ESCALATING trade tensions and lingering policy uncertainties are casting long shadows over the economic outlook for Asia and the Pacific, with growth in the region seen losing steam in the coming years, according to the latest economic report by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Policy Support Unit.
“From
iatory measures to the suspension of trade facilitation procedures and the proliferation of non-tariff barriers, we are witnessing an environment that is not conducive to trade,” APEC Policy Support Unit director Carlos Kuriyama said. He added, “This uncertainty
is hurting business confidence and leading many firms to delay investments and new product launches until the situation becomes more predictable.”
According to the report, economic and trade activities across Apec’s 21 member economies have slowed markedly.
Export growth is expected to
plummet to just 0.4 percent in 2025, compared to 5.7 percent last year. On one hand, import volumes are projected to inch up by a meager 0.1 percent, a drastic slowdown from the 4.3 percent growth in 2024.
“What worries us a lot is that all of these uncertainties could af-
HMO sector’s Q1 net income surges 8,000% to ₧579.4M
By Reine Juvierre Alberto
bership fees increased. Regalado said membership fees accounted for 97.52 percent of the HMO industry’s total revenues, which also increased by 26.15 percent.
The IC said the government’s grant of P7,000 in medical allowance for qualified government employees to avail themselves of HMO coverage spurred the growth in membership fees.
“These statistical growths are not just mere numbers. They are reassuring indicators that the HMO industry continues to be a strong and reliable industry that affords Filipinos with healthcare security, ultimately uplifting Filipino lives,” Regalado said.
Meanwhile, the HMO industry’s total expenses, including income tax, grew by 20.02 percent to P22.41 billion in the first quarter from P18.67 billion in the same period last year.
The growth was driven by the 17.41 percent year-on-year rise in healthcare benefits and claims paid, which comprises 78.87 percent of the industry’s total expenses. The sector’s total assets climbed by 22.67 percent year-onyear to P87.48 billion in the first quarter from P71.31 billion.
The IC said the expansion was due to the increases in net membership fee receivables, financial
Tariff truce spurs Pacific trade rush, boosting global shippers
Irushing to ship Chinese goods to the United States using a short reprieve from paralyzing tariffs could provide a much-needed boost to global freighters.
The surprise truce between the US and China, temporarily bringing down tariffs on each other’s goods, will probably give way to a surge in transpacific shipping in the coming weeks, lifting earnings for Cosco Shipping Holdings Co., A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, and Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd., said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kenneth Loh.
The US has reduced combined levies on most Chinese imports to 30 percent from 145 percent for a period of 90 days, while the 125-percent Chinese duties on US goods will drop to 10 percent . Danish shipping giant Maersk saw an increase in bookings in the hours after the trade deal was announced, a welcome reprieve after cutting its forecast earlier this month.
While escalating trade tensions darkened the sector’s outlook earlier this year and caused US-bound shipments from China to drop by a fifth in April, things are looking up again.
Hapag-Lloyd AG, the world’s No. 5 container carrier, said it’s handling a “huge surge” in volumes this week. Volumes are up more than 50 percent compared with recent weeks, with bookings from China to the US particularly strong, Chief Executive Officer Rolf Habben Jansen said in a Bloomberg Television interview.
The trade agreement was “good news,” Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of privately owned CMA CGM SA, said in a hearing in the French Senate on Monday. He added that the world’s third-largest container carrier had lost 50 percent of its volumes toward the US since the start of the trade war.
“We’re likely to see a renewed front-loading surge as exporters and importers alike in China and the US attempt to capitalize on the steep cut in tariffs during this 90-day pause,” according to BI’s Loh.
This wave of pent-up demand is pushing up freight rates, which had been sliding since the beginning of the year, in turn boosting earnings for shipping companies.
Caunan replaces Arnel Ignacio as OWWA chief
By Samuel P. Medenilla
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos
PJr. has named Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
She replaced former OWWA administrator Arnaldo “Arnel” A. Ignacio.
As of press time, DMW has not disclosed the reason for the change in leadership in OWWA.
Caunan took her oath of office before DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac on May 16, 2025.
She thanked the President and Cacdac for giving her the opportunity to head OWWA, which is an attached agency of DMW tasked to develop and implement welfare programs and services for its member overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
“I am sincerely grateful for the trust and confidence our President has placed in me, and of course, for your continued guidance. I am very fortunate—because my two bosses in government truly had integrity and concern for OFWs,” Caunan said in Filipino.
Prior to her designation in DMW in 2022, Caunan was an advocate for migrant workers’ rights and gives free legal assistance and advice to OFWs in various forums through her law firm which specializes in labor, civil, administrative and criminal cases.
As DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, she handled negotiations for new bilateral labor agreements with other countries.
She led in the forging of 15 bilateral labor agreements with countries such as Canada, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Croatia, Slovenia, and Kuwait.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac described Caunan as a trailblazer in the DMW for forging multiple deals, which enhanced the protection and welfare of OFWs abroad.
“She has been a trailblazer, that’s even an understatement. The frontier she has opened for bilateral and international cooperation has been amazing. She has the legal know-how, the heart, the common sense, and the common
which is the most important,” Cacdac said.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan
AN aerial view of the bustling Qingdao Port container terminal in Shandong province,
Japan’s bond market sees rapid yield surge, signaling major economic shift
By Mia Glass and Masaki Kondo | Bloomberg
AFTER years of moving at a glacial pace, yields in Japan’s $7.8-trillion government debt market are shifting higher at breakneck speed.
The moves in the nation’s longer-maturity bonds have been particularly acute, outpacing anything seen in other major markets.
The surge has pushed 30-year yields to within a whisker of a record high and to double the level of the benchmark 10-year rate, which has also ascended rapidly after being near zero just four years ago.
That sharp climb looks to be far from over, with broad implications from monetary and fiscal policy to investments.
The Bank of Japan is at the center of the once-in-a-generation shift, having scaled back its bond purchases as the economy puts deflation behind it. Big local buyers, like the nation’s life insurers, haven’t filled the gap left by the central bank. While yields have reached levels that should entice them, many are sitting on the sideline, spooked by the volatility and risks triggered by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs onslaught.
“The steepening Japanese
yield curve is more than a simple slope on a chart,” said Shoki Omori, chief desk strategist at Mizuho Securities Co. “It’s a reflection of shifting tides in the country’s monetary and fiscal waters.”
Those shifting tides put the BOJ in a precarious position, balancing calls to keep borrowing costs low to protect the economy, against the need to lift rates to control rising consumer prices. The central bank is expected to announce updated plans for paring back its bond purchases when authorities next set policy on June 17.
Meanwhile, the government faces the prospect of higher servicing costs on its huge debt load — the heaviest among major developed countries — and the risk that the trade war will prevent the economy from outgrowing the problem. That’s a headache for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as he weighs the need for short-term spending ahead of upper house elections likely in July, and the
long-term imperative to boost defense outlays.
“The message that the longer end of the yield curve is sending back to the market is that the BOJ should not discount household inflation expectations, which have risen and may still rise,” said Naomi Fink, chief global strategist at Nikko Asset Management Co.
It also “sends a message of caution on fiscal policy – that keeping growth positive as to inflate away existing debt may be well-received but fiscal largesse beyond this may not be,” she said.
“I had thought that the target would be 3 percent for 30-year yields, and 3.5 percent for the 40year, but now it seems like they’re just points to be passed,” said Katsutoshi Inadome, a senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co.
The 30-year bond yielded 2.985 percent on Friday, just short of its all-time high of 3.03 percent. The 40-year rate is already at a record and reached 3.47 percent.
Japan’s steepening yield curve is part of a global trend as investors, especially those in the US Treasury market, grapple with a “new world order” and a long list of policy unknowns with the Trump administration. There’s also upward pressure on longer-term rates in Germany because of its landmark spending plan.
Japan stands out, though, and
some bondholders are facing losses.
The spread between Japan’s 10- and 30-year bond yields has widened about 50 basis points since the start of the fiscal year in April, significantly more than its peers including the US, Germany and the UK. The country’s benchmark 10year yields may even surpass those of China, which has faced concerns of so-called Japanification.
“Interest costs are becoming so large on Japanese debt that it won’t be long before it attracts negative scrutiny from credit rating companies. The best thing JGBs can hope for is that Treasury yields start to plunge, but that’s a distant hope with funds switching into equities and away from fixed-income portfolios,” said Mark Cranfield, Bloomberg markets strategist.
The climb in super-long yields may eventually make corporate loans and mortgages more expensive. Banks on the other hand, may see their profits increase as spreads between deposits and lending rates widen.
To be sure, some market participants view the steepening curve as a temporary phenomenon and expect some relief in superlong yields as jitters subside.
“The rise in volatility worsened dealer sentiment and caused liquidity to dry up,” said Takashi Fujiwara, chief fund manager at Resona Asset Management Co. in Tokyo. “Super-long yields have peaked and are likely to stabilize.”
Some investors, such as Vanguard and RBC BlueBay Asset Management are scooping up 30year Japanese government bonds.
While money markets have pared bets on BOJ rate hikes for this year, Ales Koutny, head of international rates at Vanguard,
reckons easing trade tensions add to the case for tighter policy.
“We think the curve will flatten,” he said. “Two-year to 10-year maturities will sell off and the long end has found its new clearing level of 2.5 percent to 3 percent.”
“Life insurer demand is the key to the eventual stabilization of 30-year bonds, and we haven’t really heard of any intention to buy,” said Shinichiro Kadota, head of Japan FX and rates strategy at Barclays Securities Japan Ltd. Foreign investors in the market have made headlines recently. They are estimated to have boosted their holdings by a record in the first quarter. Yet their presence in the market is still tiny.
“It is unlikely that overseas investors and pension funds will become stable buyers of superlong JGBs as a substitute for life insurers, and it will be difficult to completely offset the shortfall in demand,” said Tomoaki Shishido, a senior yen rates strategist at Nomura Securities Co.
Added to that, net supply — gross supply less redemption — has been concentrated in superlong bonds, signaling persistent upward pressure on those tenors.
“For the BOJ, the question is how far and how fast they can let these long-term rates run before it puts too much strain on the rest of the economy,” said Mizuho’s Omori. “Japan will be navigating these choppy seas, balancing the powerful forces of inflation, fiscal demands, and global interest rate currents—all while keeping a keen eye on maintaining financial stability.”
With assistance from Masahiro Hidaka, Umesh Desai, Bei Hu, Hidenori Yamanaka, Naomi Tajitsu and Brian Fowler / Bloomberg
HMO sector’s Q1 net income surges 8,000% to P579.4M
Continued from A1 16.55-percent rise in investments in government securities also contributed to the growth in total invested assets.
assets at amortized cost, and cash in banks, by P6.05 billion, P3.12 billion and P2.08 billion, respectively. The industry’s cash on hand and net deposit to healthcare providers also jumped by 119.68 percent and 127.55 percent, respectively.
Invested assets of HMOs also went up by 11.03 percent year-onyear to P18.37 billion from P16.55 billion.
This was on the back of 23.37-percent rise in cash equivalents and investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates soaring 86.92 percent.
The 356.82-percent surge in loans receivables and the
Moreover, total liabilities increased by 22.82 percent year-onyear to P75.52 billion in the first quarter from P61.49 billion.
The IC said the upswing was the result of a 78.73-percent rise in membership fee reserves worth P17.89 billion, which are needed for an HMO to meet its financial obligations and ensure long-term sustainability of its operations.
The industry’s total equity also grew by 21.77 percent to P11.96 billion in the first quarter from P9.82 billion last year, on the back of increased retained earnings by 120.49 percent compared to the same period last year.
fect jobs,” Kuriyama said, citing the rising tide of protectionism and opaque trade practices that are freezing business decisions and stalling cross-border engagements. In the Philippines, however, Development Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan earlier said that even in the hypothetical scenario where global trade tensions ease, the country may not be ready to seize new opportunities. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/05/15/sans-tariff-war-phlwould-still-be-struggling-depdev/) He warned that the country needs to “clean house internally” before it can effectively benefit from global trade openings.
The Philippines posted a 5.4-percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2025. But with the government still clinging to its 6 to 8 percent full-year target, officials are banking heavily on domestic demand to fuel momentum.
Adding to the region’s woes, the Apec report flagged a dramatic spike in global market volatility, with its index soaring to 52 points in April, which is more than triple the average from the past two years.
Meanwhile, gold prices surged to $3,200 per troy ounce in early May, signaling a global flight to safe-haven assets.
“The global economic picture is highly fragile,” said Rhea Hernando, APEC Policy Support Unit analyst.
“General government debt across Apec is projected to hit 110 percent of GDP through 2030. At the same time, we’re confronting long-term demographic shifts, including a shrinking workforce and an ageing population. The fiscal and structural stress is real,” she added.
The rise in “discriminatory” non-tariff measures, especially trade-distorting subsidies, is also a concern. Such policies are becoming the norm, described as “fragmented and reactionary” by Apec analysts.
“While some economies pursue trade-facilitating reforms, these are often offset by inwardlooking protectionist measures. This divergence is hampering regional cohesion,” said Glacer Vasquez, coauthor of the report.
Despite the bleak outlook, Apec stressed that this turbulent moment presents a crucial opportunity for unity and collaboration.
“This is not the time to hide behind borders,” Kuriyama urged. “Now is the time to double down on cooperation.”
The report called on Apec member economies to realign and refocus through several policy recommendations, such as adjusting monetary and fiscal policies, de-escalating trade frictions, strengthening labor markets, pursuing pro-business reforms, investing in digital infrastructure, and revitalizing multilateral dialogue to navigate shared economic challenges.
Tariff truce spurs Pacific trade rush, boosting global shippers
Peak season demand could be pushed even higher as the end of the 90-day reduction in tariffs between both countries will overlap with the sector’s busiest period in mid-August, with China accounting for around 40 percent of US container imports, Citigroup Inc. analysts including Kaseedit Choonnawat said in a note.
The cost for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 16 percent from the prior week to $3,136, the biggest gain in percentage terms since December, while the Shanghai-to-New York rate jumped 19 percent from the previous week to $4,350, according to the Drewry World Container Index posted Thursday.
More ship calls amid the cargo rush from China threatens to cause port congestion and bottlenecks, similar to what happened dur-
ing the Covid-19 pandemic, HSBC Holdings Plc analysts including Parash Jain wrote in a note.
Chinese ports including China Merchants Port Holdings Co., Cosco Shipping Ports Ltd. and Shanghai International Port Group Co. could also win market share during the period, which could narrow the cost gap with rival export hubs and trade routes, said BI analyst Denise Wong. “The truce will also give Chinese exporters more time for workarounds, which can potentially help sustain volumes at Chinese ports.”
Oversupply risk THE front-loading might lead to higher consensus estimates, though not necessarily a “material increase” in second-quarter earnings for container liners, said Axel Styrman, an analyst at Kepler Cheuvreux.
