NICKEL AND DIMED: U.S. BILL COULD HURT PHL EV TRADE
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
according to an advisory published by the Department of Trade and IndustryExport Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB).
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
AMANILA-BASED think tank on Wednesday raised
over a new draft circular from the Department of Energy (DOE), which outlines a framework for integrating nuclear energy into the Philippines’ power generation mix. What makes it alarming, in the view of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), a group that advocates a shift to renewable energy, is that it seemingly provides the first nuclear power plant exemption from the Competitive Selection Process (CSP).
The CSP was mandated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) to ensure leastcost power procurement by requiring distribution utilities (DUs) to conduct open competitive bidding processes for power supply agreements.
Bypassing this process to fasttrack nuclear energy casts doubt on the DOE’s commitment to ensuring affordable electricity
for consumers, says CEED.
“The CSP was mandated to ensure the least cost power for consumers, and also to ensure transparency and accountability. By exempting nuclear power from this process, the DOE is setting a dangerous precedent where high-risk projects can be pushed forward without due diligence or the best interests of consumers in mind,” Gerry Arances, Executive Director of CEED, said.
Implications on electricity rates are also an addition to safety and sustainability risks, Arances said.
“In a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters, the environmental risks of nuclear energy cannot be overstated. Building a nuclear facility in the Philippines means placing our communities, many of whom already face social and climate vulnerabilities, at the front row of nuclear accidents and pollution,” Arances said. The Philippines is rich in renewable energy resources, with
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE Philippines may see a surge in job opportunities this year—despite rising global trade tensions—as the country accelerates its shift to renewable energy, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). ILO Country Director for the Philippines Khalid Hassan said that while up to 7 million jobs could be lost globally due to trade disruptions and the overall economic slowdown, the volume of investments flowing into the Philippines—particularly in clean energy—could offset potential losses and fuel significant employment growth.
“I see a lot of jobs creation because of the investment that is coming to the country...It’s an open society and that is the strength of it that we will be able to create more jobs. I can see that offshore windmills are entrusted in the Philippines,” Hassan told BusinessMirror Hassan said the energy transition alone could be a major driver of employment in the coming years, as both foreign and local firms begin building long-term projects.
He noted that the country’s young and English-proficient workforce gives the Philippines a distinct advantage in taking on these new roles—not just in domestic projects, but potentially in overseas markets as well.
“They are not only entrusted for the Philippines. They want to create jobs there where those people can go to other countries and work also. So they are working on all these things,” Hassan explained. In May, the Department of Energy (DOE) awarded 92 service contracts for renewable energy projects, many of which involve offshore wind and are expected to generate more than 65 gigawatts of power once operational. These projects are located across the north of Luzon, west of Metro Manila, Mindoro, Panay, and the Guimaras Strait. The DOE is targeting to increase the share of renewables in the
By Cai U. Ordinario
WITH thousands falling victim to road accidents, the Insurance Commission (IC), through a draft circular, has proposed to increase the benefits and premium rates for Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance (CMVLI) Coverage.
The IC also intends to double the limits of liability up to P400,000 and increase premium rates for one year and three year CMVLI coverages.
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed deaths due to land transport accidents rose to 13,125 in 2023, the highest recorded in over a decade.
“[This is] in consonance with the
President’s commitment to improve coverage for victims of road traffic incidents, increasing the CMVLI benefits aligns with the national policy of ensuring accessible and adequate financial protection,” the draft circular stated.
“The primordial purpose of the CMVLI is to guarantee and ensure that the owners and/or operators of motor vehicles have the means and resources to indemnify, as far as applicable, the death and/or bodily injury of third parties or passengers arising from the operation of their motor vehicles,” it also read.
Based on the draft circular, CMVLI premium rates for one year coverage will increase to P1,134.49 from P740 for AC/Tourist Cars; P1,686.4
from P1,100 for Taxi/PUJ/Minibus; and P1,632.27 from P1,450 for PUB/ Tourist Bus.
The list also says CMVLI premium rates for one-year coverage will be kept the same for Motorcycles/Tricycles/Trailers at P250; private cars at P560; commercial vehicle-light and medium at P560; and commercial vehicle-heavy, P1,200.
For three-year CMVLI coverage, the premium rates will increase for AC/Tourist cars to P3,250.16 from P2,120; Taxi/PUJ/Minibus, P4,829.26 from P3,150; PUB/Tourist Bus.
The premium rates for Motorcycles/Tricycles/Trailers were kept the same at P720 as well as for private cars at P1,610; commercial vehicle-
light and medium at P1,750; and commercial vehicle-heavy, P3,440.
“All non-life insurance companies shall, within three [3] months from the effectivity of this Circular, secure approval of the Commission prior to the issuance of all CMVLI policies reflecting the benefits provided in this Circular,” the draft stated. Meanwhile, in terms of benefits, the IC is proposing to increase death indemnity to P400,000. This includes burial and funeral expenses. In terms of disablement, the IC is proposing to increase the total benefits payable to P200,000 from the existing P50,000 for the loss of two limbs; both hands or all fingers and both thumbs; both feet; one hand and
Dumlao agreed that higher wages alone would not expand the economy. “It does not change the size of the pie nor the average size of the slices,” he said.
The government originally aimed to achieve Umic status by 2020, but the economic fallout from the pandemic derailed this plan.
Moving into a higher income classification would enhance investor confidence, improve credit ratings and elevate the Philippines’ global economic standing. However, it could also reduce the country’s access to concessional loans and grants, and subject it to higher borrowing costs.
DA asks DBM to release ’24 rice tariff collection balance
By Ada Pelonia
THEDepartment of Agriculture (DA) has requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the remaining balance from rice collections in 2024.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Ar-
nel de Mesa said the balance should be released to the agency as early as the third quarter to coincide with the planting for the dry season.
and trends.
About 250 leaders from the hotel industry, investment community, property development, and government are expected to attend the conference, which will be headlined by guest panelist like Alliance Global CEO Kevin Tan, Ayala Land Group Head for Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala, among others.
“PHCon 2025 ensures attendees are at the forefront of industry innovations, policy developments, and investment opportunities. It’s an opportunity to influence the future of Philippine tourism, while securing investors’ stakes in its promising trajectory,” said Lopez.
Under the amended Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) or Republic Act (RA) 12078, the amount earmarked for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) tripled to P30 billion until 2031 to fund the rice industry’s
₧50 wage…
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micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as a reason to delay or weaken the wage hike bill in the 20th Congress. Sentro reminded the administration that
programs.
Rice tariff collection is appropriated for the RCEF as stipulated under the RTL, geared towards enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippines’ rice sector.
In 2024, the country’s rice tariff collections hit a record P34.23 billion, based on data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC). This figure is around 14 percent higher than the P29.93 bil-
under House Bill 11376, small businesses would be exempted from immediately implementing the increase.
“The real opposition to the wage hike isn’t coming from sari-sari store owners or carinderia operators. It’s coming from giant corporations like SM and other similar conglomerates—the same companies that rake in billions in profits while paying hundreds of
lion recorded in the previous year.
De Mesa noted that P10 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) has already been released to the agency. This shows that P24.23 billion remains from the total collected duties last year.
“The DA has already requested the remaining balance,” the DA official told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.
De Mesa said around P9 billion will fund mechanization, while P6 billion will be allotted for inbred rice seeds.
The proposed budget allocation for the remaining balance to be allocated to seven projects has been submitted to the DBM, subject to the President’s approval, De Mesa said. He did not disclose the proposed budget for the re -
thousands of workers the absolute minimum,” Sentro said.
The group added that MSMEs are already supported by the Department of Trade and Industry through credit access, training, and market linkages.
Rather than suffer, small businesses are expected to benefit from a wage hike because stronger worker spending power can translate
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one foot; sight of both eyes; injuries resulting in being permanently bedridden; and any other injury causing permanent total disablement.
The total benefits payable will also be increased to P80,000 from P20,000 injuries such as those on the arm at/or above the elbow; leg at/or above the knee; and the sight of one eye.
The benefits payable will also increase to P60,000 from P15,000 injuries to the arm between the elbow and wrist; hand; four fingers and thumb of one hand; leg below the knee; one foot; and hearing in one ear.
The list showed the benefits will also increase to P120,000 from P30,000 for the loss of hearing for both ears; P48,000 from P12,000 injuries to four fingers; and P40,000 from P10,000 for injuries to all toes of one foot.
The draft also provides an increase in benefits payable to P32,000 from P8,000 for injuries on a thumb and P24,000 from P6,000 injuries on an index finger.
Expenses for hospital rooms will also increase to P2,000 per day from P500 per day; surgical operations to P6,000 to P30,000 from P1,500 to P7,500; Anesthesiologist’s fees, P2,000 to P10,000 from P500 to P2,500; and operating room use, P2,000 to P6,000 from the current rate of P500 to P1,500.
Medical expenses benefits will also increase to P1,600 per day from P400 per day for doctor visits.
The total amount for this benefit is P20,000, raised from the current
spective projects. He noted that the suite of projects includes financial assistance, credit assistance, solar-powered irrigation and soil health improvement, training and extension services, composting facilities, and pest and disease management.
“The [allocation for] contract farming [project] may be separated, since only seven projects have been identified,” De Mesa said.
Under the amended law, farmers registered under the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), along with the cooperatives and associations accredited by the DA, are the beneficiaries of RCEF.
The Philippines imported a record 4.8 million metric tons (MMT) of rice in 2024, based on government data.
to higher local demand. In April, Malacañang said it would not certify the wage hike bill pending in the 19th Congress as urgent, maintaining that wage-setting should remain within the regional tripartite boards. The 19th Congress adjourned last month without reconciling the House and Senate versions of the wage hike bill.
P5,000. Coverage for medicines will also be increased to P80,000 from P20,000 while ambulance assistance will increase to P6,000 from P1,500.
“The Insurer will pay all pertinent and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the accident not provided under this Schedule of Benefits, subject to a maximum amount of Ten Thousand Pesos [P10,000.00] but in no case shall the Insurer’s aggregate payment exceed the overall Limits of Liability under Sections II and III,” the draft stated.
The draft also stated that any claim for death or bodily injuries sustained by a passenger or third party shall be paid without proving fault or negligence of any kind.
This is provided that the total indemnity in respect of any person shall be Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,000.00) for all motor vehicles.
In 2023, land transportation deaths accounted for 1.9 percent of all deaths nationwide, with young adults aged 20 to 24 consistently having the highest number of deaths due to land transport accidents from 2010 to 2023.
The number also translates to a 7.2-percent increase from 2022, where 12,240 deaths were recorded.
Data also showed a notable decline in land transport deaths in 2020 during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of nationwide lockdowns that significantly reduced road activity.
In 2020, fatalities dropped to 8,765, or a 31.3-percent decrease from 2019. While the decline marked a sharp break from the upward trend of previous years, deaths surged back in 2021 following the easing of restrictions, exceeding prepandemic levels.
eligibility for clean vehicle tax incentives, and imposing of a 3.5% excise tax on overseas remittances sent by non-US citizens.”
“Noting that the Philippines is part of the Electric Vehicle supply chain, the BBB’s proposed changes may have an effect on the demand for the country’s green metals that feed in to the EV supply chain in the US,” DTI-EMB noted.
With this, the DTI is advising all relevant industries and stakeholders— particularly those involved in EV manufacturing, supply chain operations, and financial services—to “consider conducting an early assessment of potential impacts and prepare appropriate risk mitigation strategies.”
The BBB was sponsored and introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington on May 20, 2025 and was subsequently passed in the House on May 22, 2025. The Senate was projected to pass it by July 4, but the chamber cast the historic vote two days earlier, with the narrowest of margins that required Vice President Vance to break the tie.
According to DTI-EMB’s advisory, relevant provisions of the BBB that may affect the Philippines are the following: Termination of Clean Vehicle Credit, Termination of qualified commercial clean vehicle credit and Excise Tax on remittance transfer. In reference to Section 112002-Termination of Clean Vehicle Credit, the advisory noted that under the current law, US taxpayers may claim a tax credit up to US$7,500 for new “clean” vehicles, usually referred to as electric vehicle (EV) in the US.
“This tax credit applies to vans, SUVs, and pick-up trucks with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price [MSRP] of at least US$80,000 and other clean vehicles with an [MSRP] of US$55,000. The tax credit is set to expire on December 31,2032,” the DTI-EMB advisory read. However, if BBB is passed, the incentive will be terminated by December 31,2025. Further, only manufacturers that have not sold 200,000 units of new clean vehicles may qualify for the tax credit. As to the Termination of qualified commercial clean vehicle credit, the DTI-EMB advisory read: “Under the current law, US taxpayers can claim a tax credit up to US$ 7,500 for a clean commercial vehicle that was placed in service within the year. Clean commercial vehicles that are less than 14,000 pounds in weight can claim the US$7,500 in tax credit while those weighing more can claim up to US$40,000.” This incentive was set to expire on December 31,2032. However, under this section of the BBB, the expiration date will be accelerated to May 12,2025.
“Only clean commercial vehicles that were ordered or purchased on or before May 12,2025 will be eligible for said tax credit,” the advisory noted. As to the amendment on the Excise Tax on remittance transfer, under the current law, there is no excise tax on overseas remittance in the US.
“Under the BBB however, a 3.5 percent excise tax on said remittance will be imposed. The excise tax only applies to non-US citizens and will be collected by the remittance companies on each transaction,” the DTI-EMB noted in the advisory.
A report by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) showed the Philippines is the second-largest producer of mined nickel in 2023 in the world, with an estimated production of 400,000 metric tons, the DTI noted in July 2024.
“With 26 producing nickel mines, the country is currently the top exporter of nickel direct shipping ore in the world, mostly exported to China. The Philippine nickel industry remains a key player in the global market, supplying raw materials for the manufacturing of stainless steel, batteries, and other industrial applications,” the Trade department said. DTI also noted that apart from nickel there are other critical mineral sources “abundant” in the Philippines such as cobalt, which is typically produced alongside nickel in the form of mixed-nickel cobalt sulfide, copper, chromite, gold, and iron among others.
Lacson bill regulates social media use by minors
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
MUCH has been said about the harmful effects of too much exposure to social media by Filipino youths, so Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson filed a bill reckoning with the problem.
Lacson’s bill regulating the use of social media platforms by minors is premised on studies showing how the excessive use of social media is linked to mental health problems, as well as anxiety, depression and social isolation.
“A Unicef [United Nations Children’s Fund] study...revealed that Filipino children and adolescents have grown vulnerable to cyberbullying, body image pressures, and online harassment because of social media exposure,” Lacson said in the explanatory note of his bill, titled “An Act Regulating the Use of Social Media Platforms by Minors, Imposing Age Restrictions, Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, and for Other Purposes.”
Lacson added: “The Council for the Welfare of Children reported that one in every three children in the Philippines aged 0 to 18 uses the internet, while the National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey revealed that 60 percent of children aged 10 to 17 not only have internet access but are also active users.”
Australian model LACSON noted that other countries such as Australia have initiated policies to regulate minors’ access to social media and online platforms. In passing a law that sets the minimum age limit for social media platforms, the Australian government pointed out
CA junks Pogo exec’s plea to drop charges against her
Tthat this is part of its broader strategy to create safer digital spaces for everyone.
“Taking inspiration from this model, and in adherence to the State’s declared policy of promoting and protecting the mental and emotional well-being of its children, this bill is being proposed to protect Filipino children below 18 years old from online risks and harmful content by prohibiting minors from accessing or using social media platforms,” Lacson said.
Under his bill, minors shall be prohibited from accessing or using social media services, while social media platforms shall take “reasonable steps and age verification measures to prevent age-restricted users from registering, accessing, or continuing to use their social media service.”
Among the obligations of social media platforms are to:
n Adopt reliable means to ensure the age and identity of its users, such as but not limited to ID verification, facial recognition, and other identity authentication systems;
n Conduct regular audits of user account data to detect and remove age-restricted users from the platform; and
n Adopt prompt response
mechanisms for reports or findings of age-restricted users on the platform.
Users’ data
PERSONAL information collected by social media platforms or thirdparty service providers to implement age verification measures shall be subject to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and applicable laws.
The bill requires platform providers to ensure that the data collected is “limited, secure, and retained only for the period necessary to fulfill its intended lawful purpose,” with users “clearly informed of the purpose and scope of data collection, including their rights.”
Violation of this provision shall subject the platform to penalties under the Data Privacy Act and any other administrative, civil, or criminal penalties as may be prescribed by law.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall serve as the primary implementing agency of this Act. It shall:
n Monitor compliance of social media platforms with age restrictions, identity verification protocols, and other requirements;
n Establish reporting mechanisms for violations, including
unauthorized use by minors and non-compliance by platforms or service providers;
n Conduct investigations, motu proprio or upon complaint, on alleged violations such as underage user access, data privacy breaches, or failure of platforms to act;
n Issue Disabling Orders directing the takedown, removal, or deactivation of accounts found in violation of age restrictions;
n Enforce administrative sanctions against internet service providers, including fines, suspension, or revocation of permits for failure to comply with this Act;
n Issue directives and impose penalties on social media platforms, including administrative fines and access restrictions, for any violation of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations; and
n Coordinate with relevant government agencies, including the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), National Privacy Commission (NPC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Education (DepEd), to ensure consistent, child-sensitive, and effective enforcement of this Act.
The DICT may issue a disabling order to take down or remove an account that is determined to be
owned or operated by an age-restricted user. It shall notify the NTC within three days and instruct it to monitor the compliance with the order.
An administrative fine of P1 to P20 million for each act of noncompliance awaits social media platforms and service providers who fail or refuse to comply with the measure. They also face a daily fine of up to P100,000 for each day of continuing violation after due notice. Social media platforms and service providers also face suspension or revocation of access, operations, or licenses within the Philippines, upon repeated or willful violations.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) face an administrative fine of P300,000 to P3 million for failure to execute or enforce a Disabling Order issued by the DICT; as well as temporary suspension or revocation of permits, or licenses for gross or repeated failure to comply.
Third-Party Age Verification Providers face an administrative fine of P500,000 to P5 million for breach of data privacy provisions or failure to meet verification standards. They also face a permanent ban from offering related services to platforms operating in the Philippines upon a finding of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
House Makabayan bloc files anti-political dynasty bill
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
the monopoly of political power by a few families and opens up democratic space to more Filipinos.”
equal access to public service and curtail the monopolization of political power by ruling families.
dynasties” (sequential succession).
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed outright the petition filed by Katherine Cassandra Li Ong seeking the reversal of the resolution issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicting him for qualified human trafficking in connection with her involvement in the illegal operations of a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
In a seven-page resolution written by Associate Justice Pablito Perez, the CA’s Special Thirteenth Division held that Ong failed to exhaust all legal remedies prior to the filing of the appeal before the CA.
The appellate court noted that Ong admitted in her petition that she did not avail of legal remedies such as a motion for reconsideration and appeal as required under the rules governing preliminary investigations.
“It follows that the assailed resolution is neither final nor unappealable with respect to petitioner, and speedy, adequate and effective reliefs were available to petitioner Ong in the ordinary course of law before resorting to this court on certiorari,” the decision read.
The CA said the reasons cited by Ong in directly filing an appeal before lack merit. Ong argued that availing of reconsideration before the DOJ would have been futile because in view of Secretary Jesus
Crispin Remulla’s evident bias based on his public statements expressing trust and confidence in the DOJ panel that conducted the preliminary investigation.
But, the CA said “a superior’s expression of trust and confidence in his subordinates does not equate to pre-judgment or the surrender by the superior of discretion to correct errors by his subordinates.”
She added that the DOJ panel of prosecutors also disregarded her due process rights, and based its findings on pure speculation.
However, the CA said Ong’s belief that reconsideration and appeal would have been futile in this case “is speculative and conjectural.”
“Immediate resort to this court was unjustified and this court has no other duty but to dismiss the Petition,” the CA said. Concurring with the resolution are Associate Justices Lorenza Bordios and Emily San Gaspar-Gito.
It can be recalled that in April, the DOJ indicted Ong, the official representative of POGO hub Lucky South 99, along with former presidential spokesman and human-rights lawyer Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., as well as several other individuals for qualified human trafficking.
The Regional Trial Court in Angeles City has issued an arrest warrant against Ong and her co-accused including Roque who sought asylum in the Netherlands.
Ong earlier denied participation in any illegal Pogo activities.
Two absolute divorce bills filed at House
TWO new bills seeking to institutionalize absolute divorce have been refiled in the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress, reviving the push for divorce as an option for couples in failed and often abusive marriages.
House Bill 108, authored by Party-list Rep. JC Abalos of 4Ps, and HB 210, jointly filed by Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee Louise Co of Kabataan, both seek to reintroduce absolute divorce as a legal recourse in the country.
In his explanatory note, Abalos emphasized that divorce recognizes the validity of marriage but acknowledges its breakdown
due to circumstances arising after the union was solemnized.
“The termination occurs not due to any defect or omission at the time of the marriage ceremony, but rather as a result of circumstances that arise during the marriage itself—which is a reality that most individuals often fail to acknowledge,” Abalos said. He cited a study showing that approximately 17.5 percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their partners, highlighting the urgency for a divorce law that protects vulnerable spouses.
IN a renewed push to dismantle entrenched political dynasties, the Makabayan bloc on Tuesday filed House Bill No. 209, also known as the proposed AntiPolitical Dynasty Act.
Authored by Pary-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee Co of Kabataan, the measure seeks to give teeth to Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the prohibition of political dynasties “as may be defined by law.”
This constitutional provision has remained largely unimplemented for over three decades owing to the absence of enabling legislation.
“This bill is long overdue,” Tinio and Co said in the explanatory note. “It is time for Congress to pass a measure that breaks
Under HB 209, a political dynasty is defined as a “family or clan that concentrates, consolidates, or perpetuates their political power by holding public office simultaneously or successively.”
The bill said no person shall hold or run for any national or local elective position simultaneously with another relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity—whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half-blood.
It also said no relative within the prohibited degree may immediately succeed an incumbent elected official in the same post.
If enacted, these restrictions would take effect in subsequent elections.
Tinio and Co stressed that the bill is rooted in the social justice principles of the 1987 Constitution, which aims to guarantee
According to lawmakers, public service has been reduced to a family enterprise, a political inheritance passed from spouse to child, from sibling to cousin.
The entrenchment of dynasties, they added, mirrors the rule of monarchs and oligarchs, enabling the consolidation of economic and political power and reinforcing the patronage system that impedes democratic development.
Citing a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), the Makabayan bloc noted that at least 18 “obese” political dynasties—clans with five or more members in elected positions— won seats in the May 2025 elections alone.
This phenomenon goes beyond the traditional classifications of “fat dynasties” (simultaneous officeholders) and “thin
Hawaii National Guard senior officer visits DND
THE Philippines’ strong military ties with the Hawaii National Guard was highlighted as ranking officials of the organization paid a courtesy call to the Department of National Defense (DND) in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City on July 1.
In this meeting, the Hawaii National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, paid a courtesy call on Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans, and Reserve Affairs Pablo Lorenzo, the DND said
The proposed measures seek to amend the Family Code by introducing absolute divorce as an additional option, alongside existing remedies such as legal separation and declaration of nullity or annulment.
Abalos clarified that the Family Code’s current provisions are limited and inaccessible for many, particularly from marginalized sectors.
Abalos’ proposed Absolute Divorce Act aims to provide an affordable, efficient, and legally recognized process to dissolve marriages that have proven to be irreparable.
In their explanatory note, Tinio and Co acknowledged that Philippine society traditionally frowns upon marital breakups and emphasizes cultural and religious norms that
in a statement on Wednesday.
The two officials reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States through the State Partnership Program during the visit.
“Undersecretary Lorenzo conveyed appreciation for the 25-year collaboration between the Hawaii National Guard and the Armed Forces [AFP], emphasizing its critical role in strengthening interoperability, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and security operations,” the DND said.
uphold marriage as a sacred bond.
“However, the cultural prescriptions for women and men differ,” the bill’s explanatory note argued. “Women are traditionally held responsible for keeping the marriage together and are expected to sacrifice everything, even in the face of abuse or inequality.”
According to lawmakers, the bill is grounded in the constitutional mandates to respect human dignity, promote gender equality, and ensure the full respect for human rights.
“For many women, the inequalities and violence in marriage negate its ideals as the embodiment of love, care, and safety,” the bill said.
Both HB 108 and HB 210 enumerate
Lorenzo also highlighted the DND’s ongoing efforts to harmonize and professionalize the AFP Reserve Force, aligning it with the country’s evolving security landscape.
Meanwhile, Logan expressed Hawaii’s full support in this endeavor, citing their extensive experience in mobilizing reserve components during both military contingencies and disaster response operations.
