BusinessMirror April 17, 2025

BIR: Excise tax gap

THE gap in excise tax collection could narrow further this year, as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is banking on a higher take from vape products.

Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. told reporters on Tuesday that the BIR is expecting a narrower gap between the actual excise tax collection and the target set for the year.

“We’re hoping that with the increase in compliance of the vape players, [we could narrow the gap],” Lumagui said.

The BIR is eyeing to collect a total of P337.797 billion in excise taxes in 2025, which is 7.89 per-

cent higher than the P313.078 billion programmed in 2024.

Last year, the BIR raised a total of P304.279 billion in excise taxes, which is P8.799 billion short, or 2.89 percent lower than its target.

“So when we capture the vape players, definitely, the gap will be little,” Lumagui said.

Still, the shift in consumer preference from using cigarettes to vape products remains a concern, according to Lumagui.

Last year, the BIR only collected P134 billion in excise tax on tobacco, P51.3 billion short of the P185.3-billion target.

The BIR has suggested a unified tax rate on vape products to equal-

ize it with the rates imposed on cigarettes.

“If your excise tax rates are too high, then it’s more lucrative for the illicit traders as well,” Lumagui said earlier.

Currently, the tax imposed on a pack of cigarettes costs P66.15, while it is currently being sold for as low as P40 in the illicit market.

The BIR started to record a shortfall in excise tax on tobacco in 2022, when it suffered a P49.3billion loss. This was followed by a P39.4-billion deficit in 2023 and P51.3 billion in 2024.

BIR data showed that 44 percent of the total excise taxes this year will come from tobacco prod-

ucts, worth P148.920 billion. This is 5.07 percent higher than last year’s goal of P141.729 billion. About P130.038 billion in excise taxes is expected to be generated from alcohol products, which is 10.98 percent higher than the P117.163 billion target last year. Excise taxes from

ANALYSTS: BSP SURVEY SIGNALS SLOW GROWTH

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

weak business sentiment in the Philippines could spell slower economic growth in the coming quarters, as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s (BSP) survey revealed a drop in business confidence, analysts said.

In a commentary by New Yorkbased think tank GlobalSource Partners, country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Mañalac said national income accounts, institutions and even business sentiment point to expectations of a slower economic growth.

“If there is another advanced indicator of economic growth, it is the BSP’s business expectations survey [BES]. Business sentiment, planned activities and expansion have been found

to be closely correlated to actual national income accounts,” the analysts said. The survey conducted by the BSP indicates that the business sentiment in the Philippines is “less optimistic” in the first quarter of 2025. The overall confidence index (CI) fell to 31.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 44.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. Concerns on post-holiday decline

ABy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

SIAN countries should focus on implementing reforms aimed at improving the business environment, logistics, and cross-border infrastructure instead of retaliating from Washington’s new tariff policy, an economist at the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (Eria) said. In a statement, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) cited a recent article by Venkatachalam Anbumozhi, senior research fellow at the Eria.

Anbumozhi said that Asia, particularly Asean, should not join the tariff wars but focus instead on meaningful domestic reform, strengthening regional cooperation, and investing in resilient supply chains.

He noted that at first glance, imposing tariffs may seem like an effective and patriotic way to protect domestic industries and jobs.

“But in reality, such protec -

tion often leads to complacency. Industries shielded by tariffs lose incentives to innovate and adapt. Worse still, tariffs almost inevitably provoke retaliation, escalating into trade wars that hurt everyone,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

“Artificially inflated prices due to import duties prop up inefficiency. Eventually, consumer demand declines, markets shrink, businesses fail, and jobs are lost on all sides,” he added. Anbumozhi then proposed focusing on strengthening regional integration and economic resilience

“since the vast majority of global trade—87 percent— does not depend on the US.”

“Rather than entering into a tariff war, Asean and Asian economies should prioritise reducing internal barriers to trade, enhancing regional cooperation, and investing in building resilient supply chains,” he said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic proved that Asian firms adapt quickly to shocks—often faster

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE Chinese Ambassador to Manila on Wednesday expressed Beijing’s hope that the Philippines will join China’s call for a “rules-based international order” on the tariff war with the United States.

“Despite the constraints of our political relations, the economic and trade relationship” has stayed

“very solid in the past few years,”

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian told reporters in a press conference. “We believe the Philippine’s response of course is you will choose to be on the right side of history, preceding from its own interest,” he added.

China is the largest trading partner of the Philippines, with a trade deficit worth US$54 billion in favor of China.

Huang said Asean and China have recently concluded the third version of the Free Trade Agreement last week.

Asean-China FTA 3.0 reduced trade barriers goods related to ecommerce and digital economy, and agriculture sector.

“Asean is the largest trading partner of China. We have a big stake in a free and fair international trading system. China and Asean

member states are also members of China-Asean Free Trade Agreement and RCEP. So it is in the common interest of Asean and China to have free trade, to safeguard a stable and fair international economic order.

“In the light of the common challenges, Asean countries can be united in responding to such challenges and we hope that Asean and

‘Never mind tariff war, boost biz environment’…

than governments. Now is the time to deepen Asean and East Asian economic integration—not only in goods but also in services and digital trade.”

Anbumozhi said governments should support next-generation reforms, such as supply chain resilience, green logistics, and digital public infrastructure, while companies must rethink their strategies to become more agile and sustainable.

Embracing low-carbon, circular models of production can reduce manufacturing costs and open new market opportunities, he added.

“In the face of US protectionism, Asean and Asia must keep their cool. The US is now a prisoner of its own policies. A global trade war in the 1930s intensified the Great Depression, and history need not repeat itself. Investor confidence is fragile, and the best way forward is steady, sensible reform—not retaliation,” Anbumozhi said.

“The burden of these tariffs will fall most heavily on the US economy. For everyone else, the smartest move is to carry on with meaningful domestic reform, strengthen regional ties, and let the numbers speak for themselves.”

ERC clears ₧28-B NGCP recovery; higher transmission charges seen

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

HIGHER

transmission charges will be collected from consumers soon following the regulators’ decision stating that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) can recover P28.29 billion.

“The NGCP will be entitled to recover an additional P28.29 billion in under recoveries, leading to an increase in transmission charges by the NGCP,” the ERC said in a statement.

The amount will be recovered in seven years which translates to an additional P0.1013 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in transmission charges to be collected over the next 84 months from the consumers.

This amount covers the P0.0629 per kWh average increase in basic transmission charge and an additional P0.0384 per kWh corresponding to the under-recovered portion of the increased in the Maximum Allowable Revenue (MAR).

ERC made the announcement after the agency wrapped up its 1125th meeting recently. A written resolution

will be issued soon, the ERC said.

The NGCP has long appealed to the ERC to promptly resolve its overdue recoveries that are all tucked in its MAR for the Fourth and Fifth Regulatory Period (RP) petitions.

MAR refers to the maximum amount that NGCP is allowed to earn annually to recover its operational expenses like operating expenditures and capital expenditures.

In the same statement, the ERC said it completed its deliberations on the 4RP rate reset of NGCP, covering the years 2016 to 2022.

The commission resolved to adopt the MAR of P335.78 billion for 2016 to 2022, using “As Spent” approach and adopting a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 11.33 percent.

Also, the ERC made permanent

NGCP’s MAR for 2015 amounting to P43 million.

Further, NGCP’s claim for a net performance incentive scheme reward for 2014, amounting to P783.06 million, was also approved.

Earlier, the ERC amended the rules for setting transmission wheeling rates to restore balance in transmission regulation and initiate the rate reset process for NGCP.

The ERC statement also said that chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta and Commissioner Catherine Maceda dissented from the

resolution which was adopted by the majority composed of Commissioners Alexis Lumbatan, Floresinda Digal and Marko Romeo Fuentes.

“Commissioner Maceda and I did not agree with the majority’s application of the ‘As Spent’ approach, the WACC of 11.3 percent and the operating RAB [Regulatory Asset Base] used in the calculation, among others. These will all be explained once we issue our respective dissenting opinions,” said Dimalanta when sought for comment.

More anonymous Moro residents get legal IDs

By Manuel T. Cayon

DAVAO CITY—Having more residents in the Bangsamoro region acquire their legal identity may proceed at a snail’s pace, but for the 1,200 residents in Mapun, Turtle Islands, receiving their birth certificates was a step to getting crucial government assistance.

The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) said it was able to document and distribute verified birth certificates to 1,200 individuals in the remote municipalities of Mapun and Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi.

Tawi-Tawi is part of a string of island provinces in the so-called southern backdoor in southwestern Mindanao where residents have been living anonymously for generations.

The MSSD is the implementer of the birth registration initiative funded by the Government of Japan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) program has joined the program to target marginalized communities across 50 areas in the Bangsamoro region.

The MSSD said residents of these islands often face significant challenges in accessing basic government services including something as fundamental as birth registration because of their remote locations.

“Limited access to birth registration remains a major concern,” said Sheba J. Jamaluddin, MSSD

Mapun Municipal Social Welfare Officer (MSWO).

Jamaluddin noted that some members of the Sama Bajau community do not view birth certificates as necessary. “Our role in this initiative is to coordinate the registration process on the ground and advocate for its importance in accessing government support,” she said.

Barbangsa M. Jalaide, MSWO of Turtle Islands, said many children in their area remain undocumented because their parents themselves lack birth certificates and often don’t realize how crucial it is to have one.

“However, MSSD has built trust within these communities. Now, we can directly encourage parents to register their children and highlight on the benefits of legal identity in accessing MSSD and Bangsamoro Government programs and services,” Jalaide said.

The MSSD said the birth registration initiative “aims to register at least 30,000 individuals in BARMM between July 2024 and June 2026. This aligns with the Philippine Statistics Authority’s [PSA] broader goal of registering over 400,000 individuals in the region by the end of 2027, addressing a backlog of an estimated two million unregistered births in BARMM.”

This project is also supported by the PSA-BARMM, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPRU), Unicef Philippines, Community and Family Services International (CFSI), and Relief International.

in demand for goods and services, coupled with the slowdown in business activities and potential resurgence of inflationary pressures, were cited as factors for the firms’ gloom outlook. For the next 12 months, the business outlook was generally less optimistic across all regions outside the National Capital Region, as firms brace for higher inflation, peso depreciation and the adverse effects arising from the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Apart from business sentiment, analysts said that no less than the BSP, the country’s central bank, stated that economic growth could be just “near the lower bound” of the government’s target of 6 to 8 percent.

“We would call this a demonstration of the BSP’s independence and autonomy, and perhaps a marker of what is to come from monetary policy in the near future,” the analysts noted.

However, analysts said the BSP is not the only institution that has warned of slower economic growth.

ADB, Escap, Moody’s too THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) also trimmed its growth outlook for the Philippines to 6 percent from 6.2 percent for this year.

The Economic and Social Committee for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) and Moody’s Analytics also view that the Philippine economy will grow by 6 percent.

“At that pace, the Philippines remains for the regional development bank one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia,” the analysts said.

Still, the contraction in foreign direct investments, down by 20 percent in January 2025, “was a dampener,” analysts noted. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) also declined to 49.4 in the first quarter of the year, the second time in over three and a half years the PMI has registered a reading below 50 percent.

S&P Global noted that companies reduced production as new business declined, after three months of growth in foreign demand. The Philippine economy expanded by 5.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, the full-year GDP settled at 5.7 percent, still below the government’s growth target.

Nate engineers and others worked behind the scenes to manually process the orders. In June 2021, Saniger sold US$3 million of his shares to a Series A investor and made a personal windfall, the SEC alleged. The discovery A TRADE journal made an exposé in June 2022 that nate’s app is not powered by proprietary AI. In response to this allegation, Saniger

China will work together to respond to such challenges,” Huang said. Huang just arrived from Beijing after holding political consultations with the Chinese Communist Party.

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on his first trip in 2025 to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia, to promote his vision of creating a “community of shared feature with neighboring countries.”

claimed that “nate only relied on ‘humansin-the-loop’ for payments risk, data labeling, reinforcement learning training, and purchase completion for certain ‘edge cases,’”the indictment said. On January 2023, the company ran out of money and the was forced to sell its assets. “Nate’s investors were left with near total losses,” it said. Podolsky said this type of deception “not only victimizes

OVER 100 indigenous Sama-Dilaut or Badjao children in Tawi-Tawi receive free birth certificates from the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) during the National Children’s Month in November 2023. FILE PHOTO FROM MSSD

Probe of scams hobbled by lack of digital forensics

JPasig congressional bet hit with DQ rap

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

separate show cause orders issued by the Comelec.

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has aired concern over the lack of capacity of some government agencies to conduct digital forensics of data and devices seized from various scam hubs.

In his weekly radio program “Executive Session,” aired over radio station dzRH, Remulla stressed the need to conduct digital forensic examinations to be able to file criminal charges against perpetrators of scam centers who have been arrested by authorities.

Digital forensics is a method of processing, identifying and analyzing electronic devices to acquire evidence against illegal activities.

Remulla attributed the failure of line agencies to prosecute criminal elements who prey on Filipinos owing to the absence of the capacity to do digital forensics.

The DOJ secretary said he has discussed the problem with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

“That is what I and ES [Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin] are concerned with because we really need the capacity to do digital forensics so we can file charges against the scammers,” Remulla said.

“The problem is they would release the suspects without conducting digital forensics,” he added.

Remulla specifically cited the

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) as the agency that allowed the release of detained aliens without conducting digital forensics.

He noted that Paocc spokesperson Winston Casio had even signed the bail to one of the detainees despite not being authorized to do so.

In an interview, Casio said he did not sign a bail for the release of any detainee, noting that none of the Paocc officials has authority to do so.

He noted that the authority to release detained aliens on so-called “recognizance” belongs to the Immigration Commissioner and that only a court can grant bail to a detainee.

“Recognizance” is a form of parole in which an accused is released from pre-trial detention with an assurance that they will appear before the court to face charges at a future date.

Meanwhile, the authority to deport an alien belongs to the Bureau of Immigration’s Board of Commissioners composed of the Commissioner and the two Deputy Commissioners.

“We have no authority to grant bail. I cannot comment, if I do not know the context. What we do here is always aboveboard,” Casio said.

He added that he had a chance encounter with Remulla at the DOJ headquarters recently but the latter did not mention anything about the matter.

BI agents nab Chinese fugitive

THE Bureau of Immigra -

tion (BI) on Wednesday announeed the arrest of a Chinese man who is the subject of a red notice from the International Police Organization (Interpol) in connection with trafficking of illegal drugs charges in China.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the alien fugitive as Ouyang Shixing, 40, who was arrested on April 8 inside his condominium unit in Parañaque City by agents of the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).

Ouyang’s arrest was made based on a mission order issue by Viado after the agency received information from the Chinese government about his cases.

“He has not left the country since he last arrived here on August 3, 2023, thus he will be deported for being an undesirable and overstaying alien. He will

be blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines,” Viado said.

Information obtained from the BI-Interpol unit disclosed that Ouyang is the subject of an arrest warrant issued in November 2023 by the public security bureau in Fuzhou City, Jiangxi, China.

Investigators claimed that on May 12, 2023, Ouyang conspired with another suspect in purchasing methamphetamine from a drug supplier and later sold the substance to a buyer who paid them 70,000 yuan or nearly US$10,000. Ouyang then absconded with the money by taking a train to Hongkong on August 2 of the same year before fleeing to the Philippines.

The Chinese national is now detained at the BI custodial facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, pending deportation proceedings. Joel R. San Juan

Japan, other allies join RP-US Balikatan ’25

By Rex Anthony Naval

THE 40th iteration of the annual RP-US Exercise Balikatan exercise will start on April 21 with the participation of militaries from allied countries. The military maneuvers will last until May 9. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States armed forces, through the US Indo-Pacific Command (USIndopacom) are set to launch Exercise Balikatan 2025, the 40th iteration of the long-standing bilateral defense drill, from April 21 to May 9, 2025, across different locations in the country,” the AFP said. It added that this year’s exercise with expanded participation from regional partners, underscores a shared commitment to peace, security, and stability in the IndoPacific.

Balikatan 2025 underscores the ironclad alliance between the

PASIG congressional candidate Christian Sia is in danger of becoming the first candidate disqualified for violating the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) guidelines on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning.

The Comelec, through its Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE), filed a motu proprio petition on Wednesday seeking Sia’s disqualification for violation of Resolution 11116 and its amendment, Resolution 11127. These resolutions prohibit gender-based harassment, public ridicule of persons with disabilities, coercion, and other forms of discrimination; and declare all election-related activities—in -

cluding those conducted on social media—as “safe spaces” for this election year.

Sia also allegedly violated Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits threats, coercion, or any form of intimidation or psychological harm intended to influence a voter’s participation in the electoral process.

Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, head of Task Force SAFE, said the case stemmed from formal investigations and Sia’s responses to two

“We conducted our investigation, we issued show cause orders… for both show cause orders, we considered his answers and based on the submissions, we prepared this petition for disqualification,” she said.

Wee-Lozada added that in the event Sia wins in the May 12 elections, the petition also asked that his proclamation be suspended pending resolution of the case.

The disqualification case stems from Sia’s allegedly lewd comments during a caucus, which drew widespread criticism after a video clip went viral.

In the video, Sia made an explicit remark about single mothers, saying they could sleep with him “once a year” as part of his so-called contribution to solo parents in Pasig.

A second show cause order was issued last week after Sia reportedly made disparaging comments about the appearance of his former female staff member, criticizing her weight gain after switching employers.

‘There could be more’ WEE-LOZADA said the disquali -

Think tank says Duterte defenders on social media mouth

INTERNATIONAL think tank

Stratbase Institute president

Dindo Manhit on Wednesday described the deliberate and organized social media disinformation campaign defending former President Rodrigo Duterte and undermining the Philippines’s stance on the West Philippine Sea as a “national security issue.”

Manhit warned in a radio interview of a coordinated effort to manipulate public perception through fake accounts and narratives online, especially after Duterte’s March 11 arrest and in the lead-up to the 2025 midterm elections.

They are influencing our perspectives using disinformation… This is intentional,” Manhit said in Filipino. “This has crossed into a national security issue.”

Manhit was referring to a Reuters exclusive report published on April 11, which revealed that nearly one-third of accounts on X discussing Duterte’s recent arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) were fake.

According to Reuters, the research by disinformation security firm Cyabra found that the fake accounts acted in a “deliberate, organized” manner—sharing

Philippines and the United States, reaffirming mutual defense commitments under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Armed Forces added.

“This year’s Balikatan will feature full-scale joint training designed to test interoperability and enhance operational readiness in diverse scenarios. These include multilateral maritime events (MME), involving the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for the first time; command and control exercise (C2X); combined joint all-domain operations (Cjado), including integrated air and missile defense (IAMD), maritime strike (Marstrike), and counter landing live fire exercises (CLLF),” the AFP said. Around 19 countries have been invited to observe Balikatan 2025, including Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, who have confirmed participation.

identical messages, posting in coordinated bursts, and promoting hashtags that supported Duterte while attacking the ICC and President Marcos.

“This is like warfare. They spread disinformation and push baseless stories and narratives,” Manhit said.

He emphasized that many of these narratives falsely framed Duterte’s arrest as “kidnapping” despite being a public event streamed live on social media.

“How was that kidnapping? It was livestreamed on Facebook,” Manhit said.” Everyone saw it, we all followed the event.”

Manhit said the disinformation campaign goes beyond politics, noting that the same network attacking the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also undermining the Philippines’ territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.

He noted that his firm conducted a study linking this to geopolitics. “Why is the same group spreading both narratives?” Manhit said. “Is there connivance? Are they destabilizing our country for the benefit of political groups here, but to China’s gain?”

China line

He questioned whether the campaign had foreign backing, pointing to China as a possible beneficiary.

“Is there assistance from China? Is this technology coming from them?,” he asked.

Manhit said the online disinformation distorts public perception, creating the illusion of national chaos.

“Why do we look like we’re in turmoil on social media?” he said, noting that the streets remain peaceful despite the heated online rhetoric.

He also criticized vloggers and influencers denying the campaign’s links to China.

“They’ll say, ‘We’re not pro-China, we’re just saying they’re good friends,’” Manhit said, as he challenged them to instead condemn China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.

During a House Tri-Committee hearing last week, the Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commo. Jay Tarriela, named vloggers Anna Malindog-Uy and Ado Paglinawan as amplifiers of disinformation narratives by Chinese state media.

According to Tarriela, Malin -

EU sends 72 election observers

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

FOR the first time, the European Union is sending a contingent of 72 long-term observers during the mid-term elections in the Philippines.

The Philippines, the first constitutional democracy in Asia, has been classified as a “flawed democracy” by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. The EUI gave the Philippines a low score of 6.63 out of 10 primarily due to “its weaknesses in functioning of government where the elite has significant influence in politics, and political culture

such as support for rule of a strongman.”

According to the EU Delegation in Manila, the Philippine government “invited” the Election Observer Mission (EOM) to observe the mid-term elections.

The EU EOM is led by European Parliament member from Portugal, Marta Temido. They arrived on March 28 and underwent a fiveday intensive briefing that included the electoral framework in the national and local elections, political environment, media, and social media ecosystem.

fication petition against Sia may only be the beginning, as other candidates are currently under review.

“There are pending show cause orders out there… we are still studying. There could be more, but at this point, it’s still hard to say as we are still waiting for or still studying their answers,” she said.

The director also emphasized that candidates must be held to a higher standard, especially during the election period when they are seeking the public’s trust.

“In a way, we want to emphasize the importance of safe spaces not only in the general public—regardless of the time, even outside the election period, our public spaces should remain safe,” Wee-Lozada said.

Following the filing of the disqualification petition, the case will be raffled off to a division of the Commission, which will take jurisdiction over the case. The designated division will then require Sia to submit his formal answer as part of the due process.

In the event the commission rules against him, Sia may elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

dog-Uy falsely blamed the PCG for a maritime collision with Chinese vessels, while Paglinawan dismissed the country’s territorial defense as “lunacy.”

Manhit warned that unchecked disinformation could destabilize the 2025 elections, urging political groups to stand firm and reject malicious narratives.

“We are a democracy. For me, it’s important that this doesn’t influence the 2025 elections,” he said. Manhit stressed the need for legislative action.

“Our legislators must look into where this malign influence is coming from,” he said. He said foreign-backed influence operations could no longer be dismissed as mere online opinions.

“Social media is part of our livelihood, and that’s a good thing. But if it’s being abused and if it constitutes a threat to our national security, then laws must be enforced, regulations put in place, or even penalties imposed under our criminal and security laws,” he said.

The Stratbase chief said they have worked with independent fact-checkers like pressone. ph and tsek.ph since 2017 to help fight disinformation using evidence-based discourse.

“The best way to fight disinformation is use facts. Use data,” he said.

“This is a frightening moment, but we must not back down.” PNA

They were deployed on Tuesday to various parts of the country and will remain until end of May.

“Our long-term observers will be deployed across all regions of the Philippines, covering both urban and rural areas. They will observe the electoral process before, during, and after the vote on 12 May, and will meet with electoral officials, candidates, civil society representatives, and the media to gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral process,”

Manuel Sánchez de Nogués, deputy chief observer said.

Aside from EU EOM, some

100 short-term observers will also arrive before May 12. They will be joined by members of the European Parliament and accredited diplomats.

In total, more than 200 observers from EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland will observe the May 12 elections.

“The EU Election Observation Mission conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process using a wellestablished methodology developed by the EU over more than two decades and consistently applied across all countries where we observe.

DSWD upbeat on final OK of Walang Gutom Program

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE National Economic and Development AuthorityInvestment Coordination Committee Cabinet Committee (Neda ICC-CabCom) has approved the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (Refuel) Project, which is aimed at scaling up the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) from 2025 to 2028.

The Refuel Project, which supports the WGP’s expansion, is backed by the Asian Develop -

ment Bank (ADB) and will receive co-financing from the Agence Française de Développement

(AFD) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ Fund for International Development (Opec-FID).

