Officials, government leaders, business partners, and guests raise a ceremonial toast during the launch of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena in Cebu City on July 9, 2026. As SM Prime Holdings' second flagship live entertainment venue, the venue brings world-class facilities and a premier event destination that elevates live entertainment, sports, and major events across the Visayas and Mindanao.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
revenue collection target reflects expectations that slower economic growth will weigh on household spending and business activity, limiting the government’s ability to raise taxes.
By Ada Pelonia
HILIPPINE agriculture growth is expected to be flat this year, as climaterelated shocks and geopolitical tensions weigh on domestic production, according to a unit of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).
Despite the rebound that catapulted farm output to a five-year high in 2025, UA&P Center for Food and Agribusiness (CFA)
Executive Director Marie Annette Dacul said the gross value added (GVA) of agriculture, fishery, and forestry this year could dip to 0.5 percent or post a 0.5
percent increment.
“While it faced a strong recovery in 2025, the Philippine agriculture will face a much flatter outlook this year [...] however, the outlook actually varies across subsectors,” Dacul said in the center’s recent midyear conference. She said the UA&P-CFA expects poultry and livestock production to end the year in a positive territory at 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent and 4 percent to 5 percent, respectively.
“Poultry will remain as the sector’s strongest performer, supported by the steady consumer demand and efficiency
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
FOURTEEN countries led by the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom marked the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award by declaring the ruling “final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines.”
The joint statement by Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the UK, the US, and the Philippines, described the 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected Beijing’s expansive maritime claims as a “significant milestone.”
“We reaffirm the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision that there is no legal basis for China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on ‘historic rights,’” the statement said.
PNoy, chief architect of WPS arbitral victory
MEANWHILE, in a separate commemoration, supporters, allies, and representatives of fisherfolk communities gathered Sunday at the tomb of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III
to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the landmark arbitral victory.
President Aquino was cited as the chief architect of the arbitration case the Philippines filed against China in 2013, which led to the historic July 12, 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating China’s so-called ninedash line claim and affirming the Philippines’s sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
The commemoration began with a Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Joseph Patrick Echiverria, who previously served in the Diocese of Palawan and lived among fishing communities that experienced firsthand the effects of China’s encroachment into Philippine waters. A brief tribute program followed.
The tribute was organized by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Liberal Party of the Philippines.
Liberal Party President and former Congressman Erin Tañada urged Congress to recognize July 12 as a national day of reflection to preserve the significance of the arbitral victory for future generations.
“We asserted our rights and we won it, just like we did in 1986 when we won EDSA. We will continue to remember this and continue to tell our story to our children and the next generation,” Tañada said.
Representing the fishing communities, Restituto “Ka Resty” del Rosario, chairman of the Bagong Pangarap Fishermen Association and the fisherfolk representative to the National Anti-Poverty Commission, thanked President Aquino for defending the country’s maritime rights.
Del Rosario recalled the 2019 Lakad Panawagan, when fishermen from Bataan and Zambales walked 135 kilometers over five days— from Olongapo City to the town of Santa Cruz, Zambales—to assert their right to fish freely in the West Philippine Sea.
NCAF Executive Director Kiko Aquino Dee paid tribute to his “Tito Noy” by recalling how the late President dealt with the challenges in the West Philippine Sea and the country’s ultimate victory always with grace. For one, following the arbitral ruling, President Aquino described the decision not merely as a victory for the Philippines but for the inter-
carry importance, especially given the fact that core inflation continues to rise.
“Due to the upside surprise in wage hikes, we expect the BSP to stay on a hiking path for the rest of 2026 despite inflation being below expectations over the past two months,” Dacanay said.
In a separate commentary, Citi economists Wei Zheng Kit and Helmi Arman emphasized that the BSP has historically been “vigilant” toward wageprice spirals, and the current episode which they deemed an “unusually large” wage adjustment following an “unusually large inflation shock”—is “precisely the dynamic that will keep the Monetary Board on high alert.”
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
PRESIDENTFerdinand R. Marcos Jr.
has personally inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), underscoring the government’s push to modernize the country’s premier fish port and strengthen its resilience against frequent flooding.
Singapore emerged as the largest source of approved foreign investments with 03.15 billion, followed by China with P1.13 billion, the United States with P1.06 billion, Australia with P961 million and Japan with P873 million.
For his part, Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said the investment approvals reflect continued interest from investors despite global economic uncertainties.
“The strong investment approvals recorded in the first half of the year affirm the Philippines’s attractiveness as an investment destination and reflect investor confidence in our economic prospects and reform agenda,” Rodolfo said.
The latest approvals follow the Philippines’s recent reclassification by the World Bank as an upper middle-income economy after the country’s gross national income per capita exceeded the institution’s threshold, a milestone that government officials have said could strengthen the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
Bless Aubrey
Ogerio
During the visit on Saturday, Marcos observed the unloading, hauling, and trading of fish products at Market 1, and toured various sections of the facility to assess day-to-day operations alongside ongoing improvement works.
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) General Manager Glen Pangapalan briefed the Presi-
dent on the port’s current operations and the rehabilitation progress of Markets 1 and 2.
Joining the inspection were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias Reynald Tiangco, and Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco.
The visit highlighted the administration’s commitment to upgrading
ers,” Dacul said. While full recovery of the hog industry from the lingering effects of African swine fever (ASF) would likely take time: “Livestock is expected to recover given its first quarter perfor-
fisheries infrastructure to expand market access for fisherfolk, lower transportation and logistics costs, and ensure uninterrupted operations despite adverse weather conditions.
Rehabilitation efforts at the NFPC are designed to address persistent flooding during high tides and typhoons, a longstanding issue that disrupts port activities.
The project, implemented by the PFDA, includes the construction and rehabilitation of market halls, reinforced concrete wharves, drainage and sewerage systems, reclamation works, a shipyard, backup facilities, and other essential port infrastructure.
Once completed, the upgraded fish port is expected to provide safer, cleaner, and more efficient facilities, while preserving fish quality, minimizing spoilage, and improving the overall handling and distribution of fish products.
mance, recovering from swine industry as it gradually rebuilds its production.”
The crops and fisheries subsectors would be this year’s laggards, according to Dacul, as hefty input costs and climate shocks constrain production.
The modernization initiative is also projected to generate jobs and livelihood opportunities for residents of Navotas and nearby communities.
The 49-hectare Navotas Fish Port Complex was established in 1974 through a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank during the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos
Sr. It was completed in 1977 and officially opened in 1979. Today, it remains the largest fish port in the Philippines and one of the biggest in Asia.
Serving as a major source of fish supply for Metro Manila and much of Luzon, the NFPC has seen steady growth in operations.
Fish unloading volumes rose from 196,580 metric tons in 2023 to 221,692 metric tons in 2025, while vessel arrivals increased from 24,570 to 26,128 over the same period.
imported inputs. Despite this, Dacul noted that such challenges on food production created new opportunities for the sector.
away. We will issue a show-cause order for them to explain,” said Juan. The penalties will be determined by multiplying the base penalty rate (BPR) and the non-compliance duration (NDR). On top of this, the ERC can impose an additional penalty of 10 percent of the BPR per violation. The BPR is determined on the rated capacity of the generating unit and the number of violations; the NCD is the total duration of equivalent unplanned outage days (EUOD) in excess of the cap. The BPR in excess of the EUOD could be as high as P200,000.00 for generating units above 200 megawatts (MW).
Juan emphasized that the revised rules place greater focus on preventing avoidable power plant outages rather than merely responding to them after disruptions occur. “Reliable power plants are essential to reliable electricity service. These revised rules encourage generation companies to strengthen preventive maintenance, improve operational performance, and minimize unplanned outages that can contribute to supply shortages and higher electricity costs. Ultimately, this means a more dependable power system,” he added.
For consumers, the ERC said the revised rules translate to a more dependable electricity supply, fewer potential supply disruptions during periods of high demand, and a more resilient power system capable of supporting the country’s longterm economic growth.
Meanwhile, the ERC acknowledged industry feedback, particularly from the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (Pippa), which had said that the caps are unrealistic, disproportionate, and unfairly penalize generation companies. The group had also said that enforcing arbitrary caps disrupts the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and limits the flexibility of generation companies to perform rigorous maintenance.
“Pippa is happy with the recognition and importance of planned outages which is necessary for the proper maintenance of our plants. As for the other matters discussed in the resolution, Pippa will continue to work with the ERC regarding unplanned outage days and penalty formula,” said Pippa president Atty. Anne Montelibano when sought for comment. Pippa represents the industry voice of the power generation sector. and resiliency of commercial produc-
“We see that crop production is expected to be under pressure due to high production costs and the weather uncertainty, as well as the slower growth of several major commodities,” she said.
“Fisheries will continue to face challenges from climate variability, as well as the rising operating costs given the high cost of fuel and resource constraints.”
Downside risks, opportunities
MEANWHILE , Dacul noted several risks that could affect the farm sector and warrant attention, such as the threats posed by climate and weather disturbances and geopolitical tensions.
The country also continues to face transboundary animal diseases, such as ASF and bird flu along with some emerging crop diseases as well as dependence on
This includes climate-smart agriculture, digitalized sector through data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), shift to high-value crops, investment in value-adding, modernized logistics, and export opportunities on niche global markets.
“The future of the Philippine agriculture is not simply about producing more food. But it is producing smarter, adding more value, adopting technology, improving efficiency, and becoming more competitive. We have shown that we can recover from challenges or adversity,” Dacul said.
“The challenge now is to move beyond recovery. The future of Philippine agriculture now depends not only on producing more but really on building an agricultural system that is more productive, competitive, and better prepared for an increasing uncertain world.” Law of the Sea (Unclos).
Unclos enumerates these other lawful uses: laying submarine cables and pipelines; constructing artificial islands and installations within a coastal state’s 200 -nautical mile exclusive economic zone; fishing in the High Seas and exploiting natural resources within EEZs; and conducting marine scientific research.
Counting allies
“The adjustment therefore appears to recognize a more challenging macroeconomic environment,” Asuncion told the BusinessMirror.
Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas, for his part, pointed to the “increase in imports of oil and gas given the persistent Iran war and off and on closure of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Meanwhile, Canlas added, the “forecast of Internal revenues by the BIR continues to decline from the slowing down of the economy.” Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) economist Leonardo A. Lanzona likewise said the revised BIR target is consistent with the government’s weaker growth outlook, as slower economic activity generally translates into softer collections from corporate income taxes, VAT, and other business-related taxes.
While the government did not explicitly lower the target because it expects weaker corporate earnings, Lanzona said slower economic growth naturally results in slower growth in business profits and taxable income, leading to lower tax collections.
He added that if economic activity continues to soften, the effects could eventually spill over to the labor market, although firms typically adjust gradually before resorting to layoffs.
“Firms facing margin compression tend to freeze hiring and cut hours before they cut headcount,” Lanzona told the BusinessMirror
He said underemployment and hiring activity would likely provide earlier indications of labor market weakness than the headline unemployment rate should businesses continue to scale back expansion plans.
BOC target raised THE DBCC, however, took a different approach
for the Bureau of Customs (BOC), raising its 2026 collection target by P7.2 billion to P1.011 trillion. Finance Undersecretary for Revenue Operations Group Rolando U. Ligon earlier said the higher goal reflects assumptions of a weaker peso against the US dollar, which increases the peso value of import duties and taxes.
He also cited the bureau’s strong collection performance after it exceeded its first-half target despite the suspension of excise taxes on petroleum products.
The BOC collected P491.748 billion in the first half of the year, surpassing its target by P11.478 billion.
Lanzona said the higher BOC target should not automatically be interpreted as a sign that the government expects import demand to remain strong.
He explained that with the peso trading above P61 per US dollar since late June, customs collections could increase simply because imported goods are worth more in peso terms, even if the volume of imports does not rise significantly.
Asuncion, meanwhile, said higher imports are not necessarily a cause for concern if they consist of capital goods, machinery, and other production inputs that support future investment and economic activity.
However, he said the picture is less encouraging if the increase in the import bill is driven mainly by higher fuel and commodity prices rather than productive investments, as this could keep the country’s trade deficit elevated, particularly if export growth remains modest.
“The concern would be if the increase is largely attributable to higher fuel and commodity costs rather than productive investments,” Asuncion also said.
THE Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a maritime security research program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reported that by 2025, 27 governments publicly endorsed the Arbitral Ruling as legally binding and called for it to be respected. These are: n Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States.
It is notable that Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia—European Union and Nato members— were not among the 27 governments in AMTI’s list of active supporters in 2025. This means that by joining the coalition of like-minded allies this year, the three have shifted from general acknowledgment of the ruling to explicit support. The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to respond to BusinessMirror’s query on why 16 other governments—including India, South Korea, and France— that had publicly supported the ruling did not subscribe to the anniversary joint statement this year. AMTI observed that since 2022, 18 countries moved their position from mere acknowledgment to active support, citing “renewed concern for international rules and norms in the wake of the war in Ukraine and with a more active Philippine policy on the South China Sea.” Among the 14 AMTI countries that simply “positively acknowledged” the ruling are Asean members—claimant states Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as Indonesia (whose EEZ around Natuna Island overlaps China’s nine-dash line), Singapore, Myanmar and Timor-Leste. Brunei, another claimant state, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia are neutral. Meanwhile, eight governments openly oppose the Award: claimants China and Taiwan, along with Russia, Pakistan, Montenegro, Sudan, Syria, and Vanuatu. See related stories: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/07/12/the-lighthouse-and-theshield/ https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/07/12/ where-do-fishers-draw-from-bounty-of-the-sea/
By Carmel Pedroza
CEBU CITY—The Cebu Provincial Government has stepped up monitoring and response efforts following the ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano that reached several areas in western Cebu, with provincial officials assuring residents that assistance and emergency measures remain in place as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Friday led a coordination meeting at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Command Center, bringing together key department heads to evaluate conditions in affected local government units and ensure government resources are ready for deployment.
While the PDRRMO reported that air quality had improved compared to the previous day, Baricuatro appealed to the public not to lower their guard.
She encouraged residents to remain cautious, monitor official advisories, and continue cooperating with government agencies, emphasizing that the provincial government is closely coordinating with national authorities to keep the situation under control.
Health officials, meanwhile, confirmed that two individuals sought medical attention after experiencing breathing difficulties believed to have been aggravated by exposure to volcanic ash. The patients were treated at hospitals in the towns of Pinamungajan and Barili before being discharged.
The Provincial Health Office chief, Dr. Sheila Faciol said the patients may have had underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma, that were triggered by the fine ash particles. She reminded the public that volcanic ash can irritate the respiratory system and worsen existing health problems.
Faciol added that all 16 provincial government-run hospitals remain on heightened alert to respond to any additional ashfall-related medical cases.
The Provincial Veterinary Office is also keeping a close watch on the possible effects of ash exposure on animals.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy said poultry are especially susceptible to respiratory illnesses, while prolonged exposure could also cause pneumonia, eye irritation, and other health concerns among cattle.
Farmers were advised to keep their animals sheltered whenever possible and provide them with a steady supply of clean drinking water.
V incoy also assured livestock owners that the Capitol is prepared to distribute vitamins and other forms of assistance, while encouraging them to enroll in the provincial government’s free livestock insurance program.
Relief assistance is, likewise, being prepared for communities affected by the prevailing weather conditions.
See “Kanlaon,” A5
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
THE Philippines must convert its landmark arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea into credible deterrence and stronger frontline capabilities, defense and diplomatic officials said over the weekend, as the country marked the 10th anniversary of the ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the disputed waters.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Stratbase Institute, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and the Armed Forces (AFP) chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner, said that the government must now operationalize the 2016 award and promote a rules-based order in the region.
Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres Manhit said the Philippines no longer needs to prove the legitimacy of its maritime rights, as international law has “settled that question, and settled it decisively.”
“As we mark this tenth year, we honor a legal victory. But we also inherit its responsibility,” Manhit said.
“The award gave the Philippines a strong legal foundation. It is collective resolve, credible deterrence, and a whole-of-society collaboration fit for a multipolar world that will decide whether this victory stays alive, stays relevant, and stays enforceable for the next ten years.”
Manhit said this requires the government to strengthen the AFP, the Coast Guard (PCG), and other frontline agencies “with resourcing that matches the rhetoric.”
He also called on the country’s ambassadors and international partners to “continue translating diplomatic support into defense cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and joint capability-building.”
“And every community represented here—including our faith communities—has a role in reminding the country that this is a matter of national conscience, not only national security,” he added.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on July 12, 2016, that China’s “nine-dash-line” claim over most of the South China Sea had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), upholding the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.
Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling.
The Stratbase Institute, under its former chairman, the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, helped push for the case that the Philippines filed against China in 2013.
The forum drew more than 20 heads of mission, including United States Ambassador Lee Lipton, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Australian Ambassador Marc InnesBrown, European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro, Indian Ambassador Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, and South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, along with envoys from Israel, Ukraine, Hungary, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, and Slovenia, and deputy chiefs of mission from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Malaysia.
By Rex Anthony Naval
AS the country observes the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 Arbitral Award on Sunday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the security sector will do everything it can to enforce this ruling and preserve Philippine territory.
“The DND, together with the Armed Forces [AFP], will continue to be unstinting in the struggle to enforce this Award and to preserve our territorial integrity,” he said in a statement.
Aside from this, Teodoro said
the defense and security sectors will do everything they can to increase “public knowledge of the WPS, but also to ensure that this knowledge strengthens our national resolve and resilience.”
The DND chief also reiterated that they will “resist and combat any attempt to deny our rights and entitlements in the WPS” as these are not only ours to protect, but also those of future generations of Filipinos.
He also called the 2016 Arbitral Award, a landmark ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ rights and entitlements in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Likewise, Teodoro said that it is very “heartening” to note that Filipinos today have a growing awareness and sense of ownership of the WPS.
He added that this shift is reflected in survey after survey, with a recent poll indicating that 86 percent of the Filipino population supports government efforts to work with like-minded countries in defending the WPS.
“We are focused on the fundamental bedrock of our mission-to build a strong, capable, responsive and deterrent defense system with particular attention on capacitating the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept mission while preserving the gains in internal security operations. Without public support this task cannot be achieved,” Teodoro added.
On the international stage, Teodoro said the Philippines has emerged as a convergence hub for upholding international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
“Given the importance of our location and the fundamental principles of international law we uphold, countries from all over the world have found common cause with us which we channel into purposive action. Our partner -
See “Territory,” A5
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
SEN. Anna Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, whose Akbayan party-list group was among the first to consistently call out China for its muscling tactics at the West Philippine Sea, on Sunday hailed the arbitral ruling of The Hague-based tribunal 10 years ago.
At the same time, Sen. Erwin Tulfo pushed for early passage of a bill mandating the teaching of the West Philippine Sea issues in classrooms, after Chinese scholars called the island province of Batanes, a “natural geographical extension” of Taiwan.
“Ten years ago today, the Philippines showed the world what it means to stand up to a giant, and win. The 2016 Hague Ruling still stands, affirming that China’s nine-dash line has absolutely no basis in international law,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
“It is important to celebrate this day because China has not stopped claiming what is not theirs,” the senator added, in Filipino.
“Recently, Chinese academics have gone so far as to claim that Batanes belongs to China. This is a grave insult to every Ivatan, to every Filipino, and further proof of how deeply the Chinese government’s propaganda has taken root in its own people,” Hontiveros stressed.
“China’s disinformation campaigns are exactly why the Arbitral Award matters, not only as a landmark ruling etched in the annals of history, but as a shield against those who systematically spread lies,” the senator pointed out.
At the same time, Sen. Erwin Tulfo slammed claims of Chinese scholars that Batanes is part of China’s territory. “Before, they claim that the West Philippine Sea is theirs, now Batanes is also their territory? What’s next? Palawan? Zambales Cagayan?” Tulfo warned.
Tulfo pointed out the timing of such claims coincided with the 10th anniversary of the historic 2016 Arbitral Ruling in favor of the Philippines. “It is ironic that we encounter this claim, in time when we just celebrated a decade of the Philippines’ victory at the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal which declared that the West Philippine Sea [WPS] is ours,” he added.
Tulfo then renewed his call to pass his filed Senate Bill 1625 known as West Philippine Sea Education Act which he sees as one of the proactive measures to repel disinformation about the country’s territory. “We have to act fast in ensuring that Filipinos are not easily swayed by these kinds of claims. As early as Basic Education, Filipinos must be equipped with knowledge about the Philippine sovereignty,” Tulfo remarked.
“If this bill becomes a law, there will be age-appropriate instructions, anchored on internationally recognized facts, Supreme Court decisions, and Philippine laws integrated on learning materials,” he emphasized.
Tulfo’s bill also mandates the Department of Education to carry out training for teachers and educators on WPS Education. For the neophyte senator, being knowledgeable about the country’s territory is not only a matter of patriotism, but also a practical way to inform citizens on what is rightfully theirs, not only on paper but also when it comes to resources.
“Baseless claims that certain parts of the Philippines belong to other countries should not be given credence and must be repelled on all fronts. We will continue to stand firm, defend our territory, and protect what rightfully belongs to the Filipino people,” Tulfo concluded.
Only 600 voters for every BARMM election precinct
By Mary Jade Jadormio
HE Commission on Elections
T(Comelec) has reduced the number of voters assigned to each precinct for the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) in a bid to shorten queues and speed up the voting process.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin
M. Garcia said each precinct will now accommodate only a maximum of 600 voters, down from the 800 to 1,000 voters during the 2025 elections.
Garcia said the adjustment was made possible after the poll body secured a bigger budget for the elections.
“Before, every precinct had 800 to 1,000 voters because of budget constraints. Now, we made sure that only 600 voters will be assigned to each precinct so voting will be faster and people will not have to endure queues,” he said.
The Comelec chief, however, said the reduction means some voters may no longer
be assigned to the same precinct where they cast their ballots in previous elections, even if they will still vote in the same school. He urged political parties and local stakeholders to help inform voters about possible changes in their precinct assignments to avoid confusion on election day. Garcia explained that some precincts were divided to accommodate fewer voters, resulting in the reassignment of registered voters to nearby precincts within the same voting center.