See “HAwaii,” A4
specific grounds for granting an absolute divorce decree, including physical violence or abuse, drug addiction or habitual alcoholism, homosexuality, irreconcilable differences, psychological incapacity, and grounds already recognized under annulment laws (Article 45 of the Family Code).
The bill proposes a 60-day “cooling-off” period during which the Family Court may attempt reconciliation, except in cases involving abuse. Tinio and Co’s version of the bill also proposes a six-month coolingoff period but underscores a rights-based approach.
During the 19th Congress, the House of Representatives approved a similar divorce bill on third and final reading. However, the bill stalled in the Senate.
Citing a separate study by Temario Rivera for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), lawmakers said 94 percent of Philippine provinces have at least one dominant political family, with an average of 2.3 dynastic clans per province. It added that even the party-list system, meant to empower marginalized sectors, has reportedly been infiltrated by political families and economic elites, undermining its original intent.
The measure emphasizes that political dynasties restrict opportunities for equally capable individuals outside powerful clans and that many voters are left with limited choices due to cultural and economic dependence on political families. Lawmakers argue that dismantling political dynasties is vital in ensuring political pluralism, genuine representation, and social equity.
OFFICE of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV was designated as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the civil defense and disaster response agency, Malacañang announced.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Alejandro will serve as the temporary replacement of former OCD and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) head Ariel F. Nepomuceno. Nepomuceno has been appointed as Customs commissioner.
“An OIC [of OCD] has been appointed, this is Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV,” she said. Castro said Alejandro will ensure the capability of OCD to continue its role in responding to the effects of natural disasters, including the weather disturbances, which were detected by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Tuesday. A low pressure area was located 200 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, while the tropical depression was located 2,660 kilometers east of north Luzon.
“The role of the Office of Civil Defense is important in such situations,” Castro said. Samuel P. Medenilla
Govt braces for reimposition of Trump’s tariffs
By Samuel P. Medenilla
A@sam_medenilla
MID the looming threat
of US President Donald Trump to reimpose steep tariffs on that country’s trading partners, Malacañang said the government is bracing for all possible outcomes of its negotiations to reduce the duties slapped by US customs on
Philippine goods. In a press briefing Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disclosed that the talks between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the US Trade Representative (USTR) are still ongoing.
However, she said the Palace can not disclose additional details about the said discussions since they are covered by the country’s
confidentiality agreement with the US.
“But we can expect that whatever the solution or rather resolution here will be, it will be for the good of our people,” Castro said in Filipino.
She assured that the economic managers are making the necessary preparations in case the US decides to retain its existing 10 percent additional tariff on
Solon wants legislative process to be
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALAWMAKER on Wednesday proposed the passage of a resolution to make legislative processes—particularly the bicameral deliberations on the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA)— more participatory and transparent.
Party-list Rep. Jude A. Acidre of Tingog, in a news conference, has voiced strong support for the proposal to open bicameral conference committee deliberations on the national budget to the public.
“I stand with Speaker Martin [Romualdez] in pushing for open bicameral conference committee sessions—not just for the GAA or national budget, but for any key policy being crafted in Congress,” Acidre said. He stressed that transparency during bicameral deliberations would help Filipinos better understand how laws and national policies are finalized, noting that this phase is often where significant changes are made away from public scrutiny.
“As the song goes, ‘We’re all in the same boat.’ This move is one way to truly show that governance is not just the
Philippine goods as well as if it decides to lower or increase it.
“Whatever happens in this [talks], the country needs to be prepared [for its results]. That is why our President, [and] the economic team is always studying about this,” she added.
Aside from lowering the USimposed tariffs, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs
‘more participatory, transparent’
duty of elected officials, but a shared responsibility with ordinary citizens who also deserve to have a say in the direction of our country,” he added.
Acidre suggested that a formal House resolution would be the most practical and immediate route, rather than amending existing House rules.
“Initially, the fastest way to go about this, in my opinion, is really to pass a resolution,” he said.
“In my view, the fastest and most feasible way to push this forward is to pass a resolution,” he explained. “Changing
House rules takes time, but with a resolution, we can immediately institutionalize open deliberations at the bicameral level.”
Acidre also expressed openness to other mechanisms that would institutionalize transparency in the legislative process, provided these uphold the independence and efficiency of Congress.
Romualdez had earlier emphasized that the public has the right to know how their taxes are being allocated and that opening the budget bicam to public scrutiny is a step toward accountable governance.
Caap sees safer skies
By Nonie Reyes
PHILIPPINE skies are set to become even safer, thanks to a major leap forward by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap).
On July 1, Caap has launched its brand-new digital Safety Reports Portal, a cutting-edge system designed to revolutionize how aviation safety risks are identified and tackled.
Gone are the days of complicated paperwork. This innovative portal will streamline the reporting of all safety occurrences, ensuring that critical information is shared quickly, allowing for timely identification and mitigation of potential hazards.
The portal offers two key avenues for reporting:
n Mandatory Reporting: This covers serious events like aviation incidents, accidents, and other safety-related occurrences that must be reported.
n Voluntary Reporting: This crucial category encourages a culture of proactive safety, allowing individuals to report observations of latent conditions, insights on human factors, operational anomalies, unsafe situations, suggestions for safety improvements, and even self-disclosure of non-compliance.
It’s all about catching potential issues before they become major problems.
This new mandate, in line with the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (Pcar), applies to everyone involved in the aviation sector—from certified organizations and approved entities to licensed aviation professionals and any individual with direct knowledge of safety occurrences. Transparency and information sharing are key. Caap assures the public that while this initiative promotes openness, the confidentiality and integrity of all submitted data will be strictly safeguarded, in full compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 or Republic Act 10173.
Your privacy is a priority.
Ready to contribute to a safer sky? You can file a report or access the portal by visiting: https://safety-reports.caap.gov.ph
This significant safety enhancement measure is part of Caap’s broader commitment to align the Philippines with global aviation safety standards and best practices.
It also directly reflects the vision of President Marcos and Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon for a truly modernized, responsive, and secure aviation industry for the nation.
Frederick D. Go said DTI will also try to secure a free trade agreement with the US.
Last April, Trump imposed what he called “reciprocal tariffs” on goods coming from nearly all countries. Philippines was slapped with a 17 percent tariff that time.
Trump, however, decided on April 9 to implement a 90-day suspension for tariffs higher than 10
DAVAO CITY—An advocacy group on Wednesday called on senators and members of the House of Representatives to go further than announcing their willingness to bare in public the budget discussion in Congress’ bicameral committee committee, asking them to be transparent in the entire budgetmaking process.
Social Watch Philippines (SWP) said it has 200 civil society organizations and individuals that want the Congress to avoid “suspicious actions” in the national budget’s bicameral committee deliberations, adding that they wanted transparency in the entire process.
“The group is urging the Congress to go further by making the entire lawmaking process more transparent and accessible to citizens,” the SWP said, citing recent reports that Speaker Martin Romualdez, Party-list Reps. Marcelino Libanan of 4-P, and Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, as well as the Senate “have expressed support for livestreaming budget bicam deliberations, aligning with calls to end closed-door sessions.”
The SWP warned that critical decisions on budgets and laws often occur away from public view, “enabling major reallocations and insertions without explanation.”
It cited the insertion of Special Provision 1(d) in the 2024 budget, which enabled the Department of Finance’s P89.9 billion PhilHealth fund transfer, and the removal of new coal taxes under the TRAIN Bill, which preserved tax breaks for coal companies.
“We appreciate the lawmakers’ commitment to transparency during bicam budget talks. This is a significant step, but it should not stop there. Citizens must be allowed to observe not just the final stages of budget deliberations but also technical budget hearings at the Executive level, Congress committee hearings, technical working groups, and other crucial discussions where laws and policies are shaped,” said SWP Co-Convener
Hawaii. . .
Continued from A3
percent on all its trade partners except China, which will lapse next week, to give more time for the countries to negotiate for a lower US tariff if they will reduce their tariff on American goods or remove non-tariff barriers. The White House earlier said Trump may opt to extend the 90day tariff. Trump has yet to make any announcement for the possible extension of the deadline.
Jessica Reyes-Cantos.
Last year, the SWP repeatedly called a stop to the closed door bicameral deliberations on the national budget, pointing to it “as the vehicle for the alarming trend of budget transfers to the unprogrammed appropriations, starting with the 2022 national budget.”
The budget watchdog described the bicameral hearings as “shrouded in secrecy, actions being conducted off the record and without a paper trail, and that has persistently made insertions that include massive budget reallocations, double and overlapping appropriations, and new budget items.”
“Supporting the open bicam process is a welcome development, but operationalizing it is crucial for genuine transparency and accountability. Support systems for the transparency of the bicameral process should be fleshed out and actually implemented. The bicam body should not go beyond its mandate to reconcile differences and act as a third chamber,” Cantos added. She said the legislative branch should devise rules and guidelines “that will comprehensively transform transparency and accountability of the legislation phase. No stage or steps should ever be hidden.”
The SWP urged the Congress to: allow public and civil society organization observation and participation in committee hearings and technical working groups; publish all meeting schedules, agendas, amendments, and reports online; livestream all bicam and small committee sessions, with complete minutes and transcripts; and include detailed annexes in bicam reports listing amendments, sponsors, and justifications.
SWP recalled that during the 13th Congress, Representatives Erin Tañada and TG Guingona authored House Resolution 1376 enabled CSO participation in budget hearings. It said Congress may revive this resolution. Manuel T. Cayon
“Recognizing the shared challenges of their archipelagic geographies, both parties expressed interest in further enhancing cooperation in disaster preparedness and response, leveraging each other’s resources and expertise to build more resilient communities,” the DND added. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to broaden future engagements and explore new opportunities for collaboration on Reserve Force professionalization, further deepening the longstanding ties between the Hawaii National Guard and the DND. Rex Anthony Naval
STABLE. STRONG. STRATEGIC.
BSP’s role in building a more inclusive, resilient Philippine economy
AMID global headwinds and domestic pressures, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to reaffirm its role as one of the country’s most trusted institutions.
In 2024 and 2025, the BSP launched bold reforms that made the Philippine economy more resilient, more digital, and more inclusive.
Navigating with precision
Monetary policy was calibrated to ease from a peak of 6.5 percent in October 2023 to 5.25 percent by June 2025. This timely easing helps stimulate business activity and consumer confidence while keeping inflation in check. The country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$105.46 billion as of May 2025, providing an ample buffer to cover the country’s import and external debt service requirements.
A banking system that delivers The Philippine banking system continued to expand. As of April 2025, the total resources of the
banking sector reached P26.9 trillion, reflecting a 5.5-percent year-on-year growth. During the same period, total loans rose to P15.3 trillion, marking a 10.0-percent growth, while total deposits reached P19.8 trillion, with a 4.0-percent growth.
L owering the reserve requirement ratio helped ease financial market distortions and support credit expansion.
Financial inclusion surged, with deposit accounts topping over 150 million, up 19 percent year-on-year as of March 2025. Digital bank deposits jumped 33 percent, while rural and cooperative bank deposits posted 19-percent growth.
Digitalization that works Digital innovation lies at the core of the BSP’s transformation agenda. From pioneering cashless transport to securing digital
wallets, the BSP is building the rails for a frictionless and resilient financial system.
Digital payments surged from just one percent of retail transactions in 2013 to 52.8 percent in 2023, thanks to deliberate policy and regulatory reform. More Filipinos now rely on digital platforms for bills, salaries, remittances, and everyday spending. PESONet transfers now
clear higher-value transfers more quickly, complementing InstaPay’s real-time services for lower-value transactions. Bills Pay PH, an interoperable bill payment platform, simplifies paying bills across institutions.
Through the Nexus Project, the BSP is helping build the ASEAN region’s first cross-border real-time payment network. Soon, OFWs could send money home in 60 seconds, straight to any local account—via
What are the three pillars of central banking—and
BEHIND stable prices, strong and stable banks, and fast and safe payments is a central bank doing its job well. These pillars empower people and businesses to earn, save, invest, and plan for the future.
Pillar 1. Price stability— Managing inflation, protecting purchasing power
Stable prices help households plan and businesses grow. The government now targets 2- to 4-percent inflation rate for 2026 up to 2028.
The BSP pursues this target and manages inflation by adjusting its interest rates. Higher interest rates make it more expensive to borrow and buy, tempering demand and containing price pressures. Meanwhile, lower interest rates support economic activity and encourage credit, consistent with the price stability mandate. In 2020, the BSP cut policy rates to support the economy during the pandemic. As inflationary pressures emerged, it tightened policy from 2022 to 2023. With inflation reverting to the 2- to 4-percent range by August 2024, the BSP began easing again to reinforce the economy’s resilient growth.
Pillar 2. Financial stability—A sound banking system that supports inclusive growth
A strong economy needs a banking system that is stable, wellregulated, and trusted. Financial stability means depositors feel secure, lenders act responsibly, and the system can withstand unexpected shocks. The BSP achieves this through bank supervision, risk-based regulation, and financial sector reforms. Banks are required to hold enough capital, manage credit exposure, and follow prudential governance standards.
At the same time, the BSP promotes financial inclusion and innovation. It supports the growth of digital banks, strengthens cybersecurity oversight, and encourages new business models that reach underserved sectors.
The strength of the financial system was tested during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the pan-
demic slowdown, and the post-pandemic global interest rate swings. In all cases, Philippine banks remained fundamentally sound— demonstrating the effectiveness of years of institutional reforms and proactive supervision.
Pillar 3. Efficient payments and settlements system—Infrastructure for everyday transactions
Digital payments have become part of daily life. From retail purchases and utility bills to transport fares and tax payments, more Filipinos are choosing to pay digitally.
The BSP has invested in building a payments system that is interoperable, fast, and secure. It continues to work with banks, e-wallets, and local governments to improve access, expand reach, and reduce costs. Today, interoperable platforms allow users to transfer funds across institutions without needing to ask what app the other person uses. QR codes and real-time transfers are widely accepted in both formal establishments and small community vendors.
Beyond personal transactions, the BSP also operates infrastructure that allows banks, businesses, and government institutions to efficiently settle large-value transactions. This reduces settlement risk and supports overall economic activity.
Efficient payments are important tools for the growth of a modern economy. When money moves swiftly and safely, trust and participation grow.
A steady course in a changing world
Technology, climate risks, and shifting global conditions continue to test the resilience of central banks. But the BSP remains steadfast in upholding its three pillars. They provide the foundation for monetary and financial policies that are adaptive, forward-looking, and anchored in public trust.
A s the BSP navigates emerging challenges, these pillars will continue to guide its efforts toward building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
list. The BSP played a key role in a coordinated national effort that restored global trust in the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
No one left behind
The BSP’s push for inclusive finance took root in real places— public markets, transport hubs, and
already in their hands. Currency that is smarter and greener
In December 2024, the BSP introduced the First Philippine Polymer Banknote Series. The notes are smarter, cleaner, and stronger. Designed to resist counterfeiting and withstand everyday wear, they offer both durability and savings on replacement costs.
why they matter to you
ANCHORING THE FUTURE. At 32, the BSP aims to provide a secure and sustainable
future for Filipinos through digital innovations that promote financial inclusion and strengthen cyber resilience. PHOTO COURTESY OF BSP.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Marcos orders deeper probe into police involvement in disappearance of over 30 cockfighting enthusiasts
PBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos has ordered the continuous investigation on the alleged involvement of police in the disappearance of over 30 “sabungeros” (cockfighting enthusiasts).
“[Authorities will] continue the thorough investigation to find out who is really involved in this and hold those who should be held accountable,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino in a press briefing last
Wednesday when asked about the Chief Executive’s directive on the matter.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary said Marcos is aware of the probe being conducted by the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on the involvement of some cops in the said disappearances.
PNP-IAS said one of the suspects, who was given the alias “Totoy,” linked 20 police officers to the disappearances of the said sabungeros between
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who remain outside the US for more than six months may face questioning about their intent to maintain permanent residency upon reentry.
Mandatory Detention
Risks: Under new federal laws such as the Laken Riley Act, green card holders accused of certain crimes may be detained and face expedited removal proceedings—even without a conviction.
For Dual Citizens: Some reminders, too
USE US passport: Filipinos with dual citizenship in the US must use their US passport when entering or leaving the United States.
Show proof of Filipino citizenship at PHL airport: When entering the Philippines, immigration authorities may require proof of Filipino citizenship.
US passport holders are only allowed up to 30 days of visafree stay in the Philippines. Balikbayans and their spouses and children can stay up to maximum of 1 year. Dual FilAm citizens can stay in the Philippines indefinitely.
Under the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act, natural-born Filipinos who become naturalized citizens of another country may reacquire Philippine citizenship without renouncing their foreign nationality.
For accurate updates and legal guidance, the public is advised to consult the Philippine Embassy or nearest Philippine consulate, or visit the website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services https://www.uscis.gov.
an estimated potential of around 1,200 GW. Rather than investing in high-risk technologies like nuclear power, the country would benefit more from accelerating the development of clean, safe, and indigenous energy systems. “A full and just transition to renewables can address our energy needs while protecting communities, the environment, and future generations,” he added.
For CEED, there is no need to gamble on dangerous and expensive technologies when the Philippines already has an abundant potential for indigenous renewable energy.
“The path to energy security and affordability lies not in exemptions and shortcuts, but in building a future powered by clean, reliable, and accessible renewable energy for all,” said Arances.
2021 to 2022.
The said missing cockfighting enthusiasts, Totoy claimed, were abducted, killed, and then their bodies were allegedly disposed of in the Taal Lake.
Totoy is seeking to become a state witness to hold accountable the people behind the said disappearances.
Castro said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently vetting four potential witnesses, who can help in solving the case.
She they are now closely monitoring the developments in the said investigation being
conducted by PNP-IAS and DOJ on the said disappearances.
Last week, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the suspected mastermind behind the said disappearances may have considerable wealth to influence the courts.
Despite the concerns raised by Remulla, Castro said she is confident that the Courts will not be swayed by the said mastermind.
“We believe in the integrity of our court, and this will be resolved in accordance with the law,” Castro said.
Lacson’s ‘Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship’ bill to end farmers’ poverty and enhance food security
TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
O end the cycle of poverty for farmers by helping their children pursue muchneeded education while enhancing the Philippines’ agriculture and food security, Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill establishing the “Kabataang Magsasaka” national scholarship and return service program.
The Kabataang Magsasaka Scholarship Act aims to promote inclusive access to quality education in agriculture and allied fields for eligible children or dependents of farmers.
“Consistent with this representation’s aspiration of breaking the poverty cycle of our farmers, this measure will likewise ensure that our country will not fall short of professionals who can contribute in modernizing and strengthening the country’s food security and rural development,” Lacson expects in filing the bill.
As filed, the program stemmed from Lacson’s Konsultahang Bayan forum last April, where many farmers in attendance cheered when asked if they approve of such a scholarship program.
The Lacson bill will be parallel to existing education subsidy programs of the government under the laws such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act (RA 11524), Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (RA 10931).
At the same time, Lacson noted that while the Philippines is an agricultural country, farmers remain among the poorest sectors in society - with poverty keeping their children from getting education, and fewer students are drawn to agriculture-related courses, seeing little promise in the field.
Under the Lacson bill, applicants certified as a child or dependent of a farmer must be enrolled in, or accepted into, undergraduate or graduate programs in agriculture or allied fields identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), in a State or Local University or College (SUC/LUC), a CHED-accredited private higher education institution (HEI) in the Philippines, or an accredited partner institution abroad for those pursuing graduate-level studies or training.
Also, CHED, in partnership with DA and HEIs, shall align agricultural education with modern needs by expanding its curriculum, providing access to hands-on learning, encouraging partnerships for learning opportunities, and offering continuing education and training for graduates to stay updated on agricultural innovations.
Qualified scholars shall be entitled to benefits including:
n Free tuition and other school fees in accordance with Republic Act 10931 or as otherwise provided under this Act for those enrolled in non-public partner institutions;
n Allowances and support for prescribed books, uniforms, equipment, and instructional materials;
n A monthly living stipend, as determined by CHED and the DA;
n Expenses for internships, fieldwork, field immersion, capstone projects, research, and other academic requirements as may be determined by CHED and DA;
n Reimbursement or direct funding for licensure or board examination fees, including board review courses for applicable programs, shall be extended for the first attempt, subject to limitations prescribed by CHED and DA. Any succeeding attempts shall be
undertaken on a self-funded basis.
Scholarships shall also be open to those pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees, as well as post-baccalaureate certificate or diploma programs in the same fields.
Meanwhile, the CHED and DA shall identify select scholars for short-term certificate training, graduate diploma programs, or full graduate studies in partner institutions abroad, particularly in areas where local expertise or programs remain limited.
The CHED and DA shall also maintain and update a centralized scholarship database for effective tracking of scholars and return service compliance. They shall coordinate with partner HEIs, local government units (LGUs), and other agencies for scholar support and monitoring.
Graduates of the program shall be required to render return service in the government for a minimum period equivalent to the length of time they benefited from the scholarship. The return service shall commence within one year after graduation or completion of mandatory licensure requirements.
If there is no return service opportunity in government, graduates may fulfill their service obligation through alternative placements including accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), cooperatives, or private sector entities directly engaged in agricultural development, extension services, agribusiness, or research; start-up ventures or enterprises in the agricultural or allied sectors, provided these are endorsed by DA and monitored for compliance; and academic or research contributions.
Graduates may also apply to fulfill their obligation by establishing an agricultural or allied-sector enterprise that demonstrably contributes to local or national development.
VP impeachment: Lawmaker warns Senate against procedural roadblocks
ALAWMAKER on Wednesday urged the Senate not to allow technicalities to derail the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the public deserves answers and accountability, not delays.
Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, in a news conference, said the Senate’s insistence on procedural requirements— such as a new certification from the 20th Congress—should have been raised during the trial itself rather than before it, so as not to hinder the process.
“That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid—it starts to look like lawyering,” Acidre said. “If the Senate had questions or concerns, they could have raised them during the trial. That would have given the House an opportunity to respond properly.”
“I hope our pursuit of accountability for the Vice President doesn’t get lost in technicalities. Because the only way to settle this call for accountability is through a proper trial,” he added. Acidre warned that it is ultimately the Filipino people who are shortchanged by procedural wrangling and delays.
“It’s the public that suffers in all of this,” he said. “By now, the people should already have answers. We should be well into the process of examining the allegations, particularly the use of confidential funds and other issues raised
in the articles of impeachment.”
Acidre pointed out that serious allegations—such as Vice President Duterte’s alleged threats to kill the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker—must be squarely addressed in a proper Senate trial, not evaded through procedural tactics.
He reiterated that the constitutional process had already taken place in the 19th Congress, which impeached the Vice President.
Looking ahead to the 20th Congress, which opens on July 28, Acidre said he remains hopeful that the process will move forward, especially if Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is reelected as speaker.
Maintain
ACIDRE , meanwhile, expressed confidence that the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress will maintain its position on the impeachment of Duterte, saying most lawmakers who endorsed the complaint in the 19th Congress remain in position.
Acidre said this after Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno, a member of the House prosecution panel, raised concerns about a second requirement imposed by the Senate impeachment court.
The Senate is asking the House under the 20th Congress to submit another certification affirming its willingness to
Solon defends 19th Congress’ ₧200 wage hike bill as foundation for faster approval in 20th Congress
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALAWMAKER said the version of the legislated wage hike bill passed during the 19th Congress could lay the groundwork for its quicker approval in the 20th Congress.
In a news conference, Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre refuted claims that the House of Representatives stalled the passage of the legislated wage hike bill.
“It would be unfair to say the House dragged its feet. If you look at our version of the legislated wage hike bill—of which we are one of the principal authors—it reflects a stronger commitment from House members that a P200 increase is possible,” Acidre said.
The House version, passed during the 19th Congress, proposed a P200 across-theboard wage hike for workers nationwide, compared to the Senate’s P100 increase.
Some senators criticized the House for acting only toward the end of the last Congress, but Acidre clarified that the process involved extensive research and careful deliberation.
“In the end, we were the ones who pushed for a higher wage hike. That alone explains the perceived delay—it took time
because it was thoroughly studied,” he explained.
Acidre stressed that the House worked with diligence, not delay, especially on crucial economic reforms that require building consensus among lawmakers.
“In the 20th Congress, I expect the same diligence. There are measures that can be fast-tracked, but there are others—like this—that require deeper reflection and consensus-building,” he said.
Acidre also addressed calls to prioritize the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law, saying both that and the wage hike remain top legislative priorities.
“When it comes to the wage hike and oil deregulation, we still need to build consensus,” he noted. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t exert our utmost effort to pass these measures.”