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian successfully addressed all queries from the Neda ICC-CabCom during a meeting held on Tuesday, leading to the immediate approval of the Refuel project proposal.

“Neda ICC-Cabinet-level approval this [Tuesday] for our antihunger program—Walang Gutom. Let’s end hunger now,” Gatchalian said after the meeting with the Neda ICC-CabCom.

The Ndea Board is set to deliberate on the final project proposal on April 23.

Gatchalian said the WGP builds upon the agency’s core mission of alleviating hunger and aligns with President Marcos’s vision of achieving a hunger-free Philippines by the end of his term in 2028.

The WGP goes beyond food assistance—it’s about empowering

ERC needs 105 new personnel

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

families and promoting healthy diets and adequate nutrition through behavior change and nutrition education sessions, Gatchalian said in several media interviews on the program.

The WGP is currently benefiting 300,000 food-poor households across the country. The program targets to assist 750,000 foodpoor families before President Marcos’ term ends.

A key feature of the program is the use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which allow beneficiaries to receive monthly food credits worth P3,000, allocated to specific food groups, that can be redeemed at partner retailers.

The program also integrates nutrition education sessions to support long-term improvements in food security and nutrition.

The DSWD is also exploring the possibility of increasing the current P3,000 monthly food credit as part of its ongoing efforts to combat hunger and address food insecurity across the country.

DENR seizes ₧3.6 M imported chainsaw

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

AS part of the campaign against illegal logging and cutting of trees, authorities swooped down on a warehouse in Valenzuela City on Tuesday afternoon, and seized allegedly illegally-imported chainsaws worth P3.5 million, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported.

The joint operation by DENR personnel and the National Police (PNP) was launched following a successful test-buy and buy-bust operation on Eseki Industrial Enterprises Corporation. Trading of chainsaw without permits issued by the DENR is violative of Re -

public Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002. Specifically, the DENR said the company breached Section 7 (1) of the Act, which prohibits the sale, distribution, or possession of chainsaws without permit from the department.

The authorities seized a total of 241 chainsaw units valued at P3,589,000. The haul included 154 large chainsaws priced at P16,000 each and 87 medium chainsaws priced at P13,000 each.

A heavy-duty chainsaw can easily cut down a mature tree in 15 to 30 seconds.

The operation took place at a Valenzuela warehouse where the chainsaws were being unloaded in preparation for sale, according to

the DENR. Cutting of trees require special permits from the DENR or local governments under the Forestry Code, as well as the Wildlife Act.

As a result of the operation, Eseki Industrial Enterprises now faces potential criminal charges and penalties under Republic Act 9175.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga emphasized the importance of the confiscation of the illegal chainsaws as part of the government’s broader strategy to combat environmental crimes in partnership with the Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“This operation sends a strong

signal that this administration is serious about enforcement of environmental laws.”

Loyzaga reiterated her commitment to pursue violators of conservation laws and urged businesses to adhere to the regulations designed to protect the environment.

Additionally, authorities are calling on the public to support the government’s efforts to safeguard forests, enhance environmental governance, and preserve the country’s rich natural heritage.

Since 2010, the DENR has banned logging or cutting and harvesting trees in natural forests and implemented in the same year the National Greening Program (NGP).

Comebacking solon vows aid to municipal water fishermen

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ORMER Senator and sena -

Ftorial candidate Francis

Pangilinan, noting the widespread fear of livelihood loss among small fishermen, has vowed to address the issue of the 15-kilometer municipal water zone through legislation if he wins a Senate seat in the May elections.

Pangilinan raised the issue citing this commitment during his dialogue with farmers and fishermen in Romblon, saying that he vehemently opposes the Supreme Court’s order uphold -

ing the Malabon Regional Trial Court’s decision (RTC) declaring preferential access of small-scale fishers to municipal waters as unconstitutional.

Nangangako ako hindi lang sa mga mangingisda dito sa Romblon kundi sa buong Pilipinas na magpapasa ako ng panukala para amyendahan ang batas na may kinalaman dito upang maayos na ang problemang ito kapag tayo’y nakabalik sa Senado,” Pangilinan said.

In an earlier news conference, he expressed full support for the Department of Agriculture’s and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources’s move to appeal the High Court’s decision, emphasizing that the 15-kilometer municipal water zone is vital to the livelihood of small-scale fishermen.

“Susi ang municipal waters para gumanda ang kita at maprotektahan itong ating mga karagatan. May patunay din, ebidensya at research na nagpapakita, na sa municipal waters, nagtutulungan ang fishermen, ang DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], ang Coast Guard, ang local government, na tiyakin na masigla, wellmanaged ang municipal waters. Tumataas, gumaganda ang huli. Nagiging maayos, dagdag ang kita ng ating mga mangingisda,” Pangilinan said.

The former senator emphasized that large commercial fishing ves -

This is part of the International Observer Program which seeks to enhance transparency and cooperation with allies and partners, strengthening regional solidarity. The joint training also supports the AFP’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), helping modernize capabilities to meet emerging threats including

sels should keep out of municipal water zones and operate in other parts of the ocean instead.

“Tapos ito na ang commercial fishing papasok pa. Wala nang matitira roon. At saka malalaki ang barko nila. Doon na sila sa malayo. Bakit ba sila nakiki-pagpilitan dito? Hindi tama iyan. They have the capacity to go out, let them go out,” he emphasized.

If elected senator in the upcoming May elections, Pangilinan also promised to extend greater support to Romblon fishermen. In 2022, Pangilinan distributed 33 fishing boats to fishermen in the area, giving them more opportunity to increase their income.

He also committed to enact new laws that will provide additional protection and assistance to small fishermen.

cyber, maritime and disaster response scenarios.

“Balikatan benefits host communities through infrastructure projects, healthcare services, and economic stimulation via local procurement and temporary employment,” the AFP added.

It also said that Balikatan 2025 stands as a powerful demonstration of international cooperation, military interoperability, and a shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific Region.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is opening 105 new positions following approval from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), a move that is seen to improve the delivery of the commission’s regulatory functions in the energy sector.

The DBM approved the creation of five regular and 100 contractual positions.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman affirmed the significance of the additional posts in the ERC, noting that these roles are “vital in the effective and efficient delivery of services of the Commission, particularly in regulating and maintaining the country’s electric power industry.”

“In this regard, we are pleased to inform you of the favorable consideration of the creation of the following 105 additional positions in the ERC to fortify the Commission’s organizational structure and manpower complement, as well as to have the necessary additional staff who will support the effective and efficient undertaking of its vital and core functions, initiatives, and activities,” Pangandaman said.

Of the 105 new positions, the 100 contractual positions will support key ERC services, including the legal service, market operations service (MOS), and regulatory operations service. Meanwhile, five plantilla positions have been added to the Financial and Administrative Service (FAS) and Planning and Public Information Service (PPIS).

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), in February 2025, likewise granted the ERC the continuing authority to appoint or hire personnel during the election period, enabling ERC to fill both existing plantilla vacancies and new contractual positions, subject to specific conditions.

ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa Dimalanta welcomed the DBM’s approval, emphasizing its significant impact on the Commission’s capacity to perform its regulatory mandates.

“We are grateful for the DBM’s continued support in strengthening the ERC’s personnel capacity. The additional positions will help us address longstanding backlogs and fast-track regulatory processes that are critical to unlocking more projects for the energy sector.

“With more hands on deck, the Commission can move with more agility and efficiency and create a more responsive regulatory environment that supports the country’s energy democracy goals, investments, and innovation,” Dimalanta said.

Earlier, the ERC reported that over 900 certificates of compliance (COC) were issued to 94 selfgenerating facilities, seven independent power producers and 868 net-metering qualified end-users in the first quarter of the year.

The ERC also issued provisional authorities to operate for 77 power projects. In all, these projects are expected to bring an additional 5,419 megawatts (MW) of supply to the national grid.

In the same period, the ERC authorized 14 power supply agreements (PSAs).

Caap, BCDA agreement to boost Air Traffic Operations at Clark

THE Civil Aviation Authority (Caap) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have solidified their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday, to improve operations at the Clark International Airport.

The agreement focuses on the seamless operation and meticulous maintenance of the critical Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at CIA.

Under the agreement, Caap will retain responsibility for the operational oversight and ongoing maintenance of the CNS and Air Traffic Services (ATS) facilities while the BCDA will provide funding for the acquisition of re -

“The Mission focuses on key aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the election campaign, the role of the media and the social media, voting, automated counting, tabulation the of results, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

“The Mission operates with complete independence and impartiality and does not interfere in the electoral process,” de Nogués explained.

A preliminary statement will be issued after the election day from the EU EOM.

A final report will be published

placement parts and the necessary upkeep of supporting equipment.

“This collaborative effort ensures that our air traffic services, navigation systems, and vital equipment are consistently maintained and operated at peak performance, adhering to the highest standards of excellence and efficiency,” said Caap Director General Raul L. del Rosario. This strategic partnership underscores a shared dedication to significantly improve the overall travel experience for passengers utilizing Clark International Airport. The enhanced CNS/ATM systems are expected to result in more streamlined flight operations, a reduction in travel disruptions, and a more efficient and convenient journey for all travelers, he added. Nonie Reyes

at a later stage and will include recommendations presented to the Philippine authorities for their consideration in future elections.

The EU observers are “independent” from the EU governments and other institutions, the delegation stressed.

“It [EU-EOM] is committed to remain neutral and to abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, as well as the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.” it added.

EU-EOM had sent observers to 65 countries including Asian countries Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Bhutan.

DSWD

pushes support for restorative justice,’ welfare system for kids in conflict with the

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reiterated the critical need to uphold the principles of “restorative” justice when addressing cases involving children in conflict with the law (CICLs).

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, the agency spokesperson, said minors who commit offenses do not go scot-free.

“This has always been emphasized in Republic Act 9344 as amended by Republic Act 10630, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act [JJWA],” she said.

According to Dumlao, the JJWA establishes a comprehensive and childsensitive process rooted in restorative justice, ensuring the best interests of CICLs are prioritized.

“Children who come into contact with the justice system must be treated first and foremost as children worthy of protection and opportunities for second chances. In restorative justice, the offender is still held accountable for the offenses that they committed, but we also facilitate their full rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as the healing and reparation for the victims and their families,” Dumlao pointed out.

The DSWD spokesperson explained that restorative justice ensures the facilitation of victim-offender mediation to promote accountability, foster understanding, and support the emotional recovery of all individuals involved.

The JJWA mandates that the child’s age, discernment, the offense committed, and its severity are all considered when determining where a CICL should be taken or referred.

The law also specifies that children above 12 years old (and 15 years old and below) who commit serious offenses are

law

placed in Bahay Pag-Asa and fall under the care and supervision of a specialized unit known as the Intensive Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (IJISC).

For children above 15 but below 18 years old at the time of the offense, the local social welfare and development officer (LSWDO) will assess whether the CICL acted with discernment.

If the child is found to have acted with discernment and the imposable penalty of the offense is more than 12 years of imprisonment, a case may be filed against the child in court. If the penalty is not more than six years of imprisonment, the child must undergo the process of diversion.

Diversion is an alternative, childsensitive process of determining the responsibility of the child in conflict with the law without resorting to formal court proceedings.

The procedure can be implemented at the levels of Katarungang Pambarangay, the law enforcement officer, and the prosecutor.

If the penalty is more than six years but not more than 12 years, the diversion will be at the court level.

In victimless crimes where the imposable penalty is not more than six years imprisonment, the diversion will be conducted by the LSWDO.

“When prevention falls short, our focus must shift to rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoration, emphasizing accountability, chances for growth, and the best interests of children,” Dumlao said.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC), an attached agency of the DSWD, is tasked through its members and coordinating agencies to monitor the implementation of the JJWA.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

DFA repatriates 26 in Cambodia

THE Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) extended aid to the 26 Filipinos, who became victims of human trafficking in Cambodia.

The repatriated Filipinos arrived via PR 2622 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 last Wednesday.

“OWWA immediately provided airport assistance, including food, temporary shelter, and transportation assistance back to their respective provinces,” OWWA said in Filipino in a statement posted in its social media page.

The victims also received aid from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (NAIATFAT).

The government is now looking into who is responsible for the deployment of the OFWs to Cambodia.

As part of the said probe, the National Bureau of Investigation said it will collect the statements of 26 Filipinos before they go home to their families.

“The fight against human trafficking continues—you are not alone, Kabayan,” OWWA said. Samuel P. Medenilla

4Ps beneficiaries urge lawmakers to bridge the digital divide, demand affordable and reliable Internet access

AGROUP representing beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is urging lawmakers to enact reforms that would unlock greater access to affordable and reliable Internet services, citing the digital divide that continues to exclude poor families from opportunities in education and economic mobility.

Melanie Cervantes, VP of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP), called for more competitive options for Filipino consumers, particularly those in underserved and remote communities.

“We don’t want limited – we want limitless,” Cervantes said, decrying the lack of choice in internet service providers (ISPs) that leaves many families struggling to connect to the digital world.

Cervantes recalled how families like hers were hit hardest during the pandemic, when remote learning was not an option simply because home internet access was out of reach.

According to World Bank data, nearly half—about 19,000 or 45.5 percent—of barangays across the country remain unconnected.

The International Telecommunications Union also ranks the Philippines among the most expensive in Asean for fixed broadband, with average costs reaching 10.1 percent of gross national income (GNI) per capita, far

DOTr prioritizes passenger safety, warns against transport violations

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan & Nonilon Reyes @Nonielonlon

THE Department of Transportation

(DOTr) on Wednesday warned transport stakeholders that they may face severe consequences if they fail to comply with transport safety regulations.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said that agencies under the DOTr—including the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)—are intensifying their crackdown on violators amid recent incidents that put commuters at risk.

“Hindi tayo nagbibiro dito. Seryosohin sana tayo ng mga bus companies at shipping lines naalagaanangmgapasaherosa bus at barko. Hindi natin ikokompromiso at seguridad ng mga biyahero natin. We want them to take us seriously,” Dizon said.

The warning follows the LTFRB’s issuance of a show cause order against Draven Bus Co., whose unit was involved in a crash Monday night along the North Luzon Expressway in Valenzuela City, injuring several passengers.

The LTFRB and LTO also slapped similar orders on Marvin Lacuesta, operator of the bus company, and its driver, Mark Louie Burgos, who was caught on video recklessly driving a unit bound for Carmen, Pangasinan.

Marina likewise called out Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc. and ordered the firm to explain why it should not be sanctioned for breaching anti-overloading rules after continuing to sell tickets despite exceeding passenger capacity.

Ang sabi ng Pangulo, hindi natin ikokompromiso ang safety ng ating mga komyuter,” Dizon said.

Naia sees strong Holy Week passenger surge

THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is experiencing a significant surge in passenger traffic this Holy Week, with the initial days of the eight-day travel period showing a marked increase compared to last year.

The New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) reported robust passenger numbers for the first three days of the Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday period.

On April 13, 2025, the airport recorded 150,511 passengers, a notable rise from the

134,600 passengers recorded on the same day in 2024. This upward trend continued with 142,560 passengers on April 14, 2025, compared to 124,481 in 2024, and 140,407 passengers on April 15, 2025, exceeding the 128,047 recorded on the same day last year.

NNIC General Manager Angelito A. Alvarez stated that these figures, covering only the first half of the Holy Week travel period (April 13-20), indicate a strong appetite for travel. Applying last year’s airline passenger load factor, NNIC projects that over 1.18 million passengers will transit through NAIA during this eight-day period, representing an approximate 14% increase compared to 2024.

Alvarez emphasized that this surge in passenger volume at NAIA is a positive indicator of stronger travel demand and is expected to provide a welcome boost to the Philippine economy. He noted that higher passenger numbers translate to increased activity across various sectors including tourism, hospitality, transport, and retail, creating more opportunities for businesses and the wider community.

Despite the significant increase in passenger traffic, airport operations have reportedly remained smooth. Measures implemented to manage the anticipated surge appear to be functioning effectively.

The Bureau of Immigration had proactively

DMW eyeing new bilateral accord with Malaysia on recruitment and protection of Filipino workers

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now eyeing a new bilateral agreement with Malaysia for the recruitment and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

Last Monday, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac met with Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino to discuss strengthening Philippines-Malaysia

labor cooperation at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City.

Both countries talked about the possibility of forging a bilateral cooperation agreement, similar to the Philippines and Singapore pact on the recruitment and protection of general workers. They also talked about the reintegration of Filipino domestic workers.

“This initiative aims to provide better opportunities for Filipino domestic workers, who represent a significant sector of the workforce in Malaysia,” DMW said in a statement.

Based on its latest data, DMW said there are 175,889 OFWs in Malaysia. Most or 165,482 are land-based workers and the remaining 10,407 are sea-based.

deployed additional officers across all NAIA terminals to mitigate potential congestion. This initiative has resulted in shorter queues and faster processing times for outbound passengers, including the newly opened exclusive lanes for Overseas Filipino Workers at Terminal 3. NNIC has also deployed additional traffic personnel to improve the management of vehicular flow in and out of the airport terminals. Furthermore, passenger booths have been set up to enhance convenience for travelers.

Highlighting the preparedness of airport authorities, Alvarez mentioned that Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, accompanied by Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines, and NNIC General Manager Lito Alvarez, conducted an inspection of Terminal 3 around 4:30 a.m. on Holy Tuesday, a known peak departure time. The inspection confirmed that immigration counters were fully staffed, and processing was proceeding smoothly and efficiently.

The early success in managing the Holy Week passenger influx suggests that the collaborative efforts of various airport authorities are proving effective in ensuring a seamless travel experience despite the increased volume.

The meeting was part of the country’s preparations for the upcoming 46th and 47th Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summit 2025, which will be chaired by Malaysia this year as well as and ASEAN Summits to be led by the Philippines next year. Based on ASEAN’s latest Notional Calendar 2025, the 46th ASEAN Summit will be held next month, while the 47th ASEAN Summit is scheduled to take place in October. Both events will be hosted by Malaysia in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

De Guzman: Reform party list system to bar dynasties, big biz from using ‘backdoor entry’

ADAY before the Holy week campaign ban veteran labor leader and senatorial candidate Leody

De Guzman pushed for enacting reforms in the partylist system so it may “return to the original intent” of electing representatives from basic sectors and safeguard it from dynasties and big businesses from going through the “backdoor” to monopolize political power within their families and allies.

“Nagsilipananaangmgapartylist nahindi naman kumakatawan sa interes ng masa, lalo naangmga political dynasties naginagamitito

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

above Vietnam’s 2.3 percent and Indonesia’s 4.9 percent.

Cervantes said the group blames “outdated, landline-era regulations” for choking investment and competition in the telecommunications sector. The Philippines remains the only country in the world that requires a legislative franchise to operate a data transmission network—a barrier that the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act seeks to eliminate.

The Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which was passed on third reading in February, aims to ease market entry for more than 1,000 small Internet providers, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

The bill proposes streamlined permitting processes, improved spectrum management, and mandatory infrastructure sharing to accelerate digital expansion.

It also mandates compliance with cybersecurity standards, provisions for network resilience, and stronger consumer protections—marking the first time these would be codified in Philippine Internet policy.

“We are in the AI generation—but still disconnected,” Cervantes said. “Masakit parasaaminnahindinaminmaibigayyung kailangannganaknaminparasapag-aaral nila... dahil walang koneksyon.” Lorenz S. Marasigan

KEY government agencies, civil society organizations, and academic experts met on Monday to address the alarming rise of bullying incidents in schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Tuesday.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that the largest Executive Committee (Execom) meeting of the DepEd to date, to deliver a coordinated response against bullying following the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who earlier expressed deep concern over the surge in reported bullying cases nationwide.

Based on data presented during the meeting, the DepEd National Capital Region

parasolohinangkapangyarihanatpwinepwesto ang kanilangmgakaanak.” De Guzman said. De Guzman stressed recent reports that over half of partylists did not adequately represent basic sectors, with many of them serving the political interests of incumbent and electable traditional politicians alike.

Mapapansingkaramihansamganominee ng mga malalaking partylist, kapamilya ng nakaupo nang pulitiko at mga malalaking kapitalista, tulad ng Agimat ng mga Revilla, MPBL at 1-Pacman ng pamilyang Pacquiao, ACT-CIS ng magkakapatid na Tulfo, Tingog ng

recorded 2,500 cases of bullying in School Year 2024–2025, up from 2,268 in the previous year.

“To effectively combat bullying, we need to work not just inside the schools, but also in the households and communities where our learners come from. This is not just a school matter, it is a national priority that demands a whole-of-government, wholeof-society response,” Angara said.

Immediate measures

AMONG the immediate measures agreed upon, the Philippine National Police (PNP) committed to intervene in bullying cases involving legal violations.

Installation of CCTVs and increased police visibility will also be enforced outside large urban and high-risk schools, with

mga Romualdez at Ako Bicol ng mga Co,” he said. He also questioned the ability of these nominees to be genuine representatives of the people given their background and track record.

“Dinu-duplicate lang nila ang trabaho ng mgadistrict representatives napurotradisyunal napulitikoomgabata-batangmganegosyante. Ang sumatotal, lalong nalalaglag ang mga nasalaylayan,lalong isolated anggobyernosa taumbayan,” De Guzman surmised.

He also cited regional partylists as an example, which were initially established to represent the issues of the whole region, but are now being used by political dynasties to widen their stranglehold. Pero kung bakit halos wala nang puwang ang mga mamamayan sa partylist aydahilsapag-interpret sa batas na bukas ito sa lahat at hindi inklusibo lang sa mga nasa laylayan,” De Guzman added. The veteran labor leader seeks to increase partylist representation to make up for seventy percent of Congress, among other measures to ensure greater peoples’ participation in governance.

strict adherence to DepEd’s policy on data privacy and zones of peace.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also committed to investigate reported cases through its field offices and to establish a Parent Effectiveness Office.

The office aims to educate families and address root causes such as domestic problems that may influence learner behavior.

Beyond school grounds, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) proposed the activation of the Comprehensive Barangay Juvenile Intervention Program (CBJIP).

The CBJIP aims to prevent bullying at the community level through diversion and rehabilitation.

Go receives support from Mindanaoans, endorses ‘DuterTEN’ senatorial slate

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, who is running for reelection, received an overwhelming show of support from the people of Misamis Oriental as he joined the grand rally of the Duterte Senatorial Slate or “DuterTEN” on Tuesday, April 14, at El Salvador City Sports Complex in Misamis Oriental where he topped the senatorial race during the 2019 elections.

From a massive motorcade in Cagayan de Oro City to the energized crowd that gathered in El Salvador, Go and the rest of the DuterTEN slate were warmly welcomed

by thousands of supporters, further solidifying the enduring trust of Misamisnons in his brand of compassionate public service. In his remarks, Go expressed deep gratitude to the people of Misamis Oriental for their continued faith in his leadership.

“Mulapanoonhanggangngayon,hindiko sasayanginanginyongtiwala.Isalangang panata ko: ang magserbisyo sa tao, lalo na sa mga mahihirap,” he said. He rallied support for the DuterTEN slate — a group of candidates allied with the legacy and principles of former President

Rodrigo Duterte — which includes Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, Atty. Jayvee Hinlo, Atty. Raul Lambino, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Dr. Richard Mata, Congressman Rodante Marcoleta, and actor Phillip Salvador. Go emphasized that the DuterTEN team shares a common mission: to uplift the lives of Filipinos, particularly in Mindanao, and to carry on the reforms and strong leadership of former President Duterte. “Maraming salamat po sa inyong patuloy na suporta at tiwala sa

The Department of Justice (DOJ) supported the proposal, noting that early interventions can help prevent young learners from entering the juvenile delinquency system.

