This latest initiative builds on the BSP’s earlier actions, including its 2021 directive prohibiting regulated entities from dealing with unlicensed gambling operators.
The initiative also enhances BSP’s 2022 order for e-wallets and other BSIs to remove links to electronic sabong (e-sabong) from their platforms following the suspension by the national government of all e-sabong operations.
THE Marcos administration’s total outstanding debt posted a double-digit growth in May 2025 on the back of higher domestic borrowings, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may place limits on the access to online gambling among banks and electronic money issuers to protect consumers. These limits will be elaborated in a soon-to-be released BSP circular to protect users of digital platforms from risks associated with online gambling. The BSP said it has already circulated a draft of the document and is currently reviewing feedback from stakeholders.
“The circular would seek to require BSP-supervised institutions [BSIs], primarily banks and electronic money issuers, to better protect users of their digital platforms from these risks. Protection may come in the form of various limits to gaming access,” the BSP said in
THE Monetary Board may be open to deal in two more rate cuts to spur economic growth this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Thursday.
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) reduced the country’s growth targets to 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent this year. Inflation was estimated to average 2 percent to 3 percent in 2025.
“The BSP is taking a collaborative approach to crafting the circular, to ensure that the final policy strikes a balance between protecting consumers and preserving access to digital payments for licensed businesses,” the statement read.
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said the Monetary Board has three more meetings this year and instead of just one more rate cut, there could be two. This could bring the total reduction in interest rates to 75 basis points.
“There’s room because inflation is low and growth is a bit lower also, except that, the cuts cannot really compensate entirely for the slowdown in growth,” Remolona told reporters on the sidelines of the 32nd BSP Anniversary Multimedia
Exhibit Opening and The Governors Speak Book Launch on Thursday.
Remolona said the global uncertainties have affected consumption, particularly for big-ticket items as well as postponed investments. To help boost growth, a reduction in rates may be warranted.
“We still have August. We still have October, December. The slowdown in growth, it’s because of the uncertainty,” Remolona said.
Remolona, however, said the approval of a P50 wage hike in Metro Manila may have a slight impact on the BSP’s inflation forecasts.
The wage hike in Metro Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) had said, raised the daily minimum wage to P695 from the current P645 per day.
In the previous Monetary Board meeting, the BSP’s inflation forecast was adjusted to 1.6 percent in
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RELIEF Dark clouds loom over Bonifacio Global City and the Laguna de Bay area on Wednesday, as the Low Pressure Area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) bring unsettled weather across parts of Luzon, according to PAGASA. The Philippines—ranked as the
2025 from the initial estimate of 2.4 percent.
The BSP, however, raised the inflation projection to 3.4 percent in 2026 from the initial estimate of 3.3 percent. The forecast for 2027 was also raised to 3.3 percent from the initial estimate of 3.2 percent.
“Merong kaunti siguro pero iaanalyze pa naming [There may be a slight rise,but we’re analyzing it],” Remolona said. “For now, we’re still evaluating it.”
Earlier, the BSP said it expects inflation to be higher in June given the increase in food and oil prices as well as the depreciation of the peso. Based on its latest month-ahead inflation forecast, the BSP projects that inflation may have settled between 1.1 and 1.9 percent in June 2025. The BSP’s month-ahead forecast settled between 0.9 and 1.7 percent in May. The official inflation print, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), was 1.3 percent. Cai U. Ordinario
CITING “deep concern” over the reliability of global supply chains for critical minerals, the foreign ministers of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) on Thursday launched a new initiative aimed at reducing dependence on a single country for processing and refining these strategic resources.
The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, announced at the 10th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, D.C., seeks to strengthen supply chain resilience by securing and diversifying access to materials essential to clean energy, semiconductors, and defense applications.
“The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative will strengthen cooperation on priorities such as securing and diversifying reliable supply chains, and electronic waste (e-waste) critical minerals recovery and re-processing,” the US State Department said in a fact sheet.
Critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite are vital inputs for electric vehicles, drones, and battery storage systems. China currently dominates the global processing and refining of these materials,
and prevent the excessive price increase on chicken or other chicken byproducts like what happened with pork,” De Mesa told reporters on Thursday. The series of proposed interventions on meat products would temper retail prices amid a tight domestic supply due to ongoing transboundary animal disease outbreaks, De Mesa said.
On Monday, some lawmakers said the use of e-wallets in online gam-
prompting concerns over economic coercion, price manipulation, and supply disruptions.
“The Initiative will expand the Quad’s cooperation on supply chain resilience measures for critical minerals, and we look forward to coordinating with private sector partners to facilitate increased investments,” the fact sheet added.
The Philippines is among the world’s top producers of nickel—accounting for over 10 percent of global output in 2022—and contributes nearly 2 percent of global cobalt production.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the initiative reflects the Quad’s broader commitment to a free and open IndoPacific and complements its strong support for Manila’s position in the West Philippine Sea.
“We welcome the Quad’s commitment to build capacities across the Indo-Pacific region, especially on maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technology, and support for humanitarian assistance and emergency response,” the DFA said.
The DFA said it “highly appreciates” the Quad Foreign Ministers’ “unequivocal support” for the
bling sites should be strictly regulated because of their role in “worsening gambling addiction among Filipinos, particularly the poor.”
Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores warned that the increasing accessibility of digital wal-
2016 Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s expansive maritime claims and has since been cited by international legal bodies including the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Their statement demonstrates the strong objection by the international community against such illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions,” the DFA said, referring to recent incidents involving Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.
The Quad ministers expressed “serious concern” over the use of water cannons, ramming, and obstruction of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, and reiterated their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.
The bloc also announced the formal launch of the Ports of the Future Partnership, with a logistics conference in Mumbai this October.
It aims to mobilize public and private sector investments in advanced port infrastructure
lets has made it very easy for users to top up and place bets in online gambling platforms. The lawmaker expressed concern that this convenience puts low-income Filipinos at greater risk, as they may be tempted to
and logistics practices across the Indo-Pacific.
On maritime law enforcement, the Quad is expanding cooperation to address piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing. This includes the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, which deployed observers aboard a US Coast Guard cutter operating between Palau and Guam.
A second maritime legal dialogue and a new regional training workshop—MAITRI—are also planned to enhance maritime capabilities in consultation with Indo-Pacific partners.
The meeting was attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
The Philippines affirmed its commitment to upholding the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and to pursuing diplomacy and the constructive management of differences in addressing maritime tensions.
gamble away their hard-earned money in the hopes of winning big to meet their daily needs.
(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/06/30/controluse-of-e-wallets-for-gamblingsolons/). Cai U. Ordinario
statement of the tariffs levied on rice to the original rate of 35 percent to Asean countries and 50 percent to non-Asean countries.
to continue planting the country’s major staple crop.
For one, the group said the government should impose a floor price for palay, which should settle at P17 per kilo for fresh and P23 per kilo dry.
The DA recently said that it is finalizing a draft bill aimed at restoring key functions of the National Food Authority (NFA) that will allow it to impose a floor price for palay.
Agriculture officials had said they are considering the implementation of a floor price for palay and that they are now looking for legal remedies that will enable them to implement the scheme.
Furthermore, Sinag urged the government to increase the palay procurement budget of the grains agency to P40 billion. Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the NFA was only allocated P9 billion to procure palay.
The group also sought the rein-
However, the DA had called for the gradual increase of rice tariffs in the fourth quarter before returning to the 35-percent duty, to prevent, it said, retail prices of the staple grain from spiking. Sinag also called on the government to release the excess rice collections last year to farmers as cash incentives.
The DA said it has requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the remaining balance from rice collections in 2024.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel 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.
Last year, the country’s rice tariff collections hit a record P34.23 billion, based on data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Government data showed that the Philippines imported an alltime high of 4.8 million metric tons (MMT) of rice in 2024.
period last year and a 0.99-percent or P166.2-billion growth from the end-April level.
“[The] increase was primarily driven by the successful net issuances of new domestic securities, which reflect sustained investor confidence in the Philippine economy,” the BTr said in a statement.
“This was partially offset by the valuation effects of a stronger peso, helping reduce the value of external obligations,” it added.
The BTr said the bulk of the national government’s debt was composed of domestic borrowings at 69.6 percent while external obligations accounted for 30.4 percent.
“This reflects the government’s strong bias for domestically sourced financing, which helps mitigate foreign exchange risks and strengthen the local capital market,” the BTr said.
“The government remains committed to its prudent debt management strategy, ensuring borrowings are strategically aligned with fiscal objectives and overall macroeconomic stability,” it added.
The national government’s outstanding debt is composed of domestic debt, which reached P11.78 trillion; and external debt,P5.14 trillion as of May 2025. Domestic debt as of May 2025 increased 12.81 percent or P1.34 trillion from the P10.44 trillion posted in the same period last year. The BTr said domestic debt grew 1.64 percent or P189.96 billion from the P11.59 trillion recorded at the end of April 2025.
“This increase was mainly due to net issuances totaling P190.87 billion, but it was slightly tempered by the P0.91 billion downward valuation effect of a stronger peso against the US dollar,” BTr said. Meanwhile, data showed external debt posted a growth of 4.76 percent or P233.6 billion from the P4.9 trillion posted in May 2024. The data showed external debt, however, declined by 0.46 percent or P23.76 billion from the previous month when external debt was at P5.16 trillion.
“The decrease was due to P3.55 billion in net repayments and the strengthening of the peso, which reduced the peso value of foreign debt by P29.35 billion. These were partly offset by a P9.14 billion revaluation resulting from third-currency fluctuations against the US dollar,” the BTr said.
Meanwhile, the BTr said the guaranteed obligations slightly increased by 1.79 percent or P6.04 billion, totaling P343.58 billion by end-May 2025.
The growth was mainly due to net availments of domestic guarantees amounting to P6.53 billion, along with a P0.53-billion third-currency revaluation.
These were partially tempered by the P0.51-billion net repayment of external guarantees and another P0.51-billion reduction from the stronger peso.
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 vehicles (EV) in the US, a report by the BusinessMirror said.
“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.
Since end-December 2024, NG guaranteed debt has decreased by P3.08 billion or 0.89 percent, and by P6.63 billion or 1.89 percent on a year-over-year basis.
climate change (CC) adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, the DepDev report also stated that 13 loans amounting to $4.08 billion were closed in 2023, lower than the 21 loans amounting to $5.98 billion in 2022. Among the closed loans, the report said, were seven program loans that supported the government’s efforts in Covid-19 response, disaster response, and climate change mitigation. The DepDev said some of the largest project loans that closed in 2023 include the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project of DPWH, and the original and additional financing for the PRDP of the Department of Agriculture.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Malabon local government launches mobile services
IN line with their commitment to make vital services more accessible to Malabueños, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and the Malabon City Government officially launched the Mobile Services on Wheels program this week, bringing key government services directly to the communities.
The Key Mobile Jeannie Services Laba, Linis, Ligo, Ligtas, Lusog is a flagship initiative of Sandoval, and is implemented by the Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). It seeks to extend the reach of essential public services for free by deploying mobile units that cater
to the needs of the community where they are—right at their doorstep.
The blessing of the vehicles was held along C4 Road in front of FisherMallMalabon in barangay Longos.
The initiative targets to serve more than 1,842 residents and their pets, with services expanded through partnerships with national government agencies and private partners.
The services focus on five key areas, collectively known as the 5 Ls: Linis (Cleaning), Laba (Laundry), Ligo (Shower), Ligtas (Safety), and Lusog (Health).
Among the vehicles deployed were
the Mobile Power Washer that provides pressurized water for cleaning different roads and surfaces; Mobile Laundry to bring convenience to residents who need laundry services; Mobile Shower for residents’ hygiene, especially those who were affected by disasters; Mobile Charging Station to ensure power for different devices and provide power in case of brown out; Mobile Water Tanker and Mobile Water PurifierCharging Station to carry water in areas in need of supply; and Mobile Kitchen for free hot meals for residents.
Move to update age-old espionage law gets boost from Lacson’s bill
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
EFFORTS to update the archaic espionage law have gotten a boost, after a measure for that purpose did not hurdle the 19th Congress.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson filed a bill that he says will finally strengthen and modernize the outdated laws—one dating back to 1941—against espionage and other offenses against national security.
Among others, Lacson’s bill adds espionage and interference, in any form, to the list of unlawful activities subject to the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This, coming on the heels of several arrests made by Philippine authorities of Chinese nationals with alleged tools for espionage.
The bill by Lacson, a former National Police (PNP) chief, allows the surveillance of suspects and interception and recording of communications after a court order from the Court of Appeals.
“Recent technological advancements, along with the potential
involvement of foreign jurisdictions in our country’s political and governmental affairs, have exposed significant gaps in Commonwealth Act 616 and Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code. These shortcomings underscore the urgent need to amend and modernize these laws,” Lacson said in his bill.
“This measure aims to strengthen the law by updating the penalties for the punishable acts. Particularly, the measure imposes higher penalties upon erring public officials, employees and foreigners. The measure also provides for the extraterritorial application of the law. It, likewise, penalizes activities by foreign jurisdictions that could interfere with the political and government affairs of the country,” he added.
The bill expands the definition of espionage to include “physical, electronic, cyber, or any other
means, which causes or tends to cause injury to the Philippines or gives or tends to give advantage to a state, nation, entity, or individual, whether foreign or domestic.” Lacson noted that in April 2025, a Chinese man was arrested near the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office. Seized from him was an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher, which can intercept mobile phone traffic and track location data.
From January to March 2025, five arrests were made for espionage activities in various parts of the country. In one of the arrests, the perpetrators were caught using a vehicle with LiDar (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor and a concealed Triple Camera Device, as well as a GNSS-RTK (Global Navigational Satellite System Real-Time Kinematics). The vehicle, capable of topographic mapping to the accuracy of centimeter level, had been roving around different critical infrastructures in Luzon since December 2024. In another case, authorities arrested a group of people claiming to be fishing but were conducting spying activities with solar-powered and remotely operated CCTV, as well as aerial drones that took aerial images of military facilities in Palawan.
See “Spy,” A4
See “Malabon,” A4
ON
by Quezon Gov. Helen Tan at the province’s Cultural Center located at the Capitol compound, in Sta.Cruz, Laguna, on Wednesday, in the presence
DOJ eyes Atong, Gretchen as possible suspects in missing sabungeros case
BBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
USINESSMAN Charlie
“Atong” Ang on Thursday claimed he was the subject of a P300 million extortion attempt by his two former employees in connection with the missing sabungeros or cockfighting aficionados case.
However, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla considered Ang’s filing of a complaint as mere publicity which does not affect the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Police (PNP) in connection with the missing sabungeros.
Remulla said Ang and former actress Gretchen Barreto are among those being eyed as possible suspects after their names were mentioned by the whistleblower in his affidavit.
“Actually there are 20 people in
Marcos to
Pwhat they called ‘alpha list’... the alpha group in e-sabong is known as the main group that runs the show at e-sabong,” Remulla said.
When asked if Ang and Barreto would be included in the ongoing investigation, Remulla replied: “Mapapasama sila kasi nga pinangalanan sila ...then we will have to include them as suspects.”
However, Remulla stressed that investigators are still validating all information pertaining to their alleged involvement.
“There are stories about that we are validating right now,” he added. Remulla also branded as “PR [public relations] job” the attempts to cast doubts on the credibility of alias “Totoy,” the alleged whistleblower.
“It will not affect us anymore, we have been looking at this case for the last three years…Back then, many did not believe that this would be resolved because the persons behind this were very
powerful. But, we never lost the faith,” Remulla said.
Complaint
IN a complaint filed before the Mandaluyong Prosecutor’s Office, Ang through his lawyer Lorna Kapunan, identified the two employees as his former farm manager and alleged whistleblower Julie “Dondon” Patidongan or alias “Totoy” and Alan Bantiles or “Brown.”
Ang said it was Bantiles, a former employee of his e-sabong firm Pitmasters Alpha, who relayed the demand for money from Patidongan through several phone calls last February 8, 13, 18 and 19, 2025.
After he turned down the demand, Ang said he received another phone call last June 20, 2025 from Bantiles confirming that Patidongan was the one who appeared on television as alias “Totoy” disclosing some information about the missing sabungero’s case.
Bantiles also disclosed that Patidongan had already given formal statements to the National Police (PNP)’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) implicating him (Ang), his three children and his associates in Pitmasters, in an alleged criminal conspiracy to kidnap and murder the missing cockfighting enthusiasts.
“I categorically state that these accusations are entirely false and without basis. Neither I nor any member of any family or organization had any participation in, nor knowledge of, any such illegal acts,” Ang said.
“Nevertheless, Dondon has maliciously crafted a narrative to make it appear that we were all involved,” he added.
In light of this, Ang asked prosecutors to indict Patidongan and Bantiles for attempted robbery with violence and intimidation, grave threat, grave coercion, in -
support divorce, socmed regulation, anti-dynasty bills if...
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
RESIDENT Marcos is open to supporting the antidynasty, social media use regulation for youth, and divorce bills which were filed in the 20th Congress if can be proven that these are beneficial to the public.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Chief Executive will first study the details and provisions of the said pieces of legislation before he issues his official position on the said bills.
On House Bill 209, which was filed by Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee
Co of Kabataan to ban a family or clan from simultaneously holding government office, she said Marcos will not outright dismiss it even if he is part of a political family.
The President is the son of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former Leyte Rep. Imelda Marcos, the brother of Senator Imelda “Imee” Marcos, and the cousin of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. In addition he has other close relatives holding local government positions in Ilocos Norte, including a son who is a congressman.
“We can’t say right away if he will support these or not—it depends on the content of the bills,”
BuCor welcomes merger with BJMP
THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has expressed support for a unified penological and correctional system through the integration of Bucor and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said the merger is in line with the 20232028 Philippine Medium Development Plan of the Marcos Administration which covers the penal and correctional system.
The PDP 2023-2028 recognizes the critical role of a well-functioning correctional system in achieving broader development goals.
The establishment of a unified system will promote efficiency, fairness, and human rights within the Philippine correctional landscape, according to Catapang. He added that the proposed merger is expected to improve the operational efficiency of the country’s correctional system by streamlining resources and effectively addressing the pressing issue of jail congestion.
“By consolidating these two
vital organizations, the government will create a more cohesive framework for managing correctional facilities and demonstrates a commitment to reform, recognizing the need for a modernized corrections system that can better serve both inmates and society at large,” Catapang said in response to the announcement made by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla during BJMP’s 34th Anniversary Celebration in Quezon City.
“This effort not only seeks to optimize operations but also to improve the overall conditions within the penal system, ultimately promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism,” he added.
“The proposal also emphasizes the importance of good governance and the protection of human rights, which are crucial for a fair and just correctional system aligned with achieving economic and social transformation that includes creating a more inclusive and resilient society where all citizens have equal opportunities,” he added. Joel R. San Juan
Castro said.
“It would be better if they could provide the most detailed information [on the said bills] if these could bring good things to our country. Let’s see. The President is for [any policy that will benefit] the country and for the leaders, officials who also want to serve. So, everything should be balanced,” Castro said partly in Filipino.
Marcos may also support a Senate bill filed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson to restrict minors from using social media if it can address mental health issues among the said age group, Castro said.
“He [Lacson] will get the support of the President as long as
Malabon. . .
Continued from A3
The city also placed in different areas the Mobile Animal Vaccination, Mobile Clinic, “Lab for All” Mobile Laboratory, Mobile Xray Services Culion Foundation Incorporated, and Dental Health Bus will also be stationed in different areas to provide health services such as pet vaccination, dental check up and tooth extraction, laboratory tests, HIV testing, and medical consultations Also deployed were Maynilad’s Mobile Shower and Water Tanker, ambulances from Red Cross-Malabon and the city
this is for the people, especially the youth,” she said. Castro said Marcos remains undecided on the refiled divorce bills.
“So, let’s look again at what would be good for the people. But it would be better, and that is what the President wants, to strengthen the good relationship between husband and wife, that we extend [supposed] so that each couple can resolve their problems not only for themselves but also for their children,” she added.
The three bills from the House of Representatives and the Senate are currently not part of the Common Legislative Agenda of both houses of Congress.
government, mobile patrol from the Malabon City Police Station, Bureau of Fire Protection firetrucks, the Malabon Ahon Blue Card + Philhealth Konsulta Caravan, and the Mobile Malabon All Hazards One Network (Ahon) Alert 24/7 Application services.
The Mobile Services will be taken to different areas in the city’s 21 barangays. City Administrator Alexander Rosete shared that by bringing together various city departments and service providers, the local government ensures that vulnerable populations have direct access to healthcare, sanitation, government assistance, and disaster preparedness resources.
DSWD logistics, command hub to rise at Clark aviation complex
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will soon establish a new Regional Disaster Response Command and Logistics Center for Region III at the Clark Aviation Capital complex in this free port.
Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac) President Jojit Alcazar expressed full support for the project, highlighting its critical role in strengthening disaster response across Central Luzon.
“We welcome the establishment of this command and logistics center at Clark Aviation Capital. It will serve as a strategic storage and distribution point for relief goods and supplies, ensuring faster and more effective DSWD operations during emergencies in Central Luzon. This is part of Ciac’s contribution to national disaster preparedness,” Alcazar said.
DSWD officials led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, and Clark Development Corporation Director Nicolette Henson-Hizon visited the proposed site on Wednesday, accompanied by Pampanga Gov. Lilia
criminating against innocent persons, and slander.