“Our long-term view on con-
tainer shipping remains cautious as we think that there will be a significant oversupply in the industry,” Deutsche Bank AG analyst Andy Chu wrote in a note, raising his recommendations on Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to hold from sell. “We do acknowledge that container shipping stocks are cyclical and momentum driven and that near-term demand on the ChinaUS trade lane is set to rebound as inventory is replenished.” Still, the current rebound might be short-lived. “The rate outlook for the second half of 2025 is weak with an expected significant downward adjustment in demand regardless of increased tariffs following expiration of the pause, and a potential reversal of the rerouting from the Red Sea via Cape of Good Hope which will amplify the downward correction,” Styrman said. Bloomberg News
Carpentry price slowdown cited in easing construction cost rise
MEANWHILE, the cost of building in bulk in Metro Manila crept up in April this year, driven largely by a sharp increase in tileworks prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
The easing annual growth in carpentry materials prices was the key factor behind the slower overall increase in the construction materials retail price index (CMRPI) in the National Capital Region, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
Data revealed that the annual growth rate of the CMRPI in Metro Manila moderated to 1 percent in April 2025, down from 1.2 percent in March. This is also lower compared to the 1.2 percent annual increase recorded in April 2024.
The carpentry materials index showed a significant slowdown, registering only a 0.4percent increase in April 2025, compared to 0.7 percent the previous month.
Meanwhile, the tinsmithry materials index posted a lower annual increment of 1.5 percent in April, slightly down from 1.6 percent in March. In contrast, the electrical materials index rose to 2.3 percent in April from 1.9 percent in March, while the masonry materials climbed to 0.6 percent from 0.4 percent during the same period.
Moreover, painting materials and related compounds maintained an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent, plumbing materials stayed steady at 0.7 percent, and miscellaneous construction materials held firm at 0.3 percent, all unchanged from the previous month.
According to PSA, the CMRPI measures the average retail price changes of construction materials, excluding black market prices and promotional discounts, such as those during special sales events like inventory clearances or holiday promotions.
Construction wholesale cost Meanwhile, the cost of building in bulk in Metro Manila crept up in April this year,
BARMM-NWRB
driven largely by a sharp increase in tileworks prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
The Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region posted a modest year-on-year growth of 0.3 percent in April 2025, slightly higher than the 0.2 percent recorded in March.
Despite the uptick, the latest figure remains below the 0.7-percent growth logged in the same month last year.
Fueling this climb was the tileworks index, which surged to 3.6 percent in April from just 1.0 percent in March.
Other materials also saw faster price increases. Sand and gravel and electrical works both posted a 0.4 percent annual growth rate, up from 0.3 percent the previous month. Painting works, likewise, edged up to 1.1 percent from 1.0 percent in March. However, concrete products cooled to 0.5 percent from 0.6 percent, hardware slipped to 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent, and lumber softened to 1.0 percent from 1.1 percent.
Some categories even posted steeper declines. The cement index dropped -1.4 percent, down from -1.3 percent. Structural steel also slipped further to -1.4 percent from -1.2 percent, while fuels and lubricants tumbled -4.0 percent from -3.2 percent.
Likewise, G.I. sheet prices reversed course with -0.1 percent, compared to a slight increase in March. Plywood and metal products both logged -0.1 percent drops after remaining flat the month prior.
“The indices for the rest of the commodity groups either retained their respective previous month’s annual growth rates or had zero percent annual rates in April 2025,” the statistics agency stated.
The CMWPI is a key indicator used to track wholesale price trends of construction materials, according to PSA. Bless Aubrey Ogerio
study checks out Agus River volume, quality, usage
DBy Manuel T. Cayon
AVAO CITY—The Bangsamoro environmental ministry has commissioned a study of the Agus River flowing through the two Lanao provinces to find baseline information of its water volume and quality, the usage patterns of its tributary communities and the impact of climate change on its course. The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (Menre) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), formalized on May 8 the 10-month Comprehensive Water Resources Assessment (CWRA) of the Agus River Basin.
Menre Minister Akmad Brahim and NWRB Executive Director Ricky Arzado signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in Quezon Cityand that also sought to strengthen their partnership in sustainable management of one of Mindanao’s most critical river systems.
The Agus River Basin originates from Lake Lanao, the country’s second largest lake, and it drains northward through Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte to the Iligan Bay.
“The river is a lifeline for many communities, supporting agriculture, energy production, and daily water needs, the . The basin’s health is vital to the region’s economy and ecological stability,” the Bangsamoro Information Office said.
It said the study will run from March to December to provide scientific data that can guide local policies on water conservation, allocation, and climate resilience.
“This joint assessment marks a crucial step forward for the Bangsamoro government which aims to inform future policies on water allocation, conservation, and climate resilience,” Brahim said during the signing of the agreement.
The CWRA will look into the quality and quantity of water in the Agus River, taking into account current usage patterns, ongoing development, and projected climate change impacts, he added.
“It will provide the baseline data we need to craft sustainable, evidence-based plans, reinforce our regulatory frameworks, and manage our water resources with greater transparency and effectiveness,” Brahim said.
Menre’s Environmental Management Services will lead regional coordination, promotion, and monitoring efforts. The assessment will include communities in
the province of Lanao del Norte and more than 30 municipalities in Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City.
The NWRB will provide technical oversight and has tapped CEST, Inc. as the official consulting partner. The CEST Inc. is Pasig City-based multidisciplinary development consulting firm specializing in the environment. As part of the project, targeted training sessions will be conducted for Menre personnel to build capacity in water resource management.
The Bangsamoro government assured residents living along the Agus River that the study and the Menre-NWRB partnership “promise long-term benefits, from better access to clean water to improved disaster preparedness and stronger environmental safeguards”.
“This milestone underscores the joint commitment of Menre and NWRB to advance science-based and inclusive water governance that directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of local communities,” the information office said.
TBy Bless Aubrey Ogerio
HERE may be a decline in the overall number of working children in the Philippines, but more and more Filipino minors are being drawn into the services sector—a trend that has steadily climbed over the past three years.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed an estimated 863,000 children aged 5 to 17 engaged in work, a notable drop of 232,000 from the 1.09 million recorded in 2023.
Yet, while fewer children are working overall, the services sector tightened its grip as the top employer of these young workers, accounting for 50.3 percent of the total. This is slightly higher than its 50-percent share in 2023 and 49.5 percent in 2022.
Agriculture remained the second-largest source of working children, employing 40.8 percent in 2024, a decrease from 43.7 percent the previous year. Mean -
PSE net earnings rise 5 percent in Q1 2025
HE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc.
T(PSE) registered a 5.1-percent uptick in its net income for the first three months of 2025, rising to P254.67 million from P242.38 million in the same period last year.
PSE’s financial performance this quarter takes into account its acquisition of additional shares in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation (PDS). At the end of March 2025, PSE’s equity interest in PDS was at 79.9 percent from its original 20.98-percent stake.
The company’s operating revenues surged by 82.7 percent to P645.49 million from P353.34 million. This was driven by an increase in trading- and listing-related revenues of 83.8 percent to P222.60 million and 49.2 percent to P171.19 million, respectively. Trading-related revenues were boosted by the consolidation of transaction revenues from the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp and the Philippine Depository & Trust Corp. (PDTC) as well as the 5.1 percent increase in trading value in the equities market.
Meanwhile, revenues from additional listings and a higher cap on listing
while, the industry sector had the smallest share but saw growth, with 8.9 percent in 2024, up from 6.3 percent in 2023.
PSA defines working children as those who had a job or were involved in any form of economic activity, whether paid or unpaid, such as helping in a family farm or business, for at least one hour during the week prior to the survey.
The share of working children relative to the total population of children aged 5 to 17 fell to 2.7 percent in 2024 from 3.5 percent in 2023.
Moreover, around 73.8 percent of working children re -
ported putting in 20 hours or less per week in 2024, a marginal increase from the previous year. Those working 21 to 40 hours a week decreased slightly to 15.2 percent in 2024 from 16.4 percent in 2023.
Boys continued to make up the majority of working children. Of the 863,000 total, 534,000 (or 61.8 percent) were male, while 329,000 (or 38.2 percent) were female.
Teens aged 15 to 17 dominated the child workforce, making up 74.4 percent of working children, which is higher than the 72.5 percent share seen in 2023.
Older teens most vulnerable WHILE overall figures dropped, older minors remain the most vulnerable to engaging in hazardous or illegal work.
In 2024, an estimated 513,000 working children were involved in child labor, down significantly from 678,000 in 2023. But those aged 15 to 17 continued to make up the largest share of this group, accounting for a staggering 78.8 percent. This share has been rising steadily from 74.4 percent in 2023 and 61.6 percent in 2022.
According to the statistics agency, child labor is any work that exceeds legal time limits or involves hazardous conditions, including more than 20 hours a week for those under 15, or over 40 hours a week for those aged 15 to 17. It also covers any work conducted during prohibited night hours or that may harm a child’s health, safety or morals. The proportion of children in child labor relative to the total population of 5 to 17-year-olds fell from 2.2 percent in 2023 to 1.6 percent in 2024.
Among the working children, 59.4 percent were found to be engaged in child labor, a drop from 62 percent in 2023.
Of the 513,000 working children involved in child labor in 2024, boys made up the overwhelming majority, at around 354,000 or 69.1 percent, while girls accounted for 159,000 or 30.9 percent.
Agriculture remained the biggest contributor to child labor, with 64.2 percent of laboring minors toiling in farms, fields and other related work. The services sector followed at 28.9 percent, and industry accounted for 6.9 percent.
Comelec to proclaim Bong Go, 11 other winning senators on May 17
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
TWELVE winning senatorial candidates in the May 2025 polls—led by reelectionist Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go—will be proclaimed on Saturday, May 17, in what the Commission on Elections considers the fastest senatorial proclamation in the country’s election history.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia confirmed in a press briefing that the proclamation will push through at 3 p.m. at The Tent in Manila Hotel.
“That’s official. As long as the result comes from the canvassing and is generated by the [Consolidated Canvassing System], it’s considered official,” Garcia told reporters.
Garcia also said there were no discrepancies between the official
results and the national canvass report released by the Comelec en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), on Thursday evening.
“Whoever is in the top 12 right now will definitely be proclaimed,” he assured.
Based on the NBOC’s full and official tally, incumbent senator Go topped the senatorial race with 27.12 million votes. He was followed closely by
opposition candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino with 20.97 million votes, and former police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa with 20.77 million.
Incumbent House Rep. Erwin Tulfo placed fourth with 17.12 million votes, followed by former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan with 15.34 million and incumbent House Rep. Rodante Marcoleta with 15.25 million.
Former senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Vicente “Tito” Sotto garnered 15.11 million and 14.83 million votes, respectively.
Pia Cayetano (14.57 million), Camille Villar (13.65 million), and Lito Lapid (13.39 million) also made it to the Magic 12.
Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, secured the last spot with 13.34 million votes.
Each winning senator will be allowed to bring 10 to 15 guests or family members during the proclamation.
Comelec said there is no dress code required for the event.
Meanwhile, the proclamation of winning party-list groups is tentatively scheduled for Monday, May 19.
Garcia said the commission is still finalizing how many party-list seats will be available in the House of Representatives—either 63 or 64—and how these will be allocated among the qualified groups.
“We will issue a resolution on the allocation of party-list seats. This will be read during Monday’s proclamation,” he said.
So far, six party-list groups have secured at least 2 percent of total votes cast, guaranteeing them at least one seat.
These are Akbayan (2.78 million votes), Duterte Youth (2.34 million), Tingog (1.82 million), 4Ps (1.47 million), ACT-CIS (1.24 million), and Ako Bicol (1.07 million).
According to the NBOC, 57.35 million Filipinos—equivalent to 82.20 percent of the 69.67 million registered voters—participated in the May 12 midterm elections.
Arrest orders vs Roque, Cassie Ong to sustain crusade vs POGOs–Risa
By Butch Fernandez
THE arrest orders issued by a Pampanga court against Harry Roque, Cassi Li Ong, and others involved in the Porac POGO hub scandal are a welcome development in “our crusade against POGOs,” Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Friday.
“That hub was one of the biggest scam compounds in the country,” Human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, money laundering, and various other crimes were rampant there. It’s only right that the accused face the charges in court,” the senator said, partly in Filipino.
“Harry Roque must be compelled to return to the Philippines. If he doesn’t, not only would he be evading an arrest order from Congress, he would also be defying a lawful order from a court. He is a lawyer; he knows his act of evading the law is illegal,” she added.
Besides Roque, an arrest order was also issued against Cassie Ong’s godfather Duanren Wu. Hontiveros recalled that the Senate investigation on illegal POGOs and the crimes they have engendered— cyber scams, human trafficking, money
laundering—had shown Wu’s connection to Li Duan Wang, the Chinese junket operator of 9Dynasty, who almost obtained a Filipino citizenship had the Congress-approved bill not been vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Senate probers had said these “dubious personalities seem to be interconnected,” and because of this, “it is important that the guilty be made accountable,” said Hontiveros.
If not, she added. They can just evolve into other business types “and victimize more of our people.”
On Thursday, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Angeles City, Pampanga issued an arrest warrant against human rights lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Roque and several others after finding probable cause to hold them for trial for alleged human trafficking in connection with alleged illegal activities of a POGO firm in Porac town.
The warrant also covered Cassandra Li Ong, the official representative of POGO hub Lucky South 99, Whirlwind Corporation Executive Duanren Wu, and other representatives and incorporators
of the two POGO firms, including Dennis Cunanan, former head of the now defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC).
“After careful evaluation of the eleven [11] separate informations, the resolution dated 07 April 225 and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 [a] of Rule 112 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedures,” the court’s order read.
In a statement, Roque said he would include the issuance of the arrest warrant as part of his basis for seeking political asylum in the Netherlands.
Roque is waiting for the resolution of his request for asylum.
“The issuance of a warrant of arrest forms part of the unjust prosecution which will include to my application for asylum in the Netherlands as a victim of political persecution owing to my loyalty to the Dutertes,” Roque said.
“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my lie and liberty which are currently under threat. reiterate this is not
flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum,” he added. Roque was accused of benefiting from the fruits of the trafficking in persons operations and other illegal activities of Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind. The complaint—filed by Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission (PAOCC)— cited the claim of lawyer Jessa Mariz Fernandez, assistant president of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), that Roque and Ong went to their office to have a meeting with Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco regarding the arrears of Lucky South 99. Fernandez further claimed that Roque made several follow-ups with her on the status of the application for the renewal of the online gambling permit of Lucky South 99.
The complaint also noted that Roque admitted in one hearing in the Senate and House of Representatives that he was hired as counsel for Whirlwind Corporation, the sublessor Lucky South 99. With earlier report by Joel San Juan
Lakas-CMD leader: Martin will keep speakership in 20th Congress
LEADERS of the House of Representatives are confident that Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will remain Speaker in the 20th Congress. Deputy Speaker David Suarez and Mark Enverga, both from Quezon, played down rumors of potential challengers to the top post in the House of Representatives.
“We believe in the past three years that we have seen the performance of the House. We have seen how we can deliver to the legislative agenda of our President,” Suarez, a Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) stalwart, told reporters.
Namfrel: No signs of cheating in polls, but anomalies remain
TBy Bless Aubrey Ogerio
HE National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Friday said no unusual activity was observed during the 2025 midterm elections, but reiterated that some irregularities deserve further investigation.
“Based on our observation, it’s very difficult to make conclusions whether there was cheating or not,” Namfrel national chairman Angel Averia Jr said. “There was nothing unusual that we observed.”
