BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told reporters on Tuesday, however, that Monetary Authorities are still looking at a reduction of 50 basis points in interest rates in the second semester of 2025, believed to be delivered in two separate meetings of the Monetary Board.
The country’s tariff negotiations with United States President Donald Trump resulted in only a 1-percentage-point reduction on the 20-percent duties on Philippines goods, which will take effect next month. (See: https://businessmirror.com.
“Globally, it’s much clearer now than before. Our issue is more the global spillover effects than the direct effects,” Remolona told reporters.
Only a “very unlikely event” could merit a third cut that could
bring a 75-basis-point reduction in policy rates this year. Remolona said this “drastic decline” in economic growth is not only based on quarterly growth but also the country’s growth prospects.
Despite this, the BSP Governor said, there is still no definite timetable for the completion of the easing cycle of the central bank. “That’’s a good question. It’s a
THE Department of Finance (DOF) has warned against banning online gambling as this could lead to the proliferation of illegal gambling operations nationwide.
On Tuesday, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said he is advocating for increased regulation and higher taxation rather than banning online gambling.
Recto said discussions are still ongoing on how to proceed with online gambling. This is the reason this was not included in the President’s State of
the Nation Address (Sona). Pinag-aaralan pa [It’s still being studied], like I said. My personal opinion is stronger regulation and more revenues. Because if you ban it, the illegals will simply proliferate,” Recto said, partly in Filipino.
“Today, my understanding is 60 percent is illegal and 40 percent is legal. If you ban it, 100 percent will become illegal,” he also said.
Recto said additional regulation can be undertaken by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and such can create addi-
tional revenue for the government. Taxes from gambling could reach P200 billion this year— P100 billion in revenues each from brick and mortar, and from online gambling operations.
Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in a draft circular, proposed key measures to regulate online payment services in the hopes of curbing the appetite of Filipinos with a penchant for online gambling.
The BSP’s proposed guidelines included payment service limita-
tions in terms of account ownership such as being 21 years old and above; currently not in school; and not a government official or a member of the military and police. The central bank also set a time limit of 6 hours per day, a transaction window within which these online gambling payment services can be offered. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/07/14/bsp-lists-ways-
By Cai U. Ordinario
(Sona) briefing of the President’s Cabinet, that this is only a preliminary estimate. Recto said the losses in revenues will be from the removal of duties imposed on commodities like automobiles, wheat, pharmaceuticals, and soybeans.
“Remember there’s nothing final yet. Assuming ibigay mo [you give] what we discussed with them like cars, wheat, pharmaceuticals, soybeans, [the loss is] anywhere from P3-P6 billion pero wala pa final lahat ‘yan [but none of that is final yet],” Recto said. Recto added that the removal of tariffs on these commodities will make everyday
items such as the lowly pan de sal, a favorite breakfast and snack item for Filipinos, cheaper. Hindi lahat naman ibababa, not all imports will go down. Pinili lang natin especially those that do not compete with local industries and are beneficial to consumers,” Recto said.
“For example, wheat. Don’t we want pandesal to be cheaper? That favors us. Pharma, gamot, pag binawasan mo ang taripa, mumura gamot, eh di pabor sa atin yun [Pharma, medicine, if you slash their tariff, the drugs will be cheaper. Doesn’t that favor the Filipino?],” he added. Recto added that despite Philippine goods being slapped with a 19-percent tariff when they enter the US market, the trade deal remains favorable for the Philippines. He noted that the US government announced that average tariffs for all goods entering the American market will be slapped an average of 15 percent. Given that the country’s tariff rate is at 19 percent, this still places the country in good stead.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
SEVERAL labor groups on Tuesday expressed frustration that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made no mention of the proposed across-the-board wage hike in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).
This, as employers urged lawmakers to stop tossing the ball to the President via a legislated wage hike, which could paint him in a corner Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said, “If they force it, they are just passing the ball to the president. That’s political. The President will veto it.”
The proposal for a legislated wage increase—which seeks a P200 hike in the House of Representatives and a P100 hike in the Senate— had gained significant traction, with both chambers passing their versions on final reading.
However, the 19th Congress adjourned last month without reconciling the two.
In a statement, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula called the Sona a major letdown for workers who have yet to feel the benefits of economic growth.
“The President missed it. He admitted that there has been growth the past three years but it has not trickled down to ordinary Filipi-
nos. For growth to impact workers we need a wage increase towards living wages—this he failed to mention,” Matula said.
Partido Manggagawa shared the same disappointment, saying workers have long pushed for both the legislated wage hike and the security of tenure bill, but have been met with silence.
“Katulad sa baha at bagyo, kailangan ang Presidente sa pagharap sa krisis na ito. [As with the storms and floods, the President is needed in facing this crisis],” the group said.
Meanwhile, Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata pointed out that while Marcos promised to uplift workers, he failed to back it
with concrete policy.
“We heard a lot of populist promises, but what we didn’t hear was deafening—without structural reforms, without political will, all these promises will just be empty talk,” he said. Beyond wages, Mata also criticized the President for abandoning labor reforms he vowed in 2022. “No plan to end contractualization. No public employment program. No serious industrial policy,” he said.
Back in April, Malacañang already made clear that it had no intention of certifying the wage hike bill as urgent, insisting that wagesetting should remain under the
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
ALIGNED ON GREEN, DIGITAL, AND SOCIAL GOALS Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan (second from left), keynote speaker, joins
(Ecop),
Ortiz-Luis Jr. (left), Ecop Chairman Edgardo Lacson (third from left), and 46th National Employers Conference Organizing Committee Chairman Cesar Mario Mamon (right). ROY DOMINGO
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr.
“We have one of the lowest tariffs in the world, so beneficial as atin din yun. Syempre tatamaan din ng konti ang exports natin initially, but as a whole it would look like we have a better deal than many other countries,” Recto said. Tariffs, growth DESPITE the higher tariffs, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the trade tensions have eased allowing it to revise its growth forecasts upward.
In a statement, IMF Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department PierreOlivier Gourinchas said global growth projections were raised to 3 percent from 2.8 percent this year and 3.1 percent from 3 percent next year. The Philippines also benefited from this as the IMF hiked its growth forecast to 5.9 percent in 2026 and maintains GDP projection to 5.5 percent in 2025. In April, IMF said PH growth was estimated at 5.8 percent in 2026.
“Tariffs remain historically high, and global policy remains highly uncertain, with only a few countries having reached fully-fleshed out trade agreements. This modest decline in trade tensions, however fragile, has contributed to the resilience of the global economy so far,” Gourinchas said. Nonetheless, IMF said, there are risks to these projections and countries must prioritize stabilizing trade policy by settling trade disputes, agreeing on clear and predictable frameworks, and improving the global trading system.
Gourinchas also cited a need to craft predictable and stable rules to affirm and preserve the independence of central banks. He traced the recent slowdown in inflation to the independence of monetary authorities and their credibility.
He added that countries must also restore fiscal space in order to protect economic growth as well as increase the long-term productivity of countries.
2-tier pricing for NFA rice eyed to sustain ₧20 setup
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
THEDepartment of Agriculture (DA) wants a two-tier pricing scheme for the National Food Authority’s (NFA) rice that will allow the government to sustain its P20 rice program.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is proposing an 80:20 pricing structure for the grains agency’s rice stocks, aimed at raising profits that will subsidize its cheaper rice program for eligible participants.
“The idea is to sell [20 percent of rice stocks] as P20 and then sell the remaining 80 percent at a profit for P40 to P42,” Laurel told reporters on the sidelines of the post-State of the Nation Address forum in San Juan City on Tuesday. However, he noted that full implementation of this framework requires amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).
Such a move would bolster the agency’s power in regulating rice importation, particularly during har-
vest, and the NFA’s restoring power to intervene in the local market, including licensing rice retailers and selling rice directly to the public.
“The RTL should be amended because technically the NFA cannot sell rice as of the moment. We’re still under a [food security] emergency, that’s why we can [sell rice],” Laurel said.
The DA chief noted that President Marcos has allocated P18 billion to expand the government’s P20 per kilo rice program.
He explained that about P8 billion of the allocation is secured through existing rice stocks managed by the NFA.
The remaining P10 billion is earmarked for palay procurement from local farmers next year to sustain
the rice program and extend the service even to middle-income households, he added.
The cheaper rice program’s budget is different from the P9billion palay procurement budget of the NFA for 2026 under the soon-to-be filed proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) for next year.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez has filed House Bill (HB) 1, known as the RICE Act, which seeks to empower the DA and the NFA to better manage the rice industry and authorize the agency to set a minimum floor price for palay to safeguard farmers’ incomes.
Laurel clarified that without an
enabling law, a floor price would be a hurdle to implement.
“Unfortunately, it seems like the floor price this upcoming harvest season in September won’t happen because it takes a law [...] but we’ll find a way to make it happen.”
Meanwhile, the DA chief said the agency will begin the sale of P20 per kilo rice to local farmers by August 13.
This will be available through the setup of Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) booths in respective NFA warehouses nationwide, he added.
“That’s one aid amid the slump in palay prices now, because at least they can avail themselves of cheaper rice,” Laurel said.
ate more funds while keeping operators in check.
“Discussions are still ongoing. But I think there will be additional regulation. The President is concerned with it. There will be additional regulation and possibly more revenues,” according to Recto. Last week, Recto said taxing online gambling could contribute at least P20 billion more in annual revenues, as the Marcos Jr. administration balances tighter regulation and boosting collections rather than an outright crackdown.
Speaking to reporters last Wednesday, Recto said increasing the rate of how much the government collects from licensed operators’ gross gaming revenues (GGR) could help the state gener-
Recto said a total of 38 percent of licensed operators’ GGR is currently being taxed by the government (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/17/ more-taxes-on-online-gamingtouted-operator-bucks-ban/).
In 2009, when Recto was the country’s Chief Economist, the national government increased foreign equity in all gambling operations in the country under the 8th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (RFINL).
Recto, at that time, said allowing foreign players in gambling can boost investments in Pagcor City in Manila. Back then, it was estimated that Pagcor City could create around 200,000 jobs and provide a tremendous boost to the economy similar to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cai U. Ordinario
that there are risks to the impact of the tariffs on the economy.
hard question. We have this Goldilocks rate. We don’t want to go too much below that. But our estimates of the Goldilocks rate are imprecise,” Remolona said.
“We have to look at all sorts of other data. But if we knew what it was exactly, then we’d stop there. But we don’t know what it is exactly,” he added.
On the tariffs, Remolona said, the overall impact on the economy will be “modest.” He noted that there were several sectors that were exempt.
Remolona added that the Philippines is “not a big trading economy” and thus, the impact of higher tariffs on local goods entering the US market remains limited.
Nonetheless, he recognized
“But growth is already slowing down globally so that can have some effect. Oil prices are down so that’s good for inflation,” he added.
Earlier, this newspaper reported that with only a week left before the implementation of the 19-percent tariff on Philippine goods entering the US, the Philippine team is still hoping to secure a lower rate while talks are still ongoing with Washington.
Nonetheless, the Philippine trade chief is still banking on the good outcome of the ongoing negotiations, given that there is still a week left before the August 1 implementation of the reciprocal tariffs for the US’ trading partners. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/26/ on-tariff-countdown-ball-notin-our-court/).
that corruption is not merely a “moral failing.”
FFCCCII pointed out that it is a “primary driver” of the country’s entrenched poverty, deepens social inequities, and critically undermines the national economy.
Further, the business group noted that it manifests in “perceived massive wastages, fuels perennial fiscal and budget deficits, and necessitates unsustainable borrowing—diverting resources desperately needed for genuine national development.”
“This moment demands more than recognition; it requires political will, national unity and decisive action,” added the group of Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs.
‘Strong signal’
MEANWHILE , from a business standpoint, the PCCI emphasized that the SONA sent a “strong signal” that local business development and attracting domestic and foreign investments are top priorities of the Marcos administration.
“The President clearly identified enterprise growth and strategic investments as central to reducing poverty and hunger,” the PCCI chief said.
In his fourth Sona, Marcos committed to providing capital support for micro-entrepreneurs and called for “targeted investments” in key industries such as electronics, garments, pharmaceuticals, biotech, critical minerals, and construction.
The Chamber also stressed the importance of expanding MSME access to credit and technology, and introducing more advanced technical and digital training, including AI, in the education system. In a separate statement, the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) said it “strongly supports” the president’s commitment to address challenges in accessibility, reliability, and affordability of power, saying these issues have “dampened” investor interest in the province despite the presence of an economic zone in the province.
“His recognition of the urgent need to expand access to electricity, reduce energy costs, and secure reliable power supply, especially in underserved areas, is a call to action we fully embrace at Apeco,” the Aurorabased investment promotion agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
“In his speech, Marcos said over 3 million Filipino households still lack access to electricity and many more suffer from high costs and unstable power,” Apeco said. The Aurora-based investment promotion agency said this is “not uncommon” to the province of Aurora, where many families, particularly in remote areas, do not have electricity.
“Such conditions have dampened investor interest in locating and opening businesses in the province, despite the presence of an economic zone,” it added.
Apeco said it is committed to making energy security through renewable energy one of its priority sectors.
jurisdiction of the regional wage boards.
‘Stop tossing the ball to the President’ MEANWHILE , Ecop President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. urged lawmakers to stop pushing for a legislated wage hike, warning that it
would only corner the President politically. He stressed that only about 10 percent of the country’s 22 million workers would benefit from the proposed hike—mostly those formally employed.
Ortiz-Luis also pointed out that businesses will inevitably raise prices to absorb the higher wage costs, triggering inflation that could hurt the wider labor force.
“Companies will raise their prices. There will be inflation. The 90 percent will suffer,” he added.
Independent think tank IBON Foundation earlier estimated that the proposed P200 wage hike would only make a “small” dent in company profits: 11.1 percent for large firms, 9.1 percent for medium firms, 12.9 percent for small firms, and 15 percent for micro firms.
The applicant bank “shall submit an acceptable transition plan to comply with the other prudential requirements for a period of three years from the approval of the Monetary Board of its conversion to a DB,” the BSP said. Should the BSP direct these banks to convert their existing TB, RB, and Cooperative bank license to a DB license, they can build their capital to P1 billion until October 8, 2027. They must also submit an acceptable transition plan for a three-year period from the Monetary Board’s approval. Meanwhile, TB, RB, and Cooperative banks categorized into Tiers 1 to 3 can also build their corresponding minimum capital per tier until October 8, 2027.
They must submit an acceptable transition plan for a three-year period from the Monetary Board’s approval. Cai U. Ordinario
Another witness in missing sabungeros case surfaces
JBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Jesus Crispin Remul -
la on Tuesday said another witness has surfaced and expressed willingness to cooperate in the ongoing investigation in connection with the missing cockfighting enthusiasts or “sabungeros.”
In an interview with reporters, Remulla described the witness as a civilian who can provide not only testimonial but also documentary
evidence against those involved in the disappearance of the sabungeros four years ago.
“This is not just testimonial evidence. There is real evidence involved here. There is actual evidence because aside from narrations, it has evidence that comes with it,” Remulla said.
Remulla also asked the public to be more patient as investigators are ensuring that they would have a tight case against the suspect.
“What is important is that we’re making sure of the case—
its continuity and the strength of the evidence. We’re there already, we’re almost there,” the DOJ secretary stressed.
Remulla also disclosed that the National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, has relieved a commander upon his request for his suspicious handling of the witness.
He added that the police official did something that made him doubt his intentions.
“Trust is the most important thing here. If there is no trust, how can you convince people to
speak up,” Remulla said but did not name the official.
“It’s like his actions were not appropriate for properly resolving the case,” the DOJ chief explained.
Meanwhile, Remulla also disclosed that the retrieval operations for the remains of the missing sabungeros who were believed to have been dumped at the Taal Lake resumed yesterday after being suspended for several days due to bad weather.
Elite divers from the Coast Guard (PCG) are leading the retrieval operations, which has so far
Bigger independent bloc emerges at House
UPPORTING President Mar -
Scos’ unprecedented move, which signals his strong stance on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption, groups of independent lawmakers in the House of Representatives have emerged.
Three congressmen who were earlier reported to be eyeing speakership in the 20th Congress—Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco, Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco have confirmed joining the independent camp.
Frasco, whose wife is the Tourism Secretary, announced his decision to serve as an independent
member of the House, stating that his decision was “driven by principle and a desire to help restore public trust in Congress.”
“My independence does not diminish my full support for the President’s legislative agenda,” Frasco said. “Now more than ever, we need urgency and purpose in lawmaking to address the real needs of our people.”
“This decision is grounded not in political convenience, but in principle and in my view of what the institution urgently needs: leadership that restores public trust, upholds the integrity of Congress, and reinforces the Presi -
dent’s priorities with urgency and purpose,” he added.
Frasco cited increasing public frustration over excessive political maneuvering and vowed to focus on a legislative agenda that promotes transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform.
Benitez also explained his decision to remain independent.
He expressed concern about controversies involving questionable budget allocations and politicized relief distribution, which he said have undermined public trust.
“I will not join the majority, the minority, or the opposition. I will serve as an independent member
of the House—supportive of the President and committed to broader unity,” he added.
Tiangco, who served as the campaign manager of the administration’s senatorial slate Alyansa in the May elections, also declared his independence following his strong objections to the handling of the 2025 national budget.
He warned that the upcoming deliberations for the 2026 budget must be reformed, pushing for a more transparent process and the elimination of secret budget insertions. “I believe I can more
resulted in the recovery of several sacks believed to be containing human bones.
Remulla earlier said the Philippine government would seek the assistance of the Japanese government in conducting forensic examinations on the bones recovered from Taal Lake.
The retrieval operation was launched after Julie Patidongan, alias “Totoy,” one of six accused in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed in connection with the missing sabungeros case, decided to cooperate with
authorities and disclose information about those who orchestrated the crime.
Patidongan claimed that the bodies of the missing sabungeros were dumped in a fishpond area within the lake.
He also tagged businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang as the mastermind behind the disappearance of the cockfighting enthusiast. Ang has denied Patidongan’s accusations and accused the latter of trying to extort P300 million from him in exchange of not dragging his name in the case.
What post-appropriation control of budget?–Speaker
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE Office of the Speaker on Tuesday categorically denied allegations that it exercises post-appropriation control over key government programs— an issue cited by some lawmakers as a reason for breaking away from the House majority.
In a statement issued by House Spokesperson Princess Abante, the Speaker’s Office clarified that programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (Akap), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad), and the Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (Maip) are administered solely by executive agencies including the Departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), of Labor and Employment (Dole), and of Health (DOH).
Abante explained that these agencies maintain full autonomy over the approval, funding, and
See “Speaker,” A4
Asian Hospital offers new hope to cancer patients with country’s only CyberKnife
AGAME-CHANGER has arrived in the Philippines—the revolutionary CyberKnife S7, the first and only one of its kind in the country. Now available to offer Filipino patients an innovative approach to cancer treatment, the CyberKnife S7 delivers unmatched precision, fewer sessions, and a non-invasive alternative to traditional radiation therapy.
The CyberKnife S7 System is the only radiation therapy machine that uses a robot to deliver high-energy rays while moving smoothly around the patient. This allows it to target the tumor from thousands of unique angles, making the treatment highly precise. By coming at the tumor from so many directions, it delivers the right dose exactly where it’s needed—while keeping the surrounding healthy tissue safe. At the heart of CyberKnife’s breakthrough capabilities is its ability to track tumors in real time. Most conventional radiation therapy systems rely on static
imaging, which means they can’t adapt to changes in a tumor’s position during treatment—especially problematic in areas like the lungs, where tumors move as the patient breathes.
Precise and Real-time tumor tracking
“This is the only machine that offers real-time tumor tracking during treatment,” said Dr. Jaemelyn Fernandez-Ramos, Cyberknife Expert at Asian Hospital’s Asian Cancer Institute. “It’s the highlight of this system—unlike traditional linear accelerators that take static images before treatment, Cy-
berKnife S7 continues to monitor and follow the tumor during every second of radiation delivery.”
“And with the images taken during the treatment, there’s less damage to the healthy tissues around the cancer lesion,” Dr. Fernandez-Ramos added, noting that patients do not need to wear a harness and are allowed to breathe freely during the procedure.
Efficient treatment
Due to its accuracy, CyberKnife S7 can safely deliver higher doses of radiation per session. That can mean fewer sessions overall and significantly shorter treatment times. Depending on the patient’s treatment plan, CyberKnife sessions can reduce Lung cancer treatments from 30 sessions to just three; Prostate cancer treatments from 42 sessions to only five and Brain tumor treatments to as little as one session.
This not only minimizes the inconvenience and physical toll of daily hospital visits but also helps reduce the backlog of cancer patients awaiting treatment—especially important in a country like
the Philippines, where cancer care resources remain limited.
“The burden of cancer in our country is high. By shortening treatment duration, CyberKnife S7 enables us to treat more patients effectively and efficiently,” said Dr. Enrico Tangco, Chief Radiation Oncologist at the Conquer C Center of the Asian Hospital’s Asian Cancer Institute.
Painless Procedure CyberKnife S7 is completely non-invasive, making it ideal even for patients who are not eligible for surgery, such as senior citizens with significant co-morbidities. It reduces exposure to healthy tissue, minimizes side effects, and improves overall comfort. With no incisions, nil anesthesia, and low recovery time, patients can return to their daily lives more quickly—and with better outcomes. The machine is also pediatric-friendly, designed to treat children with minimal discomfort and maximum precision.
Step forward
“The year 2025 is another transformative year for Asian Hospital and
Medical Center. We are set to enhance and expand our services with several key developments—one of which is the acquisition and launch of the very first CyberKnife in the country,” said Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President and CEO of Asian Hospital Inc. “This is part and parcel of our commitment to excellence and community service.
We recognize that progress is not just about keeping pace. It’s about accelerating toward something greater. It is about constantly innovating, improving, and challenging ourselves to do more and be more for the people who rely on us.” he added.
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Carmen Nievera, Chief Medical Officer of Asian Hospital, who emphasized that the acquisition of the CyberKnife S7 is part of Asian Hospital’s commitment to continuous innovation and improved service.
“We must accelerate with purpose. The future of healthcare is not something we wait for—it is something we create together,” Dr. Nievera added.
For her part, Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, Program Director of the Asian Cancer Institute, said that the CyberKnife S7 is a testament to the hospital’s commitment to innovation and patientcentered care. “As we navigate challenges, we embrace opportunities that propel us forward— pushing boundaries, redefining standards, and strengthening our resolve to deliver world-class healthcare for all,” she said. With its unparalleled precision, real-time imaging, efficient treatment delivery, and painless, noninvasive approach, the CyberKnife® S7 represents a major leap forward in cancer care in the Philippines. As the only system of its kind in the country, it is set to transform lives—offering patients new hope, better
See “House,” A4
CyberKnife S7, the first and only one of its kind in the Philippines
AHMC CyberKnife Press and Media Roundtable
Dr. Beaver Tamesis, AHMC President and CEO
CyberKnife launch at The Bellevue Manila
Dr. Cora Ngelangel, Director of the Asian Cancer Institute
Dr. Carmen Nievera, AHMC Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Jaemelyn Fernandez-Ramos, CyberKnife Expert at Asian Hospital’s Asian Cancer Institute
House sets reforms in budget-making process
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE leadership of the House of Representatives on Tuesday announced sweeping reforms that include, for the first time in history, the opening of bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations to civil society observers.
Addressing his colleagues during the plenary session of the 20th Congress, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the House will take the lead in reshaping how public funds are allocated, managed, and monitored.
