the end of this year or early 2026, according to former senator Antonio trillanes iV. in an interview with “storycon” on one News on tuesday, August 5, trillanes said efforts are ongoing to expand accountability beyond Duterte.
“We’re working on that. It won’t happen soon, but it will happen at some point. We’re
reclaims throne as
mANiLA — Ports and gaming magnate enrique “ricky” razon Jr. has overtaken real estate mogul manny Villar to become the country’s wealthiest individual. As of late July 2025, razon’s net worth is estimated at $11.9 billion, according to forbes Asia’s real-time billionaire tracker. the surge in razon’s fortune marks a return to the top of the Philippines’ billionaire rankings, driven by strong performance across his diversified business empire. his holdings span global port operations, luxury gaming resorts, energy infrastructure,
looking at the end of the year or early next year,” trillanes said.
Asked how many more officials are being targeted, he said, “At least two, but probably three.” Vice President sara Duterte is not among those expected to face icc charges, trillanes said.
Roque not leaving The Hague sans Duterte meanwhile, the word war between Duterte’s lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman and harry roque continues as the former presidential spokesman reiterated that he is
mANiLA — President ferdinand marcos Jr. has ordered the 60-day suspension of rice importation starting sept. 1, malacañang announced on Wednesday, August 6. the move aims “to protect local farmers reeling from low palay prices during this current harvest season,” Presidential communications secretary Dave Gomez said. marcos’ directive came after he met with some cabinet members on tuesday, August 5 on the sidelines of his state visit to india, and upon the recommendation of Agriculture secretary francisco tiu
Laurel Jr. Gomez and tiu Laurel are part of marcos’ delegation in his state visit from Aug. 4 to 8. citing reports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said that with cheaper imports flooding the market, some private traders are now buying palay (unmilled rice) for as low as P8 to P10 per kilo, well below the production cost of P12 to P14 per kilo. farmers have attributed this sharp decline to the influx of cheaper imported rice, the DA noted.
Higher rice tariff not discussed meanwhile, Gomez said the proposal to increase the imported rice tariff was not tackled during
several others in connection with the workers’ disappearance between April 2021 and January 2022. the complaint includes allegations of multiple murder, serious illegal detention, enforced disappearance, direct bribery, and obstruction of justice. it is supported by sworn affidavits from whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and his brothers, who claimed to have worked under Ang’s operations and said they were involved in disposing of victims’ bodies.
mANiLA — President ferdinand marcos Jr. said the government has enough funds to support priority projects of his administration, as long as these funds are not lost to corruption. he said this in Part 2 of the third episode of the PBBm Podcast, titled “Sa Likod ng SONA,” which aired on Wednesday, August 6. in the podcast, marcos was asked whether the Philippines has sufficient funds to sustain projects he mentioned in his recent state
of the Nation Address (soNA), to which he responded in the affirmative.
“Yes, there is. As long as the money of the Philippines is used properly. The money allocated for this – for classrooms – is actually used for classrooms,” marcos said.
“It didn’t say two classrooms, but only one was built. The rest was pocketed. Things like that,” he continued. marcos then stressed, “‘If we’re really strict and our funds are used properly, then we have.” in his soNA last July 28, the
published
Los Angeles, Orange County/Inland Empire, San Diego, Las Vegas, New York/New Jersey
Senate archives impeachment...
against, and 1 abstention to archive the complaint, citing lack of jurisdiction in light of the high court’s ruling.
the supreme court's ruling, issued en banc, found that the impeachment complaint was procedurally barred due to an earlier attempt filed within the same one-year period. the court emphasized that its decision was based solely on constitutional timing, not the merits of the complaint.
the original complaint alleged culpable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust, citing among others the alleged misuse of confidential funds and controversial remarks made by the vice president about harming public officials. however, the court ruled that regardless of content, the complaint could not be entertained under the one-
year bar rule. Legal experts said the senate had no legal recourse but to abide by the high court’s decision. the decision to archive drew mixed reactions from the public and political observers. some viewed it as a necessary act of constitutional compliance, while others lamented the loss of what they considered an opportunity for public accountability.
Vice President Duterte has not issued a formal statement following the senate action. however, in a filing submitted on June 23, she described the impeachment complaint as “nothing more than a scrap of paper.” Under senate rules, archiving a complaint does not equate to dismissal with prejudice. it places the complaint in inactive status unless refiled with new grounds or after the one-year constitutional bar expires. n
California Legislature nears gender parity...
chair powerful committees that oversee state budget, education, health, labor, and climate policy.
As of the current session, california has 120 legislators in total, with 37 women serving in the Assembly and 21 in the senate. this brings the number of female lawmakers to 59, or approximately 49.2 percent of the Legislature. in contrast, the national average for women
serving in state legislatures is approximately 33 percent, underscoring california’s exceptional progress in gender representation. this level of parity marks a dramatic shift from just a few decades ago. in 1980, women held fewer than 10 percent of seats in the california Legislature. today, california ranks among the top states in gender equity at the legislative level, drawing
‘More ICC arrest warrants...
PAGE 1
not leaving the hague. in an interview posted on facebook, roque said he does not believe that Duterte wanted him to stop interfering in the icc case and just return to the Philippines to sort out his own legal issues, as claimed by Kaufman.
If Tatay Digong says that faceto-face, I will accept it, but until my two ears hear it directly, I will not leave him. You may need to drag me out of The Hague as I have a promise not only to Tatay Digong, but also to our fellow Filipinos that I will accompany him,” roque said. Kaufman has said that roque
approached a Dutch lawyer, who severed communications with roque upon learning that he was a fugitive from justice. A trial court in Angeles city had ordered the arrest of roque and filipino-chinese businesswoman cassandra ong on charges of qualified trafficking over their alleged involvement in an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Pampanga.
“As the lead counsel, Kaufman has the sole authority on who can be allowed to visit Tatay Digong, and he did not allow me. The ICC wrote me a letter pointing to Kaufman as the reason why I cannot enter his detention cell,”
national attention from advocacy groups and scholars alike.
Additional milestones are being celebrated alongside the gender shift. the california Legislative Black caucus now includes nine Black women among its 12 members—another historic first.
“We’re not done,” said state senator Nancy skinner. “Representation is just the start — we’re here to govern.” n
roque said.
“I promised that I will not leave you. I will be here until the end,” he said, addressing Duterte. Duterte’s partner honeylet Avanceña has been barred from visiting him in the icc detention cell.
Kaufman said roque has portrayed himself as the only person capable of defending Duterte, turning the public against the israeli lawyer and his legal team. According to Kaufman, neither Duterte nor anyone else in “his immediate vicinity is interested in Roque as a lawyer.” (With reports from Bella Cariaso)
Blue states weigh redistricting retaliation
as Texas redraws map for GOP gains
Newsom, Hochul push back with proposals to target Republican seats, but legal and political obstacles loom
by AJPress
As texas republicans press ahead with a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan designed to lock in additional GoP seats in congress, Democratic leaders in the nation’s two largest blue states, california and New York, are threatening to respond in kind. the growing tension marks an escalation in the partisan redistricting wars, with state leaders proposing bold, if legally fraught, efforts to redraw congressional maps outside the typical once-adecade timeline. But despite the political rhetoric, both states face steep institutional and legal barriers that make retaliation far easier said than done.
California’s conditional overhaul california Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly backed a plan to override the state’s independent citizens redistricting commission (ccrc) if texas enacts its new republican-leaning map. the proposal would allow the Democratic-controlled Legislature to draw a new congressional map, potentially eliminating up to five GoP-held seats in california. the plan is conditional—triggered only if texas finalizes its partisan redistricting.
Under the proposal, the new map would need to be approved by voters in a special election tentatively scheduled for November 4, 2025. Lawmakers must act by August 22 to place the measure on the ballot, leaving a narrow legislative window when they return from recess on August 18.
But the effort to override the ccrc, which was created through voter-approved reforms (Propositions 11 and 20) to eliminate gerrymandering, has sparked internal dissent and external backlash.
“Gerrymandering, no matter who does it, is wrong,” said former Governor Arnold schwarzenegger,
a republican who championed the commission’s creation. “to dismantle an independent commission for political gain would be truly evil.”
Watchdog groups like common cause and the League of Women Voters have also criticized the plan, warning it could erode public trust and prompt legal challenges.
Despite support from key Democrats, including Newsom and legislative leaders, some lawmakers have expressed concern about the message this sends to voters. “if we override the commission today, what stops future majorities from doing it again for political gain?” asked state senator Dave cortese (D-san Jose).
New York’s redistricting tensions
New York Governor Kathy hochul is pursuing a similar course. in recent weeks, hochul and top Democrats—including Assembly speaker carl heastie—have supported a constitutional amendment that would allow the Legislature to override the state’s independent redistricting commission.
New York’s commission, established in 2014, has been criticized by Democrats as dysfunctional and ineffective. the current congressional map was drawn after courts invalidated the commission’s proposals in 2022. hochul has framed the push for a new map as a necessary countermeasure. the gloves are off,” hochul said during a press event in Albany. “We cannot unilaterally disarm while other states play by different rules.”
Democratic strategists believe a redrawn map could eliminate several GoP-held seats, including in Long island and the hudson Valley. however, the proposal still requires supermajority legislative support and public approval through a constitutional referendum—hurdles that mirror those in
Summary Table
california.
Legal constraints and reform reversals
Both california and New York reformed their redistricting processes in the past two decades, touting them as safeguards against partisan manipulation. Now, those very reforms stand in the way of mid-cycle map changes. overturning or circumventing independent commissions would require constitutional amendments, legislative supermajorities, and voter approval—each a politically sensitive step. reform advocates warn that Democrats risk undermining their credibility on issues like good governance and electoral fairness.
“this is about power, not principle,” said Kathay feng, national redistricting director at common cause. “if Democrats abandon reforms to gain seats, they’re no better than the gerrymanders they once condemned.”
Legal experts also note that courts could intervene. Lawsuits would likely be filed immediately if either state attempts a mid-decade redistricting without meeting constitutional requirements.
National implications the redistricting clash between texas, california, and New York could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, especially in the narrowly divided U.s house of representatives. texas’s plan alone could shift four to five seats toward republicans, and Democrats in blue states argue they must act to preserve electoral balance.
But the high-profile pushback has also fueled warnings about a growing “arms race” in gerrymandering, with each side using state power to tilt the national map in its favor.
two can play at this game,” said one california legislative staffer. “But we may end up losing the rulebook entirely.” n
State Proposal Seats at Stake Main Barriers
California Enhances myEDD to Help State Disability Insurance Customers
What You Need to Know:
The Employment Development Department is making it easier for Californians to check their Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave claim status without needing to call the Department. Enhancements to myEDD, its secure web portal, add more information about the status of a customer’s claim — including clear instructions when customers need to take action.
SACRAMENTO — In another step to modernizing California’s Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave benefit programs — and improving the customer experience — it’s now easier for Californians to check the status of their benefit applications online.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) enhancements offer more detailed information about the status of a customer’s claim. This includes better descriptions of what is happening with a claim and any outstanding actions needed to finish processing the application. These updates to myEDD are another step in modernizing California’s benefit programs and improving the EDD customer experience.
“These improvements mean customers will spend less time searching for information and more time recovering and being with their families,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.
State Disability Insurance (SDI), which includes Paid Family Leave, is a complex public benefit program that requires a doctor, nurse practitioner, or health professional to submit a medical certification to complete a benefit claim. A claim will be delayed if EDD doesn’t receive that certification from the medical professional. The expanded claim status information now notifies customers if their certification is missing.