The election watchdog said it monitored the entire election process, including preparations and system safeguards like local source code reviews, system testing, and the trusted build process, where final versions of software are compiled for deployment.
“We believe that there were enough safeguards to the system, including the conduct of local source code review.... the opening up to observers, the testing of the system, even observing the trusted build,” he said.
However, Averia acknowledged that some election data raised flags, such as duplicate election returns and overvote tallies. “We’re not passing judgment, we have to dig deeper and find out the reason for this high of numbers,” the Namfrel chief said.
Based on its report, the highest number of overvotes was recorded in Abra, although the group said it remains unclear why the province topped the list.
Most overvotes were observed in the senatorial race, which they noted was expected since it had the most positions to fill.
As of Friday evening, its Duplicate Election Returns Report indicated that
216,113,914 votes were removed due to duplication, affecting 39,511 candidates.
Earlier, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia addressed the issue of vote fluctuations, clarifying that these were due to duplicated data being consolidated in servers without proper filtering, not fraud. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/05/13/comelec-deniesdiscrepancy-allegations)
According to the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), which completed canvassing after three days, 69.67 million Filipinos registered to vote in 2025. Of these, 57.35 million cast their ballots. Namfrel noted that 1 million of the voters were first-timers.
“We have such a short election cycle, three years. Immediately after this one, we will again [be] talking to Comelec about the preparations for 2028,” Averia said.
Mostly peaceful—but not everywhere
DESPITE the 2025 midterm elections being hailed as “generally peaceful and orderly,” violence and disruptions were still reported in some areas, particularly in the Bangsamoro region.
Conflict and Climate Action (CCA) executive director Pancho Lara reported that from the filing of candidacies in October 2024 to Election Day on May 12, there were 242 deaths in Bangsamoro.
The CCA also recorded 719 discrete violent incidents in the region during the same period.
Violence was also verified in several municipalities in Lanao del Sur, Silay in Negros Occidental, and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte.
Suarez disputes Tiangco, cites win of 86% of impeachment signatories
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
ALEADER of the House of Representatives on Friday brushed off concerns of a political backlash stemming from the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, pointing to the reelection of 86 percent of lawmakers who signed the complaint as proof that the public supported their move.
Deputy Speaker David Suarez was responding to remarks made by Alyansa campaign manager and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who earlier suggested that the impeachment may have hurt the administration’s performance in Mindanao and hinted that some lawmakers may have been pressured into signing the complaint.
Suarez firmly denied any coercion, saying the lawmakers signed of their own free will.
“There’s no truth to that allegation,” Suarez said. “No one was forced; no one was even asked to sign. Everyone signed the impeachment based on their own volition.” While Suarez said he respected Tiangco’s views, he made clear he disagreed.
“Well, I do respect the opinions of Cong. Toby Tiangco with regard to the matter, although I do not subscribe to it,” Suarez said.
“As a campaign manager, perhaps he sees the terrain more clearly and understands it better,” Suarez added. He declined to go into further detail but maintained that each lawmaker who signed the complaint did so based on their own judgment and understanding of their constitutional duty.
“I’ll just leave it at that,” Suarez said. “And I do respect his opinion regarding the matter.”
Enverga, a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), also believes that Romualdez will continue his role as Speaker in the next Congress.
“So, we believe that Speaker Martin will continue his term as Speaker,” Enverga said.
“And we have also seen how we can manage our leadership. We believe that, for most of us, continuity is what matters in Congress, and we’re fully supportive of Speaker Martin’s leadership,” added Suarez.
As for rumors of speakership contenders, Enverga said he wasn’t aware of any.
According to a report, a challenge to Romualdez’s leadership may reach a critical point when the 20th Congress convenes in July. However, Lakas-CMD has affirmed its
dominance in the House of Representatives by winning 104 seats in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Romualdez, who also serves as party president, said that out of the 128 congressional candidates fielded by LakasCMD, 104 emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, three lawmakers have surfaced as leading contenders in the rumored speakership race: incoming Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, and Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
“If we look at the winning rate of the congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint, I think it was at 86 percent,” Suarez said. “They would have been the first to feel any backlash if there really was one.”
maintenance contributed to gains in listing-related revenues. Additionally, depository securities account fees from PDTC contributed P139.28 million to the overall increase in revenues.
Total operating expenses went up by 93.8 percent to P339.14 million from P174.99 million on the consolidation of PDS costs. Despite the increase in expenses, operating income rose by 71.8 percent to P306.35 million from P178.35 million in the same quarter last year.
PSE’s net income was curbed by a decline in other income which registered a decrease of 73.2 percent to P32.23 million from P120.17 million on lower returns from financial assets amid market volatility.
“The acquisition of PDS gives us another stable revenue source. But more than the consolidation of PDS numbers into PSE’s financial performance, this integration has always been intended to introduce synergies between the two exchanges to enhance the domestic capital market infrastructure,” PSE President
Sumitomo Pharma shares surge on results of stem cell research
By Kanoko Matsuyama
UMITOMO Pharma Co. shares
Ssurged by the most since 1992 after results of a study showed the safety and potential benefits of stem cells used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
The stock jumped 20 percent, or by its daily limit, on Thursday in Tokyo. The study, published in the journal Nature, showed no serious adverse events in patients who had received the cell implantation. The researchers led by Jun Takahashi, director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University in Japan used stem cells manufactured by the Osaka-based Sumitomo Pharma.
Researchers implanted nerve cells created from stem cells obtained from a healthy third party into patients with Parkinson’s dis -
Manila’s elderly, vulnerable lead the way in early voting
Mease. The results suggest that the technology, based on the discovery made by Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka to reprogram ordinary adult cells into almost any other type of cell in the body in 2006, could finally be used to treat patients going ahead. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition with no effective treatment. Currently, medicines are used to alleviate the symptoms.
Sumitomo Pharma is preparing to run early stage, clinical trials in the US to assess the safety of the treatment, bringing it a step closer to commercialization, the company said last year.
The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled in the past 25 years and over 8.5 million people are estimated to be suffering from the condition in 2019, according to the World Health Organization. Bloomberg
Moderna’s combo Covid-flu shot shows promise on older adults, but FDA seeks more efficacy data
By Carla K. Johnson AP Medical Writer
ACOMBINATION shot for flu and Covid-19 using messenger RNA generated antibodies in a study, but US government regulators want to see data on whether the new vaccine protects people from getting sick.
Researchers from vaccine-maker Moderna reported in a study published Wednesday that the new combo shot generated a stronger immune response against Covid-19 and most strains of flu than existing standalone shots in people 50 and older. Side effects were injection site pain, fatigue and headaches. Moderna previously reported a summary of the results from the company-sponsored trial in 8,000 people. The mRNA technology is used in approved Covid-19 and RSV shots, but has not yet been approved for a flu shot. Moderna believes mRNA could speed up production of flu shots compared with traditional processes that use chicken eggs or giant vats of cells. A combo shot also might improve vaccination rates, the researchers wrote in the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
year, Poland said, posing challenges for how to time the shots to keep protection strong. He’d also like to see data on how well the new shot protected people from infection and hospitalization.
The findings are based on measuring antibodies in participants’ blood after 29 days, an indication of shortterm disease protection.
Last week, Moderna pushed its target date for the vaccine’s approval
to 2026 after the Food and Drug Administration requested a more direct measure: how much the shot lowered the risk of disease.
“I agree in this case with FDA that efficacy data are important to see,” Poland said.
Dr. Greg Poland, who studies vaccine response at Mayo Clinic and was not involved in the new study, said he’s not convinced that a combo shot would be popular. And while flu comes in seasonal waves, Covid-19 has been spreading throughout the
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cast doubt on the safety of mRNA vaccines, but Moderna President Stephen Hoge told investors in an earnings call last week that talks with the FDA were productive and “business as usual.” Also last week, Novavax said the FDA was asking the company to run a new clinical trial of its proteinbased Covid-19 vaccine after the agency grants full approval, sowing uncertainty about other vaccine updates.
By Marita Moaje
ANILA—As early as 5 a.m. on Monday, May 12, senior citizens, expectant mothers and persons with disabilities flocked to schools in this capital city to cast their votes at their respective polling places.
Fredo Nicolas, 78, said he arrived at Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo at around 5:20 a.m., but had to wait until after 7 a.m. to cast his vote as the line was long.
“Para ito sa bayan. Pinili kong kandidato ’yung magaling, mahusay. Sana manalo sila. [This is for the nation. I chose those candidates who are good and know what they are doing. I hope they win],” he said.
Gusto kong bumalik ang panahong hindi magulo ang Maynila. [I want Manila to return to being peaceful],” he added.
Fredo is one of the many Filipinos who showed up on election day not out of obligation, but out of hope for a better future.
He hopes for competent and honest leaders, for a “cleaner” government, and for the return of peace, order and dignity in public service.
Ofelia Mabanta, 98, said she has never missed an election.
“Pumunta ako dito para bumoto, para maging maayos ang patakaran ng gobyerno. Pinili ko ’yung kandidato ko sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin ko sa mga patakaran at plataporma nila. Gusto ko yung tumutulong sa kapwa. [I came here to vote, to make government policies work. I chose my candidates by looking at their policies and platforms. I like those who help others],” she said. Mabanta said no one is ever too old to believe for a better future.
Nothing comes easy
FOR Dionisio Palomeras, 63, each step toward the polling station was not easy as he has trouble walking. Kailangan ‘yun, kasi kung may corruption at hindi ka naman bumoto, tulad ng iba na pera lang ang habol, walang mangyayari sa buhay natin. [That’s necessary, because if there is corruption and you don’t vote, like others who only want money, noth-
ing will happen in our lives],” he said. Palomeras expressed belief that his one vote matters.
“Kaya kahit isa ka lang, bumoto ka ng maayos. [Even though you are only one person, try to vote properly],” he said.
Long hours
AT Dr. Juan G. Nolasco High School also in Tondo, work began for poll workers long before the first voter arrived at 5 a.m. School principal Lourdes Munda Florendo said her team of teachers and staff was already on-site as early
as 3:30 a.m., with some bringing the heavy voting machines up to the second and third floors, others setting up and checking them, and preparing to receive the public. A total of 72 teachers and non-teaching personnel worked for the smooth election process at the school, which served over 10,000 registered voters from six villages. “ Paalala ko sa mga teachers, smile lang, happy lang, ang dami kong gentle reminders lalo na pag ’yung mga PWD [persons with disability] o senior citizen [My reminder to teachers, just smile, just be happy, I have many gentle reminders especially when it comes to PWDs or senior citizens],” Florendo said.
“Ang bilin ko sa kanila, start the day with a prayer. Pag mainit na ’yung ulo ng iba, at least sila, ’yung ulo nila hindi mainit. Serve with a smile, serbisyo publiko lang para sa bayan. [My advice to them is, start the day with a prayer, when others are already irritable, at least they are not. Serve with a smile, it’s just public service for the people],” she added. For them, voting is not just about making a choice, it’s about reclaiming one’s voice, believing that change is still possible and that every vote counts. PNA
One small vote for our grandchildren’s sake
LAST Monday, on election day, all over the country, seniors of diverse ages went to voting precincts in impressive numbers and came out with “dirty fingers” and a sense of fulfillment. For one senior citizen, it was his last time to vote.
My wife and I went to our local precinct early in the morning to take advantage of the two-hour slot reserved for senior citizens.
I told my wife that there would probably be only a short line, as most seniors might decide not to vote due to health issues and limited mobility. But when we got there we were surprised to see so many of our fellow seniors already lining up. Each arriving senior was greeted by helpful volunteers and guided towards their respective wards. There was a palpable sense of enthusiasm in the air. For some seniors a walk towards the voting precinct was a painful sacrifice, requiring tremendous effort. I counted three senior voters on wheelchairs, a few had problems with their eyesight. They could have used their individual health issues as an excuse, but they chose to be physically present to cast their votes.
One example is my wife who is afflicted with severe arthritis of the knees. Using two canes she hobbled to the voting area. It was a tremendous effort on her part to go through each step: check the voters’ list, go to the ward and wait for her turn, then sit down to fill up her ballot,
stand in line for her ballot to be fed into the machine and wait for the receipt. She wouldn’t miss voting as this was a right she can’t afford to waste.
Later, we learned from the evening news that many seniors endured waiting for hours, in extremely hot conditions risking heat stroke, as malfunctioning voting machines were fixed or replaced. A 65-year-old voter had a heart attack and died in the line of duty, so to speak.
When future generations revisit this scene through recorded footage, they will see that we, their ancestors, did not shy away from our duty and responsibility, nor did we forfeit or waste our right to vote.
As we went back home, we met a few senior citizens in our street already doing their morning activities and I was surprised to learn they had already voted as early as 5 a.m.!
in person. Not for our generation’s sake, but for the sake of our sons’ and daughters’ children and their children’s children.
Could it be that deep in our hearts, we knew these midterm elections and each election to come could be our last. I remember a few years ago when a friend told me he would sit out the election because there would be other elections. I said, at our age, we shouldn’t count the elections still to come, instead we must make every election count while we still can vote. As I cast my ballot, I reminded myself that, regardless of results, I was happy to use the act of voting as an opportunity to register my most deeply cherished values.
Just as we need to pass on a sustainable environment to future
Why are senior citizens so enthusiastic about voting in their advanced age? In conversations with many of them, a common refrain emerges: they believe the country has declined significantly and want to help steer it in the right direction by electing new leaders.
Whether we chose the right leaders or the wrong leaders, we nevertheless showed up to cast our votes. No proxy, no intermediary. We came
generations, we must work double time to ensure that we pass on a progressive political environment to our grandchildren.
So when my wife and I filled up the ballots on the morning of election day, we were thinking about Bea, Alexa, Leigh, Lena, Anton, Matt, and all the grandchildren who would take their rightful place as Filipino citizens of the future. We will no longer be here to live that future with them, but at this very moment, as I contemplate on the indelible dark ink spot on my right
pointing finger, I know I did my duty in filling up the vision of a better future for them in my own little way. There’s also another reason why the act of voting in old age is significant to one’s family. It serves to underscore the important roles grandparents can play in the lives of their children and grandchildren. One role is as a mentor. In my case, I enlightened my family and friends about the need to vote for candidates who can represent fresh voices in our national scene. In conversations, I try to find a way to talk how voting helps strengthen democracy not on a rostrum but at the voting booth. Then playing a role model, I walked the talk. Making the effort to go to the precinct was a lesson meant for the young members of my family, based on the Chinese proverb: “I hear, and I forget/I see, and I remember/I do, and I live it.” We showed our children that if we could do it, then they had no excuse not to vote. Not only that: I created a list of candidates aligned with what I was advocating, and my wife and I voted first thing in the morning. Later, I also made sure my teenage grandkids knew that we took part in the elections. This vital connection and wisdom-sharing between children and their grandparents is the best legacy we can leave behind. Best of all it helps sustain the vitality of our democratic way of life. As I looked around, I saw my fellow travelers on this final journey. White haired, physically weak and frail, wrinkled, impaired and hobbled. Are they too harboring dreams and hopes for a brighter future for their descendants as they cast their votes? At that very moment, my wife and I became one with them. Voting connects us with our community, reminding us that we are part of a larger whole. So, to all senior citizens who voted, a big thank you. Your one small vote is an indelible mark of your legacy as a good ancestor to your grandchildren.