With much of the groundwork already completed during the 19th Congress, including research and public consultations, Acidre expressed optimism that the 20th Congress can act more swiftly.
“At least now, much of the research, discussions, and debates have already been done. So this time, we expect to push these bills more efficiently,” he added.
Hontiveros files cyberlibel complaint over videos accusing her of paying witness against Quiboloy
Spursue the case—a move Diokno warned could violate the one-year ban on filing successive impeachment complaints.
When asked about the Senate’s second requirement, Acidre said he would defer to the House impeachment team for the official response, but emphasized key points.
“Let me sum it up in three points,” he said. “First, the Vice President has already been impeached. I don’t know where in the Constitution it allows for any change in the scenario other than the Senate deciding and trying the case. That fact cannot be changed.”
“Second, as to what steps the 20th Congress will take—that depends on Congress itself. We are set to convene our first regular session on July 28, and I believe we’ll have a clearer picture by then,” he said.
Acidre noted that Romualdez has a proven track record as a consensus builder. “He will consult party leaders, and think it would be best to wait for that process to unfold.”
“But from a personal standpoint, my belief is that impeachment is about accountability,” he stressed. “No election or change in the political landscape should shake our commitment to accountability. The only way to address this call is to have a proper trial, and I personally believe that is still the best path forward.” Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
ENATOR Risa Hontiveros filed a cyberlibel complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the individuals behind the production and dissemination online of two videos showing a former Senate witness accusing her of paying him to testify against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJ) found Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and the Dutertes.
H ontiveros named as respondents Michael Maurillo, who appeared in the videos, and Pagtanggol Valiente, the Facebook page and YouTube channel that uploaded the videos.
The senator also asked the NBI’s to investigate of several “vloggers” for possible criminal liabilities over the dissemination of the videos which she claimed contain false information.
“Accordingly, these social media personalities without verifying the truth of Mr. Maurillo’s statements, republished and amplified the libelous video. In doing so, they directly and deliberately contributed to the spread of false and malicious claims against me…,” Hontiveros said.
She iden tified the vloggers as Krizette Chu, Jay Sonza, Sass Rogando Sasot, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Banat By, Tio Moreno, Joie Cruz, Ka Eric Celiz and lawyer Ranny Randolf Libayan.
In the first video, which came out on June 24, 2025 on YouTube channel of “Pagtanggol Valiente,” accused Hontiveros of paying him P1 million to allegedly fabricate testimony against Quiboloy, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Vice President Sara Duterte.
He claimed that his original affidavit was altered by the senator’s staff to insert lies about sexual abuse and violence and that he was offered additional money to implicate
country’s energy mix to at least 35 percent by 2030.
Training still needed
BUT even as the country finds itself in a relatively strong position, the ILO warned that skills mismatch and gaps in workforce readiness could undermine these employment gains if left unaddressed.
Hassan stressed the need for greater investment in reskilling and upskilling programs, especially through institutions such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
These programs, he said, must be continuously updated to align with the demands of fast-growing industries like energy, manufacturing, construction, and artificial intelligence.
“Working on lifelong learning processes
Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa. The video has since become viral, prompting Hontiveros to deny Maurillo’s allegations and to file the charges before the NBI.
“As of this writing, the malicious disinformation against me is continuously being widely accessed and shared by thousands of people to the prejudice of my image and reputation, as well as impute irregularities and destroy the credibility of the Senate inquiry on the reported crimes of KOJC,” Hontiveros said.
“ What began as a solemn effort to protect victims of crimes has been twisted into a vile narrative of bribery and political manipulation intended to destroy me, personally and politically,” she added. H ontiveros maintained that Maurillo voluntarily testified before the Senate against Quiboloy. The senator expressed belief that Maurillo was coerced and pressured into recanting his testimony before the Senate. She noted that prior to the release of the video, Murillo sent text messages to her staff reporting that he was being approached and pressured by unidentified individuals to recant his testimony. In exchange for his recantation, Maurillo told the staff that the said individuals promised to hide him and provide him with legal counsel.
In his sec ond video, Maurillo denied that he was kidnapped by Quiboloy’s camp to withdraw his testimony given before the Senate.
H e added that he was willing to present evidence to prove his claims against the senator.
H ontiveros argued that the statements in subject videos are malicious, defamatory, identifiable and were published, thus, punishable under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code (libel) , in relation to Section 4 (c) (4) of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
will be important...More budget has to be given to the skills training programs and initiatives,” Hassan said, adding that more labor market research is needed to anticipate long-term trends.
Earlier this year, economists warned that the Philippine labor market remains exposed to external shocks due to the country’s dependence on both exports and imported production inputs. They said the worsening global tariff war could eventually lead to job losses in manufacturing and export-reliant sectors— or push more Filipinos into part-time or precarious forms of work. (Related: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/04/11/ global-tariff-wars-pose-risk-to-phl-jobsexperts/) The US government’s 90-day pause on imposing new country-specific tariffs is set to expire next week.
If not extended, the Philippines could again be slapped with a 17-percent tariff on its exports to the US.
DA: Imports fall as rice output recovers in
IBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
MPORTED rice arrivals slid by 7 percent to 2.17 million metric tons (MMT) in the first semester, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said inbound shipments of rice reached 2.17 MMT as of June 26. This was 163,000 metric tons (MT) lower compared to the 2.34 MMT recorded in the same period last year.
“It will be lower than last year’s 4.8 MMT,” De Mesa told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Based on the June 19 data from the Bureau of Plant Industry available on its website, 1.58 MMT of rice came from Vietnam, which maintained its spot as the country’s
With this, the DA official made an assurance the country’s purchases of the staple grain would be below the 2024 record-high volume.
leading supplier. This was followed by Myanmar at 296,712.33 MT, dislodging Thailand as the second-
largest supplier. The Philippines also purchased rice from other countries, such as
Govt to start buying corn from leading producers
HE National Food Author -
Tity (NFA) is targeting to procure 5,900 metric tons (MT) of corn next year in its bid to encourage more farmers to plant the Philippines’ major staple crop.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the grains agency would start purchasing corn from farmers in 2026. The initial procurement target is 118,000 50-kilo bags of white and yellow corn.
He said corn procurement would be piloted in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)— the country’s top corn producers.
“If traders [or] cooperatives buy it at a lower price, like what happens with rice, the farmer suffers,” De Mesa told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.
“So, if the NFA also buys it at a
good price...you can expect profit for the farmers and they will remain planting corn.”
Currently, the cost of producing corn ranges from P10 to P13 per kilo, the DA official said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently said the NFA is mainly keen on white corn for food purposes.
“What we plan is to purchase white corn as it can be made into corn grits as an alternative for rice [which can] reduce the demand for rice.”
While he did not disclose the government’s buying price for yellow and white corn, the DA chief said the rates would be “fair” and is “above production cost.”
In 2020, the buying price for yellow corn grains stood at P12.30 per kilo, while that of white corn grains settled at P13 per kilo, based on NFA data.
The DA chief noted that the
grains agency’s charter would serve as the legal basis for its corn procurement initiative.
He also allayed concerns over the capacity of NFA warehouses to store corn. The buildup of rice stocks in the agency’s warehouses partly triggered the government’s declaration of a food security emergency last February.
“The NFA has 134 new refurbished warehouses, which will also be used for rice. But with the launching of the P20 [rice program], the average stock level in our rice warehouses will decline, so there will be room for [corn].”
The DA chief said the agency plans to earmark P500 million to P1 billion for corn procurement. The agency is proposing a budget of P170 billion for next year.
“We have already requested the budget from our GAA [General Appropriations Act] for 2026 and hopefully, we will be given a little
just to start the ball rolling.”
Under the 2025 GAA, the NFA was allocated P9 billion to procure palay. The attached agency of the DA has no budget for buying corn.
President Marcos announced last Monday that the grains agency will soon start purchasing corn from farmers.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that corn output fell by 3.1 percent to 8.138 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024 from the 8.405 MMT recorded in 2023. El Niño ravaged farmlands, including those planted with corn, last year.
Production of white and yellow corn both registered declines last year. White corn output reached 1.911 MMT, lower than the 2.037 MMT recorded in 2023 while yellow corn output shrank to 6.226 MMT, from 6.367 MMT. Ada Pelonia
6 US states get nod to resume poultry exports to PHL
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban it slapped on poultry products from six states in the United States.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order (MO) 32, which allowed the entry of poultry shipments, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
“All import transactions of the above commodities shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations of the [DA],” the order read.
The agency said it decided to lift the ban after American veterinary authorities reported to the World
Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) that all cases of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) in affected counties in the 6 states have been resolved.
No additional outbreaks were reported after June 9, 2025, it added.
Initially, the poultry ban was imposed in the US states as part of the government’s efforts to safeguard the local poultry industry.
The agency said the local poultry industry is critical to the country’s food security and a crucial source of employment and investment. The US is a major source of poultry products for the Philippines.
In 2024, the US exported $194.1 million worth of poultry products, excluding eggs, to the Philippines,
based on United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) data.
Last year, government data showed that the US accounted for 158,159 metric tons (MT) of chicken exports to the country. Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) accounted for the majority of the shipments at 248,550 MT.
Currently, the Philippines has a regionalization agreement with the US. This means that statewide trade restrictions should only be imposed if there three or more counties were struck by bird flu.
The DA has released the guidelines allowing other accredited countries to export chicken to the Philippines under a new policy that effectively expanded Manila’s
regionalization scheme.
The DA chief signed Administrative Circular (AC) 9, which outlined the requirements for accredited countries that wish to secure bilateral recognition of areas free of animal diseases like bird flu.
Under the regionalization agreement, the Philippines will restrict shipments of live birds and their products only from certain areas with confirmed avian flu cases instead of imposing a country-wide ban.
“The occurrence of HPAI from exporting countries and the imposition of a whole country temporary ban limits the sources of day-old chicks, parent stocks and poultry meat, which in turn affects the prices.” Ada Pelonia
House bill seeks to expand crop insurance coverage
AMEASURE has been filed to strengthen and broaden the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) while encouraging greater participation from the private sector in agricultural insurance.
Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez said his House Bill (HB) 14 aligns with President Marcos’ renewed call to expand crop insurance coverage for Filipino farmers.
“We are one with the President in putting farmers front and center in our development agenda,” said Romualdez.
“His call to expand crop insurance is not just timely—it is necessary. It’s about giving our farmers peace of mind
when they plant and hope when disaster strikes.”
HB 14 proposes comprehensive reforms to PCIC operations, extending coverage beyond traditional crops like rice and corn to include high-value crops, livestock, aquaculture, farm equipment, and even postharvest infrastructure. Romualdez said the bill is “a direct response” to the growing risks faced by farmers in a changing climate. He said this reform will especially benefit small farmers who often skip insurance because of poor awareness, red tape, or weak payouts.
“They take all the risks, and when nature hits hard, they’re left
with nothing. That has to change.”
He cited global data from the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research showing that over 2.4 million Filipino rice farmers remain vulnerable to climate shocks but lack access to meaningful insurance protection.
“This bill is not just policy—it’s a promise to our farmers: we’ve got your back.”
Romualdez also lauded the recent ceremonial turnover of 16 mobile soil laboratories by the President, describing it as a science-based step to improving crop yields. He committed to incorporating similar innovations in future legislative proposals to en -
Thailand (125,171.33 MT), Pakistan (73,776.02 MT), and India (19,389.16 MT).
In addition, the agency approved and issued 3,386 sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for the purchase of 2.89 MMT of imported rice.
DA officials had projected that rice imports will decline this year due to the expected rebound in local palay production.
De Mesa had said the “reasonable” level of rice imports this year would range from 3.8 MMT to 4 MMT.
The Philippines is targeting to produce 20.46 MMT of rice this year, a figure that would surpass the record-high 20.06 MMT posted in 2023. The government intends to do this by improving yield.
Last year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed
that paddy rice production fell by 4.8 percent to 19.087 MMT, from the 20.059 MMT recorded in 2023. Output in 2024 was even lower than the 19.96 MMT posted in 2021.
However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the country’s rice imports could hit 5.4 MMT this year. The international agency also said Philippine rice imports may again hit another record-high in 2026 despite the projected rebound in output.
The USDA said the country’s rice imports could reach 5.5 MMT next year, driven by the “growth in population, increased tourism, and continued importance as a staple.”
“The Philippines is expected to remain the largest global rice importer.”
Ghana plans to slightly raise cocoa farmgate price as cedi gains
GHANA is planning to raise the price it pays to cocoa farmers for their beans just slightly in the next season, after the local currency gained 42 percent against the dollar this year.
Negotiations between industry regulator Ghana Cocoa Board and the government suggest that the farmgate price may be raised by 6.5 percent to 3,300 cedis ($318.5) per 64-kilogram bag for the harvest that starts in August, according to people familiar with the talks, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t yet public.
The world’s second-biggest producer expects to harvest 650,000 tons in 2025-26 and will announce the new producer price on or before August 1, they said.
Higher domestic prices enable farmers to invest in inputs such as fertilizers and chemicals to boost productivity. It also discourages them from smuggling the beans to neighboring countries, which slows supply onto the international market.
The planned new farmer pay compares with the cumulative 50-percent increase growers got in the current season at 3,100 cedis per bag, and translates to $4,976.6 a ton. Ghana will start the 2025-26 season two months early to prevent farmers from selling stocked beans to neighboring buyers, Bloomberg reported in May.
A spokesman for Ghana Cocoa Board declined to comment.
The cedi has rallied and is currently the world’s second best-performing currency after the new government reined in spending to curb inflation, and the central bank boosted its foreign exchange reserves following a surge in gold production and the price of the metal on the international market.
Inflation in Africa’s top gold producer eased to 18.4 percent in May, the lowest in more than three years. The Bank of Ghana’s gross international reserves increased to $10.7 billion at end-April, the highest since October 2021. President John Mahama, who won December elections, has vowed to cut spending to stabilize the economy after a debt crisis under the previous administration.
In the past, the cedi’s depreciation and higher produce prices offered by buyers in Ivory Coast encouraged smuggling of the beans from Ghana to the world’s top grower.
sure a resilient agricultural sector.
HB 14 complements Romualdez’s larger legislative push for agriculture, which includes HB 1, or the Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act. That measure seeks to restore the National Food Authority’s regulatory powers to stabilize rice prices and protect both farmers and consumers.
“From insurance to innovation to fair pricing, all these are part of a bigger effort to make sure that farming remains a viable and dignified way of life,” Romualdez said. “Because when we protect our farmers, we protect every Filipino family who depends on them for food.” Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
But now the cedi’s gains are expected to mute any economic motivation to smuggle the beans, even after Ghana implements a
marginal increase in the farmer pay, the people said.
Ivory Coast pegged its farmgate price at 2,200 CFA francs ($3.95) a kilogram in April, equivalent to $252.8 per 64-kilogram bag. This implies the country will have to raise its rate by 26 percent to match Ghana’s planned adjustment.
Growers in the world’s biggest producers have not benefited fully from a recent surge in international cocoa prices due to the domestic price-setting regime of both countries. Following the impact of disease and inclement weather on Africa’s output, New York futures surged past $12,000 a ton for the first time last year before easing to trade around $8,900 a ton currently.
Bird flu vaccination
MEANWHILE , Astral Foods Ltd., one of South Africa’s biggest poultry producers by revenue, will start vaccinating chickens against bird flu after getting approval from the nation’s agriculture department. The company will start immunization against the H5 strain of the avian influenza virus at one of its large broiler breeding farms in the Gauteng province, it said in an emailed statement on Monday. It will use a commercially available shot supplied by an international manufacturer. While the vaccine is not for the H7 strain of bird flu that devastated the poultry industry in a 2023 outbreak when firms such as Astral suffered losses and millions of chickens has to be culled, H5 is the prevalent disease risk at the moment, globally and in South Africa, the company said. A locally manufactured H7 vaccine still awaits final registration. The announcement by Astral comes less than two weeks after the government started rolling out vaccines to combat an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that’s affecting the cattle industry in four provinces and led to preemptive quarantine measures at the country’s biggest feedlot. Inadequate local vaccine production and delays in approval of the use of medicines are exacerbating weaknesses in South Africa’s biosecurity controls, frustrating producers and risking security of supply of some food products. Last month, the Department of Agriculture announced requirements for the movement and gathering of cloved-hooved animals, which are affected by foot-andmouth disease, to try limit the spread of the disease. Bloomberg News
HARVESTED rice grains are deposited from a threshing machine into a truck trailer in Saraburi, Thailand, on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. ANDRE MALERBA/BLOOMBERG
A10 Thursday, July 3, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Russia ramps up Ukraine offensives on 2 fronts; battle for Donbas intensifies
By Samya Kullab & Yehor Konovalov The Associated Press
YIV, Ukraine—An emboldened
KRussia has ramped up military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine, scattering Kyiv’s precious reserve troops and threatening to expand the fighting to a new Ukrainian region as each side seeks an advantage before the fighting season wanes in the autumn.
Moscow aims to maximize its territorial gains before seriously considering a full ceasefire, analysts and military commanders said. Ukraine wants to slow the Russian advance for as long as possible and extract heavy losses.
Kremlin forces are steadily gaining ground in the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, the capture of which would hand them a major battlefield victory and bring them closer to acquiring the entire Donetsk region. The fighting there has also brought combat to the border of the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time.
In an effort to prevent Moscow from bolstering those positions in the east, Ukrainian forces are trying to pin down some of Russia’s best and most battle-hardened troops hundreds of kilometers away, in the northeast Sumy region.
“The best-case scenario for Ukraine,” said
Russian-British military historian Sergey Radchenko, “is that they’re able to stall or stop the Russian advance” in the Ukrainian industrial heartland known as Donbas, which includes the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Then Ukraine could “use that as the basis for a ceasefire agreement.”
“There’s a better chance for Russia to come to some kind of terms with Ukraine” in the fall when the Russians “see the extent of their offensive,” Radchenko added.
While the battles rage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is waiting to learn whether the Trump administration will support tougher sanctions against Russia and back a European idea to establish a “reassurance force” to deter Moscow. One setback came with the US decision to halt some weapons shipments out of concern over the US’s own depleted stockpiles.
Ukraine faces relentless assaults in Sumy IN the Sumy region, Ukrainian forces face a constant barrage of aerial glide bombs, drones and relentless assaults by small groups of Russian infantrymen. They endure the attacks to prevent Russian forces from being moved to other battlegrounds in the eastern Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces intensified their own attacks in Sumy in April and even conducted a small offensive into Russia’s neighboring
Kursk region to prevent up to 60,000 battle-hardened Russian forces from being moved to reinforce positions in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, Ukraine’s top army commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said last week.
If those troops had been moved, they could have increased the tempo of Russian attacks across the front line and stretched Ukrainian forces thin.
The strategy did not come without criticism. Commanders who were ordered to execute it complained that it resulted in unnecessary loss of life.
Russian forces have penetrated up to 7 kilometers into the northern Sumy region from different directions along the border.
Ukrainian forces are determined to keep them there to avoid freeing up Russian forces to fight in the east. So far they have succeeded, locking up to 10,000 Russian troops in the Glushkovsky district of the Kursk region alone, where Ukraine maintains a small presence after being mostly forced out by Russian and North Korean troops earlier in the year.
Russia seeks maximum gains in Donetsk THE war’s largest battle is being waged in Donetsk as Russia inches toward its stated goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Unable to tackle the strategically significant logistical hub of Pokrovsk directly, Russian forces are attempting to encircle the city, a maneuver that requires encroaching on the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Bringing the war to a sixth Ukrainian region would be detrimental for Ukrainian morale and give Russia more leverage in negotiations if its forces manage to carve out a foothold there.
Sabotage groups have crossed the border, only to be eliminated by Ukrainian forces.
But in time, commanders fear that Russia will advance as Ukraine continues to grapple with severe shortages.
Lack of soldiers and supplies across the 1,200-kilometer (745-mile) front line mean that Ukrainian forces must concentrate on holding their positions and conserving resources rather than advancing, said Oleksii Makhrinskyi, deputy commander of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion.
Commanders describe battles so intense under drone-saturated skies that rotating forces in and out of position has become a deadly operation. Ukrainian forces remain in combat positions for several weeks at a time or more, relying on supplies carried in by drones.
The Russians’ goal “is just to enter Dnipropetrovsk region, to have a good position politically if the presidents negotiate peace,” said Andrii Nazerenko, a commander
of the 72nd Brigade, a drone unit in eastern Ukraine, referring to potential talks between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“They’re really close to getting what they want,” he said.
All eyes on Trump’s next move
ZELENSKYY hopes US President
Donald Trump will move away from his administration’s past ambivalence toward Ukraine and signal his intention to continue American support, a move that could also alter Moscow’s calculations.
The two presidents met last week on the sidelines of a NATO summit and discussed a possible weapons package, including Patriot missile systems that Ukraine intends to purchase with European support.
The US Defense Department did not specify which weapons were being held back, when they disclosed the Pentagon review of US weapons stockpiles Tuesday.
Zelenskyy also hopes Trump will punish Russia by imposing harsher sanctions on its energy and banking sectors, which bankroll the Kremlin’s war effort.
Europe and the US have imposed successive sanctions on Russia since the full-scale invasion in 2022, but Zelenskyy says those measures have not been enough to pierce Moscow’s war machine. He has
proposed a $30 per barrel price cap on Russian oil.
EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan said Europe needs to maintain the sanctions pressure while also “holding out the prospect that if Russia behaves correctly, we could have some kind of ceasefire and some kind of sense of negotiation, but for the moment Russia doesn’t seem to want that.” Kyiv’s closest European allies are also awaiting a sign from Trump that he will support a plan to deploy foreign troops in Ukraine to guard against future Russian aggression after a ceasefire agreement. That is likely the best security guarantee Ukraine can hope for in lieu of NATO membership. Meanwhile on the battlefield, Russian forces appear increasingly confident. Nazerenko noticed a shift in the morale of advancing Russian infantrymen in recent months. Instead of running away while being assailed by Ukrainian drones, they keep pushing forward.
Nazerenko could not help but ask a Russian prisoner, “You know you will die. Why go?” Because, the Russian soldier replied, “we will win.”
The Associated Press journalist Volodymyr Yurchuk contributed to this report.
Ukrainian drone hits plant inside Russia after record Russian drone attacks in June
By Illia Novikov
& Emma Burrows
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian industrial plant some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) from Ukraine, a local official said Tuesday, after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prioritized the weapon’s development and Russia pounded Ukraine with a monthly record of drones in June.
Both sides in the more than three-year war following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor have raced to improve drone technology and enhance their use on the battlefield. They have deployed increasingly sophisticated and deadlier drones, turning the war into a testing ground for the new weaponry.
Ukraine is under severe strain from a Russian push at places on the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, but analysts say its defenses are largely holding firm. With recent direct peace talks delivering no progress on US-led international efforts to halt the fighting, Russia and Ukraine are bulking up their arsenals. Russia last month launched 5,438 drones at Ukraine, a new monthly record, according to official data collated by The Associated Press.
Ukraine is stepping up drone production
MEANWHILE , a Ukrainian drone hit an industrial plant in Izhevsk, about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) east of Moscow, killing three people and injuring 35, Alexander Brechalov,
head of the Udmurtia region, said. The plant’s workers were evacuated, he said.
The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defense systems and drones for the Russian military, according to an official with Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU.
At least two direct hits were recorded on the plant’s buildings, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
Ukraine has for months been using domestically produced long-range drones to strike plants, storage sites and logistical hubs deep inside Russian territory. In May last year, a Ukrainian drone hit an earlywarning radar in the Russian city of Orsk, some 1,800 kilometers (1,120 miles) from the Ukrainian border, Kyiv officials claimed.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s domestic production of drones is about to increase in response to Russia’s expanded barrages.
“The priority is drones, interceptor drones and long-range strike drones,” he said on Telegram late Monday.
“This is extremely important,” he added. “Russia is investing in its unmanned capabilities, Russia is planning to increase the number of drones used in strikes against our state. We are preparing our countermeasures.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that 60 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over several regions, including 17 over Crimea, 16 over the Rostov region and four over the Saratov region.
At the same time, four Russian Shahed drones struck the southern Ukraine city
of Zaporizhzia during the night, leaving more than 1,600 households without power, according to authorities.
Ukraine’s air force said Tuesday that Russia fired 52 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight.
US envoy criticizes Russian attacks
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, rebuked Russia for continuing to strike civilian areas of Ukraine while effectively rejecting a ceasefire and dragging its feet on a peace settlement.
“We urge an immediate ceasefire and a move to trilateral talks to end the war,” Kellogg said on the social platform X late Monday. “Russia cannot continue to stall for time while
it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine.” Ukraine is developing its own defense industry as uncertainty remains over whether the Trump administration will continue to provide crucial military aid. Between March and April, the United States allocated no new aid to Ukraine, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks such support.