These improvements help customers get more detailed information about claim status and next steps. Examples of the claim status enhancements include:
•New Status column with updated claim statuses in plain language.
•Expanded Claim Status descriptions with clear instructions when a customer must take action on the claim.
•Improved organization and page layout to improve the customer experience. Until now, a pending benefit claim was listed in myEDD as “pending processing” or “pending medical provider form,” but customers needed more information. In response, EDD added clickable status labels so customers can get additional details about exactly what is pending such as Medical Certification Needed, We’re Processing Your Claim, or Signature Needed. When a signature is missing, customers are clearly notified and advised to keep an eye out for a mailed document to sign and return.
Today’s improvements follow the recent launch of a simpler online application for disability benefits based on customer research — another step in modernizing California’s benefit programs. EDD continues improving its programs and services as part of EDDNext, an ongoing modernization effort to completely transform the EDD customer and employee experience. EDDNext efforts include updating benefit applications, contact centers, the claims process, policies, procedures, and forms, to make the EDD experience easier and faster. It involves working with customer service experts, such as Amazon Web Services and Salesforce, to ensure EDDNext adopts cutting-edge technology and practices to help customers. Customer feedback also helped simplify and streamline the online application for the unemployment benefit program. The Department’s Benefiting Californians blog posts regular updates about these efforts and many more.
Adding details about claim status makes it easier for customers to track the progress of a claim and avoid having to call EDD for updates. EDD will next add further enhancements, such as options to obtain claim status information through a virtual assistant (chatbot).
Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/ @MayorIndaySaraDuterte
CFO supports President Marcos’ call for global Filipino investment
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas enhances programs like Balinkbayan and PESO Sense, partnering with the Philippine Stock Exchange and Go Negosyo to empower overseas Filipinos in investment, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy aligned with the president’s development agenda
mANiLA — the commission on filipinos overseas (cfo) is stepping up efforts to engage filipinos living abroad as investors and partners in national development, following President ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr.’s recent call to the international business community during his state of the Nation Address (soNA).
My single resounding message to the international business community is this: The Philippines is ready. Invest in the Filipino…” said President marcos. cfo secretary Dante “Klink” Ang ii said the agency fully supports this call and has long worked to connect overseas filipinos with investment opportunities through its programs.
We fully support the president’s call to the international community to invest in the Philippines. This perfectly aligns with CFO’s efforts of reintegrating the Filipino diaspora through investment opportunities in our country,” Ang said.
the cfo continues to develop Balinkbayan, an online portal that connects overseas filipinos to business and donation opportunities in the Philippines. in partnership with the Philippine stock exchange, the cfo advocates for global filipinos to become long-term investors in Philippine-listed companies. the commission also expands its financial literacy campaign, Peso sense, which offers webinars, digital campaigns, and tools promoting responsible budgeting, saving, investing, and scam awareness among overseas filipinos and their families. to promote entrepreneurship among filipinos
abroad, the cfo partners with Go Negosyo, supporting returning filipinos’ economic reintegration and countryside development. in a post-soNA discussion, special Assistant to the President for investment and economic Affairs, secretary frederick D. Go, emphasized the importance of attracting investments to generate employment for filipinos.
“The president’s message to investors is a big deal; it not only signals to investors the improved business environment in the country, but it also promotes our workforce for better employment opportunities,” Go said.
secretary Ang echoed these remarks, highlighting the filipino diaspora’s readiness to engage in business and investment.
We have been echoing the president’s statements for a while now. Indeed the Filipino people are ready to do business. This is why at the heart of CFO’s projects and initiatives is the engagement of the Filipino diaspora through entrepreneurial and investment opportunities,” Ang said. the cfo, established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 79, serves filipinos permanently residing abroad, distinct from the Department of migrant Workers which focuses on overseas filipino Workers. for more information: cfo Balinkbayan: https://www.facebook.com/ cfobalinkbayan Peso sense: https://www.facebook.com/pesosenseph contact: info@cfo.gov.ph | rkperalta@cfo.gov. ph | +63 960 579 0. n
Elderly Filipino American targeted in...
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tain’s edge community. Prosecu-
tors said that a day earlier, Lentz had confronted Quindara after hearing him speak tagalog and told him to “speak English.” the next morning, Lentz returned, entered Quindara’s garage, and repeatedly struck him while shouting “Die, die, die.” Quindara was knocked unconscious and sustained serious injuries, including a brain bleed, memory loss, and facial trauma. his wife discovered him on the garage floor and called emergency responders. Lentz was arrested shortly after. he was charged with multiple felonies, including burglary and battery with substantial bodily harm to a person over 60. Pros-
ecutors also filed a hate crime enhancement under Nevada revised statutes § 193.1675, citing clear evidence of racial bias. in April 2025, Lentz entered a guilty but mentally ill plea, acknowledging responsibility for the attack while citing a mental health diagnosis of bipolar disorder with psychotic features. the plea allowed for psychiatric monitoring under court supervision but did not excuse the conduct. Judge schwartz also ordered $7,000 in restitution to be paid to the Quindara family. During sentencing, she stated, There is no place for hate here in Nevada,” underscoring the seriousness of bias-motivated crimes.
Phil Quindara, the victim’s son, told reporters after the hearing that while the family was relieved to see the case move forward, the sentence was “devastating.” this tells me that justice is not for people who look like my dad,” he said, adding that the outcome failed to reflect the severity of the assault or its emotional toll on the family. the case has drawn condemnation from filipino American and AAPi advocacy groups, who have long called for stronger enforcement of hate crime laws and more protections for Asian American seniors. the Quindaras say they are speaking out to raise awareness and help protect other families from similar attacks. (AJPress)
PAL named second best airline in SE Asia
by ElijaH FElicE rosalEs Philstar.com
fLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) landed as the second best airline in southeast Asia as voted by travelers, securing another feat following successive wins for brand strength and flight punctuality.
At the 2025 flyers’ choice Awards hosted by Airlineratings. com, PAL won as the second most preferred carrier in southeast Asia, behind one of the world’s finest, singapore Airlines. flag carrier malaysia Airlines ranked third in the list that was selected by travelers in the region.
PAL president richard Nuttall said the recognition adds to the trophies that the airline has been receiving recently. Nuttall underscored the feedback-based scoring of the flyers’ choice Awards, meaning travelers themselves voted based on experience and preference.
Airlineratings.com said the flyers’ choice Awards employs a different judging compared to its World’s safest Airlines and World’s Best Airlines awards. the latter are measured by a group of aviation experts using strict criteria.
the flyers’ choice Awards is determined by travelers themselves, providing an insight to which carriers are really winning over passengers.
“We thank the voting travelers
for this special honor as it reflects the trust and satisfaction that all of us in PAL strive to earn from passengers by delivering a friendly service, an unwavering focus on safety and reliability, and the genuine care that comes from the heart,” Nuttall said. earlier, PAL was recognized by ad magazine campaign Asia as the best travel brand in the Philippines and the second best in southeast Asia. campaign Asia gave PAL a country-high score of 63.15 percent in its yearly index of best travel brands in southeast Asia. the airline bested some of the biggest travel brands in the country like cebu Pacific (54.9 percent), Klook (51.75 percent) and emirates (49.95 percent).
Aside from this, PAL has been placing frequently among the most punctual airlines in Asia and the Pacific according to aviation analyst cirium. in April, the carrier owned by tycoon Lucio tan ranked as the most ontime airline in the region, turning in a punctuality rate of 86.07 percent. PAL is in the middle of a major refleeting that would see it receive before the end of the year its first Airbus A350-1000, boosting its capability to reach long-haul destinations. PAL is also bringing in by october the first of 18 retrofitted A321ceos, which would come with better cabin design and inflight entertainment, improving flight comfort and experience. n
Families of 34 missing sabungeros file murder...
Patidongan further alleged that the actual number of victims may reach 100, although only 34 cases have been officially documented. he claimed the victims’ bodies were dumped in taal Lake, and that he and his brothers were later instructed to flee to cambodia in 2022 to avoid investigation.
Ang camp responds in media statements, Ang’s lawyer, Atty. Gabriel Villareal, maintained his client’s innocence, dismissing the complaint as baseless and politically motivated. he described whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing and called the testimony “flawed, self-serving, and unsubstantiated.
“We maintain my client’s innocence. He is ready to face the complaint filed against him and confident that due process will vindicate him.
Ang’s team also alleged that Patidongan attempted to extort P300 million in exchange for withdrawing the allegations—an offer Ang reportedly declined.
Counter-charges filed on July 3, 2025, Atong Ang filed counter-complaints with the mandaluyong city Prosecutor’s office against whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan and a former aide, Alan “Brown” Bantiles, accusing them of conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and extortion. these counter-charges were lodged several weeks prior to the DoJ complaint and remain under separate prosecutorial review. DOJ status and official statement
As of press time, the Department of Justice has not issued subpoenas, and the complaint remains under review by a panel of prosecutors. in a media interview, Justice secretary Jesus crispin remulla confirmed that the affidavits submitted by whistleblowers are included in the case file. he stated that charlie “Atong” Ang and Gretchen Barrettoare are among those being evaluated as possible respondents, but clarified that the DoJ would act based on evidence and not on specula-
tion. remulla emphasized that the department is following due process and said any legal action must proceed “on the merits.”
Broader implications the case has reignited public attention on one of the Philippines’ most troubling unresolved cases. the disappearance of 34 cockfighting workers between April 2021 and January 2022 led to senate hearings and prompted then-President rodrigo Duterte to impose a nationwide ban on online cockfighting (e-sabong) in may 2022.
While internal investigations led to the relief or reassignment of some police officers, no criminal convictions have been made to date.
family members who filed the complaint expressed determination to pursue the case, saying they hope the legal process will finally bring accountability.
if the DoJ finds probable cause, the case could advance to trial, placing a national spotlight on one of the most closely watched criminal proceedings in recent Philippine history. n
Marcos: Funds enough for key projects if...
President laid out several priority programs for education, health, infrastructure, and other sectors. these include the ongoing P20/ kilo rice program, zero-balance
billing for patients at Department of health-listed hospitals, Bulilit centers, and more. n
Razon reclaims throne as richest Filipino...
and mining. these sectors have all posted notable gains in the first half of the year. recent financial disclosures and market data point to a sharp rise in the stock values of razon’s flagship firms:
• International Container Terminal services inc. (ictsi) saw its global port business continue expanding, pushing share prices up by more than 30 percent.
• Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates solaire resort and casino, posted a 54 percent jump in share value following a successful refinancing program and stronger-than-expected revenues.
• Apex Mining Co., where razon holds a significant stake, surged more than 60 percent, riding the wave of rising global gold prices. in addition, razon’s growing investments through Prime infrastructure capital inc. have positioned him at the center of the country’s renewable energy and water utility sectors, fur-
ther strengthening his influence across key industries.
Villar, meanwhile, saw his fortune trimmed to an estimated $11 billion after Golden mV holdings, a subsidiary of the Villar Group, was suspended from trading on the Philippine stock exchange. the suspension came after the company failed to file its 2024 audited financial statements within the required deadline. earlier this year, Villar’s wealth was estimated at $17.2 billion in forbes’ annual list.
