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Saturday, January 17, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 97

‘BIG, BOLD REFORMS’ TO SHOW PHL BIZ RESOLVE

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INFRA SPENDING FOR Q1 SEEN AT P250B—DIZON

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

HE national government unveiled a slate of its “big, bold reforms” to address investor concerns and renew its push for investments amid last year’s economic growth slowdown. The Philippine economic team organized the “Big Bold Reforms: The Philippines 2026” event on Friday, which convened key officials from the Marcos Jr. Cabinet, heads of government agencies and top leaders from the business community. In a press briefing after the forum, Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the dialogue’s objective is to “inspire optimism, renew investor confidence and encourage greater investments in the Philippines.” “Despite the challenges of the past year, our long-term fundamentals remain strong and intact. Our stable macroeconomic environment, enabling policies and a dynamic workforce provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth,” the Finance chief said. Economic managers presented a series of “big, bold” reforms to improve the ease of doing business by reducing costs and building the necessary infrastructure for businesses to flourish, Go said. “This is a clear signal that the Philippines is moving forward de-

DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dizon, on spending discipline: “On our end, for DPWH, we will ensure that that money, whatever ceiling we will be given for the first quarter, will be spent on the right things.” DPWH

FINANCE Secretary Frederick D. Go (center) shared the government’s “big, bold reforms” with the press. Go was joined by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon (left) and Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez (right). REINE ALBERTO

BY THE NUMBERS: ’BIG, BOLD REFORMS’

GDP Growth Comparison: Philippines vs Global/Asean 5.0%–6.0% 4.8%–5.0%

3.8% 2.9%

PHL estimated full-year 2025 growth

PHL government growth target for 2026

Global average GDP growth

Asean average GDP growth BM Graphic: Ed Davad/Source: DOF

cisively and not being distracted,” he added. The Philippine economy grew by 4 percent in the third quarter of 2025, below the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target, amid slower spending and dampened investor sentiment following corruption allegations linked to the government’s flood control projects. Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the economy likely expanded by 4.8 to 5 percent in 2025. This year’s economic growth target was also adjusted to 5 to 6 percent due to global uncertainSee “Big, Bold,” A2

Growth, faster disaster response among the gains of Globe, Starlink D2C service By Samuel P. Medenilla & Lenie Lectura

HE new service from Globe Telecom allowing cellphones to directly connect to Elon Musk’s Starlink Services, LLC. satellites for internet service can spark economic growth and faster disaster response in more parts of the country, according to President Ferdinand Marcos. On Friday, Globe and Starlink signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the launching of the Direct-to-Cell (D2C) service, which will be the first in Southeast Asia and second in Asia, at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Prior to the new agreement, Starlink customers accessed the internet through their user terminal. The partnership of Globe Telecom Inc. and Starlink was formalized Friday during the signing of the MOA between Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz and Starlink senior partnerships manager Damien Innes. President Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremonial MOA signing. Marcos said the D2C is a game changer since it will allow more Filipinos to go online and have basic internet access, such as messaging and data. He said it can be used by businesses, particularly those in the countryside, to access bigger mar-

NFRASTRUCTURE spending is planned at about P250 billion in the first quarter, with officials betting that more disciplined and better-targeted outlays will help revive economic growth. In a press briefing on Friday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon said the agency is targeting to spend anywhere between P200 billion and P250 billion in the first quarter of 2026. “On our end, for DPWH, we will ensure that that money, whatever ceiling we will be given for the first quarter, will be spent on the right things,” Dizon said. The country’s economic team held the “Big Bold Reforms Business Forum” on Friday, which gathered the private sector and the country’s top business leaders. See “Infra,” A2

BY THE NUMBERS: INFRASTRUCTURE RESET

P1.113T

P529.595B

Value of alleged “ghost” and substandard flood projects (2016–2025)

P79B DPWH budget in 2025

DPWH budget for 2026

BM Graphic: Ed Davad/Source: DPWH

Another oil price hike looms; Iran jitters cited

NOTHER fuel price increase looms next week. The Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday that based on the four-day trade monitoring in the Mean of Platts Singapore, there could be an increase of P0.60 per liter for gasoline, P1.35 per liter for diesel, and P1 per liter for kerosene. DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela Romero said the numbers do not reflect the operating costs of oil firms and other premiums. “Crude oil and finished petroleum products have a short-lived upswing this week driven primarily by fears of an escalation in tension in Iran, which could disrupt crude supplies from OPEC’s 4th largest producer.

This news contributed to the estimated adjustments for next week in the domestic pump prices and based on the 4-day trading in MOPS only,” she said. Oil firms adjust their prices every week to reflect movements in the world oil market. Jetti Petroleum Inc., meanwhile, said internal estimates point to an increase of P1.80 to as much as P2 per liter for diesel. Gasoline prices may also go up anywhere between P1 per liter to P1.20 per liter. Jetti President Leo Bellas said the prices of crude oil and refined fuel products have increased significantly this week due to the volatile and unpredictable environment arising from the simultaneous geopolitical tensions in Venezuela, See “Oil Price,” A2

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) witnesses the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the launch of Globe and Starlink’s Direct‑to‑Cell (D2C) satellite service at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on January 16, 2026. Also onstage (left to right) are Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, Globe chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, District Representative of the City of Taguig Jorge Daniel Bocobo, and Starlink senior partnerships manager Damien Innes. The partnership aims to expand internet access to underserved areas, boost economic opportunities, and enhance disaster resilience. SCREENSHOT VIA RTV MALACAÑANG FACEBOOK

kets and other services from the private sector and the government, allowing them to enhance and expand their operations. “Because when connectivity reaches the countryside, it generates jobs, attracts investments, and brings essential services closer to the people,” the chief executive said. The new service, he said, also has implications when it comes to mitigating the impact of the disasters.

“During typhoons and disasters, there seems like a natural use for this system. When cell towers can fail and networks can go silent—this service can mean the difference between isolation and connection, between uncertainty and reassurance,” Marcos said. “But we cannot speak of progress when so many parts of our country remain disconnected. And this is why digital inclusion is im-

portant. It is a responsibility. And it is a key priority of this government,” he said. The D2C, he said, will complement government’s other initiatives to enhance connectivity by building more digital infrastructure such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s National Fiber Backbone project and Free Wi-Fi for All Program. See “Starlink,” A2

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PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 59.4400 n JAPAN 0.3747 n UK 79.5664 n HK 7.6232 n CHINA 8.5304 n SINGAPORE 46.1562 n AUSTRALIA 39.8129 n EU 69.0098 n KOREA 0.0404 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.8507 Source: BSP (January 16, 2026)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, January 17, 2026

‘Big, bold reforms’... Continued from A1

ties in trade and investment, along with residual domestic headwinds. Go said a 5 to 6 percent growth target “should not be dismissed as like a doomsday scenario. It’s not. It’s among the best in the world.” The global average of GDP growth is 2.9 percent, Go said, while it is 3.8 percent for the Asean region. “If we say that our goal is to grow 5 to 6 percent, that is already amongst the highest in the world.”

’Big, bold reforms’

AMONG the reforms discussed was the visa-free entry for Chinese nationals for up to 14 days via Manila and Cebu airports, aimed at boosting tourism, trade and investments and further improving the relationship with the country’s largest trading partner. Go also announced that the funding for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program was resolved after the government finalized the funding solution. “CARS manufacturers enrolled in the program can now be assured that the government will fulfill its commitment to investors,” Go said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoed the unprogrammed appropriations for CARS and the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) Program of the Department of Trade and Industry in the 2026 General Appropriations Act. The Department of Budget and Management assured stakeholders that the government will settle its unpaid tax perks with Mitsubishi

Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) and Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP), the two beneficiaries of both programs, which are meant to promote local car assembly through tax incentives (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2026/01/14/ dbm-vows-to-pay-tax-perks-of-carsrace-beneficiaries/). Moreover, Go told the private sector that the government is eyeing a digitalized, risk-based and data-driven audit system that minimizes discretion, strengthens accountability and prevents arbitrary or abusive audits. “We will reduce the number of departments authorized to issue letters of authority, as well as reduce the number of letters of authority a taxpayer can receive in any given year,” Go said. At the Bureau of Customs, Go said the National Single Window Integrated Trade Facilitation Platform was signed, which will consolidate trade requirements into a single digital portal, cutting red tape, reducing delays and lowering costs. “These are proof that the government’s reforms are not just promises, they are concrete actions being implemented to deliver tangible benefits to our people,” Go added. The government also called on the private sector stakeholders to maximize the country’s chairship of Asean this year, where meetings and cultural events will be held across various cities in the Philippines. “We need our private sector stakeholders to put their best foot forward and showcase to the Asean and to the rest of the world why the Philippines has all these opportunities,” Go said.

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Scientists say 2025 was third-hottest Starlink… year on record despite cooling La Niña Continued from A1

By Eric Roston Bloomberg

AST year was the third hottest on record, according to an analysis of temperature data released Wednesday by three independent agencies. That puts 2025 just behind the second-hottest year, 2023, and the hottest, 2024. What makes this result extraordinary, scientists say, is that 2025 saw a cooling phase in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, or La Niña, that suppresses global temperatures. In other words: Heat from greenhouse gases countered that cooling influence enough that the year still landed among the very warmest. It’s more evidence that “human-caused warming is now really overwhelming inter-annual natural variability” in weather, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist in the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources division. The notable 2025 heat is in line with what many scientists say is a recent speeding up of the pace of global warming. “The warming spike observed from 2023-2025 has been extreme, and suggests an acceleration,” wrote researchers with Berkeley Earth, a scientific nonprofit that maintains one of the temperature databases. Several factors are likely contributing to the acceleration, they wrote, including declines in reflective low-hanging clouds and in sulfur pollution from shipping that has a cooling effect.

The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, the UK Met Office and Berkeley Earth found that 2025 was hotter than the 18501900 average by 1.47C, 1.41C and 1.44C, respectively. According to Copernicus, the three-year warming average is now for the first time above 1.5C — the threshold that countries pledged not to breach in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The group estimates that the world might fully surpass the 1.5C mark by mid2029, 13 years sooner than was projected when countries signed the pact. (Exceeding the Paris limit itself doesn’t mark a step-change in worsening climate impacts; it’s more of a diplomatic target.) Humans burning fossil fuels is the overwhelming cause of global warming and provides a long-term push on the planet’s temperature. Because worldwide emissions continue to rise, the past 11 years have all been among the 11 hottest, and the hottest 25 years have all occurred since 1998. At least half the globe’s land in 2025 faced a higher-than-average number of heat-stress days, or conditions that feel like at least 32C (90F). Greenland warmed in May more than 12C above average in some places. The ice there melted 12 times faster than usual on May 19. The extra heat makes extreme weather worse. More than 400 people died in wildfires in Los Angeles in January and the area saw $40 billion in insured losses alone. Climate change made the fire weather 35% more likely, according to World Weather Attribution, a scientific group that analyzes weather events shortly after they occur to determine the role that climate change may have played. Year to year, fluctuations in the average temperature reflect short-term weather conditions as much as climate change. The presence of a warming El Niño or cooling La Niña phase in the equatorial Pacific Ocean is usually the controlling factor in where any year ranks among the most recent several. Considering that the Pacific last year was in either a neutral phase or a slight tilt toward La Niña, 2025 was hot. It was only negligibly cooler than 2023, a year that saw an El Niño emerge in the summer. In fact, last year was hotter than every El Niño year before 2023. Lower temperatures in the

tropics offset surging heat elsewhere in 2025. It was Antarctica’s hottest-ever year and the second hottest for the Arctic. February set a new record low for global sea ice, according to Copernicus. Total precipitation was more or less average, a fact that belies destructive flooding in many parts of the world. In central Texas in early July, flash flooding killed more than 135 people, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County. Pakistan saw a near-repeat of its deadly 2022 floods during its monsoon season. More than 1,750 people perished in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand in late November, when three cyclones engulfed a region not known for them. Jamaicans, accustomed to hurricanes, watched Melissa approach in early October. It rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm with the strongest wind gust ever measured — 252 miles per hour. Melissa did $8.8 billion of damage to the island, or 41% of its 2024 GDP, and claimed more than 100 lives across Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. “If such a storm just hits you face-on, there is just not much that you can do,” said Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution. Greenhouse gas pollution is making storms more powerful and “the change in intensity really makes a difference.” WWA found that climate change made the high ocean temperatures that fueled Melissa about six times more likely. Berkeley Earth expects a 2026 global average temperature similar to last year’s, ranking perhaps 4th on record, with the current La Niña giving way to a neutral phase. It’s too early to predict the next El Niño, which — when it comes — now usually brings a new global temperature record, too. The 2025 heat analysis comes after the US, long the world’s anchor of climate science and diplomacy, has moved to abandon that role. The administration has dismissed hundreds of scientists, removed authoritative reports and risk tools from the Internet and earlier this month pledged to exit both the foundational 1992 UN climate treaty and the UN’s scientific advisory, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Infra spending… Continued from A1

Dizon said the crowd’s mood was “cautiously optimistic,” even given the obvious state of the country, reeling from the last two quarters when economic growth was weak. DPWH has faced a massive corruption scandal centered on government-funded “ghost” and substandard flood projects from 2016 to 2025 valued at about P79 billion. The scandal has resulted in slower public infrastructure spending, one of the economy’s key growth drivers, which dropped by 40.1 percent year-on-year to P65.9 billion in October 2025 from P110 billion. Project suspensions, tighter scrutiny, and bureaucratic caution led to underspending that dragged economic growth, particularly in the second half of the year. Dizon said DPWH will prioritize spending on the “basics,” such as the timely upkeep and maintenance of the country’s roads and bridges that were neglected for decades. One of these is the Pan-Philippine Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway, in Bicol. “That is the clearest and most notorious example of an unmaintained highway and that is our supply chain backbone,” Dizon said. “We will be getting most of the funding for that from savings that fortunately we were able to generate last year, and hopefully we will

also be able to generate more savings this year,” Dizon added. The agency’s budget is significantly lower in 2026, set at P529.595 billion, down by 52.41 percent from P1.113 trillion in the previous year. Dizon said DPWH will also be focusing on completing all unfinished infrastructure projects, including hospitals and classrooms, during the remaining years of the Marcos Jr. administration. Dizon said the agency will ensure that the economy will move forward and will be “relentless” in its pursuit of accountability with the country’s law enforcement and justice agencies. “We have to ramp this up because our economy needs infrastructure spending … We will do our best to deliver on our targets,” he added. This year, the government will spend a total of P1.558 trillion for infrastructure, which is equivalent to 5.1 percent of the country’s GDP. The infrastructure program is higher by 3 percent from last year’s allocation of P1.512 trillion. Of the amount, P1.220 trillion will be allotted for national government infrastructure, P273.4 billion for infrastructure transfers to local government units, P62.3 billion for infrastructure subsidy and P2.6 billion for infrastructure equity. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

The National Fiber Backbone enables a stable and secure network nationwide, while the Free Wi-Fi for All Program provides internet access in public spaces such as schools and plazas. Inclusive internet access, Marcos said, will help Filipinos to be more productive and competitive.

Connectivity transformed

THE DTC service is basically a satellite-to-mobile wireless service that allows Filipinos with LTE mobile phones to access mobile services, including data that offers video, voice and messaging through apps, and text messaging, wherever there is a view of the sky. The service, which allows the LTE mobile phones to directly connect to Starlink’s low-orbit satellites, is set to transform connectivity in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable or difficult to deploy, especially in an archipelagic country comprising over 7,600 islands. Starlink is the world’s largest 4G/LTE coverage provider and partners with mobile network operators all over the world. Already connecting more than 12 million customers across 22 countries in six continents, Starlink’s DTC has proven vital in emergencies, delivering millions of SMS messages and wireless emergency alerts when terrestrial networks were down. With Globe as its partner in the Philippines, Starlink DTC will empower Filipino households, businesses, and communities with accessible, consistent connectivity. This collaboration underscores Globe’s vision of a more connected Philippines where every individual has access to essential communication, regardless of location or circumstance. The DTC will also help Globe address mobile coverage gaps across geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), providing access to digital government services through the eGov App. This technology also makes universal mobile connectivity a disaster resiliency essential to ensure that no Filipino is left offline during times of natural disasters. The service is designed to complement existing terrestrial infrastructure, serving as a resilient backup layer when conventional signals cannot reach users. “This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digital inclusive nation.... By extending mobile reach through satellite technology, we are ensuring that every Filipino, whether in bustling cities or in the most remote barangays, has access to essential communication. More than using advanced technology, the partnership is about inclusivity, resilience, and giving every citizen the opportunity to thrive in the digital age,” Globe’s Cruz said.