Ang claimed that up to this day, the respondents continue to make persistent attempts to contact and pressure him with the intention of extorting the amount from him.
In their latest communication, Bantiles even suggested that the money be channeled discretely through a “lawyer to lawyer arrangement” purportedly to avoid raising suspicion or legal scrutiny.
Legal assistance
IN his complaint, Ang admitted providing legal assistance to Patidongan after he was implicated and charged for kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the missing sabungeros along with five other security guards.
Ang explained that Patidongan denied all the allegations against him, thus, out of goodwill and being his former employer, he extended legal and financial assis -
Continued from A3
From 2022 to 2024, the Philippine Navy recovered five underwater drones in different parts of the country. These submersible drones are a “deploy-andforget” type of underwater vessel that can be controlled from anywhere once they are launched. Investigation showed they had various sensors that can send data through satellite communications.
In May 2024, the PNP arrested a Chinese individual for forcing a Filipino to deliver to his house and move to vital installations and public places a “Stingray” cell site simulator, that can be used to eavesdrop or even impersonate a party in a call.
In Lacson’s view, “These incidents point to a larger, more concerning pattern: a deliberate and sophisticated use of modern tools to conduct espionage and interference—threats that may originate from both foreign and domestic sources.”
Under the bill, harsher penalties await erring public officials, employees and foreigners involved in espionage, including:
n Filipinos who commit acts penalized under the bill outside Philippine territory; n Individuals physically outside the country but commit the crimes covered by the bill; n Individuals who are outside the Philippines but commit crimes covered in the bill against Philippine officials, their representatives, staff, agent, or envoy; and n Individuals who may be outside the Philippines but commit said crimes directly against the Philippine government or its agent.
tance to help him in his defense and sustain his family during the proceedings.
The complainant added that he also contributed a total P12 million in Patidongan’s political bid in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, where he returned after they were allowed to post bail by the Regional Trial Court in Manila in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case. “I extended compassion and loyalty to respondent Dondon when had nowhere else to turn. I stood by him when others had walked away. But that goodwill was repaid with deception, manipulation, and a campaign of harassment waged not only in private, but on national stage,” Ang stressed.
“These acts were not born of impulse or confusion—they were calculated, cold, and cruel. They were designed to extort, to destroy reputations, and to exploit the very decency that was shown to them,” he added.
without parole and a fine from P5 to P20 million to those who engage and conspire to engage in espionage and interference in our internal affairs—including those who aid and abet them.
A government official or employee found guilty of violating the measure faces absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, and the maximum penalty under the bill.
Foreigners found guilty of violating the measure shall be deported immediately after serving their sentence. They will be permanently barred from entering the country.
The bill also allows the National Security Council (NSC) to issue an Access Blocking Order directing internet access service providers to take reasonable steps to disable access by endusers in the Philippines to online publications that it deems will prejudice national or public security, negatively impact public health, safety, or finances, affect diplomatic relations, incite enmity among influential groups, undermine public confidence in authorities, or influence the outcome of elections or referendums.
An internet access service provider that does not comply with any access blocking order shall be fined P1 million each day during which any part of that order is not fully complied with, up to a total of P500 million.
Pineda, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Art Punsalan, and Ciac Director Rommel Santiago. The one-hectare site, located within the Ciac-managed Clark Civil Aviation Complex, will be designed to enable the rapid deployment of relief and response operations when disasters strike.
This project forms part of Ciac’s broader strategy to transform the Clark Civil Aviation Complex into a premier logistics hub. Earlier initiatives have already paved the way for logistics facilities of other agencies, such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc.
In addition to the upcoming DSWD center, Clark is also home to key national disaster management facilities, including the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), and the Integrated Operations Center for Disaster Response Management—underscoring Clark’s disaster-resilient features and strategic proximity to an international airport, seaport, and major road networks. Lorenz Marasigan
For non-Filipino, the Philippines shall exercise jurisdiction only when the individual enters or is inside the territory of the Philippines. In the absence of any request for extradition, the National Security Council shall refer the case to the Bureau of Immigration for deportation or to the Department of Justice for prosecution, “as if the act constituting the offense had been committed in the Philippines.”
The bill metes out life imprisonment
A duly authorized military personnel, law enforcement agent, or intelligence officer may secretly wiretap, intercept, record or collect private messages of any person charged or suspected of committing any of the offenses under the bill—after meeting various requirements and upon written order of the Court of Appeals Meanwhile, the bill adds espionage and interference, in any form, to the list of unlawful activities subject to the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to conduct financial investigation, freezing of accounts, and forfeiture of assets.
The AMLC is authorized to inquire into or examine deposits and investments suspected of any of the crimes defined and penalized under the provisions of this Act with any banking institution or non-bank financial institution and their subsidiaries and affiliates without a court order.
Legislator seeks legal immunity for ‘Good Samaritans’
IN an effort to promote compassion and civic responsibility during emergencies, a lawmaker pushed for a measure that mandates the grant of legal immunity to individuals who voluntarily assist others in distress or emergency situations.
In the explanatory note of her proposed Good Samaritan Protection Act of 2025, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda said despite the innate moral duty to help others, many potential Good Samaritans hesitate owing to fear of being sued or blamed if something goes wrong.
“This bill is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: no one should be afraid to help,” Baronda said. “We want to ensure that people who act out of compassion and good faith to save lives or prevent harm are protected by law, not punished.
The bill defines a “Good Samaritan” as any individual who voluntarily and in good faith provides reasonable assistance
to someone in need of emergency care, aid, or support. These acts of assistance can range from administering CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) or first aid to helping someone trapped in a vehicle or guiding an injured person to safety during a disaster.
Baronda’s bill addresses this by providing immunity from civil liability to those who offer aid—so long as their actions are reasonable, made in good faith, and do not involve gross negligence or willful misconduct.
“While granting legal protection, the act includes provisions to exclude immunity in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This ensures that individuals who act recklessly or with deliberate disregard for safety are not shielded from legal consequences,” she said.
DA lifts ban on poultry products from Brazil
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary ban it imposed on bird and poultry products from Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 34, authorizing the entry of domestic and wild birds along with their products, such as poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from the South American nation.
“All import transactions of the above commodities shall be in accordance with existing rules of the [DA],” the order read.
The agency said it decided to lift the ban after Brazilian veterinary authority reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (Woah) that all cases of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (Hpai) have been resolved.
“No additional outbreaks were reported after June 18, 2025,” it added. With this, the DA said Brazil is now considered free from bird flu.
The DA said the local poultry industry is crucial to the country’s food security and an important source of employment and investment. Brazil is a major source of
poultry products for the Philippines.
Initially, the DA slapped the temporary ban in Brazil last May as part of the government’s efforts to safeguard the local poultry industry.
During that time, a group of meat importers and traders said that while the food service industry would hardly be hit by the imposed ban, it would likely weigh on the processing sector.
Government data indicated that the South American nation was the country’s top supplier of chicken in the first quarter of 2025, particularly for mechanically deboned meat (MDM).
Of the 64,200 MT MDM shipments in the reference period, it accounted for 43,878 MT. The MDM is typically used for processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, and canned meat products.
In 2024, Brazil was the Philippines’s largest supplier of chicken, based on government data. It accounted for 237,395 metric tons (MT) of the total 536,340 MT chicken exports to the country. Ada Pelonia
Zambales congressman seeks probe of Villar water company
ALARMED by persistent water service issues in Zambales and other communities, a lawmaker on Thursday filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress to investigate alleged irregularities in the Joint Venture Agreements (JVAs) between local water districts and PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation owned by the Villar family.
In House Resolution 22, Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun called on the appropriate House committee to conduct a legislative inquiry into how these JVAs have affected public access to water, citing numerous complaints of poor service and a lack of transparency and accountability on the
part of the PrimeWater.
Khonghun underscored the need to develop a strong legal and regulatory framework that ensures transparency, fairness, and public welfare in privatized utility partnerships.
He said PrimeWater—a private water service provider under the Villar Group—has entered into JVAs with dozens of local water districts nationwide, including the Subic Water District in Zambales. These partnerships have granted the company considerable control over public water utilities.
However, Khonghun pointed to widespread and recurring issues under PrimeWater’s management, including prolonged service interruptions, low water
pressure, and delays in repairing leaks and failure to deliver on promised infrastructure projects.
Khonghun said Subic residents have voiced strong dissatisfaction with PrimeWater’s unreliable services, citing repeated emergency water outages in April 2025—some lasting nearly 24 hours and affecting several barangays. These incidents, he said, expose serious operational weaknesses.
In response, the Sangguniang Bayan of Subic passed Resolution 29, Series of 2025, urging the Subic Water District to terminate its JVA with PrimeWater due to chronic failures and public outcry.
“This piece of legislation is designed to apply broadly across different scenarios, including medical emergencies, accidents, and situations requiring immediate assistance. It recognizes that Good Samaritan acts can take various forms and aims to provide protection across diverse situations,” she added.
Medical professionals providing emergency care in a professional capacity are excluded from this immunity, as their actions are governed by separate standards and legal obligations under existing health laws.
Baronda emphasized that the bill is not merely legal in nature but moral in essence.
Inspired by the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, she said the measure seeks to nurture a culture where Filipinos are empowered to help without hesitation or fear of legal reprisal.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Examples of covered actions include performing first aid or CPR, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), helping victims escape from vehicles or disaster zones, and offering shelter or transportation in times of distress.
ALEGISLATOR has filed a series of bills to bolster the country’s digital resilience in an era marked by rapid digital transformation and increasing cyber threats from artificial intelligence.
Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan filed House Bill 658, or the Artificial Intelligence Regulation Act; HB 659, or the Artificial Intelligence Development Act; and HB 660, or the Cybersecurity Act—each designed to position the country as a secure and ethical participant in the global digital economy.
“These bills respond to urgent digital threats while ensuring we harness innovation to uplift Filipino lives. AI must be guided by ethics, and cyberspace must be secured,” said Tan.
HB 658, the Artificial Intelligence Regulation Act, proposes a national regulatory framework that ensures AI technologies are
deployed responsibly and ethically.
It aims to establish the Philippine Council on Artificial Intelligence under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to set standards, evaluate risks, and shape national AI policy; and create the Artificial Intelligence Board, which will act as a supervisory authority over AI system development and usage.
The bill also penalizes the development and deployment of harmful AI applications, including lethal autonomous weapon systems or “killer robots,” while enshrining a Bill of Rights to safeguard Filipinos from abuses stemming from AI applications.
“In the wrong hands, AI can undermine democracy, exacerbate inequality, and compromise privacy. That’s why we need clear, enforceable standards that protect human rights while fostering innovation,”
Following this, the Subic Water District issued a notice of pre-termination to PrimeWater, citing breach of contract and unresolved service issues.
Khonghun said he hopes the congressional investigation will lead to meaningful legislation that empowers local water districts and ensures that any private partnerships genuinely serve the public interest—not just corporate profits. Earlier the water district in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan terminated its JVA with PrimeWater, citing erratic service and high rates among others.
The council expressed serious concern over PrimeWater’s performance since the partnership began in 2018.
Quezon lawmaker has digital resilience, threats
Tan emphasized.
Complementing the regulatory measure is HB 659, the Artificial Intelligence Development Act, which seeks to accelerate AI innovation in the country by establishing the National Center for AI Research (Ncair). This hub will lead research and development initiatives, cultivate AI talent, and coordinate collaboration between the academe, startups, multinational firms, and government agencies.
“This bill ensures that the Philippines not only regulates AI effectively but also leads in building homegrown innovation ecosystems. Our goal is to invest in Filipino talent and make our country a hub for responsible AI,” Tan said.
Cybersecurity WHILE AI offers new capabilities, Tan said
it also creates new vulnerabilities.
As the Philippines continues its digital expansion, he said the country has become an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. According to Kaspersky, more than 50 million web threats were detected in the Philippines in 2021 alone—representing a staggering 432% increase since 2017.
To address this growing threat, Tan filed HB 660, the proposed Cybersecurity Act, a measure aimed at institutionalizing and strengthening the country’s cybersecurity framework.
The bill proposes to establish the Philippine Cybersecurity Council (PCSC)— an inter-agency body under the Office of the President led by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and co-chaired by the DICT and the Executive Secretary. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Editor: Angel R. Calso
94 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including 45 people waiting for aid, authorities say
TEL AVIV, Israel—Airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians in Gaza overnight, including 45 who were attempting to get muchneeded humanitarian aid, hospitals and the Health Ministry said Thursday.
Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the strikes.
Five people were killed while
outside sites associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the newly-created, secretive
American organization backed by Israel to feed the Gaza Strip’s population, while 40 others were killed waiting for aid in other locations across the Gaza Strip.
Dozens of people were killed in airstrikes that pounded the Strip Wednesday night and Thursday morning, including 15 people killed in strikes that hit tents in the sprawling Muwasi zone, where many displaced Palestinians are sheltering. A separate strike on a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced people also killed 15 people.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 57,000, including 223 missing people who have been declared dead, since the war began on October 7, 2023. The 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 deaths come as Israel and Hamas inch closer to a possible ceasefire that would end the 21-month war.
Trump said Tuesday that Israel
had agreed on terms for a 60day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. But Hamas’ response, which emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could materialize into an actual pause in fighting.
The Israeli military blames Hamas for the civilian casualties because it operates from populated areas. The military said it targeted Hamas militants and rocket launchers in northern Gaza that launched
rockets toward Israel on Wednesday. The war began 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, leaving hundreds of thousands of people hungry.
Ukraine looks to jointly produce weapons with allies as the US halts some shipments
By Illia Novikov
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine is forging ahead with early plans for joint weapons production with some international allies, top officials said, while warning Wednesday of potential consequences of the US decision to halt some arms shipments promised to help Kyiv fight off Russia’s invasion.
“Any delay or hesitation in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities will only encourage the aggressor to continue war and terror, not seek peace,” Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said.
A renewed Russian push to capture more land has put Ukraine’s short-handed defenses under severe strain in the all-out war launched by Moscow nearly 3½ years ago. Russian missiles and drones are battering Ukrainian cities. US-led diplomatic efforts to find a peace settlement have stalled.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it hadn’t received any official US notification of a suspension or revision of agreed arms delivery schedules. Officials have requested
a phone call with their US counterparts to verify the status of specific items in the pipeline, it said in a statement.
As Washington—Ukraine’s biggest military backer—has distanced itself from Ukraine’s war efforts under President Donald Trump, a bigger onus has fallen on European countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday held their first direct telephone call in almost three years. Macron’s office said that during their two-hour conversation, the French leader underlined France’s “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and called for a ceasefire.
Washington’s decision could remove some of the most formidable weapons in Ukraine’s battlefield arsenal, including some air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery and other weapons, according to AP sources. The US decision should prompt European Union countries to spend more on developing Ukraine’s defense industry, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
“It just underlines the need for Europe to do more, and also to invest more in Ukraine,” Lund Poulsen told reporters. “We could do even more, to give them a stronger way of fighting back.”
Denmark on Tuesday took over the EU’s rotating presidency for six months. It is already investing directly in Ukraine’s defense industry, which can produce arms and ammunition more quickly and cheaply than elsewhere in Europe.
Denmark is also allowing companies from Ukraine to set up shop in Denmark and manufacture military equipment on safer ground. Lund Poulsen said the first companies could start work as soon as September, and he urged European partners to follow suit.
Ukraine prepares for joint investments in defense
UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his daily address on Tuesday evening said officials are preparing with a sense of urgency for upcoming meetings with EU countries and other partners to talk about cooperation in weapons manufacturing.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that draft legislation on joint weapons production with allies is expected to be put to a vote in the Ukrainian parliament later this month. The proposed laws were shown to national defense companies on Tuesday, Umerov said.
The program includes plans to create a special legal and tax framework to help Ukrainian defense manufacturers scale up and modernize production, including building new facilities at home and abroad, according to Umerov.
Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said during a visit to Kyiv that Germany aims to help Ukraine manufacture more weapons more quickly. He was accompanied on the trip by German defense industry representatives.
Washington concerned about reduced stockpiles
THE US is halting some weapons deliveries to Ukraine out of concern that its own stockpiles have declined too far, officials said Tuesday. Certain munitions were longer-term commitments promised to Ukraine under the
Biden administration, though the Defense Department didn’t provide details on what specific weapons were being held back.
The details on the weapons in some of the paused deliveries were confirmed by a US official and former national security official familiar with the matter. Both requested anonymity to discuss what is being held up as the Pentagon has yet to provide details.
The halt includes some shipments of Patriot missiles, precision-guided GMLRS, Hellfire missiles and Howitzer rounds.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry summoned the US chargé d’affaires, John Hinkel, on Wednesday to discuss ongoing defense cooperation.
Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa thanked the US for its continued support, but emphasized the “critical importance” of maintaining previously allocated defense packages, especially for bolstering Ukraine’s air defense.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Pentagon’s decision will help bring a settlement closer, because “the fewer weapons supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the (war) is.”
Europe can’t fill all the gaps UNDER Trump, there have been no new announcements of US military or weapons aid to Ukraine. Between March and April, the United States allocated no new aid to Ukraine, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute, which tracks such support. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022. For the first time since June 2022, European countries 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. Analysts say Ukraine’s European allies can fill some of the gaps and provide artillery systems. But they don’t possess alternatives to the US-made HIMARS missiles and air defense systems, especially Patriots, which are crucial to help defend Ukrainian cities. It’s not clear how much weaponry Ukraine possesses or what its most urgent needs are.
The Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
House GOP clears key hurdle on Trump’s big beautiful bill, pushing it closer to vote
By Kevin Freking, Lisa Mascaro & Joey Cappelletti
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—Up all night, House Republicans voted before dawn Thursday to advance President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts package after GOP leaders worked almost around the clock trying to persuade skeptical holdouts as they race to send the bill to his desk by the Fourth of July deadline.
A roll call that started late Wednesday finally closed almost six hours later, a highly unusual stall on a procedural step. Trump, who had hosted lawmakers at the White House earlier, lashed out at the delay. Once the gavel struck, 219-213, the bill advanced to a last round of debates toward a final vote, which is expected later Thursday morning.
“Our way is to plow through and get it done,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said, emerging in the middle of the night from a series of closed-door meetings. “We will meet our July 4th deadline.”
The idea of quickly convening for a vote on the more than 800page bill after it passed the day
before in the Senate was a risky gambit, one designed to meet Trump’s demand for a holiday finish. Republicans have struggled mightily with the bill nearly every step of the way, often succeeding by the narrowest of margins—just one vote. Their slim 220-212 majority leaves little room for defections.
Several Republicans are balking at being asked to rubberstamp the Senate version less than 24 hours after passage. A number of moderate Republicans from competitive districts have objected to the Senate bill’s cuts to Medicaid, while conservatives have lambasted the legislation as straying from their fiscal goals.
“What are the Republicans
waiting for??? What are you trying to prove???” Trump railed in a post-midnight vote. He also warned starkly of political fallout from the delay “COSTING YOU VOTES!!!”
It fell to Johnson and his team to convince them that the time for negotiations is over. They needed assistance from Trump to close the deal, and lawmakers headed to the White House for a two-hour session Wednesday to talk to the president about their concerns. Trump also worked the phones.
“The president’s message was, ‘We’re on a roll,’” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. “He wants to see this.”
Republicans are relying on their majority hold of Congress to push the package over a wall of unified Democratic opposition. No Democrats voted for bill in the Senate and none were expected to do so in the House.
“Hell no!” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, flanked by fellow Democrats outside the Capitol.
In an early warning sign of Republican resistance, during a first procedural vote that also stalled out as GOP leadership waited for lawmakers who were delayed coming back to Washington and conducted closed-door negotiations with holdouts.
By nightfall, as pizzas and other dinners were arriving at the Capitol, the next steps were uncertain.
Trump pushes Republicans to do ‘the right thing’
THE bill would extend and make permanent various individual and business tax breaks from Trump’s first term, plus temporarily add new ones he promised during the 2024 campaign. This includes allowing workers to deduct tips and overtime pay, and a $6,000 deduction for most older adults earning less than $75,000 a year. In all, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts over 10 years.
The bill also provides about $350 billion for defense and Trump’s immigration crackdown. Republicans partially pay for it all through less spending on Medicaid and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office projects the bill will add about $3.3 trillion to the federal debt over the coming decade.
The House passed its version of the bill in May by a single vote, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. Now it’s being asked to give final passage to a version that, in many respects, exacerbates those concerns. The Senate bill’s projected impact on the nation’s debt, for example, is significantly higher.
“Let’s go Republicans and everyone else,” Trump said in a late evening post.
The high price of opposing Trump’s bill JOHNSON is intent on meeting Trump’s timeline and betting
that hesitant Republicans won’t cross the president because of the heavy political price they would have to pay.
They need only look to Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced his intention to vote against the legislation over the weekend. Soon, the president was calling for a primary challenger to the senator and criticizing him on social media. Tillis quickly announced he would not seek a third term.
One House Republican who has staked out opposition to the bill, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, is being targeted by Trump’s wellfunded political operation.
Democrats target vulnerable Republicans to join them in opposition FLANKED by nearly every member of his caucus, Democratic Leader Jeffries of New York delivered a pointed message: With all Democrats voting “no,” they only need to flip four Republicans to prevent the bill from passing.