“We will seek to open the bicameral budget conference to civil society observers—a historic first. Because transparency is not just a value; it is a weapon against corruption. This reform will not only earn public trust but will also strengthen inclusive and participatory governance,” Romualdez said.
He stressed that public watchdogs will be engaged throughout all stages of the budget process,
TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE President’s commitment to fiscal discipline, as declared in his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), received strong support from senators on Tuesday.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, a long-time chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, lauded the President’s commitment to efforts to ensure that every peso of the people’s money is spent wisely and aligned with the administration’s priority programs under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
President Marcos, in his Sona, ordered a review and audit of the government’s flood control projects following extensive flooding in many areas amid torrential rains that affected many areas in the country.
“Maliwanag ang sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi niya palalampasin ang mga tiwali.
Dapat lang na kasuhan at ipakulong ang mga sangkot sa katiwalian, lalo na sa
from committee hearings to plenary debates.
“We will allow the participation of watchdogs in all levels of budget deliberation—from committee hearings to plenary sessions,” Romualdez said.
“We are not just opening Congress to public scrutiny. We will ensure that all budget discussions are broadcast on television and streamed on social media,” he said in Filipino.
Intensify ROMUALDEZ also announced a firm stance against inefficiency, waste, and bureaucratic complacency, vowing to intensify congressional oversight.
“We will strengthen our oversight functions and conduct midyear performance reviews of agencies. Those who delay, hoard, or waste public funds will be called out,” Romualdez said. He warned that budget allocations will no longer be automatically granted but must be performance-based. “Departments must earn their budgets—not just request them.”
“Every peso stolen is a patient untreated, a student left uneducated, a project left unfinished,” he said.
“As Speaker, I share his concern. And I accept his challenge—not with defensiveness, but with determination,” Romualdez said.
As part of these reforms, Romualdez announced the House will conduct a thorough congressional review of infrastructure projects and fund implementation to uncover systemic flaws and policy loopholes.
“That is why the House of Representatives will launch a comprehensive congressional review of infrastructure projects and fund implementation,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He said the review will focus on “ghost projects, bloated contracts, chronic underspending, and abuse of discretion in fund realignment and procurement.”
Romualdez also committed to file measures that institutionalize public scrutiny, real-time monitoring, and strict accountability standards across all government agencies and contractors.
“We will propose new legislation to require: Real-time public reporting of project progress and fund use, mandatory compliance with performance standards by contractors and agencies, and a national infrastructure audit framework to prevent misuse of public funds,” he said.
“The House will take the lead in shaping stronger public accountability mechanisms— because good governance is our duty, not just our defense,” Romualdez said.
He ended the segment with a clear and resolute reminder of Congress’s moral obligation to the people.
Joint resolution
LAWMAKERS on Tuesday filed a joint resolution seeking to open bicameral conference committee meetings to the public in a bid to promote transparency and uphold President Ferdinand Marcos’ anticorruption commitment.
Filed as House Joint Resolution 2, the measure—formally titled “Upholding Fidelity to the 1987 Constitution Relative
Senators back Marcos’ push for fiscal discipline Speaker.
imprastruktura,” said Gatchalian, who is widely seen as a shoo-in for the post of Finance committee chairman of the Senate, in charge of steering the 2026 budget bill through the chamber.
“Public funds should not be touched needlessly because every centavo should go to genuine services and projects for the people,” he added, speaking partly in Filipino.
In his Sona, the President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to list all flood control projects from the past three years and tasked the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to flag failed, incomplete, or ghost projects. He vowed to release the list and conduct an audit to ensure public funds were properly spent.
Fight pork
ALSO on Tuesday, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said he is now more emboldened to fight pork barrel and other anomalies in the budget, after the President stressed there should be no repeat of the mangling of the
2025 budget.
Lacson, an avowed enemy of the pork barrel system, also cited other positive developments from Speaker Martin Romualdez and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman that further fuel his drive to keep the budgeting process transparent and corruption-free.
“I will help because this is something I have been doing for so long. But now, I and my staff are more emboldened to go after pork barrel because the President himself said he will not sign a budget bill that does not align with the National Expenditure Program,” he said in Filipino in a radio interview on Tuesday.
In his Sona, the President said he will not sign a budget bill that does not align with the NEP – even if it means the country will have a reenacted budget for next year.
Aside from the President’s pronouncement, Lacson said Pangandaman had talked to department secretaries and asked them not to approach lawmakers for additional funding in their 2026 budgets.
implementation of their respective programs in accordance with applicable laws and internal regulations.
The Office of the Speaker acknowledged that, like all congressional offices, it occasionally issues endorsements or referrals in response to constituent requests. However, it made clear that such referrals are purely facilitative and do not influence the outcome of any application, Abante said.
Small committee
THE Speaker’s office also addressed criticisms surrounding the so-called “small committee” mechanism used during the national budget process. It defended the committee as a “longstanding parliamentary practice” that allows the consolidation of individual
Lacson noted that when agency heads ask lawmakers for augmentations in their budgets, this emboldens some lawmakers to make their own insertions in the budget bill.
“That’s where it starts. A lawmaker would be emboldened to insert items in the budget for his or her district,” he said.
On the other hand, Lacson said Romualdez’s pronouncements for an “open bicam [bicameral conference committee],” should help ensure transparency in the budgeting process.
He said this will jibe with his re-filed bill institutionalizing the participation of nongovernment organizations and civil society groups in the budgeting process.
“What is good is that I heard the Speaker encouraging transparency in the bicameral conference committee, particularly for the budget. It’s the Speaker who said this, and he has great influence in the House. If that is his marching order, I don’t think there will be anyone who will openly defy him,” Lacson said.
amendments after plenary debates.
“This mechanism is a longstanding parliamentary practice that allows the efficient consolidation of individual amendments after plenary debates. It has been used across many Congresses, including those in which [Navotas] Congressman Toby Tiangco held leadership roles—and never objected to its use,” Abante said.
The Speaker’s office added that the small committee does not replace or bypass the plenary. All of its recommendations are formally reported and become part of the final General Appropriations Bill (GAB). “To characterize it as a ‘secret meeting’ is misleading and undermines the institutional memory and processes of the House,” Abante added.
Abante encouraged any member to raise concerns about procedural reforms before the plenary.
to the Duties and Responsibilities of the Bicameral Conference Committee with a View to Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in the Enactment of Laws”—was introduced by Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendana and Dadah Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bagao, together with Women Liberal Party legislators Albay Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima.
If adopted, the resolution will carry the force of law. It is aimed at curbing corruption and political maneuvering in legislation, which it identified as key drivers of social inequity—denying citizens food security, decent housing, healthcare, education, and meaningful climate action.
The resolution mandates that all bicameral conference committee meetings will be open to the public and conducted in person or through digital livestreaming. This shall make all deliberations not just transparent but also equally important and hold the conferees accountable for any irregularity.
Furthermore, the bicameral conference committee is mandated to produce a matrix comparing the differences between the House of Representatives’ and the Senate’s versions of the bill and how these differences were resolved. This matrix will be made available to the public. The bicameral conference committee shall immediately produce comprehensive minutes of the meeting(s), which will also be open to the public. To ensure its full implementation, a committee will be formed within 30 days after this resolution takes effect, with the chairpersons of the Senate and House Committees on Rules as co-chairs and five members each from both committees.
“This committee will work together to draft and issue the implementing rules and regulations of this resolution, in consultation with civil society organizations and individual advocates for transparency and good governance known for their integrity, independence, and expertise,” the resolution said.
Govt boosts app’s capability
THE government is ramping up efforts to expand the capabilities of its flagship digital platform, the eGov PH Super App, by integrating more essential public services in a bid to streamline transactions and eliminate long-standing bureaucratic inefficiencies.
During his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), President Marcos said the next phase of the app’s rollout will include the application and renewal of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances, integration with Beep Cards used by commuters in Metro Manila’s railway systems, and digital access to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s electronic Taxpayer Identification Number (eTIN) system.
“These upgrades bring the government closer to every Filipino,” Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino. “[With the app] there is no need to queue, no need for fixers, and no space for corruption.”
Launched in 2023 as a central hub for digital government transactions, the eGov PH Super App has already drawn over 14
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effectively pursue these reforms as an independent,” he said.
A separate group led by Davao City Reps. Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte, and Isidro Ungab, along with PPP Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte, also declared their independence. They emphasized their choice to remain unaffiliated with both the majority and minority blocs and have been dubbed as the “Duterte bloc.”
A total of 269 lawmakers voted for Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as Speaker and will remain with the majority bloc, while 34 who abstained will have the option to join the minority or become independent members.
4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan has been unanimously elected as minority leader. Libanan secured the support of all 29 other minority members during a caucus held on Monday.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), Marcos issued a strong warning that he will veto the proposed 2026 national budget if it fails to fully align with the government’s National Expenditure Program (NEP), underscoring his administration’s firm stance on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and anticorruption.
million registered users and facilitated more than 200 million transactions nationwide.
Users can currently access services such as driver’s license renewal, PhilHealth and GSIS portals, overseas workers’ travel documents, digital PhilSys ID retrieval, and job application tools—all through a single mobile interface.
The app, developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), was cited by the President as a keystone initiative in his administration’s digital transformation agenda, aimed at reducing red tape and modernizing public service delivery.
The platform recently won the United Nations E-Government Award from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, along with regional honors for digital innovation from GovMedia in Singapore. The President urged Filipinos to embrace the platform, saying, “The government is now quite literally in your hands.” Lorenz S. Marasigan
Marcos declared that he will not sign into law any version of the General Appropriations bill that deviates from his administration’s priority programs or allows the misuse of public funds.
The President further emphasized his readiness to reject the budget even at the risk of a reenacted one.
The warning follows the President’s recent visits to flood-affected areas hit by the southwest monsoon and recent typhoons, where he personally witnessed the damage caused by what he described as “poorly implemented and possibly fraudulent” flood control projects.
For his part, Romualdez assured the President and public that the House will treat the proposed 2026 national budget with both urgency and seriousness, conscious of the pressing challenges confronting the country.
Romualdez also echoed growing demands for transparency in the bicameral conference committee tasked with reconciling House and Senate versions of the budget.
“No backroom haggling. The people have every right to know how their money is being spent. If we want trust, we have to earn it, starting with an open bicam,” the Speaker said.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Councilors vow to block Makati property tax hike under new Mayor Nancy Binay
IBy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
T’S not going to be an easy road for Makati City Mayor Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay as she starts her first term to serve her constituents after the city councilors, belonging to the majority bloc, said that they will oppose any attempt to increase Real Property Taxes (RPT).
“We stand by our decision to approve the 20 percent RPT reduction and we will oppose any proposal to increase the RPT,” Councilor Martin Arenas said in a media release. Arenas said that Binay has questioned the effects of the 20 percent tax reduction enacted last year on the income of barangays. This happened during a meeting of
the councilors last July 21 when they were discussing preparations for the inaugural session of the Makati Sangguiang Panglunsod.
He said Binay arrived unannounced and began asking questions about the ordinance reducing the RPT.
“Nagulat kami sa tanong ni Mayor Nancy. Ito ba ay pahiwatig na iniisip nya at ngkanyangmgaadvisersnaitaasmuliang RPT? Nakikiusap kami na huwag nila itong ituloy dahil hindi namin ito susuportahan,” Arenas said.
The Councilor said the Sanggunian passed the ordinance reducing the RPT by 20 percent during the term of former Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay because they agreed with the former mayor that the reduction would
Power sector fully committed to increase capacity electrification target by 2028
I NDUSTRY power stakeholders said on Tuesday that they are committed to increase capacity to hit the country’s total electrification target by 2028.
“The members of PIPPA heed the mandate of the President, His Excellency, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to establish additional capacity in the country to address the electrification goals of this administration,”said the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA), which is composed of 28 power firms with 18,132 megawatts (MW) grid installed capacity.
The group also assured the Marcos administration that it will work together with the DOE (Department of Energy), ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission), NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines), IEMOP (Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines), and PEMC (Philippine Electricity Market Corp.) to achieve the objectives of energy security, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
The National Electrification Administration (NEA), which oversees the full implementation of the rural electrification program in the country, said it will also work closely with its partner electric cooperatives (ECs) to expand and hasten the deployment of solar home systems and other renewable energy (RE) solutions in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
“We welcome the President’s challenge as a reaffirmation of our mission—and we reiterate our readiness to deliver concrete results. We are in regular coordination to implement practical, long-term solutions that address electricityrelated concerns in areas such as Siquijor and other island provinces facing unique energy challenges,” said NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda.
Atty. Jose M. Layug Jr., President of the Developers of Renewable Energy for AdvanceMent, Inc. (DREAM), the umbrella
organization of RE associations in the country and director of the Philippine Energy Research & Policy Institute (PERPI), agreed that by building more power facilities utilizing RE will ensure sufficiency of energy supply.
“We also laud the President for ensuring that electrification of the entire country is achieved. His targets are pointed and specific. The renewable energy private sector will fully support the efforts of the government for a more sustainable future,” he added.
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) noted that the Siquijor power crisis further reinforces the need for distributed power generation through RE.
“Given the Philippines’ archipelagic nature, energy planning and policy-making in the country must prioritize self-sufficiency and resilience. Decentralizing our energy systems can contribute to access to affordable and reliable electricity for both unserved and underserved areas, further reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” said ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz.
The group also recognized the Department of Energy (DOE) for its continuous effort to facilitate rapid adoption of RE across the country, with nearly 200 power plants scheduled for commissioning for the next three years. Nearly 90% of these power plants will come from renewables—approximately 7.8 gigawatts (GW) from solar, 2.3 GW from wind, and 400 megawatts (MW) from battery storage.
“However, we urge to expand the scope of coal moratorium beyond greenfield coal projects, as 970MW of the additional capacity in the next three years is still expected to come from the expansion of existing coal-fired power plants,” the ICSC official added.
The ICSC is a non-governmental organization that advances climate, energy, and low-carbon solutions to enable fair and climate-resilient development. Lenie Lectura
DAR gears up for Cagayan Valley-wide land title, certificate of condonation and distribution
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), led by Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, will conduct a region-wide distribution of land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM) on July 31, 2025 in Ilagan City, Isabela.
In a statement, the DAR said 1,805 land titles, including individual electronic land titles (e-titles) generated under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, will be distributed to 1,512 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). These titles cover a total of 3,149 hectares of agricultural lands across the Cagayan Valley Region.
In addition, DAR will award 9,257 CoCRoMs to 5,870 ARBs, effectively condoning millions of pesos in unpaid amortizations on lands awarded through agrarian reform. These certificates cover an aggregate area of 6,389.2470 hectares, providing significant relief and renewed economic opportunity to ARBs, DAR said. The CoCRoM is issued under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in 2023. The law condones all unpaid amortizations, interests, and penalties incurred by ARBs for lands
awarded to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), freeing farmers from decades of debt and providing them a fresh start.
Project SPLIT aims to fast-track the subdivision and distribution of collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) into individual land titles. Funded by the World Bank, this nationwide initiative enhances land tenure security for ARBs and supports more efficient land management and productivity.
To further uphold its mandate for Agrarian Justice Delivery, DAR will also officially launch the Abogado ti Mannalon (Lawyer of the Farmers) program during the July 31 event. This initiative, implemented in partnership with the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Tuguegarao Young Lawyers Initiative, and the Public Attorney’s Office, aims to expand free legal assistance for ARBs and other qualified beneficiaries.
The July 31 event highlights DAR’s ongoing efforts to empower farmers, promote agrarian justice, and fulfill the government’s commitment to genuine land reform and rural transformation. Jonathan L. Mayuga
provide relief for taxpayers both residents and investors.
But more importantly, he said the councilors wanted to cushion the impact of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment and Reform Act (RPVARA) on Makati taxpayers.
The RPVARA was passed by Congress in 2024. In the Senate, the law was approved unanimously according to media reports and Mayor Nancy was a senator at that time, he said.
If they had not passed the ordinance reducing the RPT by 20 percent, Makati property owners will see their assessments increase by 1,000 percent or more in 2026, when the new valuation and assessment takes effect under the RPVARA.
The councilor said because of the ordinance, Makati property owners will be paying less than the updated valuation and assessment rates that will be imposed on all property owners.
“This action from the administration of Mayor Abby not only showed concern for Makatizens but foresight. Dahil may tunay na malasakit sa Makatizens, nakita nya na ang batas na ginawa ng Kongreso, na suportado ng lahat ng Senador, ay magiging dagdag na pahirap. Kay Mayor Abby mismo nanggaling ang 20 percent reduction proposal,” he added.
The councilor said the senators who voted for the RPVARA should have studied thoroughly the impact of the law at the local level, especially for property owners. The
law imposes an additional burden on our people, he said.
“Sanaaynapag-aralannghustongating mgasenadornanag-approve sa RPVARA ang magigingepektongkanilangbatassa local level, lalo na sa mga ordinaryong property owners. Sana ay naisip nila na dagdag na pasanin ito sa ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
Arenas said on the part of the councilors, they studied the RPT reduction ordinance thoroughly before approving it.
“Ito po ay aming responsibilidad bilang tagagawangbatas.Sananamanpoayinaral munangmabutingatingbutihingMayorang ordinansabagokinausapangmgakonsehal.
DBy Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
AVAO CITY—Lawyers’ groups in Mindanao expressed their condemnation over the unchecked shooting of their colleagues, two of them dead, this month, saying they were concerned over the “chilling effect” of the impunity of the violent actions against “defenders of the marginalized.”
While one of the victims survived the attack on Monday in General Santos City by still unidentified gunmen, the Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), said “the act of violence occurred against a backdrop of relentless attacks against activists, lawyers–human rights defenders–both in the region and nationwide.”
The UPLM identified the victim in Monday’s gun attack as its former paralegal, Warren
Cahayag, who was one of UPLM’s founding paralegal members in 2005. He sustained five gunshot wounds when two men riding in a motorcycle fired at them in Barangay Calumpang. He is currently under observation.
“These systematic assaults aim to create a chilling effect–sowing fear, silencing dissent, and paralyzing the vital work of those who serve the marginalized. They are designed to leave defenders exposed and vulnerable to attacks, fostering a dangerous climate of impunity,” the UPLM said.
Barely a month ago, on 23 June, Ali Macalintal, a former human rights defender and also a former UPLM paralegal, was killed inside her spa in General Santos City.
“We also remember our fallen fellow UPLM lawyer, Atty. Juan Macababbad, who was shot outside his house in Surallah, South Cotabato, on 15 September 2021. His case remains unresolved to date.”
“We also want to emphasize that the ordinance reduces by 20 percent the RPT on land. Tax rates on property development and machineries remain the same. Contrary to assumptions, Makati’s revenues will not be affected,” he said.
“The projections made by the Finance Sector are very positive even with the 20 percent reduction. It will even make Makati more competitive. The tax reduction will invite more investors and that is good for Makati and our beloved Makatizens,” he added.
Kung ginawa nya ito, nakita sana nya ang ginhawang ibinibigay nito sa ating mga Makatizens,” he added. He also stressed that contrary to assumptions, Makati’s revenues will not be affected by the 20 percent reduction since it only covers land.
Shooting of lawyer-activists worries law groups
Two Ateneo organizations, the Ateneo Legal Aid Services Office (ALASO) and Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (APILA) Center, said however, that its two paralegal partners, Mr. Rudolph Delacruz Espe and Mr. Rico Gonzaga Malubay, “were gunned down in cold blood on Saturday in the quiet barangay of Puntalinao, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.”
“These were not nameless victims. These were defenders of life, land, and dignity. Organizers. Educators. Fathers. Barefoot lawyers of the people,” ALASO and APILA said in a statement over the weekend. “As trained paralegals, they led their community through dark and dangerous terrains. They faced threats, intimidation, and powerful interests that sought to silence them.”
The Ateneo law organizations described the shooting as maddening and heartbreaking, “that those who dream for others are often the first to be taken away.” They have urged
government to act on the incident. “We call on law enforcement authorities to immediately investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. We call on the Commission on Human Rights to act.”
The UPLM also called on the Marcos, Jr. administration “to put an end to this senseless violence.”
“His deliberate failure to acknowledge the continuing human rights violations in his fourth State of the Nation Address betrays a lack of serious commitment to human rights, sanctity of life, and the rule of law and justice,” the UPLM said, as it also called on the National Police,” particularly Chief Nicolas Torre III, who hails from South Cotabato himself, to form a dedicated and credible special investigation task force to probe these attacks and ensure that not only the gunmen but also the masterminds are held accountable.”
Marcos’ SONA draws criticism: Fishing sector feels ignored, ‘new normal’ remark slammed
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos’ 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) continues to draw various reactions, with militant groups decrying the failure of the highest official of the land to mention their sector, while another slammed his “new normal” remark.
In a statement, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) expressed dismay that the fishing sector was not even mentioned in Marcos’s nationwide address.
“Despite the highly critical and crucial issues confronting the fishery sector, not one was mentioned by President Marcos. Many
of the fishers are hoping to hear about the President’s stance on the issue of commercial fishing in municipal waters as per a Supreme Court decision,” Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pamalakaya, said.
Hicap, a former Anakpawis Partylist Representative, also expressed dismay that Marcos failed to even mention the continuing threat of foreigners to the livelihood of Filipino fishers, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
“While he did mention flood control, he failed to identify the projects that made flooding worse, like dredging and reclamation in Manila Bay. Fishers and the poor have been complaining against the projects that have
NEOPHYTE senator Dante Marcoleta is the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations or the Blue Ribbon committee, and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has reassumed his former post as chairman of the Agriculture panel.
Their designations were among those announced on the second session day of the 20th Senate.
Besides the Blue Ribbon, Marcoleta, who is new to the Senate but served as a representative for Cavite, will also assume the chairmanship of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.
The Committee on Rules is led by Sen. Joel Villanueva, being the Majority Leader.
Besides Villanueva, Pangilinan and Marcoleta, other senators who will head Senate committees:
n Accounts — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
n Basic Education — Sen. Bam Aquino
n Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes — Sen. Robin Padilla
n Cooperatives — Sen. Imee Marcos
n Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs — Sen. Robin Padilla
n Energy — Sen. Pia Cayetano
n Environment, Natural Resources and Climate
Change — Sen. Camille Villar
been identified as the cause of the flooding woes in Manila Bay,” said Hicap.
In the end, Hicap sums up President Marcos’ SONA as “unmindful of the plight of small fishers despite their contribution to the economy and food security.”
Over 100 members of the fishers’ group joined the multisectoral rally on Monday to raise the pressing issues in the fishing sector, including the threat of commercial fishing to municipal waters, the massive displacement of coastal families and environmental degradation due to reclamation and conversion, and the continued foreign military
interventions in the territorial waters.