Oil price… Continued from A1

Iran and the Black Sea, despite the potential supply glut looming over the market. Also, the protests in Iran and the threat of US intervention in support of demonstrators have raised concerns that the ensuing conflict could spread and threaten flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the drone attacks on two Western-operated oil tankers in the Black Sea have added to the tensions in the Middle East and fueled worries of more supplies being affected. However, recent comments by US President Trump that the crackdown on protesters in Iran is easing have allayed fears of potential oil supply disruptions. Expectations of stability in supply from Venezuela and the larger-thanexpected increase in US crude oil and gasoline inventories have also weighed on prices recently. Lenie Lectura

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China lodges protest over Coast Guard spokesperson’s remarks By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

HE Chinese Embassy in Manila said it has lodged a diplomatic protest with Malacañang, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Philippine Coast Guard after Commodore Jay Tarriela allegedly posted social media content “attacking and smearing” Chinese leaders. Beijing called the remarks “a serious violation of China’s political dignity and a blatant political provocation.” However, Commodore Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, countered that the Embassy’s demand for clarification from the Philippine government was itself a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. He said Article 41(1) explicitly prohibits diplomatic missions from interfering in the internal affairs of the host state and accused the Embassy of attempting to intimidate and suppress truthful reporting on China’s “repeated aggressive and illegal actions” in Philippine waters. In its statement, the Embassy accused Tarriela of persistently hyping maritime issues, misrepresenting facts, and inciting confrontation, claiming his actions have undermined China’s national interests and disrupted efforts to improve bilateral relations. It warned that China “has been and will continue to take firm countermeasures in response.” Tarriela, however, said the Embassy should instead explain “dangerous maneuvers, intentional

ramming, and water cannon attacks” by Chinese vessels against Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships, as well as the harassment of Filipino fishermen and the deployment of maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea. He stressed these were not “smears” but factual accounts backed by video evidence, photographs, official reports, and thirdparty observations. The Embassy also questioned whether Tarriela’s remarks reflect the official stance of the Philippine government, noting his position as a uniformed service member. “Should he not be subject to the most basic standards of discipline and ethics?” the Embassy asked, urging Manila to clarify its position. Tarriela responded that the Philippine government has no obligation to “discipline” him for accurately reporting violations, and that his role is aligned with the country’s commitment to international law and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s expansive claims. “ True dialogue begins with accountability for one’s actions, respect for sovereignty, and cessation of interference in another nation’s affairs,” he said. Despite the protest, Beijing reiterated its call for dialogue and cooperation, saying it welcomes “positive signals” such as visafree travel policies but opposes “any attempts to interfere with or undermine efforts to improve China-Philippines relations.”

Regulator cites DBP for good governance

TATE-OWNED Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has been recognized for the second consecutive year by the state regulator of governmentowned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) in the country for upholding the highest standards of corporate governance among its industry peers, a top official said. DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the Bank was the top ranked GOCC in the Governance Commission for GOCCs’ (GCG) 2024 Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS) which evaluates GOCCs based on international governance standards. “This latest accolade from the GCG is an affirmation of DBP’s long-standing commitment to sound corporate governance as a foundation of operational discipline and institutional integrity, and which has helped it in fulfilling its development financing mandate,” de Jesus said. DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four strategic sectors of the economy—infrastructure and logistics; micro, small, and medium enterprises; environment; social services and community development. Enacted by virtue of Repub-

lic Act No. 10149 or the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, GCG is the primary central policyma k ing and reg u l ator y body that streng thens gover nance standards across the GOCC sector while ensuring the delivery of efficient, transparent, and people-centered services. De Jesus said DBP obtained a final CGS score of 104.17 percent, a sharp rise from the 102.67 percent it garnered from the previous CGS, which serves as an instrument to assess the corporate governance initiatives and practices of GOCCs using a methodology benchmarked against the Corporate Governance principles of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard. He said the award is a testament to the collective efforts of the men and women of DBP, who have built on time-tested principles of good governance and jumpstart the Bank’s strategic initiatives in 2026. “We hope that this latest GCG citation would inspire us further in enhancing our good governance policies and mechanisms with the end goal of making our programs more responsive to the needs of our ultimate stakeholder—the Filipino people” de Jesus said.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Big players bidding to supply 200MW of Meralco baseload

By Lenie Lectura

HE power affiliates and units of Ayala-led ACEN Corp., San Miguel Corp., First Gen Corp., and Aboitiz Group will compete in an auction to supply 200 megawatts (MW) of baseload requirements of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

The Pangilinan-led electric distribution utility firm identified on Friday the 15 power firms that participated in the prebid conference held last January 15. Conglomerates Ayala and SMC were represented by four firms each. There were also four firms of Lopez-led First Gen and two from Aboitiz group that participated. For Ayala, Meralco identified ACEN Corp., SanMar Solar, Inc., Negros Island Solar Power, Inc., Sinocalan Solar Power Corp. Ang’s SMC was represented by Mariveles Power Generation Corp., GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co., GNPower Mariveles Energy Center Ltd. Co. and Sual Power, Inc.

The Lopez-backed firms—BacMan Geothermal, Inc., Energy Development Corp., First Gen Hydro Corp. and Greencore Geothermal, Inc.—are also vying for Meralco’s 200MW supply deal. The remaining three interested firms are from the Aboitiz Group. They are AP Renewable Energy Corp., Therma Luzon, Inc. and Therma Visayas Inc. “The strong interest from the participating power generation companies affirms the effectiveness of the CSP as a mechanism for securing sufficient and least cost supply for our customers. We look forward to receiving their offers on the Bid Submission Deadline scheduled on February 16,”

said Meralco Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Lawrence Fernandez. The 15 firms have a combined offered capacity of 725MW, Meralco earlier said. The actual bid offers will be known during the upcoming 200MW Competitive Selection Process (CSP). The CSP is meant to secure longterm power supply agreements (PSAs), aiming to find the lowestcost power sources to meet its customers’ needs. It is designed to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection of power suppliers. The four-year PSA resulting from this CSP, being conducted in accordance with Meralco’s Department of Energy’s (DOE) approved Power Supply Procurement Plan (PSPP), will cover Meralco’s 200 MW baseload supply requirement for Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) beginning January 26, 2025, subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The RPS mandates electricity suppliers to source a portion of their requirements from RE. This is in line with the government’s goal to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Currently, the RPS requirement increases by 2.52 percent per annum.

Administrative, office support jobs still top in-demand jobs–Jobstreet

PNP rolls out security preps for Asean Summit ’26 hosting

communication technology roles comprised 6.6 percent. Other roles with steady hiring included accounting at 5.8 percent, sales at 5 percent, and manufacturing, transport, and logistics at 4.7 percent. Retail and consumer products roles represented 2.7 percent of job ads, while marketing and communications accounted for 2.6 percent. Jobstreet said many of these roles are expected to remain in demand throughout 2026. On the job seeker side, candidates from call center and customer service roles were the most active on the platform at 12.3 percent.

asserting that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a conviction.

CTING Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered the service to start rolling out its heightened security preparations nationwide to ensure that the country’s hosting of the Asean Summit 2026 is safe, orderly, and successful. This, as the Central Visayas command takes a central role in the comprehensive security plan. More than 2,000 security personnel were formally sent off during a Send-Off Ceremony held at the Panglao Town Plaza, Poblacion, Panglao, Bohol, on Jan. 14. The event underscored the full operational readiness of Bohol’s security forces, signaling that local and regional units are prepared to secure the island province ahead of the international gathering. In a parallel initiative to safeguard tourism, the Police Regional Office 7 launched the Bohol Tourist Police Unit’s (BTPU) R.I.D.E. Patrol on Jan. 12. Composed of 8 8 spec i a l ly trained Tourist Police officers deployed across Bohol, the unit is equipped to respond swiftly to emergencies, ensuring the safety of tourists and residents alike. Nartatez said that these preparations for the summit go beyond numbers and visibility, emphasizing discipline, coordination, and readiness at all levels. In the Central Visayas, police forces have ramped up patrol operations in tourism and coastal areas, supported by specialized units trained for rapid response, crowd management, maritime security, and emergency situations. Mobility assets on land and water are being maximized to ensure swift action, especially in areas with high tourist traffic and challenging terrain.

See “Teves,” A4

See “PNP,” A4

DM I N I S T R AT I V E a nd office support roles remained the most in-demand jobs among employers in 2025, according to online job portal Jobstreet by SEEK. Data from Jobstreet showed these roles accounted for 28.6 percent of total job postings on the platform last year. Meanwhile, employment in November 2025 hit 95.6 percent or 49.26 million Filipinos. Engineering roles followed at 10.2 percent, while education and training positions made up 9.2 percent of employer demand. Call center and customer service jobs accounted for 9.1 percent of postings, while information and

Hospitality and tourism followed at 9.8 percent, while manufacturing, transport, and logistics candidates accounted for 8 percent. ICT and engineering jobseekers made up 7.5 percent and 6.5 percent of active candidates, respectively. Jobstreet said digital transformation is expected to create more opportunities for technologyrelated roles as companies adopt AI-driven processes. The platform also noted that job seekers are increasingly prioritizing f lexible work arrangements and employers with strong corporate values. Mary Jade Gale Jadormio

No learner with an empty stomach: ’26 budget expands school feeding program

AYING “No child should learn on an empty stomach,” Senator Win Gatchalian pointed out on Friday that the 2026 national budget expands feeding programs in public schools and child development centers (CDCs). “Mahalagang tutukan natin ang kalusugan at nutrisyon ng mga magaaral, lalo na’t may malalim na ugnayan ito sa kanilang kakayahan [It’s important for us to focus on the health and nutrition of our learners, especially given the deep connection between this and the development of their potential],”

said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, who shepherded the budget bill for 2026 and cochaired the bicameral conference committee on the same. The Department of Education’s (DepEd) School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), for instance, will increase the number of feeding days from 120 to 200 this year. Expected to benefit 4.6 million learners in 2026, the SBFP will cover all learners from Kindergarten to Grade 1. Wasted, severely wasted, stunted, and severely stunted

learners from Grades 2 to 6 will continue to receive support under the SBFP, which received an allocation of P25.7 billion this year. The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) was allotted P9.6 billion under the 2026 national budget, extending feeding days from 120 to 180 and benefiting 1.8 million learners. The program covers children aged 3 to 5 in CDCs and those aged 2 to 4 under the supervised neighborhood play (SNP) program. Butch Fernandez

Mla RTC acquits Teves in slay of Negros Oriental councilman Dungog By Joel R. San Juan

HE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila has acquitted former congressman

Arnolfo Teves and two others of the murder charges filed against them in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental provincial board member Miguel Dungog

As part of its long-term sustainability strategy, Meralco has already contracted 1,536 MW of renewable energy capacity from various suppliers—exceeding its initial target of 1500 MW. Through its strategic sourcing initiatives, renewable energy is expected to account for 22 percent of Meralco’s supply portfolio by 2030. The latest approved PSPP for Meralco is still from 2025, Fernandez said. Meralco is still waiting for the issuance of certificates of conformity (CoC) for three CSPs. These are the 600MW baseload for supply starting 2028, 900MW baseload for supply starting 2030, and 450MW mid-mer it, w ith the first 300MW to be supplied starting 2028 and the remaining 150MW to be supplied by 2029. A CoC should be issued by the DOE prior to the conduct of a CSP. D OE Un d e r s e c r e t a r y M a rio Marasigan earlier said the agency is proceeding with its e v a lu at ion a f ter receiv i ng a copy of a letter from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to Meralco on its compliance for the 450MW mid-merit and 600MW baseload CSPs. “On the other hand, we also received information on PCC ’s ongoing evaluation of Meralco’s 900MW CSP,” added Marasigan.

in 2019. In a 35-page order issued by Manila RTC Branch 15 Presiding Judge Eduardo Ramon Reyes, the court granted the demurrer to evidence

filed by Teves and his co-accused seeking the dismissal of the case. A demurrer to evidence is a motion filed by an accused after the prosecution rests its case,

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PBBM studying fate of ICI ‘once they complete tasks’ T

Atong Ang’s lawyers file MR, seek to quash arrest warrant

By Samuel P. Medenilla

ITH the task of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in investigating flood control projects anomalies now “coming toward the end,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is studying whether or not to retain the fact-finding panel. In a chance interview with Palace reporters last Friday in Mandaluyong City, the chief executive said there are only “one or two other loose ends” the ICI needs to settle before it completes its tasks. “Once they complete their tasks, then we will see what they can do

next. But they really are coming toward the end—all they need to investigate, they already investigated,” he said partly in Filipino. The President made the statement after ICI special adviser Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said earlier this week that their lack of commis-

sioners is hampering their capability to refer flood control projects cases to the Ombudsman. The retired Philippine National Police Chief said they will write a letter to the Office of the President to get a clarification on the fate of the ICI. Created by Executive Order No. 94 last year, the ICI served as a factfinding panel to gather pieces of evidence related to flood control projects irregularities. However, in previous months two of its three commissioners-SGV & Co. country managing partner Rossana A. Fajardo and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio “Babes” L. Singson—resigned. Fajardo and Singson left the ICI, saying that their role in the fact-finding panel is no longer necessary as it has already recommended the filing of cases against several former and incumbent

government officials, as well as contractors. Currently, only former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. remains as chair of ICI. Since the Marcos administration initiated its crackdown on flood control project anomalies, the Department of Public Works and Highways has tagged 421 of such public works as ghost or nonexistent. Marcos said he is still studying if there is still a need for him to appoint new ICI commissioners. “Again, it all depends on the work that ICI still has in front of them. If it is still needed, then we will [retain it]. But if the work is done, and all the needed information was already relayed to the DOJ [Department of Justice] and the Ombudsman, then the focus now of the investigation will go to the DOJ and the Ombudsman,” he said.

NUP rejects impeachment bid vs Marcos as ‘baseless’ By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

HE National Unity Party (NUP) on Friday rejected any move to impeach President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with party leaders saying they see no constitutional or factual grounds to support such a complaint. Deput y Spea ker Rona ldo P u no, NUP c ha ir m a n a nd rep resent at ive of A nt ipolo C it y sa id t he issue wa s ra ised to h im d irect ly a nd h is a nswer wa s u nequ ivoc a l. “So I was asked a question about whether or not the NUP was going to support an impeachment complaint against President Marcos

Teves. . . Continued from A3

If the demurrer to evidence is granted, the accused is acquitted. “Wherefore, the demurrers to evidence filed by accused Arnolfo AlipitTeves, Jr., Richard Cuadra a.k.a Boy Cuadra and Rolando Pinili a.k.a. Inday are granted,” the order read. “For failure of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case, said accused are hereby acquitted of the crime charged,” it added. Three criminal case against the other accused, namely Jasper Tanasan, Hannah Mae Sumerano and Alex Mayagma, who remain at large, have

and my answer was definitely obviously no,” Puno said. He stressed that even at a preliminary level, the party could not find any basis for impeachment under the Constitution. “Actually I don’t see any grounds for filing an impeachment case against the President,” Puno said. “[That’s why] I would like to see whatever complaint there is.” Puno said the party had already begun discussing the issue internally, even as critics floated the idea of an impeachment complaint, and the conclusion was clear. “That’s why I’m already saying our party, I’m almost sure 100 percent we are not going to be for it,”

he said. “Number one, wala naman kaming nakikita [we won’t find any basis anyway].” He explained that NUP members tried to examine the matter the same way impeachment complaints are usually assessed. “Even when we started analyzing, we’re trying to think what grounds can they put for an impeachment case. Is there culpable violation of the Constitution? Is there any of those things? Parang wala kaming nakikita [It seems we can’t find anything],” Puno said. While firm in rejecting any attempt to impeach the President, Puno said the party remains guid-

ed by due process and existing legal standards. “So I would like to see what complaint they’re going to bring up,” he said, adding, “but I really am very skeptical that they’ll be able to come up with anything credible.” The Deputy Speaker also noted that, unlike speculative efforts against the President, any impeachment complaint must stand on clear constitutional grounds and withstand scrutiny under rules laid down by the Supreme Court. For the NUP, Puno said, the absence of credible allegations makes the issue a non-starter.

been archived until their arrest. In a statement, Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said his acquittal in Dungog’s murder “is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against him are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent. “ “It also shows how the Department of Justice has been weaponized for the purpose of vexing the critics of the government. We are fortunate, however, to have found a fair and impartial tribunal that has proven itself truly independent and impervious to political pressures. “There are many more battles left to fight for truth and justice. In this, we shall never waver until the last of these groundless suits are dismissed. For indeed, the wheels of justice grind

slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,”he added. Dungog was killed on March 25, 2019 in front of Siliman Medical Center in Dumaguete City. The case was filed based on the confession of one of the alleged gunmen, identified as Gemuel Hobro. Hobro claimed that Teves ordered the killing and he was paid P50,000 by Sumerano for operational expenses. The court ordered the immediate release of Cuadra and Pinili from the Manila City Jail Male Dormitory, and Teves from the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 2 in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, unless they are being held for some other lawful cause. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ)

said it has not received any official Order from the court confirming the reported acquittal. “Until an official and authenticated copy of the court’s ruling is formally served upon the prosecution, the DOJ cannot verify nor confirm the accuracy of these reports, “ DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said. Martinez also pointed out that even if Teves was acquitted in the Dungog case, he will not be released because he remains lawfully detained by virtue of his other pending criminal cases. These include multiple murder charges currently pending before the Regional Trial Courts of Manila, including high-profile cases related to the assassination of the late Governor Roel Degamo.