AT 98, Ofelia Mabanta of Tondo, Manila, has never missed voting in an election. On May 12, 2025, she again exercised her right of suffrage, hoping that her vote can help shape a better future for the country. PNA PHOTO BY MARITA MOAJE
SUMITOMO Pharma is preparing to run early stage, clinical trials in the US to assess the safety of the treatment.
PHOTO
A VIAL of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine rests on a table at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., on July 19, 2022. AP PHOTO/ROGELIO V. SOLIS
BusinessMirror
Better late than never: YouTube Shopping is finally here and
this is what it’s about
DOES the world need another shopping platform? We might say no but a content creator I follow recently disclosed that their videos resulted in sales amounting to over $40,000. This is on YouTube Shopping. Of course, they do not get the $40,000 but a percent of that as commission. This means that YouTube, as a platform, still has a lot of influence when it comes to the things we consume.
I actually think that YouTube should have been the first platform to incorporate a shopping feature because years before “budol” became fashionable to use in reference to influencer marketing, the likes of Michelle Phan and Tati were already telling us what blush or lipstick we should buy. And buy we did.
According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, online users are 98 percent more likely to trust the recommendations of creators on YouTube vs. those on other social sites/apps (on average).
Bridget Dolan,
YouTube’s global managing director
of shopping, said users watched 30 billion hours of shopping-related videos in 2023 alone. This is the equivalent of 3.4 million years. So YouTube, in partnership with Shopee, recently launched YouTube Shopping in the Philippines. This opened the YouTube
SEE “YOUTUBE,” A7
Globe rewards fans with ultimate Star Wars celebration
OVER the past decade, Globe and Disney have shared a commitment to bringing world-class entertainment to audiences all over the Philippines. Since 2015, Globe has brought Disney stories right to the heart of Filipino audiences both in their own living rooms and also while they’re on-the-go.
“For 10 years, Globe has brought the best of Disney storytelling to our customers through various initiatives and collaborations. This milestone marks our shared vision of delivering premium entertainment while rewarding our customers with rare and special treats. We look forward to creating more unforgettable moments for Filipino fans,” said Roche Vandenberghe, chief marketing officer at Globe.
Celebrating 10 years of working with Disney on various initiatives and
collaborations this year, Globe is bringing even more exciting treats to customers— including the ultimate Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025.
As part of a promo held from February 24 to March 30, 2025, Globe flew two college students and their companions, as well as two multi-product subscribers and their families, to Japan.
The student winners joined through the Student Special Rewards promo on the GlobeOne app by redeeming just 1 Globe Reward Point. These lucky college students, together with a companion each, were treated to a five-day, all-expense-paid trip that included two admission tickets to the event. They witnessed iconic appearances by stars like Hayden Christensen and Pedro Pascal, explored Japan, and stayed connected through GoRoamJapan.
Meanwhile, the Globe Multi-Product Owner winners joined an exclusive promo open only to customers subscribed to both Globe Mobile and Globe Broadband. Two winners received an all-expenses-paid trip for four, covering roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, a welcome dinner, and three-day admission passes. Alongside their families, they immersed themselves in the Star Wars universe, enjoyed celebrity sightings, and brought home exclusive merchandise—all while sharing the moment in real time via RoamSurf4All.
Aside from Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, three more subscribers and their three friends or family members will get a chance to visit Tokyo Disneyland for free, with airfare and hotel accommodation included.
All winners also received GoRoam Japan for seamless connectivity throughout their
trip, which allowed them to share real-time updates and make the most out of their stay.
Meanwhile, Globe also are providing their customers more opportunities to watch Disney’s theatrical releases throughout the year. Most recently, some customers received movie tickets for Captain America: Brave New World, Disney’s Snow White, and Marvel’s Thunderbolts through the GlobeOne app. Globe also sponsored nationwide block screenings for student leaders. Upcoming titles include the liveaction Lilo & Stitch, as well as Fantastic Four: First Steps, among others.
For those who prefer to watch their favorite stories from the comfort of their own homes, Globe also provides Disney+ access through various offers.
More information can be found at www. globe.com.ph.
Walking through Accenture’s New Client Experience Center
BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA
AS Accenture celebrated its 40th year in the Philippines, it also unveiled its new Client Experience Center (CEC) in Manila that reinvents business operations across the Philippines and Asean region. In their presentation, Accenture Philippines Innovation Lead Arvin Yason walked us through how their company will lead in helping clients get the best and most groundbreaking products and tools with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
HOME IS WHERE IT STARTS
ACCENTURE first presented their solution for residential homes. With the use of AI (face recognition, object detection, scene detection, and pose detection), it monitors your activity and other people’s activity that is present within its sight. Then, it proactively suggests things that you might need based on your recent activities.
“From our perspective, in this particular area, what we’re really trying to solve is perception and learning,” Arvin said. In their demo, the model placed a yoga mat. When the AI detected that activity, it automatically suggested the model’s playlist that she had been listening to for days prior
to the presentation. Another takeaway from the first presentation was the Polymorphic Multimodal Agentic Enabler (POLLE), which functions the same, but you can put it on your body and turn it on and off anytime. This lets the user have control over when the AI is allowed to see and function accordingly.
FASHIONISTA ALIKE
THEIR next demonstration was in a simulated cosmetics store where customers, with the help of Generative AI, can see if a makeup product fits them. The tech also suggests products based on the customer’s preferences. How it works is that it scans the customer’s face and promptly “applies” the makeup on a generative image, giving plenty of suggestions.
Moreover, in the second part of this presentation, the tech also accounts for the customer’s skin type. The user simply has to ask if the cosmetic is viable for their skin type and the AI will scan its database to answer the user’s question and ask if they would like to proceed to checkout.
ON YOUR NEXT SHOPPING SPREE
NEXT is for grocery shopping. In their demo, the simulated customer asked for a “pasta
recommendation for a dinner date for two.” The AI provided suggestions and gave the customer a list of what she needed to make the dinner.
Similar to the previous one, it also accounts for the customer’s preferences.
The customer simply has to ask for their preferred product, in this case a gluten-free pasta, and the AI will automatically check its database to see if the product is in stock and update their cart.
Then, the user just has to scan the QR code provided for checkout.
SAFE FOR WORK
THE best demonstration, in my opinion, was the last one, as it has the most potential to create the safest possible workplace. Using the tech from the first demonstration, the AI will scan people in its vicinity and check for safety measures, including falling actions. In their demo, a person stood without a helmet and the scanner showed a red mark indicating an unsafe situation. In addition, it continued marking the person unsafe until he wore a vest.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
SPANISH CONGLOMERATE TAPS AI TO ENHANCE DIGITALIZATION AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES
SPANISH multinational conglomerate Acciona will harness artificial intelligence (AI) to boost its digitalization and occupational safety in the workplace. Acciona made this push during its recent Health and Safety Day on Thursday, marked by a forum themed Digitalization and AI: Shaping the Future of Workplace Safety In his speech, Ruben Camba, Acciona’s managing director for infrastructure in Southeast Asia, urged the industry to embrace technology as a life-saving imperative. “This year’s theme reminds us that technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about protecting lives, improving mental health, and enabling smarter, safer workplaces,” Camba said. “New technologies are not just tools; they’re opportunities to transform how we anticipate, prevent and respond to risks in real time,” he added. Camba explained to the participants how Acciona is already applying the use of AI to ensure workplace safety in the Marcos-Clark Railway Project Package 04, one of its flagship infrastructure projects in the Philippines. “Package 04 is one of only two Acciona projects globally—alongside Barcelona—using AI-powered Smart Centers for real-time safety monitoring. Full deployment across Philippine projects is underway and set to be completed in 2025,” he said. Right now, Acciona has already achieved over 20 million safe working hours in the Philippines, a testament to its commitment to health and safety. The compant’s efforts will also be recognized at the 2025 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, where the company is set to receive honors for innovation in health and safety leadership.
To ensure the success of health and safety in the workplace, Camba emphasized the critical role of collaboration across sectors in building a culture of safety. “We’re honored to have with us today our industry partners, representatives from the public and private sector, health and safety practitioners, and leaders from various projects across Southeast Asia. Your presence reflects a shared commitment to building safer, smarter and more resilient workplaces,” Camba said.
During the forum, CEOs and project directors shared best practices on integrating safety technologies into leadership strategies and day-today operations. Other key topics discussed included the use of AI, robotics, IoT, exoskeletons, drones and wearable tech in evolving safety protocols.
Participants also tackled the ethical and operational challenges that come with this shift, including digital fatigue, workforce adaptation, and the balance between automation and human oversight. “We are proud to be part of an industry that not only builds infrastructure but builds a culture of care. Let’s continue shaping a future where innovation and safety go hand in hand,” Camba concluded
The event gathered over 200 participants, including top business leaders, industry experts and safety practitioners, from the construction, infrastructure, and water sectors for a full day of discussions, live tech demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing focused on next-generation safety innovations.
As mentioned, it also accounts for falling actions. When such an event occurs, the AI can trigger an alert to send help. The tech is most helpful for keeping people safe in various conditions, especially when they are alone.
SUPPORTING AGENTS
THE last demonstration would interest companies that work in industries requiring customer support. The most basic explanation of how the technology works is that a human agent will write a prompt to the AI about the customer’s grievances, and it will automatically send the information to multiple specialized AI agents (think agents in the finance department, tech support, database). Then, it will collate the important details in a concise manner and provide proper solutions to the agent. The agent can then give the solution to the customer. With proper use, it will shorten inquiry time and yield satisfactory results for customers.
VERDICT OVERALL, the potential of this tech is massive. Despite being in the early stages, you can see how much this could become the future of multiple industries. As such, upskilling and reskilling, as they said, would be much needed to keep up in this industry. But the future that Accenture showed in their Client Experience Center looks promising, especially if used with the proper knowledge.
Shopping affiliate program in six countries across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
A6 Saturday, May 17, 2025 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
Realme 14 5G: Level up or just a check point?
WE’VE already sung praises for the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G—that colorchanging back panel? Still one of the coolest party tricks this year, and its camera setup made it a sleeper hit for mobile photographers.
Now, Realme completes the squad with the base version Realme 14 5G, ditching some of the glam for more game—and not just metaphorically.
Armed with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, a 120Hz AMOLED E-sports display, and a massive 6,000mAh battery, this phone has its eyes set on mobile gamers and heavy users who need more uptime and bragging rights. But is this gutsy warrior ready for the big leagues? We’ve spent some serious playtime with it, and just like our favorite YouTuber, Simon Miller, we’ll give the good bits an Up, and the bad ones a Down.
LEVEL ONE: MECHA MAKEOVER (DESIGN & BUILD)
Up: Right out of the box, the Realme 14 5G stands out from its brothers with a different camera setup and its mecha-inspired design, particularly the Silver variant. It channels some serious Robotech energy, giving it a sci-fi armor aesthetic that’s refreshing in a sea of minimalist slabs. The rear panel catches the light in dynamic ways, while the pulse light (aka Victory Halo) adds flair when charging or gaming. Bonus: IP69 rating. That’s not just splash-proof; it’s basically battle-ready.
Down: While it looks premium, the build leans more on plastic than metal. It’s lightweight, sure, but the flat sides and buttons feel less mech pilot, more mecha toy. Still, the design effort is there, and it’s one of the most distinctive in the segment. The shiny finish can also be a smudge magnet.
LEVEL TWO: ENTER THE ARENA (DISPLAY AND AUDIO)
Up: The Realme 14 5G steps onto the battlefield with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 2,000 nits peak brightness. That’s elite-tier gear in this price range. Whether you’re doomscrolling on socials or climbing the ranks in Call of Duty: Mobile, the screen stays crisp, fluid and bright—even under the midday sun. The 2400x1080 resolution and 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut deliver vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details that make every swipe, tap, and headshot feel cinematic.
Up: Audio is handled by dual stereo speakers, and they do more than just fill the room—they hold their own in landscape gaming with well-balanced mids and good volume at 60 percent to 80 percent. While they won’t blow your socks off with bass, they’re more than capable of making your PUBG Mobile sessions immersive enough without forcing you to reach for a pair of earbuds.
Down: Crank the volume past 80 percent, though, and you’ll start to hear distortion creep in. And despite the advertised “300 percent volume” boost, the clarity doesn’t scale up with it. Also missing: a
3.5mm headphone jack, which could disappoint wired gamers and audiophiles still loyal to low-latency setups.
LEVEL THREE: BATTLE STATS (PERFORMANCE)
Up: Powered by the new Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) with 12GB RAM and up to 12GB Dynamic RAM Expansion, the Realme 14 5G handles multitasking like a seasoned dungeon crawler. Apps open quickly, and background processes don’t choke the system. You can even alt-tab between socials and light games without slowdowns.
Up: Gaming is where the Realme 14 5G flexes its muscles. It scored over 764,000 in AnTuTu and 3,800 on the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark, showing it’s no pushover. GT Mode and HyperBoost help optimize performance in demanding titles, and the 6050mm² vapor chamber cooling system keeps thermals under control. Games like Mobile Legends, Honor of Kings, and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly on high settings, while casual titles perform flawlessly. Down: For ultra-demanding games like Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero, performance takes a hit. You’ll need to drop the graphics to low or medium for a stable 30fps experience.
LEVEL FOUR: MANA RESERVES (BATTERY LIFE)
Up: The real MVP here is the 6,000mAh battery. Fueled by a battery with 782Wh/L energy density, you can enjoy up to 10.5 hours of gameplay on a single charge; 17.5 hours of YouTube, 16.5 hours of Instagram, and 91.5 hours of Spotify. In real-world use, that translated to about 7.5 hours of screen-on time under GT mode and nearly two days of moderate usage.
Up: The 45W SUPERVOOC fast charger fills the tank in just over an hour. The inclusion of Bypass Charging is excellent—it channels power directly to the motherboard during gameplay, reducing heat and battery strain.
Down: Wireless charging is absent, which is expected at this price point; its competitors in the same price segment are now offering much faster 66W or even 80W wired charging.
LEVEL FIVE: MAGIC CAMERA SCROLL
Up: On the rear, you get a 50MP main shooter with f/1.8 aperture, 1/2.88” sensor size, 27mm focal length, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). For a phone aimed at gamers, this is still a respectable camera. It
handles daytime shots with good clarity and vibrant colors. Portrait mode is effective, and I do like the addition of several new filters to give your photos a unique look.
Up: Pro mode offers manual control for ISO, shutter speed, EV, focus, and white balance. Video shooting is versatile with support for 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, and 720p@240fps slow-mo. There’s also a Movie Mode, Dual View Video, Tilt Shift, and there’s even Underwater Mode for those testing its IP69 rating or just want to capture some water adventure shots. The camera is also enhanced by Realme’s suite of AI photography tools. The tools aren’t always perfect but when they work, they make editing on-the-go a lot faster and more intuitive. No need to download a separate app.
Down: There’s no ultrawide or telephoto lens. Zooming beyond 2x results in soft, often muddy images. The 5x digital crop is barely usable, even in daylight losing a lot of details.
