BusinessMirror June 05, 2025

DEDGARD A. Cabangon, Chairman of the ALC Group of Companies, has been named one of the 12 laureates of the 2025 Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU). The award honors individuals who have made meaningful contributions to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the Philippines and China through their work, advocacy, and leadership.

The awarding ceremony on June 3 at The Manila Hotel coincided with the 50th anniversary of the formal diplomatic relations between the

Philippines and China. The event was led by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, APCU Chairman Raul Lambino, and APCU President Benedicto Yujuico Sicsto. Organized by the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines, the occasion marked a significant milestone in the two nations’ relationship.

In a statement, Cabangon said, “I thank the APCU and the Chinese Embassy for this meaningful recognition. I’m deeply honored to receive

this recognition. This award reminds us of the importance of friendship, respect, and cooperation between our countries. I hope to live up to what this award stands for.” He also shared that he takes inspiration from his late father, Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, former Philippine Ambassador to Laos. “My father believed in the power of relationships to create progress. He taught us that mutual understanding and shared goals lead to real development. We continue to follow that belief today. In Filipino, we call

‘MATURING COVID DEBTS MAKE REFORMS CRUCIAL’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

STABLE ocean shipping rates are expected in June for the Philippines while its neighbors in Southeast Asia are seeing increasing freight rates, particularly to the United States, due to rush deliveries before the tariff pause ends, according to a report by global logistics provider Dimerco.

“Stable rates expected in June as shipments begin increasing toward Q3,” the June 2025 Asia Pacific Freight Report of Dimerco noted. The freight report cautioned, however, that the start of rainy season in June and potential typhoon could have an impact on vessel schedules in the country.

Still, the logistics provider said that so far, “Port operations [are] running smoothly with no reported congestion.”

Despite the stability in shipping rates, the Dimerco report

noted that political developments in the Philippines could have an impact on the domestic business conditions.

“Legislative elections concluded with the impeachment of the vice president included in legislative agenda. Potential impact on domestic business conditions due to political developments,” the Dimerco report noted. The charts in the report released by Dimerco showed that both air and ocean freight rates for the Philippines bound to Asia, Europe and the United States are expected to remain stable for the month of June.

In contrast, other countries in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia are seeing rising ocean shipping rates, particularly to the United States.

For Vietnam, the freight report cited a possible air freight rate increase in June for USbound shipments due to the

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing to institutionalize the regulatory relief measures it extended to banks that were affected by recent typhoons and those implemented at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a draft circular, the BSP said these additional regulatory measures are being proposed to help banks bounce back and continue providing timely financial services to their clients.

These measures also include the deferment of loan payments and

adjustment terms based on crop cycles and other similar factors for agricultural borrowers.

“Since the agricultural sector is usually affected by climate-related hazards, the BSP is proposing a standardized forbearance measure covering agricultural loans,” BSP said in an explanatory note.

“Loan payments for agricultural borrowers may be deferred, with repayment terms adjusted based on crop cycles and other relevant factors,” it added.

Apart from agricultural loans, BSP is proposing to institutionalize relief measures implemented for banks affected by Tropical

Storm “Kristine” and Supertyphoons “Leon,” “Ofel,” and “Pepito” which caused considerable damage to various parts of the country in 2024.

These measures include a change in the start of availment and implementation period of regulatory relief measures. This means banks will be allowed to avail of relief measures within a year from the onset of a calamity.

The BSP is also proposing flexibility in financial assistance for officers affected by calamities.

The deadline for submission of approval requests to the BSP will be extended to 90 calendar days from

30 calendar days. The draft circular also provided that a maximum of six months temporary grace period for loan payments be implemented in affected areas of typhoons. The list also includes the proposal to extend a temporary exclusion from past-due and non-performing loan computations for one year from the start of the calamity. Meanwhile, the draft also includes measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic such as the relaxation of identification requirements for a period of three months.

ALC Group Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (second from left) was conferred the Outstanding Contribution Award with fellow awardee, Special Envoy of the President to China for Trade, Investment, and Tourism, Maynard S. Ngu (second from right). They are joined by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian (center), APCU Chairman Raul Lambino (leftmost), and APCU President Benedicto Yujuico Sicsto (rightmost).

“rush before tariff pause ends.”

For Vietnam’s ocean freight rates, the report said: “US rates increasing due to front-loading ahead of tariffs,” adding, “Space from Vietnam to US is also tight as China cargo rushes before tariffs.”

As for Singapore’s ocean freight, Dimerco noted that reduced US tariffs on China may lead to more cargo moving through transshipment via Singapore.

“At the same time, there will be less space allocation available from Singapore. This will make space tight in June and likely push rates higher,” the freight report also noted.

Similar to Vietnam’s case, the report noted that for Thailand’s air freight, “Some customers are frontloading US exports to avoid potential tariff increases.” The freight report also noted that for Thailand’s ocean freight: “Ocean rates to US/CA may increase by 5 percent; rates to EU may rise by 50 percent.”

For Indonesia’s part, the freight report said ocean rates are rising on EU and US routes.

According to Kathy Liu, VP for Global Sales and Marketing at Dimerco Express Group: “Since May 12, we have observed an increase in orders from US customers. However, most shipments are currently being booked via ocean freight. We anticipate that air freight demand will begin to pick up from midJune.”

House okays ₧200 wage hike bill, bicam panel next

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THEfirst in 36 years since 1989, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading the proposed P200 Acrossthe-Board Daily Wage Increase Act to ease the burden of inflation and ensure equitable economic growth through increased wages.

With a vote of 171 in favor, 1 against, and no abstentions, lawmakers approved House Bill No. 11376, which mandates a P200 daily wage increase for all private sector employees, regardless of employment status or industry.

The Senate passed its version of the wage bill last year, prompting advocates to put pressure on the House to approve their own measure before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die this month. According to the House bill, the increase will take effect once the law is implemented. It will not diminish any existing allowances or benefits currently enjoyed by workers and will not preclude

regional wage boards from approving further increases based on economic conditions under Republic Act No. 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act.

To support small businesses in complying with the wage hike, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mandated to provide incentives, as outlined in the bill’s implementing rules and regulations.

However, Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) remain exempt from the minimum wage law under Republic Act No. 9178, along with small retail or service establishments employing 10 or fewer workers and those affected by

natural or man-made disasters.

Violators of the law may face fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and/or imprisonment of two to four years. Employers found guilty will also be required to pay double the unpaid benefits to affected employees. Corporate violators will see penalties imposed on responsible officers such as presidents, CEOs, and managing directors.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez assured the public that the bill has mechanisms for struggling enterprises to mitigate any negative economic impacts of the wage hike.

“Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and they must be protected even as we address the needs of our workers,” the House chief said.

Deputy Speaker and TUCP Partylist Rep. Democrito Raymond Mendoza called the approval a historic moment, being the first legislated wage hike since 1989.

He recalled that in 1989, Congress raised the minimum wage by 40 percent without triggering massive inflation or unemployment, despite

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points higher than during the pandemic, making debt refinancing more expensive.

“But global interest rates are around 1 to 1.5 percentage points higher now than they were during their Covid peaks,” he said.

“If we roll that over, and we probably will, that’s at least an additional 7 billion in interest expense. On top of the P28 or so billion that you need to pay for interest on that maturing debt, by default,” he added.

According to the Bureau of the Treasury, the national government’s outstanding debt climbed to a new record of P16.752 trillion as of the end of April, 11.56 percent higher than the P15.017 trillion in the same period last year.

Also, the country’s debt stock rose sharply by 26.7 percent to P9.9 trillion with the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 from the P7.731 trillion debt recorded in 2019 as the need for funding increased to assist the most vulnerable class in society.

Despite the upward trend in the country’s debt, hitting P14.6 trillion as of end-2023, the increase was at a decelerating rate as the health pandemic eased starting in 2022.

Hard choices ahead

SALCEDA outlined three difficult options that the government might face if new revenues aren’t found: cutting social aid or “ayuda,” slashing infrastructure spending, or enacting new tax reforms.

“It will affect our breathing room for the budget. So, three options: cut ayuda, cut infrastructure spending, or do tax reforms,” he said.

“I hope the DOF will at least announce or declare an attitude towards reform. Even a serious announcement of reform tends to improve tax performance by 0.3 to 0.6 percent of GDP,” Salceda added.

Salceda said that while previous reforms have ensured that the tax system recovered quickly from Covid debts, creeping interest payments will require new reforms or significant improvements in tax administration.

He noted that while past measures helped the tax system bounce back quickly, the increasing burden of interest payments makes it imperative to act again.

Salceda reminded lawmakers that Covid-19 “interrupted our growth narrative,” causing a collapse in revenues amid surging emergency spending. As fiscal rules were suspended to accommodate pandemic

political instability at the time.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas voted “yes with reservation,” citing the insufficiency of the P200 increase in addressing the actual living wage needed by Filipino families.

She reiterated her party’s call for a P750 across-the-board wage hike, aligned with the family living wage, which the IBON Foundation estimates at P1,225 per day for a five-member household as of March 2025.

CIBAC Party-list Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva, principal author of the bill, lauded its passage as a moral imperative.

“This is not just an economic and social measure — it is a Biblical and ethical duty. The Bible reminds us that ‘the worker deserves his wages’ [Luke 10:7)],” Villanueva said.

The Senate and House must convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile their respective versions—P100 from the Senate and P200 from the House—and produce a final enrolled bill before the June 13 adjournment.

needs, the government was forced to take on significant debt.

Post-pandemic reforms, he said, have focused on digitalization, expanding the tax base, and improving efficiency—while avoiding rate hikes or anti-growth policies. But with debt costs rising, those efforts may no longer be enough.

Remaining measures

SALCEDA underscored several remaining priority reform measures the next Congress should pursue: Mining Fiscal Regime Reform, Sweetened Beverage (SB) Tax Reform, Vape and Tobacco Tax Reform, Plastic Waste Taxation, the Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax (MVRUT) Act, and Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) Pension Reform. The current tax regime for metallic mining is “inadequate,” according to Salceda. The proposed measure seeks to establish a fair and sustainable framework that increases government revenues while addressing transparency, environmental, and tax leakage issues.

He said the Sweetened Beverage (SB) Tax Reform would increase tax rates on sweetened drinks based on sugar content to both encourage healthier choices and adjust for inflation.

In response to rising use of vaping by youths, Salceda said the Vape and Tobacco Tax Reform proposes raising excise taxes on vape products to align with cigarette rates. It suggests a unitary tax of P66.15 per milliliter of vapor products and P41 per pack for heated tobacco products—up from the current P35.83.

Aimed at curbing plastic pollution, the lawmaker said this Plastic Waste Taxation introduces an excise tax on single-use plastics and channels the proceeds toward waste management programs.

Noting that current MVUC rates haven’t been adjusted since 2004, Salceda said the proposed Motor Vehicle Road User’s Tax (MVRUT) Act would raise rates to fund road safety programs, accident victim assistance, and the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

He also emphasized that with the current pension system deemed fiscally unsustainable—due to lack of individual contributions and automatic indexation to active duty salaries—the proposed MUP Pension Act would transition the system into a contribution-based model to ease long-term fiscal pressure.

Salceda, whose term as chairman ends in June, is the longest-serving chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

ang trial ma-dismiss na ang kaso [ I have a copy of a draft resolution, actually. Undated, without signatures. The resolution making the rounds calls for tagging as functionally dismissed the case—or dismiss it even before a trial],” Lacson said in a radio interview.

“That is a Resolution but it has to be tackled in plenary and debated upon, and requires a majority vote to be adopted as a resolution. But that is just a resolution that can perhaps be questioned before the SC. And if the petitioners against this resolution succeed, the SC can issue a mandamus to compel the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial,” Lacson explained.

“This is not yet a trial proper where a decision of the Senate becomes unappealable and not reviewable,” he added, partly in Filipino. Lacson acknowledged the possibility that if a majority signs the resolution declaring the de facto dismissal of the Duterte impeachment case by operation of the 1987 Constitution, this could effectively end the impeachment trial, “but as I said, that cannot be final. If someone petitions the SC to say the Senate interpretation of wrong, and the SC tells the Senate you must conduct a trial, and convert yourselves into an impeachment court, perhaps that can happen. The Senate resolution is not final.”

Lacson noted that while a majority of votes can cause the resolution to be adopted—that is not a conviction or acquittal, since it was not a vote of the impeachment court. Lacson agreed with the radio anchor’s observation that the resolution is a “fishing expedition.”

Meanwhile, Lacson said, the impeachment proceeding can go on until the resolution is adopted.

Asked if passing around the document is a delaying tactic, Lacson noted, “Draft pa lang, undated, unnumbered, unauthored.”

Amid reports about the resolution, a House prosecutor on Wednesday said it would be unconstitutional for the Senate to dismiss the impeachment complaint without conducting a proper trial.

‘Unconstitutional to dump’ MANILA Rep. Joel Chua, a House prosecutor, said if the report is true, the Senate cannot simply bypass its constitutional obligation to hold an impeachment trial.

“The Constitution mandates the Senate to hear impeachment cases, while our role in the House is to prosecute. I don’t understand how they can dismiss it without holding a trial first. That would violate their constitutional duty. For me, that’s clearly unconstitutional,” Chua said in an interview. Chua confirmed that the House prosecution panel is fully prepared to appear before the Senate on June 11 for the formal reading of the Articles of Impeachment.

“On the remittance flows, there was a question on whether we take into account the possible tax on remittances by the US, and that is not taken into account in the projections because we don’t know, of course, whether that will be really implemented, and it is not entirely clear whether that will impact permanent residents or only temporary residents,” Schwellnus said.

Meanwhile, the OECD noted that countries in Southeast Asia like the Philippines are also facing the beginning of aging pressures. This requires these countries to create fiscal space for aging costs such as pensions for seniors and social protection for younger citizens. This could be a challenge since debts remain elevated. However, the country, OECD said, can maximize the current benefits of its demographic fundamentals which begins with its growing young population. Schwellnus said education levels in the Philippines remain “relatively high...with very good tertiary education attainment.” This means a large segment of the workforce has a tertiary degree.

‘China has lots of trust-building to do’

CHINA “has a lot of trustbuilding to do” to be an effective dialogue partner in resolving maritime disputes, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said.

In a speech at the 22nd Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore over the weekend, Teodoro said for dialogue with China to be effective, it “must be coupled with trust.”

“And China has a lot of trustbuilding to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. We have to call a spade a spade. And that’s what we see, and that is the biggest stumbling block to dispute resolution or dialogue with China,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro was responding to a question of a Chinese military official on the possibility of a “proxy war” being launched in Asia, which he called “propaganda spiels.”

“Now, to our Chinese interlocutors, I shall address you collectively. And thank you for the propaganda spiels disguised as questions. Unfortunately, in my personal opinion, the fact that the question was asked in the way it does, engenders a deficit

of trust in China’s words vis-avis its actions,” he added.

Teodoro recalled that in 1995, China constructed bamboo structures around Mischief Reef (also known as Panganiban Reef), which lies some 130 nautical miles from Palawan province and part of the Kalayaan Island Group.

When the Philippines protested about these developments, China claimed that these were only “temporary havens” for its fishermen, Teodoro said.

However, he said these were eventually turned into an “artificial military island” that is “heavily militarized.”

“China says that it has peaceful intentions. Why does it continue to deny the Philippines its rightful provenance under international law and Unclos [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]? And as proof of this, we do not stand alone. None have agreed with China, and none has condemned the Philippines for standing up against China in the face of a threat to its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Teodoro said. PNA

PCG joins Japan, US in maritime drills

THE Coast Guard (PCG) announced that it will deploy one of its most capable and largest ships, the 97-meter long BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV9701), in the second trilateral exercise with its Japanese and US counterparts which take place in the waters of Kagoshima, Japan from June 16 to 20.

“The said undertaking is anchored on President Marcos’ directive for the PCG to engage in capacity-building initiatives that promote cooperation, understanding, and mutual trust among Coast Guard counterparts,” it added.

Send-off ceremonies for the ship and its crew took place at Pier 13, Port Area, Manila on Wednesday.

BRP Teresa Magbanua is expected to arrive at Kagoshima Port on June 12.

The ship will undergo a threeday maintenance and repair, followed by the reception ceremony for it and USCG Stratton (WMSL752) on June 16.

From June 16 to 20, the PCG, US Coast Guard (USCG), and Japan

Coast Guard (JCG) will conduct facility tours, mutual visits to patrol vessels, maritime exercise meetings, and capacity-building exercises.

The PCG, USCG, and JCG pursued their first-ever trilateral maritime exercise in the vicinity waters of Mariveles, Bataan, from June 1 to 7 2023, where they strengthened their interoperability through communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, maritime law enforcement training, search and rescue, and passing exercises.

The PCG recognizes the significant contributions of USCG and JCG in improving the skills and expertise of its men and women through various human resource development programs.

“Through the second trilateral maritime exercise, the PCG envisions stronger collaboration and deeper diplomatic relations with its Coast Guard counterparts, as well as the exploration of more avenues for maritime cooperation towards a rules-based order,” the PCG added. Rex Anthony Naval

Torre tells police stations: Improve radio communications

By Rex Anthony Naval

GEN. Nicolas Torre III, National Police chief, on Wednesday directed all police stations in the country to improve their radio communication systems to ensure uninterrupted coordination during emergencies.

The order was part of Torre’s strategic directives which seeks to boost the readiness and service efficiency of all police units, the PNP said in a statement late Tuesday.

“He ordered the full implementation and improvement of radio communications systems in every police station nationwide to ensure uninterrupted coordination during emergencies. He also directed all units to conduct a thorough inventory and assessment of the functionality of radios and other essential police equipment,” it added.

To strengthen public safety and responsiveness, Torre set a strict threeminute maximum response time for all police units in addressing emergency and distress calls.

He instructed field commanders to maximize the deployment and usage of all patrol vehicles to heighten police visibility and coverage in communities.

Recognizing the importance of personnel welfare, the PNP chief ordered the enforcement of an eight-hour duty policy to help ensure the well-being and efficiency of police personnel.

Torre also called for the availability of legal service for all members of the PNP, not only for work-related concerns but also for personal matters—underscoring the importance of holistic support for every officer.

DOJ asked to seek extradition of British trader in P12-M case

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has been asked to seek the extradition from the United States of a British businessman who is facing trial before the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City for a P12 million estafa case filed by a company engaged in the wholesale distribution of electronic parts and communications equipment.

Calls mount for immediate impeachment trial of Sara

By Jovee Marie N dela Cruz @joveemarie

&

Rizal Raoul Reyes

@brownindio

CALLS are mounting for the immediate start of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate amid talks that the chamber may “functionally” drop the charges without hearings.

The think tank Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the apparent stalling of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, warning that such inaction reflects the continued erosion of the country’s political and judicial institutions.

Prof. Roland Simbulan, CenPEG chairman, in a press statement said that the failure of accountability mechanisms at the national level justifies and reinforces the call for former President Rodrigo Duterte to be tried before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands.