Meanwhile, a Manila-based think-tank said President Marcos’ framing worsening disasters as “new normal” sounds like an admission of the administration’s lack of will to address the impacts brought about by the climate crisis. Krishna Ariola, head of the Energy and Climate Program at CEED, said the problems brought about by the climate crisis are exacerbated by Marcos’ insistence on continued fossil fuel dependence, the biggest contributor to climate change globally. Jonathan L. Mayuga
n Finance — Sen. Win Gatchalian
n Foreign Relations — Sen. Imee Marcos
n Games and Amusement — Sen. Erwin Tulfo
n Health and Demography — Sen. Bong Go
n Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
n Labor, employment and human resources
development— Sen. Imee Marcos
n Justice and Humzn Rights— Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
n Local Government — Sen. JV Ejercito
n Migrant Workers — Sen. Raffy Tulfo
n National Defense — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
n Public Information and Mass Media — Sen. Robin Padilla
n Public Order and Dangerous Drugs — Sen. Bato dela Rosa
n Public Services — Sen. Raffy Tulfo • Public Works
— Sen. Mark Villar
n Social Justice & Rural Development — Sen. Erwin Tulfo
n Sports— Sen. Bong Go
n Sustainable Development Goals — Sen. Pia Cayetano
n Tourism — Sen. JV Ejercito
n Trade, Commerce, & Entrepreneurship — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta
n Science and Technology — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
n Ways and Means — Sen. Pia Cayetano
n Youth — Sen. Bong Go
Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas kill 22, sparking outcry, sanctions threats from Trump
By Hanna Arhirova & Illia Novikov The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—Russian glide bombs and ballistic missiles struck a Ukrainian prison and a medical facility overnight as Russia’s relentless strikes on civilian areas killed at least 22 people across the country, officials said Tuesday, despite US President Donald Trump’s threat to soon punish Russia with sanctions and tariffs unless it stops.
Four powerful Russian glide bombs hit a prison in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, authorities said. They killed at least 17 inmates and wounded more than 80 others, officials said.
In the Dnipro region of central Ukraine, authorities said Russian missiles partially destroyed a three-story building and damaged nearby medical facilities, including a maternity hospital and a city hospital ward. Officials said at least four people were killed, including a 23-year-old pregnant woman, and eight were injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that across the country, 22 people were killed in Russian strikes on 73 cities, towns and villages. “These were conscious, deliberate strikes—
not accidental,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
Trump said Monday he is giving Russian President Vladimir Putin 10 to 12 days to stop the killing in Ukraine after three years of war, moving up a 50-day deadline he had given the Russian leader two weeks ago. The move meant Trump wants peace efforts to make progress by August 7-9.
Trump has repeatedly rebuked Putin for talking about ending the war but continuing to bombard Ukrainian civilians. But the Kremlin hasn’t changed its tactics.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said during a visit to Scotland.
Zelenskyy welcomed Trump’s move on the timeline. “Everyone needs peace—Ukraine, Europe,
the United States and responsible leaders across the globe,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on Telegram. “Everyone except Russia.”
The Kremlin pushes back against Trump
THE Kremlin pushed back, with a top Putin lieutenant warning Trump against “playing the ultimatum game with Russia.”
“Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran,” former president Dmitry Medvedev, who is deputy head of the country’s Security Council, wrote on social platform X.
“Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country,” Medvedev said.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor, the Kremlin has warned Kyiv’s Western backers that their involvement could end up broadening the war to NATO countries.
“Kremlin officials continue to frame Russia as in direct geopolitical confrontation with the West in order to generate domestic support for the war in Ukraine and future Russian aggression against NATO,” the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said late Monday.
Russia attacks with glide bombs, drones and missiles
THE Ukrainian air force said Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles along with 37 Shahed-type strike drones and decoys at Ukraine overnight. It said 32 Shahed drones were intercepted or neutralized by
Ukrainian air defenses.
The Russian attack close to midnight Monday hit the Bilenkivska Correctional Facility with glide bombs, according to the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine.
Glide bombs, which are Sovietera bombs retrofitted with retractable fins and guidance systems, have been laying waste to cities in eastern Ukraine, where the Russian army is trying to pierce Ukrainian defenses. The bombs carry up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds) of explosives.
At least 42 inmates were hospitalized with serious injuries, while another 40 people, including one staff member, sustained various injuries.
The strike destroyed the
prison’s dining hall, damaged administrative and quarantine buildings, but the perimeter fence held and no escapes were reported, authorities said.
Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, saying that targeting civilian infrastructure, such as prisons, is a war crime under international conventions.
The assault occurred exactly three years after an explosion killed more than 50 people at the Olenivka detention facility in the Russia-occupied Donetsk region, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners were killed.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of shelling the prison.
The Associated Press interviewed over a dozen people with direct knowledge of details of that attack,
including survivors, investigators and families of the dead and missing. All described evidence they believed points directly to Russia as the culprit. The AP also obtained an internal United Nations analysis that found the same.
Further Russian attacks hit communities in Synelnykivskyi district with FPV drones and aerial bombs, killing at least one person and injuring two others, regional Gov. Serhii Lysak said. Russian forces also targeted the community of Velykomykhailivska, killing a 75-year-old woman and injuring a 68-year-old man, according to Lysak.
Ukraine launches long-range drones
UKRAINE has sought to fight back against Russian strikes by developing its own long-range drone technology, hitting oil depots, weapons plants and disrupting commercial flights.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that air defenses downed 74 Ukrainian drones over several regions overnight, including 43 over the Bryansk region.
Yuri Slyusar, the head of the Rostov region said a man in the city of Salsk was killed in a drone attack, which started a fire at the Salsk railway station.
Officials said a cargo train was set ablaze at the Salsk station and the railway traffic via Salsk was suspended. Explosions shattered windows in two cars of a passenger train and passengers were evacuated.
Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire, ending five days of deadly border clashes
By Eileen Ng, Jintamas Saksornchai & Sopheng Cheang The Associated Press
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia—Thailand and Cambodia agreed Monday to an unconditional ceasefire during a meeting in Malaysia, in a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed to a halt in fighting, starting at midnight, while appearing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting held under US pressure in the Malaysian administrative capital of Putrajaya. The Cambodian and Thai leaders hailed the meeting’s outcome and shook hands at the end of a brief news conference.
An Associated Press journalist in Cambodia reporting from close to the border with Thailand where artillery duels
had been taking place said the sounds of shelling stopped about 10 minutes before the ceasefire came into effect. Reports from other fronts in the fighting were not
immediately available.
The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides.
Anwar, who hosted the talks as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy following what he called frank discussions.
“This is a vital first step towards deescalation and the restoration of peace and security,” Anwar said.
The Malaysian meeting followed direct pressure from US President Donald Trump, who warned that the US might not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue, giving both sides a face-saving justification for backing away from the fighting. In a statement later Monday on social media, Trump said the two sides had “reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE... I am proud to be the President of PEACE!”
As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will hold talks Tuesday to defuse tensions while Cambodia
will host a border committee meeting on August 4. Anwar said. The foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to “develop a detailed mechanism” to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace, he added. Hun Manet said he hoped that bilateral ties could return to normal soon so that almost 300,000 villagers evacuated on both sides could return home.
It is “time to start rebuilding trust, confidence and cooperation going forward between Thailand and Cambodia,” he said. Phumtham said the outcome reflected “Thailand’s desire for a peaceful resolution.” The joint statement on the agreement said that the United States was a coorganizer of the talks, with participation from China. The Chinese and American ambassadors to Malaysia attended the meeting that lasted over two hours. In a press statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was involved in arranging the meeting, applauded the ceasefire declaration. Rubio said he and Trump “are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honor their commitments to end this conflict.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted news of the ceasefire on X and wrote: “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!” Phumtham said after his return to Bangkok that Trump had called to offer congratulations for making a move toward peace. He also said Trump told him that Thailand’s talks with Washington to set tariff levels on Thai exports could now proceed and that he would seek to make them as favorable as possible. A summary of the call from Phumtham’s office said the prime minister thanked the president for his “important role” in seeking to resolve the crisis and declared that Trump would be honored and remembered in Thailand for his effort.
THIS photo, provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, shows an empty hospital room following a missile attack by Russia that resulted in two fatalities at a hospital in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
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Israeli strikes kill 78 in Gaza, including pregnant woman and newborn, amid humanitarian crisis
By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy
The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—
Israeli strikes or gunfire killed at least 78 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Monday, including a pregnant woman whose baby was delivered after her death but also died, local health officials said. Dozens were killed while seeking food, even as Israel moved to ease restrictions on the entry of aid.
Under mounting pressure over the spiraling hunger crisis in Gaza, Israel said over the weekend that the military would pause operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi for 10 hours a day and designate secure routes for aid delivery. International airdrops of aid have also resumed.
Aid agencies say the new measures are not enough to counter worsening starvation in the territory.
Martin Penner, a spokesperson for the UN food agency, told The Associated Press that all 55 of its aid trucks that entered on Sunday were unloaded by crowds before reaching their destination. Another UN official said nothing on the ground has changed and no alternative routes were allowed.
Israel said it would continue military operations alongside the new humanitarian measures.
Newborn dies after complex surgery A BABY girl died hours after being delivered in a complex emergency cesarean. She had been placed in an incubator and was breathing with assistance from a ventilator, AP footage showed. Her mother, Soad al-Shaer, who had been seven months pregnant with her, was among 12 Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrikes on a house and neighboring tents in the Muwasi area of Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies.
Another strike hit a two-story house in Khan Younis, killing at least 11 people, more than half of them women and children, according to the hospital. At least five others were killed in strikes elsewhere in Gaza, according to other hospitals.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on most of the strikes. It said it was not aware of one strike
in Gaza City during the pause that health officials said killed one person.
Israel says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in densely populated areas. The daily airstrikes across the territory frequently kill women and children.
Israel allows more aid to enter IMAGES of emaciated children have sparked outrage around the world, including from Israel’s close allies. US President Donald Trump on Sunday called the images of emaciated and malnourished children in Gaza “terrible.”
Israel has restricted aid to varying degrees throughout the war. In March, it cut off the entry of all goods, including fuel, food and medicine, to pressure Hamas to free hostages.
Israel partially lifted those restrictions in May but also pushed ahead on a new US-backed aid delivery system that has been wracked by chaos and violence. Traditional aid providers have encountered a breakdown in law and order surrounding their deliveries. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid shipments, said UN agencies collected 120 trucks for distribution on Sunday and that another 180 trucks had been allowed into Gaza. The United Nations and aid groups say the territory needs 500600 trucks a day to meet its needs. Israel’s blockade and military operations have destroyed nearly all food production in the territory of roughly 2 million Palestinians. Aid groups say airdrops are ineffective ALSO on Monday, two air force
planes from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdropped 17 tons of humanitarian aid in Gaza—an amount that would fill less than a single aid truck.
Aid groups say airdrops are often ineffective and dangerous, with falling parcels landing on people or in combat zones or other dangerous areas.
“At the moment, 2 million people are trapped in a tiny piece of land, which makes up just 12% of the whole strip—if anything lands in this area, people will inevitably be injured,” said Jean Guy Vataux, emergency coordinator in Gaza for Doctors Without Borders.
“If the airdrops land in areas where Israel has issued displacement orders, people will be forced to enter militarized zones—once again risking their lives for food,” he added.
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, warned that airdrops are
“expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians,” and would not address the crisis.
Dozens killed seeking aid, officials say AT least 25 people were killed by Israeli forces while seeking aid from a truck convoy passing through the southern Gaza Strip, according to health officials and witnesses. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
Four children were among those killed, according to records at Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The shooting occurred in a military corridor Israel has carved out between the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. It was not immediately clear who had supplied the convoy.
Survivors at the hospital said Israeli forces had fired toward the crowds. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli
fire while seeking aid since May, according to the UN human rights office, witnesses and local health officials.
The Israeli military has said it only fires warning shots at people who approach its forces.
The Awda hospital in central Gaza said it received the bodies of seven Palestinians who it said were killed by Israeli fire close to an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. The hospital said 20 others were wounded close to the site. GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fares Awad, head of the Gaza Health Ministry’s emergency service, said at least five Palestinians were killed and about 30 others were wounded by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid trucks from the Zikim Crossing near Gaza City.
Hamas started the war with its October 7, 2023, attack, in which Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 251 others. They still hold 50, and Israel believes that more than half the remaining hostages are dead. Most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 59,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Its count doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The UN and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.
Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report.
Trump meets Starmer and disagrees with Netanyahu’s claim of no starvation in Gaza
By The Associated Press
SRAELI strikes killed at least 36
IPalestinians before US President Donald Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday in Scotland, where they confirmed plans to discuss Gaza. Later in the day, the death toll across Gaza Strip rose, with local health officials saying at least 78 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes or gunfire.
A day after Israel eased aid restrictions due to a worsening humanitarian crisis, Trump said he disagreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that there was no starvation in Gaza. Israel on Sunday announced a pause in military operations in certain areas for 10 hours daily to improve aid flow. Alongside the measures, military operations continued. Israel had no immediate comment about the latest strikes, which occurred outside the declared time frame for the pause between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Aid agencies welcomed the new measures but say they are insufficient. Images of emaciated children have sparked global outrage. Most of Gaza’s population
Ceasfire. . .
Continued from A16
The violence of recent days marked a rare instance of open military confrontation between Asean member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand shut all border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home.
News of the ceasefire deal brought relief and hope to evacuees from both sides. Some
now relies on aid and accessing food has become increasingly dangerous. Here is the latest:
Palestinian community leader killed in West Bank area depicted in Oscar-winning movie
The local leader, Awdah Hathaleen, was killed in front of a community center in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Monday evening, in an area documented in the film “No Other Land,” according to his friend and the movie’s director Basel Adra.
The Israeli military said an armed Israeli civilian opened fire at a group of Palestinians after they threw rocks. Israeli military and police responded to the incident. A video of the incident obtained by The Associated Press shows a settler shooting into a crowd of people.
“No Other Land,” which won the Oscar this year for best documentary, chronicles the struggle by residents to stop the Israeli military from demolishing Palestinian Bedouin villages in an area declared a military zone by Israel in the 1980s.
Some 1,000 Palestinians have remained there despite being ordered out, and there is increasing violence with radical Israeli
women at a crowded evacuation shelter in Surin, Thailand, shouted for joy.
“I’m happy about that, and feeling a bit relieved,” said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. “We miss our home. There are many small things I’m worried about, livestock and rice fields. don’t know what might’ve happened to them. I want to go home, so I’m happy. I also think about our soldiers at the frontline. I want them to be safe and have a good sleep like us.”
She also credited outside diplomacy for the breakthrough.
“Without them, our two countries would have had a hard time negotiating—both sides have quite a hard time talking and
settlers encroaching on the villages.
14 blockade activists to remain in Israel custody until deportation
AN Israeli detention court ruled Monday that 14 individuals who were on a ship attempting to breach the blockade of Gaza, will remain in custody until their deportation.
There were 21 activists and a small amount of aid onboard the Handala, a ship the Israeli military intercepted around midnight on Saturday. Seven of the passengers have already been deported, with the rest slated for deportation in the coming days.
The Handala was the second ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that Israel has prevented in recent months from delivering aid to Gaza, where food experts have for months warned of the risk of famine. Activist Greta Thunberg was among 12 activists on board the ship Madleen when it was seized by the Israeli military in June.
Israel’s opposition leader calls for immediate end to the war in Gaza
Yair Lapid, head of the opposition
understanding each other,” she added. Cambodian evacuees echoed the sentiment.
Chhuot Nhav, 42, who fled her home in Oddar Meanchey province, a frontline for the fighting, said she was happy but also wary.
“I am happy because I can go home and take care of my pig, dog, chickens and my kids can now go back to school,” said Chhuot Nhav, from under a series of green tarps that stretched out to the length of a school bus. But she said she will “wait until the fighting really stops” before heading back.
Another farmer Kong Sin, however, said he would head back home Tuesday if the ceasefire took place as agreed.
in Israel’s parliament, called on the government to immediately end the war in Gaza, calling it “not a complete victory, but a complete disaster.”
“If we don’t end the war now, the hostages will not return, the IDF will continue to lose its best fighters, the humanitarian disaster will worsen, the world will close itself off to Israelis,” Lapid said Monday night, and called on a coalition of moderate Arab countries, led by Egypt, to run Gaza.
“The management of humanitarian aid in Gaza has collapsed. It simply doesn’t work,” he said, adding that Israel was helping Hamas’ campaign as the humanitarian situation continued to worsen.
Spain says it will airdrop 12 tons of food into Gaza
SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Monday that Spain will airdrop 12 tons of food aid into Gaza from Jordan later this week, via Spanish air force planes.
Sánchez acknowledged this isn’t a solution to hunger, but hopes it offers “minimal relief” alongside aid from other nations.
Spain’s government has been a vocal
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’s domestic politics. Jintamas reported from Surin, Thailand, and Sopheng Cheang from Samrong, Cambodia. Associated Press writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok and Anton L. Delgado in Samrong contributed to this report.
critic of Israel’s war in Gaza and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.
Airdrops have been widely criticized by international organizations including the UN for failing to meet needs. The average truck that enters Gaza with humanitarian aid carries around 19 tons of aid, according to COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge
of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Jordanian official highlights Israeli’s absence from UN twostate solution meeting
ISRAEL’S absence from Monday’s UN See “Gaza,” A18
US, China kick off crucial trade talks to address tariff tensions
By Jamey Keaten The Associated Press
STOCKHOLM—Top trade of -
ficials from China and the United States launched a new round of talks on Monday in a bid to ease tensions over tariffs between the world’s two biggest national economies.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng were meeting at the offices of Sweden’s prime minister for two days of talks, which Bessent has said will likely lead to an extension of current tariff levels.
But other possible outcomes will be scrutinized by markets and businesses for signs of a rapprochement, after brinkmanship earlier this year. Analysts say the talks could set the stage for a possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
Other issues on the agenda include access of American businesses to the Chinese market; Chinese investment in the US; components of fentanyl made in China that reach US consumers; Chinese purchases of Russian and Iranian oil; and American steps to limit exports of
Gaza. . .
Continued from A17
meeting on a two-state solution was glaring, as foreign ministers gathered in New York to address the crisis without one of its central parties. While Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa was present, Israel sent no delegation to engage with peace proposals or represent its position.
“The Palestinians are ready to negotiate today,” Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s deputy foreign minister, said. “But we do not have an Israeli partner to negotiate with.”
Western technology—like chips that help power artificial intelligence systems.
The talks ended for the day after nearly five hours on Monday, and were set to reconvene on Tuesday morning.
‘Large and confident partner’
WENDY CUTLER, a former US trade negotiator and now vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said that Trump’s team would face challenges from “a large and confident partner that is more than willing to retaliate against US interests.”
Rollover of tariff rates “should be the easy part,” she said, warning that Beijing has learned lessons since the first Trump administration and “will not buy into a one-sided deal this time around.”
“Beijing is more prepared and will insist on movement on US tech export controls at a minimum—a difficult ask for Washington,” she said, adding that many conversations will take place in the lead-up to any Xi-Trump summit.
“Success is far from guaranteed,” Cutler said. “There are numerous trip wires that can throw a wrench in this preparatory process.”
The US-China trade talks are the
third this year, nearly four months after Trump upended global trade with his sweeping tariff proposals, including an import tax that shot up to 145% on Chinese goods. China retaliated with tariffs reaching 125% against US goods, sending global financial markets into a temporary tailspin.
Extending a 90-day pause
THE Stockholm meeting, following similar talks in Geneva and London, is set to extend a 90-day pause on those tariffs. During the hiatus, US tariffs have been lowered to 30% on Chinese goods, and China set a 10% tariff on US products.
The Trump administration, which just completed a deal on tariffs with the European Union, wants to reduce a trade deficit of $904 billion overall last year, including a nearly $300 billion trade deficit with China.
China’s Commerce Ministry said last week that the “consultations” would raise shared concerns through the principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”
The talks with Beijing are part of a flurry of US trade negotiations set
off by Trump’s arm-twisting “Liberation Day” tariffs against dozens of countries. Since then, some talks have borne fruit in reaching deals. Others have not.
Without an extension by August 12, the tit-for-tat US-China tariffs could snap back to the triple-digit levels seen before the 90-day pause reached in Geneva. Many other countries—including some developing ones that depend on exports to the US—face a deadline of Friday, as the Trump administration has said that letters will go out beforehand with set rates.
Critics say Trump’s tariffs penalize Americans by forcing US importers to shoulder the costs or pass them on to consumers through higher prices.
Suggestion of stability
ON Friday, Trump told reporters that “we have the confines of a deal with China”—just two days after Bessent told MSNBC that a “status quo” had been reached between the two sides.
While the Chinese side has offered little guidance about the specifics of its aims in Stockholm, Bessent has suggested that the situation has stabilized to the point that
China and the US can start looking toward longer-term balance between their economies.
For years, since China vaulted into the global trading system about two decades ago, the United States has sought to press leaders in Beijing to encourage more consumption in China and wrest greater market access to foreign-made—including American—goods.
Other sticking points in the relationship include overcapacity in China—by far the world’s largest manufacturer—and concerns about whether Beijing is doing enough to control chemicals used to make fentanyl, analysts say.
In Stockholm, the Chinese will likely demand the removal of a 20% fentanyl-related tariff that Trump imposed earlier this year, said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center.
Looking long-term EXPERTS say long-term progress in the US-China trade relationship will hinge on structural changes.
Those include increased manufacturing in the United States, which is part of Trump’s ambition. On the Chinese side, that could involve a
reduction of excess Chinese production in many industries, including electric vehicles and steel, and increased Chinese consumer spending to ease imbalances in China’s export-driven economy.
Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, said the talks in Stockholm offer an opportunity for the two governments to address structural reform issues. Businesses will watch for clues about a possible Trump-Xi summit, because any real deal will depend on a meeting between the pair, he said.
A deal is possible because “a lot of the things that the US wants, the Chinese want as well,” Stein said. China, for example, is interested in buying US soybeans, and aircraft and parts, and Chinese businesses are interested in investing in US manufacturing—which would help meet Trump’s goal of reindustrialization.
Bessent has also said the Stockholm talks could address Chinese purchases of Russian and Iranian oil.
Didi Tang and Josh Boak in Washington, and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, contributed to this report.
Germany aims to conduct joint Gaza aid airlift with Jordan
GERMAN Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that Germany intends to conduct an airlift of humanitarian aid to Gaza along with Jordan.
Merz didn’t provide details of the plan after a meeting of his security Cabinet, but said his defense minister will consult with France and Britain, “which are also prepared to make available such an airlift for food and medical goods.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II is due to meet Merz in Berlin on Tuesday. Merz said Israel’s move to lift some aid restrictions is “an important first step” but “further ones must follow quickly.” He
He added that since the Israelis “are not willing to sit at the table and negotiate a two-state solution,” then “they cannot veto us from doing what we all believe in and recognize the Palestinian state as a statement of commitment to that solution.”
also stressed the need for a comprehensive ceasefire.
Trump declines position on Palestinian state
US President Donald Trump, who last week downplayed France’s recognition of a Palestinian state, said Monday he would not take a position on the issue.
Meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump reiterated; “I’m not going to take a position,” adding he had no objection to Starmer’s own views on the matter.
UN chief says two-state solution is ‘farther than ever before’
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a ministerial meeting Monday that the
two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is “farther than ever before.”
He pointed to the starvation of Palestinians and the killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza as well as Israel’s relentless expansion of settlements in the West Bank and last week’s support in Israel’s parliament for its annexation.
Guterres said actions “that would forever undermine the two-state solution” must stop, and urged the two-day conference to be a “decisive turning point” rather than mere rhetoric.
UN meeting on an IsraelPalestinian two-state solution kicks off
FRENCH and Saudi foreign ministers on Monday opened a two-day UN meeting on
a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict, highlighting what they called “a growing international consensus” for a non-military solution to the decades-long conflict.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted the large attendance reflected global consensus to end the war in Gaza. His Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan called it a “historic stage” to not only end the conflict but also to advance a twostate solution.
Planes from Jordan and UAE airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza
TWO planes from the Jordanian and UAE Air Force airdropped 17 tons of humanitarian aid in Gaza on Monday, Jordan’s military said. The aid packages come as hunger continues to soar across the strip. The airdrops took place for the second day as Israel faces increasing pressure over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. However, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that airdrops are “expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians.”