Down: The 16MP front camera with a Sony IMX480 sensor performs decently in good light but suffers the same lack of details when taking low-light shots.
LEVEL SIX: QUEST LOG (SOFTWARE AND FEATURES)
Up: The Realme 14 5G runs on Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0 out of the box. It’s clean, responsive, and packed with AI features like Circle to Search, AI Summary, and AI Smart Loop.
Up: Biometric security is handled by an optical in-display fingerprint sensor and a fast face unlock. Connectivity features include WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual 5G SIM support, and navigation via GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo. The hybrid SIM tray allows either two nano SIMs or one SIM and one microSD card.
Down: Bloatware still exists out of the box, which again is understandable at this price point. Its a good thing that most can be uninstalled. No confirmation yet on OS update policy, but Realme typically delivers 2 to 3 years of updates.
FINAL LEVEL: If the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G was your flashy mage with sparkle spells and sharp aim, then the Realme 14 5G is the tanky warrior. It doesn’t try to be the flashiest or fastest, but it will outlast the boss fight—or those lengthy gaming marathons. The 120Hz AMOLED display, dependable gaming performance, and that mammoth battery make it a fantastic pick for casual gamers, students and content consumers.
Sure, it stumbles a bit in camera versatility and ultra-heavy gaming, but at P17,999, it knows its lane and stays in it. So, should you equip yourself with the Realme 14 5G? If you’re after stamina, style and smooth gaming without spending flagship coin, this is what your main character needs. But if you are a bit picky and you’re chasing maxed-out graphics, better cameras and faster charging, you might want to look at the Realme 14 Pro instead. ■
YouTube Shopping allows creators to tag products in their videos. These tags will lead viewers to Shopee e-commerce platforms. They can tag products in existing and new videos, as well as pin them during live streams. The full list of tagged products and information about each product is made available at a glance in the description section and “Product” section of the video. Clicking on a product will lead viewers directly to an external sales page on Shopee.
Creators can choose which goods are promoted to users at the end of a piece of content. They can look at reports and data to see how content is performing and how well it’s driving conversions.
“Our partnership with YouTube Shopping is a significant milestone for our brands and sellers, allowing them to connect with creators and harness their influence to drive sales effectively. This collaboration also opens up exciting opportunities for the growing number of Filipino content creators to monetize their creativity while promoting products that resonate with their audiences.
The launch of the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program in the Philippines offers exciting opportunities for both Shopee sellers and content creators.
“Just seven months since our regional debut, we’re seeing strong traction across creators, sellers and advertisers already. Building on this early momentum, YouTube Shopping will continue to grow, unlocking new opportunities for viewers, creators, brands and partners across this dynamic region,” said Sapna Chadha, vice president for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier.
If you are a content creator who wants to join the program, you must have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers on YouTube, be approved for monetization, be located in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available, be marked as Made for Kids or have a significant number of videos marked as Made for Kids, not have a significant number of videos that violate monetization policies, not have any strikes for violating YouTube’s Hate Speech Community Guidelines, and must be marked as an Official Artist Channel if it is a music channel.
For advertisers, YouTube Shopping allows them to reach and engage more consumers. Brands can also use creator videos both long and short with product feeds in campaigns to expand reach to new customers
OPPO PAD SE COMING TO THE PHILIPPINES SOON LEADING global smart device brand OPPO is gearing up to launch the OPPO Pad SE in the Philippines. The device is set to empower Filipinos who want to achieve success, whether it’s in their budding careers or in academics. The OPPO Pad SE is packed with innovative features, offers productivity on-the-go and an immersive entertainment experience. DESIGNED FOR YOUR EVERYDAY SUCCESS. Long days demand long-lasting devices and the OPPO Pad SE is built to push your productivity to the next level while offering comfort with its massive 9,340 mAh, the largest in its price point. Ideal for catching up with work or winding down after a long day, the OPPO Pad SE features a large 11-inch LCD Eye-Care Display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and up to 500 nits of brightness. Its Matte Display Variant has an Anti-Reflective Matte Display which gives its users a paper-like reading and writing experience. CRAFTED FOR SMART AND SEAMLESS EXPERIENCES. If you value efficiency and maximizing your device’s tools to accomplish more, the OPPO Pad SE is just the right tablet for you. It supports real-time file transfers, drag-and-drop file sharing, and seamless app switching with features like Content Sync and App Relay. You can also complete tasks with ease and channel your creativity with Google Gemini integrated into the OPPO Pad SE. From generating content to providing real-time assistance, its AI tools offer smart support for work, planning and more. BE READY TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE. Prepare yourselves to have a more optimized daily experience with the OPPO Pad SE, available soon in Starlight White and Twilight Blue across all OPPO’s e-commerce platforms and stores nationwide. More details about the OPPO Pad SE can be found at www.oppo.com/ph, or on its Facebook and TikTok pages. across YouTube. ■
INNOTECH
bats for AI framework to future-proof regional learning
AREGIONAL framework on artificial intelligence (AI) will ensure high-quality learning, despite novel ways students integrate the technology into their education.
This, as INNOTECH—center of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization or “SEAMEO”—is prioritizing the guideline’s development for 2025. “Harmonization of standards and regulations, as well as a strengthened regional innovation ecosystem, are among the key benefits of establishing a regional AI framework,” said Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago who is INNOTECH’s newly appointed centre director. “These ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed under a common framework [of governance] and ethical guidelines.”
Dr. Ravago emphasized the urgent need for Southeast Asia’s educational systems to adapt to the rapid integration of global
and regional economies. She highlighted the importance of developing a shared framework that ensures education remains relevant, safe, and equitable—especially as AI becomes more embedded in learning environments.
“In an era shaped by economic integration, AI, Industry 4.0, and the accelerating energy transition, education can no longer operate in isolation,” she said. “Our goal is to transform education into a strategic tool that supports mobility and drives sustainable development across generations.”
The INNOTECH official clarified that the said education policy framework that will cover ethics and governance “has to
Soft skills give candidates more edge in tech and transformation job market
WITHIN the Philippine tech and transformation hiring market, the growing demand for soft skills and work flexibility became even more pronounced last year.
According to Robert Walters Philippines senior manager Nikita Cuevas, employers no longer look only at candidates’ technical mastery when hiring. The ability to structure ideas and communicate them to other stakeholders such as clients, subordinates and business leaders is key, particularly for technical leads in software engineering and development.
On the flip side, candidates are now more insistent on remote work, though they are otherwise willing to settle for hybrid work arrangements. Many are now more comfortable with moving on from job offers that do not offer such flexibility.
“These trends have surfaced since the pandemic, and will likely persist moving into 2025,” noted Cuevas.
Flexible work arrangements will continue to prevail in the hiring landscape, in line with candidate demands for remote work.
Employers are also expected to take a skills-based approach to hiring in 2025. They will opt for candidates who possess the necessary skills and experience, even if they may not have traditional credentials or qualifications to match. Equity, diversity and inclusion or “ED&I” will still influence the hiring process.
Tech expertise, soft skills vital ACROSS the board, employers favor candidates with good communication and presentation skills. They also expect candidates to have hands-on exposure to technologies, especially for cloud computing, artificial intelligence/machine learning and development operations.
For people-management roles, candidates who remain highly technical and can step in to work as an individual contributor, when necessary, will be greatly preferred.
“With more businesses establishing shared services and technology hubs in the Philippines, demand has risen in the application development space,” Cuevas revealed. “More attention is also being given to data regulations and cybersecurity as systems get more interconnected, more data is being generated, and many businesses are migrating to the cloud.”
Thus, the most in-demand positions this year include backend developers, information technology security specialists, and data engineers.
Tech professionals also need to constantly learn new skills to align with advancements. Likewise, they continue to seek out positions that offer flexible or remote work arrangements.
“The Philippines is a vibrant, promising market, where there is strong demand for across a variety of positions. Further, companies offer training programs that allow their employees to upskill. All these factors make for a dynamic hiring landscape, where candidates actively pursue exciting career prospects,” shared Cuevas.
Offer a well-rounded package EMPLOYERS looking to attract and retain talent should look at improving the overall package offered on three different counts.
First, competitive salaries are key, especially for appealing to top talent. Employers can also foster better retention by showing employees how they can grow through their tenure at a given stint. Cuevas hinted to “provide clear growth pathways, training programs, mentorships and opportunities for skill advancement.”
When employees are up-to-date with the latest tools, technologies and industry trends, the company also benefits as overall efficiency goes up.
Lastly, they should help employees maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal lives. This can be achieved by speaking to employees to understand their personal needs, while providing remote work options or flexible work hours.
Salary increments deployed selectively
KEEPING budget constraints in mind, companies are expected to be more cautious with salary increments this year.
“In previous years, it wasn’t uncommon to see salaries go up by 30 percent or more for job movers,” Cuevas explained.
“This year, employers will be more focused on retaining existing employees.”
Access to the “2025 Salary Survey” to benchmark salaries and discover more about key hiring trends in the technology and transformation industries in the Philippines may be requested on robertwalters.com.ph
be dynamic and responsive, as AI evolves overtime,” instead of something rulesbased that is “cast in stone” and might lag behind the technology’s progression.
These will be paramount, notwithstanding the fact that rules and laws are being required to make investments on education and learning.
A conference slated on May 16 was
meant to craft various commitments around the said frameworks, which are expected to be finalized come December. She also hinted at “innovative solutions” in partnership with educators and school administrators nationwide, without necessarily relying heavily on technology, as she acknowledged interconnectivity limitations being experienced by some regions in the country. These are aimed at transforming learners into “changemakers of tomorrow.”
According to her, the efforts are focused on making them employable and agile not just for the local workforce, but potentially integrated into the regional and global labor markets.
Under Dr. Ravago’s leadership, INNOTECH aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the way AI will be used responsibly and inclusively in education across the region. The organization will work closely with member countries, regional partners and stakeholders to draft and promote a comprehensive AI framework tailored to Southeast Asia’s unique educational and socio-cultural context.
Dr. Ravago brings into her role an extensive background in economics and education. As INNOTECH’s 10th center director, she has previously served as the Development Academy of the Philippines’ president and CEO. A seasoned educator, she has taught at the University of Hawaii, the University of the Philippines-School of Economics, and Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Economics. She had also held leadership roles, including the program directorship of the United States Agency for International Development-funded “Energy Policy and Development Program,” at the House of Representatives, ADMU’s project on supporting Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s eight-point agenda with evidence-based research, and as president of the Philippine Economic Society.
As Southeast Asia embraces digital transformation, INNOTECH reaffirmed its pledge to fostering innovative, inclusive and future-ready education systems, with AI governance and responsible implementation at the forefront of its agenda. With a report from Mike Policarpio
COMMENTARY Is defining ‘functional literacy’ problematic?
By Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas,
Rosalyn Mirasol & Katrina Ninfa Topacio University of Santo Tomas-Research Center for Social Sciences and Education
RESULTS of the latest “Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey [FLEMMS, 2024]” by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) have sparked controversy not only among education-related government agencies but also within academic institutions, as university-based researchers involved in literacy studies have found rather alarming implications not only in the context of research itself, but also in its impact on communities.
The PSA board revised the definition of functional literacy (FL) last year—the first time since 1989. The new one was subsequently adopted in the latest round of the FLEMMS study. The board (2024) explained that there was a need to “enhance” the national definitions and methodology for measuring basic and functional literacy rates to “accurately” reflect the country’s progress in attaining quality education.
Such revision was also in line with the government’s efforts to align it with international standards for comparability.
The latest adopted definition of FL is as follows: “The ability of a person to read, write, compute and comprehend.”
The new definition removed the automatic assignment of FL on people who have attained an educational attainment of at least high-school graduate (old curriculum), or at least junior-high school (the current K-12 curriculum). The new FL definition also removed the contextualization of one’s literacy and skills vis-a-vis an individual’s life and community situation.
The previous FL definition adopted by the PSA reflected this important contextualization: “Functional literacy is a significantly higher level of literacy which includes not only reading and writing skills but also numeracy skills. The skills must be sufficiently advanced to enable the individual to participate fully and efficiently in activities commonly occurring in his life situation that require a reasonable capability of communicating by written language.”
The change in the PSA’s definition of FL deviates from the internationally accepted definition of FL as advanced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization first adopted in 1978, but is still being used today (Murray, 2017): “A person is functionally literate who can engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his group and community and also for enabling him to continue to
use reading, writing and calculation for his own and the community’s development” (UNESCO, 1978).
The government agency did not only revise the definition of FL in the 2024 FLEMMS, but also piloted new data items aligned with the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies to measure the FL of Filipinos aged 10 to 65 years old. The PSA noted that the PIAAC, which was created by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), was the “recommended” tool to measure FL as “endorsed” by UNESCO.
Indeed, PIAAC—particularly its Level-2 descriptor—has been identified by the UN Statistics Division (2022) as the fixed level of proficiency for global reporting on functional literacy. PIAAC measures adults’ proficiency in key informationprocessing skills, which cover literacy, numeracy and problem-solving that are “needed for an individual to participate in society and for economies to prosper.” In fact, the PIAAC framework was developed to meet the “needs” of developed countries (Montoya, 2018).
The PIAAC is administered to 16- to 74-years old in the United States, and 16- to 65-years old in other participating countries (National Center for Education Statistics, n.d.). It has been administered in 39 countries, mostly OECD memberstates, during its first cycle between 2011 and 2018.
But the adopted PIAAC in the Philippines was administered to Filipinos aged 10-to 65-years old, with the lower limit of the age bracket being significantly lower than that of those in the US and other participating countries.
The age bracket adopted by the 2024 FLEMMS is also lower than the stipulated target age of adults who achieved or exceeded a fixed level of proficiency in literacy and numeracy: 15 years and above, per Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.6.1.
Note, though, that the UN Statistics Division (2022) appropriately emphasizes the need to further develop a survey that would meet the economic and social settings of a given population. It said about functional literacy surveys: “Functional literacy and numeracy are related to context, thus survey programs need further development in order to frame questions in a way that are meaningful to different economic and social-settings and could be more efficient to reflect population level of skills.”
Functional literacy is a complex concept that is hard to measure quantitatively despite the existence of programs and frameworks that attempt to grasp such
competency. Things become even more complicated if the definition of such a critical concept varies from internationallyand scholarly-acceptable understanding. Removing the context that FL refers to skills that people need to effectively function within their respective communities and contribute toward its development is critical in understanding the essence of the concept that we try to measure. One may assess an individual as being “functionally illiterate” if the individual cannot make inferences based on a given infographic or a piece of news clippings. But that individual may be functionally literate in the very context of his or her own community and practicing literacy that allows him/ her to survive and live effectively.
Such is the case with our agricultural workers. Can we say that Filipino farmers producing palay are “functionally illiterate” if they effectively and efficiently produce the very staple that we have on our table amid worsening climate conditions and rising input costs? Our surveys may need to be further developed to adapt to the socioeconomic contexts of the country to grasp the extent of Filipinos’ FL. The government should consider creating its very own survey program or methodology framework that meets the needs of the country in terms of its socioeconomic contexts.