Despite the setback, the former senate President remains a dominant figure in Philippine real estate through Vista Land & Lifescapes, Golden Bria holdings, and other ventures. his expansive property empire continues to serve a wide spectrum of buyers, from affordable housing to luxury developments. however, analysts note that real estate-linked stocks have been more susceptible to market volatility compared to infrastructure and logistics.
razon’s renewed dominance among filipino billionaires comes
at a time of heightened investor interest in infrastructure, energy, and tourism-related industries. his companies have successfully capitalized on global trends and demand shifts, including the post-pandemic recovery in travel and shipping.
A tale of two empires razon and Villar represent two distinct visions of economic leadership in the Philippines. razon’s ictsi operates more than 30 ports across the globe, while Bloomberry resorts continues to expand its footprint beyond manila. Villar, on the other hand, has converted vast landholdings into master-planned communities and commercial centers that fuel domestic consumption.
Both have held the top spot in recent years. razon previously led the billionaire rankings in 2022 and 2023, before Villar’s real estate gains propelled him to number one in early 2024. the latest shift highlights just how quickly fortunes can change in a market shaped by inflation, regulatory shifts, and global uncertainties. n
by AJPress
mANiLA – President ferdi-
nand r marcos Jr. has signed into law republic Act No. 12231, or the Government optimization Act, which grants him the authority to restructure executive agencies to improve the delivery of public services.
signed on August 4, 2025, and published the same day on the official Gazette website, the new law enables the president to reorganize, consolidate, transfer, merge, or abolish certain agencies, offices, and government-owned or controlled corporations (Goccs) within the executive Branch—excluding those already covered under rA 10149.
the law empowers the President to initiate reforms across the bureaucracy over a five-year period, beginning upon the measure’s effectivity. the primary aim, according to lawmakers and the Department of Budget and management (DBm), is to eliminate redundancy, align agency mandates, and enhance responsiveness in the national government’s operations.
this law reflects our commitment to create a more agile, responsive, and accountable government that is fit for purpose,” said Budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who lauded the bill’s passage in a June statement.
Oversight through COEB
Under the measure, a commit-
tee on optimizing the executive Branch (coeB) will be created to oversee implementation. the committee will be chaired by the executive secretary and cochaired by the Budget secretary, with members including heads of the civil service commission (csc), the National economic and Development Authority (NeDA), the Anti-red tape Authority (ArtA), and the Presidential management staff (Pms). this body will conduct strategic institutional reviews and propose restructuring plans based on performance, relevance, and alignment with national development priorities.
Exemptions and safeguards the law exempts the following sectors from coverage:
• Teaching and non-teaching positions in the Department of education and state universities and colleges,
• Military and uniformed personnel
• The judiciary, legislature, constitutional commissions, and the office of the ombudsman—although these constitutional bodies may adopt the law voluntarily. to ensure a humane transition, the law provides protection for affected government employees. options such as reemployment, transfer, reskilling, early retirement, or separation with benefits are available under sections 13 to 17 of the Act.
Legislative support rA 12231 evolved from the
long-deliberated rightsizing the National Government Act, a priority bill endorsed by the Legislative-executive Development Advisory council (LeDAc). it was ratified by both the senate and the house of representatives in June 2025, following unanimous approval in the upper chamber.
in welcoming the ratification, secretary Pangandaman emphasized that the law is a long-overdue reform that will optimize the use of public resources and improve bureaucratic performance. Our current structure, in many parts, is bloated or misaligned,” she said. “Some offices perform overlapping functions, while others are underutilized. This law helps us correct that.” Implementation timeline
As per standard legal practice in the Philippines, rA 12231 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. implementation guidelines are expected to be issued by the DBm and the coeB in the coming months.
Local government units (LGUs) may choose to adopt optimization measures based on their fiscal capacity, and subject to national guidelines.
While implementation details are still forthcoming, public sector unions and watchdog groups are expected to monitor how the law is applied, particularly with regard to job security, transparency, and service impact. n
Marcos suspends rice importation for...
the meeting.
The president said it is not yet time to discuss tariff increases on imported rice,” Gomez said.
“We will still see if we need to resort to that. Right now, the decision is to suspend all rice importation for 60 days beginning Sept. 1. That’s the directive of the president to help our rice farmers,” he added.
tiu Laurel earlier said the DA would push to increase the current 15 percent tariff on imported rice during the third periodic review.
he said a tariff increase would help lift prevailing palay farmgate prices, especially since the next harvest season is a few months away.?several industry groups have pushed to revert the rice tariff to its original rate of 35 percent to drive up palay farmgate prices.
tiu Laurel said the DA supports a gradual increase in the rice tariff rate to prevent possible market shocks.
Based on Philippine statistics Authority data, the average farmgate price of palay in June declined by almost 32 percent year-on-year to P16.99 per kilo from P24.93 per kilo.?tiu Laurel had suggested that the tariff hike should coincide with the harvest seasons of the Philippines’ major suppliers – around late september for Vietnam and December for Pakistan – to minimize impact on the local market.
Last year, marcos issued executive order 62, which lowered the imported rice tariff from 35 to 15 percent until 2028 to tame rising prices of the commodity. the government mandated a periodic review of the rice tariff every four months.
meanwhile, malacañang disagreed with the joint resolution filed by senators francis Pangilinan and risa hontiveros seeking to strip the President of powers to adjust imported rice tariffs.
At a press conference in india on tuesday, Presidential communications Undersecretary claire castro said removing the President’s power to adjust rice tariffs could affect the government’s ability to respond quickly during a price surge or in emergencies.
castro also defended marcos’ move to lower tariffs on imported rice, saying it was a necessary step to provide relief to consumers when global prices hit $700 per metric ton.
I don’t think lawmakers will be able to negotiate with other countries,” she said.
House backs move the house of representatives expressed its full support for the president’s directive to suspend rice importation.
“This is the reason why our House Bill No. 1 is the RICE Act, right? Because it is important to address the issue of making sure there is affordable, accessible rice for Filipino families and to continue to protect farmers,” house spokesperson Princess Abante said, referring to the proposed rice industry and consumer empowerment Act.
filed by speaker martin romualdez on the opening day of the 20th congress, the proposed rice Act seeks to return the National food Authority’s regulatory powers and stabilize rice supply, lower market prices and protect filipino farmers from exploitation.
romualdez said suspending rice importation is a bold step to protect farmers and put the people’s food first.
“Every harvest season, farmers watch the market collapse under the weight of imported rice. This suspension gives us a chance to breathe, reset and act decisively,” he said.
Albay rep. raymond Adrian salceda also supported the president’s directive, saying “it is the right call to protect filipino farmers who are harvesting now and deserve a fair price for their produce.”
“This is the season when our farmers try to recover their costs and earn enough to survive. We owe them this protection,” he added.
‘Superficial move’ suspending rice imports is a superficial move that does not address the root causes of the country’s rice crisis, according to farmers’ groups Kilusang magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KmP) and samahang industriya ng Agrikultura (sinag).
republic Act 11203 or the rice
Liberalization Law that the marcos administration continues to uphold remains the primary cause of declining farmgate prices and increasing rice costs, KmP chairman Danilo ramos said. reverting tariffs to 35 percent for imports from the Association of southeast Asian Nations and to 50 percent for non-AseAN imports is
needed to stabilize local farmgate prices, sinag executive director Jayson cainglet said. Harvest starts in Nueva ecija, palay farmers have started harvesting rice crops for the main cropping season amid the rising farmgate prices of palay. Palay trader rolly dela cruz from san miguel, Bulacan told the stAr that farmers welcomed developments in palay prices following low commodity prices in the past months. fresh farmgate palay prices slightly increased between P13 and P14 per kilo compared to the P8 to P10 per kilo a few weeks back, he noted. if imported rice tariffs are reverted to 35 percent, the farmgate price of fresh palay would stabilize at P17 to P18 per kilo, much to the advantage of local farmers, sinag president rosendo so said. the spike in farmgate palay prices could be attributed to the possible reversal of tariff cuts and temporary halting of rice importation during the main rice crop harvest season, federation of free farmers cooperative national manager raul montemayor said. P20/kilo rice meanwhile, marcos said subsidies for the P20-per-kilo rice program would be reduced if rice production is enhanced. the president has allocated P4.5 billion from his contingency fund to bankroll the pilot implementation of the program. It should come. While our production improves, it (subsidy) will go down. We have reached the point where we can say that we can afford it. We can afford the subsidy,” marcos said. “As the subsidy becomes less and less, the coverage of the P20 rice will be wider.” the P20-per-kilo rice program was launched in April for low-income households. the cost of subsidizing the cheap rice is shared by the national and local governments. marcos said the Philippines has experienced a significant bumper crop production in the last planting seasons due to reforms, such as the campaign against smuggling and hoarding, distribution of farm machineries and giving of land ownership certificates to agrarian reform beneficiaries. (With reports from Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jose Rodel Clapano, Christine Boton, Delon Porcalla, Alexis Romero)
DAteline PhiliPPines
House, Senate trade barbs over Sara Duterte’s archived impeachment
by DoMiniquE nicolE FlorEs Philstar.com
mANiLA — the house didn't hear the end of it when senators who voted in favor of archiving Vice President sara Duterte's impeachment explained their vote with a special message to the lower chamber.
senate President chiz escudero, in his 22-minute speech, doubled down on his opposition to Duterte’s impeachment and issued a stern warning to the house of representatives, accusing it of abusing its discretion in the accountability process.
To the House of Representatives, I say, do not allow yourselves to be used for the blind hatred and ambition of a few who did things haphazardly, gravely abused their discretion, and violated due process rights under the Constitution as found by the high court itself," he said on Wednesday, August 6.
escudero took another swipe at the house, saying it expected the senate and the supreme court “to roll over in obedience” in heeding its call to proceed with the impeachment trial. he even posed questions to critics, asking whether they are "truly for accountability or simply anti-Duterte?"
Do you truly respect and want to preserve the Constitution or you simply hate the VP? Are you serving
the nation's interests or protecting and pursuing your own personal ambitions or agenda?" escudero asked.
the house impeached Duterte when 215 house members endorsed the fourth complaint on february 5, immediately transmitting the articles of impeachment to the senate moments after adopting the complaint in the plenary. By delaying the convening of an impeachment court to the last session day on June 11, and choosing not to act during the break, escudero said the senate became a target of house attempts to erode public trust.
When we did not, you moved hell and high water to destroy personalities, malign reputations, and tarnish institutions. To these people, I say this, the Senate is not your playground to run after your political enemies," escudero said. the house leadership didn't take these accusations without a fight, reaffirming the constitutionality of Duterte's impeachment and dismissing the claims made against them. from the filing of the complaint to including it in the order of Business, speaker martin romualdez maintained they had followed every rule in the book.
"[W]e have been met with personal attacks, sweeping accusa-
tions, and a narrative that seeks to reduce a solemn constitutional duty into mere power play. That's not just unfair — it's dangerous. It undermines public trust in the very tools of democratic checks and balances," he said.
'Speaker didn't act alone' its leaders and deputy speakers were quick to back up romualdez against claims of abuse of discretion and political ambition raised by senators who sided with the supreme court's ruling. they urged the senate not to "twist the narrative" when the house "did its job."
Kung may dapat magpaliwanag ngayon, hindi ang Kamara kundi ang Senado. You can’t defend one branch of government by attacking another," rep. Jude Acidre (tingog Party-list) said in a statement on thursday, August 7.
he argued the senate owes the public more than just the justification that it followed the supreme court’s ruling in its 19-4-1 vote to shelve the impeachment, considering that the decision is still being appealed.