Jeffries invoked the “courage” of the late Sen. John McCain giving a thumbs-down to the GOP effort to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, and singled out Republicans from districts expected to be highly competitive in 2026, including two from Pennsylvania.
“Why would Rob Bresnahan vote for this bill? Why would Scott Perry vote for this bill?” Jeffries asked.
Democrats have described the bill in dire terms, warning that Medicaid cuts would result in lives lost and food stamp cuts would be “literally ripping the food out of the mouths of children, veterans and seniors,” Jeffries said Monday.
Republicans say they are trying to right-size the safety net programs for the population they were initially designed to serve, mainly pregnant women, the disabled and children, and root out what they describe as waste, fraud and abuse.
The package includes new 80-hour-a-month work requirements for many adults receiving Medicaid and applies existing work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to more beneficiaries. States will also pick up more of the cost for food benefits.
The driving force behind the bill, however, is the tax cuts. Many expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn’t act.
The Tax Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of tax and budget policy, projected the bill would result next year in a $150 tax break for the lowest quintile of Americans, a $1,750 tax cut for the middle quintile and a $10,950 tax cut for the top quintile. That’s compared with what they would face if the 2017 tax cuts expired.
The Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Matt Brown contributed.
Denmark launches EU presidency facing war in Ukraine and Trump tariff chaos
By Lorne Cook The Associated Press
AARHUS, Denmark—Denmark
launched its presidency of the European Union on Thursday with a call for Europe to unite to take on war in Ukraine and chaos caused by US President Donald Trump’s global tariff hike which are likely to mark the Nordic country’s six-month term at the helm of the world’s biggest trading bloc.
“We have war on European soil. We face trade wars, and new tariffs, and we have our closest ally, in the United States, turning increasingly inward,” said Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre.
“Europe can no longer be in the shadow of the United States. We need now to stand on our own two feet.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were in the western city of Aarhus for a day of celebratory events as Denmark started its eighth EU presidency since joining in 1973.
Presidencies rotate between the 27 EU member countries every six months. The nation in charge sets policy priorities and organizes the bloc’s working agenda. It’s supposed to act as an “honest broker,” setting aside national interests to foster consensus. Denmark is entering its term with the motto “A Strong Europe in a Changing World.” Its aim is to help ensure the EU can take responsibility for its own security, boost economic competitiveness and tackle climate change. The ceremony was held as large parts of Europe sweltered in high temperatures. Russia’s war on Ukraine, now in its fourth year, is seen as an existential challenge in Europe and will weigh heavily on most policy debate. Economic turmoil also lies ahead.
Trump’s 90-day tariff pause ends on July 9 with no EU-US trade deal in place as yet.
Getting defense on track and gunning for 5% NATO has warned that Russia could be
See “Denmark,” A11
Trump’s tariffs would cost US employers $82.3 billion–JPMorganChase Institute
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—An analysis finds a critical group of US employers would face a direct cost of $82.3 billion from President Donald Trump’s current tariff plans, a sum that could potentially be managed through price hikes, layoffs, hiring freezes or lower profit margins.
The analysis by the JPMorganChase Institute is among the first to measure the direct costs created by the import taxes on businesses with $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue, a category including roughly a third of private-sector US workers. These companies are more dependent than other businesses on imports from China, India and Thailand—and the retail and wholesale sectors would be especially vulnerable to the import taxes being levied by the Republican president. The findings show clear tradeoffs from Trump’s import taxes, contradicting his claims foreign manufacturers would absorb the costs of the tariffs instead of US companies that rely on imports. While the tariffs launched under Trump have yet to boost overall inflation, large companies such
as Amazon, Costco, Walmart and Williams-Sonoma delayed the potential reckoning by building up their inventories before the taxes could be imposed.
The analysis comes just ahead of the July 9 deadline by Trump to formally set the tariff rates on goods from dozens of countries. Trump imposed that deadline after the financial markets panicked in response to his April tariff announcements, prompting him to schedule a 90-day negotiating period when most imports faced a 10% baseline tariff. China, Mexico and Canada face higher rates, and there are separate 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Had the initial April 2 tariffs stayed in place, the companies in the JPMorganChase Institute analysis would’ve faced additional direct costs of $187.6 billion. Under the current rates, the $82.3 billion would be equivalent on average to $2,080 per employee, or 3.1% of the average annual payroll. Those averages include firms that don’t import goods and those that do.
Asked Tuesday how trade talks are faring, Trump said simply: “Everything’s going well.”
The president has indicated he’ll set tariff rates given the logistical challenge of negotiating with so many nations. As the 90-day period comes to a close, only the United Kingdom has signed a trade framework with the Trump administration. Trump announced Wednesday he’d reached a deal with Vietnam, while India has signaled it’s close to agreeing on a trade framework.
Trump said on his social media site Vietnam will pay the US a 20% tariff on all goods sent “into our Territory” and a 40% tariff on any transshipping, which usually means exports that come from China but pass through Vietnam to dodge tariffs on Chinese goods.
In return, Vietnam will grant the US “TOTAL ACCESS” to its market for trade, Trump said, meaning “we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff.” He added he thinks SUVs “will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam.”
US reaches Vietnam trade deal with 20% import tariff–Trump
By Francesca Stevens, Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen & Jennifer A. Dlouhy
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said he had reached a trade deal with Vietnam following weeks of intense diplomacy between the nations and ahead of a deadline next week that would have seen higher tariffs imposed on the country’s imports.
A 20% tariff will be placed on Vietnamese exports to the US, with a 40% levy on any
ready to attack another European country in 3-5 years. To prepare, the military alliance—most of whose members are EU countries—has agreed that national military and defense-related investment should rise to 5% of GDP.
Denmark’s priority will be to set Europe on track to properly defend itself by 2030. That will require laying the groundwork for countries to buy the military equipment needed to execute NATO’s defense plans with Trump’s security priorities lying outside Europe.
That will mean wrapping up negotiations on proposals that will help countries purchase and make military equipment together.
Enlargement and another defense front
HELPING Ukraine, but also Moldova, to join the EU soon is another security priority. Moldova has been shaken by Russian meddling in the form of energy coercion, election interference and disinformation campaigns.
Denmark says it aims to keep the two moving toward membership together, but Hungary is blocking Ukraine’s path. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán insists that Ukraine should remain a buffer zone between Russia and NATO countries.
With fresh elections in Moldova in September, pressure is mounting for the EU to “decouple” their accession tracks. Bjerre said “all political and practical means” will be used first to persuade Hungary—a small EU country and the only one standing in Ukraine’s way—to lift its veto.
She said it’s important to send clear signals to Balkans countries. Most have waited many years to join.
Honing a competitive edge
AS Trump wages tariff war, trade has
goods deemed to be transshipped through the country, Trump said in a social-media post on Wednesday. Trump said that Vietnam had agreed to drop all levies on US imports.
“In other words, they will “OPEN THEIR MARKET TO THE UNITED STATES,” meaning that, we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff,” Trump wrote. The president said he had secured the deal after discussions with Communist Party chief To Lam.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
changed drastically. The EU has sought new trade agreements with other countries, such as India, while other trade pacts are being revamped. Denmark says it’s important to accelerate that process.
The government in Copenhagen says it’s also seeking to cut more bureaucratic red tape in order to speed up innovation.
A major challenge looms in the form of the EU’s next long-term budget. Von der Leyen plans to unveil the commission’s blueprint for the seven-year spending package, which should enter force in 2028, on July 16. With defense spending increases weighing heavily on national purses, member countries are unlikely to want to stump up more funds for European priorities. Denmark’s aim is to get the debate—which could run for two years—off on the right track.
Managing climate change
Despite some backsliding, the EU still holds to its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, by cutting greenhouse gases and compensating for any remaining emissions. Denmark will lead work on setting a 2040 target to guide climate action and investment to keep the bloc on track. Part of that will be the transition away from fossil fuels to green energy forms. Russia’s war on Ukraine has highlighted the dangers of energy dependence on any one supplier.
Sanctions and political pressure have not stopped some EU countries of getting their oil and gas from Russia, although the level of dependency has dropped markedly since 2022. Denmark says the continued phase out remains a priority.
Copenhagen also says it should be easier for farmers to respect EU rules. It wants the bloc’s agricultural policy to be simple and business friendly. One goal is to finalize negotiations on a rule simplification package.
Migration policy, outsourcing continues IN 2021, Frederiksen spoke of a vision
said in a statement that Trump pledged to continue cooperating “in resolving issues affecting bilateral trade relations” during the leaders’ call Wednesday and that To Lam proposed that the US recognize Vietnam as a “market economy and remove export restrictions on certain high-tech products.”
Although Trump shared the broad contours of the agreement, the White House has not yet released a term sheet or published any kind of proclamation codifying the arrangement. And some of the details could still be in development.
of “zero asylum-seekers,” and her government will continue down the EU track of seeking “innovative solutions” to better manage migrants. Unable to agree how best to cope, EU countries have mostly focused on deporting people. They’ve tried to establish “return hubs” in countries outside the bloc where rejected asylum-seekers could be sent. That approach will continue. Denmark says it’s important to persuade people not to set out for Europe in the first place.
Work will also continue on preparing the vast asylum and migration policy pact to come into force next year. The pact was seen as the answer to Europe’s migration woes, but countries still differ on how best
The US and UK first announced their own trade deal in early May, but it wasn’t until mid-June that Trump signed an executive order implementing the accord. And even then, key details have been set aside to be addressed later.
The deal with Vietnam would be just the third announced following agreements with the UK and China, as trading partners race to cut agreements with the US ahead of a July 9 deadline. Trump had imposed a
See “Tariff,” A12
to tackle the challenge.
Under international law, people have a right to asylum if they fear for their lives, safety or persecution.
There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting more inflation could surface. The investment bank Goldman Sachs said in a report it expects companies to pass 60% of their tariff costs onto consumers. The Atlanta Federal Reserve has used its survey of businesses’ inflation expectations to say companies could on average pass along roughly half their costs from a 10% tariff or a 25% tariff without reducing consumer demand.
The JPMorganChase Institute findings suggest the tariffs could cause some domestic manufacturers to strengthen their roles as suppliers of goods. But it noted companies need to plan for a range of possible outcomes and wholesalers and retailers already operate on such low profit margins they might need to spread the tariffs’ costs to their customers.
The outlook for tariffs remains
highly uncertain. Trump had stopped negotiations with Canada, only to restart them after the country dropped its plan to tax digital services. He similarly on Monday threatened more tariffs on Japan unless it buys more rice from the US.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday the concessions from the trade talks have impressed career officials at the Office of the US Trade Representative and other agencies. The treasury secretary said the Trump administration plans to discuss the contours of trade deals next week, prioritizing the tax cuts package passed on Tuesday by the Republican majority in the Senate. Trump has set a Friday deadline for passage of the multitrilliondollar package, the costs of which the president hopes to offset with tariff revenues.
DEATHS of ethnic Azerbaijanis rounded up by police for decades-old murders in a Russian city. The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet that Baku blamed on Moscow. Growing ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey, along with waning Russian influence in the troubled South Caucasus region.
These are among the factors that have led to the escalating tensions between Russia and Azerbaijan, the oil-rich Caspian Sea country where President Ilhan Aliyev has been in power since 2003—almost as long as the 25-year rule of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Here is a look at the previously warm relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan and what has happened:
Economic ties between Russia and Azerbaijan RUSSIA and Azerbaijan developed strong economic and cultural ties after 1993 when Aliyev’s father, Heydar, who also was Azerbaijan’s Soviet-era Communist boss, became president. Like Putin, the younger Aliyev has suppressed political foes and restricted independent media.
Azerbaijan has bought oil and natural gas from Russia to meet internal demand while exporting its own energy riches to the West. Russia also has been the main market for Azerbaijan’s fruit and vegetable exports. It also is a key transport corridor for Russia’s trade with Iran and other partners in the Middle East.
Azerbaijani businessmen control significant assets in construction, real estate, trade and other sectors of the Russian economy.
Russia is home to a sizable Azerbaijani diaspora. A 2021 census listed about a halfmillion ethnic Azerbaijanis living in Russia, but unofficial estimates put that number as high as 2 million.
Relations with Baku have become increasingly important for the Kremlin since it sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, especially as Turkey has become a key economic partner for Russia as it faced sweeping Western sanctions. The Karabakh separatist conflict JUST before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, an open confrontation erupted between two of its former republics in the South Caucasus—Azerbaijan and its neighbor, Armenia. After years of fighting, Armenian-backed separatists won control of Azerbaijan’s re -
gion of Karabakh and nearby territories. Russia claimed neutrality in the conflict even though it provided economic assistance and supplied weapons to Armenia that hosted its military base. Moscow cosponsored peace talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, but they didn’t produce a deal.
In 2020, Azerbaijan’s military, bolstered by weapons supplied by ally Turkey, recaptured broad swaths of territory that were held for nearly three decades by Armenian forces. Russia brokered a truce and deployed about 2,000 peacekeepers to the region.
Azerbaijan reclaimed full control of Karabakh in September 2023 after a lightning military campaign. Russia, busy with its war in Ukraine, didn’t intervene, angering Armenia’s leadership that responded by scaling down its ties with Moscow and bolstering relations with the West.
The victory in Karabakh has fueled Azerbaijan’s ambitions and prompted Aliyev to take a more assertive stand in relations with his neighbors.
The crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight
ON December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashed while on a flight from Baku to Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Azerbaijani authorities said the jet was accidentally hit by fire from Russian air defenses, then tried to land in western Kazakhstan when it crashed, killing 38 of 67 people aboard.
Putin apologized to Aliyev for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging responsibility. Aliyev, meanwhile, criticized Moscow for trying to “hush up” the incident.
In May, Aliyev declined to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow alongside other leaders of ex-Soviet nations. Later that month, a Ukrainian foreign
Continued from A11
46% duty on Vietnam as part of his initial rollout of so-called reciprocal tariffs in early April that were levied on dozens of countries, but were then pared back to 10% to allow time for negotiations.
The deal risks provoking retaliatory steps from China, according to Bloomberg Economics.
“Beijing has made clear that it would respond to deals that came at the expense of Chinese interests and the decision to agree to a higher tariff on goods deemed to be “transshipped” through Vietnam may fall in that category,” Bloomberg’s Rana Sajedi wrote in a research note.
Vietnam posed a particular challenge for the Trump administration, as some of the president’s top advisers view the nation as a strategic partner in efforts to counter China in Asia. At the same time, its exports have become staples for American consumers.
The Southeast Asian nation has seen its sales to US markets surge in recent years, partly because manufacturers shifted production there from China. It’s a major supplier of textiles and sportswear, hosting factories for companies such as Nike Inc., Gap Inc. and Lululemon Athletica Inc. Vietnam was the sixth-biggest supplier of US imports last year, sending goods worth almost $137 billion, according to Census Bureau data. Its trade surplus with the US was the third-largest globally on a country basis behind only China and Mexico.
Shipments in May jumped 35% as firms sought to get goods onto vessels as quickly as possible ahead of the deadline.
minister visited Baku, a sign of closer ties with Kyiv.
Police raids lead to heightened tensions
ON June 27, police raided the homes of several ethnic Azerbaijanis in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, in what authorities said was part of an investigation into murders dating back decades. Brothers Huseyn and Ziyaddin Safarov died and several other ethnic Azerbaijanis were seriously injured.
The bodies were sent to Azerbaijan, where authorities attributed the deaths to “post-traumatic shock caused by multiple injuries.” The Prosecutor General’s Office said the brothers were subjected to beatings and other physical abuse by Russian police.
Azerbaijan responded by calling off previously scheduled Russian official visits and cultural events.
On Monday, masked police stormed the Baku offices of Sputnik Azerbaijan, a Kremlin-funded media outlet, and arrested seven of its employees. Police also rounded up eight other Russian IT experts and other professionals, who were accused of drug trafficking and cybercrime. Images of the detainees, who didn’t have any known criminal record, showed their faces were badly bruised. The images caused outrage in Russia where many hawkish commentators accused Azerbaijan of treating Russians as hostages and urged a tough response.
Russia on Tuesday briefly detained the leader of the Azerbaijani community in Yekaterinburg for interrogation. A video on Russian social media showed special forces breaking the windows of
his vehicle, dragging him and his son out, and making them lie face down on the pavement. A prominent member of the Azerbaijani diaspora also was arrested in Voronezh in southern Russia.
Tough talk from Baku and Moscow AZERBAIJAN strongly condemned what it called “the demonstrative and deliberate acts of extrajudicial killing and violence” by Russian police following the deaths in Yekaterinburg.
After the arrests of the Sputnik employees and other Russians in Baku, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador to protest “the recent unfriendly actions of Baku and the intentional steps of the Azerbaijani side aimed to dismantle bilateral relations.”
Azerbaijan shot back by summoning the Russian ambassador to demand a probe into the deaths, punishment for those responsible and compensation for the victims—steps it said were “crucial for eliminating the negative atmosphere in bilateral relations.” It shrugged off Moscow’s complaints about the arrests of Russians in Baku.
Aliyev discussed the tensions with Russia in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an act that seemed designed to rile the Kremlin. Zelenskyy said he expressed support for Baku “in a situation where Russia is bullying Azerbaijani citizens and threatening the Republic of Azerbaijan.”
Asked about the call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that “Ukraine will do everything possible to add fuel to the fire and provoke the Azerbaijani side to continue emotional actions.”
The S&P 500 rose after Trump’s post, with shares in furniture stocks and apparel makers recording gains. ON Holding, Nike and Lululemon all jumped to hit session highs.
Some US officials wanted to calibrate tariffs for Vietnam and others in Southeast Asia to ensure they’re sufficiently lower than what’s imposed on China, to encourage production to leave that country.
The higher 40% rate announced Wednesday would be imposed on goods deemed to be “transshipping” — where components from China and possibly other nations are routed through Vietnam or subject to only minimal final assembly before being exported to the US.
Ferry disaster near Bali: Rescuers search for 30 missing after 4 deaths
By Firdia Lisnawati, Edna Tarigan & Niniek Karmini The Associated Press
GILIMANUK, Indonesia—Rescuers were searching Thursday for 30 people who were missing after a ferry sank and four people died the previous night near Indonesia’s resort island of Bali.
As of Thursday afternoon, 31 people had been rescued from the ferry’s 53 passengers and 12 crew members, the National Search and Rescue Agency said in a statement.
The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving Ketapang port in the East Java town of Banyuwangi late Wednesday for a 50-kilometer (30mile) trip to Bali’s Gilimanuk port, authorities said.
A helicopter and nine boats including two tug boats and two inflatable boats searched for survivors with assistance from fishermen and people onshore. Strong waves up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) high and darkness hampered emergency responders overnight, but an official said improved weather and sea conditions Thursday morning were assisting the search effort.
“For today’s search we are focusing on searching on the water, as the initial victims were found in the water between the location of the accident toward Gilimanuk port,” Surabaya Search and Rescue head Nanang Sigit said in a statement.
An officer at the port witnessed the sinking before rescuers could be alerted.
“The ferry could not be contacted via radio from the beginning. Then it could be contacted by other ships from the same company. But the ship was already in a tilting condition,” Sigit said.
Many of those rescued were unconscious after drifting in choppy waters for hours, Banyuwangi Police Chief Rama Samtama Putra said.
Indonesian authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. Survivors told rescuers there appeared to be a leak in the engine room of the ferry, which was carrying 22 vehicles including 14 trucks. Some family members arrived at the port in a panic or weeping as they sought information about their loved ones.
Survivors were taken to nearby medical facilities including Jembrana Regional Hospital in Bali.
“When the ferry started to tilt, I initially intended to jump into the sea, but the ship quickly sank, so I did not jump any more but sank with the water entering the ship, maybe about 7 meters (23 feet) deep, so I immediately climbed up to the top,” said Supardi, 64, a survivor at the hospital.
Tarigan and Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Boosting US auto exports to Vietnam will be an ambitious goal, since even the cheaper and more compact American-made SUVs may prove expensive by comparison with competitors from other countries. Also, Vietnam is a relatively poor country—with per-capita incomes of around $4,500,
That’s been a major concern for Trump’s top trade advisers, including Peter Navarro, who described Vietnam as “essentially a colony of communist China” during an April interview with Fox News. Full details of what goods would be subject to that higher rate were not immediately available. US exports to Vietnam were worth just $15 billion last year. Trump touted the prospect of a boost in auto sales as a result of the deal.
“It is my opinion that the SUV or, as it is sometimes referred to, Large Engine Vehicle, which does so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam,” he wrote on Truth Social.
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, left, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev enter a hall during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 8, 2024.
KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP
Escudero pushes for transparency with new bill to waive bank deposit secrecy for public officials
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ENATE President Francis
S“Chiz” G. Escudero has renewed his call for transparency and accountability in government by refiling a measure that mandates all public officials and employees to waive their rights under Republic Act No. 1405, or the Law on the Secrecy of Bank Deposits, and Republic Act No. 6426, or the Foreign Currency Deposit Act.
Under the Escudero bill, government personnel—except those serving in an honorary capacity— will be required to submit a written waiver authorizing the Office of the Ombudsman to examine all their deposits and investments, including foreign currency accounts, in a fresh bid to reinforce anti-corruption efforts and bolster public trust in government institutions.
“This bill has languished for too long,” the Senate chief said, referring to its previous iterations. “I’m hopeful that this time, we can turn the rhetoric of transparency into action.”