“It is important for political parties to inform our fellow Filipinos that although they may still be voting in the same school, they could have been transferred to a different precinct,” he said. He stressed that ensuring voters know where to cast their ballots is essential to a smooth election.
“More than anything else, they should be able to vote,” Garcia said. The Bangsamoro elections are scheduled on September 14.
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE Philippines is seeking stronger trade and investment ties with China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) positioning the country as a gateway for businesses looking to expand into Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the GBA-Asean Summit 2026, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the Philippines intends to deepen economic cooperation with the Greater Bay Area as it chairs the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (Asean) this year. She said regional resilience should be “co-engineered” through stronger bilateral partnerships and the planned Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa), which aims to strengthen digital
‘Skip the Villars, complete LRT-1 extension project’
MOUNTING delays in the P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension have prompted a lawmaker to call on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to abandon prolonged negotiations with the Villar Group and immediately push through with the project’s completion.
House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Mark Anthony Santos warned that six years of talks over a Right-of-Way Usage Agreement (Rowua) have stalled progress on the remaining three stations, depriving millions of commuters of a fully operational rail line.
“The time for endless negotiations is over. The DOTr should stop negotiating with the Villar Group and move forward with the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension,” Santos said, in urging Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera to suspend discussions while key issues remain unresolved.
At the center of the delay is the proposed agreement with the Villar Group covering land for the Las Piñas Station. While the company has expressed willingness to donate the property, Santos said the arrangement remains unclear, noting that compensation is still being sought.
Territory. . . Continued from A4
ships are ever increasing because these are based on fundamental freedoms, transparency, and the rule of law unlike sinister and cabalistic United Front Work and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions,” he added.
In a related development, National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo SL Oban Jr., who is also chairman of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), said the landmark decision reaffirmed what international law has long recognized: that maritime rights and entitlements are determined by law, not by power or coercion.
“Rendered pursuant to the Unclos, the Award is final and legally binding and remains a lasting affirmation of the rule of law in the maritime domain,” he said. Oban is also pleased to note that the Award continues to be recognized and cited in international jurisprudence, reinforcing the rule of law as the strongest foundation for the peaceful
trade and economic integration across Asean.
“As Asean Chairman this year, the Philippines is working around the clock with our regional partners to build stronger, more resilient, and more connected economies,” Roque said.
“We see the Greater Bay Area as an important partner in this effort, especially in trade, innovation, digital services, and investments that create real opportunities for our people,” she added.
The DTI, through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Hong Kong, participated in the summit alongside government and business leaders discussing opportunities to expand economic cooperation between Asean and the Greater Bay Area.
Roque cited the Philippines’ export performance, noting that merchandise exports grew by 15.4 percent in 2025, with continued expansion during the first months of 2026, supported by demand for semiconductors, electronics and renewable energy products.
She also pointed to recent investment reforms, including the CREATE MORE Act, the Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, and Republic Act 12252, which allows foreign investors to lease private land for up to 99 years.
According to Roque, these measures are intended to provide greater certainty for investors and improve the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination in Southeast Asia.
“Just as the GBA serves as a
critical economic engine for its region, the Philippines is open and ready to be your strategic partner of choice in entering the Asean market,” she said. She added that the country’s location and workforce position it as a potential base for Greater Bay Area enterprises seeking to expand into the region.
Roque also encouraged businesses to combine Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, technology and connectivity with the Philippines’ workforce to support investments, industrial expansion and job creation.
“It appears the government is tied up in negotiations to ultimately advance its own business interests. The Villar family’s offer to donate the land for the proposed Las Piñas Station remains unclear because they still expect the government to provide compensation,” Santos, who represents Las Piñas, added.
Santos cited a follow-up letter from Lopez to Fine Properties Inc. and Golden MV Holdings Inc. President Cynthia Javarez, who acknowledged that despite repeated coordination and good-faith efforts, the Villar Group has yet to approve the draft Rowua needed to formalize the land donation at no cost to the government.
Santos urged the DOTr and LRTA to explore all available legal, engineering, and administrative options to proceed without further delay, stressing that public interest must prevail over prolonged negotiations.
“The government’s primary obligation is to protect the public interest and ensure that taxpayerfunded infrastructure projects are completed on schedule,” Santos said.
“The Filipino people have waited long enough. The LRT-1 Cavite Extension must be completed before the end of President Marcos’s term in 2028,” he added. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
settlement of disputes among nations.
The NSA also said the ruling affirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights and lawful maritime entitlements under international law.
“As we commemorate this milestone, we recognize the unwavering dedication of our uniformed personnel, public servants, fishermen, coastal communities, and every Filipino who contributes to protecting our maritime interests. Their service, sacrifice, and resilience remind us that the Award [finds] meaning not only in law, but also in the daily efforts of those who safeguard and benefit from our seas,” Oban noted.
Guided by Unclos and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, the NSA said NTF-WPS remains steadfast in strengthening wholeof-government coordination, unified response and public awareness on matters concerning the WPS.
“We reaffirm our commitment to advancing a unified national effort that upholds the rule of law and safeguards the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and lawful maritime entitlements,” Oban also said.
TBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) said over the weekend it delivered measurable gains during the 11-month period from August 2025 to June 2026.
“We began by focusing on what mattered most: structural reform,” said ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan, who assumed office as the new ERC chief in August last year. The agency has issued 34 rule-making resolutions. “These are not vanity metrics. Each one represents a case that used to sit on a shelf or a gap in regulation and now does not,” said Juan.
The ERC, which celebrated its 25th year last month, has also issued 1,890 decisions and orders and 6,986 licenses and authorizations, while resolving 154 consumers complaints and addressing 4,393 complaints.
“We delivered P21.3 billion in refunds to consumers. We issued
332 show-cause orders where warranted. Net metering registrations surged by 248.75 percent, bringing us to 23,331 qualified end-users and over 232,000 kilowatts-peak of distributed clean energy connected to the grid,” he said.
Further, he said, the ERC approved 205 power supply agreements (PSA) and 133 capital expenditure (capex) during the 11-month period compared from six PSAs and six capex approvals signed by his predecessor. “This is not incremental improvement. That is a structural shift in how this Commission operates—and it is the shift that allows generation and distribution investment to actually reach construction, and reach Filipino consumers,” said Juan.
Moving forward, the ERC branded its agenda as “The Next Watt.”
“It is a simple idea: every additional unit of electricity this country generates, moves, and delivers should be produced under rules that are responsive,
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
LAWMAKERS have renewed their push to tighten procurement safeguards under the law, citing the need to further strengthen transparency, accountability, and fair competition in public transactions.
House of Repesentatives Deputy Majority Leader Vincenzo Luigi Villafuerte and Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sur called on Congress to prioritize the passage of House Bill 5981, which seeks to prohibit relatives of sitting public officials up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from entering into government contracts.
The lawmakers said the proposal should be prioritized when the 20th Congress resumes its Second Regular Session this month.
Luigi said the measure aims to uphold the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust, stressing the need for clear and enforceable rules to protect that trust.
He warned that allowing close relatives of public officials to participate in government contracts—covering infrastructure, supplies, equipment, joint ventures, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects—raises serious conflict-of-interest concerns and undermines public confidence in government processes.
HB 5981 covers a wide range of relatives, including spouses, children, parents, cousins, nephews, nieces, grandparents, and extended family members by blood or marriage.
Miguel, for his part, said the measure seeks to reinforce safeguards under Republic Act 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act, which promotes transparency, accountability, fair competition, and value for money in public spending.
He urged swift approval of the bill, saying it would set clear boundaries against favoritism and help protect the integrity of public service.
“By ensuring that government contracts are awarded fairly and impartially, we uphold our duty to safeguard public funds and promote good governance for every
more transparent, and more forward-looking than the ones that came before it. We are not finished. The backlog is not zero. The digital transformation is not complete. But the direction is set, and the evidence is on the record,” he said.
The ERC oversees an industry valued at approximately P4.19 trillion as of May 2026—generation, transmission, distribution, and supply.
There are 279 generation companies operating 686 facilities, equivalent to over 33.,400 megawatts (MW). The ERC also regulates 142 distribution utilities, one transmission concessionaire operating over 23,000 circuit-kilometers of lines, and oversee 160 retail suppliers serving a market equivalent to 5,624MW.
Under the new Philippine Energy Plan, the energy sector will require between P20 trillion and P31 trillion in investment through 2050. “That is the scale of what is at stake in the decisions we make,” the ERC chief said.
Filipino,” he added.
The measure also aims to strengthen procurement mechanisms in areas such as competitiveness, efficiency, proportionality, accountability, public monitoring, professionalization, sustainability, and value for money.
Under the bill, the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity includes relatives such as uncles, aunts, great aunts and uncles, grandnephews, grandnieces, greatgrandparents, and other extended family members by blood or marriage.
It seeks to bar all elective and appointive officials from participating in government procurement. The proposed ban likewise extends to their relatives up to the fourth civil degree.
HB 5981 provides that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) shall be jointly crafted by the Government Procurement Policy Board, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the PPP Center, and the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations in consultation with concerned agencies within 60 days from the law’s effectivity.
According to DTI, Asean was Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner in 2025, with total merchandise trade reaching $213.9 billion, accounting for 15.3 percent of Hong Kong’s global merchandise trade.
Among Asean economies, the Philippines ranked as Hong Kong’s fifth-largest trading partner and 13th globally, with bilateral merchandise trade reaching approximately $15.678 billion in 2025.
She noted that the Philippines’ Foreign Trade Service Corps, through its network of 21 overseas trade offices, including the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Hong Kong, is available to facilitate business linkages between Philippine and Greater Bay Area companies. The summit also marked the launch of the Asean Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong, which seeks to strengthen commercial ties between Asean economies and Hong Kong.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
MORE than 7,000 affordable housing units are set to rise in Tarlac under the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, adding to the pipeline of socialized housing projects intended for low-income families.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the 49-hectare Kaia Homes development in barangay Armenia, Tarlac City, will provide more than 7,000 housing units under the government’s flagship housing program.
The project is among the subdivisiontype developments covered by Pag-IBIG Fund’s subsidized interest rates, which are intended to make monthly amortization more affordable for qualified homebuyers.
Kaia Homes will offer two-story “Naya” units with a floor area of 32 square meters. Inner units will sit on 30-square-meter lots, while corner units will occupy 41-squaremeter lots.
E ach house will have two bedrooms, one toilet and bath, a living area, and space for motorcycle or e-bike parking.
T he subdivision will also include a playground, a covered multipurpose court and open spaces for residents.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said the department continues to work with private developers to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing while conducting regular inspections to ensure that socialized housing projects meet quality standards.
The Tarlac project comes as the government seeks to narrow the country’s housing deficit.
T he United Nations Human Settlements Programme previously estimated the Philippines’ housing backlog at 6.5 million units, affecting around 3.7 million squatter or informal settler families, and warned the shortfall could reach 22 million units by 2040 if left unaddressed. Despite the scale of the housing shortage, around 400,000 socialized housing units have been
By Cathy Bussewitz The Associated Press
NEW YORK—Global oil demand is set to decline this year for the first time since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, according to a report from the International Energy Agency.
The drop, which the agency expects to amount to about 1 million barrels per day in 2026, is due to higher oil prices and disruptions to physical supply that weighed heavily, but unevenly, on various parts of the world, the report said.
The supply disruptions were caused by the war between the US and Iran, which left ships loaded with crude oil stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than three months, unable to safely travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil and gas shipments.
“The future of Hormuz is probably more uncertain today than it was at the beginning of the war,” said Jim Burkhard, vice president and head of crude oil research at S&P Global Energy.
Burkhard said Iran is still trying to control the strait, while the US has not been able to fully restore normal operations, making a return to prewar conditions unlikely.
Global oil demand averaged just 97.9 million barrels per day in May, down 5.3 million barrels per day from a year earlier. Much of the decline was in Asia, which relies heavily on oil from the Middle East.
China’s decrease of 1.5 million barrels per day, representing a 9% decline, was by far the largest globally, the report said.
But the main exception to the global slump in oil usage was in the US, where gasoline use increased in the second quarter of 2026, despite the fact that pump prices were about
50% above their prewar levels in May, the report said.
How China’s actions are keeping oil prices from spiking higher
CHINA decided to massively cut down on purchasing oil from the global market as the price rose during the spring, reducing its consumption by almost 6 million barrels per day, Burkhard said.
“What China said is, “You know what, prices are high, there’s a crisis. We have this huge inventory stock; we can sustain demand. We’re just going to cut by 50% the amount of crude oil we buy,’” Burkhard said.
One way China cut back its consumption was to temporarily stop filling up its strategic petroleum reserve, which it had been adding to at a rate of nearly 1 million barrels per day, said Daniel Sternoff, senior fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. The crisis also accelerated China’s saving of road transportation fuels as its use of electric vehicles grew, he said. “What we’re tracking so far, at least since the crisis began, is China is probably on track to see somewhere between 500,000 and 600,000 barrels per day worth of demand losses for gasoline and diesel. So that’s pretty significant,” Sternoff said.
Why oil prices aren’t higher after renewed tension between the US and Iran
A FRAGILE ceasefire enabled some ships to exit through the Strait of Hormuz in June, which allowed more oil on the market. That led to lower oil prices.
But even after tensions escalated between the U.S. and Iran earlier this month, prices didn't spike.
“This gray zone conflict that the US and Iran are in, it's not really a shock to the oil market," Burkhard said. ”It can push prices up and down
a few dollars like it did the other day, but it's not the same shock that it was in early March when Iran did what many thought was unthinkable.”
Another reason oil prices didn’t spike very high after recent military strikes is that there were fewer buyers available to scoop up the supply that had become available, experts said.
On top of China dramatically reducing consumption, several refineries in Russia were unable to process crude after being damaged in drone hits from Ukraine, and refineries in the Middle East remained damaged from the war, Burkhard said. As a result, prices for gasoline, diesel and other refined products have stayed inflated longer than oil prices, he said.
“There’s this gush of supply of crude oil being made available to the market, and there’s simply less demand for that crude oil,” Burkhard said.
In the US, high gas prices didn’t keep drivers home GASOLINE prices surpassed $4.50 on average for a gallon of regular in the US in May, rising more than 50% since the start of the war, according to AAA data. But that didn't stop drivers from hitting the road; in fact, gasoline consumption rose in the US during the second quarter of the year.
One reason may be because the percentage of household income spent on gasoline in the US has been declining for years, Sternoff said. Plus, many people have been transitioning from remote work to in-office jobs, he added.
“Even though it’s a really political price that people pay a lot of attention to, if you are in the higher quintiles of income in the US, you might grumble about it, but you’re not really driving less just because of that increase in prices,” Sternoff said.
Dangerous heat dome to trap much of the US in oppressive temperatures for week or more
By Patrick Whittle And Tammy Webber
AThe Associated Press
WIDESPREAD and dangerous heat wave was building across the US on Saturday, with triple-digit highs expected in the Southwest and Great Plains this weekend before spreading eastward under a dome of high pressure that meteorologists say could trap oppressive temperatures for a week or more.
Forecasters advised people to stay hydrated and find places to cool off, warning of temperatures 15 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 14 degrees Celsius) warmer than normal in many areas, including at night—especially bad for people’s health because their bodies won’t have a chance to recover. The heat dome was expected to affect as much as two-thirds of the continental United States.
“The heat doesn’t necessarily stop when it’s dark out,” said Josh Adam, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck, North Dakota, where temperatures will surpass 100 F (37 C) until Tuesday, a dramatic spike for a state where summer temperatures are typically in the 80s.
Tynika Smith of Bloomington, Minnesota, handed out frozen towels and wash cloths along with battery-operated fans at encampments of homeless people in nearby St. Paul and will continue next week, when temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid- to high 90s. The residents put the ice packs around their necks and on their heads.
“They can’t get into a car with air conditioning or go into a house,” said Smith,
who also distributed water, freezer pops, food and hygiene supplies.
The encampments are so secluded that it’s difficult for the residents to walk or bicycle to cooling centers, she said. There also is little outside shade, while the temperature inside their tents gets even hotter than outdoors.
“I can only do so much,” Smith said, “but at least I can help them stay cool for a little bit.”
Temperature records expected to be broken
THE National Weather Service predicted that more than 90 US local temperature records will be tied or broken through Wednesday—with two-thirds of those being overnight heat records. Temperatures were not forecast to drop below 80 F (27 C) at night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Miami; Tampa, Florida; Galveston, Texas; and Charleston, South Carolina. The heat dome—formed when high pressure traps hot air while blocking cooling winds and rain—is one of the strongest to affect the Dakotas in 25 years, said Chad Merrill, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather.
Record triple-digit highs were forecast for the weekend in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas. In Helena, Montana, where temperatures were expected to creep above 95 F (35 C), Last Chance Splash Waterpark & Pool was holding a swim meet for hundreds of swimmers.
The timing couldn’t be better, as it’s uncommon for Helena to get so hot, said Sean Swingley, assistant manager.
“It’s certainly a hot day, but the pool is nice and cool,” Swingley said. “Usually in the summer we have a couple 95-degree days, but it mostly hovers around 85 to 90 in June and July.”
Nevada, a state accustomed to hot weather, was even hotter than normal, said Andrew Gorelow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas. The temperature there was expected to hit 111 F (48 C) on Saturday, Gorelow said. Hydrating and finding cool spaces are critical, experts said. They also warned that the heat could spike fire risk in some parts of the country that already are dry, including the Rockies, where Merrill said dry thunderstorms could develop.
Climate change is supercharging heat
CLIMATE change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is causing more intense and longer-lasting heat waves that cover larger areas, scientists say. This year’s temperatures also are expected to be affected by El Nino, a natural warming of the equatorial Pacific that alters weather patterns and spikes temperatures across the globe.
The current El Nino—which formed last month and is too young to have affected this heat wave much—is expected to rank as among the most intense since the weather service began tracking the phenomena in 1950, experts said.
By fall it has an 81% chance of becoming “very strong”—the top category— according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
By Jon Gambrell & Will Weissert
The Associated Press
UBAI, United Arab Emir -
Dates—The United States attacked Iran early Sunday morning over an Iranian strike on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz that set the container ship ablaze and forced its crew to abandon it. Iran apparently responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The strait has become the key sticking point in any further negotiations between Iran and the United States to reach a permanent end to the war that began on Feb. 28. About a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas passed through the strait before the war began. Iran’s grip on it during the war led to a global energy crisis, though oil prices have sharply dropped since wartime highs of $120 a barrel.
The US military’s Central Command said it hit some 140 targets in the strikes, far more than the last two rounds, and went after missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites. The attacks “degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels freely transiting the strait,” it said.
The new crossfire in the Persian Gulf comes days after US President Donald Trump suggested an interim deal in the Iran war was “over.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote online: “Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay.”
Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and a main negotiator, responded.
“The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” he wrote on X. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”
The US launched three rounds of airstrikes targeting Iran in the last week over Iranian attacks on ships heading
through the Strait of Hormuz using a route seeking to avoid the Islamic Republic’s territorial waters. Tehran retaliated by attacking nations in the region hosting US military forces, while insisting it alone must control the strait and potentially charge vessels for traveling through it.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE get attacked
MISSILE alerts sounded across several Gulf Arab nations.
Qatar’s military said in a statement it intercepted incoming Iranian fire, with explosions heard in neighboring United Arab Emirates.
Three people, including a child, were wounded as a result of falling shrapnel from the interception of Iranian attacks, Qatar’s Interior Ministry said. Meanwhile, missile alerts sounded for the third time on Sunday in Bahrain, an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Kuwait’s military also said it was intercepting incoming fire.
It wasn’t immediately clear what locations were under attack in the UAE, which so far hadn’t been targeted in the latest round of attacks by Iran. The latest attack on the Emirates, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, came in May when
a drone sparked a fire on the edge of the country’s sole nuclear power plant. Iran also made a series of claims about attacks elsewhere that were not immediately confirmed.
In the Strait of Hormuz attack, a Cyprus-flagged container ship was hit by Iran and suffered “significant engine room damage” and a civilian crew member is missing, US Central Command said early Sunday morning.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, overseen by the British military, said the ship had been traveling on a route hugging the shoreline of Oman. That’s been the way ships have entered and exited the Persian Gulf while avoiding Iranian territorial waters. The ship’s crew abandoned the vessel as it was ablaze, the center said.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said multiple vessels “disregarded our warnings and instructions to correct their course and proceed along the approved route.” One of them “was struck by a warning shot and brought to a stop.”
Iran said that the strait would remain closed “until further notice” and said it would consider targeting “additional enemy bases in the region” if it faced more attacks.
Iranian state media reported US
strikes across swathes of the entire country, including southern Iran in the province closest to the Strait of Hormuz, and military sites in a province near Tehran.
Attacks followed more diplomatic talks about the strait
THE latest violence followed Iran and Oman’s foreign ministers meeting on Saturday to discuss the strait, after days of Iranian attacks on ships and US retaliation that dealt a blow to the interim deal to end the war. The narrow strait sits in both Iran and Oman’s territorial waters, but has long been considered an international waterway. Oman said it and Iran agreed to continue discussing the Strait of Hormuz “at the technical and political levels.” However, Iran offered no statement about the strait being open to all— something sought by the Trump administration.
Iran’s new supreme leader, still unseen since the war began, also vowed in his first statement since the funeral of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that Iranians would avenge his killing in the war’s opening strikes on Feb. 28. Such revenge “is the will of our nation and must certainly be carried out,” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said in a statement carried on state television.
US questions who is in charge in Iran US officials, speaking Friday on condition of anonymity about the current situation with Iran, said the resumption of strikes even before the latest round came as a result of what they described as a rogue faction of Iranian hard-liners who were trying to sabotage te ceasefire. Iran has insisted its theocracy is unified under the new supreme leader. After the US wrapped up strikes on Thursday, more attacks reportedly hit Iran, raising questions about who else may be targeting the Islamic Republic. Weissert reported from Washington.