When over 200 members vote in favor of impeachment, that’s not just one man’s decision. That’s the House speaking as an institution. Calling it a political maneuver is not only unfair, napaka-misleading nito," Acidre said.
u PAGE 7
Two lawmakers caught watching videos during Congress opening spark public backlash
AGAP Rep. Nicanor Briones was removed from a key post after being caught watching e-sabong. APEC Rep. Sergio Dagooc was seen watching billiards but faces no confirmed investigation
by AJPress
mANiLA — the 20th congress opened amid controversy after two lawmakers were caught on camera watching videos on their smartphones during the July 28 plenary session, just hours before President ferdinand marcos Jr. delivered his fourth state of the Nation Address (soNA).
AGAP Party-list representative Nicanor Briones was shown in a viral video watching an online cockfighting (e-sabong) match while seated inside the house plenary hall. he later admitted to being the individual in the footage, but denied participating in any form of online gambling. Briones said he received the video link from a relative and viewed it out of curiosity. he stressed that he does not own an e-wallet and is not involved in e-sabong. Despite his explanation, Briones was removed from his post in the powerful commission
on Appointments (cA), with house leaders citing the need to uphold institutional integrity. he is now under review by the house committee on ethics, which has not yet announced whether formal sanctions will follow.
A second lawmaker was also seen watching a billiards match on his phone during the same session. As of August 6, multiple reputable outlets —including the Philippine stAr and Politiko.com.ph— have reported that the second lawmaker was APec Partylist representative sergio Dagooc. While Dagooc has not publicly addressed the incident, his office has not denied his involvement. however, there is no public confirmation at this time that rep. Dagooc is facing an ethics review or formal disciplinary action. the videos were recorded during the vote for house speaker—a largely ceremonial proceeding that took place prior to President marcos Jr.’s
national address. Nonetheless, the behavior sparked widespread criticism and renewed calls for stricter rules on the use of mobile devices during legislative sessions. senator erwin tulfo condemned the actions and called for public accountability. There must be accountability, especially when public officials are entrusted with the people’s time and trust,” tulfo said. the controversy has also reignited public outrage over e-sabong, particularly in light of the still-unresolved disappearances of more than 30 cockfighting enthusiasts (“sabungeros”) since 2021. President marcos addressed the issue during his soNA, vowing justice and accountability in the ongoing investigations.
As of this writing, neither Briones nor Dagooc has issued a public apology beyond Briones' initial statement. the house ethics committee has yet to announce the outcome of its inquiry into Briones’s case. n
Senate President Chiz Escudero, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Sen. Imee Marcos File photos
OPiniOn FeAtures
A vision beyond the term
Why a leader’s true measure is the test of time
The opening of the 20th Congress, followed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address, offers more than a window into legislative priorities or political optics. These moments compel a deeper reckoning, not just with the state of the nation but with the very nature of leadership itself.
the Philippines is navigating a delicate intersection of history and ambition. our democracy, restored and revised yet still vulnerable, continues to carry the burden of its past while straining toward a future that remains undefined. in this environment, genuine leadership cannot be measured by popularity, policy soundbites, or the lifespan of a single term. it must be weighed against time itself. true leadership is not confined to calendars or campaign cycles. it is rooted in stewardship: grounded in history, responsive to the present, and responsible to the future. the most consequential leaders throughout history did not govern with the sole intention of preserving power. they governed to pass something on.
Editorial
singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, south Korea’s postdictatorship reformers, and U.s. President Lyndon Johnson each confronted the uncomfortable truth that real progress often demands personal sacrifice. they governed with the understanding that the most enduring transformations are rarely popular in the moment and that statesmanship sometimes requires walking alone.
Lee Kuan Yew did not simply modernize
sociAL democracy is a political, economic and social system that combines the principles of a free market economy with the values of social justice. this was my topic a week ago. however, i noticed that in my column and almost all readings on social democracy always use as examples developing countries mainly in northern and central europe. this includes the scandinavian countries – Norway, sweden, Denmark, finland – Germany and the United Kingdom. is social democracy a luxury only rich nations can afford? since the 1980s, social democratic countries are historically ascribed to wealthy western european examples characterized by universal welfare, inclusive economic growth, democratic institutions and regulated capitalism.
the book “social Democracy in the Global Periphery: origins, challenges, Prospects” by richard sandbrook, marc edelman, Patrick heller and Ju-
The Long View
ManuEl l. QuEzon iii
sometimes it is necessary to belabor the obvious, and each delivery of the state of the Nation Address (sona) is such an occasion. When our presidents fulfill the constitutional demand to deliver a report on the state of the nation to congress at the opening of its regular session, that duty is fulfilled with two audiences in mind. there is the institutional audience, primarily congress, which listens with the forthcoming submission of the proposed budget in mind, as well as other pieces of legislation the President believes are timely. But it also includes the diplomatic corps, who will report to their governments on the Philippine government’s plans; the bureaucracy, which is expected to fulfill the president’s directives; and other institutions called upon to play a role in governance. And there is the broader public, the support of which every administration needs, particularly if congressional support isn’t otherwise assured. the chop suey nature of most soNAs—the path of least imagi-
singapore. he engineered a national identity built on meritocracy, discipline, and longrange planning. in the 1960s, as post-colonial states faltered under corruption and factionalism, Lee made decisions that were politically unpopular but strategically necessary. he prioritized competence over charisma, constrained certain freedoms to build lasting institutions, and embedded technocratic governance into the civic DNA. his methods may remain contested, but the durability of what he built continues to define singapore’s success to this day. in south Korea, the architects of democratic transition in the late 1980s emerged from decades of authoritarian rule with the opportunity to shape the state in their own image. they chose instead to embed limits on their own power. through constitutional checks and institutional safeguards, they deliberately created a system resilient enough to endure political volatility, public dissent, and the forces of populism. their reforms were not only democratic in form, but self-restraining in principle.
Lyndon B. Johnson, in the United states,
Social democracy in the Philippines
dith teichman (cambridge University Press, 2007) argues that social democracy is feasible in non-Western states or the third World. the authors even maintain that social democracy is essential for equitable and sustainable development in these non-Western states. in most books on this topic, the assumption is that social democracy is a product of unique historical and cultural circumstances such as industrialization, class compromise and strong labor movements. the usual argument is that these circumstances cannot be replicated in the non-Western world. sandbrook and his co-authors reject these arguments. the book defines social democracy broadly as a mode of governance that combines representative democracy, state regulation of markets, progressive redistribution of wealth and investments in public services such as health and education. these goals can be found even in the poorest of third World countries. to substantiate their argument, the book provides detailed
case studies of four countries: mauritius, costa rica, chile and the state of Kerala in india. these cases serve to demonstrate the conditions under which social democratic practices can emerge and persist outside the West. here are the summaries of the four case studies. mauritius stands out for its successful blend of ethnic pluralism, democratic governance and state-led development. Despite its small size and limited resources, mauritius has managed to sustain a generous welfare system and competitive export economy. the authors attribute this to elite consensus, an inclusive political culture and robust institutions. costa rica is highlighted as a Latin American anomaly. the country abolished its military in 1949 and redirected resources towards education and health care. the authors emphasize the role of a reformist middle class and a strong public sector spirit, even amidst strong pressures from the political left and political right in the central American u PAGE A7
Between the lines
nation because it requires the least resistance—is to offer something to everyone, regardless of whether it comes together as a comprehensible whole. first and foremost, then, a soNA is a test of endurance; the ultimate challenge being, does either audience, or both, find the soNA contents relevant?
What i found most interesting about the soNA was what one well-connected source confided: the president deviated from his prepared text in two instances. the first was when he said (talking to both chambers, mind you) that those who indulged in ghost, overpriced, or defective projects should be ashamed of themselves. the second was when he praised his chief of police by referring to him as a “champion,” without a doubt both a nod to the PNP chief’s charity boxing match versus a no-show, and the president’s acknowledging the dynastic championship bout still to come. Politics being ultimately a calling premised on human interactions, the true politician is one who derives energy and confidence from the give-and-take they experience when in contact with large crowds–it is here, in the confidently-delivered quip, in the daring to indulge in repartee, that the mea-
signed the civil rights Act of 1964 and the Voting rights Act of 1965 knowing the political cost. he understood that championing racial justice would fracture his party’s support in the American south for a generation. Yet he proceeded, not for the sake of political gain but for a moral imperative. his presidency was irrevocably changed, but so too was the nation. that trade, painful as it was, became the mark of his statesmanship.
What unites these leaders is not ideology, geography, or method. it is vision. they recognized that applause is fleeting while durable change, rooted in principle, requires endurance. they governed not for approval, but for alignment with a larger national purpose. their leadership was never about being remembered fondly; it was about ensuring their countries remembered themselves
sure of the leader can be taken. the president’s jab—“You should be ashamed of yourselves”—produced its share of cheers (in the Batasan) and jeers (from the online world of professional skeptics), but proved his instincts are keen precisely because it was among the most-noticed parts of his performance. Less widely understood perhaps was what accompanied the impromptu jab—his threat to veto the forthcoming budget if it ended up bloated by insertions and live with a reenacted budget instead. one can even imagine the Department of Budget and management arguing that the past insertions have been fulfilled, and that their reenacted provisions are freed up for other uses by the executive—independent of a checkmated congress, or something along those lines.
A news report on the jockeying for the senate presidency ends by suggesting that the continued survival of the current senate president hangs on a thread—the support of the first lady tempered by the preference of the president for the restoration of sotto. other observers have noted that the president’s son, being majority floor Leader of the house, keeps u PAGE 7
there is a reason why ancient philosophers were profoundly skeptical about democracy. in “the republic,” Plato described democracy as “a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike.” Witnessing the tragic demise of his mentor, socrates, at the hands of demagogues, Plato was alert to the tendency of majoritarian democracies to descend into demagogic frenzy. While aware of the halcyon days of Athenian democracy, when grand statesmen like Pericles inspired political grandeur, he was also acutely alarmed by the tendency of even promising democracies to undergo political degeneration. superstition, populist antics, and authoritarian tendencies always threatened to poison even the most promising democracies.
Plato’s protégé, Aristotle, was even more critical, dismissing democracy as “analogous to tyranny, where law has ceased to be sovereign and the notion of a constitution has practically disappeared.”
Question The Box
inEz PonCE dE lEon
LAst week, my family and i left the Philippines for a vacation in Japan.
We slogged through our departure amid disarray and disaster. the traffic was awful. Paying for tolls was infuriating, as some people tried to cut into already-long lines. the airport driveway was slippery from the leaking shades overhead. flights were delayed because of staff shortages. the news on our phones kept replaying scenes of different cities and towns across the Philippines crippled by floods, and, much later, scenes of a government crippled by technicalities. When we arrived in tokyo, we got gracious assistance at every turn. even when queuing in long lines, people were patient. things didn’t change in sapporo: people were helpful, sometimes apologetic, but not oversolicitous or annoying. if they didn’t know english, they took out their phones and called on the powers of Google translate. When i trotted out my beginner Nihongo, they gig-
for Aristotle, democracy is “a constitution in which the free-born and poor, being the majority, control the government.” But Aristotle was no fan of oligarchy either, lamenting a system in which “the rich and better-born, being the minority, control the government.” While Plato preferred a proto-socialist system under the thumb of a “philosopher king,” Aristotle believed in a “mixed system” whereby the best elements of aristocracy, monarchy, and majoritarian rule create a stable and inclusive political system. our political system represents the worst combination of what Aristotle understood as “oligarchy” and “democracy.” instead of getting a “philosopher king,” as in singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, we have steadily descended into a kakistocracy, whereby feckless demagogues, grifters, and craven sophists have come to dominate the ostensibly “democratic” landscape. meanwhile, a tiny minority controls the commanding heights of the economy. At the height of political reformism under former president Benigno Aquino, the 40 richest families on the forbes
crisis?