CenPEG noted that arguments invoking “sovereignty” by Duterte’s allies to resist ICC jurisdiction ring hollow, especially when the country’s own institutions are either compromised or paralyzed by political interests.

“Justice must not be held hostage by the very powers accused of abuse. The ICC trial of Duterte is a legitimate recourse for victims and a necessary path to restore public trust,” explained Simbulan.

Convene, expedite trial

NERI Colmenares, chairperson of Bayan Muna, has urged the Senate

to immediately convene as an impeachment court and expedite the trial. Delaying the trial, according to Colmenares, is unacceptable, especially given the public funds involved.

The lawyer from the causeoriented bloc stressed that the impeachment trial should be a significant issue in national and local elections. Furthermore, Colmenares said the impeachment trial will  show to the public candidates who are committed to accountability for public funds and who would ignore abuses of power.

Colmenares doubts the lawyers of Sara Duterte can secure an acquittal considering the challenge to disprove the charges, particularly concerning the alleged P125 million spent in 11 days, which he considers a strong ground for “betrayal of public trust” and “violating her oath of office.”

If Sara Duterte resigns, Colmenares emphasized they would still push for the impeachment trial to proceed, as one of the potential punishments upon conviction is perpetual disqualification from holding public office. He has even stated they would insist on this to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Recently, Colmenares refuted

that the impeachment cannot carry over to the 20th Congress, countering claims by some senators that the trial initiated in the 19th Congress cannot be continued. He insists that killing the impeachment leaves people with no path to accountability.

Delay in trial hit

TINDIG Pilipinas, a coalition of pro-democracy groups, political parties, and complainants in the impeachment case against Duterte, on Wednesday criticized the prolonged delays in the impeachment process, accusing the Senate leadership of ignoring the Constitution and betraying the public trust.

The group recounted the events of November 23, 2024, when Duterte, in a late-night news conference, railed at the House of Representatives for investigating the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). In the same appearance, Duterte claimed that she had hired an assassin to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez, citing supposed threats to her life.

“Although we have no sympathy for the three figures she named, who themselves avoid accountability, that moment showed many Filipinos that Duterte is unfit to hold the position of vice president,” Tindig Pilipinas said.

According to the coalition, the first impeachment complaint was filed on December 2, 2024, followed by two more complaints lodged by ordinary citizens.

As mandated by the Constitution, the House of Representatives was required to act on the complaints within ten session days. However, the complaints were allegedly left pending for

Comelec ready to defend anti-discrimination rules before

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it is prepared to defend its anti-discrimination guidelines after the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) elevated the matter to the Supreme Court.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia confirmed the task force has filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition, challenging the constitutionality of Comelec Resolution 11116—particularly provisions that prohibit red-tagging or labeling during the campaign period.

“This is a good opportunity for us to find out whether the Comelec has the authority to define acts that may lead to discrimination during campaigns,” Garcia said in mostly Filipino.

“It will also determine if we have the power to penalize or disqualify candidates for such actions,” he added.

of subversive or criminal groups.

Such acts, whether done in person, online, or through broadcast or print, are considered election offenses under the resolution.

The guidelines also prohibit discriminatory actions or remarks targeting women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors during the election period.

NTF-Elcac argued there is no existing law that penalizes “labeling,” and that the Comelec has no constitutional or legal basis to unilaterally declare it an election offense.

It also warned that the resolution could create a “chilling effect” on the task force’s efforts to expose alleged links between candidates and communist terrorist groups.

Garcia, however, said the Comelec is confident in the resolution’s legal foundation and is ready to defend its decision before the Supreme Court.

surprised that the OSG chose to represent NTF-Elcac, even though both parties in the case are government agencies.

“The time given to us may not be enough because we initially expected the Solicitor General to represent us...But in any case, we’ll be ready to defend ourselves,” he added.

Take action

NTF-ELCAC on Wednesday urged the Comelec to take action amid new revelations linking youth activist groups to armed insurgency and internal abuse.

In a statement, the NTF-Elcac executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., urged the poll body to immediately suspend the proclamation of Kabataan Partylist (KPL) and revive the long-dormant disqualification proceedings against Gabriela Women’s Partylist (GWP).

almost two months before finally being transmitted to the Senate on February 5, 2025.

Four months later, the Senate has yet to convene as an impeachment court, in apparent violation of the constitutional mandate to begin the trial “forthwith.”

“The evidence is clear: VP Sara Duterte misused public funds in the middle of an education crisis and issued threats of violence and assassination. We’re simply asking for a trial where these allegations can be proven or disproven. The rest is up to the conscience of the senators,” the statement read.

Tindig Pilipinas warned that continued delays only hurt the accused, who is denied a chance to defend herself, and the public, who is denied justice.

Meanwhile, incoming Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Rep. Leila de Lima, a member of the House prosecution panel, echoed the call for urgency.

During the same news conference, she urged senators to uphold the Constitution and not shrink from their duties.

“To the senators—enough with the dribbling. You are not the spectators. You are the court. Let the trial begin,” De Lima declared. She urged any senator to file a motion to convene the Senate as an impeachment court, particularly ahead of a key session on June 11 when the articles of impeachment are expected to be presented.

“If a majority vote is secured between now and June 11, the articles can be presented in plenary. But there’s also the possibility that someone may move to adjourn the session right after that,” she warned.

Earlier, de Lima also said she is not ruling out seeking relief from the Supreme Court if the impeachment case fails to move forward during the 19th Congress and is at risk of expiring before the 20th Congress begins.

Supreme Court

trajectory among former leaders of Gabriela and other allied organizations.

Torres expressed alarm over recent sexual assault allegations involving KPL leaders from 2023 to 2025. At least 20 victims are said to have come forward.

“Kabataan’s response was a generic condemnation, carefully avoiding the fact that the abusers were from within their own ranks. This silence perpetuates a culture of impunity,” Torres said.

While the task force values the party-list system as a means to amplify marginalized voices, it said that it “must never become a backdoor for political radicalization, or a shield for abuse.”

The NTF-Elcac called on the Comelec to show political courage and perform due diligence.

“This is not suppression, but a safeguard. The bloodied trail and the survivor testimonies compel one simple act: pause, investigate, and protect the public trust,” Torres said.

The request for extradition against Lavish Mohan Paryani, was filed before the DOJ by Rheana’s Trading Inc.’s (RTI) lawyers led by Cecilio Jimeno Jr. and has been endorsed to the office of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla by City Prosecutor Elmer Cris Rillo. In his endorsement letter to Remulla, Rillo said Paryani is the co-accused of a certain Reigna Reyes in a criminal case for estafa pending before Branch 112 of the RTC in Pasay.

In a petition dated April 29, the NTF-Elcac asked the Court to nullify Section 3 in relation to Section 2(j) of Comelec Resolution 11116, known as the “Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.”

Paryani and Reyes have been charged

The contested section defines “labeling” as the act of categorizing, classifying, branding, associating, or accusing individuals, groups, or organizations—without evidence—as activists, terrorist sympathizers, or members

“The Commission on Elections is very much willing and able to defend our position not just on labeling as a form of discrimination, but on all other prohibited discriminatory acts outlined in the resolution,” he said.

The poll body was given 10 days to respond to the petition.

However, Garcia said they will likely seek an extension, as the Comelec’s own law department— not the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)—will represent the commission in the case.

Garcia said the Comelec was

The call follows the confirmed death of Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, a former KPL spokesperson in Cebu, who was killed in an armed encounter in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last April.

“His story is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a disturbing pattern where youth leaders— starting from legal organizing spaces—end up as armed combatants of the NPA [New People’s Army],” Torres said.

The anti-insurgency body also cited documented cases, including social media posts, public tributes, and sworn testimonies from former cadres, tracing the same

He also challenged the leadership of Kabataan and Gabriela to categorically denounce the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National Democratic Front and address exploitation within their own circles.

“If you truly serve the people, then begin by facing these hard truths. Show that your commitment to democracy includes accountability and transparency— not silence—when lives and rights are on the line,” Torres said. With PNA

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NTSC seeks unified defense vs cyber attacks

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THENational Telecommunications Security Council (NTSC) is moving to expand its ranks beyond the private sector, seeking to include key government and law enforcement agencies in a bid to build a unified national defense against cyberattacks, cable theft, and other security risks.

The NTSC, currently composed of security professionals from major telecommunications companies and infrastructure providers, is eyeing the inclusion of the Armed Forces (AFP), National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“The task before us is not just technical—it is strategic and

national in scope,” Smart Communications Chief Operating Officer Anastacio R. Martirez said. “Let us remember that no single entity, government or private, can address these threats alone. But together, through trust, coordination, and shared responsibility, we can build a more secure digital future for the Filipino people.”

Established in 2021 by PLDT’s Asset Protection and Security Risk Governance team, the NTSC includes PLDT Inc., Smart Com -

Singapore eyes more PHL investments in green economy

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

SI NGAPORE is now eyeing to increase its investments in the Philippines, particularly in the green economy, which includes renewable energy and carbon credits, citing the latter’s dynamic economy.

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made the remark before the start of his bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos in Malacañang on Wednesday.

“Singapore businesses are confident in the dynamism and the potential of the Philippines economy, and we are now one of the largest foreign investors in the Philippines,” Wong said.

“We are keen to discuss how we can grow our collaboration in new and emerging areas, like the green economy and in sustainability,” he added.

He said Singapore firms are interested in investing in the country’s solar and wind projects.

“Such projects can generate economic opportunities for the

Torre. . .

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Torre emphasized that unity and high morale are essential to maintaining discipline and professionalism within the organization.

He urged all commanders to immediately cascade his directives to the grassroots level and ensure their full implementation in every unit.

Torre also directed all commanders to work together with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility.

“Let’s move as one organization—united in our mission and committed to real action on the ground. am counting on every commander to take these directives seriously and make sure they are implemented consistently in every unit, across all regions,” the PNP chief stressed.

Philippines while supporting the Philippines’ renewable energy targets. We also agreed to accelerate these efforts to achieve the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) power grid. This will improve energy resilience in the region and support Asean’s green transition,” Wong said in a joint press conference with Marcos.

Marcos agreed and said he is considering cooperating with Singapore on renewable energy as well as health, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the environment, and other people-to-people exchanges.

“I look forward to discussing our strategic priorities for the years ahead. Charting a path of enduring collaboration with meaningful benefits to Filipinos and Singaporeans. Most especially in today’s complicated changing world,” he said.

Carbon credits ASIDE from renewables, the two leaders talked about a collaboration on a carbon credits mechanism in line

with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement by commencing negotiations on an implementing arrangement.

“It is hoped that the early completion of the negotiation will result in climate-friendly actions and increased investments in related sectors, thereby creating meaningful and sustainable livelihood and business opportunities for both Filipinos and Singaporeans alike, while producing good sustainability outcomes for our local communities,” Marcos said.

Wong said the negotiation for a legally binding Philippines-Singapore agreement on carbon credits is now being finalized.

Once implemented, the pact can spur technology transfer, green investments, and create good jobs between the two countries, according to Wong.

The Singaporean prime minister also discussed with Marcos exploring ways to support Filipino healthcare workers in Singapore to upskill and eventually reintegrate into the

Philippine healthcare system.  Singapore is currently home to around 200,000 Filipinos.

Trusted neighbor WONG is on an Official Visit in the Philippines from June 4 to 5 upon the invitation of Marcos. It is Wong’s first official trip to the country.

Marcos congratulated Wong on his win at the Singapore May 2025 General Elections.

Under Wong’s leadership, Singapore will be able to expand its bilateral  cooperation with the Philippines as well as in implementing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Community Vision 2045, according to the President.

“The Philippines looks forward to continuing to work alongside Singapore, a trusted neighbor, a dependable friend, and reliable partner,” Marcos said.

“As we pursue our development agenda and our long-term vision of a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos,” he added.

Dinagat lawmaker to file bill restoring 15-km municipal water to small fishers

BBy Erwin M. Mascariñas

UTUAN

CITY—Dinagat

Islands’ lone congresswoman, Arlene Bag-ao, is set to file a bill that mandates the restoration of the 15-kilometer municipal water zone exclusively for small-scale fishermen. Bag-ao said she would file the bill as part of her legislative agenda in the 20th Congress once she assumes office in July.

“The bill aims to protect the 15-kilometer municipal waters against the entry of largescale fishing operations that not only make it harder for our small fishermen to earn a living, but also destroy our coastal ecosystems and their fragile biodiversity,” Bag-ao said.

The soon to be filed House bill aims to reinstate the 15-kilometer municipal water limit originally reserved for small fishermen but now open to commercial fishing following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.

On August 19, 2024, the Supreme Court’s First Division upheld the decision of the Regional Trial Court in Malabon, which declared

key provisions of the Fisheries Code unconstitutional, including those that restricted commercial fishing within 15 kilometers of the shoreline, opening the 15-kilometer zone to commercial fishing.

The ruling has stirred concern among coastal communities and fishermen all over the country, particularly in Dinagat Islands, where small-scale fishers have long depended on their limited municipal waters.

In March this year, Bag-ao conducted a series of dialogues with several fishermen’s groups in several fishing villages in the province.

During one of the dialogues in the town of San Jose, Bag-ao stressed the importance of revisiting the purpose of the Fisheries Act.

“The purpose of the law is precisely to regulate and protect small-scale and marginalized fishermen. But where is the protection if all waters are now open, especially to large commercial fishing boats that are often responsible for illegal fishing?” Bag-ao said. She noted that small-scale fishers must

be made aware of this issue, as this decision is slowly killing their livelihood and their access to the sea

“This is another problem with our legal system: The Supreme Court makes decisions, but do fishermen even know about them? No. Is there a mechanism to inform them of these decisions? None. I am sure that if they raise their voices, not just to the Supreme Court but to the entire country, fishermen across the Philippines will express their dissatisfaction with this ruling,” Bag-ao said.

Bag-ao called on the Supreme Court to listen to the voices of small-scale fishers, emphasizing that the Fisheries Act was created to protect them, not to benefit large commercial fishing businesses.

For generations, the fishermen of Dinagat Island have relied on its municipal waters to sustain their families.

Local officials and small-scale fishers in the towns of Dinagat now question whether the island’s marine resources can withstand the growing competition.

munications, Globe Telecom Inc., Dito Telecommunity Corp., Converge ICT Solutions Inc., ABS-CBN Corp., tower companies, and other telecommunications stakeholders. It was formed to safeguard critical communications infrastructure, especially amid increasing incidents of theft, sabotage, fraud, and cyber intrusions.

PLDT Head of Security Central Command Wilfredo Gonio added that the council will also push for joint training and awareness initiatives to better arm personnel

against evolving cyberthreats. “In addition to the expansion of the council’s membership, we at the NTSC are also eyeing the development of a coordination framework for threat response with our partners in government, as well as establishing regular consultation schedules for improved information sharing, enhanced security measures for critical infrastructure, and better rapid response protocols, especially in the event of emergencies,” he said.

BuCor hails approval of ecozone at Iwahig

has also been approved for development.

Twith violation of Article 315, Paragraph 2(d) of the Revised Penal Code which is punishable by reclusion perpetua.

Rillo noted that a warrant of arrest dated October 11, 2024 has been issued by Pasay RTC Branch 112 acting Presiding Judge Ronald August Tan against Paryani and Reyes with no bail recommended.

Reyes was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection GroupSouthern District Field-Unit (CIDG-SDFU) last year while Paryani remains at large.

“Respectfully indorsing to your good office, the letter-request dated May 13, 2025 of Ms. Maria Anita T. Turqueza, the authorized

representative [of] complainant Rheana’s Trading Inc...dated May 13, 2025, which seeks assistance for the extradition of a certain Mr. Lavish Mohan Paryani, male, British national, 45 years old, and with last known address at 20347 Paseo Los Arcos Porter Ranch, California 91326, U.S.A,” the indorsement states.

In its letter-request addressed to the Justice secretary, RTI disclosed that Paryani left the country on April 7, 2024 through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles.

“As such, we hereby request your good office to institute extradition proceedings against Mr. Lavish Mohan Paryani...before the United States of America where he is believed to be residing. We look forward to hearing from you regarding the matter,” Jimeno said. Joel R. San Juan

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday welcomed the approval by the board of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) the establishment of the 28,000-hectare-Palawan Mega Econozone (Pmez) in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF).

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. said PMEZ will be the first and largest eco-industrial zone in the country.

Catapang said the approval of the project “marks a significant milestone in the country’s developmental landscape” under the administration of President Marcos.

“With a strategic location, abundant land, and strong government backing, the project will redefine urban planning, green energy solutions, and economic zones, setting a new benchmark for sustainable development in the county,” Catapang said.

Peza said an initial 4,000 hectares of the 28,000 hectares of the IPPF has been transferred to Peza as Phase 1 for conversion into the approved Pmez, which is just beside Puerto Princesa City.

Moreover, the grant of pre-qualification for the declaration of a 4,000-hectare property located in barangays Montible and Sta. Lucia, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

“This ambitious initiative represents a collaborative effort between Peza and the Bureau of Corrections, with the aim of repurposing underutilized land within the Iwahig Penal Colony into vibrant ecofriendly industrial estates,” Catapang said.

“The successful implementation of the Palawan Mega Ecozone could serve as a model for integrating sustainable practices within industrial frameworks while fostering economic resilience in the region,” he added.

Catapang also expressed optimism that the ecozone will transform the IPPF as one of the largest open-air correctional facilities in the world into one “that balances economic development, sustainability, and modern correctional reform.”

The Pmez, he said, will showcase worldclass infrastructure, commercial hubs, mixed-used districts, institutional zones, eco-tourism, and agro-industrial projects. He added that this will bring in massive economic opportunities while ensuring socio-environmental responsibility, making it a prime investment destination.

According to Peza, the project is expected to generate over 480,000 direct jobs, benefiting not only local communities, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and the whole of Western Visayas and Sulu Regions.

‘Pass medical cannabis bill before adjournment’

ASENIOR lawmaker on Wednesday is making a final appeal to the Senate to pass a proposed law that would legalize the use of medical cannabis as a safer, more affordable alternative treatment for those suffering from cancer and other debilitating illnesses.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Rayund Villafuerte, in a statement, made an eleventh-hour appeal to the Senate under the leadership of Sen. President Francis Escudero to finally pass the House-approved bill that seeks to legalize medical cannabis for therapeutic use.

“Debilitating medical conditions” include cancer, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous system, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rheumatoid arthritis, and other ailments identified by the Department of Health (DOH).

Villafuerte remains hopeful that the Senate will act in time, especially with Escudero’s assurance that priority bills will be taken up before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die on June 13. The Senate’s counterpart bill, Senate Bill 2573, principally authored by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, has already been endorsed for plenary debate under Committee Report 210, with the backing of at least 13 senators—a clear majority.