Curriculum enhancements

MEANWHILE , experts from the University of the Philippines College of Education and Ateneo de Manila University will assist DepEd in enhancing its Values Education and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) curriculum. The proposed enhancements will include integrated socio-emotional learning, emotional regulation, and conflict management. Representatives from UNICEF and Save the Children Philippines also participated, offering data and globally vetted programs to support the effort.

akin.“Maramingsalamatrinposainyong suportasaakingmgakapartidoatkapwa Duterte senatoriables,” he added. He also reiterated his call to continue advocating for the health, safety, and freedom of former President Duterte, whom he considers not only a mentor but a father figure in public service. Salamat sa inyong pagsuporta sa amingadhikainatmgapinaglalabanpara sa bayan. Tulad ng bilin ni Tatay Digong, unahin ang kapakanan ng kapwa nating Pilipino, unahin ang interes ng taong bayanathindinghindikamagkakamali,” Go concluded.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Thursday-Friday, April 17-18, 2025

No place to call home: Palestinians forced to flee again in West Bank

By Sam Mednick

The Associated Press

ULKAREM, West Bank—

TFor weeks, the family had been on the move. Israeli troops had forced them from home during a military operation that has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians across the occupied West Bank. After finding shelter in a wedding hall, they were told to leave again.

“We don’t know where we’ll go,” said the family’s 52-year-old matriarch, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisal. She buried her face in her hands.

The grandmother is one of more than 1,500 displaced people in and around the northern city of Tulkarem who are being pushed from schools, youth centers and other venues because the people who run them need them back. It was not clear how many displaced in other areas like Jenin face the same pressure.

Many say they have nowhere else to go. Israeli forces destroyed some homes.

The cash-strapped Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, has little to offer. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the largest aid provider in the occupied territories, struggles to meet greater needs in the Gaza Strip while facing Israeli restrictions on its operations.

Approximately 40,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes in January and February in the largest displacement in the West Bank since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war.

Israel says the operations are needed to stamp out militancy as violence by all sides has surged since Hamas’ October 7, 2023,

attack ignited the war in Gaza.

Fears of long-term displacement

ISRAEL’S raids have emptied out and largely destroyed several urban refugee camps in the northern West Bank, like Tulkarem and nearby Nur Shams, that housed the descendants of Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes in previous wars.

Israel says troops will stay in some camps for a year.

People with means are living with relatives or renting apartments, while the impoverished have sought refuge in public buildings. Now that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has ended, many are being told to leave.

“This is a big problem for us, as the schools cannot be used for the displaced because there are students in them, and at the same time, we have a shortage of financial resources,” said Abdallah Kmeil, the governor of Tulkarem. He said the Palestinian Authority is looking for empty homes to rent to families and plans to bring prefabricated containers for some

20,000 displaced. But it’s unclear when they will arrive.

Seven minutes to pack

THE matriarch said Israeli troops gave the family seven minutes to pack when they evicted them from the Nur Shams camp in early February. They left with backpacks and a white flag to signal they weren’t a threat.

Shelters were overcrowded.

People slept on floor mats with little privacy, and dozens at times shared a few toilets and a shower.

The family tried to return home when soldiers allowed people to go back and get their belongings. Days later, they were forced to leave again, and soldiers warned that their house would be burned if they didn’t, the woman said.

The family found a charity center that doubles as a wedding hall in a nearby town. Now, with the onset of wedding season, they have had to leave.

When the family feels homesick, they walk to a hilltop overlooking Nur Shams. Palestinians sheltering in and

around Tulkarem say they feel abandoned. Much of the aid they were receiving, such as food and clothes, came from the community during Ramadan, a time of increased charity. Now that has dried up.

Israel’s crackdown in the West Bank has also left tens of thousands unemployed. They can no longer work the mostly menial jobs in Israel that paid higher wages, making it harder to rent scarce places to stay.

Iman Basher used to work on a Palestinian farm near her house in Nur Shams. Since fleeing, the day’s walk there is too far to travel, she said. The 64-year-old was among dozens of people recently forced from another wedding hall. She now sleeps on a mat in another packed building.

Basher said soldiers raiding her house stole about $2,000, money she had been saving for more than a decade for her children’s education.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the army prohibits the theft or wanton destruction of civilian property and holds soldiers accountable for what it called “exceptional” violations. The army said militants fight and plant explosives in residential areas, and soldiers sometimes occupy homes to combat them.

‘The scale of the displacement is beyond us’

AID groups said some displaced people are living in unfinished buildings, without proper clothes, hygiene, bedding or access to healthcare.

“It’s hard to find where the need is...The scale of the displacement is beyond us,” said

NATO chief reaffirms Ukraine support during visit to the port city of Odesa

ODESA, Ukraine—NATO’s support for Ukraine remains “unwavering,” the alliance’s secretary-general said Tuesday, emphasizing that more than 20 billion euros—over $22 billion—in security assistance has already been pledged by NATO allies in the first three months of the year.

Mark Rutte spoke on Tuesday in Ukraine’s port city of Odesa, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

His visit came days after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday morning, killing at least 35 people, including two children, and injuring 119.

The attack on the northeastern city, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Ukraine’s border with Russia, marked the second large-scale attack in just over a week to result in significant civilian casualties. Earlier this month, about 20 people were killed, including nine children, after a Russian ballistic missile struck Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 4.

“I’m here today because I believe Ukraine’s people deserve real peace, real safety and security in their country, in their homes,” Rutte said during a joint news conference with Zelenskyy. The two met with wounded Ukrainian soldiers at a hospital in Odesa.

This is Rutte’s first trip to Ukraine since US President Donald Trump assumed the

lead in ceasefire negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, which have included several rounds of talks in Saudi Arabia.

“These discussions are not easy, not least in the wake of this horrific violence,” Rutte said, referring to the recent strikes. “But we all support President Trump’s push for peace.” Ukraine has endorsed the broader USproposed cease-fire deal, though Russia has effectively stalled the process by attaching far-reaching conditions.

A ‘coalition of the willing’ MEANWHILE , Ukraine and its European partners are continuing to develop the infrastructure for the “coalition of the willing,” which is expected to act as a longterm security guarantee aimed at deterring future Russian aggression after a ceasefire is in place.

Amid that uncertainty and US warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in the future, the multinational force is seen as a first test of the continent’s willingness to defend itself and its interests.

Zelenskyy said Turkey could play a significant role in providing future Black Sea security guarantees for Ukraine.

“This is not about ending the war, unfortunately,” Zelenskyy said, commenting on

“Nato,” A7

Editor: Angel R. Calso

IN this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, pose for a photo during their meeting in Odesa, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE VIA AP

A FAMILY stands in a wedding hall at a charity center that has served as a temporary shelter for displaced individuals in the West Bank town of Anabta, Thursday, April 3, 2025. AP/LEO CORREA)

Nato. . .

Continued from A6

the security meeting being hosted by Turkey on Tuesday and Wednesday. “It’s about what comes after—the security guarantees for Ukraine following a ceasefire.”

He said military representatives from Ukraine, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey are discussing the presence of a military contingent in the Black Sea as part of those guarantees.

“The fact that these talks are ongoing, that we are preparing for this hopeful, soon-to-be achieved eventuality—NATO tries to steer that in the direction we think would be advisable,” Rutte said.

The meeting in Turkey comes less than a month after the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea. However, key details remained unresolved, and the Kremlin has tied the deal to the lifting of certain Western sanctions.

Commenting on ongoing negotiations with the US over a revised draft of an agreement that would give the US access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, Zelenskyy described last week’s technical talks in Washington as positive, with more consultations expected in the coming days.

He said the meeting was a technical session for expert teams and that “both sides concluded the meeting on a positive note.” Zelenskyy added that discussions— both online and in person—will continue throughout the week, and once the teams are ready, they will present the outcomes of their work.

A city mourns its dead MEANWHILE , residents of Sumy were still mourning their loved ones killed in Sunday’s attack. Among the dead was Olena Kohut, pianist and a solo organist at the regional philharmonic, and a farewell ceremony was held in the local theatre where she often played.

Dozens came to say goodbye to the gifted musician and piano teacher, who was killed while on her way to rehearsals. Mourners wept, holding red roses, as they approached her coffin at the local theatre where she taught piano and mentored young musicians. The crowd then clapped in respect as her coffin was driven away and out of sight.

“The Sumy region lost a lot with her,” said Serhiy Dorofieiev, 39, director of the theater where Kohut worked. AP

Palestinians. . .

Continued from A6

Nicholas Papachrysostomou, emergency coordinator in the northern West Bank for Doctors Without Borders.

The charity’s mobile clinics provide primary healthcare, but there’s a shortage of medicine and it’s hard to get supplies because of Israeli restrictions and financial constraints by the West Bank’s health ministry, he said.

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, plans to disburse $265 a month to about 30,000 of the most vulnerable displaced people, but there is enough money for only three months, said Hanadi Jaber Abu Taqa, head of UNRWA in the northern West Bank.

The agency’s money mostly goes to Gaza. Just over 12% of the funds it seeks from donors for this year will be allocated to the West Bank. Portable housing for the many displaced would only be a temporary fix. Some Palestinians said they wouldn’t accept it, worrying it would feel like giving up their right to return home.

Isam Sadooq had been helping 60 displaced people staying at a youth center in Tulkarem.

Last month, he was told, by the people who run the center, that they should consider evacuating so children can resume sports.

“If we cannot find them another place to live, what will be their fate?” he said. “They will find themselves in the street, and this is something we do not accept.”

Trump’s tech tariff exclusions sow confusion among trading partners

By Shawn Donnan, Josh Wingrove & Mackenzie Hawkins

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s tariff exclusions for

smartphones and other tech products have added to a growing set of confusing signals for companies and trading partners digesting how to engage a White House still promising to negotiate dozens of new deals in America’s favor.

The dizzying weekend saw Trump exclude popular consumer electronics from 125% tariffs on China and a 10% baseline global tariff. The move exempted more than $101 billion in US imports from China alone and was seen as a short-term win for US tech champions like Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp.

Trump and top aides on Sunday, though, declared that the reprieve was only a procedural maneuver to ultimately hit those tech products with a different, sector-specific tariff.

For financial markets handicapping the economic spillovers, that again made finding clarity hard in a strategy the White House insists is carefully constructed but critics see as subject to the whims of a transactional president.

For countries sending delegations to Washington to negotiate—like the European Union’s trade chief is aiming to do Monday—fresh questions arose about whether talking is even the best approach.

And for international companies operating in an environment where rules can change overnight, inactivity during the turmoil is emerging as the safest bet.

‘Act first’

“THE Trump team continues to follow an approach of act first, then make adjustments as needed,” said Wendy Cutler, a former senior US trade negotiator who is now at the Asia Society Policy Institute. “This approach contributes to more unpredictability for investors and our trading partners, who may no longer conclude that rushing to negotiate with the US is the best approach.”

Trump is hailing a flurry of negotiations aimed at locking in reduced country-by-country tariffs, which he has long said he won’t apply to sectors that have their own levies.

Such duties have already been rolled out for autos, steel, and aluminum. More national security investigations that would lead to tariffs are expected in the weeks ahead on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and other vital sectors.

“We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations,” Trump said in a social media post Sunday. “What has been exposed is that we need to make products in the United States, and that we will not be held hostage by other Countries, especially hostile trading Nations like China.”

China’s government said the US decision to exempt certain consumer electronics was a small step and called for abolishing tariffs altogether. President Xi Jinping is heading to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia this week to shore up relationships in the region.

In Washington, the frenetic weekend shifts further muddy the water—even if Trump’s administration had long flagged some of them. While Trump has indicated he will haggle ove r country rates, questions are now emerging over whether the sectoral tariffs are up for bargaining as well.

“Those are not available for negotiation,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told ABC’s “This Week.”

Hours later, however, Trump signaled an openness to talks with companies over the scope of his semiconductor tariffs.

“We’ll be discussing it, but we’ll also talk to companies,” he told reporters on the plane flying back from Florida. “You have to show a certain flexibility.”

Fueling inactivity

THE White House’s messaging is creating more uncertainty for companies dependent on imports to the US.

“The whole system seems designed to create paralysis,” Ryan Petersen, the founder and CEO of digital freight platform Flexport Inc., wrote in a social media post Sunday.

Tobias Meyer, chief executive officer of cargo and logistics giant DHL Group, said companies trying to conform with constantly shifting US directives “don’t know even if something’s announced, whether two days later it’s not changed again.”

“You really see some fatigue of decision makers in manufacturing and also in the distribution sector,” Meyer said Monday in a Bloomberg Television interview. “I hear a lot that customers simply say, ‘we’ll wait for now.’”

The economic fallout of such a freezing up of trade could be wide. On Monday, Singapore’s trade ministry downgraded its forecast for economic growth this year, saying businesses and consumers may “adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach before making spending decisions.”

Diplomats and other officials who’ve sought to engage in talks with the US are similarly unsure about how best to proceed.

Bond market signals

IN the wake of Trump’s April 2 unveiling of his new tariffs, senior administration officials publicly insisted there wouldn’t be any negotiations over his border levies. Trump’s goal of repatriating manufacturing was an inviolable priority, they said, and the purpose of the duties imposed in the name of reducing a trade deficit that Trump has declared a national emergency.

The weekend pullback on tech tariffs was the second major

adjustment to Trump’s duty regime in a matter of days.

On April 9, the same day new duties unveiled the week before went into effect on dozens of countries, Trump abruptly reduced them all to 10% for 90 days—except for China—amid rapidly increasing concerns about a bond market selloff. There are also growing signs that the tariffs and the growing odds of a recession that have come with them are politically unpopular.

A CBS poll published Sunday found that a plurality of Americans expect Trump’s tariffs, which have raised the US’s average applied duties to their highest level in more than a century, to hurt their financial situation.

The administration is now focusing on negotiations with countries including Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. The stated aim is to use the leverage Trump has built up with his tariffs to extract concessions that would open the door for more US exports or new investments in the US. While Trump has dropped tariff rates for those countries to 10% for 90 days to tee up talks, he hasn’t ruled out raising them again.

How successful talks will be remains unclear, as is what exactly Trump wants or how firm he will be in holding to a 10% baseline that he and aides had set as a floor.

Flying to Florida on Friday evening, Trump called the 10% “pretty close” to a floor, but he didn’t rule out going lower. That has opened the door for countries to push for lower tariffs in their own negotiations, including with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic who will meet his counterparts in Washington today.

European officials hope his trip will provide a better sense of the US’s willingness to negotiate and what its priorities are. But in spite of repeated calls for European unity, there’s no consensus on how far the bloc should go with concessions, or how to retaliate if talks fail.

Trump’s weekend exclusion did not apply to the baseline 20% tariff he applied to China over fentanyl, and that levy remains

in effect. China also has signaled so far that it is not interested in any negotiations.

Trump’s unpredictability still hangs over any talks as does his commitment to the idea of tariffs as an economic tool. Diplomats involved in discussions with Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer ahead of April 2 said even those cabinet members stressed privately that any agreement would still have to be approved by Trump and that they couldn’t guarantee his response.

Chip strategy

THE expected so-called Section 232 national security investigations that would lead to sectoral tariffs could take months. Friday’s exemption list provides the clearest sign yet of which products could be affected.

One key area is AI hardware, which the US imports primarily from Taiwan as well as Mexico, where a host of Taiwanese companies handle final assembly of products destined for the US.

AI servers shipped from Mexico have so far escaped the tariffs, as much of that hardware falls under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement tariff exemption, according to Bernstein Research analyst Stacy Rasgon.

If the eventual chip-sector tariffs do end up hitting servers, one guide for what’s to come may lie in Trump’s previous sectoral tariffs for autos and auto parts. Those products, subject to a 25% rate, are eligible for the USMCA exemption until the administration devises a process to impose tariffs on non US-content. But for AI servers and all other products on the exemption list that contain chips—including consumer tech like phones and computers—there’s still a huge open question of whether the eventual duties would apply to the entire finished goods, or just the foreign-made chips they contain.

Trump’s ultimate aim is to push more of the tech industry to rely on American supply chains. That would require a massive expansion of US chipmaking—something that’s already underway, thanks in large part to the 2022 Chips and Science Act.

Trump, however, wants to scrap the bipartisan law, and his latest tariff moves could make it more expensive for companies to complete the factories they’ve announced. Based on Friday’s exemption list, the chip-sector tariffs could also hit manufacturing tools, which form the lion’s share of the price tag for new chip plants. With assistance from Swati Pandey and Haslinda Amin / Bloomberg

China’s economy grows at 5.4% annual pace in January-March as Beijing touts open trade

By Elaine Kurtenbach Ap Business Writer

ANGKOK—China’s econo -

Bmy expanded at a 5.4% annual pace in January-March, the government said Wednesday, supported by strong exports ahead of US President Donald Trump’s rapid increases in tariffs on Chinese products.

With the trade war clouding the outlook, analysts are forecasting that the world’s second largest economy will slow significantly in coming months, however, as tariffs as high as 145% on US imports from China take effect. Beijing has hit back at the US with 125% tariffs on American exports, while also stressing its determination to keep its own markets open to trade and investment.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is visiting several other Asian countries this week as he makes a case for free trade, presenting China as a source of “stability and certainty” in uncertain times.

Xi was visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, while the US announced that a senior State Department official, Sean O’Neill, would be traveling this week to Vietnam’s capital Hanoi and to Ho Chi Minh City, to Cambodia’s Siem Reap and to Tokyo. China also has been highlighting its focus on trade with countries other than the United States at various trade fairs that are

showcasing its vast market and competitiveness as a manufacturing giant.

The trade factor EXPORTS helped China’s economy expand at a 5% annual rate in 2024 and this year’s official target is about 5%.

In the near term, the tariffs will put pressure on China’s economy, but they won’t derail long-run growth, Sheng Laiyun, a spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, told reporters. He noted that China’s exports to the United States have fallen to less than 15% of total exports from more than 19% five years ago.

“China’s economic foundation is stable, resilient and has great potential. We have the confidence, ability and confidence to cope with external challenges and achieve our established development goals,” Sheng said. In quarterly terms the economy grew 1.2% in January-March, slowing from 1.6% in the last quarter of 2024.

Chinese exports surged more than 12% from a year earlier in March and nearly 6% in US dollar terms in the first quarter, as companies rushed to beat Trump’s tariffs. That has supported robust manufacturing activity in the past several months.

“Much of this was front-loaded—fueled by a burst of preemptive activity ahead of US tariff es -

calations and an inventory binge stateside as importers scrambled to get ahead of the curve,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

Industrial production rose 6.5% from a year earlier in the last quarter, led by a nearly 11% increase in output of equipment manufacturing.

The strongest growth was in advanced technologies, such as production of battery electric and hybrid vehicles, which jumped 45.4% year-on-year. Output of 3D printers soared almost 45% and of industrial robots surged 26%.

Weaker property investment and consumer prices

DESPITE relatively fast growth by global standards, the Chinese economy has struggled to regain momentum since the Covid-19 pandemic as downturn in the property market has pushed unemployment higher, leaving families wary about spending.

Consumer prices fell 0.1% in the first quarter, suggesting that demand is not keeping up with supply for many industries. Investment in real estate also remained weak, falling nearly 10% from a year earlier despite government efforts to spur more lending for housing purchases.

The tariffs crisis looms as another massive blow at a time when Beijing is striving to get businesses to invest and hire more

workers and to persuade Chinese consumers to spend more.

The outlook

B OTH private and public sector economists have remained cautious about what to expect, given how Trump has kept switching his stance on the details of his trade war.

“Given the events over the past two weeks, it is extremely difficult to predict how the US and China tariffs on each other might evolve,” Tao Wang and other UBS economists said in a report.

The International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank have stuck with more optimistic forecasts of about 4.6% growth this year.

After taking office, Trump first ordered a 10% increase in tariffs on imports from China. He later raised that to 20%. Now, China is facing 145% tariffs on most of its exports to the United States.

UBS estimates that the tariffs, if they remain roughly as they are, could cause China’s exports to the United States to fall by two-thirds in coming months and that its global exports could fall by 10% in dollar value. It cut its forecast for economic growth this year to 3.4% from an earlier 4%. It expects growth to slow to 3% in 2026.

AP researchers Yu Bing and Shihuan Chen contributed.

Global

markets dip as US tightens tech chip exports; tariff concerns resurface

By Elaine Kurtenbach Ap Business Writer

BANGKOK—World shares were mostly lower Wednesday as Nvidia and other technology companies were walloped by tighter US controls on exports of advanced computer chips used for artificial intelligence.

The future for the S&P 500 skidded 1.2% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%.

Chip maker Nvidia’s shares fell 6.3% in after-hours trading after it said the US had imposed stricter controls on its exports of one of its computer chips designed for use in artificial intelligence. Rival chip maker AMD’s shares dropped 7.1% after US markets closed.

Trade war concerns also were revived by a Trump administration announcement of an investigation into imports of critical minerals such as rare earths, which are used in smart phones, electric vehicles and many other products.

In early European trading, Britain’s FTSE 100 lost 0.2% to 8,233.10 after the government said inflation in the U.K. fell for the second month running in March largely as a result of lower gas prices.

Germany’s DAX fell 0.7% to 21,107.68, while the CAC 40 in Paris gave up 0.6% to 7,289.67.

Stocks in China led the regional

declines after the Chinese government reported the world’s second largest economy grew at a strong 5.4% annual rate in the last quarter, helped by strong industrial production, retail sales and exports. But in quarterly terms, growth slowed to 1.2% in January-March from 1.6% in the last quarter of 2024. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 2% to 20,922.54, while the Shanghai Composite index regained lost ground, edging 0.1% higher to 3,271.19. Private sector economists have been downgrading their forecasts after President Donald Trump recently pushed his tariffs on most imports from China to 145%, while China raised its duties on imports from the US to 125%.

Analysts at ANZ Research said activity in the current quarter is already weakening. “Our view is that the tariff shock is caused by the unpredictability rather than the tariff itself. President Trump’s announcements have affected business sentiment and activity,” Raymond Yeung and other ANZ researchers said in a report after the China data was released.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index shed 1% to 33,920.40, pulled lower by big tech companies like chip testing equipment maker Advantest, whose shares dropped 6.6% and Disco Corp.

See “Tariff,” A9

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Tariff. . .

which plunged 8%.

South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.2% to 2,447.43, while in Australia, the S&P/ ASX 200 edged less than 0.1% lower to 7,758.90.

India’s Sensex was little changed and Bangkok’s SET edged 0.1% lower.

On Tuesday, US stocks drifted, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.2% and the Dow down 0.4%. The Nasdaq composite edged less than 0.1% lower.

Uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s tariffs kept investors watching to see what comes next.

The US bond market appeared to calm after its sudden and sharp moves last week shook confidence in the status of US government bonds as a safe haven against risks.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury was steady at 4.33%, down from 4.38% late Monday and 4.48% at the end of last week. A week earlier it had been at just 4.01%. Yields usually drop when investors are jittery, so this week’s moves have offered reassurance.

The value of the US dollar also steadied after tumbling last week, raising more worries that Trump’s trade war also may be undermining its status as a safe-haven investment.

Palantir Technologies climbed 6.2% for a second day of gains after NATO said it would use the company’s artificialintelligence capabilities in its allied command operations.

In other dealings early Wednesday, US benchmark crude oil lost 69 cents to $60.64 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, fell 65 cents to $64.01 per barrel.

Trump’s tariffs have raised expectations that economies will slow, denting demand for oil and other resources.

The US dollar fell to 142.26 Japanese yen from 143.24 yen. The euro rose to $1.1377 from $1.1283.

World’s biggest trade fair faces turbulence as tariff crisis unravels global trade relations

EBy Bloomberg News

XECUTIVES at the world’s biggest trade fair in China found themselves staring into the abyss as the seams of global commerce come apart.

For many visitors to the Canton Fair, held in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou since 1957, shifting into reverse gear is hardly an option, even as prohibitive tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the US make decoupling between the world’s two biggest economies a reality.