Horizons Philippine ‘democrazy’: A constitutional
wealth list swallowed up 76 percent of the country’s gross domestic product growth. that is twice as bad as in thailand and more than 10 times worse than in neighboring malaysia. the same period also saw political dynasties controlling up to eight out of 10 elected offices. the entry of the “Dutertegarchs” under the former president has only worsened this dynamic. the back-to-back victory of the Dutertes and marcoses was the most explicit rejection of supine reformism that replaced the dictatorship. While emotionally understandable, the “protest votes” in 2016 and 2022 were a classic “out of the frying pan [and] into the fire” situation. With liberal-reformist forces largely marginalized despite iconic wins in the latest elections, we have ended up with a vicious showdown between two powerful dynasties. the recent supreme court decision was no surprise to me. Nor was the spirited critique of it by legal luminaries from across the political spectrum. And while it’s true that the majority of our supreme court justices were appointed by u PAGE A7
A change of habits
gled, answered in both Nihongo and halting english, and beamed when i attempted to carry out whatever conversation i could. they set aside tasks to help and explained their answers, even if it took time, even if they had to revert to full Nihongo and interpretative dance, so that i had to go with context clues.
this was something we’ve always observed in Japan, even in cities with divergent temperaments. in tokyo, with its loud structures and quieter residents, as in sapporo, with its smaller environs and bustling citizens, there were people willing to help, or people telling others to be quiet so that people wouldn’t be bothered by the noise.
People weren’t just polite. they were considerate.
Yes, we haven’t ever lived in Japan, so we don’t know its flaws or see the inconveniences of everyday life. Yet we’ve always heard ourselves being compared with the Japanese, to the point that people ask why we aren’t as disciplined or as innovative, to the point that people think that simply making our rules stricter will make filipinos more obedient. the discipline the Japanese exercise, however, is woven into
their everyday lives and could stem from how they view themselves in relation to others. the innovation they possess isn’t just something built by funding, but something that seems to come from childhood. this was most apparent when we visited sapporo’s newly built AoAo aquarium, which was inside a mall that featured a lot of amenities: a playroom for arts and crafts, bookshelves and reading nooks built next to smaller aquariums, and even a café where people could watch rockhopper penguins while eating a croissant or sipping coffee. the children weren’t screaming or showing off. the books were well maintained. the whole place was clean even if people could bring in their food. there were maintenance personnel and few trash bins, but people didn’t leave their trash to be picked up. their cleanliness wasn’t born of fear, but a consideration for others (perhaps a habit?). the children were curious as well. they pointed at animals, asked their parents questions, smiled as they received answers. And their parents? engaged, with no baby talk, reading the u PAGE 7
S. Cruz
riChard hEydarian
House, Senate trade barbs over Sara...
replace the speaker? sen. imee marcos, the very cousin of romualdez, was more direct in criticizing the house, claiming that the push to proceed with Duterte’s impeachment was influenced by political interests to eliminate her from the 2028 national race.
Sa mga mahal kong kongresista, may suggestion po ako. Suggestion lang naman. Huwag niyong masamain. Kaysa inaatupag niyong palitan ang pinili ng taumbayan, ibinoto at minahal, bakit di niyo na lang palitan ang tao na kayo lang naman ang pumili?" she asked.
(To my dear fellow congressmen, I have a suggestion. It’s just a suggestion, so please don’t take it the wrong way. Instead of focusing on replacing someone chosen, voted for, and loved by the people, why not replace the one who was chosen only by you?)
"Ano kaya kung 'yung Speaker niyo nalang ang palita niyo?" marcos suggested, encouraging the lower chamber of being capable to do so.
(How about replacing your Speaker instead?) house Deputy majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong described marcos' suggestion to replace the speaker as "unwarranted, undemocratic and unwise."
With 2028 elections in mind marcos wasn't the only senator who explained their vote with the 2028 elections in mind. sen. Alan Peter cayetano, who said that while the senate is all for accountability, he believes the supreme court is right: “Sa tamang panahon, tamang proseso.” (At the right time, right process.) "Dapat may impeachment, pero hindi dapat gamitin ito nang magkalaban lang sa pulitika. Ayaw natin maging presidente si Vice President Sara, talunin niyo nalang sa 2028. Ngayon, kung talagang may
PAGE 6
ginawa siyang masama, edi i-impeach pero sa tamang paraan," cayetano said when he explained his vote.
(There should be an impeachment, but it shouldn't be used just because political rivals are at odds. We don't want Vice President Sara to become president, then just beat her in 2028. Now, if she really did something wrong, then go ahead and impeach her, but do it the right way.)
Acidre, however, disagreed with marcos' and cayetano's assumption, denying the impeachment had anything to do with the 2028 elections.
"Nag-umpisa ito dahil may tanong ang taumbayan. (This started because the people had questions.)
... Let's not insult the intelligence of our people," he added.
Deputy speaker Jay Khonghun also came to romualdez’s defense, criticizing some senators for their remarks, which he said lacked restraint and risked undermining the integrity of the institution.
“What was said was not just a personal opinion. It became a public provocation. And when a senator calls for the ouster of the House Speaker, that’s not just political noise anymore, it becomes borderline interference,” he said in a statement.
Corruption claims unanswered if the senate is serious about holding public officials accountable, Khonghun said it should focus on the unresolved issues surrounding the vice president’s confidential funds and the bribery allegations.
senior Deputy speaker Jay-Jay suarez also said that the senate's archiving of the impeachment is simply a "deflection from the real issues raised in the impeachment case."
Maybe the better question is:
Why is the Senate avoiding accountability? Why archive a complaint when the Supreme Court hasn’t even ruled with finality yet?" Adiong asked.
rep. Joel chua (manila, 3rd District), who chairs the house good government panel that led the investigation, added that these could have been addressed had the senate allowed the prosecution panel to present its evidence and the articles of impeachment, instead of shelving the case after raising more questions than answers.
At tinatanong ng taumbayan kung nasaan napunta ang higit kalahating bilyong piso na nawawala po. Tinatanong din po ng taumbayan kung nasaan at kung sino si Mary Grace Piattos," he said, referring to the alleged misuse of confidential funds and its questionable recipients.
(And the public is asking where the more than half a billion pesos that went missing went. They're also asking where and who Mary Grace Piattos is.) he added that the allegations that Duterte faces in her impeachment won't be resolved by attacking romualdez because the bigger picture in this case is accountability.
Ngayon ang tanong ko po, ano po ba ang iniiwasan at pinoprotektahan nila?" chua asked. (Now my question is, what are they trying to avoid and protect?)
While some may view the senate’s decision to archive the impeachment as its conclusion, suarez pointed out that it "does not erase the people’s demand for answers."
the senate may have archived the impeachment, but the supreme court has yet to decide on the motion for reconsideration filed by the house before Duterte's impeachment could be considered officially dead. n
A vision beyond the term
rightly. this is the kind of leadership the Philippines urgently needs. Not governance focused solely on metrics or optics, but leadership that embraces nationbuilding as an intergenerational responsibility. the current administration’s efforts to expand infrastructure, accelerate digital transformation, and attract foreign investment are not without merit. if institutionalized and implemented with continuity, these initiatives have the potential to reshape the Philippine economy and its place in the region. But success will not be determined by project launches or ribbon cuttings. it will depend on whether the systems behind them are built to last and to serve citizens regardless of who occupies malacañang.
congress must rise to the same challenge. its role is not simply to pass laws or assert party loyalty. the 20th congress inherits the responsibility to build frameworks that protect long-term national interestseducation policy that readies the next generation, climate measures that preserve the archipelago, fiscal policies that resist short-term populism in favor of long-term solvency. A republic is not secured by a single term in office. it is fortified by the accumulation of decisions made with foresight and humility. Democratic leadership is often quiet, even thankless. But it is this quiet labor that protects the soul of a nation. in filipino, we call this paninindigan: the act of standing firm, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. it is this kind of character that must
guide the leaders of today. Not a pursuit of personal legacy, but a commitment to shaping institutions that will outlast them. We must remember that nations are not built in six-year increments. they are shaped across generations through deliberate, principled action. the work of governance is not only to respond to the present but to prepare for a future we may never see. Let this be the moment when our leaders embrace that responsibility. Let public office become a platform for legacy, not a stepping stone for power. Let governance be defined by the strength of vision, not the brevity of tenure. history will not remember how loudly one ruled. it will remember how long the nation endured because of how wisely it was led. (AJPress)
Social democracy in the...
Philippine ‘democrazy’: A constitutional...
the former president, it’s unfair to make any automatic inferences about their decision-making. having heard basically all sides of the debate on the sara impeachment issue, including senior statesmen from all three branches of the state, it’s clear to me that blaming a single individual or institution for our current predicament misses the point. it also risks alienating potential allies for genuine transformation down the road. my fear is not only a constitutional crisis in the technical sense of the word, especially since our legislature is likely to defer to our highest court’s latest ruling, but also in a more functional and
profound sense. the politico-legal ping-pong among different pillars of the government is only reinforcing social dissatisfaction and a potential constitutional crisis. We risk sleepwalking into a systematic breakdown not too different from how the so-called “operation car Wash” scandal in Brazil ended up discrediting almost the entirety of the country’s political elite, culminating in en masse resignations and successive protest votes over the past decade. our current impasse may even pave the way for an extra-constitutional coup de grâce. Don’t take our democratic politics for granted. in a Pew research center survey, as many as
half of filipinos favored autocratic rule if it meant a more responsive political system. Unless our political elite gets its act together, we risk strengthening extremist “revolutionary government” voices as well as making our beloved country more vulnerable to the machinations of foreign powers. the political center is barely holding, and we may soon be peering into the abyss. (Inquirer.net)
A change of habits
rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph
region.
chile presents a more complex trajectory. the brutal military dictatorship under Pinochet gave way to a democratic transition marked by a pragmatic social democracy under the consertación coalition. While chile retained many neoliberal policies, it also implemented significant social spending and poverty reduction programs. the case illustrates the compromises and achievements of post-authoritarian reform movements. Kerala, a state in southern india, offers a subnational example. With high human development indicators despite low per capita income, Kerala demonstrates how political mobilization, specially through leftist parties and mass organizations, can drive pro-poor policies in a democratic framework.
According to its authors: “the lesson of these cases is not that there is a single path to social democracy but rather that political will, strategic coalitions and inclusive institutions can refrain
the possibilities for equitable development in the global periphery.” the term “global periphery” refers to the non-western world. the important lesson for the Philippines is that economic growth and social justice are not opposing goals. the usual argument in a capitalist economy is that in order to accelerate economic growth, a country must sacrifice social justice such as a living wage for the labor sector. it is possible that in third World countries, social democratic reforms with its goal of equitable distribution of wealth might be difficult to achieve in countries where authoritarianism, weak institutions and crony capitalism prevail. Because the authors rightly stress the importance of grass roots mobilization, social democracy faces obstacles in countries where civil society, mass movements and nongovernmental organizations are relatively weak. in the Philippines, however, there is already sufficient groundswell for social demo-
cratic principles to have solid following. some examples of these is the movement to raise the minimum wage substantially in spite of the strong opposition from certain business sectors. there are also social democratic policies that are strongly gaining support, like strengthening universal health care, free meals for grade school children and the repeal of the rice tariffication Law to help small farmers. one of the biggest obstacles to an equitable society is to drastically minimize the scourge of graft and corruption that is currently pervasive in our society. the realization of the Philippines as a social democratic state where social justice and the equitable distribution of wealth is a pragmatic, not a utopian, goal. (Philstar.com)
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * * Email: elfrencruz@gmail.com
aquarium descriptions to their children and showing their own sense of wonder. there were fewer people taking photos than parents reading to their children.