By Joel R. San Juan

HE legal team of businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang on Friday filed an omnibus motion for reconsideration and a motion to quash the arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Sta. Cruz, Laguna against him in connection with the missing sabungeros case. This developed, as another warrant of arrest was issued against Ang and 20 police officers for six counts of kidnapping with homicide also in relation to the disappearance of 34 cockfighting enthusiasts four years ago. The arrest warrant was issued by Branch 13 Presiding Judge Pamela Torres Chavez-Izon of the Regional Trial Court of Lipa, City Batangas. Aside from Ang, also covered by the order are his co-accused: Ryan Jay Eliab Orapa, Alfredo Andes, Henry Sasaluyan, Farvy Opalla dela Cruz, Angel Joseph Martin, Joey Natanauan Encarnacion, Aaron Ezrah Lagahit Cabillan, Michael Jaictin Claveria, Renan Lagrosa Fulgencio, Phillip Almedilla, Arturo dela Cruz, Mark Anthony Aquilo Manrique, Anderson Abar y, Edmon Hernandez Muñoz, Rogelio Borican Jr, Rodelo Anig-ig, Mark Carlo Zabala, Emman Cayunda Falle, and Julios Gumolon, all police officers. The judge recommended no bail for the arrest. The judge also required law enforcement officers to use at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device or a minimum of two devices to document the execution of the warrant pursuant to the Rules on the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in the Execution of Warrants issued by the Supreme Court. Lawyer Gabriel Villareal, Ang’s chief legal counsel, said their team has asked the RTC of Sta. Cruz, Laguna Branch 26 Presiding Judge Mary Jean Tibo Cajandab-Ong to set the hearing of the omnibus motion on Tuesday afternoon.

PNP. . . Continued from A3

The PNP has also strengthened its tourismoriented policing, deploying specially trained personnel capable of responding to emergencies while maintaining a reassuring and welcoming presence for both local communities and foreign visitors. These measures are designed to deter crime, respond quickly to incidents, and maintain public confidence as international attention turns to the Philippines.

Ang and 17 others, including several policemen, have been indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for kidnapping with homicide and kidnapping and serious illegal detention for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of 34 “cheating” cockfighting enthusiasts. The cases were filed before the Regional Trial Courts of Lipa City; Sta Cruz, Laguna; and San Pablo, Laguna. The charges stemmed from the sworn statements executed by whistleblower Julie Aguilar Patidongan and his brother, Ellakim, accusing Ang of masterminding the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiasts. Julie, Ang’s former farm manager, claimed that Ang ordered the summary execution of the cockfighting enthusiasts after they were caught cheating inside cockfighting arenas in Manila Arena in Manila City; Sta. Cruz, Laguna; Lipa, City, Batangas; Lipa City, Batangas; and San Pablo City, Laguna. Ellakim, on the other hand, claimed that he personally witnessed the kidnapping and killing of missing sabungeros.

No more interviews

MEANWHILE, Villareal said he would no longer entertain media interviews to focus on the legal remedies that his team would be pursuing in the coming days to prove Ang’s innocence. Villareal said his office will regularly issue press statements when necessary to provide updates on important developments in the case. “So as not to jeopardize all legal remedies that we, Mr. Ang’s lawyers, would exhaust in the coming days for his benefit, I would rather limit my pronouncements to those contained in the media releases that we will be issuing regularly from here on,” Villareal said. “I’m too preoccupied with the drafting of important legal pleadings, which are due for submission to the courts,” he said. Also, Nartatez said collaboration with other government security agencies remains a key pillar of the security plan. The PNP assured the public that security preparations will continue to be refined in the months leading up to the summit, with continuous assessments, drills, and community engagement activities to ensure that safety measures remain adaptive and responsive to emerging challenges. As the Philippines prepares to welcome Asean leaders and delegates in 2026, the PNP remains committed to upholding peace, order, and public safety. Rex Anthony Naval

NUP seeks Barzaga expulsion, eyes raps outside Congress T HE National Unity Party (NUP) is pushing for the possible expulsion of Dasmariñas City Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga from the House of Representatives, even as it prepares to file separate charges against him outside Congress, party chairman

and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City said on Friday. “So I think it demeans the House to have somebody like him there,” Puno said in a press conference. “Perhaps the House should consider expelling him altogether so this problem can finally end.”

W it h B a r z a g a’s cont i nue d statements and actions, Puno said the NUP is now considering filing a new complaint that could ask for the congressman’s outright expulsion. “We may file a new complaint because what’s happening is repetitive—Congressman Barzaga keeps disregarding the decisions of the Ethics Committee and the resolutions of Congress,” he added. Puno said the party intends to include Barzaga’s controversial demeaning post about the late Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop. “Oh yes, definitely [we will include]. Definitely,” Puno said. Puno said the party has yet to receive a response from the House Committee on Ethics on the fitness determination it earlier sought against Barzaga. “Not yet, because we haven’t

had any sessions. I expect that maybe by the 26th of January, their response might already come out,” he added. Puno accused Barzaga of acting in bad faith and repeatedly making accusations that, he said, have no basis. “He is acting in bad faith— he says he will comply, then he doesn’t, and then he comes up with fabricated accusations,” Puno said. “This is not the behavior of a true lawmaker. It has all become a mockery.” Puno also faulted Barzaga for what he described as a clear lack of understanding of House rules, particularly on privilege speeches. “In Congress, you are not allowed to use a privilege speech to attack a fellow congressman. There is a rule against that,” he said. “It even shows that he is ig-

norant of the rules of Congress.” At some point, Puno said, Congress must draw the line. “We have to make an example of somebody who just absolutely defies everything that Congress is all about and then creates confusion and it really tarnishes the reputation of everybody there,” he said. “We cannot just allow this to continue.” Beyond possible sanctions within the House, Puno said the party is also preparing to take legal action outside Congress, particularly over statements he said constitute a personal affront to NUP members. “What we will do outside Congress is different. Even if you file a case in court, that is not an action of Congress,” he said. “So I think we will file both.” Puno stressed that suspension

is no longer enough, noting that Barzaga’s actions have continued despite previous sanctions. The NUP chairman said the alleged falsehoods being spread against party members have affected them personally and politically. For Puno, the goal is to prevent the issue from becoming a continuing distraction. Earlier, Puno strongly condemned the latest social media posts and public statements made by Barzaga, accusing NUP members of having received bribes, describing the allegations as baseless, reckless and malicious. Barzaga alleged, among others, that NUP Congressmen received bribes from businessman Enrique Razon, to support former speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez during the 2025 elections. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

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DOTr adopts new accessibility policy in railway operations By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to adopt the Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) guidelines for all railway operations and maintenance providers nationwide to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for passengers. The new policy aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote inclusivity and foster an enabling environment across rail lines, particularly for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant passengers. In a statement, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the adoption of the ATP guidelines is a step towards a transport system that is “safe, reliable, and inclusive for all.” “Makakaasa po ang ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na ang mga PWD (persons with disability), senior citizens, at mga buntis ng mas mabilis at komportableng pagbiyahe (The public, especially PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women, can expect faster and more comfortable

travel),” Lopez said. Under Department Order No. 2025-024, railway operators are tasked to conduct staff training on disability awareness and gender sensitivity, provide wheelchair boarding assistance, and designate help points. In addition, they must also provide accessible information formats, including clearer audio and visual announcements, have clear feedback channels, and perform regular accessibility audits. Existing railway operators are tasked to prepare transition and compliance plans for the rollout of these improvements over the coming years. The ATP guidelines will also be fully integrated into the NorthSouth Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP). “With the ATP Guidelines, railway operators for the first time are formally guided to ensure that services are accessible and responsive to the diverse needs of the passengers,” he said. PNA

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, January 17, 2026 A5

4.1M indigent seniors receive DSWD’s social pension in 2025

By Jose Cielito Reganit

ORE than 4.1 million indigent senior citizens received their respective social pension in 2025, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday. “The DSWD implements the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens or SocPen as a mechanism to augment the medical needs and daily subsistence of qualified indigent seniors. Last year, a total of 4,112,895 indigent senior citizens benefited from the program,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release. The DSWD spokesperson added that with the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11916 (An Act Increasing the Social Pension of Senior Citizens), qualified indigent

senior citizens were able to receive a monthly stipend of P1,000 from the previous P500 per month. The P1,000 monthly stipend is distributed to beneficiaries every quarter. “Initially, for 2025, the original target was 4,085,066 beneficiaries. But we were able to exceed the target, with 4,112,895 total beneficiaries,” she said. For 2026, Dumlao said the SocPen program received a funding allotment of P51.8 billion to accommodate additional indigent senior citizens. “We also want to remind the pub-

THE Ministry of Social Welfare and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao distributes P42 million in social pensions to 7,000 senior citizens in Lamitan City, Basilan on Dec. 5, 2025. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao on January 14, 2026, said more than 4.1 million indigent senior citizens received their respective social pension in 2025. PHOTO FROM BASILAN-PIO

lic that the social pension program under the DSWD can only be given to eligible seniors, 60 years old and above who are frail, sickly, or with disability and without any pension from other government agencies. Meanwhile, the Department commends LGU-led initiatives of

Precious is the life we now barely hold

in the lives of my friend as well as colleague tells me that at any moment something unstoppable can make the business of life stop so unexpectedly for all of us. Starting this January, life will turn cruel for all those implicated in the recently uncovered flood control budget scam as they will probably start spending their lives in jail as they deserve. Some have been arrested and spent Christmas in jail. Others are on the run, hiding abroad. They will no longer

ing us up anew. There is also the famous saying attributed to Buddhist Master Ryutan: “You are like this cup; you are full of ideas. Before I can teach you, you’ll have to empty your cup.” The four-letter message for all of us is LIFE. Just to be alive, and to be able to breathe freely again is the most important gift of all. As a Jewish sage once said: God has spoken, the rest is commentary. Every crisis calls us to re-appreciate the value of life and reframe our perspective on what true living should be. Not having enough money to buy an object of desire is no longer about deprivation. It’s about freedom from that unsatisfying cycle of desire. Enough of bragging, enough of showing off, enough of acts of vanity. Enough of the past lifestyle that left you still unsatisfied, whether you admit or not. What’s the use of bragging and showing off when at any moment, a viral infection, a stroke, an accident can make it all useless and

enjoy their ultra-expensive cars, helicopters and executive jets. They will no longer go to social functions and show-off their glittering diamonds and expensive watches. Leisure travel is now out of the question. In effect, they have been stripped down by uncontrollable events. To think that only a few months ago, they were wallowing in luxury, acquiring possessions and flaunting them with no compunction and not a care in the world. When the pandemic lockdown put everything on hold, a friend told me then that maybe God wanted to empty us before fill-

meaningless? I can only sadly shake my head at the folly of a nephew of mine who proudly displays his latest car purchase. Each new car is more luxurious, more expensive and boasts of bigger horsepower. He’s not done yet. I imagine him delighting in the admiring and envious torrent of “wows” from his friends and former classmates. How can I tell him the uncomfortable truth in life: the more things you own, the more responsibilities you have, the more you need to service your ego, and the less freedom you enjoy. How should I begin to tell him that

COMMUTERS wait for their train at the Central Terminal Station of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 in Manila on December 12, 2025. The Department of Transportation is set to adopt the Accessible Travel Policy (ATP) guidelines for all railway operations and maintenance providers nationwide to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for passengers. PNA PHOTO BY YANCY LIM

52K vulnerable sector buyers in CAR benefit from ₧20 rice By Liza Agoot

AGUIO CITY—The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) announced Thursday that 52,653 buyers from the vulnerable sector benefited from the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program across the region. Data indicated that 1,227,090 kilograms of rice, or 24,542 sacks, were sold in CAR at P24,541,800 from July 16 to December 31, 2025. There were 8,785 beneficiaries in Baguio City; 8,650 in Benguet; 15,578 in Mountain Province; 6,793 in Ifugao; 3,593 in Abra; 7,754 in Kalinga, and 1,500 in Apayao. “We continue to provide the Benteng Bigas Meron Na (BBM) rice to avoid oversupply and long-term storage at the different National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses in the region, especially during the rice harvest season,” DA-CAR Director Jennilyn Dawayan said in an interview. The affordable rice is sold to senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents, among the identified vulnerable sectors of the society. She noted that the rice is not just

sold during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s provincial visits but also during “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” activities and in Kadiwa stores. The rice is bought from farmers at an acceptable price to ensure that those who till the soil can sell their produce at reasonable prices and that it reaches the public at low cost, with the government providing a subsidy. The national government intends to make the P20 per kilo rice readily available to make sure that the vulnerable sectors are able to buy it anytime,” Dawayan, a lawyer, said. Manding Manago, a 71-year-old tailor, has only good things to say about the program, noting that he can buy more high-quality rice for his family through the “Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na” initiative. “The rice tastes good, and more importantly, it is affordable. I only usually buy five kilos, but I am thankful I was able to buy 25 kilos, which I ate with my children for several weeks,” he said in Filipino during a separate interview on Thursday. He said that his P500 used to buy only 10 kilos or less of rice, but with the BBM rice, he got a half sack, which was a treat for him and his family. PNA

THE rice supply under the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program received over 52,600 members of the vulnerable sector in the Cordillera Administrative Region from July 16 to December 31, 2025. The BBM rice is provided to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and solo parents, with government plans to broaden the program to include other sectors as beneficiaries. PNA FILE PHOTO

‘A

PRIL is the cruelest month,“ is the first line of T.S. Eliot’s famous poem “The Wasteland.” But in my mind’s memory January, not April, is the cruelest month. When January comes, I can’t help but remember that five years ago, I and my family got infected with the Omicron virus, a mutated version of Covid-19. But because we already had initial doses of the vaccine injections that were mandated by government at that uncertain time, we experienced only mild symptoms. Nevertheless, it left my wife’s lungs much more weakened. The Covid-19 pandemic was a lesson for humankind. For me, it was the realization that we cannot control the universe. At any moment something unstoppable can make the business of life stop so unexpectedly for all of us. Suddenly our lives can be disrupted. Not even doctors at the top of their fields were spared. They had successful careers, education, recognition, and money. All that had been taken away in one instance by a virus. Last January a dear friend suffered a stroke and has been bedridden, in and out of coma, unable to function normally since then. A doctor gave him two months to live but he is still much alive, although pitifully emaciated and financially destitute. All his valuables — paintings, car, antique objects — have already been sold. Just this January, I learned of a cruel news: a colleague I used to work with has leukemia. He is several years younger and I remember him as someone who was so full of life and had an appealing enviable way with our female co-workers. The Covid-19 pandemic was a lesson for humankind, the realization that we cannot control the universe. The sad turn of events

providing benefits to their elderly constituents under their Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA),” Dumlao said. The SocPen program is implemented through the DSWD’s regional Field Offices in coordination with the local government units. PNA

those objects that make him the object of envy and admiration are not the most precious things he possesses. As for me, I like to enjoy life on a simpler, more practical scale. Is there really a difference between a basic Toyota Vios and a Toyota Fortuner? Both will take you through the same roads to the same destination. Can a million-peso Rolex tell you the time better than a more inexpensive Timex watch? Prices are not the same as values. What we need to do is know what we really should value that would make us truly happy and fulfilled. With great appreciation for this gift of an extended life, I now spend my time discovering points of reconnection with life’s essence. It’s about valuing things that make me happy instead of chasing status symbols or societal expectations. Marianne Williamson, author of spiritual books, says: “The realization of our own mortality creates a sense of urgency to use life wisely, to appreciate it fully, to love more deeply while we’re still here and we still can.” As someone said: “Have nothing in your life that you do not know to be meaningful and useful or believe to be beautiful.” Indeed, happy are those who have the spirit of poverty in their hearts, for they are not wanting of anything material. For as the poet Gary Snyder puts it: True affluence is not needing anything. Life is now telling me that the emphasis should be on gratitude and being happy that you still wake up each morning feeling you’re alive and well and being contented with what we’ve got. To my journey mates, ask yourselves: How can I live the rest of my life to its fullest? For a start, do more of what make you happy. What really makes your heart sing? What lights you up? Whatever you love to do, do it more often. What can you drop from your to-do list to allow yourself to tune into your internal joy? But first, empty your cup of non-essentials. Then it would be ready to be filled anew with the wisdom that lets you refocus on where true happiness lies. Thanks to my memories of “cruel” January, the gift of life becomes more and more priceless and valuable with each new year, every sunrise and every moment, like right here and now.