Villafuerte is “hopeful, too, that senators would, should they act in the nick of time on SB 2573, likewise give weight to the fact that medical cannabis has been legalized already in 60 countries as of 2024 and that its medicinal value has been affirmed in medical journals of various prominent global institutions.”

“With the House’s final approval of HB 10439 in the previous legislative session, what we only need now is for our senators to act in plenary on their counterpart SB 2573, in the hope that we legislators can come up with an enrolled bill for submission to the President for his approval and signing into law before the 19th Congress adjourns for the last and final time,” Villafuerte said.

The 19th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 13.

He emphasized that CBD is non-addictive and distinct from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana responsible for its intoxicating effects.

“CBD has been proven safe and effective for patients suffering from conditions like epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, migraines, and terminal cancer,” he added.

Villafuerte has long championed the legalization of medical cannabis. In previous Congresses, his proposals were passed by the House but stalled in the Senate due to lack of a counterpart measure. He believes that now, with both chambers having crafted their versions, the longawaited legislation is within reach.

In December 2020, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) removed medical cannabis from its list of the most dangerous drugs, following a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO’s 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence found that CBD had no potential for abuse or dependence and could be effective in treating conditions like treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Villafuerte cited the growing global acceptance of medical cannabis, with at least 60 countries—including Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom— already legalizing its therapeutic use. He also noted that leading medical institutions such as Harvard Health, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology have acknowledged cannabis’ efficacy in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea, improving appetite, and relieving multiple sclerosis symptoms.

The proposed measure also seeks to establish a Medical Cannabis Office (MCO) to regulate the licensing, production, and use of CBD oil in the Philippines. Villafuerte stressed that the bill covers only CBD and excludes marijuana from legalization, which will remain classified as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9615. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

Lawmaker calls for national task force to combat surging mpox cases amid growing health concerns

WITH a resurgence of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in the country, a lawmaker is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to reactivate its national task force to closely monitor the situation and provide support to local governments in curbing the spread of the virus.

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee emphasized that although mpox is not a new illness, the increasing number of cases is cause for concern and demands immediate attention.

“While there are reports that some provinces and cities have already established their own task forces against mpox, it is crucial that we have a national task force that can take aggressive and coordinated action across the country,” Lee said. “Such a body should focus on monitoring, containment, and educating the public on how to prevent and treat this disease.”

In 2024, the DOH formed a task force composed of infectious disease experts. However, Lee noted that stronger national coordination is still necessary to prevent a wider outbreak.

Back in August 2022, shortly after the first confirmed mpox case in the Philippines, Lee filed House Resolution No. 134, calling for the creation of a multi-agency national task force in coordination with the private sector. The resolution aimed to boost preparedness and develop strategies to contain the spread of mpox effectively. According to Lee, such task force should regularly update the public on the status of the disease, issue timely policies to manage the threat, and disseminate educational and communication materials to minimize panic and misinformation.

Available and accessible

MEANWHILE , Deputy Majority Leader and former health secretary Janette Garin stressed that instead of declaring a public health emergency due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the government must make medicines available and accessible.

“We really don’t need to declare a public health emergency; what we need is consistent public reminders. Declaring a national health emergency will not make any difference,” Garin said. Garin said that a public health emergency is declared when there is a need to secure additional funding, rapidly mobilize resources, or strengthen international partnerships—conditions that may not be necessary in the current HIV situation.

Garin pointed out that the increase in reported HIV cases is expected, as more individuals are now getting tested compared to previous years.

According to the Department of Health, there have been 57 new confirmed HIV cases reported daily from January to March this year—representing a 500% increase compared to previous years.

She said that the government should focus on raising HIV awareness to help prevent new infections and protect individuals, particularly by removing the stigma around the disease.

Garin reiterated that compassion, education, and access to medical care— not fear—are the most effective tools in protecting individuals and communities from HIV. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Makati hits 82% of revenue target, collects ₧14.24 billion as of April

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Makati City government has already reached 82 percent of its revenue target, collecting P14.24 billion as of April this year, Mayor Abigail Binay said. Including external sources, the country’s financial center’s total collection has also reached P15 billion.

Based on the latest report from the Office of the City Treasurer, the city collected P8.73 billion in business taxes or 61.32 percent of the local revenue collection from January to April. It is higher by seven percent than business tax collection for the same period last year. Other locally sourced income consisted of P4.89 billion from Real Property Tax, P515.28 million from Fees and Charges, and P93.72 million from Economic Enterprises. The collection also includes Interest Income, P235.91 million; National Tax Allotment (NTA), P397.87 million; and Share from Economic Zone, P129.60 million.

“The city continues to enjoy a stable revenue base for the past nine years owing, in large part, to our willingness to harness technology to make our transactions with the business sector more convenient, efficient, and transparent,” Binay said, attributing the city’s continued financial stability and economic growth to digital innovations adopted by her administration for faster processing of business permits. The mayor also underscored the impact

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The list also includes the relaxation of notification requirements linked to changes in banking days and hours as well as the temporary closure of bank branches and branch-lite units. The BSP is also proposing to institutionalize the deferment of the deadline for opening approval bank branches or branchlite units for up to three years.

of her administration’s firm resolve to keep up with national standards and policies set by regulatory bodies, such as the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Commission on Audit (COA).

“We have sustained Makati’s strength as a premier investment destination for both local and foreign investors by demonstrating our commitment to good governance and transparency,” she said. Recently, ARTA recognized Makati as an outstanding local government unit for being fully compliant with the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) as mandated by the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Delivery Act of 2018, or R.A. 11032. With faster turnaround time in the processing of business permit applications, both for new and renewal, Makati was able to register 1,962 new businesses and renew the permits of 35,019 existing businesses in the first five months of the year. New businesses chalked up P28.25 billion in investment capital, while existing businesses reported over P2.07 trillion in gross sales.

Binay noted that the city’s strict adherence to accounting and auditing standards has also earned an unmodified audit opinion, also known as unqualified opinion, from COA on its annual financial statements for seven consecutive years.

Since Binay was elected, Makati has consistently exceeded its annual revenue targets, growing its annual revenue collection from P15.08 billion in 2016 to over P24 billion in 2024.

The draft circular also included the booking of impairment losses from the bank’s own physical assets due to hazards that may be recognized over a three-year period subject to BSP evaluation and approval. The proposals will take effect when a state of calamity is declared in accordance with Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.

The BSP-ESG Supervision and Surveillance Group (ESSG) will accept comments on the draft circular until 18 June 2025.

DA approves low-cost rice supply for DSWD’s Walang Gutom Program, pilot run set for June

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

WITH the Department of Agriculture (DA) approving the supply of low-cost rice, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is preparing to integrate P20-per-kilo rice into the food redemption system of its flagship Walang Gutom Program (WGP).

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency’s request for the DA to supply affordable rice has been approved.

That’s why this June, we will conduct a pilot run to test the system, particularly how the DA will coordinate with our accredited merchants and retailers, including Kadiwa outlets,” he said.

According to Dumlao, the pilot test will begin this June, with the distribution of rice expected to start within the same month and continue until December this year.

The pilot will showcase the entire supply chain—from the DA to suppliers and retailers and ultimately to the program’s beneficiaries.

Under the WGP, beneficiaries receive P3,000 worth of monthly food credits through

their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.

These credits can be used to purchase food during designated redemption periods.

“There’s a redemption day, or what we call ‘palengke day,’ for our WGP participants.

This happens after they attend nutrition education sessions, which is a program requirement. Once their EBT cards are topped up with the Php3,000 food credit, they can participate in the redemption day,” Dumlao explained.

On redemption day, food items are delivered and made available at a designated venue by accredited merchants and retailers.

Beneficiaries are guided on how to manage their food credits wisely and are encouraged to buy nutritious food items. Dumlao added that the coordination with the DA is part of ongoing efforts to help combat hunger, promote proper nutrition, and sustain the positive outcomes of the program. The Walang Gutom Program is the administration’s key initiative to end hunger, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to eradicate hunger by 2027. Currently, the program supports 300,000 households and aims to expand its reach to 750,000 families by 2027.

DICT unveils geo-blocking technology to stop spread of illegal online content

TBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) announced last Wednesday it will be coming out with the private sector a new system using geo-blocking/geo-locking technology to stop the spread of deepfakes, illegal gambling and child pornography online.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda said they are now in talks with telecommunications companies (telcos) and social media platforms to finalize

their mechanism to proactively prevent the public from accessing illegal materials through geo-blocking/geo-locking.

Geoblocking is the practice of restricting access to online content based on a user’s geographical location.

Aguda explained that many of those who spread illegal online materials, which can be accessed locally, are based outside of the country.

“Because if they do that locally, those telcos will be able to trace their Internet Protocol [IP] address and then they will be able to pick it up, so that’s common overseas. That’s why geoblocking is needed,”

he said partly in Filipino. He said they are now working on the technical design, as well as the needed policy and regulatory pronouncement with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Privacy Commission for the new system.

“So this month, our final design will be finished; next month, we will implement it. You will have a great experience that will reduce those [illegal online materials],” Aguda said.

Comelec to hold nighttime voter registration across NCR

FBy Justine Xyrah Garcia

ILIPINOS may now register to vote even at night from June 1 to 11, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body will pilot overnight voter registration activities in select areas across the National Capital Region (NCR), operating from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

“We want to introduce nighttime registration. We’ll start by choosing a few locations like the [Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange], hopefully the [Philippine General Hospital], call centers, bus terminals, and the airport,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

The poll chief explained that this initiative aims to serve Filipinos who are unable to register during the day, particularly those who work night shifts.

Aside from new voter registration,

individuals may also apply for transfer, reactivation, or correction of voter records during this period.

Those who are at least 15 years old and wish to vote in the upcoming barangay and SK polls are eligible to participate.

Garcia said these efforts are part of the strengthened Register Anywhere Program, which allows eligible voters to update or register their information at various venues such as malls, universities, local government offices, and churches. The program is designed to make registration more accessible and boost the number of voters for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

BARMM can now register too MEANWHILE , residents of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) may also register from July 1 to 11.

Initially, BARMM was excluded from

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos has officially declined the courtesy resignation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, affirming continued trust in his leadership and ongoing digital infrastructure reforms.

the registration schedule since the region is no longer accepting applications for the parliamentary elections.

However, Garcia emphasized the importance of ensuring that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

“That’s why we’re considering including a provision in our upcoming resolution clarifying that those who register in BARMM between July 1 and 11 will not be allowed to vote in the parliamentary elections, only for the [BSKE]” Garcia explained.

He said the BSKE is a continuation of the national and local elections, and only those who registered during the designated period will be recognized as eligible voters.

A formal resolution regarding Bangsamoro’s inclusion in the upcoming voter’s registration is expected to be released soon.

Comelec projects that at least one million Filipinos will register during the 11-day registration period.

Marcos retains Secretary Henry Aguda at DICT

As part of the administration’s postmidterm recalibration, all Cabinet officials were instructed to submit their courtesy resignations. In full compliance, Secretary Aguda tendered his resignation, in line with the administration’s objective of strengthening performance and ensuring alignment across government agencies.

REGIONAL ports recorded lower fish unloading volume in April due to changes in weather and marine conditions, according to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

PFDA said the fish unloading volume in April fell by 9.38 percent to 54,602.36 metric tons (MT) from the record-high 60,256.88 MT in the previous year.

“The main factors contributing to the year-on-year decline in fish unloading volume for April 2025 include changes in weather and marine conditions, as well as seasonal fluctuations that affect fishing activities in major fishing grounds nationwide,” the agency said.

Despite this, the PFDA said regional fish ports (RFPs) “are consistently doing their best to provide sufficient and affordable fishery products to its clients and

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year. The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee projects revenue collections to amount to P4.644 trillion this year, while disbursements will reach P6.182 trillion, or 21.5 percent of GDP. This leaves the government with a slightly higher budget deficit of P1.537 trillion from P1.524

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itpakikisama—building harmony and goodwill with others.”

Among Cabangon’s efforts to promote stronger international ties is his active participation in events that encourage goodwill and cooperation between nations. Through the ALC

After careful deliberation, Malacañang confirmed that President Marcos has decided to retain Aguda at the helm of the DICT, citing the department’s crucial role in fast-tracking the country’s digital

stakeholders.”

The agency said the Navotas Fish Port Complex delivered 25,638.68 MT of fish in the reference period, higher than the 23,344.29 MT last year.

The General Santos Fish Port Complex registered a decline in its fish unloading volume at 21,982.81 MT from 28,027.19 MT in April 2024.

The PFDA noted that the sole port in the Visayas–Iloilo Fish Port Complex–managed to supply 2,417.10 MT of fish to consumers “amid a small setback” from 2,570.82 MT recorded in the previous year.

For its Luzon ports, the agency said the Bulan Fish Port Complex unloaded 2,038.75 MT of fish, while the Lucena Fish Port Complex delivered 1,878.48 MT. Meanwhile, the country’s Mindanao

Media Group, he has consistently supported responsible journalism that highlights diplomacy, development, and global partnerships. A key example of this commitment is BusinessMirror’s Envoys&Expats section, published on Thursdays, which features in-depth reporting on diplomatic relations, international developments, and services for expatriates and members of the diplomatic community in the Philippines. This special section was the fruit

DICT said they already have a unified dashboard, which they used during the elections, which they can use to take down existing prohibited materials online. Aguda made the remark when asked about the government’s efforts against deepfakes—fake image, video, audio materials, which are generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

transformation and national cybersecurity efforts.

Under Secretary Aguda’s leadership, the DICT accelerated the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, expanded the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, and strengthened the country’s cybersecurity infrastructure, all in alignment with the administration’s goal of a more digitally inclusive Philippines.

ports—Zamboanga Fish Port Complex and Davao Fish Port Complex—supplied 391.30 MT and 255.24 MT of fish, respectively. These figures were lower than the 752.43 MT and 307.03 MT. Fish unloaded in the country’s regional ports shrank by 12 percent year-on-year in the first quarter due to the prolonged “amihan” season or northeast monsoon, the PFDA said.

In its quarterly bulletin, the agency said RFPs delivered 119,063.77 metric tons (MT) to consumers in January to March. This was lower than the 134,746.84 MT recorded in the same period of 2024.

The landed catch during the reference period was equivalent to an average daily unloading of 1,322.93 MT, according to the PFDA. Ada Pelonia

He said while AI has the potential to boost the productivity of workers, it also has the potential to be misused such as in the case of deepfakes. The DICT chief said they are currently crafting with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) a government policy for AI use in the country, which they expect to be completed by July.

Maynilad: 18K water leaks repaired in Q1 ‘25

WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) repaired a total of 18,070 pipe leaks during the first quarter of the year, a 41% increase compared to the same period last year. This improvement reflects Maynilad’s enhanced leak detection efforts and accelerated repair activities in support of its ongoing NonRevenue Water (NRW) reduction program.

“Our teams are working 24/7 to detect and repair leaks across the West Zone,” said Maynilad Central NRW Head, Engr. Ryan Jamora. “Every leak we fix helps recover water that would otherwise be lost, contributing to improved service reliability for our customers.”

In 2024, Maynilad repaired a total of 57,562 leaks, representing a 57.4% increase versus the prior year, as cited in the company’s IPO Prospectus.

Leak detection and repair activities are conducted using advanced technologies such as correlators, acoustic loggers, and ground microphones, deployed across Maynilad’s growing network of District Metered Areas (DMAs). During a media forum in Boracay, Jamora said around 90 percent of the non-revenue water of Maynilad is due to leaks. The remaining 10 percent accounts for apparent or commercial loss, unauthorized withdrawal, and illegal authorized withdrawal. Leaks are addressed by the repair or replacement of old pipes.

He underscored the importance of plugging or fixing leaks, saying it reduces water pressure, thereby affecting water services within its concession areas.

As of March 31, he said NRW of Maynilad is 36 percent, down by 2 percent or 38 percent as of end-2024.

In 2006, Maynilad’s non-revenue water was 66 percent of the total water allocation or supply.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in the Philippines in terms of customer base. Its service area includes the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in the province of Cavite. Jonathan L. Mayuga

of the vision of the late Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, who launched it in 2013 to foster greater understanding between the Philippines and the global community. Today, that vision continues to guide the section’s mission—using media as a platform for building bridges among nations. This year, 12 individuals were honored as APPCU laureates. Former Senator Anna Dominique “Nikki” Coseteng received the Hall of Fame Award. The Outstanding Contribution Award was conferred on Cabangon and Maynard S. Ngu. Recognized for Major Contribution were Ma. Josefina Tanya Go Belmonte-Alimurung, Ng Siu Seng, Joaquin Sy, and Teodorico Nebres Dofiles II. The Amity Awards were given to Marianne Lourdes M. Leonor, Nelson Garcia Santiago, Eden Batangoy Accad, Shirley C. Agrupis, and Justine Clarence Lao Tembresa.

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opposition leader Lee elected South Korea’s president, closing period of political tumult

By Hyung-Jin Kim

& Kim Tong-Hyung

The Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea—Lee Jae-myung, who rose from childhood poverty to become

South Korea’s leading liberal politician vowing to fight inequality and corruption, will become the country’s next president on Wednesday after an election that closed one of the most turbulent chapters in the young democracy.

Lee, 60, the candidate of the liberal opposition Democratic Party, is taking office for a full, single five-year term, succeeding Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who

was felled over his stunning yet brief imposition of martial law in December.

It was unclear whether Lee’s election would cause any major, immediate shift in South Korea’s foreign policy. Lee, previously accused by critics of tilting toward China and North Korea and away from the US and Japan, has repeatedly stressed South Korea’s alliance with the US as the foun -

dation of its foreign policy.

The toughest external challenges awaiting Lee are US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy and North Korea’s advancing nuclear program. But experts earlier said whoever becomes president can’t do much to secure major progress in South Korea’s favor on those issues.

As of 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, with over 99% of the votes counted, Lee obtained 49.3% of the votes cast in Tuesday’s early election, while main conservative contender Kim Moon Soo trailed with 41.3%—a gap that was impossible to overcome mathematically.

Preelection surveys have long suggested Lee appeared headed for an easy win, riding on deep public frustration over the conservatives in the wake of Yoon’s martial law debacle.

Even before Lee’s win was formally declared, Kim conceded, telling journalists that he “humbly accepts the people’s choice,” and congratulated Lee.

Earlier, Lee appeared before thousands of cheering supporters on Seoul’s streets. He didn’t formally claim victory, but reiterated his major policy goals, such as revitalizing the economy, promoting peace with North Korea and easing a domestic divide.

“Let us move forward with hope and make a fresh start from this moment on,” he said. “Though we may have clashed for some time, even those who did not support us are still our fellow citizens of the Republic of Korea.”

Pragmatic diplomacy

LEE, who served as governor of Gyeonggi province and mayor of Seongnam city, has been a highly divisive figure in politics for years.