He has been filing the bill on lifting the confidentiality of bank deposits since 2013, grounded in the belief that public office is a public trust and that all government officials and employees are accountable to the public.
The measure, if approved, will ensure that no civil servant—regardless of rank—can use his or her position to plunder public coffers.
The veteran legislator emphasized that the secrecy of bank deposits, while historically enacted to encourage savings and economic development, now acts as a shield for illicit activity.
“The laws may have served their purpose in the past, but their rigidity has enabled corruption to thrive under the guise of confidentiality,” he said. “We are the last country standing in preserving absolute secrecy. That distinction doesn’t protect
democracy but rather, it undermines it,” Escudero said.
He cited the bill’s explanatory note, which warns that institutions can be exploited to hide illegal wealth, launder money, evade taxes, and commit other financial crimes under a statutorily mandated veil.
“Verily, any person who has nothing to hide in secret would only welcome this proposal in the name of transparency and accountability,” the Senate chief wrote in the explanatory note, adding that government itself should lead the charge for reform and signal a systemic shift toward openness.
In addition to the proposed waiver of bank secrecy, the veteran legislator has filed on Monday the following bills he wanted prioritized by the 20th Congress:
n An act prohibiting interference by national government agencies in the use of the National Tax Allotment and locally-generated revenues of Local Government Units
n A measure to further strengthen local autonomy by amending the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160)
n An act providing temporary tax relief to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to boost business competitiveness
n An act reducing compliance costs for MSMEs by amending the National Internal Revenue Code
n An act increasing and automatically adjusting the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) for government employees
n An act reinstating mandatory credit allocation for MSMEs and penalizing noncompliance
n An act updating the Condominium Act (RA 4726) to promote responsible redevelopment
n An act creating a Tripartite Council to address unemployment, job-skills mismatch, and tech-induced displacement, and
n An act lowering the compulsory retirement age of DepEd personnel from 65 to 60 years old.
NNC, UNICEF kick off Nutrition Month with child health agenda
THE National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) are working together this July to promote access to nutritious food, health services and better feeding practices, as the country celebrates Nutrition Month 2025.
At the heart of this year’s campaign is the theme “Sama-sama sa Nutrisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” or “Together for Adequate Nutrition for All,” which officials said signals a multi-sector effort to address persistent food poverty, especially among young children.
“Through the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028, we are helping local governments strengthen programs that improve children’s diets, especially during the first 1,000 days of life,” Rosalina Bascao, NNN officer-in-charge executive director, said.
On one hand, Unicef Philippines acting representative Behzad Noubary stressed the urgency of addressing child food poverty, which he described as “essential to fulfilling their right to proper nutrition.”
“Unicef supports the government in strengthening climateresilient systems that improve children’s diverse and sustainable diets—from complementary feeding programmes to communitylevel services and national policies,” Noubary said.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to safe, nutritious, affordable, and age-appropriate food,” he said.
‘Ayuda, PBBM rice distribution weaponized in mid-term polls’
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE partisan deployment of public assistance programs and subsidized government services skewed the playing field in the 2025 midterm elections, according to the election observers from the European Union.
Citing credible reports, the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), cited the ayuda programs—ranging from cash and nutrition aid to funeral and education grants—were politically weaponized in key battlegrounds, especially by incumbents.
“The playing field was skewed in favor of incumbents, with the EU EOM observing or receiving credible reports of the partisan distribution of welfare payouts [ayuda] across the country,” the report said.
Several of these initiatives were reportedly funded through congressional insertions, bypassing standard oversight and reinforcing entrenched patronage networks.
EU observers witnessed votebuying through ayuda distribution in Bohol, Davao Oriental, La Union, Palawan, Quezon, Siquijor, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur provinces.
“Several EU observers also reported that incumbents across the country used official vehicles or offices for campaigning purposes,” it added.
The distribution of subsidized rice branded with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initials (BBM) shortly before election day and free public transportation in Metro Manila over Labor Day weekend garnered extensive media coverage.
While not formally part of the President’s campaign, the initiatives “amplified the visibility of administration-aligned candidates,” the report noted.
The Department of Agriculture temporarily paused the rice program following a May 1 request from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), resuming it only after the vote.
The EU observers also noticed a “visible spike” in commercial activity shortly before and after May 12, the election day. E-payment applications G-Cash and Maya restricted options for money transfers on Election Day to combat vote buying.
In some instances, candidates target entire communities rather than individual voters.
Comelec responded to growing public pressure by launching over 800 investigations and issuing more than 200 show cause orders related to alleged vote buying and politically motivated distribution of assistance.
One congressional candidate was disqualified for violating votebuying rules.
However, observers flagged inconsistent enforcement, citing instances where local law enforcement appeared reluctant to pursue complaints involving politically influential figures.
From January to May, the Philippine National Police recorded 43 vote-buying cases, tagging 96 suspects and arresting 50 individuals. Still, observers described those efforts as insufficient given the breadth of allegations received.
Beyond its critique of votebuying mechanisms, the EU EOM delivered a broader institutional diagnosis: outdated electoral laws, opaque disqualification standards, and limited protections for candidate inclusivity.
“This report echoes the voices of our Filipino interlocutors across media, civil society, and officialdom,” said Chief Observer Marta
Temido. “We reported not just what we observed, but also what was feared and hoped for.” Temido outlined seven priority reforms, including harmonizing the country’s fragmented election laws, scrapping blanket voting bans for ex-convicts, repealing criminal defamation laws, and introducing temporary gender parity measures. She also emphasized the link between ballot secrecy and curbing vote buying, urging Comelec to redesign precinct layouts and train staff accordingly.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia welcomed the recommendations, calling the EU report an “eye-opener.”
“With the help of EU, we can now have a partner in convincing our Congress that this is the most high time to change our rules,” Garcia said. “We were very glad in reading this [final report], and in implementing your recommendations.”
Garcia reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enhancing electoral inclusivity and transparency, and to working with both domestic stakeholders and international partners to ensure a level playing field in future elections.
Sustainable transport: John Hay Loop electric shuttle service to start July 15
By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan
ASIX -month trial run of the “John Hay Loop,” an electric-vehicle transport shuttle service in Camp John Hay, is set to launch soon, which aims to boost accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance “visitor experience” within the zone, according to state-run firm Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
BCDA said the pilot run aims to assess the viability, performance, and community impact of the proposed intra-zone transport service.
Targeted to start on July 15, BCDA said the trial run will involve an initial three units of electric vehicles that will operate around Camp John Hay with no fare required from passengers.
feedback collection, operational data gathering, and performance evaluation.
“They will then provide recommendations and design inputs for the long-term implementation of John Hay Loop,” the state-run firm also noted.
CBSTC CEO Jude Wal explained that the cooperative will operate the latest e-vehicle technology that can navigate the rough terrain of Baguio City, making them also viable for other areas in the Cordillera region.
BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said: “Through this project, the BCDA seeks to show its commitment to help Baguio City and the community in addressing emerging urban problems, while also fulfilling our promise to take care of the environment and Baguio’s natural charm and beauty.”
“[This] deprives them of proteins and micronutrients necessary for growth and development,” it said.
According to their data, 1 in 2 children under five in the Philippines lives in food poverty. Worse, around 13 percent suffer from severe food poverty, meaning they eat from just two or fewer essential food groups in a day.
“Among children aged 6-23 months—the age when infants consume solid foods in combination with breastmilk—only 1 in 5 meets the minimum dietary diversity needed for healthy development,” the organization stated.
Unicef further reported that among the poorest households, only 17.8 percent of young children receive a varied diet. These children are 50 percent more likely to become wasted (too thin for their height) and 34 percent more likely to be stunted (too short for their age)—both indicators of chronic undernutrition.
The organization also noted that between 2019 and 2022, the cost of maintaining a healthy diet in the Philippines more than doubled. As of the latest estimate, 67 percent of households cannot afford even a nutrientadequate diet.
In addition to economic barriers, the food environment contributes to the issue. Unicef said that 3 out of 4 Filipino children are exposed to advertisements for products high in sugar, salt, and fat—foods that often displace more nutritious meals prepared at home. Bless Aubrey Ogerio
Unicef defines child food poverty as a condition where children consume fewer than five of the eight key food groups in a day, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, legumes, meat and other nutrient-rich sources.
In a statement on Thursday, the state-run firm divulged that its subsidiary John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) formalized the partnership with South Korea-based DeviceDesign Co. Ltd. and Cordillera Basic Sector Transport Cooperative (CBSTC) with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the pilot run.
The pilot shuttle service will “loop around” designated stations around Camp John Hay, with predetermined routes and schedules to be finalized by the parties prior to the start of operations.
According to BCDA, the parent company of John Hay management Corporation, DeviceDesign and the CBSTC will evaluate commuter experience and assess logistical and operational constraints of the service through ridership monitoring, customer
For his part, the South Koreabased DeviceDesign President and CEO Young Guk Cho said Camp John Hay can become a “model for smart and green city development” in the Philippines.
“This project is not just about technology, it’s about improving life and building a brighter future for the people of Baguio and beyond,” the state-run firm also noted.
“This also exhibits BCDA’s innovation-driven outlook for its properties—our willingness to embrace climate-resilient mobility solutions to drive sustainable development, enhance efficiency, and create smarter, future-ready communities,” Bingcang also noted.
BCDA said the John Hay Loop project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal No. 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and Goal No. 13: Climate Action.
PSA data: Tourism’s carbon footprint grows by 25 percent in 2024
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE tourism sector in the country produced 25.2 percent more carbon emissions in 2024 than it did the previous year, as travel and visitor activity picked up nationwide, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data released on Thursday indicated that tourism-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, mainly from electricity and fuel
TBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
O mitigate flooding in Metro Manila with the start of the rainy season, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to tap its emergency employment beneficiaries to help in the clearing of drainage systems in the region.
“The President has ordered the immediate cleaning of drainages because this will help prevent rapid flooding, especially here in Metro Manila,” Palace Press Officer Claire
use, reached 10,123.62 gigagrams (Gg) in 2024. This was up from 8,084.38 Gg in 2023. Transport services such as land, sea and air travel were the biggest source of emissions, responsible for 7,015.23 Gg or 69.3 percent of the total. Next came accommodation services for visitors, which contributed 1,637.97 Gg or 12.3 percent, followed by entertainment and recreation with 504.90 Gg, or 5 percent.
Castro said in a press briefing last Thursday. Under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), DOLE provides temporary employment, which lasts 10 to 30 days to qualified beneficiaries.
Aside from emissions, the report showed that water use by the tourism sector also went up. In 2024, the industry used 222.32 million cubic meters of water—an 8.7 percent rise from 204.56 million the previous year.
Hotels and other lodging places used the most water, accounting for 95.11 million cubic meters, or nearly 43 percent of total consumption.
Energy use from electricity
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has identified 23 priority drainage in the National Capital Region, which need to be cleared for trash and other blockage. Last month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the official start of the rainy season. Castro said
and fuel also grew, reaching 7,487.95 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (KTOE) in 2024. This was a 20.9 percent increase from 2023. Once again, transportation took the lead in energy use, making up 2,948.21 KTOE, or 39.4 percent of the sector’s total.
Introduced in 2021, PSA’s Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) aims to monitor how tourism affects the environment, economy and society.
A collective stand against corruption
IN a resolute statement, the Department of Education (DepEd) has reiterated its unwavering zero tolerance for “pay-for-positions” schemes, emphasizing that positions within the agency should be earned, not bought. This declaration is a crucial step in the fight against graft and corruption, but it must be echoed by all government agencies to create a unified front against these insidious practices. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “DepEd stresses zero tolerance for ‘pay-for-positions’ schemes,” June 27, 2025).
Corruption, particularly in the public sector, erodes trust in institutions and undermines the very foundation of democracy. The DepEd’s commitment to merit-based appointments and promotions is commendable, yet it highlights a systemic issue that requires a broader, more cohesive response from all government entities. When one agency takes a stand against corruption, it sets a precedent; however, without a collective commitment across all departments, efforts can easily fall short.
The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. The DepEd has warned that any act of soliciting or receiving money or favors in exchange for positions is not only unethical but also punishable under existing laws, including the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. This clear stance must be matched by similar proclamations from other government bodies, reinforcing the message that corruption is unacceptable in any form.
Moreover, the encouragement for whistleblowers to come forward is a vital component in this struggle. It is essential that all government agencies ensure the protection of these individuals, fostering an environment where citizens feel safe to report wrongdoing. The assurance of confidentiality from the DepEd is a necessary first step, but it must be a standard practice across all levels of government.
To effectively curb corruption, we need a harmonized approach. Each agency, from local governments to national departments, must publicly declare their commitment to integrity and transparency. This unified stance will not only help in deterring corrupt practices but will also restore public confidence in government institutions.
The call for accountability and transparency is not just a bureaucratic formality; it is a moral imperative. The DepEd shines as a symbol of hope for more ethical governance by steadfastly upholding its mission to promote integrity. However, for this hope to translate into meaningful change, all sectors of government must join in this crucial fight against corruption.
The battle against graft and corruption is a collective responsibility. The DepEd’s declaration is a vital step, but it must resonate throughout the entire government apparatus. Only through a unified commitment to integrity can we hope to dismantle the systems that enable corruption and build a future where positions are earned through merit and dedication, not bought through deceit.
Now is the time for all citizens to unite and amplify the call for a corruption-free government that truly serves the people. By working together, we can help promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. This collective effort can lead to a brighter future where public resources are utilized for the greater good.
BusinessMirror
Doctrine of fair use in copyright infringement cases
THE
“Fair
Use” doctrine allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for specific purposes.
Copyright infringement is a trespass on a private domain owned by the owner of the copyright and protected by law.
Copyright infringement occurs when someone performs an act that is the exclusive right of the copyright holder, without obtaining the copyright holder’s permission. It involves using copyrighted material in an unauthorized way. (Columbia Pictures Inc. v. Court of Appeals, 329 Phil. 875, 926).
But copyright protection is not intended to give the copyright owner absolute control over all possible exploitation of his work.
The Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293), under Section 185, provides for limitations (“statutory fair uses”) on the economic rights of authors comprising of acts which do not constitute copyright infringement even if done without the consent of the copyright holder.
Fair use is an exception to the copyright owner’s monopoly of the use of the work to avoid stifling “the very creativity which that law is de-
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes
D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan BusinessMirror is
signed to foster.”
Fair use is determined by looking at four factors: (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether it is for profit or non-profit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the work; (3) how much of the work is used; and (4) the effect of the use on the value of the work.
In his separate opinion in COSAC, Inc. v. Filipino Society of Composers/FILSCAP (GR 222537 February 28, 2023), my UP Law professor and Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen cited an earlier case of ABS-CBN v. Gozon, et al. (GR 195956, March 11, 2015) that expounded the four-factor test to determine fair use:
First, the purpose and character of the use of the copyrighted material must fall under those listed in Section 185, thus: “criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching including multiple copies for classroom, use, scholarship, research, and similar purposes.”
The purpose and character requirement is important in view of
Trust and the economy
IT brings much comfort to imagine a society where one can walk the streets at night without fear of getting robbed or molested; where one can buy a gadget or have a car fixed without having to doubt the quality of the good or service; where one can lodge grievances or complaints without hesitation, for he can rely on others to act swiftly and meaningfully upon them. These pretty much describe how a high-trust society looks like.
What exactly does trust mean anyway? According to the World Bank, trust refers to a person’s belief that another person or institution will act consistently with expectations of positive behavior. There are different types of trust. There is trust in political leadership. There is trust in institutions such as the justice system, the police, the hospitals, and many others. There is also trust between individuals within society across a range of social ties—family, neighbors, friends, work colleagues,
people one meets for the first time, people from other localities, people from other nationalities, and people from other religions. It is sad to note, though, that the Philippines has been considered, by and large, a low-trust society, especially when it comes to generalized trust. The World Values Survey indicates that only 3 percent of Filipinos believe that most people can be trusted. Although Filipinos often exhibit high levels of trust within their families and close circles (par-
copyright’s goal to promote creativity and encourage creation of works. Hence, commercial use of the copyrighted work can be weighed against fair use. The “transformative test” is whether the copy of the work adds “new expression, meaning or message” to transform it into something else.
Second, the nature of the copyrighted work is significant in deciding whether its use was fair. If the nature of the work is more factual than creative, then fair use will be weighed in favor of the user.
Third, the amount and substantiality of the portion used is important to determine whether usage falls under fair use. An exact reproduction of a copyrighted work, compared to a small portion of it, can result in the conclusion that its use is not fair. There may also be cases where, though the entirety of the copyrighted work is used without consent, its purpose determines that the usage is still fair.
Lastly, the effect of the use on the copyrighted work’s market is also weighed for or against the user. If the use had or will have a negative impact on the copyrighted work’s market, then the use is deemed unfair.
The Supreme Court used “fair use” in determining there was no copyright infringement in the recent case of FILSCAP v. Wolfpac Communications Inc. ( February 25, 2025 GR 184661) as it ruled that ringtone before buying it does not violate copyright laws. Wolfpac used it to provide potential consumers with
ticularized trust), this does not necessarily translate to a wider sense of trust in the broader community or institutions.
Why is this so? In his opinion article published last year, Mr. Joel Luna, former Chief Architect, Vice President, and Head of Ayala Land, highlighted the geographical fragmentation of the Philippine archipelago, which deterred the development of a homogeneous society that would have made cooperation easier and more natural. Another factor Mr. Luna cited was colonization that spanned centuries, followed by a history of abusive political rule, which would deeply etch in the collective psyche a skepticism toward others and a value for insularity.
While the causes of such a collective sense of mistrust are complex, it is easier to describe its consequences.
Intuitively, high social trust leads to economic cooperation, which leads to prosperity, which, in turn, further enhances trust in a virtuous circle. Conversely, low social trust leads to low cooperation, which leads to poverty, which, in turn, will further erode trust. A low-trust regime, therefore, could well be a
the means to make an informed choice whether or not to download the songs. Fair use was not allowed as defense in the cases involving restaurants: Cosac v. FILSCAP, Icebergs v. FILSCAP (GR 256091, April 12, 2023), and Filscap v. Anrey (GR 233918, August 9, 2022). FILSCAP failed to receive the benefit of license fees from the restaurants, which publicly performed without license or authority the subject copyrighted works for the benefit of its customers and to enhance its profit. This commercial use is beyond the normal exploitation of the copyright holder’s creative work. But where the benefits are merely complementary or incidental, fair use may properly be considered.
The SC disregarded “fair use” in Habana v. Robles (GR 131522 July 19, 1999) involving books. Quotations from a published work if they are compatible with fair use and only to the extent justified by the purpose are allowed provided that the source and the name of the author, if appearing on the work, are mentioned.
In March 2024, the IP Office of the Philippines released its fair use guidelines to provide clarity and guidance to Filipino creatives, educators and innovators in fostering a deeper understanding of IP rights.
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is the Junior partner who heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808.
poverty trap. Of course, no one in his right mind would want to remain stuck in poverty. That is why AmBisyon Natin 2040, the long-term vision for the Philippines, aspires for a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor. A key component of this vision is building a hightrust society where there is trust in public institutions and among citizens. This high-trust environment is considered vital for building the nation and achieving the goals outlined in AmBisyon Natin 2040. What should be done to build a high-trust society? With the theme “The Accountability Revolution: Why Filipinos Demand Proof Before Full Trust,” the 2024 Philippine Trust Study, which was conducted by EON The Stakeholders Relations Group, in collaboration with the Department of Development Studies at Ateneo de Manila University, underscored the multifaceted nature of trust among Filipinos. The study emphasized that trust should not rest solely on rhetoric or idealism. Instead, trust should be firmly based on a framework of tangible and visible proof reflecting See “Eagle
EAGLE WATCH
Amicus Curiae
Dennis Gorecho
Sweden’s Arctic railway prepares for a more militarized future
By Lars Paulsson
Ltraffic control center.
There had been another accident in the area, the second in less than three months. It would be almost two weeks before trains could resume their travel along Malmbanan, or the Iron Ore Line, between the world’s biggest underground iron ore mine and the export port on the coast of Norway. Her first thoughts were of sabotage.
“Could an outsider be involved?” the LKAB logistics boss wondered. “It was an uncomfortable possibility, given the way the world looks today.” That turned out to be a red herring—the accident had been caused by harsh winter weather. But Bjurholt had good reason to suspect otherwise. The war in Ukraine was then entering its third year, and with Finland a new Nato member and Sweden close to becoming one, relations between Russia and the Nordic countries were strained. Since then, the situation has only gotten more tense, and the 500-kilometer-long (310 mile) Malmbanan line remains a prime target.
For nearly 150 years, Malmbanan trains have hauled iron ore, the main component in steel, across the barren, mountainous landscape of Sweden’s far north. The state-owned line supplied German steelmakers during the Second World War, and LKAB’s iron ore now accounts for about 80 percent of the European Union’s output, going into tanks, guns and other military equipment the bloc is racing to produce. Should Finland’s more than 1,300-kilometer-long border with Russia ever become an active front, the track would also be one of the best ways for NATO to transport vehicles and supplies. Kiruna, the town that’s home to the iron ore mine, is little more than 540 kilometers away from the Russian military hub of Murmansk.
While war is not seen as imminent, it is a possibility that leaders are actively preparing for. Since Sweden became NATO’s newest member in March 2024, the number of suspected hybrid attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure has risen. Its banking services and a public broadcaster have been subjected to cyberattacks, water facilities have been mysteriously damaged and police are investigating incidents of suspected sabotage against about 30 cell phone towers in the east of the country.