Saturday, January 17, 2026 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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MINDLINK SOON TO LAUNCH IN PHL

THE Ultrahuman Ring AIR provided data on sleep and other health and wellness indicators

BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA

PHOTOS BY DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ, ULTRAHUMAN

Tried and tested: The Ultrahuman Ring AIR

NE of the reasons why I got the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is because I want to monitor my sleep quality. I could do this with my Garmin but I don’t want to wear a watch to bed. So I got the Ring AIR in late December in the new Brushed Rose Gold finish (in size 9). Even in the first few days of using it, I knew I already loved the ring. For reference, this is my first-ever smart ring so I cannot make any comparisons. Aside from Brushed Rose Gold, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR comes in Matte Black, Aster Black, Bionic Gold, and Space Silver. There is no subscription fee or data plan although if you want additional data, such as for snoring, you’d have to pay a bit more monthly. Basically, this is a straightforward wearable that connects to an app and gives you insights about your wellbeing. The ring looks good. I chose the Brushed Rose Gold finish because of its nudish color. It is made of

fighter jet grade titanium reinforced with tungsten carbide carbon coating. The inner shell is coated with medical-grade hypoallergenic epoxy resin. The ring is super lightweight that most of the time, I forget that it is there. I sleep with the ring and I have no problems with it although there was a night that I had an allergic reaction to food and took it off. I have a mild sensitivity to jewelry but this ring did not cause any irritation or rashes. Also, if you are concerned about sizing, Ultrahuman has a sizing kit that is pretty accurate. All data from the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is displayed in the Ultrahuman app. There is a lot of data. I have been wearing the ring for weeks and I still have not fully explored what is in there. Among the data provided by the Ultrahuman Ring AIR are Daily Step Count, Daily Distance Covered, Calories Burned, VO2 Max, Afib Detection, Sleep Metrics, Body Temperature, Workouts, Cycle and Ovulation, Recovery, and Stress. My most favorite data from the ring is sleep. Aside from sleep stages, it also provides information on whether you’ve tossed and turned a lot during the night, temperature, and other factors related to sleep. Note that you’ll need to wear the ring consistently for at least 15 days for accuracy. The battery life of the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is about six days. Again, I have no comparison with other smart rings so to me, this is fine. You can choose three modes for battery usage. Turbo Mode uses all the sensors at full intensity

for all-day tracking while Chill Mode, which is the default, uses the sensors for tracking during sleep and restful periods and during movement. Meanwhile, critical battery mode uses basic tracking mode to preserve your battery. The ring can now detect snoring and track respiratory health. In this new development, you’ll get data about snoring for you to see patterns, trends and changes in respiratory health over time. There are many other interesting features and modes of the ring. You can find the optimal caffeine window based on the body clock and recovery state. Log beverages and get personal caffeine cut-off recommendations to protect deep sleep. One of the best features is the Cycle & Ovulation Pro PowerPlug, which builds on the scientifically validated OvuSense platform acquired through Ultrahuman’s viO HealthTech acquisition. It applies clinical-grade accuracy to consumer wellness. Validated in 13 peer-reviewed clinical publications and backed by 15 years of clinical research, the algorithm draws on data from over 260,000 cycles collected with medical-grade sensors. Ultrahuman said Cycle & Ovulation Pro delivers over 90 percent accuracy in confirming ovulation, a level the brand said makes the ring the “world’s most accurate cycletracking smart ring.” You can order Ultrahuman online from their website. In the Philippines, it is available at Digital Walker and Open Source for around P22,500. You can also find it on the usual online shopping platforms.

98 PERCENT OF PHL FIRMS HIT BY CYBER BREACHES AS SKILLS GAP HITS CRITICAL LEVELS BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES A STAGGERING 98 percent of organizations in the Philippines experienced at least one cyber breach in 2024, a sharp rise from 86 percent just three years ago, according to a new report recently released by a global cybersecurity network provider. In its 2025 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, Fortinet underscored a worsening crisis in the local labor market, where a severe shortage of skilled professionals is directly tied to escalating financial and security risks. The study revealed that 34 percentof local companies were hit by five or more breaches last year, signaling that attacks are becoming a near-certainty for Philippine businesses. The report cited a lack of specialized training as the primary catalyst for these incidents. Nearly half (49 percent) of surveyed IT leaders in the Philippines pointed out a lack of security skills and training as a leading cause of breaches. “Organizations face rising breach incidents and greater financial impact when this gap remains

unaddressed,” Veronica “Bambi” Escalante, country manager of Fortinet Philippines, said in a press statement. “The findings point to a crucial moment for both public and private sectors to take firm action. Risks and costs will continue to grow if action is delayed.” Escalante said the financial toll created havoc: 47 percent of Philippine organizations reported that cyber incidents cost them over $1 million (approximately P56 million) in 2024. While 100 percent of Philippine organizations have already implemented or plan to deploy AIenabled security tools, the report warns of an “expertise void.” Although 84 percent of professionals expect AI to assist their roles rather than replace them, Escalate said 64 percent of decision-makers admitted they lack staff with sufficient AI expertise to manage these tools effectively. “This gap is particularly concerning as cybercriminals increasingly use AI to launch more sophisticated, automated attacks,” Escalante said. Despite 90 percent of corporate boards in the

country enhancing their focus on cybersecurity, she said there remains a huge awareness gap regarding the specific risks posed by AI. Furthermore, while 82 percent of employers prefer hiring candidates with professional certifications, organizational support for these credentials has plummeted. Only 82 percent of companies are now willing to fund employee certifications, a steep drop from 98 percent in 2023. With a global shortfall of over 4.7 million cybersecurity professionals, Escalante said Fortinet is urging Philippine leaders to rethink hiring and training. The report recommends a three-pillar approach: ■ Raising national cyber awareness. ■ Expanding access to specialized AI and security certifications. ■ Embracing advanced, automated security technologies. As part of its commitment to addressing the crisis, Fortinet reaffirmed its pledge to train one million people globally by 2026, including new AI-focused modules to help Philippine teams defend against emerging threats.

OPERATING under Berbagi Cerita Indonesia (BCI) as a digital mental health platform, Mindlink Philippines will be ready to launch as an expansion in the Philippines for the company to provide accessible and ethical psychological support for Filipinos. Mental health continues to be a growing issue in the Philippines, which even prompted a Senate probe last October 2025 by Sen. Camille Villar to look into answering the gaps in mental health programs, among other programs by several institutions and individuals throughout the years. Mindlink Philippines would respond to this increasing need for safe spaces where individuals can share their stories and receive support. It will also offer accessible support barriers that are of lower cost, and free of stigma and geographical limitation. The platform would also integrate cultural sensitivity and ethical standards through its structured peer support, all aligning with the Filipino context to ensure that Filipinos get the correct diagnosis and help. “MindLink Philippines is an extension of Berbagi Cerita Indonesia’s commitment to ensuring that mental health support is accessible and human-centered,” said Bagas Rahmatullah, founder and CEO of MindLink Group. Those who wish to learn and contribute in fields of psychology, mental health advocacy, peer support, social media management, content creation, and community engagement would also benefit, as Mindlink Philippines also opens its doors for volunteers. It believes in fostering learning, collaboration, and capacity-building, while simultaneously empowering individuals to engage in discussions and activities for mental health. “Through this initiative, we hope to provide a space where individuals in the Philippines feel heard, supported and empowered to seek help,” Bagas added. The platform is designed for the broad public, meaning anyone of all ages, genders and backgrounds can utilize the platform. While its official operations is set on March 2026, everyone is encouraged to visit its website at www.mindlink. ph to learn more about the platform.

COMMUNITY QUESTIONS ROBLOX’S NEW ‘SAFETY FEATURE’

DUBBING their work as a “New Era of Safety” in their newsroom, Roblox is now requiring facial age checks before using the chat function on their platform. Roblox, an online game platform and game creation system with millions of players of all ages, has rolled out globally the age check requirement for chatting in their platform. Users will see a prompt that asks them to complete an age check before they can chat with other players. Of course, this also includes players based in the Philippines. To unlock the chat function, it will need access to your camera to scan your face. This will let the system check your age and match you with that age bracket. Roblox, in its instructional video, mentioned that images and videos used for face scanning will be automatically deleted. Roblox believes that this step “promotes a positive, age-appropriate experience for all users globally, and limits communication between adults and children younger than 16.” After all, online predators remain an issue on the internet and on the platform. To their credit, the platform promises safety for all ages, having four brackets that make the experience different not only in chat but also in the content that users will see. For example, users aged 9 and below have party chat disabled, experience chat defaulted off until parental permission, and only have access to minimal and mild content. However, Reddit users say otherwise as they point out, ironically, that the system promising safety could harm its users with its flaws. One user pointed out that the AI used to scan the age of the user can be flawed, mentioning their experience that their kid aged 11 was estimated to be in the 18-25 bracket. “I immediately challenged my son about this, and he said Roblox asked for a face verification, which he did, and I’m just mad about this.... The crazy part is the AI estimated his age as an 18-21 age grade, and he’s just 11!” they shared. They also pointed out that bad adults could find a way to bypass the system, saying they could just use a kid to do a 5-second scan and use the said account. “If a disgruntled adult gets any kid to do a 5 second face scan, the bad adult then has a huge way to tell who’s young, and vulnerable, by telling who he can talk to, no?” a user pointed out. Moreover, even the kids themselves, as mentioned by the parents on Reddit, refuse to share a scan of their face on the platform, with these kids citing and being aware that it is harmful for their picture to be taken by AI. “My son just came in to talk to me about Roblox’s new chat ban because it annoys him, but he’s not comfortable letting Roblox scan his face. Which is unusually responsible for a kid under 13,” a user shared. As online safety remains a concern, the most secure way for a child to be safe online has to be a shared experience with their parent. This way, they can monitor that there are no bad actors in their children’s space, not to mention that this can give way to family bonding with their kids. PATRICK VILLANUEVA

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, January 17, 2026

Don’t buy the Honor X9D just for the stunts—though the Tesla Cybertruck makes a good argument and it doesn’t present itself as one. You can still play Mobile Legends and PUBG and all other games, but for more graphic heavy titles, manage your expectations. For people who rely on their phones for navigation, communication, and constant connectivity, however, the experience remains stable throughout the day. MagicOS 9 on Android 15 keeps the experience cohesive. Gestures are responsive. Transitions are clean. Nothing feels overloaded or undercooked. Honor Notes stands out with AI transcription, summarization and translation. AI Call Translation works on-device for real-time multilingual calls, while Magic Portal 2.0 speeds up everyday actions like opening addresses directly in Maps. Honor Docs lets you open Office files without subscriptions— useful when checking documents on the move.

E’VE come a long way from using the Honor 9X as a bottle opener. For the last three years, Honor has leaned into a familiar script: every January brings another round of stunt-driven durability tests: phones thrown, dropped, smashed, and drenched—designed to prove just how tough the latest Honor X9 series can be. The approach works. Social feeds fill up. Clips go viral. The brand’s reputation for durability grows even stronger. But there’s a subtle injustice in how those stories are told. Durability still gets the spotlight— and rightfully so—but it increasingly feels like the only angle most creators talk about. Behind the spectacle, the Honor X9d is far more than a stunt prop. Once those brutal tests are done and the cameras turn off, this is a phone that spends most of its life doing ordinary things in less-than-ideal conditions. That’s where its real strengths begin to show. And as if dropping a phone from a moving plane wasn’t enough to convince you to preorder, Honor has gone even further. This year, the brand is raffling off a Tesla Cybertruck. Last year, early buyers had a chance to win a Rolex or even an Hermès item—but if there’s one thing you can expect from Honor VP Stephen Cheng and his “Magic Men,” it’s a go-big-or-go-home mentality. And few things build hype quite like giving away an equally tough Cybertruck, which lists for roughly ₱14 million locally. That says a lot about how strongly Honor believes in this phone. But it also reinforces why the Honor X9d deserves a fairer look—one that moves past the drops, the raffles, and the viral moments, and focuses instead on how the device actually performs.

WHAT’S NEW WITH THE HONOR X9D?

STRIP away the stunts and the noise, and the Honor X9d’s upgrades are straightforward to see. This isn’t a ground-up redesign, but a focused update to the fundamentals. The most immediate change is endurance. The Honor X9d now carries the largest battery ever in an Honor phone, with an 8300mAh silicon-carbon battery. Honor’s amped up those tests because of its enhanced durability featuring industry-first Triple Resistant SGS Premium Performance Certification, covering resistance to drops, water, and dust. The display is brighter this time, reaching up to 6000 nits peak brightness, and performance is handled by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, paired with MagicOS 9 based on Android 15 and a deeper set of AI tools. On paper, the spec bump is easy to list but what matters is how they hold up once the phone moves beyond launch day and into daily use. And that’s what we did for the past week.

CURVES OUT, FLAT IS IN (FOR THE BETTER)

THE Honor X9d immediately feels different in the hand because of one deliberate choice: it uses a flat display and a flat frame. Curved displays may look premium, but the exposed edges take the brunt of impact during falls, making them more prone to cracking. In daily use, the flat design matters. When you’re constantly pulling your phone out of your pocket, placing it on counters, mounting it on a dashboard, or slipping it into a bike holder, flat edges feel more secure. The phone comes in Sunrise Gold, Midnight Black, and Reddish Brown. The Reddish Brown variant uses a faux-leather back that adds grip and resists scratches better than glossy finishes. It’s especially noticeable when your hands are sweaty or wet, and after a week of use, it held up better than expected.

LARGEST AND LONGEST BATTERY LIFE

At 7.76mm thin, the phone doesn’t feel bulky despite housing a massive battery. Weight distribution remains balanced, even during extended one-handed use.

TRIPLE IP RATING AND ULTRA-BOUNCE PROTECTION

SO how did the Honor X9d survive all those sadistic tests? First, the drop resistance is no longer treated as a single layer of protection but as a system. At the core is Honor Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology, built around a six-layer structural design engineered to manage impact energy rather than simply resist it. The first line of defense is ultra-tough tempered glass with a 31 percent deeper tempering depth, improving internal strength and reducing microfractures from repeated drops. Honor also claims blade-level scratch resistance, helping prevent surface damage from becoming stress points over time. Beneath the glass sits a non-Newtonian fluid layer that remains flexible during normal use but stiffens instantly on impact, dispersing force across a wider area. Combined with a reinforced internal frame, this allows the Honor X9d to withstand drops of up to 2.5 meters across multiple surfaces including marble, asphalt, cobblestone, and stone flooring. In our own seven-day stress test, the phone showed scuffs along the frame and damage to the screen protector, but the display and internal components remained intact. That said, attempting these tests yourself will void your warranty—so don’t. Water resistance just equally got serious. The Honor X9d carries IP69K, IP68, and IP66 ratings,

meaning it’s rated for high-pressure water jets, submersion up to 1.5 meters, and heavy splashes. The company claims resistance to 85°C hot water splashes for up to 10 seconds and validation across 10,000 water immersion cycles. For riders, messengers, or anyone working outdoors—the sealed design prevents ingress meaning worry-free use despite the unpredictable weather and work conditions. AI Heavy Rain Touch and AI Glove Touch keep the screen responsive even when wet or while wearing gloves.

BRIGHTER AND MORE VISIBLE DISPLAY

THE Honor X9d uses a 6.79-inch OLED display with a 2640 × 1200 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and support for 1.07 billion colors across the DCI-P3 color gamut. Peak brightness reaches 6000 nits, supported by 3840Hz PWM dimming. Those numbers matter most once you’re outside. If you’re moving around the city all day—checking maps, reading messages, confirming details—the screen stays readable even under direct sunlight. You don’t find yourself tilting the phone or shading it with your hand just to see what’s on the display.