We also propose revisiting the administration of the survey on adults’ FL to the appropriate age bracket as stipulated under SDG 4.6.1, which is 15 years old and above. The age gap between 10-years old (the current lower limit of the PSA’s FL survey) and 15 years old is significant in terms of cognitive development of individuals. Even the PIAAC, which was adopted by the PSA, administers the survey to at least 16 years of age, but not 10 years old.
The change in definition of FL and administering it to a younger target audience may have repercussions on the country achieving the above-mentioned SDG. At present, it may be even prudent to call what the PSA is measuring as reading comprehension instead of functional literacy. Nonetheless, we do support the exclusion of high-school and senior-high school graduates (under the old curriculum and “K-12,” respectively) from the automatic counting as functionally literate individuals.
Arcalas (a journalism instructor and former BusinessMirror reporter), Mirasol and Topacio (English language studies professors) perform research for the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education or RCSSED— the social sciences arm of UST in Manila. Reach out to them via: rcssed@ust.edu.ph.
Editor: Mike Policarpio
INNOTECH’s centre director Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago MIKE POLICARPIO
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
RIDE THROUGH ILOCANDIA A scenic route of ruins and rich flavors
Story & photos by Gelyka Ruth R. Dumaraos
VISITING the Ilocos Region felt like uncovering a part of my roots that I had always known but never truly experienced.
Growing up in Pangasinan, I’ve constantly understood Ilocano and shared my love for bagoong and pinakbet. But beyond our quiet little town, I never really had the chance to explore what more the region had to offer.
Scenic views and historical landmarks were the only things I admired in photographs—until our Philippine Loop took us on a weeklong Ilocandia ride and turned them into real moments I now share with my husband. A road trip to the north OUR journey to Ilocos began from our home base in San Mateo, Rizal, via Zambales. We eventually reached my childhood hometown, Burgos, a small town located west of Pangasinan where we stayed for two nights.
In the morning, our itinerary included a day tour of Don Islao Farmhouse, a grand bahay kubo that rests at the center of a five-hectare dragon fruit orchard and lake.
By sunset, we sat by the roadside of the neighboring town, Dasol, observing salt farmers as they collected their daily produce.
The next day, we rode out again, seeing the dried fish stalls that lined the highway of Sual and the fish ponds of Dagupan before we headed to the Cordilleras for a side trip.
If you are riding straight through the Ilocos region, La Union is not one to miss. Our frequent weekend rides to San Juan and Bacnotan have always been a comforting escape— the same stunning sunset, holding a cup of coffee or a bottle of beer, good music and food, and plenty of surfing action in sight.
Besides the beach, you can explore Pindangan Ruins and Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando, the 400-year-old Baluarte watchtower, and the Almeida Manmade Forest in Luna.
REDISCOVERING
Coming from our side trip, we continued our ride through the elevated twisties of Quirino, Ilocos Sur.
Reaching the Skyline View Deck, an attraction 1,115 feet above sea level, was tough, with sharp and surprising horseshoe curves that almost seemed endless.
Seeing a Balayong tree with Palawan Cherry Blossoms was a sweet surprise on a hot midday. It was a reminder to rest, allowing us to hop off our motorcycle to stretch and hydrate under its shade.
We also passed by Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Santa Maria, a Baroque church perched on a hilltop. This church is one of the renowned Baroque Churches of the Philippines, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historic sites and hearty servings AFTER hours on the road, we found ourselves in Vigan’s Mestizo district. Staying for a couple of nights, we took our time walking along the cobbled Calle Crisologo, appreciating the ancestral houses that transported us back to the Spanish colonial era.
Each night, we end with a crispy, golden Vigan empanada freshly made right before our eyes. We bought ours
at Irene’s Vigan Empanada and had another round at Ashtin Empanada on Calle Salcedo.
Of course, no Vigan visit is complete without a taste of crispy and irresistible bagnet, garlicky Vigan longganisa, and KBL (kamatis, bagoong, and lasona or small-sized onion), a classic trio that perfectly captures the Ilocano flavor.
Now entering Ilocos Norte, we first visited Paoay Church. Officially known as Saint Augustine Church, this heritage site was completed in 1710 and features Gothic influences and Chinese motifs.
In the province’s capital city of Laoag, you can enjoy sandboarding in its coastal desert for a thrilling experience. But for us hungry loopers, we
sought a different kind of adventure— ne that delighted our taste buds. It took us to La Preciosa Restaurant, one of Laoag’s best restaurants if you crave authentic Ilocano flavors. Our first order was Pansit Lusay, an abundant serving of sauteed noodles topped with bits of Laoag longganisa. We then continued with other classic Ilocano favorites—there’s Pinakbet, a mix of crunchy, local veggies with bagoong, Poqui-poqui, a savory eggplant, and scrambled egg dish, and a comforting serving of Dinengdeng, a vegetable-based dish rich in earthy flavors. Top it with crispy fried fish, and you’re absolutely solved—naimas (delicious), indeed!
All these hearty servings took me back to my childhood—growing up
A Grand Carousel ride just outside the Crystal Ballroom adds a festive and romantic touch for debutantes, soon-to-beweds, and even regular guests and diners. But while Hotel Casiana’s exterior
with my Pangasinense grandparents, whose table was never without a jar of bagoong padas and a humble bowl of Dinengdeng made from the day’s backyard harvest.
Last stops A RIDER also needs to rest, and we sought that much-needed time out at Java Hotel, a Balinese-style hotel conveniently situated near a gas station and a convenience store along Gen. Segundo Avenue. Inside is Eagle’s Nest Bar & Restaurant, where we tried a smoky serving of Laoag longganisa for breakfast. Going further into Ilocos Norte, you’ll come across the iconic Bangui Wind Farm in the municipality of Bangui. Easily visible from the highway,
its 20 towering wind turbines stretch across a 9-kilometer shoreline along Bangui Bay. We couldn’t resist getting a closer look, so we took a sandy detour to the foot of the windmills. To cap off our trip was a picturesque stop at the Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud—the fourth longest bridge in the Philippines. This 1.3-kilometer concrete stretch hugs the winding mountainside and overlooks Pasaleng Bay. It was an incredible view that tourists will never want to miss. As our final stop in Ilocandia before continuing our Philippine Loop journey to Aparri, Cagayan, this bridge felt like a beautiful goodbye. But it came with a gentle tug—reminding us that there’s more to see and that we’re always welcome for another ride.
and unforgettable experience,” Aranha further noted.
checking in as a family, as a couple, or as a solo guest, Aranha assures that there’s a room that’s pretty much tailor-made for you. I’m not sure if heated pools are pretty common in Tagaytay, but given its cool climate, especially at night and early morning, the one in Hotel Casiana is certainly one of its most inviting amenities. The need to take a relaxing dip should be hard for any guest to resist.
Islao Farmhouse in Bugos, Pangasinan
orchard
Java Hotel in Laoag City
Watchtower in Luna, La Union
WALKING in Calle Crisologo
CAROUSEL
May 17,
Opulence, business deals and a $400 million plane from Qatar: Takeaways from Trump’s Mideast tour
By Zeke Miller & Aamer Madhani
The Associated Press
BU DHABI, United Arab
AEmirates—President Donald
Trump used the first major foreign trip of his second term to outline a vision for restoring global stability that is grounded in pragmatism and self-interest rather than values, holding out US ties to wealthy Gulf countries as a model for America’s longtime foes.
His four-day swing through Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which ends Friday, put a spotlight on Trump’s transactional approach to foreign affairs as he was feted by autocratic rulers with a trio of lavish state visits where there was heavy emphasis on economic and security partnerships.
His trip played out against the backdrop of stubborn global conflicts, including Gaza and Ukraine, that showed the limits of his influence.
But Trump insisted he was turning the page on American “interventionalism” in the region as he moved to recognize the new government in Syria for the first time and prodded Iran to engage on nuclear talks before it’s too late.
Some takeaways from Trump’s travels:
Trump marveled at Gulf state opulence but held his tongue on human rights Presidential trips to the Middle East usually feature at least some public calls for authoritarian governments to improve their human rights efforts. Not this one, as Trump celebrated his business deals with Gulf royals and admired their wealth.
Trump toured the marble and gilded palaces of Gulf rulers and deemed them “perfecto” and “very hard to buy.” He praised the “gleaming marvels” of the skyline in Saudi Arabia.
And he groused about the “much less impressive” Air Force One. In Trump’s remarks at a VIP business conference in Riyadh, he went out of his way to distance himself from the actions of past administrations, the days when he said American officials would fly in “in beautiful planes, giving you lectures on how to live and how to govern your own affairs.”
Rights advocates took that as a pledge of nonintervention, swearing off some of the pressure past US presidents have brought to bear on partners to varying degrees to ease up on detentions, suppression of critics and other issues.
“It’s absolute support for absolute monarchy,” said Saudi exile Abdullah Alaoudh. His father, a Saudi cleric with a wide following there, is imprisoned in the kingdom.
Some rights advocates said Trump officials gave them private assurances the administration was working on behalf of detained Americans and rights advocates. Tommy Pigott, a deputy spokesman at the State Department, declined to say whether Trump raised those or other rights issues in discussions with Gulf royals.
Thwarted by Putin
WHILE Trump was in the Mideast, Vladimir Putin opted to skip direct peace talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite the US president’s strong calls for them to meet face to face.
Trump has been pushing Putin and Zelenskyy to move with greater haste to end Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine.
But after it became clear Putin wouldn’t be attending talks in Turkey this week and would instead be sending underlings to Istanbul, an annoyed Trump insisted he knew all along that it was highly likely Putin would be a no-show.
“I don’t believe anything’s going to
happen whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump said.
“But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying.
Trump was scheduled to fly back to Washington on Friday, but tried to keep people guessing until the end. He teased late Thursday that he would be heading to a “destination unknown”—“probably” Washington, he added. His opaque language stoked speculation that he might make a drop-by to Turkey.
On Syria sanctions, Trump takes a leap of faith JUST two months ago, the Trump administration wasn’t sold on Syria’s interim government led by Ahmad alSharaa, the onetime al-Qaida-affiliated insurgent. They worried the Syrian president didn’t have the legitimacy to govern the country’s ethnically diverse population.
Clashes broke out in early March, killing hundreds and targeting many more members of the Alawite religious minority to which the ousted Syrian leader Basher Assad belongs.
The moment gave the Trump White House pause about easing sanctions on Syria. But Trump signaled Monday that he was having a change of heart
and was moving toward lifting the Syria sanctions. A day later, he announced the move during an address to Gulf leaders.
Trump then took it another step by agreeing to meet al-Sharaa.
Trump said he was impressed with al-Sharaa, who not that long ago had a $10 million US bounty on his head. The president called him a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.”
Trump said it was recommendations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that nudged him to take a chance on alSharra.
“President Erdogan called me and said: ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance,’” Trump said. “So, I did it.”
Trump’s fuzzy math on display THROUGHOUT the trip, Trump felt more than comfortable dishing out exaggeration and hyperbole.
“This has been an amazing trip.” Trump told reporters Thursday as Air Force One was about to land in Qatar. “We’ve raised trillions of dollars of investment for our country.” A little later he put the figure at $4 trillion.
That figure is about two times the combined gross domestic products of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, meaning that any announced investments would likely accrue over several years—if at all—in ways that might not show up in overall US economic growth numbers.
Boeing confirmed that Qatar’s $96 billion purchase of its 787 and 777X jets was the largest order for 787s and wide body jets in the company’s history. Trump enthused it was “the biggest order in the history of, I think, aviation, certainly of that size” of jets.
Trump also went overboard in running down the economic record of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, at one point declaring, “The days of economic misery under the last administration are rapidly giving way to the greatest economy in the history of the world.”
The US economy grew at 2.8% last year. It declined at an annualized rate of 0.3% during the first three months of this year.
Intractable conflicts remain just that
WHILE Trump’s trip initially was conceived as a visit to reward countries that invest in the United States, Trump at one point hoped it also would herald significant steps to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Positive news on both fronts proved elusive. Trump barely mentioned either conflict on his trip—and when he did, it was generally in the context of his assertion that they wouldn’t have occurred had he won reelection in 2020.
As Israel stepped up an offensive in Gaza—a prelude to a promised full takeover of the territory if Hamas doesn’t release the remaining hostages in its captivity—Trump was again musing about the creation of a “freedom zone” in its territory. It’s a notion rejected by Palestinians and the
broader Arab world because Trump’s plan would relocate civilians from Gaza to allow for rebuilding. Israel conducted significant airstrikes all week in Gaza as Trump was in the region and the fighting on the ground appeared to escalate Friday morning even before Trump left the UAE.
Ethics issues follow along as Trump travels the Mideast TRUMP was already facing questions about conflicts of interest for traveling to the Middle East to shape US policy at a time when his family’s business interests in the region have boomed. He attempted to quiet worries about national security and constitutional questions by insisting he’s smart to accept a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar and use it as Air Force One.
“Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE,” Trump posted on his social media site during his Middle East swing. The president also dodged questions about a state-backed investment company in Abu Dhabi using a Trump family-aligned stablecoin for a $2 billion investment in the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
“I don’t know anything about it,” he said.
Beyond that, the Trump family has piled up deals to license its brand for real estate projects, and to build Trump towers and golf courses, around the Middle East. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says it’s “frankly ridiculous” to wonder if those profits might influence Trump’s governing decisions.
Madhani reported from Dubai. Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Will Weissert and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.
QATAR’S Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomes President Donald Trump during an
welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Airlines employees will be paid about 7.45 months’ bonus, lower than the 7.94 months received
Singapore Airlines to pay staff almost eight months’ bonus
By Ruth Carson & Danny Lee
SIsraeli strikes kill 64 people in Gaza as Trump wraps up Middle East visit
By Wafaa Shurafa & Bassem Mroue The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip on Friday killed at least 64 people, hospitals said, as US President Donald Trump wraps up his Middle East visit that skipped Israel and offered no prospect for a ceasefire in the war-battered territory.
At least 48 bodies were brought to the Indonesian hospital and another 16 bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital, health officials said, as strikes overnight into Friday morning hit the outskirts of Deir al-Balah and the city of Khan Younis.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer told The Associated Press on Friday that Israel’s military is intensifying its operations as it has done since Hamas stopped releasing hostages. “Our objective is to get them home and get Hamas to relinquish power,” he said. He said Israel will continue pressuring Hamas while negotiating, saying that it’s getting results.
On Friday, families of the hostages said they awoke up with “heavy hearts” to reports of increased attacks and called on Netanyahu to “join hands” with Trump’s efforts to release the hostages.
The Singapore flag carrier’s net income beat, with passenger yields declining slower than over the past three years, contrasting with its outlook.
However, the carrier posted muted results for its final quarter, a sign of uncertain times ahead. US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have rattled markets and hurt consumer sentiment.
“The global airline industry faces a challenging operating environment,” the airline said in a statement. The growing challenges “may impact consumer and business confidence,” it added. Bloomberg News
INGAPORE Airlines Ltd. will reward employees with a profit-sharing bonus worth almost eight months after delivering full-year net income of S$2.78 billion ($2.1 billion) that beat analyst estimates. Employees will be paid about 7.45 months’ bonus, lower than the 7.94 months received a year ago, Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong said on Friday. The smaller bonus payout comes as Singapore Air on Thursday warned that tariff and trade tensions on top of broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties could hurt demand for passenger and cargo flights.