“Sweden is not at war,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a security conference in January, referring to the situation. “But there is no peace, either.”
Speaking in The Hague last week, Sweden’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that Russia has singled out the Arctic region as its “second-most important foreign policy priority” after the post-Soviet states. In recent years, she added, “we’ve also seen how both the number and extent of the Russian military activities in the Arctic have increased.”
While Sweden’s Security Service declined to comment specifically on Malmbanan, it released a report in March that underscored the threats facing the country’s critical infrastructure. LKAB also abstained from discussing the railway’s security in any detail, simply calling it a “big priority.”
As NATO and Sweden ramp up military activity in the north, demands on the transit network will increase, said Magnus Stahl, Colonel and Commander of Sweden’s Northern Military Region.
“Malmbanan is incredibly important for Sweden,” he said during an interview in the garrison town of Boden. But, he warned, “it’s very easy to damage infrastructure like a railway or a bridge.”
Connecting this infrastructure to other parts of the region presents
Vlogging for advocacy
Aanother challenge. Because Finland was part of the Russian empire when its railways were built, its gauge is about 90 millimeters wider than Sweden’s, meaning trains can’t seamlessly travel between countries like in most parts of Europe.
A study recently estimated that replacing the tracks between the Swedish border and the towns of Oulu and Rovaniemi alone would cost about €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion). To address the issue, the Finnish government said last month that it may end up building new lines with narrower track gauges alongside existing ones, and in some places, interlacing the two.
In the meantime, Malmbanan is in dire need of upgrades. After decades of underinvestment, demand for space on the line is outstripping availability. LKAB runs about 14 return trips a day, and other companies also use the railway to ship goods and offer passenger services. Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, described Malmbanan in an email interview as the most “congested train line in the country.” With only one track, any accident or unexpected problem could shut down the entire system—as happened in December 2023, February 2024 and again just a few weeks ago.
Albin Enbacke, one of LKAB’s roughly 100 drivers, is used to delays. Some are caused by run-of-the-mill problems like track obstructions and gear failures, others by avalanches and traffic jams. He now shows up for shifts with yogurt or nuts, or anything he can cook on the hotplate in the driver’s cabin. “You need to bring some emergency food. You never know if there will be a stop and you’ll get stuck.”
Bolstering Malmbanan’s capacity and long-term resilience is not only a Swedish priority. Bane Nor, the operator on the Norwegian side of the border, expects a 43 percent increase in traffic over the next 20 years and has already allocated 2.6 billion Norwegian kroner ($260 million) to upgrades.
In Sweden, more than two dozen renovation and improvement projects are underway or slated to start in the next few years, according to the website of Sweden’s Transport Administration, including ones to replace aging rails and install new signaling systems. Tracks will also be reinforced to accommodate heavier trains, Carlson said, and there are plans to install double tracks between Boden and Lulea. While LKAB has been pushing for double tracks along the entire length of the line, an early estimate from the Transport Administration suggests that this could take as much as €11 billion and up to three decades to plan and complete.
As a project leader at the agency, Joran Gartner spends his days finding ways to implement fixes that will ease pressure on the system.
During a recent visit to a site near Boden, Gartner pointed at three tracks that ran parallel to each other for several hundred meters. In the past, that was enough room for iron-ore trains to pass each other safely. But as the length of trains have expanded over the years, that’s no longer the case.
Once his latest upgrades are finished—including the construction of a roughly one kilometer-long track where trains can meet oncoming traffic—additional capacity will open up. Still, he cautioned, the system will remain vulnerable to disturbances and delays.
“These measures,” he said, “are just about providing life support.”
With assistance from Kari Lundgren, Charlie Duxbury and Jade Khatib/Bloomberg
Tito Genova Valiente
ANNOTATIONS
T the onset of the pandemic in 2020, I would wake up late for breakfast and, while sipping my coffee and eating (it was always) the pan de sal with salted butter (this was before the onslaught of unsalted butter in cafes and hotels), I would open my laptop, surf the Internet and watched all the vlogs available online. It was then that I developed my fondness for travel vlogs, which began with the river cruise in England and went on to cover walks in the countryside of Switzerland and the northernmost countries of Norway and Sweden. It must have been my own isolation due to the Covid virus that urged me to look into how there was beauty in the naturally scenic isolation of these particular sites.
All these vlogs shared something in common: they were quiet vlogs and were there dialogues, they were sparse. In the case of a Japanese vlogger named Kuga, he would insert terse and witty captions, nothing more and nothing less. Soon, I formed my own standard for good vlogs: striking images and strong visuals that did not warrant any sound of a recognizable human language. This meant the American vloggers were counted out; they were always interested in supplying you with their own interpretations of their journey. From my own perspective, their vlogs were more about their feelings of the fruits, food, and foreign land they were bringing to your world. I guess, there was a market for this but, in my case, my separation from people brought about by the worldwide quarantine encouraged me to find great knowledge in worlds far away. In fact, one popular vlog emanating from Azerbaijan bears the title “Faraway Village.”
As with the other “quiet” vlogs, the Faraway Village vlog began with no dialogues at all. Presently, you could hear the sound of the couple talking as they prepared
the dish for the presentation. One could also notice that they have gone into merchandising with the couple using knives, for example, on which the inscrip tion “Faraway Vil lage” was etched on. Talk of syn ergy. How do the Pinoy vlogs come across when com pared with these silent and, well, “decent” vlogs? For a while, I had this impression, vlogs made in the Philippines repro duced our vocifer ous and loud cul ture. Like our usual films. This was so until I encountered one vlog that was into declogging cul verts.
It was easy to miss out on said vlog. For one, there was no announcement about the vlogging intention; what the viewer saw was an individual do -
ing a cleaning of the sidewalk. The regularity of the vlog pushed me to look and look again to realize that it was really a group of individuals all hunched over the ground as they cleared the drainage of grasses and mud. At one point, I saw them using hard tools to carve out of the surface drainage system the holes that were meant to be there but because of the passage of time and debris were now almost cemented with the hardened soil. It was only after the discovery of their activities that one could encounter in one vlog the title “Sagip Drainage.” They call themselves “Kabotax TV.” Living in GenSan, the group travels to places where they saw at one time great flooding.
“Clean Ph” is into urban clean up, which means they are always in search not only for clogged culverts but those drainage systems that have been lost after being covered by outgrowth of grasses.
A vlogger who goes by the name
matic because he makes it so simple by simply squatting on the part of the road where the sewer has been fitted. He then uses a stick to push out dried leaves and other dirt from the slit of a gap under the paved sidewalk. It is only when one sees the rush of water vanishing from the ground that we see how an ordinary act has mitigated the danger of flooding.
“Quatro Santos Vlog,” by the look of it, appears to be focused on monumental projects: they work on canals hidden by massive plants and hardy grasses that thrive on standing water. Their discovery about flooding is when they are able to find canals where the water has stagnated to the point that it prevents the flow of water already. One wonders if the local government does not feel a tinge of guilt or shame to be watching individuals doing what leaders with their dedicated programs should be acting upon.
the road. The action is not dra-
Four things to watch in Thai political crisis after prime minister suspended
By Patpicha Tanakasempipat
THAI Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces an uncertain future and could become the third leader from the Shinawatra clan member to lose power over the past 19 years.
The Constitutional Court has suspended her over an ethics probe that could disqualify her as prime minister. The move comes as her government faces coalition infighting, US trade talks, a border dispute with Cambodia and a sluggish economy that has lagged behind most of its Southeast Asian peers.
At the heart of the crisis is Paetongtarn’s leaked phone call with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, which has fueled public outrage and could bring down the government before the court rules.
Here are four things to watch ahead of the ruling as the crisis unfolds:
Coalition collapse
Paetongtarn has been left with a wobbly coalition after the exit of Bhumjaithai Party, which was her biggest ally with 69 lawmakers in the 495-member House of Representatives. The other nine parties in the coalition have pledged to stay with Paetongtarn’s ruling Pheu Thai
Eagle Watch. . . continued from A14
three critical drivers: being known, being good, and being consistent. Being known involves the visibility of institutions, which fosters a sense of accessibility and presence in people’s lives. When institutions are transparent and actively engage with the public, they become recognizable and relatable.
Party—for now.
If any more parties decide to leave after the court’s decision, the coalition—now holding about 255 seats—could quickly collapse. Five of the remaining parties each have at least nine lawmakers, enough to shift the balance and push the government into a minority.
“Political pressure will mount on coalition partners to distance themselves from what appears to be a sinking ship,” said Napon Jatusripitak, acting coordinator of the Thailand Studies Program at ISEASYusof Ishak Institute. “This pressure will only intensify as street protests grow over the coming weeks.”
A coalition collapse would strip the government of its mandate. Even if it remains in office, it would likely face legislative gridlock, unable to pass new laws.
Dissolution of parliament
A political stalemate is especially concerning as the National Assembly prepares to debate key economic
Being good means acting with genuine care and prioritizing the welfare of the community. Upholding ethical behavior and making decisions that align with the public interest help reinforce a strong sense of moral responsibility. Filipinos are more inclined to trust organizations that demonstrate good intentions through meaningful, communitycentered actions.
Being consistent means that institutions must reliably deliver on
bills, including the next fiscal budget for the year that begins in October. If the government fails to pass the budget, the prime minister typically dissolves the parliament to trigger a new election.
An election must be held within 45 to 60 days of a royal endorsement to dissolve parliament. But forming a new government could take months due to coalition talks ahead of a prime ministerial vote.
While suspended, Paetongtarn cannot exercise her authority to dissolve parliament. That power now lies with acting leader Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who is expected to hand over the role to Phumtham Wechayachai after the swearing-in ceremony.
The opposition People’s Party has been calling for this scenario, saying it is the only way to stop the crisis from spinning out of control and precipitating military intervention.
Escalating protests
More than 20,000 people rallied in Bangkok in late June to demand Paetongtarn’s resignation—the largest such turnout in years. The 12-hour protest was largely peaceful and orderly.
Many of the organizers were longtime critics of the Shinawatra family.
Some protest leaders were also involved in demonstrations that
their promises and execute their responsibilities with competence. Consistency reassures the public that these organizations are capable and dependable. Ultimately, greater social trust will attract more investments that are crucial to boost productivity and achieve inclusive development for the Philippines. After all, businesses want to be certain that the regulatory environment is stable and predictable before they make
The same could be said of other civic-minded and selfless individuals like
“DIY Motovlogs” who look at seemingly harmless mounds of sand only to tell us how these have the potential to clog drainage and canals. Or “Owen and Prends” who attack with almost obsessive-compulsive passion dank estuaries, seeing in them the hope of a cleaner surrounding. These vloggers need a good positive response from us, not just an inquiry into the kind of soundtrack they use nor is there a space for a criticism from any of us. Better still, their vlogs should be seen as a call to action or participation, not a rhapsody of thoughts on ecology.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
paved the way for military coups in 2006, which toppled Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin Shinawatra, and in 2014, ending Yingluck Shinawatra’s government.
Last month’s protesters echoed earlier movements against past Shinawatra governments, such as cardboard signs saying “traitor,” the color yellow and the use of the Thai national flag. Although the protest leaders officially deny inviting a military coup, some of them have suggested that they would find it acceptable if it happens on its own course.
Tension with Cambodia Paetongtarn said her contentious phone call with Hun Sen was meant to ease tensions between Thailand and Cambodia as both sides imposed titfor-tat trade and travel restrictions, following an exchange of gunfire on May 28 near the disputed Chong Bok region that left one Cambodian soldier dead.
The situation worsened after Cambodia petitioned the International Court of Justice to rule on four territorial disputes, including Chong Bok. Cambodia has pushed for third-party involvement, but Thailand prefers bilateral talks and does not recognize the ICJ’s mandatory jurisdiction. Bloomberg
large investments. Likewise, individuals and families want to know if it is still worthwhile for them to continue residing and working in the Philippines. One should continue to pray for positive changes. In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola: “Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God.”
Dr. Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.
INDA BJURHOLT had just gotten Swedish mining giant LKAB’s trains back up and running after a costly derailment north of the Arctic Circle when she got a call from her company’s
“Ren Ren” works with sewer drains on
Friday, July 4, 2025
Palace warns rice traders as farmers hit by low farmgate
By Samuel P. Medenilla & Ada Pelonia
MALACAÑANG
on Thursday warned unscrupulous rice traders who undercut farmers when buying palay (unhusked rice), that they can face economic sabotage charges.
This, as an industry group warned that the slump in farmgate prices of palay to as low as P8 per kilo could push tillers out of the farm sector.
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), through its executive director Jayson Cainglet, said farmgate prices ranging from P8 to P12 per kilo have been recorded in Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the warning to traders after the Department of Agriculture (DA) received reports that the farmgate price for rice in Victoria, Tarlac dropped to as low as P13 per kilogram.
The traders reportedly cited the
subsidized P20 per kilo rice program of DA to justify their low farmgate price.
Meanwhile, Palace Undersecretary Castro belied the claims of these rice traders using the DA’s P20 a kilo rice program to justify their low farmgate quotes, saying the program made the use of the palay procured by the National Food Authority (NFA).
DA earlier explained the subsidized rice actually helped raise the farmgate price by increasing the demand for the local food staple and allowed farmers to sell their palay for P17 to P30 per kilo to the NFA. The Marcos administration has allocated over P4.5 billion for the sub -
sidized rice program
Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the average nationwide farmgate price for rice as of May was P17.75 per kg.
“So, the government and the administration are calling on farmers who are experiencing this kind of treatment from traders and want to buy their rice cheaply because they are using the President’s 20 pesos program as an excuse,” Castro said.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary said the affected farmers can report these traders to the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior Local Government, and the Department of Justice.
“Again, to our farmers, do not be afraid. Just complete your evidence as much as possible so that it will be a reason for us to pursue them and sue them. This could be a case of economic sabotage so do not hesitate to report it to us,” Castro said.
Under Republic Act No. 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act,” economic sabotage is defined as any act or activity that disrupts the economy by creating shortage, promoting excessive importation, manipulating prices and supply.
It also includes evading payment or underpaying tariffs and customs duties, threatening local production and food security, gaining excessive or exorbitant profits by exploiting situations, creating scarcity, and entering into agreements that defeat fair competition to the prejudice of the public.
Similar reports in south MEANWHILE , Sinag’s Cainglet said there were also reports of declining farmgate prices in Aklan, Iloilo, and certain parts of Mindanao despite the end of peak harvest.
“Farmers are also hoping that farm input subsidies and cash incentives be urgently provided for them to decide whether to continue or forego planting palay this cropping season,” the group said.
With the plunge in farmgate prices coupled with high input costs, the group said many farmers were opting out of planting for the next cropping season.
“Many of our farmers are now having second thoughts about planting as preparations for the next cropping season begin.”
With this, Sinag proposed initiatives that would encourage farmers
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) will lower the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice to P43 per kilo by July 16.
The DA had postponed the supposed rollout of the P43 per kilo MSRP from P45 per kilo on July 1 due to heightened volatility in the international market, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
With the “easing tensions” following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, however, the agency said global conditions have stabilized enough to resume the intervention.
“Global rice prices have since declined, alongside softening oil prices,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“We are also seeing positive projections for record harvests from key producers like India, Pakistan, and Thailand. These developments could improve global supply and help pull prices further down.”
The DA noted that the implementation of the MSRP earlier this year had pulled down retail rice prices, which aligns with efforts to curb food inflation.
The country’s major staple plays a significant role in the
consumer basket used by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to calculate inflation. MSRP for pork, chicken MEANWHILE , the DA said it is finalizing the plan to impose an MSRP for imported pork in August.
Earlier, Laurel was eyeing to place the MSRP for imported pork at P270 to P300 per kilo for kasim, and P300 to P350 per kilo for liempo.
Latest government price monitoring report showed that the prevailing retail price of frozen kasim and liempo in Metro Manila markets stood at P250 and P300 per kilo, respectively. These figures were higher than the prevailing price of local pork ham and pork belly at P400 and P440 per kilo.
Despite being relatively cheaper than fresh pork, Laurel had said that the DA would no longer place an MSRP for local pork amid a supply crunch driven by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks that slashed hog output.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa also said that the DA is mulling over potentially imposing an MSRP for imported chicken by September.
“[This will] ensure compliance
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
THE mining industry’s big players in the Philippines are closely monitoring developments related to the proposed changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (BBB) in the US Congress, which recommends the termination of federal tax credits for new clean vehicles.
“We are closely monitoring developments related to the proposed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ in the United States, particularly its potential impact on electric vehicle demand and global metal markets,” Michael T. Toledo, chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), told the BusinessMirror Toledo was reacting to the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau [DTI-EMB ]’s recent statement that the development may affect demand for the country’s green metals that feed into the EV supply chain in the US.
“While this measure may influence the short-term flow of critical minerals such as nickel, the Philippine mining industry remains resilient and well-positioned to adapt to evolving market dynamics,” Toledo said.
Moreover, Toledo acknowledged that the development may slow, but will not stop, the global march toward renewable energy technologies and climate action.
“The demand for critical minerals remains strong, driven by longterm commitments worldwide to decarbonization, green infrastructure, and clean energy transition. We will continue proactively working with government and industry partners to diversify export markets, develop local value-adding capabilities, and, over the long haul, strengthen the downstream mineral industry,” said Toledo.
COMP is sustaining efforts to align with global ESG standards through the Towards Sustainable Mining program to ensure that Philippine mining remains competitive, viable, and globally relevant, according to Toledo.
“Our commitment to respon-
sible mining and long-term value creation remains steadfast as we continue to support inclusive national growth and a cleaner energy future,” he said.
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.
China top EV maker, buyer MEANWHILE , Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) President Dante Bravo said President Trump’s lack of support for the EV mandate will have minimal impact because the leading manufacturer and buyer of EV is China.
“We see the demand for EVs growing over the long term. In the next five years, there will be a big shortage of supply of copper, nickel, and other green metals,” Bravo said. The bill, passed by the US House of Representatives in May, was approved in the US Senate, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.
Subsequently, the DTI’s export marketing arm published an advisory announcing the termination of the federal tax credits for new clean vehicles, restricting eligibility for clean vehicle tax incentives, and imposing a 3.5-percent excise tax on overseas remittances sent by non-US citizens.”
“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.”
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.
LBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
ENDING tweaks such as longer repayment periods and lower interest rates on the debts of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, including the Philippines, would allow these nations to better address their challenges.
A report released by Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) said these lending adjustments could lead to a 37-percent reduction in the debt of the Vulnerable 20 (V20), which includes the Philippines.
This assumes that V20 debts repayment periods are extended to
40 years with a new interest rate of 1.35 percent. This will lead V20 countries to pay just $293 billion in external sovereign debt service between 2025 and 2031, $454 billion less than what is currently scheduled.
“When debt reprofiling is extended and combined with a reduction in the interest rate, it can lead to a decrease in the net present value [NPV] of the debt,” the report stated. “According to our calculations, this would represent a 37 percent reduction in V20 debt in NPV terms.”
Between 2025 and 2031, the CVF estimated that the V20’s total external sovereign debt service
payments and International Monetary Fund (IMF) repurchases and charges will account for a cumulative total of $746.1 billion.
The CVF said if creditors extended the debt maturity for V20 debts by 40 years at the current cost of borrowing or an average of 4.4 percent annually in 2023 for V20 nations, total payments between 2025 and 2031 would amount to $480 billion or $267 billion lower than their current obligations.
“A longer repayment period of 40 years instead of 5 years would smooth out the repayment schedule for countries, providing essential breathing room,” the report stated.
Most at-risk country IN 2023, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) reported that the Philippines remained as the world’s most at-risk country in terms of
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Potato Corner stores to rise in Taiwan, Laos–Shakey’s
By VG Cabuag @villygc
SHAKEY’S Pizza Asia Ventures
Inc. said it will bring the Potato Corner brand to Taiwan and Laos by end of the year.
Vicente L. Gregorio, the company’s president and CEO, said agreements have already been signed to take the franchise to the two Asian countries.
“These are two exciting markets we believe would have some also some ability to scale,” Gregorio said in a press briefing after the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.
Christopher T. Po, the company’s chairman, said Shakey’s has set its sights on opening 400 stores this year, most of which will carry the
Potato Corner brand.
“And Potato Corner continues to open, I think close to 100 stores already for the first six months of the year. So, I think we’ll pick up the pace of opening for the balance of the year,” he said.
“Internationally, we’ve also opened a few dozen stores in different parts of the world. So, I guess the mindset behind this is we have this very precious asset, which are our brands. Our Shakey’s brand, Potato Corner, which are iconic
brands and an emerging brand like Peri-Peri.”
Po said as a group, Shakey’s has not yet set a target for its international stores, which accounts for about 20 percent of its business.
“We haven’t quite set a number to target, but because we’re doing it organically and but we’re doing it methodically also. I think suffice it to say that the international business is growing faster than the domestic business, given that the runway is still wide.”
Shakey’s said it wants to grow its revenues and income for 2025 by double digits even if its earnings inched up by only 6 percent to P182.06 million from the previous year’s P171.47 million.
Po said the company is banking on the uptick in demand during the fourth quarter, considered a strong period for the food and retail business.