AS RELIABLE AS IT IS DURABLE

POWERING the Honor X9d is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage (UFS 2.1). Using it as a daily driver, performance remains steady. Apps open consistently, navigation is smooth, and multitasking doesn’t cause noticeable slowdowns. Heat remains controlled even with mobile data, GPS, and Bluetooth active. Do note that this isn’t a gaming-focused phone,

THE 8300mAh silicon-carbon battery is the other defining feature. On a single charge, the Honor X9d is rated for up to 52.5 hours of music streaming, 23.8 hours of online video playback, 16.8 hours of gaming, and 12.3 hours of video calls. The brand also claims an anti-aging algorithm designed to maintain battery health for up to six years. In our tests, the phone easily lasted two days with moderate use and a full day even under heavier workloads. Charging via 66W Honor SuperCharge takes around 90 minutes, which feels reasonable given the capacity. Fewer charging cycles also mean less long-term battery stress, making this a dependable backup phone or hotspot device.

CAMERAS MADE BETTER WITH AI

THE Honor X9d features a 108MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide, and 16MP front camera. The cameras aren’t headline-grabbers, but they’re useful. The main camera delivers good daylight detail with balanced colors, supported by OIS and EIS for steadier shots on the move. Digital zoom relies on sensor cropping and remains usable at moderate levels. The ultra-wide adds flexibility but limited detail, while the front camera handles video calls and selfies without issue. AI tools bring more to the experience. AI Eraser removes unwanted people, objects, or text. AI Outpainting expands tightly framed shots. AI Upscale improves older or lowresolution images. AI Face Tune fixes closed eyes in group photos. Together, they solve common shooting problems rather than replace photography skills.

FINAL WORD: The Honor X9d is easy to dismiss if you only look at the stunts. But once you live with it, the picture changes. Priced at P17,999, its still one of the best value midrangers out there—and that chance to win a Cybertruck makes for a pretty good argument. I actually pre-ordered one myself. This is a phone built for people who move—riders, drivers, messengers, and anyone who spends long hours on the go. Durability may be the hook, but battery life, display, stable performance, and practical software define the experience. The Honor X9d stands on its own even after the hype. Just like the resilient Pinoy, it is a device designed to take the hits—and still get back up working.

Maya unveils the 2026 Savings Calendar featuring Jericho Rosales, other stars LAST year, Maya, touted as the No. 1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform in the Philippines, changed how people looked at saving, literally. With the world’s first ever Savings Calendar featuring Julia Barretto, Maya turned daily interest earnings into something you could see, track, and feel motivated by. Now, it’s back and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and built for every kind of saver. Maya’s 2026 Savings Calendar features three of the country’s biggest stars—Julia Barretto, Maris Racal, and Jericho Rosales—each with their own dedicated calendar layout and striking visual identity. Whether you’re inspired by intention, ambition, or living fully in the moment, there’s a calendar that matches your saving style.

With Maya’s 2026 Savings Calendar, you can watch your money grow every day as daily interest builds your balance. No complicated math. Just the confidence of knowing your money is working for you, day after day, month after month. For Jericho Rosales, saving is about experiences. “You can never bring back time,” he shares. “I make it a point to save for exciting things that I’ll always treasure.” For him, saving isn’t about holding back. It’s about being able to say yes to travel, good food, and moments worth remembering. Julia Barretto represents the thoughtful planner. She believes in thinking purchases through and making sure money never sits idle.

“I plan ahead so I can reach my goals and feel financially secure,” she says. The motivation comes from seeing steady progress and knowing each day brings her closer to what she’s building. Different priorities, different mindsets, same realization: saving feels better when you can actually see it working. With up to 15 percent per annum credited daily, Maya Savings makes progress feel real. No waiting, no guesswork. Just small wins adding up. Maya also offers tools that make saving feel structured without feeling restrictive. With Maya Personal Goals, you can create up to five goals, whether it’s travel, gadgets, emergency funds, or celebrations, and earn 4 percent p.a. right

away, with the potential to grow your rate up to 8 percent p.a. There are no lock-ups or penalties. For longer-term commitments, Time Deposit Plus lets you lock in your savings for 3, 6, or 12 months with rates of up to 6 percent p.a. It’s not about having a perfect system. It’s about starting, staying consistent, and feeling encouraged along the way. Because once you get used to seeing your money grow every day, saving stops feeling like something you should do. It becomes something you actually want to keep doing. More information can be found at www.maya. ph or www.mayabank.ph. Maya Philippines Inc. and Maya Bank Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, January 17, 2026

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Education Dept. to augment ‘ARAL’ for 6.7M learners, taps 440K+ tutors

HE Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking to expand the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program for 6.7 million learners in public schools nationwide. This was after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which grants a P8.93-billion allocation for the measure. In a statement, Secretary of Education Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that it is the first time

ARAL will be fully funded. In Filipino, Angara said that the program has an unprecedented spending, as it is necessary to allow young Filipino students to catch up in Reading and Mathematics. For School Year 2026 to 2027,

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara meet with public school learners in this undated photo. The Department of Education said the implementation of the “ARAL” Program has significantly boosted the performance of struggling learners in the country. DEPED/PNA

DICT, YGG Pilipinas arm grads with tech know-how for digital economy By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

UERTO PRINCESA—The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Yield Guild Games (YGG) Pilipinas have completed their training of 50 graduates for the “Metaverse Filipino Workers [MFWs] in the Move” programming language. The endeavor was under the Sui blockchain, which provided the graduates with technical skills, mentorship, and career pathways they need to participate in the global digital economy. The pilot attracted a mixed group, with students from a number of educational institutions across the region, including Palawan State University, Holy Trinity University, Fulbright College, the Association of Computer Scientists (ACS), and STI College. “We're thrilled with how it’s gone, and we’re tremendously proud of the effort that everyone put in: the DICT, YGG Pilipinas and Metaversity, and especially the students,” said Mysten Labs’ AAA Gaming Partnerships head James Wing who is the first contributor to Sui. “We faced a lot of challenges with the weather, and we still were able to get really strong graduation numbers and really unique, innovative products that we wouldn’t have thought of before.” For Wing, the success was a testament to their perseverance: being able to adapt on the fly, “especially with

something as significant as not having Internet [access. There will always be a] huge demand for builders who can adapt like these guys have proven they can do.”

Weather notwithstanding TYPHOON Tino (international name Kalmaegi) struck Puerto Princesa City on November 4, 2025, which brought severe flooding, widespread power loss, as well as interruptions to Internet and mobile connectivity. It forced the cancellation of the final class, yet the cohort still achieved a notably strong 40-percent completion rate for a voluntary blockchain developer program. Such demonstrated sustained commitment through both a technically demanding curriculum, and disruptions of a natural disaster that arrived in the program’s final week. The program culminated with the presentation of the students’ capstone projects, where they were required to design and launch a working prototype on the Sui blockchain, and pitch their solution to a judging panel. Teams were tasked with solving the problem of creating a trusted, verifiable way to recognize community contributions across schools, guilds and online communities, so the achievements could be demonstrated when applying for work. Two members of the winning team, Nicholo Dela Rosa and JK Rabanal, were flown from Puerto Princesa to

speak at the YGG Play Summit inside SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City from November 19 to 22, 2025. Their team, The Scouts, created “Campfire:” a means to digitize certificates that doubles as a gamified, nonfungible token or NFT-based community platform. First runner-up was “Spot Me:” a web application that connects event organizers and participants through a reward-based engagement. “During [the program’s last few days,] a typhoon suddenly hit the Philippines. It made it very hard for us, especially when one of our classes was suspended because of Internet [connectivity issues. With] all the challenges we experienced, we didn’t expect to win the competition, so we feel very proud of what we were able to do,” said Rabanal, who graduated from Palawan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree in 2022 amid the pandemic. “We learned about the Sui builder program from our peers, and we were interested to learn more about the Move programming language and the Sui ecosystem,” said Dela Rosa who is a third-year Palawan State University student. “This opportunity has changed our mindset. Now we are thinking more and dreaming big, especially after flying to Manila [to speak here on stage at the YGG Play Summit]. We’re hoping to improve our winning project and have many more opportunities like this.”

Replicable models

PILOTED in Puerto Princesa, the collaboration demonstrated regional hubs serving as replicable models across the Philippines to deliver scalable blockchain education and professional development tracks aligned with DICT’s mission to create 8 million digital jobs by 2028. DICT-MIMAROPA provided the backbone for the program by opening training hubs, computer labs, and Internet access—including Starlink for remote areas, mobilizing participants through its regional networks, and linking the initiative to local governments, schools, and community leaders. In parallel, YGG Pilipinas, through its Metaversity platform, drove program design and delivery: from curriculum and mentorship to workshops, project sprints, demo days, and certification. “What YGG, Sui, and DICT have accomplished in Puerto Princesa demonstrates the power of partnerships rooted in a shared purpose,” Wing stated. “When government, industr y, and communities come together, barriers fall and possibilities expand.” This program, he said, is more than training: “It marks the beginning of long-term pathways for Filipinos to thrive in the global digital economy. And we look forward to bringing this kind of opportunity to even more communities nationwide.”

the DepEd aims to tap 440,000 tutors—including internal personnel and those outside the department—to strengthen learning recovery efforts for struggling students, as well as ease the workloads and classroom pressures of public school teachers. Moreover, ARAL’s fund will also cover training to support tutors in aligning with literacy standards, alongside the procurement of improved learning materials. The learner tracking mechanism w il l a lso be enhanced through the Learner Information System as part of DepEd’s intensified monitoring and evaluation systems. According to the department, these efforts manifest the gov-

ernment’s shift from short-term recovery activities into permanent remediation efforts in addressing learning gaps in Reading and Mathematics in basic education. As of January 5, the agency reported that 3.42 million Grades 3 to 6 learners and 1.72 million Grades 7 to 10 learners have already moved closer to their gradelevel proficiencies, according to the DepEd’s Middle of School Year assessments. Reading readiness hiked by an average of 5 points among struggling learners in Grades 3 to 6, while learners from Grades 7 to 10 recorded gains of 6 to 9 points. In 2025, ARAL catered to about 3 million learners in the country. Stephanie Sevillano/PNA

Building a literate workforce: Key to national devt, economic growth By Mhel Cedric D. Bendo

EFORE Filipino students struggle with Math, Science, or History, many are already struggling with Reading. Learning is built on reading. For most Filipino learners however, this foundation is already shaky even before they enter high school. In Grade 7 classrooms are learners who can pronounce words, but could not fully understand them. They struggle across subjects not because they lack intellect, but rank low in comprehension. These learners get promoted, are assessed, and are expected to perform, yet they cannot lay their hands on the most basic tool of learning. This is the quiet literacy crisis in this country: rarely dramatic, frequently invisible, but very significant. Long-term implications are far-reaching—impacting economic productivity, workforce readiness, and national development. In one public secondary school, an assessment of almost 500 Grade 7 students, conducted through research, revealed a reality that matches what teachers are seeing every day: Almost one in five students was classified as “frustration level” when they started school; meaning, they could not independently understand English texts suitable for their grade level. Almost half of them needed constant teacher support to understand what they were reading.

becomes more entrenched.

Rethinking literacy

IF literacy is not prioritized early on, the cost to the economy is high. A country’s workforce is only as strong as its educational foundation. Ignoring literacy gaps means we are limiting the potential of our future workers, making it harder to foster a competitive economy. The benefits of a nationwide literacy push are clear: Students who can read well become more confident learners, more active participants in class, and better prepared for life. More importantly, they become contributing members of the workforce, fostering economic growth. We must rethink how literacy is addressed, not as a mere educational issue, but a national economic priority. It is not about technology or infrastructure. Without a literate population, no amount of digital devices or infrastructure will move the country forward. Investment in literacy pays off in workforce development and national productivity. The solution is simple but urgent: Literacy must be a non-negotiable priority in schools. It is the foundation of all learning and the key to unlocking economic potential.

Bigger concern

Santo Tomas U researcher discusses sports theology at global conference

NIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS Graduate School PhD candidate and UST Institute of Religion academic staff Hansson G. Labisig presented his research paper during the fourth Global Congress on Sport and Christianity held at Baylor University in Texas. As the Philippines’ sole delegate, Labisig joined more than 200 global participants in exploring the rich intersection of faith and athletics— a field rapidly gaining academic and pastoral attention. His paper, “The Virtue of Hope in Sports through Spe Salvi and its Role in Faith, Resilience and Character Formation in Student Athletes,” was presented to a distinguished international audience. Drawing from Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Labisig argued that Christian hope is not mere optimism, but a transformative virtue that shapes how student-athletes cope with fail-

UST Institute of Religion researcher and academic staff Hansson Gementiza Labisig ure, train with integrity, and form their identities beyond the playing field. His insights highlighted theology—particularly Catholic moral teaching—possibly integrating into sports programs to nurture not only stronger, but holier athletes. In a field still emerging both in the Philippine and global academic landscapes, Labisig’s contribution affirms that Sports Theology is not only timely,

but necessary. His work integrates resilience, spiritual formation, and cultural context—particularly from the Filipino experience—making a compelling case that sports can be a “field of grace” and a true path to holiness. “This is my personal response to the Church document Giving the Best of Yourself, which states that ‘sports can be an instrument of sanctification,’” Labisig reflected. “Hope transforms

[the way] we play, train, and compete. Every game is an opportunity to glorify God.” Affirming its interdisciplinary and inclusive spirit, this year’s congress welcomed theologians, sociologists, chaplains, coaches, and scholars from global academic institutions such as Harvard University, Oxford University, and Duke University. Labisig’s participation was made possible through the support of the UST Office for Grants, Endowments, and Partnerships in Higher Education, as well as the Institute of Religion, which recognize the global value of bringing a Filipino voice to this evolving field. According to UST, his work positions the university and the Philippine academic community as active contributors to a global conversation—one that seeks to integrate faith, virtue, and excellence in sport, as sports theology grows steadily.

THE problem extends beyond the classroom—it is an economic issue. Students who struggle with reading fall behind in every subject, which hampers their ability to learn and apply knowledge. This limitation extends into adulthood, affecting the country’s workforce, where reading proficiency is essential for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, a structured English reading program proved to be highly effective. After just one month, the same students were reevaluated, and proficiency rates improved significantly. The number of frustration-level readers drastically reduced, and more students attained proficiency, becoming independent readers. The most significant takeaway from this case is that literacy failure is not an individual student issue—it is a systemic problem. W hen students do not receive early intervention, the gap widens and by the time they reach high school, the lack of reading skills

Bendo is a research and academic writer specializing in Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Technology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. His research focuses on the cognitive effects of digital distractions on student learning, with particular emphasis on technology-mediated learning environments. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and commentaries, with his work featured in various publications. In addition to his academic contributions, he is a creative writer whose essays and poetry explore themes of identity, culture, and human experience, bridging the gap between educational theory and real-world practice. His writings advocate for educational reform, mental health awareness, and the enhancement of student engagement in today’s digital world.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, January 17, 2026 A9

NEW ZEALAND’S SENSE OF BELONGING

The Filipino journey to ‘Middle-earth’ WEATHERED trees and grasses in farm near Matama, a town located south of Auckland, reveal a natural beauty that inspired Director Peter Jackson to choose this location for Hobbiton, the village in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

THE Mill makes it hard to believe this was once a bustling film set in Matamata for the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A TOUR vessel navigates the waters of Milford Sound where the cliffs of Mitre Peak represent the pinnacle of Fiordland National Park’s natural beauty.

A COZY Hobbit hole features a roadside stall offering artisanal cheese and jars.

OWNERS Clarke Figuracion and his wife Matilde enjoy a quiet moment at Mountainview Villa, a luxury lodge in Blenheim.

PICTON waterfront and harbor which serves as the main gateway to the South Island.

PATRONS enjoying a Pacific fusion culinary experience at Moreno, a Philippine-inspired café and bakery that blends traditional Filipino flavors with a modern aesthetic.

THE Green Dragon Inn and the stone bridge in the Hobbiton movie set.