US license could let Ukraine make Patriot missiles, but it won’t be simple or quick
By Illia Novikov
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—US President Donald Trump’s pledge to give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air-defense systems could mark a major breakthrough for Kyiv, but experts and Ukrainian officials warn that turning the idea into real weapons would likely take years.
Speaking Wednesday alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the United States would allow Ukraine to make the US-designed systems that Kyiv has long sought to shield its cities and infrastructure from Russian missiles and drones.
“We’ll give them the right to make Patriots. We’ll show them how to do it,” Trump said. “I think they can produce them pretty quickly.” But the statement left open a crucial question: What exactly would Ukraine be allowed to produce?
“America has recognized Ukraine as a country that is ready to do this,” Zelenskyy told reporters Thursday, adding that Ukrainian and US diplomats and defense officials must now work “without pauses” to finalize the licensing arrangements.
A license might not cover the complete Patriot system PATRIOT interceptor missiles, which are fired to shoot down incoming missiles, drones and aircraft, are produced by US defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, part of RTX.
A production license would not automatically allow Ukraine to manufacture complete Patriot batteries — including launchers, radar systems, command posts and missiles — from scratch. It could instead cover narrower parts of the system, such as interceptor missiles, final assembly from imported component kits or production of selected components.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, said a US license would typically come with technical documentation, training for specialists, supplier contacts and foreign consultants to help launch manufacturing.
Other experts say the first step would likely be more limited than full domestic production.
Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, development director of the Fly Group Ukraine defense company, said Trump’s wording was ambiguous because he referred broadly to producing “Patriots,” without specifying whether he meant missiles, launchers, radar systems, command centers or components.
Missile production alone involves a vast supply chain, Khrapchynskyi said, with hundreds of companies making parts such as control surfaces, engines, guidance systems and communications equipment.
The Trump administration has not offered details about the Ukraine license, but an administration official said the US is significantly accelerating and expanding Patriot production to meet growing demand and is forming industrial partnerships with allies and partners globally to deliver Patriots. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Any additional Patriot systems would enter a war that has shown how quickly weapons production can expand when a country receives designs, technical support and access to components. Ukraine has become a leader in the manufacture of cheap, expendable drone systems. Russia has scaled up domestic production of Iranian-designed Shahed-type attack drones, known in Russia as Gerans, at a factory in Tatarstan.
But experts say Patriot interceptors are far more complex, requiring precision guidance, advanced radar technology, solid-fuel rocket motors, military-grade electronics and strict certification standards.
Full production could take years
YEHOR CHERNEV , deputy chairman of Ukraine’s parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence, said the legal and bureaucratic process could be launched within months, but implementing production would take years.
Even if Ukraine received complete component kits from abroad, Chernev said, it would likely need at least 18 to 24 months to launch its first pilot production line, followed by more time to complete the first weapons.
The PAC-3 missile, designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles, is among the most sophisticated parts of the Patriot family.
Producing a PAC-3 MSE missile in the United States takes about 24 months, and producing its solid-fuel rocket motor requires around 30 months, he said. Chernev said some technology, especially
the missile’s active radar seeker, is so sensitive that Washington would be unlikely to transfer full documentation for Ukraine to manufacture them from scratch. That means Ukraine might have to import some of the most complex components and focus first on assembly, integration or less sensitive parts of the supply chain.
Dr. Thomas Withington, an analyst specializing in electronic warfare, radar and military communications at the Royal United Services Institute, said expectations should be managed. Ukraine’s existing defense industry could help, Withington said, but the country would still need time to set up facilities, train workers and secure the necessary supply chains.
“This is not going to be a fix for the airdefense threats Ukraine is going to face tomorrow.”
Other
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
THE number of casualties due to the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, and Typhoon Inday continues to increase.
As of 6:00 a.m. on July 12, a total of 18 were reported dead due to drowning and landslide, seven were injured, and 12 others reported missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
said a total of 4,200 families or 16,200 individuals are now temporarily sheltered in 116 different evacuation centers.
So far, the NDRRMC has received reports that a total of 236 were damaged.
According to the NDRRMC, the government continues to provide relief to affected families and has so far spent around P28.57 million.
Search is ongoing for seven others in Jose Abad Santos and five in Calagonos, Lanao del Sur.
According to the NDRRMC, the number of affected families has also increased to 123,000 or 562 individuals.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC
The NDRRMC said 10 of those who perished came from the town of Malapatan, Sarangani, six from Calagonos, Lanao del Sur, and two from Bukidnon.
The weather bureau reported that several areas in Northern Luzon continue to experience rainfall, which will continue until Monday. These are Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, occidental Mindoro, and Antique.
Rainshower will continue to affect La Union and Pangasinan until Tuesday.
In its weather advisory for the southwest monsoon issued at 11 a.m. on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that under these weather conditions, localized flooding is possible mainly in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslides are also possible in highly susceptible areas.
PAGASA said forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Moreover, impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall.
“The public disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life,” the weather bureau said.
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
DAVAO CITY–Some P255.5 million in investment is needed to revitalize the distressed rubber industry in Basilan by 2030. This was learned after the Basilan provincial and the Bangsamoro governments wrapped up their recent industry summit.
The industry has wallowed in erratic and insignificant production despite being a banner industry in Western Mindanao for decades and the summit hoped that it would bounce back as a resilient provincial industry enough to make a decent living for small farm holders
and attractive enough to invite investments.
The P255.5 million is a projection in expenditures in production, processing, market access and institutional services to rejuvenate its leading role in the country’s production of latex and cup lumps.
The summit projected to allocate P17.4 million annually beginning this year, or a totally of P87 million, for continuous replanting, putting up of nurseries and control of diseases. Government also planned to invest P16.6 million annually, or a total of P49.8 million, to establish Rubber Trading and Auction Center and focus on production of Technically Specified Rubber (TSR).
The RTAC streamlines trading and bypass middlemen to get fair market prices in the auction of raw latex and cup lumps. The TSR, on the other hand, is commonly known as block rubber, is natural rubber graded strictly by technical parameters.
In processing, government will also establish laboratory facilities to improve it.
The money to spend on ensuring market access, amounting to P7.8 million annually, or a total of P39 million, will focus on promoting contract-growing, scaling up of the RTAC.
Tapping institutional services will be allocated with P46.5 million total fund, or P9.3 million annually, to ensure that the
industry gets the information from the database of local governments. Farmers will also get rubber literacy training through their cooperatives.
The summit divided the progression of the industry into short-term, 2026-2027 and medium term, 2028-2030 planning for the recovery and capacity-building in the short term and the improved processing and market integration in the medium term.
The industry will also ensure that all its activities are based on the data and local governments and farmers’ cooperatives will compile centralized records of seeding survival and tree production.
De Lima explained that Lotoc, who led the NBI team that investigated the threats, would discuss the reasons for the probe, the methods used, and the results of both the initial and follow-up investigations.
“He will corroborate and add to the testimony of Agent Calilung, particularly on the investigation itself, its results, and the basis for their conclusions, including why the case was referred to the Department of Justice,” she said.
According to de Lima, the NBI found that the case involved grave threats and that probable cause existed at the investigative level.
“They have a finding that this constitutes grave threats and that there is probable cause for such a case at the level of the investigators,” she said.
She added that the testimony would also address the circumstances, conditions, and seriousness of the alleged threats, as well as the context in which they were made.
Call for restraint
LANAO del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, House prosecution spokesperson, said Duterte should have exercised restraint, stressing that anger does not excuse a public official from meeting constitutional standards of conduct.
“Government officials must exercise restraint. No matter how intense the anger, it should never be used as justification for making threats,” Adiong said in a radio interview.
“It is even more alarming to claim that you have spoken to a hitman to target the President,” he added.
“We should not make this acceptable simply because the Vice President was allegedly angry,” he said. He added that Filipinos expect higher standards from public officials than from ordinary personal interactions.
“If we do not accept this kind of language from friends, family, or co-workers, then we should demand even higher standards from our elected leaders,” he said.
No dispute
THE House prosecution argued that the authenticity of the video at the center of the impeachment case is no longer in dispute, noting that the defense itself used portions of the footage during cross-examination.
De Lima said the issue had effectively been settled after the defense relied on the same video while questioning Calilung.
“For us in the prosecution, there is no more debate on that. They themselves showed portions of the same video. Why would they do that if they did not believe it was authentic?” she said.
She clarified, however, that the final evaluation of evidence rests with the Senate impeachment court.
Calilung testified during the trial’s opening week, detailing how the videos—where Duterte allegedly issued threats—were authenticated.
De Lima said his testimony remained intact despite extensive cross-examination.
“Nothing in Agent Calilung’s testimony was weakened under cross-examination, which is essentially a stress test. When evidence holds up under such scrutiny, it becomes even stronger,” she said.
Continued from B8
If such statements “were in fact made, are they consistent with the dignity, restraint, and sense of responsibility that the office demands?” Drilon asked aloud. These, he added, “are ultimately questions of constitutional accountability, not merely criminal law.” Drilon pointed out that impeachment is fundamentally different from a criminal prosecution. He said the Constitution recognizes “betrayal of public trust” as a distinct ground for impeachment because the inquiry goes beyond proving the elements of a criminal offense.
Drilon had sat in two impeachment cases and detailed his owns of these impeachment in his memoir “Being Frank.”
In a radio interview on Saturday, Drilon also said the lengthy direct examination of the NBI witness and the repeated objections from the defense could have been shortened
Continued from B8 Drilon. . .
The Impeachment Court presiding officer, Sen. Francis Escudero, was open to the suggestion, according to Lacson.
“The Vice President is entitled to a speedy trial, just like any respondent in an ordinary court trial. So we must devise ways to speed it up,” Lacson said. Meanwhile, Lacson said senator-judges may also discuss in this week’s caucus the scope of their questioning during the trial, particularly questions directed at fellow senator-judges. He noted that one such exchange lasted at least an hour, particularly on the first day of the trial.
He also said senator-judges could address among themselves any alleged indiscretions committed by their colleagues, instead of having Impeachment Court spokesperson Reginald Tongol publicly call their attention to such matters. Lacson added that it would be more appropriate for Tongol to course any reminders through the presiding officer or the Senate President, rather than publicly admonishing senator-judges.
had both sides stipulated on undisputed facts, particularly the authenticity of the video recording.
According to Drilon, Duterte herself has never denied making the statements captured in the recording.
Drilon said the proceedings were unnecessarily prolonged because the parties did not first agree on facts that were no longer in dispute.
Ang dapat, magkaroon ng stipulation of facts. Iyon ba ay in dispute o hindi? Para ang pag-uusapan na lang ay kung ito ay impeachable offense. Ang nangyari ay humaba,” he said.
The trial, he explained partly in Filipino, is not about whether Duterte is guilty of grave threats. The trial is to determine whether her behavior is suitable for a Vice President. “Is that betrayal of public trust if you say, ‘I will kill you’?” Drilon said in the interview.
“Whether it is a grave threat or a threat, it does not matter. In my view, what’s
“I could not imagine Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting telling the Supreme Court justices to read the Rules of Court. I hope what Tongol did will not happen again. If there are alleged indiscretions by individual senator-judges, we can discuss and address them among ourselves. Or the spokesperson can course the reminder to the presiding officer or Senate President,” he said.
Voting threshold LACSON also expressed hope that the issue of the voting threshold required to convict the Vice President would be settled early, before the impeachment trial concludes.
He said it would be messy if the Impeachment Court rendered a decision only for the Supreme Court to later overturn it on the ground of grave abuse of discretion. Lacson cited a hypothetical situation in which the Impeachment Court adopts a lower base number for the required twothirds vote, allowing a conviction with only 14 votes, only for the Supreme Court to later rule that such a threshold constituted grave abuse of discretion.
“It is better that the issue be resolved
important is whether this act is enough to declare her guilty of the particular charge. We’re not talking of a criminal offense here; the issue is betrayal of public trust,” Drilon added.
“The defense may continue to focus on the identification and authentication of the video, but the issue before the impeachment court is not complicated,” the former Justice secretary said.
The Impeachment Court will only determine whether the November 23, 2024 statements constitute culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust by allegedly contracting the assassination of the President, the First Lady, and the former Speaker, making grave threats, and actively inciting sedition against the Republic.
Drilon also questioned the defense’s continued challenge to the video’s authenticity, noting that it had likewise relied on the same video during the presentation of Vice President Duterte’s chief of staff,
this early and someone would bring it before the high court before we reach a decision, so we will be guided accordingly,” he said.
CBCP: Rule of Law
THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the Senate to allow the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to proceed without interruption, saying the constitutional process should be allowed to determine the outcome of the case.
Speaking during the CBCP’s 132nd Plenary Assembly in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said the Church continues to monitor the proceedings but is not taking sides.
“Our position has not changed. The impeachment trial is important,” Bagaforo said.
He stressed that the CBCP is neither seeking Duterte’s conviction nor acquittal, but is instead calling for respect for the Constitution and the rule of law.
“This is not a condemnation of the Vice President. We are not taking a stand in favor of or against the Vice President. What we are upholding is the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” he said.
Zuleika Lopez.
Drilon said the defense may have committed a legal blunder by arguing that Duterte was under extreme stress when she made the statements, saying the explanation could raise more questions about her judgment and fitness for public office than help her case.
For Drilon, the prosecution has gained an early advantage, not because it has already proved its case, but because it has largely kept the proceedings focused on the Vice President’s own statements, which are the subject of one of the impeachment articles.
“The trial is, of course, still in its early stages, and much evidence remains to be presented. But after three days, the prosecution would seem to hold a modest advantage, both in terms of keeping the legal issues centered on the constitutional inquiry and, perhaps just as importantly in a proceeding of this nature, in shaping the broader public narrative surrounding the case,” Drilon said. Butch Fernandez
Bagaforo said the legal process should be allowed to reach its conclusion without outside interference.
“Let the impeachment process run its course. Let the rule of law give its own verdict,” he said.
He added that whatever the outcome, it should be accepted by the public, expressing confidence in the integrity of the impeachment process.
“The people will accept it. After all, public trust in the process in the Senate remains high,” Bagaforo said.
The bishop said the Church’s concern is rooted in the pursuit of justice, particularly in addressing allegations of corruption and ensuring accountability in public office.
He also said the impeachment proceedings should remind government officials that the authority entrusted to them carries responsibility and must always be exercised in the service of the people.
The CBCP held its 132nd Plenary Assembly from July 8 to 10, bringing together more than 80 bishops and archbishops from dioceses across the country as the Senate’s impeachment trial started. Butch Fernandez and Mary Jade Jadormio
Duterte is facing an impeachment charge over her November 23, 2024, online briefing, during which she said she had arranged for someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez if she were killed.
The defense argued that Duterte made the remarks out of anger while facing an alleged threat against her, referring to what it called “Oplan Romanov.”
However, the prosecution maintains that no evidence has been presented to support the existence of such a plot.
Adiong rejected the defense’s reasoning, saying anger cannot justify or normalize such statements.
Former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers, spokesperson and adviser to the prosecution panel, echoed this view, saying the defense never rebutted the video’s authenticity.
“The other side admitted they did not debunk the authenticity of the video. In fact, they used it during cross-examination,” Barbers said.
“This alone suggests that the video is authentic, especially since only one video is being discussed and used,” he added. Barbers added that more witnesses will further explain the authenticated recordings and present the results of the NBI investigation in support of Article IV of the Impeachment Complaint.
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE Philippines should expand shared cold chain and logistics facilities closer to food production areas to reduce supply chain costs, improve product movement and curb post-harvest losses, according to a cold chain industry executive.
Marc Anthony Dizon, head of the ColdChain Business Unit of Fast Logistics Group, said the country’s cold chain strategy should focus not only on building more storage facilities but also on locating them where agricultural products are produced and making
them accessible to multiple users.
“We need cold storage closer to where food is produced, while making these facilities accessible through shared logistics models that allow more farmers and food businesses to benefit from modern cold chain infrastructure,” Dizon
said during a recent virtual press briefing on food and agribusiness.
He said the Philippines currently has about 860,000 pallet positions for cold storage, well below the estimated 1.4 million pallet positions needed to support annual food consumption.
According to Dizon, much of the country’s existing cold storage capacity remains concentrated near major consumption centers, such as Metro Manila, instead of agricultural production areas, where facilities could better support producers before goods enter distribution networks.
He said establishing cold rooms and value-adding processing facilities closer to farms and livestock production sites would allow products to be inspected, sorted, cleaned and processed before transport.
Completing these activities near production areas means only market-ready products would be
shipped to distribution centers and consumers, reducing unnecessary transport of waste, excess weight and non-saleable materials.
“Producers avoid transporting non-essential weight and waste over long distances, making logistics operations more efficient while lowering overall supply chain costs,” Dizon said.
He added that locating cold storage and processing facilities near production hubs would also enable multiple growers and food producers to share logistics infrastructure rather than investing separately in costly facilities.
Under a shared logistics model, facility operators can improve utilization rates while smaller producers gain access to modern cold chain services that might otherwise be beyond their financial capacity.
Dizon also noted that recent volatility in global fuel prices,
Tincluding pressures arising from tensions in the Middle East, has underscored the need for more cost-efficient logistics systems.
Beyond physical infrastructure, he said the country should invest in digital tools that improve planning across the food supply chain.
He called for the development of a comprehensive agricultural database supported by digital analytics to strengthen inventory visibility, demand forecasting and distribution planning.
“Food security is not just about producing more food. It’s about ensuring we have the logistics infrastructure and technology to preserve food quality, reduce waste, and move products efficiently from farms to consumers.”
The same shared approach should extend to warehousing and transportation, according to Dizon, allowing producers to consolidate volumes and use common
logistics resources rather than paying individually for storage and transport services.
He emphasized that shared cold chain systems do not mean different commodities should be stored under identical conditions.
Products such as onions, he said, require storage environments that differ from fruits, vegetables, meat and seafood, making commodity-specific temperature, humidity and food safety controls essential.
“Shared cold chain is about sharing infrastructure efficiently while maintaining commodityspecific storage zones and food safety standards.”
He added that such arrangements could provide small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises with access to cold chain capabilities without requiring substantial upfront capital investments.
Codex adopts new rules on ‘may contain’ allergen labels
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agricul -
ture (DA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will enhance their partnership by using satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to bolster data collection and improve policymaking.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said better data sharing will enable policymakers to make more precise decisions on production, logistics, and food supply while ensuring government resources are directed where necessary.
“As they say, information is key to making the right decisions,” he said following a meeting between DA and PSA officials.
“Accurate and timely data will ensure that our food security objectives are met. It tells us where production is strong, where it is weak, and where government intervention is needed.”
For his part, Economic Undersecretary and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said clos -
er collaboration between the two agencies is “crucial” since agriculture and fisheries are key drivers of economic growth, employment, and national food supply.
“We want to assure the DA that we are generating reliable and accurate statistics,” Mapa said. “The accuracy of data is critical in supporting sound policymaking.”
He added that talks also focused on strengthening the capacity of local government units (LGUs) and
DA-attached agencies to improve the quality of agricultural data.
Meanwhile, the agencies also agreed to deepen the use of technology in agricultural statistics.
Mapa noted that the PSA is already piloting the use of satellite imagery and AI to estimate crop production, techniques that have been adopted in several other countries.
He said the initiative would become more effective as the DA
expands its field presence to validate satellite-generated information through on-the-ground verification.
The DA also renewed the push to rebuild the agency’s corps of agricultural extension workers, calling them the department’s missing “boots on the ground.”
He said deploying DA personnel across municipalities would enable the agency to gather near-realtime field data, improve forecasting, and respond more quickly to emerging issues affecting farmers and fishers.
The DA chief also welcomed the conduct of a new national census this year, nearly a decade after the last one, saying updated population and consumption data would allow the government to estimate future food requirements better, fine-tune production targets, and prepare more precise budgets.
“Data should not simply tell us what happened. It should help us anticipate what comes next so the DA can be proactive, not reactive, in protecting the country’s food supply.”
TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE chairman of the Senate labor committee has pushed for the active involvement of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the interagency council implementing the Trabaho para sa Bayan Act, flagging data showing agriculture among the sectors that posted the biggest jobs contraction in the latest labor force data.
THE Codex Alimentarius Commission recently agreed to adopt new international guidelines on the use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), marking an important step towards making “may contain” statements more meaningful, sciencebased and consistent for consumers with food allergies around the world.
Food allergies affect an estimated 4.3 percent of the global population, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
For millions of consumers, precautionary allergen statements can play an essential role in deciding whether a food is safe to eat.
However, the use of labels such as “may contain” varies widely across products and countries and remains unregulated in many parts of the world. As a result, consumers often face inconsistent information that can make it difficult to judge the real level of risk.
Some people unnecessarily avoid foods that are safe for them, while others may lose confidence in the warnings and choose to ignore them.
as an annex to the General Standard for the Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods (CXS 1-1985), establish a harmonized, science- and risk-based approach to the use of precautionary allergen labelling. Rather than serving as a substitute for good manufacturing practices, such statements should be used only after food businesses have implemented appropriate allergen management measures and conducted a scientific risk assessment demonstrating that a residual risk from unintended allergen presence remains.
The recommendations are underpinned by scientific advice developed through seven joint expert consultations convened by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). Together, they provide governments and the food industry with a common scientific framework to assess allergen risks and determine when precautionary allergen labelling is warranted, supporting more consistent decision-making while maintaining a high level of consumer protection.
“We call on the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), in its capacity as Chair of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council, to ensure the active participation of the Department of Agriculture in its forthcoming meetings. Agricultural production and employment are deeply interconnected and should not be treated as separate policy concerns. They must be addressed in a coordinated manner if we are serious about improving the welfare of our farmers and fisherfolk,” Sen. Joel Villanueva said in a statement. Ultimately, he added, “we must view this challenge not only as a matter of managing prices, but also as one of protecting jobs, strengthening livelihoods, food security and ensuring long-term economic resilience.”