Take Paul McGrath, who lamented the fate of his business at the exhibit. “This is just a disaster,” he said.

For the past two years the New Jersey resident had been planning to launch a fresh pet food maker in the US and saw the first shipment of 400 boxes leave China in January, the month when Donald Trump’s return to the White House threw global trade into chaos.

After the ship was held up at the Panama canal on its way to Newark, McGrath’s shipment arrived a few days after the 20% tariffs— announced at the start of the new trade war by Trump as punishment for fentanyl trafficking—went into effect, adding $5,000 to his import bill. Now, he’s looking at multiples of that for any future shipments, and responded by raising the retail price by a third to $399 for his product, which is wholly made in China.

“We all knew tariffs were coming, but this is kind of ridiculous,” McGrath said, referring to a cumulative

145% in new duties now applied by the US on most imports from China.

The American presence was very thin on the ground as the trade fair got started on Tuesday. The standoff between the US and China has shown few signs of abating, with Trump on Tuesday calling on President Xi Jinping’s government to reach out and start negotiating a deal.

But the new tariffs were at the center of every conversation—just as they already dominate the waterways that ferried almost $700 billion of goods exchanged between the US and China just last year.

A sales manager at one shipping company estimates about 70% of its shipments to the US have been canceled or halted after Trump raised tariffs above 100%. The company even recalled ships that had already left the port after US buyers called off orders.

But while the 145% have created a hard stop for exporters who can’t make a profit, Trump’s 90-day reprieve for countries like Vietnam and Thailand is also spurring Chinese firms to double down on their investments in Southeast Asia to circumvent the US controls.

US buyers have been scrambling to find factories in the region to ensure their inventories don’t dry up.

Some Chinese companies have already had to cut factory staff after their order dried up overnight. But exhibitors at the Canton Fair advertised their overseas factories and spoke about plans to ship more

from locations in Southeast Asia.

Alex Student, chief of Impulse Merchandisers—a car accessories importer based in California—said he’s been turning his attention to securing deals with factories in Southeast Asia.

“We’re going to have to take a more defensive position,” he said. “The best thing I can do right now is direct all my attention to all the space I have in my existing retailers and finding those items from elsewhere other than China.”

His company’s art files for “Made in Cambodia” or “Made in Thailand” are templated and ready to go in four minutes, he added.

Canadian firm Forno is also looking to move production of kitchen appliances such as fridges from China to get around the tariffs. Last year it imported 6,000 containers from China to North America. It has over six months of stock in warehouses in the US, according to company founder Jacques Houle, who said his suppliers are already moving to Southeast Asia.

In about half a year, those companies should be ready to produce, he said Tuesday, and the firm could then restart shipments to the US.

“The China-US relation is beyond salvation—this change of gears is irreversible,” said Dan Wang, China director of the Eurasia Group.

“With the demographic changes, we are looking at the last generation that makes manufacturing overcapacity possible,” Wang said. “Young generations are going to work in

services. China’s future manufacturing capacity will not be in China, it’s going to be in other countries by investing in them now, like the Asean and global south.”

It’s similar to a message carried by Chinese President Xi Jinping on his first overseas trip this year. During a stopover in Vietnam, he urged it to jointly oppose “unilateral bullying,” in an attempt to keep Southeast Asian leaders from cutting deals with the US at Beijing’s expense.

The effects of the sudden spike in tariff rates this month is already starting to show up in the data, with China’s ports handling 10% less cargo last week than the week before.

Cargo volume was down 4% from the same week in 2024, according to Ministry of Transport data released Monday, although international air freight was still high.

“When the tariffs rate was around 20% or 30%, we took them seriously, but the numbers now are like a joke,” said Vicky Yu, a sales manager at a home appliances company based in eastern China, echoing an official statement by Beijing last week which said that the US actions were “a joke.”

But the loss in sales this month is nothing to laugh at. One company that makes appliances and a heated mattress topper said sales of 100 million yuan ($14 million) to the US dried up overnight.

The company has been trying to develop new customers, even attending a trade show in Germany

this year, but so far those new customers represent only a fraction of its sales to the US.

US firms are also in the firing line. Some are taking a hit since their imports are now much more expensive. Others are in trouble because China has imposed its own tariffs or is suspending purchases of US goods, such as Boeing Co. planes. Even so, one American businessman wandering the trade show in Guangzhou was a little more sanguine.

Jason, an executive for an East Coast-based maker of baby products who asked to be identified only by his first name, said his company had prepared for this moment by diversifying where it makes its goods.

The company opened a new factory in Malaysia about a year ago after a hard lesson learned during the first Trump administration and seeing a chance that he would be reelected.

The whole facility was built in China and then shipped to Malaysia. It’s now exporting to the US, while made-in-China products are sent elsewhere in the world.

While that option may work for some people, the US still absorbed about 15% of China’s direct exports last year—and more if products going via other countries are included.

The loss of that market could be catastrophic for some firms, and the fallout will likely spread to other countries. With assistance from Andy Lin and Yasufumi Saito/Bloomberg

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Imports shrink as local rice output seen rising

of 4.8 MMT in 2024.

ABy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

RRIVALS of rice imports are inching closer to the 1-million metric ton (MMT) mark, but shipments are lower due to the projected rebound in local palay production.

Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that rice shipments as of April 10 stood at

988,530 metric tons (MT). Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, BPI data

US will impose 21% tariff on Mexican tomatoes starting in July

THE United States will begin imposing tariffs of more than 20 percent on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico, citing “unfairly priced” shipments from the country.

A current trade agreement with Mexico for tomatoes failed to protect US growers, the Department of Commerce said in a statement released Monday. It slapped a 20.91-percent anti-dumping duty on most shipments of the commodity that will begin on July 14.

Anti-dumping duties are typically applied after a government investigation finds that products are flooding the US at unfair prices, making these levies slightly different than the broader tariffs in President Donald Trump’s trade war.

Mexico is the biggest source of American farm imports, shipping tomatoes, fresh berries and other vegetables.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said the countries will likely work to resolve the dispute before the duty begins.

“The quantity of tomatoes that we export to the US can’t be substituted,” Sheinbaum said to reporters.

“This process has happened many times, and Mexico always comes out winning.

But if this sanction is applied, Mexican tomatoes will still be exported to the US, because there’s no substitute.”

In recent years, the US, known for being a global agriculture powerhouse, has increased its purchases

indicated that 822,733.73 MT came from Vietnam, the country’s top supplier. This was followed by Thailand, which accounted for 74,972.90 MT.

The Philippines also received stocks from other countries, such as Pakistan (68,303.68 MT), Myanmar (12,095 MT), and India (7,553.56 MT).

BPI data indicated that the agency approved and issued 2,115 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for the purchase of 1.67 MMT of imported rice.

Traders are required to secure an SPSIC from the BPI before bringing in foreign rice stocks to

ensure that an inbound shipment is safe for human and animal consumption.

The country’s rice arrivals have been on a declining trend, with the monthly average shipment settling at around 270,000 MT this year from nearly 400,000 MT recorded a year ago.

DA officials and industry sources attributed this to the expected recovery of local paddy rice output and better weather conditions.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said rice imports will decline this year after shipments of the food staple from other countries reached an all-time high

“The reasonable level of rice imports (this year is between) 3.8 MMT to 4 MMT,” De Mesa told reporters in a previous interview.

“If this (downward) trend continues, rice imports will definitely decline.”

The DA said it expects the country’s paddy rice harvest to breach the 20 MMT-mark again this year and hit 20.46 MMT. The country’s palay output settled at 19.09 MMT last year, lower than the record harvest of 20.06 MMT in 2023.

of food imports. The value of those imports now exceeds exports of crops like corn, soybeans and wheat. Inbound shipments of everything from avocados to coffee and sugar are expected to drive the country’s agriculture trade deficit to a record $49 billion this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Data from the Agricultural Markets Consulting Group, known as GCMA, showed that 1.88 million tons of tomatoes were exported from Mexico in 2024, and 1.91 million tons were forecast to be exported in 2025. Last year, the US accounted for 98 percent of Mexico’s tomato exports, with the small remaining amount going to Canada, according to the group’s analysis based on government statistics.

The accusation by US producers that Mexican growers were selling tomatoes at artificially reduced prices is unfounded and it’s important that the two countries reach an agreement, Mexico’s Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue said at a press briefing on Tuesday. He warned that tomato prices in the US would increase for consumers if talks failed, estimating that six out of 10 tomatoes consumed in the US are from Mexico.

“Their tomatoes are going to be more expensive—their salads, their ketchup and everything else,” Berdegue said. “We’re always looking for dialogue, so let’s see how this ends up.” Bloomberg News

DESPITE the absence of extreme weather events, an international agency said the Philippines will see only a marginal increase in coconut output as smallholders continue to observe nonintensive farm practices.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila (USDA-FAS Manila) projects coconut production to grow by 1.5 percent to 2.6 million metric tons (MMT) in the upcoming marketing year 2025/26 due to improved weather conditions, particularly the absence of El Niño.

“Industry contacts report that the coconut trees experienced stress after heavy fruiting in 2024, coupled with the El Niño, which affected the first semester of 2024,” the agency said in its latest report.

“Since coconut production takes one year, the stressed coconut trees in 2024 are expected to soften productivity in MY 2025/26, despite the projected better weather conditions in MY 2025/26.”

The USDA-FAS Manila said the country’s key coconut-producing areas are in Mindanao, specifically Davao, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and BARMM regions. Calabarzon, a region in Luzon, is also a key coconut producer.

“Coconut cultivation in the Philippines is mostly grown by smallholder farmers, with nonintensive farm management resulting (in) lower yield compared to other countries.”

Despite the projected rebound, the international agency adjusted the country’s estimated coconut output to 2.56 MMT for the current MY 2024/25 from the 2.9 MMT recorded in the previous MY.

“The estimated decline in pro -

duction in MY 2024/25 was caused by the El Niño weather disturbance, which started in July 2023 and ended in June 2024, and negatively affected yield.”

Meanwhile, USDA-FAS Manila projected that copra imports will reach 50,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2025/26, a 28.2 percent increment from 39,000 MT, owing to the demand likely exceeding supply and price hikes of dried coconut kernels.

“(This is) primarily driven by local demand outpacing domestic production and copra prices increasing to the point where importation is profitable for some oil mills.”

The USDA-FAS Manila attributed the steep rise in domestic copra quotations to increasing demand from higher biodiesel blending rates.

Meanwhile, an international report recently said the country’s rice imports will decline in marketing year (MY) 2025-2026 due to potential improvement in local output, higher carryover stock, and the government’s rice initiatives.

The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila (USDA-FAS Manila) projected that rice shipments will fall by 1.9 percent to 5.2 MMT in MY 2025-26 from 5.3 MMT in the previous MY. “(This is) due to the forecast increase in local production, higher stock carryover from MY 2024-25, and the imposition of the MSRP [maximum suggested retail price] on imported premium rice.”

Report: Farm practices limit PHL coconut production

The Philippines had shifted to B3, or a 3-percent coco-methyl ester (CME) biodiesel blend, used by diesel-powered vehicles. By October, the biodiesel blend will increase to B4 (4 percent), and to B5 (5 percent blend) by October 2026 under the Department of Energy’s biodiesel mandate.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said, however, that some stakeholders are proposing a temporary suspension of the scheduled 1 percentage point increase in the coco-methyl ester (CME) biodiesel mandate.

PCA said they had advocated for an immediate dialogue with the National Biofuels Board to assess the impact of the increased blend on domestic coconut oil supply and pricing, suggesting a potential temporary adjustment to prioritize cooking oil availability for consumers.

Citing data from the agency’s Trade Information and Relations Division, the PCA noted that the national average farmgate price of copra reached P58.10 per kilo as of March 31, more than double the level seen in the same period last year.

Millgate prices have also soared as they reached a national monthly average of P75.34 per kilo last month, exceeding the peak triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict in March 2022.

The agency raised concern over the effect of copra price hikes that translated to “alarming” retail prices for Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized Coconut Oil, commonly used as cooking oil, which currently ranges from P172 to P182 per kilo at the millgate level Ada Pelonia

‘Prices of imported corn expected to rise on tight supply’

THE increase in global corn quotations driven by tight supply could dampen demand from importers like the Philippines, which purchased nearly 2 million metric tons (MMT) of the key feed ingredient last year.

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, expects global corn consumption to reach 1.23 billion tons this year, a slight increase from the 1.22 billion tons recorded last year. It also projects global output in the 2024/25 season to dip by 1.2 percent.

However, the international research firm noted that the uptick in demand coupled with a projected reduction in global output could shift the market to a “substantial” deficit of 18.7 MMT this year, from a production surplus of 4.9 MMT in the previous year.

“This shift is expected to pro -

vide upward support for corn prices in the coming months.”

As a further consequence, the BMI noted a steep decline in stock levels among major corn exporters.

Citing the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) projection, the research firm said carryover stocks in the US for the upcoming 2025/26 season could fall by 16.9 percent year-on-year to 37.2 MMT.

Furthermore, Brazilian carryover stocks are forecast to plummet by 60.1 percent annually to 3 MMT, while the EU and Ukraine are also expected to enter the 2025/26 season with beginning stocks reduced by 8 percent and 30.9 percent, respectively.

“This significant drawdown in domestic stocks across key exporters is likely to heighten market

sensitivity to harvest progressions and contribute to an elevated risk premium in global corn markets,” it said.

“As such, these dynamics are expected to continue underpinning global prices, reflecting increased vulnerability to supply disruptions and reinforcing the importance of monitoring developments in crucial production regions.”

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s corn shipments surged to 1.93 MMT last year, from 931,306 metric tons (MT) recorded in 2023.

Last December 2024, United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila said the Philippines’s corn imports will rise by 7.2 percent to 1.63 MMT for marketing year (MY) 2024-2025

to meet the increasing demand of the domestic animal feed industry.

It also projected that the country’s corn production will grow by a measly 0.4 percent to 8.15 MMT from 8.119 MMT in the previous MY.

“The forecast production increase will not keep pace with feed demand and FAS Manila increases its forecast for corn imports in MY 2024/25, as the broiler, layer, and pet food industries continue to grow,” its report read.

It added that the gradual repopulating efforts of the hog industry while waiting for the commercialization of the African swine fever (ASF) vaccine could further drive up the demand for imported feed corn towards the latter part of MY 2024-2025. Ada Pelonia

A WORKER loads buckets of tomatoes into crates during a harvest at a farm in Limon de Los Ramos, Sinaloa, Mexico on Sunday, January 10, 2021. JEOFFREY GUILLEMARD/BLOOMBERG

CROP DIVERSIFICATION. Rice farmers in Jaen, Nueva Ecija are preparing their land for ampalaya (bitter gourd), a profitable alternative crop that is cultivated during the dry season months in the rice-producing town. Photo by Joel C. Paredes

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Sports scribes to honor top performers in PVL season

THE Premier Volleyball League Press Corps will honor the best and the brightest in the past three conferences with its first Awards Night om May 27 at Novotel Cubao in Quezon City.

A fter a historic Rookie Draft last year, the league will mark another milestone with the staging of the in-season awards in collaboration with the PVL Press Corps and Sports Vision.  The Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night will recognize athletes, coaches and executives who stood out during the season—2024 PVL Reinforced and Invitational Conference,and the recently concluded 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.

With Arena Plus as presentor, the gala night will be headlined by major awards highlighted by the Most Valuable Player of the Season, Mythical Team, Rookie of the Year, Team of the Year and Coach of the Year.

The winners will be picked by print and online scribes covering the league based on overall statistics through the three conferences as well as votes from team representatives and members of the press corps.  A lso to be given out are the Executive of the Yea r, Most Improved Player, Miss Quality Minutes and Comeback Player of the Year, as well as the Mythical Team and Season MVP in the Spikers’ Turf.  T he team with the most green cards will get the Fair Play Award.

High Speed Hitters plunge into international action in AVC Champions League

PLDT aims to turn the page following a tough exit from the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference (AFC) as the High Speed Hitters make their international debut in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Champions League which kicks off Sunday at the PhilSports Arena. The task ahead won’t easy. PLDT landed in a stacked Pool D alongside powerhouse teams Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin VC of Thailand and Queensland Pirates of Australia, squads packed with size, experience and international firepower.

Nakhon Ratchasima enters the tournament as the No. 13 team in the world with a deep and battle-tested lineup and a strong local core.

Q ueensland, ranked No. 55, brings length and presence at the net that could disrupt PLDT’s rhythm early.

But PLDT is unfazed.

A rmed with a stronger, deeper rotation, the High Speed Hitters believe they’ve got the pieces—and desire— to  make waves in their international debut.

We’ve learned from the tough losses, and now we get to turn that into something better,” said Savannah Davison, who just bagged the Best Outside Hitter award in the recent AFC. “This is a big opportunity for us to showcase what we can do on a different stage.” Davison headlines an intimidating lineup that also includes Majoy Baron, Fil-Cuban Wilma Salas, and Fiola Ceballos, with offensive support from Erika Santos and Kianna Dy.

Salas, a 6-foot-2 opposite hitter, brings high-level experience and adds size and punch to the wing.

In the middle, the combination of Baron, Dell Palomata and Mika Reyes offers both blocking presence and scoring versatility, as playmakers Angge Alcantara and Kim Fajardo will orchestrate the offense and national team libero Kath Arado anchors the floor defense A fter bowing out in the PVL quarterfinals via two heart-breaking five-setters to Choco Mucho, PLDT is determined to flip the script—and the AVC provides the perfect stage. We were that close,” Davison said. “We know we can compete. Now it’s about executing, and this time, not letting up.” P LDT opens its AVC campaign on Sunday at 7 p.m. against Queensland, followed by a tough duel with Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.

WARREN BONIFACIO delivers for the Pasay Voyagers.

THE Tour of Luzon was intended to resurrect multi-stage road racing in the country but its lure went into overdrive resulting in four foreign teams competing against 12 continental and domestic club teams in the eightstage competition dubbed the “Great Revival.”

Ne ws about the Tour of Luzon spread in Thailand in February during the 2025 Asian Cycling Confederation Road Championships and, as they say, the rest was history.

We’re not even on the international calendar of the UCI [International Cycling Union] yet, but enthusiasm and interest about the Tour of Luzon are as feverish as they are here at home,” said Patrick “Pató” Gregorio, president of DuckWorld PH, organizer of the Tour of Luzon presented by the MVP Group’s Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation led by its Chief Regulatory Officer Arrey Perez. Joining the fray in the Tour of Luzon that flags off on Thursday (April 24) in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, are the CCN Factory HK from Hong Kong, Malaysia Pro Cycling, Bryton Racing Team from

4 foreign teams pose big challenge in Tour

Taiwan and Gapyeong Cycling Team from South Korea.

They are just four of several foreign teams which asked to be invited to the Tour,” Perez said. “For the Tour to be just revived, its proof that the label, the race itself, indeed makes it a national treasure.”

A ll four foreign squads will be up against their fellow Philippine UCI continental teams 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, Standard Insurance Philippines, Go For Gold Philippines and Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team in the race sanctioned by the PhilCycling, headed by Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

But tough challenges are also expected from Philippines National Under-23-Tom N Toms Coffee and active club teams Excellent Noodles,

DReyna Orion Cement, Dandez T-Prime Cycling Team, Exodus Army, MPT Drive Hub Cycling Team, 1 Team Visayas, One Cycling Mindanao and Team Pangasinan.

The Philippines was in the UCI calendar for 10 years through the Le Tour de Filipinas, a legacy of the late Air21 founder and chairman Alberto “Bert” Lina, the country’s cycling godfather.

A fter the kick off Paoay-Paoay Stage 1, Stage 2 will be a Paoay-Vigan team time trial race, followed by the ViganSan Juan Stage 3, Agoo-Clark Stage 4, Clark-Clark (via New Clark City) Stage 5, Clark-Lingayen Stage 6, LabradorLingayen individual time trial Stage 7 and finally the queen Stage 8 from Lingayen to the Scout Hill finish inside Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

A cool P1 million awaits the champion team while the individual

champion gets P500,000 in the Tour of Luzon which forged partnerships with the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (Official Medical Partner), GO21 (Official Logistics Partner), Dong Feng Motors (Official Vehicle Partner), Victory Liner, Digital Out of Home (DOOH), Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI), Unilab, Huawei, Toyota, MVP Group/We Are Sports and Pilipinas Live.

A total of 119 riders representing 17 teams are seeing action in the race which offers a P1-million cash prize and a year’s possession of the Tour of Luzon perpetual trophy for the team champion and P500,000 and a uniquely-crafted trophy for the general individual classification winner.

A h ighlight supporting event of the Tour of Luzon is the Executive Race in Clark on April 27.

San Sebastian adds ceiling by acquiring tall Gomez de Liano brothers

SAN SEBASTIAN College-Recoletos secured the commitment of the Gomez de Liano (GDL) brothers—Jordi and Jaime—on Tuesday.

T he addition of the GDL brothers bode well with San Sebastian’s planned massive buildup as they intend make a good run in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101. The Stags’ team management, headed by Jax and Eds Chua and Bernard Yang and coach Rob Labagala, thanked the GDL family for entrusting the two promising players under a three-year program.

The GDL brothers—both standing 6-foot-5—are expected to provide the Stags the needed ceiling in order to contend against reigning champion Mapua, San Beda, Letran, University

Tof Perpetual and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

The team is slowly shaping up,” Yang said. San Sebastian earlier recruited talented guard Jevy Ponce Hinoguin.

“ We’re wooing one or two more future stars of the team,” said Yang, a former manager of Hapee Toothpaste in the defunct Philippine Basketball League.

Th is marks the second time the GDL siblings would be playing for one team after older brothers Juan and Javi suited up for University of the Philippines in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines years ago.

Having played for University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo, Jordi, 22, will have to sit out a year’s residency, while Jaime, 18, is already eligible to play after completing his high school years at University of the Philippines Integrated School.

HE Pasay Voyagers revved up in the fourth quarter and battered the Para ñ aque Patriots, 76-62, Tuesday night in the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Baskletball League 2025 Season at the Olivarez College Gymnasium in Para ñ aque City.

M arc Daniel Sangco and Jasper Salenga combined for a 13-3 run opening the fourth quarter which propelled the Voyagers to a 67-54 spread—the Patriots could not recove after that.

H ighlighted by back-to-back triples by Salenga and another triple

by Sangco, that scoring spurt pushed Pasay’s record to 6-2 won-lost in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament. The Voyagers trailed the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (7-0), San Juan Knights (5-0), Muntinlupa Cagers (4-0), Abra Weavers (6-1), Quezon Huskers (6-1), Pampanga Giant Lanterns (5-1) and the Pangasinan Heatwaves in the race for playoff spots.

Warren Bonifacio posted 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists to clinch best player honors for the Voyagers, who also drew 11 points and five assists from Laurenz Victoria and

nine points each from Salenga and Felipe Chavez. T he Patriots, who led 46-41 midway the third period, absorbed their third straight defeat, despite Jayboy Soliss 12 points and five rebounds, Allen Bernard Papa’s 11 points and James Managahas’ 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Q uezon Province gave Pasig City a reality check with a wire-to-wire 75-56 victory in the opener. Powered by JP Sarao, Judel Fuentes, LJ Gonzales and Joseph Gabayni, the Huskers led by as many as 65-40 before cruising to victory.

JAIME and Jordi Gomez de Liano (holding jerseys Nos. 15 and 6) pose with San Sebastian College’s management and coaching staff.

SAVANNAH DAVISON, Majoy Baron and their teammates skip the Lenten break to focus on international debut.

Are we prepared for ‘The Big One’?

THE recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand has sent shockwaves throughout the Philippines, reigniting concerns about the country’s preparedness for a major killer earthquake, known as “The Big One.” As experts and government officials scramble to address the issue, one thing is clear: the proliferation of substandard steel bars in the country is a ticking time bomb waiting to unleash its fury on an unsuspecting public. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Ready for the Big One? Not with substandard steel around,” April 13, 2025).