Story & photos by Joel C. Paredes

AV E you ever wondered why so many Filipinos are drawn to New Zealand—a country in the South Pacific where sheep famously outnumber people? While salaries in cities like Wellington and Auckland can be several times higher than those in the Philippines, the real attraction goes beyond financial incentives. Filipino families are inspired by the promise of a better quality of life, a factor that continues to motivate migration year after year. This celebrated quality of life is deeply connected to New Zealand’s ancient and tranquil landscapes, famously transformed into “Middle-earth” for the film adaptations of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Director Peter Jackson selected New Zealand for its resemblance to a vast, peaceful Hobbiton village, echoing the world imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien. As Jackson once said, “This is where Middle-earth was born and this is where it will stay.” For many Filipinos, settling among the country’s lush hills and dramatic mountains brings a sense of calm that is difficult to find elsewhere. For those who have made New Zealand

their adopted home, it offers a tranquility that’s rare in other parts of the world. My own family’s experience reflects this journey. After our parents passed away, four of my siblings moved to New Zealand, while another chose New York. My youngest daughter also recently relocated to Auckland after living in the Bay Area. They discovered that migration is not just about leaving a place, but about embracing a new pace of life. The shift from the vibrant islands of the Philippines to the peaceful scenery of “Middle-earth” represents a profound change in daily rhythm. Migration taught them that it’s rarely just about departure—it’s about seeking a different tempo and way of living. For the growing Filipino community in New Zealand, moving to the serene, expansive landscapes of their new home is more than a change of scenery; it’s a complete transformation in their daily life. Recent census data from Stats NZ shows the Filipino community has grown rapidly, reaching 108,297 people in 2023—2.2% of the country’s population. Between 2018 and 2023, the community expanded by nearly 50%, with over 35,000 newcomers. This growth, fueled by skilled workers and family reunification, has made Tagalog one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing

languages and strengthened Filipino representation in essential fields like healthcare. Yet, New Zealand faces its own challenges, including a current recession and political shifts toward conservatism. Despite these changes, Filipinos have shown resilience and adaptability, supported by a welfare system that prioritizes families and provides subsidized healthcare and education—a safety net that helps even in difficult times.

From Gridlock to Greenery

WHILE the Philippines remains the emotional heartland for many—characterized by strong family bonds and the enduring “Bayanihan” spirit—New Zealand offers a stable foundation for the expanding diaspora. In the Philippines, daily life often begins and ends with the challenge of commuting. In Metro Manila, workers can spend hours navigating heavy traffic. By contrast, New Zealand’s cities like Wellington and Auckland offer shorter, more scenic commutes. Roundabouts are common, and efficient motorways make travel smoother. This ease of movement is complemented by the environment itself. Where the Philippines is known for its tropical denselypopulated urban centers, New Zealand

was proven right, considering how the state helped her raise her child, despite his disability. That was also the case with another journalist, Jodeal Cadacio and his wife Ana, who were enticed to migrate with his growing family, as two of his children had “special” needs. Gene Orejana and his wife Rowena were at the prime of their careers in the broadcast industry when the couple decided to sell all their property in the Philippines and face the challenge of living in New Zealand for a “quieter” life, even if that meant changing careers. Now, all their children are leading lives of their own after graduating from university. Although there is a heavy concentration of Filipinos in major cities like Auckland and the capital Wellington, I had a chance to meet Clarke Figuracion and his wife Matilde, who were working in the Philippine Senate until they tried their luck by migrating in 2005 to Wellington. Today, the couple manages their Mountain View Villa in Blenheim, a town in the Marlborough Region known for its wineries, where the ferry stops after Wellington, making it the gateway to the mystical South Island. The “Kiwi” approach values productivity during office hours, but also prioritizes family time—employers expect staff to

provides wide-open spaces and a temperate climate. The shift itself is not just physical—it’s cultural, moving from the lively “malling” tradition to a lifestyle centered on the “Great Outdoors.”

Work-Life Balance

WORK culture is another area of contrast. Filipinos are renowned for their dedication and resilience in demanding workplaces. New Zealand, however, consistently ranks high for work-life balance. At 66, my younger brother Noel, an engineer, and his Indonesian wife Atik decided to continue working, saying that although they have been living there for the past 25 years, they found fulfillment in the work system even in their senior years. He admits passing through the process of work stability, having opted to start as a warehouseman although he was already the country representative of a Japanese engineering company in Jakarta after being based in Tokyo and Kuwait. Management eventually recognized his capability as an engineer and promoted him. It was a different case for my other siblings, like my widowed sister Divina, who chose to migrate to New Zealand with her son who has autism, after completing her graduate studies in Australia. She

HELLO HA LONG! Vietnam’s ‘Descending Dragon’ destination Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug

HEN traveling to the northern part of Vietnam, a cruise along the 1,553-square kilometer, breathtaking Ha Long Bay (Vịnh Hạ Long) is widely considered a “must do” for its stunning landscape of limestone karsts and islets, in various shapes and sizes, rising spectacularly from the sea. The name Hạ Long means “descending dragon” and it is aptly named as its emerald-green waters are dotted with towering limestone islands topped with rainforests, creating a surreal, dragon-like landscape. The 434-square kilometer core of the bay, with its high density of 775 islets, was declared, by UNESCO, as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1994 due to its outstanding universal aesthetic, geological and geomorphological value. Hạ Long Bay is also a part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World. Our gateway to Ha Long Bay was the Ha Long International Cruise Port which just came into operation in 2019, is closer to the city center and, hence, easy to travel. Here, Ambrose Cruise was to take us on a modern, 5-star luxury six-hour day cruise of the bay. Launched in 2025, Ambrose Cruise is a 40-meter long, vessel, with three luxurious decks

and an area of 400 square meters. Built in an elegant and sophisticated Indochina style, it can accommodate up to 99 guests with an infinity Jacuzzi pool on the second deck, an ocean-view restaurant and bar, a grand stage with a large LED screen and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and a spacious outdoor lounge area. I liken it to a “floating hotel” with high-class, 5-star standards. On board, we had a premium gourmet buffet lunch with a wide selection of local traditional Vietnamese dishes, including vegetarian/vegan options, seafood, fish and chicken. The spacious dining area featured a wooden ceiling, a yellow lighting system and black and white pattern floor tiles. While we were dining, we had great panoramic views, from large windows, of the city’s harbor as well as its iconic landmarks such as the breathtaking Sun Wheel (a towering Ferris wheel, with 64 cabins, perched atop Ba Deo Mountain), the Queen Cable Car (known for having the world’s tallest cable car tower and a double-decker cabin) and the Ban Chay Bridge (a unique cable-stayed bridge) and, soon enough, of some of the bay’s 1,969 (of which only 40 are inhabited) islets, most of which are monolithic limestone, each topped with thick jungle vegetation and rising spectacularly from the ocean, such as Hon Ga Choi, Hon Dinh Huong and Hon Cay Dua. The first stop in our itinerary was Bo Hon

Island where tourists can ride traditional bamboo rafts (a relaxed, local-guided option perfect for families or those wanting to soak in the scenery without paddling) or go kayaking (a self-paced adventure), paddling through the low archway of the natural tunnel of Luon Cave (Hang Luon), into a serene, enclosed lagoon, surrounded by limestone cliffs with lush vegetation, where you can spot rare orchids, ferns and playful golden monkeys. Our next stop, also on Bo Hon Island, was Sung Sot Cave/Surprising Cave (Thien Cung Cave), the largest, the most beautiful and, possibly, the most frequented cave of all the caverns in in Ha Long Bay. Located 25 meters above sea level, it covers an area of more than 10,000 square meters. Named as one of the top ten most beautiful caves in the world by the Czech Association of Travel Agents and Brokers, the 800-meter long stone walkway of the cave was lit, with colorful lampposts, to highlight its features, and some parts have a diffused orange light that creates a fanciful atmosphere, making the space more mysterious and attractive. Situated in a limestone massif, it is known for its impressive stalactites that hang from the ceiling, stalagmites that rise from the floor and vast, three-chambered interior. One chamber was majestic, with super high ceilings and many limestone formations with interesting animal shapes such

BAMBOO boating and kayaking amidst limestone karsts

LIMESTONE rock formations of Sung Hot Cave

TI Top Island

HA LONG Harbor with Bai Chay Bridge in the background

leave work on time and be present at home. For many Filipino migrants, this means they can work hard without sacrificing their role as engaged parents. The most evident change for the Filipino workingman is the ability to maintain a strong work ethic while also being present for their families—a balance that is often difficult to achieve in the Philippines, where long hours and high-pressure environments are common. Security and support systems also differ. In the Philippines, family is the primary safety net, with relatives helping each other through crises. New Zealand’s welfare state offers peace of mind through government-backed healthcare, subsidized childcare, and comprehensive social services. Programs like “Working for Families” tax credits and free early childhood education lower barriers to a comfortable life, allowing Filipino families to take risks and build new futures, confident that support is always available. Although I have chosen to remain in the Philippines, New Zealand has become a true anchor for our family—a place where my siblings, along with other Filipino migrants, have found stability, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

as mammoths, seals, flowers, etc. Our last stop was the 3.7-hectare Ti Top Island, one of the smallest islands making up Ha Long Bay and a not-to-be-missed stopover for tourists in the journey of exploring the bay. Originally called Nghia Dia or Hong Thap Tu, the island was renamed after the Russian cosmonaut Gherman Titov during his visit to Ha Long Bay in 1962. Here, tourist can go swimming along the beautiful, crescentshaped Vang Trang Beach, with its smooth white sand beach, or hike up 400 steep steps, up a 100-meter high hill, to the island’s peak for spectacular panoramic bay views. Come sunset, perhaps the most beautiful time on Ha Long Bay, a party was held on the sundeck where guests relaxed and were served Vietnamese tea, cake, fresh fruits, and snacks while admiring the sunset over the bay. Truly a beautiful and impressive natural phenomenon, with the bright golden sunlight illuminating the limestone mountains as we felt the peace and tranquility of this sea. Back at port and, prior to dinner, we attended an evening water puppet show at the Hoang Gia Water Puppet Theatre in the Bai Chai area in Halong. Here, we watched ancient Vietnamese water puppetry featuring puppets, made of fig wood carved and painted skillfully in various fascinating shapes as well as symbolic facial expressions, moving on a water stage. To the right of the stage is a small folk orchestra of about 7 people behind a background in a small lake. The themes of the 30 to 35-minute show focus on the daily life of farmers, folklore, historical tales and the general aspects of the Vietnamese’s spiritual life.

A10 Saturday, January 17, 2026

TheWorld

Editor: Angel R. Calso

US and Taiwan sign $250B trade deal that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods By Chan Ho-Him & Didi Tang

The Associated Press

ONG KONG—The United States and Taiwan reached a trade deal Thursday that cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods in exchange for $250 billion in new investments in the US tech industry.

The deal is the latest President Donald Trump has struck—such as those with the European Union and Japan—since he unveiled a sweeping tariff plan last April to address trade imba lances.

Trump also has a one-year trade truce with China to stabilize ties with the world’s second largest economy. Trump initially set the tariff at 32% on Taiwanese goods but

THIS photo shows the logo of TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) during the Taiwan Innotech Expo at the World Trade Center in Taipei, Taiwan, Oct. 14, 2022. AP/CHIANG YING-YING

later changed it to 20%. The new agreement slashes the tariff rate to 15%, the same as levied on

other US trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region such as Japan and South Korea.

In a statement, the US Department of Commerce said the deal with Taiwan would establish an “economic partnership” to create several “world-class” US-based industrial parks in order to help build up domestic production. The department described it as “a historic trade deal that will drive a massive reshoring of America’s semiconductor sector.” The Taiwanese government affirmed key details in the deal in a statement, saying that the “Taiwan model” will go to the US and help expand the global competitiveness of the island’s technology industry while deepening strategic cooperation between the two nations. Taiwan’s executive branch said the island ’s companies would specifically invest $250 billion

in industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence applications and energy. In addition to cutting the tariffs on the island nation, the Commerce Department said it will exempt certain imports such as generic pharmaceuticals and aircraft components from Taiwan. Taiwanese semiconductor producers that invest in the US also will get favorable tariff treatments, including exemptions, the department said. One day before the deal was announced, Beijing, which claims Taiwan to be part of China, scoffed at it, calling the agreement “an economic plunder” by the US on Taiwan. See “Trade deal,” A13

TheWorld

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Saturday, January 17, 2026 A11

UN chief condemns lawbreakers, calls global wealth concentration ‘morally indefensible’ By Edith M. Lederer

The Associated Press

NITED NATIONS—The United Nations chief lashed out Thursday at countries that violate international law and called the concentration of power and wealth by the world’s richest 1% “morally indefensible.” At the start of his final year at the helm of the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the U.N. General Assembly that its 193 member nations are facing “a world marked by self-defeating geopolitical divides,

brazen violations of international law, and wholesale cuts in development and humanitarian aid.” All these forces are shaking the foundations of global cooperation at a time when it is needed most, said Guterres, whose second five-

year term ends on Dec. 31. “Some seek to put international cooperation on deathwatch,” the secretary-general said. “I can assure you: We will not give up.” Guterres has repeatedly criticized Russia for violating the U.N. Charter, which requires that every country respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, by invading Ukraine in February 2022. He also has criticized the United States for its military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolás Maduro and its deadly attacks on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific that the US says are carrying drugs. “When leaders run roughshod over international law—when they pick and choose which rules to follow—they are not only undermining global order, they are setting a perilous precedent,”

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends an event in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2025. AP/HADI MIZBAN

Guterres said. The U.N. chief said people around the world are watching the erosion of international law

and the consequences of impunity. He pointed to “the illegal use and threat of force; attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers and

U.N. personnel; unconstitutional changes of government; the trampling of human rights; the silencing of dissent; the plundering of resources.” He also criticized countries that don’t pay their U.N. dues on time—another jab at the Trump administration, which did not pay its mandatory dues to the U.N.’s budgets in 2025. Guterres warned of the dangers of a concentration of power and wealth in the world’s richest 1%, who hold 43% of global financial assets. “Increasingly, we see a world where the ultra-wealthiest and the companies they control are calling the shots like never before—wielding outsized inf luence over economies, information and even the rules that govern us all,” he said.

A South Korean court sentences Yoon to 5 years in prison on charges related to martial law decree By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press

CANADA’S Prime Minister Mark Carney, center, walks through a hotel lobby in Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Canadian prime minister hails renewed relations with China during Beijing visit By Ken Moritsugu The Associated Press

EIJING—On the first trip by a Canadian leader to China in eight years, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday that the two countries are entering a new era of relations. Carney, who became prime minister 10 months ago, is attempting to repair ties with China following several years of acrimony over issues ranging from Canada’s 2018 arrest of a senior Chinese tech executive to 100% Canadian tariffs on China-made electric vehicles. He met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who hailed the turnaround in relations—as did Carney, according to a statement from his office later Thursday. “Both sides

welcomed the renewal of bilateral engagement,” the office said, including economic and financial issues, energy and security. China’s official Xinhua News Agency, paraphrasing Li, said he “welcomes more Canadian companies to invest in China and hopes that Canada will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in the country.” Carney meets top leader Xi Jinping on Friday. The Canadian government’s push to boost ties has been made more pressing by higher import tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. More than 75% percent of Canada’s exports go to the US, and Carney has set a goal See “Canada,” A13

EOUL, South Korea—A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison Friday in the first verdict from eight criminal trials over the martial law debacle that forced him out of office and other allegations. Yoon was impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024 triggered huge public protests calling for his ouster. The most significant criminal charge against him alleges that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the independent counsel has requested the death sentence in the case that is to be decided in a ruling next month. In Friday’s case, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon for defying attempts to detain him, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting. Yoon has maintained he didn’t intend to place the country under military rule for an extended period, saying his decree was only meant to inform the people about the danger of the liberalcontrolled parliament obstructing his agenda. But investigators

SUPPORTERS of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol hold signs and flags outside Seoul Central District Court, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. AP/LEE JIN-MAN

have viewed Yoon’s decree as an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, charging him with rebellion, abuse of power and other criminal offenses. Judge Baek Dae-hyun said in the televised ruling that imposing “a grave punishment” was necessary because Yoon hasn’t shown remorse and has only repeated “hard-to-comprehend excuses.” The judge also restoring legal systems damaged by Yoon’s action was necessary. Yoon, who can appeal the rul-

ing, hasn’t immediately publicly responded to the ruling. But when the independent counsel demanded a 10-year prison term in the case, Yoon’s defense team accused them of being politically driven and lacking legal grounds to demand such “an excessive” sentence. Prison sentences in the multiple, smaller trials Yoon faces would matter if he is spared the death penalty or life imprisonment at the rebellion trial. Park SungBae, a lawyer who specializes in criminal law, said

there is little chance the court would decide Yoon should face the death penalty in the rebellion case. He said the court will likely issue a life sentence or a sentence of 30 years or more in prison. South Korea has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1997 and courts rarely hand down death sentences. Park said the court would take into account that Yoon’s decree didn’t cause casualties and didn’t last long, although Yoon hasn’t shown genuine remorse for his action.