We often say we have to change our culture, but there isn’t a standard definition of what a culture is. cultures are always in flux: as people shift residences, change their beliefs, reexamine their values, or raise their children in ways distinct from their own, so are they participating in and reconstructing culture.
Perhaps what we mean is that we need incremental, consistent change in habits. A big step: stop dismissing children’s questions and allow people to question authority. engage others in conversation. Listen. Let children be curious and eventually learn to think
critically. reward critical thinking that allows children to improve their lives and innovate, rather than cookie-cutter projects that fulfill template criteria. then maybe we’ll have kids who grow up curious and considerate, who want people around them to feel loved and welcomed so that their convenience doesn’t come at the price of someone else’s dignity. maybe we’ll have people who don’t label themselves “resilient” all because they put up with haphazard urban planning and incompetent leaders. maybe we’ll have people who speak up because they see wrongdoing, who will protest when they see corruption, who will raise hell when technicalities stand in the way of justice. maybe we’ll have people who
value actual leadership over entertainment. maybe we’ll have people who vote for servant-leaders rather than lame ducks or thieves who stand as symbols of wannabe dynasties. overhauling a culture doesn’t mean telling people to shut up and obey, or just deal with their suffering. that’s not instilling discipline. that’s oppression.
We don’t have to be like the Japanese, or the singaporeans, or whoever.
We just have to be better filipinos. (Inquirer.net) * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the
and
of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * iponcedeleon@ateneo.edu
Between the lines
his uncle, the speaker, on a tight leash moving forward. the implication is that the freewheeling self-servicing of legislators in the budget is something the president may have grudgingly lived with as the price of the midterms, but it isn’t one he will pay again moving forward, which is what he said to congress’ face last monday. the professional skeptics, of course, had a field day with the president’s exhortations to be honest and less freewheeling with public funds, something which a more nuanced skeptic reminded me was off the mark. “the first chair of the sec in America was Joseph Kennedy, one of the most unscrupulous profiteers of his
era, which made him the perfect guardian against the continuation of such practices. sometimes you need the fox to guard the henhouse.” i thought this was more straightforward than the example i wanted to give, which is that old french saying that behind every great fortune lies a great crime, which implies liberating its inheritors from repeating foundational dirty deeds, hence the lofty quip of late senator Pacita madrigal Warns, “millionaires don’t steal.”
Whether it is true or false is beside the point—the threat is the threat is the threat.
Besides the already politically passionate, it seems to me most reactions were positive on this score: the president admitted he’d been
rebuked at the polls, and pledged to do something to show he understood the public’s message –the list of things he intends to do being more about their matching the actual personal concerns and priorities of the electorate than being about the wish-fulfillment of academics, journalists, and partisans. At the very last, it channels forthcoming debates to an arena he has defined. (Inquirer.net)
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * Email: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @mlq3
asian
Journal
She led a billion-dollar empire, now she’s leading a new conversation
Loida Nicolas Lewis continues to lead not through wealth or titles but by amplifying the voices of others
by AJPress
At 82, Loida Nicolas Lewis, filipino American lawyer, philanthropist, and former ceo of tLc Beatrice, could have chosen to rest on her extraordinary legacy. she had already shattered glass ceilings, led a billion-dollar company, and authored a bestselling memoir titled, Why should Guys have All the fun? But instead of turning inward, she turned outward. she followed the success of her book not with another story about herself but with a podcast that invites others to share theirs. in the Loida Lewis Podcast, which just concluded its third season and is set to launch season 4 this fall, Loida creates space for both the often overlooked and the widely celebrated—artists, immigrants, trailblazers, and quiet changemakers alike. each conversation unfolds as a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and the transformative power of listening.
“This isn’t about going viral,” Lewis says. “it’s about making memory visible, while the storytellers are still with us.” through love, loss, and leadership, Lewis has come to un-
derstand that legacy isn’t measured by what you leave behind but by what you elevate while you’re still here. And in a world growing louder and faster, she offers something rare: intentional attention. she asks questions not to fill silence but to create understanding. her podcast has become more than just a platform. it is a living archive of wisdom, culture, and truth-telling. it is also a reminder that the most powerful leaders don’t just take the stage - they pass the microphone.
A life rewritten in chapters of courage Loida Nicolas was born in sorsogon, Philippines, to entrepreneurial parents as the middle of five children in a devout catholic family. from a young age, she was taught that ambition is not for self-glorification but for service. that lesson shaped the course of her life. she earned her law degree from the University of the Philippines, graduating seventh in her class in 1967, and passed the Philippine Bar examination the following year.
As a gift, her father (who did not finish his law studies at UP) sent her on a round-the-world
trip, stopping in New York city, where her sister imelda was pursuing her master of Arts at columbia University. then, destiny took a turn: she met reginald f Lewis, an African American harvard Law school graduate working at one of America’s prestigious law firms. in interviews, she described him as "more intense, more dominant, a triple A-type personality, and more ambitious than her." she found her match. seven months later, she married reginald, and in the process, she gave up her family, friends, and dreams of entering politics in her home country.
While he worked for corporations and high-net-worth families, she worked for those living in spanish harlem until she gave birth to their eldest daughter, Leslie. then, in 1973, the U.s supreme court knocked down U.s. citizenship as a requirement to take the bar examinations. since the University of the Philippines college of Law is recognized by the New York state Board of Law examiners, Loida was eligible to take the New York Bar exam. she became the first Asian woman to pass the New York state Bar without a U.s. law
degree and later won a groundbreaking discrimination case against the U.s immigration and Naturalization service. i believe that if I work hard towards my goal,” she once said, with tenacity and integrity, I would get there. this mindset, fortified by faith in God and sharpened by trial, would define her leadership years later. her husband, reginald f. Lewis, became the first Black billion-dollar dealmaker when he engineered the leveraged buyout of Beatrice international foods. When he passed away suddenly in 1993, she mourned for half a year. then, she stepped into his shoes, took over tLc Beatrice, a multinational food corporation located in europe, at a time when few women, let alone women of color, were seen in boardrooms. she downsized the luxuries, relocated the headquarters, balanced the books, and led not with bravado, but with stewardship. It wasn’t about preserving power,” she said. “It was about preserving purpose.” A podcast as ministry, memory, and mirror When Loida launched the Loida Lewis Podcast in 2024, it wasn’t designed to impress. it was designed to remember. each episode is an offering to history, to community, and to truth. she speaks with those who have faced injustice and those who have created beauty. she welcomes voices both with fanfare and those still waiting for recognition. Across generations and continents, her interviews trace the quiet heroism that often goes undocumented. there is no performance. No sensationalism. Just space. she listens with intention, reflects without judgment, and honors
Faith through uncertainty: How Kathy Current found purpose and financial healing
For anyone who’s ever whispered, “God, I can’t do this anymore,” Filipino American coach Kathy Current offers faith-based healing from debt, divorce, and shame in Heal Your Money Wounds God’s Way
by AJPress
WheN you’re drowning in debt, it’s not just the bills that bury you. it’s the fear. the shame. the ache of having to start over when you never asked for things to fall apart.
Kathy current knows this intimately. once a respected mortgage
advisor with a thriving career, Kathy was brought to her knees when her husband walked away from their marriage. the loss wasn’t just emotional — it was economic, spiritual, and deeply personal.
“I didn’t just lose a relationship,” Kathy shares. “I lost the future we planned, the lifestyle we built, and the confidence I once carried. Everything I trusted felt like it was collapsing.” What came next wasn’t just about survival—it was about transformation. When heartbreak meets hardship in the wake of her marriage ending, Kathy faced a tidal wave of change. her finances spiraled, her career momentum stalled, and her sense of purpose slipped out of focus. she was, in her words, “crushed but breathing.”
“People talk about rebuilding, but sometimes you don’t even know
where to begin,” she says. “I knew how to help people buy homes. But I didn’t know how to heal a home that had broken from the inside out.” that’s when she turned to God—not for answers, but for presence. And that’s when everything began to shift. From real estate to real healing in the silence of her struggle, Kathy began to see her clients — and herself— through new eyes. the people she had helped with mortgages weren’t just financially overwhelmed. they were emotionally exhausted. spiritually disconnected. carrying money wounds that no spreadsheet could solve. And she realized: so was she. that calling led Kathy to become a trauma-informed financial coach, guiding others through the very path she had walked. her book, heal Your money Wounds God’s Way, is now a lifeline for people searching not just for financial freedom—but peace, forgiveness, and spiritual restoration.
Five faith-filled steps to heal your money story through her coaching and writing, Kathy offers a simple but powerful roadmap for those navigating both debt and despair:
1. Recognize the wound
You can’t heal what you won’t name. Beneath every financial mistake is often a deeper emotional hurt—abandonment, fear, scarcity, or shame.
2. Forgive yourself
“Your failures are not final,” Kathy says. “You are more than your worst decision.”
3. Invite God into the process healing isn’t about hustle. it’s about surrender. “You don’t need a miracle formula. You need God’s presence,” she adds.
4. Take small steps Budget one bill. cancel one unnecessary expense. Ask one trusted friend for help. small faith steps open big doors.
5. Stay hopeful the process won’t be instant. But you will grow stronger. “God doesn’t waste pain. He rebuilds purpose from it,” Kathy affirms.
When shame whispers, grace answers louder Kathy often works with people who believe they’ve messed up too badly to ever recover. they’re in debt, in grief, or in the middle of divorce or depression—and they’re convinced it’s too late.
“Shame is a liar,” she says.
“It tells you you’re finished. But God says you’re just getting started.”
each guest not as content but as a keeper of a story that matters. And in doing so, she reminds listeners that everyone, no matter how invisible they may feel, has something sacred to say.
Lessons for the next generation
Loida’s podcast isn’t just for those who know her name. it is for those who wonder what strength looks like beyond youth, what influence means beyond titles, and what legacy requires beyond ambition. to young people searching for identity, she says, “Begin with integrity.” to women asked to shrink, she says, “Stand on what you’ve survived. to immigrants navigating systems built to exclude them, she says, “You are not here by accident. Claim your space.” her story, and the stories she now tells, form a kind of spiritual blueprint - not for how to succeed in the world’s eyes, but for how to serve with conviction,
lead with humility, and age with grace.
The final word is not hers, and that’s the point At a time when many leaders are still seeking the spotlight, Loida Nicolas Lewis is shining it on others. she knows that the most transformative legacy is not the one etched in stone or sealed in trophies. it is the one that echoes in the lives we help shape.
At 82, she has chosen not to deliver a final act but to open another door. in the end, greatness is not measured by how many people listen to you. it is measured by how many voices you help the world hear.
Listen to The Loida Lewis Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube
Produced by: Lora Nicolas Olaes and the Over A Glass or Two team, with Jessy Daing and JV Valino More info: theloidalewispodcast.com.