The senator cited the latest employment data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which he said “should not be taken lightly.” The unemployment rate rose to 4.8 percent in May, equivalent to 2.5 million Filipinos without work. This, he noted, marks an increase from 2.41 million
in April and 2.03 million during the same period last year.
“Of particular concern is where the most significant job losses are occurring. Agriculture and forestry recorded a year-on-year decline of 905,000 jobs, the largest contraction among all sectors monitored by the PSA. At the same time, the country’s reliance on imported rice continues to grow, with 2.75 million metric tons [MMT] imported during the first half of the year alone, even as local palay production is projected to fall short of the 20.28-MMT target.”
While conceding the need for swift government intervention to address rising food prices, the senator stressed that, “we cannot continue relying primarily on imports as a long-term solution. If importation remains the default response instead of strength -
ening domestic agricultural and fisheries production, we will continue to lose jobs in a sector that should be generating sustainable livelihoods for millions of Filipinos.”
This, he said, “is precisely the kind of structural challenge that the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, which we principally authored and sponsored in the Senate, was designed to address.”
When Republic Act 11962 was enacted in 2023, the goal was to “establish a 10-year roadmap for meaningful job creation that supports Filipino workers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as our farmers and fisherfolk. The legal framework is already in place, and the roadmap has been established. What is needed now is its effective and sustained implementation,” said Villanueva.
During food production, small amounts of an allergen can unintentionally find their way into a food even when that allergen is not an ingredient. For example, a chocolate bar that does not contain nuts may be made on the same production line as products that do, allowing traces of nuts to remain despite cleaning procedures. Similarly, ingredients such as flour, milk powder or sesame seeds may be unintentionally transferred through shared storage, transport or handling.
In these situations, precautionary statements such as “may contain” help alert consumers to a potential residual risk.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the new Codex guidance aims to ensure such warnings are used only when that risk has been scientifically assessed and cannot be adequately controlled through good allergen management practices. The new Codex guidelines, adopted
“By promoting a harmonized approach to precautionary allergen labelling, the new Codex text aims to improve consumer confidence while providing greater clarity for food manufacturers and regulators. It complements existing Codex standards on allergen declaration and food allergen management, including the Code of Practice on Food Allergen Management for Food Business Operators (CXC 80-2020).”
Established by FAO and WHO, the Codex Alimentarius Commission develops international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in the food trade. While Codex texts are voluntary, they serve as internationally recognized benchmarks that support national legislation and facilitate international trade.
The guidelines were adopted as part of the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6 to 10.
as 5.7 percent, the biggest gain since mid-April.
not yet known if Russia’s grain flows were impacted, prices for wheat gained as much as 4.8%, the most since mid-May. Paris milling wheat futures, the benchmark for European prices, climbed as much
The surge in wheat came just ahead of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) monthly supply and demand outlook released at midday. The agency pared world stockpile estimates to 272.8 million tons, in line with the expectations
THE central bank’s annual minimum wage increase assumption for 2026 was way below the actual minimum wage hike or the P85 approved by the NCR wage board for this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s (BSP) latest monetary policy report showed.
“The assumed annual minimum wage increase is 6.7 percent for 2026, in line with the previous year’s wage adjustment in the National Capital Region,” BSP said in its Monetary Policy Report.
The P85 approved by the NCR wage board is equivalent to a 12.23-percent increase.
“This assumption reflects expectations of elevated inflation and possible transport fare hikes in 2026,” added the central bank.
Meanwhile, the BSP assumes increases in the daily minimum wage hike would be at 5.5 percent for 2027 and 2028.
The recently approved P85 daily minimum wage hike for Metro Manila workers was the largest pay hike approved in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The new wage order will raise the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers to P780 from P695, while the rate for agricultural workers and employees of retail and service establishments with 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing firms with fewer than 10 employees, will increase to P743 from P658.
The central bank earlier told this newspaper that its latest inflation forecasts already took into account a “smaller wage adjustment.”
Asked if the BSP expected a smaller wage hike than the P85 that was approved, the central bank told this newspaper that it would be indicated in the Monetary Policy Report.
BOI-cleared projects’ rise signals UMIC affirmation
THE sustained rise in Board of Investments (BOI)-approved projects is emerging as one of the government’s key indicators that the country’s recent upper middle-income status is supported by continued investor interest, with investment approvals reaching P461.84 billion in the first half of 2026.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that the BOI-approved investments from January to June rose 21 percent from P382.24 billion recorded during the same period last year. Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ma. Cristina Roque said the approvals indicate sustained investor confidence in the Philippines as the government continues implementing measures aimed at improving the country’s investment climate.
“We are making it easier to invest, expand, and do business in the country. Our focus now is to turn these investment commitments into operating projects that create quality jobs, strengthen industries, and deliver lasting opportunities for Filipinos,” Roque said.
She added that the country’s recent attainment of upper middle-income country (UMIC) status reflects the cumulative impact of investments and economic reforms implemented in recent years.
“The country’s recent attainment of Upper Middle-Income Country status highlights the positive impact of sustained investments and sound economic reforms,” she said.
The BOI approved 124 projects during the sixmonth period, which are expected to generate 14,415 direct jobs once operational.
The energy sector, including renewable energy projects, accounted for the largest share of approved investments at P343.47 billion, representing about 74 percent of the total.
Other major investment recipients were real estate activities with P36.55 billion, air and water transport with P36.25 billion, mining and quarrying with P14.64 billion, hotel, tourism and accommodation projects with P7.58 billion, and manufacturing with P7.22 billion.
Domestic investors accounted for the bulk of approved projects, with commitments reaching P447.32 billion, up 41 percent from the same period a year earlier. By region, the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded the highest level of approved investments at P150.40 billion.
It was followed by the Ilocos
P144.13 billion, the
With the 6.7-percent wage increase assumption by the BSP for 2026 which is way below the 12.23 percent actual increase, this means the Monetary Board would still have to consider the amount not yet taken into account at its upcoming monetary policy meeting in August.
“The approved increase will be considered at the BSP’s upcoming monetary policy meeting in August, together with other incoming economic data,” the BSP said. In a commentary last week following the release of the June inflation print, HSBC Senior Asean Economist Aris Dacanay emphasized that second-order effects may now be the main point of focus after the Metro Manila wage board decided to hike minimum wages in the capital by P85 to P780 a day—a 12-percent rise for non-agricultural workers—“to help alleviate the burden of higher living costs.”
“By itself, we don’t think the minimum wage hike will lift inflation significantly since it only affects a small portion of the country’s total workforce [1.1 million of the country’s 50 million workers],” Dacanay explained.
However, historically, he said the wage board in Metro Manila sets a precedent for the wage boards of other regions.
“If the wage boards of the Philippines’s other regions also decide to hike wages by double-digits, the spillover effects of the wage hike to core inflation may be significant. Hence, whether these regions will follow suit will be the next risk to monitor,” Dacanay pointed out.
The HSBC Senior Asean Economist said that for monetary policymakers, spillover effects
By Lenie Lectura
THEEnergy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has decided on longer outage periods for power generation companies across the country, but violators face strict crackdown and administrative penalties.
ERC resolution No. 23, adopting the Revised Rules on the Reliability Performance Indices and Equivalent Unplanned Outage Days Per Year for Generating Units, establishes updated reliability standards for power plants, strengthens outage monitoring, and encourages better maintenance planning to help ensure a more reliable and secure electricity supply nationwide.
The unplanned outage days allowed for coal plants are now 32 days for those fueled by pulverized coal and 27 days for those running on circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology. Previously, the ERC has set 16
travel up 9.5% in
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
THE number of Filipinos traveling overseas has grown by 9.45 percent to some 4.16 million in the first half of the year, with Japan surpassing Hong Kong as the top destination for the period.
Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) gathered from etravel forms also showed, however, a slowdown in departing Philippine residents possibly due to the ongoing Middle East tensions that have jacked up the prices of aviation fuel and airfares. The data tracks Filipinos leaving for work and leisure purposes.
After hitting a peak growth of 18.5 percent to 648,058 in March year on year (yoy), the growth in the number of Filipinos traveling abroad began slowing to some 13 percent to 767,648 in April yoy, then to 3.34 percent to 757,121 in May, despite these months still being the usual summer vacation. By June, outbound traveling Filipinos dipped by 2.06 percent to 658,409 yoy, with the beginning of the new school year.
Klook Philippines said, however, the Filipinos will continue to travel overseas in the second half of the year, even if their movements have been curtailed by the Middle East tensions.
transport, as well as exclusive experiences in major attractions. Majority of Klook’s clients are between 25 and 40 years old. The company is also currently participating in the “Discover More to Love” domestic travel campaign of the DOT.
Ho’s views are supported by the DOT data. In the first half of the year, travel to Vietnam surged by 77.21 percent to 301,455, while travel to China was up some 55.3 percent to 165,128 yoy. Both countries posted the highest growths as destinations for Filipinos in said period.
The Klook executive said the spike in Filipinos traveling to China was due to the increase in number of flights and “flight frequencies to capital cities,” as well as the “recently launched Manila to Chongqing flights” by Air China and Xiamen Air.
Top markets
THERE are over 180 weekly flights between both countries servicing Manila and Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Xiamen, and Shenzhen. Other cities include Hangzhou and Changsha.
Meanwhile, travel to the troubled Middle East region has also dropped significantly in the first half of the year, in spite of it being a major destination for work among Filipinos.
days of unplanned outages for each.
Geothermal plants are now allowed to be out for 22 days, up from 13 days of unplanned outages. Combined cycle plants are permitted for 26 days for forced outage, up from seven.
Unplanned shutdown for gas turbine plants can now last for 26 days, up from 22. Diesel plants are allowed 21 days, up from 14 days of forced outages.
Hydroelectric plants are allowed 12 days, up from six days.
Oil-fired generating facilities are permitted 37 days, up from 27 days of unscheduled outages, and bio -
mass plants are allowed 32 days, up from seven days.
For pumped-hydro storage and run-of-river hydro, the ERC has set limits of 18 and 12 days, respectively.
According to the resolution, the equivalent unplanned outage allowance shall serve as the maximum for unplanned outages and deratings per generating unit per technology shall be strictly observed. This ensures, ERC explained, that the generating units are properly maintained, resulting in fewer incidents and occurrences of unplanned outages and deratings.
“The previous allowances were completely unrealistic. We corrected them so that if we strictly enforce the rules, they won’t have any grounds to complain about the allowances we set,” said ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan when asked to elaborate.
The ERC chief added that they took into account the recommendation of the power firms’ technical experts. “We will give due credence to that so they are always not pressured to be on outage for a shorter period that what they really need.
What we want is a balance…to properly undertake the maintenance of the plants and, at the same time, their discipline that they will have to keep their engines or their generators running. They should strictly follow the maintenance protocols for their power plants.
“So, we are balancing that. We are also trying to be strict by having a commensurate penalty for those that will violate the allowances that we have set allowed for them,” said Juan. Recently, the prolonged shutdown of power plants in the Visayas—caused by multiple forced outages and long-term maintenance issues—has led to constrained power supply, persistent yellow and red alerts, rotational brownouts, and higher power rates. Juan said his office will immediately issue a show-cause order against violators, who have 15 days to explain why they should not be penalized. “Now, there will be outright show-cause orders and then the imposition of penalties Before, it was a notice, and then, after a year, that was when the issuance of show-cause orders took place.
and
See “UMIC,” A2
Heading to ‘budget’ destinations IN a Viber message, Klook Philippines General Manager Michelle Ho told the BusinessMirror, “The war definitely impacted Filipinos’ appetite for travel, but we do see sustained demand for travel for the second half of the year. Pinoys are still choosing to travel but are now choosing their destinations based on where they can get the most out of their budget.” She added that the company has “observed double-digit growth for Vietnam and triple-digit growth for China” from January to June this year.
Klook is a global travel and experiences platform, and makes available discounted rates on hotels, tours, and
In terms of the top destinations for Filipinos traveling abroad, Japan finally exceeded Hong Kong at the top, growing by 11.07 percent to 482,374 yoy. Hong Kong came in second with 480,990 Filipino travelers, although it posted a slight dip of 0.93 percent.
Filipinos traveling to Taiwan were also strong at 366,176 (+28.86 percent); followed by Singapore at 352,171 (-4.87 percent); Vietnam; Thailand 264,238 (+5.63 percent); Saudi Arabia 219,096 (-1.45 percent); the United Arab Emirates 203,609 (-17.23 percent); the United States 187,885 (+3.04 percent); South Korea 185,637 (+53.22 percent); China; and Australia 113,714 (+21.87 percent).
Qatar likewise saw a decrease in Filipino visitors by 14.08 percent, and Kuwait was down 52.88 percent.
THE recent symposium at Jinan University, where Chinese scholars asserted sovereignty over Batanes, represents a troubling evolution in Beijing’s territorial playbook—one that dresses expansionism in academic robes while undermining the very foundations of international law. The Department of Foreign Affairs was right to dismiss these claims as “revisionist” and “flights of fancy,” but Manila’s response should not end with dismissal. The incident demands scrutiny as part of a broader pattern of using scholarly veneer to legitimize territorial aggression. (Read the BusinessMirror story, “Philippines: Batanes is ours, not China’s,” July 10, 2026).
The symposium’s assertions—that the Batan Islands constitute a “natural geographic extension” of Taiwan and therefore fall under Chinese sovereignty—employ a dangerous logic that, if accepted, would unravel the post-war international order. By this reasoning, any landmass proximate to a disputed territory becomes fair game for absorption. The scholars’ reliance on Ming and Qing dynasty records to claim jurisdiction over Batanes reveals the selective historicism that characterizes Beijing’s maritime ambitions: citing imperial maps when convenient while ignoring the actual governance structures and contemporary legal frameworks that define modern nation-states. What makes this episode particularly insidious is the attempt to lend academic credibility to political claims. When Ju Hailong and colleagues invoke UNCLOS provisions regarding maritime delimitation to invalidate Japan-Philippines talks, they engage in legal sophistry that ignores a more fundamental reality: Batanes has been under continuous Philippine sovereignty since the Treaty of Paris transferred Spanish possessions to the United States in 1898, subsequently affirmed by the Treaty of Manila in 1946. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ rebuttal—citing oceanographic data showing a continuous shelf from Northern Luzon and William Dampier’s 1687 documentation of independent Ivatan communities—demonstrates that historical scholarship, when conducted in good faith, supports Philippine jurisdiction rather than undermining it. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro’s characterization of these claims as purely “academic” misses the strategic threat. These symposiums function as “track two” diplomacy, creating narratives that eventually seep into official policy. Today’s “scholarly opinion” becomes tomorrow’s “historical fact” in Chinese diplomatic communications. The participation of institutions like the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—an official government body—belies any notion that this was independent scholarship. This is narrative warfare masquerading as academic inquiry.
The DFA’s reference to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations offers the most decisive rebuttal. By accepting a consular district that explicitly includes Batanes, China has already acknowledged Philippine sovereignty over the territory. This tacit recognition cannot be undone by retrospective historical cherry-picking. International law operates on the principle of uti possidetis juris—maintaining colonial boundaries upon independence—not on the expansionist fantasies of bygone empires. As the Philippines commemorates the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitral ruling, the Batanes incident serves as a reminder that Beijing’s territorial ambitions extend beyond the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea. The claim is geographically absurd—Batanes lies closer to Taiwan than to mainland China, yet proximity does not confer sovereignty any more than the Channel Islands belong to France. But the strategic intent is clear: to establish precedents for challenging Philippine control over its northernmost territories and to complicate maritime delimitation negotiations with Japan.
The Philippines must remain vigilant against these “salami tactics”—thinly slicing sovereignty through incremental academic and legal challenges. Manila should document these incidents, strengthen historical research cooperation with international institutions, and demand that Beijing rein in its scholars when they stray from research into revanchist territorial claims. True academic freedom requires intellectual honesty, not the fabrication of historical narratives to serve expansionist agendas. The Batanes claim deserves not dignified silence, but active refutation—both in diplomatic channels and in the court of international public opinion.
VERY time a Grab driver guns it through knee-deep water so the app doesn’t flag another missed trip, or a delivery rider keeps pedaling through a downpour because the bookings never stop coming, Philippine business leaders are watching a quiet stress test of the digital economy we’ve all come to depend on.
A new report from the De La Salle University Social Development Research Center and the Manila Observatory, Towards Resilient Platform Work in the Philippines, puts data and voices behind what many of us have sensed but rarely reckoned with: our platform economy was never built to withstand a climate crisis, and workers are the ones filling that gap with their bodies, their savings, and their safety.
The scale of this economy is hard
Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder
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
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to overstate. Ride-hailing, food and courier delivery, virtual assistance, AI data work, freelance design and writing are sectors that now sustain livelihoods for a growing share of Filipino workers, and they mean convenience for the rest of us.
But the report, built on more than a year of fieldwork and interviews with over 100 workers nationwide, lays out an uncomfortable imbalance: platform workers in one of the world’s most climate-exposed
This is an opportunity for the Philippines. As chair of the International Labor Organization committee that drafted the world’s first binding treaty on decent work in the platform economy, the country helped author the very rulebook it now has to decide whether to formally adopt.
countries shoulder nearly all of the physical and financial risk, while platforms and the broader economy pocket most of the upside.
This is a case for smarter economics. Businesses understand externalities, and that’s exactly the dynamic at play. Platform companies have engineered remarkably efficient systems for pushing operating costs onto the individuals they label “independent contractors”: fuel, upkeep, protective gear, data plans, even the risk of injuries on the job.
That label may be convenient for limiting employer liability, but it’s also where the report locates its big-
ABS-CBN’s white knight: Hope, rumors, and the race for clarity
EVERY good story has a hero who arrives just when all hope appears lost. In Arthurian legend, he is the white knight—a mysterious figure who rides in at the darkest moment to rescue those in distress. Today, that centuries-old image has unexpectedly found its way into one of Philippine corporate life’s most closely watched dramas: the search for a financial savior for ABS-CBN.
The possibility of such a rescuer has sparked both public imagination and stock-market speculation. And it has provided a cliffhanger of sorts by the way the storyline about a white knight is concerned. The media conglomerate is in dire financial straits after it lost its franchise.
Rumors that a billionaire investor could inject fresh capital into the financially troubled media company have lifted ABS-CBN’s share price from as low as P1.75 to as high as P3.94, despite relatively modest trading activity. For investors, hope has become a tradable asset. Mainstream media even went so far as to whet the appetite of readers and stakeholders identifying the white knight as a billionaire tycoon who had dealings with the media before. That reaction is understandable. ABS-CBN has acknowledged that discussions with a potential investor
are ongoing even as it emphasized to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that no definitive agreement has been reached. It likewise clarified that the postponement of its annual stockholders’ meeting was intended to provide additional time for director nominations and was “not directly linked” to the reported white knight negotiations. Those statements satisfy disclosure requirements. And thus, questions abound on who the white knight could be. After all, in the current social media fix of readers, a storyline, much like a teleserye, pulls in readers and allows netizens to make their own take on the matter.
They do not, however, eliminate uncertainty. That uncertainty matters because the company is attempting to navigate what has become one of the most complicated corporate sagas in recent years. It
The day the Philippines became more than a market will not be remembered because an international institution changed its classification. It will be remembered if this generation chooses to become builders as well as buyers, producers as well as consumers, and participants in creating an economy whose greatest export is not merely what Filipinos make, but what Filipinos are capable of making together.
is carrying substantial financial obligations, has obtained creditor approval to defer payments, faces continuing governance questions, and remains at the center of a highly publicized dispute within the Lopez family itself.
The result has all the ingredients of a blockbuster teleserye— family conflict, courtroom battles, financial pressure and now the prospect of a mysterious benefactor waiting somewhere offstage.
It has all the ingredients of a suspenseful story that has a riveting cliffhanger: Who could it be? And why? Those are questions that have to be answered.
Yet unlike television drama, corporate governance cannot rely on suspense to sustain public confidence. Earlier this year, the company disclosed that officers and employees were themselves exploring ways to
gest policy gap. Without a recognized employer-employee relationship, there’s no built-in obligation to give these workers the same social security, health coverage, or injury compensation that formally employed Filipinos receive, even though they face daily, weather-driven hazards on the job. This is an opportunity for the Philippines. As chair of the International Labor Organization committee that drafted the world’s first binding treaty on decent work in the platform economy, the country helped author the very rulebook it now has to decide whether to formally adopt. What’s notable is how practical the report’s proposals are: let SSS and PhilHealth contributions flex around irregular gig income instead of forcing it into a fixed salary structure; make platforms responsible for basic protective gear and weather-linked pay adjustments; pause fees and loan repayments automatically when disasters hit, rather than leaving it to worker discretion or platform good-
See “Rojas,” A13
help raise fresh capital. Today, attention has shifted toward a businessman reportedly interested in the media industry. Whether those discussions ultimately succeed remains to be seen.
For now, however, the market continues to trade largely on expectation rather than certainty. That distinction deserves attention. Adding to the virality of the ABS-CBN white knight teleserye is the fact that there is a battle royale within the Lopez family itself.
Financial markets price probabilities every day. But sound corporate governance requires that expectations eventually give way to verifiable information. Investors do not simply invest in earnings prospects; they invest in the credibility of the information placed before them. This is why the identity of the supposed white knight has attracted so much interest.
If a strategic investor truly exists, the eventual disclosure could reshape both ABS-CBN’s financial position and investors’ assessment of its future. If negotiations remain preliminary, the market likewise deserves clarity about where those discussions actually stand. The coming annual stockholders’ meeting on August 19 may provide important signals. The composition of the new board, together with any accompanying disclosures, could offer investors a clearer picture of the company’s
Part two
-INVOICING is the next-generation version of that idea. It provides the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with transaction-level data in real time. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) describes real-time reporting as the transmission of transactional data shortly after the e-invoice issuance. With e-invoicing, the BIR can detect discrepancies much earlier.