Europe continues its support and for the first time since June 2022 surpassed the US in total military aid, totaling 72 billion euros ($85 billion) compared with 65 billion euros ($77 billion) from the US, the institute said last month.
The Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet contributed to this report from Paris, France.
Trump says Israel has agreed on terms for 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urges Hamas to accept deal
WBy Aamer Madhani & Samy Magdy
The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—President
Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and warned Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen.
Trump announced the development as he prepares to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House on Monday. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war in Gaza.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,”
Trump wrote, saying the Qataris and Egyptians would deliver the final proposal.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better—IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he said.
Trump’s promise that it was his best and final offer may find a skeptical audience with Hamas. Even before the expiration of the war’s longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the
release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza’s civilian populace.
Still, Trump views the current moment as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The Gaza Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death count.
Hamas is still capable of landing fatal blows to Israeli forces. But US officials believe that the group’s been significantly diminished as its centralized command and control capabilities have deteriorated over the course of the nearly 21-month conflict. Meanwhile, Hamas’ chief backer Iran was badly battered last month by 12 days of strikes by Israel and the United States on Tehran’s key nuclear facilities.
Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was in Washington on Tuesday for talks with senior administration officials to discuss a potential Gaza ceasefire, Iran and other matters. Dermer was expected to meet with Vice
President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump repeated his hope for forging an IsraelHamas ceasefire deal next week.
Asked if it’s time to put pressure on Netanyahu to get a ceasefire deal done, Trump said the Israeli prime minister was ready to come to an agreement.
“He wants to,” Trump said of Netanyahu in an exchange with reporters while visiting a new immigration detention facility in Florida. “I think we’ll have a deal next week.”
Talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over a major sticking point— whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire agreement. About 50 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with less than half believed to be alive.
Hamas says it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war in Gaza. Israel rejects that offer, saying it will agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into
exile, something that the group refuses.
The announcement by Trump came as over 150 international charities and humanitarian groups called Tuesday for disbanding a controversial Israeli- and USbacked system to distribute aid in Gaza because of chaos and deadly violence against Palestinians seeking food at its sites.
The joint statement by groups including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International followed the killings of at least 10 Palestinians who were seeking desperately needed food, witnesses and health officials said. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 37 in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital.
“Tents, tents they are hitting with two missiles?” asked Um Seif Abu Leda, whose son was killed in the strikes. Mourners threw flowers on the body bags.
Before Trump’s announcement, Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, had warned that his country would respond forcefully to the firing of a missile the military
said originated from Yemen. Sirens sounded across parts of Israel, alerting residents to the attack and the launch of two projectiles from Gaza. All were intercepted by Israeli defense systems. The missile launch marked the first attack by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels since the end of the 12-day war initiated by Israel with Iran. Katz said Yemen could face the same fate as Tehran.
Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, vowed on social media that Yemen will not “stop its support for Gaza … unless the aggression stops and the siege on Gaza is lifted.”
Speaking to his Cabinet, Netanyahu did not elaborate on plans for his visit to Washington next week, except to say he will discuss a trade deal. Iran is also expected to be a main topic of discussion in Washington after Trump brokered a ceasefire between it and Israel.
Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem, Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.
Hamas says it’s ready for ceasefire but wants complete end to the war in Gaza
By Fatma Khaled, Samy Magdy & Bassem Mroue The Associated Press
CAIRO—Hamas suggested
Wednesday that it was open to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, but stopped short of accepting a USbacked proposal announced by US President Donald Trump hours earlier, insisting on its longstanding position that any deal bring an end to the war in Gaza.
Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire, and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war.
materialize into an actual pause in fighting.
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said that the militant group was “ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement.”
He said Hamas was “ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.”
Trump said the 60-day period would be used to work toward ending the war— something Israel says it won’t accept until Hamas is defeated. He said that a deal might come together as soon as next week. But Hamas’ response, which emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could
A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the talks with the media.
Israel and Hamas disagree on how war should end THROUGHOUT the nearly 21-month-long war, ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over whether the war should end as part of any deal.
Hamas has said that it’s willing to free the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are said to be alive, in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war.
Israel says it will only agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms
and exiles itself, something the group refuses to do.
An Israeli official said that the latest proposal calls for a 60-day deal that would include a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the territory. The mediators and the US would provide assurances about talks on an end to the war, but Israel isn’t committing to that as part of the latest proposal, the official said.
The official wasn’t authorized to discuss the details of the proposed deal with the media, so spoke on condition of anonymity.
It wasn’t clear how many hostages would be freed as part of the agreement, but previous proposals have called for the release of about 10. Israel has yet to publicly comment on Trump’s announcement. On Monday, Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House, days after Ron Dermer, a senior Netanyahu adviser, held discussions with top US officials about Gaza, Iran and other matters.
See “Gaza,” A13
Senate passes Trump’s big tax and spending cuts bill after Vance casts tie-breaking vote
By Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick & Matt Brown The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—Senate Republicans hauled President Donald Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, pushing past opposition from Democrats and their own GOP ranks after a turbulent overnight session.
The outcome capped an unusually tense weekend of work at the Capitol, the president’s signature legislative priority teetering on the edge of approval or collapse. In the end that tally was 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
Three Republican senators— Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined all Democrats in voting against it.
“In the end we got the job done,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said afterward.
The difficulty for Republicans, who have the majority in Congress, to wrestle the bill to this point is not expected to let up. The pack-
age now goes back to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana had warned senators not to overhaul what his chamber had already approved. But the Senate did make changes, particularly to Medicaid, risking more problems ahead. House GOP leaders scheduled a Wednesday vote and vowed to put it on Trump’s desk by his July Fourth deadline, which is Friday. It’s a pivotal moment for the president and his party, as they have been consumed by the now 887-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was its formal title before Democrats filed an amendment to strip out the name. Republicans are investing their political capital in delivering on their sweep of power in Washington.
Trump acknowledged it’s “very complicated stuff” as he departed the White House for Florida.
“I don’t want to go too crazy with cuts,” he said. “I don’t like cuts.”
Senators work around the clock WHAT started as a routine but laborious day of amendment voting, in a process called vote-a-rama, spiraled into an all-night slog as Republican leaders bought time to shore up support.
The droning roll calls in the chamber belied the frenzied action to steady the bill. Grim-faced scenes played out on and off the Senate floor, amid exhaustion.
Thune worked around the clock, desperately reaching for last-minute agreements between those in his party worried the bill’s reductions to Medicaid will leave millions more people without care and his most conservative flank, which wanted even steeper cuts to hold down deficits ballooning with the tax cuts.
The GOP leaders had no room to spare. Thune could lose no more than three Republican senators, and two—Tillis, who warned that millions of people will lose access to Medicaid health care, and Paul, who opposes raising the debt limit by $5 trillion—had already indicated opposition.
Attention quickly turned to two other key senators, Lisa Murkows -
ki of Alaska and Collins, who also raised concerns about health care cuts, as well as a loose coalition of four conservative GOP senators pushing for even steeper reductions.
Murkowski in particular became the subject of GOP leaders’ attention, as they sat beside her for talks. Then all eyes were on Paul after he returned from a visit to Thune’s office.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans “are in shambles because they know the bill is so unpopular.”
An analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office
found 11.8 million more Americans would become uninsured by 2034 if the bill became law. The CBO said the package would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the decade.
Pressure built from all sides.
Billionaire Elon Musk said anyone who voted for the package should “hang their head in shame” and warned he would campaign against them. But Trump had also lashed out against the GOP holdouts, including Tillis, who abruptly announced his own decision over the weekend not to seek reelection.
Senators insist on changes FEW Republicans appeared fully
satisfied as the final package emerged, in either the House or the Senate.
Collins fought to include $50 billion for a new rural hospital fund, among the GOP senators worried that the bill’s Medicaid provider cuts would be devastating and force them to close. While her amendment for the fund was rejected, the provision was inserted into the final bill. Still, she voted no.
The Maine senator said she’s happy the bolstered funding was added, but “my difficulties with the bill go far beyond that.”
And Murkowski called the decision-making process “agonizing.” She secured provisions to temporarily spare Alaska and other states from some food stamp cuts, but her efforts to bolster Medicaid reimbursements fell short. She voted yes.
What’s in the big bill ALL told, the Senate bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, according to the latest CBO analysis, making permanent Trump’s 2017 rates, which would expire at the end of the year if Congress fails to act, while adding the new ones he campaigned on, including no taxes on tips. The Senate package would roll
See “Trump,” A13
US halts weapons shipments to Ukraine following Pentagon review of military aid
By Will Weissert & Matthew Lee
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The US is halting some shipments of weapons to Ukraine amid concerns that its own stockpiles have declined too much, officials said Tuesday,
a setback for the country as it tries to fend off escalating attacks from Russia.
Certain munitions were previously promised to Ukraine under the Biden administration to aid its defenses during
the more than three-year-old war. The pause reflects a new set of priorities under President Donald Trump and came after Defense Department officials scrutinized current US stockpiles and raised concerns.
“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly
said in a statement. “The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned—just ask Iran.”
See “Weapons,” A13
Trump ramps up attacks on Federal Reserve; Chair Powell holds firm on monetary policy
By Christopher Rugaber AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON—Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday stuck to his position that the central bank will keep its key rate on hold while it waits to see how President Donald Trump’s tariffs effect the economy, despite the steady stream of criticism from the White House, which wants lower borrowing costs.
Powell, speaking in Sintra, Portugal, at a conference hosted by the European Central Bank, also said that US inflation is likely to pick up later this summer, though he acknowledged that the timing and magnitude of any price increase from the duties is uncertain. But he said the Fed will keep rates on hold while it evaluates the impact of tariffs on the US economy.
“As long as the economy is in
Weapons. . .
Continued from A12
That was a reference to Trump recently ordering US missile strikes against nuclear sites in Iran.
Pentagon stocks of some weapons found to be low, official says The Pentagon review determined that stocks were too low on some weapons previously pledged, so pending shipments of some items won’t be sent, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information that has not yet been made public.
The Defense Department did not provide details on what specific weapons were being held back.
“America’s military has never been more ready and more capable,” spokesman Sean Parnell said, adding that the major tax cut and spending package moving through Congress “ensures that our weapons and defense systems are modernized to protect against 21st century threats for generations to come.”
The halt of some weapons from the US is a blow to Ukraine as Russia has recently launched some of its biggest aerial attacks of the war, in an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in peace efforts championed by Trump. Talks between the sides have ground to a halt.
The US stoppage was first reported by Politico.
To date, the US has provided Ukraine
Gaza. . .
Continued from A11
Trump issues another warning ON Tuesday, Trump wrote on social media that Israel had “agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.”
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better—IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he said.
Trump’s warning may find a skeptical audience with Hamas. Even before the expiration of the war’s longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza’s civilian populace.
Still, Trump views the current moment
solid shape, we think the prudent thing to do is to wait and see what those effects might be,” Powell said, referring to the sweeping duties Trump has imposed this year. Powell’s comments underscored the divide between the US central bank’s leader and the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly urged the Fed to cut its key rate, which he says would save US taxpayers billions of dollars on interest costs on the federal gov -
more than $66 billion worth of weapons and military assistance since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.
Over the course of the war, the US has routinely pressed for allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine. But many are reluctant to give up the hightech systems, particularly countries in Eastern Europe that also feel threatened by Russia.
Elbridge Colby, the Defense Department undersecretary for policy, said officials continue “to provide the president with robust options to continue military aid to Ukraine, consistent with his goal of bringing this tragic war to an end.”
“At the same time, the department is rigorously examining and adapting its approach to achieving this objective while also preserving US forces’ readiness for Administration defense priorities,” Colby said in a statement.
Trump met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit last week and had left open the possibility of sending Kyiv more US-made Patriot air defense missile systems, acknowledging they would help the Ukrainian cause.
“They do want to have the antimissile missiles, OK, as they call them, the Patriots,” Trump said then. “And we’re going to see if we can make some available. We need them, too. We’re supplying them to Israel, and they’re very effective, 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective. They do want that more than any other thing.”
as a potential turning point in the brutal conflict that has left more than 56,000 dead in the Palestinian territory. The Gaza Health Ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death count, but says that more than half of the dead are women and children. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times. And the war has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pushing hundreds of thousands of people toward hunger.
Bassem Mroue reported from Beirut. Josef Federman contributed to this report from Jerusalem.
ernment’s massive debt, and boost the economy. The fight has threatened the Fed’s traditional independence from politics, though since the Supreme Court signaled the president can’t fire the chair, financial markets haven’t responded to Trump’s criticism.
The Fed chair also said that without tariffs, the Fed would probably be cutting its key rate right now. The central bank went “on hold” after it saw how large Trump’s proposed tariffs were, Powell said, and economists began forecasting higher inflation.
At the same time, Powell did not rule out a rate cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting July 29-30.
“I wouldn’t take any meeting off the table or put it directly on the table,” Powell said. Most economists, however, expect the Fed won’t reduce rates until September at the earliest.
On Monday, the president attacked Powell again and extended his criticisms to the entire Fed governing board, which participates in interest-rate decisions.
“The board just sits there and watches, so they are equally to blame,” Trump said. The attack on the board ratchets up pressure
Trump administration shifts outlook on Ukraine military aid THOSE comments hinted at thinking about providing weapons to Ukraine that’s begun to change across the administration in recent months.
In testimony before lawmakers in June, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he has moved quickly to quash wasteful programs and redirect funding to Trump’s top objectives.
Hegseth said a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine, which has been promoted for months by Trump, makes America look strong, even though Moscow is the aggressor in the conflict.
He also said the defense budget includes hard choices and “reflects the reality that Europe needs to step up more for the defense of its own continent. And President Trump deserves the credit for that.”
The defense secretary told lawmakers last month that some US security spending for Ukraine was still in the pipeline, without providing details. But he said such assistance—which has been robust for the past two years—would be reduced.
on individual Fed officials, such as Governor Chris Waller, who have been mentioned as potential successors to Powell, whose term ends in May 2026.
When asked during a panel discussion with other central bankers what keeps him awake at night, Powell referred to the fact that there are just 10 months left in his term.
“All I want and all anybody at the Fed wants is to deliver an economy that has price stability, maximum employment, financial stability,” he said.
Powell was also asked whether Trump’s attacks make his job harder, and he responded, “I’m very focused on just doing my job.”
The other central bankers onstage, including Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, Kazuo Ueda, governor of the Bank of Japan, and Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, joined the audience in applauding Powell’s comment.
“We would do exactly the same thing as Jay Powell has done,” Lagarde said. “The same thing.”
On Monday, Trump posted a note on social media that listed 44 countries in order of the interest rates set by their central banks.
“This administration takes a very different view of that conflict,” Hegseth said. “We believe that a negotiated peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation’s interests.”
The change comes after Hegseth skipped a meeting last month of an international group to coordinate military aid to Ukraine that the US created three years ago. Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, formed the group after Russia attacked Ukraine, and Hegseth’s absence was the first time the US defense secretary wasn’t in attendance.
Under Austin’s leadership, the US served as chair of the group, and he and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff attended monthly meetings, which were both in person and by video.
Hegseth had previously stepped away from a leadership role of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group—turning that over to Germany and the United Kingdom—before abandoning the gathering altogether.
The Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed to this report.
The list showed that Switzerland, Cambodia, and Japan have the lowest short-term rates of 0.25% to 0.5%. “Should be here,” Trump wrote on the list, referring to the Fed.
Yet central banks typically lower their rates when their economies are weaker, to boost borrowing and spending and support growth.
The Fed cut its short-term rate to nearly zero during the pandemic for that reason. It rapidly lifted borrowing costs in 2022 and 2023 to combat the worst inflation spike in four decades.
Trump has been particularly focused on the idea that Fed rate cuts would sharply reduce the government’s borrowing costs.
Yet it’s not necessarily the case that a cut would lower other borrowing costs for things such as mortgages, car loans, or business loans. The short-term rate the Fed controls influences other interest rates, but the markets also play a significant role.
As a result, a rate cut by the Fed wouldn’t automatically lower the interest rates paid by Treasury securities, particularly longer-term rates such as the yield on the 10-year Treasury, which strongly affects mortgage rates.
Trump. . .
Continued from A12
back billions of dollars in green energy tax credits, which Democrats warn will wipe out wind and solar investments nationwide.
It would impose $1.2 trillion in cuts, largely to Medicaid and food stamps, by imposing work requirements on able-bodied people, including some parents and older Americans, making sign-up eligibility more stringent and changing federal reimbursements to states.
Additionally, the bill would provide a $350 billion infusion for border and national security, including for deportations, some of it paid for with new fees charged to immigrants.
“The big not so beautiful bill has passed,” Paul said.
In fact, when the Powell Fed first cut its short-term rate last September, the 10-year yield actually rose, lifting mortgage rates and other borrowing costs.
The Fed has kept its key shortterm interest rate unchanged this year, at about 4.3%, after cutting it three times in 2024. At a news conference in June, Powell suggested that the central bank would “learn a great deal more over the summer” about whether President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs would push up inflation or not. The comment suggested the Fed wouldn’t consider cutting rates until its September meeting.
Yet a few days later, Fed governors Waller and Michelle Bowman, who were both appointed by Trump, said that it was unlikely the tariffs would lead to persistent inflation. Both also indicated that they would likely support reducing the Fed’s rate in July. So far, inflation has mostly continued to cool, despite the imposition of the duties on nearly all US imports. Consumer prices rose just 2.4% in May compared with a year earlier, not far from the Federal Reserve’s 2% target and much lower than a year ago.
Democrats fight all day and night UNABLE to stop the march toward passage, the Democrats tried to drag out the process, including with a weekend reading of the full bill. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, raised particular concern about the accounting method being used by the Republicans, which says the tax breaks from Trump’s first term are now “current policy” and the cost of extending them should not be counted toward deficits.
She said that kind of “magic math” won’t fly with Americans trying to balance their own household books.
The Associated Press writers Joey Cappelletti, Darlene Superville, Seung Min Kim and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
NLEX’s Marilao Bridge: A ticking time bomb for motorists
THE North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) stands as a vital lifeline, connecting Metro Manila to the provinces of Central and Northern Luzon. On an average day, around 350,000 vehicles traverse this critical route, a number that swells to nearly 500,000 during peak travel periods, such as Holy Week. Unfortunately, the recent accidents at the Marilao Bridge have highlighted far more than just traffic congestion; they underscore the plight of thousands of motorists who traverse this expressway daily, enduring disruptions that could have been avoided.
In March, a tanker truck collided with the Marilao Bridge, leading to severe traffic delays. In June, the situation worsened when an 18-wheel cargo truck struck the bridge again, resulting in the tragic death of a passenger when a dislodged beam fell onto their vehicle. This incident forced the closure of the northbound lanes and exacerbated the already heavy traffic, stranding countless motorists in frustrating gridlock.
The immediate response to such accidents often sees fingers pointed at the expressway operator, NLEX Corp. While the company has faced scrutiny—especially given the recurrence of incidents at the same bridge—it’s essential to adopt a more nuanced perspective. NLEX Corp. has shown a commitment to addressing the situation by implementing needed repairs, offering toll holidays, and enhancing personnel monitoring. However, the root of the problem lies deeper, in the hands of government agencies that have been slow to act.
NLEX Corp. has consistently called for a long-term solution to the Marilao Bridge’s structural issues, urging collaboration with the local government of Bulacan and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Unfortunately, the necessary repairs have been delayed, leaving motorists to face the consequences of bureaucratic inertia. NLEX Corp. Assistant Vice President for Traffic Operations Robin Ignacio has labeled the bridge as “condemned,” pressing for a replacement to ensure safer passage for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who depend on this route.
The urgency of these repairs cannot be overstated. Motorists are increasingly frustrated not only by the delays caused by accidents but also by the apparent lack of proactive measures from government. While NLEX Corp. has stepped up to offer repairs, the responsibility lies with the government to facilitate these efforts and ensure that all major roads in the country are safe and well-maintained.
The Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines has also expressed a willingness to collaborate with the government for safer road conditions, indicating that stakeholders are ready to work together to enhance safety. It would do well for the government to prioritize the much-needed repairs of the Marilao Bridge and to adopt a comprehensive approach to road safety. This includes not only immediate fixes but also long-term strategies such as the installation of weighing stations to prevent overweight trucks and maintaining rigorous standards for all vehicles on the road.
As we reflect on the plight of the thousands of motorists who navigate NLEX daily, it becomes clear that waiting for change is no longer an option. It’s time for the government to take decisive action, ensuring that our roads are safe and our motorists can travel without fear of unexpected hazards. The lives at stake deserve nothing less.
BusinessMirror
Financial ‘illiterates’
Ywelcome—Here’s
why
OUTSIDE THE BOX
OU have been told you are not ready to invest. Not smart enough, not educated enough, not financially “literate” enough. That is exactly what the financial industry wants you to believe. But here is the truth: most so-called expert knowledge is either not helpful or designed to keep you dependent. If you can observe, stay calm, and avoid panic, you are already ahead of many professionals. The market is not a test of intellect—it is a test of temperament. And that is why, if you think you are too ignorant to invest, you might be in the perfect position.
The idea that investing requires a finance degree is a myth—pushed by those who profit from your confusion. They speak in acronyms and insist that without spreadsheets and jargon, you should not participate. That is simply nonsense.
You do not need to understand electricity to flip a switch. You do not need to explain fuel injection to drive a car. And you do not need to master discounted cash flow models to own a stock. Participation does not require perfection. Start with common sense.
Markets are not ruled by equations. They are ruled by emotion. Greed, fear, and momentum move prices more than any formula ever has. The stock market is not a math contest—it is a psychological tug-ofwar plotted on a screen.
A 2020 study from UC Berkeley showed that retail investors using simple strategies sometimes outperformed the professionals. Why? They kept it simple. No paralysis by analysis. No worship of corporate numbers. They watched the crowd, followed momentum, and avoided getting too clever.
The Wall Street Journal’s dartboard experiment ran from 1988 to 2002. Journalists threw darts at stock listings and compared results to analyst picks. The experts won 61 times out of 100. The dartboard won 39. When a random dartboard can win with that percentage, maybe the system is not as sacred as they say.
But the market is not pure chaos and casino-like random.
A 2014 study from India showed
The idea that investing requires a finance degree is a myth — pushed by those who profit from your confusion. They speak in acronyms and insist that without spreadsheets and jargon, you should not participate. That is simply nonsense.
that random portfolios tend to lag over time. Luck fades. Discipline endures. The stock-picking monkey that rode the dot-com boom in 1999 went broke in 2000—just like the “experts.” The edge is not education—it is consistency. Reading a balance sheet helps, but it is not required. The basics are free. Experience teaches the rest.
The real threat is not ignorance. It is recklessness. Meme-stock gamblers and margin-debt thrill-seekers are not undone by lack of education but by arrogance. The 2008 meltdown was not caused by clueless investors from Capiz. It was engineered by Ivy League bankers drowning in confidence and complex models.
Financial literacy matters, but it is not the gatekeeper. The market rewards patience and punishes ego.
The most powerful move? Often, it is doing nothing. And speaking of ego, still think you know nothing? Good. That means you are cautious. Here is where to begin.
Start with REITs—Real Estate Investment Trusts. AREIT, tied to Ayala Land, owns offices, malls, and commercial property. It pays 5.76
percent annually, according to June 2025 Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) data. That beats most savings accounts.
Meralco offers a 5 percent dividend. Its stock is up 10 percent this year and has nearly doubled in two years. Puregold has delivered 9.5 percent annual returns since 2011. ICTSI—the port operator—has a cumulative average of 24 percent per year since 1992. These are not obscure companies. You see them every day. You already pay them—why not let them pay you back?
If stock picking feels risky, try index funds. The PSEi, which tracks the top 30 companies, has averaged 7 percent annual returns over the last decade. Yes, the market is a jungle. But staying out because you fear the lions means starving while the monkeys throw coconuts and still get fed. Better to learn to climb. Slowly, carefully—but climb.
Ignorance is not an excuse for stupidity. But neither is financial literacy a magic shield. Curiosity, restraint, and observation will take you farther than most textbooks. You do not need to be brilliant. You just need to show up and pay attention. The experts can keep their models. You only need to know which direction the herd is moving—and how to avoid getting trampled.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
Asia’s strong July track record to be put to test by tariff risk
By John Cheng & Hoi Yuet Woo
ASEASONAL lift for Asian equities in July may falter this year as tariff and macroeconomic concerns dampen sentiment. Markets are bracing for heightened volatility ahead of the July 9 deadline for countries to cut trade deals with the US. Uncertainty over the outcome of these negotiations may pose a hurdle for regional shares to maintain an average return of 1.36 percent for July— the second-best performing month of the year—over the past decade.