Kathy Current, trauma-informed financial coach
If you’re at the end of your rope— tie a knot today, Kathy coaches others with the same tenderness and truth that saved her. she reminds them that walking away from what broke you doesn’t mean you’re defeated. it means you’re still alive. still chosen. still here. “I thought losing my marriage was the end,” she reflects. “But it was the beginning of who I was always meant to become.”
Remember: You are not your debt. Not your divorce. Not your disappointment. You are loved. You are seen and God still has plans for you. Where to begin again You can connect with Kathy at currentlycoaching.com or
We
With the tagline “Let’s live, love, laugh and learn together,” The Loida Lewis Podcast invites listeners into heartfelt conversations that weave together cultural storytelling, empowerment, and timeless life lessons that resonate across generations.
Carolyn Fuggett during her 80th birthday celebration, joined by her son, the late business leader Reginald F. Lewis, and daughter-in-law, Loida Nicolas Lewis, who delivered heartfelt remarks to honor the occasion.
Loida Nicolas Lewis with her daughters, Leslie Lewis (left) and Christina Lewis Halpern (right), during a dinner with U.S. President Barack Obama at their Manhattan home in May 2015. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Moritz Photography
fiL-Am community Gets more immigration Questions
Answered in Part 2 of this “Your Tanong, my Sagot episode of filipino Picnic at the Park” on “citizen Pinoy” – this sunday! this sunday, “citizen Pinoy” airs Part 2 of “filipino Picnic at the Park,” a special *Your Tanong, my Sagot” (Ytms) episode filmed during the memorial Day celebration of the Philippine-American Association of the treasure coast (Phil-Am tc) in Port st. Lucie, florida. the community event followed Phil-Am tc’s grand 40th Anniversary Ball and brought families together once again to share food, culture, laughter, and immigration concerns.
Phil-Am tc, founded in 1985, is a nonprofit organization composed of filipino-American professionals, healthcare workers, business owners, and artists from florida’s treasure
coast. their mission includes promoting filipino culture, granting scholarships, helping those in need, and fostering unity within the community through events like this picnic at sandhill crane Park. in this second installment, leading U.s immigration Attorney michael J. Gurfinkel answers four more pressing immigration questions from attendees.
Lorna asks if there is a way to bring her estranged husband’s illegitimate child to the U.s francis inquires which is the faster path to legal status for his overstaying relative, through their U.s. citizen children? or through a wife being petitioned by her employer?
maita wonders whether her American friends should file a fiancée petition or marry their filipina girlfriends in the Philippines?
Lastly, Nympha and steve ask what happens to a petition filed by their father in 2010 for their brothers, now that their father has passed away?
Don’t miss this informative episode of “citizen Pinoy”, where Atty. Gurfinkel answers more burning immigration questions from fil-Am families in florida this sunday only on tfc
As always, Atty. Gurfinkel breaks down complex immigration concerns into clear and practical advice.
Be sure to watch Part 2 of this filipino picnic series in this informative “Your Tanong my Sagot” episode of citiZeN PiNoY – this sunday at 6:30 Pm Pt (9:30 Pm et) through select cable/satellite providers, right after tV Patrol Linggo. citizen Pinoy is also available on iWanttfc. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
Manila-born Manny Jacinto joins fans at ‘Freakier Friday’ Philippine premiere
by John Marwin Elao Philstar.com
fANs got a kilig treat as manila-born filipino-canadian actor manny Jacinto joined the fan event ahead of the Philippine premiere of Disney's freakier friday."
the actor, who plays the role of eric reyes in the film, was met with filipino fans screaming as he walked onstage to greet the mall of Asia crowd last August 5.
Sobrang excited to be here," Jacinto said, adding, "So much love, it really means the world. Jacinto revealed he was born in manila and was proud to be back in the country. he shared that it felt "wild" to be working alongside Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee curtis in the sequel. he also opened up about being cast as a father for the first time, "I would have an anak — a little kid of my own — for the first time... I just drew upon the experiences of my parents and those memories,
and yeah, here we are.
During the event, Jacinto joined fans for a game of "Pinoy Henyo" to test how "Pinoy" he still is. one word was "Anna" — Lohan's character — which Jacinto correctly guessed in seconds. he hugged the lucky fan he played with, sending the crowd into another frenzy. the second word, "friday," led to another correct guess and more cheers. the fan, clearly overwhelmed, said, "I don't know how to feel" after Jacinto looked directly at her.
A third fan was shaking from excitement, and afterwards Jacinto took selfies, gave more hugs, and dropped sweet tagalog lines like "Mahal kita" and "Maraming salamat." "freakier friday," the muchawaited sequel to the 2003 Disney classic, follows tess (curtis) and Anna (Lohan) years after their original body-swap mishap — this time, Anna is a
Lorna with Atty. Gurfinkel
Maita with Atty. Gurfinkel
Steven & Nympha with Atty. Gurfinkel
Francis with Atty. Gurfinkel
Manny Jacinto during the fan event of
“Freakier Friday” at the SM Mall of Asia on August 5. Philstar.com photos
mom and soon-to-be stepmom. As their families merge, another unexpected switch puts their bond to the test, proving lightning can strike twice. (With reports from Dominique Nicole Flores)
Family Time at LA’s Universal Studios Hollywood
It is indeed wonderful to be back at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH), the entertainment capital of L.A., after 32 years!
The first time I visited USH was in 1993. I received six complimentary tickets (for my sister, brotherin-law, two nieces, nephew, and myself), and we truly enjoyed the shows, rides, and unforgettable experiences. I featured that thrilling visit in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, where I was then working as a journalist.
This recent 2025 visit, with five tickets, including one for my 86-year-old mother, Rosita Constantino Medina, was made possible through the kindness of USH Public Relations Manager Diana O’Campo. It was even more exciting, meaningful, and memorable, with many new improvements and amenities offered at Universal Studios Hollywood.
We arrived at 8:45 a.m. at Universal CityWalk Hollywood. While there is a charge for parking, there is no general admission fee to enter the CityWalk promenade itself. You can freely stroll through the shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
As soon as we reached the entrance, I was struck by the wide variety of restaurants. We had breakfast at Power Up Café. My mother and I then passed by a magic house to watch a show, while the younger ones went off to ride an exhilarating roller coaster.
Later that morning, we took the Studio Tour, which came with a clear warning:
“This tour passes through several attractions that include loud explosions, large flame effects, fog effects, and tidal wave effects. The vehicle rocks aggressively during some attractions.”
Visitors with certain conditions, including heart problems, high blood pressure, pregnancy, sensitivity to strobe or fog effects, motion sickness, or recent surgery, were advised not to ride. We were instructed to remain seated in the tram, supervise children, keep hands and feet inside, and pull the red cord in case of emergency.
The Studio Tour was mesmerizing. Highlights included the New York sets (brownstone streets, Courthouse Square, the theatre district), Earthquake, Little Europe, Six Points Texas/Western
Street, Flash Flood, Jaws, the iconic picture cars from Fast & Furious and Back to the Future, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, King Kong, Norman Bates at the Psycho house and motel, War of the Worlds, and Jupiter’s Claim from NOPE I was especially enchanted by Steven Spielberg Drive. It was so peaceful, with cool, breezy trees lining the road. After the Studio Tour, we had lunch nearby at CityWalk. It’s such a comfortable place, surrounded by shops and restaurants. Around 1 p.m., we returned to USH to watch a WaterWorld show, one of the main attractions. Management warned: “You may get wet!” We prepared ourselves for a breathtaking, action-filled performance featuring deathdefying stunts in a live sea-war setting.
The cast, Brian Combs, Melissa Millicano, Trevor Fisch, Robert Gardner, Yeyo Quiles, Emerson
Keyes, Ricky Fiorillo, Stan Elton, and Daniel Batson, delivered superb performances.
Next, we visited DreamWorks Theater Featuring Kung Fu Panda. It was a delightful experience, and the staff were courteous and kind.
We were even the first to enter the theater. I truly enjoyed the beloved cartoon character and his adventures.
Our next challenge was reaching the Lower Lot, where more thrilling rides awaited: Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World, and Transformers 3D. We endured the trek via four escalators. The entire Starway system spans about a quarter mile and takes roughly 8–10 minutes to travel from the Upper Lot to the Lower Lot.
We relaxed at Super Nintendo World, and the younger ones braved another water ride to cool off.
To return to the Upper Lot, I requested the Alternative Transport Vehicle (ATV) for my mother,
Sofronio Vasquez bonds with Michael Bublé, Paul Anka, David Foster
by annE PasaJol Inquirer.net
‘the Voice UsA’ champion sofronio Vasquez could not seem to contain his excitement as he bonded with michael Bublé, Paul Anka and David foster, ahead of the release of their music collaboration.
the filipino singer showed a photo with the canadian singers and composer, through his instagram page on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Also with them in the photo was Grammy-nominated producer Jorge Vivo. for some time, i thought something like this would only be possible in a dream. And here i am with them,” Vasquez said in the caption. “i can’t wait for all of you to hear the music we made. coming soon! in a separate facebook post, Vasquez showed a glimpse of himself with Bublé and Anka heading to a dinner together.
“Just in case, i’m not believing myself right now,” he captioned the video.
Prior to this, Vasquez had already revealed he is set to release an eP produced by Bublé, his coach and mentor in the reality singing competition. the filipino singer further disclosed that the eP will include a duet christmas song and an english-filipino
and the USH team graciously accommodated us.
While waiting, we met a kindhearted elderly lady from Kentucky and her three companions. We chatted for a while, and I hope to see them again someday.
We capped off our day back at CityWalk with a 7 p.m. dinner.
Joining us were my niece, fashion designer Ann K. Isip, and her gifted child.
How I wish I could return to Universal Studios Hollywood for another one or two days to continue exploring its exciting, informative, and entertaining attractions.
I truly love USH and deeply admire the hardworking team who strive to make every visit unforgettable. ***
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com
‘Les
by hannah Mallorca Inquirer.net
sB19 and sarah Geronimo’s collaborative track Umaaligid” continues to make waves in the music scene as it debuted at the fourth spot of Billboard’s World Digital song sales chart. the milestone was confirmed by Billboard Philippines on tuesday, August 5. According to the publication, this is a monumental feat for the track, as it happened with just two days of tracking on the chart. this was also announced by the Geronimo and matteo Guidicelli-owned G music on its social media platforms on the same day.
Umaaligid’ debuts at #4 on Billboard’s World Digital song sales chart. We’re grateful for your never-ending support for sarah Geronimo and sB19,” the post read. this marks Geronimo’s second song to enter the Billboard World Digital song sales chart
after the megahit “Tala” in 2020. meanwhile, this is sB19’s fourth entry on the chart after “Gento,” “DUNGKA!”, and “DAm.” “Umaaligid” is the second song that the “A Very special Love” star and P-pop quintet worked on together after “Ace Your World,” a track done in partnership with a taiwanese tech giant. the official audio and music video were released last July 30.
Both local artists are set to hit a joint concert on saturday, August 9, at the mall of Asia Arena. other acts that are part of the lineup are G22, Klarisse de Guzman, shuvee etrata, Brent manalo, mika salamanca, ralph De Leon, Will Ashley, esnyr, charlie fleming, itchyworms, Kamikazee, and maki.
“Umaaligid’s” achievement adds another feather to the P-pop powerhouse’s cap after they recently bagged the international Group of the Year award at the sec Awards. this is their third time to win the award.