The e-invoicing system involves structured, machine-readable invoices transmitted to the tax authority before, during, or shortly after issuance. This is where data mining becomes powerful. The BIR will no longer look only at isolated taxpayers. It can map transaction networks. Under Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 11-2025, the BIR framework requires electronic invoices in structured invoice data that can be extracted electronically and transmitted to the BIR; electronic sales reporting is defined as system-tosystem transmission of invoice data to the BIR in structured formats, without manual entry. RR No. 262025 was later extended to December 31, 2026, giving both taxpayers and the BIR more time to ensure system readiness.
With the onset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this technology, with the e-invoicing system, can effectively help identify unusual transaction patterns, possible fake receipts, ghost suppliers, circular transactions, sudden spikes in input VAT claims, abnormal expense ratios, mismatched industry benchmarks, and networks of related parties engaged in suspicious transactions. AI can assist in red-flagging potential “Run After Fake Transactions” cases. Properly used, it can help the BIR focus limited audit resources on higher-risk taxpayers instead of relying on broad, burdensome, and sometimes arbitrary audit coverage.
Recently, the BIR began collaborations with academic institutions in the use of AI in Tax administration.
I have been particularly interested in this collaboration between the BIR and universities, i.e., Ateneo de Manila University, in developing AIenabled red-flagging tools. Universities can contribute research discipline, data science expertise, ethical frameworks, and independent validation. The government can contribute administrative experience, legal mandate, and practical enforcement knowledge. Together, they can help design tools that are not only powerful but also fair, explainable, and responsible.
This last point is crucial. Datadriven tax administration must not become data-driven arbitrariness. A red flag is not yet a tax deficiency. A risk score is not yet evidence. An algorithm is not yet a final assessment. The Constitution, the Tax Code, and basic fairness still require a factual
Gagni. . .
Continued from A12
With the onset of Artificial Intelligence, this technology, with the e-invoicing system, can effectively help identify unusual transaction patterns, possible fake receipts, ghost suppliers, circular transactions, sudden spikes in input VAT claims, abnormal expense ratios, mismatched industry benchmarks, and networks of related parties engaged in suspicious transactions. AI can assist in red-flagging potential “Run After Fake Transactions” cases. Properly used, it can help the BIR focus limited audit resources on higher-risk taxpayers instead of relying on broad, burdensome, and sometimes arbitrary audit coverage.
basis, legal grounding, due process, and taxpayer opportunity to explain.
A BIR Reconciliation of Listings for Enforcement (RELIEF) and AIgenerated discrepancy can be a valid starting point for enforcement. But it is to be noted that the Supreme Court doctrine makes clear that RELIEF data alone does not sustain a deficiency assessment. The assessment must still pass the usual tests of authority, due process, prescription, evidentiary support, and correct tax computation.
A RELIEF finding should be treated as an audit lead, not yet as proof of tax liability. The BIR must still establish that the assessment was issued by properly authorized officers, within the prescriptive period, after proper notice to the taxpayer, and based on verified facts and law.
This is the most important doctrine for RELIEF cases. I will dwell on the leading Supreme Court cases on RELIEF tax assessment and investigation.
To be continued
Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and a partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax practice with his firm, JL2T Consulting. He can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com.
AM from Ateneo Law School…and what they taught us there…” these introductory remarks coming from former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano are sadly both boastful and discriminatory. Knowing full well that the public is watching, I am aghast at hearing these words from an alumnus, as they seem to imply that other law schools teach the law differently or in an inferior manner. He continued to say, “let me call someone from UP Law to see if they were taught the same thing” in introducing her sister, Senator Pia Cayetano. Again, such statement is neither inclusive nor encouraging. Such utterances can imply that their respective law schools (Ateneo and the University of the Philippines) are superior to others.
Most of the Ateneo lawyers I know cringed when they heard such condescending words. I am a product of the same institution as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano but I never boasted such fact. Of course, the Ateneo brand of education is known for excellence as exemplified by the performance of their students and/or athletes. Yet, I don’t understand why some graduates boast about their Ateneo credentials as if they’re enough to ensure their own progress—especially when it means looking down on others around them.
At our previous firm, we initially recruited exclusively from so-called “top-tier” law schools. Over time, I convinced my law partners to try out some products from the so-called University belt. We tried; we were impressed. Their work ethic was so driven as if they were trying to prove their worth by outperforming the others from the top tier law schools. From my point of view, they were far more hardworking, teachable, and most of all, humble. I say this not to put down those from the prestigious law schools but to simply say that law school credentials can only take you as far as your work ethic. It is never about the school, but it is about the quality of work lawyers put in. The Ateneo and UP Law brand shall remain as a good marketing tool for aspiring law students to prefer over others. But after earning their degrees, it is an opportunity for them to showcase their quality education by not openly boasting about it, but by
letting their output do the talking. I can vividly remember when some of our potential and actual clients would openly discriminate against lawyers whose degrees do not come from the blue or maroon schools. I can only surmise that the brand or “trust rating” of these schools and their graduates truly impact how society in general presumes their competence.
When it comes to trust ratings, the recent OCTA survey studies show that the trust rating of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains high. Both its actual ratings of 72 percent trust and 70 percent satisfaction and its net ratings of +61 net trust and +56 net performance rank among the strongest institutional ratings recorded in the first quarter of a 2026 survey. Just as I am proud to be part of the AFP, I am also proud of being an alumnus of one of the premier military institutions in the world. Yet, I refuse to boast such credentials when I was in the Army. Over time, carrying the Academy brand, I was able to show what I learned from my cadets days in actual combat. I intentionally did so knowing that others are watching and will likely judge my school based on my conduct as a leader in the Army.
In the religious sense, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) are branded as ardent followers who can never go against the commands of their leadership lest they will be disavowed. Some say that INC members are rabid if not radical
Ateneans in the legal profession or academy graduates in the military need not flaunt their credentials. We all ought to be reminded by what Scripture told us—“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12). In the same vein, Jesus followers need not boast of their accomplishments, unless they will glorify God and bring others closer to Him. The brand we carry is never about ourselves but more about the organization we serve.
when it comes to blind obedience. In contrast, the born again Christian brand has been equated to the bold and public worship of Jesus with hymns of songs and praises. They appear to be happy and contented people who enjoy reading the Bible and share God’s word as part of their mission. Such brand is aligned with the instructions of the Bible when Jesus commanded to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” ( Matthew 28:19). Some suggest that the “super Christians” are those who really go out of their way to make disciples while “baby Christians” are just “normal believers” who attend services every Sunday. Scripture, however, offers no support for this distinction given that the apostle Paul has taught believers having a personal relationship with Jesus is great, but it seems incomplete if it ends with them. Part of the brand of being a Jesus follower is to intentionally help others learn from Him and become more like Him. My pastor taught me that an integral part of following Jesus is telling others—those who don’t yet know Him—what it means to follow Him. Believers like me can do this by proclaiming the Good News of salvation and being good brand ambassadors in our communities. The discipleship relationships can be structured as in organized schedules of reading, praying, encouraging, and challenging each other to become more like Christ. After all, Jesus was considered as a teacher who formally taught his
By Alberto Nardelli & Jenny Leonard
THE European Union is developing a “solidarity instrument” to support companies that diversify critical supplies away from China and cushion the impact of any retaliation by Beijing in the event of a trade conflict.
The tool will come at a price, though, and would require funding, just as member states haggle over the bloc’s next multiyear budget, according to people familiar with the matter.
It’s unclear how much money would need to be committed as it would depend, among other things, on the scale of any Chinese response—but it could be significant given the size of the industries and trade involved. The EU’s deliberations come as several member states push to cut spending.
disciples while also allowing them to observe his obedience to God as they lived life together. At the same time, these relationships can also be spontaneous. I was taught that a mere lunch invite can lead to an unexpected opportunity to ask others how they came to know Jesus or whether they want to know more about Jesus. This is the Christian brand.
Discipleship can be done among friends after watching a movie together and then have a brief conversation to compare the message of the movie to what the Bible says. My pastor taught me that believers need to be always intentional, but not necessarily structured. In the Bible, Deuteronomy 6 tells us that “these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”(Deuteronomy 6:6-9). In other words, every moment can present an opportunity to share with others who God is and what He has done and been doing in our lives as Jesus followers.
Ateneans in the legal profession or academy graduates in the military need not flaunt their credentials. We all ought to be reminded by what Scripture told us—“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12). In the same vein, Jesus followers need not boast of their accomplishments, unless they will glorify God and bring others closer to Him. The brand we carry is never about ourselves but more about the organization we serve.
Siegfred has a diversified set of education and experiences which has made him a game changer and a servant leader in organizations. His professional degrees came from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. His corporate experiences include stints as general counsel for the country’s flag carrier, a food exporter with manufacturing plants in Davao and in Laguna, and a sports distributor company. Siegfred is a former soldier and a lawyer by profession, a teacher and inspirational speaker by passion, and a book author and a writer with a mission.
spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private talks.
Spokespeople for the European Commission, which handles trade matters for the bloc, declined to comment.
In talks so far, Beijing has been open to exploring how to increase imports from the EU but less keen to find ways to tame its own exports, said the people. Both are key to the EU given the vast trade gap as well as China’s market barriers and moderate consumption levels, the people added.
The EU is also pushing for longer permits and simpler procedures to import critical supplies, as well as asking Beijing to reduce market access constraints and abate its exports. China wants the EU to reciprocate any changes Beijing agrees to by loosening the bloc’s own controls, said the people.
indeed forthcoming. Behind the current uncertainty lies an older conflict. The disagreement between Federico “Piki” Lopez and the faction supporting Gabby Lopez has evolved from a family dispute into a governance issue with implications extending beyond the Lopez group itself. Board decisions, leadership changes and financing options have all been viewed through the prism of that continuing contest for control. Whether the rumored investor eventually emerges or not, the larger principle remains unchanged. Capital markets function best when transparency steadily replaces speculation.
The tool, which is being developed by the bloc’s executive arm, would be part of the EU’s efforts to address a massive trade deficit with China that now exceeds €360 billion ($411 billion) and affects every member state.
Envoys were briefed on the efforts this week, said the people, who
A white knight, after all, is not defined by whispers or hopeful expectations. He becomes a white knight only when he finally rides into view. Until then, investors are left not with certainty, but with a story whose most important character has yet to appear.
The EU’s strategy to re-balance trade relations with Beijing includes parallel tracks: a dialogue, developing new instruments to diversify supplies, and making better use of existing tools such as anti-subsidy probes, safeguard measures and possible deployment of the socalled anti-coercion instrument. That step would allow the bloc to adopt numerous tariff and nontariff responses to alleged coercive practices.
The bloc’s executive arm has been at pains to note that none of its tools are uniquely aimed at China, the people said.
The two sides have set an October deadline to make progress. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in June that the bloc will act decisively if the dialogue doesn’t deliver.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic is due to travel to China in October to take stock of the talks, ahead of an EU leaders summit in Brussels where the issue will be on the agenda. Several officials in Brussels and a number of capitals are skeptical
that EU leaders have the political will to take on Beijing if diplomacy fails. China will inevitably retaliate aggressively if the EU acts, the people said. Beijing has a stranglehold on minerals and chips critical to key European industries such as defense and autos. This complicates efforts to get tough on Beijing as China can potentially use export controls to bring European companies to their knees. China has already cautioned that it’ll fight any EU moves to protect its industries and expand its policy toolkit. In 2025, China showed some of the damage it can do when it imposed restrictions on rare-earth elements, causing global panic about shortages and manufacturing shutdowns. In a display of how vulnerable the EU is to supply disruptions, European carmakers this year successfully lobbied the commission to temporarily suspend sanctions on a major Chinese semiconductor supplier. Without an exemption, the companies warned that they’d run out of stock within weeks.
By Aldrin Quinto
BSEA+YG features athletes 16 years old and below, giving promising athletes crucial international experience before moving on to the Asian Youth Games.
Tolentino recognized a gap between grassroots competitions—the Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa—and the continental level Asian Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games.
ERIKA BURGOS and Dayshaun Ramos reaffirmed their status as the country’s top Olympicdistance triathletes by ruling the Filipino Elite division, while Ines Santiago and Mervin Santiago emerged as the overall champions in the landmark 10th Sun Life 5150 Bohol Triathlon in Panglao on Sunday.
Burgos followed up her inaugural 5150 Guimaras triumph with another commanding victory in two hours, 28 minutes and 33 seconds over the 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run course.
D espite her convincing victory, Burgos said the race was anything but easy.
I’m happy with my performance even though I’m in my offseason,” said the national team standout from Tanauan. “I’ve only been doing maintenance training, so I’m satisfied that I was still able to race well.”
R amos unleashed a strong finishing run to hold off older brother Joshua Ramos and claim the men’s Elite crown in 2:09:58. Joshua settled for second in 2:12:45, followed by Earl James Ting (2:17:42) and Sebastian Cabusas (2:23:59).
W hile the Elite champions delivered as expected, Santiago emerged as the overall champion in the women’s division, adding another major title to an already decorated résumé that includes three consecutive Reyna Bulakna Awards as the fastest Filipina at the Kona Ironman World Championships. She clocked 2:33:58 to beat Nicole Andaya (2:35:35) and Natasha Doromal-Lim (2:40:45), while also topping the women’s 45-49 category.
I realized it during the [2025] Bahrain Asian Youth Games. It felt like there’s a missing step before the Asian Youth Games. After school competitions, do you just go straight to the Asian Youth Games? It seemed like there was something missing,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino said the same challenge exists in other countries, which is why the proposal gained positive response from regional officials.
There’s a gap. That’s what this is forthe Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games. Why ‘Plus’? So we can include countries outside Southeast Asia, making it bigger, better and more competitive.”
POC-PSC partnership
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) flexed its firepower in a quick work of Arellano University High School, 25-16, 25-12, for a hot start in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan City.
P rized setter Andreaj Tan Chun Bing displayed her playmaking brilliance in showcasing the Junior Tigresses’ arsenal as they submitted the Lady Braves in just 54 minutes.
The reigning Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 Best Setter dished out 11 excellent sets to help UST convert 26 attack points in an impressive debut in the inaugural international-flavored tournament.
Tan Chun Bing also scored three points, all coming from the service line.
Guam-based Pacific Volleyball Academy (PVA), meanwhile, outlasted Pusong Azul, 25-23, 17-25, 15-7, to also
begin its campaign on a winning note.
The guest team charged back from a 5-6 third-set deficit with a closing 10-1 blitz to prevail in the one-hour, 22-minute encounter.
L ea Aromin starred for PVA with 18 points on 12 attacks and six aces, four of which came from the team’s decisive run in the deciding frame. Landen Devera scored 11 for PVA.
I sabella Espinosa had 11 points on six kills, four kill blocks and an ace while Jhenica Sadia had nine markers in a lost cause for Pusong Azul, which allowed PVA to land 10 aces. D espite losing most of its veterans following a breakthrough SGVIL crown last May, the rebuilding Junior Tigresses showed no signs of slowing down with their clinical dismantling of Arellano.
We had one month of training kasi bago ’yung mga recruits tapos six lang kami na old players,” Tan Chun Bing said.
“Bambol” Tolentino also underscored the collaboration with the Philippine Sports Commission—chaired by John Patrick “Pató” Gregorio—aligning with its vision of strengthening sports tourism in the country. Tourism-wise, definitely, that’s a big boost. We have children
competing, of course some parents will come along. Right? That’s a plus factor. That’s a package. With mom and dad. So that’s a big boost for us. We’re so so excited. We’re so proud to have the first edition,” Tolentino said. S EAG+YG will maximize the PSC’s Philsports Arena in Pasig City and the Alex back home Tennis sensation Alex Eala (third from left)—coming off a historic stint at the
Championships—is greeted upon her arrival on Sunday afternoon at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by
Rachel in action
Rachel Anne Daquis contributes six points in Zus Coffee’s 25-14, 25-20, 25-23 victory over undermanned Choco Mucho to go 2-0 won-lost in the Premier Volleyball League On Tour Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center. PVL IMAGES
Coach Pat: No reason to rejoice on fightback rout of E’Painters
BLACKWATER exacted an almost equally devastating 131-108 rout of Rain or Shine last Saturday in the Philippine Basketball Association Gocernors’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Montalban.
W hat a fightback for the Bossing— who were mercilessly black and blue, 95-151, during the Commissioner’s Cup four months ago—but head coach Pat Aquino’s nowhere between celebrating and preempting the conference.
“ We need to work more,” Aquino said after the victory. “This is just the start and it’s a long way to go this conference. But I’m really happy we won our first game.”
It’s a good start and we are hoping to f ollow it up with another win,” he said. “We are hoping to be better.”
Blackwater’s 6-foot-6 import Kentrell Barkley made the rout happen with his triple-double of 29 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
Sedrick Barefield’s 24 points, RK Ilagan’s 22 points and Dalph Penopio’s 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals contributed to Blackwater’s hot start in the conference.
Barkley’s a major help for us and he’s a great leader,” Aquino said. We hope to continue working harder and improve more in the coming games.”
B lackwater plays Magnolia Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with the Hotshots reeeling from an 86-98 loss to Phoenix Super LPG also last Saturday.
least one point from their participation.
Blackwater plays Magnolia Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with the Hotshots reeeling from an 86-98 loss to Phoenix Super LPG also last Saturday.
H owever, during the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, each had two squads not gaining a single point.
The stars though, have come out to play in Lionel Messi (in probably his last World Cup), Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, Vinicius Junior and Julian Quinoñes to name but a few.
A nd there are the breakout stars such as Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, Germany’s Nathaniel Brown, Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir, France’s Mike Maignan, and Paraguay’s Orlando Gill to name but a few.
O n the defensive end, Spain and Argentina have been excellent. Thus far, they have only conceded two goals en route to posting 600 minutes without conceding a goal.
Th is is Spain, right? The home of tiki taka.
A nd Spain is two matches away from equaling the record of fewest goals allowed in an entire tournament. The Spanish first achieved that in 2010 but so did France in 1998 and Italy in 2006. Switzerland played four matches during the 2006 World Cup in Germany (three group stage games plus the Round of 16). The Swiss held France to a scoreless draw then
N LEX, meanwhile, survived Terrafirma’s fourth-quarter rally for a nail-biting 101-100 victory on Sunday for its second straight victory in the conference. I mport Dequan Jones carried the Road Warriors with 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks while Deschon Winston added 13 points and Robert Bolick had 12 points and seven assists. Josef Ramos
put up a brace in two matches Togo and South Korea. Unfortunately, they were sent packing in the knockout stages after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time but losing 3-0 in the penalty shootout with Ukraine.
S witzerland was once more solid against Argentina in this World Cup as they were level 1-1 going into extra time with a man down (a red card was shown
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
By John Eiron R. Francisco
Creduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel, lower carbon emissions, and boost the local agricultural sector.
Speaking during a press briefing last Saturday, TMP President Masando Hashimoto said the Philippines remains dependent on imported petroleum products, which exposes the country to supply risks whenever geopolitical tensions, such as those in the Middle East, disrupt global trade routes, particularly shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Hashimoto recalled that, at end-March and the beginning of April, the firm’s manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, nearly ran short of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used to operate its paint ovens after its supplier could no longer guarantee deliveries for the following week.
He said the incident made him realize that supply disruptions affecting petroleum-based products could eventually extend beyond manufacturing operations and affect the automotive sector.
The experience, he added, prompted TMP to pursue initiatives aimed at reducing
dependence on imported fuel “to help protect jobs, investments, and the automotive industry.”
He said biofuels offer one option to strengthen the country’s energy security. Under the B5 biodiesel blend, diesel contains 5 percent coconut methyl ester (CME), which allows part of the country’s fuel supply to come from locally sourced coconuts instead of imported petroleum.
“This means that part of what we use in our vehicles already comes from something grown here in the Philippines. It may sound like a small change, but it is an important one. It helps us rely a little less on imported fuel and a little more on our homegrown resources,” Hashimoto said.
He added coconut is not the only potential feedstock for biofuels, noting that other crops, including sugarcane and palm, could also contribute as the industry develops.
“The agri-sector is very important for this. Farms are key for our strategy,” he said, adding that the objective is to develop a value chain that benefits fuel suppliers, farmers and the automotive industry.
He noted that the Philippines is not alone in expanding biofuel use, citing Indonesia’s implementation of B40, a biodiesel blend containing 40 percent palm oil-based fuel, and its target of increasing the blend to
See “Biofuel,” B2
TBy Lenie Lectura
HE Department of Energy
(DOE) announced the resumption of the special auction round for Waste-to-Energy (WTE) projects under the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
“All auction-related activities are now set to resume immediately,” the DOE said, following last week’s issuance of the second supplemental terms of reference (TOR).
Key revisions include raising the installation target from 230 megawatt (MW) to 400 MW; extending capacity delivery to 2029 and mechanical completion to 2028; extending the registration period to end of this month, and expanding eligibility to biomass developers.
The DOE also said it has temporarily paused the fifth round of the green energy auction (GEA-5) for offshore wind (OSW) to review its implementation framework. This re-calibration aims to align auction requirements with project development conditions, including port readiness, transmission capability, and regulatory requirements.
“By refining these elements before the auction resumes, the DOE aims to enhance investor confidence and improve the successful implementation of awarded offshore wind projects,” the DOE said. OSW development requires extensive coordination among multiple government agencies and stakeholders. Key considerations include port availability and capacity, transmission infrastructure, environmental and tenurial requirements, auxiliary and onshore support facilities, and realistic project implementation schedules.
The DOE will announce the revised auction schedule and any enhancements to the scope, parameters, and requirements of GEA-5 after the necessary technical validation, inter-agency coordination, and amendments to the TOR have been finalized.
Last January, the government said the country is gearing up to become the most attractive emerging market for renewable energy (RE) investments with its 10-year green energy auction (GEA) program.
GEA is the DOE competitive auction program aimed to boost RE capacity to 35 percent in the country’s power mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040, a “firm and non-negotiable target,” according to DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
data now accounts for 89 percent of Globe Telecom Inc.’s total mobile service revenues, up from 85 percent a year earlier, as Filipinos continue to abandon traditional voice calls and text messaging in favor of streaming, gaming, and digital payments.