As a former child laborer known for his inspirational rags-to-riches story, Lee came to fame through biting criticism of the country’s conservative establishment and calls to build a more assertive South Korea in foreign policy. That rhetoric has given him an image as someone who can institute sweeping reforms and fix the country’s deep-seated economic inequality and corruption.

His critics view him as a dangerous populist who relies on political division and backpedals on promises too easily.

On foreign policy, Lee has vowed to pursue pragmatic diplomacy. He has promised to develop the alliance with the US and solidify a trilateral Seoul-WashingtonTokyo partnership, a stance that isn’t much different from the position held by South Korea’s conservatives.

“We’ll have to now see if the pressures of office will cause Lee Jae-myung to govern from the center—at least when it comes to matters of national security and the alliance with the United States,” said Ankit Panda, an expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Lee said that he would pursue better ties with North Korea, but acknowledged that it would be “very difficult” to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un anytime soon. This signals Lee won’t likely initiate any drastic steps meant to improve relations with North Korea.

Experts say there aren’t many diplomatic options for South Korea as it tries to address Trump’s tariff hikes and calls for South Korea to pay more for the cost of the US military presence, as well as North Korea’s headlong pursuit

of nuclear weapons. Experts say that has made both Lee and other candidates avoid unveiling ambitious foreign policy goals.

Paik Wooyeal, a professor at Seoul’s Yonsei University, said that foreign policy strategists for Lee understand there isn’t much South Korea can do to bring about a denuclearization of North Korea. Paik said Lee also doesn’t share the Korean nationalistic zeal held by ex-liberal President Moon Jae-in, who met Kim Jong Un three times during his 2017-22 term.

There are still hopes that diplomacy between the US and North Korea could resume, with Trump repeatedly expressing his intent to reach out to Kim Jong Un. Lee has said that he would support Trump’s outreach.

“South Korea and the United States may be better aligned on engaging North Korea under the current constellation of leadership in both countries,” Panda said. “The two sides should begin consultations soon to ensure they’re aligned on their goals.”

Impact of tariff hikes

LEE’S government still could become engaged in “a little bit of friction” with the Trump administration, said Chung Jin-young, a former dean of the Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies at South Korea’s Kyung Hee University.

Chung predicted Lee still won’t be able to pursue overly drastic steps on foreign policy and security, given the country’s foreign exchange and financial markets are vulnerable to such changes. Lee has preached patience over Trump’s tariff policy, arguing it would be a mistake to rush negotiations in pursuit of an early agreement with Washington.

On Monday, South Korean trade officials held an emergency meeting to discuss a response to Trump’s announcement that the US will raise tariffs on steel and aluminum products to 50% beginning Wednesday. South Korea’s central bank last week sharply lowered its 2025 growth outlook to 0.8%, citing the potential impact of Trump’s tariff hikes and weak domestic demand worsened by the political turmoil of past months.

Healing domestic divide THE election serves as another defining moment in the country’s resilient democracy, but observers worry a worsened domestic divide could pose a big political burden on the new president.

The past six months saw large crowds of people rallying to either denounce or support Yoon, while a leadership vacuum caused by Yoon’s impeachment and ensuing formal dismissal rattled the country’s high-level diplomatic activities and financial markets.

Lee has promised to heal the national split, but his vow to thoroughly hold those involved in Yoon’s martial law stunt accountable has sparked concerns that he would use investigations to launch political retaliations against his opponents.

“The next question is just how Lee will represent and protect South Korea’s democracy,” said Soo Kim, a former CIA Korea analyst and geopolitical risk consultant.

“Will South Korea’s politics still remain focused on retribution, or will Seoul finally look beyond this and work constructively and progressively for the country’s best long-term democratic interests?” she said. “It’s a tall order for Lee.”

Musk calls Trump’s big tax break bill a ‘disgusting abomination,’ testing his influence over the GOP

By Jonathan J. Cooper & Chris Megerian

The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Elon Musk blasted

WPresident Donald Trump’s”big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts as a “disgusting abomination” on Tuesday, testing the limits of his political influence as he targeted the centerpiece of Republicans’ legislative agenda.

The broadside, which Musk issued on his social media platform X, came just days after the president gave him a celebratory Oval Office farewell that marked the end of his work for the administration, where he spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk posted on X. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

The legislation, which has passed the House and is currently under debate in the Senate, would curtail subsidies that benefit Tesla, Musk’s electric automaker.

The tech billionaire followed his criticism with a threat aimed at Republicans.

“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he wrote in another X post.

It’s a sharp shift for Musk, the world’s richest person, who spent at least $250 million supporting Trump’s campaign last year. He previously pledged to help defeat Republican lawmakers deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump, but now he’s suggesting voting them out if they advance the president’s legislative priority.

However, it’s unclear how Musk will follow through on his criticism. He recently said he would spend “a lot less” on political campaigns, though he left the door open to political involvement “if I see a reason.”

The tech titan’s missives could cause headaches for Republicans on Capitol Hill, who face conflicting demands from Trump and their party’s wealthiest benefactor.

Alex Conant, a Republican strategist, said “it’s not helpful” to have Musk criticizing the legislation, but he doesn’t expect lawmakers to side with Musk over Trump.

“Senate Republicans are not going to let the tax cuts expire,” Conant said. “It just makes leadership’s job that much harder to wrangle the holdouts.”

Trump can change the outcome in Republican primaries with his endorsements, but Musk doesn’t wield that level of influence, Conant said.

“No matter what Elon Musk or anybody else says—and I don’t want to diminish him because I don’t think that’s fair—it’s still going to be second fiddle to President Trump,” said Republican West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.

Musk’s business interests stand to take a hit if lawmakers approve Trump’s bill, which would slash funding for electric vehicles

and related technologies. Musk is the chief executive of Tesla, the nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, which has massive defense contracts.

Last month, Musk said he was “disappointed” by the spending bill, a much milder criticism than the broadside he leveled Tuesday.

The budget package seeks to extend tax cuts approved in 2017, during Trump’s first term at the White House, and add new ones he campaigned on. It also includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for border security, deportations and national security.

To defray some of the lost tax revenue to the government and limit piling onto the nation’s $36 trillion debt load, Republicans want to reduce federal spending by imposing work requirements for some Americans who rely on government safety net services.

Musk’s post threw another hurdle in front of Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s already complex task to pass a bill in time for Trump to achieve his goal of signing it by July 4. The South Dakota Republican has few votes to spare in the GOP’s slim 53-seat majority.

Two of the Senate’s most fiscally hawkish Republicans quickly backed Musk.

“We can and must do better,” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wrote on X. Utah Sen. Mike Lee said “federal spending has become excessive,” adding that it causes inflation and “weaponizes government.”

Still, Trump enjoys fierce loyalty among the GOP base, and in the end, his opinion may be the only one that matters.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt played down Musk’s criticism.

“The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,” Leavitt said, and Musk’s post “doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”

The tension in the GOP delighted Democrats, who found themselves in the unlikely position of siding with Musk. Democrats are waging an all-out political assault on GOP proposals to cut Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments to help pay for more than $4.5 trillion in tax cuts— with many lawmakers being hammered at boisterous town halls back home.

“We’re in complete agreement,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said of Musk. The New York Democratic lawmaker stood alongside a poster-sized printout of Musk’s post during a Capitol news conference.

The last time Musk weighed in significantly on legislation, the scenario was far different. His power was ascendant after the election, with Trump joining him for a rocket test in Texas and appointing him to spearhead DOGE.

Cooper reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Joey Capelletti and Mary Claire Jalonick in Washington contributed reporting.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk posted on X. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

Trump urges senators to get his big tax bill done by July 4th

By Lisa Mascaro & Mary Clare Jalonick The Associated Press

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump wants his “big, beautiful” bill of tax breaks and spending cuts on his desk to be signed into law by the Fourth of July, and he’s pushing the slow-rolling Senate to make it happen sooner rather than later.

Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House earlier this week and has been dialing senators for one-on-one chats, using both the carrot and stick to nudge, badger and encourage them to act. But it’s still a long road ahead for the 1,000-page-plus package.

“His question to me was, How do you think the bill’s going to go in the Senate?” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said about his call with Trump. “Do you think there’s going to be problems?”

It’s a potentially tumultuous three-week sprint for senators preparing to put their own imprint on the massive Republican package that cleared the House late last month by a single vote. The senators have been meeting for weeks behind closed doors, including as they returned to Washington late Monday, to revise the package ahead of what is expected to be a similarly narrow vote in the Senate.

“Passing THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL is a Historic Opportunity to turn our Country around,” Trump posted on social media. He urged senators Monday “to work as fast as they can to get this Bill to MY DESK before the Fourth of JULY.”

But Trump’s high-octane ally, billionaire Elon Musk, lambasted the package—and those voting for it.

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted on his site X, as some lawmakers have expressed reservations about the details. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

A test for Thune THUNE , like House Speaker Mike Johnson, has few votes to spare from the Senate’s slim, 53-seat GOP majority. Democrats are wag -

ing an all-out political assault on GOP proposals to cut Medicaid, food stamps and green energy investments to help pay for more than $4.5 trillion in tax cuts— with many lawmakers being hammered at boisterous town halls back home.

“It’d be nice if we could have everybody on board to do it, but, you know, individual members are going to stake out their positions,” Thune said Tuesday. “But in the end, we have to succeed. Failure’s not an option.”

Johnson called Musk’s harsh criticism of the bill “very disappointing.”

“With all due respect,” said Johnson, who said he spoke with Musk for more than 20 minutes, “my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big beautiful bill.”

At its core, the package seeks to extend the tax cuts approved in 2017, during Trump’s first term at the White House, and add new ones the president campaigned on, including no taxes on tips. It also includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for border security, deportations and national security.

To defray the lost tax revenue to the government and avoid piling onto the nation’s $36 trillion debt load, Republicans want reduce federal spending by imposing work requirements for some Americans who rely on government safety net services. Estimates are 8.6 million people would no longer have health care and nearly 4 million would lose Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP.

The package also would raise the nation’s debt limit by $4 trillion to allow more borrowing to pay the bills.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump’s bill “is ugly to its very core.”

Schumer said Tuesday that senators should listen to Musk. “Behind the smoke and mirrors

lies a cruel and draconian truth: tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy paid for by gutting health care for millions of Americans,” said the New York senator.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is expected to soon provide an overall analysis of the package’s impacts on the government balance sheets. But Republicans are ready to blast those findings from the congressional scorekeeper as flawed.

The GOP holdouts TRUMP switched to tougher tactics Tuesday, deriding the holdout Republican senators.

The president laid into Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, the libertarian-leaning deficit hawk who has made a career of arguing against government spending. Paul wants the package’s $4 trillion increase to the debt ceiling out of the bill.

“Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!),” Trump posted.

Paul seemed unfazed. “I like the president, supported the president,” the senator said. “But I can’t in good conscience give up every principle that I stand for and every principle that I was elected upon.”

The July 4th deadline is not only aspirational for the president, it’s all but mandatory for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has warned Congress that the nation will run out of money to pay its bills if the debt ceiling, now at $36 trillion, is not lifted by midJuly or early August to allow more borrowing. Bessent has also been

meeting behind closed doors with senators and GOP leadership. To make most of the tax cuts permanent—particularly the business tax breaks that are the Senate priorities—senators may shave some of Trump’s proposed new tax breaks on automobile loans or overtime pay, which are less prized by some senators.

There are also discussions about altering the $40,000 cap that the House proposed for state and local deductions, known as SALT, which are important to lawmakers in high-tax New York, California and other states, but less so among GOP senators.

“We’re having all those discussions,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., another key voice in the debate.

Hawley is among a group of senators, including Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who have raised concerns about the Medicaid changes that could boot people from health insurance.

A potential copay of up to $35 for Medicaid services that was part of the House package, as well as a termination of a provider tax that many states rely on to help fund rural hospitals, have also raised concerns.

“The best way to not be accused of cutting Medicaid is to not cut Medicaid,” Hawley said. Collins said she is reviewing the details.

The Associated Press journalists Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick, Matt Brown, Joey Cappelletti, Michelle L. Price, Josh Boak and Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.

ELON MUSK attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. AP/EVAN VUCCI

Russian rockets kill 4 in Ukrainian city as Kyiv claims it damaged key bridge

By Illia Novikov The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—A Russian rocket attack targeted the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Tuesday, killing at least four people and wounding 25, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the assault, saying it underscored that Moscow has no intentions of halting the 3-year-old war.

The attack came a day after direct peace talks in Istanbul made no progress on ending the fighting.

Local authorities said the barrage of rockets struck apartment buildings and a medical facility in the center of Sumy.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s secret services said they struck inside Russia again, two days after a spectacular Ukrainian drone attack on air bases deep inside the country.

A vital bridge to Crimea

THE Ukrainian Security Service, known by its acronym SBU, claimed it damaged the foundations of the Kerch Bridge linking Russia and illegally annexed Crimea—a key artery for Russian military supplies in the war.

The SBU said it detonated 1,100 kilograms (2,400 pounds) of explosives on the seabed overnight, in an operation that took several months to set up. It was the third Ukrainian strike on the bridge since Russia’s invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, the SBU said.

“The bridge is now effectively

in an emergency condition,” the SBU claimed.

The agency said no civilians were killed or injured in the operation. It was not possible to independently confirm those claims.

Traffic across the Kerch Bridge was halted for three hours early Tuesday, but it reopened at 9 a.m., official Russian social media channels said. It closed for a second time at 3:20 p.m. and reopened again after two and a half hours.

Zelenskyy appeals for pressure on Moscow

THE Ukrainian president called the attack on Sumy a “completely deliberate” strike on civilians.

“That’s all you need to know about Russia’s ‘desire’ to end this war,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social media.

Zelenskyy appealed for global pressure and “decisive action from the United States, Europe and everyone in the world who holds power.” Without it, he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin “will not agree even to a ceasefire.”

The war has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations, as well as tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620mile) front line where the fighting grinds on despite US-led efforts to broker a peace deal.

A stunning Ukrainian drone attack

THOUGH Russia has a bigger army and more economic resources than Ukraine, the Ukrainian drone attack over the weekend damaged or destroyed more than 40 warplanes at air bases deep inside Russia, Ukrainian officials said, touting it as a serious blow to the Kremlin’s strategic arsenal and military prestige.

The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged that the Ukrainian attack set several planes ablaze at two air bases but said the military repelled attempted attacks on three other air bases.

Both Zelenskyy and Putin have been eager to show US President Donald Trump that they share his

ambition to end the fighting—and avoid possible punitive measures from Washington. Ukraine has accepted a US-proposed ceasefire, but the Kremlin effectively rejected it. Putin has made it clear that any peace settlement has to be on his terms.

Delegations from the warring sides agreed Monday to swap dead and wounded troops, but their conditions for ending the war remained far apart.

Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who now serves as deputy head of the country’s Security Council chaired by Putin, indicated on Tuesday that there would be no let-up in Russia’s invasion.

“The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else’s delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction” of Ukraine’s government, he said.

In an apparent comment on the latest Ukrainian strikes, he declared that “retribution is inevitable.”

See “Kyiv,” A9

Iran’s supreme leader criticizes US nuclear proposal but leaves door open for a deal

By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday criticized an initial proposal from the United States in negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, though he stopped short of entirely rejecting the idea of agreement with Washington.

The remarks by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei colored in the red line expressed over recent days—one that says Tehran refuses to give up enriching uranium in any possible deal with the US.

That demand has been repeatedly made by American officials, including President Donald Trump, though it remains unclear just how much US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff brought it up in his initial proposal to Iran.

But what Khamenei did not say in his speech matters as well. He didn’t reject the talks, which Iran views as crucial for its economy to lift some the crushing economic sanctions it faces.

Khamenei also did not insist on any specific level of nuclear enrichment. Iran now enriches uranium up to 60%—a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has led the talks with Witkoff, said Tehran soon will offer its response to the US. Khamenei’s speech Wednesday at the mausoleum of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini may serve as a preview.

“If we had 100 nuclear power plants while not having enrichment, they are not usable for us,” Khamenei said. “If we do not have enrichment, then we should extend our hand (begging) to the US.”

Khamenei touched on previous remarks

THE 86-year-old Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state in Iran, often balances his remarks over the demands of reformists within the country who want the talks against hard-line elements within Iran’s theocracy, including the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Late in August, Khamenei in a speech opened the door to possible talks with the US, saying there is “no harm” in engaging with the “enemy.” The supreme leader later tempered

that, saying that negotiations with America “are not intelligent, wise or honorable,” after Trump floated nuclear talks with Tehran. Khamenei’s speech on Wednesday, marking the anniversary of Khomeini’s death, offered an opportunity to discuss Witkoff’s proposal. He described it as “100% against the idea of ‘we can,’” borrowing from an Iranian government slogan. He described the US as having long sought the dismantling of Iran’s entire nuclear industry.

“The impolite and insolent American leaders keep repeating this demand with different wordings,” Khamenei said. He added, using a slogan he’s said before: “Those currently in power, Zionist or American, should be aware that they can’t do a damn thing about this.” Some nuclear power nations do get uranium from outside suppliers, however. Experts long have viewed Iran as using its nuclear program as a chip in negotiations with the West to get sanctions relief.

Details of American proposal still murky THE details of the American proposal remain unclear after five rounds of talks between Iran and the US.

A report by the news website Axios on the American proposal, the details of which a US official separately confirmed, include a possible nuclear consortium that would enrich uranium for Iran and surrounding nations. Whether Iran would have to entirely give up its enrichment program remains unclear, as Axios reported that Iran would be able to enrich uranium up to 3% purity for some time.

A failure to get a deal could see tensions further spike in a Middle East already on edge over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Iran’s long-ailing economy could enter a free fall that could worsen the simmering unrest at home. Israel or the US might carry out long-threatened airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. And Tehran may decide to fully end its cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog and rush toward a bomb.

The Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense press service, soldiers fire a canon towards Russian army positions near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Monday, June 2, 2025, ANATOLII LYSIANSKYI/UKRAINE’S 127TH SEPARATE BRIGADE VIA AP

Global pilgrims converge in Mecca for Hajj amidst extreme heat and new restrictions

By Riazat Butt The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Muslims

from around the world are in the Saudi city of Mecca for the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

In the coming days, people will immerse themselves in religious rituals and acts of worship that originated more than 1,400 years ago. They also have to contend with excess heat and other earthly factors, like a ban on children under the age of 12 and a crackdown on unauthorized entry.

Here’s what to know about this year’s Hajj:

Beating the heat in the Saudi desert LAST year’s pilgrims struggled through burning sun and suffocating hot weather, with the mercury hitting 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). More than 1,300 people died.

This year, Saudi authorities are advising caution in direct sunlight, telling pilgrims to avoid going out during the day and uncovering their heads, except for rituals, unless necessary.

An official safety kit emphasizes the importance of light-colored clothing and umbrellas. It also has details on recognizing and treating the symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

But it’s tough to avoid the heat and crowds when the Hajj is outdoors. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, elevating the personal stakes further, and temperatures in Mecca are already 41 degrees Celsius (about 106 Fahrenheit).