The 17 tons of airdropped aid amounts to less than one aid truck carrying food, based on the World Food Program’s calculation of nearly 19 tons per truck. On Sunday, 180 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza, according to the Israeli
See “Gaza,” A19
60,000 Palestinians have died in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, Gaza’s Health Ministry says
By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy
The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza
Strip—Over 60,000 Pal -
estinians have been killed in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, said the death toll has climbed to 60,034, with another 145,870 people wounded since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
It did not say how many were civilians or militants, but has said women and children make up around half the dead.
The ministry is staffed by medical professionals. The United Nations and other independent experts view its figures as the most reliable count of casualties.
Israel’s offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, displaced around 90% of the population and caused to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine.
At least 70 Palestinians killed over past day AS international organizations
military body in charge of overseeing humanitarian aid.
Israeli settlers torch cars in Christian West Bank village, Palestinians say PALESTINIAN residents of the Christian village of Taybeh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank say Israeli settlers torched two cars and left graffiti overnight.
It was the latest in a series of recent settler attacks on the village near Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered. Taybeh is the only entirely Christian village in the Muslim-majority
warn of a “worst-case scenario of famine,” Israel continued to strike the Gaza Strip, killing at least 70 Palestinians in the past day, according to local hospitals. More than half were killed while attempting to access aid, hospitals said, and includes a rising toll from a deadly incident on Monday as people attempted to access aid from a truck convoy passing through the southern Gaza Strip.
Local hospitals said they received the bodies of an additional 33 people who were killed by gunfire around an aid convoy in southern Gaza on Monday, bringing the total from the single incident to 58. The Israeli military did not comment on the shooting.
Israel says it only targets militants and takes extraordinary measures to avoid harming civilians. It blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in populated areas. The military said it targeted Hamas military infrastructure over the past day including rocket launchers, weapons storage facilities and tunnels.
An additional seven Palestinians were killed while attempting to access aid near the American and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian
West Bank and home to a brewery popular with tourists and foreign diplomats.
The Israeli military said it sent forces to the village after receiving a report that suspects had set fire to Palestinian property. It said it has opened an investigation.
The West Bank has seen a rise in settler violence since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack out of Gaza triggered the war there.
UK leader to discuss Gaza peace plan with Trump
STARMER plans to discuss a UK-led peace plan for Gaza with Trump Monday in Scotland.
Starmer’s spokesman, Dave Pares, said Britain supports Trump’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and the
Fund site in central Gaza, according to local hospitals.
Neither GHF nor the Israeli military commented on the shooting, but the Israeli military has said in the past it only fires warning shots if troops feel threatened and GHF has said their contractors haven’t fired at civilians.
Air strikes also targeted tents hosting displaced people in the central city of Nuseirat, killing 30 people, including 12 children and 14 women, according to Al-Awda hospital.
The strikes come as international organizations continue to
plan aims “to turn a ceasefire into lasting peace.”
The plan was discussed by Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. Starmer will discuss it with allies “including the US and Arab states” and at an emergency meeting of his Cabinet later this week, Pares said.
Details of the plan have not been made public.
Starmer is under growing pressure to follow France in recognizing a Palestinian state, a move both Israel and the US have condemned. The British leader says the U.K. supports statehood for the Palestinians but it must be part of a wider plan for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
warn about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has teetered on the brink of famine for two years. Recent developments have “dramatically worsened” the situation, according to a report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC.
Israel rejects claims of starvation policies
ISRAELI foreign minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday rejected claims of “starvation policies” in Gaza and said the focus on starvation is a “distorted campaign of international pressure.”
Pares said “it’s a matter of when, not if” Britain recognizes Palestinian statehood. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is attending a conference on a two-state solution at the United Nations in New York this week.
Trump disagrees with Netanyahu’s claim there is ‘no starvation in Gaza’
ASKED if he agreed with Netanyahu’s remarks about hunger in Gaza, Trump said, “I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.”
Starmer, standing next to Trump, said, “We’ve got to get that ceasefire,” in Gaza and called it “a desperate situation.”
“This pressure is directly sabotaging the chances for a ceasefire and hostage deal, it is only pushing towards military escalation by hardening Hamas’s stance,” he said.
Both the US and Israel have recalled their negotiating teams over the past week as negotiations seem to have stalled.
Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the attack that sparked the war, and abducted another 251. They are still holding 50 captives, around 20 believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.
The war took a major turn in early March when Israel imposed a complete 2 ½ month blockade, barring the entry of all food, medicine, fuel and other goods. Weeks later, Israel ended a ceasefire with a surprise bombardment and began seizing large areas of Gaza, measures it said were aimed at pressuring Hamas to release more hostages.
At least 8,867 Palestinians have been killed since then.
Israel eased the blockade in May, but UN agencies say it hasn’t allowed nearly enough aid to enter and that they have struggled to
Trump confirmed he and Starmer would talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Egypt president calls on Trump to assist in ending Gaza war EGYPT’S leader on Monday called on Trump to help stop the war in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the strip’s desperate population.
In a televised speech, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said the American leader is “the one who is able to stop the war, deliver the aid and end this suffering.”
“Please, make every effort to stop this war and deliver the aid,” el-Sissi said, addressing Trump. “I believe that it’s time to end this war.”
deliver it because of Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of law and order. An alternative Israelibacked system run by an American contractor has been marred by violence and controversy.
Gutted health system, daily strikes and a hunger crisis
NEAR-DAILY Israeli strikes have hit schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, killing men, women and children. The military usually says it was targeting militants hiding out among civilians, while occasionally acknowledging mistakes.
Israel’s offensive and its blockade have also gutted Gaza’s health system, with several hospitals having shut down and others only partially functioning as they receive waves of war-wounded.
The hunger crisis has also taken its toll. The World Health Organization says more than 60 people have died this month from malnutrition-related causes, including 24 children under five. Overall, 88 children died of causes related to malnutrition since the start of the war, and 58 adults died this month also malnutrition-related causes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
He described conditions inside Gaza as “tragic” and “intolerable.”
Deaths related to malnutrition reported
FOURTEEN Palestinians have died of malnutrition-related causes in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the territory’s Health Ministry said on Monday. They include two children, bringing the total deaths among children from causes related to malnutrition in Gaza to 88 since the war started on Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said 59 Palestinian adults also have died of malnutrition-related causes across Gaza since the start of July, when it began counting deaths among adults.
ISRAELI soldiers work on their tanks in a staging area on the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. AP/ARIEL SCHALIT
DMW confirms nine Filipino sailors held by Houthis after attack on MV Eternity C; 3 crew members dead
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
NINE of the missing Filipino sailors of MV Eternity C were abducted by Houthi rebels, while another three crew members of the ill-fated ship were reported to have died, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
Last Tuesday, DMW Hans J. Cacdac held an online press briefing to give updates on their search efforts for the remaining 13 unaccounted Filipino crew of MV Eternity C.
Eight of the 21 Filipino crew of MV Eternity C were repatriated earlier this month when the Greek-owned ship sank after it was attacked by Houthi rebels on 7 July 2025, while it was traversing the Red Sea near Yemen.
According to the accounts of some of the eight repatriated seafarers, Cacdac said three of MV Eternity C crew have died, while
1 was still missing. He said they are still verifying the said accounts since no remains of the seafarers, who have died, have been recovered.
The nine other missing crew appeared in a video, which was posted by Houthi rebels online this week. In the said video, the seafarers said they were rescued by the Houthi rebels when MV Eternity C sank and are currently being taken cared for by their captors.
They also said they were aware in advance that their ship will pass through the Red Sea, which was designated by the International
Baguio damage rises due to heavy rains despite intense restoration work
BAGUIO City—The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), in its latest report as of July 29 on the effects of Typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong has recorded one death, one missing and two injured, numerous landslides and rockfalls as expected in heavy and prolonged rainfalls due to soil saturation.
85 incidents of landslides and rockfalls have been recorded and one sinkhole.
Two geohazard areas in Campo Filipino are also being inspected
and a suspected formation of another sinkhole is being further analyzed. The area has been cordoned off for public safety. Adding to risks are uprooted trees where a total of 80 have already been cleared. Nine houses have been totally destroyed due to landslides and rockfalls and 51 have been reported to be partially damaged.
Meanwhile, in Camp 7, one house was also totally destroyed when a giant boulder rolled off from an elevation which also crashed a car and killed a dog in its path.
Due to landslides and water clogged areas, 13 families consisting of 53 individuals have sought refuge in evacuation centers.
Seven electrical and water lines are now being restored.
Engr. Charles Bryan Carame, CDRRMO head, said most of the property damages were due to soil erosion and fallen trees. With the ongoing habagat still bringing in heavy rqinfall and strong winds, officials aree busy coordinating with barangays for repair of more damages.
Meanwhile, the linemen of the Benguet Electric Cooperative
(BENECO) are on 24/7 on the job of restoring power around the city. The reports come non- stop as workers repair cut lines, replace damaged protective devices, replace primary poles with eroded bases. Percentage of restorations change and vary as damages continue to occur due to the non –stop rainfall. As of July 27, Beneco has reported the cost of damages to have reached P2.7 million and restoration of connections at a high near total. But as restoration is done, weather factors continue to wreak havoc on electrical lines, and many areas still suffer from brownouts. Marilou Guieb
Bargaining Forum (IBF) as under Warlike Operations Area (WOA) due to Houthi attacks.
Cacdac confirmed that the nine Filipino sailors were under the custody of Houthi rebels and that DMW is now coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for their safe return.
“We are continually in close coordination with the DFA and the families with reference to the safety, well-being as well as the release and safe return of the nine,” he said.
The DMW chief said they are also currently reviewing their policy for allowing Filipino seafarers to board ships, which will pass through the Red Sea. This after they discovered that the owner of the MV Eternity C did not comply with their reportorial requirements and ensured that the ship had the necessary armed guards, and maritime escorts.
“We are still reviewing the matter on whether a more, should I say, across the board or blanket ban will be imposed on all ships carrying Filipino seafarers that pass through the Red Sea,” Cacdac said. -
DAR eyeing to distribute as much as 400K land titles to ARBs this year
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is eyeing to distribute as much as 400,000 land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) this year.
Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado
Estrella III said the agency’s distribution of land titles has been on an uptrend since 2023, when it nearly doubled to over 50,000 from more than 26,000 recorded in the previous year.
This further saw an increase last year when the land distribution titles provided by the agency breached 100,000.
“Itong taon na ito, sa palagay ko ang aming trajectory will be about 300,000 to 400,000 na mga titulo na ang tagal tagal hinintayngatingmgamagsasaka,” Estrella said during the post-State of the Nation
Address forum in San Juan City on Tuesday. “Yung iba nag-antay ng 15, 20, meron pa naghintay ng 30 years at sa wakas natatanggap na nila itong mga titulong ito,” he added. Furthermore, Estrella noted that the agency continues to condone the amortization of farmers through the Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (COCROM). This is in line with Republic Act (RA) 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), signed by President Marcos Jr. on July 7, 2023. The NAEA condones all principal loans, unpaid amortizations, and interests of ARBs
See “DAR,” A21
Microinsurance seen as key to reducing PHL’s large insurance protection gap
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
T@reine_alberto
HERE is a significant insurance
protection gap in the Philippines, primarily because life insurance products focus on the middle-income class.
Microinsurance is viewed as a solution to bridge this gap and enhance financial inclusion.
At the sidelines of the Philippine Life Insurance Association’s (PLIA) press briefing on Tuesday, PLIA Director BDO Life Assurance Company, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Renato Vergel de Dios said microinsurance can fill the protection gap in the country, as it offers affordable and accessible coverage.
A pr otection gap is the difference between the financial resources a family would need to carry on after a provider or breadwinner’s death and the actual resources available to them.
A ccording to Allianz PNB Life Insurance
DAR.
Inc., the protection gap is estimated to be at P24 trillion or P1.17 million per household in 2017.
With technology widely in use, it is easier for Filipinos to purchase microinsurance products for about P500 to P1,500, with most sold in an embedded form or built-in credit life insurance, Vergel de Dios said.
W ith its cheap price, microinsurance can be an entry point for Filipinos as they upgrade to other insurance products with higher coverage.
“Most of these people [low-income class] do not have any form of insurance. This is probably the only insurance that they might have for many of them,” Vergel de Dios said.
Microinsurance is a growing industry that a lot of companies are really keenly watching and trying to promote, largely through technology,” he added.
Da ta from PLIA showed 15.6 million Filipinos, or 13 percent of the population, are covered by microinsurance as of 2023.
and exempts them from paying estate taxes on agricultural lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
DAR noted that it recently distributed COCROMs to 1,293 ARBs in Eastern Visayas, with over P53 million in unpaid land amortizations and interest were officially wiped out in the process.
Insur ance penetration, however, remains low in the Philippines, Vergel de Dios admitted. Data from the Insurance Commission showed this inched up to 1.67 percent in 2024 from 1.60 percent in 2023.
S till, Filipinos’ perception of insurance has significantly shifted, with the majority seeing it now as a necessity, based on PLIA’s Philippine Understanding of Life Security and Envisioned Goals (PULSE) 2024 Study.
Immedia te protection needs, such as accidents, untimely death and hospitalization, are highly prioritized, suggesting an opportunity to focus on the needs of now to boost urgency of the category to drive purchases.
However, the urgency to avail is not as pronounced compared to the pandemic, as they prioritize other expenses.
W ith financial constraints being a common barrier, Filipinos want a “bang for their buck” when it comes to insurance. It has to be highly beneficial while they are able to pay for it month-on-month.
Meanwhile, Estrella said the agency also provides a raft of initiatives for farmers, such as support services and irrigation projects. “Bukod sa farm to market roads, nakakapagbigay din kami ng irrigation projects,” he said. The DAR chief noted recently leading a groundbreaking event of a project that could irrigate over 12,000 hectares in a year, which he said would contribute to the country’s economy and food security. He said the agency also provides farmers with machinery and equipment, with a certain cooperative of cacao planters bagging the top award in France due to their artisanal chocolate.
The study also found that while faceto-face interactions remain important for consumers, digital platforms are becoming more influential, particularly among younger, tech-savvy demographics.
C onsumers now prefer easy-to-access resources on life insurance, such as video tutorials and webinars, to help them understand the options available.
T he study was conducted online from October to November 2024, targeting respondents who are aged 21 to 60 and who had recently purchased or were considering purchasing life insurance.
“The study confirms what we in the industry have long sensed: Filipinos want insurance that fits their lives today, not just years down the road. With these insights, we are prepared to adjust our approach and develop solutions that cater to what Filipinos need,” PLIA President and Manulife Philippines President and CEO Rahul Hora said.
W ith the study results, PLIA unveiled a
three-pillar action plan focused on boosting financial literacy, expanding omni-channel access to insurance—both digital and advisory—and strengthening consumer protection through clearer standards and ethical sales practices.
NCR wage hike: A losing battle against inflation?
WORKERS in the National Capital Region (NCR) received the news that all employees want to hear: a daily pay increase of P50 starting July. The Department of Labor and Employment announced the wage adjustment a few weeks before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. Metro Manila’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) issued Wage Order No. NCR-26, which raised the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers to P695 from P645. (See, “DOLE orders P50 wage hike for NCR workers,” in the BusinessMirror, July 1, 2025).
While this is a welcome development for millions of workers in Metro Manila, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated that this pay hike would most likely just offset the increases in food prices seen last month. Based on PSA figures, prices of meat products and eggs—the cheapest protein source—were higher in June compared to the levels seen a year ago. Even galunggong or round scad, which was once regarded as “poor man’s fish,” has become more expensive in Metro Manila where it averaged P251 per kilogram last month, from P232 per kg a year ago.
To be fair, rice was cheaper in June, according to PSA data. Last month, the price of regular milled rice in the NCR averaged P40.95 per kg, lower than the P46 per kg recorded in June 2024. Cheaper rice, not only in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country, helped pull down inflation to below 2 percent in recent months.
However, the other food items usually consumed by consumers in NCR and other parts of the country were higher last month. The average price of pork kasim in the capital region reached P374 per kg or P30 higher than the P344 recorded a year ago. Pork liempo, another favorite product of Filipinos, was also more expensive last month at P438 per kilo, compared to the previous year’s P385 per kg.
Dressed chicken, another protein source in the Philippines, carried a higher price tag in June. Its average price of P215 per kg was higher than the P201 per kg recorded a year ago. Thankfully, medium-sized eggs were sold at a lower price last month. These figures from PSA show that a single-income family, whose breadwinner earns only a minimum wage, will really struggle to meet their daily needs. The expense for food alone already eats up nearly 40 percent of a workers’ income. The rest will have to be set aside for utilities, rent, and school expenses.
The President was right in prioritizing the agriculture sector and measures to cut food prices. Making food accessible particularly to those in the Bottom 30 of the population would increase the competitiveness of the Filipino workforce and even spur demand for other services and consumer products. More importantly, affordable food, particularly healthy diets, will allow the Philippines to take full advantage of the opportunities of its “demographic sweet spot.”
Climate adaptation
CTHE BUILDER
LIMATE change is real and warmer temperatures are producing more severe storms.
We can say that the Philippines is at the forefront of climate change because it directly faces the vast Pacific Ocean—where warmer seas unleash stronger typhoons. It is a fact of life that multiple storms visit the Philippines annually and occasionally bring destructive floods.
Yet, adapting to storms, floods and disasters is the only way to mitigate the impact of weather disturbances and save lives.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week correctly pointed out that local governments must rethink their approach to disaster response—and not treat it as seasonal emergencies but as a permanent threat that demands long-term adaptation.
The Philippines, indeed, should no longer be surprised by extreme weather events. Storms would make their way to the Philippines during the wet season.
The Chief Executive, in an emergency meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) last week, made a pragmatic observation on typhoons and the monsoon rains they bring over the country.
He visited two evacuation centers in Rizal province, where he noted effective government response and urgent vulnerabilities.
Relief and rescue operations were prompt, he said, but overcrowded
Gshelters raised alarms over potential disease outbreaks.
He said every evacuation site must be equipped with medical teams from both local and national government agencies.
“We can’t treat every typhoon like it’s a surprise disaster anymore. This is our climate now,” says President Marcos.
Mr. Marcos talked about climate adaptation to reduce the impact of disasters. This includes making evacuation centers, health services, education and infrastructure resilient and sustainable to withstand repeat weather events.
Frequent school suspensions, in addition, have put Filipino students at a disadvantage.
“Our children are falling behind. They’ve already lost so much during the pandemic, and now storms are keeping them from school again,”
Mr. Marcos said.
He is pushing for a national strategy that prepares every community, not just for the next storm, but for a future where storms are constant, as
By Kamil Kowalcze
ERMANY’S push to rearm in response to mounting Russian aggression in Europe will see its annual defense budget double to as much as €162 billion ($189 billion) within four years.
That annual tally should be achieved by 2029, well ahead of the Nato alliance’s target for military outlays to reach 3.5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, according to a senior government official. The total includes €9 billion a year for Ukraine to support its fight against Russia.
With defense spending currently at 2 percent of output, the new figures underscore just how drastically Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil are driving rearmament in European Union’s most populous country, against the grain of pacifism instilled
in its society in the post-1945 period.
That shift reflects Germany’s return to a military posture reminiscent of the Cold War—a response to the combination of relentless Russian assaults on Ukraine, and the fear that the US commitment to Europe’s defense is wavering under President Donald Trump.
The ruling coalition consisting of Merz’s conservatives and Klingbeil’s Social Democrats have vowed to steer the economy back to growth after two years of contraction, and to make up for decades of underinvestment in infrastructure and the military.
“We expect the government’s
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week correctly pointed out that local governments must rethink their approach to disaster response—and not treat it as seasonal emergencies but as a permanent threat that demands long-term adaptation.
climate change intensifies. Disaster preparedness, thus, must evolve into a way of life.
Climate adaptation involves a wide range of measures designed to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. They include planting crop varieties that are more resistant to drought for our farmers, enhancing climate information and early warning systems, and building stronger defenses against floods.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already called on local government units (LGUs) to take proactive measures in addressing flood risks amid the onset of the rainy season.
The DENR urged the LGUs to create a future that mitigates flooding risks and enhances overall community resilience.
The agency said assessing the causes of flooding must be rooted in science-based analysis, especially in light of changing weather patterns influenced by climate change.
Meteorological data over the past decade, per our scientists, indicates a significant increase in rainfall volume attributed to climate change.
The marked shift in weather patterns has exacerbated the challenges faced by urban areas like Metro Manila, where heavy rainfall can overwhelm
With defense spending currently at 2 percent of output, the new figures underscore just how drastically Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil are driving rearmament in European Union’s most populous country, against the grain of pacifism instilled in its society in the post-1945 period.
spending measures to support economic activity over the coming years, with annual growth rates exceeding 1 percent. However, the impact on economic activity won’t be enough to fully offset escalating debt-servicing costs and widening primary deficits,” said Bloomberg economists Martin Ademmer and Simona Delle Chiaie. To do that, they exempted defense spending exceeding 1 percent of GDP
drainage systems and lead to significant flooding.
I can only agree with the observation of the DENR. It is critical for LGUs to integrate comprehensive flood risk reduction programs and solid waste management plans into their design.
Communities can better protect themselves from the adverse effects of increased rainfall through these climate adaptation measures.
Amid the challenges posed by climate change, we must adapt urban planning strategies to safeguard our communities and make them sustainable.
I must also commend the DENR for its commitment to cooperate with local government units and the public in building defenses against floods.
Climate adaptation is also about cleaning our waterways and restoring nature.
Improved drainage designs, for one, can neutralize flood risks and handle heavier rainfall volumes.
Fortifying our solid waste management efforts is also key. LGUs must devise waste management systems to prevent blockages in drainage structures.
Our housing and community builders must likewise adopt green infrastructure and restore natural water systems to absorb excess rainwater.
Boosting the resiliency of communities against disasters and adapting to climate change will secure the future of our present and future generations.
For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@ gmail.com or visit our web site: https://markvillar. com.ph
from the country’s constitutional debt limit and set up a €500 billion special fund to build roads, rails, power grids and schools. One of the biggest challenges for Berlin will be to get the extra military budget actually disbursed in light of acute production bottlenecks, long waiting lists and repeated delays for big-ticket procurement orders. Among potential purchases, Germany is considering buying up to 2,500 GTK Boxer armored fighting vehicles and as many as 1,000 battle Leopard 2 battle tanks as
Mark Villar
S&P 500 rally faces $11 trillion gauntlet of big tech earnings
By Jeran Wittenstein, Carmen Reinicke & Ryan Vlastelica
THE S&P 500 Index’s relentless advance to record highs faces a crucial test this week, with four technology behemoths worth a combined $11.3 trillion reporting earnings over a two-day stretch.
This earnings season is off to a solid start, but now all eyes are on quarterly results from Microsoft Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc. on Wednesday, and Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. on Thursday. The announcements will give investors a key glimpse into the health of businesses ranging from electronic devices and software to cloud-computing and e-commerce.
A strong showing is critical to sustaining the S&P 500’s rally. The four firms—members of the Magnificent Seven—account for a fifth of the market-capitalization-weighted benchmark. What’s more, Meta and Microsoft are among the top three point gainers in the S&P this year, after Nvidia Corp. With valuations climbing, the focus will be not only on whether they beat estimates, but also on their outlook for the coming quarters.
“The bar is set pretty high,” said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management. “The Magnificent Seven in particular, they really need to deliver now to keep this momentum going.”