Investors are “somewhat holding back on fresh allocations to emerging Asia,” said Christian Nolting, global chief investment officer at Deutsche Bank’s Private Bank. “While recent comments from high-level negotiators suggest constructive progress in ongoing talks with major Asian trading partners,” uncertainties remain high given that trade disputes during President Donald Trump’s first term lasted one and a half years, he added. While the MSCI Asia Pacific Index has gained for three consecutive months through June, a potential return of “Liberation Day” tariff rates could send shares plunging in the similar way they did in early April. Treasury Secre -
tary Scott Bessent has said about 20 countries that don’t reach deals by next Wednesday could continue negotiating but would see their tariff rates reverted to the higher April 2 rate or stay at 10 percent if they are deemed to be “negotiating in good faith.” Sectoral levies remain an unresolved risk.
Even if trade deals materialize, some levels of tariffs are likely to stay. That would be a drag on the region’s export-led economies. A number of central banks in Asia have lowered their growth outlooks for the year. Meanwhile, elevated US interest rates may curb the scope for Asian central banks to further lower borrowing cost.
Markets are bracing for heightened volatility ahead of the July 9 deadline for countries to cut trade deals with the US. Uncertainty over the outcome of these negotiations may pose a hurdle for regional shares to maintain an average return of 1.36 percent for July—the second-best performing month of the year— over the past decade.
“The third quarter looks to have lots of dangerous potholes with higher inflation and the prospect of slower growth,” said Gary Dugan, chief executive officer of the Global CIO Office. “We are not so convinced the Federal Reserve will have sufficient reasons to cut rates at the pace the market prices.” To be sure, a milder-than-expected tariff outcome and more dovish signaling from the Federal Reserve may encourage flows into the region.
Current positioning in Asian assets leaves room for upside, said Gary Tan, a portfolio manager at Allspring
Global Investments. The US central bank has refrained from cutting interest rates this year as it assesses the impact of Trump’s tariffs on inflation. The Trump administration though has been applying pressure to lower borrowing costs, and two Fed governors in recent days have said a cut could be appropriate as soon as July. The MSCI Asia Pacific gauge has risen more than 12 percent so far this year, outperforming developed peers such as the US, with shares in South Korea and Hong Kong seeing renewed interest. Still, some markets in Southeast Asia, where countries were hit with among the highest tariff rates, remain under pressure.
“We continue to expect choppy markets over the summer,” Nomura Holdings Inc. strategists including Chetan Seth wrote in a recent note. “We recommend investors focus on stock selection and on idiosyncratic themes that provide insulation from policy uncertainty and ones that offer better visibility.” With assistance from Abhishek Vishnoi/Bloomberg
John Mangun
Stablecoin push gains ground in China in new challenge to US
CHINA faces growing calls from policy advisers and economists to explore using stablecoins for cross-border payments, as the US moves to entrench the dollar’s dominance through the still-emerging technology.
While China hasn’t formally embraced stablecoins—digital tokens pegged to traditional currencies— and maintains a sweeping ban on crypto activities, recent remarks from senior central bank officials have given fresh momentum to discussions about their potential role in global payments.
People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng said in June that stablecoins could revolutionize international finance, particularly as rising geopolitical tensions highlight the fragility of traditional payment systems, which he warned can be politicized and used as a sanction tool.
At the same Shanghai event, former central bank head Zhou Xiaochuan said dollar-linked stablecoins could facilitate dollarization. Other mainland and Hong Kong financial officials talked about the potential for yuan-based stablecoins to support China’s long-running effort to promote its currency on the world stage.
Beijing has long been wary of cryptocurrencies, viewing them as a threat to financial stability and capital controls. But economists now see an opening, fueled in part by the Trump administration’s growing support for digital tokens.
Morgan Stanley suggests China could use Hong Kong to trial offshore yuan-based stablecoins that would avoid violations of Beijing’s strict capital rules.
“Stablecoins are not new currencies, but new distribution channels for existing ones,” said Robin Xing, chief China economist at Morgan Stanley. “It is crucial for China to embrace the trend of sovereign currency tokenization to maintain competitiveness in the digital infrastructure race.”
Just hours before Pan and other Chinese officials spoke at the June 18 Lujiazui Forum, the US Senate passed a bill regulating stablecoins, in a major win for the crypto industry and a boost for President Donald Trump’s digital asset agenda. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a June 19 X post that stablecoins could strengthen—not threaten—the dollar’s dominance.
Bessent told Bloomberg TV on Monday that global users are likely to favor US-backed stablecoins over central bank digital currencies from Europe or China, citing greater trust in the private sector under American regulation than the risk of government control elsewhere.
Stablecoins, typically backed by traditional currencies and issued by private firms, are gaining traction as a faster, cheaper option for cross-border payments. Most are pegged to the dollar and backed by US assets like short-term Treasuries, with total supply projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030.
In response, Chinese economists are urging the development of yuan-linked alternatives. “If China doesn’t develop stablecoins, it will essentially withdraw from the competition for next-generation global currency dominance and hand it to others,” said Shen Jianguang, chief economist at JD.com.
JD.com founder Richard Liu reportedly told staff the company plans to apply for stablecoin licenses in all major markets to cut cross-border payment costs by 90 percent and reduce settlement time to under 10 seconds.
Hong Kong has recently introduced its own regulatory framework for fiat-referenced stablecoins, offering licenses to issuers operating in the city.
JD.com and Ant Group are among the first tech giants expected to apply. Shanghai-listed Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., opera-
Stablecoins, typically backed by traditional currencies and issued by private firms, are gaining traction as a faster, cheaper option for cross-border payments. Most are pegged to the dollar and backed by US assets like shortterm Treasuries, with total supply projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030.
tor of the world’s largest wholesale goods market, has also said it plans to seek a license.
Offshore yuan stablecoins could help China take advantage of mounting global unease with dollar dominance, especially after it was used as a tool of financial pressure on the Kremlin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Interest in the yuan is growing, with more than 30 percent of China’s goods trade settled in the currency in February, the highest in a decade, though its share in global payments remains modest.
The growing interest in stablecoins comes as China’s own statebacked digital currency, the e-CNY, has struggled to gain traction both at home and abroad. A separate crossborder payments initiative, mBridge, is facing an uncertain future after a main participant, the Bank for International Settlements, pulled out over concerns it could be used to bypass sanctions.
Pan recently announced plans for an international e-CNY center in Shanghai, signaling continued interest in promoting its use for trade.
China should take a “dual track” approach to bolster the yuan’s global use, according to Li Yang, chairman of the state-backed National Institution for Finance and Development and a former PBOC adviser. That would involve continuing traditional efforts, such as expanding currency swaps and the yuan-based CIPS settlement system, while also leveraging Hong Kong’s financial institutions to promote offshore yuan-linked stablecoins.
“Hong Kong’s stablecoins can become Beijing’s alternative to sidestep SWIFT, alongside the earlier adopted CIPS and mBridge.” They “could significantly advance the yuan’s global usage. The yuan’s adoption faces a setback—transactions via CIPS have yet to reach a critical mass,” said Francis Chan, Bloomberg’s senior banking and fintech analyst.
For now, stablecoins are mostly used for crypto trading instead of business payments, and regulators still need to address risks like fraud and financial crime. While many countries are exploring regulations, key questions remain, like whether stablecoins should be treated as currencies or financial assets.
Ultimately, the global status of a currency is determined by the nation’s overall power and credibility, not a new means of payment, according to Liu Xiaochun, vice president of Shanghai Finance Institute.
Chinese stablecoins may face limits without broader economic reforms, according to Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University professor and author of the book The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and Finance.
“Yuan-linked stablecoins issued in Hong Kong are unlikely to gain much traction in the absence of unification of onshore and offshore exchange markets,” he said.
But stablecoins, he added, could nudge Beijing toward change. By complicating exchange rate and monetary policy management, they might “serve as an incentive to undertake liberalization and marketoriented reforms,” he said. Bloomberg
EU border software vulnerable to hacks, confidential reports warn
By Olivia Solon & Tomas Statius
AN information-sharing system used by EU border forces to flag illegal immigrants and suspected criminals in real time was rife with software and security vulnerabilities, according to emails and confidential audit reports obtained by Bloomberg News and investigative newsroom Lighthouse Reports.
The Schengen Information System II had thousands of cybersecurity issues that the European Data Protection Supervisor, an EU auditor, deemed to be of “high” severity in a 2024 report. It also found that an “excessive number” of accounts had administrator-level access to the database, creating “an avoidable weakness that could be exploited by internal attackers.”
While there is no evidence that any SIS II data was accessed or stolen, a breach “would be catastrophic, potentially affecting millions of people,” said Romain Lanneau, a legal researcher at EU watchdog Statewatch.
SIS II, which was first implemented in 2013, is part of an EU-wide effort to strengthen the bloc’s external borders using digital and biometric technologies at a moment in which governments around the world are taking tougher stances on migration. The system allows member states to issue and view real-time alerts when tagged individuals, a group that includes terror suspects and people with outstanding arrest warrants, attempt to cross an EU border.
SIS II, which currently runs on an isolated network, will eventually be integrated with the EU’s Entry/Exit System, which will automate registration of the bloc’s hundreds of millions of annual visitors. EES will be connected to the internet, which could make it easier for hackers to access the highly sensitive SIS II database, the report warns. Alerts issued by SIS II can contain photos of suspects and biometric data such as fingerprints taken from crime scenes. Since March 2023, the alerts have also incorporated
so-called “return decisions”—legal rulings that flag a person for deportation. While the vast majority of the system’s estimated 93 million records relate to objects such as stolen vehicles and identity documents, about 1.7 million are linked to people.
Of those, 195,000 have been flagged as possible threats to national security. Since individuals don’t generally know that their information is in SIS II until law enforcement acts on it, a leak could potentially make it easier for a wanted person to evade detection.
The audit determined that SIS II was vulnerable to hackers overwhelming the system, as well as attacks that could enable outsiders to gain unauthorized access, documents show. When EU-Lisa, the agency that oversees large-scale IT projects such as SIS II, reported these issues to Sopra Steria, the Paris-based contractor responsible for developing and maintaining the system, the company took between eight months and more than five-and-a-half years to fix the problems, according to the report and emails between EU employees and Sopra Steria.
Under the terms of its contract with EU-Lisa, Sopra Steria was obliged to fix “critical and high” software vulnerabilities within two months of a patch being released, emails and two audit reports show.
A spokesperson for Sopra Steria declined to respond to a detailed list of allegations about security vulnerabilities in SIS II, but said in a statement that the company followed EU protocols.
“As a key component of the EU’s security infrastructure, SIS II is
governed by strict legal, regulatory, and contractual frameworks,” the spokesperson wrote. “Sopra Steria’s role was carried out in accordance with these frameworks.”
E-mails seen by Bloomberg and Lighthouse Reports showed that EULisa employees flagged cybersecurity issues to Sopra Steria on several occasions in 2022. Sopra Steria argued in one email exchange that patching some of the vulnerabilities would cost an extra €19,000. In response, EU-Lisa said the work should be covered by the existing contract, which included a fee of between €519,000 and €619,000 per month for “corrective maintenance,” according to a document detailing Sopra Steria’s fees for the project.
The EDPS audit also noted that 69 team members not employed directly by the EU had access to SIS II despite lacking the necessary security clearance. It’s not clear if they were Sopra Steria employees or other contractors.
The audit blamed some lapses on EU-Lisa, which did not inform its management board about security vulnerabilities after they were identified. In the documents, auditors described the EU agency as struggling with “organizational and technical security gaps” and recommended that it set up an action plan with a “clear strategy” for addressing vulnerabilities. In addition to SIS II, the agency maintains a database of asylum seekers’ fingerprints, called Eurodac, and a visa waiver system similar to that of ESTA in the US.
A spokesperson for EU-Lisa said the agency couldn’t comment on confidential documents, but that “all systems under the agency’s management undergo continuous risk assessments, regular vulnerability scans, and security testing.”
“Any risks identified are assessed, prioritized, and addressed based on their criticality, with appropriate mitigation measures defined and closely monitored,” the spokesper-
Starmer emerges from UK welfare fight weaker and billions in red
By Joe Mayes, Lucy White & Ailbhe Rea
KEIR STARMER dramatically abandoned his flagship welfare reforms to avoid a historic defeat, leaving the UK prime minister’s authority badly damaged and his government facing a widening fiscal hole to fill.
The government made a last-ditch decision Tuesday to drop the most contentious part of planned welfare changes, which would have restricted benefit payments to some disabled people from next year and had caused widespread anger among Labour MPs. While that allowed Starmer to avoid a humiliating loss to rebels in his own party, it came at the cost of giving up all of the savings initially sought from the reforms.
The climbdown just 90 minutes before Members of Parliament were due to vote on an amendment that sought to sink the legislation marks a fresh low for Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, who is increasingly expected to have to raise taxes at her budget in the autumn to cover the fiscal shortfall.
The £5 billion ($6.9 billion) welfare reversal follows a £1.25 billion U-turn on cutting winter fuel payments to pensioners last month, raising doubts about whether ministers can get spending cuts past their own party, whose backbenchers are increasingly worried about the electoral threat posed by Nigel Farage’s poll-leading populist Reform UK.
Starmer and Reeves are “weakened,” said Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank. “There are real questions over their management of the parliamentary Labour party,” Menon said.
The government had already announced a partial climbdown on some of the bill’s provisions as
ministers sought to peel away some of the 126 publicly declared rebels—comfortably more than the 83 needed to defeat the government in conjunction with opposition parties. But the threat of a sizable rebellion remained, especially after the House of Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, selected Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell’s wrecking amendment.
Labour backbenchers didn’t hold back in the debate, saying the measures would hurt disabled people and urging the government to pull the legislation. Moving her amendment, Maskell called the cuts “Dickensian,” while Emma Lewell said they would plunge 150,000 people into poverty. Richard Burgon said that a vote in favor of the bill by any Labour MP would “hang like an albatross around their necks.”
Amid such strength of feeling, Starmer’s administration ended up making the vital concession, accepting that any changes would come after a review by social security minister Stephen Timms conducted alongside disability charities and advocates. That peace offering was pushed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who had led negotiations with Labour rebels in recent days. It came because the government feared losing the vote, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The prime minister last week dismissed the rebel voices as “nois-
son added.
Some of the problems with SIS II stemmed from EU-Lisa’s tendency to rely heavily on consulting firms rather than build technological capabilities in-house, according to three people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified as they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. This was partly because of pressure to deliver on projects that the agency did not have the staff to complete quickly.
The Entry/Exit System, the high-tech border system intended to automate visitor registration in Europe—and another project overseen by EU-Lisa—has also been struggling. The system was supposed to launch in 2022, but has been delayed multiple times due to technical problems largely attributed to the French IT firm Atos, Bloomberg and Lighthouse Reports reported in December. The EU Commission said two months ago that member states would switch on some parts of EES in October.
Over the last decade, the European Union has been trying to implement so-called smart borders to keep track of the increasing number of people traveling into the bloc. The creation of a decentralized agency like EU-Lisa in 2012 should have made developing these systems easier, said Francesca Tassinari, a lawyer and researcher at the University of the Basque Country and an expert on EU IT systems. “But unfortunately the agency has not proven sufficient to manage the scale and complexity of the project.”
Part of the reason for that, explained Leonardo Quattrucci, a senior fellow at the Center for Future Generations, is that the EU lacks people with experience in procuring and managing these contracts. “Procurement should be treated as a strategic function, but it’s currently a compliance process,” he said. “You need the owners of the process to be specialists.” Bloomberg
es off,” before acknowledging in an interview with The Sunday Times that he had been too distracted by events abroad, including the NATO summit in The Hague, to focus on the rebellion.
A successful rebellion would have marked the first time in almost four decades that any government had suffered a defeat at this stage of a bill’s progress, raising questions about Starmer’s leadership. In the end, the legislation passed to its next stage of parliamentary scrutiny by 335 votes to 260, though Starmer still saw 49 Labour MPs—more than 10 percent of his cohort—vote against him.
Nevertheless, the U-turn itself caused consternation and confusion, with MPs unsure of what remained of the original bill. “What are we supposed to be voting on tonight?” Labour backbencher Andy McDonald asked in the Commons.
“This is outrageous,” said Ian Lavery, one of the rebel Labour MPs, after the concession was announced. “This is a hotchpotch of a bill that means nothing to nobody.”
One Labour MP, who voted with the government, described the party leadership as incompetent, while another member of the government remarked that it looked like a return to the chaotic days of crunch Brexit votes under the Conservatives— when then Prime Minister Theresa May led a minority government, in stark contrast to Starmer’s working majority of 165.
“It is difficult to see how this is the right way to make effective, serious welfare policy,” Labour backbencher Neil Duncan-Jordan told Bloomberg. “The bill should have been withdrawn and revisited. What’s been left is a rather meaningless piece of legislation.”
Reeves and Starmer will be keen to avoid the sort of market turmoil that hit in January when with gilt yields rose to their highest since the financial crisis in 2008 and the pound hit its lowest in 14 months amid concern in the financial markets about the government’s fiscal deficit. Gilt markets were closed when the government made its final concession late Tuesday, and there was no movement in the pound. Still, there are concerns in 10 Downing St. about the potential for an adverse market reaction to the perception of the government taking a looser fiscal stance, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The botched handling of the welfare reforms also raises the prospect of potential resignations. Asked by the BBC if her position was tenable, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has led the bill in Parliament, said listening to the dissenters had been the right thing to do. For her part, Reeves faces an increasingly difficult task at her autumn budget to meet her selfimposed fiscal rules. As well as the cost of the recent policy reversals, she faces the prospect of weaker growth forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility due to downgrades to estimates for UK productivity.
After leaving herself a historically slim £9.9 billion buffer against her own budget rules at her last economic update in the spring, it’s now increasingly likely the chancellor will find herself in the red, needing to turn to tax hikes or spending cuts at the budget in the fall to stabilize the public finances. Those tax increases may in turn impact the Bank of England’s outlook for monetary easing. With assistance from Greg Ritchie, Alex Wickham, Hillary
and
Freya Jones/Bloomberg
Thursday, July 3, 2025
‘Inequality, politics culprit for PHL’s slow GNI climb’
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THEPhilippines has inched closer to the next rung of global income classification, but persistent inequality and deeply rooted political structures are preventing the country from graduating out of its lower-middle income status, according to experts.
On Wednesday, July 2, the World Bank reported that the country’s gross national income (GNI) per capita rose to $4,470 in 2024, a 5.67-percent increase from $4,230 in 2023. Despite this progress, it remains within the lower-middle-income bracket—defined by the World Bank as economies with a GNI per capita between $1,136 and $4,495.
Metro Manila...There is income inequality because development is not the same across all regions,” she told this newspaper.
She also noted that the top 1 percent of Filipinos account for 17 percent of the nation’s income, based on academic estimates.
While she acknowledged that the country exceeded its 2023 GNI target, she questioned whether the benefits had reached ordinary citizens. “We’re happy we didn’t miss our targets, but the more important question is: does the general public feel it?” she asked.
into upper-middle-income status (Umic), which now starts at $4,496 under the World Bank’s 2026 fiscal classification.
But Ateneo economist Luis Dumlao warned that this benchmark moves upward every year.
“If the threshold does not increase—which, as we see, it does—we are likely to become an upper-middle income country in seven years or in the latter half of the next administration,” Dumlao told BusinessMirror
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE Philippine Embassy in the United States has issued an advisory debunking viral misinformation that falsely claims new US travel restrictions for dual citizens and green card holders—clarifying that no such policy changes apply to Filipinos.
Philippine citizenship, based on social media content,” it added. “Renunciation of Philippine citizenship is a serious, irreversible legal action.”
Who are affected by the ban? UNDER Presidential Proclamation 10949, the US has suspended entry for nationals of 12 countries and restricted visa access for seven more. The policy does not revoke existing visas, but new applications from affected countries are now subject to automatic denial unless applicants meet narrow exemption criteria.
Exemptions include:
“Since the political elites and dynasties are only after their own interests, the types of laws and reforms designed or implemented are limited to those that ensure their loyalty and preserve the survival of these leaders,” Ateneo economist Leonardo Lanzona told BusinessMirror He emphasized the need for inclusive reforms that prioritize broad public access to essential services and economic opportunities.
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
HILIPPINE hotels remain com-
Ppetitive in terms of average daily rates (ADR) compared to their counterparts in Southeast Asia, and merely reflect the cost of doing business in the country.
In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Francis Gotianun, vice president of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) said, “I think that notion that ‘the Philippines is expensive,’ is not true. We have to look at data, our prices are at par; they [other countries] just have more options. We have less options, we have less room inventory. We are not expensive, we are competitive.” Gotianun is also senior vice president of Filinvest Hospitality Corp.
This was seconded by PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr., who said research shows that the Philippines is the “third most expensive [in Southeast Asia] in terms of power. On wages, we are also the third most expensive. So the margin of a hotel which charges US$80 in Hanoi is different from our margins. There are other soft costs, like food,” explaining the costs of doing business in the country. “But hotels will never price themselves beyond the means of their target market,” he stressed. Philippine travel sellers have contended that the Philippines is losing its edge versus other Southeast Asian countries in terms of attracting foreign visitors due to increasing hotel rates and high airfare costs. (See, “WTM opens new markets for PHL sellers, but cost an issue,” in the BusinessMirror, Nov. 11, 2024.)
Hotels adopt ‘dynamic pricing’ “THEIR rates are now even higher than before the pandemic,” complained one veteran tour operator in a separate interview. “Now they beg us to give them clients because arrivals have been poor. I ask them to give me good rates, but most of them use dynamic pricing.”
Dynamic pricing is a strategy wherein businesses adjust prices in real time, based on current market
“The policies and reforms that determine our public goods should be developed broadly to reach the majority, especially the most vulnerable,” he added. The distribution of growth also remains a concern. According to De La Salle University economist Ella Oplas, the country’s development continues to favor urban centers, particularly Metro Manila, leaving many rural areas behind.
“Wealth is still concentrated in
Meanwhile, former socioeconomic planning secretary Dante Canlas pointed to underlying economic fundamentals holding back income growth, citing slow real gross domestic product (GDP) growth and low total factor productivity as limiting factors.
“The government has been missing its growth targets,” Canlas said in an exclusive interview. “[To boost our GNI, we need to] raise Total Factor Productivity, or the efficiency in the use of all factors of production, namely, all forms of labor and capital.”
Chasing Umic status
AS of 2024, the country is just $26 short of the threshold to graduate
The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 sets a target GNI per capita of $4,454 to $4,592 for 2024, slightly above the latest actual figure.
The Marcos administration has even set its sights on reaching Umic status by 2028, with the President earlier expressing hopes of attaining it as early as 2025.
Still, the path to that goal remains complex.
Asked about wage increases as a possible solution, Lanzona argued that such could trigger inflation without necessarily addressing deeper structural problems: “You have to raise productivity, which is very hard given our political structure.”
The June 25 advisory comes amid heightened anxiety following the Trump administration’s expanded travel ban, which took effect on June 9 and targets nationals from 12 countries, including Haiti, Iran, and Somalia, with full visa suspensions, and imposes partial restrictions on seven others such as Cuba and Venezuela.
“We urge the Filipino community to verify information through official government sources, avoid sharing unverified content, and report false information to the platform where it is published,” the embassy stated.
The new travel bans primarily target countries deemed by the US government to have inadequate identity verification systems or pose national security risks. The Philippines is not one of them.
“Please do not make legal decisions, such as renouncing your
- US citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Dual citizens traveling on a US passport
- Individuals with valid visas issued before June 9
- Certain humanitarian cases and longtime US government employees abroad
Key reminders for Green Card Holders
WHILE Filipino green card holders are not covered by the travel ban, they remain subject to intensified enforcement under current US immigration law: Stricter Scrutiny at Reentry:
demand or other factors. This means room rates surge when there is an increased demand or during peak periods, allowing hotels to maximize their revenues. The same is practiced by local airlines and transport network vehicle services.
Data from Leechiu Property Consultants in April 2025 showed that mostly upper segments in the hospitality industry have raised their ADRs by at least 14 percent from 2019 to 2024, occupancy rates among Philippine hotels slipped by 8 percent to 60 percent during the reference years.
Meanwhile, PHOA president Arthur Lopez also agreed with Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla’s recent statement that “safety” is an issue that deters tourists from coming to the Philippines. “Of course, we know that. It’s a basic problem that has been there since time immemorial. Peace and order is one of the biggest stumbling blocks,” he said, in attracting more tourists to the country. (See, “Tourists aren’t coming to the PHL because they don’t feel safe—Jonvic,” in the BusinessMirror, June 20, 2025.)