A12 Saturday, January 17, 2026

TheWorld

With power out, Kyiv’s residents confront cold as a weapon of war

By Olesia Safronova & Volodymyr Verbianyi

FTER three days without power in sub-zero temperatures, tech entrepreneur Anastasiya Stepula decided to leave her apartment in central Kyiv in search of heat. Stepula, 37, had been wearing a ski suit to try and keep warm since a Russian attack on the capital’s energy infrastructure took out the power to her block among hundreds of others. But with nighttime temperatures plunging to minus-19 degrees Celsius (minus-2 Fahrenheit), she headed out to look for somewhere warmer, recharge her devices, and to continue working. Not far from her house, she saw windows glowing in an office building and was surprised to find that it was a hub for software developers like her equipped with its own electricity supply, a powerful generator, tea, coffee, places to sleep, and even house slippers. “Finally, I can type with hands that are not trembling from the cold,” she said at the office, called Lift99, as she waited for her son to join her there from school. Later that day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector, with a coordination headquarters established to address the situation in Kyiv and repair crews working around the clock. “The consequences of Russian strikes and deteriorating weather conditions are severe,” he posted on X late on Wednesday. As President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine approaches the end of its fourth year, energy infrastructure has once again become a major target of Russia’s attacks, intensifying from September to December heading into the worst of winter. That’s placing a huge additional burden on Ukraine’s government, energy companies and local authorities to carry out emergency repairs, and attempt to shore up public morale. Last week, large-scale missile and drone attacks targeted powergrid facilities in Dnipropetrovsk

region, leading to blackouts of entire cities there and in neighboring Zaporizhzhia. Russian forces subsequently struck energy infrastructure facilities in Kyiv—a city of some 4 million—as well as the surrounding region, leaving households without power, heating and in some cases water. Electronics chains are seeing a rush for portable power devices, while spaces like Lift99 offer some temporary respite. Lift99 was almost completely destroyed in a missile strike last fall; by late December it had been restored and re-opened as a safe place with constant heat and light. It has just announced a “free week,” when it’s ready to assist at least 100 people regardless of whether they are developers or not. Oleksandra, a marketing consultant who like most of those interviewed asked to give her first name only, was there with her dog. A former manager at the hub, she said she comes “not only for communal benefits, but for people, atmosphere and support.” It’s still a daily struggle for most residents of the capital in these darkest days of winter. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko encouraged residents to seek temporary refuge outside the city on Jan. 9 after a Russian barrage that caused widespread outages. With temperatures of minus-14 degrees Celsius during the day this week, some don’t need persuading. “Cold in wartime is a powerful weapon,” Zoriana Hoshovska, who evacuated to the west of Ukraine, said by phone. “It affects people’s ability to work and think clearly— the body switches into survival mode.” Like many others, Hoshovska, 44, faced a choice between cold radiators in her Kyiv apartment and slightly warmer conditions

A BARBERSHOP powered by a generator remains open during a blackout in Kyiv, on Jan. 12. JULIA KOCHETOVA/BLOOMBERG

outside the capital. Her decision was predictable. Spend i ng her v ac at ion i n Ukraine’s West, Hoshovska, a communications manager, knew from her Kyiv building’s group chat that municipal engineers had turned off heating as the temperature sank. She opted not to return, instead temporarily moving with her young son to her native city of Rivne. While power and heating supplies there are extremely limited, conditions are slightly better than in the capital, she said. Power outages, for example, are more predictable and follow a schedule. She says loc a l aut hor it ies were poorly prepared for the cold season—a sentiment echoed by Zelenskyy, who said that “time was lost” by the capital that requires the government to step in. She still plans to return to Kyiv after neighbors told her that heating had been restored. Mindful of a repeat, Hoshovska has a contingency plan—friends have offered her a place to stay in cities such as Ivano-Frankivsk and even Warsaw, where she spent a year and a half immediately after Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. “If the issue persists, our western allies should brace for a new wave of migrants from Ukraine,” she said. Downtown Kyiv is still full of people going about their daily lives, albeit wrapped in multiple layers of clothing. Traffic jams remain a regular occurrence. The Kyiv metro, whose deep stations

offer shelter from Russian bombardments, double up as places of relative warmth. On one afternoon this week, there was a queue of more than five people at a hiking equipment store in downtown Kyiv, most in search of gear for indoors rather than outdoors. “People come and ask, how can we keep warm?” said Bohdan Hriazev, 24, a sales assistant. The store has been without heating for about a week, and Hriazev wore a hat, a zhyletka, or padded vest, gloves and Crocs, which he said protect well against the cold. A headlamp was a useful addition to his gear. “After they buy a sleeping bag, a tent, a camping mat and a gas heater, people start thinking: why not spend some time outdoors? And they actually go,” he said. “Culture is changing because of the hardships.” Back in 2022 after the first Russian shelling of Ukraine’s capital, so-called invincibility hubs were established in schools, shops and emergency service tents to offer citizens access to heat and electricity to charge their phones. They are making a comeback as the situation has again become more critical, above all on the left bank of the Dnipro River which flows through the capital and cleaves the country between west and east. According to latest assessments by the European Union, if attacks continue at the current pace and See “Power out,” A13

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Remains of 32 Cuban officers killed during strike on Venezuela repatriated as US threat lingers By Andrea Rodríguez & Dánica Coto The Associated Press

AVANA—Trumpets and drums played solemnly at Havana’s airport Thursday as white-gloved Cuban soldiers marched out of a plane carrying urns with remains of the 32 Cuban officers killed during a stunning US attack on Venezuela. Nearby, thousands of Cubans lined one of Havana’s most iconic streets to await the bodies as the island remained under threat by the administration of US President Donald Trump. The soldiers’ shoes clacked as they marched stiff-legged into the headquarters of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and placed the urns on a long table next to the pictures of those killed. Tens of thousands of people paid their respects, saluting the urns or holding their hand over their heart, many of them drenched from standing outside in a heavy downpour. Thursday’s mass funeral was only one of a handful that the Cuban government has organized over the past half-century. The soldiers were part of the security detail of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during the Jan. 3 raid on his residence to seize the former leader and bring him to the US to face drug trafficking charges. State television also showed images of what it said were more than a dozen wounded combatants from the raid, accompanied by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez after arriving Wednesday night from Venezuela. A man identified in state media as Col. Pedro Yadín Domínguez attended Thursday’s ceremony in a wheelchair. He said it was a “disproportionate attack” that killed 11 colleagues around him as they slept. Yadín said he was committed to doing “whatever it takes to defend this people and to remain united in the face of threats from the United States.” Tensions between Cuba and the US have spiked, with Trump recently demanding that the Caribbean country make a deal with him before it is “too late.” He did not explain what kind of deal. Trump also has said that Cuba will no longer live off Venezuela’s money and oil. Experts warn that the abrupt end of oil shipments could be catastrophic for Cuba, which is already struggling with serious blackouts and a crumbling power grid.

‘That will always unite us’

OFFICIALS unfurled a massive flag at Havana’s airport as President Miguel Díaz-Canel, clad in military garb, stood silent next to former President Raúl Castro, with what appeared to be the relatives of those killed looking on nearby. Cuban Interior Minister Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas called the slain soldiers “heroes” of an anti-imperialist struggle spanning both Cuba and Venezuela. In an apparent reference to the US, he said the “enemy” speaks of “highprecision operations, of troops, of elites, of supremacy. “We, on the other hand, speak of faces, of families who have lost a father, a son, a husband, a brother,” Álvarez said. The events demonstrate that “imperialism may possess more sophisticated weapons; it may have immense material wealth; it may buy the minds of the wavering; but there is one thing it will never be able to buy: the dignity of the Cuban people,” he said. Carmen Gómez, a 58-year-old industrial designer, was among the thousands of Cubans who lined a street where motorcycles and military vehicles thundered by with the remains of those killed. “They are people willing to defend their principles and values, and we must pay tribute to them,” Gómez said. “It’s because of the sense of patriotism that Cubans have, and that will always unite us.”

‘People are upset and hurt’

THE 32 military personnel ranged in age from 26 to 60 and were part of protection agreements between the two countries. Officials in Cuba have said they expect a massive demonstration Friday across from the US Embassy to protest the deaths. “People are upset and hurt...many do believe that the dead are martyrs” of a historic struggle against the United States, analyst and former diplomat Carlos Alzugaray told The Associated Press.

The first mass funeral in decades

IN October 1976, then-President Fidel Castro led a massive demonstration to bid farewell to the 73 people killed in the bombing of a civilian flight financed by See “Cuban,” A13

A MOTORCADE transports urns containing the remains of Cuban officers, who were killed during the US operation in Venezuela that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, through Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. AP/RAMON ESPINOSA

TheWorld

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Blow-up on British right sets up vote split at next election By Alex Wickham & Lucy White

HE dramatic sacking of a senior Conservative and his defection hours later to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK all-but ended the chances of any deal to unite the British right, confirming the next general election as the most widely contested in decades. Some Tories had held out hopes they could forge a pact with the insurgent Reform party that has rapidly eclipsed them in voter affections. The fallout from leader Kemi Badenoch’s shock decision to fire her rival Robert Jenrick on Thursday put that further from reach. The episode led both Tory and Reform UK officials to conclude that it extinguishes any prospect of the parties cooperating before the next election, due by August 2029 at the latest. Labour officials said it provided a boost to the governing party as it meant the right-wing vote would be split. “What we saw yesterday was just another episode in the chaos and division that’s been going on the right of British politics for many years,” Labour minister Pat McFadden told Sky News on Friday. “The only difference is it’s now happening over two political parties rather than one.” The story broke when Badenoch, shortly before Thursday lunchtime, accused her former justice spokesman Jenrick of plotting to defect “in the most damaging way possible,” in a post on X that warned the British public “are tired of political psychodrama.” Hours later, Farage unveiled Jenrick as Reform’s latest recruit, thanking Badenoch for precipitating a move that he said might not have otherwise happened. Jenrick himself appeared to signal any chance of a pact with his old party was over when he described it at the press conference as “rotten.”

Canada. . . Continued from A11

of reducing that reliance by doubling Canada’s exports to other countries over the next decade. He held meetings Thursday w ith several leading Chinese companies including e-commerce giant Alibaba, the state-owned oil company China National Petroleum Corp. and the leading electric vehicle battery producer CATL. “We’re ready to build a new partnership—one that builds on the best of our past, and responds to the challenges of today,” Carney posted on X after his arrival in Beijing on Wednesday night. Canada, following the US lead, announced tariffs of 100% on EVs from China and 25% on steel and aluminum in 2024 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Carney’s predecessor. China responded by imposing duties of 100% on Canadian canola oil and meal and 25% on pork and seafood. It added a 75.8% tariff on canola seeds last August. Collectively, the import taxes effectively closed the Chinese market to Canadian canola exports, an industry group said.

Trade deal. . . Continued from A10

TSMC to lead investments

THE deal came just when Taiwan-based TSMC, the world ’s largest computer chipmaker, on Thursday announced plans to increase its capital spending by as much as nearly 40% this year after it reported a 35% jump in its net profit for the latest quarter thanks to the boom in artificial intelligence. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., a major supplier to companies including Nvidia

“It’s a conclusion about the Conservative Party that has pained me to reach,”Jenrick said. “But our country is in a precarious, dangerous position, and my first loyalty, our first loyalty must be to our country.” Figures on the right of the Tory party said they were very down on seeing the news about Jenrick. Those on the centerright, by contrast, said they were pleased someone who was seen as openly vying for Badenoch’s job had been removed, crediting it as a show of strength from the leader and proof of her increased authority off the back of what they called a recent improvement in her performance. Still, the Tory position is precarious, with the former party of government polling at around 20% in recent national surveys. They’ve trailed Reform since last January, and Farage’s outfit has been ahead of all parties since April. It still polls well below levels traditionally needed to win power, however, and this month slipped to 24% in a YouGov survey, only 4 points above the Tories. To many, that makes a compelling case for forging a deal. “If you want the real deal, you vote Conservative,” said Nick Timothy, Jenrick’s replacement as Tory justice spokesman, appearing on BBC radio Friday morning. “I don’t think anybody looks at the Reform party and thinks they are doing the serious work that will lead to serious policies.” “The reality of first-past-the-post politics is that you have to have your wing of politics united if you are to win,” former Conservative Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg told Sky News on Thursday. “You have to have a party that is broad enough to attract enough of the electorate to be getting to 40% to 45% of the vote. At the moment, neither Reform nor the Conservative Party manage that on their own, in spite of the fact that there is a huge overlap in terms of our policy ideas.” With assistance from Alex Morales/Bloomberg

China is hoping that Trump’s tariffs and other pressure tactics on allies such as Canada will drive them to pursue a foreign policy that is more independent from America’s. The government in Beijing has often accused the US of rallying its allies to gang up on China, particularly under former President Joe Biden, Trump’s predecessor. Canadian authorities incensed China in late 2018 when they detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., at the request of the United States, which wanted her extradited to face charges. China responded by detaining two Canadians on spying charges, casting a pall over relations for more than two years. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is accompanying Carney on the trip, told her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that the prime minister looks forward to setting the course for the development of relations and restarting dialogue in various fields, a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said. Wang described Carney’s visit as a turning point that is expected to open up new prospects for the relationship, the statement said. and Apple, reported a net profit of 506 billion new Taiwan dollars ($16 billion) for the October-December quarter, a 35% surge from a year earlier, better than analysts’ estimates. TSMC said Thursday that its revenue in the last quarter increased 21% from a year earlier to more than 1.046 trillion new Taiwan dollars ($33 billion). TSMC said it plans to boost its capital expenditure budget to $52 billion-$56 billion for 2026, up from about $40 billion last year. The company’s Taiwan-listed shares have jumped 59% over the

Saturday, January 17, 2026 A13

Even for tech exposure, Europe is the market to be in right now

By Henry Ren & Michael Msika

positive” for European chip equipment suppliers, said Citigroup Inc. analyst Andrew Gardiner. Strong demand for chip tools will likely last beyond this year, when new foundries are put to use and more physical space becomes available, he adds. On Thursday, Morgan Stanley raised ASML’s price target to €1,400, among the highest across Wall Street brokers, citing expectations for strong orders in the next two to three quarters, and more robust growth in 2027. It’s quite a turnaround for Europe’s top chip-gear makers. Since the ChatGPT boom of early 2023, they have underperformed the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index as investors favored chipmakers that directly benefit from the artificial intelligence boom, rather than those that sit one layer behind the likes of Nvidia Corp. or Broadcom Inc. Sentiment started to shift late last year on signs that demand for AI chips is becoming so strong

that it now requires both logic and memory chipmakers to order additional tools. In December, Micron Technology Inc. said it’s doing “everything” it can to boost short-term capacity. Before TSMC’s report, there were still some lingering doubts. There is no question that AI chip demand is strong, as evidenced by a recent surge in memory pricing. The problem has been that chipmakers are running out of physical space to stack equipment and get their production lines running. Plus, expectations had been raised, with shares of the three Dutch firms at the heart of the European tech rally already up by double-digit percentage points this month before the Taiwanese company’s commentary. Those concerns were quashed by TSMC’s capex guidance, which blew past investor expectations. Now other chipmakers—including Intel Corp. and memory producers—may follow with upsized spending targets of their own, given that AI chips require higher capital intensity, said Ken Hui, a director at Bakewell Alpha Fund. The rally in the chip equipment sector “of course has more to go,” he said. The latest gains have made valuations look more stretched. On a one-year forward basis, ASML is priced at 42 times, above the 10year average of about 31 times. But bulls may argue that stocks aren’t as expensive as they seem, because

forward estimates should rise further if TSMC follows through on its spending commitments. More broad ly, the sector’s va luation isn’t that demanding. The Stoxx 600 Technology index trades at about 26 times forward earnings, in line with the SOX and US peers. Granted, that’s a nearly 70% premium to the broader Stoxx 600, but the sector has achieved valuations as much as double the benchmark ’s ratio in the past few years. The European tech rally isn’t limited to gear makers. Legacy chipmakers like Infineon Technologies AG and STMicroelectronics N V, whic h have l a nguished in recent years, are up about 10% early in 2026 as investors see demand for auto and industrial chips breaking out of a multiyear lull. Modest ex pectations leave room for positive surprises after Infineon’s fiscal 2026 EPS estimate was lowered by more than 20% last year. US peer Microchip Technology Inc.’s recent report bolstered confidence for a cyclical recovery. “Within the higher beta universe, in technology we are bullish on semis, and this might not just encompass AI related names such as ASML, but also more traditional cyclical semi names, IP/autos/consumer related, which have been laggards for a while, such as Infineon,” said JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategists led by Mislav Matejka.

three days as of Wednesday afternoon. It’s 15 degrees Celsius in her apartment when they cook on a gas stove; otherwise the temperature is low, she explained. “The refrigerator became the warmest place in my house,” she said. Almost all those at the invincibility point have either small children or older relatives whom they won’t leave behind in Kyiv. A few have so-called dachas, typically small country houses, which are not suitable to live in during winter. All are tired of wearing at least three sweaters and padded trousers. “But we hold on,” said

Eugenia, another visitor. Mark, 19, a student who was chatting with friends while charging his phone, had come to the invincibility point for the first time, as “it’s too cold and there’s no Internet at home.” The Education Ministry has recommended online studying, at least in Kyiv, during the blackouts. Tetyana, 62, a left-bank pensioner, was recharging her power banks while reading a book about the Ukrainians who fought and died protecting the capital during the initial Russian assault on the city in early 2022. Her son was

among them, she said. Without heating for five days, Tetyana at least had gas, “so we can cook some food, though it’s only warm in this place.” Asked if she’d move elsewhere as the mayor had suggested, she said that she lives with her 92-year-old father-inlaw. “I came to Kyiv to live with him and help him, how can I move somewhere else?” she said. In any case, her biggest challenge isn’t heat or power. “We will recharge everything,” she said. “The biggest grief is that young people keep on dying.” With assistance

honor those slain, said José Luis Piñeiro, a 60-year-old doctor who lived for four years in Venezuela. “I don’t think Trump is crazy enough to come and enter a country like this, ours, and if he does, he’s going to have to take an aspirin or some painkiller to avoid the headache he’s going to get,” Piñeiro said. “These were 32 heroes who fought him. Can you imagine an entire nation? He’s going to lose.”

hold them accountable.” Lewin said the Cuban government has a choice to: “Step down or better provide towards people.” Lewin added that “if there was no regime,” the US would provide “billions and billions of dollars” in assistance, as well as investment and development: “That’s what lies on the other side of the regime for the Cuban people.” Rodríguez, the Cuban foreign minister, said the US government was “exploiting what appears to be a humanitarian gesture for opportunistic and politically manipulative purposes.”

optimistic, analysts from Morningstar said in a recent report. “It (TSMC) is immune from market share shifts as almost every AI company relies on TSMC to make chips ranging from application-specific integrated circuits to GPUs (graphics processing units),” the Morningstar analysts said. “This reliance translates into strong pricing power.” TSMC also has strong buffers with a “robust backlog from deeppocketed customers,” they said, even if there are any short-term drops in demand.