The Ayala-led telecommunications company said its mobile business generated P30 billion in revenues in the first quarter of 2026, 6 percent higher yearon-year, on the back of an 11-percent increase in mobile data revenues.
Mobile data traffic rose 18 percent during the period, with average monthly consumption reaching roughly 16 gigabytes (GB) per subscriber. More than 39
million of Globe’s customers now actively use mobile data services, out of a subscriber base that expanded to around 67 million.
Globe attributed the growth to heavier usage of video streaming, social media, gaming, digital payments, and other online services.
To keep up with demand, the company rolled out 408 new fifth-generation
(5G) sites in the first quarter, bringing outdoor 5G population coverage to more than 98 percent in Metro Manila and key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao.
“Our priority is to execute on our plans well. We will deliver better customer experience through our digital platforms, and serve products that are relevant through hyperpersonalization.
While we continue to expand our 5G network, we intend to deepen our fiber footprint, and differentiate more using digital technologies,” Globe Chief Commercial Officer Darius Delgado said.
The company’s GlobeOne app now averages 8 million monthly users.
Last May, Globe reported that it posted a 9 percent year-on-year increase in core net income to P4.9 billion in the first quarter due to sustained demand for mobile data and fiber broadband.
Reported net income after tax, however, fell 20 percent to P5.6 billion from P7 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Globe attributed the drop primarily to one-time gains recorded in the year-earlier period from tower sale transactions, higher net interest expenses, and from
6.74 to 8,378.22, the Holding Firms index fell 57.19 to 4,390.82, the Property index declined 3.90 to 1,892.96, the Services index climbed 162.25 to 3,420.71 and the Mining and Oil index retreated 42.17 to 14,549.70. For the week, losers slightly edged losers 102 to 101, while 38 shares were unchanged.
Top gainers were Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., Concreat Holdings Philippines Inc., Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., First Abacus Financial Holdings Corp., Acesite (Phils.) Hotel Corp., Primex Corp. and Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. Top losers, meanwhile, were PTFC Redevelopment Corp., Alliance Select Foods International Inc., Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Forum Pacific Inc., Manila Broadcasting Co., Waterfront Philippines Inc. and United Paragon Mining Corp.
THIS WEEK
SHARE prices may go down this week as the catalyst for the positive momentum for the local market is mainly driven by bargain hunting. The situation in the Middle East and the elevated inflation rate remain a concern.
“Whether the US and Iran will reach a deal despite strong points of contention from the latter’s nuclear program to the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain. Apparently, the situation between the two affects global oil prices as seen last
week,” Tantiangco said.
On the domestic front, he said that while the inflation rate is declining, it remains above the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target, implying the possibility of further tightening by the central bank.
Upside risks to inflation including global oil price volatility, El Nino, and inflation expectations also remain on the table. This may also weigh on market sentiment.
The local currency is still “bearishly” biased while treasury yields remain elevated. If they continue to be so next week, it may also negatively affect the local market, Tantiangco added.
With the second-quarter earnings on the horizon, Broker 2TradeAsia said there is a need to identify specific earnings plays amid anemic average earnings per share growth estimates.
“We expect commercial banks to deliver resilient net interest margins, with the recent waiver of electronic transfer fees posing a negligible threat to earnings. While energy names offer direct hedging value, the most attractive risk-reward lies in accumulating parent conglomerates,” it said.
“Trading at historically wide discounts to net asset value, these holding companies offer a cheaper, highly efficient conduit to play the margin recovery of their underlying subsidiaries.”
The trading range of the main index is seen from 6,150 points to 6,400 points.
on the stock of Consunji-led Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SCC) as the awarding of the coal mining auction in Semirara island is expected to drag on until end of the year.
“SCC remains well-positioned given its nearly three decades of operating experience, existing mining infrastructure, and integrated logistics, providing a meaningful advantage under the DOE’s [Department of Energy] stricter technical evaluation,” it said.
Further delays in the auction process could weigh on SCC’s special dividend, potentially triggering downstream implication for its parent, DMCI Holdings Inc.
“We, therefore, maintain our hold rating as management’s confidence and share buybacks are offset by lingering uncertainty over the award and its implications for future earnings and shareholder returns.”
It slashed its target price on the stock by 7 percent to P28.40 on expectations of lower coal shipments and power spot prices.
Semirara’s shares closed Friday at P21.80 apiece, while DMCI shares were last traded at P7.24 apiece.
Meanwhile, the broker maintained its buy rating for Manila Electric Co. as it forecast double-digit earnings growth over the next three years, driven primarily by improving contributions from the power generation business.
It also maintained its target price for the company P700 per share, derived from its 10-year discounted cash flow valuation. Meralco’s shares closed last week at P578 apiece. VG Cabuag
the dilution of its stake in Globe Fintech
CBy Carmel Pedroza
EBU City—Ford Philippines is expanding its reach in Cebu by bringing its mobile showroom to Southern Cebu, giving residents easier access to the brand’s vehicles and dealership services without having to visit a traditional showroom.
The initiative is part of Ford’s efforts to connect with more customers by taking the dealership experience directly to communities beyond its existing retail network. The mobile showroom allows visitors to explore Ford’s latest models, consult with product specialists, book test drives, and take advantage of exclusive promotions.
Mark Parulan, marketing director of Ford Philippines, said the mobile showroom reflects the company’s commitment to making it easier for customers to discover its vehicles and interact with its dealership team.
“The Ford Mobile Showroom is an innovative way for us to create curated customer experiences that make it easier to get to know our vehicles, connect with our Ford dealership team, and discover the Ford ownership experience that just keeps getting better,” Parulan said in a statement. The traveling showroom is currently in Oslob, Cebu, where it will remain until July 12. It is located at the corner of Eternidad Street and Aragones Street in Poblacion. The mobile showroom will then move to Moalboal from July 15 to 19, setting up at San Juan Nepomuceno Parish along Dr. JP Rizal Street. Operations at both locations run daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visitors can view the Ford Territory Hybrid on display and experience it through a test drive. Customers will also have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Ford Ranger pickup and the Ford Everest SUV, two of the company’s best-selling models in the Philippines. Admission to the mobile show
THE International Day of Women in Diplomacy recognizes the indispensable contributions of women in shaping international relations and global governance. It is both a celebration and a reminder that diplomacy is most effective when it reflects the diversity of the world it represents. As global challenges become increasingly interconnected, inclusive leadership is essential to build lasting solutions.
Among the many fields where women have made a profound impact, climate diplomacy stands out. As the world confronts accelerating environmental crises, from biodiversity degradation to rising global temperatures, the need for international cooperation has never been more imperative. Climate diplomacy, the negotiation of global agreements and coordination of collective climate action, has emerged as a significant approach to addressing environmental issues as these are increasingly intertwined with other more traditional areas of foreign relations. Today, climate issues are closely linked to economic development, trade, migration, and public health, making them an integral part of diplomatic engagement.
Women have played central roles in advancing international climate cooperation, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity and long-term thinking in negotiations that involve complex national interests. In the Philippines, although climate diplomacy has often been associated with a few prominent public figures, many Filipina diplomats have made significant contributions to advance the country’s climate agenda. Women career diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have participated in international climate negotiations since the early 1990s, particularly in discussions on climate finance, adaptation, and international cooperation. Some have served in leadership positions within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, representing not only the Philippines but also broader negotiating groups of developing countries. Their work has helped shape and establish major international climate finance mechanisms that support developing countries in responding to the impacts of climate change.
Beyond direct participation in climate negotiations, Filipina diplomats have also advanced Philippine climate diplomacy through multilateral, regional and bilateral engagement. Senior officials within the DFA oversee the country’s participation in international climate negotiations and promote the integration of climate change and sustainable development into Philippine foreign policy through organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations. Others have represented the Philippines in multilateral discussions where climate change intersects with sustainable development, global governance and disaster risk reduction.
The contributions of women to Philippine climate diplomacy also extend beyond the DFA. Officials from agencies responsible for environmental management and climate governance regularly participate in international climate negotiations and support
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
the implementation of international climate agreements. At the same time, Filipino women from academia, civil society and other organizations have emerged as influential advocates for climate justice, ensuring that Philippine perspectives and the voices of vulnerable communities are represented in global climate discussions.
The number of widely recognized Filipina climate diplomats reflects the collaborative nature of Philippine climate diplomacy. Philippine delegations to international climate negotiations are typically composed of career diplomats from the DFA working alongside officials from the Climate Change Commission, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and experts in science, law, economics, and public policy. This multidisciplinary approach highlights that successful diplomacy depends not only on formal negotiations but also on the diverse expertise and perspectives that inform national positions.
The International Day of Women in Diplomacy is therefore more than a symbolic celebration. It is an opportunity to recognize the tangible contributions women have made to shape global governance and address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change. Their leadership demonstrates that diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and foster collaboration.
These lessons resonate strongly with R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG in the Philippines) and reinforce the firm’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Just as inclusive representation strengthens diplomacy and international cooperation, diverse perspectives enable organizations to drive innovation and create greater value for clients and stakeholders. The achievements of women in diplomacy underscore the importance of providing equitable opportunities for women and underrepresented groups to contribute, lead, and shape outcomes.
For the firm, the DEI is not simply a workplace initiative, but a long-term organizational commitment embedded in the firm’s culture and values. Through policies and programs that promote inclusion, fairness, and equal opportunity, the firm seeks to cultivate a workplace where every individual can thrive and contribute meaningfully. These initiatives support the long-term sustainability of an inclusive organizational culture while advancing the firm’s broader environmental, social, and governance objectives. Through fostering diversity and accountability, the firm is better positioned to respond to an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment.
© 2026 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved. For more information, you may reach out through ph-kpmgmla@kpmg.com, social media or visit www.home.kpmg/ph. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered
THE Department of Finance (DOF) eyes five more government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) remitting over P1 billion in dividends to the national government.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go told reporters last week the DOF aims to increase the number of billion-peso dividend contributors to 20 next year from the current 15. The total number of GOCCs was 219 as of 2022.
“We look forward to more GOCCs joining the ‘Billionaires’ Club’ next year,” Go said. He defines the so-called “Billionaires’ Club” as composed of topperforming GOCCs with dividend contributions of at least P1 billion to state coffers.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
MORE than P12.3 billion in unused balances from previous years have been earmarked for state universities and colleges (SUCs) to resolve multi-year funding gaps in the government’s “free higher education” (FHE) program.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) issued a joint circular to establish a framework to release the funds covering the tuition fee deficiencies for academic years 2022-2023, 20232024 and 2024-2025. The funding will be drawn from
led the pack this year with P62.39 billion in dividends, followed by the Land Bank of the Philippines with P32.35 billion and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. with P9.69 billion.
This year, dividends are expected to reach P147.15 billion, with 50 GOCCs pitching in. As of July 8, dividend collection amounted to P140 billion, up by 29 percent from a year ago (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/07/09/goccs-remit%e2%82%b1140b-to-ng-29-higher-than-last-years/).
the 2026 General Appropriations Act, specifically the P7.821-billion unused balances of the Higher Education Development Fund from previous years and P4.486 billion from allocations mandated by the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education” law or Republic Act (RA) 10931. SUCs with complete submission of the required documents will be included in the “Special Budget Request for Fund Release.” This will be in line with existing budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations and within the validity of the funding for the purpose, according to the circular.
➔ GoTyme Bank users hit 10M
GoTyme Bank, the joint venture between the Gokongwei and Tyme Bank, said it crossed the 10-million-user milestone in just over three years since its launch in the Philippines. The milestone represents a fundamental shift in mainstream Philippine banking, backed by over P53 billion in customer deposits and sustained engagement across the bank’s ecosystem, the bank said. The bank maintains more than 600 kiosks across the Gokongwei’s Robinsons Retail ecosystem and the SM group’s department stores. It has over 1,200 bank representatives. Customers can deposit and withdraw cash through more than 2,500 lanes in Robinsons Retail stores. They can also deposit cash through a network of more than 4,500 7-Eleven stores nationwide. VG Cabuag
➔ Security Bank obeys BSP order
THE Security Bank Corp. announced last Thursday of making fund transfers free for all customers starting July 10, following a warning from the Bangko Senral ng Pilipinas of consequences of not following BSP Circular 1238. (See https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/07/07/bsp-to-meet-banks-disobeyingfees-order/). As more Filipinos choose digital banking for their everyday financial needs, customers increasingly expect banking to be simple, seamless, and convenient, the lender’s statement read. Removing transfer fees is another way Security Bank is helping customers manage their money more efficiently, it added. The expansion of free fund transfers reflects Security Bank’s continued focus on improving the everyday banking experience through practical enhancements that matter most to customers, according to the lender.
➔ Security Bank opens 391st branch
SECURITY Bank Corp. announced the opening of its 391st branch in Muntinlupa City, as the lender marked its 75th anniversary. Located in one of southern Metro Manila’s key commercial and residential hubs, the new branch is strategically positioned to serve individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses in a city with a thriving economy and strong growth potential. :Muntinlupa continues to attract businesses, professionals, and growing communities, making it an important market for Security Bank,: Security Bank Executive Vice-President Leslie Cham was quoted in the statement as saying. :Every new branch reflects our commitment to grow alongside our customers,: Security Bank President and CEO Lee Meng Teck Victor was quoted as saying. Last May, the country’s 7th largest universal and commercial bank reported a net income in the first quarter of roughly P2.7 billion.
➔ OFBank cuts transfer costs
THE wholly-owned digital banking subsidiary of the Land Bank of the Philippines announced last Tuesday that is is removing transaction fees for all InstaPay transfers made through its mobile banking app starting July 7. The statement issued by the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) read that its account holders can transfer funds to other local banks and e-wallets free of charge, ensuring more of their hard-earned money goes directly to their families. The announcement came weeks after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered financial institutions to implement a “fairer and more reasonable pricing” by not making transfers to other banks (off-us transfers) subsidize the cost of same-bank transfers (on-us transfers).
Under Republic Act 7656 or the “Dividend Law,” all GOCCs, with some exemptions, are required to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as dividends to the national government.
In 2024, the DOF requested GOCCs to increase their remittances to 75 percent to maximize non-tax revenue collection without imposing additional tax burdens on the public. While the government is asking for higher dividend remittances from profitable GOCCs, it also continues to provide budgetary support through subsidies.
Subsidies extended by the national government to state-run firms doubled to P98.014 billion as of endMay from a year earlier, Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data showed.
This is a 117.57-percent increase compared to the P45.049 billion in subsidies given in the same period last year.
Of the amount, other government corporations acquired P75.817 billion, while major non-financial government firms obtained P21.197 billion. Among government finan-
Deficiencies will be settled based on the actual billings submitted by SUCs to DBM in previous years, net of the payments made for FHE deficiencies in some SUCs in 2022, subject to final evaluation and validation, the circular read.
“Ultimately, these guidelines aim to safeguard equity in the implementation of Free Higher Education and optimize the utilization of government resources,” the circular reads.
cial institutions, only Small Business Corp. got subsidies worth P1 billion.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) received the largest share of budgetary support following the government’s return of its P60-billion reserve funds that were swept by the DOF in 2024. Next to PhilHealth was the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)
billion.
The NFA received the biggest chunk of subsidies worth P1.607 billion, followed by the NIA with P558 million and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. with P435 million.
The government provides subsidies to GOCCs either to cover operations that are not supported by corporate revenues or to fund specific prog rams or projects.
The deficiencies stemmed from funding allocations that failed to keep up with rising enrollment and higher operating costs at SUCs. Under the FHE program, SUCs are required to claim the reimbursement of tuition and miscellaneous fees from Ched.
and during two days of testimony he’ll have new US inflation data to parse with lawmakers. Tuesday’s House Financial Services Committee hearing, which begins at 10 a.m. in Washington, will be preceded by June consumer price figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Then on Wednesday, shortly after the BLS releases producer price data, Warsh will testify before a Senate committee.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect both reports to show some relief following a surge in prices from March to May. The recent decline in gasoline prices likely helped drag down the consumer price index, which may notch its first monthly decline since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The producer price index, though, could show upstream inflation pressures continuing to build as the Iran war’s energy shock kept working its way through the economy.
Economists see the
ing to lift.
Highlights include a speech on Monday from Fed Governor Christopher Waller; remarks on Wednesday from New York Fed President John Williams and Fed Governor Lisa Cook; and speeches Thursday from Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, and Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid.
According to the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, there is a P12.3 billion funding shortfall for SUCS until 2025, and an estimated additional P3.5 billion will be needed to support the expected increase in student enrollment in 2026. While the FHE program has supported mil l ions of students, the lack of fund i ng lim its the number of slots SUCs can offer. This deprives an estimated 200,000 qual if ied students of the oppor tunity to study in SUCs. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
A HIGHLIGHT in
percent.
The figures may underscore the divide between solid exports and sluggish domestic demand. On that note, China’s retail sales, due the same day, are expected to have slipped again in June after declining in May for the first time since 2022. Also publishing GDP figures in the coming week are Singapore, where growth is seen slowing a tad, and Malaysia. India updates on price trends with its release Monday of the June consumer-price index. The gauge is forecast to accelerate to 4.3 percent, in what would be the fastest advance since 2024. That’s still below the Reserve
Rounding out the US calendar are an update on retail sales on Thursday plus data Friday on industrial production, housing starts and consumer sentiment. In Canada on Wednesday, officials are widely expected to keep their key rate at 2.25 percent for a sixth meeting. The Bank of Canada continues to balance downward pressure on inflation stemming from trade turmoil with the US against upward momentum from the Middle East conflict. Higher gas prices have pushed headline inflation to 3.2 percent, even as core measures remain subdued. June existing home sales and housing starts may show continued improvement, extending a gradual recovery
By Steve Douglas And Steve Reed
The Associated Press
THISWorld Cup has prompted some questions we simply can’t answer for you.
Can anyone stop Messi? Did Merlin the duck like wearing that jersey? What would have happened if the Congo’s statue fan had to sneeze?
That said, if you’re a first-time soccer watcher still confused by all this footie, we’re here to help! Free kicks, hydration breaks, stoppage time, the situation with Folarin Balogun...there’s a lot to know. We put out a call for your burning World Cup questions—and we’ll keep answering them if you have more. We’re compiling answers to your FAQs below. Now to some new questions...
Has what happened with Balogun ever happened before at a World Cup?
NOT for 64 years. Back then, in the 1962 World Cup and at a time when there were no physical red cards in soccer, Brazil midfielder Garrincha was sent off the field by the referee in the semifinals for kicking a Chilean opponent away from the ball. However, Garrincha escaped a ban for the final—a scenario Brazil officials feared— as a result of the intervention of host nation Chile’s president, who argued that Garrincha should be allowed to play. The Balogun case differs slightly in the sense that his ban for the red card was placed on suspension for one year.
How are World Cup referees chosen and vetted?
BRAZILIAN ref Raphael Claus—the match official President Donald Trump described as “a little bit suspect” in light of the red card for Balogun—was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament based on their “quality and consistency of performances” over the previous three years in international and domestic competitions, FIFA says. They’ve been monitored, attended seminars and even received support from mental specialists. “The very best in the world,” is how FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina put it.
Who are the kids accompanying players at the beginning of matches?
LUCKY souls, aren’t they? Those children holding hands and sometimes talking with the best soccer players in the world before games are officially called “player escorts”—even though many would describe them as “mascots.” One of FIFA’s sponsors is food company Quaker, who has teamed up with dozens of community organizations to give kids “from underserved communities” the chance to walk players onto the field.
Why do Americans call it ‘soccer’?
FIRST of all, it’s not just Americans—looking at you, fallen brethren in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. While all the teams that call it “soccer” and not “football” may have been knocked out, England—the birthplace of the sport—is hanging in there in the quarterfinals and still flies the “it’s called football!” flag. That’s despite the word “soccer” actually being coined in Britain, perhaps as far back as the 1880s. The exact date it was first used is not known, but it is widely believed “soccer” was derived from “association football,” which was the first official name of the sport. “Soccer” is not a commonly used term in Britain these days and some Brits often roll their eyes when they hear others use the word instead of “football.”
But given the U.S. has its own version of football, surely it’s OK to use “soccer” as a differentiator, right?
What does it take to rain out or delay a game?
SOCCER isn’t like cricket or tennis or baseball—it can be played through heavy rain. If it gets too heavy, though, the referee has the authority to bring a halt to, or abandon, a match owing to poor weather conditions that affect the field or the surrounding areas. Storms have been an issue at this World Cup—one caused a delay of around two hours during the group game between France and Iraq—and a rule used by FIFA pauses games for 30 minutes if lightning is detected within 8 miles (up to 13 kilometers). Each strike resets the clock. World Cup regulations state that if a match was to be abandoned after it had kicked off, it restarts “at the minute at which play was interrupted rather than being replayed in full, and with the same scoreline.”
What happens if teams are still tied after five penalty kicks?
IN that case, the shootout then goes to the forebodingly named “sudden death.”
That means the teams take extra rounds of penalties—one attempt each—until one scores and one doesn’t. On some occasions, even the goalkeepers end up taking a penalty. The shootout can go on for quite some time, like in the Israeli third-tier promotion playoff between F.C. Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv in 2024, when 56 shots were needed before Dimona prevailed 23-22.
Can you drink alcohol at the soccer games?
YES! Unlike at the Paris Olympics venues or the Qatar World Cup stadiums, alcoholic beer is available at World Cup venues. Michelob Ultra and Budweiser are the official sponsors. Stadiums can also offer cocktails and hard seltzers for sale.
How does the size of a soccer pitch compare to an NFL field? And why is it called a pitch, anyway?
PUT simply, NFL fields are longer and narrower. According to the NFL rule book, “the game shall be played upon a rectangular field, 360 feet in length and 160 feet in width.” In yards, that’s 120 x 53.3, or in meters, 110 x 49. The recommended dimensions of a soccer field in yardage, FIFA says, is 115 x 74 yards (345 x 222 feet, 105 meters x 68 meters), though they can vary slightly. As for the widely used “pitch,” that’s just a term the English use for a field. Some say it’s because goalposts were pitched into the ground for matches in the 19th century.