“Hopefully, our brands deliver, and the economy is where it’s supposed to be. And then, you know, so we’re still quite hopeful that the back half of the year will be stronger than the first half of the year,” he said.
“The double-digit guidance is still something that the team is working on,” he said.
Shakey’s, owned by the Po family, also owns the brand and the rights to franchise and operate Shakey’s Pizza in Asia excluding Japan, Middle East and the Oceania.
It has stores in Singapore and in the Middle East. Gregorio said the bulk remains in the Philippines where many areas remain underpenetrated.
Last March, the company said it has 300 Shakey’s stores out of its 2,483 store network for all its brands—Shakey’s, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R&B Milk Tea, Potato Corner and Project Pie.
Areit shares sold to institutional buyers
ABy VG Cabuag @villygc
YALA Land Inc. (ALI) on Thursday said it raised some P489.36 million from the sale of Areit Inc.’s shares to institutional investors.
The company said it sold some 12 million common shares of Areit, its real estate investment trust, for P40.78 per share, or a slight discount from its last traded price of P41.50.
“The proceeds from the block sale shall be settled on July 07, 2025, subject to the terms and conditions
Multisys renews certifications
PLDT Inc. affiliate Multisys Technologies Corp. said on Thursday it has renewed its international certifications, strengthened global partnerships, and reported its strongest financial performance to date. Multisys renewed its ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, which affirms that its Information Security Management System (ISMS) complies with global standards for data protection, covering people, systems, and infrastructure.
Aside from the certification, Vic Tria, the company’s president, said Multisys has been expanding its technology alliances to accelerate product development and artificial intelligence adoption.
It recently joined the Google Cloud Partner program under the “Build” category, enabling it to develop AIpowered software on Google’s infrastructure.
Multisys has also partnered with pioneers in AI to offer solutions such as geospatial intelligence, AI contact centers, and autonomous virtual agents.
The company became a certified Consulting and Implementation Partner of US-based enterprise software giant ServiceNow, allowing Multisys to resell and integrate automation and software development solutions to large-scale clients. “Our 15-year milestone reflects the trust our partners place in us. We intend to keep that commitment by making sure we use the best security measures and deliver the most advanced software innovations that truly add value,” Tria said. Lorenz S. Marasigan
financial losses.
Kof the terms of sale. ALI will submit the required reinvestment plan detailing the use of proceeds obtained from the block sale in due course.”
The sale of the said shares is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) and was not registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, ALI said.
“Any future offer or sale of the offer shares by the buyers thereof in the Philippines is subject to the registration requirements of the SRC unless such offer or sale qualifies as an exempt transaction
in accordance with the applicable requirements of the SRC.”
Areit’s net income for the first quarter of the year jumped by 43 percent to P2.1 billion from the previous year’s P1.5 billion.
Revenues expanded by 37 percent to P2.9 billion from last year’s P2.11 billion.
The company said its properties recorded an occupancy rate of 99 percent at the end of the first quarter.
“We will see our AUM [assets under management] quintuple to P138 billion from IPO [initial pub -
lic offering], keeping us on track to reach our goal of reaching $3 billion within the coming years, scaling to levels comparable with major regional REITs,” company president and CEO Jose Eduardo A. Quimpo II said.
Its first-quarter performance was driven by the 2024 infused assets which includes Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 office building, Greenbelt 3 and 5 mall, Holiday Inn and Suites Makati, Seda Ayala Center Cebu and industrial land in Zambales, whose contributions started in July 2024.
EU asked to delay start of AI Act rules
EUROPEAN companies including ASML Holding NV, Airbus SE and Mistral AI have called on the European Union to suspend the implementation of its landmark artificial intelligence regulation for two years because they say it puts the continent’s AI ambitions at risk.
In a letter signed by representatives from more than 45 organizations, business leaders asked the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to postpone the application of rules hemming in the most powerful AI models, calling for a more “innovation-friendly regulatory approach.”
A significant part of the rules are set to come into force next month.
“This postponement, coupled with a commitment to prioritize regulatory quality over speed, would send innovators and investors around the world a strong signal that Europe is serious about its simplification and competitiveness agenda,” the letter said. Other businesses to sign the letter include Mercedes-Benz Group AG, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Lufthansa, Publicis Groupe SA, Prosus NV and Siemens Energy AG. They called for the delay to two sets of rules applying to general-purpose AI models and to high-risk AI systems.
Businesses are complaining that the commission has failed to deliver key guidelines and standards, including a code of practice which provides instructions for advanced AI companies to comply with the regulation. The drafting of the code of practice —already
late after the commission originally slated it for May—has been dogged by criticism. Technology companies have accused it of going beyond the bounds of the EU’s AI Act and creating its own set of onerous rules. The US government has also weighed in, and in April sent letters to the commission and a number of European countries that urged the bloc to scrap the code in its current form.
Now, these delays threaten to push back implementation of the act altogether. According to the EU’s staggered deadline for the act, the most powerful AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, should be in compliance by August. But as of July the commission’s working groups, made up of AI developers, academics and digital rights activists, were still hashing out detailed guidance.
The AI Act, passed last year, is a set of controls meant to prevent the worst abuses of the technology. AI developers will have to provide information about how their models are trained and have policies respecting copyright law. The most sophisticated models will have to take additional steps to mitigate risk, shore up security and report information about their system architecture. The act also puts guardrails on some
types of use, such as restrictions on tools that would identify people in public spaces in real time.
While the code of practice is voluntary, it provides a framework that will help companies stay in compliance with the act.
Breaking those rules can carry a fine of as much as 7 percent of a company’s annual sales or 3 percent for the companies developing advanced AI models.
Speaking virtually at a Brussels event in February, Meta Platforms Inc.’s head of global affairs Joel Kaplan called the code of practice “unworkable and infeasible,” adding that the company would not sign it in its present form. Alphabet Inc. has also criticized the rulebook and an executive said in an interview with Politico in February that guidelines calling for third-party model testing and requirements around copyright protection go too far.
The group organizing the letter, called the EU AI Champions Initiative, is led by General Catalyst, a US venture capital firm that has invested heavily in Europe. Two of Europe’s largest tech companies, SAP SE and Spotify Technology SA, are members of the initiative, but were not signatories of the letter when it published on Thursday. Bloomberg News
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
AWASAKI Motors Philippines Corp. (KMPC) has filed an “illegal strike” complaint against its labor union and called for the dismissal of union officers over the “disruptive” work stoppage.
However, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) maintained that the right to strike is protected by the Constitution.
KMPC’s complaint comes after the strike launched by the Kawasaki United Labor Union (KULU) last May 21, which the company claimed violates the “No Strike, No Lockout” clause of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed by both parties last May 2022.
The firm said the disagreement revolves around economic provisions that remain under active negotiation and are not a ground for a valid strike.
KMPC filed a complaint before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), urging it to declare the strike illegal, hold the union leaders liable for unfair labor practices, and dismiss the members who allegedly instigated or knowingly participated in it.
“This strike is not just illegal—it is irresponsible. It violates the terms of the CBA and places the jobs of over a thousand workers at serious risk,” John Bonifacio, external counsel for KMPC, said.
“The law is clear: no strike should take place while good faith negotiations are ongoing, especially when both parties are still trying to settle economic issues.”
According to KMPC, it has remained engaged in negotiations with KULU, offering a 5-percent salary increase as the company continues to recover from pandemic-related
However, the firm said KULU insisted on an 11.5-percent increase, which KMPC described as “unsustainable under the present economic conditions.”
KMPC noted that according to the union, the wage hike is based on an estimated P80,000 average monthly household need.
For its part, the firm said its employees’ current salaries are already “competitive” by industry standards, citing a two-decade history of granting nearly 10 percent annual increases as part of previously negotiated CBAs.
‘Right to strike’ MEANWHILE , the FFW warned against the growing trend of “employer harassment” in labor disputes. The group noted that while the KMPC case is separate from the ongoing strike in Infanta, Quezon along with other disputes in Clark and Bicol, the pattern is “familiar.”
“Employers bypass dialogue and resort to legal intimidation, including the filing of criminal charges,” FFW said in a statement.
The group urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the NLRC to protect, not punish, workers asserting their rights.
“The right to strike is protected by the Constitution. A cantina of SC [Supreme Court] rulings tells us that ‘No Strike, No Lockout’ clauses cannot override workers’ rights in the face of bad faith and unfair labor practice acts,” FFW said. “Assuming arguendo, there was an illegal strike, dismissal is too harsh a penalty.”
It urged Congress to amend the law on illegal strike and reduce the penalty to disciplinary action short of termination from employment.
CBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
OSTPLUS Inc. has energized a remote off-grid public school with solar energy and energy storage system (ESS).
In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA), CostPlus said it designed, delivered, and installed the complete solar and energy storage system (ESS), enabling the Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Agusan del Norte to access reliable electricity and high-speed internet for the first time.
The project, spearheaded by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, addressed long-standing infrastructure gaps in remote learning environments and brings modern educational tools to underserved communities.
“Access to electricity and internet is no longer a luxury—it’s founda-
tional for modern education. We’re proud to support DepEd’s vision by delivering clean, resilient solar energy that empowers teachers and students,” said CostPlus President Anand H. Mahtani.
The school now operates using a standalone solar photovoltaic system designed specifically for offgrid environments. This setup delivers uninterrupted electricity while eliminating dependence on diesel generators, ensuring long-term sustainability and significantly reducing the school’s carbon footprint. This clean energy infrastructure supports newly integrated highspeed internet, giving students and teachers direct access to digital learning platforms and educational resources.
CostPlus is the exclusive distributor-manufacturer of Kidlat EV, a Philippine-based provider of sustainable energy and electric mobility, offering solar-powered solutions and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
PHOTO FROM WWW.PIA.GOV.PH
Banking&Finance
Swiss tech firm urges banks to deploy SaaS
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
AS Philippine banks embark on digital banking, it is important to deploy softwareas-a-service (SaaS) that can help them meet consistency, speed and resilience across every channel, Swiss technology firm Temenos AG believes.
“SaaS helps banks meet these demands by removing the technical burden of managing complex infrastructure. With SaaS, banks no longer need to build systems from the ground up or wait months for upgrades,” William Dale, managing director of Temenos told the BusinessMirror in an email interview.
According to Dale, SaaS gives banks the speed to match the pace of today’s digital economy. He added that products that once took months to develop can now be launched in weeks.
“This agility matters as customers increasingly compare their banking experience not just to other banks but to every app they use,” Dale said.
He added that SaaS also helps the banks to provide real-time processes, from account opening to payments, so customers can transact without delay.
“It also helps banks build stronger ecosystems. SaaS platforms make it easier to plug into fintech solutions, offer embedded products, and scale services across digital channels with consistency,” Dale said. But as more banks adopt SaaS, technology alone will not be the differentiator, he added.
Dale said banks can maximize the advantage from how well they use it, such as how quickly they adapt, how deeply they personalise, and how clearly they align digital experiences with customer needs.
He believes that SaaS helps banks achieve consistency, speed and resilience across every channel demands by removing the technical burden of managing complex infrastructure. With SaaS, services are pre-built and regularly updated, allowing bank employees to focus on creating better products. For clients, this means faster access to features, smoother performance and stronger security, according to Dale.
Dale pointed out that digital transformation is not about putting existing processes online but about reimagining how banking works in a world that is fast, mobile and always connected. By using SaaS, he said banks are enabled to design services around customer goals instead of legacy systems. This results in the reduction of fewer steps, fewer delays and fewer limitations. For clients, it creates a more intuitive experience that fits how they already manage their money, on the move and in real time.
Dale said that by adopting SaaS technology, banks gain the flexibility to grow and the tools to keep building.
“Transformation becomes a con-
TBy Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror
HE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will be cracking down on local governments imposing indiscriminate fees and taxes, which discourage investment and visitors to tourism destinations. Speaking at an open forum after his keynote address at the Hotel and Sales Marketing Association (HSMA) 3rd Hotel Sates and Marketing Summit on June 19, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said, “I’m very aware that some LGUs (local government units) may impose draconian taxation measures to raise revenue. That’s something the President [Marcos Jr.] and I will
tinuous process, not a one-time shift. That mindset is what will define the next generation of innovation in Philippine banking.”
Moreover, he said SaaS can automate routine processes such as onboarding or loan applications can be automated, improving consistency and reducing bottlenecks.
“This frees up staff to focus on more complex cases or relationship-driven services that require human insight,” Dale said.
With real-time access to information, he said banks can make decisions faster, personalise services and spot patterns that guide product development or improve support.
With SaaS, Dale said banks gradually gain the flexibility to grow and the tools to keep building. He reiterated that patience in the changing process will define the next generation of innovation in Philippine banking.
“SaaS helps banks meet these demands by removing the technical burden of managing complex infrastructure. With SaaS, banks no longer need to build systems from the ground up or wait months for upgrades. Services are pre-built and regularly updated, which allows teams to focus on creating better products. For clients, this means faster access to features, smoother performance and stronger security,” he added.
Dale emphasized that digital transformation is not about putting existing processes online. It is about reimagining how banking works in a world that is fast, mobile and always connected.
“SaaS allows banks to design services around customer goals instead of legacy systems. This means fewer steps, fewer delays and fewer limitations. For clients, it creates a more intuitive experience that fits how they already manage their money, on the move and in real time,” he added.
Dale said SaaS provides a more unified lifecycle, from account opening to payment to collections, and builds a seamless experience.
“It removes silos and reduces friction for both users and internal teams.”
Costs also become more manageable. Instead of investing heavily upfront, SaaS enables banks to pay based on usage. This allows them to scale their operations in line with demand and allocate more resources to customer-focused innovation.
He said banks achieve greater agility as they can adapt to market changes more quickly, offer timely services and stay relevant to customers. In an environment where expectations shift fast, that flexibility is critical to long-term growth.
SaaS is a software distribution model where applications are hosted online and accessed via the internet, rather than being installed on individual devices. This model has its roots in time-sharing systems from the 1960s. The modern SaaS concept emerged in the late 1990s with the rise of the Internet and web browsers.
work on. We will convince the various stakeholders in the local government level to lower their taxes, to lower the cost [of doing business], so that you will have a conducive area for development…. We have to convince them to ease their taxation to encourage investment.” Among these taxes are hotel occupancy taxes, local food and beverage taxes, business permit fees, to name a few. In some cases, there are differences in the local tax rates imposed by LGUs, which can confuse investors. Under the Philippine Hotel Industry Strategic Action Plan for 2023-2028, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the country needs to add over 120,000 hotel keys to the current supply of 335,592 to be able to accommodate its projected 10 million to 12 million foreign visitor arriv-
Job insecurity, high interest rates deter lending—survey
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE lack of job security and high interest rates are making Filipinos abandon their plans to secure loans, according to the secondquarter 2025 “consumer pulse study” conducted by TransUnion LLC.
Results of the survey conducted last May by the consumer credit reporting agency showed that more than half (57 percent) of consumers surveyed said they had abandoned a credit application or refinancing plans.
The report stated that Filipinos have fears of rejection resulting from income or work status at 30 percent. The high cost of new credit at 29 percent ranked highest among reasons for abandoning borrowing plans.
“It is encouraging to see that more Filipinos now consider credit more accessible. However, the fact that over half of potential borrowers still walk away from their credit plans tells us there is still work to be done,” TransUnion Principal of Research and Consulting for Asia Pacific Weihan Sun said.
Other reasons cited by respondents included 27 percent of respondents saying they found alternative funding sources; 25 percent chose not to change their payment schemes; and 22 percent said they decided they did not need credit and that it takes too long to get a decision on
loan applications.
“Lenders have an opportunity to bridge this gap by offering more inclusive solutions—ones that not only meet practical needs but also build trust and address the emotional barriers that often come with borrowing,” Sun said.
TransUnion said financial challenges persist for many Filipinos. Nearly half or 44 percent of consumers indicated they may be unable to fully repay at least one of their current bills or loans.
Inflation was the primary concern for 83 percent of respondents; job security, 59 percent; and interest rates, 40 percent.
Overall, TransUnion said many Filipino consumers expressed confidence towards their income prospects over the next year. But their outlook is tempered by ongoing economic challenges such as inflation and job security.
The data showed consumers remain optimistic, with 73 percent saying they expect their income to rise in the next 12 months.
In response, TransUnion said con-
sumers are actively adjusting their spending habits and seeking access to credit as they work towards greater financial resilience.
Over two in five Filipinos or 41 percent reported an increase in income over the past three months, while 17 percent saw a decline, slightly better than 19 percent during the same period last year.
“Filipino households are approaching their finances with cautious optimism. While they’re aware of ongoing challenges like inflation and rising costs, many remain hopeful about their financial future. This mindset is reflected in their actions—cutting back on non-essential spending, saving consistently, and staying on top of debt,” Sun said.
“Our latest Consumer Pulse Study indicates that consumers are not just adapting to current conditions, but are also making thoughtful decisions to secure long-term financial wellbeing,” he added.
In terms of access to credit, the data showed more than half or 58 percent of consumers said it is essential to achieving their financial goals.
The data showed 44 percent of the respondents believed they have sufficient access to credit, higher than the 38 percent posted a year ago. Millennials remained the most confident at 47 percent while Baby Boomers showed a significant increase to 42 percent from 28 percent.
TransUnion said this growing confidence is reflected in borrowing intentions. Demand for credit remains strong—especially among Gen Z at 58 percent and Millennials at 52 percent who plan to apply
for or refinance credit in the next 12 months.
The data also showed that among those who intended to borrow, personal loans were the most sought after product at 45 percent followed by buy now, pay later at 38 percent, and new credit cards at 31 percent.
The survey also showed that while more Filipinos are using credit, the perceived importance of credit monitoring declined to 68 percent, which is the lowest level recorded over the past five quarters since the second quarter of 2024. Last year, the importance of credit was at 72 percent.
The decline, TransUnion said may reflect a possible shift toward complacency or a sense of familiarity with credit. Across generations, Millennials were most likely to see credit monitoring as important at 73 percent, followed by Gen Z at 72 perceng and Baby Boomers at 62 percent, while Gen X reported the lowest level at 60 percent.
TransUnion’s study surveyed 943 adult Filipinos from May 5, 2025, to May 23, 2025. This quarterly survey examines shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors based on the dynamics of income, debt, and identity theft.
Respondents ranged from Gen Z, 18-28 years old; Millennials, 2944 years old; Gen X, 45-60 years old; and Baby Boomers, age 61 and above. By capturing insights across generations and financial situations, the study helps promote greater financial inclusion by informing policies, products, and education efforts that meet the evolving needs of all consumers.
Why Associations Matter, Part 3: Fueling Economic Impact
THIS last article of a 3-part series showcases how associations contribute to industry development, catalyze product and service innovation, and facilitate both domestic and international business.
Associations are often perceived primarily as member-serving organizations. Yet their influence stretches far beyond the confines of their own communities. Associations are powerful drivers of economic development, contributing to industrial growth, fostering innovation, and enabling commerce at both domestic and international levels.
Catalysts for developmentindustry
ASSOCIATIONS represent the collective voice and vision of their respective industries or professional sectors. They identify shared challenges, rally resources, and advance strategic agendas that no single organization could tackle alone. Through this collaborative platform, associations help shape national and regional industrial policies, workforce development plans, and innovation roadmaps.
For emerging sectors, associations often serve as the organizing backbone; mapping competencies, engaging stakeholders, and formalizing practices that evolve into industry standards. In
als by 2028. The plan failed to identify the amount of investment needed to build these extra rooms. (See, “Over 456,000 rooms needed by 2028–DOT,” in the BusinessMirror , October 17, 2024.)
Boracay visit forthcoming
REMULLA later told the BusinessMirror that when he was Cavite governor, he didn’t impose many taxes on businesses and investors, “that’s why our development and growth were so fast. We didn’t have any oppressive taxes. So I wasn’t aware [until I became DILG Secretary] how bad it was in other provinces.”
The DILG chief also said he will press the reduction of fees that the Malay LGU imposes on tourists, tour guides, licenses, events, etc. Mayor Floribar Bautista was told to submit a list of fees that he
mature sectors, they support reinvention and renewal by convening thought leaders and facilitating transitions to more sustainable, digital, or globally integrated models.
From agriculture and tourism to renewable energy and creative industries, associations help define what an industry is; and what it can become.
Hubs of product and service innovation
ASSOCIATIONS are more than advocates; they are knowledge ecosystems. By pooling insights from members, conducting research, and showcasing best practices, associations foster the kind of collaborative environment that fuels product and service innovation.
Conferences and trade shows organized by associations are often launch pads for new ideas. These gatherings provide platforms for testing concepts, gaining customer feedback, and forging partnerships. Associations also incubate innovation through competitions,
will reduce, two weeks after a meeting with Remulla, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and private stakeholder groups in Boracay last February 17. (See, “Remulla tells Malay LGU: Cut Boracay fees,” in the BusinessMirror , February 20, 2025.)
“I’ll just wait for the new term [of local officials] to start, then I’ll deal with it. I’ll visit Boracay to personally attend to it. I’ll take care of it,” he assured. Bautista won a second term as Malay Mayor in the May elections.
In April, DOT-Western Visayas Regional Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez said she was waiting for the result of the review of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) on the fees being collected by the Malay LGU. “The LGU will then call for a
innovation labs, and sector-specific grants that stimulate experimentation and entrepreneurship. Importantly, associations help disseminate innovation across the industry; speeding adoption and ensuring that advances benefit not just a few, but the entire value chain.