The S&P 500 rose 0.1 percent on Monday, on track for a sixth straight positive session. Markets were supported by a trade deal between the US and Europe.
So far, Corporate America appears to be taking President Donald Trump’s tariffs in stride. With about a third of S&P 500 members having reported, roughly 82 percent have beaten profit forecasts, on track for the best quarter in about four years, data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence show. The performance has helped lift the benchmark by about 2 percent since the cycle kicked off around two weeks ago.
To be fair, analysts had slashed estimates over the past few months amid concerns about the impact of tariffs on consumer spending and profit margins. While Big-Tech projections have come down too, the surge in stock prices has kept expectations elevated.
The Magnificent Seven, which also includes Nvidia, Alphabet Inc. and Tesla Inc., is projected to deliver combined year-over-year earnings growth of 16 percent in the second quarter, according to data compiled by BI. That’s down from expectations of 19 percent at the end of March, before Trump announced his sweeping tariffs. Nvidia is the final member of the group to report, in late August.
The S&P 500, meanwhile, is expected to show annual profit growth of 4.5 percent, down from the 7.5 percent projected in March.
It’s all amping up the pressure on Big Tech. Many of the companies may need to give rosy forecasts to justify valuations, according to Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Advisor Services.
“They’re likely going to have to say that the rest of the year or the next quarter looks positive, either
continued from A22
people said. The regular budget for next year includes net new debt of €89.9 billion, which will rise to €126.9 billion in 2029, according to a document distributed Monday by the government in Berlin.
Additional burdens such as recently approved tax breaks and an increase in social spending have widened the budget gap to €172 billion
Trump proposes Gaza ‘food centers,’ says starvation is real
PInvestors will watch capitalspending plans particularly closely. Many companies have increased spending on AI infrastructure, which has made the makers of computing gear like Nvidia and Super Micro Computer Inc. some of the best-performing stocks of the year.
re-affirming guidance or even upping guidance,” he said.
AI divergence
SOME of Magnificent Seven have failed to live up to the moniker this year as artificial intelligence has again become the dominant theme separating winners from losers in the stock market. Meta, Microsoft and Nvidia account for nearly half of the S&P 500’s gain this year, while shares of companies including Apple have weakened amid struggles with the technology.
That divergence was on display last week, when Alphabet rose after reporting strong earnings growth, while a bleak outlook for electric-vehicle sales sent Tesla’s stock tumbling.
Investors will watch capitalspending plans particularly closely. Many companies have increased spending on AI infrastructure, which has made the makers of computing gear like Nvidia and Super Micro Computer Inc. some of the best-performing stocks of the year.
All signs point to that continuing. In total, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta are projected to pump $317 billion into capital spending in their current fiscal years, with that figure rising to $350 billion in 2026, according to the average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
Awaiting payoff
INVESTORS have rewarded such aggressive plans in recent months, especially Meta, shares of which have rallied about 22 percent this year. But ultimately, investors have to see the payoff, says Gabriela Santos, chief strategist for the Americas at JPMorgan Asset Management.
“Investors are becoming much more overt in saying, ‘show me the money,’” she said. “At these levels, especially for large-cap tech, we need to see monetization rather than a promise of monetization coming at some point down the line.”
Magnificent Seven valuations have jumped from the depths of the tariff-induced selloff in April, but they still remain well below peak levels. The group is priced at 28 times projected profits, compared with a high of 34 in December while the S&P 500 is priced at 22 times.
“While Big Tech P/Es can look high on the surface, if you consider the growth and the high free cash flow and the strong return on invested capital, in many cases they’re attractively priced,” said Tony DeSpirito, managing director and head of US fundamental equities at BlackRock. Bloomberg
in the finance ministry’s mid-term planning over the four next years. The government intends to close it through consolidation and austerity measures, the official said. Next year’s budget and the midterm finance plan are scheduled to be passed by the cabinet on Wednesday. After that they will be sent to the lower house of parliament for review, before going to the upper house—where the country’s 16 states are represented—for approval by the end of the year. With assistance from Michael Nienaber/Bloomberg
By Skylar Woodhouse & Hadriana Lowenkron
RESIDENT Donald Trump said the US would work on a new effort to provide food aid to alleviate starvation in Gaza along with other governments and organizations, including the UK and European Union.
Trump laid out his proposal during a Monday meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf club in Turnberry, Scotland, though he did not provide full details. Starmer said little about the plan, but reiterated the need to alleviate suffering in the war-torn territory.
“We’re going to set up food centers and we’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people,” Trump said, adding the US would supply funds for the effort.
“We’re also going to make sure that they don’t have barriers stopping people.”
Asked if he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assessment there is “no starvation” in the territory, Trump said ahead of the Starmer meeting that “based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.”
“That’s real starvation stuff, I see it, and you can’t fake that,” Trump said. “We have to get the kids fed.”
“Israel has a lot of responsibility” to address the crisis, Trump said, while adding that Netanyahu’s government is “hampered” by hostages held by Hamas and what Trump said was the militant group’s theft of food aid.
“People in Britain are revolted by what they’re seeing,” Starmer said. “We’ve got to get to that ceasefire. And thank you, Mr. President, for leading on that, and also to just get more and more aid in.”
Humanitarian aid needs to reach Gaza at “speed and volume” Starmer said, adding “we need to galvanize other countries in support of getting that aid in and yes that does involve putting pressure on Israel.”
The meeting with Starmer took place during Trump’s five-day visit to Scotland, a prime example of how
Trump is mixing personal business with his official duties unlike any of his modern predecessors. The UK leader was swept up in the effort: Trump later Monday was due to host Starmer again at his other golf property in Aberdeen as part of their day-long itinerary.
Their sit-down also came a day after Trump struck a deal with the EU to avert a damaging economic war with the US’s largest trading bloc. The EU will face a 15 percent tariff on most exports to the US, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. That’s higher than the 10 percent levy on most British goods that Starmer agreed to in May in a deal with Trump.
“Our relationship is unparalleled,” Trump told reporters. “When you’re able to have a good trade deal, it keeps it even closer.”
Trump said the UK deal is “in great shape” but declined to say whether he and Starmer could iron out lingering divisions on metals imports. Washington and London remain at loggerheads over tariffs on British steel and aluminum, which remain at 25 percent.
Under the agreement, Trump pledged to remove duties on a certain quota on metals imports but that system has yet to be worked out amid disagreement over so-called meltand-pour rules covering where steel is made. The UK is also hoping for a carve-out on Trump’s threatened pharmaceutical levies.
Starmer has set himself apart from many other European leaders by seeking to curry favor with Trump, despite being a center-left politician who has little in common with the US president ideologically or personally.
The president shook Starmer’s hand as they greeted each other at
“We’re going to set up food centers and we’re going to do it in conjunction with some very good people,” Trump said, adding the US would supply funds for the effort. “We’re also going to make sure that they don’t have barriers stopping people.” Asked if he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assessment there is “no starvation” in the territory, Trump said ahead of the Starmer meeting that “based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry. That’s real starvation stuff, I see it, and you can’t fake that,” Trump said. “We have to get the kids fed.”
the course. The prime minister was joined by his wife, Victoria, as bagpipes played and the three chatted while looking over the property.
Starmer, who is not a golfer, praised the course’s beauty but told Trump that “I’ll invite you to a football ground at some stage and we can exchange sports.”
Starmer’s trade deal marked an early victory for his approach, yet that pact—and his overall effort to charm the US leader—has been put to the test by the president’s ongoing trade threats as well as the Gaza and Ukraine crises.
Gaza starvation STARMER has ramped up criticism of Israel amid growing international outrage at Netanyahu’s government over starvation there. Israel’s military paused some operations against Hamas on Sunday to allow UN relief convoys to move in.
Starmer was speaking with Trump about a UK plan designed to deliver immediate relief to Gazans and chart a path to turn any ceasefire into lasting peace through a two-state solution, his spokesman, Dave Pares, told reporters on Monday. He said it was
Trump raises pressure on Putin with new 10 to 12-day truce deadline
By Skylar Woodhouse & Hadriana Lowenkron
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said he would shorten his timeline for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reach a truce with Ukraine or face potential economic penalties, heightening pressure on Moscow to bring the fighting to a halt.
“I’m going to make a new deadline of about 10, 10 or 12 days from today,” Trump told reporters in Scotland on Monday during talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“I’ll announce it probably tonight or tomorrow,” Trump added. “But there’s no reason to wait. If you know what the answer is,” expressing frustration with Putin for rebuffing previous calls for a ceasefire.
An end to the conflict has proven elusive for the American president, who as a candidate promised to quickly resolve the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the one between Israel and Hamas.
Trump on July 14 initially announced a 50-day deadline on Russia—which would have fallen on September 2—threatening to impose stiff economic penalties on Putin if he did not end hostilities with Ukraine. That threat failed to bring an end to the fighting as Putin has stepped up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The Kremlin hasn’t commented publicly so far on Trump’s new deadline. Russia’s ruble weakened more than 2 percent to breach 81 per dollar in Moscow, its lowest since mid-May, following Trump’s announcement. Oil rose after Trump’s remarks with worries that growing tensions between the US and Russia will threaten crude flows.
“What I’m doing is we’re going to do
secondary sanctions, unless we make a deal, and we might make a deal, I don’t know,” Trump added Monday. Earlier this month, Trump said he would impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia if it did not halt the fighting. Officials have cast secondary levies that would fall on countries who buy Russian exports such as oil. Washington and other capitals allied with Kyiv view such oil purchases as a form of tacit support for Russia, helping to bolster its economy and undercut sanctions.
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close ally of Trump, has ginned up bipartisan support for a bill that would impose stringent sanctions on Russia as well. Trump, though, has threatened economic repercussions against Putin in the past but held off, suggesting that he wanted to preserve room for negotiations. Following through on his secondary sanctions threat would hit India and China, two major trading partners, as Trump is seeking to secure a deal to lower tariffs and other barriers with New Delhi and with negotiators currently in Stockholm in a bid to extend a trade truce with Beijing.
Global react: Putin likely to test Trump over Ukraine deadline “I THINK reducing it is partly a reaction to the fact that the initial 50 days
a matter of “when not if” the UK recognizes Palestine as a state, but that it must be one step along a pathway to peace.
Starmer is facing demands from members of his Labour Party to push Trump to do more to urge Netanyahu to end the conflict. He has not gone as far as joining French President Emmanuel Macron in recognizing a Palestinian state.
“It’s an absolute catastrophe, nobody wants to see that,” Starmer said. Trump said he is “not going to take a position” on Palestinian statehood but doesn’t mind if Starmer does. He defended the US’s prior efforts to supply aid and faulted others, including Hamas, for food shortages in Gaza.
“We’re going to be discussing it, but we gave $60 million. Nobody said even thank you. Somebody should say thank you. But other nations are going to have to step up,” Trump said. Migration crackdown THERE were few signs of public division between the two men. Trump praised Starmer’s handling of migration, another thorny topic.
“I hear that you’ve taken a very strong stand on immigration, and taking a strong stand on immigration is imperative,” the US president said, while the UK leader added “we’ve done a lot of work” to stop migrants from entering the country.
Contrary to Trump’s assessment, a record of more than 24,000 irregular migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats from France so far this year, putting Starmer under increasing pressure to stem the flow. There were still some awkward moments for Starmer, most noticeably when Trump said he’s “not a fan” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a member of the prime minister’s Labour Party.
“I think he’s done a terrible job,” Trump said of Khan. “He’s a nasty person.”
Starmer interjected to say Khan was a friend of his. With assistance from Joe Mayes/Bloomberg
Trump returned to office vowing to quickly end Russia’s war in Ukraine, citing his relationship with Putin. Those efforts have failed to materialize with Moscow only responding with maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory and declining calls for face-toface talks between Putin and his counterpart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
was perceived as slightly too long,” said Charles Lichfield, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center in Washington. “There’s always an instinct to cut Putin a bit of slack to give him a bit of time.”
He added that the Trump administration wasn’t likely to impose the threatened tariffs of well above 100 percent on big buyers of Russian energy like China, India and the European Union amid complex trade talks with them. “I think everyone sort of sees through that,” he said, pointing out that a more gradual approach starting at rates of 10 percent to 20 percent may be possible.
Frustration with Putin TRUMP’S latest threat—and shortened timeline for Putin to comply— highlight his growing frustration with the Russian leader.
“I’m not so interested in talking anymore,” Trump said Monday. “He talks. We have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversations, and then people die the following night in a—with a missile going into a town.” Trump returned to office vow-
ing to quickly end Russia’s war in Ukraine, citing his relationship with Putin. Those efforts have failed to materialize with Moscow only responding with maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory and declining calls for face-to-face talks between Putin and his counterpart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump initially focused his ire on Zelenskyy as an obstacle to peace but in recent weeks has signaled growing impatience with Putin, accusing him of not being sincere about wanting to end the war despite multiple calls and months of diplomacy. Nato allies are also moving to ramp up pressure on Putin, with Germany in advanced talks with the US and other allies to help deliver additional Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s government has made air defense a top priority as weeks of Russian attacks take their toll on Ukrainian cities.
While talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul led to prisoner exchanges, there has been no progress on ending the conflict that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
“Russia could be so rich, it could be so rich, it could be thriving like practically no other country,” Trump said, adding that Putin had expressed interest in doing trade deals. “He talks about it all the time.”
“They have a lot of valuable things,” he continued, floating Russian rare earth mineral resources as a potential trade target. “They have serious rare earth, right? They have just about every form you can have.” With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Tony Halpin and Eric Martin/Bloomberg
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
BusinessMirror
PCCI, Fil-Chinese chamber seek follow-thru on reforms
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THEPhilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business group in the country, is calling on the government to follow through on urgent reforms aimed at addressing major points for businesses.
This, the business group underscored in a statement on Tuesday as it pointed out the “absence of a formal legislative agenda” in the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“We would have wanted to hear progress updates on the removal of regulatory barriers, the streamlining of business processes, and the modernization of government services. These are major pain points for businesses,” PCCI President Enunina Mangio said.
Among the “persistent issues” raised were red tape despite the
Ease of Doing Business law, overlapping mandates of agencies, slow pace of digitalization, and the high cost of regulatory compliance, PCCI noted.
Despite the absence of a formal legislative agenda, PCCI said it backs the President’s development agenda. The group also recognized the administration’s pivot to a more “people- and productivity-focused governance framework.” Mangio said from education to infrastructure and agriculture, the Sona addressed the “right issues.”
However, she underscored: “We
now need decisive action, sustained policy reforms, and implementation to turn these intentions into outcomes.”
The Chamber said it is hoping the executive and legislative branches will act “swiftly” to enact longneeded policy reforms and legislations that enable investments, create jobs, and improve the overall competitiveness of the Philippine business environment.
FFCCCII’s urgent call
FOLLOWING the President’s commitment in his Sona to combat corruption, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) is “urgently” calling on the administration to put in place “systemic” anticorruption reforms, saying such an issue “critically undermines” the national economy.
“Crucially, the FFCCCII offers its vigorous and unequivocal support for President Marcos’ specific commitment to combat the plague of corruption, particularly the scourge of “ghost projects” Victor Lim, President of FFCCCII, said in a statement on Tuesday. With this, the group is calling for
“rigorous, systemic, periodic and transparent” audits and performance reviews across all government agencies and projects.
In his statement, the head of the group of Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs made an “urgent” call on the administration and legislature to enact “profound, systemic anticorruption reforms.”
“We need strengthened institutions, unimpeded transparency, robust accountability mechanisms, certainty of punishments and unwavering enforcement of the rule of law,” FFCCCII said.
Lim said it is only through such “fundamental systemic reforms” can the country restore public trust, ensure efficient use of public funds, unlock sustainable economic growth, and “genuinely” uplift the lives of all Filipinos.
From the standpoint of the business group, “Marcos’ forthright acknowledgment of governmental shortcomings, particularly his unequivocal condemnation of excessive political corruption,resonates profoundly with the business community and the Filipino people.”
The business group explained
See “PCCI,” A2
By Samuel P. Medenilla
RESIDENT Ferdinand Mar-
Pcos Jr. said the new US$ 2-billion Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the World Bank will help enhance and plug gaps of existing government programs, which will benefit millions of Filipinos and meet its targets. For its part, the World Bank said the new partnership will help the government achieve its goal of becoming an upper middle income country (UMIC), which has a gross national income (GNI) per capita of US$4,496 to US$13,935, before 2028. Currently, the Philippines remains at the lower middle income country classification of the World Bank.
Marcos formally received on Tuesday a copy of the CPF for 20252031 from World Bank Division Director Zafer Mustafaoğlu in a cer-
emony in Malacañang last Tuesday. The CPF, which is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2038 and Ambisyon Natin 2040 goals, focuses on three outcomes: human capital development; generating more jobs; and climate change resilience.
“We are well cognizant of the fact that much more needs to be done to ensure that the progress is truly felt by every Filipino, wherever they may be,” Marcos said. He said the CPF “lays out a clear and strategic plan” for the government and World Bank to achieve the said targets in the next six years. Under the human capital development outcome, the World Bank will provide funding to the Philippine government for its universal health care, child nutrition, and primary care initiatives for 19 million people and for the curriculum reform of teachers and develop -
ment of digital platforms, which is expected to benefit 15 million students.
For generating jobs, the World Bank will back policy and regulatory reforms that boost competitiveness, modernize agriculture, and expand digital infrastructure, to benefit an additional 19 million people and make the country a more attractive destination for foreign investors.
For the CPF’s last outcome of climate change resilience, the international financial institution will help “modernize” the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which covers 12.5 million beneficiaries and address the climate change vulnerabilities of 13 million people through improved infrastructure, climatesmart agriculture and enhanced disaster risk financing.
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
AMID calls to ban online gambling in the country, electronic games (e-games) emerged as the backbone of the Philippine gaming industry, contributing over half of gaming revenues in the first half of the year.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) announced on Tuesday that gross gaming revenues (GGR) rose by 26 percent to P214.75 billion in the first semester from P171 billion in the same period last year.
The e-games sector—consisting of e-bingo, e-casino, sports betting and online poker, among others—led the pack with P114.83 billion in gross revenues. This makes up 53.47 percent of the total GGR for the period. This surged by 82.67 percent from P62.86 billion in the same period a year ago.
While acknowledging the strong revenue performance of online gaming, Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco maintained the importance of upholding strict regulatory oversight to ensure the industry’s growth remains accountable.
“Pagcor recognizes the earning potential of the E-Games sector, but as the country’s gaming regulator, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that growth comes with accountability,” Tengco said.
E-games have been on the rise due to ease of access and widespread advertisements by celebrities and influencers of online gambling.
This has led to mounting criticisms recently due to its links to addiction, family and financial problems, scams, as well as serious crimes.
“Our role goes beyond revenue generation; and as partners of the government in nation-building, we are committed to always strike a balance between enabling industry expansion and ensuring it aligns with responsible gaming standards,” Tengco said.
As e-games continued to dominate the gaming industry, the GGR of licensed casinos and Pagcor-operated casinos both saw a decline.
Licensed casinos contributed P93.36 billion, down by 5.85 percent from last year’s P99.17 billion. This represents 43.47 percent of the industry GGR, provided by integrated resorts and brick-and-mortar casinos in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, La Union and Rizal.
Meanwhile, the remaining 3.06 percent of the overall GGR was chipped in by Pagcor-operated casinos, which dropped by 26.20 percent to P6.56 billion from P8.89 billion a year ago. This year, the country’s gross gaming revenues (GGR) is projected to grow by double digits to P480 billion. The GGR reached P410.47 billion in 2024, the second-highest in Asia after Macau. This is 24.81 percent higher than the P328.88 billion recorded in 2023.
Digital-centric thrift, rural, cooperative banks to face new BSP rules
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) aims to introduce new regulations for digital-centric thrift banks (TBs), Rural Bank (RBs), and Cooperative banks.
These new regulations will include new minimal capital requirements, compliance to Basel III Leverage Ratio, and other requirements.
BSP said the new regulations aim to foster innovation and ensure the safety and “soundness” of the Philippine banking system.
“This likewise promotes a level playing field for both incumbents and new entrants as banks navigate the opportunities and challenges brought about by rapid digitalization in the banking sector,” the central bank said in a draft circular.
Under the draft circular, the BSP will first assess the technology utilization and maturity of a bank’s digitalization efforts.
Once this is completed, the BSP will be classified into three tiers, depending on the level of their “digital centricity.”
“None of these [government initiatives], however, would have been possible without one of our most steadfast partners—the World Bank Group,” Marcos said.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said they will work with the World Bank for the implementation of the CPF.
“Together, we aim to translate this strategic partnership into meaningful and tangible outcomes that accelerate our progress toward a more inclusive, innovative, resilient, and sustainable Philippine economy,” Balisacan said.
Mustafaoğlu said they are hopeful the CPF will help the Philippines attain the UMIC classification.
“The country is poised to achieve upper middle income status very soon. We at the World Bank Group are proud to have been part of this journey,” he said.
A higher tier, the circular stated, will reflect “heightened complexity, scale, and risk profile of the bank’s digital operations.”
Tier 1 banks are capable of onboarding clients for deposit or loan products via e-KYC facilities and allow customers to fund their deposit accounts digitally.
These banks would have at least 30 percent of their deposit or loan customers onboarded via digital channels; have at least 30 percent of deposits or loans sourced from digital financial offerings; and at least 30 percent of their total financial transactions as electronic payment and financial services (EPFS) transactions. These banks, the BSP proposed, will be required to have a minimum capital requirement of at least P200 million and comply with Basel III Leverage Ratio. They are also required to adopt an electronic anti-money laundering (AML) system capable of monitoring risks associated with mon-
ey laundering/terrorist financing as well as implement automated and real-time fraud monitoring and defection systems.
Tier 2 banks would have at least 50 percent of their deposit or loan customers onboarded via digital channels; have at least 50 percent of deposits or loans sourced from digital financial offerings; and at least 50 percent of total financial transactions as EPFS transaction. These banks, the BSP proposed, will be required to have a minimum capital requirement of at least P500 million for RBs and Cooperative Banks and P600 million for TBs. They must comply with Basel III Leverage Ratio; adopt an electronic AML system capable of monitoring risks associated with money laundering/ terrorist financing; and implement automated and real-time fraud monitoring and defection systems.
Tier 3 banks would have at least 75 percent of its deposit or loan customers onboarded via digital channels; have at least 75 percent of deposits or loans sourced from digital financial offerings; and at least 75 percent of total financial transactions as EPFS transaction. These banks must have a minimum capital of at least P1 billion and comply with Basel III Leverage Ratio. They must also adopt an electronic AML system capable of monitoring risks associated with money laundering/ terrorist financing and implement automated and real-time fraud monitoring and defection systems. An additional requirement, the BSP said, is for these banks to become eligible for conversion to a digital banking (DB) license. Converting to a digital bank license is subject to the number of digital bank licenses set by the Monetary Board. If banks volunteer
FLOOD FIXES FOLLOW SONA PROBE ORDER Workers continue the reconstruction of a damaged river wall along the San Juan River between Barangay Roxas District and Barangay Kalusugan in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The ongoing repair follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement in his State of the Nation Address on Monday, where he admitted that many flood control projects were substandard. Marcos ordered an investigation into the anomalies, vowing to go after those who “stole the future” of storm-hit communities. NONOY LACZA
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Exec: Meralco seeks clarity on joint venture bid of coop
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is seeking clarification from Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc. (Batelec II) regarding its unsolicited proposal to form a joint venture (JV) after another distribution utility (DU) expressed a similar interest.