The revelation that substandard steel bars, produced by facilities using induction furnaces (IF), are still widely available in the market is a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to disasters. These steel bars, deemed hazardous by experts, are being used in the construction of buildings and infrastructure, putting countless lives at risk. The fact that Thailand, which has also faced severe earthquakes, has banned IF-produced steel bars and shut down related plants, highlights the Philippines’ lack of progress in public safety measures.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) 2019 white paper on substandard steel bars seemed to promise a crackdown on these hazardous products. However, it appears that little has been done to address the issue, with IF-produced steel bars continuing to flood the market. The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) has reported that induction furnace steelmaking capacity has increased from less than 150,000 MT per year in 2017 to around 3 million MT today, a staggering growth that only serves to exacerbate the problem.

The question on everyone’s mind is: are we prepared for “The Big One”? Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno of the Office of Civil Defense candidly admitted that the country still has a lot to catch up on. The OCD’s three levels of preparation for “The Big One”—engineering solutions, reaction, and preparedness—are only as strong as the weakest link. In this case, the proliferation of substandard steel bars is a glaring weakness that needs to be addressed immediately.

The government must take a strong stance against the use of substandard steel bars. A total ban on these hazardous products is long overdue. The DTI, in particular, must take a more proactive role in enforcing standards and monitoring the market for non-compliant products. Local government units (LGUs) must also be empowered to take decisive action against sellers of substandard steel bars, as Baguio City’s swift action in 2019 demonstrated.

As the country prepares for “The Big One,” we must not underestimate the importance of structural integrity. Our buildings, bridges, and infrastructure must be designed and constructed to withstand major earthquakes. The use of substandard steel bars is a recipe for disaster, and it is our collective responsibility to demand better.

The recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand serve as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness. Let us not wait for a disaster to strike before we take action. It is time for the government, industry experts, and the public to come together to demand accountability and to push for a safer, more resilient Philippines. The question has shifted from “if” to “when” “The Big One” will occur. The remaining question is: will we be ready?

BusinessMirror

Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

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Tariffs, globalization: Who really wins?

AOUTSIDE THE BOX

MID the millions of words about the global turmoil over Trump’s tariffs, few if any are asking the deep dive questions. A visitor from another planet might reduce the arguments down to this. “Orange Man Bad because Tariffs are Bad.” Or maybe “Tariffs are Bad because Orange Man Bad.”

While commentators are confident that tariffs—taxes/duties collected by governments on imported or exported goods—are responsible for the rise in sexually transmitted diseases and the Great Depression/ World War 2, there might be a superior historical perspective.

Around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia, city-states like Sumer imposed taxes on goods entering or leaving their territories. These levies targeted trade items like grain, livestock, and textiles, serving as a revenue source for rulers and to regulate trade. Notice the two key words: revenue and regulation. Sumer’s coffers swelled funding temples and power.

And of course, China is also to blame. On the Silk Road (circa 200 BCE), empires like Han China and Parthia (the greater Iran region) taxed caravans going both ways between China, India, and the Mediterranean. China used the revenue to fund its

What

Imilitary and extravagant courts. Parthian tariffs regulated trade flow, balancing economic gain with political influence over neighbors. You might think the idea of “globalization” is an economic term to describe “the exchange of goods and services across borders.” Wrong. Globalization is the “exchange of ideas and values across borders, cultural blending, and challenges like inequality”. Jesus of Nazareth might have said it best. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation that free trade in goods and services is a win-win situation.” A bad translation or a globalist’s wishful thinking? Some preach free trade as salvation. Globalization means “The compression of the world and the intensification of consciousness of the world as a whole,” says Roland Robertson, sociologist and globalization theorist. Of course, he was a sociologist not an economist who supposedly

first used the term. He dreamed of shared songs, not balanced books. All empires have loved globalization. Globalization in the ancient Roman Empire functioned through a vast network of trade and cultural exchange that connected Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Wine from Gaul, grain from Egypt, silk from China, and spices from India moved through Rome’s Trajan’s Market.

Its vast network of trading partners embraced the early version of the World Trade Organization, then known as Roman law. Rome’s Globalization created a semi-uniform culture with ancient McDonald’s in every city.

The British Empire probably did the “Interconnected Global Supply Chain” best. The British East India Company initially exported Indian cotton textiles to Europe. But by the late 18th century, Britain’s factorymade textile industry flooded India with cheaper cotton goods. High British tariffs on Indian textiles forced cultivation of cotton for export as Indian looms went silent. India became a supplier of raw cotton and then a market for British manufactured textiles. Globalization. And if India even thought of “reciprocal tariffs” on British textiles, it would have caused a disruption to global trade and pain because “tariffs are taxes on consumers.”

It is not that globalization is necessarily bad. We have seen the benefits of technology transfer such as mobile enabling access to education,

healthcare, banking, and markets. The global popularity of K-pop or Indian cuisine promotes cross-cultural understanding and creates economic opportunities for local artists and producers. But global stages still bow to the same corporate script. Multinational corporations exploit cheap labor in developing countries. Garment factories in Bangladesh pay low wages and maintain poor working conditions to supply global brands, prioritizing profit over worker welfare. Global demand for resources has driven deforestation and pollution. The palm oil industry in Indonesia, fueled by international markets, is an example. Global supply chains can drive economic growth in developing countries, as seen in China’s rise as a manufacturing hub. Yet, wealth eventually concentrates in richer nations, while developing countries often get low-value roles as in colonial India. Even today, Apple’s supply chain relies on Chinese factories for assembly, but most profits stay with Apple in the US. And at the last of the “millions of words” is always, with globalization “Consumers benefit from lower prices.” Few ever ask, “Which consumers?” and “At what cost?” Ask the fisherman whose nets are empty as global commercial trawlers feast.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

to do with the impending US tariff on the Philippines?

the rationale for the US blanket reciprocal tariff on its trade partners?

N international trade, the first-best option is always free trade, when authorities allow goods and services to flow free of any government restriction and distortion so that consumers benefit by choosing what they think is the best combination of quality, quantity, and price of products. In real life, however, absolute free trade rarely happens. For example, the United States subsidizes its US Department of Agriculture producers. This makes their products cheaper outside of the US and distorts Filipinos’ choice between US and Philippine produce.

As another anecdote, I buy books from the US and pay the Philippines a tariff of 70 percent. I also buy medicines from the US, but there is no tariff. The Philippines usually imposes 34 percent tariffs on US-manufactured goods. 34 percent divided by two is 17 percent, which is the tariff the US will impose on imports from the Philippines. Now, what is the second-best op -

tion? In 1956, economists Richard Lipsey and Kelvin Lancaster introduced The Theory of the Second Best. Applied to current events, if the US does not get the first-best option because the Philippines imposes some restrictions or distortions, the second-best option for the US is not necessarily to unilaterally free up its market, but to impose its own restrictions or distortions. So, could this be

It seems to be so, based on an initial examination of trade data. For example, in 2024, the Philippines exported to the US about $12 billion and imported from the same about $8 billion. So, the US had a trade deficit with the Philippines worth $4 billion. Just in electronics products, the Philippines exported to the US $6.5 billion and imported from the same $2.5 billion—making it appear that the US electronics industry is losing $4 billion from Philippine electronics.

The Theory of the Second Best applies vice versa. If the Philippines does not get the first-best option because the US imposes a reciprocal tariff, the second-best option for the Philippines is not necessarily to unilaterally free up its market, but to impose additional restrictions or distortions.

Now come the complications. Imposing additional restrictions or distortions is retaliatory and can create a cycle of escalation—a trade war. This is as if the Philippines will engage in “historical malcontent,” a term borrowed from Anthony Hayes

and Sandeep Kapur in the Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization (2009). It means the Philippines will retaliate just to hurt the US, even if doing so has no benefit for the Philippines. For example, the Philippines will not benefit from imposing tariffs on the second-biggest import from the US worth $1.3 billion, which is “feeding stuff for animals,” which includes pet food, which the Philippines hardly produces anyway. More so, rephrasing what Mao Zedong used to tell Ho Chi Min, when a big rock and a small rock continuously spark, eventually, the small rock will disappear. Hence, the solution for the Philippines is not escalation. What should the Philippines do? First, the Philippines must try to achieve the first-best option, which is free trade. There will be winners and losers, but the absolute win will exceed the absolute loss. However, the Philippines should not be too naive to expect that the first-best option is possible. For example, it is unrealistic to expect that the US will remove its USDA subsidies for political reasons.

See “Eagle Watch,” A13

John Mangun

WATCH Dr. Luis F. Dumlao

The Last Temptation of Christ and academic freedom

HKuwentong Peyups

OLY week is the best time to revisit some biblical stories that have been adapted to screen, which are not just about God, but stories that depict faith, hope, humanity, and family.

Some of the popular Lenten films include The Ten Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) and The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Notably absent in the list is “The Last Temptation of Christ,” which is a 1988 epic religious drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader.

The film, starring Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Andre Gregory, Harry Dean Stanton and David Bowie, was shot entirely in Morocco.

It is an adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis’ controversial novel of the same title, first published in its original Greek in 1955 before being translated into English in 1960.

The novel depicts the life of Jesus and his struggles with various forms of temptation, including fear, doubt, depression, reluctance, and lust.

This literary rendering of the life of Jesus Christ has courted controversy since its publication by depicting a Christ far more human than the one seen in the Bible.

He is a figure who is gloriously divine but earthy and human, a man like any other—subject to fear, doubt, and pain.

Kazantzakis was excommunicated by the Greek Orthodox Church and denied burial in Greece in 1957. Because of the film’s departures from the gospel narratives—and especially a brief scene wherein Jesus and Mary Magdalene consummate their marriage—several Christian groups organized widespread protests, petitions and boycotts of the film prior to and upon its release as they considered the film “blasphemous, obscene and defamatory.”

Mother Angelica, the Catholic nun founder of Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), described the film as “the most blasphemous ridicule of the Eucharist that’s ever been perpetrated in this world” and “a holocaust movie that has the power to destroy souls eternally.”

Mother Angelica added  that anyone who goes to watch the “sacrilegious” film will be committing “a deliberate act of blasphemy” and thereby choosing “between heaven and hell.”

The film opened on August 12, 1988 with an estimated worldwide gross sales of $33.8 million.

In some countries, including Greece, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, the film was banned or censored for several years. As of February 2024, the film continued to be banned in the Philippines and Singapore.

Despite the ban, I was able to watch the film through guerilla pocket screenings at the University of the Philippines in Diliman during my college days.

The screenings pushed through as UP invoked the constitutional

Despite the ban, I was able to watch the film through guerilla pocket screenings at the University of the Philippines in Diliman during my college days.

principle of academic freedom and freedom of expression. UP as an educational institution enjoys academic freedom—a guarantee that enjoys protection from the Constitution, specifically Article XIV Section 5(2).

In Son v. UST (GR 211273, April 18, 2018), the Supreme Court stressed that academic freedom includes the right of the school or college to decide for itself, its aims and objectives, and how best to attain them free from outside coercion or interference save possibly when the overriding public welfare calls for some restraint.

The Court added that the Constitution allows merely the State’s regulation and supervision of educational institutions, and not the deprivation of their rights.

The essential freedoms subsumed in the term ‘academic freedom’ encompasses the freedom to determine for itself on academic grounds: (1) who may teach, (2) what may be taught, (3) how it shall be taught, and (4) who may be admitted to study.

In Pimentel v. Legal Education Board (GR 230642. November 09, 2021), my UP Law professor and SC Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said that “Educational institutions play an important role in a democracy: They are spaces meant for the creation and flourishing of diverse ideas that improve society and enrich public debate. The academe and the space it requires are protected by the constitutional canon called academic freedom. This freedom assures an intellectual debate that is vigorous in its inquiry into the truth, unobstructed by fear of any governmental intervention, be it coercive or suggestive.” Leonen added that “academic freedom cannot be divorced from the freedoms of thought, speech, expression, and the press. The level of protection accorded to freedom of expression must extend to academic freedom.”

Through the Freedom of Expression provision, intellectual discourse, debate, and dissent are allowed as the right of professors and students to express their thoughts and opinions, both within the academic community and in public, which is fundamental to academic freedom.

Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is the junior partner who heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call  0908866578

Second, in communicating with the US, the Philippines must articulate that the trade between the two is more complementing than competing. In the case of cars, when the US trades with Europe, the competition is US-made car versus European-made car. In the case of electronic products, when the Philippines trades with the US, the Philippines usually exports unfinished parts, which the US manufactures as finished products and exports to the rest of the world, including the Philippines. The same goes with the second-biggest Philippine export to the US worth $800 million, which is “ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships.”

Marking time, sadness and darkness

IANNOTATIONS

N 1962, a young man of 23 was lowered into a dark pit. His name was Michael Siffre. There, in that cave, he stayed for some two months in total darkness. His purpose was to conduct an experiment about time.

Siffre’s methodology was simple: he removed his wristwatch as he was lowered into that hole in the ground, 130 meters below the surface in the abyss of Saracasson, a mountain in the Ligurian Alps.

Siffre’s curiosity revolved around how the absence or lack of light would affect his perception during the 63 days he was confined beneath the ground. As there was nothing to mark the passing of day—or the transition of time—Siffre described his response to the darkness around him as being intuitive, meaning he relied on his own instinct.

How would man respond to a condition where there is no information about time around him? What happens when there are no indices for the passing of moments—no clocks or sunshine to point to him about time? His realization: our bodies are fitted with their own clocks, not presently identified as “chronobiology.”

In some reports, it was indicated how Siffre placed a team of observers outside of the cave; in other documentation, it is articulated how he did not know that all throughout his ordeal (at some point, he felt lost and disoriented), a team of observers was looking down at him, perhaps ready to whisk him off, or save him from perdition.

The questions, however, did not end after Siffre was lifted out of that cave. There were other more serious questions, queries that were more philosophical, existential: Is Time

real or merely a construct? Is time measurable, manipulable?

This week, the Holy Week, is one site to question about time, the mythological time.

By Wednesday, when the processions have begun, time, as the previous generation would put it, is at a standstill. Outside of time is also space. There is what the great theoretician of time and space, Mircea Eliade, espouses: the notion of time as being part of the performative, as it happens in a space.

The potency of the Good Friday, for example, ceases to be liminal but rather is a production of another time and another space. We realize that in the observance of, let’s say, the JudaeoChristian representations of time and space, we generate new conceptualizations of the passage of time, the magical moments when the Messiah had uttered the Seven Last Words.

once more. We regenerate the mountain of Golgotha. This is a powerful recreation, as we set up a new idea of Time that is suspended between and betwixt, darkness and light, hoping to fulfill a rebounding violent act.

Siffre had to go down in that cave, to be physical about the witnessing of the power of darkness. We Christians had the ritual cave where, outside, if we are to follow the strictest ceremonials, we leave our watches and other indices of Time. There is only the confessional geography of shrines, churches, altars, votive candles, statuaries—spaces that will turn time into generous offering of salvation, consolation, and even guilt. Where Siffre had discovered

Up there on the Altar, we repeat the Seven Last Words as if we are simulating the death of the Savior

chronobiology, the Lenten season offers the believers more than the thinking of time but also the doing of Time, or acting upon one’s

idea of Time. In our religion, we are offered the graces to seize not merely the day but also the gift of time. Within the boon of Time offering itself for rethinking are the possibilities that out there, we can seize perhaps the majesty of Time as an amulet or charm. And so we walk on our knees in the dark until we reach the Shrine to the Santo Entierro or the Interred Christ, catch the moment when God is dead, for there might be the possibility of power being set loose in the ether. Eliade offered us the axis mundi —the cosmic axis, the pillar of the world—where the sacred and the profane are interconnected. Here another idea about time is born, darkness is created and re-created if only to emphasize the rebirth and counter-production of the light. In the small town of Gainza, in Camarines Sur, not one but three Dead Christ are enshrined. Lovingly addressed as Tolong Hinulid (literally, “Three Who were Laid to Rest”). The site and the icons have been co-opted already by the Catholic Church. Look again: the theology of the Three Dead Saviours is nowhere found in the teachings of the Catholic Church. The closest iteration of this belief system is the Trinity—Tres Persona Solo Dios as the nativistic movement on Mt. Banahaw can attest. Is this an abomination or a redemption of what the Bikolanos would like to propose—a subversion of time and space, a marking of darkness and sadness in the age of decolonization? Or Time turning in his grave?

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Marjorie Barretto: Choose a partner wisely

MARJORIE BARRETTO, in an interview with Ogie Diaz, aired on April 11, 2025, offered this advice to her children and all single women: “Choose someone who is treating you well because he will be the father of your children.”

Eighteen years since Barretto separated from her ex-husband, comedian Dennis Padilla, news about them hogged the headlines once again following the wedding of one of their children, Claudia Barretto, which both parties attended. While the private wedding was uneventful, the shitshow came after the father ranted on social media about being insulted and marginalized for not walking the bride down the aisle. It didn’t end there, as Padilla used the platform of an entertainment vlogger to diss his children because he didn’t get a starring role he thought he was entitled to during

Third, the Philippines must negotiate as partners, not adversaries. It must not engage in twisted truths. For example, in reaction to the US imposition of tariffs on Canada, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated, “Canada is the biggest trading partner to the US. It buys more from American businesses than the UK, France, China, and Japan combined.” It is true, but reciprocity is not just about the amount

the wedding.

In an interview with Ogie Diaz, aired a few days after the wedding, Padilla detailed his resentments toward his children, saying he had surrendered and was done with them. He was upset that not one of his children posted a picture of him on their social media accounts from the wedding as if that was the definition of his relationship with them. And that is the problem with the bride’s father—it’s all for show. While he was an absentee father during Claudia’s upbringing, he felt entitled to walk his daughter down the aisle and have that photo opportunity be-

that Canada buys relative to others. It is also about the amount Canada sells to the US. Mysteriously, Minister Joly does not explicitly state that the 2024 US trade deficit with Canada was $45 billion. Unfortunately, the US does not offer the right counter argument and does not credit Canada for exporting to the US much-needed heat and energy for the northern states.

Fourth, in a worst-case scenario,

cause that was his sole understanding of fatherhood.

Denied the chance to “play father” in the wedding deeply upset him, leaving him nothing to show or brag about to his fellow celebrities and social media followers. Sadly, that is his limited concept of fatherhood.

Marjorie Barretto, like a fierce lioness protecting her cubs, also went on an interview with Ogie Diaz in defense of her children after the Padilla interview. She refuted his claims of mistreatment during the wedding. She described him as an absentee father who has provided neither emotional nor financial support to their children since their separation in 2007. She also revealed the distress his constant media outbursts and absence had caused their children.

Despite this history, their daughter Claudia extended the respect of inviting him to her wedding—an invitation Padilla deemed insufficient, as he seemingly wanted a more Instagram-worthy role.

Instead of being happy for Claudia and her husband, Padilla had to make it about himself, describing how he was bawling over in the church for being a guest and not walking Claudia down the aisle.

Throughout the interview, not once did the bride’s father offer any well wishes to Claudia and her husband. He was so busy playing the victim and the aggrieved party at the wedding that he almost succeeded

the Philippines can only reason so much, and the US, as a sovereign country, can still unilaterally impose the blanket reciprocal tariff. This is risky, but risk often comes with opportunity. The US pending tariff on Philippine exports is 17 percent, which is still less than those of Vietnam with 46 percent, Thailand with 36 percent, Indonesia with 32 percent, and Malaysia with 24 percent. The country to which

in stealing the couple’s joy on this occasion.

To top it all off, his personal grievances were seemingly contrived, lacking flair, suggesting emotional blackmail. These are Padilla’s signature moves in his attempts to garner sympathy at the expense of his children.

It must have been upsetting for Claudia to read about her father’s misgivings about the wedding arrangements, but she kept her grace nonetheless, choosing not to respond to his online rants. While she and her siblings were made to appear cruel and ungrateful in Padilla’s interview, they remained silent. If that is not finesse, I don’t know what is. These events underscore the wisdom of Marjorie’s advice to her children and singletons about choosing a life partner—love is not enough. Shared visions, common interests, sexual compatibility, financial stability, and similar senses of humor are also not enough. Ultimately, you should consider that your partner will become the parent of your children.

What values will your future children learn from your partner? Can they provide love and security? Will they prioritize your children above all else?

When Padilla ended his interview by saying, “I am done with them,” I sighed with relief because they were not losing a father but a basher.

the US has the biggest trade deficit is China, and the likely reciprocal tariff is over 100 percent. It is, therefore, up to the Philippines to position and to market itself as an alternative hub of production given the smaller tariff on it.

Dennis Gorecho

Tito Genova Valiente

Thursday-Friday, April 17-18, 2025

PPP pipeline as of April lists 186 projects worth ₧2.6T

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio

THEnational government’s pipeline of public-private partnership (PPP) projects now includes 186 entries, based on the latest data from the PPP Center.

As of April 11, this total covers 14 new additions and one delisted project. Altogether, the projects are estimated to cost P2.6 trillion, a jump from 176 projects in March— a number that remained unchanged since February.

The Upgrade, Expansion, Operations and Maintenance of the Kalibo International Airport was the only project

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio

ECONOMIC growth in Asia and the Pacific is ex -

pected to ease to 4.5 percent in 2025 and 4.4 percent in 2026, according to the latest United Nations outlook.

In its 2025 Economic and Social Survey, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) said global headwinds are weighing on the region, especially slowing demand from developed economies.

“Merchandise exports are likely to be constrained due to weaker demand in major developed economies,” the report stated.

This spells concern for the Philippines, where electronics, particularly semiconductors, remain top export earners, bringing in $2.79 billion from January to November 2024, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data.

Escap also noted that public debt is limiting governments’ ability to spend more. In the Philippines, where debt hit P16.051 by the end of 2024, according to the Bureau of the Treasury, interest payments are crowding out other spending priorities.

“Room for fiscal support, if needed, has also shrunk as public debt interest payments are taking away an increasing share of public revenues,” it noted.

What could go wrong?

ESCAP flagged major risks that could derail the region’s growth outlook, including the rise in global trade restrictions.

“The extent of global traderestrictive measures, which reached a new spike in 2024, are likely to intensify further amid tariff hikes in the United States of America and retaliation measures of other economies,” it said.

The UN organization said this could hurt export-driven economies like the Philippines, which continues to rely on overseas markets for electronics, semiconductors, and agricultural goods.

On April 2, the United States

removed from the list. It was an unsolicited proposal from the Department of Transportation worth P3.62 billion.

According to the PPP Center, projects can be delisted if negotiations fall through, especially for unsolicited ones.

“The change in the number of projects in the pipeline is due to the addition of unsolicited proposals endorsed by the

PPP Center to Implementing Agencies [IA] for their decision to proceed with detailed evaluation, rejection of the same projects included in the List of PPP projects submitted by IAs to the PPP Center, and project updates received through PPP Center engagement with various IAs,” the PPP said in a report shared to reporters.

Of the 14 new entries, three were national projects while 11 were local. Around 10 were under conceptualization, while four were under evaluation.

Topping the list of new projects is the Iloilo Global City, a local unsolicited proposal worth P18.27 billion. It is currently under evaluation by the City Government of Iloilo and was privately proposed by the Iloilo Global City Corporation. Also in the pipeline were

three national-level proposals—the Subic International Airport Project (P5.31 billion), the Philippine Coast Guard Maritime Modernization Program (P4.30 billion) and the Last Mile Schools Green Energy and Connectivity Project (P3.97 billion).

All three were unsolicited proposals under evaluation by their respective implementing agencies: the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, two previously listed projects—the Bacolod Super City Project (P2.1 billion) and the USWAG Condominium Complex Project (P2.54 billion)—have been moved to the PPP Center’s database of projects under implementation following their award.