PH Connect 2025
GOTIANUN contended that safety and security is a concern of any traveler in any destination. “I think the hotels, airlines, etc., many of us go above and beyond for safety and security. The Philippines may be the only Asian country that still has security guards. Everywhere we have lots of CCTV, we have all these type of things. So as the private sector, we really want people to feel comfortable and safe. And I think we put effort and we put resources into that.”
PHOA, which represents 217 hotels with over 40,000 rooms, will be holding Philippine Hotel Connect (PHCon) 2025 on July 24-25, 2025, at the Marriot Manila Hotel in Pasay City. The event offers hotel owners and investors an opportunity to network and find ways to capitalize on the Philippines’s expanding tourism market amid the post-pandemic recovery, evolving traveler preferences,
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE P50 minimum wage hike recently approved in Metro Manila won’t be enough to stop the growing demand for a legislated across-the-board wage increase, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) said Wednesday, pushing back against claims by employers that the issue is already settled. In a statement, the labor rights group criticized the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop) for saying the new wage order should “put to rest” calls for Congress to act on a national wage hike.
“Ecop is wrong in saying that this increase will ‘put to rest’ efforts to legislate a wage hike. The still-meager wage increase shows that the wage boards are truly incapable of increasing
workers’ wages and that legislation is necessary,” CTUHR said.
The P50 hike, the biggest nominal increase ever approved by the Metro Manila wage board, will bring the daily minimum wage to P695 for non-agriculture workers and P658 for those in the agriculture sector, retail and service establishments with 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing firms with fewer than 10 employees.
But CTUHR argued that the amount remains far from enough to help workers cope with surging prices and close the gap toward a living wage.
“It is still a meager wage increase, baryabarya, not a significant wage increase that can give workers an immediate relief,” the group said. CTUHR also slammed ECOP President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. for repeating “hoary lies” about
wage hikes being detrimental to the wider economy.
Ortiz-Luis earlier claimed that raising wages through legislation—such as the proposed P200 across-the-board increase—would harm businesses, lead to inflation, or even cause layoffs.
CTUHR said these arguments are misleading as wage
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
US subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific files for bankruptcy
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE US unit of Campos-led Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) has filed for bankruptcy and is now preparing for the sale of its assets and certain units.
As part of the Chapter 11 proceedings, the company said in a disclosure that its US unit, Del Monte Foods Holdings Ltd. (DMFHL), will have access to approximately $912.5 million in “debtor in possession” financing to fund their ongoing operations.
The newly constituted board of Del Monte Foods has determined to pursue a value-maximizing sale process.
Del Monte said it has been ad-
vised that DMFHL has entered into a restructuring support agreement with certain secured debt lenders. The said agreement “contemplates a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of DMFHL and certain of its subsidiaries, among other strategic transactions to be implemented through Chapter 11 proceedings in the US.” “It is important to clarify that Chapter 11 is a US legal process fo -
cused on the financial and operational restructuring of a company. Chapter 11 allows a company, through its existing management, to continue operating in the ordinary course.
This court-supervised process enables the debtor to formulate a process to address the company’s existing liabilities and related obligations, during which creditor debt collection efforts are generally halted by the imposition of a moratorium during the pendency of the proceedings,” the company said.
Throughout this process, DMFHL and its operating subsidiary, Del Monte Foods Corp. II Inc., will continue normal business operations, the company said.
DMFHL’s non-US subsidiaries, including in Latin America, are not included in the Chapter 11 proceedings and will continue to operate as usual.
The Chapter 11 filing also does
not relate to DMPL or Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI).
Del Monte Philippines with its Asian and international businesses, continues to perform well, with resilient consumer demand, supported by a strong and stable supply chain, the company said.
“The company is confident in DMPI’s ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations going forward.”
Del Monte Pacific net investment value in Del Monte Foods was $579 million as of January and has a net receivable of $169 million from the US unit.
The company is in the process of deconsolidation of all the assets of the US unit.
“The value to be impaired will be determined after the audit. Updates on the financial impacts will be provided in due course,” it said.
SynerFi: Rural banks to go digital
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
OPEN payments platform
SynerFi, a collaboration between Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) and Higala Group Inc., is aiming to digitally onboard 40 rural banks into the InstaPay ecosystem within the year, starting with eight lenders that are now fully integrated into the realtime payments network.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, Higala President and CEO Winston Damarillo said the partners seek to accelerate the participation of smaller financial institutions in digital banking through the plug-and-play platform that enables mobile banking, digital onboarding, savings services, real-time transfers, and teller tools—without the need for rural
Bataan solar plant starts supplying RE
THE Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday it has officially commissioned the 41.92-megawatt Samal Solar Renewable Energy Project in Bataan.
Developed by Samal Solar Renewable Energy Corp., the Samal facility began supplying clean power to the Luzon grid on July 1.
“This solar project is a testament to the transformative power of renewable energy [RE],” said DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol.
“It not only provides clean power but also fuels local development through employment and capacity building. This is the kind of sustainable, inclusive progress we are working to achieve nationwide.”
While construction began in 2024 and has since generated 1,000 jobs, Capongcol said the project is expected to create long-term employment for operations and maintenance, while offering training programs for residents through partnerships with local governments and schools.
Capongcol noted that this “reaffirms” the government’s commitment to achieving a 35-percent renewable energy share in the mix by 2030. Lorenz S. Marasigan
Hotel101 shares slide during Nasdaq debut
Sbanks to build their own in-house tech and compliance systems.
“This marks the beginning of empowering the underserved banking sector by enabling them to offer digital banking services that are otherwise available only to mainstream and traditional banks.”
Lito Villanueva, the chief innovation and inclusion officer at RCBC, said the first batch of rural banks onboarded are: Rural Bank of San Antonio Inc., Rural Bank of Lipa City (Batangas) Inc., Progressive Rural Bank Inc., Banco Abucay Inc., Rural Bank of Hermosa (Bataan) Inc., Money Mall Rural Bank Inc., First Philippine Partners Bank Inc., and Lagawe Highlands Rural Bank, Inc. He noted that while there are 358 rural banks nationwide, only about 5 percent currently participate in realtime digital payments.
“We are targeting 40 rural banks to be onboarded, so far we have eight here. We are expecting more in the coming weeks. Phase 1 will cover 40, Phase 2 will cover more,” Villanueva said.
SynerFi said it eliminates heavy IT and compliance burdens often faced by small banks, enabling them to launch modern banking services without large capital outlays.
“Launching these services with zero capital intensity and without the heavy burden of building dedicated in-house tech and compliance teams is invaluable, enabling us to offer customers top-tier technology and services, truly digitizing our reach,” Rural Bank of San Antonio President Ronaldo Recto said.
To support its ambitious rollout, Higala recently extended its seed funding round from $2.8 million to
$4 million. Investors include Talino Venture Studios, Chemonics International, Kadan Capital, Tenco Capital, and 1982 Ventures.
“Fresh funds from our investors will help accelerate Higala’s capabilities of powering SynerFi and helping more financial institutions grow and expand their services,” Damarillo said.
Chemonics International President and CEO Jamey Butcher said the expanded investment reflects “strong confidence” in the platform’s transformative potential.
“Through SynerFi, Rural Bank customers throughout the Philippines will now have access to mobile banking for the first time. This is a huge step towards financial inclusion, which Chemonics has been committed to supporting in the Philippines for almost 40 years.”
Toyota names Standard Insurance as second ELV dismantling facility
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) has endorsed Standard Insurance Co. Inc. as its second model End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) dismantling facility in the Philippines as the automotive firm beefs up the local capacity for responsible disposal and recycling of vehicles.
“Backed by an investment of P17.8 million, this initiative represents a major private sector involvement in appropriate vehicle life cycle management and circular economy,” TMP said in a statement on Wednesday.
Standard Insurance’s ELV dismantling operations primarily handle vehicles insured under its portfolio, with an average of 850 vehicles dismantled annually.
The automotive firm said the facility is in Standard Insurance’s technical and training center in Naic, Cavite, spanning approximately 8,840 square meters and has a dismantling capacity of up to six units per day.
TMP endorsed En Tsumugi ELV Dismantler Corp. last September 2024 as its first ELV dismantling facility which is in Mexico, Pampanga. En Tsumugi is a result of a pilot project led by Japanese ELV dismantler Tsuruoka Co., Ltd. and financially supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency while several Japanese businesses including Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsui & Co. Ltd., provided
business development and technical assistance, TMP noted.
“With two established dismantling facilities now operating in the country, the private sector beefs up the local capacity for responsible ELV management,” the automotive firm said. ELV dismantling facilities serve as a “vital foundation” for building a circular economy in the automotive industry.
“These facilities ensure that inoperable vehicles are processed responsibly, minimizing environmental impact by safely managing hazardous materials and maximizing resource recovery for reintroduction in the manufacturing cycle,” TMP added. Toyota said this expansion not only supports local sustainability efforts, but also addresses the climate-related risks posed by ELVs globally.
Standard Insurance “bolsters” the Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project being the fifth on its list in the South-
east Asian region.
“We are very grateful to Standard Insurance for its voluntary resolve, making Toyota customers also feel assured with a proper place for ELVs to go,” said TMP President Masando Hashimoto.
“Our collective efforts are a clear testament to our long-term commitment to carbon neutrality and ‘Establishing a Recycling-based Society and Systems’ under the global Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050,” Hashimoto added.
TMP said the Toyota Global 100 Dismantlers Project is a worldwide initiative that seeks to establish proper ELV dismantling operations in different strategic locations around the world. Through this network, Toyota aims to address key environmental challenges such as pollution and resource depletion by promoting responsible disposal and recycling practices.
HARES of Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp. plunged by 70 percent on its first day of trade at the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Hotel101, trading under the ticker symbol HBNB, ended the day at $3.28 per share, a 70 percent-drop from Friday’s close, when it was still listed as JV Spac Acquisition Corp.
“There is still no official data on the number of shares outstanding for HBNB, but according to Alnvest.com, it’s 234.03 million, resulting in a market cap of $767.6 million or only about one-third the deemed equity value (of $2.3 billion) in previous press releases,” Abacus Securities Corp. said in its research note.
Given that original shareholders of the SPAC owned 6.6 million shares prior to the merger, the attributable value of HBNB to DoubleDragon is $747.3 million or about P17.94 per share, according to Abacus.
“This is 40 percent higher than the current share price of the latter but nowhere near what was previously implied and is there -
fore unlikely to be a near-term catalyst for the stock,” it said.
“Nobody knows the basis for the ‘deemed’ equity value of $2.3 billion. Details of the merger with the SPAC (such as shares to be issued, financials) are not available either, making it impossible to assess its true value.” Hotel101, owned by businessmen Edgar Sia II and Tony Tan Caktiong’s DoubleDragon Corp., is an asset-light, prop-tech hospitality platform business designed for rapid global growth.
It is the first Filipino corporation to be listed on the Nasdaq where its shares began trading last July 1. Hotel101 is also expected to further elevate the globally-renowned Filipino brand of hospitality to each of the country where Hotel101 eventually operates. It is set to complete its first ever Hotel101 project overseas in Madrid, Spain. The Hotel101 Global Group is currently on the ramp up towards planting its Hotel101 developments towards its vision of 1 million Hotel101 rooms in 100 countries worldwide. VG Cabuag
NASDAQ , Inc./Vanja Savic
Banking&Finance
IWAS invited to the Association of Philippine Correspondent Bank Officers (APCB) Annual Convention last week in Bohol to talk about financial inclusion, a topic that’s close to my heart. In my talk, I highlighted the exponential progress the Philippines has seen in recent years particularly in account ownership and digital adoption, as well as the importance of continuing collaborative approach between stakeholders to accelerate a more inclusive and sustainable financial growth and development for the country.
Significant to mention that as of 2023, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), 52.8 percent of Filipinos have electronic-money accounts, exceeding the 50-percent target the BSP set in its digital payments transformation roadmap. The widespread adoption of digitalization, hastened by the global pandemic, forced us to perform contactless transactions online and aided by enabling regulations has led to greater financial inclusion.
As digitalization expands, so must efforts to protect consumers from financial crimes and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) reported a sharp increase in cybercrime complaints in 2024, with over 10,000 cases filed compared to just over 3,000 in 2023. While some attribute the rise to improved reporting mechanisms rather than actual increase in incidents, the need for building public awareness and education remains critical in addressing the issue.
The BSP spearheads initiatives to ensure that the public can enjoy the benefits of digitalization while managing risks. In collaboration with various industry associations like BMAP to amplify efforts, the BSP promotes cyber hygiene to safeguard people’s cybersecurity.
‘Cyber hygiene’
CYBER-HYGIENE is digital self-care to protect our personal information and accounts when we transact online. Recognizing that people need to trust the digital ecosystem for them to embrace digitalization, the
THE Security Bank Corp. an-
nounced last Wednesday that its leasing arm, SB Rental Corp., has entered into an agreement with Coolaire Consolidated Inc. to rent refrigerated trucks to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
According to the lender, the partnership offers qualified clients customized operating lease packages that include low initial cash outlay, no documentary stamp tax or chattel mortgage fees and maximized VAT input with lease payments. Also included in the packages are customized end-of-term options and fixed monthly rent for the entire term of the lease.
The publicly-listed Security Bank didn’t disclose the value or worth of the agreement. The lender, however, said through a statement that the “collaboration” reflects SB Rental’s “focus on scalable and sustainable operating lease solutions—especially for high-demand sectors like cold
New BOC chief vows to boost revenue take via digitization
TBSP has integrated cybersecurity messaging into its digitalization initiatives.
For example, the ongoing “CheckProtect-Report,” or CPR, campaign—which emphasizes vigilance, diligence, and participation—promotes essential cyber-hygiene practices and consumer protection.
The CPR campaign sends a strong reminder to the banking public to always:
n Check . Be cautious of random or unsolicited text or e-mail messages, especially those from unknown senders that demand urgent action.
n Protect. Safeguard personal data. Legitimate banks and financial institutions will only request sensitive information if contacted by the client.
n Report . Promptly notify your bank or financial service provider of any suspicious or unauthorized transactions.
Weekly CPR materials include educational content to help consumers spot red flags in text messages or e-mails, enhance security by maintaining strong passwords and set up alerts and notifications. The materials also emphasize the importance of immediate reporting of suspicious transactions. The initiative underscores that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility among financial regulators, industry participants and consumers.
From bank clients and credit cardholders to e-wallet users and online shoppers, everyone can benefit from applying CPR in our daily financial behaviour.
Mai G. Sangalang is the immediate past president of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) and currently its director for Industry Relations, Banking Code and Financial Inclusion. Sangalang is also the head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines. She can be reached by e-mailing maigsangalang@yahoo.com. The writer’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror and the BMAP.
Editor’s Note: The June 26 article titled “Resilience in Hybrid Banking” should be credited to Jaime Valentin L. Araneta, president of Citystate Savings Bank and the chairman of the CTB Convention, as author. Our apologies.
Perform the CPR for a safer, more inclusive digital finance Security
chain logistics.”
The tie-up is also grounded in “a shared mission to make critical assets more accessible for SMEs without the burden of heavy upfront investment,” it added.
SB Rental President Zenaida L. Tan was quoted in the statement as saying that “by working closely with Coolaire, we’re enabling SMEs to access reliable refrigerated trucks, while easing their financial burden through flexible terms.”
“Together, we are supporting their ability to grow, operate efficiently and, ultimately, preserve their business dreams,” Tan added.
According to Security Bank, SB Rental and Coolaire aim “to create a more inclusive ecosystem where business owners can access the right tools without being weighed down by financial constraints.”
“By joining forces, both companies are opening doors for SMEs to move forward with confidence and clarity,” it added.
Coolaire President Joel E. Tugade was quoted in the same statement
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will focus on digitalization while boosting revenue collection and combating smuggling under its new leadership.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, who officially assumed office last Tuesday, vowed to modernize the Bureau and build on gains achieved by his predecessors. Nepomuceno said it is important to also introduce strategic innovations in digitalization, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement while being committed to the BOC’s core mandates.
THE Department of Finance (DOF) expressed belief the effectivity of the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) will give more Filipinos options to invest.
A statement quoted Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto as saying the CMEPA, signed into law in May as Republic Act 12214, can transform the country into a competitive investment destination by helping deepen capital market reforms.
The CMEPA is also projected to generate over P25 billion in revenues from 2025 to 2030, which will help support building more roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and other social safety net programs for Filipinos.
“Today, we are building a Phil-
THE strength of the domestic economy can help grow Asia United Bank (AUB) Corp. this year amid global geopolitical and economic headwinds.
AUB President Manuel A. Gomez believes loan demand this year would be buoyed by the growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is projected to average 5.5 percent to 6 percent over the next two years.
Apart from robust growth, Gomez said stable inflation, which could boost consumption spending, will also help maintain the bank’s loan quality.
“The continued progress in financial and economic digitization will also further strengthen the banking sector
as saying that the firm’s partnership with SB Rental “breaks financial barriers and accelerates access to essential refrigerated trucks.”
Last May, Security Bank became the first bank in the Philippines to join the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks, a global initiative of the International Finance Corp. (IFC).
Security Bank said the milestone marked a significant step in its journey to accelerate its sustainability agenda and shape a low-carbon future for the Philippine financial sector.
Alliance for Green Commercial Banks is an accelerator of green commercial banking in emerging markets. It is a global initiative designed and managed by the IFC.
The Alliance is a by-invitation membership platform that brings together commercial banks in emerging markets with global financial institutions and key industry leaders to accelerate green banking through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, thought leadership and community building. Cai U. Ordinario
These mandates, he added, are to boost revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade, combat smuggling and foster a professional and integrity-driven workforce.
According to the BOC, Nepomuceno previously held key leadership roles in the bureaucracy, including as executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and as Undersecretary
ippine capital market that is truly dependable, inclusive, and a robust engine of national development. For investors, this sends a clear message that we are committed to providing a predictable environment for you to prosper in the Philippines,” Recto was quoted in the statement as saying.
“We give you the kind of confidence that only sound policy can deliver. And for ordinary Filipinos, this is a strong signal that our capital market is no longer just for the few—but for the many,” he added.
The DOF claims the CMEPA would lower transaction costs, increase market participation, improve liquidity and boost capital market growth.
and should help Philippine banks cushion potential shocks arising from US tariffs and other geopolitical issues,” Gomez said.
Last year, the bank posted a consolidated net income of P11.35 billion, a 37-percent increase from 2023. This was considered by the bank as “a historic high that was mainly driven by double-digit loan growth.”
AUB also marked a record-breaking year for its corporate banking business, which posted a 28 percent increase in net income—the highest in the banking industry—even as it was able to maintain a nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio of 0.3 percent, the lowest in the industry.
The bank’s consumer lending busi-
THE Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) has maintained the credit rating of the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), the consumer and retail banking arm of the Metrobank Group.
The PSBank disclosed to the local bourse that PhilRatings maintained its PRS Aaa (corp.) rating, with a Stable Outlook, the highest assigned by the local debt watcher.
“A company rated PRS Aaa (corp.) has a very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to that of other Philippine corporates,” the lender explained.
“PRS Aaa (corp.) is the highest Issuer Credit Rating assigned by PhilRatings. A Stable Outlook, on the other hand, is assigned when a rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next twelve (12) months,” it added.
PSBank said PhilRatings favorable rating and outlook took into account the bank’s market position; capitalization and asset quality; strong parent and highly-experienced management team; and the positive outlook
of the Office of Civil Defense.
Prior to his current appointment, he was the former Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary and served the BOC as Deputy Commissioner of the Enforcement Group from 2013 to 2017 and as Assistant Commissioner from 2017 to 2018.
“His extensive experience in enforcement and leadership, coupled with his background in public administration, is anticipated to support the BOC’s continued evolution into modern and credible customs administration, while reinforcing its institutional reform and enforcement priorities,” read a statement issued by the BOC. Meanwhile, Nepomuceno emphasized the importance of continuity and collaboration, pledging to build on the gains achieved by the BOC.
The BOC gas recorded revenue collections of P883 billion in 2023 and about P916 billion in 2024, consis-
According to the DOF, the CEMAP can reduce the Stock Transaction Tax (STT) to 0.1 percent from 0.6 percent, aligning the Philippines with regional markets and making investing in the stock market more cost-competitive.
The law also removed the documentary stamp tax (DST) on mutual funds and unit investment trust funds, which are popular investment vehicles among young professionals and middle-class savers, the statement issued by the DOF read.
The DOF also said the law cuts the DST on the original issue of shares of stock to 0.75 percent from 1 percent. It imposed a uniform 0.75 percent DST on bonds, debentures, and certificates of stock or indebtedness
ness also posted double-digit growth of 17 percent in booking volume as AUB continued to make its consumer loan products accessible to clients.
The country’s twelfth-largest lender noted that customers can access these products through cross-selling in its branches and making them digitally available through its mobile app and website.
According to Gomez, the latter now offers clients “a more intuitive interface and expanded features, including enabling users to conveniently invest in UITFs, open additional savings accounts and apply for salary, housing, and motor vehicle loans all from the convenience of their mobile devices.”
Last year, AUB also entered into
for the bank’s major market.
“PhilRatings based its assessment on available information and projections at the time that the rating review was performed. PhilRatings shall continuously monitor developments relating to PSBank and may change the rating and Outlook at any time, should circumstances warrant a change,” PSBank said.
This year, PSBank is expected to benefit from the projected continued growth of the Philippine automobile industry for 2025 given that the bulk of its portfolio is in auto loans.
The Chamber Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) forecast car sales to reach 500,000 units in 2025, a 7 percent increase from 2024.
“This optimistic outlook is attributed to the expected growth in remittances, business process outsourcing (BPO) earnings, a sound financial sector, government spending, and election-related expenditures, all of which are expected to drive demand. The continued introduction of new
tently surpassing annual targets.
Parallel enforcement gains saw seizures jump from P43.29 billion worth of illicit goods in 2023 to P85.16 billion in 2024 through more than 2,100 operations, “demonstrating a markedly stronger antismuggling posture.”
About 161 of 166 core customs processes have been automated, achieving a 96.99-percent digitalization rate and sharply reducing face-to-face transactions. The Bureau has also launched an “Enhanced e -Travel Customs System,” the “Overstaying Cargo Tracking System,” the “ATA Carnet Monitoring System” and the “National Customs Intelligence System.” These platforms collectively streamlined declarations, tracked cargo in real time and integrated data sharing across agencies “for faster, more transparent border clearance.”
issued in foreign countries to ensure equitable taxation of similar financial transactions. The new law also clarified the definitions of “passive income” and “securities” to ensure consistency with the tax treatment. It also standardized the tax on interest income at 20 percent to simplify compliance, eliminate confusion, and ultimately level the playing field for all investors. To encourage retirement savings, private employers that match or exceed their workers’ contributions to the Personal Equity and Retirement Accounts are now entitled to an additional 50 percent tax deduction on their actual contributions.
Cai U. Ordinario
agreements with financial technology firms and remittance-based companies that enabled the lender “to selectively lend to more qualified borrowers.” AUB also generated low-cost deposits (current account savings account or CASA) that remained its primary source of funding, comprising 71 percent of total deposits.
The bank’s Treasury and Trust and Investments businesses reaped significant gains by seizing opportunities from the heightened volatility. This was done by deploying excess liquidity before the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reduced its overnight rates. The BSP has reduced the policy rate by 25 basis points in June, the second rate cut for the year. Cai U. Ordinario
models and brands is also anticipated to fuel growth in 2025,” PSBank said. PSBank noted that as of December 31, 2024, it remained the largest thrift bank in the country in terms of assets, based on data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The bank ended the year with total assets of P214.9 billion. It also took the top spot in terms of net loans at P140.9 billion and capital at P42.5 billion.
PSBank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) stood at 23.5 percent, relatively unchanged from its level as of end-2024 of 23.6 percent and exceeding the minimum regulatory requirement. Its gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio continued to be more than acceptable at 2.6 percent, significantly lower than the thrift banking sector’s 6.6 percent as of end-March 2025.
As of March 31, 2025 ownership and control
Health&Fitness
PHL joins virtual healthcare industry with opening of US-based company
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor
THE Philippines recently joined the virtual healthcare industry when Worldwide Resource Solutions (WWRS), a subsidiary of Fairfax, Virginia United States.-based Medical Solutions and Worldwide HealthStaff Solutions Ltd., inaugurated its new operational site at the GBF Center in Bridgetowne, Quezon City.