Here’s our previous round of No Dumb Questions...
OK, let’s start with the real basics: What does ‘offsides’ mean?
WELL, first off, it’s “offside,” per the AP Stylebook. Secondly, this is a common question—and one that can make you appear a soccer aficionado if you know the answer. Essentially, a player is offside if he or she is closer to the opponent’s goal line than the ball and second-to-last opposition player (the goalkeeper is usually the last) the moment the ball is passed by a teammate. There are various caveats—for example, you cannot be offside inside your own half—but that is the gist. It can be confusing and a source of great debate.
When a team loses a player due to a red card, does it play with just 10 men the following match? NO, the team only plays short-handed for the rest of the current match.
A red card, which is handed out by an official when a player does something naughty like intentionally striking another player, means the player has been ejected and must leave the pitch. From that point on, the team would play a “man down,” meaning it can only field 10 players instead of 11. In some cases, teams have had two red cards in a single game and had to play with nine.
The player must serve a one-game suspension for the following match. However, the team itself is not penalized, and can return to its full starting strength of 11 players.
How many players are at this World Cup in total? How many of them are first timers?
EACH of the 48 teams were allowed 26 players on their roster, so 1,248 players. Of those, more than half—891 to be exact— are participating for the first time.
Why are World Cup tickets so expensive?
A LOT people would like to know that. FIFA came under scrutiny about a month before the tournament for their high-price tickets and sales tactics, leaving some fans upset. That caused demand for the tickets to drop, while other fans had to make tough financial sacrifices.
Why isn’t it free to watch on TV?
THEY are free—if you have a subscription to Fox or Telemundo through a cable provider or streamer. Every single game of the World Cup is fully televised on Fox and FS1. Matches can also be streamed live on the FOX One app.
How are the teams selected and groups determined?
THE 48 teams in this year’s World Cup qualified through regional tournaments. (Host countries—in this case the U.S., Canada and Mexico—receive automatic bids.)
As for how the 12 groups are determined, the 48 teams are divided into four, 12-team “pots” based primarily on the FIFA World Rankings. The first pot includes the host nations and then the top nine highest-ranked teams. The next 36 highest-ranked teams are divided into sequential pots of 12. Teams are then drawn at random, meaning that every group contains exactly one team from each of the four pots.
Can some qualify to play for a country without being a citizen?
A PLAYER doesn’t necessarily have to be born or raised in the country to play for the team. But there are some restrictions to prevent countries from stacking their rosters. If a player has a biological parent or grandparent who was born in the territory of the country, or if they have established residency in the country for at least five years, they would be allowed to play.
Why is there only one official on the field, given that the pitch is bigger than in American football?
THERE are actually four officials for every World Cup match, although they may not be as prominent as in an American football game. The head referee controls the match and enforces the rules of the game, while two assistant referees manage offside calls, throw-ins, and goal kicks. A fourth oversees substitutions, team benches, and indicates stoppage time.
How do teams decide which uniform to wear during games?
IN World Cup play it’s FIFA that determines uniform combinations, not the teams. The governing body’s primary objective is to ensure strong visual contrast on the pitch so players, referees and television viewers can easily tell the teams apart. So basically, you will never see teams wearing two shades of blue in the same match. And if you missed our first round of No Dumb Questions...
Why doesn’t the clock stop for penalties and injuries?
UNLIKE American football, basketball or hockey, the clock never stops in soccer. If there are delays for such things as injuries, blatant time-wasting or the aftermath of goals, those seconds or minutes are added on at the end of each half in a period called “stoppage time.” There’s an extra twist in this World Cup: hydration breaks. These three-minute stoppages in the middle of each half have been introduced to help players deal with the summer heat in the United States, Canada and Mexico (they’re also a convenient spot for extra TV ads). Those three-minute blocks must also be added to the overall stoppage time, meaning there is typically at least five minutes of extra play in each half of this World Cup.
What’s the difference between a free kick and a penalty kick?
WELL, both are dead-ball situations and given after fouls. The key difference is that a penalty kick is awarded after a foul inside the penalty area—the big rectangle drawn near the opposing goal—and a free kick is awarded outside the penalty area. A penalty is a free shot at goal—from the designated spot, which is central and 12 yards (11 meters) out—with just the goalkeeper able to stop the shot. A free kick can be defended against by a whole team and is taken from
where the offense occurred.
What was the tiebreaker if teams ended up with the same number of points in the group stage?
STARTING from this World Cup, head-tohead results between two or more teams tied on points were the first tiebreaker— instead of overall goal difference. The second tiebreaker was goal difference in the games between the teams concerned, followed by the highest number of goals scored in those games. Only then—as a fourth tiebreaker—did overall goal difference come into play.
What’s the deal with the 5-second throw-in rule?
IT’S another new measure being implemented at this World Cup with the intention of speeding up play and stopping time-wasting. If referees deem a player is taking too long on a throw-in, they can start a visual five-second countdown. If it reaches five seconds, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team. And it has already happened, with Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Sead Kolašinac giving up a throw-in for taking too long against Canada.
Off the pitch...are Heinz bottles really taped over at stadiums? Why are logos being covered? YES, eagle-eyed reporters and fans have noted that logos on bottles of condiments— such as ketchup from Heinz—have been taped over inside stadiums. This is a directive of FIFA, the soccer governing body always very careful to protect its official partners and sponsors and give them exclusive visibility at stadiums. For the same reason, stadiums named after a sponsor—such as Gillette Stadium near Boston—have been renamed for the tournament by FIFA, which is instead using generic names.
So how much annual PTO do Europeans get anyway? WONDERING how fans of these top European soccer nations can be spending so many weeks in North America, are you? Well, the Europeans do love their soccer and this supersized tournament will have been in the diary for years. The amount of vacation days employees get vary from country to country. In the U.K, for example, most workers receive at least 28 days of paid annual leave per year. In France, they get a
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THE mission of Mrs. Universe Philippines to help make the dreams of mothers and women who aspire to be beauty queens became a reality in the wee hours of June 29 at The Manila Hotel Tent City.
“I believe that age, marital status, or physical appearance should never be barriers to achieving one’s dreams. Every woman has unique abilities, limitless potential, and a purpose worth celebrating. Through this platform, we empower women to rediscover their confidence, believe in themselves again, and embrace their true beauty from within,” said Maria Charo Calalo, the president and national director of Mrs. Universe Philippines (MrsUPh).
Fatima Figueroa Alvarez, representing Pampanga, was crowned the grand winner. She’s the human resources director of ATDX Inc., a member of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association. She won the People’s Choice Award, Popularity Award, Best in National Costume and Best in Talent.
Alvarez will represent the country at the world finals on October 18 to 25 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She was crowned by outgoing queen Vivian Vicente Caramba.
“Most importantly, I want to remind every wife and mother that while they dedicate so much of themselves to their families, they must also learn to love, value, and take care of themselves. Self-love is not selfish, it is essential,” added Calalo, who was crowned Mrs. UPh 2019-2020.
THE CROWNED QUEENS
AT the end of the almost eight-hour event hosted by supermodel Yza Uy and singer Lance Raymundo, the other three top winners were MrsUPh Pacific Philippines-Scarlet Chua of Taguig City, MrsUPh North Philippines-Clarie May Tamondong of Quirino Province, and MrsUPh Western Philippines-Casey Magne Dumlao of Abra Province.
The remaining candidates were also given crowns and titles: MrsUPh Eastern Philippines-Iris Ann Samar, Pasig City; MrsUPh Northeast Asia-Janice Kathleen Marinao, Valenzuela City; MrsUPh North Pacific Asia-Ria Canlas, Bulacan; MrsUPh South Philippines-Hanna Sotto, Leyte; MrsUPh Pearl of the Orient-Theresa Puzon, Quezon City; MrsUPh Maharlika-Dee Laude, Batangas; MrsUPh Culture-Angelita dela Cruz, Bicol Region; and MrsUPh Heritage-Joy Formoso, Little Brave Hearts.
Global Queens were also crowned: MrsUPh Global 2026-Schennday Go Hansen of Washington State; Pearl of the Orient 2026-Carmela Laylo of New Zealand; Heritage 2026-Theresa Brizuela of The Netherlands; Culture 2026-Elena Santos of Hawaii; and Tourism 2026-Susan Ventoler of Washington DC.
GMA actresses Chariz Solomon and Kris Bernal, sexy actress Nathalie Hart and comedienne Kitkat were also given special tiles as ambassadresses and advocates.
For seven years, the organization has provided a prestigious platform that recognizes the achievements and contributions of women while promoting excellence, empowerment, and positive social impact. Mrs. Universe Philippines serves as the country’s gateway to international opportunities,
fostering a global community of women leaders, advocates, and change makers.
SHATTERING BOXES
“FOR many years, society has often placed women in boxes. Labeling them by their roles, their age, or their status. But tonight, we shattered those boxes,” declared Calalo. “Mrs. Universe Philippines was founded on the belief that a woman never stops growing. Marriage, motherhood, career, and life’s many responsibilities do not limit a woman’s dream. They give them even greater meaning.”
As the national director, Calalo’s goal has always been to provide a stage where women’s voices aren’t just heard but are amplified.
“At Mrs. Universe Philippines, we are more than a pageant. We are a family. We are a sisterhood that uplifts, supports and inspires one another. We strengthen each other’s weaknesses, celebrate each other’s successes, and stand together as one because together, we are stronger,” she professed. “Together, we prove that every woman deserves the opportunity to shine.”
FATIMA’S ADVOCACY
WHEN she unveiled her advocacy, Fatima Figueroa Alvarez easily became a favorite to win the top crown:
“There is a quiet strength within every woman. A strength that nurtures, creates and uplifts, even in the most challenging moments. As a woman, I have come to understand that our role in society goes far beyond what is seen.
“We are caregivers, creators, leaders and changemakers. Often, our strength is silent—but it is steady, and it is powerful. Through my journey as a model advocate and an ambassador of the House of Musa, I have witnessed how fashion can become something far more meaningful.... Through passion, through service, and through compassion, I hope to show that a woman’s voice can do more than inspire. It can uplift, empower, and transform lives.”
PARIS—The most coveted accessory at the recently concluded Week shows this week was not a bag, a sneaker or a watch. It was an ice pack. As a historic heat wave gripped the French capital, fashion houses fought to keep guests cool with mist machines, chilled towels, parasols and iced Evian on silver platters.
It wasn’t enough. Historic venues sweltered, guests were packed in tight, air conditioning was absent or inadequate, and water ran short—at one house, organizers weighed serving none at all, having found only plastic bottles to hand out. That mattered because Paris Fashion Week is not a minor cultural event.
It is one of France’s most visible export machines: six fashion seasons a year, global luxury houses, celebrities, editors, buyers and clients moving through an industry worth billions, often inside aging venues built for a cooler age. The week raised a harder question: whether Paris should keep staging menswear and haute couture in the height of summer at all if climate change keeps bringing more frequent and intense heat waves.
that fashion week in the hottest months be
“In Paris we don’t have AC everywhere, it’s quite rare,” said Thomas Levy, 24, a fashion student outside one show. “I don’t know how the models did it this week in some of the leather and knit coats.”
Pascal Morand, who heads France’s fashion federation, said organizers were following the government’s heat-wave plan.
“We are conscious of the challenges and very attentive to preserving the Fashion Week experience in this context of structural change,” he told The Associated
Fashion had already been warned about heat management. In March, Celine built an okoumé-wood pavilion in the courtyard of the Institut de France for a winter show, packed guests inside and still saw some leave because of the temperature.
Dior shifted its show to 9 am from mid-afternoon, and Rick Owens moved his forward too. Yet inside Dior’s half-renovated mansion, water was scarce, there was no air conditioning, and some guests looked
“I honestly thought I was going to pass out,” said Ben Freeman, a London-based fashion critic from Australia. suggested
consumers through the years. Watsons Most Loved 2026 campaign focuses on the winners of the Watsons Health, Wellness & Beauty Awards once again. As Asia’s leader when it comes to personal care and wellness for 185 years, Watsons combines its expertise with real-life consumer reviews to recognize the products and brands that stand out among the shelves. Watson’s Most Loved 2026 cuts through the various choices and sometimes confusing landscape of beauty, health and wellness. Awards include Mass Fragrance of the Year, Sensitive Skincare Brand of the Year, Members Choice Award for Body Care, Adult Vitamin Brand of the Year, and Immunity Brand of the Year. Special
awards are also included like the Rising Star Product of the Year, Seasonal Product of the Year, and Best Exclusive Product of the Year. Major Awards for Beauty include Unilever Philippines Inc., L’Oréal Philippines Inc., Beiersdorf Philippines Inc., and Haleon Philippines Inc. Watsons Most Loved 2026 includes Watsons picks and Members’ Choice Awards for health, wellness and beauty. Special in-store animations and window displays will spotlight Watsons Most Loved 2026 at select Watsons branches, including SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, The Podium, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, SM Zamboanga, J Mall in Cebu, and SM City Cebu, running until July 22. This year’s campaign also has an e-raffle where Watsons Club and Elite Club
The strain had already shown at Milan Fashion Week last week. At Thom Browne’s first show there, giant misting fans ran and black umbrellas went out as guests waited out the midday sun. AP
members can win up to P100,000 in GCash Rewards for every qualifying purchase of participating products. The top two spenders every month from June to July will take home P100,000 GCash Rewards each. There will be one winner for in-store purchases and one winner for in-app purchases. Here are my personal most-loved products from Watsons: ■ Sola Cica Cleansing Tissue: I normally don’t use cleansing tissues but make an exception for these ones from Sola. They’re
iCare HMO Philippines has been recognized with two major honors at the 2026 Insurance Asia Awards, receiving AI Initiative of the Year - Philippines for its Telemed7 platform and Strategic Partnership of the Year - Philippines for its Super Preferred Clinics (SPC) program.
Presented annually by Insurance Asia, the awards recognize insurers across the Asia-Pacific region that are advancing innovation, improving customer experience, and delivering meaningful business and social impact through technology, products, and strategic initiatives.
For iCare, the dual recognition reflects two complementary priorities shaping the future of healthcare: making medical care more accessible through digital innovation and expanding high-quality primary care through strategic partnerships.
“These awards recognize more than two successful initiatives. They affirm our belief that better healthcare begins with better access,” said Geronimo V. Francisco, President and CEO of iCare HMO Philippines. “Whether through AI-enabled telemedicine or strong partnerships with leading healthcare providers, our focus remains on helping more Filipinos say yes to better health.”
One of the award-winning initiatives, Telemed7, was developed to simplify access to medical consultations. Available through Viber, the AI-enabled platform automates the appointment process and connects members with licensed physicians in as a little as seven minutes, reducing waiting times while making healthcare more convenient for members regardless of location. The platform reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence in improving healthcare delivery by streamlining routine processes and enabling faster access to care.
The second recognition highlights iCare’s Super Preferred Clinics program, a nationwide partnership with The
Medical City Clinics, Healthway QualiMed, and Hi-Precision Diagnostics. Rather than operating its own clinics, iCare has adopted a partnership-led model that leverages the expertise and geographic reach of established healthcare providers. Today, the program comprises 157 Super Preferred Clinics nationwide, giving members convenient access to primary care, with consultations at these clinics not charged against their consultation benefit limits.
The strategy reflects iCare’s long-term focus on strengthening its core capabilities as a health maintenance organization while working closely with providers to improve healthcare accessibility and member experience. By combining digital health solutions with an extensive provider network, the company seeks to address growing demand for affordable, timely, and preventive healthcare among employers, families, and individual members.
The recognition also comes as employers across the Philippines continue to navigate rising healthcare costs and increasing expectations for accessible employee health benefits. Digital health platforms and collaborative care models are becoming increasingly important in helping
organizations deliver quality healthcare while managing medical inflation.
Since its transformation under Singaporebased Value-Based Healthcare, iCare has accelerated investments in technology, provider partnerships, and member experience. These efforts support the Company’s broader mission of enabling more Filipinos to access quality healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and sustainable healthcare financing.
The two Insurance Asia Awards underscore a broader shift taking place across the healthcare industry. As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into healthcare delivery and partnerships become increasingly central to expanding access, insurers are evolving beyond their traditional role of financing care to becoming active partners in improving health outcomes.
For iCare, the recognition reinforces a strategy centered on innovation with purpose: using technology to simplify healthcare, partnering with trusted providers to broaden access, and empowering more Filipinos to Say Yes to Better Health.
For more information about iCare’s healthcare plans, digital health services, and provider network, visit https://icare.com.ph/.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila unveils anniversary raffle featuring a luxury escape at Marco Polo Hong Kong
A S part of its 12th anniversary celebration, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila elevates the festivities with an exciting lineup of anniversary raffle prizes. Full-paying adult diners at Cucina and Lung Hin will have the chance to win exceptional experiences, including the grand prize of a three-day, two-night stay at Marco Polo Hongkong, complete with round-trip airfare and one-way airport transfer from Manila to NAIA. Other prizes include an overnight stay at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila with breakfast and a Sunday lunch buffet, as well as Lung Hin’s signature Peking Duck.
“Our 12th anniversary is a celebration of the trust and loyalty our guests have shown us over the years,” said General Manager Fredrik Johansson. “As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to creating memorable experiences and delivering the thoughtful hospitality that defines Marco Polo.”
Hotel Manager Marie Buenaobra added, “To celebrate this landmark occasion, we’re surprising our loyal guests with a raffle that highlights one of Filipinos’ favorite destinations, Hong Kong, through a stay at the iconic Marco Polo Hongkong”.
This exciting surprise will run until July 31, 2026, with a raffle draw on August 3, 2026, and winners to be announced through Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s official social media channels.
Further details on the anniversary celebration, raffle mechanics, and dining offers are available through Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s official social media channels. Guests may also contact the hotel at (+632) 7720 7777 or
Why the Philippine digital payment boom is straining enterprise ERPs
THE consumer-facing digital payment revolution in the Philippines is largely a finished chapter. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2024 Report on the Status of Digital Payments in the Philippines, digital payments now account for 57.4 percent of monthly retail transaction volume and 59 percent of value. Driven by widespread QR Ph adoption and fully realized e-wallet networks, the front-end machinery required to accept a payment is now largely a solved problem.
However, beneath this massive growth lies a sharp operational friction point that high-volume enterprises are only now beginning to reckon with: the back office. While money moves instantly on the front end, the internal infrastructure required to clear, settle, and manually reconcile those transactions into enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting software has not kept pace.
For Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), heads of finance, and treasury leaders in high-volume sectors — such as insurance, manufacturing, large-scale lending, and real estate — the surge in digital transactions has inadvertently created an administrative crisis. To meet customer preferences, large enterprises intentionally run multiple payment providers. Because these systems are rarely unified, finance teams are left to manually match transaction records across multiple disparate bank portals and dashboards.
This decentralized system imposes a severe backoffice tax. Drowning in disconnected spreadsheets, operations teams face invisible labor costs and heightened exposure to data errors. When an enterprise processes thousands of transactions a day, any delay in manual reconciliation creates an immediate liquidity bottleneck.
The business is left managing a costly gap between the moment a payment is “confirmed” on a customer’s phone and the moment that cash is actually ledgered, visible, and actionable inside the company’s core ERP system.
To bridge this systemic gap, the domestic financial tech sector has begun shifting its focus from customer-facing checkouts to enterprise-grade backend infrastructure. SwiftPay built its platform for exactly this gap: beyond accepting payments, it runs collections and reminders, disbursements, virtual accounts, and reconciliation as one coordinated system, embedded in how the enterprise already sells, collects, and reconciles.
“The industry spent years hyper-focusing on front-end acceptance, rates, and point-of-sale hardware,” says Damian Gil, Chief Revenue Officer at SwiftPay, “But for a complex, regulated enterprise, acceptance is just the tip of the iceberg. The real risk to cash flow planning and operational efficiency lives in what happens after the payment.”
Historically, tech vendors pitched a complete “ripand-replace” overhaul of financial systems to solve these operational gaps. However, in modern corporate environments, that approach is obsolete. High-volume businesses maintain multiple payment rails for redundant security and consumer choice; they will not abandon their existing financial relationships. The solution instead lies in integration layers that sit directly over the rails a business already operates. By deploying a single integration layer, enterprises can automatically route, reconcile, and settle fragmented transaction data across every local network directly back into their existing ERP, accounting, and reporting tools. SwiftPay configures this around the enterprise’s existing sales, finance, and operations workflows: configuration first, custom integration only where truly required. This automation-first approach dramatically changes corporate liquidity timelines. Beyond settlement speed alone, centralizing data under a single gateway transforms a chaotic post-payment lifecycle into a predictable domino effect. The moment a payment clears, the system reliably triggers the necessary downstream action — whether that means instantly releasing an insurance policy, updating a lending ledger, or releasing bulk payouts to suppliers.
“Many enterprises do not realize how much capital is quietly trapped in their back offices due to fragmented post-payment workflows. When you consolidate collections, recurring subscriptions, and physical field cash into one unified dashboard that syncs directly with your ERP, you eliminate the operational lag,” continues Gil. As the Philippine digital ecosystem enters its next phase of maturity, the line between successful enterprises and those struggling to scale will be drawn at the ledger. Competing solely on how many payment methods a business can accept is no longer a differentiator. The unfinished work of the digital transition is entirely an internal challenge: transforming the back office from a manual bottleneck into an automated engine of enterprise growth.
REAFFIRMING its commitment to advancing maternal and infant health, Capitol Medical Center (CMC) will once again host its annual synchronized baby latching activity on August 5, 2026 in celebration of Breastfeeding Awareness Month. The event venue will be announced soon.
The annual activity aims to encourage, educate, and empower mothers to breastfeed by highlighting its lifelong health benefits for both mother and child. It also seeks to strengthen community awareness and foster a culture that supports breastfeeding through the collective efforts of healthcare professionals, families and advocates.