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Papal Nuncio to the Philippines has highlighted that Holy Week is not just a time of observance but a moment with the potential to bring real spiritual transformation.

In an interview with Radio Veritas, Archbishop Charles Brown—the Apostolic Nuncio, in effect the Vatican ambassador to the Philippines—said the liturgical activities of Holy Week offer graces that can leave a lasting impact on those who take part with sincerity.

“I encourage all listeners, the people of God to really participate in Holy Week in a very sincere way; I know God has graces to give you; if you participate in a sincere and enthusiastic way on the liturgies you will emerged changed,” Brown said.

According to the Archbishop, participating in the Sacred Triduum or major rites of the week—from the Chrism Mass and the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday to the Good Friday commemora-

tion of Christ’s Passion and the Easter Vigil—can be a source of interior renewal.

He said the Holy Week liturgies are more than symbolic acts, describing them as “moments of encounter” that invite reflection on one’s faith and spiritual state.

“It’s really important to participate and to understand what we are doing because this is the moment in which we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord,” Brown added.

On Maundy Thursday, the blessing of oils during the Chrism Mass will be done, followed by the ritual washing of feet during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper—where 12 individuals representing various sectors of society take part. The liturgies will continue through Good Friday with the Seven Last Words and the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 p.m., culminating in the Easter Vigil on Black Saturday evening, which includes the blessing of fire, baptismal renewal, and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

initially proposed a 17-percent tariff on Philippine goods as part of a broader reciprocal tariff policy.

However, on April 9, US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause, reducing the tariff to a temporary 10-percent baseline on imports from most countries, including the Philippines.

Inflation and interest rates were also a concern, with Escap stating, “The inflationary impacts of these shifts in trade policies as well as rising economic uncertainty could keep global interest rates at a high level for a longer-than-expected period.”

Also, with China accounting for 46 percent of regional output, its economic swings matter.

“Within the region, the pace and magnitude of additional fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to support the Chinese economy…can lead to both upside and downside surprises, with notable implications for trade and investments in other regional peers,” Escap said.

China also remained the Philippines’s top trading partner and biggest import supplier, sending $2.46 billion worth of goods in February 2025, or 26.1 percent of total imports.

Focus on productivity TO ensure long-term growth, governments were urged to invest in productivity, innovation, and sectoral upgrading.

Per Escap, the region is facing two big hurdles in slower income catch-up with wealthier countries, and being stuck in low-value production. It added that climbing the global value chain is now tougher amid protectionism and tighter tech competition.

“Asia-Pacific countries should prioritize productivity enhancement and sectoral upgrading,” the report stressed, mentioning better education and training, technology adoption, and more efficient resource use as potential solutions.

Escap also backed industrial policies, but only if guided by clear goals, timelines, and accountability.

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

AMOBILE shopping application called “nate” claims that its platform is powered by artificial intelligence technology that can intelligently and autonomously complete orders across websites. Since 2019, its founder/ CEO was able to solicit more than US$42 million from investors.

On April 10, the United States Attorney’s Office in Southern New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation charged nate’s founder and former CEO, Albert Saniger, of making false claims about his company’s AI technology.

The FBI found out that there was no generative AI behind nate’s app. All these checkout processes were actually all done by humans, mostly by Filipinos.

The 35-year-old former CEO of start-up Nate, Inc. is from Barcelona, Spain, and a resident of Manhattan in New York, NY. He faces one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud. Each count carries a maximum of 20 years in prison terms.

“Saniger used hundred of contractors, or

‘purchasing assistants,’ in a call center located in the Philippines to manually complete purchases occurring over the nate app,” the US Attorney’s Office in Southern District of New York wrote in its press release.

Aside from workers from the Philippines, the back-end support also came from workers from Romania and at times, by bots, the charge sheet signed by acting US Attorney Michael Podolsky reads.

“When

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

DoubleDragon to buy 35% stake of Injap in MerryMart

By VG Cabuag @villygc

DOUBLEDRAGON Corp. is acquiring the 35-percent stake of Injap Investments Inc. in grocery chain operator MerryMart Consumer Corp. for P1.28 billion.

The 2.65 billion common shares for acquisition were priced at P0.48 apiece, which was based on the 30day volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of MerryMart shares.

MerryMart’s shares surged 25 percent as a result of the announcement and were last traded at P0.60 apiece.

The transaction will be paid 50 percent using Double Dragon shares as payment, also valued us-

ing the past 30-day VWAP of P9.30 per share, and the remaining half in cash, amounting to P637.97 million.

This transaction translates a total equity valuation for MerryMart of approximately P3.65 billion, based on the 30-day VWAP.

As a result of the transaction, DoubleDragon is required to conduct a mandatory tender offer of the shares of MerryMart that it does not own, at the same valuation, subject

to final regulatory approvals.

“The acquisition of MerryMart Consumer Corp. that generates over P7 billion of recurring revenues annually mainly from essential retail (such as grocery and pharmacy) and other consumer related businesses would complement the ecosystem of DoubleDragon Corp.,” the company said.

The acquisition is expected to create “long-term value and synergy” to DoubleDragon, given its various formats in retail and wholesale as well as its pharmacy subsidiaries, which are major pharmacy players in Quezon-Luzon and Zamboanga-Mindanao and its dominant grocery business in Capiz province.

“The acquisition is also in line with the transition of DoubleDragon Corp. into an investment holding company.”

DoubleDragon in April 2021 changed its corporate name from DoubleDragon Properties Corp. to the current one and amended its articles from a real estate company into an investment holding company.

This step is also in line with company’s vision and 2035 goal of reaching P500 billion in revenues.

Last February, the company sold its 7-year retail bond after securing a permit from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The paper carries a fixed coupon rate of 7.77 percent per year.

The pipeline capital-raising issuances at this stage of DoubleDragon’s growth is intended to further increase its cash position and further strengthen its balance sheet in line with the DoubleDragon’s goal of becoming a mature company by this year, the company said.

Metro Retail earnings slide in 2024

ETRO Retail Stores

MGroup Inc. (MRSGI), the retail chain of the Gaisano family, said its income last year fell 1 percent to P609.42 million from the P618.02 million recorded in 2023 mainly on tepid sales.

The company said it had sales of P39.62 billion for 2024, a 3-percent increase compared to P38.27 billion in 2023. The company said this was a result of the contributions from the company’s ongoing expansion efforts and a 5-percent upswing in the food retail business.

“In 2024, MRSGI showed its capability to achieve balanced growth. We expanded our net -

ICTSI unit expands services

THE Croatian unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has expanded its service portfolio with the launch of a shipping line’s new service.

In a statement on Wednesday, ICTSI said the Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) has welcomed Mediterranean Shipping Co.’s (MSC) new HADRIA service, following the maiden call of the MSC Annick this month.

AGT CEO Emmanuel Papagiannakis said the new standalone MSC service strengthens trade connectivity in the North Adriatic, offering a direct weekly link to the Far East via Malta.

This development comes in the wake of the dissolution of the 2M Alliance, a global vessel-sharing agreement previously between MSC and Maersk.

“We expect shippers to embrace the new service, as well as MSC’s global connectivity and continued commitment to Rijeka as a major gateway for the Balkans and Central Europe,” Papagiannakis said. He noted that HADRIA service’s weekly calls are set to enhance AGCT’s growing network and provide regional exporters and importers with more reliable and efficient access to global markets. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Swork and increased net sales while maintaining a focus on operational efficiency,” MRSGI’s President and COO Manuel Alberto said.

Meanwhile, same-store sales grew modestly at 0.5 percent compared to 2023, primarily influenced by the scaling down of low-margin wholesale transactions in 2024.

Blended gross margin was marginally lower at 21.4 percent, compared to 21.6 percent in 2023, mainly due to the company’s strategic decision to unwind aging stock earlier in the year and slightly higher share to business coming from food retail sales.

The company said its continued focus on operational effi -

ciency, the operating expense to sales ratio remained stable at 19 percent through effective cost control measures, including the increased adoption of solar panels in key locations.

In 2024, MRSGI expanded its footprint to a total of 71 stores, opening eight new branches in the provinces of Samar, Negros, and Cebu.

“These new stores demonstrated encouraging sales trends from opening, contributing to (an) almost 6 percent growth in sales from the Visayas region.”

The company also opened a new Metro Distribution Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This threehectare facility is equipped with

high-efficiency storage, modern security systems, and solar panelready infrastructure, providing a strong foundation for future supply chain scalability.

In line with its strategy of format diversification, MRSGI opened Metro Home Improvement and Lifestyle stores in Angeles, Pampanga; Hinigaran, Negros Occidental; and Catbalogan, Samar. This new format expands the company’s offerings in home improvement and essentials, complementing its existing retail formats.

The company recently declared regular cash dividends amounting to P194.54 million, equivalent to P0.06 per share. VG Cabuag

PCC hikes notification thresholds for M&As

TM Prime Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said its office unit is seeing strong uptake for its mall-based offices, as businesses increasingly move towards mixed-use developments.

The company said it is expanding into provincial markets and is seeking locations that provide employees with access to recreational amenities.

As of January, occupancy at 15 of its mall-based offices located across the Philippines stood at 95 percent.

“The flight-to-quality trend is fueling demand for high-quality, well-located corporate spaces, giving SM Offices a competitive edge,” SM Offices head Alexis Ortiga said.

SM Offices operates both standalone office towers near SM malls and mall-based office spaces. Its strategic locations and integration within the SM ecosystem give tenants easy access to public transportation, retail, dining and entertainment options.

“All our regional sites are connected to SM malls and residences, making them highly accessible and attractive to businesses. This strategic advantage drives our commitment to regional expansion,” Ortiga said.

“Since in-person work resumed in 2022, more companies in the

Philippines have prioritized office spaces that offer employee convenience and accessibility. It makes going to the office more efficient and practical.”

SM Prime said another trend boosting its office growth is the increasing interest for provincial facilities, as traditional and BPO companies expand operations outside Metro Manila to access a wider talent pool and cost-efficient locations. The company said it is ramping up its office expansion in Cebu and Bacolod, adding over 85,000 square meters of leasable space this year to meet rising demand from traditional and BPO tenants.

For 2025, SM Offices has earmarked P6 billion to develop new office towers and workspaces, including Six E-Com Center in the Mall of Asia Complex designed for technology-driven industries and BPO firms.

SM Prime announced last March that its net income in 2024 went up by 14 percent year-on-year to P45.6 billion as consolidated revenues climbed 10 percent to an all-time high of P140.4 billion. The residential segment contributed 34 percent of SM Prime’s record revenues. VG Cabuag

CBy Lenie Lectura @llectura

N Green Roof Asia (CNGRA), a leading solar rooftop platform from Vietnam, broke ground on a 22.785-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power project in Hermosa, Bataan.

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

HE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has raised the merger notification thresholds to P8.5 billion for the size of party (SOP) and P3.5 billion for the size of transaction (SOT) starting March 1.

In a statement, the PCC said the new thresholds replaced the previous SOP of P7.8 billion and SOT of P3.2 billion, which were in effect from March 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

It added that notifications filed before March 1, 2025, ongoing mergers and acquisitions (M&As) reviews, and transactions already decided by the commission will not be affected. To date, the agency said it has

received a total of 328 transactions with a combined value of P6.27 trillion.

It said the top five sectors for M&A activity are manufacturing (57), financial and insurance (53), real estate (47), electricity and gas (45), and transportation and storage (32).

In 2024, the PCC reviewed 17 transactions worth P784 billion.

“As the Philippines’s antitrust authority, the PCC reviews M&As to prevent deals that could substantially lessen competition in the relevant market,” the agency said.

“Even if a transaction falls below the notification thresholds, the PCC may still initiate a review motu proprio, or on its own initiative, if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that

the transaction could significantly harm competition or preliminary findings suggest it already has.”

The thresholds for compulsory notification are adjusted annually based on the previous year’s nominal GDP growth.

This latest move to raise the threshold marks the eighth adjustment since the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) was enacted in 2015, when the baseline threshold was set at P1 billion.

Notification is required when both the SOP and SOT thresholds are met. SOP refers to the total value of assets or revenues of the ultimate parent entity of any party to the deal, while SOT refers to the total value of assets or revenues of the acquired entity.

The $15.8-million Solana Solar Bera solar project is being developed by Solana Solar Beta Inc., the special purpose vehicle (SPV) established specifically for the construction and operation of the solar project.

Its commercial operation is targeted by the end of 2025. It is expected to generate 32.8 gigawatt hours of clean energy annually, offsetting around 14,053 tons of carbon emissions.

This will also create over 100 jobs during construction and serve an estimated 29,947 individuals each year.

“The groundbreaking is not just about building a solar facility; it’s about creating long-term value for people, planet, and progress,”

said CNGRA Chief Operating Officer Steve Rawles. “We’re proud to bring our global expertise to the Philippines and help accelerate its clean energy goals.” Representatives from the Bataan Local Government Unit (LGU), including Bataan Governor Joet Garcia and Hermosa Vice Mayor Patrick Rellosa, commended the project’s economic and environmental impact, while officials from the Peninsula Electric Cooperative Inc. emphasized the role of renewable energy in boosting energy security and grid resilience in the region.

CNGRA is a joint venture between Climate Investor One—a blended finance facility managed by Climate Fund Managers—and Norfund, the Norwegian government’s investment fund for developing countries. With strong backing and a mission to scale impactful clean energy projects, CNGRA said it is fast becoming a force in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy landscape.

PHOTO FROM WWW.SMPRIME.COM

PHOTO FROM WWW.PCC.GOV.PH

Holy week: Lessons for association leaders

HOLY Week, the most sacred period in Christianity, commemorates Jesus Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

It is a time of reflection, renewal, and transformation: values that hold deep significance, not only in faith, but also in leadership, particularly for association leaders. By drawing insights from Holy Week, association leaders can cultivate a more purpose-driven and resilient leadership approach.

1. The power of purpose and mission (Palm Sunday).

PALM Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed as a king.

However, His mission was not about earthly power but about fulfilling a greater purpose: bringing salvation to humanity. For association leaders, this serves as a reminder that leadership is about personal prestige as well as about serving a larger mission.

Associations exist to advocate for industries, communities and causes, and leaders must ensure that their organizations remain steadfast in their core purpose.

2. Servant leadership and humility (Maundy Thursday).

MAUNDY Thursday highlights Jesus washing the feet of his disciples: a powerful act of humility and servant leadership. He demonstrated that true leadership is about service, not authority. Association leaders can learn from this by prioritizing the needs of their members and stakeholders. Instead of seeking recognition, they should focus on empowering their teams, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that their association creates real value. By practicing humility and active listening, leaders can build a culture of trust and inclusivity.

3. Sacrifice and commitment (Good Friday).

GOOD Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, is a solemn reminder of sacrifice. Jesus endured suffering for the greater good, embodying the ultimate commitment to his mission.

Association leaders often face challenges, e.g., financial constraints, conflicts, or external pressures, that require them to make difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of their organization. Just as Jesus’s sacrifice brought redemption, association leaders must be willing to make

CBy Sidhartha Shukla Bloomberg

RYPTO exchange OKX is expanding in the US just weeks after agreeing to pay half a billion dollars to settle charges brought by local authorities.

The company said it will launch its centralized trading platform and self-custody Web3 wallet in the US, while appointing of Roshan Robert as its US chief executive, in a Tuesday statement. It has also opened a new US headquarters in San Jose, California,

AGAUGE of the dollar resumed declines following a shortlived reprieve as concerns over an expanding trade war dented demand for US assets. The greenback hit a fresh sixmonth low, falling against every Group-of-10 currency, as new restrictions by the Trump administration on Nvidia Corp.’s chip exports to China added to the risk-off sentiment. It slightly pared losses after

Banking&Finance ADB loan to fund railway linking Malolos and Clark

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

tough choices, whether it is restructuring, investing in longterm projects, or advocating for policies that may not have immediate benefits but serve the greater good.

4. Reflection and renewal (Holy Saturday).

HOLY Saturday represents a period of silence, reflection, and transition before the resurrection.

For associations, this is a reminder of the importance of strategic pauses. Leaders should take time to evaluate their organization’s progress, assess challenges, and plan for the future. In a fast-paced world, reflection is crucial to ensure that associations remain agile and relevant.

Periodic strategic reviews, leadership retreats, and member consultations can help associations realign with their mission and prepare for future growth.

5. Transformation and new beginnings (Easter Sunday).

EASTER Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection, symbolizes hope, renewal, and triumph over adversity.

For association leaders, this is a powerful message: challenges and setbacks are not the end but opportunities for transformation. Whether recovering from economic downturns, rebuilding after crises, or rebranding to stay relevant, associations can emerge stronger through resilience and innovation. Leaders must inspire their members with a vision of renewal, encouraging adaptability and a positive outlook.

The themes of Holy Week–purpose, humility, sacrifice, reflection, and renewal–offer valuable lessons for association leaders.

By embracing servant leadership, staying mission-driven, making courageous decisions, and fostering resilience, they can guide their organizations through challenges and towards meaningful transformation.

Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations.” The PCAAE runs its Certified Professional Association Executive program starting April 23, 2025. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror . E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org.

placing it in the heart of Silicon Valley. In February, OKX pleaded guilty to processing over $1 trillion in transactions by US customers without a license and agreed to pay over $504 million in penalties.

“The US is a key part of OKX’s global growth strategy,” said Hong Fang, global president of OKX.

The US launch follows global growth in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 2017 and based in the Seychelles, OKX offers trading in over 300 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ether through

China said it wants to see a number of steps from the US administration before it agrees to trade talks.

“All this uncertainty and talk of more tariffs is fueling the idea of de-risking from US assets—sell the dollar,” said Rodrigo Catril, senior foreign-exchange strategist at National Australia Bank Ltd. in Sydney. “Euro and Swiss franc are prime candidates of that flow, even as the trade war escalates and global

THE Philippines is set to receive up to $4 billion in loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) this year, with funding focused on transport, health care and food security.

Pavit Ramachandran, ADB country director for the Philippines, said a significant portion of the amount will go to the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, which is slated to receive $1.45 billion in two tranches. The multilateral bank approved the financing on April 16.

Co-financed by the Japan In -

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

AMOVABLE finance market is set to be rolled out in the Philippines to expand credit access for micro-sized, smallscale and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the agricultural sector. In a statement on Wednesday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the International Finance Corp. (IFC) to promote movable asset finance to advance the market.

MOODY’SRatings(Moody’s)

upgraded and affirmed last Tuesday the ratings of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and the Security Bank Corp. (SECB).

In a statement Moody’s said it upgraded PNB’s long-term (LT) foreigncurrency (FC) and local-currency (LC) deposit ratings to Baa2 from Baa3, its short-term (ST) FC and LC deposit ratings to P-2 from P-3, as well as its Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and adjusted BCA to baa3 from ba1.

“We have also upgraded PNB’s FC senior unsecured rating to Baa2 from Baa3 and its FC senior unsecured medium-term note program rating

its centralized exchange. In July 2024, the company said 53 million individual wallets had been created on its separate wallet service, adding that the platform spans 100 different blockchains.

Robert has a background in capital markets and regulatory compliance and will focus on deepening engagement with US regulators, OKX said in the statement. “With the US advancing crypto regulatory clarity, we see tremendous opportunities to deliver secure, compliant digital asset solutions,” Robert said.

growth deteriorates.”

Haven currencies including the Swiss franc and yen rallied earlier alongside the euro while demand for long-volatility exposure surged. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slid as much as 0.6% on Wednesday after rising for the first time in six days on Tuesday.

The greenback gauge has slumped more than 3% so far in April, on track for its steepest monthly decline since

ternational Cooperation Agency, the 53.1-kilometer segment forms part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), a 163-km suburban rail network that will connect Clark, Pampanga to Calamba City, Laguna.

On the other hand, the ADB is also funding the southern segment

As such, the collaboration on establishing a movable finance market will focus on regulatory reform, sector capacity building and supporting services development.

Movable asset financing (MAF) is a lending approach enabling borrowers to obtain loans using movable assets. These include inventories, receivables and equipment. This will also support borrowers, especially those in the MSME and agricultural sectors, who do not have real estate to serve as collateral for their loans.

The partnership between the BSP and IFC, the private sector arm of the

to (P)Baa2 from (P)Baa3.”

Moody’s said it also affirmed PNB’s Baa2/P-2 LT and ST FC and LC Counterparty Risk Ratings as well as its Baa2(cr)/P-2(cr) LT and ST Counterparty Risk Assessment.

“We have also changed the rating outlooks, where applicable, to stable from positive” for PNB, according to Moody’s.

Meanwhile, Moody’s affirmed the Baa2/P-2 long-term (LT) and shortterm (ST) local-currency (LC) and foreign-currency (FC) deposit ratings, the Baa2 FC senior unsecured rating, the Baa2/P-2 LT and ST LC and FC issuer ratings, the Baa2/P-2 LT and ST LC and FC Counterparty

A3-DAY rebound in US Treasuries will be tested on Wednesday as investors await commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as well as key data and a bond auction.

The US 10-year yield was steady at 4.33 percent having erased an earlier decline, as traders grapple with the aftermath of the worst rout in more than two decades. Shorter-dated two-year rates, which are more sensitive to monetary policy, were three

late 2022, amid deepening concerns about a trade war-driven US recession and the dollar’s appeal as a safe haven. “We see the era of strong dollar as having peaked,” Jefferies International chief economist and strategist Mohit Kumar wrote in a note to clients. “US dollar weakness is likely to continue. Our favorite version of a weaker dollar has been long gold as central banks seek to diversify out of US dollar in alternatives.”

of the NSCR system, or the South Commuter Railway Project.

“We call it multi-tranche financing facilities (MFF). We have subsequent tranches coming, so that will be something that we will put up for both,” Ramachandran told reporters last week.

Under the ADB’s MFF approach, a single large-scale project may be divided into multiple components or implemented as a long-term program with phased funding.

In addition, the “Walang Gutom” (no hunger) program will receive $400 million through the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project. “We hope to have [it] approved by the [second quarter] this year. That’s another major investment,” Ramachandran said.

The ADB is also supporting the expansion of health services under

World Bank, will run for two years or until 2027.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said the movable finance market will allow MSMEs and agri-enterprises to use their available assets to access financing for their working capital, as well as for other needs.

“The BSP looks forward to working with [the] IFC to build a dynamic MAF ecosystem,” Remolona said.

BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also said that the collaboration between the central bank and the IFC is in line with the aim of financial inclusion toward inclu-

Risk Ratings, the Baa2(cr)/P-2(cr) LT and ST Counterparty Risk Assessments as well as the baa3 Baseline Credit Assessments (BCA) and Adjusted BCA of Security Bank.

“At the same time, we have affirmed Security Bank’s (P)Baa2 FC senior unsecured medium-term note (MTN) program rating and its (P)P-2 FC other ST rating.”

According to Moody’s, it revised the outlook on Security Bank’s deposit, issuer and senior unsecured ratings to negative from stable mainly because of negative pressure on the bank’s capital buffer.

“The rating action also considers the potentially negative impact of

the “Accelerating Expansion and Sustainability of Health Services for Universal Health Care,” or “Access UHC,” program, which is set to receive $300 million.

“We have continued to work on the Access project with the DOH [Department of Health]; basically rolling out health care facilities in the provinces and LGUs [local government units],” Ramachandran said.