Ron Hoppe, chief executive officer of Worldwide HealthStaff Solutions and president of WWRS, told journalists in a recent press briefing that this signals WWRS formal entry into virtual healthcare delivery outside the United States. The Gokongwei-developed Bridgetowne hub is WWRS’s second Philippine location and the first to offer 24/7 remote patient sitting and virtual nursing services aimed at easing workforce shortages in American hospitals.
Hoppe said the initiative marks a significant step in what the company describes as a globally integrated model of care delivery.
Labor challenges
HE said the decision to tap the Philippine workforce comes amid ongoing labor challenges in US hospitals, where many health systems struggle to recruit and retain clinical and nonclinical personnel. Hoppe said the company’s decision to launch in the Philippines is a strategic response to domestic constraints.
“If we’re short on workers, we can’t educate our way out fast enough, and we can’t bring enough people to the US, then it makes sense to bring the work to where the workers are,” he said.
the model is proven,” Hoppe said. Compensation will be paid in Philippine pesos but adjusted upward to reflect the responsibilities of working within a US clinical framework.
WWRS plans to expand beyond patient observation to include registered nursing services delivered remotely by US-licensed Filipino nurses.
ICU monitoring
Video technology
VIRTUAL sitters are trained to monitor up to 15 patients at a time using video technology. They are not licensed nurses but are required to have at least two years of healthcare experience. “They’re not diagnosing or treating,” Hoppe said. “They’re observing and reporting to make sure patients remain safe.”
Patti Artley, chief clinical officer of Medical Solutions, said the sitters are integrated into care teams and communicate directly with bedside staff when patients exhibit high-risk behaviors. “They might notice a patient trying to climb out of bed or experiencing confusion,” she said. “The sitter can verbally redirect the patient and alert the care team right away.”
Artley described the monitoring setup as “like Hollywood Squares,” with multiple patient feeds visible on a single screen. Newer AI tools, she added, allow the system to prioritize which patients require urgent attention. She said the Bridgetowne site
“Virtual sitting is already being done in the US,” Hoppe pointed out. “What’s never been done before is delivering that service using staff halfway around the world.” Hoppe pointed out that US immigration limits and declining domestic nursing school enrollment have left hospitals with few options. According to Hoppe, WWRS aims to fill the gap by delivering ancillary services remotely, starting with virtual patient sitting.
HOSPITAL emergencies no longer necessitate chaos, confusion, or prolonged waits. Premier Philippine hospital The Medical City (TMC) has upgraded its Emergency Care Unit which now features a faster, more efficient, and streamlined system, delivering a more humane approach to emergency care.
TMC in Ortigas, Pasig City officially launched its newly expanded Emergency Room (ER) on Monday, June 30, 2025. The milestone event was attended by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who toured the upgraded facility and witnessed firsthand how the hospital is reshaping emergency services.
Joining Herbosa during the ER tour were TMC leaders, namely TMC President and Group CEO Dr. Stuart Bennett, TMC Ortigas EVP and CEO Dr. Ruben G. Kasala, TMC Ortigas Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gregorio S. Martinez Jr., and TMC Group Marketing and Business Development Officer Dr. Christian G. Delos Reyes.
ER’s 4-hour Promise
WITH this development, TMC is now committed to a four-hour target for treating, admitting, or discharging emergency room patients.
When hospital admission is required,
patients seamlessly transition from the ER to their assigned room. The entire system is designed to complete the cycle of triage, treatment, and either discharge or admission within just four hours.
“I’m glad with what you said, Stuart, that it’s going to be four hours. That’s very bold. You know how it is now. Institutions like The Medical City have made this field grow in improving the quality of emergency care in the country,” said Herbosa as he lauded TMC’s 4-hour promise to patients seen in the ER. Herbosa also commended TMC for its physician-led triage, noting that this will make the assessment of patients faster and more accurate.
Upon arrival at the ER, patients are met by an emergency medicine doctor who performs immediate triage and a more accurate clinical assessment, quickly determining the urgency of their condition. They are then directed to the most suitable care area, with a digital queueing system ensuring transparency and keeping them updated.
Patients with prompt but non-critical needs, like moderate injuries or infections, are treated in the Urgent Care Area. Those with less time-sensitive concerns proceed to the Non-Urgent Area. For lifethreatening emergencies such as heart
By Rory Visco | Contributor
the market, disease prevention and management, and financial protection against common critical illnesses. “At Pfizer Philippines, we are dedicated to advancing healthcare and improving
is equipped with leading-edge and commercial-grade technology infrastructure, including fail-safe and redundancy systems. Hoppe said WWRS is in the final stages of achieving ISO security certification, which he expects will be completed in July.
No hybrid setup VIRTUAL sitters will work exclusively from the WWRS facility, not from home, in order to maintain security and supervision standards. A trainthe-trainer program will allow staff to observe and simulate sessions before handling live patient feeds. “We can’t afford for the system to go down for even a minute,” Hoppe said.
WWRS has already begun recruiting staff from local healthcare schools and training programs. Many of the first hires are recent nursing graduates preparing for their licensure exams. “This gives them experience in a US healthcare setting without having to leave the country,” Artley said. “It’s a great stepping stone, especially for those hoping to practice in the US someday.”
WWRS said it is beginning with 20 full-time equivalent positions but anticipates rapid scaling. “With 24/7, 365-day coverage, I can see us surpassing 100 staff once
attacks, stroke, or sepsis, patients are rapidly attended to in the Emergent Area, which is fully equipped for immediate int ervention by specialized teams.
TMC’s heart attack care program is the first of its kind in the Philippines and one of the only 12 clinical care programs worldwide to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification. In this clinical care program, TMC doctors will open up a patient’s blocked artery within 60 minutes.
Stroke patients are quickly treated by TMC’s Brain Attack Team, who determines if they need a mechanical thrombectomy (MT), a minimally invasive procedure to remove blood clots. TMC’s MT program received a 5-star rating from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.
Expanded Emergency Care Unit
IN addition, TMC is among the few hospitals with a Mental Health High Dependency Secure Area in the ER—a dedicated space for patients experiencing psychological distress. This ensures they are cared for in a setting that protects their safety and dignity.
The expanded Emergency Care Unit also includes a Trauma Room, where patients with serious physical injuries
lives. Our collaboration with Manulife represents a significant step towards enhancing health literacy and raising awareness about preventive healthcare and treatments. By empowering individuals with the knowledge they need, we aim to create a healthier and more resilient community,” Albert Magpantay, Commercial Lead, Pfizer Philippines, emphasized.
“Better Days” is an awareness campaign that highlights the
ARTLEY said the expansion will include virtual ICU monitoring, medication reconciliation, discharge planning, and chronic disease case management. “The goal is to support bedside nurses, not replace them,” she said. “We’re trying to shift the workload so that frontline staff can spend more time on hands-on care.”
The Covid-19 pandemic, she added, was a key accelerant for many of these changes. “It forced us to rethink how we deliver care, and we haven’t looked back since.”
Hoppe said WWRS sees the Bridgetowne facility as a model for global healthcare integration. “This is the first time we’re doing this, and as far as we know, it’s the first time anyone has,” he said. “This could be the foundation of a new global standard in virtual care.”
Founded in May 2024, WWRS Philippines Inc. is the offshore delivery arm of Medical Solutions and Worldwide HealthStaff Solutions Ltd., two of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the United States. In less than a year, WWRS has grown to over 600 employees across two sites in Metro Manila. The company provides administrative and operational shared services, recruitment and credentialing support, and is now pioneering virtual healthcare delivery through telehealth-enabled roles.
Artley said WWRS emphasizes “transformational excellence” through innovation, customer service, and the development of Filipino healthcare talent.
can receive fast, specialized care, and an Isolation Room designed for cases that require infection control protocols. These dedicated areas allow clinical teams to respond appropriately to a wide range of emergency scenarios while minimizing risks to other patients and staff.
Beyond clinical improvements, the ER also provides a calmer waiting area where dedicated Red Coat Ambassadors provide guidance, updates and support to patients and families.
This transformation is one of the first major initiatives under the leadership of Dr. Bennett who is also an emergency medicine specialist. Guided by his expertise, TMC aims to raise the standard of emergency care and ensure that every Filipino receives the quality care they rightfully deserve.
“Filipinos are known for their strength and resilience, but it doesn’t mean they should settle for less,” said Dr. Bennett. “Every Filipino deserves access to timely, quality care, and this new ER is just the beginning of how we’re building a system that delivers exactly that.”
For more information about The Medical City, visit www.themedicalcity.com or send them a message on Facebook.
Candy P. Dalizon
BBy Candy P. Dalizon Contributor
EYOND being a disease, cancer represents an ongoing daily struggle for many families in the country. To help combat this, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC), one of the nation’s leading hospitals, recently launched Piso Para sa Kanser. This nationwide campaign is a collaborative effort with St. Luke’s Foundation, GCash, and Roche which symbolizes a shared commitment to accessible, inclusive cancer care for all Filipinos.
The Piso Para sa Kanser campaign demonstrates that even the smallest acts of kindness, such as a one-peso donation, can spark hope and healing for those in need.
“Cancer doesn’t only take a toll on the physical, the emotional, but also on the financial status of our patients. Alleviating the financial status helps a lot because it gives them much-needed care. It gives them access to medicines that they could not afford. And at the same time, it gives them the ability to cope, to cope with the disease,” said Dr. Dennis Serrano, SLMC President and CEO.
Burden of cancer
HE pointed out that the burden of cancer isn’t limited to the cost of medication, oncology treatments, or immediate aid. It profoundly impacts a family’s financial stability and a patient’s entire future.
“And every little bit helps. PISO is a little, but the endeavor is big. And the translation is going to be phenomenal,” Dr. Serrano added.
Dr. Rubi Li, Head of the Cancer Institute, SLMC-Quezon City, shared that the project aims to help more than just indigent patients.
Expanding compassion through the Dana Wing DR. Benjamin Campomanes, President of St. Luke’s Foundation, revealed plans for a 40-bed charity wing to be called the Dana Wing, which will have a dedicated number of beds for indigent cancer patients.
“Dana, in Sanskrit, means to cultivate generosity. So, hopefully, this project will cultivate more people to give as generosity begets generosity. If people hear about it, they will give more,” he said. He added that having more funds for the charity wing and for cancer patients will make their projects sustainable.
How you can help THROUGH the GCash app, you can donate as little as P1—every peso counts. Piso Para sa Kanser invites everyone to stand united in the fight against cancer. A few taps on your smartphone can deliver life-saving assistance to a patient and restore hope to a struggling family.
“Remember, cancer is a very expensive disease. There will be patients who will be able to afford it, some but not all. We want to help those patients,” said Dr. Li. Dr. Li explained that cancer treatment is a comprehensive package, covering not only medication but also all essential diagnostics. Alongside this, the Piso Para Sa Kanser project is committed to boosting awareness and raising funds crucial for cancer research. She highlighted that funds from the Piso Para Sa Kanser initiative will be utilized for treatment of indigent patients; essential work-ups for interesting/challenging oncology cases (for indigent patients); conducting institutional researches that are policy and practice-changing; advocacy, such as promoting early screening for lung, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers, and outreach and community involvement.
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
HOW important is early detection and health assessments to the well-being of learners?
Early detection and health assessments are essential in ensuring that every child grows healthy.
Undiagnosed conditions such as hearing, vision, or dental problems can lead to poor academic performance, lower self-esteem, and longterm health complications.
To promote health and well-being among school children, Department of Health (DOH)-Davao partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI to conduct a series of health assessment activities for school kids.
The activity, which formed part of the campaign “Assessment for Better Development: Tutukan ang Early Detection para Bawat Bata Malusog!” debuted on June 29, 2025 at San Roque Central Elementary School in Obrero, Davao City.
Detect developmental issues
THE assessment activity sought to detect developmental issues among Grade 1 learners to ensure early intervention and prevent long-term health and learning difficulties.
DOH-Davao took the lead to provide free medical services: physical examinations, ear care and hearing screenings, vision screening, dental check-ups and deworming.
This health promotion effort models what a school-based health program can look like where early health interventions mold a child’s growth and educational success. These assessments are scheduled to roll out in eight identified elementary schools in the Davao Region throughout July, benefiting over 2,600 children.
“Early detection and health assessments help us to identify and address potential health concerns before they affect a child’s development and learning,” said DOH Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr., who led the activity.
Department support
DUMAMA was joined by Officer-InCharge Regional Director Dr. Ellenietta HMV N. Gamolo, Officer-In-Charge Assistant Regional Director Dr. Grace Amistoso, Local Health Support Division Chief Dr. Raquel Montejo and Health Education and Promotion Officer Yasmin Mandangan. Meanwhile, DepEd Regional Director Dr. Allan G. Farnazo and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Medical Center Chief Dr.
Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
ASEAN biz opportunities focus of The Hague Forum
ACONFERENCE organized by the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands spotlighted business opportunities in the Southeast Asian Region.
The forum early this month was organized by the embassy In its capacity as the current chair of the Asean Committee in The Hague (ACTH), together with the ASEANcham-EU, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland or RVO), and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), at Het Nutshuis in the capital city of the South Holland province of the Netherlands. Around 70 participants, representing close to 50 businesses and companies, from the European country and Belgium participated. The event also received support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA).
In his remarks, the Philippine ambassador to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya highlighted the various business, trade and investment avenues in Asean for businesses in the European Union. He noted the substantial growth in the region of sectors such as e-commerce, finance and infrastructure, which encourage investors from all over the world to look for growth opportunities and for business ventures in Southeast Asia.
ASEANcham-EU SecretaryGeneral Joses Wong discussed their group’s goal of addressing the lack of Asean-focused business groups in the EU, as well as
their efforts to bring government and businesses together and to promote region-to-region trade.
Citing the region’s challenges with tariff and nontariff barriers, and in relation to the Asean-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Wong noted that stopping the clock on EU’s Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) requirements would be a step in the right direction to eventually sealing the deal. He also shared that—parallel to the negotiations of a regional FTA—the EU with the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are negotiating four bilateral FTAs. Once concluded, these will be added to existing EU FTAs with Vietnam and Singapore.
On the Netherlands’ status as an Asean Development partner and one of the region’s top investors, the Dutch MEA’s Innovation and Knowledge Director Tjerk Opmeer also introduced “tech-based markets of the future:” areas that the Netherlands considers as opportunities for collaboration such as in agriculture, clean energy, digitization and semi-conductors, photonics and clean energy.
Opmeer likewise acknowledged Asean’s importance not only to his country, but to the global economy.
Assisting Asean businesses
THE NFIA’s Hans Kuijpers and
the RVO’s Laisy Deng discussed investment opportunities in the Netherlands, noting that they are looking for companies that fit into existing institutions—particularly in the fields of climate smart agriculture and sustainable food system, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and semi-conductors, among others. They also shared the RVO’s goal of making entrepreneurship easy, impactful and profitable, then expounded on ways by which it could assist Asean businesses in investing in the Netherlands.
The event had two panel discussions: the first one with Malaya, the Royal Thai Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Premrudee Lotharukpong, the Malaysian Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Ishrin Ishrak, and the Indonesian Embassy’s Minister-Counsellor F.X. Widiarso. They presented recent policy developments in their respective countries that promote trade and investments.
The Embassy of Vietnam’s Deputy of Mission Le Tuan Anh and Charge d’Affaires of the Myanmar Embassy (based in Brussels) Saw Yu New were also in attendance.
The second panel featured Asean and Dutch companies, which
shared practical insights in conducting business in the Netherlands: local-based BIPO and Circle Economy, Xinyx Design from the Philippines, and FPT Software from Vietnam.
In her closing remarks, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Head of South and Southeast Asia Division of the Asia and Oceania Department Annemarie van der Heiden noted that the Asean remains a focus for the Netherlands. She discussed the region’s strong economic ties with the EU, and still has a lot to offer each other in terms of trade and investment opportunities. She said “sustainability will be key in the two regions’ economic ties in the years to come,” which is also reflective of Asean’s 2025 theme.
Aside from their promising economic cooperation, Van der Heiden also shared expectations for both regions to increasingly work together in security areas covering maritime, conflict prevention, transnational crime, and cyber. As the two face common challenges, she said they are one in addressing the said challenges.
A networking event hosted by ASEANcham-EU capped the forum.
Japan backs BARMM’s sustainable fishery value-chains development
THE Embassy of Japan’s First Secretary Hidenori Akasaka attended the inception and planning workshop for the “Development of Sustainable Fishery Value Chains in BARMM [Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao]” project.
Funded by the Japanese government, the project is rolled out in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations or FAO and BARMM’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).
The workshop from June 25 to 26 aimed at implementation alignment with the project’s core goals: improving the efficiency and sustainability of aquatic food-value chains; strengthening market linkages; as well as building the capacity of small-scale producers through
entrepreneurship, alternative species and value-added processing. It also focused on empowering fisherfolk with resilient aquaculture and post-harvest technologies, while enhancing fish-stock monitoring and management.
In his speech at the workshop, the embassy official highlighted the importance of sustaining project gains beyond its duration, emphasizing local ownership, resilience, independence and longterm self-reliance.
Akasaka also joined site visits on June 27 and assessed several initial target project sites: the MAFAR Tilapia hatchery at Mindanao State University-Maguindanao Campus in Datu Odin Sinsuat, and the vannamei or white leg shrimp production area operated by the Maguindanao United Agri-Farm Cooperative in
FIRST Secretary Hidenori Akasaka (right) speaks to the project’s beneficiaries.
Cotabato City. During the activities, the first secretary also engaged in a lively discussion with project partners, members of the parliament, fisher-
folk and representatives from other agencies. They shared insights on the current state of the region’s fisheries sector and explored ways to support its improvement.
Korean envoy visits UPLB’s agri-genomics research hub
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA–Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa recently visited the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to observe the progress of the Agricultural Genomics Research Center (AGRC): a flagship initiative under the Capacity-Building for Higher Education and the Establishment of the AGRC Project, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The AGRC is the pioneering agricultural genome center in the Philippines and is considered a “high point in Philippine agricultural innovation.” As climate change and population growth increasingly strain on food systems, the project is highly regarded by both the Philippine and Korean governments for its potential to advance the region’s food security and sustainable agriculture.
AGRC’s construction is KOICA’s largest budget project to date, highlighting the scale and ambition of Korea’s support for Philippine agriculture. The ambassador encouraged UPLB’s active participation during the construction phase to ensure the center’s timely and successful completion.
Lee also emphasized the importance of broad collaboration to maximize the center’s impact, as he urged the university and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to engage with government agencies, farmers and agriculture stakeholders in fully harnessing the AGRC’s capabilities.
Based in the Philippines and internationally recognized for its role in Asia’s Green Revolution, IRRI was selected by KOICA as projectmanagement consultant due to its
expertise in agricultural research. The ambassador credited the close cooperation between IRRI and UPLB for the project’s accomplishments thus far, noting that the center would not have materialized without their joint efforts.
The AGRC is expected to be completed by May 2026, with a tentative inauguration scheduled for June 2026.
The Korean envoy acknowledged the broader Korea-Philippines-ASEAN cooperation in rice and agriculture, emphasizing that rice remains a cultural and strategic cornerstone in the region. He noted that IRRIdeveloped “Miracle Rice” helped prevent famine in Asia in the 1970s, and that Korea’s own Tongil-byeo (“Unification Rice”), which was developed through IRRI collaboration, played a crucial role in Korea’s agricultural self-sufficiency. Agriculture still receives the largest share of Korea’s official development assistance or ODA to the Philippines, with the AGRC forming a key part of KOICA’s 2021-2027 development cooperation program. The East Asian country also offers continued rice assistance through the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve mechanism or APTERR that delivered 5,150 metric tons of rice to the Philippines between 2022 and 2024, with another 2,000 metric tons planned for 2025.
According to the Korean Embassy, these efforts align with agreements at the 2023 Korea-Philippines Summit, where both countries reaffirmed their linkage in food security. A Korea Agricultural Machinery Industrial Complex is also being developed locally as a follow-up initiative.
UNOC-3: 95 states sign Nice Call for an ambitious plastics treaty
AMBASSADOR J. Eduardo Malaya (center, in barong Tagalog) with event speakers
AMBASSADOR Lee Sang-hwa (left) at the AGRC
Thursday, July 3,
Golden Icons Celebrates Excellence, Leadership at 2025 VIP Awards Ceremony
The eagerly awaited Asia’s Golden Icons Awards Ceremony for 2025, organized by Golden Icons, took place with elegance and prominence on June 27, 2025, at Okada Manila, celebrating some of the most influential leaders, professionals, and innovators from throughout Asia.
The gathering united diplomats, government representatives, media personalities, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders whose significant contributions are still shaping communities and industries both regionally and globally.
This year’s recipients were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements across various fields, including diplomacy, governance, financial innovation, media, healthcare, energy, real estate, and the arts, showcasing the impact of leadership grounded in purpose, vision, and service.
Among the 2025 Golden Icons Awardees
were:
H.E. Răduţa Dana Matache – Ambassador of Romania to the Philippines
Award: Asia’s Outstanding Leader in International Relations
H.E. Agus Widjojo – Ambassador, Republic of Indonesia to the Philippines
Award: Dynamic Leader in Asian Diplomacy
Frederic C. Dybuncio – President and CEO of SM Investments Corporation Award: Asia’s Remarkable Leadership in Financial Excellence
Pinky Webb – Filipino Broadcast Journalist
Award: Asia’s Leader of Influence in Informative Broadcasting
Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala – Executive Director, Wockhardt
Award: Asia’s Peacekeeper Champion
Gov. Datu Pax Mangudadatu
Award: Asia’s Empowered Leadership in Local Administration
Atty. Karen Olivia Jimeno – Legal advocate and public servant Award: Asia’s Influential Legal Voice in Media
Dr. Jikyeong Kang – President and Dean, MVP Chair in Marketing Award: Asia’s Excellence in Academic Leadership and Innovation Kuh Ledesma – Filipino Singer and Actress Award: Asia’s Outstanding Contributor for Philippine Music
Culture
Katrina Anne Johnson – Binibining Pilipinas International 2025 Award: Asia’s Icon of Influence in Beauty and Advocacy Wee Community Developers, Inc Award: Asia’s Best Developer in Client-Centric Housing Solutions
DJ Sy – President & CEO, Synercore Heavy Industries Corporation
Award: Asia’s Icon of Leadership in Energy Innovations
Nikko Lam – Co-Founder, CEO
BLOCKFY
Award: Transformative Leader in Financial Infrastructure Development
One Top Medical Systems Resources Award: Asia’s Excellence and Leadership Award for Healthcare Innovation and Integration
Jared Tampinco Valarao – ACAA Expert Link Ambassador Award: Asia’s Visionary Leader in Financial Innovation
Hon. Mark Louie Monungolh –Mayor Elect Award: Asia’s Visionary Leader in Community Service and Governance
Dr. Maria Luisa Campos-Cagingin –Consultant, Pagamutan ng Dasmariñas Award: Asia’s Icon of Excellence in Healthcare Administration
Dr. Maria Lourdes Cruz Gutierrez – Esteemed Leader in Philippine Neurosurgery and Trauma Care Award: Asia’s Leader of Excellence in Neurosurgery
Steve Young – Chairman & Owner of Manila’s Best Dressed Award: Asia’s Leader in Entrepreneurship and Impact
Julius Ordonez, MCC, ACTC –President and Owner of Benchmark Consulting Award: Asia’s Distinguished Leader in Professional Coaching
The event served not just as an awards ceremony but as a significant assembly of values oriented professionals dedicated to advancing both regional and global leadership. The 2025 Asia’s Golden Icons Awards Ceremony reinforced the organization’s aim to honor and elevate the contributions of outstanding individuals and institutions that are shaping the future of Asia through bravery, empathy, and skill.
Puregold taps GCash anew to drive digital payment adoption for MSMEs
whom still rely on physical cash to manage and run their small businesses. While digital adoption has grown in recent years, cash remains the dominant mode of payment among sari-sari store owners when purchasing inventory.
GCash offered TNAP attendees a range of promotions and incentives to encourage merchants to shift to digital transactions. These include pre-convention campaigns, real-time cashback, and exclusive product discounts for users who pay with GCash at partner booths. The leading finance super app also set up an on-site activation booth in collaboration with Puregold, showcasing how digital tools can help store owners streamline payments, manage capital, and track purchases.
GCash for Business General Manager Jong Layug stated that the initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to integrate digital financial services into traditional retail channels and foster digital habits among small-scale entrepreneurs.
“GCash is committed to helping Filipino MSMEs grow by giving them access to safe, convenient, and rewarding digital payment options. At TNAP, we’re bringing this mission to life by making every digital transaction count, whether through savings, rewards, or efficiency,” Layug said.