Although the desert kingdom spends billions of dollars on crowd control and cooling, the sheer number of pilgrims and climatic conditions make it difficult to guarantee people’s safety.

A ban on children under 12 at the Hajj SAUDI Arabia has banned children under 12 from this year’s Hajj—

one of the biggest policy changes in recent years.

Riyadh reportedly introduced the ban as a precautionary measure to ensure children’s safety during the pilgrimage, which could be a dangerous environment for them because of the huge crowds.

Children are exempt from doing the Hajj and are not required to fulfill other Islamic obligations, like prayer and fasting, until they reach puberty.

But that doesn’t stop some parents from wanting to take their children to experience the Hajj and see the holiest site in Islam, the Kaaba, the black, cube-shaped structure that is the focal point for daily prayers.

Father of five Talha Ayub, from the Pakistani city of Lahore, said his kids were staying with their grandparents while he and his wife performed the Hajj in a “more relaxed way.”

“Even if children were allowed, we probably wouldn’t have taken them because the weather is extremely harsh this year,” said Ayub, whose children are aged 1 to 13. “I have mixed feelings about leaving them behind. I’ll miss them.”

There’s no official age breakdown for pilgrims, but most are between 35 and 64.

Layaways and lowering the

price tag

THE price of a Hajj ranges from $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the length of stay, level of comfort, and country of departure. Depreciating currencies, high inflation, and tax hikes in Saudi Arabia also have an impact on how much Muslims end up paying.

The countries that typically send the most pilgrims are developing nations. Some have trimmed the price of government-backed Hajj programs to make them more affordable. But this step isn’t always enough.

Farid Ahmed Majumder, secretary general of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, said the country was allowed to send some 127,000 pilgrims this year but failed to meet this quota, mainly because of higher costs.

Pakistan has reduced the price of the state-run Hajj program. It has also debuted a flexible payment system.

Farmer and small business owner Zaheer Ahmad said he didn’t have enough money to pay for his Hajj up-front, 1.2 million rupees or about $4,255.

He paid in three installments, applying for the Hajj in December with an advance and finishing his payments in February. “Otherwise, I might not have been able to go for Hajj at all,” he said.

In Saudi Arabia, which has also introduced flexible payments, domestic pilgrims pay 20% within 72 hours of booking, another 40% during Ramadan and the final 40% the following month.

Managing wait times and overcrowding ALTHOUGH the Hajj is at least a once-in-a-lifetime obligation— for every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it—people don’t want to wait a lifetime to fulfill it.

But the Hajj has limited capacity, countries have set quotas, and there is only one time each year to do it. Patience really is a virtue and everything needs to align: availability, health, and finances.

Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have decades-long waiting lists for the Hajj. Indonesia has 5.4 million people awaiting their turn, with the number increasing each year.

While there is nothing to stop people from performing the Hajj more than once, some governments believe this practice deprives others of the opportunity, especially in countries where demand is high.

India has a ban on “repeaters” and excludes applications from anyone who has previously performed the pilgrimage through the

national Hajj committee, although there are exceptions from those accompanying certain categories of people like the elderly.

With a restricted supply of Hajj spaces, it’s inevitable that people will try to find ways to get to the holy city and stay there.

In April, to curb unauthorized Hajj pilgrimages and control inbound travel, Saudi Arabia suspended the issue of short-term visas for 14 countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.

People have in the past traveled to Saudi Arabia on short-term visas and entered Mecca without official permission for the Hajj. Authorities said that many of those who died in the heat during last year’s Hajj were unregistered and unable to access air-conditioned pilgrim amenities.

The Interior Ministry warned in May that a fine of up to 20,000 riyals, or about $5,330, would be imposed on anyone attempting to enter Mecca during the Hajj without the correct visa.

The Associated Press writers Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi, Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Continued from A8

A Putin-Zelenskyy-Trump meeting ‘unlikely’ soon, Moscow says KREMLIN spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to suggestions that a face-to-face meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelenskyy could break the deadlock, saying the possibility was “unlikely in the near future.” Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy

Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has traveled to Washington for talks about defense, sanctions and postwar recovery, said Andrii Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office.

for nothing,” said serviceman Oleh Nikolenko, 43.

The delegation will meet with representatives from both major US political parties, as well as with advisers to Trump, Yermak added.

Ukrainians in Kyiv welcomed the strikes on Russian air bases but were gloomy about prospects for a peace agreement.

“Russia has invested too many resources in this war to just…stop

His wife, Anastasia Nikolenko, a 38-year-old designer, said diplomacy cannot stop the fighting. “We need to show by force, by physical force, that we cannot be defeated,” she said.

Russia recently expanded its attacks on Sumy and the Kharkiv region following Putin’s promise to create a buffer zone along the border that might prevent longrange Ukrainian attacks from hitting Russian soil. Sumy, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the

border, had a prewar population of around 250,000.

Russia also fired rocket artillery at Chystovodivka village in the Kharkiv region, killing two people and injuring three others, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Kyiv. . .

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its troops had taken the Ukrainian village of Andriivka, close to the border in the Sumy region. Ukraine made no immediate comment on the claim, which could not be independently verified.

Vietnam abolishes 2-child policy to combat declining birth rates and aging population

By Aniruddha Ghosal The Associated Press

HANOI, Vietnam—Vietnam has abolished its long-standing two-child limit on Tuesday to try and reverse declining birth rates and ease the pressures of an aging population.

The National Assembly passed amendments scrapping rules that limit families to having one or two children, state media Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Vietnamese families are having fewer children than ever before.

The birth rate in 2021 was 2.11 children per woman, just over the replacement rate required for a population to avoid shrinking

over the long term. Since then, the birth rate has steadily declined: to 2.01 in 2022, 1.96 in 2023 and 1.91 in 2024.

Vietnam isn’t the only Asian country with low fertility. But, unlike Japan, South Korea or Singapore, it is still a developing economy.

Nguyen Thu Linh, 37, a marketing manager in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, said that she and her hus -

band decided to have only one child because she and her husband wanted to ensure that they could give their 6-year-old son the best education and upbringing that they could afford.

“Sometimes, I think about having another child so my son can have a sibling, but there’s so much financial and time pressure if you have another child.”

Vietnam introduced rules blocking families from having more than two children in 1988, with the idea that women would spend less time on childcare and more time working.

Vietnam’s “golden population” period—when working age people outnumber those who depend on them—began in 2007 and is expected to last until 2039. The number of people who can work is likely to peak in 2042 and, by 2054, the population may start shrinking. All of this could make it harder to grow the economy, since there will be fewer workers while

the cost of supporting the needs of the elderly grows.

Birth rates in Vietnam aren’t falling evenly. In Ho Chi Minh City—the country’s biggest city

and economic hub—the fertility rate in 2024 was just 1.39 children per woman, much lower than the national average. At the same time, nearly 12% of the city’s population

was over 60, putting pressure on welfare services. To help, local officials started offering about $120 to women who have two children before turning 35 last December.

Vietnam is also dealing with an unbalanced gender ratio, partly because due long-standing preferences for sons.

Doctors aren’t allowed to tell parents the baby’s sex before birth, and sex-selective abortions are banned.

On Tuesday, the health ministry proposed tripling the fine for choosing a baby’s sex before birth to $3,800, state media reported. China imposed a one-child policy in 1979 amid worries about overpopulation. But as the country faces growing concerns about the long-term economic and societal challenges of an aging population, it has been slowly easing the policy to allow a second child and then a third child in 2021, but with little success at boosting birthrates.

A quiet Tiananmen Square anniversary shows China’s ability to suppress history

By Ken Moritsugu & Kanis Leung

The Associated Press

BEIJING—For most Chinese, the 36th anniversary of a bloody crackdown that ended pro-democracy protests passed like any other weekday. And that’s just how the ruling Communist Party wants it. Security was tight Wednesday around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, where weeks of studentled protests shook the party in 1989. Under then-leader Deng Xiaoping, the military was sent in to end the protest on the night of June 3-4. Using live ammunition, soldiers fought their way through crowds on the streets that tried to block them from reaching the square. Hundreds and possibly thousands of people were killed, including dozens of soldiers. The party has tried, with some success, to erase what it calls the “political turmoil” of 1989 from the collective memory. It bans any public commemoration or mention of the June 4th crackdown, scrubbing references from the Internet. In recent years, that ban has been extended to Hong Kong, where a

once-massive candlelight vigil is no longer permitted. A former district council member, Chan Kim-kam, said customs officers questioned her at her shop on the eve of June 4 after she advertised small white candles for sale in an Instagram post titled, “June, we don’t forget.” It is only in Taiwan, a self-governing island that is claimed by China but runs its own affairs, that large June 4 gatherings can still take place.

The crackdown reinforced Communist Party control TIANANMEN Square is a vast open space in the center of Beijing with monumental, communist-era buildings along two of its sides and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, who founded the communist era in 1949, on the south end.

University students occupied this symbolically important site in the spring of 1989. Their calls for freedoms divided the party

leadership. In retrospect, the decision to send in the troops marked a decisive turning point in the evolution of modern China, keeping the party firmly in control as it loosened economic controls.

Chinese officials have said the country’s rapid economic development since then proves the decisions made at the time were correct.

Tiananmen Mothers, a group formed by relatives of the victims, disagrees. It made an annual online appeal to the government, signed by 108 members, calling for an independent investigation into what happened on June 4, 1989, including a list of all who died. The group also demanded compensation for the families and a legal case against those responsible for the deaths.

The Canadian and German Embassies in Beijing posted an image of a candle on large screens on their properties facing the street.

Hong Kong’s once outspoken populace has been cowed A CARNIVAL showcasing Chinese food and products was held in Victoria Park, where tens of thousands of people used to gather in the evening for a candlelight vigil

on the anniversary.

Hong Kong authorities first shut down the vigil during the Covid-19 pandemic and arrested the organizers in 2021. The moves were part of a broader crackdown on dissent following monthslong anti-government protests in 2019 that turned violent and paralyzed parts of the city.

“You know, Hong Kongers have become silent lambs after 2019,” said King Ng, who was at the park on Wednesday.

Jailed vigil organizer Chow Hang-tung said she would go on a 36-hour hunger strike to remember the events of the day.

The British and Canadian consulates posted social media messages about not forgetting June 4. Hong Kong was a British colony until 1999. The American consulate posted a message from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on its website.

“The CCP actively tries to censor the facts,” Rubio said, referring to China’s Communist Party, “but the world will never forget.”

Taiwan seeks support from democracies against China

TAIWAN’S President Lai Ching-

te used the anniversary to position the island he leads on the frontline of defending democracy against authoritarianism. In a Facebook post, he drew a distinction between Taiwan’s multiparty democracy and China’s one-party rule.

“Authoritarian governments often choose to remain silent and forget about history, while democratic societies choose to preserve the truth and refuse to forget those who have contributed to the ideals of human rights and the dreams they embrace,” Lai wrote.

Taiwan transitioned from authoritarianism to democracy in a process that began in the late 1980s. It relies on support principally from the US, along with other democratic partners, to deter China from an invasion. The Communist Party says it favors peaceful reunification but doesn’t renounce the use of force.

A commemoration and candlelight vigil remembering June 4 was planned for Wednesday evening.

Leung reported from Hong Kong.

New South Korean President Lee faces crucial challenges at home and abroad

By Kim Tong-Hyung & Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press

EOUL, South

Jae-myung described his victory as the

of

following the

return to

Yoon Suk Yeol’s

by

and compounded by

tariff hikes. Lee also inherits from Yoon the escalating threat of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, now further complicated by Pyongyang’s deepening alignment with Moscow over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Here’s a look at the key challenges facing Lee’s government:

Addressing a slow economy and Trump’s tariffs IN his inauguration speech, Lee identified the economy as his top priority, vowing to immediately launch an emergency task force to wage a “head-on battle” against the looming threat of recession and to boost government spending to jumpstart economic activity.

South Korean economic institutions have repeatedly sounded the alarm in recent months over the state of the economy, citing sluggish business investment, weak consumer spending, a deteriorating job market and a trade environment worsened by Trump’s tariffs and other America-first policies.

Despite the country’s strikingly high household debt, the central bank last week lowered borrowing costs in a desperate bid to inject

money into the economy and slashed

Lee won’t have much time to negotiate with Washington before July 9, when Trump’s 90-day pause in global reciprocal tariffs is set to expire, potentially exposing South Korean products to 25% tax rates.

Although a US federal court recently ruled that Trump lacks authority to impose his planned tariffs, the White House has appealed, leaving the outcome uncertain. Trump has also pushed for product-specific tariffs on key sectors like autos and semiconductors, which make up a major share of South Korean exports. Trump could also seek a broader deal requiring Seoul to pay significantly more for the 28,000 US troops stationed in South Korea to deter North Korean threats.

While Seoul’s previous government had aimed to reach a “package” deal with Trump by early July, Lee has preached patience on tariffs, saying it would be against national interests to obsess with an early agreement.

Navigating North Korea’s nuclear threat IN his inaugural address, Lee promised to reopen a communication channel

with North Korea to ease tensions. But prospects for the early resumption of dialogue between the rival Koreas are dim, as North Korea has been constantly rejecting dialogue offers by South Korea and the US since 2019, when talks between Washington and Pyongyang collapsed over disagreements on economic sanctions.

North Korea’s priority in foreign policy is now firmly Russia, which has received thousands of North Korean troops and large amounts of military equipment in recent months for its warfighting in Ukraine.

During campaigning, Lee acknowledged that it would be “very difficult” to arrange a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un anytime soon, though it’s something he will seek. Lee said he would support Trump’s efforts to restart nuclear diplomacy with Kim, saying that improved ties between Pyongyang and Washington could allow aid projects for the impoverished North that will likely require South Korean support.

Lee nominated former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, a dove who espouses reconciliation with North Korea,

as his spy chief. The nomination likely reflects Lee Jae-myung’s hopes to revive inter-Korean dialogue, given the behindthe-scene roles of the National Intelligence Service played to reach out to Pyongyang under the past liberal governments.

However, many experts also note that Lee Jae-myung does not share the same level of Korean nationalist zeal as his liberal predecessors, and they question how firmly he would stick to his appeasement approach if provocative actions by North Korea, such as highprofile missile tests or border incursions, undermine public support for his policy at home.

Committing to US alliance and pragmatic diplomacy

LEE was previously accused by his critics of tilting toward Pyongyang and Beijing and away from Washington and Tokyo. He once slammed a US missile defense system in South Korea as a source of tensions and likened strengthening US-Japan ties to a 1905 Washington-Tokyo agreement that he said eventually helped Japan colonize the Korean Peninsula.

But Lee has recently refrained from making similar contentious comments, instead repeatedly pledging to pursue pragmatic diplomacy. He has vowed to enhance South Korea’s alliance with the US and their trilateral cooperation with Japan, while also emphasizing the need to reduce tensions with North Korea and avoid frictions with China and Russia. While Lee may eventually take steps to improve ties with North Korea and China—relations that deteriorated under Yoon, who prioritized the US and Japan— experts say Lee is unlikely to take drastic actions that might undermine the alliance with Washington or negatively impact South Korea’s financial markets. Lee has stated that he will address thorny historical disputes with Japan separately from matters of security, trade, and other issues. However, many experts believe he is unlikely to completely reverse the progress made in Seoul-Tokyo relations in recent years. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday that he hopes to hold summit talks with Lee “as early as possible” and expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral ties.

CHILDREN hold Vietnam’s and France’s flags at the welcome ceremony for French President

Emmanuel Macron at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Pets, cattle seen beefing up demand for feeds

FBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

EED millers are banking on the recovery of domestic hog population, the expansion of the cattle industry and the increasing popularity of local pet food to bring feed output back to prepandemic levels.

Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. (PAFMI) Board Auditor Edwin Mapanao told the BusinessMirror that the country’s feed production shrank to around 14 million metric tons (MMT) last year from 19 MMT in 2019.

“We are hoping with the [hog] repopulation, surge in locally produced pet food and a 3-percent to 5-percent growth in the cattle industry’s protein concentrate requirements, we can minimize the gap in the decline in [feed output] compared to the 2019 figures,” he told this newspaper on Wednesday. Last month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) projected that the country’s imports of corn—a

Barmm coops get zero- interest agri-fishery loans

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

DAVAO City—A dozen cooperatives in the Bangsamoro region were granted interestfree financial assistance for their agricultural and fisheries projects as part of the regional government’s target to strengthen grassroots empowerment and rural development.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (Mafar) awarded P1.2 million in interest-free financial assistance to 12 cooperatives and associations across the Bangsamoro region on May 20 to enhance production, processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products.

Each beneficiary cooperative received P100,000 from MAFARLends, the microfinance window of the ministry.

The grantees were: Badak MultiPurpose Cooperative; Bangsamoro Fishermen Association; Bitu Spring Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperative; Inaw Women’s Group General Merchandising Marketing Cooperative; Jabal Thour Marketing Cooperative and Makaumpiya Farmers Agriculture Cooperative; Lemba Nu Bangsamoro Marketing (LNBM) Cooperative; Panicupan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative; Sigay Nu Mga Babay Association (a women-led group); Sitio Block 1 Fishermen Cooperative; and, Sitio Makubas Farmers Marketing Cooperative; Sunrisers Service Cooperative.

According to Bangsamoro Director General for Agrarian Reform Services Taugan S. Kikay, the microfinance window MAFARLends is not a traditional loan.

“Unlike banks, we charge zero interest or fees,” Kikay said. “This is borrowing with trust, not debt. MAFAR exists to serve, whether you need seeds, fishing nets, or land through agrarian reform.”

Director for Fisheries Services Macmod D. Mamalangkap encouraged recipients to “live by the Five Pillars of Success: honesty, education, patience, trust and unity matter more than funds. Let these values sustain your growth.”

Nisa Ibrahim of the LNBM Cooperative expressed gratitude for the support: This is a huge help.

In Cotabato City, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) gave cash assistance to 112 persons with disabilities (PWDs) on May 15 as they underwent training skills.

“It is intended to assist in the schooling and development of the trainees, particularly in alleviating costs associated with their education and training needs,” read the MSSD’s post on its Facebook page.

Each trainee is entitled to financial support of P250 per day, which was started for the period January to March this year.

Bryan T. Abdullah, head of the Center for Persons with Disabilities, stressed that the cash grant primarily supports transportation, food and other basic training needs of the recipients.

The MSSD regularly monitors the trainees and their guardians, reinforcing transparency and targeted support to ensure the proper utilization of the financial help to meet the PWDs’ needs.

“I am happy here because I am learning a lot and I am proud of it. Thank you for your unwavering support and help to all of us here,” said Maria Shaina Clair Calunod, one of the trainees.

The MSSD said there are already 16 graduates among the trainees who are presently undergoing on-the-job training.