Meanwhile, about $400 million will go to the “Marine Ecosystems for Blue Economy Development” program, which provides policy-based support for marine conservation and sustainable use of resources. According to the ADB, these projects are among the largest in terms of loan value in its 2024 pipeline, although the figures remain estimates and may change during loan preparation.

sive growth and financial resilience under the “National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022 to 2028.” The BSP added that the partnership is meant to complement the law and significantly increase loans secured by movable assets. Despite the Philippines already having the Personal Property Security Act in place, the BSP said there is still a need to promote movable asset financing. In a study conducted by IFC in 2022, finance involving movable assets is still low in the Philippines, remaining under 5 percent.

the bank’s strong loan growth and weakened ability to absorb future losses, under our environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, because it reflects Security Bank’s relatively aggressive financial strategy and risk management, which could negatively impact the bank’s credit profile. At the same time, errors in 2023 and 2024 annual audited financial statements, though corrected subsequently, highlighted weaknesses in the bank’s internal controls relative to peers, potentially raising operational risk. These challenges are reflected in a moderate governance issuer profile score (IPS) of G-3.”

basis points lower at 3.82 percent, paring an earlier drop after China said it was open to US trade talks. US bonds have been whipsawed this month as US President Donald Trump’s move to impose global tariffs raised threats to the economy, undermining Treasuries’ reputation as the world’s safest asset. Investors will be looking to Powell’s speech later Wednesday for clues on the Fed’s ability “to deal with market turmoil,” as well as guidance on interest rates,

according to Hauke Siemssen, a strategist at Commerzbank AG. In addition, US retail sales numbers will offer a gauge of consumer sentiment in March—before the tariffs were announced—while the Treasury will seek a repeat of the healthy demand seen for last week’s bond sales with a $13 billion offering of 20-year debt. That tenor has struggled to find a consistent buyer base since it was relaunched about five years ago. Bloomberg News

In another sign of weakening confidence in traditional safe-haven US assets, Treasuries suffered their worst selloff in more than two decades last week due to worries that foreign holders such as China were reducing ownership. Fund managers are the most bearish on the dollar since 2006, according to a Bank of America survey. That sentiment is now spilling into options markets, where traders are paying a premium—for the first time in five years—to hedge against a weaker greenback over the next 12 months.

One-week risk reversals, a gauge of sentiment, show the same trend as they hover near record bearish levels, while volatility gauges indicate traders aren’t counting on calm anytime soon. Some are positioning for a slow grind lower using leveraged options structures. Bloomberg News

Octavio Peralta

A ssociation World

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

PBBM bullish on stronger linkages with Colombia, Cambodia, Ukraine

PRES. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is optimistic that a new set of envoys would be instrumental in maintaining their nations’ strong relations with the

This, as the Chief Executive received the credentials of ambassadors Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito of the Republic of Colombia, Sin Saream of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv of Ukraine in separate ceremonies at Malacañan Palace on April 8.

“I believe there’s more that we can do, [and that we can explore many other sectors to] strengthen and deepen the relations between our countries,” Marcos Jr. told the Colombian diplomat, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office.

Rojas Garavito said Colombia and the Philippines have a shared aspiration for “lasting peace and development.”

Formal diplomatic relations between the two were established on July 5, 1946. Colombia is home to approximately 100 Filipinos.

The president also hoped to strengthen the Philippines’ bilateral linkages with Cambodia, as he acknowledged the two countries’ strong foundation.

He also welcomed Saream to the Philippines, then said he looks forward to “even stronger relationships between our two countries; to strengthen what is already a very strong union

between [both.]”

The latter assured Marcos Jr. of his commitment to further enhancing cooperation between Manila and Phnom Penh “for the mutual benefit and prosperity” of Filipinos and Cambodians.

Both governments formally established diplomatic ties on August 20, 1957. As of June 2024, there are approximately 7,500 Filipinos in the Asean nation.

For Ukraine’s part, Fediv also expressed her readiness to contribute to developing bilateral relations, particularly on collective efforts that promote “peace, prosperity, and mutual respect across borders.”

The president reaffirmed the Philippines’ unwavering support for all efforts to find just and lasting peace in the Eastern European country: “We hope to continue, [and] we will always support you in your efforts for peace. And we are happy to welcome you here and to be able to have conversations with you as to what else we in the Philippines, though far away, might be able to do to help our quest for peace.”

Diplomatic ties with Ukraine were established on April 7, 1992. Around 24 Filipinos currently reside there. Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA

TO pave the way for progressive international collaborations and global discourse, the 26th Benilde Model United Nations (BenildeMUN) gathered ambassadors, diplomats, educators and studentleaders in a three-day conference which exposed young aspiring envoys to the world of diplomacy through meaningful and substantive debates and negotiations at the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in Manila.

“With the current geopolitical environment, there is no time more critical to get involved than now,” Benilde chancellor Benhur Ong stated. “Even as students, you have the power to question the status quo, inspire change, and develop innovative and inclusive solutions that can shape your future. After all, you are the future leaders, policymakers, and advocates for a better world.”

Themed “Steering and Reinvigorating Transformative Global Coalitions,” Amb. Dato’ Abdul Malik

Melvin Castelino Anthony of Malaysia spearheaded the opening plenary with a discussion of Asean’s pivotal role as an economic powerhouse, while being a major player in regional and international issues.

Castelino also highlighted the aspirations of the intergovernmental organization, such as establishing a vision based on cooperation,

GPA program chairperson Prof. Maricel Fernandez-Carag

inclusivity and consensus, as well as the significance of the Asean-United Nations relations in bringing peace and development across the world.

“One of the reasons…I continue to be a diplomat is [my belief that global] relations and foreign relations are equally important,” the Malaysian envoy said. “Foreign relations is actually something that is acutely important in this current world and age, because it is where we can iron out differences and try to find a common ground.”

For her part, Amb. Marie Fontanel of France spoke about trust as a criterion for collective frameworks to be successful, which can be built through bilateral ties.

Fontanel shared her expertise in the field of multilateral diplomacy and her

experience as a diplomat in the Council of Europe. She worked on relevant issues such as democracy, human rights and rule of law, then emphasized the impact of conveying ideas with words and the extent of accepting compromise in negotiations.

“Multilateral diplomacy is about compromise,” the ambassador elaborated. “It does not exist: a world when someone, just by itself, imposes to another one its vision. We have to balance, share our views, and find a common denominator. It does not matter if in the end, we have made a step.”

The delegates attended various committee sessions and formed working blocs to forge cooperation on crucial international issues through passionate debates, exchange of ideas and draft of resolutions. They joined

Morocco launches commemorative stamps for 5 decades of diplomatic ties with PHL

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

FOR the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Morocco, the latter’s postal office Poste Maroc released a set of commemorative stamps.

Together with the Philippine Postal Corp (PHLPost), two countries formally launched the stamps which showcase the Marrakech-Menara International Airport and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Marrakesh City’s airport is the second-busiest in Morocco. The stamp spotlights the structure’s unique large geodesic dome which is incorporates traditional and modern designs.

Meanwhile, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is the main global gateway in Central Visayas. Its distinct roof design depicting the undulating waves that surround the island of Cebu also flexes the Philippines’ architectural wonder.

Poste Maroc first launched the Moroccan version of the commemorative stamp in Barid Al-Maghrib Museum in Rabat on April 9—a day before the actual anniversary.

The Philippines’ ambassador to Rabat Leslie Baja and Barid Al-Maghrib Group’s managing director Amin Benjelloun Touimi led the launch.

PHLPost will release its version of the commemorative stamp at the end of this month.

In his remarks during the launch

event, Baja said that “50 years is a significant milestone marked by many achievements for two countries with a shared vision for peace and prosperity.” He said that relations between both have significantly increased, especially in the last 10 years, then expressed his belief that the geographical divide between the two countries has been “bridged.”

Given the increasing bilateral contacts between the Philippines and Morocco, the ambassador remarked that the choice of the two airports symbolizes the relations of the two countries having “taken off.”

For his part, Touimi said the commemorative stamps reaffirm “the essential role of philately in bringing people together and preserving collective memory.”

“For half a century, Morocco and the Philippines have shared values of cooperation, mutual respect and openness to the world, and this philatelic issue perfectly reflects this spirit,” he said.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Monera Siriban delivered the message of Philippine postmaster general Luis Carlos during the ceremony.

different councils that represented the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, UN Economic and Social Council, and International Maritime Organization.

At the side event “Converging Tides: Enhancing Global Maritime Sustainability through Innovation,” Vice Chair and Executive Director Robert Borje of the Climate Change Commission discussed the need to address the climate crisis, specifically its effects on human societies and marine ecosystems.

“The ocean is the lifeblood that sustains communities, economies and ecosystems worldwide,” Borje underscored. “For an archipelagic nation like the Philippines, our connection to the sea is deeply intertwined with our identity, economy and survival.”

Asst. Sec. Francisco Noel Fernandez III who is the Foreign Service Institute’s director-general was the guest of honor during the diplomatic banquet.

The largest and pioneering collegiate Model United Nations in the country, BenildeMUN was organized by DLS-CSB’s School of Diplomacy and Governance and was held for the benefit of “The Hapag Movement” which intends to offer sustainable feeding and livelihood training to Filipino families who suffer from involuntary hunger.

ON April 9, Amb. Endo

of Japan attended and delivered a speech at the 83rd Commemoration of the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.

Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, members of the national government and Congress, Gov. Jose Garcia of Bataan, veterans and United States Embassy officials were also at the event.

In his speech, Endo paid tribute to individuals who sacrificed their lives and expressed his deep respect for the veterans who have significantly contributed to the peace and freedom being experienced by the region today. He acknowledged the

importance of the Philippines in the current international situation, then emphasized the deepening cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in various fields such as security and economy. The envoy reiterated Japan’s unwavering commitment as a peaceloving nation, as he reflected on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 this year. He then expressed a firm commitment to further strengthening the unity of Japan and the Philippines, as well as that with the US, for the peace and prosperity of the international community, as next year marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of the two Asian countries’ diplomatic relations.

PHILIPPINE envoy to Morocco Leslie Baja (right) and Barid Al-Maghrib Group’s managing director Amin Benjelloun Touimi lead the launch.

AMB. Kazuya Endo (right) with Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (center) FB: EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE PHILIPPINES

Kazuya

THE stamps depict global gateways of both countries.

THE president welcomes Ukraine’s new envoy to the Philippines Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE (PCO)/PNA

THE Chief Executive (right) and Amb. Edgar Rodrigo Rojas Garavito of Colombia FB: PCO

MARCOS JR. (right) and Amb. Sin Saream of Cambodia FB: PCO

losing a pet can cut deeper than many people realize. Here’s how friends can help

PARis even months later, the pain of losing a pet can still hit without warning. The trigger might be noticing—again, for the umpteenth time—how empty the house feels since your cat died, without the pitter-patter of padded paws. or stumbling across the leash of the dog you lost and remembering how it used to set off tail-wagging glee.

Grieving owners can feel doubly lonesome if the humans in their lives don’t quite know how to help, perhaps because they’ve not had pets themselves or feel awkward around grief. How can owners and their friends cope better with pet bereavement? experts in pet loss offer these ideas:

n Recognize that feeling awful is noRmal. For some grieving owners, pet loss can feel worse than a human death. That doesn’t make them monsters. instead, it reflects the potential depths of human-animal bonds. For some people, a pet is their most important relationship, “the being that they see every single day, that maybe sleeps on their bed, that they cuddle with on the couch,” says e B. Bartels, author of Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter.

“There are people who feel more comfortable with animals than with people,” she adds. “so losing those relationships can be really, really difficult.”

n offeR a sympathetic eaR People who haven’t experienced pet love may struggle to understand what it’s like to lose it. They may think they are being helpful by saying, “it was just an animal,” or “They were lucky to have such a loving owner.” But pat phrases, no matter how well-meaning, can make grieving owners clam up and feel alone.

“You feel like you can’t talk about it because people aren’t really empathizing,” says Annalisa de Carteret, who manages a telephone helpline and other pet-loss support services for Blue Cross, a Uk animal welfare charity.

“Just allow that person to talk about how they’re feeling, and you don’t need to comment,” she says.

Avoid clichés like, “‘oh, you can get another pet’ or ‘He had a good life, he was a good age,’” she says. For the owner, “that doesn’t make you feel any better, because you knew all of those things. You just feel sad and just want someone to listen and to understand.”

n Bonds can Run deep with any kind of animal.

Another tip: Don’t assume that an owner’s grief is commensurate with the size or type of animal they lost, or the length of time they had them.

The death of a pet lizard, for example, can be as painful for some people as losing the cutest of fur balls for others. Bartels suggests that friends can offer practical help: A grieving owner who no longer has a four-legged reason to leave the house might appreciate the offer of a walk with a two-legged companion.

“People can really feel they lose their community,” Bartels says. “in the morning you get up, you bring your dog to the dog park and you get to know the group of people who are there every morning really well. And that’s your social community. And so then if you lose your reason for going... you’ve lost a lot more than just a dog.”

n guilt often compounds pet loss. Up to 30,000 people contact Blue Cross each year for pet-loss support. Many aren’t simply sad but also are fearful that they may somehow have been responsible for their animal’s death or disappearance, de Carteret says.

“Guilt is a really big part of pet loss,” she says.

“They maybe think, ‘oh, if i d done something differently, maybe they’d have stayed alive a little bit longer,’ or if they were stolen: ‘if i didn’t put them in the garden.’ or, ‘what could i have done differently to change the inevitable?’”

For bereaved owners who feel more upset about the loss of a pet than about a family member, that can trigger more guilt, de Carteret adds.

“it’s really normal,” she says. But “it feels wrong to say, doesn’t it? And people don’t want to share that.” ap

Parentlife

‘Repeats, Pauses, Fast-Forwards’

Hard to choose…Harder not to… After nearly five decades, Would you run Would you stride Or simply halt?

IWROTE this during a flight in my recent trip. The image above is the artwork inspired by this poem. I remember having such a long waiting time in one of the airports and saw this odd shape repeated so many times in a wood-carved wall fixture by the baggage claim. It inspired my sketch above. The concentric odd shapes represents all the hard choices I was faced as early as in my preschool years...to stay or leave, to accept truths or fight expectations, and to cling on to ideals or just shut the noise out...and yet I look back and love my childhood for the love I chose to focus on...from people who unexpectedly gave me their unconditional love.

The tassel-like objects that surround the concentric shapes are a combination of the symbols of pauses, fast-forwards and repeats I used to see when I watched videos at home—yes, from Betamax to VHS to laser discs and later on DVDs.

I thought this Holy Week was a good time to reflect on my repeats, pauses and fast-forwards.  With all the busy schedules with our family, our work and social obligations, years truly pass by far quicker by the decade.  I remember dreadfully turning 26 and

now has been more than two decades later. I think it is good to always start facing ourselves in the mirror with gratitude and commitment.

Covid has taken taken a lot of our loved ones.  The fact that we are here is a priceless gift.  And because we were given this gift, let us try this Holy Week to reflect how to mindfully breathe better for ourselves and for those around us.

It is also a good time to acknowledge ourselves for the person we have become.  We are who we are for each decision we made in life. The fruits of each decision vary for each person, not just in the results but mainly because of perspective.  However which way, the most important is we face the truth and do better or love our truths and continue to live fully. This first quarter has been surreal and gratifying for me. It’s like the theme is “truths.”  The truth that many loved ones who have been my pillars have left this earth. The truth that the most important thing in my life will continue to be my “true family.” The truth that what I have stood by since I was maybe 4—relationships and fighting for who I am—has led me four decades of good solid relationships and the stories of adventures I was truly looking to tell my grandkids in the future, and all those who care to live “wholefully”.

Tomorrow is not as scary, because the deep sorrow I felt in this short span of time recently, as well as the lasting memory of Sakopo (Grand Aunt in Fukien), Angkong (Grandfather in Fukien), Manang Eyang (my nanny since birth), seem to be such a formidable force of providence and gravitational pull that now combined with a stronger credence in myself, I take each stride forward with the greatest positivity.

When

How

Who

I toiled not knowing then

When

How Who

The Me I would reach to be

The toiling The weeping The gleeing And the being

When

How

Who I fear not the future to be

AMDG

I was lucky to have been able to accompany my daughter to the 2025 World Cadet & Junior Fencing Championships in Wuxi, China, recently.  As I watched her fight each point, each bout, both individual and team, I am again filled with awe seeing my daughter bolder than ever...how she forces me to simplify things and adapt newer, fresher and physically stronger choices...how I am so grateful for the support of the Philippine Fencing Association and all the Philippine coaches and players. I could definitely see why my daughter always shouts “Laban Pilipinas!” in every tournament and endeavor she is in.

Thank you, God, for always directing me to a light so bright I providentially just need to follow.  I love Your love and your  guidance. All my life I cannot imagine a life so much sweeter, so much more loving and so much more meaningful than the life I am living now.

These remaining days of Holy Week, let’s take a moment to feel all our pains, together with all the gratitude because we are here...living, not halting... moving forward, not hiding...with full trust that life is good and can only get better.

Advanced Happy Easter, everyone! n

where travelers, families would want to stay in the metro

ACG advances global sustainability agenda at tax, investment conference

Public urged to be vigilant vs new modus of scammers

THE public is encouraged to be vigilant against new scams or social engineering tactics involving “Screen Sharing” and “Shoulder Surfing”.

Scammers now have a new modus of deceiving users to activate the “Screen Sharing” feature in their social media messaging apps while they make transactions in online banking or e-wallet apps. This is how the fraudsters get sensitive account information like MPIN and OTP and gain access to their victims’ financial accounts.

Moreover, scammers have also begun employing tactics called “Shoulder Surfing,” wherein they sneak a look at the screen of the mobile phones used by sellers or small business owners when transacting in online banking or e-wallet apps.

To be safe against these schemes and be protected against scammers, we urge

our customers to do the following: Never share your MPIN and OTP Never click links

NEVER show the screen of your mobile phone to anyone, especially when doing online banking or e-wallet transactions

Users can report scams to the relevant authorities, like the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), by calling (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or sending an email to acg@pnp.gov.ph. They can also visit the official GCash Help Center in the app or at help. gcash.com, message Gigi, and type, “I want to report a scam.” The official GCash hotline, 2882, is also available to receive reports and complaints.

Wilcon’s Innovation, Excellence in focus at PHILCONSTRUCT Luzon 2025

WILCON Depot, the Philippines’ leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, once again made its mark at PHILCONSTRUCT Luzon, held from April 3 to 5, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center Clark, Pampanga.

PHILCONSTRUCT Luzon served as a vital platform for businesses within the construction and home improvement industry, connecting them with key decision-makers, suppliers, and industry experts. The event provided a gateway for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations, build strategic partnerships, and gain valuable market insights. With a strong presence of architects, engineers, contractors, and developers from across Luzon and beyond, PHILCONSTRUCT Luzon played a significant role in driving the region’s construction growth and economic development.

More than a showcase, the leading industry event served as a platform

for Wilcon to reaffirm its steadfast dedication to empowering professionals and homeowners throughout their building journey.

At Booth 301, Wilcon Depot showcased a carefully curated selection of high-quality products from Hamden, Franke, Alphalux, Rubi, and Hills–brands trusted for their durability, functionality, and design excellence. Attendees browsed through the products and experienced firsthand innovations that could redefine homes and commercial spaces. From sophisticated kitchen solutions and efficient lighting to cutting-edge power tools, Wilcon brought to life the very materials that shape modern Filipino living.

Beyond displays, Wilcon Depot’s presence was an opportunity for genuine engagement. Architects, engineers, contractors, and homebuilders had insightful conversations with Wilcon’s team, exploring tailored solutions for their projects. The booth buzzed with

activity as visitors tested products, discussed industry trends, and discovered how Wilcon’s offerings align with the evolving demands of construction and home improvement. Wilcon Depot’s participation in the PHILCONSTRUCT Luzon 2025 was about strengthening partnerships, fostering innovation, and reaffirming its role as an industry leader. The event underscored Wilcon’s mission to provide accessible, top-tier solutions that enhance how Filipinos build, renovate, and design their spaces. As Wilcon Depot continues its nationwide expansion, expect more groundbreaking products and industry-leading initiatives at future trade shows.

Visit the Wilcon Depot branches in North Luzon (Mexico; Tarlac; Dau, Mabalacat; San Fernando, Villasis, Pangasinan; Olongapo, Bauang, La Union; Abucay, Bataan; Paniqui, Tarlac; San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Pangasinan; Baliuag, Bulacan; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Calumpit, Bulacan; Iguig, Cagayan Valley; Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Bantay, Ilocos Sur; San Jose, Nueva Ecija; Guiguinto, Bulacan; Sta. Maria, Builacan; Cordon, Isabela; Lubao, Pampanga; and Tuba, Benguet)

For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. or subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You may also contact the Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries.

Tang Fruit+: A Sugar-Free Refreshment for a Balanced Lifestyle

AS more families seek diverse options for their daily beverages, Tang, the number 1 powdered beverage brand in the Philippines remains at the leadership of innovation in the category. Launched last year, Tang Fruit+, sweetened with stevia, is a great choice for those looking for a sugar-free alternative without compromising on taste and flavor. Stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, provides the sweetness of sugar without calories or impact on blood sugar levels. This makes Tang Fruit+ a refreshing choice for individuals and families embracing a different or well-beingfocused lifestyle.

The safety of stevia as a sweetener is supported by global and local health authorities. Stevia is considered safe for consumption within established acceptable daily intake levels, according to the WHO and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines. These approvals reinforce stevia’s role as a reliable alternative for sugar, for those who have different health and wellbeing needs.

According to Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, a registered Nutritionist-Dietitian who was conferred as Scientist IV, and renowned food and nutrition expert in the Philippines, Stevia has different functions, such as food ingredient as well as a pharmaceutical and cosmetic component. “Stevia by itself contains zero calories and grams of carbohydrates and has many benefits,” Dr. Agdeppa adds.

“The use of stevia may aid in the reduction of body weight, in reducing systolic blood pressure, in lowering glucose levels among diabetic individuals, and even help in maintaining oral health. It is generally regarded

as safe and is used in a variety of food and beverage products.” Dr. Angeles- Agdeppa, also calls for local research to be conducted on the health benefits of stevia.

With its longstanding heritage in the Philippines, Tang continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of consumers. Tang Fruit+ offers the same fruity goodness the brand is known for while supporting mindful snacking and alternative choices.

Samantha Dela Cruz, Brand Manager of Tang

Philippines, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to providing more choices for Filipino families. “Tang Fruit+ is all about giving our consumers an option that fits their lifestyle. We know that many families are looking for sugar-free beverage choices without sacrificing taste, and this variant delivers exactly that—delicious refreshment with the natural sweetness of stevia.”

“Tang Fruit+ is also part of our broader commitment as a snacks company to ensure we enhance the ingredient profile of our brands and provide consumers with options,” adds Dela Cruz. “Sugar reduction for the Tang line has been a focus for us over the past 10 years. We know that to maintain a more balanced diet, it is important to manage the intake of both sugar and calories. This aligns with and supports regulatory agencies’ advice for consumers to limit added sugar intake to no more than 10 percent of their daily calories.”

Currently, Tang’s line of two flavors including Tang Iced Tea contain less than two percent of consumers’ energy requirement for every glass. Tang Fruit+ in Orange flavor is widely available in leading supermarkets, groceries, and online via official Mondelēz International stores on Lazada and Shopee, making it a convenient choice for families looking for a sugar-free, refreshing drink. With its commitment to great taste and well-being, Tang remains a trusted brand for Filipino households seeking beverage options.

THE 2025 International Tax and Investment Conference, held on March 26, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry innovators to advance Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles for inclusive and resilient growth.

Organized by the Asian Consulting Group (ACG), the event reinforced its commitment to fostering sustainable investment and responsible business practices.

The conference featured dynamic panel discussions on key sectors, including sustainable tourism, AIdriven agriculture, and the creative industries’ shift toward responsible innovation. Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Sharlene Zabala-Batin highlighted cultural preservation and eco-friendly travel, while Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.’s Ceejay Hernandez emphasized sustainable finance’s role in building greener economies. Social entrepreneur Illac Diaz of Liter of Light demonstrated how renewable energy solutions empower underserved communities.

In technology and agriculture, Dr. Donald Lim of DITO CME explored AI’s potential to revolutionize industries, while IMI’s Sherwin Nones discussed sustainability in food production. Century Pacific’s Gregory Banzon underscored ethical sourcing, and Christophe Bariou showcased ecofriendly practices in hospitality and agriculture.