The partnership comes as Puregold seeks to deepen its role in the country’s digital transition. The retail giant, whose TNAP program is designed to support its extensive sari-sari store network, has been working to improve payment infrastructure at its stores and trade events to reduce friction in B2B transactions.
“Puregold has always believed in the power of MSMEs. By partnering with GCash, we are equipping our TNAP members with tools to thrive in a digital economy,” said Puregold president Vincent Co. The participation of GCash in TNAP 2025 marks a continued push to embed financial technology into grassroots enterprises, positioning digital tools as drivers of growth and efficiency in the informal economy.
NUSTAR Hotel Cebu earns Michelin Guide Honors
PAPI elects its new board for 2025-2028
Oorganizations representing the publishing sector, the Publisher’s Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), has elected its new set of board members last June 24, 2025, at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila. The newly elected officials are now-President, Rebecca M. Velasquez (former executive vice president), publisher of Pulso ng Makabagong Caviteno; Executive Vice President, Ian Junio, publisher of Hyperland News Publishing; Re-elected Vice President for Luzon, Alma Omilig Ochotorena, publisher of News Syndicate Digest; Vice President for Visayas, Danilo N. Silvestrece (former board of director for Visayas), publisher of Balita Tirador Publication; Vice President for Mindanao, Anila Anne B. Acosta (former board of director for Mindanao), publisher of Mindanao Expose’; Secretary Reyland Lopez, publisher of Unang Milenyo News Publishing Center; Re-elected Treasurer, Leonida Pascua Cardona, publisher of People’s Monitor Publication; Auditor, May Ann Reyla, publisher of City View Publishing; Re-elected Board of Director for Luzon, Eduardo Cardona, publisher of Rizal Voice Publication, and Dina Diaz, publisher of Tarlac Insider Weekly Newspaper; Board of Director for Visayas, Giecel Albar, publisher of Akeanon News Publishing Services; and Re-elected Board of Director for Mindanao Elpedio Bermas Soriano Jr., publisher of Eagles Journal and Joseph Denmarc Miranda Avila, publisher of Peryodista Publications.
Held concurrently with its national elections and the mid-year general assembly, bearing the theme “Fighting Fake News as a United Mission,” National Press Club President Leonel Abasola, Dr. Lily Lim, and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Undersecretary, Joe Torres Jr. extended their messages of support towards the organization, expressing their immense gratitude to PAPI for their enduring partnership over the years.
In his speech, Torres ensured that the status of the late-Chairman Emeritus of PAPI, Juan “Johnny” P. Dayang Sr., is taken into careful investigation to obtain justice in its right order. Dayang was shot and killed in the evening of April 29 by now-identified gunmen at his house in Kalibo, Aklan, where he served as its former officer-in-charge mayor after the 1986 Philippine Revolution.
Additionally, veteran broadcast journalist and reappointed Secretary of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO), Jay Ruiz, showed his full support to the outgoing President, Nelson Santos, and PAPI by attending the event and delivered a speech that empowered wise and critical decisions among the publishers in the age of digital media and the need
to forge a collaborative effort in fighting relentlessly with fake news, hence imposing penalties to fake news peddlers.
“Kailangan tayo magkaisa, labanan natin itong fake news, at i-impose na dapat sila rin magbayad ng buwis, magkaroon [ng] kahit na papaano regulasyon o pananagutan kung yung plataporma mo ay nagagamit sa fake news,” Ruiz mentioned.
“Maganda po yung relationship ng PAPI at ng PCO, at ‘yan po ay magpapatuloy habang nandito po kami. Tiyak po ‘yan. Kasi nais naming ipa-abot sa mamamayang Pilipino – hindi lang dito sa Metro Manila, kundi sa buong Pilipinas na ang gobyernong Marcos ay para sa tao. Magtulungan po tayong ipaabot ang mga programa, aktibidades, at mga polisiya ng gobyerno,” he added. Alongside the assembly and elections, PAPI then paid tribute to the 90th birthday of Dayang where his son, Consul General to Turkey Juan “Jed” Dayang Jr., expressed his heartfelt thanks to the organization through a video message emphasizing that remembering is not enough – if his father were truly honored, shall the memories, contributions, and the legacy left by his father, not only with the organization, but also all over the country that had helped flourish the press freedom, must be carried forward.
“He believed that journalism was never about comfort, it is about courage. So I ask of you now, let’s not reduce his death to a headline, let’s not treat this tribute as a farewell – let it be a signal, a challenge, a commitment to speak when it is dangerous, to write when it is unpopular, to never trade truth for access, or silence for safety,” Dayang said.
In high hopes for the new board members, Jed Dayang also mentioned in his video to continue fighting for press freedom, and moving forward, as their family will always be there to support the organization, just like what his father used to do.
The newly elected officials are set to take office after their oath-taking, which is yet to be announced by the new board, and will serve until 2028.
PACIWFI, e-Konek Pilipinas, Inc. partner to launch digital initiative
THE Philippine Association of Coastal and Inland Water Ferries, Inc. (PACIWFI) in partnership with e-Konek Pilipinas, Inc. is taking a major step forward in supporting its member vessel operators and the riding public by launching a digital initiative that simplifies ticketing, booking, and compliance processes across government agencies.
This move directly benefits small and mediumsized vessel operators by removing the burden of costly systems and fixed digital infrastructure. Passengers, in turn, can enjoy faster, safer, and more affordable, reliable booking and boarding experiences, setting a higher standard for local sea inter-island or inland water travel.
As a tourism enabler and digital transformation advocate for Philippine MSMEs, PACIWFI is not in
competition with other software vendors but rather plays a larger role in protecting, defending, and advancing the interests of its member operators. By working to directly interconnect with key regulatory agencies, the partnership between PACIWFI and e-Konek eliminates the need for each operator
In the photo are, from left, Marielle G. Tibayan, President - Metro Ferry Cebu; Capt. Gaudencio C. Morales, President - Phil. Association of Coastal and Inland Water Ferries, Inc (PACIWFI); Theresita D. Eisma, Presidente-Konek Pilipinas, Inc.; and Ma. Concepcion O. Gutierrez, Senior Manager - e-Konek Pilipinas, Inc.
The CEO and Executive Board in Asia’s Golden Icons event in Okada Manila Philippines
Beyond the usual ‘ulam’: How moms can keep mealtime healthy, fun and creative
In stressful times, our anxiety can rub off on pets. Causes and cures for pet anxiety
IN this age of heightened anxiety, many of us turn to our pets for emotional support. But is our behavior increasing our furry friends’ fears?
The answer isn’t simple, says Frankie Jackson, a veterinary nurse and animal behavior consultant, and the owner of Canine Counseling in Smyrna, Georgia. She said she’s seen an increase in anxiety among her animal and human clients, but that it’s hard to unwind the cause and effect.
“Dogs are incredibly responsive to our expressions, our body language and our scent,” she says. “There is a feedback loop—the owners are nervous; the dog gets nervous. Our cortisol levels rise and fall in tandem.”
Dr. Becky Peters, a veterinarian and owner of Bath Veterinary Hospital in Bath, New York, has also noticed a link between the anxiety of pets and their owners, particularly in the exam room.
“If owners try to over comfort them—lots of ‘you’re OK!’” in anxious voices, the animals do get more anxious. If we stay calm and quiet, they do, too,” Peters says.
Peters attributes much of the rise in pet anxiety to the social upheaval of the Covid years. Many animals who were acquired during the pandemic had limited opportunities to socialize with other people and pets during their peak developmental stages. After Covid, pets who were used to having their family at home experienced separation anxiety as their owners returned to work and school.
“A lot of pet anxiety comes from changes to their households,” Peters says. “It can also occur from a lack of routine and structure and not enough physical activity.”
Other components that could contribute to our pets’ anxiety include unmet needs, past trauma and insufficient open spaces.
“We are asking our dogs to live in a world that isn’t made for them,” she says.
Low-level stress responses in dogs, such as eating less and excessive self-grooming, are forms of communication that precede lunging and barking, Jackson says. Trying to solve reactive behaviors through obedience training without addressing the root cause can make dogs’ anxiety worse.
FOR Filipino families, food has always been more than just sustenance. Mealtime is where stories are shared, laughter echoes, and bonds are strengthened. Whether it’s a simple breakfast of sinangag and eggs, or a festive spread of kare-kare, lumpia, and leche flan, Filipinos find joy around the table. We come together not only to eat but to connect. Our culture is rooted in food being a shared experience, one that reflects love, care, and a deep sense of belonging. When planning the week’s meals, you ask yourself: Will my kids eat this again? Didn’t we just have this last week? Should I try something new or stick to what’s safe? Before the pan even heats up, we’re already mentally juggling picky eaters, nutritional needs, cravings, time constraints, and—of course— budget. Sometimes, just opening the fridge and seeing the same ingredients can already feel exhausting. It makes us parents start to worry: Am I still making mealtimes meaningful? Am I nourishing my family in more ways than one? The truth is, we want our children to eat healthy meals—but we also want them to feel loved, excited, and involved in what they eat. And in today’s fast-moving world, where screens often compete with family time, mealtime becomes an even more precious opportunity to reconnect.
So how do we bring the magic back to the kitchen?
One thing I’ve learned is this: you don’t always need big changes, just little twists that make old dishes feel new again. And sometimes, all it takes is one simple ingredient to breathe new life into a tired recipe. This is where Eden Cheese has become a favorite in many homes.
Whether it’s turning ordinary scrambled eggs into creamy omelets or giving our leftover chicken new life as cheesy adobo wraps, a touch of cheese can spark creativity and comfort in every bite. It’s not just about flavor, it’s about fun. It’s about letting your child sprinkle cheese on top of a dish and feeling proud to say, “I helped cook that!” It’s about bringing color, warmth, and even nutrition to the plate in ways that feel fresh and exciting.
vitamin A, B2, D, calcium, and zinc, which are all essential for growing kids. That means more than just yummy—it’s nutritionally sound, too, and it adds real value to our children’s diets. A dash of Eden Cheese doesn’t just satisfy cravings, it helps support growth and development especially during those critical years when every meal counts.
Celebrity moms and chefs are showing us just how flexible it is. Judy Ann Santos recently shared her Chicken Afritada with Eden Cheese, calling it a key ingredient that her kids love. Erwan Heussaff gave his Chicken Enchiladas a Filipino twist using Eden. Even the Filipino-Middle Eastern Spring Rolls by Shaha M prove that cheese knows no boundaries.
what? These moments matter. Because long after the dishes are washed and the table is cleared, what your children will remember is that feeling of love that came with the meal.
Below are some Mommy No Limits tips to make healthy cooking easier and more meaningful:
■ Theme your weeks: Try “Meatless Mondays,” “Try-It Tuesdays,” or “Pinoy Fridays.” This helps cut decision fatigue and gets the family excited for what’s next.
■ Add a nutritional twist: Use cheese like Eden not just for taste but for nutrients. Fortified ingredients can help boost your child’s vitamin intake in a natural way.
■ Involve the kids: Even toddlers can help! Whether it’s tearing lettuce or sprinkling cheese, kids become more engaged when they’re part of the process.
“It’s important to understand what the dogs are saying and why they’re behaving the way they are. Manners and life skills are important, but it won’t create happy dogs,” Jackson says. Anxiety in cats can be harder to spot, according to Jackson, because they’re hard-wired to hide it. While dogs seek out their support people, cats don’t feel safe expressing their vulnerability. Urinating in the house, scratching, hiding under the bed and overgrooming can be signs that your kitty is anxious.
If your animal companion is suddenly acting out or on a licking binge, Jackson advises seeing a veterinarian to rule out a medical cause, such as pain or allergies.
Veterinarians can also prescribe anti-anxiety medication and complementary treatments to promote sleep and relaxation. Peters recommends supplements for her canine clients including probiotics and the amino acids l-theanine and tryptophan (yes, the turkey coma one).
For cats, she suggests using a product like Feliway that diffuses calming pheromones into the air. AP
Eden Cheese, a staple in Filipino kitchens for generations, helps moms take familiar recipes and make them malinamnam, comforting and, yes, healthier, too. Made with milk and real cheese, Eden is fortified with
These recipes reflect something so many moms already know—cheese is comforting, familiar and joyful. It brings dishes together in a way that sparks both appetite and happiness. You can try these and see your kids become more open to trying vegetables when they are part of a cheesy bake. A broccoli and cauliflower gratin, a cheesy munggo, or even cheesy kalabasa soup—these can become comfort meals in your home, especially on days when we all need a little hug in a bowl.
One more thing I’ve learned as a mom is that when kids help in the kitchen, they are more likely to eat what is served. Let them wash the veggies. Let them mix the cheese into the sauce. Let them plate their own food like little chefs. Cooking becomes less of a task and more a memory-making moment. And guess
■ Double up and remix: Cook a big batch of a versatile dish (like giniling or adobo), then reinvent it. Leftover giniling can become cheesy empanadas the next day.
■ Keep it light and joyful: Not every meal has to be Instagram-worthy. Some of the best memories come from the messiest meals made with love. Visit www.twistandmake.com/eden to discover easy recipes that can help make family mealtimes joyful, healthy and sawa-free. Because in the end, it’s not about being a perfect cook. It’s about being a present mom—one plate at a time.
Do professional hairstyling at home with Dyson Supersonic R
BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA
PROFESSIONALS have standards, especially when it comes to hair styling. Fortunately, even you can bring home that standard with the Dyson Supersonic R which promises innovation, power, and Dyson does not gatekeep when we’re talking about hair care and styling. In fact, it has been an ally for years by both professionals and the public, giving the proper technology and equipment to take care of hair. And with the Supersonic R, that
The design of the Dyson Supersonic R is nothing to scoff at. With several attachments (Powerful Air Attachment, Pro Concentrator, Gentle Air Attachment, Smoothing Nozzle, and Flyaway Attachment, with options for Straight-Wavy or Curly-Coily attachment sets), it ensures that all
hair types can be dried properly and safely. But more than that, Supersonic R also pioneers the curved format. During their presentation, the curved look of the hair dryer made it look easier, even when you are alone. It almost feels like you’re handling a shower head, only this time it dries your hair.
Additionally, it is 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than previous designs.
■ Power and precision. While looking compact, its power remains unmatched. Equipped with the Dyson Hyperdymium Motor, it spins up to 110,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) that creates a high-velocity airflow. It has four heat levels, including a cold shot for setting styles. Moreover, it features a streamlined flow heater that provides even, controlled heat distribution for a better performance.
■ Care. Although it retains its powerful design, the Dyson Supersonic R still ensures that hair is
DYSON Supersonic R Hair Dryer in Ceramic Pink and Rose Gold
Bukidnon’s Quiño foils local bets from dominating CdO jr golfest
BUKIDNON’S Claren Quiño delivered a gritty performance to break the looming stranglehold of the homegrown talents by clinching the girls’ 7-10 years old title in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Pueblo de Oro Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Championship despite a closing 84 in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday.
Quiño kept her composure amid tough conditions at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club—she stumbled with six bogeys and three double bogeys for a 12over round, but her 36-hole total of 165 was enough to overcome first-day leader and hometown bet Francesca Geroy and another local standout Abby Qiu to secure the top of the podium.
Monte leg, hit two birdies but couldn’t sustain her momentum and costly miscues led to a 92 and another thirdplace result at 172.
Earlier in the day, Cagayan de Oro’s Jamie Barnes added another trophy to his growing collection as he went 2-for-2 in his debut JPGT campaign.
After a dominant victory at Del Monte, the 9-year-old phenom cruised to a commanding nine-shot win in the boys’ 7-10 class with rounds of 71 and 78 for a 149 total.
Record-tying 23 seeds eliminated in 1st round
Barnes seemed on track for another under-par round but faltered with two bogeys on the front nine and four more on the back to settle for a 78, enough to distance himself from nearest rival Miguel Revilleza of Davao, who matched his 78 for a 158 finish.
It was a breakthrough triumph that shattered what had seemed like an inevitable Cagayan de Oro sweep of all four age-group divisions following their commanding Day 1 showing.
“I was happy but nervous when I took the lead,” said Quiño, 9, from Del Monte School. “On No. 9, I got a bit cheeky since my friends were watching.” Quiño said the experience taught her a key lesson: never give up.
His resolve proved decisive as she fended off Qiu, who mounted a final round charge with an 83 but came up three strokes short at 168.
Geroy, who had hoped to bounce back from a third-place finish in the Del
New poomsae stars search up
T“I played okay but my putting wasn’t so good again,” Barnes said. “It doesn’t matter what the score is—you just have to have fun.”
Shaqeeq Tanog, who briefly challenged the lead, faltered in the sweltering heat and dropped to third with an 84 and 163 total.
Local aces completed wire-to-wire triumphs in the other divisions.
M argaux Espina shot an 84 for a 165 to beat Bukidnon’s Angel Wahing by 13 strokes in the girls’ 11-14 category with Wahing closing with a 91 for a 178 and Yvonne Colim finishing third with a 180 after a 93.
Lwas threetime Grand Slam finalist and No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, outplayed over five sets in a first-round loss at Wimbledon to 72nd-ranked Arthur Rinderknech, who entered Tuesday with a 1-4 career record at the All England Club and zero trips past the third round in 18 appearances at majors. T here was No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti, a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year and at the French Open last month, sent home Tuesday by Nikoloz Basilashvili, a qualifier ranked 126th who only once has made it as far as the fourth round in his 31 previous Grand Slam tournaments.
A nd, most striking of all, as night arrived, there was No. 2 Coco Gauff going from the champion at Roland-Garros to a quick exit at Wimbledon, beaten 7-6 (3), 6-1 by Dayana Yastremska.
And on and on went the upsets on Day 2 at the grass-court major, meaning 23 seeds—13 men, 10 women—failed to get to the second round, equaling the highest total at any Grand Slam tournament since they began assigning 32 seeds in each singles bracket in 2001. No. 3 Jessica Pegula also was among those leaving. The American was the runner-up at last year’s US Open and was coming off a grass-court title in Germany over the weekend, defeating
HE
TBy Josef Ramos
Iga Swiatek in the final, yet didn’t pose much of a challenge to 116th-ranked Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a 6-2, 6-3 loss that lasted less than an hour.
T wo other major finalists, No. 5 Zheng Qinwen and No. 15 Karolina Muchova, were eliminated Tuesday, as were No. 26 Marta Kostyuk and No. 25 Magdalena Frech, whose opponent, 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, lost in qualifying last week and only got into the field when another player, Anastasia Potapova, withdrew with an injured hip. Nothing was quite as out-ofnowhere, though, as Rinderknech’s success. At least Yastremska has been a major semifinalist, at last year’s Australian Open. What a moment. Such emotions,” Rinderknech, a 29-year-old from France, said after completing his 7-6 (3), 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4 victory across four hours and 40 minutes against Zverev in a match suspended Monday night at a set apiece. “I don’t even know where to start.”
He ended things with a backhand winner, then dropped to his stomach, face down, on Centre Court.
Zverev joined Musetti—who hadn’t played since a leg injury forced him to stop at Roland-Garros and was a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 loser against Basilashvili— as top-10 losers on Tuesday, a day after No. 8 Holger Rune and No. 9 Daniil Medvedev departed.
O ther seeded men exiting on Day 2 included No. 18 Ugo Humbert, No. 27 Denis Shapovalov, No. 28 Alexander Bublik and No. 30 Alex Michelsen. Rinderknech pulled off his win thanks to some terrific serving, delivering 25 aces and saving all nine break points he faced. He converted three break chances against Zverev and won the point on 44 of his 55 trips to the net.
“I t’s my first top-five win, in the biggest stadium in the world,” Rinderknech said. “My legs are still shaking. I’m just so happy the match is finished.”
W hat else happened at Wimbledon on Tuesday?
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova played her final match at the All England Club, bowing out 6-3, 6-1 against No. 10 Emma Navarro.
“This place holds the best memories I could wish for,” said the 35-year-old Kvitova, who will retire after the US Open. “I never dreamed of winning a Wimbledon and I won it twice.”
Defending women’s champion Barbora Krejcikova and men’s No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz both needed comebacks to win, No. 1 Jannik Sinner was never troubled in a straight-set victory, and 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic dealt with a stomach issue during his 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-2 win against Alexandre Muller at night. AP
to band together.”
Cone, are no pushovers.
The friendly, dubbed “Send-Off Showdown,” is set 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In last year’s world championships, the Philippines, as usual, made heads turn by bringing home two silver and eight bronze medals in a fitting follow-up to the bronze medal performance of Patrick King Perez in the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.
Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo, the one-day event features categories in Recognized
HE search for a new batch of stars continues as the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) stages the Smart/MVP Sports Foundation National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. O ut to replicate the success of its athletes in the past—notably in the 2024 world championships in Hong Kong—the PTA is determined to select the best possible members of the training pool from more than 1,500 participants.
Poomsae (Individual, Pair and Team) and Freestyle Poomsae (Individual, Mixed Pair and Team).
Top collegiate teams—including University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle, University of the Philippines and San Beda—and clubs from all over the country are expected to field their best athletes for a chance to become part of the national training team.
C ompetition will start promptly at 9 a.m.
Alex–our national flower
EVERYBODY’S talking about Alex Eala, our Great Brown Hope and the Super Kid of this tennis era.
We can’t be blamed. We’re in a national tizzy because of Alex who has become the highest-ranked Filipino player in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) history—No. 56—surpassing previously highest ranked Pinays Maricris Fernandez-Gentz, ranked 284 in singles and 601 in doubles.
Eala has strung up a series of incredible milestones— reaching the Top 100 in the WTA rankings, beating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open quarterfinals, among other opponents; making it into her first WTA tour final at Eastbourne playing against Australia’s Maya Joint for the title. And then playing in Wimbledon too, going up against defending champion Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia. We’re waving the Philippine flag sky-high with this girl!
Although Alex failed to conquer Krejcikova, the champ did have kind and uplifting words for our young heroine.
“I would like start with giving the credit to Alex,” she said in her post game statement. “[The way] she played in the first set, she was smashing the ball and she was cleaning the lines and all that….Wow, wow, it’s the next generation coming. She’s gonna
men’s national team will play a friendly with the Macau Black Bears later this month to test Gilas Pilipinas’s chemistry, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said on Wednesday.
“The tune-up games will help the team prepare for Jeddah,” said Panlilio, referring to the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asia Cup 2025 that Saudi Arabia is hosting from August 5 to 17.
The friendly would also allow Filipino fans to see how Gilas plays,” Panlilio said. “While the team gets a good competition, it’s also an opportunity for our fans
Gilas Pilipinas has limited elbow room for the Asia Cup because many of its players are seeing action in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
The Macau Black Bears were founded in 2017, then competing under the name Chong Son Kung Fu and playing in the Asean Basketball League and they’re now compete in the East Asia Super League and in The Asian Tournament led by head coach Garrrett Kelly.
T he Black Bears, according to Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim
come up and she’s gonna be really good in a couple of years. So first of all, big credit, big credit to her.”
We have no doubt Eala will make us Filipinos prouder than we already are in world tennis. The handwriting is on the wall. There’s nowhere to go for Alex but up. One thing that Alex has to improve on is her consistency. As earlier mentioned, she tends to have wild swings in her game from set to set. She also has to improve her service game as well as her net game, where she tends to commit errors in her drop shots. But there’s no way to go for Alex than up, and her countrymen are going to be behind her not only because of her potent game but also because of her character,” said our good friend, Celtics teammate and revered sports journalism colleague Bert Ramirez in a Facebook post. Bert traced the way Alex skyrocketed to fame and into our hearts in just four months. “Eala, still a teenager then [she turned 20 last May 23], leaped into the public consciousness back in March by beating three former Grand Slam champions—Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek—in the Miami Masters 1000.
And last week, she won six matches, including qualifying contests, in her historic march to the final in Eastbourne before losing to Joint, moving to championship point four times before dropping a 12-10 third-set tiebreak.” But Alex is not out of Wimbledon just yet. She will still play in the doubles’ division where she is teamed up with 23-year-old
“They beat the Chinese national team [in a tune-up]. They are strong,” Cone said. “They have good imports. It could be a remarkably interesting friendly for us.” The club beat the Chinese, 83-78, in a friendly July last year. C one will field a full lineup against the Black Bears but will continue to play without Kai Sotto who is still recovering from his ACL injury.
The Philippines is bracketed in Group B of the Asia Cup with New Zealand, Chinese-Taipei
German pro player Eva Lys. They will face the team of Serbia’s Olga Danilovic and Russia’s Anastasia Potapova. Before she took on Wimbledon, Nike did something very touching and inspiring for Alex, a Nike athlete. She was gifted with a hair tie adorned with a
PANLILIO
THE expression on Margaux Espina’s face depicts a successful putt as she dominates the girls’ 11-14 category at Pueblo de Oro.