Last month, the Ministry began digitalizing their payout systems, streamlining cash provision to the PWDs in partnership with the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

key ingredient for making animal feeds—could decline by 36.5 percent to 1.22 MMT this year from last year’s 1.92 MMT.

Mapanao noted that recurring African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, which slashed hog output since its detection in 2019, dented demand for the feedstuff.

“The decrease in imports of corn is related to the contraction of swine industry brought by ASF,” Mapanao said.

“The corresponding growth in meat importation is the inverse decline of the feedmilling industry, which is correlated to corn demand.”

The country’s meat imports reached a record 1.45 MMT in 2024, with pork shipments accounting for half of the volume at 733,729 MT, based on government data.

Industry sources attributed the

surge in pork shipments to ASF, which upended local supply chain to due production shortfall.

“We need to do a repopulation of the swine industry. We must check the budget of [the DA] for swine repopulation and heighten

biosecurity measures which are the interventions for the swine industry recovery,” Mapanao said.

The Pafmi official, however, said that the rainy season might hamper efforts to raise domestic hog output.

“We should be more worried because it’s rainy season again. The [risk of] ASF spreading is greater due to water seepage and overflows from highlands to lowlands.” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa made an assurance that the governmentsponsored vaccination program and the implementation of biosecurity measures would prevent the spike in ASF cases during the rainy season.

“We saw that the vaccine was effective in the affected areas. So, from almost 600 barangays with active cases, it was practically reduced to less than 30 this year,” De Mesa told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.

“If the rainy season and the anticipated ‘third quarter storm’ come, our hog raisers are ready to address and prevent the increase in ASF cases.” A11

Romualdez to push for passage of DA priority bills

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted six bills endorsed by the Department of Agriculture (DA), including amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

In a high-level meeting with DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and DA Undersecretary Alvin John Balagbag, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez vowed to personally sponsor and push for the passage of the agency’s priority legislative measures.

He said these reforms will be elevated to the top of the 20th Congress’ agenda.

“These are not just bills—they are blueprints for lasting change. I will personally sponsor these measures to institutionalize President

Marcos’ vision of affordable rice for all and stronger support for our farmers.”

Among the DA’s priority measures now fully endorsed by Romualdez are: amendments to RTL to restore critical regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA), enabling it to stabilize prices and protect local rice production, the Livestock Development and Competitiveness Act, the Philippine Corn Industry Development Act, the Onion Research Center Act, amendments to Republic Act 7308, or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992, and amendments to the Local Government Code to bolster agricultural extension services at the LGU level.

“These measures are critical to transforming our food syste from farm to market and making sure no Filipino is left hungry or help -

DA: Unlicensed

hog

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued show cause orders to nine hog farms in Central Luzon for operating without the necessary license.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel Jr. sought an explanation from the hog farms for operating despite bypassing basic health, environmental, and safety regulations.

He said these lapses jeopardize national efforts to stabilize pork supply and pricing, especially as the country recovers from the lingering effects of African swine fever (ASF). The farms were located in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac.

“As we modernize Philippine agriculture, everyone must understand that unlicensed operations

less in the face of price shocks,” Romualdez said. “Legislation is the strongest tool we have to make this program permanent.”

‘Not just a dream’

ROMUALDEZ also pledged to harness the full legislative power of Congress to make President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s P20per-kilo rice program a permanent and sustainable reality— bringing relief to consumers while ensuring long-term support for Filipino farmers.

He said the P20 rice price is more than a campaign promise— it’s a long-term commitment that demands bold, structural reforms in agriculture, food distribution, and rural development.

“Let’s make sure that P20-perkilo rice is not a rare phenomenon but an everyday reality—especially for the poor. Our goal is simple

but ambitious: no Filipino should go hungry or helpless due to unaffordable food prices.” Romualdez also emphasized the importance of empowering farmers to sustain the program.

“We cannot ask them to feed the nation without feeding their hopes. These laws will give them better seeds, tools, market access, and dignity.”

He assured the DA of the House’s unwavering partnership in delivering meaningful results for both producers and consumers.

“Whether you’re a farmer in the fields of Isabela or a mother budgeting for the week in Metro Manila, this program is for you,” Romualdez said.

“The P20 per kilo rice is not just a dream. With the help of legislation, determination, and unity, we will make it permanent and continuous.”

farms could disrupt supply chain

will not be tolerated,” he said in a statement.

“Compliance is not optional—it is fundamental to protecting both consumers and the livelihoods of law-abiding farmers.”

The DA said the move is part of the government’s efforts to crack down on unregistered livestock facilities that distort the food supply chain and threaten price stability.

Acting Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Christian Daquigan said the orders were served shortly after the midterm elections.

The BAI is currently evaluating responses from some of the farms, noting that further enforcement actions might follow.

Furthermore, the DA chief said he instructed BAI to widen its inspection net and assess the compliance of other swine farms nationwide.

“The DA and BAI continue to review and monitor the operations of animal facilities nationwide to ensure adherence to licensing, health, and safety requirements— part of a broader effort to professionalize the livestock industry and protect public welfare.”

Earlier, the agency urged the local swine industry to produce an additional 2 million hogs annually to restore the country’s pig population to pre-ASF levels by 2028.

The DA chief said the country produced nearly 14 million hogs

before ASF hit the country. Output plunged to 8 million, which creates a deficit of 6 million heads for the sector he added.

With this, he said the sector should produce an additional 2 million hogs each year through 2026 to 2028 to return to preASF levels.

Industry sources and DA officials attributed the recent spike in retail pork prices to the shortage in domestic supply caused by the ASF outbreaks.

Currently, retail prices of pork ham in Metro Manila markets range from P350 to P430 per kilo, while pork belly is being sold from P370 to P490 per kilo, based on the government’s price monitoring report. Ada Pelonia

China’s wheat harvest risks 7-year low as farmers battle drought

CHINA’S wheat output

could drop as much as 5 percent this year to the lowest since 2018, after recent drought in key growing regions stressed the crop. Although that would be a sizeable decline from last year’s record haul of 140 million tons, ample stockpiles and relatively weak domestic demand are likely to cushion the impact and prevent a supply shock. Still, it would be an unwelcome development for a government focused heavily on food security, and could force a rethink on imports.

The world’s top producer and

consumer of the grain is expected to harvest between 133 million and 135 million tons in 2025, according to a survey of five traders and analysts, who declined to be identified discussing sensitive information. The lower figure would be would be the smallest crop since 131 million tons seven years ago. China is trying to insulate its agricultural supplies from intensifying geopolitical risks, particularly unresolved trade hostilities with the United States, one of the world’s main exporters. Beijing imposed a 15-percent tariff on American wheat in March, at

a time when import demand was light. In the first four months of the year, overseas purchases were at a seven-year low for the period of just over 1 million tons.

But increasingly frequent bouts of extreme weather caused by climate change are forcing rapid adjustments in supply channels. The last scare to hit the wheat crop was only two years ago, when heavy rains damaged plants and propelled annual imports to a record of more than 12 million tons. Wheat is a dietary staple in China, particularly for noodles and dumplings,

as well a substitute grain in animal feed.

This time around, the problem is at the other end of the spectrum: high temperatures and persistent dryness that have hardened the soil and withered crops. Damage has been most pronounced in the wheat growing regions of northern China, including the top producing province of Henan, as well as Shaanxi. Those two were among a cluster of provinces that experienced significantly below-average precipitation in May, according to the weather bureau. Some parts of Henan and Shaanxi were designated as suffering from exceptional drought — the

worst conditions according to the Chinese grading system.

Pest problems

OFFICIAL forecasters, like the International Grains Council and the US Department of Agriculture, haven’t changed their estimates to reflect the weather concerns. Both still expect crops of 140 million tons or more. State media in China have reported on the worsening conditions ahead of this summer’s harvest, including earlier and more frequent pest infestations. The authorities have responded by issuing alerts, freeing up

emergency funds and mobilizing producers to improve irrigation and boost crop nutrition. But the additional expense is a heavy burden to many farmers surviving on already low margins.

Although rains at the weekend brought some respite to parched northern regions, another heat wave is building for later in the week. Temperatures as high as 38C (100F) are forecast.

“The weather is indeed getting abnormal — it doesn’t rain when it should,” said a farmer in Hebei, another large wheat province, who only gave his family name Li. Bloomberg News

PHOTO COURTESY OF SM SUPER

PHL faces renewed ILO scrutiny over labor rights record

THE looming risk of the Philippines being included once again in the shortlist of the Committee of Application of Standards (CAS) at the ongoing 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) is a glaring warning signal. It highlights the urgent need for the Marcos administration to renew and strengthen its commitment to ending labor-related violence and upholding international labor standards. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Labor-related violence may land PHL anew on ILO shortlist—group,” May 24, 2025).

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition’s call for a “high-level assurance” from President Marcos to the International Labor Organization Director General is not just a formality—it is a critical demand for accountability and leadership. Without a clear and definitive statement from the government committing to implement the ILO High Level Tripartite Mission’s (HLTM) recommendations, the country risks increased international scrutiny and potential harm to its reputation as a protector of workers’ rights.

For three consecutive years, the Philippines has been under the spotlight for failing to sufficiently address labor issues, and the possibility of being listed among the world’s worst countries for workers is a deeply troubling prospect. This negative attention not only affects the country’s standing in the international community but also threatens its economic interests, as investors and trade partners increasingly prioritize countries with strong labor protections.

While the Marcos administration has made some progress—such as establishing the Interagency Committee led by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and the Department of Justice’s willingness to revisit cases of violence against labor leaders—the clock is ticking. The urgent reform required to safeguard workers from violence, harassment, and violations of their organizing rights must be accelerated.

The Omnibus Guidelines on Freedom of Association have the potential to be a significant step forward if they are elevated to an Executive Order, as proposed. However, without a binding commitment from the President and prompt implementation, these measures are at risk of being postponed or watered down.

President Marcos must recognize that labor rights are not merely domestic issues but matters of international concern that reflect the country’s values and governance. Delivering a high-level assurance to the ILO signals not only compliance but a genuine commitment to justice, peace, and progress for Filipino workers.

The government has a responsibility to its citizens and international partners to take decisive action. Failure to do so will prolong the cycle of violence and repression against workers, undermine the rule of law, and tarnish the nation’s image on the world stage.

The time for empty rhetoric is over. The Marcos administration must now demonstrate true leadership by turning promises into tangible actions that safeguard labor rights, adhere to international standards, and ensure a secure and equitable future for the Filipino workforce. The global community and Filipino workers alike are eagerly watching, expecting concrete results.

BusinessMirror

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China’s Caribbean gambit: US quiet counterplay

NOUTSIDE THE BOX

INETY miles from Florida, Cuba is not just a sun-soaked irritant. It is China’s latest geopolitical dartboard. In 2023, Beijing’s military base talks with Havana rattled Washington’s cage. Meanwhile the Philippines, 8,000 miles away, is no bystander. It is Washington’s calculated strategic reply. Bilateral trade data tells the story. China-Cuba commerce hit $862.2 million in 2023. USPhilippine trade soared to $24 billion in 2024. Beijing’s Caribbean flex is loud, but the US plays a smarter game in Asia.

Cuba’s strategic value is undeniable. Its proximity to US shores and key Caribbean sea lanes makes it a spy’s playground. In June 2023, the Wall Street Journal exposed ChinaCuba talks for a military training base—a bold taunt and a calculated signal in Beijing’s global sparring match with the US. Beijing’s $1 billion Cuban telecoms infrastructure push since 2015 is not charity; it is wired for eavesdropping. China is not whispering—it is practically waving a red flag in Uncle Sam’s backyard, daring a response. Havana’s ports offer Beijing a vantage to monitor Atlantic traffic, reviving Cold War tensions with a modern, economic twist.

Cuba’s past is a proxy war saga. The 1901 Platt Amendment made it Washington’s backyard sandbox. The 1962 Missile Crisis, with Soviet nukes, nearly sparked Armageddon. Now, China exploits Cuba’s economic ruin—GDP growth dragged at 1.8 percent from 2010 to 2020. Unlike the Soviets’ clumsy missile gambit, Beijing’s strategy is sleek: buy influence, not headlines.

The Philippines is the US’s Pacific stronghold. The 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement opened five bases, with four added in 2023, costing $128 million in 2024 upgrades so says the Pentagon. This is not just South China Sea defense—

it is a jab at China’s Cuban antics. The Philippines, geographically positioned to guard Asian trade routes, cements US strategy. Beijing’s Caribbean games are clever, but Manila is Washington’s local muscle and where the US draws the real line.

In 2024, China’s coast guard vessels rammed Philippine ships at Second Thomas Shoal, incidents up 25 percent from 2023. The US reinforced its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the April 2024 Balikatan exercises, deploying 16,000 troops. This is Washington’s answer to China’s Cuban gambit, not just about maritime spats. Beijing’s coast guard plays bumper cars in the South China Sea, but Manila’s “assertive transparency” broadcasts every bruise, shaming China globally. Cuba and the Philippines are strategic flashpoints. China’s $500 million Cuban port upgrades parallel US base expansions in the Philippines. With 150,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan, the Philippines is a tripwire for China’s Taipei ambitions. This is not fencing—it is a strategic stare-down, with Manila tilting the Pacific scales in Washington’s favor.

A Manila-based US diplomat had this to say privately. “China’s playing Cold War spy games in Cuba, but you guys (the Philippines) are the real firewall in Asia.” His point? The Philippines is not just a US pawn as some

local pundits like to dwell about. The Philippines is a strategic counterweight, a fulcrum forcing Beijing to split its focus and maybe, eventually, rethink its Pacific swagger. Cuba is China’s low-cost jab. Its economy, battered by a US embargo costing $150 billion since 1960, makes Havana a cheap date. Beijing’s BRICS invite to Cuba in January 2025 sweetens the deal, offering Havana a lifeline. Meanwhile, the Philippines is the US’s Pacific fortress. Washington’s sanctions push Cuba into China’s arms, but bolstering Manila is the shrewder play with less flash, more muscle.

China’s Cuban foothold is real, but the Philippines is the US’s sharper countermove. Beijing is capitalizing on Cuba’s economic collapse; Washington is bolstering Manila’s determination. The US does not need to publicize its strategy—quietly reinforcing the Philippines while China postures in the Caribbean is sufficient. The US counters quietly: $500 million in Philippine military aid since 2022. This is no game—it is a global power clash, a tug of war and the United States grips tighter, with Manila as its anchor.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Global carriers pile on India capacity as US-Europe traffic drops

By Siddharth Philip, Leen Al-Rashdan & Danny Lee

THE skies above India are about to get a lot busier as international carriers add more routes to the world’s most-populated nation to make up for tepid transatlantic demand that’s come under pressure from global economic uncertainties.

Foreign airlines and the biggest Indian operators announced a range of plans at the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in New Delhi this week to start or increase services to and from the South Asian nation. Delta Air Lines Inc. plans to begin non-stop services from its hub in Atlanta to New Delhi, and the airline also announced a code-sharing pact with low-cost specialist IndiGo, alongside partners Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.

Now under private ownership, Air India Ltd. as well as market leader IndiGo are planning their own major international pushes. Air India has placed orders for 570 planes from Airbus SE and Boeing Co. since 2023 and IndiGo has an order book for more than 900 Airbus planes, including a recently expanded purchase of 60 A350 widebody aircraft.

India is already the world’s thirdlargest domestic aviation market and the country’s rising middle class makes the nation of more than 1.4

billion people a crucial driver of future growth. The upbeat outlook contrasts with caution about global travel demand as US President Donald Trump’s tariff uncertainties prompt households to rein in their spending.

“It’s hard to find a more exciting market right now than India,” Shai Weiss, the chief executive officer of Virgin Atlantic, said in an interview in New Delhi. “It’s going to be a tough market in the beginning, it’s going to be well competed, but we’re betting on the next 30 years.”

With the focus on the Indian market intensifying, some in the industry have expressed concerns about a possible race to the bottom as airlines undercut each other to fill seats. That risks resulting in excess capacity and ever thinner margins for carriers.

Still, those fears may be overblown as any market asymmetry typically works itself out, according to British Airways CEO Sean Doyle. In addition to the large Indian diaspora in the UK, the airline is looking

to tap the huge number of travelers from India to the US, he said.

“Sometimes you may get an imbalance, where capacity comes ahead of growth,” said Doyle, whose airline operates 56 flights a week to India.

“But then demand catches up because you’ll never get an even correlation. There’s a lot of opportunities for direct services.”

IndiGo has emerged as a major winner of the push by foreign firms into the market, inking partnerships with some of the global industry’s biggest names.

At an event in New Delhi on Sunday, Delta Air Lines, along with its partners Virgin Atlantic and Air France-KLM, announced plans to increase code shares with India’s biggest airline. IndiGo, which hosted this year’s IATA AGM, also has codeshares with Qantas Airways Ltd., British Airways and Japan Airlines Co.

When asked about whether IndiGo will more do work exclusively with Delta Air Lines, Virgin and Air France, CEO Pieter Elbers said “we’ve passed the stage of dating, but we’re not at the stage of marriage.” Thai Airways International PCL is also looking to expand in India and wants to partner with IndiGo, adding to its current ties with Air India.

The carrier has 75 flights a week to eight Indian cities, including three

daily services to New Delhi, which it plans to increase to four by the end of the year. Efforts to lift that further are being stymied by new aircraft not coming in fast enough to meet demand, according to CEO Chai Eamsiri.

“India is always a big market for Thailand,” Chai said in an interview. “We need partners. Right now we have Air India, but we have to explore more,” he said, referring to IndiGo. Still, India’s tightly regulated aviation sector presents a major hurdle for foreign airlines wanting to expand. Flight rights to the country are based on so-called bilateral agreements that determine the number of seats carriers can operate on a reciprocal basis.

The policies risk hindering India’s aspirations to become a global player and should be revised, according to Emirates, which is restricted from adding to capacity into India.

“Hopefully that’ll change when they perhaps realize that the significance, the criticality, of their transport as a wealth multiplier for their own economy,” said President Tim Clark. “It’s quite clear that not to do that will only shoot yourself in the foot in the end. But it’s up to the Indian government to decide what they want to do on that.” With assistance from Mihir Mishra and Guy Johnson/Bloomberg

John Mangun

China consumers get thrifty during holidays as spending stumbles

CHINESE consumer spending faltered during a major holiday even as more people hit the road, suggesting a trade truce with the US is failing to turn around sentiment in an economy reeling from Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Travelers spent more than 42.7 billion yuan ($5.9 billion) during a total of 119 million domestic trips made during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival public holiday, each up more than 5 percent from a year earlier, figures provided by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed on Tuesday.

That means spending per trip was only 359 yuan, down 2.2 percent on year, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the official numbers. The decline was even steeper when compared with the Tomb-Sweeping Festival in April, which also lasted for three days, when people shelled out 457 yuan per trip.

Holiday spending is an important yardstick for the strength of Chinese consumption—long the weak link in the $19 trillion economy that’s now looking to domestic demand to offset shocks from abroad and absorb excess manufacturing capacity.