Meralco Chief External and Government Affairs Officer Arnel Casanova said the Pangilinan-led DU wrote Batelec II on how its unsolicited proposal will be treated.
“There’s another entity, Prime Electric, that is also interested. We wrote them a letter. We are waiting for the reply on the clarification on the process by which a selection will be made. So, basically, the timelines for the submission, the criteria for evaluation.
mit a proposal to Batelec 1 but not after the pending issues are clarified by Batelec II.
“We want clarity first because this is the first time that such kind of proposal has been made. So, basically, we’re empowering the electric cooperative by infusing capital and with our technical capability,” added Casanova.
The Meralco official also said the proposed JV with Batelec II is different than what it has sealed with the Pampanga II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Pelco II).
they’re welcome to become shareholder,” said Pangilinan.
San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMGP) purchased about 43.23 million common shares of Meralco by acquiring Land Bank of the Philippines’ 3.8-percent stake in the utility firm for P3.9 billion.
The shares were transacted in the Philippine Stock Exchange last week through the deed of absolute sale, which contained the terms and conditions mutually determined by and acceptable to both parties, SMC said.
“So, we’ll basically infuse capital through the equity by buying the shares of the stock corporation. Because under the Epira, electric cooperatives are allowed to convert into stock corporation. So, that’s the structure that we are proposing.”
Meralco awaits a reply from Batelec II. It is also interested to sub -
We asked them how are they going to treat our unsolicited proposal? How will the selection be done? Will our unsolicited proposal be respected and then will they have it challenged, or will they come up with an open bidding for selection? So those are the queries,” said Casanova. The offer on the table, according to Casanova, is a joint venture through the conversion of an electric cooperative to a stock corporation which is allowed under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).
Meralco and its subsidiary, Comstech Integration Alliance Inc., manages Pelco II.
Pelco II was once classified as an ailing cooperative. Since the partnership, Pelco’s financial performance has significantly improved earning it an “AAA” rating.
SMC stake
MERALCO Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the board of the utility firm tackled San Miguel Corp. (SMC) power unit’s recent acquisition of Meralco shares.
“That was discussed with the board. No decision yet. We just look at the options. It really depends on what San Miguel wants. Of course,
However, there is no word yet from the camp of Ramon S. Ang if the company will sell the Meralco shares which are now valued at about P23 billion based on current share price.
“We have to wait as to what he intends to do with it. We have not spoken to him about it. It’s a bit too early to do that,” said Pangilinan, when asked if Meralco is interested to acquire the said shares.
The shares were purchased following the Court of Appeals’ decision regarding the share purchase agreement between Landbank and SMGP executed in December 2008.
Back then, Landbank withdrew the deal. Thereafter, SMGP brought this matter to the CA, which later ruled in favor of the power firm.
PGEC solar plant to go live soon
THE 19.6-megawatt (MW) San Jose solar power plant (SJSPP) of Yuhchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. (PGEC) in Nueva Ecija is set to start commercial operations on August 1, according to the company.
This comes after the release of the provisional authority to operate (PAO) approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last July 15 and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines’ (IEMOP) approval last July 28, of the facility’s par -
ticipation in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) as a commercial generator.
“The SJSPP marks our second utility-scale solar power facility to reach commercial operations this year, following the commercial launch of the 27.1-MW Dagohoy Solar Power Plant [DSPP] in Bohol on July 16, 2025,” said PGEC Vice President for Commercial Operations and Business Development Maria Victoria Olivar.
The plant’s commercial operation date marks the start of the power supply agreement with S.N.
FAOODPANDA Logistics Philippines, the brand name of Delivery Hero Logistics Philippines Inc., said it has given over P2.5 million in relief aid to over 5,000 of its partner riders coming from areas hit hardest by the enhanced southwest monsoon and successive weather disturbances last week.
Riders from affected cities in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and other provinces have received aid, with the company saying it is planning to extend the relief to more riders in more areas, including in Northern Luzon.
The immediate relief for its partner riders was provided in the form of foodpanda vouchers, which they could use for meals and groceries, the company said.
“The recent rains and flooding were devastating, but it is during times like these that the Bayanihan Spirit shines the most; we are committed to extend help where it’s needed the most,” foodpanda Logistics Rider Experience Lead Ron Sanders said.
The massive rains last week brought by the habagat and back-to-back arrival of typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong wreaked havoc on many areas across the country, displacing thousands of families and leaving many roads flooded or impassable. VG Cabuag
Aboitiz Power.
SJSPP is also PGEC’s third renewable energy facility to go commercial in 2025 beginning with its 3.002MW peak solar rooftop installation at Isuzu Autoparts manufacturing plant in Laguna Technopark, which went live last July 7.
Both DSPP and SJSPP form part of a four-plant solar portfolio developed under Rizal Green Energy Corp. (RGEC), a joint venture between Yuchengco-led PGEC and Japan’s Taisei Corp.
Founded in 1873, Taisei is among
STRAZENECA Plc reported better-thanexpected sales and rising profit for the second quarter, spurred by its stable of cancer medicines and growth in the United States.
Revenue climbed 12 percent to $14.5 billion, the United Kingdom drugmaker said Tuesday, beating estimates. Earnings per share excluding some items rose 10 percent to $2.17, as expected. The shares climbed about 1 percent in early London trading, bringing their gain for the year to almost 4 percent.
Under Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot’s watch, Astra has turned into an oncology powerhouse and is increasingly focused on the US.
The company is working to shore up its manufacturing presence there, pledging $50 billion by 2030 in both production and research and development as it seeks to show President Donald Trump’s administration it is serious about making medicines locally. Trump is set to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals to increase drug manufacturing in the US.
Separately, Astra is pushing back the results of a key cancer study on the potential blockbuster medicine Datroway. The trial results, due in the coming months, will now be released in the first half of next year as the company awaits more data on how patients’ disease is progressing.
The study is key to both the drug’s fortunes and the company’s stock performance. Despite several recent positive study results for other medicines including a hypertension medicine and a treatment for the autoimmune condition known as myasthenia gravis, Astra shares have underperformed those of other drugmakers like
Japan’s top give general contractors building ports and harbors, bridges and tunnels, power stations, industrial complexes and commercial buildings in over 65 countries. Also slated for physical completion in 2025 are two other RGEC projects—the 40 MW Limbauan solar plant in Isabela and the 25 MW Bugallon solar plant in Pangasinan.
Lenie Lectura
Swiss rival Novartis AG this year. Astra’s cancer medicine portfolio delivered revenue of $6.3 billion, higher than estimated by analysts, fueled by drugs including Tagrisso and Imfinzi. But the older heart medicine Brilinta, which faces generic competition, disappointed.
Pricing adjustments, for example to sales reimbursed by the Medicare Part D program in the US, diluted Astra’s gross margin in the first half. Astra on Tuesday reiterated its full-year guidance for revenue and core earnings. Besides cancer, the company is also working to develop the pipeline for its medicines to treat cardiovascular conditions as well as weight loss.
While Astra was not one of the early entrants into the obesity space, it has been investing in building out its own offerings that it believes might be part of the next generation of weight-loss medicines. Bloomberg News
By VG Cabuag @villygc
ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) on Tuesday said its attributable income plummeted by 67 percent to P2.25 billion in the first half, from the previous year’s P6.8 billion.
The company attributed this to the absence of income from the Bank of the Philippine Islands-Robinsons Bank merger which was booked in early 2024.
Net sales rose 5 percent to P98.47 billion in January to June from the previous year’s P93.71 billion.
Core earnings, which strips off the one-time gains from the merger, among others, rose 4 percent to P2.76 billion from the previous year’s P2.64 billion.
“The sustained recovery in basket sizes, along with our continued focus on improving assortment has enabled us to accelerate growth and exceed our full-year SSSG [same-store sales growth] target in the second quarter,” Stanley Co, the company’s president and CEO, said.
“We intend to build on this momentum by further expanding our store network and driving operational efficiencies in the coming months.”
For the second quarter alone, its income fell 13 percent to P1.49 billion from the P1.72 billion recorded a year ago, while sales jumped 6 percent to P50.66 billion from last year’s P47.82 billion.
Blended same-store sales growth for the period reached 4.8 percent, coming from a boost from election and back-to-school-related spending.
The slower inflation last quarter also supported consumer spending, positively impacting both the company’s essential and discretionary categories, the company said. Notable business drivers for the quarter were the food, drugstore and department store formats, it said. As of end-June, Robinsons Retail has 2,471 stores consisting of 763 food stores, 1,145 drugstores, 51 department stores, 228 DIY Stores, 284 specialty stores and 2,116 franchised stores of TGP, the Generics Pharmacy.
THE AstraZeneca Plc company logo is seen on boxes of pharmaceutical products produced by the company for an arranged photograph taken in London, UK, on Friday, May 2, 2014. PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRIS RATCLIFFE/BLOOMBERG
PHOTO FROM WWW.JGSUMMIT.COM.PH
Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug
Rise of franchising: Julie’s owners share stories of success and industry growth
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
Life-changing decision
SUCCESS in business is the ultimate aim of every sales leader. But it is easier said than done. The truth is that in order to achieve success, one must be determined to make a lifechanging decision to carry it out. It is life-changing because there is a dire need to move outside your current situation. Moreover, it is life-changing because you have to continually push yourself and your team to move forward and upward on a daily basis.
That’s right! Achieving success involves a sustained barrage of pushing and stepping out of comfort zones. And that’s the reason success eludes many. Here are three tips to help you attain a lifechanging achievement.
Develop a life-changing Goal
AUTHOR Earl Nightingale once said that “success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal or ideal.” Indeed, the barometer for any achievement is always measured based on one’s desired results. But when measuring success of life-changing outcomes, one must use life-changing goals. Remember, game-changers are characterized by out-of-thebox and break-the-ceiling mindsets that defy normal standards. This kind of mindset emanates from a sales leader’s extra-ordinary vision of something better than what’s already out there. According to Toni Morrison, “If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” This is a perfect example of a life-changing goal that I personally embraced. And soon after that, my second book came off the press entitled The Effective Seller.
Pursue with a solid commitment
PURSUING life-changing goals can get very frustrating. It’s never a walk in the park. There will always be setbacks of various kinds along the way that could potentially derail and even shatter your plans for success. A sales leader must commit
Coffee roadmap:
to never give in to pressures of possible failures. As the poem of Edgar Albert Guest goes, “Life is strange with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many &allures turn about when we might have won had we stuck it out. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—you may succeed with another blow.” Bear in mind that when you’ve got a solid commitment and life-changing goals, you’ve got a higher probability of achieving success.
Carry on with stubborn persistence
SALES leaders must be stubbornly persistent when it comes to achieving success. While others may be led astray due to distractions and difficult situations, sales leaders pursue their life-changing goals with laser-focused precision. This is not the same as being narrowminded. Instead, stubborn persistence is characterized by a strong will to move forward and upward, no matter what. By God’s grace, nothing can stop you from getting there, for you are guided by one single goal: success. It’s the same reason race horses have blinders— it limits the horse’s field of vision, and serves to block its vision to the sides, the rear, or both, which allows it to simply focus on single direction. As Robert Breault, a famous American Operatic Tenor puts it, “Stubbornly persist, and you will find that the limits of your stubbornness go well beyond the stubbornness of your limits.”
Alexey Rola Cajilig is the Founder, President & CEO of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc., and Senior Vice President & COO of EM-CORE DOTNET Inc. He is a Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, Human Ecologist and Author of Life is a Classroom, The Effective Seller, Solving the Sales Puzzle and Practical Market Intelligence. He is also the creator of ARCH Styles, a behavioral and personality assessment & discovery tool. If you have questions and suggestions, you may connect with him at https://www. facebook.com/coachlexey and at https://www. linkedin.com/in/alexey-rola-cajilig.
Bukidnon ups coffee game with farmer training
By Nef Luczon
AGAYAN DE ORO CITY—
CBukidnon province has kicked off a comprehensive training program for 30 farmerleaders and nursery operators, a key step in its ambitious coffee roadmap.
Governor Rogelio Neil Roque announced Thursday that the Provincial Agricultural Office is spearheading efforts to unite coffee farmers and groups, aiming to establish Bukidnon as a national leader in coffee production.
“When we first called for strengthened capacity development for our farmers, we knew it had to start at the roots—literally and figuratively,” Roque said, emphasizing that nurs-
eries are the foundation of a successful coffee value chain. The training, running from Wednesday to Friday, focuses on crucial aspects of managing coffee nurseries and optimizing distribution and supply. The Agriculture Training Institute is facilitating the program. The Bukidnon Coffee Roadmap, a 10-year plan from 2025 to 2035, seeks to bolster the province’s coffee industry and solidify its reputation as the “Arabica Capital of the Philippines.”
A core component of the plan is ensuring the sustainability of coffee products, from seedling to postharvest marketing, alongside building the skills of farmers and coffee entrepreneurs. PNA
THE Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) projects an 8 percent to 10 percent growth in revenues in the sector this year, driven by what many see as a relatively easier way to start a business.
Moreover, building a successful franchise requires careful planning and execution, from developing a strong brand and operational model to selecting the right franchisees and providing ongoing support.
As they say, it takes two to tango. It’s a multi-faceted process that involves both the franchisor and the franchisee, with success hinging on a collaborative and supportive relationship Nonetheless, sustaining a franchise would still require a certain acumen, the willingness to put in hard work, and the right support system.
Jherald Espeleta and Mario Francisco II, just two of the many franchise owners of Julie’s, came from vastly different career paths before flourishing as full-fledged entrepreneurs with the support of the company.
Espeleta started as a reseller of Julie’s products in 2013 when he was still a college student. He took the initiative to approach the company and ask for permission to resell bread and pastries in the university.
He was completely surprised that Julie lent him a stall to put up in the school canteen. Selling as many as 1,000 pieces of bread in a day, Espeleta managed to get a college degree.
While working in the corporate world, Espeleta one day decided to explore opportunities in business.
He and his wife attended a franchise expo where they crossed paths with Julie’s once again.
“Taking a photo with the mascot of Tita Julie brought back so many memories of how we started our journey together. At the time, we had no plans of franchising. But when we inquired, we were told that the Batangas area was open for franchising. It felt like fate—like it was truly meant for us,” Espeleta said.
Now a full-fledged franchise owner, Espeleta said consistency is a key lesson he learned throughout the years working with Julie’s.
“When we started our small business with nothing but a small capital and big dreams, we didn’t know where the journey would take us. But we kept showing up, learning, and trusting the process,” he said. “It’s a full-circle moment for us—a beautiful reminder of humble beginnings, hard work, and God’s perfect timing.”
Leading with respect ALTHOUGH he is trained nurse Francisco II, a third-generation Julie’s franchisee in Lanao del Norte, had to swap his scrubs for an apron to take over the operations of his parents’ stores after they passed away.
“As the eldest in the family, with no doubt, I resigned and managed our bakeshops until the time my sib -
DOST Region 8 expands modern farming initiative
By Sarwell Meniano
ACLOBAN CITY—
TThe Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is stepping up its campaign to introduce the Project Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry (SARAI) in Eastern Visayas to help increase the yield of the region’s farm products.
join training on pest and diseases management for rice in Catarman, Northern Samar, as part of Project
DOST Eastern Visayas regional director John Glenn Ocaña said in an interview on Friday the project received P32 million funding support in four years, starting in 2024, across six provinces. The initiative is considered the fastest way to digitalize agriculture.
Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in this undated photo. The Department of Science and Technology is stepping up its campaign to introduce Project SARAI in Eastern Visayas to help increase the yield of the region’s farm products.
“We aim to introduce the technology in all provinces since agriculture is a major industry. The technology will equip participants with modern farming tools and knowledge to address the challenges being faced by the agriculture sector in the province,” Ocaña told the Philippine News Agency.
Project SARAI is an actionresearch program, funded by the DOST–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, working towards reducing climate risks by providing agricultural stakeholders with site-specific crop advisories.
The project seeks to establish community-level SARAI hubs where farmers can easily get up-to-date information and report initial farm conditions.
lings started to help me in managing all our stores,” he recalled. Francisco attributed the success of the business to the employees who had shown dedication and perseverance since the time when his grandfather opened the business operations. Even before taking over the family business established by his grandfather, he saw firsthand how dedicated and persevering his parents and their employees were in providing for their families.
“They play the biggest part in running our stores, so it’s important to treat them well and make them feel happy. When they are happy with their jobs, they pour love into their work,” Francisco said.
Both Espeleta and Francisco also attribute their success to the support they received from Julie’s throughout their respective journeys as franchise owners. The company helped in training them and their staff in managing the stores.
“From the very beginning, Julie’s has been more than just a business partner. They’ve been a true support system. From operations to marketing, they were hands-on and approachable every step of the way,” Espeleta said.
Aiming for new heights DURING Franchise Asia Philippines last April 25 to 27, 2025, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Reyes recognized the potential of franchising in driving the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“At DTI, we recognize franchising as a powerful engine for economic development. It is a proven pathway for MSMEs to earn higher profits and reach greater heights,” she said in her opening remarks. As one of the sponsors in Franchise Asia Philippines 2025, Julie’s has been bringing opportunities for franchising closer to the general public.
“Our partners, most of whom have been with us for decades, can attest to the sustainability and reliability of investing in the food sector, especially in an established brand like Julie’s,” said Julie’s CEO Joseph Gandionco. “We aim to show Filipino entrepreneurs the value in not only investing in a franchise, but also in contributing to realizing our founder’s vision of providing Filipino communities with fresh bread every day.”
“Project SARAI aims to craft crop advisories that are targeted for rice, corn, banana, coconut, coffee, cacao, sugarcane, soybean, and tomato. The crop advisories focus on integrating local weather data and drought forecasts with farm management activities, specifically nutrient and water management and proactive pest and disease monitoring,” Ocaña added.
Developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the project introduces more smart technologies in local communities, featuring systems that analyze sensor data on temperature, rainfall, fertilizer application, and other agricultural parameters.
Currently, the project has only two adaptors—the Leyte provincial government and the municipal government of Bobon, Northern Samar. PNA
By Mary Judaline Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY— The Department of Science and Technology - Negros Island Region (DOST-NIR) has vowed to help coffee farmers in Dauin, Negros Oriental improve their production to make them competitive in the market.
DOST-NIR officer-incharge, Assistant Director Gilbert Arbon said Thursday they would find interventions for the Baslay Highland Agriculture Cooperative (BASHACO) as its coffee production still needs refinement.
“The DOST is gearing up to make Dauin a ‘smart municipality,’ a ridgeto-reef sustainability concept, that would include Apo Island and Baslay,” he said.
BASHACO is located in Dauin’s Barangay Baslay. Arbon said he learned from BASHACO’s chief executive officer Ruel Perez that the cooperative’s coffee production was affected by the El Niño-triggered drought last year and a typhoon, which resulted in reduced yield. He also noted the high moisture content of the cooperative’s coffee beans, which affects post-production and has to improve on storage capacity.
In terms of intervention, Arbon said the DOST has its Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD) that has funded the development of a tech-
nology dubbed “smart agriculture.” Arbon said they hope to include Baslay in the implementation of this project for coffee production and post-harvest facilities. He lauded Dauin’s local government unit for being supportive of BASHACO as its Baslay Highland Brew Coffee is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) of the municipality. BASHACO is one of 30 exhibitors participating in the 3rd Dumaguete Coffee Festival, which kicked off Thursday at the Robinsons Place mall in this capital city. Participants include coffee shops, baristas, coffee producers and suppliers, farmers’ groups, and retailers of equipment used in the industry. The festival runs until July 23 with three competitions highlighting the event initiated by the Department
FARMERS
Smarter
PHOTO COURTESY OF PROJECT SARAI
Banking&Finance
Editor: Dennis D. Estopace
Recto expects cooperation, not re-enacted budget from solons
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE Department of Finance
(DOF) believes a re-enacted budget for 2026 is unlikely because the agency expects cooperation from Congress.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told reporters last Tuesday that the President’s directive in his “State of the Nation Address” (Sona) emphasized the need to remain within the “priorities spelled out in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).”
“I don’t expect a re-enacted budget. I expect cooperation from Congress. So, in effect, that’s what the President is saying. As much as possible, you can amend the budget, but let’s make sure that we have the same priorities spelled out in the NEP,” Recto said.
He said his department is prepared to finance all the projects and
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced
it has fined two lending firms for unfair collection practices and misleading information.
In an order, the SEC’s Financing and Lending Companies Department has slapped a P1-million fine against Link Credit Lending Investors Inc., doing business under the names and styles of “iPeso” and “Pesoin.”
According to the regulator, it has received over 200 complaints against Link Credit Lending for its debt collection practices, four of which are the subject of the order.
Upon investigation, the agency found Link Credit Lending to be sending messages containing insults that tend to abuse borrowers. It was also found to be sending threats that they would call the borrowers’ emergency contact and co-workers for
BAGUIO City Mayor and Mayors for Good Governance Lead
Convenor Benjamin B. Magalong is urging businesses to take a stand against corruption.
“Good governance begins when we stop asking ‘What’s safe?’ and start asking ‘What’s right?,’” Magalong said before members of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex) at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati last Wednesday. There are now over 200 mayors who signed for the anti-corruption movement but Mayor Magalong also saw the need for citizens to get involved by “speaking up in fora, supporting leaders who walk the talk and refusing to play the game.”
Among those who earlier signed for the movement were Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City and Mayor Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, among others.
The cost of corruption MAGALONG disclosed there is actually a cost of corruption that affects all citizens.
He cited a road stud project wherein a unit of a cat’s eye was overpriced by about P9,920, which translates into P237 billion when multiplied by the number of units bought. That amount could have been used to put up 95,000 classrooms to address a backlog of 165,000 units. The money could also be used to establish 474 world-class hospitals (cost of P50 million per hospital), needed due to the severe lack of hospital beds nationwide. According to the World Health Organization, the country has a ratio
programs mentioned by the President in the SONA last Monday. These projects and program have already been discussed during the budget deliberations among agencies and with the President, Recto said. He added these cost estimates have already been incorporated into the macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal program for the fiscal year of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), even without new taxes.
“Wala kaming inaasahang new taxes dahil wala naman tayong maipapasang batas; bagong buwis na malaki ang malilikom. So really we are prioritiz-
non-payment of their loans
“[C]onsidering the facts, circumstances and gravity of the offense committed by [Link Credit Lending], [FinLend] finds that the monetary penalty…is proper and precise,” the order read.
In addition to the monetary penalty, the company was also given a stern warning that any subsequent violations of the MC “will be dealt with more severely.”
Meanwhile, the SEC also fined LHL Online Lending Inc., doing business under “Pautang Online” and “Pautang Peso,” for its misleading information in its loan agreements.
The SEC directed LHL Online to pay a fine of P129,000 for its violation of the Truth in Lending Act, following multiple complaints lodged before the agency against the company and its online lending platforms.
An investigation showed that loan payment terms indicated in the com-
of 10 hospital beds for every 10,000 people, when the ideal is 1.5 hospital beds for every 1,000 Filipinos. That same amount could also be enough to construct 4,747 public schools (P50 million) or sponsor 1,580,000 student scholars in state schools, Magalong argued.
Other graft-loaded projects
MAGALONG indicated that an obscure project like a rock netting project (to prevent soil landslide) resulted in a P27-billion overprice, considering the declared cost of P25,000 versus the actual cost of P4,300. Solar lights are overpriced by P111,000 per unit and are constructed too close to each other without necessity. Yellow barriers used for traffic facilities along the roads are wantonly constructed with an overpriced amount of P107,000 per unit.