Last year’s participation in the PPS HAKAB ‘Ta! 2025 nationwide synchronized breastfeeding event marked a significant milestone for CMC.
On August 6, 2025, the hospital successfully brought together 420 mothers and babies, participating both onsite and virtually, who simultaneously latched during
Hope has arrived for cancer patients in Taytay, Rizal with the opening of “free chemo center”
TAYTAY Chemotherapy Center officially opened its doors, marking a major milestone in expanding accessible, affordable, and patient-centered cancer care for residents of Taytay Rizal and the rest of the province. The new facility aims to address the growing need for free oncology services and treatment in the Philippines, where cancer remains one of the country’s most urgent public health challenges. Chemotherapy treatment remains concentrated in major hospitals in Metro Manila, leaving many patients in surrounding provinces to travel long distances for chemotherapy sessions, often multiple times a month. Despite the passage of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), many patients continue to struggle with late diagnosis, limited access to specialized care, and high out-of-pocket expenses. Chemotherapy alone can cost up to P120,000 per cycle, with total treatment reaching P5 million or more, pushing families into debt, asset liquidation,
or treatment abandonment. With thousands of patients delaying or abandoning treatment due to cost, We Hope Medical Group is here to operate specialized medical facilities and programs that make treatments accessible, affordable, and sustainable through strong partnerships with local government units, national government and communities.
The Taytay Chemotherapy Center, located at L. Wood St., Barangay Dolores is designed to address the most pressing barriers faced by cancer patients. By locating the center within Taytay, Rizal, We Hope Medical Group brings life-saving treatment closer to thousands of residents who previously had to travel far or postpone care due to cost.
“Our mission is simple: no cancer patient in Taytay, Rizal should ever be forced to choose between treatment and survival,” said Dr. John Paul Aclan, Chairman and CEO We Hope Medical Group. “This center is more than a facility; it is a promise to every Filipino family that
compassionate, dignified Free cancer care is possible.”
We Hope Medical Group’s expansion in the province of Rizal is part of its broader mission to build 100 Free Chemotherapy Centers nationwide, ensuring that every Filipino has access to life-saving cancer care.
The launch of the center was attended by Councilors Cai Cortez, Joan Calderon and LGU officials, who expressed their gratitude to We Hope Medical Group for expanding its services in their Municipality. The center is staffed by licensed oncology doctors, equipped with modern treatment facilities. Services include consultation and free chemotherapy sessions covered by PhilHealth, cancer assistance fund, and other LGU programs. It also features comfortable, patient-centered treatment bays, Holistic support programs including counseling and wellness guidance. Patients who wish to avail the services could visit the center and present their valid ID and
the nationwide activity. This remarkable achievement earned CMC recognition for having the highest number of participants in the National Capital Region (NCR), reflecting the hospital’s unwavering commitment to promoting exclusive breastfeeding and supporting mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey. Beyond this achievement, CMC continues to lead in maternal and newborn care. Through the consistent implementation of evidence-based breastfeeding practices, rooming-in, and family-centered care, the hospital was inducted into the Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital Hall of Fame after earning recognition as a Mother-Baby Friendly Hospital for five consecutive years. This prestigious distinction underscores CMC’s dedication to creating an environment where mothers receive the guidance and support they need, newborns are given the healthiest possible start in life, and breastfeeding remains a cornerstone of quality maternal and child healthcare. This year’s synchronized breastfeeding activity is expected to bring together hundreds of mothers and their babies, along with healthcare professionals, breastfeeding advocates, partner organizations, and members of the community in a united call to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. The event serves not only as a celebration of motherhood but also as a testament to the collective commitment of families and healthcare institutions to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
CMC warmly invites media partners to witness and help amplify this meaningful advocacy. Through responsible and informative coverage, the public can gain greater awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and the vital role communities play in supporting mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey.
I’VE been in public relations for more than three decades, and every few years, a new technology comes along that’s supposed to be a game-changer in the PR industry. First, it was email. Then social media, followed by digital newsrooms. Today, it’s artificial intelligence.
Don’t get me wrong—we use AI in our agency as a tool for research, organizing information, drafting first versions of content, and even for helping us work more efficiently. When used well, it makes communications professionals work faster and become more productive.
But every time someone asks me if AI will replace media relations, my answer is always the same: It won’t. Because media relations has never been about writing press releases. When I look back at my career, I don’t remember the hundreds of news releases we’ve sent out or the countless media advisories we’ve written. I cannot instantly recall the numerous brands we’ve worked with ten or so years ago.
But ask me who‘s the business editor of Inquirer during the Edsa revolution, the meal preference of this particular lifestyle writer or the names of the sons or daughters of my favorite editors, and I will give you the answer in a heartbeat. I remember the friendships built with journalists over decades. Some of those relationships have become so meaningful that they have gone far beyond work.
I’ve had the privilege of standing as a wedding ninong for a respected newspaper editor. I’ve been invited to family gatherings by another editor and
CINEMALAYA 22: REEL REFLECTIONS CELEBRATES STORIES THAT MIRROR THE FILIPINO EXPERIENCE
FOR 22 years, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has championed fearless storytelling and nurtured generations of Filipino filmmakers whose works challenge, inspire, and provoke meaningful conversations. This year, the country’s premier independent film festival returns with a longer run, from August 6 to 18, inviting audiences to embark on a journey of introspection through films that illuminate the many facets of the human condition.
Anchored on the theme “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections,” the festival explores cinema as a mirror that reflects the realities, aspirations, struggles, and triumphs that shape the Filipino experience. Through stories rooted in authenticity and artistic vision, Cinemalaya reaffirms the
watched her children grow up over the years. I’ve traveled the world with some of them. We celebrated milestones together, shared difficult moments, and remained connected long after individual stories and careers ended.
Those relationships didn’t happen because I had the perfect media pitch. They happened because trust was built over time.
One thing I’ve always told young PR practitioners is this: don’t treat journalists as names on a media list. They’re professionals trying to meet deadlines, cover stories, and serve the public. If you understand what they need, respect their time, and consistently prove that you’re a reliable source, relationships naturally follow.
The Philippine media landscape has always been relationship-driven. Not in the sense of seeking favors, but in earning credibility. Editors and reporters remember who gives accurate
transformative power of independent film to deepen our understanding of ourselves and of one another.
Leading this year’s competition are nine (9) full-length and ten (10) short films that offer distinct yet interconnected reflections on identity, family, memory, resilience, justice, love, and the complexities of contemporary life.
Competing for the coveted Balanghai Trophy in the Full-Length Category are: A.ni.mál by Dustin Celestino; 2 VALID IDs by Ma-an AsuncionDagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz; GANGGANG by JL Burgos; HAND OF GOD by Mark Duane Angos; MAG-IINA by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Luarca; KAKA SA YAWAN by Alpha Habon; STATUS: REJECTED by Vahn Leinard Pascual; TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM by David Corpuz; and TIRIK by May-i Guia Padilla.
Competing in the Short Film Category are ELENITA ELENA ELAINE by Gabriela Serrano; HONEY, MY LOVE, SO SWEET by JT Trinidad; HOY, HOY, INGAT! by Norvin de los Santos; kung paano kakalas. by Joseph Vitali; PARAPARAAN by Mae Chan Li; RUNO! by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña; SILKSCREEN by Rey Anthony Villaverde; SORBETES by Jennissie Gilbuena; THE
KEEPER by Nolan Rae Fabular and TRNZ; and THE RIVER FLOWS IN DIFFERENT PLACES by Lot-lot Hermosura.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. bring the festival once again to Red Carpet Cinemas at Shangri-La Plaza as its primary venue. Continuing its long-standing support that spans for more than two decades, Ayala Malls remains a partner venue for Cinemalaya 22. Gateway Cineplex also returns this year, completing the roster ofvenues, widening the festival’s reach and allowing even more audiences to experience the richness and diversity of contemporary Philippine independent cinema.
Running concurrently with the festival is the 38th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the Southeast Asia’s longest-running independent film competition. Showcasing works across Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, and Animation, the competition continues to champion alternative forms of cinema and provide emerging filmmakers with a platform to push creative boundaries.
More than a showcase of exceptional films, Cinemalaya remains a movement that celebrates the courage
information, who answers their calls even during a crisis or a tight deadline, and who doesn’t disappear when the questions become difficult.
Trust takes years to build, only moments to lose and AI can’t earn that trust on your behalf.
Another reason I’m confident media relations will endure is because communication is deeply contextual. A good PR practitioner doesn’t simply ask, “Can this story be published?” We ask, “Why does this story matter today?” “Who will it affect?” “How should it be told?” “Who will be most interested in this story?” Sometimes, instead of issuing a press release, the best decision is just to arrange a conversation and provide background information. Or wait for the right timing.
These kinds of decisions require judgment, empathy and experience. AI can analyze trends, but it cannot read a
to tell stories that matter. For over two decades, it has empowered filmmakers to examine the realities of Filipino life through fresh perspectives and uncompromising artistic integrity, cultivating a cinematic landscape where diverse voices can thrive.
Since its inception in 2005, Cinemalaya has supported the production and exhibition of Filipino full-length and short independent films, many of which have garnered recognition at prestigious local and international festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has presented more than 1,000 works—including feature films, shorts, documentaries, restored Filipino classics, and Asian films, cementing its role as one of the country’s most influential cultural institutions and a driving force in Philippine independent cinema.
As “Cinemalaya 22: Reel Reflections” unfolds, audiences are invited not only to watch the films, but to see themselves in the stories they tell and discover what lies beneath the surface of their own reflections.
For more information, visit the CCP website and the Cinemalaya website, or follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
room. It cannot sense when an interview is making a spokesperson uncomfortable or when a reporter is looking for reassurance.
As more companies rely on AI-generated content, many messages are beginning to sound alike. They’re grammatically correct, logically structured, and technically polished but they’re also increasingly generic.
That’s why I believe authentic storytelling will become even more valuable. So will genuine relationships. Communications professionals who will become successful won’t necessarily be those who know the best AI prompts. Most probably, they will be the ones who know how to combine technology with emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and human connection.
So, let AI do what it does best. Let it handle and organize data, summarize information, and automate repetitive work.
TBWA\SMP’S ‘BOTTLE IT BACK’ NAMED AMONG ACT’S TOP CAMPAIGNS AT 2026 CANNES LIONS
TBWA\SMP’s “Bottle it Back” for Planet Water Foundation was voted one of the top three campaigns in the Environment category at the ACT Tributes to Creativity during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year. The ACT Tributes to Creativity recognizes the highest-voted campaigns that give a voice to marginalized communities, raise awareness on critical issues, and inspire collective action. “Bottle it Back” ranked alongside award-winning campaigns from around the world, including “No Blue, No Green” for SOS Oceano by Droga5/ WALK Brazil, and “Firecatchers” for Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France by Havas Play.
Developed in partnership with Planet Water Foundation, a global organization that gives communities access to safe drinking water, the campaign aims to help AI’s impact on the environment, as it continues to consume millions of liters of water to cool down data centers that handle the world’s prompts. “Bottle it Back” lets users track every prompt they make on
Then let people do what only people can do. Listen, build trust, create meaningful conversations and then develop friendships. Because after all these years in this profession, this is one thing I’m certain no machine will ever replace.
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premiere association for senior communications professionals around the world. Edd Fuentes is the founder and CEO of FuentesManila, a Manila-based PR agency founded in 1990. He was a Board Member of IPRA Global for 7 years.
PR Matters is devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@ gmail.com
all popular AI chat engines, including ChatGPT, Claude, META, and Google Gemini, Perplexity, deepsea, Copilot, and Grok. The plug-in also lets them instantly offset their water footprint by letting them donate the bottles directly to the foundation.
Sophie Guérinet, co-founder of ACT Responsible, selected “Bottle it Back” as one of the featured campaigns in “Voices for the Planet,” a MyACT Conversation at Cannes Lions, which explored how creativity can drive meaningful change. TBWA\SMP’s Ryan Caidic joined other global creative leaders as part of the panel discussion, sharing how sparking awareness on sustainability issues can ultimately lead to urgent action for the environment.
“People can feel helpless especially with large systems like AI where you need legislation to change how data centers operate, but we found out that as individuals, people are willing to contribute. We need to bank on that to create positive change” he said in the panel discussion. MachineLearning & Artificial Intelligence The recognition builds on TBWA\ SMP’s international run this year, cementing the agency’s reputation for delivering disruptive work.
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) found probable cause to pursue a grave threats case based on videos linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, with its lead investigator set to explain in detail how the evidence was examined and why the case was referred to the Department of Justice as the impeachment trial resumes on Monday.
Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal, one of the House of Representatives prosecutors, said the testimony of NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc on Monday will focus on the investigative process behind the videos earlier authenticated in court.
“We can only give a general overview of the testimony. Senior Agent John Mark Calilung laid the foundation by proving that the video recording is authentic. This time, Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, a seasoned NBI investigator and lawyer, will explain why and how they examined the evidence, including the videos presented and authenticated during Calilung’s testimony,”
de Lima said during a news forum on Saturday.
De Lima said Calilung established the authenticity of the recordings, while Lotoc is expected to detail the investigation and its findings.
“What is the story behind it? What were the results of their investigation?” she said.
The prosecution began presenting evidence for Article IV of the impeachment complaint by introducing NBI testimony on videos allegedly showing Duterte making threats—considered a key component of the case now before the Senate impeachment court.
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ALL documents and filings related to the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are being made accessible to the public through the Senate website to ensure transparency in the proceedings, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sunday.
“ Sisiguraduhin natin na lahat ng dokumento at
ebidensya ay makikita ng publiko dahil naka-upload na ang mga ito sa [We will make sure all documents and evidence can be viewed by the public, as these will be uploaded on the] Senate website,” Gatchalian said. He emphasized that making pertinent documents available for public scrutiny is a necessary safeguard to protect the Senate’s institutional integrity. By maintaining a comprehensive digital repository of the impeachment
proceedings, the Senate can ensure that the Filipino people are able to verify the evidence themselves, rather than relying solely on what they see on social media, he explained.
“We invite the public to scrutinize, read, and understand the proceedings for themselves. We realize that while we, at the upper chamber, sit as senator-judges, the ultimate judges of this impeachment proceeding are the Filipino people,” he said.
According to the Senate
TPresident, he has already instructed the Senate Secretariat to ensure that the necessary resources are available to upload documents and filings as quickly and efficiently as they are introduced during the trial.
The move follows earlier separate commitments made by Gatchalian, as well as Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero, and a push by Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino, who had moved to file a resolution for such.
HETHER or not Vice Presi -
Wdent Sara Duterte actually intended to carry out her alleged assassination threat, or whether her remarks were rhetorical, hyperbolic, or never meant to be taken literally, is immaterial in the impeachment trial, former Senate president and Justice secretary Franklin Drilon said at the weekend.
“The real issue before the Senate,” Drilon stressed, “is whether such statements constitute a betrayal of public trust and are consistent with the judgment, restraint, and standards of conduct expected of the country’s second-highest constitutional official.”
Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, is expected to appear before the court as the impeachment resumes on Monday.
Drilon said, “The more fundamental issue is a constitutional one: Do we, as a nation, expect and require our highest public officials to speak and conduct themselves in this manner?”
“The defense may attempt to bury it behind technicalities, but procedural objections cannot overshadow the constitutional questions the impeachment court is dutybound to resolve,” according to Drilon. Drilon’s insights followed the first three days of the impeachment trial, where much of the proceedings centered on objections over the authentication and identification of a video showing Duterte’s controversial statements in late 2024.
“Drilon,”
SENATOR-JUDGE Panfilo M. Lacson on Sunday proposed measures to minimize delays in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including having witnesses expected to testify during the week remain readily available at the Senate premises.
Lacson said this would maximize the limited hearing time while upholding the Vice President’s right to a speedy trial without compromising the integrity of the proceedings.
“Speeding up the trial does not mean compromising the presentation of evidence. It means maximizing the limited time available to us,” he added.
Lacson noted that the proceedings last Wednesday ended early because the next witness, NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, was not in the Senate premises. If the trial continues at the current pace of only one witness per week, he said it may stretch through the Christmas holidays and beyond.
“One suggestion I made was that the defense and prosecution make sure their witnesses for one week are readily available in a holding room, so if we finish early with one witness, we can move to the next and not waste time,” he said in English and Filipino in a radio interview.
By Francine M. Marquez
HE Philippines is the world’s leading producer of abaca. A natural fiber that supports thousands of farmers and supplies industries around the globe.
But as climate change, diseases, and global competition continue to challenge the sector, government organizations in partnership with the private sector and local communities are initiating new efforts to preserve abaca and support its growers.
In the latest episode of “Freshly Brewed,” Arnold “Ali” Atienza, Executive Director of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and Malou Talosig Bartolome, host and BusinessMirror’s social media producer. talk about the future of the sturdy fiber that is endemic to the country. Popularly used for Manila hemp, abaca can thrive in typhoon-prone areas from Kalinga in the North to Tawi-tawi in the South.
“It’s one of the strongest fibers we have. It has several uses, but when I joined PhilFIDA, the focus was on using it as pulp for paper. The fiber wasn’t being fully utilized. There are other things that we can do with it,” noted Atienza.
“There are so many natural resources that can be used. We need to give these raw materials value addition,” he observed.
Besides abaca, he also mentioned piña fiber, extracted from the leaves of Red Spanish pineapple, and cotton as the top three fibers that PhilFIDA is focusing on. Other fibers it is exploring are sisal (Agavesisalana) and its close relative maguey, which are primarily cultivated in rocky coastal towns in the Ilocos region, Mountain Province, and Cebu.
Citing Catanduanes as abundant with abaca plants, the challenge is how to shift from supplying raw materials for a few pesos to creating finished, high-value handwoven products.
“We’re going on a massive training through the LGUs because many farmers are no longer motivated to do more for the abaca fiber because of the meager income it generates,” Atienza said.
“Abaca is a high-value commodity that hasn’t really been fully tapped yet. It’s growing wild there; all you need to do is cut it, get the fiber, and the plant will grow right away. We have the most sustainable plant on the planet.”
Abaca bag-making program
“It is hardly used for handicrafts now but there are a lot of uses for the fiber, can you imagine that it can even be used to make bulletproof vests?” The PhilFIDA executive director added. Through PhilFIDA—an agency of the Department of Agriculture tasked to support the local fiber sector—efforts are being made to bridge the gap between the overproduction of abaca and manufacturing finished products.
Atienza said that at one point he received a letter
asking if his agency can produce one million bags. He commented, “But how can we? All our bag makers are working from their backyard and can only make 10 bags. So, how can we produce one million bags?”
To address this dearth in supplying the volume of export-quality products, PhilFIDA has spearheaded a trainer’s training on abaca school bag making in Virac, Catanduanes. Also aimed to provide livelihood opportunities, the bags are simple to make and take an average of two days to finish by hand.
“You see name brands that cost thousands of dollars. But we can make them here, too. It’s just a matter of educating our people. First, on promoting quality and second, teaching new designs to the weavers. Although we continue to encourage them to keep their traditional designs.”
Abaca, pineapple in bulletproof vests
On the long-term, Atienza said PhilFIDA is also developing textiles and the use of abaca in place of wood-based plywood.
“it’s a sturdier than regular playwood,” he noted.
PhilFIDA continues to discover new ways to use local fibers. On the podcast, and to prove the strength of abaca and pineapple fibers, Atienza brought a plate that is inserted in bulletproof vests. Made from pineapple, the product has been tested and has reached Level 3 of its review.
“It passed the Level 3, which is being used by our military and police. The traditional bulletproof vests are way more expensive than this. It’s very light, which means that when foam is added, it can also be used by our navy. It will float on water, unlike
the ordinary vests that are very heavy.
“What’s nice here is that the bullets stay in the plate and doesn’t deflect its fragments, which can be fatal to the shooter,” he added. “So, if this is made from pineapple, the abaca bulletproof vest will most likely pass the test as well.” According to Atienza, the bulletproof vest prototype made from abaca-based material is a collaboration between the De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines. To date, PhilFIDA is looking for private sector investors that can further develop the abaca bulletproof vests. Revival in peso bills
Another positive development for abaca is the ongoing talks between PhilFIDA and BSP to mix abaca with polymer in Philippine peso bills. In 2023, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced the replacement of abaca with polymer in making peso bills. This move gravely affected the local abaca industry.
“We have developed the technology to melt abaca and mix it with polymer. It’s only 5% of the total abaca production, but the removal of abaca in our peso bills actually killed the abaca industry,” he observed.
Atienza thanked the BSP for agreeing to revive abaca in the peso bills, especially since it represents the heritage and identity of Filipinos.
“I understand the decision back then. It was simple because it was meant to make the peso bills waterproof. But they didn’t think of the whole picture. It affected a Php7 billion industry. We’re probably using only 10% of what we have. That Php7 billion could grow to Php70 billion. That got them thinking
and agreed to put abaca back in our bills,” he stated.
Profitable efforts
Meanwhile, Atienza encourages farmers not to lose hope in believing that abaca can become a profitable venture for them.
“Our abaca farmers have been left behind. Their mentality is to sell the fiber right away.
But my hope is that farmers do not sell their entire harvest but leave some for their wives to turn into value-added products such as bags to help augment their income,” he remarked.
According to Atienza, the most challenging part of harvesting the stalks of the abaca plant is the climb up mountains that often take two to three days for gathering. Since the abaca plant regenerates through root stalks, it doesn’t need to be replanted, making the plant sustainable.
“We really have to educate our people and make sure they add value to the fiber. If you look at the bigger picture, the industry is worth about a billion dollars now worldwide, and 87% of that is coming from the Philippines,” Atienza explained.
“But the sad part is that farmers are earning only 10% of the 10%. It’s very small. They’re only earning 1% of the entire sales. But if they create products, there’s a chance that they’ll earn more. And that’s what we are doing now.” The extra income, he stated, could at least pay for their children’s education or school needs. Creating the ecosystem