The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan with boat races and is marked by eating traditional rice dumplings. It’s one of China’s seven long public holidays that people traditionally use to shop, travel and relax.

The celebratory mood during the holiday that ended on Monday was relatively muted across parts of China’s consumer economy, especially as large swathes of the country saw rainy weather.

While the box office during the festival rose 21 percent on year to 460 million yuan, it was only about half the level logged during the same break in 2023, according to data compiled by online ticketing platform Maoyan Entertainment.

A total of 5.9 million crossborder trips were made, up 2.7 percent from a year earlier, figures from the National Immigration Administration showed. Inbound trips by foreigners jumped 59 percent on year during the holiday, as China allowed visa-free travel for 43 countries.

The latest data provided a glimpse into consumption momentum in China, where households have been cautious about splurging amid job and income uncertainties.

The economy is still grappling with domestic woes such as a property slump, deflation, and trade ten-

Travelers spent more than 42.7 billion yuan ($5.9 billion) during a total of 119 million domestic trips made during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival public holiday, each up more than 5 percent from a year earlier, figures provided by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed on Tuesday. That means spending per trip was only 359 yuan, down 2.2 percent on year, according to Bloomberg calculations based on the official numbers. The decline was even steeper when compared with the Tomb-Sweeping Festival in April, which also lasted for three days, when people shelled out 457 yuan per trip.

sions with the US. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg forecast year-on-year growth in retail sales will slow for a second straight month in May.

What Bloomberg Economics says...

“CHINA’S deflating consumer and producer prices show the economy is in weak shape as the impact of the trade war starts to hammer external demand. Supply is overwhelming demand—pushing down prices. Policy efforts to boost consumption since the fourth quarter of last year still appear to be failing to get much traction,” said Bloomberg economist David Qu.

Despite the agreement to pause the punitive tariffs following last month’s bilateral talks in Geneva, the average rate of US levies on Chinese goods is still elevated at roughly 40 percent, hitting smaller exporters hard and forcing them to shrink payrolls.

China’s manufacturing sector had its worst slump since September 2022 in May, with new orders contracting and companies cutting staffing levels, according to results of a private survey published jointly by Caixin and S&P Global on Tuesday.

“Looking ahead, we see upcoming summer break performance as more important to assess travel demand and believe investors will likely monitor domestic weekly hotel data closely,” Citigroup Inc. analysts Brian Gong and Alicia Yap wrote in a note. Bloomberg

Understanding China: A guide to how the world’s second-largest economy is governed

By Julian Valle

DESPITE its growing influence on global affairs, China’s system of governance is still unfamiliar to many. While differing in structure from Western systems that emphasize electoral competition and market liberalism, China operates through a distinct framework combining centralized planning, grassroots consultation, and long-term policy design. For Filipinos and others across the region, understanding this system helps inform better engagement in trade, diplomacy, and cooperation.

This article is intended as an educational overview. It aims to explain how China’s government functions, what principles guide it, and how decisions are formed and implemented—particularly in the context of China’s international cooperation programs such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

1. Governance and Elections: Whole Process People’s Democracy China uses a system known as Whole Process People’s Democracy, which blends electoral participation with consultative mechanisms across multiple levels of government. There are five main tiers of the People’s Congress system, each forming a representative body that elects the next level above it:

1. Vi llage or Community-level People’s Congresses.

2. C ounty-level People’s Congresses.

3. Prefecture-level People’s Congresses.

4. Provincial-level People’s Congresses.

5. National People’s Congress (NPC).

n At the grassroots level, villagers elect local people’s congresses.

n These local congresses elect higher-level representatives, creating a tiered system up to the NPC.

n The NPC is China’s highest legislative body and elects state leaders including the President and Premier.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the governing party. Alongside it, eight other legally recognized minor parties participate in state affairs primarily through the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)—an advisory body composed of representatives from political parties, civil society, academia, and business. The CPPCC contributes feedback to draft policies and national planning.

China’s approach is rooted in the concept of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, a framework that recognizes the role of market forces in spurring innovation and industry while ensuring that growth serves broader social goals. This includes efforts toward poverty alleviation, access to services, and progressive taxation aimed at raising the general standard of living.

Key institutions include:

n The State Council—China’s chief administrative body, headed by the Premier.

n Various Ministries and Commissions—Covering portfolios such as Industry, Finance, Environment, and Agriculture.

n The People’s Bank of China (PBOC)—The central bank overseeing currency policy and financial regulation.

2. Funding the Government: Taxes, Land Leasing, and StateOwned Enterprises China’s government is financed through:

n Taxation—Including VAT, corporate and personal income taxes, with flexible regional approaches to drive growth.

n Land Leasing—As land is state-owned, local governments lease land use rights to developers for fixed durations. This has become a major source of revenue, particularly for funding infrastructure projects. This system has allowed China to sustain high levels of investment in transportation, housing, and industrial zones over the past decades.

In addition to taxation and land leasing, China also derives significant revenue and strategic capacity from State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). These companies operate in key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, transportation, finance, and manufacturing. Examples include:

n Sinopec and CNPC in oil and gas.

n State Grid Corporation of China in electricity distribution.

n China Mobile in telecommunications.

n Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in finance. n China Railway in infrastructure and high-speed rail.

While many SOEs operate under market conditions and compete globally, they also serve national strategic goals and often support major policy initiatives like the BRI and green energy transformation.

3. Policy Priorities and Planning: The “5+1+1” Framework and Five-Year Plans China’s long-term development planning is guided by the 5+1+1 framework, which encompasses the following national priorities:

n 5 Dimensions of Development:

n Economic Development

n Political Advancement

n Cultural Advancement

n Social Development (including security, education, and health)

n Ecological Development

n +1: National Security and Stability

n +1: Party Building and Institutional Integrity

These priorities also inform external engagement strategies. One of the main tools China uses to guide these priorities is the FiveYear Plan—a strategic blueprint released every half-decade outlining economic goals, social reforms, environmental benchmarks, and industrial directions.

The current 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) emphasizes high-tech self-reliance, digital infrastructure, green development, and rural revitalization. It highlights areas such as:

n Expanding renewable energy capacity and carbon reduction pathways.

n Accelerating data infrastructure and smart city development.

n Enhancing semiconductor independence and advanced manufacturing.

n Deepening social safety nets and healthcare reform.

Past plans have shaped landmark national efforts such as:

n The development of highspeed rail networks.

n Urbanization through new tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

n Internet and telecom expansion through broadband initiatives. These Five-Year Plans serve as roadmaps for both state and private sectors, aligning investment priorities with national strategy. Ministries, SOEs, and local governments adjust their goals accordingly, making the plans a central instrument in China’s policy coordination model. For instance, under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), China promotes collaborative projects in clean energy, agriculture, and poverty reduction—sectors relevant to the Philippines and other ASEAN states.

4. Policy in Action: From Online Issue Boards to Global Infrastructure Policy responsiveness in China is often managed through both centralized oversight and local-level accountability. One example is the use of online issue boards, where residents can submit complaints, service requests, or feedback. Local officials are evaluated based on how effectively and promptly they respond.

Internationally, initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) represent China’s approach to

Merz has courted and criticized Trump from afar; now they meet

By Arne Delfs

GERMAN Chancellor Friedrich Merz has veered between boasting about common ground with Donald Trump to bemoaning the US president’s volatility and even mocking his bravado. Now, for the first time, he gets to deal with him face to face.

After nearly a month in office and following weeks of negotiations, the 69-year-old conservative will travel to Washington for his inaugural meeting with Trump on Thursday. Past meetings between the two countries’ leaders have often been formalities to reinforce their unshakable postwar partnership: This time is different.

Stiff tariffs are looming for German exporters in Trump’s trade dispute with the European Union, while American support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion hangs in the balance. A positive meeting might take some of the heat out of these issues, but the bigger risk is that tensions could boil over, setting back transatlantic ties even further. The chancellor is preparing for anything, according to an official

familiar with the discussions in the chancellery in Berlin. Scenarios range from hearty handshakes like with French President Emmanuel Macron to the public berating received by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the person who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Merz, who hadn’t served in government before starting his term on May 6, is well aware that his encounter with Trump will be delicate and has sought tips from more seasoned veterans. In recent weeks, he’s spoken to a number of European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb.  Trump and Merz will meet a day after US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer holds talks with EU

negotiators in Paris—and with just weeks until the president has threatened to implement sweeping 50 percent tariffs on all European goods.

The US has sent trading partners a letter reminding them that concessions are expected ahead of the July 9 deadline, and the president already moved to double steel and aluminum tariffs earlier this week, to the chagrin of European leaders.

Ahead of the meeting in Washington, Merz has been advised to let Trump do most of the talking, according to the German official. Interruptions are a no-no, but if he does, he should be prepared to soften it with praise, the person said.

The chancellor, who can be prickly and combative, has made it clear internally that he won’t openly confront the US president like Zelenskyy did, the person added.

After clamping down on irregular migration and vowing to ramp up defense spending, Merz has taken steps to counter views in Washington that German leadership is weak, according to Sudha David-Wilp, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund.

“He comes to the White House with less baggage,” she said. “Both leaders could write a new script together.”

In addition to geopolitical jeopardy, there’s a lot at stake domestically. Merz’s conservative bloc holds only a narrow lead in the polls over the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which has been staunchly supported by Trump officials.

The anti-immigration party is watching closely and wants Merz to break with Brussels to resolve the trade dispute with Trump, which the head of the Christian Democratic Union has rejected.

“We shouldn’t act as if German and EU interests are identical,” Beatrix von Storch, deputy leader of the AfD’s parliamentary group, said in a video posted on social media. “We’ll judge his visit on the extent he represents German interests in his discussion with Trump.”

Recently, Merz seemed to mock Trump. When asked during a conference appearance how his first phone call went, the German leader mimicked the US president’s voice,

development: prioritize connectivity, enable economic cooperation, and encourage infrastructure-led growth.

The Global Security Initiative (GSI) promotes dialogue and mutual respect in security affairs, while the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) emphasizes civilizational diversity, cultural exchange, and educational partnerships.

5. Strategic Decision-Making: From Experts to Politburo China’s policymaking process is methodical and consensus-oriented. A typical flow of decision-making is as follows:

1. Academics, researchers, or industry groups raise a proposal (e.g., electric vehicle expansion).

2. Relevant ministries conduct studies and internal reviews.

3. Inter-ministerial consultations resolve overlaps or competing interests.

4. A report is submitted to the State Council, which also seeks input from national think tanks and external experts—including those from overseas.

5. T he Premier submits key proposals to the Politburo, a senior CCP body.

6. T he Politburo reviews public opinion and policy impacts.

7. P ilot programs are often launched to test new ideas.

Example: Shenzhen was designated a Special Economic Zone in the 1980s. The city served as a controlled experiment for market reforms, and its success helped shape national policy on economic liberalization. This system allows for trial-anderror governance while balancing national priorities, especially in areas like:

n Electric Vehicles

n Advanced Manufacturing and Drones n Strategic Trade and Tariffs These approaches reflect the broader vision of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics: leveraging competition and entrepreneurship where beneficial, while keeping long-term strategic control within state institutions to ensure inclusive development.

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters for the Philippines

A clearer understanding of how China governs enables more informed engagement. Whether in trade negotiations, regional planning, or media exchanges, familiarity with China’s governance structure helps navigate its decision-making processes. For the Philippines, this knowledge provides perspective—not alignment. It equips policymakers, business leaders, and the public with the awareness needed to pursue shared interests in a rapidly changing region.

drawing laughter from the crowd, and said that every second or third word out of the president’s mouth was “great.”

Merz, a former corporate lawyer, had long thought that he would get along with Trump because both have a business background, play golf and share a patriarchal outlook. They also both have an aversion for Angela Merkel. Merz’s grudge stems from 2002, when the former chancellor ousted him as caucus leader. Trump famously avoided a handshake with her during an Oval Office meeting in his first term.

During the campaign in early January, Merz—a long-time advocate for transatlantic relations—called Trump “very predictable” and a leader who “thinks what he says and he does what he says.”

But Merz’s optimism started to shift after Vice President JD Vance accused Germany of political repression by monitoring the AfD as a potential extremist group. His disillusionment showed on election night, when Merz said that Germany could no longer rely on

the US and that Europe needed to stand on its own.

But with China expanding its influence and Russia’s war against Ukraine still raging, the US remains an indispensable ally for Germany, and Merz will be keen to strengthen that relationship.

“We all know about the challenges facing the transatlantic alliance,” Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Merz’s conservative alliance, told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday. “One thing above all remains important. The US is and remains a friend and partner also in difficult times.”

That puts the spotlight on Merz and how he navigates the biggest test of his chancellorship so far. A victory in Washington may be achieved by not losing.

“You can’t chat with him; every encounter is a competition,” Merkel said in an interview with Spiegel magazine about her experience dealing with Trump. “The more people there were in the room, the greater his urge to be the winner.” With assistance from Iain Rogers/Bloomberg

Thursday, June 5, 2025 CMEPA REVENUE

OECD pitches competition reform, cheap energy for PHL

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

IFthe Philippines wants to maximize its investment potential and boost its GDP growth, the OECD said the country must pass pro-competition reforms, streamline regulations, and reduce energy costs.

In an online briefing on Wednesday, OECD Head of Indonesia and Philippines desk Cyrille Schwellnus said the country has the most stringent regulations for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) among the Asean countries.

The OECD also projects that the country’s GDP growth will average 5.6 percent this year and 6 percent next year. The government’s 6 to 8 percent growth targets, however, will only be attainable in the medium term.

as health insurance to general taxation.

“We also see some room for employment regulations to be updated to make it easier for businesses to create formal jobs. All this would expand opportunities for workers while strengthening the foundations of economic growth,” Schwellnus said.

For this year and next year, Schwellnus said, the Philippine economy is expected to be “broadly stable” with domestic consumption being the primary driver of growth.

average over the past three years. Exports again are growing at a healthy pace but we expect that to weaken on the back of escalating global trade tensions,” he added.

However, Schwellnus said the “larger-than-expected slowdown in major economies, such as the US or China,” is expected to become a threat to the country’s export earnings as well as remittances.

LOWER WITH SELECTIVE VETO

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

THE national government was initially projected to generate as much as P41.893 billion in revenues within five years under the newly enacted Capital Markets Efficiency and Protection Act (CMEPA).

The President also retained the tax exemption on nonresident income from Foreign Currency Deposit Units (FCDUs), which spells P6.884 billion in revenue loss

In a presentation to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said that CMEPA would have raised P41.893 billion by 2030 had the President not vetoed certain provisions.

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

TRAVEL and tourism stakeholder groups underscored the value of their services to the traveling public, in the face of a recent call by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for Filipinos to buy their plane tickets directly from airlines.

In a joint news statement on Wednesday, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), the stakeholders groups said, “We express our deep concern over Transportation Secretary [Vince] Dizon’s recent remarks advising the public to purchase tickets only through direct airline channels. While we recognize the government’s intent to protect consumers and streamline travel experiences, this blanket statement risks undermining the vital role of legitimate, accredited travel agencies, which offer expert advice, visa and documentation assistance, emergency support, and personalized services that airline websites alone cannot provide.”

The official statement was issued by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas), and Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (Piata).

In a news conference on Tuesday, Dizon said in Filipino, “It would be better if [the public] buys their ticket directly from the airline,” in response to what DOTr had discovered was the unusually high airfare charged by AirAsia MOVE, on a Manila-Tacloban route. MOVE, the online travel agency of the Malaysian carrier, explained in its own news statement, that said incident was caused by “temporary data synchronization issues with flight pricing partners...and is not isolated to MOVE as it also affected other booking platforms across the industry including Agoda, Kiwi.com, and Traveloka.”

As an OTA, MOVE displays available flights on several routes and

“One is barriers to entry and competition, especially in electricity and telecommunications. Electricity prices are very high in the Philippines, so strengthening competition would likely help to bring down prices,” he added.

Schwellnus said this will help reduce costs for both businesses and consumers as well as encourage private sector investment. He added that another critical area is bringing down non-wage labor costs. This can be done by shifting some social contributions such

“Looking further ahead to the medium-term growth prospects, we see significant scope for policy reforms to boost productivity and living standards. So here we have identified two critical areas,” Schwellnus said.

Consumption this year is also going to benefit significantly from low inflation. In April, inflation averaged 1.4 percent, which is below the 2 to 4 percent target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The strength of the domestic economy, he said, is one reason the Philippines is less exposed to the slowdown in global trade compared to its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

“Government spending has also been pretty strong recently, especially in the first quarter ahead of the midterm elections, so that has also supported growth,” Schwellnus said.

“But investment is going through a soft patch, growing well below its

Nonetheless, he said, the latest policy of the US on additional taxes on remittances have not yet been inputted in its forecasts for the Philippines.

Earlier, experts said Filipinos abroad may be forced to tap informal money senders or even consider the “black market” just to send remittances to their families in the Philippines. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/05/19/ experts-see-backlash-from-usremittance-tax/).

This is in light of a new Trump policy that imposes a 5-percent excise tax on remittances flowing out of the United States. The new policy will cover some 40 million people, including green card holders and nonimmigrant visa holders but will exempt US citizens.

According to DOF data, the estimated revenue impact of CMEPA amounts to P25.024 billion by 2030. This includes the veto items that trimmed P16.868 billion from the government’s revenues.

CMEPA, or Republic Act No. 12214, was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on May 29. The law aims to modernize the tax system on passive income, making it more competitive, regionally aligned and investor-friendly. Marcos Jr. line-vetoed several provisions, such as rejecting taxing bettors on games offered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

the corresponding airfares of different carriers, which are provided by “authorized upstream suppliers, including third-party aggregators and Global Distribution Systems.”

Meanwhile, the travel and tourism stakeholders groups said their members “have long-standing partnerships with both local and international carriers and comply with industry standards set by IATA [International Air Transport Association], DOT [Department of Tourism], and the Civil Aeronautics Board. We help manage complex travel needs for corporate clients, OFWs [overseas Filipino workers], senior citizens, leisure travelers, and religious groups—many of whom benefit from the accessibility, accountability, and human support our services provide.”

Many carriers actually allocate a certain number of seats to travel agencies at preferential rates, which they latter then sell to their customers. The airfare charged may be expensive or less costly, depending on the demand from the travel agencies’ customers.

The rise of the freely independent traveler, however, and the frequency of “piso fares” from local carriers, have encouraged many Filipinos to separately purchase their plane tickets from the hotels and tours components of their trips.

The travel and tourism groups invited the DOTr to a “collaborative dialogue” to promote safe, informed, and accessible travel for all Filipinos “regardless of their chosen booking channel.”

They also underscored that they were “proud partners in nation building” by helping generate jobs and growing the tourism industry.

“We stand united for integrity, consumer protection, and professional service, and we ask that our contributions to the travel and tourism industry be recognized and respected.”