The three-term mayor said that on the other hand, the country keeps on increasing its debt obligations, which started at only P7.7 trillion in 2019 (pre-pandemic) but has soared to a gigantic P16.7 trillion in 2024 and is expected to hit P17 trillion by the end of 2025. Using that debt against our
ing tax administration efficiently,” Recto told reporters.
The Secretary of Finance said that the country remains on track, so far, to meeting its 5.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) deficit target. The government was able to secure 62 percent of its target borrowings for the year.
Meanwhile, during the post-Sona briefing, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said having a reenacted budget will lead to delays in various programs and projects.
Pangandaman said a re-enacted budget also means that if there are new projects and programs, these cannot be funded by the national budget.
Kapag magkaroon po ng mga bagong proyekto na hindi po consistent sa ating mga programa, mahihirapan po kaming i-implement itong mga ito; madi-delay po ang mga proyekto kapag hindi po consistent ang ating budget doon sa inaprubahan po ng Executive,” said the Budget chief.
Local economists earlier expressed mixed opinions on a re-enacted budget.
Unionbank Chief Economist Ru-
pany’s disclosure statement to borrowers would be 150, 180 or 210 days.
In reality, however, LHL Online provides its borrowers a shorter period to repay. Borrowers are then subjected to hidden surcharges and interest for failure to pay within the shorter timeframe.
“The intent of the law, which is to ensure that borrowers are wellinformed about the agreements they enter into, has been undermined by [LHL Online’s] deceptive practices,” the order said.
“Worse still, borrowers were misled into agreements through misleading information that made them appear to be wise choices, when in fact, they were not,” it said.
Any future violation, will result in the cancellation of the LHL Online’s primary registration and certificate of authority to operate as a lending company, the SEC said.
Meanwhile, the agency has issued
population statistics, he said, every Filipino now owes a personal debt of P145,000 compared to only P65,000 in 2019.
Weaponizing the 2025 budget
HE said that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) was an “election-year designed” budget where the Bicameral group decreased allocations from some basic sectors like: (-P11 billion) Department of Education, (-P12 billion) DSWD, (-P92 billion) DOTR, (-P74 billion) PhilHealth and (-P15 billion) AFP Modernization.
In turn, they were transferred to areas where legislators had a freer hand to distribute in the form of ayuda or others by increasing the allocation for Unprogrammed Funds (+P373 billion), DPWH (+P214 billion), and the House of Representatives (+16 billion).
The Mayors for Good Governance convenor explained that this movement was meant to encourage “governance practices grounded in integrity, thus shaping the future of local governance in the Philippines.”
The issue of corruption in the GAA became even more highlighted with the recent inclement weather that resulted in disastrous flooding in many areas. The item of “Flood Control” has been dubbed as the most difficult to audit project of the government for years.
People are scandalized that after allocating huge amounts to “Flood Control,” the flooding situation has even gotten worse. Statistics from
ben Carlo O. Asuncion told the BusinessMirror that the President’s stern warning should be taken seriously, given the country’s “current political and economic challenges.”
A rehashed budget, Asuncion said, will definitely deal a major blow to the country’s economic and development plans and expectations. (See:https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/07/29/reenacted-budget-threat-economists-solonsweigh-in/).
For Ateneo de Manila University Economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr., the threat of a re-enacted budget is an empty one, considering the long “to do” list of the government bared by the President in his Sona.
Lanzona found it contradictory that the President gave so many promises in his Sona—ranging from betters jobs to food security, free health services, electricity access, water services, education, and quality infrastructure projects, among others—only to end his speech with a threat that could undermine the government’s efforts by tying its fiscal hands.
a cease and desist order against Hinance Lending Investors Corp., doing business under “HotCash,” “VI Peso” and “KindCash,” for its operation of an unregistered online lending platform (OLP).
The issuance of the order follows the SEC’s findings that Hinance failed to disclose in its business plan that it owns and operates the OLP “Magic Peso.” This constitutes a violation of SEC Memorandum Circular. 19 (series of 2019), which requires full disclosure and reporting requirements for financing and lending companies using OLPs.
“On account of [Hinance]’s continuing operation of ‘Magic Peso,’ the commission holds that the issuance of a CDO is warranted…not only to penalize the [company], but also to prevent fraud, injury, or harm to the public and financial consumers who are at the [company’s] mercy,” the order read.
the GAA showed that in 2020, out of a total capital outlay of P255 billion for infrastructure projects, some P93 billion of that was allotted for “Flood Control,” representing some one-fifth of the total infrastructure outlay.
By 2025, this “flood control” was raised to P249 billion, representing one-third of the total infrastructure budget of P621 billion. In one instance, one small barangay was allotted P10 billion for “flood control” projects. Senators-elect Tito Sotto and Ping Lacson vowed to look into this seemingly anomalous budget item when the 20th Congress opens this week.
On the other hand, the former COA Commissioner Heidi L. Mendoza enjoined citizens and nongovernment organizations to get involved in this by sending volunteers to accompany the COA during its audit mission on “Flood Control” projects. Then document the findings for the public to know. That’s people empowerment.
With P6 trillion to P7 trillion of national budget over the last two years, the government is deemed the biggest spending entity in the country; but with enormous unexplained leakages facilitated by graft practices.
Zoilo P. Dejaresco III, a former banker, is a financial consultant, media practitioner, and author. He is a Life and Media member of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex). His views here are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror and the Finex. dejarescobingo@ yahoo.com.
Healthy demand marks bonds sale as yields up
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) saw healthy demand for Treasury bonds (T-bonds) despite the increase in yields, currently at 13-month highs.
On Monday’s auction, the Treasury fully awarded the 20-year Tbonds after bids tendered reached P39.511 billion, almost twice the amount of debt on offer.
The demand for the securities picked up, as tenders only amounted to P27.890 billion for the bonds when it was previously auctioned two months ago, on May 14.
The debt papers were sold at a higher average yield of 6.584 percent, at a 13-month high, since the rate reached its peak in June 2024 at 6.755 percent.
The average rate went up by 9.8 basis points from the 6.486 percent rate it had previously traded.
The 20-year bonds are also higher than the prevailing secondary benchmark rate by 1.6 basis points, as the Philippine Bloomberg Valuation (PHP BVAL) rate for the same tenor settled at 6.568 percent as of July 28.
Rates of the instrument ranged from a low of 6.500 percent to a high of 6.620 percent. It also fetched a coupon rate of 6.875 percent. The government IOUs have a remaining term of 18 years and 10 months till maturity on May 23, 2044.
Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said T-bond yields rose as more debt papers will be issued in the coming months, siphoning off excess liquidity in the market.
The government is looking to launch its 31st tranche of retail Treasury bonds (RTBs) this quarter to raise P200 billion from
About P516 billion in 5-year RTBs and P288 billion in T-bonds will mature on August 12 and September 9, respectively.
“The maturing 5-year RTBs would look for reinvestment opportunities since these were set near record low of 2.625 percent five years ago and would be reinvested possibly at more than twice the yield at around 6 percent,” Ricafort said.
On the global front, Ricafort noted the elevated 20-year US Treasury yield at 4.95 percent, amid concerns over the US fiscal deficit and government debt after President Donald Trump signed a $3.4-trillion stimulus package.
He said local monetary officials signaled a possible 50-basis point (bps) reduction in the key policy rate for the rest of the year, with a 25-bps rate cut looming in the upcoming rate-setting meeting of the Monetary Board on August 28. This July, the government successfully raised a total of P125 billion from its sale of T-bonds with tenors ranging from three to 20 years.
About P2.545 trillion, as planned, will be borrowed from local and foreign creditors in order to finance the government’s programs and projects, as well as to plug the budget deficit at P765.5 billion as of the first semester. For August, the Treasury will borrow a total of P120 billion through T-bonds and P100 billion by issuing Treasury bills.
The government has borrowed P1.591 trillion in the first half of the year, while outstanding debt reached P16.918 trillion as of the end of May.
Benefits of contactless fare payment stressed
CONTACTLESS digital fare system now implemented across Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is expected to stimulate economic activity by easing congestion and improving mobility for over 350,000 daily commuters, according to a research unit of Visa Inc.
According to the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute, contactless, open-loop public transportation systems could increase ridership by as much as 10 percent.
Just last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) launched the Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) for MRT-3, enabling passengers to tap their debit, credit or prepaid Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) cards at upgraded turnstiles.
Visa said this improvement streamlines passenger flow, cuts down wait times and boosts economic activity by increasing access to urban mobility.
“Modern, seamless payment systems are essential for vibrant urban economies,” Jeffrey D. Navarro, country manager for the American multinational payment card services corporation, was quoted as saying in a statement Visa issued last Tuesday.
“Upgrading fare collection not only improves commuter experiences but also attracts investment and productivity by making Metro Manila more connected and efficient.”
Due to this shift, Visa said the Philippines is now at par with the world’s most advanced urban centers.
According to the company’s “Global Urban Mobility Survey,” 58 percent of commuters in the Asia Pacific want to use a single payment method for all modes of transportation, while 96 percent anticipate contactless payments to be accepted for public transportation.
“By meeting these global standards, the MRT-3’s new fare collec-
tion system positions Metro Manila alongside Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, and other leading cities worldwide in terms of convenience, innovation, and commuter experience,” Visa said.
Apart from economic growth, Visa said the contactless payment upgrade in MRT-3 is part of its broader commitment to advance digital and financial inclusion in the Philippines. This bridges the gap for unbanked and underbanked Filipinos, as well as expands their access to digital financial services by enabling commuters to use their cards and smartphones.
“Digitization in public transport doesn’t just make commuting easier; it opens doors to financial empowerment for millions of Filipinos. Inclusive mobility solutions ensure everyone, regardless of background, can participate in our growing digital economy,” Navarro added.
A dditionally, the new system eliminates barriers for international and local tourists, who are increasingly expecting card-based payments when traveling.
According to Visa’s “2023 Global Travel Intentions Study,” 97 percent of Asia Pacific travelers bring cards on their trips, but 44 percent of visitors to the Philippines have had payment issues, frequently as a result of limited card acceptance.
“Tourism thrives on convenience. By upgrading our transit payment systems, we make it easier for visitors to explore our cities, spend more, and recommend the Philippines as a modern, touristfriendly destination,” Navarro said.
More than 1.4 million locals and tourists in Cebu, Mandaue and Bacolod use contactless payments in contemporary jeepneys through Visa’s cashless transportation proj -
FINEX FREE ENTERPRISE
Zoilo ‘Bingo’ Dejaresco III
6 BENEFITS OF FRIENDSHIP ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
INVEST in your besties—this is the advice of Arlin Cuncic, MA, founder of About Social Anxiety, a website that offers help to individuals with social anxiety disorder.
“In an age where many of us feel lonelier and more disconnected than ever—despite being chronically online—it has never been more important to invest extra energy into our friendships,” she explained.
“Platonic relationships are sometimes overlooked in our quest for romantic ones, but it is just as important to our psychological well-being,” The Anxiety Workbook author added.
Cuncic, who has worked in various mental health and research settings to include the cognitive-behavioral therapy unit of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Multi-Health Systems, expounded on the many benefits of having a strong social connection on overall wellbeing.
“Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better,” she stated. “They encourage you to keep going when times get tough and celebrate your successes with you.”
To guide the general public, the experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) shared six benefits by Cuncic on the award-winning mental health platform Verywell Mind.
n Friends are good for physical health. Social isolation is linked to health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, substance abuse, and even cancer. Having a close circle reduces these feelings of isolation.
n Friends help beat stress. Stress harms the heart’s arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system. When we hang out with our buddies during difficult situations, we produce less cortisol—a hormone released when the body is under stress.
n Friends provide emotional support. As confidantes, they listen without judgment. They validate feelings and offer words of comfort. By checking in and standing by us, they help us feel less alone.
n Friends encourage healthy behaviors. Good buddies support positive lifestyle changes. They help set and maintain goals, which can have a direct impact on the overall well-being.
n Friends build confidence. As a support system, they play a role in our ability to love and appreciate ourselves and have the power to push us into becoming our best versions.
n Friends cultivate community. When we encourage our friends to be friends with each other, it fosters a sense of healthy community, which can help us feel more at home in our towns and cities.
“If you want to build a stronger support network, reach out to the people in your life,” Cuncic recommended. “Friendship is a two-way street—start by making the connection so you can keep fostering and strengthening your close friendships.”
“The good news is quality is more important than quantity,” she added.
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Why waiting pays off in the end
IN an age where fast food, one-click shopping, and instant streaming dominate daily routines, waiting for something better can feel like an outdated idea. But behind every long-term success story, whether in career, health, relationships, or finances, there is one common theme—the ability to delay gratification. What is delayed gratification? Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in favor of a larger or more enduring reward later. It is the pause between impulse and action and where one says, “Not now, but later and for a good reason.” Psychologists have studied this concept for decades, most famously through the “marshmallow test,” where children were offered one marshmallow now, or two if they could wait 15 minutes. Those who waited tended to have better life outcomes in the long run.
This idea might seem simple on paper, but in real life it can be a challenge. When a new gadget baits you from the store shelf, or a sugary treat entices you after a stressful day, waiting can be difficult.
There are concrete benefits to practicing delayed gratification. First, it builds self-control, a mental muscle that grows stronger each time it is used. Just like going to the gym strengthens the body, resisting
short-term impulses strengthens the mind.
Second, it helps develop goal achievement. People who can delay gratification are more likely to finish degrees, save money for big purchases, or stick to long-term health goals. That is because they keep their eyes on the bigger picture, rather than getting distracted by momentary comfort.
Third, it improves emotional resilience. Learning to sit with discomfort, like boredom, stress, or desire, without giving in immediately helps people manage emotions more effectively. This, in turn, leads to better relationships and decision-making.
Lastly, delayed gratification creates sustainable happiness. The satisfaction that comes from earning something over time is deeper and longer lasting than the fleeting thrill of an impulse buy or a midnight snack.
Practicing delayed gratification does not require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small, consistent efforts make a difference. You can start with short waits. If the idea of waiting for something feels overwhelming, begin with small steps. Want to scroll on your phone? Wait five minutes. Thinking of having dessert? Set a timer and delay it by 10 minutes. With practice, the waiting gets easier and the control gets stronger.
You can also use the “If-Then” Technique. Set rules in advance for how to respond to temptation. For example, “If I want to buy something non-essential, then I will wait 24 hours before making a decision.” This method helps avoid impulsive actions and provides time for reflection. You can also visualize the reward so that the future benefit feels real. If you are saving money, imagine what that vacation will feel like. If you are working out, picture the health benefits and confidence that will come. The more vivid the future reward, the easier it is to wait for it.
To track progress, write down each time you successfully delayed gratification. Did you skip a spontaneous purchase? Did you choose to study instead of binge-watching? Celebrate these moments because they show growth. A visual record motivates you to keep going.
Delaying gratification is not about constant denial. It can also be about replacing, not just resisting. It can also be about finding alternatives that serve you better. For example, instead of stress-eating, go for a walk. Instead of shopping online, call a friend. Replacing the impulse with a healthier action makes the habit sustainable.
To set stronger boundaries, remember your “why.”
Having a strong reason for your goals makes it easier to say no to short-term temptations. Write down why you want to save money, lose weight, or finish a project. Keep this note somewhere visible like on your phone, desk, or mirror to be reminded of your goals and the rewards that come with it. Even small acts count. Skipping a daily coffee run and saving that money can add up to a new gadget or emergency fund. Turning off your phone while working can lead to deeper focus and faster results. These are modern versions of the marshmallow test, and each success rewires the brain toward stronger self-discipline.
Delayed gratification is not about becoming a monk or denying pleasure. It is about being intentional and choosing future joys where it matters most. In a world that promises instant everything, the people who pause, plan and persist will always stand out. So, the next time you face a tempting shortcut, remember that a better reward often lies just beyond the wait. The marshmallow may be sweet, but two marshmallows are even sweeter if you are willing to wait.
From routine to ritual: Making those ‘everything shower’ days extra indulgent
CARVING out even just a single day a week for self-care can be a powerful act of well-being and rejuvenation, offering an opportunity to reset the mind and replenish the spirit after a long and stressful week.
For the TikTok crowd, one self-care routine on the rise is the “everything shower” trend. For the uninitiated, this is essentially an extended shower session where you do all your personal grooming and pampering needs. This can include, but isn’t limited to, deep cleansing, applying hair masks and body scrubs, and shaving, all in one indulgent go.
Whether you swear by this selfcare routine or are interested in trying it out, luxury fixtures brand Kohler shares impactful ways to maximize those “everything shower” days and turn them into a home spa experience.
“Regardless of its size, your bathroom holds the potential to be a personal sanctuary. By focusing on key elements, you can transform a weekly routine into a luxurious ritual that helps you unwind and rejuvenate,” says Kimi Abapo, senior marketing manager at Kohler Philippines.
n Set the stage. Awaken your senses as you step into the bathroom by exploring aromatherapy, mood lighting, and even some soundscape—
just like what they usually do at your fave spa. Diffuse calming essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus, or hang fresh bundles from your showerhead. Dim the overhead lights and introduce warm, soft lighting with candles, LED strip lights, or even a small, waterproof light projector. Play calming music, nature sounds, or a guided meditation for a more immersive, calming experience.
n Add some thoughtful details.
Start with a clean, uncluttered space to make this weekly retreat feel more luxurious. Store away any unnecessary bottles, products, and items to boost your bathroom’s sense of calm. Then, personalize this space by adding a plant or a small vase of fresh flowers to breathe life
finishes such as Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass, Matte Black, Polished Chrome, Vibrant Rose Gold, allowing you to set the perfect mood for your bathroom and all your self-care rituals. Elevate everyday living with Kohler Philippines and its innovative array of bathroom and kitchen systems and solutions, fixtures and accessories. More information can be found at www.kohler.ph.
PHOTO BY JOEL MUNIZ ON UNSPLASH
Evro, Shell Launch First Unified EV Charging Experience in the PHL
Evro, the country’s first brand-agnostic e-Mobility Service Provider (eMSP), has officially partnered with Shell Pilipinas Corporation (Shell) to integrate Shell.
Recharge stations into the Evro network. This marks the first true roaming integration between major Charge Point Operators (CPOs) in the Philippines, positioning Evro as a unified platform where users can access Shell’s strategically located chargers, alongside those of other leading networks.
Formally launched through a ceremonial signing last July 10, 2025, at Bonifacio Global in Taguig City, select Shell Recharge stations are now online on the Evro app, with full nationwide integration by September.
“A sustainable and convenient EV lifestyle is only possible with the efficiency of the tools and infrastructure that support it. This is the shared vision that Evro and Shell Pilipinas are both committed to making a reality, identifying the gaps in users’ experience and resolving them,” Paulo Canivel, General Manager, Evro. “With this partnership, we are simplifying the charging journey for EV drivers and likewise setting the foundation for a more connected and convenient e-mobility ecosystem nationwide.”
As the Philippines’ first brand agnostic eMSP, Evro was created to solve the fragmented EV charging experience caused by various CPOs that require separate apps, accounts, and payment methods. Much like a mobile phone, Evro connects multiple CPOs, allowing users to locate, access, monitor, and pay for their charging sessions at various locations all in one app. This includes both partner and non-partner providers, which makes it easier for EV drivers to charge wherever they may be.
With this integration with Shell Recharge, Evro connects users to one of the country’s most expansive charging footprints–featuring 30 charging points across Shell stations, retail, and commercial establishments—while eliminating operational silos between charge point operators (CPOs). Shell joins a growing network of partners available through the Evro app, reinforcing the platform’s role in
accelerating the adoption of EVs across the Philippines. The initial rollout includes ten Shell charging locations, now all available and discoverable through the Evro App, starting with Seven | NEO Office in Taguig. The complete list for initial roll out includes:
* Shell TPLEX Rosario Exit, La Union (2 180kW DC, 2 22kW AC charge points)
* Shell Recharge Destination Locations:
* Seven | Neo (2 22kW AC charge points)
* Estancia Mall (4 22kW AC charge points)
* Greenhills - Connecticut (2 22kW AC charge points)
* Greenhills - Missouri (4 22kW AC charge points)
* Opus Mall (4 22kW AC charge points)
* Robinsons Manila (2 22kW AC charge points)
* Robinsons Galleria (2 22kW AC charge points)
* Robinsons Magnolia (2 22kW AC charge points)
By connecting two major platforms, EV drivers gain seamless access to Shell Recharge stations alongside other networks via a single, easy-to-use app. This includes additional capabilities such as:
Shell Recharge broadens the network of Evro charge points: With these stations being situated in high-traffic areas such as expressway rest stops, central business districts, and major shopping malls, drivers now have more reliable options built into their everyday routes. This also gives users
ILCON Depot, the country’s leading home improvement and construction retail supplier, joined this year’s CONBEX 2025, a key industry event organized by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) SOCCSKSARGEN Chapter.
The three-day exhibit ran from July 18 to 20, 2025 at SM City General Santos, gathering architects, builders, designers, and construction professionals under the theme “BORDERLESS: Empowering the Design and Construction Industry—Linking the Chains Towards a United and Dynamic Community.”
Wilcon Depot was represented at Booth No. 32 by its General Santos branch. Attendees participated in interactive activities and exclusive onsite services, including FREE Wilcon ABCDE+ Loyalty registration. This is Wilcon’s membership program tailored for professionals in the building and design sectors. Members of the program enjoy specialized perks, rewards, and personalized services to enhance their shopping and project experiences.
Wilcon Depot’s participation in CONBEX 2025 reinforced its continued commitment to the local construction and design industry. As it expands its
the power to better plan their journeys with confidence and ease.
Paying with Ease and Accessing RealTime Information: The Evro app provides real-time status updates on charger availability and compatibility, enabling users to start, stop, and pay for charging with just a tap, eliminating the need for RFID cards or complicated steps.
Smooth interoperability: By adopting the Department of Energy-approved Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) standard, Evro and Shell ensure smooth interoperability between their systems. This ensures accurate billing, real-time communication, and a scalable platform that is ready to welcome additional partners in the future.
Shell Pilipinas Vice President and General Manager for Mobility & Convenience, Mike Ramolete, shared the same sentiment as both companies push the bar for EV users. He says, “Shell supports the energy transition and innovation in the country. Our partnership with Evro brings us closer to our vision to make electrified mobility accessible for every Filipino by making EV charging more straightforward, easier to find, and more convenient.”
Together, Evro and Shell are removing key barriers such as confusing charging options and app fatigue, making it easier and more convenient for Filipinos to transition to electric vehicles with confidence.
For more information on how to use the Evro app and find Shell charging stations nearby, visit https://www.evro.ph/.
presence nationwide, including across Mindanao, Wilcon remains focused on empowering Filipino professionals and providing accessible, top quality building materials and home solutions.
CONBEX 2025 is a vital platform for knowledge exchange, partnership-building, and industry dialogue, and Wilcon Depot is proud to be part of this ongoing collaboration toward a more unified and dynamic future for Philippine infrastructure and design.
With several branches across Mindanao–Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte; Cagayan de Oro; Misamis Oriental; General Santos City; Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte; Koronadal City, South Cotabato; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Matina, Davao City; Opol, Misamis Oriental; Panacan, Davao City; Tagum, Davao, and Zamboanga City–Wilcon Depot invites professionals and homeowners alike to explore a wide range of high-quality home improvement and building solutions.
Visit your nearest Wilcon Depot store or shop online anytime at shop.wilcon.com.ph to discover how Wilcon can support your next project—from inspiration to installation.