Misérables: World Tour Spectacular’ to stage in Manila in January 2026
by caMillE santiago Philstar.com
YoU’Ve dreamed a dream, and now it’s coming true. the highly anticipated Les misérables: World tour spectacular was announced to open in manila in January 2026 for a limited engagement at the theatre at solaire. the cameron mackintosh production, in association with Nick Grace management and GmG Productions, is set to offer a “breathtaking reimagining” of the classic musical, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
featuring a whole new design, this musical production is enhanced with new sets and lighting, promising a fresh visual experience. it comes to life with a company and crew of over 110, including an international allstar cast and a large ensemble of both filipino and international musicians performing live on stage.
We’re beyond thrilled to bring this monumental show back to Manila. This time in a groundbreaking, never-before-seen format,” says GmG Productions ceo carlos candal. “Filipino audiences have always shown an incredible passion for worldclass theatre, and we know LES MISÉRABLES: WORLD TOUR SPECTACULAR will be unlike anything they’ve experienced before. It’s an epic reimagining of the world’s greatest musical, and we’re honored to be part of its journey around the world.
by
Les misérables: World tour spectacular is written by Alain Boublil and claude-michel schönberg and is based on the
and
by
Sarah Geronimo and SB19 in a promo for “Umaaligid.” Photo from Instagram/@justsarahg
(From left) Paul Anka, David Foster, Sofronio Vasquez, Jorge Vivo, and Michael Bublé. Photo from Instagram/@sofroniovasquez
Magallanes and Rufa Mae Quinto
from Instagram/@rufamaequinto
novel by Victor hugo. the musical features music by claude-michel schönberg, english lyrics
herbert Kretzmer,
original french text
Alain Boublil and Jean-marc Natel. Additional material was provided by James fenton, with adaptation by trevor Nunn and John caird. orchestrations are by stephen
metcalfe, christopher Jahnke, and stephen Brooker, with original orchestrations by John cameron. James Powell and Jean-Pierre Van Der spuy are set to direct the show, with matt Kinley leading set design and costumes by Andreane Neofitou, christine rowland, and Paul Wills.
Photos courtesy of GMG Productions
The popular “Waterworld” show at Universal Studios Hollywood. Rosita Constantino Medina (2nd from right) with her family.
Grandmother Rosita Constantino Medina (center)
AJ columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles.
86-year-old Rosita Constantino Medina enjoys the Universal Studios Hollywood tour.
the toxicity of marijuana (leaves and flowers of cannabis) has been dangerously underestimated, especially its association with cancer. this false “innocence” is now being challenged by new studies. recent findings show “a growing population of younger patients with high cannabis consumption who are presenting with aggressive cancers.”
While the link between marijuana use and testicular cancer and respiratory illnesses has been well-reported, its link to these deadly cancers is only now becoming more obvious.
Nowadays, we have so many varieties of entertainment, it is insane to even consider marijuana or other drugs (even alcohol or tobacco) as recreational drugs. they are all detrimental to health. No less than poison. medical (use of) marijuana, on the other hand, is a welcome addition to the physician’s armamentarium.
the vital role of parents and society as a whole in minimizing (if not preventing) the use of “recreational” drugs (which should actually be renamed devastation drugs) can never be overemphasized. Brain boosters for fear of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s, countless people are resorting to brain supplements, hoping to stave them off and maintain healthy cognitive and memory functions. But the question is, are brain supplements on the market only “hype” and useless, like most supplements advertised as “super drugs”?
Media consumers are bombarded daily with aggressive, testimonial-driven ads for pricey supplements purported to sharpen memory, focus, and working brain function…Some even claim to stop or slow the development of dementia,” according to ms medical News. there is no evidence they do. the trillion-dollar food supplement industry, hiding behind its self-described “non-drug food supplements” to avoid strict standard quality/safety regulation by the Us-fDA, has always been suspect. it is unfortunate that the public is left exposed to false claims and potential health safety concerns, and fend for themselves.
Last year, the federal trade commission and a federal district court in New York ”ordered the manufacturer of Prevagen to stop its claims on the grounds they lacked reliable evidence”.
indeed, “caveat emptor!” is always a wise principle in more ways than one to protect consumers. the ever-popular multivitamins/minerals appear to confer some health benefits. in a large study by the Nih-funded randomized clinical trial, researchers found that “older adults given a multivitamin had higher global cognition scores than those who did not take it. specific effects on global cognition, episodic memory, and executive function were noted. the improvement was most pronounced in those with a history of cardiovascular disease.”
Just 15 minutes tracking nearly 80,000 individuals in southeastern states for 17 years, a major study showed that a 15-minute brisk walking every day reduced mortality risk (dying prematurely), especially from cardiovascular diseases, by almost 20 percent, while hours of slow walking provided much smaller benefits, 4 percent, which is insignificant. can we spare 15 minutes a day to maximize the full potential of our natural “expiration Date”?
Alcohol and pancreatic cancer Does alcohol consumption increase the risk of cancer of the pancreas? this has been a lingering query for centuries. today, a global study of more than 2 million people, pooling data from 30 prospective cohorts, found that “daily alcohol intake was associated with a ‘modest’ increased risk for pancreatic cancer in both women and men, regardless of smoking status. this massive study also confirms there is no safe level of alcohol. one drink is one too many.
“I think this shows that alcohol use is a robust risk factor for pancreatic cancer,” said Genkinger, associate professor, epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York City, noting that even more moderate drinking level— no more than one drink for women and two for men — might be enough to boost pancreatic cancer risk.” – medscape.
Cure for Alzheimer’s?
today, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s dementia. in the United states, there are 6.7 million people with Alzheimer’s, 55 million around the world. one in 9 people (10.8 percent) aged 65 and older has Alzheimer’s; 5 percent among those aged 65 to 74; 13.1 percent of those aged 75-84; and 33.3 percent of those 85 and older.
researchers around the globe are actively seeking a cure for this dementia. one current avenue is
called repurposing, experimenting on currently approved medications that are used for other diseases.
Two cancer medications that may help overturn brain changes caused by Alzheimer’s disease, possibly slowing or even reversing the disease’s symptoms,” according to marina sorota, PhD, professor and interim director of the University of california — san francisco Bakar computational health sciences institute.
“We started with a set of 1,300 drugs and narrowed it down to the combination of letrozole and irinotecan through data-driven analysis using both molecular and clinical data,” sirota said. (Letrozole, used to treat breast cancer, and irinotecan, used to treat colorectal and lung cancer).
this new discovery provides hope to those patients ravaged by Alzheimer’s and their families who take care of them, who are also suffering from the gravity of the duties and responsibilities, much more difficult than taking care of several infants at the same time.
countless independent studies have been ongoing around the world, and this repurposing with a combination of drugs for cancer will inspire more research globally, which might then expedite the final realization of a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, a much-dreaded illness worse than death itself.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life.
Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com. Email:scalpelpen@gmail.com
sAN frANcisco – the Philippine consulate General in san francisco welcomed filipino entrepreneur and “chocolate Queen” of cebu, ms. raquel toquero-choa, during her courtesy call on 30 July 2025 at the Philippine center. ms. toquero-choa is the founder of the chocolate chamber (tcc), a homegrown brand that champions artisanal chocolate products rooted in filipino heritage and tradition.
Deputy consul General maria Paz G. cortes received ms. toquero-choa and her team, who were in the Bay Area for business meetings and their recently concluded event “Brushstrokes of Worship & Wonder: A chocolate Art experience,” held from 26 to 27 July 2025 at michael fine Art san francisco. the immersive showcase combined cacao appreciation with filipino artistry.
Joining Deputy consul General cortes during the call were consul rowena r. PangilinanDaquipil, head of the economic section, and Vice consul Glaiza G. Quarteros, head of the cultural and community section. ms. toquero-choa was accompanied by mr. edu Pantino, managing Partner of tcc
As part of the visit, ms. toquero-choa introduced some of tcc’s chocolate creations and conducted a traditional sikwate (hot chocolate) serving and
drinking ritual—offering a taste of the Philippines’ centuries-old cacao heritage. she also shared her aspiration to bring tcc’s unique chocolate experiences to U.s. shores through a future branch and collaborative projects with the diaspora. highlighting her strong advocacy for sustainable cacao production, ms. toquero-choa emphasized the role of tcc in helping train farmers and working closely with cacao cooperatives in the Philippines. from soil to soul,” she said, “our mission is to elevate Philippine cacao into a global symbol of heritage, hospitality, and hope.”
the consulate representatives assured ms. toquero-choa of the consulate’s support in promoting Philippine chocolate and expanding awareness of the country’s rich cacao traditions within the United states and encouraged her to partner with the consulate for some activities that will help advance her advocacy as well as promote PhL cacao. the consulate likewise affirmed its commitment to support filipino entrepreneurs like ms. toquero-choa and looks forward to future collaborations that celebrate filipino innovation and cultural heritage.
AUrorA, coLorADo – the Philippine consulate General in san francisco successfully concluded its two-day consular outreach mission in Aurora, colorado, held from 25 to 26 July 2025. in addition to delivering essential consular services to filipinos and filipino Americans in colorado and surrounding states, the outreach also served as a dynamic platform for promoting trade and investment opportunities between the Philippines and the United states. At the sidelines of the outreach, consul General Neil frank ferrer engaged in a productive dialogue with a diverse group of U.s. business and community
leaders. he was joined by honorary consul Donna Lavigne and executive Assistant Jennifer sto. Domingo. Business and community leaders in colorado who were present included mr. florian De castro (President, filipino American chamber of commerce, colorado), Dra. maria obis and Dr. Alexander Africa (National federation of filipino-American Association – NaffAA region V), ms. sara Garcia (XQ manufacturing), Dr. chris Gorog (ceo, Blockframe), ms. fritzie rieis (megaworld), ms. Leni De castro (fAccco member), and Dr. ramon Navarro (crosswind church).
During the meeting, consul General ferrer said, “this
outreach underscores our deep commitment to serving our nationals abroad, and equally, to creating new avenues for economic opportunities for the Philippines. Now is truly a prime time to invest in the Philippines, leveraging the robust and stable Philippines-U.s. relationship.”
he underscored the Philippines’ strategic goal to become a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services, supported by an increasingly favorable investment environment. recent legislation such as the creAte more Act and amendments to the trade Liberalization Act and foreign investments Act offer strong incentives to foreign investors. consul General ferrer also pointed to the country’s special economic zones, and highly skilled workforce, particularly in engineering and it, as major draws for potential partners. consul General ferrer concluded the meeting by reiterating the consulate’s commitment to deepening its engagement with organizations like fAccco and NaffAA, and acknowledged their critical role in fostering meaningful connections with U.s. based companies seeking to expand or diversify their operations and supply chains.
Toquero-Choa,
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (7th
L-R:
Ramon Navarro of Crosswind Church, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, Ms. Sara Garcia
XQ Manufacturing, Dra. Maria Obis of NaFFAA, CEO Chris Gorog of Block Frame, Mr. Florian de Castro of FACCCo, Dr. Alexander Africa of NaFFFAA Region V and Honorary Consul Donna Lavigne
Row L-R: Ms. Fritzie Rieis of MegaWorld, Ms. Lenie De Castro of FACCCo
Deputy Consul General Maria Paz G. Cortes, along with Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil and Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros, participate in a traditional sikwate (hot chocolate) serving and drinking ritual led by Ms. Raquel Toquero-Choa, Cebu’s “Chocolate Queen” and founder of The Chocolate Chamber.