UROPEAN stocks’ outperformance over the US has taken a surprising turn this year, with technology names in the driving seat. Technology is the best-performing Stoxx Europe 600 index sector in January, up 10%. That’s a sharp contrast to the US, where the S&P 500 Information Technology Index is little changed. A key reason why European tech is burning brighter is its heavy exposure to chip equipment names. ASML Holding NV, ASM International NV and BE Semiconductor Industries NV make up nearly 40% of the Stoxx 600 Technology Index and are responsible for almost 90% of the sector’s new year rally. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s bullish capex guidance this week looks set to underpin a durable move higher in shares of its supply-chain partners. The world’s biggest contract chipmaker forecasts an increase in 2026 capital spending of about 30%, as it speeds capacity expansion both in Taiwan and the US. It also anticipates that this will extend to a “significant” hike in capex over the coming three years. The TSMC update is “materially

Power out. . . Continued from A12

scale, entire left-bank regions of Ukraine—home to around 15 million people prior to 2022—risk losing access to electricity supply. Energy companies report that equipment reserves have been exhausted, with no remaining stocks of power transformers or other critical supplies. Sitting in an “invincibility hub” tent on Kyiv’s left bank, Natalia, the mother of a six-year-old child, said she’d been without heating for almost five days and electricity for

Cuban. . . anti-revolutionary leaders in the US. Most of the victims were Cuban athletes. In December 1989, officials organized a ceremony to honor the more than 2,000 Cuban combatants who died in Angola during Cuba’s participation in a war that defeated the South African army. In October 1997, memorial services were held following the arrival of the remains of guerrilla commander Ernesto “Che” Guevara and six of his comrades, who died in 1967. The latest mass burial is critical to

THE remains arrived a day after the US announced $3 million in additional aid to help the island recover from the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa. The first flight took off

on Wednesday, and a second flight was scheduled for Friday. A commercial vessel also will deliver food and other supplies. Cuba had said on Wednesday that any contributions will be channeled through the government. But US State Depar tment foreign assistance official Jeremy Lewin said Thursday that the US was working with Cuba’s Catholic Church to distribute aid, as part of Washington’s efforts to give assistance directly to the Cuban people. “There’s nothing political about cans of tuna and rice and beans and pasta,” he said Thursday, warning that the Cuban government should not intervene or divert supplies. “We will be watching, and we will

past 12 months, ref lecting its strong position in the AI-driven market. Other tech giants including Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet are spending big on investments in AI infrastructure. “We expect our business to be supported by continuous strong demand for our leading-edge process technologies,” Wendell Huang, TSMC’s chief financial officer, said in a conference call. He said spending would be “significantly higher” in the next three years. Asked about concerns over an AI bubble—as critics point to bal-

looning investments which might not pay off—TSMC chairman and CEO C. C. Wei said he is confident that the growing demand from customers is real. “I’m also very nervous about it, you bet,” said Wei. “AI is real. Not only real, it’s starting to grow into our daily life.” With a market capitalization— total outstanding shares times share price—of approximately $1.4 trillion, TSMC is currently more valuable than Samsung Electronics and Alibaba. It is Asia’s most valuable listed company. A lphabet, Google’s parent, passed the $4 trillion market

capitalization mark this month, the fourth Big Tech company to hit that mark after Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft, although worries about an AI bubble had led to occasional sell-offs. TSMC has pledged around $165 billion of investments in the US and said Thursday it’s speeding up construction of new plants in Arizona, looking to create a fabrication plant cluster and meet strong demand from clients. A primar y beneficiar y of AI, g iven its dom ina nt sha re in cutting-edge chip manufacturing, TSMC ’s outlook remains

Continued from A12

Cuba riled by US aid for hurricane recovery

Bloomberg News

from Ewa Krukowska/Bloomberg

Coto contributed from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Tang reported from Washington.

A14 Saturday, January 17, 2026 | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Caloy and Alex: 2025’s best! T

WO of the country’ treasures share center stage as co-Athletes of the Year 2025 in next month’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night. For carrying the Philippine flag high and mighty with their sterling achievements on the world stage, gymnastics’ golden boy Carlos Yulo and tennis sweetheart Alex Eala are going to be recognized as the year’s best in the annual gala by the country’s oldest media organization held in major partnership with San Miguel Corp. From chaotic Jakarta City to Miami’s tropical beaches and all the way to the bright lights of New York, both Yulo and Eala made their imprints and proved Filipino athletes can excel. The young and dynamic pair lead a long list of achievers to be honored during the affair originally slated on Febuary 2 but was moved to February 16 because of unavoidable circumstances. The venue remains at the Diamond Hotel Manila. This marks the first time in 22 years that the PSA named a male and female

SCRIBES pick Alexandra Eala and Carlos Yulo as the best of the best in the past season. FACEBOOK, AP co-Athletes of the Year since legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao and golfer Jennifer Rosales shared the honor in 2004. Yulo, 25, earned the same recognition in 2024, while Eala, 20, is receiving her first trophy. “Their exemplary performances on the international stage, and more importantly, the way they have inspired countless young athletes to chase their own path for greatness, are enough reasons to crown both Alex and Carlos

as the year’s top performers in sports,” said PSA President Francis Ochoa, sports editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Following his unprecedented double-golden feat in the Paris Olympics, Yulo didn’t slow down and returned for a fourth straight gold medal in the floor exercise of the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in South Korea, where he also bagged a bronze each

in parallel bars, vault and individual all-around. The vibrant gymnast from Leveriza in Manila later stomped his way back to the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia where he copped the top honor in vault and snared a bronze in floor exercise during the 53rd edition of the global meet. A proud product of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor in Spain, Eala established several firsts in Philippine tennis history—including breaking the top 50 barrier—in a year-round performance that captured the hearts of Filipinos around the world. It all began in one magical spring in Florida when the lovely Filipina took the Miami Open by storm as a wild card in a Women’s Tennis Association 1000 event. Ranked No. 140 then, Eala smashed her way up the standings by beating former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in the second round, reigning Australian Open title holder and Bo. 5

Madison Keys in the third round and stunned five-time grand slam champion and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. The Cinderella run came to an end in the semifinals when she lost to American Jesica Pegula, but it was all Eala needed to introduce herself as one of tennis’ rising stars. Things snowballed from there. Eala became the first Filipino in the Open era to play in the Wimbledon singles main draw, finally won a first ever singles title in the WTA during the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico and scored a Grand Slam breakthrough as the first from the Philippines in the Open era to win a match in the US Open against 14th seed Clara Tauson. Capping a significant year for the daughter of former national swimmer Rizza Maniego-Eala and Mike Eala was a gold medal in women’s singles at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok that ended a 26-year gold drought for Philippine tennis.

TNT eager to bag PHL Cup in PBA 50th

By Josef Ramos

T’S all about consistency and discipline that brought TNT Tropang 5G to another shot at a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) crown—the 50th anniversary all-Filipino conference Philippine Cup. “We’ve been talking about consistency through the years and discipline that we’ve been putting into the organization,” TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa told BusinessMirror on Friday. “And we are glad that we are here again [in the finals] for the fourth time.” TNT awaits the winner of the semifinals between defending champion San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel—the Beermen went for a championship berth in Game 6 that was played Friday night—for its fourth-straight Philippine Cup Finals appearance. “One significant thing that we consider this year is winning the Philippine Cup in the PBA’s 50th season,” added Lastimosa, who as interim coach in 2023 in lieu of head coach Chot Reyes attending to national team duties steered TNT to the Governors’ Cup crown.

“That’s one of the highlights we want to achieve for our organization and we’ll be playing our best,” he said. “I talked to the players individually about this and they are all excited.” Reyes, on the other hand, talked about his team’s own “never quit” version. “We have this mantra that we do not give up and that is what we embrace as a whole,” said Reyes, adding that the players are ready to step up anytime they’re called. “We have no assurance that Roger Pogoy will suit up in the finals because of a hamstring injury,” he said. “But every player is ready, and there’s no player here who can ask for his playing time.” He added: “I control their minutes and all they can do is to be ready. All of them know that and I’m glad they are responding very well.” Lastimosa said both the Beermen and Gin Kings are tough, so they’ll be ready for either. “Whoever we face between these two giant ball clubs are definitely tough,” Lastimosa said. “We can’t pick our poison for now.” TNT was an early bird in the Finals

after wrapping up its series with Meralco at 4-1. “We will go to the finals thinking about ourselves and we are not going to be focused on anything that we can’t control,” said Jordan Heading, who played another major role alongside Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac in their 99-96 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Heading is the team’s second leading scorer with 15.8 average in five games of the semifinals after firing away 31 points in Game 5, while Oftana’s been TNT’s main offense weapon averaging 16.8 pointsalso in the semifinals. Pogoy averaged 14.0 points before injuring his hamstring, while Game 5 hero Nambatac improved his numbers to 11.8 points.

surfaces, different atmospheres,” Alcaraz said. “And that’s what a real champion does: adapting themselves wherever they play. Different cities, stadiums, in front of different crowds. That makes a real champion. That’s why I’m really looking forward to doing it.” The youngest man with a career Slam was Don Budge, who was two days from turning 23 when he won the 1938 French Open as part of a calendaryear Slam. Maureen Connolly has the overall mark: She was 18 when she completed

Wemby shaves head, shines bright as Spurs down Bucks

CALVIN OFTANA and the Tropang 5G get some rest ahead of the title series. PBA IMAGES

Alcaraz determined to join elite circle of career slam champs ARLOS ALCARAZ knows what matters the most to him in 2026 and isn’t shy about telling the world: He wants to win the Australian Open to complete a career Grand Slam. That would make him the ninth man in tennis history with at least one singles championship from each of the sport›s four most prestigious tournaments—and, at 22 years and just under 9 months old at the event›s conclusion, the youngest. “It’s going to be my first tournament of the season, and it’s really the main goal for me,” Alcaraz told The Associated Press. “I’m going to do the preseason just focused for the Australian Open—to be in really good shape for the Australian Open, physically, mentally, tennis-wise. Everything.” When play begins on the hard courts of Melbourne Park on Sunday (Saturday night EST), Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, who is 24, both will be chasing the one major trophy missing from their collections. He owns a total of six so far: two apiece from the red clay of the French Open, the grass of Wimbledon and the hard courts of the US Open. So does she: four from the French Open and one each from Wimbledon and the US Open. “Players who have been able to complete the four of them...adapt in different situations, different

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA and the Spurs halt a two-game slide. AP

ALL eyes will be on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the first Grand Slam of the season gets going. AP

her full set at the 1953 French Open, one of 10 women to win all four majors. Swiatek has come closer than Alcaraz in Australia, getting to the semifinals twice. Alcaraz has been as far as the quarterfinals, including losing to 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in 2025. Currently No. 2 behind Aryna Sabalenka—who is a two-time Australian Open winner and was last year’s runner-up to Madison Keys— Swiatek was asked which would mean more to her: winning in Melbourne or returning to the top of the rankings. “I don’t need to choose which

S one is more important, which one is a priority. I’m still young. I have plenty of time to do different things and achieve different goals in my career,” came the reply. “I really don’t need to put that pressure on myself to do something in the next two weeks.” Alcaraz, who recently split from longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, is ranked No. 1 but won’t be the favorite over the coming 15 days. That’s his rival, No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who won the past two Australian Opens and appeared in the last five Slam finals overall. He won the US Open in 2024 and Wimbledon in 2025, meaning the 24-year-old Sinner enters 2026 on the verge of a career Slam, too. “We are players who are pretty complete, I’d say,” Sinner said about himself and Alcaraz. “We can change the way we play.” No matter when a career Grand Slam arrives—at age 21 for Serena Williams, for example, or 29 for Djokovic—it is significant and truly sets tennis players apart. “They’re obviously already so successful, they’re kind of trying to check off the boxes of even more big accomplishments. That’s a huge milestone,” said Taylor Fritz, the 2024 runner-up to Sinner in New York. “At such a young age for all of them, it’s even more impressive.” Sinner’s missing piece? RolandGarros, where he lost last year’s final to Alcaraz after holding a trio of championship points. AP

AN ANTONIO—San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama needed a fresh start after two frustrating losses so he decided to let it all go—his hair, that is. Sporting a freshly shaved head courtesy of a teammate, Wembanyama overcame an injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds Thursday night as San Antonio routed Milwaukee, 119-101, to snap a two-game skid. Wembanyama exited early in the first quarter after banging knees with Giannis Antetokounmpo but returned to even his career record against the Bucks center after four games. It was a welcome change for Wembanyama and the Spurs after blowing a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter in falling 104-103 at Minnesota on Sunday followed by a 119-98 loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday. San Antonio forward Keldon Johnson deserves some credit for the change in fortunes as well as Wembanyama’s new style. “I have been having this [shaving his head] in the back of my head for a little bit, and the fact that [Keldon] wanted to do it as well, it just convinced me,” Wembanyama said. “But I felt like we had to lock in real quick because we had been losing a little bit.” The idea for new look began last week when Johnson announced he was planning to shave his head and tried to convince his teammates to join him. Spurs guard Stephon Castle wasn’t about to shave his dreadlock high-top fade. “They knew not to ask me,” Castle said. “I don’t got much for that one. It’s not going to happen.” Not surprisingly, the young man who spent 10 days training with the Shaolin monks in Zhengzhou, China, this summer and played chess in Washington Square Park in New York City on a whim two years ago was all in. Wembanyama opted to have Johnson

shave his head Wednesday night rather than go to a professional barber. “I mean, what can go wrong if the plan is to cut it all off,” Wembanyama said, chuckling. Johnson is rarely at a standstill on the court or on the bench, but he reined in his energy while clipping Wembanyama. “It took me a good little minute,” Johnson said. “I was trying to be cautious because he got hit [on the head against Oklahoma City]. He had a knot on his head. So, I was trying to make sure everything’s smooth. Take my time. You know what I’m saying? I had to fade it up a little bit at first. Then I gave him a little bowl cut and we just went from there.” Wembanyama returned the favor with the same precision he had in making 5 of 6 3-pointers on Thursday. “He did good,” Johnson said. “He was quick with it. No lie. Vic probably took like three minutes. Boom, boom, boom, knocking down. Boom. I’m like, wow.” The bald head represented a new start and it also brought a turn of fortune after a series of injuries for the 7-foot-4 center from France. Wembanyama dropped to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo’s left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama remained on the court in pain for a few seconds before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room. The scene was eerily similar to Wembanyama limping off the court Dec. 31 after hyperextending his left knee in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks. He returned the bench to watch the closing minutes on New Year’s Eve but would miss the next two games. On Thursday, Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter. AP