Alex Eala, Locally partner to champion the Filipino Youth
PINOY tennis powerhouse Alexandra “Alex” Eala teams up with emerging megabrand Locally to champion the Filipino youth in an exciting marketing campaign to reignite resilience, optimism and positivity among the country’s future movers and shakers.
Alex at only 20 years old has become a global tennis sensation and a beacon of pride for the Philippines. Reaching the semifinals of the 2025 Miami Open, the finals of the Eastbourne Open, and becoming the first Filipino to crack the WTA top 100 (No. 56 in June 2025)— she has opened up a world of opportunities for young people everywhere especially in the Philippines, where role models for discipline, perseverance and determination are in limited supply.
Launched in 2015 by NutriAsia, one of the Philippines’ leading food companies, Locally Blended Juice Drink proudly showcases the richness of Filipino fruits—tamarind, calamansi, dalandan, and more— sourced from local farms across the country. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, Locally captures not just the unique flavors of the Philippines but also the spirit of a generation that’s energetic, vibrant, and proudly Filipino.
This makes the partnership with tennis sensation Alex Eala a perfect fit. Like Locally, Alex represents the best of Filipino youth— passionate, driven, and globally competitive, yet deeply rooted in local pride. Together, Locally and Alex embody the potential of the new generation: healthy, bold, and ready to show the world what being proudly Pinoy truly means.
“We at NutriAsia are proud to embark on this meaningful partnership,” said Nutriasia President and COO Angie Flaminiano. “We
sincerely thank Alex for aligning with our vision and for bringing her inspiring story to Locally, a brand that champions Filipino excellence and celebrates the strength and potential of our youth.”
“I feel incredibly honored to be partnering with Locally, a brand that proudly represents Filipino roots and values,” Alex shared. “Through this collaboration, I have the opportunity to extend my passion beyond the court and connect with the Filipino youth. I hope our partnership inspires them to stay focused, persevere through challenges, and keep chasing their dreams with resilience and heart.”
Fuel Your Ace with Locally, the upcoming campaign featuring Alex Eala will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Check out Locally on Facebook to know more.
Tala earns Great Place to Work® Certification in the Philippines
TALA , a global financial infrastructure company building the world’s most accessible financial services, has been Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® company in the Philippines. The certification is given to organizations that provide excellent workplace culture and employee experiences as determined by employee feedback and other criteria.
This achievement marks Tala Philippines’ first year in the Great Place to Work® list, highlighting its growing commitment in encouraging and developing the market where its employees live and work.
“It is an honor to be part of the Great Place to Work® list. This reflects Tala Philippines’ commitment to ensure the well-being of employees and champion inclusivity in the workplace,” said Mia Lim, People Director of Tala Philippines.
“We are delighted to know that our employees take pride in their work and enjoy being part of this organization as we all work together to advance financial inclusion in the country.”
Over 90 percent of Tala Philippines employees said it is a safe, welcoming, and a fair place for all regardless of one’s gender and sexual orientation. This year, 86 percent of employees said it’s a great place to work – 21 points higher than the average Philippine company.
Tala continues to foster employee wellbeing through the implementation of a remote-first work set-up. To support this, it offers free teleconsultations for mental, financial, and physical wellness as well as learning and development programs, including participation in professional conferences, to employees.
Experience ‘Think Rice, Think Thailand’ at WOFEX 2025 in Manila
TKnown for its soft-textured long grains, delicate floral aroma, and outstanding culinary performance, Thai Hom Mali rice exemplifies the high standards of Thai agricultural excellence. This exclusive engagement offers a unique
It also champions gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace by maintaining gender pay equity that ensures there is no significant gender pay gap across departments and levels within the organization, equal employment opportunities, and creating a safe space for employees where they can express their true selves without worries. Moreover, Tala exercises zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination with stringent policies always in place.
“Through these measures, we’re building a workplace culture that we can all be proud of—one that is healthy, fair, respectful, and inclusive for all our employees,” said Lim. “We continuously listen to feedback and enhance our programs and policies to address the diverse needs of our workforce.”
Tala Philippines is listed under Great Places to Work® in the Financial Services & Insurance industry.
In the photo are, from left, Maite Ituralde, Head of Network Delivery for Mobility, Shell Pilipinas Corporation; Jolo Valdez, Head of Non-Fuel Retail and E-Mobility for Mobility, Shell Pilipinas Corporation; Mike Ramolete, General Manager and Vice President for Mobility, Shell Pilipinas Corporation; Carla Buencamino, President, Evro Mobility Solutions, Inc.; and Sharyn Jacobsen, Board of Director, Evro Mobility Solutions, Inc.
Tennis Ace Alex Eala with Nutriasia President and COO Angie Flaminiano
Editor: Tet Andolong
BusinessMirror
Filinvest contributes in boosting tourism growth
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
FILINVEST
Hospitality Group is promoting tourism growth because it is more than just travel and entertainment—an engine of economic growth; a generator of jobs and a pillar of opportunity development.
Francis Nathaniel Gotianun, senior vice president, Filinvest Hospitality Corp., said the company wants their customers to experience their hospitality brand across the ecosystem.
“The way we do it is promotion right now. But for sure, we will give special promos to our Filinvest customers moving forward,” said Gotianun in a media forum held in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
“We want to embody Filipino excellence. We like to believe we’re number one in service. We try very hard to make sure everything stays memorable whether you stay in t he Quest, Crimson and Timberland hotels. It is not about how much you pay. It is about making sure you feel comfortable. We try very hard to see our customers as people and make sure they always feel number one. We try to make sure we put heart in what we do,” Gotianun added.
In 2023, Filinvest Hospitality achieved a significant advancement to promote Filipino hospitality. It garnered the 2023 TrustYou Target score of 92.57 percent, making a
Conclusion
THIS is the continuation of my article. Previously, I highlighted the attractiveness of Central Luzon as a primary property investment hub outside Metro Manila. This piece will focus on Central Visayas and the region’s potential for property upside.
Outside of Metro Manila, Cebu continues to stand out. Having the biggest office and condominium stock outside of Metro Manila, Cebu remains on the radar of expanding property developers, launching condominium and horizontal projects including House & Lot and Residential Lot only units.
Cebu remains active in terms of office space deals closed, being a key alternative option of outsourcing firms expanding in the Visayas-Mindanao regions. Major property players are on a massive expansion mode – whether for office, residential, retail, or hotel ventures. This indicates Cebu’s competitiveness not just in the Visayas but across the Philippines.
A rising hub in Central Visayas is Bohol, which is also a key tourist destination in the Visayas group of islands. The entry of premium hotel brands in the province should further raise the profile of Bohol as a property investment destination. With massive public infrastructure investments in place (Cebu-Bohol bridge is an example), we see the further unlocking of land and property values in the region. Developers’ supply pipeline in the region proves that Cebu and Bohol are two property hubs investors need to keenly observe moving forward.
Competitive office market
CEBU is the largest office space hub outside of Metro Manila. As of Q1 2025, its stock reached 1.5 million sq meters, about 10 percent of Metro Manila’s aggregate supply of 14.5 million sq meters.
As of Q1 2025, 55,000 square meters of office transactions were recorded across the country, with Cebu accounting for 36 percent of total demand. Cebu remains the most preferred office destination outside
notable improvement from the initial score of 90.46 percent.
Despite headwinds prevailing in the business environment, the Filinvest Hospitality G roup remains bullish in the country’s tourism sector because it can be a big contributor t o the country’s growth. “At Filinvest Hospitality, we believe in the transformative power o f tourism to drive prosperity, stability, and progress for the Philippine economy. As a company that owns and manages hotels and resorts, tourism growth is integral to our success,” said the company. By fostering a thriving tourism sector, we not only boost our business but also contribute to the broader social economic and social development of the community we serve,” it said.
M eanwhile, as part of its 70th year, Filinvest is reaffirming this commitment through i nitiatives like the Dream Getaways Promo— a multi-brand raffle program that celebrates the everyday Filipino.
“We’re excited to unveil a promo that’s a ‘first’ for the Filinvest Group as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. We’ve built our legacy over seven decades by putting our customers at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
“Dream Getaways is a way to thank them— not just with prizes, but with moments they’ll remember. This milestone promo brings to life what Filinvest has always been about: rewarding everyday experiences and creating extraordinary memories,” added Gotianun. Filinvest Hospitality Corporation (FHC), the hotel arm of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), has demonstrated strong p erformance in 2024, with revenues reach -
ing P4.3 billion, a 26 percent increase, and a ne t income contribution of P266 million to the group. This growth is attributed to increased occupancy rates and higher average r oom rates across their seven hotels, fueled by a resurgence in domestic tourism.
In a related development, property consultant firm Santos Knight Frank (SKF) said the c ountry welcomed 1.9 million tourist arrivals in the first half of 2025, reflecting a steady flow of visitors. Furthermore, the first half of 2025 marked a strong start for the hospitality sector with the launch of several new urban and leisure hotels across the Philippines.
T he hotels that opened in the first half of 2025 are Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City (Room Keys:286), NUSTAR Hotel Cebu (Room Keys: 223), and Novel Hotel Manila (Room Keys: 97) The second half of 2025 sees continued momentum in the Philippine hotel sector. Expected to open in second half of the year are Fili Hotel in Bridgetowne, Quezon City (Room Keys: 300), Hotel101–Cebu City (Room Keys: 475), AC Hotels by Marriott, Pasig City (Room Keys: 150), Crown Regency Grand Paradise Resort, Panglao, Bohol (Room Keys: 558), The Farm at San Benito, Autograph
Mandaue, Cebu (Room Keys: 196).
SKF said iconic hotels are reopening in new and strategic locations. These are Sofitel Cebu City in 2026 (Room Keys: 195) and the InterContinental Clark in 2031 (Room Keys: 250). “Tourism resurgence Metro Manila drives up hotel rates, with a healthy phase of occupancy,” said SKF.
On the retail sector, Gotianun said Filinvest is also benefiting on the retail growth d riven by Filinvest malls experiencing positive performance, driven by increased occupancy, rental income, and tenant expansions.
Fi linvest Land Inc. (FLI) reported a 15 percent rise in retail leasing revenues, attributed t o higher occupancy rates and improved net effective rents. FLI also opened Filinvest Malls Dumaguete, a new mall in Dumaguete City, in September 2024, further expanding their retail presence. Festival Mall, FLI's flagship development in Alabang, is also undergoing upgrades. Malls have huge foot traffic.
“Demand for retail spaces will remain strong as more international brands continue to enter the local market,” said SKF.
the capital region, due to the availability of quality buildings, mature infrastructure, rich talent pool, and business-friendly environment.
Among the major outsourcing players already in Cebu include Foundever, Optum, XtendOps, ResultsCX, EMAPTA and Cloudstaff. Moving forward, we expect Cebu to remain a significant player in the outsourcing sector. In Bohol, the old Tagbilaran airport was repurposed into a call center and information technology (IT) hub and is now occupied by US outsourcing firm, Sagility Healthcare, occupying 7,500 sq meters of office space.
Colliers believes that Cebu will continue to play a pivotal role for BPO firms planning to expand outside the capital region. The city boasts of a skilled talent pool, quality infrastructure, high-quality office buildings, and topnotch residential enclaves that can house expatriates. Metro Cebu is an example of a locality that fosters a live-work-play-shop environment that helps entice major BPO companies to open shop within the locality.
Residential hot spot in VisMin
CEBU is a top-of-mind option for national players planning to capture demand outside of the Philippine capital but still able to corner the growing demand from a thriving, burgeoning upscale and luxury markets. Cebu remains as one of the most attractive and largest residential hubs outside of Metro Manila. National developers continue to launch in Metro Cebu as they remain positive about the locale’s potential for growth even beyond 2025. In our view, the improving sentiment from businesses and individual investors and end-users will likely support the Cebu residential sector’s growth.
Colliers believes that the market for upscale and luxury residential units in Cebu is likely to expand so developers should further test investors and endusers’ appetite for these units. Land values in Cebu city have been rising so property firms should look for alternative sites for development. Developers should also explore launching more resort-themed projects. Outside of Cebu but still within Central Visayas, Bohol continues to stand out. Over the years, Bohol slowly cemented its position as a major tourist destination.
Local and foreign tourists flock to Bohol, making it an ideal location for hotels, condotels, and conference facilities. In our view, Bohol is ripe for more property investments and we see homegrown and national developers landbanking in Cebu to capture the province’s thriving viability as a property hot spot!
SOME of the most meaningful parts of life happen in the quietest moments. Whether you’re washing up before a busy day or unwinding at night for a cozy bedtime, these familiar rhythms of everyday routines can bring comfort, even calm, especially when the space around you is thoughtfully designed.
Since 1875, American Standard has been a part of these everyday experiences. Not just through its products, but by being a steady presence in homes across generations, supporting the way people live, one day at a time.
Now, as it celebrates 150 years in the industry, the brand invites everyone to slow down and take notice of those small, meaningful moments through the “Celebrate Everyday Moments” promotion.
Ongoing until July 31, 2025, this nationwide promotion offers up to 10 percent off on select collections across all participating dealers. But more than just a sale, the campaign is a heartfelt nod to the daily experiences that define life at home.
Designs that honor the everyday IT’S often in the bathroom where the day begins and gently winds down. Our everyday rituals may be small, but they’re where comfort, design, and care matter most.
That’s why the American Standard collections featured in the latest promo are created to support and balance the rhythm of your everyday life.
Leading the lineup is the Acacia Supasleek collection. With its ultra-thin edges and clean profiles, it
offers a modern, minimalist look. Beyond aesthetics, it’s designed for ease of use and optimal hygiene, which is ideal for both busy mornings and slow Sundays.
Next is the Signature Collection which combines classic and contemporary design principles. Its elegant form and intuitive functionality exemplify American Standard’s core values, and solutions that are as stylish as they are sensible, elevating everyday routines into moments of calm and comfort.
Some designs leave a lasting impression for their reliability and effortless elegance. The Acacia Evolution (E) collection is one of them. It continues to stand out with a sleek design, Double Vortex flushing, and antibacterial touchpoints that make cleanliness feel effortless. Its newest innovative surface technologyAquaCeramic, offers the same trusted protection with a cleaner, more streamlined identity.
Smarter comfort, every day MODERN routines call for smarter solutions, especially when it comes to personal care.
The Smart Washer delivers just that. A reimagined version of American Standard’s manual seat bidet, it offers intuitive upgrades and improved usability. Designed to complement collections like Neo Modern, Halo, Flexio, and New Codie, it’s a thoughtful touch that brings everyday hygiene up to date.
A tribute to the moments that matter
REFLECTING on this legacy and in appreciation of the generations of Filipino households that have
made the brand a trusted part of their daily lives, LIXIL Philippines Country General Manager Hermie Limbo shared:
“We’re proud to celebrate 150 years of a brand that has become part of the lives of countless Filipino families. For generations, it has stood for quality, reliability, and thoughtful design—values that continue to resonate in homes across the country. As a way of thanking our loyal patrons who have
Collection, Batangas (Room Keys: 70), and Fairfield by Marriott Mahi
Jeddah mission: Big D–Tim Cone
By Josef Ramos
Tat the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday night.
The visitors hit the bottom of the net practically from all launch points as if they brought in a full arsenal of smart bombs—the fire and forget types—to the dismay of everyone in the crowd.
The first quarter ended at 33-25 and at half time, the Black Bears were comfortably ahead, 63-46. Macau attempted 27 three-pointers and made 12 of them in the first half and only Kevin Quiambao sniped every now and then to keep Gilas’s head above water. Then the third quarter, and the fourth, and Gilas Pilipinas was a team possessed and mightily turned the tables around for a 103-98 victory, a resounding send off for their sortie in Jeddah in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Cup 2025 that starts next week.
We’re going to do some nice things out there … make some passes, hit some treys, but what is going to give us the win is our defense,” head coach Tim Cone said in the post-game press conference. “That’s what we’ve
Olivarez, finally, pulls one against Lim in net open
ERIC JED OLIVAREZ finally turned the tide against longtime rival Alberto Lim Jr. in the final of the Rep. Eric Olivarez National Open Tennis Championship recently at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque City. But Olivarez’s triumph came after Lim retired in the third set due to dizziness and the score at 6-4, 2-7, 2-1. W hat was billed as a showdown between two of the country’s top tennis aces had all the ingredients of a classic finale—Lim beat Olivarez in consecutive fashion at the Iloilo National Open and Calderon Cup in Isabela, giving their third straight title clash an added layer of intrigue.
T he 26-year-old Lim, eyeing a “three-peat” over Olivarez, rebounded from a first-set loss to dominate the second, but after they split the first two games of the decider, he complained of dizziness and was taken to the nearby Olivarez Hospital. For Olivarez, the victory wasn’t just about pocketing the P60,000 top prize, but it was about pride, redemption and halting Lim’s recent dominance. O livarez’s road to the title included victories over Gabriel Gurria, Al Tristan Licayan, Nilo Ledama and doubles partner Vicente Anasta, while Lim defeated Adrian Cagitla, Brysl Libao, Mateo Rivas and John Benedict Aguilar to reach the final. Earlier in the tournament, Lim found success in the men’s doubles with Noel Salupado in a 6-2, 6-2 win over AlZayeed Baid and Mcleen Gomera.
Rhenz Abando won’t be with the team.
Abando did not practice and hasn’t been able to come in with us, while Lucero hasn’t gotten the go signal yet from FIBA if we will play him as local,” Cone said. “Troy and RJ have been with us the first moment we started practicing.”
The nationals will play Jordan in a tuneup on Saturday before facing ChineseTaipei on opening day on August 6, followed by New Zealand on August 7 and Iraq on August 9 in Pool D action.
Fajardo and Oftana, Cone said, have health issues though—the San Miguel Beer stalwart’s calf isn’t 100 percent while the TNT Tropang 5G top gun is coming off a sprained ankle.
Seven-foot-3 Kai Sotto, who was on the bench at the Big Dome on Monday night, is headed to Japan to reassess his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
We will reassess the lineup going to Jeddah and name the final 12,” Cone said.
Brownlee weaved his usual magic for Gilas and finished with 32 points with five triples, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Ramos added 19 points, Edu 15 points, Quiambao 14 and Thompson 10 points. been constantly talking about since we got together.”
Cone will bring along 13 players on the flight to Jeddah on Wednesday night—Justin Brownlee, Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Chris Newsome, Dwight
Ramos, Carl Tamayo, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo,AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo and Calvin Oftana.
Six-foot-7 forward Zav Lucero and high-flying
Edoc true to form with 6-shot lead at Riviera
Tuesday to seize a six-stroke lead in the boys’ 7-10 division in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Riviera
Junior Philippine Golf Tour Championship at the Riviera Golf Club Inc. on Tuesday. T he fifth leg of the seven-stage regional series, held at challenging Couples course in Silang, also saw fresh faces surge into contention for slots to the Elite Junior Finals in October, among them were Ronee Dungca, Zianbeau Edoc, Marqaela Dy and Gabriela Sison.
E doc shook off a shaky start at the back with a two-birdie, one-bogey effort at the front for a 35-44 round, giving him a commanding lead over James Padron, who carded an 85 in the 36-hole tournament.
Halo Pangilinan struggled with an 86, followed by Asher Abad (87), Alexian Ching (90) and Giulio Ballado (95). With a win at Sherwood Hills and two runner-up finishes, another victory would cement Edoc’s hold on the second Finals berth to join three-leg winner and first qualifier Zach Guico.
“I hi t my irons well and picked up two birdies on the front nine,” said Edoc, brimming with confidence following a third-place finish at the
Junior World Championships in San Diego. “I played solidly in the first two rounds, but struggled in the last day. Still, it was a good experience and I really enjoyed it.”
Poised for a second-leg victory in the Luzon Series, the 8-year-old Gracewoods Academy student from Pasig City is keeping his approach simple for the final 18 holes.
“I f you get a bogey, just bounce back,” he said.
In th e girls’ youngest division, Dungca showcased her immense potential and with the lawt-minute withdrawal of top contender Venus delos Santos, she carded a 73 for the first-round elad.
Her round featured six birdies, including back-to-back in the final two holes, propelling her to a huge nineshot lead over Tyra Garingalao, who struggled with an 82.
Ziyu Liu put in an 84, while Penelope Sy posted an 87.
The experience has been really nice. I like the course—it’s a great way to improve my skills and learn from my mistakes,” said Dungca, 9, who turned in an impressive performance despite having little
by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
Dungca said the highlight of her debut wasn’t her score, but the friendships that began to form.
The best part was meeting new people and not having a bad day,” she said.
Zianbeau Edoc also made a strong statement to lead the boys’ 11-14 group by four strokes with a 78 he marked with two birdies.
Despite missing the first four legs of the series, the 14-year-old Junior Golf Academy standout showed no signs of rust.
“The best part of my game today was my tee shots,” said Edoc, who grappled with the tricky greens, including a costly four-putt on the par-four 12th that led to a double bogey.
Jacob Casuga and Jacobo Gomez turned in identical 82s to trail in joint second, while Nathaniel Yeung and Lujo Gomez carded 83 and 84, respectively.
R ace Manhit, who opened with a promising 39 at the back, stumbled with a 46 on the front for an 85, dropping to sixth place.
Benilde’s pride College of St. Benilde (CSB)-3’s Nathan Lee snaps a groufie with fellow Benildeans after they dominated Round 2 of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Intercollegiate Tour at the rain-soaked Splendido Taal Golf Club last Sunday. Sean Granada (in eyeglasses) led the team’s sweep by winning individual honors and powering CSB-1 to the team championship.
The Slam that got away
T he script’s been set after it won the first two Conferences of Season 49.
All TNT needed to do was capture the third and concluding conference to complete only the sixth Grand Slam in the 50-year history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Easier said than done goes the cliché.
But a bit of history, fellas.
T he first five Slams were achieved by Crispa in 1976 and 1983, San Miguel Beer in 1989, Alaska in 1996 and San Mig Coffee in 2014.
Coaching Crispa in 1976 was the late, legendary Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan. Tommy Manotoc did if for Crispa 1983, Norman Black for SMB in 1989, Tim Cone for Alaska in 1996 and Cone again for San Mig Coffee in 2014.
Chot Reyes had been so tantalizingly close to achieving it. But, seemingly, fate had been unkind to him.
To be sure, lady luck smiled at Chot in the Governors’ Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup, recording resounding victories in both Conferences because of his super-talented import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ).
Marqaela Dy made an immediate impact in her first appearance in the girls’ 11-14 division this year, firing a 75 to edge out the highly regarded Sarines twins, Mona and Lisa, who settled for 77 and 78, respectively, for the lead. The 13-yearold from Cebu thus kicked off a late but compelling bid for a spot in the Finals set Oct. 7-10 at The Country Club.
settled for the bronze medals. Josef Ramos
R HJ it was who virtually cemented TNT’s path to the Grand Slam that never was.
I t’s because come the Philippine Cup, TNT had no more RHJ to lean on. Suddenly, TNT had been rendered leaderless, like the proverbial blind leading the blind.
With RHJ out of TNT, it was like seeing the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James, if not the Denver Nuggets without Nikola Jokic, or if not the Oklahoma City Thunder without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A dd the fact that TNT was walking wounded with its back court stars Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac sidelined by injuries. And then, much later, Chot lost Poy Erram due to an ankle injury. Erram, at nearly 6-foot-10, was Chot’s lone legit center. Without Erram, the 6-foot-11 June Mar Fajardo had transformed the paint into his own personal playground. Thus, TNT’s 4-2 defeat in the best-of-seven series was not totally unexpected as SMB, a certified All-Filipino powerhouse, had a vise-like grip on the trophy for the longest time. It was actually a Conference-long