Meanwhile, international fashion designers Bench Bello, Marjorie Renner, John Guarnes, and Ranel Espaldon introduced innovative approaches to responsible fashion, with insights from Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista and Esme Palaganas of the Philippine Fashion Coalition on promoting inclusivity and ethical design.

NThe event also recognized leaders in sustainability through the ACG Global Awards, honoring key government officials for their contributions to economic growth. Among them were Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso Panga, Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Frasco, DTI Assistant Secretery Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Agriculture Undersecretary Francisco Tiu Laurel,

Health&Fitness

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Maternal nutrition is key to fighting undernutrition in children–study

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes  Contributor

WHILE child wasting has significantly declined in the Philippines with a sharp drop from eight percent in 2013 to 5.7 percent in 2018, government think tank  Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) pointed out that the country is still missed its 2022 target of reducing wasting to 5 percent, leaving around 800,000 children affected by acute undernutrition.

Child wasting is defined as a  form of malnutrition characterized by low weight-for-height ratio, indicating acute undernutrition.

In a study titled “What Determines the Decline of Wasting in the Philippines?” authored by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Valerie Gilbert T. Ulep and Senior Research

Specialist Lyle Daryll D. Casas and using data from the National Nutrition Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the authors identified wealth status, maternal nutrition, and children’s total energy intake as critical determinants of the decline.

Wasting prevalence   FURTHERMORE , the study revealed that these factors collectively contributed to 44 percent of the reduction in wasting prevalence between 2013 and 2018.

“Our analysis shows that improvements in economic conditions, maternal nutrition, and total energy intake have driven the reduction in child wasting,” the authors stated.

“Sufficient financial resources give the children an increased advantage of optimal nutrition by ensuring access to healthcare services and adequate food,” they noted.

The authors pointed out that the PIDS study found a strong correlation between maternal nutritional status and child wasting, showing that children of underweight mothers tend to have lower weightfor-height Z-scores, making them vulnerable to acute undernutrition.

The authors said these findings underscore the importance of maternal health in reducing child wasting and improving overall nutritional outcomes.

Diet diversity WHILE energy intake was another

significant determinant, the study emphasized that diet diversity and quality might be even more critical.

“For wasting, it is also important to note that the diversity of diet (quality), more than the quantity, as evidenced by the total energy intake, is more important,” the authors explained.

The authors noted that the period between 2013 and 2018 saw substantial improvements in the Philippines’ economic and social conditions, which contributed to the decline in wasting prevalence.

The country’s GDP grew at an annual average of 6.6 percent while poverty rates declined, improving household access to better nutrition and healthcare.

Moreover, investments in maternal and child health programs, including the passage of the First 1,000 Days Law in 2018, strengthened the focus on improving nutrition during critical stages of life.

Despite these advances, the authors said challenges remain.

Risk for disease burden THEY observed wasting continued to be one of the top five risk factors

for disease burden among children under five, accounting for 3.3 percent of total disability-adjusted life years in this age group.

The authors stressed that illness and inadequate nutrition interventions could undermine the benefits of improved food security and economic conditions.

Due to data limitations, the study could not account for other key factors such as child illnesses, water and sanitation access, and feeding practices that may also influence wasting prevalence.

Ulep and Casas urged the government to pursue  sustained maternal and child health investments, emphasizing preventive care and primary health services.

They urged policymakers and program implementers to focus on scaling effective interventions and recalibrating strategies to further reduce child wasting in the Philippines.

“Sustaining public efforts for maternal and child characteristics including the underlying determinants such as socioeconomic characteristics are important in further reducing the wasting prevalence in the country,” they concluded.

DOH lauded for continued refusal of tobacco industry donations

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Department of Health

HE

T(DOH) recognizes and expresses its gratitude to their allies who continuously remind them of the perils of tobacco and vape, “and who are aware of the legal mandate and scope of the Department.”

A parents’ organization, on the other hand, lauded the DOH for continuously refusing and rejecting all proposed donations by the tobacco industry, making the agency free from any vested interests that could jeopardize public health, especially the health of the children.

“If DOH will accept donations it may construed as approving and promoting the use of tobacco or vape,” the Parents Against Vape (PAV) said. PAV added that accepting donations from the tobacco company poses significant risks to the health and well-being of the children and the youth.

Moreover, PAV said, the acceptance of donations from the tobacco

industry contravenes commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which seeks to protect public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

“Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC states that parties shall act to protect public health policies from the interests of the tobacco industry, a principle that should guide all national policies and regulations,” PAV added.

Critical public health challenge

WE are saddened that some may have fallen victim to industry tactics of divide and conquer,” the DOH said in a statement, stressing that nicotine addiction from tobacco products remains a critical public health challenge in the Philippines.

The DOH has expressed alarm by the rising prevalence of adult tobacco and vape use, as evidenced by the 2023 National Nutrition Survey which reported an increase from

19 percent in 2021 to 24.4 percent among adults aged 20 to 59.

The DOH emphasizes that tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates over eight million annual deaths attributable to tobacco. In the Philippines, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2023 and 2024 indicate that the top three causes of death— heart attacks, cancer, and strokes— are all linked to tobacco use.

Beyond its association with the top three causes of death, cigarette smoking is also linked to a range of other serious health conditions.

These include lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and harmful reproductive health effects. Additionally, smoking contributes to other diseases, including certain eye disorders and immune system problems like rheum atoid arthritis.

Furthermore, the DOH empha -

Not sleeping well? Here are some tips to help you

By Rory Visco | Contributor

EXPERTS have reiterated that sleep is essential for people of all ages since it supports physical health, mental well-being, and cognitive function. When people sleep, the body repairs and regenerates cells, strengthens the immune system, and consolidates memories. For children and adolescents, sleep is vital with regard to growth and development. For adults and seniors, it helps maintain energy, focus, and emotional balance. Without enough sleep, people are more susceptible to many health issues, stress, and decreased performance in daily activities.

T he Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine (PSSM) reiterates that as much as possible, having a comfortable and correct mattress are among the key factors to achieve quality sleep, one that suits the body’s shape and contours, two vital areas that can impact sleep quality. The society also highlights that finding comfortable temperature, a well-ventilated room that is capable of blocking outside noise, prevent outside light, plus a suitable mattress, are all indispensable elements that make restorative and invigorating sleep a reality.

Achieving good sleep IN 2023, the Philippines was ranked 4th among the most sleepless people in the

world after Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. For Southeast Asia, the Philippines tops the list with 56 percent of people lacking in sleep, followed by Thailand at 49 percent, Indonesia at 44 percent, Vietnam with 43 percent, Singapore at 42 percent, and Myanmar with 39 percent based on a 2023 study by consumer research company Milieu Insight.

It is advised that people should sleep seven to 10 hours per day on a consistent basis. However, studies showed that the average hours of sleep range only from six hours and 30 minutes to six hours and 45 minutes.

“There are things called ‘sleep disruptors’ such as noise, light exposure, uncomfortable sleep surface, room temperature, poor air quality, stress and anxiety, irregular sleep schedule, caffeine and other stimulants, late-night eating, excessive screen time, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea,” says Gerry Camacho, Sleep Business Marketing Group Head of Uratex Philippines, in an email interview with B usiness M irror But these disruptors can be prevented, Camacho said, by doing the reverse like sleeping in a quiet and serene environment, reduced exposure to light like gadgets or TV, a cool and properly ventilated room, among others, plus lying on a good, and a comfortable and supportive mattress. However, Camacho said a good mattress is just one of the factors that

contribute to an ideal sleep environment.

Finding the right mattress

“THE right mattress can make all the difference between a restful and restless night since it helps ease pressure points, keeps the spine properly aligned, and maintains a comfortable body temperature to sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed without aches or discomfort,” Camacho pointed out, adding that on the other hand, the wrong mattress can cause pain, disrupt sleep, and leave a feeling of fatigue instead of recharged.

There is no one right mattress for everyone, he stressed, saying that each person has a specific need and preference for different types of sleepers, whether those who lie on their side, back, or stomach.

Mattress firmness and material directly affect how well an individual sleeps. Side sleepers need pressure relief around the shoulders and hips so a soft mattress works best because it cushions those areas while still giving enough support. Materials like memory foam or latex are ideal since they contour to the body and help reduce pressure points.

Back sleepers, on the other hand, need proper spinal alignment so a medium-firm mattress usually hits the “sweet spot,” he said. “It supports the natural curve of the back while still giving a bit of comfort, and ‘hybrids’ that combine foam and springs often work well here. Stomach sleepers,

The Medical City network earns worldwide recognition with multiple Healthcare Asia Awards

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

SOLIDIFYING its position as a healthcare leader, the Philippines’ largest private healthcare network under a single brand, The Medical City (TMC), walked away with five prestigious honors at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2025.

The most significant of these was TMC Ortigas’ remarkable fourth straight triumph as Hospital of the Year–Philippines. This sustained success highlights the institution’s relentless pursuit of medical excellence, exceptional patient care, and cutting-edge innovation.

In 2024, TMC Ortigas secured its 7th consecutive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, an achievement that reflects years of sustained compliance with the highest global standards.

Gold standard

sizes the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, which is known to cause coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer in adults, and increases the risk of respiratory and ear infections, asthma attacks, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in children.

EVALI

VAPES and vapor products pose significant health risks including e-cigarette or vapor product associated lung injury (EVALI), nicotine addiction, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, among others.

The Philippines has already recorded and published its first case of EVALI-related death in a 22-year old athletic male who had no history of smoking or other vices, but started vaping at an early age.

Beyond its policy achievements with the Sin Tax and Graphic Health Warnings, the DOH also urges users of tobacco and vape products to make use of its quitline (1558) and other smoking cessation services.

on the other hand, need something firmer to prevent the midsection from sinking too deep, which can lead to back pain. A firm mattress made with high-density foam or firmer springs helps keep everything aligned and supported.”

Beyond firmness, the material also matters, he said, since some foams are better at keeping the body cool while others are great at minimizing movement when sleeping with a partner like pocket springs. When it comes to sleeping disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea, Camacho said that although a mattress alone won’t treat these conditions, the right one can create a conducive sleep environment so these conditions can be better managed. “For people with insomnia, comfort is important. A mattress that supports the body properly and feels good to lie on can reduce tossing and turning, ease physical tension, and help the mind settle. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, positioning matters. A soft mattress that allows side sleeping helps keep the airway more open, reduces the risk of obstruction, and can lead to fewer apnea episodes and betterquality sleep.”

At the end of the day, he added, the right mattress depends on finding the right match between your sleep position, firmness level, and the feel of the material. “At Uratex, we know there’s no onesize-fits-all solution that’s why we offer a wide range of mattresses designed to meet different sleep needs and preferences, whether it’s firmness level, material, cooling features, or ergonomic support.”

JCI sets the gold standard for global healthcare quality and patient safety, awarding accreditation only to hospitals that meet rigorous international benchmarks. This JCI seal assures both local and international patients of receiving the highest levels of safe and effective care.

TMC Ortigas is also home to the Philippines’ first and only JCI-certified Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Program, a testament to its leadership in heart attack treatment. This recognition underscores the institution’s commitment to delivering life-saving intervention within 90 minutes—a global benchmark for top cardiac centers—ensuring patients receive time-critical, high-quality care guided by the latest Clinical Practice Guidelines from local and international cardiac societies.

TMC Ortigas was also awarded Public-Private Partnership of the Year for its growing ecosystem of government collaborations—from liver transplant access programs for children, to partnerships with Rizal Medical Center and other public institutions.

Diverse Wins

TMC Iloilo, TMC Clinics, and TMC Clark were also recognized by Healthcare Asia Awards for their excellence in Secondary Care, Primary Care, and Patient Safety respectively.

The Healthcare Asia Awards celebrate outstanding healthcare providers who are reshaping industry standards through their relentless innovation, establishment of new benchmarks, and significant community impact.

Maintaining its “Trailblazer in Healthcare”

identity in Western Visayas, TMC Iloilo was recognized as the Secondary Hospital of the Year for 2025. This leadership is further underscored by TMC Iloilo’s unique position as the only Tier 2 Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital in the province, accredited by the Stroke Society of the Philippines.

Beyond its clinical excellence, TMC Iloilo remains a vital government partner, actively contributing to grassroots health programs, vaccination campaigns, and Covid-19 response. Its commitment to excellence extends to infection prevention and workforce resilience, earning the institution back-to-back honors in these critical areas.

Locations nationwide TMC Clinics, with over 70 locations nationwide, was once again named Primary Care Provider of the Year—for the third consecutive year. In 2024 alone, TMC Clinics opened 12 new branches, onboarded over 250 physicians, and implemented full-scale digital transformation—including an integrated ERP system, EHR rollout, and centralized appointment systems. It also launched “TMC Wellness at Work,” a corporate clinic partnership model now operating in 15 companies across 28 sites.  TMC Clark earned its first-ever Patient Safety Program of the Year award for its “Safety Starts With Me” campaign, a network-wide initiative rooted in compassion, behavior change, and infection control. The program included staff-led antimicrobial stewardship, youth hygiene education, and dialysis safety protocols, all anchored on the Filipino value of malasakit. In 2024, TMC Clark also secured its first JCI accreditation, making it the only hospital outside of Metro Manila to hold the internationally recognized Gold Seal of Approval.

Global Hospital Rating by Newsweek and Statista Building on its other achievements, The Medical City also reached a significant milestone by receiving a 4-star rating under the Global Hospital Rating, developed by Newsweek and Statista.

TMC is the only Philippine hospital to be comprehensively ranked under this global system, which evaluates institutions across five dimensions—Provision of Care, Timeliness, Patient Safety and Experience, Medical Technology, and Employer Attractiveness.  This distinct recognition places TMC in the company of globally esteemed institutions, marking a significant leap forward for Philippine healthcare’s international standing.

PCUP, PMA PARTNER TO BRING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO URBAN POOR COMMUNITIES

IN an effort to bridge the gap between medical communities and people who are in dire need of medical attention, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) have officially joined forces to bring much-needed medical assistance to urban poor communities.

PCUP Commissioner Reynaldo P. Galupo and PMA President Hector M. Santos met on April 7, 2025 and forged the partnership to provide medical care and address the pressing healthcare needs of the underprivileged and marginalized communities all over the country.

Their collaborative efforts will kick off with a medical mission program in Purok 8 Brgy. Mahabang Parang, Angono, Rizal on April 30. Through the initiative, the PCUP, together with volunteer doctors and healthcare professionals from PMA will deliver regular basic medical services like free consultations, circumcision, pre-natal, pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine, among others.

The medicines were donated by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco.

PMA President Dr. Hector M. Santos emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, “Nakikikiisa ang PMA sa hangad ng PCUP na maghatid ng kalusugan para sa lahat. [PMA joins PCUP in its desire to deliver health for all].”

stituents, in accordance with

PCUP and PMA have the same idea as far as public service is concerned. This collaborative effort will strengthen the ties between us, which is ultimately beneficial to our people,” he added. The meeting was arranged by former PMA president Jose A. Sabili,

B8 Thursday-Friday, April 17-18, 2025

Motoring

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

MIAS 2025: DRIVEN BY CONNECTIONS

Story and photos by Randy S. Peregrino

MANILA International Auto Show (MIAS) celebrated its 20th year with the theme “Driven by Connection.” It was fitting to highlight the auto show’s efforts to connect with international car brands, partners, and visitors to enhance the MIAS experience year after year.

Held from April 10 - 13, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, MIAS 2025 was dominated by Chinese auto brands, existing and new. More so, all-electric and electrified models have become the frontrunners of most participating car brands. There were also known Japanese and Korean brands flexing their respective latest models.

The old guards ISUZU Philippines Corporation (IPC) showcased the recently launched 2025 Isuzu mu-X, which features a fighter jet design. Motivation comes from a robust and reliable 4JJ3-TCX 3.0L Blue Power engine, delivering 187 hp and 450 N-m of torque. It also has a Traction Control System with Rough Terrain Mode. The top-spec 3.0L 4x4 LS-E AT variant is priced at P2.670 million.

Suzuki Philippines launched the All-new Dzire Hybrid subcompact sedan, now equipped with Suzuki’s hybrid system. The AllNew Dzire Hybrid showcases a more refined exterior. Under the hood is a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder Z12E engine mated with a CVT. It generates 81 hp and 111 N-m of torque. The All-new Dzire Hybrid

retails at P 920,000 (GL CVT Hybrid) and P998,000 (GLX CVT Hybrid).

Hyundai officially revealed the all-new Elantra sporting a Parametric Jewel Design. An N Line high-performance variant is available. Motivation comes from a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. On the other hand, another variant is the allnew ELANTRA Hybrid Premium. It is powered by a 1.6-liter hybrid system. The all-new Elantra starts at P1.650 million.

Kia Philippines showcased four of the brand’s latest models. Leading the lineup was the Kia EV9 flagship EV, which has an impressive range of 505 kilometers. Also displayed were the Carnival Turbo Hybrid, the Sorento Turbo Hybrid, and the Kia Sonet, the brand’s current best-selling model.

New and upcoming all-electric and electrified models BY D Cars Philippines launched the all-new BYD eMAX 7, the country’s first EV MPV seven-seater in the country with a Dragon Face 3.0 front fascia. The Superior Captain variant has luxurious captain’s

chairs in the second row. The Standard variant features a 55.4 kWh battery, producing 160 hp and 310 N-m of torque. The Superior Captain trim has a 71.8 kWh battery, generating 201 hp and 310 N-m of torque. Drive ranges are 420 to 530 kilometers, respectively. The Standard variant is priced at P1.498 million while the Superior Captain variant is P1.748 million.

Also, Jetour Auto Philippines debuted the X70 Lightning i-DM seven-seater SUV priced at P1.648 million and the T2 Lightning i-DM 4x2 SUV priced at P2.488 million. The Panda edition is priced at P2.888 million.

As for Jaecoo, they previewed their latest hybrid SUV, the J7 SHS, built with their unique Super Hybrid System technology, extending the range of up to 1,200+ km. It can also drive up to 106 km in EV mode. The model’s Super Hybrid System is powered by a 201-hp 1.5-liter TDGI DHT hybrid engine generating 525 N-m of torque. Its battery is an 18.3 kWh lithium-ion.

Changan in the Philippines unveiled four groundbreaking electric vehicles. First was the Nevo Q05 PHEV compact SUV. It is powered by a 1.5-liter BlueCore Range Extender, mated to a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), generating 212 hp and 330

N-m of torque. Its onboard 18.4 kWh battery provides an EV range of 125 km, totaling up to 1,215 km. The second on display was the Nevo Hunter K50 Range-Extended Electric Vehicle pick-up. It is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged BlueCore Range Extender. The 4x2 variant’s single motor drive produces 174 hp with 320N-m torque, while the 4x4 variant’s dual motor drive generates 268 hp and 470N-m torque. In EV mode, the range is up to 180 km and 1,031 km with the range extender. Next was the Nevo A05, the upcoming PHEV compact sedan. It is equipped with a 1.5L BlueCore Range Extender, mated to a dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), generating 212 hp and 330 N-m of torque. Last was the Lumin mini hatchback EV. It is driven by a front-mounted electric motor generating 47 hp and 83 N-m of torque. Its Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery offers two capacities: 17.65 kWh with a range of 190 kilometers (S variant) and 28.08 kWh with a range of 301 kilometers (L variant). Prices for each model and variant are Nevo Q05 SE (P1.259 million), Nevo Q05 ID (P1.449 million), Hunter K50 REEV 4x2 Warrior (P1.699 million), K50 REEV 4x4 Knight (P1.970 million), Lumin S (P699,999), Lumin L (P799,000)

and Nevo A05 (P1.195 million).

GAC Motor Philippines, led by Astara Philippines, debuted its flagship PHEV MPV, the M8. This latest model is expected to arrive in the Philippine market by the third quarter of 2025, with a projected price below PHP 4.3 million.

New NEV brands

A ITO, which stands for “Adding Intelligence to Auto,” is a new Chinese luxury EV maker. The newly introduced brand has launched its flagship PHEV SUV M9. It boasts a dual-motor AWD system generating 489 hp and 675 N-m of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Its 52-kWh battery can travel over

Another

Isuzu mu-X grabs spotlight at MIAS; MPT Mobility tips

THE 2025 Isuzu mu-X from Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC)

made an indelible mark when it got unveiled at the just-ended Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

It became the star at the Isuzu Pavilion, serving as a platform not only to launch new innovations but to redefine the brand’s image and deepen its connection with the Filipino market.

The IPC went beyond tradition with a showcase that emphasized bold design, cutting-edge technology and the enduring strength of Isuzu’s commercial vehicle legacy. At the forefront of Isuzu’s

presentation was the award-winning Isuzu D-MAX, recently recognized at the 2024-2025 Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards for Best Engine Performance and Best Value for Money.

The spotlight, however, fell on the 2025 Isuzu mu-X, which made its first public appearance at MIAS following a successful media launch recently. The new mu-X immediately attracted the attention of families, adventure seekers, and car enthusiasts alike, earning its place as one of the major highlights of the event.

“We are very happy to introduce the new 2025 Isuzu mu-X to the public through this year’s MIAS. We really want a big audience to view this unit and test drive it so that our customers will get a first-hand experience in its improved driving performance,” said IPC President Mikio Tsukui.

The IPC said the 2025 Isuzu mu-X presents a bold new aesthetic with a dynamic exterior redesign that enhances both form and function. Its new

front grille and aerodynamic bumper incorporate an “Air Curtain” system, reducing wind drag and cabin noise to improve comfort and fuel efficiency. The new rear combination lamps, styled with an elegant embrace line, and the 20-inch Dynamic Turbine Design Alloy Wheels, elevate the mu-X’s road presence to a premium level.

It further stated that the new model also introduces a significant leap in safety with the latest generation of Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS).

Upgraded with the Gen4 SMART Duo Camera, the system now features an expanded 120-degree field of view and a 120-meter forward detection range, offering drivers enhanced awareness and protection on the road. For more details, visit www.isuzuphil. com or contact any of the authorized Isuzu dealerships nationwide.

MPT Mobility tips FROM Paulo Racela, this valuable article: AS summer kicks in, there’s one long

weekend that Filipinos across the country mark on their calendars: Holy Week.

It’s the perfect time to head out of town for a well-deserved break, whether that’s soaking up the sun on a beach, visiting family in the province or going on a spiritual pilgrimage.

But before you hit the road, MPT Mobility has a few tips.

Avoid last-minute panic and prep ahead with MPT DriveHub, an all-in-one travel app that lets you tap & track, and reload your Easytrip RFID and get regular traffic updates across MPTC expressways.

If you still don’t have an RFID sticker, you can visit the EasyTrip website or book an appointment through the Online RFID Reservation and Appointment System (ORRAS) via MPT DriveHub.

Hotels and resorts tend to fill up weeks, even months, before Holy Week, especially in popular destinations like Tagaytay, Baguio or La Union.

Don’t bank on last-minute deals. Consider alternative stays or explore lesser-known spots. Sometimes, the

hidden gems turn out to be the most memorable.

If you’re heading out of town, keep in mind that many businesses in the city may close or operate on shortened hours during Holy Week.

It’s a good idea to plan your stops and stock up on essentials before hitting the road. And if you’re heading back to Manila after the break, NLEX Drive and Dine is a convenient spot to grab a quick meal or take a breather before reaching the metro.

You will likely see more police presence and checkpoints across tollways and terminals. This is all part of MPTC’s Arangkada Assistance Program— formerly known as Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK)—which has been around since 2007 to support motorists during peak travel seasons. Though it’s summer, April marks the start of the dry-to-wet season shift. A sunny morning can quickly turn into a rainy afternoon. Pack umbrellas or raincoats just in case, and double-check weather forecasts before heading

THE 2025 Isuzu mu-X

THE all-new Suzuki Dzire Hybrid