Enablers of trade and global business
ASSOCIATIONS play a vital role in facilitating both domestic and international commerce. They create business-to-business (B2B) connections, support export development, and assist with navigating foreign markets. Through partnerships with international counterparts, they open doors for knowledge exchange, trade missions, and market access.
Many associations are directly involved in standardization, accreditation, and certification; critical tools for ensuring that products and services meet the requirements of global markets. In this way, they help local industries become globally competitive.
Moreover, associations in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector drive significant economic value by attracting events, delegates, and investments to their cities and countries. These activities stimulate local economies, support jobs, and promote destination branding.
Local Tourism Council (LTC) meeting to discuss it,” she said. Apparently, said steps were not taken because candidates for elective posts were busy campaigning.
Fees collected A UNIT of the Department of Finance, the BLGF is tasked to coordinate local fiscal policy with national economic goals. Boracay visitors pay a terminal fee of P150 per person, an environmental fee of P150 (domestic tourists)
Strengthening the social contract
ASSOCIATIONS also contribute to the broader economic ecosystem by advocating for fair competition, inclusive growth, and ethical business practices. Their policy work often focuses on reducing regulatory barriers, enhancing market efficiency, and ensuring that growth benefits a wide range of stakeholders. By bringing together public, private, and civil society actors, associations help shape the kind of enabling environments where industries can flourish and economies can thrive.
In sum, associations are more than professional communities; they are engines of prosperity. From supporting individuals and advancing professions to driving industry transformation and economic growth, their impact is profound and far-reaching. Now more than ever, associations are vital institutions that not only matter, they make a lasting difference.
Octavio B. Peralta is the founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” The PCAAE will hold its 13th Annual Associations Summit on November 6, 2025,
Octavio Peralta
A ssociation World
O your part.
DThe Department of Tourism (DOT) virtually tossed to the private sector the heavy lifting of promoting the Philippines and doing something to arrest the sliding visitor arrivals in the country.
This encapsulated the sentiments of a number of private tourism stakeholders, who attended the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 Assessment Forum at the Conrad Manila on Monday. “The theme of the meeting was like, ‘The private should share the burden.’ They kept turning the conversation into ‘What can the private sector do to increase international arrivals,’” said one participant, who spoke on background.
Said another, “[Official’s name] kept insisting the private sector should be proactive. ‘It’s not just the government who should lead [in promoting the Philippines].’”
The NTDP is the blueprint that spells out the annual tourism targets of the government, and the strategies that should be employed to reach them. These targets cover annual foreign visitor arrivals and domestic trips taken, inbound and domestic spending, the number of jobs created, and the industry’s contribution to economic growth, among others.
Last year, however, the DOT missed its inbound visitor target of 7.7 million under the NTDP, with the country attracting just 5.95 milion. From January to May this year, arrivals slid by 1.2 percent to 2.54 million, as tourists from South Korea, China, and Taiwan plunged by 19 percent, 32 percent, and 11.2 percent, respectively. (See “Overseas Pinoys keep 5-month tourist arrivals afloat,”BUSINESSMIRROR, July 1, 2025.)
One source said, “Their numbers [visitor arrivals] are down and basically they’re looking for quick or desperate solutions from the private sector. It’s as if we’re the ones who caused the poor visitor arrivals.”
DOT’s job to promote the country? It’s not the fault of the private sector that no one wants to come here.”
A number of participants also resented that the DOT seemed to have arranged the forum at the last minute. “They sent out the invites only last Thursday [June 26], which is probably why there were not many [from the private sector] who attended. There were actually more attendees from the DOT and the TPB [Tourism Promotions Board],” said a source.
A separate source, who asked not to be named, noted that the DOT should have convened the forum as early as January, considering last year’s arrivals performance. “It would have been better to have held it earlier so it’s a full-year program,” he said.
Last December, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco told me and other reporters they were going to review the NTDP targets for “recalibration,” in consultation with the private sector. Many expected those consultative meetings would happen immediately.
But perhaps alarm bells probably didn’t ring loud enough until DOT officials saw the sliding arrivals this year. In all that time, as per my industry sources, various tourism stakeholders had been quietly urging certain DOT officials to hold consultative meetings
in a press briefing on Monday: “It’s important that we agree on priority marketing and promotions. Now that the numbers are not quite at the level that we have expected, it becomes incumbent on the government and the private sector to sit down and agree where to go, which source markets to target, especially because the financial resources [for promotion] are limited. If your financial resources are limited, there’s no other way to go but to identify the priorities.”
As a former Tourism undersecretary who actually handled the development of opportunity markets, Bengzon knows whereof he speaks. During the time of Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, tourism leaders were always invited when the DOT and TPB were working on their budgets, so the private sector could immediately give input where the agencies’ limited marketing funds should go. This is where the private sector stakeholders are coming from. They didn’t need a big to-do for the NTDP assessment; just constant communication and consultation. As one participant said, “It was supposed to be an assessment; it turns out it was a
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Concentrate on completion. How you handle your business affairs, money and reputation will set the stage for how far you can go. Address how and where you live and what you can do to spruce up your routine and lifestyle to match your current
time to try something new, start a new venture or expand your interests. ★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Stick close to home and maximize your surroundings. Adjust the flow to help you engage in the hobbies you enjoy most. Spend time with people who bring out the
Show BusinessMirror
NEW COUPLE ALERT
THERE are rumors that the former half of a phenomenal loveteam is dating his co-star. There has been no denial on his part or hers. Like the actor who was part of a loveteam, the co-star is from a showbiz family. Her mom was a former child star while her dad is an actor who was once a comedian. The two have been spotted out and about but many people don’t make a big deal out of it since they are working together. Also, they are both single and there’s nothing wrong if they date each other.
THE OTHER WOMAN
THE government official, who was once from show business, and his wife, also a celebrity, like to portray the image of a happy couple. However, the government official is reportedly dating another girl, who is a contractual employee under him. It’s surprising that the official’s wife has not made a scene about this as she is known for being feisty and there’s no way she doesn’t know about it as it has been going on for years now. The other woman now has her own house and flashy cars, just like the wife. The government official seems content with the situation.
LOW-PROFILE COUPLE
HOW true is the rumor that a very handsome and popular nepo baby is dating an artist from a certain group? The nepo baby is part of a loveteam with rabid fans. The artist’s group, meanwhile, also has its share of diehard fans. The two have reportedly been spotted out on dates a couple of times. The nepo baby is said to have a non-showbiz girlfriend but maybe they broke up and this is why he is seeing the artist. The artist’s group has been recently involved in controversies so we understand why she and the nepo baby are keeping a very low profile.
JUST A
GUEST?
A TEEN starlet, who is a minor, has been spotted with a powerful man who is so much older than her. The man is known to prefer girls who are not yet 18. There has been a denial issued after the pair was spotted and while it is true that the powerful man invites showbiz personalities to his parties as guests or performing artists, the teen starlet’s presence is strange because she is not usually the type to be seen at such events. She isn’t very popular, even on social media, so what would she have to offer as a guest? The girl is exactly the powerful man’s physical type though but for her sake, let us hope that she really was just a guest at the party.
The problems of loving the Filipino: The foods that failed
THIS comes from memory: an aunt and my mother were reminiscing about their grandmother, the mother of my grandfather on my mother’s side. She was a famous healer who doted on her grandchildren. She had a favorite dish where she would allow a fish to “rot away” (they were using the word “ginpapayudo”, from the language of the Ticao Island). The two were finding it difficult to describe the state that the fish had to be—it appeared to be a delicate process whereby the food had to reach a distinct level of almost but not really putrescence. It was certainly a distinct acquired taste, you may say. Think gourmet.
from the perspective of our culture. In a world where culture has become pluralized, segmented, and politically varied into the more appropriate “cultures,” the monolithic culture is a condemnation. Thus, the production introduces how the world has always viewed us as a happy people. At best anecdotal, at its worst dangerously naive, what happiness can we ascribe to a nation where, according to one report, the poverty incidence in the first semester of 2023 was 22.4 percent, which corresponded to some 25 million Filipinos.
Going further, the Philippine Statistics Authority asks the question: “How does the government classify a person or a family as poor?”
PSA cites the following: Republic Act (RA) 8425, or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, defines “poor” as those individuals and families whose income fall below the poverty threshold or “poverty line” set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) through the PSA. For 2023, the poverty threshold—the minimum income required for a family to meet the basic food and nonfood requirements—was set at a national average of P13,873 per month, higher than the poverty ceiling of P11,998 in 2021.
If lechon in Cebu started in the 1970s, how does one explain the presence of the said dish—a suckling pig on a kind of rotisserie gracing the many fiesta scenes of the LVN and Sampaguita movies of the ‘50s?
One encounters in books and magazines facts about lechon as being the national dish in certain parts of South America. We could go on. It is the duty of the documentarian to disabuse the viewers of the false idea that one cuisine is unique in a place.
Already, online people are questioning another origin tale, that of the “silog” dish. Tapsilog. Longsilog The gracious informant claims she “invented” this box-office novelty in 1984. Oh, well, I was eating “tapsilog” earlier than that in Malate.
With due respect to the documentarians involved in this production, there is a treasure trove of gems and discoveries online now. There are individuals who are more daring and greatly inquisitive, out there in the field trekking up hills and mountains, scouring riversides and streams and gifting us with facts and knowledge about how truly rich are the cuisine at the communities in the margins, how the peripheries hide, in so many ways, obscure or forgotten sources of diet, techniques in preserving ingredients, and knowledge of our environment.
‘what can you do to solve our problems?’ Pinag-workshop na naman ang private sector.”
At the forum, DOT and TPB officials informed participants of “headwinds” facing the industry and updated them on the performance of key markets. Afterwards, breakout sessions were divided per sector (i.e., the “workshop”) to discuss recommendations for inclusion in an action plan.
The DOT admitted that one of the “headwinds” the industry is facing are “safety and security concerns by way of travel advisories on Mindanao, and the impact of security concerns on markets like South Korea.” The agency only recently railed against a financial products comparison website tagging the Philippines as the least safe country in the world, and issued a press release quoting supposedly unnamed tourism leaders criticizing Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s remark that the Philippines isn’t safe. (To his credit, he did enumerate what his agency was doing to protect tourists.)
In its presentation, the DOT also named the following as obstacles facing the tourism industry: strong regional competition and travel costs (neighbors offering cheaper packages and flights); geopolitical tensions; limited air connectivity and capacity; border control concerns in select markets (Visa issuance for China, reports of profiling of select markets linked to Pogo-related issues); and economic slowdown in source markets or tourists (projected gross domestic product growth slowing to 4.8 percent in China, 2 percent in the US, 1 percent in Europe, 0.7 percent in Japan for 2025).
Commented one tourism leader, Those ‘headwinds?’ We already know that! If other countries are able to overcome them, why can’t we? Some solutions are just there staring us in the face.” As one government source said: “For me, all you need is aggressive promotion. That really is the answer to the problem. We need to increase our visibility while addressing challenges, most of which are beyond our control.” Another tourism leader pointed out that it usually takes two years for marketing programs to bear fruit. Uhm, who took over the DOT two years ago?
Of course, in a post on their Facebook page about the said forum, the government agency boasted: Under the administration of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the DOT has pushed for trailblazing initiatives and programs that would primarily promote the Philippines as a destination for all, and improve the overall tourism experience. The DOT has gone beyond its mandate of promotion, but equalized tourism development across the regions by heavily involving the grassroots.” Indeed.
In the same household in Ticao, I grew up always anticipating a way of cooking rice where coconut oil is introduced to it, giving the ordinary rice an extraordinary sheen and affording you this fleeting, nearly ephemeral, taste that was neither here nor there. You made sure you use “just enough” of the oil; after all you were presenting rice for a regular meal, and not preparing something akin to a glutinous rice concoction. Woe to the one who rendered a cooked rice with the same persuasion as the “suman” and some such similar rice cakes for she would be accused of having trespassed and blasphemed the extraordinary ordinariness of the rice for meals.
I mention this because after viewing the documentary I Love Filipino, which recently premiered on Netflix, I realized how boring this culture that this production has promised to make us proud as a “race.”
There goes that problematic concept of race.
The perspective reeks of essentialism and that “sin” we anthropologists always teach our students to be at least aware of—ethnocentrism. Once more with feeling, to be ethnocentric is to view the world
The report clarifies how “law further states that those considered poor are those who cannot afford, in a sustained manner, their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, and other essential amenities of life.”
Why belabor these points? The fact is one gets this sense of an unusual kind of bracketing, where if one was reporting about the succulence of dishes, one cannot be critical anymore. And so, we are left with the usual stereotypes. One of these is the claim that we are such a special people, that we do not only have peculiar and stimulatingly piquant culinary traditions, we also have memorable ways of serving our delicacies to others, including strangers. How are these proven in the documentary?
The documentarian travels to Cebu and forthwith makes the claim that here is the “ground zero” for lechon. His key informant dates their “original” lechon to the ‘70s and the narrative stops there. Here is the problem with this kind of reporting—an obsession with origin without the critical perspective of at least offering some differing opinions or ways of looking.
I am looking to feature in the near future some of these persons, who are mostly vloggers redeeming for the global market a better image for the Filipino online journalists and experts. We have this guy named Joseph the Explorer who reviews for us what a carabao mango is. There is “Kusinerong Biyahero” who explores how we can turn poisonous root crops into alternatives to rice. Then there is Celine Murillo, who goes around the Philippine archipelago identifying birds and their names, in the process also pointing to the fruits they eat. Her great lesson: revealing how so many plants and their fruits and flowers are edible and are eaten by certain human groups (from her, I learned about the existence of so many local figs, which to me were once identified as “poisonous”). John Sherwin Felix, of course, with his the raconteur par-excellence of the cooking influences and intellectually open vista, the better to answer why
‘MAKA’s’ newest heartthrobs: Anton Vinzon, Raheel Bhyria, Mad Ramos
GET ready for an even more exciting ride as Sparkle’s newest heartthrobs—Mga Batang Riles stars Anton Vinzon and Raheel Bhyria, and “Sparkle Campus Cutie” winner Mad Ramos—officially join the cast of the hit youth-oriented series MAKA: Next Chapter. These three fresh faces are set to bring new dynamics and plenty of kilig to the beloved MAKA barkada.
Stepping into the role of Anton Mendoza, Anton Vinzon is a confident, charismatic Grade 12 transfer student at MAKA Academy. As the leader of “The B-Boys” basketball trio, he’s a star athlete and online sensation used to the spotlight. Yet beneath his perfect smile and swagger, Anton quietly longs for a complete home. Raheel Bhyria plays Raheel Perez,
the strategic mind of “The B-Boys.”
He is a basketball whiz with a secret passion for science fiction, coding, and numbers.
He uses basketball as his shield, a place where his intelligence and true self aren’t questioned. Fresh from being hailed as Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s first-ever “Ultimate Campus Cutie,” Mad Ramos will surely charm viewers in his acting debut as Mad Sarmiento.
The stylish and energetic third member of “The B-Boys,” Mad is a former star athlete and viral Taratok celebrity. Loyal to his friends and a self-proclaimed mama’s boy, Mad brings heart and excitement to every game.
These Sparkle heartthrobs bring their unique energy to MAKA: Next Chapter together with the rest of the
FROM left: Mad Ramos, Raheel Bhyria and Anton Vinzon officially join the cast of the hit youth-oriented series MAKA Next Chapter.
Golden Icons Concludes Celebratory 2025 Awards Night
The 2025 Asia’s Golden Icons Awards ceremony took place on June 27 at Okada Manila, uniting influential leaders, professionals, and organizations from across Asia for a night dedicated to celebration and recognition. The event celebrated remarkable individuals and entities whose leadership, innovation, and service continue to propel progress in business, government, education, media, healthcare, the arts, and community development.
In his opening remarks, Founder and Chairman Dr. Ronnel P. Ybañez evoked the audience, “Exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and awe-inspiring talent—when combined with a genuine willingness to serve and share—make for the perfect qualities of someone worthy of being called an icon.” He also emphasized the deeper purpose behind the celebration: “Beyond the respect and recognition, we are here to give glory to the Supreme Being who has gifted us with the power to uplift lives and become instruments of change.”
This year’s roster of honorees includes individuals and institutions recognized for their excellence in international relations, diplomacy, finance, healthcare, media, culture, and innovation. Among the recipients were:
D. Edgard A. Cabangon – Chairman, ALC Group of Companies Award: Asia’s Icon of Impact in Business Leadership Joseph Sy – Chairman of Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (GFNI) Award: Asia’s Icon of Excellence in Mining and Energy Solutions
Usec. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, CESO I – Undersecretary for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Award: Asia’s Excellence in Peace Advocacy and Development
Jonathan Ravelas – Senior Adviser Reyes Tacandong & Co.
CASIO Computer Co., Ltd. recently announced the release of the latest addition to the EDIFICE line of timepieces based on the brand concept of “Speed & Intelligence.” The new EFK-100CD is a mechanical watch that, for the first time on the EDIFICE line, incorporates forged carbon, a material renowned for its strength and lightweight properties. Driven by its Purpose, “Through the power to put wonder at hand, bring new levels of joy to lives one by one,” Casio continues to bring unprecedented new value to the world. EDIFICE, a brand inspired by the world of motorsports, keeps delivering wonder and joy to customers through its bold designs and distinctive style, incorporating carbon fiber and other materials prevalent in automotive culture.
The new EFK-100CD is a mechanical timepiece that, for the first time in the EDIFICE line, employs forged carbon, a lightweight and high-strength material used in high-end sports cars and custom automotive parts, for the dial. Forged carbon creates a truly one-of-a-kind appearance in each timepiece, as carbon fiber blended into the resin forms unique, random surface patterns. The simple dial design, with just three hands and a date display, highlights the distinctive character of forged carbon.
Also, for the first time in a Casio timepiece, the watch is equipped with a mechanical movement. Casio incorporated this into the EDIFICE line to reflect the shared dynamism and joy of driving and mechanical timekeeping. The see-through case back reveals the movement in
and
Award: Asia’s Excellence in Strategic Leadership
Binky Mirabueno – SVP and Wealth Management Head Award: Asia’s Resilient Leader in Wealth Management and Finance
Dr. Mary Joyce Manigbas Monzon –President, Colegio De Santo Cristo De Burgos Award: Asia’s Icon of Education Leadership Impact
Johnny Gaw Yu Award: Asia’s Visionary in Entrepreneurship and Public Service
Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida – Governor PCCI
Western Visayas Award: Asia’s Champion of Leadership in Community Development
Yrna Avelina L. Dulce-Ileto –Philanthropist and Businesswoman Award: Asia’s Leader of Hope and Inspiration
John Carlo A. Cayog – Civil Engineer, MIEA UST, CPE NG, NER APEC Engineer Int, PE (Aust). ASEAN Eng.
Award: Asia’s Trusted Engineer in Construction and Management
Engr. Emmanuel Nick B. Carbonell –Registered Electrical Engineer/ISO 9001
Lead Auditor/ Senior Product Safety Analyst
Award: Asia’s Icon of Global Excellence in Electrical Engineering and Consumer Safety L&A Gadgets – Laptop and Computer Service
Award: Asia’s Champion of Excellence in Trusted Tech Distribution Ariva Academy
Award: Asia’s Top Award for Quality Learning Solutions
Tristan Nodalo – Head of Reporters and Anchor at NewsWatch Plus
Award: Asia’s Remarkable News Correspondent of Integrity
Wockhardt
Award: Pharmaceutical Innovation of the Decade
Guimaras Training Center
Award: Distinguished Service in Professional Skills Development
Dr. Nelly Gullergan Suan – CEO ZOOM
Media Broadcasting network
Award: Asia’s Inspiring Female Leader in Business Ethics
Island Living Channel – Television
Channel Focused on Lifestyle and Travel Content Award: Champion of Excellence in Philippine Lifestyle and Travel Media
Cardong Trumpo – Pilipinas Got Talent
Season 7 Grand Winner
Award: Asia’s Symbol of Resilience, Talent, and the Spirit of the Filipino Game
John Vincent Rapiz – VP for Sales and Marketing for ICCP Group
Award: Asia’s Champion of Smart Solutions in Real Estate
Michael Maranan
Award: Asia’s Trailblazer in Logistics and Customs Brokerage Excellence
Arsenio M. De Guzman – President and CEO Asian Pacific Group of Companies
Award: Asia’s Legacy of Excellence in Real Estate Leadership
Mark Ranier Ponce – Chief Executive Officer Q Media 360 Advertising Corp Award: Outstanding Young Entrepreneurship in Advertising
Wilhelm Bolton – President and Management Tourism Authority Award: Asia’s Leader of Excellence in Transforming Hospitality Standards and Service
Adrian Dulalia Pe Award: Asia’s Excellence as a Rising Real Estate Professional Mitch Donz Tan – Director / Global Business Negotiator / Advisor Award: Asia’s Leading Innovator in Global Business VS Concha Realty
Award: Exemplary Realty for Customer Service
Dr. Ryan Encabo – CEO / Medical Director Award: Asia’s Innovative Doctor for Hair Regrowth Solutions
Dr. Princess Nellaine Suan – RTWPB IX Board Member, National Vice President for TUCP Youth Council Award: Asia’s Resilient Leader of Excellence
Prof. Philip Tiongson – Stemcell Formulator Award: Asia’s Iconic Expert in Ageing Medicine
Napoleon D. Morigomen – 25 Years in Supply Chain & Logistics Leadership Award: Asia’s Excellence in Logistics Operations
Manila International Dance Festival –Cultural Dancer Award: Asia’s Renowned Dance Performer and Cultural Advocate Renee Rose D. Tirones-Patacsil –CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT | CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTANT (US) | JURIS DOCTOR Award: Asia’s Exemplary Leader in Finance and Technology Zaira Tumang – Founder, CEO and President of The Grid Property Ventures Inc. Award: Asia’s Impactful Leader in Business Transformation
Maria Elena Baltazar Herrera, FASP, PhD – President Integra Management Consulting Inc. Award: Visionary Leader in Education and Entrepreneurship
Mark Ross Rubio, MBA – Marketing and Administrative Head, Academy for Leisure and Tourism, Newport World Resort Award: Asia’s Excellence in Academic Leadership and Administration.