The widespread attacks across come as Trump finishes his visit to Gulf states but not Israel. There had been widespread hope that his regional trip could usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal of humanitarian aid to Gaza. An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the strikes, which lasted hours into Friday morning and sent people fleeing from the Jabaliya refugee camp and the town of Beit Lahiya. They followed days of similar attacks that killed more than 130 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Since Trump’s visit to the region
began Tuesday, nearly 200 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes, the ministry said.
Netanyahu vows to step up war
ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed earlier in the week to push ahead with a promised escalation of force in Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip to pursue his aim of destroying the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza.
In comments released by Netanyahu’s office Tuesday, the prime minister said Israeli forces were days away from entering Gaza “with great strength
to complete the mission ... It means destroying Hamas.”
An Israeli official said the strikes on Friday were preparatory actions in the lead-up to a larger operation and to send a message to Hamas that it will begin soon if there isn’t an agreement to release hostages.
The official was not authorized to brief media and spoke on condition of anonymity
The same official said that Cabinet members were meeting Friday to assess the negotiations in Qatar, where ceasefire talks are taking place, and to decide on next steps.
“Missing this historic opportunity for a deal to bring the hostages home would be a resounding failure that will be remembered in infamy forever,” the families said in a statement released by the hostage forum, which supports them.
On Friday, families of the hostages said they awoke up with “heavy hearts” to reports of increased attacks and called on Netanyahu to “join hands” with Trump’s efforts to release the hostages.
“Missing this historic opportunity for a deal to bring the hostages home would be a resounding failure that will be remembered in infamy forever,”
Construction magnate surrenders on negligence charges over deadly Bangkok high-rise collapse
By Jintamas Saksornchai
The Associated Press
ANGKOK—A construction
Bmagnate, builders, designers and engineers surrendered to police Friday on criminal negligence charges for the deadly collapse of a Bangkok high-rise in the March 28 earthquake that hit Myanmar.
Premchai Karnasuta, the president
of Italian-Thai Development Co, the main Thai contractor for the building project, as well as designers and engineers were among 17 charged with the felony of professional negligence causing death, Bangkok deputy police chief Noppasin Poonsawat said. Noppasin said those who met police on Friday formally denied the charges. Several have previously issued public denials in response to allegations in the media.
Ninety-two people were confirmed dead in the rubble of the building that had been under construction and a small number of other people remain unaccounted for. The building, which was to become a new State Audit Office, was the only one in Thailand to collapse in the earthquake that was centered in neighboring Myanmar. The search for victims
at the site has been halted, though efforts to identify remains through DNA will continue.
Noppasin said at a news conference that evidence and testimony from experts suggested the building plan did not meet standards and codes. The Bangkok Post newspaper said police had also determined the project showed “structural flaws in the core lift shaft and substandard
concrete and steel.” Thai media have reported allegations of wrongdoing in the project almost every day since the building’s collapse, many of them involving irregular documentation for the project. Their reports have highlighted the role of Italian-Thai’s Chinese joint venture partner, the China Railway No. 10 company, which is involved in projects around the world.
One of the 17 charged Friday was Chinese executive Zhang Chuanling, a director at China Railway No. 10’s joint venture with Italian-Thai Development. He was previously arrested last month on a charge of violating Thai business law by wrongly using Thai nominees to serve as the Chinese firm’s proxies to allegedly control the joint
SINGAPORE
Russia and Ukraine to hold direct peace talks in three years, but hopes for breakthrough dim
By Mehmet Guzel, Hanna Arhirova & Suzan Fraser
AYhe Associated Press
NKARA, Turkey—Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years, both countries said Thursday, but hopes for a breakthrough remained dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet face-to-face in Turkey.
Zelenskyy said he is sending a team headed by his defense minister from the Turkish capital Ankara to Istanbul to meet a Russian delegation, even though Moscow’s side doesn’t include “anyone who actually makes decisions.”
The Ukrainian side would be headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and its aim is “to attempt at least the first steps toward de-escalation, the first steps toward ending the war—namely, a ceasefire,” he said.
Few had expected Putin to show up in Turkey, and his absence punctured any hope of significant progress toward ending the 3-year-old war amid peace efforts in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders. It also raised the prospect of intensified international sanctions on Russia that have been threatened by the West.
Zelenskyy, who flew Thursday to
Ankara after challenging Putin to sit down with him, accused Moscow of not making a serious effort to end the war by sending a low-level negotiating team that he described as “a theater prop.”
His proposal to Putin came amid a flurry of maneuvering last weekend as each side sought a diplomatic advantage.
Zelenskyy said he decided to send the delegation to Istanbul to demonstrate to US President Donald Trump that Ukraine wants to end the fighting.
The war has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides and more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the U.N. Russian forces are preparing a fresh military offensive, Ukrainian government and Western military analysts say. At least five civilians were killed and 29 wounded in the past day, according to authorities in five eastern regions of Ukraine where Russia is trying to advance.
The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said in Istanbul that the representatives were ready to meet Ukrainian officials.
“The task of these direct negotiations with Ukraine is to establish long-term peace sooner or later by eliminating the root causes of this conflict,” he said in a brief statement. It was not clear when they would
meet. Medinsky said late Thursday that the Russian delegation would be waiting for Ukrainian officials at 10 a.m. Friday.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would confer Friday in Istanbul with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ukrainian delegation, adding that the Russian delegation would be meeting with other members of the US team and that he hoped all sides could get together.
“We don’t have high expectations of what will happen tomorrow. And frankly, at this point, I think it’s abundantly clear that the only way we’re going to have a breakthrough here is between President Trump and President Putin,” Rubio told reporters in Antalya, Turkey, where he was attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier welcomed Zelenskyy to the presidential palace in Ankara for their own talks. Zelenskyy heads Friday to Albania for a gathering of European officials.
Weekend maneuvers
THE diplomatic maneuvering began Saturday when European leaders met Zelenskyy in Kyiv and urged the Kremlin to agree to a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward peace. Putin responded early Sunday by proposing direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul. Then came Zelenskyy’s challenge to Putin for faceto-face talks.
After days of silence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov finally said Thursday that Putin had no plans to travel to Istanbul in the next few days.
Trump said he was not surprised that Putin was a no-show. He had pressed for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet but brushed off the Kremlin leader’s decision not to attend.
“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump told
reporters in Doha, Qatar, on the third day of his visit to the Middle East.
Trump said a meeting between him and Putin was crucial to breaking the deadlock.
“I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until (Putin) and I get together,” he said on Air Force One while traveling from Doha to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying.”
Peskov said Putin has no plans to meet with Trump in the coming days.
Medinsky, Putin’s aide, is leading the Russian team that also includes three other senior officials, the Kremlin said. Putin also appointed four lower-level officials as “experts” for the talks in Istanbul.
Also absent from the talks were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, both of whom represented Russia at talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia in March.
The top-level Ukrainian delegation included Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy
Yermak, a Ukrainian official said. Zelenskyy will sit at the negotiating table only with Putin, said presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Putin met Wednesday with senior government officials and members of the delegation in preparation for the talks, Peskov said. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and National Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu attended.
Russia calls the talks a ‘restart’ THE Kremlin billed the Istanbul talks as a “restart” of peace negotiations held there in 2022 that quickly collapsed. Moscow accused Ukraine and the West of wanting to continue fighting, while Kyiv said Russia’s demands amounted to an ultimatum, not something both sides could agree on. That delegation also was also headed by Medinsky. Putin’s proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kick-started by Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the war swiftly, although it’s been hard to pull off. The Trump administration in recent weeks indicated it might walk
away from the effort if there was no tangible progress soon.
Sybiha, the Ukrainian foreign minister, met with Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday night in Antalya.
Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for Trump’s mediation efforts and thanked the US for its continued involvement, urging Moscow to “reciprocate Ukraine’s constructive steps” toward peace. “So far, it has not,” Sybiha said.
On Thursday morning, Sybiha also met with other European foreign ministers, including his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, who in a post on X reiterated the call for a ceasefire and the threat of “massive sanctions” if Russia doesn’t comply.
“We’re in a very difficult spot right now, and we hope that we can find the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future,” Rubio said Thursday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Putin of “standing in the way of peace.”
“There was only one country that started this conflict—that was Russia. That was Putin. There’s only one country now standing in the way of peace—that is Russia. That is Putin,” he said in a visit to Tirana, Albania. Barrot echoed that sentiment: “In front of Ukrainians, there is an empty chair, one that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he said. Putin “is dragging his feet and in all evidence does not want to enter into these peace discussions.”
The Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels; Illia Novikov and Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; Aamer Madhani in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Matthew Lee in Antalya, Turkey, contributed to this report.
RUSSIAN presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky gives a statement to journalists at the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, May 15, 2025. AP/FRANCISCO SECO
Gaza. . .
Continued from A11
the families said in a statement released by the hostage forum, which supports them.
The war began when Hamasled militants killed 1,200 people in an Oct. 7, 2023, intrusion into southern Israel. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. Almost 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18, the ministry said.
Hamas still holds 58 of the roughly 250 hostages it took during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, with 23 believed to still be alive, although Israeli authorities have expressed concern for the status of three of those.
Gaza blockade enters third month
THE attacks come as Israel enters its third month of blockading Gaza, preventing food, fuel medicine and all other supplies from entering, worsening a humanitarian crisis. Israel says the blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release the hostages it still holds and that it won’t allow aid back in until a system is in place that gives it control over distribution.
Earlier this week, a new humanitarian organization that has US backing to take over aid delivery said it expects to begin operations before the end of the month—after what it describes as key agreements from Israeli officials.
A statement from the group, called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, identified several US military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators and security contractors that it said would lead the delivery effort.
Many in the humanitarian community, including the U.N., said the system does not align with humanitarian principles and won’t be able to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza and won’t participate it.
Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report.
Bangkok. . .
Continued from A11
venture. Three Thai executives were also arrested on the charge.
A Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the 17 on the negligence charge on Thursday. Noppasin said 15 turned themselves in at a police station in the morning and the remaining two were expected to do so later Friday.
The epicenter of the quake was in central Myanmar, where it killed more than 3,700 people and caused major damage in Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city, and the capital Naypyitaw.
Premchai’s case is his second major tangle with the law. In 2019, he was convicted of wildlife poaching and served about three years in prison.
He was found guilty of killing protected animals and illegal possession of weapons after park rangers found a hunting party at a wildlife sanctuary in 2018 with carcasses of a rare black panther, a kalij pheasant and a barking deer. The panther had been butchered and its meat cooked for soup.
World Economic Forum courts Lagarde as next leader after founder’s abrupt exit
By Hugo Miller, Jan-Henrik Förster & Bastian Benrath-Wright
KLAUS SCHWAB’S abrupt departure from the World Economic Forum, the influential organization he founded and led for more than half a century, has complicated carefully laid plans to persuade Christine Lagarde to assume the helm in a seamless transition, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Schwab, 87, had initially intended to stay on until early 2027, the same year Lagarde’s term as European Central Bank president comes to an end, but he left last month amid accusations of financial misconduct and a clash with the Forum’s directors. He denies any wrongdoing.
As the board deals with the fallout, it still sees Lagarde as the top candidate and has held internal discussions on the matter since Schwab’s resignation last month, according to a person familiar with those conversations, who asked not to be identified. The conundrum is that Lagarde has more than two years left at the ECB and has previously said she will serve her term in full.
That effectively leaves the WEF without a clear choice to lead the organization at a pivotal moment and needing to find a figure who can do it all: reforming the institution to address allegations of sexism and bullying from the Schwab era, while at the same time keeping CEOs paying membership fees that bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue every year.
Whomever is chosen will also have to ensure that the WEF’s flagship annual gathering in the Alpine
resort of Davos remains an event of choice for the world’s financial and political elite.
Lagarde, who started her career as lawyer, was previously managing director of the International Monetary Fund and finance minister in France, the first woman to hold both posts. She was appointed ECB chief for a non-renewable eightyear term in 2019.
Former Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, 80, is currently leading the board on an interim basis. Its members include global power brokers such as BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, IMF head Kristalina Georgieva, former US Vice President Al Gore and Lagarde herself. The board would like to move quickly on an appointment, according to the person.
Spokespersons for the WEF and ECB declined to comment.
The WEF has also discussed appointing BlackRock’s Philipp Hildebrand, a former head of the Swiss National Bank, to the board in order to maintain a strong Swiss influence in the group. That would be welcomed by Switzerland’s government, where there are concerns that Schwab’s departure may lead to larger changes and loosen the Forum’s ties to Swit -
zerland. Hildebrand, BlackRock and the Swiss government declined to comment.
Long goodbye FOR more than half a century Schwab was the defining force behind the organization, which he set up in 1971 and is now headquartered in a sleek stone-and-glass building in the exclusive hilltop town of Cologny overlooking Lake Geneva. He juggled the responsibility of running the WEF with being a professor, and later an honorary professor, at the University of Geneva.
It was only in his mid-80s that Schwab began to publicly talk about stepping away from day-to-day management, despite the fact frustration had been building for years among staff over when the founder would finally give up the reins.
Finally, in May 2024, Schwab announced that he was stepping back from active leadership, dropping “executive” from his chairman title and adding the role of CEO to WEF President Borge Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister. Then, in April, he said he would retire, but his plan was to stick around until early 2027, broadly in line with the end of Lagarde’s ECB term.
That same month, a bitter internal battle erupted when Schwab was told
by the board that they had received a letter accusing him of financial misconduct and there would be an investigation. News of that letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The details of this clash come from conversations with people familiar with Schwab’s leadership of the Forum, who requested anonymity discussing internal business.
Schwab had just been cleared in a previous investigation into harassment, prompted by a similar letter in the summer of 2024, and he said he’d quit if the probe went ahead.
He followed that up with an e-mail to board member Thomas Buberl, CEO of insurer AXA, threatening legal action. Buberl and the board weren’t swayed. They called his bluff. Schwab walked.
Investigation
THE fallout at the highest echelons of the WEF marked an ignominious exit for the octogenarian.
The Forum declined to comment on the specifics of the probe, but said it will be “thorough and objective.” Switzerland’s regulator of foundations and charities has also looked at the issues but so far hasn’t seen reason to take action. It said the board is “taking the necessary measures to investigate the allegations.” The watchdog can step in at any time if it deems the
probe isn’t thorough enough. Schwab has denied any impropriety, and said that he and his wife Hilde always had the “highest professional, financial, and ethical standards.” In response to questions, he said they “reject the allegations brought forth in the e-mail of 16 April 2025 from an anonymous source. We are of the opinion that the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board of Trustees of the World Economic Forum overreacted timewise, also concerning the mandate of the new investigation without a prior indepth discussion.”
All this upheaval comes at a critical time for the WEF. It has in recent years championed causes like diversity and inclusion as part of its self-proclaimed commitment to “improving the state of the world.” But as Donald Trump’s administration actively seeks to dismantle DEI projects, scores of companies are cutting back on such initiatives.
Some executives, long-time attendees at Davos, have also privately expressed frustration about a DEI overload at the event. Instead of workshops on workplace diversity, gender and the environment, they want it to be more about networking—its historic strength—and dealmaking. Still, despite the turmoil, none of the WEF’s 900 or so partners have cut funding so far. That money is vital for the Forum. Membership and partnership payments brought in 271 million Swiss francs ($324 million) in the last financial year, accounting for more than 60% of total revenue.
“The question is always how strongly the personal brand is connected to the corporate brand,” says Johanna Gollnhofer, a professor of marketing at Switzerland’s St. Gallen University. “The organization is clearly in crisis mode and is trying to protect its brand. The investigation it launched is an example of that—it’s sending the message: Look, even if our founder has gone rogue, you can trust us as an organization.” Bloomberg News
Romania’s future on the line: Will it choose EU ties or nationalist path?
BBy Stephen Mcgrath The Associated Press
UCHAREST, Romania—As Romania braces for a high-stakes presidential runoff this weekend between two starkly different candidates, 25-year-old medical resident Alexandra Bejinariu is anxious about which direction her European Union nation will choose in the closely watched vote.
Like many voters, the young medic views Sunday’s ballot between hard-right nationalist frontrunner George Simion and pro-Western reformist and incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan as a choice for the country’s geopolitical future.
It’s a choice between “East or West,” she told The Associated Press in Bucharest. “It has divided my family, my relatives, my friends,” she said.
Romania is gripped by a deep political crisis after a top court voided the previous election in which the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow has denied.
A nation divided by election crisis DEEP societal divisions have been exposed during Romania’s chaotic election cycle, and Bejinariu said she fears that a Simion presidency would undermine Romania’s long-standing Western alliances. “I think it’s a big risk,” she said.
“It has to change, but I don’t know in what direction it will change,” she added.
“I hope that our future will be good … it really gives me anxiety this election.”
After coming fourth in last year’s canceled race, Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, backed Georgescu who was banned in March from standing in the redo. Simion then surged to frontrunner in the May 4 rerun after becoming the standard-bearer for the hard right.
Years of endemic corruption and growing anger toward Romania’s political establishment has fueled a surge in support for nationalist figures, reflecting a broader pattern seen across Europe.
The AUR party says it stand for “family, nation, faith, and freedom” and rose to prominence in a 2020 parliamentary election. It has since grown to become the second-largest party in the Romanian legislature.
To his critics, Simion is a pro-Russian extremist who threatens Romania’s longstanding alliances in the European Union and NATO. But in an AP interview last week, he rejected the accusations, saying Russia is his country’s biggest threat, and that he wants Romania to be treated as “equal partners” in Brussels.
“Some fake news were saying that we want to exit the European project,” he said. “Tough luck.”
Local surveys indicate a tight race
Most recent local surveys indicate the runoff has narrowed to a near tie, after earlier ones showed Simion holding a lead over Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician who rose to prominence as a civic activist fighting against illegal real estate projects.
Dan founded the reformist Save Romania Union party in 2016 but later left, and is running independently on a pro-EU ticket, reaffirming Western ties, support
for Ukraine, and fiscal reform. At a rally in Bucharest on Sunday, he also addressed the growing tensions.
“How did it come to this, that in a country with hardworking, decent people, there is so much hatred and division, that families and circles of friends are torn apart over political opinions,” he said. “We need to project hope.”
Simion, also a former activist who campaigned for reunification with neighboring Moldova, says he would focus on reforms: slashing red tape, reducing bureaucracy and taxes. But he insists that his main goal is to restore democracy. “My platform is to return to democracy, to the will of the people,” he said.
The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy.
A choice for geopolitical future
Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, told the AP that Sunday’s vote is the first election since communism ended in which Romania’s geopolitical orientation is at stake.
“The election is about choosing between the European model, the European way of life, which is based on democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of press, rule of law, development, unity, solidarity,” he said. “And the Russian model, which is the exact opposite — it’s more than just the presidential election.”
In a local televised debate last week, Simion railed against EU officials whom he called the “globalists in Brussels,” and voiced admiration for Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a longtime critic of
the 27-nation bloc.
“That is precisely why many of his positions, not all...will be state policy in Romania,” said Simion, who opposes further military aid to neighboring Ukraine or sending troops from NATO countries to protect any peace agreements, fearing escalation.
Simion’s activities in Moldova led to allegations he was trying to destabilize the country and a ban on his entry there. He is also banned from entering Ukraine for “systemic anti-Ukrainian” activities.
Moldova’s pro-Western President Maia Sandu posted a public message this week in support of Dan, saying Moldovans understand the value of being “part of the European family,” and urged Moldovans with dual Romanian citizenship to vote to “protect what Romania has already achieved, but which is now under threat.” Turnout could decide vote outcome
In the first round on May 4, Simion won a massive 61% of Romania’s large diaspora vote, with his calls to patriotism resonating with Romanians who moved abroad in search of better opportunities.
Claudiu Tufis, an associate professor of political science at the University of Bucharest, says Sunday’s result will likely boil down to turnout, which is often higher in the second-round vote. “Turnout will be the key,” he said. He added that Simion lacks adequate experience for high office and fears he would quickly target civil society organizations.
“That is a significant problem,” he said. “What is driving him is his focus on identity politics. He has absolutely no experience when it comes to foreign policy ... economy, and no experience when it comes to public administration.”
For energy sector worker Rares Ghiorghies, 36, Simion represents a new form of patriotic conservatism that he feels is needed to overhaul an outdated political class.
“I think about freedom, dignity, equal rights for everyone, prosperity, and healthy principles, not what we have now: manipulation, censorship, and incompetence in everything related to the state system,” he said.
“We need a role model, a patriot who knows that you can achieve more with your heart than with your brain,” Ghiorghies said. Tensions in society are being further amplified online, where networks of coordinated disinformation have emerged as a pervasive force through the entire election cycle.
Disinformation deluge ramps up for runoff Cyabra, an AI-powered platform that studies online influence campaigns, analyzed hundreds of comments on both candidates’ official X accounts after the first round, and concluded that a large percentage came from fake accounts. Those posts reached a peak on the day of the election and the day after in what appeared to be a synchronized campaign, the group said, with most of them criticizing Dan using rhetoric such as “foreign puppet,” or praising Simion with slogans such as “Well done, Romania!” Andrei Grajdeanu, a 34-year-old dental technician, says he feels Romanians were long divided but that social media has exposed the division.
CHRISTINE LAGARDE STEFAN WERMUTH/BLOOMBERG
A14 SAturdAy, MAy 17, 2025
mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph
Editor: Jun Lomibao
Old guy? That’s called mortality–Steph Curry
Yulo vaulting back to Olympic champ form for Asian tilt
CBy Josef Ramos
ARLOS YULO is now in South Korea for a two-week training camp ahead of his first international competition—Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships from June 5 to 8 in Jecheo—since winning the floor exercise and vault gold medals in the Paris Olympics last year.
“It is a three-week training camp for the Asian and even the world championships,” said Yulo, who’s joined by six teammates in the camp in Chungcheongnam-do, a province that’s an hour’s drive south of the capital Seoul.
“It’s a perfect training camp where there are no distractions,” added Yulo, who’s also focused on the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in November.
With Yulo are Ivan Cruz, Juancho Besana, John Matthew Vergara, John Romeo Santillan, Jan Timbang and Justine Ace De Leon, who will all be coached by Australian Alyousef Nedal. Yulo will have Aldrin Castañeda, his coach in Paris, by his side while the team physical therapist is Bethel Solano.
“It’s going to be a tough competition because it will be my first after nine months,” said Yulo about the Asian competitions.
“Everything is all set there,” Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion told BusinessMirror on Friday. Carrion said Yulo’s not keen of predicting how many gold medals that he’ll be targeting in Jecheo.
“I have no idea how many gold medals Carlos and the others will be taking home,” Carrion said. “But I’m quite sure Carlos will not go home empty-handed.” Carrion added: “Carlos and the others have been in training since January. So, we are all praying that everything will be just fine.” Yulo didn’t compete in any tournament since winning the gold medals in Paris last August, but continued to train to stay in shape. The 53rd World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta from October 19 to 25 are also in Yulo’s program for the year.
SAN FRANCISCO—The season over, Stephen Curry stopped before making his way out of Chase Center for a handshake and long embrace with Draymond Green. These two longtime teammates are committed to making another championship run together, and now with Jimmy Butler by their side, knowing there might not be too many opportunities left.
Curry expressed sadness at how Golden State’s season ended, with him on the bench unable to help because of a hamstring injury.
The Warriors were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 121-110 Game 5 loss Wednesday night in the Western Conference semifinals— Golden State›s fourth straight game without Curry because of a strained left hamstring since he was hurt in the second quarter of Game 1 last week. At 37 and with 16 National Basketball Association (NBA) seasons to his name, Curry realizes NBA titles and postseason berths are no longer guaranteed and that there could only be a handful of chances remaining for him, Butler, Green and with Steve Kerr as coach.
“All we wanted was a chance, and to finish the year like we did, to sneak in the playoffs and win that first round, there’s a lot to be proud of for sure, considering where we were,” Curry said. “But definitely disappointed, and
frankly just sad that I wasn’t out there able to play. We have hopefully a bright future in terms of coming back next year and trying again.”
Where the Warriors were only three months ago was searching for answers— until general manager Mike Dunleavy pulled off acquiring Butler at the trade deadline from Miami in a move that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Heat.
Butler led the way on both ends of the floor, even more so during Curry’s recent absence.
“I’m completely content with who I am as a basketball player, the way that I play the game,” he said. “And to come here and know that I’m second to Steph, I think that’s a really good thing, actually, when you talk about one of the greatest players ever to play this game.”
Golden State wound up 29-15 since Butler’s first game February 8 at Chicago, 23-8 in the regular season, a play-in win against Memphis and 5-7 through two playoff series.
Butler blended into the system beautifully, and he’s not convinced this core group has a two-year window to win it all.
“Yeah, and then if we win some, it could be longer than that because I still think that we have a lot of great basketball left ahead of us,” he said. “I don’t think this age thing is anything the way that everybody is taking care of their bodies, doing right. I think the potential is there.”
Everybody is eager to have a
training camp together, even with changes expected during the summer and free agency period. Forward Jonathan Kuminga’s future is one of the biggest pressing questions of the offseason as he is expected to become a restricted free agent in July.
“I haven’t thought about anything yet,” said Kuminga, the team’s seventh overall draft pick in 2021. For now, Curry plans to take a basketball break and focus on family. He averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds playing 32-plus minutes per game.
If people are calling him the old guy these days, he’s fine with that.
“One, it’s an ultimate compliment because it’s part of the level that you’re playing at. Like, ‘Oh, he’s still doing it at this age,’” Curry said. “Two, it’s a reminder of your basketball mortality and appreciating every moment that you have. That’s why the way this ended was emotional as it was, not being able to play in those big games because you don’t know how many more opportunities you will have.
“But I think the difference on and off the court, like seeing my family and seeing my kids grow and opportunities off the court, it allows me to just have fun and appreciate this chapter of my life as much as possible, knowing that hopefully the next chapter is as great, but this one I’m trying to get every bit of fun and experience and squeeze as much juice out of this as possible.” AP
NAPLES, Italy—Australian cyclist Kaden Groves sprinted to victory in a chaotic sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia that had be neutralized following a massive crash on Thursday.
When 2022 winner Jai Hindley slid on the wet roads, riders toppled in domino style with about 70 kilometers left on the 227-kilometer route from Potenza to Naples. Hindley was taken to hospital with reported concussion and other riders also had to abandon the three-week race.
With all of the ambulances in use, the stage was neutralized for safety reasons while it was discussed how best to continue.
Two breakaway riders and the peloton were brought to a halt.
The race resumed with about 60 kilometers remaining and the decision that only the stage win would count and no points, time gaps or bonuses would be awarded.
That option allowed Naples to get its stage finish and the sprinters could vie for a prestigious win but the overall contenders could remain as safe as possible.
Overall leader Mads Pedersen,
who won three of the opening five stages, preserved his 17-second advantage over pre-race favorite Primoz Roglic, and Mathias Vacek was another seven seconds back. Groves beat Milan Fretin
Go reaffirms goals after getting fresh six-year mandate
ENATOR Christopher “Bong”
Scribes honor Cool Smashers, Meneses in inaugural awards night
CREAMLINE will raise the Team of the Year trophy and Sherwin Meneses will be honored as Coach of the Year during the First Pilipinas Live Premiere Volleyball League (PVL) Press Corps Awards Night on May 28 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City. The 10-time PVL champion Cool Smashers were the unanimous choice for the prestigious award in the inaugural awards night presented by Arena Plus after garnering the most number of votes from the other teams and media. The Cool Smashers won 176 of 216 matches in the last eight PVL seasons and were the first grand slam champions in 2024. Creamline beat Petro Gazz—the team that denied them the recent AllFilipino Conference crown and what could have been the Cool Smashers’ fifth-straight title—for the award. The star trio of Alyssa Valdez Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza provided
the highlights for Creamline, along with the team’s American import Erica Staunton, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao and Kyle Negrito.
The Cool Smashers also owned a 19-game win streak from the 2024 Reinforced Conference to the tailend of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference for the second-longest unbeaten run in league history.
Meneses, architect of the Cool Smashers’ blazing run, will share the spotlight with his wards.
The 42-year-old Meneses pulled off what only four other coaches in all of Philippine sports have done in half a century—win a grand slam.
Under Meneses, the Cool Smashers thrived on a “selfless and winning culture”—no egos, just their signature “good vibes.”
He overcame the challenge of extending Creamline’s reign without its biggest stars to snatch the grand slam for his seventh PVL title as coach.
He’s the league’s most decorated
head coach in only a three-year span—he broke the 100-win mark in a straight-sets victory over Chery Tiggo in Game 1 of the All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. Sporting a 104-18 win-loss record
SGo reaffirmed his resolve to strengthen grassroots sports development and prioritize legislation that benefits ordinary Filipinos as he begins a new six-year term in the Senate.
“First of all, my extreme gratitude for your support and trust as your senator,” Go told a live interview news interview. “This is very significant in as much as the service I rendered for the last six years is concerned.”
Among Go’s legislative priorities is a long-standing sports development agenda rooted in grassroots access and regional equity.
“Still sports. Grassroots sports program,” Go said. “I championed for this in the National Academy of Sports [NAS] in New Clark City.” Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, which established the NAS, a specialized institution in Capas, Tarlac, offering a dual-track system that integrates quality secondary education with an elite sports curriculum. He emphasized plans to expand the NAS model to the Visayas and Mindanao to ensure nationwide access to this opportunity.
“The NAS is now a law which I authored and co-sponsored,” he said. Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, Go has pushed for sufficient government support to usher in a transformative era in Philippine sports.
“As chairman of sports since 2019, I am very proud,” he said. “Before, we could hardly create a dent in international sports, but we’re no longer in that era, we now have gold medals in the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.” Go’s broader sports advocacy includes filing and sponsoring Senate Bill No. 2789, which proposes to amend Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to align the benefits granted to para-athletes with those of their non-disabled counterparts— addressing persistent inequities in the system. He also served as a sponsor of the
STEPHEN CURRY is sad at how Golden State’s season ends as he sits on the bench unable to help because of a hamstring injury. AP
YULO
THE Creamline Cool Smashers are the recepients of the Team of the Year award from the volleyball scribes.