PFA Brings Its Flagship Franchise Expo Back to Davao
THE Philippine
opportunities closer to
MSMEs, and investors in Southern Mindanao.
The two-day expo will feature around 40 exhibitors showcasing over 200 local and international brands, including successful homegrown franchises. Visitors can explore a wide range of opportunities—from food and retail to services and financing—all curated for the region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A highlight of the event is the Franchise Forum, “Franchising: The Proven Growth Strategy You Can’t Afford to Ignore,” where participants can be inspired and equipped to view franchising as a strategic path to entrepreneurship and expansion. Successful franchisors and industry leaders will share their journey from local startups to nationwide brands. Aspiring business owners will also have the chance to attend free seminars on “How to Invest in the Right Franchise Seminar” and existing business owners can assess if they are ready for franchising through “How Franchise Your Business Seminar”, among others.
“This is more than just a trade exhibit,” said PFA Chairman Chris Lim, “It’s a platform to unlock growth for entrepreneurs in Davao and the rest of Region XI. We are excited to bring the energy and opportunities of franchising to this dynamic and resilient region.” Franchise Negosyo Para sa Region XI (Davao) is made possible with the support of: Supporting Organizations: Department of Trade and Industry Region XI (DTI XI), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Region XI (OWWA XI), Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII). Partners: SM Supermalls, SM Lanang Premier, PLDT Enterprise, GCash, Carrier – The Air Authority, UnionBank, BDO, Grainsmart Café, Villa Tuna, Francorp, U-Franchise Media Partners: NET 25 Eagle Broadcasting Corp., Business World, BusinessMirror, Mega Mobile (Inquirer Mobile), Inquirer Group of Companies, Asia Journal / Balikbayan Magazine, Philstar Media Group, Philippine Daily Inquirer Admission to the expo is free, but visitors are encouraged to register online to skip the lines: https:// www.pfa.org.ph/event-details/davao Download the Expo Directory here: https://drive.google.com/drive/ folders/1p7KLvCaUkug_JrhQtdeNXy2UAsJEMn87?usp =sharing
Apex Mining Wins Bronze Honors as Best Managed Company In Asia’s Best Companies 2025
APEX Mining Co., Inc. received the bronze award as the Best Managed Company in the Philippines under the Basic Materials category at the Asia’s Best Companies organized by Finance Asia.
According to Luis R. Sarmiento, ASEAN Eng., “This award brings us closer to our vision of being the country’s leading, globally recognized responsible mining conglomerate by 2035.”
The Asia’s Best Companies is based on nomination by Asia’s active community of influential investors and financial analysts as they evaluate the corporate behavior and performance of Asian companies across varied sectors and markets.
Billy G. Torres, the company’s Chief Finance Officer, says, “Apex Mining is committed to be a company worthy of the trust and confidence of our shareholders and stakeholders.”
“More importantly, we are committed to be a model of responsible mining.”
Based on its Mine Reserves and Resource Certifications of 2025, Apex Mining’s Maco Mine has enough reserves and resources to continue at the targeted production rate of 3,000 tons per day until 2034.
The awards ceremony of the Asia’s Best Companies was held at the Conrad Hotel in Hong Kong on June 17, 2025.
JOLLIBEE takes crunchy, juicy goodness to new heights with the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Sandwich now available in three bold dressing flavors—featuring two new exciting limited-time offer (LTO) options, Golden BBQ and Chili Cheese, alongside the fan-favorite Creamy Ranch. Designed to give chicken sandwich fans more ways to indulge, the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Sandwich is all about choice, flavor, and full-on sarap. To kick off the flavorful celebration, Jollibee introduces Andres Muhlach as the new face of the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Sandwich. Already part of the growing Jollibee family, Andres now brings his youthful charm, star talent, and undeniable energy to champion this exciting line of bold flavors.
“May pagka-thrill-seeker talaga ako as a person, always searching for adventure. love food that’s crunchy, flavorful, and exciting—and Jollibee’s Crunchy Chicken Sandwich really delivers,” said Andres. “What’s even better is that now, you can pick your favorite flavor and make the sandwich your own.”
The Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Sandwich line-up features Jollibee’s signature crunchy chicken fillet, hugged by soft-glazed buns and made even better with bold, crave-worthy sauces. There’s the already popular Creamy Ranch, which is tangy and creamy with just the right richness; the new Golden BBQ, a smoky-sweet dressing; and the debut of Chili Cheese, a cheesy blend with a balanced kick—perfect for those who like a bit of spice. With these bold flavors, the Jollibee Crunchy Chicken Sandwich sets the bar even higher for what a chicken
In the photo are, from left, Luis R. Sarmiento, President and CEO; Ma. Teresa L. Pacis, AVP, Corporate Affairs and Communication; Jessica Danielle Base, Senior Executive Assistant; Pepe G. Gaspar, AVP, Corporate Finance; and, Billy G. Torres SVP/CFO with Jasmine Tai, Associated Head of Conference, FinanceAsia.
THE NEXT GENERATION TAMARAW RETURNS TO ITS ORIGIN LAND
Story & photo by Randy S. Peregrino
TOYOTA’S Tamaraw nameplate in the Philippines is undoubtedly deeply rooted. No matter if it is about family, business, or simply personal, the iconic utility vehicle, for once, has been part of every owner’s life. Anyone who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s has their own story to tell, whether about ownership or simply the experience of riding one. Indeed, from the original bare-metal commercial and passenger vehicle to the three-row FX model, these generations of models truly left a mark on the country’s mobility history.
The Tamaraw made a highly celebrated comeback in late 2024 and it was simply momentous. Memories of encounters with this iconic nameplate all came back. So, when Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) invited us to be part of the “Lakbay Tamaraw” drive event, we could not let it pass. The destination? To its native origin land, Mindoro. Old and new EVERYTHING kicked off at the Batangas port where the entire group boarded the RoRo
for Calapan, Mindoro with all the commissioned
variants (LWB and SWB). Most participants were assigned to the turbocharged diesel variants. But we got to test the gasoline SWB (short wheelbase) M/T version. Considering
the Tamaraw’s history of gasoline-powered models, it was a perfect assignment. Motivation comes from a 2.0-liter 1TR-FE, four-cylinder gasoline engine generating 137 hp and 183 N-m of torque mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Next Generation Tamaraw is built on Toyota’s global IMV platform, retaining the same DNA as the Tamaraw that plied Philippine roads in the 1990s and early 2000s. For us, it was like blending old and new elements to form an immortalized version. The bare frame has modern dark trims upfront and a spartan plastic dash and center console. Other modern features are 2DIN screen infotainment, charging port, and cupholders. We love the manually controlled via crank handles.
After reaching Calapan port in Mindoro,
we went for a short drive to the Toyota dealership. There we lined up all the Tamaraws and received a warm welcome from the local community. From the dealership, the group made a couple of side trips. First, we went to the shallow riverbed in Baco, underneath the Mangangan bridge for a photoshoot. There, we got to appreciate the new imposing look of the Next Generation Tamaraw dressed up with several aftermarket components. No wonder new owners are drawn and inclined to dress up this utility vehicle.
Knock one for six
THE next leg was the real deal in terms of the driving dynamics. Here, we got to experience the long provincial road and the notorious series of tight bends on Calapan National Road going to the Infinity resort in Puerto Galera. We were fair-minded in terms of expectations, particularly its overall comfort and handling, considering how the vehicle was built. But boy, we were so wrong.
First, the seating orientation is a huge plus for a utility vehicle. The steering helm is higher and facing the driver directly, a car-like setup. Never mind if the two-seater bench has limited adjustments. There is enough legroom for a relatively tall guy. On the road, we waited for the usual noises from a bare frame, but there was very little to none. Even the engine noise is relatively muffled. For a rigid leaf-sprung rear suspension setup, bounces were expected. But not for the New Tamaraw because even with an empty cargo bed, it was somehow
mild and tolerable. At higher speeds, the vehicle was surprisingly well-planted and stable. Sure, the gasoline engine is less aggressive compared to the turbocharged diesel mills. But it does the job when pushed with constant downshifting, whenever the situation calls for it. Do not even start to ask us about the handling, because we were taken aback. In zigzags, it can keep up with the more powerful A/T variants. Here, we were wondering if we were still driving a utility vehicle. Because of the firm damping setup, the Tamaraw responded well to tight turns. Rolling on smaller 14C steel rims wrapped in 195-series tires also helped.
Together with good steering feedback, we only focused on when to brake and steer correctly. Entering and exiting those tight bends were never easier in a commercial vehicle. This New Tamaraw drives and handles well on winding roads, surprisingly even better than most new pickups. There, we said it.
Giving back to the community BACK at the dealership, we met the representatives of the Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP). Established in 1979 as a special project under the Office of the President, it was then transferred to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The TCP’s ultimate goal is to grow the Tamaraw population to over 2000 and no longer consider the buffalo as a critically endangered species.
More importantly, there are the Bantay
Tamaraw indigenous people volunteers and barangay volunteers who patrol the protected areas and deter illegal poachers.
After launching the Next Generation Tamaraw, TMP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DENR to support the TCP.
Legacy
country. By joining forces with such a highly respected partner, we are combining the strengths of two trusted brands that share a deep commitment to innovation, reliability and putting customers first.”
“Pioneer believes that collaborating with Toyota, the respected and recognized leader in mobility and service, will meaningfully support
The second day was dedicated to a meaningful visit to Pagturian Mangyan School in Puerto Galera. This time, the utility vehicle served its important task—to carry all the donated school supplies and chairs. It was also the time to showcase not only the vehicle’s payload capacity but also the ease of loading and unloading, thanks to the rear bed dropside feature. Of course, the tight and steep climbs en route to the remote school did not stop the select LWB variants from fulfilling the important mission.
THE event’s first day may have given us the biggest surprise in a utility vehicle’s ability to drive and handle well. But the following day showed us what the Next Generation Tamaraw is all about. While the Tamaraw’s comeback as a commercial vehicle is a homage to its roots as a tough, reliable, and no-nonsense vehicle built for Filipinos, it also promotes the symbol of hope for conservation and, carries loads that put big smiles on children’s faces.
TAMARAWS in the wild
DURING the donation giving in Pagturian Mangyan School, Puerto Galera
THE New Generation Tamaraw features a modern dash layout
A grand showdown: Pogačar-Vingegaard
Yulo, Eala, Nouri head PSA’s top athletes of June
GOLDEN boy Carlos Yulo returned to action with a bang, and tennis breakout star Alex Eala continued her history-making run as they spearheaded a stellar outing for Philippine bets in June.
Ten months after his unprecedented double-gold feat in the Paris Olympics, Yulo took his act to the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jecheon, South Korea and won his fourth straight title in his pet event, the floor exercise, with a winning of 14.600 points.
The 25-year-old dynamo from Leveriza Manila, who was champ in floor and vault in the 2024 Olympiad, complemented his Asian four-peat in the floor with bronze medals in the individual all-around (83.633), vault (14.333) and parallel bars (14.166).
On the rise since her upset binge and semifinal showing in the WTA 1000 Miami Open last March, 20-year-old Eala reached new heights in the WTA 250 Lexus Eastbourne Open in Great Britain. Notching six victories from the qualifying to the main draw capped by a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 dispatching of Frenchwoman Varvara Andreyevna Gracheva in the semifinals, Eala barged into the championship round.
This made her the first Filipina to ever reach this stage in a WTA competition while lifting her to a new career high ranking of 56th. But in the end, Eala settled for runner-up honors after yielding a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10) loss to Australian Maya Joint.
The two young guns headlined the honorees in the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s monthly citation of achievers for the sixth month of 2025. Joining them in the honor roll were aces from individual and team sports, both up-and-coming and experienced.
Four-division boxing titlist Nonito Donaire Jr made his successful ring comeback at age 42, scoring a unanimous technical decision over Chile’s Andres Campos in Argentina to clinch the World Boxing Association interim bantamweight crown.
Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, 19, ruled the rapid event and placed second in the blitz in the Asian Juniors Chess Championships in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka, where John Jerish Velarde also got a podium finish in the rapid section. The Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation team paddled to six golds, one silver and one bronze in the International Canoe
PARIS—At just 26 years old, Tadej Pogačar is among cycling’s greats and also admired as a spectacular rider. The world champion wins on all terrains, and is favorite to win a fourth Tour de France title.
Pogačar lines up Saturday in the northern city of Lille with his confidence sky-high, boosted by a stellar first half of the season punctuated with prestigious wins in both one-day and stage races.
T his year, the Slovenian rider won a third Liège–Bastogne–Liège title and other one day-classics. Most recently, he won the Critérium du Dauphiné, a Tour tune-up, with a dominant display in the mountains.
“I ’m lucky to have had close to the perfect preparation this year,” the UAE Team Emirates leader said.
“Everything has gone really smoothly, especially coming off a great altitude camp with my teammates.”
Pogačar posted back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021, becoming the youngest double winner of the three-week showcase race. He was also runner-up in 2022 and 2023.
“It’s hard to believe it’s already my sixth Tour de France,” he said. “Time flies.”
So does Pogačar.
His appetite for victory is insatiable and he has clearly established himself as the No. 1 rider in the world, drawing comparisons with the greatest of all time, Eddy Merckx. The Belgian great was known as “The Cannibal” for his ferocious taste for victory.
The new “Cannibal”
THE 80-year-old Merckx believes Pogačar has already surpassed him.
“It’s obvious that he is now above me,” Merckx told L’Equipe newspaper after Pogačar won the world championship last year. “Deep down, I already thought as much when I saw what he did on the last Tour de France.”
A fourth Tour win will draw Pogačar level with British rider Chris Froome for the fifth-most wins of all time. Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have won cycling’s biggest race five times.
Vingegaard the main rival
POGAČAR’S team is formidable. He will be supported by experienced allrounders and climbers.
His m ain threat appears to come from two-time Tour champion Jonas
With Fajardo nearing top form, SMB looks to seize lead in semis
JUNE MAR FAJARDO looks to be closer to top form as San Miguel Beer tries to take control of the semifinal series against Barangay Ginebra on Friday in Game Five of the best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup series on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Injury no more,” Fajardo declared after finishing with 12 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and three steals in San Miguel Beer’s 107-82 win in a starting role in Game Four against Ginebra on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The series is tied 2-2 and the Beermen look to ride the momentum.
T he Beermen and Gin Kings clash at 7:30pm.
A right calf injury limited Fajardo’s mobility early in the series but the eight-time Most Valuable Player still delivered decent performances, including a double-double in the Game Three loss.
Coach Leo Austria said he expects more from the Beermen in Game 5 as he sees Ginebra doing whatever it takes to get the upper hand and regain its winning ways.
“I saw June Mar’s body language that he wanted to do more that is why I am sure he’s fully recovered. At the same time, the other players are extremely aggressive, and they showed it in Game 4. I am hoping we keep or double the same energy next game,” Austria said.
CJ Perez scored 19 points and made seven assists and five rebounds while Juami Tiongson, Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial added 12 points apiece for the Beermen.
Ginebra looks to bounce back, hoping to do the necessary adjustments just in time to get closer to the championship.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang 5G tries to book its 25th appearance in the finals as it goes for the clincher against Rain or Shine on Friday at 5 p.m.
TN T won Game Four, 108-92, for a 3-1 lead.
Jordan Heading had his best game in a Tropang 5G uniform with 23 points—13 in the last quarter—while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser piled up 22 points and 11 rebounds.
“I am only concerned if we have enough men because we are just falling like flies. We lost Kelly [Williams] and Calvin [Oftana] last night.
It is just whoever we have, next man up? But it’s been since day one and the entire conference,” Reyes said.
“So for me going into the next game that is my only concern. Who do we have and how can I make best use of whoever we left.”
Josef T. Ramos
JUNE MAR FAJARDO and the Beermen look to score back-to-back wins against the Gin Kings.
The 28-year-old Danish rider was runner-up at the Critérium and arrives in much better shape than last year, when his preparations were hampered by a crash that left him with a broken collarbone and ribs, and a collapsed lung.
Vingegaard’s main concern is whether he can match Pogačar in the highest climbs. It is a key factor, since this year’s Tour features six mountain stages, with five summit finishes. The support of teammates Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, Simon Yates and Sepp Kuss will be crucial to Vingegaard’s chances.
“From day one we will have to be there as a team to optimally assist Jonas,” said Grischa Niermann, the team’s head of racing. “We have an optimal preparation behind us and with that, we think we can get the best possible result.”
Who else might challenge?
ALTHOUGH there are two clear favorites, the length and intensity of the Tour makes it a race of attrition, where bad days and crashes are always a threat, keeping the door open for
Editor: Jun Lomibao
FIVB chief Azevedo confident PHL will deliver exceptional world meet
By Josef T. Ramos
WORLD volleyball President Fabio Azevedo has no doubt the Philippines’ hosting of FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship from September 12 to 28 will be
A
Betti.
A zevedo was also welcomed by the Alas Men’s National squad along with Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni. Our expectations of the Philippines are remarkably high. We set the bar extremely high because it is not the first time, they are hosting a big event like this. Do not miss it as this will be an amazing show. The world championships will be an amazing experience,” Azevedo added.
The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships will be held at the Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
A zevedo cited the country’s VNL hosting for three straight editions as the gauge in yet another rousing staging by the PNVF, hoping that hosting achievement will result in a productive hosting that also attracts local and global fans.
A zevedo made a stop in the Philippines from Thursday to Friday on his way to Palau for the Mini
Pacific Games for meetings with local authorities and stakeholders— including newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio—to discuss the momentous event.
The VNL introduced fan zones for the first time in the Philippines, attracting more fans to a whole new level.
A zevedo also cited the Philippines’ innate warm hospitality as key.
We have been preparing for two years now. In terms of playing venues, hotels, logistics, infrastracture —it is all great and we are all very much prepared,” he said.
What gives us comfortability is the experience and leadership the Philippines and the PNVF in hosting events like this. We are confident that PNVF will deliver. They have proven their capability in delivering big events.”
“They raised the bar that in 73 days from now, you’re gonna be seeing the Philippines at the center of the volleyball world,” added the FIVB chief who sees the Philippines and Asia as one of the movers in their overall mission to have 1.6 billion fans by 2032.
Suzara is honored for the praises and now brims with added confidence in delivering the expectations not only anticipated by the FIVB but also by the Filipino fans.
“It is our honor to have FIVB president Fabio here. We appreciate President Fabio having a quick visit to guide us in the successful world championship hosting for the first time in the Philippines,” Suzara said.
“The challenge now is the the world championships 73 days from now and we’re ready.” A side from the PNVF office, Azevedo will also visit government officials led by Senators Allan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Gregorio for a two-day Philippine stay before going to Palau.
ALEXIS NAILGA continued to raise the bar in the Junior Philippine Golf Tour Series, reaffirming his place on top of the boys’ 15-18 division with another emphatic triumph, this time in challenging territory at Pueblo de Oro on Thursday in Cagayan de Oro.
Coming off a victorious stint on the familiar fairways of Del Monte, the Bukidnon ace showed he could also thrive under pressure on less familiar ground, as he dominated the field anew despite a 73 to win by seven and virtually seal a spot in the muchanticipated International Container Terminal Services Inc. North vs South Elite Junior Finals in October.
In the girls’ side of the premier age category, local bet Ally Gaccion fired a brilliant six-under 66 to rout Del Monte rivals Crista Miñoza and Zero Plete and cruise to a commanding 17-stroke victory.
Nailga, who also reigned in the Mactan leg of the Visayas swing, faced an early threat from Del Monte teammate Clement Ordeneza. A bogey on the opening hole coupled with Ordeneza’s birdie on No. 3 trimmed Nailga’s lead to just two, hinting at a tight and dramatic finish. But the 16-year-old Nailga responded like a true champion, regaining control with birdie on the par3 No. 6 and never looked back, storming away by six despite a double bogey on No. 11 and a miscue on No. 13. He birdied Nos. 14 and 16 for a 36-37 round and a 54-hole total of five-over 221. CDO’s Armand Copok saved his best for last, firing a solid three-under 69 to surge from seventh to second at 228, edging Zamboanga’s Mhark Fernando III, who placed third at 229 after a 75. Copok’s strong finish, following his third-place effort at Del
“It’s
Vingegaard, who leads Team VismaLease a Bike.
YULO EALA
TADEJ POGAČAR eyes his fourth Tour de France title as Jonas Vingegaard seeks his third. AP
ALEXIS NAILGA boosts his bid for a spot in the JPGT finals.
FIVB President Fabio Azevedo (right) talks about the plans for the world championship with Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Ramon Suzara.