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 1,430 establishments operating as transport operators, tour, and travel agencies in the country as of 2009.

By Butch Fernandez and Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

SEN. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday admitted that the draft resolution seeking the dismissal of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte originated from his office.

A copy of the draft resolution earlier circulated, showing the name of one of his staff members in the document details.

Dela Rosa confirmed he initiated the resolution, saying it reflects his personal views on the impeachment case filed against Duterte.

He added that he consulted several people while crafting the draft.

In fact, he said there are three other versions of a similar resolution from his colleagues, but his was the first to be drafted.

“The resolution came from my office,” Dela Rosa said. “Just read it. Everything’s there. It’s very self-explanatory. If you read the ‘whereas’ clauses, you’ll understand what I’m trying to say—what my sentiments are.”

Asked whether the resolution had already gained support from fellow senators, Dela Rosa replied, “That will come later—once there’s a sizable number of supporters. Right now, I’m just letting them read the draft.”

He said the resolution hasn’t been officially filed or circulated for signatures yet, as they are still in the process of consolidating all draft versions to create a final version that would be acceptable to the majority.

“So far, I’ve seen three different drafts. I can’t say who wrote the

others, but there were contributions and inputs. Mine was the first,” he said.

Asked how many senators received a copy, he clarified, “Only those who asked for a soft copy were given one. If they weren’t interested, I wouldn’t give them a copy.”

As for whether Duterte is aware of the resolution, Dela Rosa said, “Probably not. I haven’t personally reported it to her. This is my initiative alone. She has nothing to do with it.”

Asked whether it would be filed by Monday, he said it depends: “Some still want to add input. If not today, maybe next week. Hopefully, the additional content can be finalized soon.” Once filed, the resolution will be tackled on the Senate floor.

The 19th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 13. Ping bares reso’s existence EARLIER on Wednesday, comebacking senator Ping Lacson confirmed that an unnumbered,

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Meralco unit, ACWA Power to pursue projects in Asean

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

MERALCO PowerGen Corp. (MGen) and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia will jointly develop renewable energy (RE) projects, a move that is expected to enable MGen to reach its goal of becoming the Philippines’s largest energy company.

The power generation arm of Meralco said on Wednesday that it signed a strategic agreement with ACWA Power to explore and develop RE projects in the Philippines and in the Asean region.

They have yet to announce the target capacity of RE projects as the partnership agreement is in the exploratory phase. ACWA still needs to closely review MGEN’s portfolio to arrive at investment figures and capacity commitments.

Considered the world’s largest private water desalination company, ACWA Power is a leader in energy transition and a first mover in green hydrogen.

The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia reinforcing the parties’ shared commitment to advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions.

“At MGen, our vision is clear— we are determined to become the

largest energy company in the Philippines and even beyond, leading the energy transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

This partnership marks a notable step forward in our goal to expand MGen’s renewable energy footprint by leveraging ACWA Power’s global expertise and cost leadership in solar PV development,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said.

This partnership combines ACWA Power’s global leadership with 78.8 gigawatts of capacity including record solar tariffs and MGen’s Philippine expertise across 4,953 megawatts of diversified assets.

Together, the companies aim to advance utility-scale renewable projects to accelerate the Philippines’s energy transition and ASEAN’s sustainable development.

“This agreement represents our entry into the Philippines, in partnership with MGen, which marks a major milestone in ACWA Power’s

expansion across Southeast Asia.

This collaboration combines our global expertise in renewable energy with MGen’s local knowledge, enabling us to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable power solutions that support the country’s shift towards a low-carbon future,” ACWA Power Chief Investment Officer Thomas Brostrom said.

The signing ceremony was led by Rubio and Brostrom, as well as senior executives from both companies, including MGreen President and CEO Dennis B. Jordan, MGen CIO Marc Daniel K. Dy, ACWA Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA CEO Marco Arcelli, and ACWA VP Business Development for SSEA Salman Baray.

Jordan said the collaboration will help MGen in identifying and realizing impactful renewable projects. “This partnership is not only a testament to MGreen’s commitment to scaling up on clean energy projects, but also a strategic move to lean on the expertise of ACWA Power.”

IMI sells assets in Czech Republic

By VG Cabuag @villygc

ISTED firm Integrated Mi -

Lcro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) on Wednesday said it will dispose of its assets in Czech Republic for 10.02 million euros.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Coöperatief IMI Europe U.A., the company said in its disclosure that it has signed a share purchase agreement to sell all of the shares in IMI Czech Republic to Chinese firm Keboda Deutschland GmbH and Co. KG, a unit of Keboda Technology Co., Ltd., a listed company in China.

“This sale was executed as part of IMI’s restructuring and footprint rationalization program which was initiated in the second half of 2024,” the company said.

The move will further reduce overhead and administrative ex-

penses as the company consolidates its operations in Europe into its Bulgaria and Serbia facilities.

Keboda was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Shanghai. It is a leading system solution provider for automotive intelligent and energy-sufficient electronic components.

The 10.02-million euro deal will be paid in three tranches. About 1 million euros will be paid upon signing of the share purchase agreement, 8.52 million euros upon closing of the deal and the rest of the 500,000 euros in 10 business days after closing accounts become final.

“IMI remains fully committed to its customers in the Czech Republic. A majority of the customers previously served by IMI Czech Republic have already been smoothly transi -

tioned to IMI’s facilities in Serbia and Bulgaria,” the company said. For the remaining customers, IMI will ensure uninterrupted service until they are relocated to

alternative IMI locations or their products reach end-of-life.

This ongoing support will be provided under a manufacturing services agreement with Keboda, established as part of the share purchase agreement.

Closing of the deal will happen as the parties fulfill the conditions precedent of the deal, the company said.

These include governmental approvals, settlement of financing agreements, completion of business carveouts to other IMI European sites and the execution of the manufacturing services agreement between IMI and Keboda, it said.

AG&P wants to help DOE deploy OSW technology

ATLANTIC , Gulf & Pacific Co. of Manila, Inc. (AG&P) has offered its services to the Department of Energy (DOE) to fasttrack the deployment of offshore wind (OSW) technology in the country.

In a letter to DOE Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo, who oversees port development for OSW, AG&P expressed its readiness to provide critical support services such as port infrastructure, logistics, fabrication, and workforce development.

The DOE said Bacordo visited AG&P’s facility in Bauan, Batangas last June 2. AG&P presented its end-to-end services, which include the provision of port infrastructure for the pre-assembly, staging, and integration of OSW components; the fabrication of foundations and floating platforms; and the allocation of operational space and specialized facilities to accommodate large-scale equipment and vessels.

AG&P also outlined its capacity to deliver operations and maintenance (O&M) services, including berth and logistics support. It also offered to train and upskill local workers.

“We commend AG&P for its proactive engagement and strong commitment to supporting offshore wind development in the country,” said Bacordo.

The Philippines has immense OSW potential, with the World Bank estimating over 178 giga -

watts (GW) of technical offshore wind potential.

With a rapidly rising energy demand and goals to increase renewable energy’s share to 50 percent in the country’s energy mix by 2040, OSW is seen playing a key role in boosting energy security and decarbonization efforts in the Philippines.

Building up the country’s offshore wind market can also spur job creation, local economic growth and low-cost sustainable energy, according to the World Bank.

Environmentalist think tank Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released in 2024 a report citing three high-potential OSW development zones in the country. The report noted that these are near Manila Bay, Tayabas Bay, and Guimaras.

The three high-priority OSW zones were chosen for their potential to provide the Philippines’s first OSW projects and future opportunities for longer-term development as a floating OSW market matures. These zones were also chosen for their high wind speeds of greater than 7 meters per second, proximity to major load centers in southern Luzon and western Visayas, areas with relatively shallow water depths that allow for fixed foundation wind turbine generator designs for the market’s first projects, and access to deeper areas for floating offshore wind farms. Lenie Lectura

WIND turbines in the Bay of Saint Brieuc, Brittany, France. PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHIEU

Companies

CIC outpaces industry growth in 2024–exec

By VG Cabuag @villygc

CONCEPCION Industrial Corp. (CIC), a manufacturer of refrigerators and air conditioners, said it is growing faster than the market.

Isias Ariel P. Fermin, the company’s CEO, said the market that it operates in is growing at a “high single-digit rate,” depending on the season. The company continues to invest in its Laguna plant

to meet increasinbg demand for its products.

“Last year say, the AC [air condition] market grew by close to 19 percent right? We grew more than that.”

The company said it expanded its AC market to around 28 percent last year.

“Given that this year is quite different from last year, it was El Niño. And obviously that won’t happen every year. Then again, the market has stabilized this year,” Fermin said.

“So, (our) aim is to grow faster than the market, be efficient in de -

livering the goods. The commercial principle leads us to a bottom line growth that’s faster than top line growth. That’s pretty much the guidance of the (company).”

He said the second quarter may not be as strong as last year, but the results will still be better than that seen in 2023.

From a product standpoint, CIC said air conditioners will be a “stronger product,” particularly from first-time buyers.

“We also see that refrigeration is very much in demand, specifically because a lot of people have gone

into (business). So, you see a lot of selling of light commercial chillers, beverage chillers,” Fermin said. Raul Joseph A. Concepcion, the company’s chairman, said the company would continue to invest in its plant in Laguna, as it tweaks its operations.

Concepcion said the company is increasing its focus on the business-to-business and non-refrigerant businesses. This, he said, allow the company to reduce dependence on the household aircon and refrigerators/freezers business which is cyclical and weather-dependent.

“We want to de-seasonalize the business because there’s a lot of dependency (on the weather) and it doesn’t have to be that way. So, what we have done is to rebuild the B2B part of the business,” he said.

“What we see to be propelling our (B2B) businesses would be the move towards hospitality, tourism, wellness... we see that and we ride that wave as well.” He also said the ongoing renovations of malls and stores which are now being ramped up by the property and business sectors after being held back during the pandemic.

Smart expands LTE network in Batanes

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

MART Communications Inc.

Ssaid on Wednesday it has expanded and reinforced its LTE network in Batanes to provide stronger mobile connectivity to the country’s northernmost province.

Anastacio R. Martirez, the company’s COO, said the move aims to bridge the digital divide in far-flung areas and support the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) campaign for inclusive connectivity, especially during the celebration of National ICT Month this June.

“Our continued investments in

Batanes reflect Smart’s deep commitment to nation-building. We are proud to support the government’s digital inclusion agenda by delivering reliable, value-for-money services tailored to the needs of our customers nationwide. This is part of our broader effort to im -

prove the customer experience in far-flung areas and ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital age.”

The strengthened LTE signal allows residents, tourists, and local government units in Batanes to enjoy improved mobile services, including better voice, SMS, and data access.

Known for its scattered islands and rugged terrain, Martirez said the province presents a challenging environment for telecom infrastructure, often requiring specialized solutions and equipment due to its exposure to extreme weather.

To mark the improved service, Smart is rolling out a special offer for subscribers in Batanes. Prepaid and postpaid customers, including TNT users, will receive 2.5GB of data valid for three days, along with 25 minutes of all-network calls and 25 all-network SMS. The free promo coincides with TNT’s 25th anniversary and Smart’s 34th year.

Smart’s mobile network now covers 97 percent of the population and runs on PLDT’s nationwide fiber backbone. In the first quarter, PLDT posted P53.4 billion in gross service revenues, up 2 percent, and P8.8 billion in telco core income, down 6 percent year-on-year. Reported income for the period stood at P9 billion, down by 8 percent mainly due to foreign exchange losses.

➔ Unionbank to issue bonds

THE Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank) announced it will be issuing Senior Fixed Rate (SFR) securities as part of its peso bond program.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Unionbank said the 1.5 year SFR Series H bonds are due in 2026 and 3 year SFR Series I bonds are due in 2028. The debt papers are being issued under the lender’s bond program with an increased bond limit of up to P100 billion as approved by the bank’s Board of Directors on February 28, 2025. “The public offer period for the bonds will start from June 4, 2025 and end on June 19, 2025. The bonds are intended to be issued, settled, and listed on PDEX on June 26, 2025,” read a statement issued by Unionbank. Cai U. Ordinario

➔ Makati reaches revenue goal

MAYOR Mar-len Abigail “Abby” S. Binay announced last Wednesday that Makati City has already reached 82 percent of its revenue target from local sources for 2025, collecting P14.24 billion as of April. Including external sources, the city’s total collection has already reached P15 billion. The mayor attributed the city’s continued financial stability and economic growth to digital innovations adopted by her administration for faster processing of business permits. Makati was able to register 1,962 new businesses and renew the permits of 35,019 existing businesses in the first five months of the year. New businesses chalked up P28.25 billion in investment capital, while existing businesses reported over P2.07 trillion in gross sales.

Claudeth Ciriaco Mocon

Digital stamp verification raises ₧1.161B in excise tax in 4 months

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

EXCISE tax collection on vape products grew in the first four months of the year, following the implementation of a digital stamp verification system, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

BIR data obtained by BusinessMirror showed excise taxes collected from vape products reached P1.161 billion from January to April 2025. This was generated from 130.535 million milliliters of vape liquids that legally entered the market by being affixed with tax stamps and were removed from the place of production or storage.

So far, this year’s collection is significantly higher due to the BIR’s implementation of a digital stamp verification system for vape products, which began last June 2024. As a result of the stamp system,

the BIR’s excise tax collections on vape products surged to P942 million from June to December 2024, after taxing 130 million milliliters of vape liquids.

In 2023, the BIR only raised P223.75 million from 11.2 million milliliters of vape liquids when the system was still not in place.

The excise tax on nicotine salt vape products currently amounts to P57.33 per milliliter, while the levy on conventional freebase or classic nicotine vape products costs P66.15 per 10 milliliters.

For this year, the BIR seeks a higher

tax on vape products, stressing that the amount should not be lower than traditional tobacco. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/05/20/ bir-wants-higher-vape-tax-no-tobacco-excise-cut-eyed/)

BIR Assistant Commissioner Jethro M. Sabariaga said that it should be higher because the number of puffs that can be consumed in one vape product is higher compared to a pack of cigarettes.

“From a revenue perspective, the government will be losing a lot based on the consumption of these products because these will be consumed at a longer time than one cigarette product,” Sabariaga said.

A pack of cigarettes is presently taxed at P66.15 and will increase by 5 percent every year.

While the BIR has made strides in its revenue collections, an online illegal vape shop in Guiguinto, Bulacan, was caught faking tax stamps.

A statement issued by the BIR last Wednesday read that the agency recently cracked down on an online-enabled illicit vape operation disguised as a legitimate business.

Balancing Bricks and Bytes: PHL Banks at a Crossroads

AS digital banking gains momentum in the Philippines, banks are facing a critical question: Should they continue investing in physical branches, or go all-in on digital? The answer, as with most strategic decisions, lies not at either extreme, but somewhere in between.

Digital transformation has become the rallying cry of the banking industry in recent years, accelerated further by the pandemic, which drove a massive shift toward online banking. In support of this shift, the “Digital Payment Transformation Roadmap” of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas aims for at least 50 percent of retail payments be done digitally and to onboard 70 percent of Filipino adults to the formal financial system. This has spurred banks on a race to modernize mobile apps, enhance cybersecurity, and introduce seamless digital onboarding.

And yet, bank physical branches have not and will not fade into irrelevance anytime soon. In a country marked by digital inequality and diverse banking behaviors, the role of brick-and-mortar remains both relevant and strategic.

Why physical still matters

DESPITE rapid digitalization, bank branches remain vital for specific customer segments and transactions. Senior citizens and rural communities, for example, often lack access to smartphones or stable internet. For these types of depositors, visiting a branch may not just be a simple banking activity but it is part of their routine and a reassurance of safety.

Similarly, even among digitally savvy customers, there is still a strong preference for face-to-face interaction when it comes to complex financial matters like home loans, investments, or business financing. Physical bank branches are more than just transaction hubs, they serve as key relationship touchpoints where trust is built, and deeper client connections are formed.

Branches also serve an important symbolic role. For many, a bank’s physical presence in a community signifies stability, permanence, and credibility.

But digital has its edge ON the other hand, the advantages of digital banking are undeniable. It is faster, cheaper, and scalable. Banks can serve millions of customers without the cost burden of physical premises, utilities, licenses and branch personnel.

Moreover, digital banking offers round-the-clock access and the ability to innovate rapidly, whether through AI chatbots, realtime analytics, or embedded finance solutions.

However, going fully digital is not without drawbacks. The digital divide is still a pressing reality. Many Filipinos are still unfamiliar or remain hesitant to use online banking apps. Cybersecurity threats are growing. And while AI offers efficiency, it cannot fully replace the empathy, intuition and personal touch that human advisors bring, especially when financial decisions are deeply personal.

A smart hybrid model

SO how do banks move forward?

The solution lies in designing a phygital experience, perhaps a hybrid model that integrates the best of physical and digital. This does not necessarily mean building more branches.

The BIR said its personnel and members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division, seized 18,811 vape products and fake tax stamps with a total tax liability of P36.51 million.

The tax assessment is inclusive of surcharges, interest and penalties, while the basic excise tax liability from the seized vape products alone is worth P3.49 million.

The BIR said the team raided on May 30 a vape lounge operating as a front for underground vape distribution and a makeshift warehouse inside a residential house. About 4,789 salt nicotine units and 14,022 conventional vape products, along with fake internal revenue excise stamps and counterfeit disposable vapes, were captured.

The operation came after surveillance of online sales activities on Facebook, which provided bases for the issuance of a Mission Order and a search warrant, according to the BIR.

“We want to send a loud-and-clear message to those selling illicit vape products: the BIR and NBI will pur-

sue you wherever you hide—online or onsite. The long arms of the law extend into the cyber realm—and we will find you,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying. The BIR said employees manning the online and onsite operations and the proprietor will face criminal charges for multiple violations of the National Internal Revenue Code. This includes unlawful possession of untaxed excisable goods (Section 263), sale of vapor products below the required excise and VAT (Section 263-A), failure to issue receipts (Section 264), use of counterfeit stamps (Section 265), tax evasion (Section 254) and failure to provide accurate tax information (Section 255).

“Illicit vape sellers are hiding their products in residential houses,” Lumagui said. “They are hiding their illicit operations in residential communities. If you suspect that your neighbor is engaged in the selling or warehousing of illicit vape products, immediately report the same to the BIR. Illicit vape criminals have no place in our neighborhoods.”

Instead, it means optimizing branch formats to support advisory services, financial education, and high-value transactions while encouraging day-to-day banking to migrate online.

Forward-looking, banks are already repurposing branches into “experience hubs” that showcase digital tools and foster stronger client relationships. Meanwhile, they are investing in user-friendly apps, simplified onboarding journeys, and digital literacy programs to help clients transition with confidence.

In the emerging affluent and affluent segments, this hybrid approach is particularly crucial. Clients value speed and convenience but also expect personalized service and meaningful financial advice. A well-integrated branch and digital ecosystem empowers relationship managers to deliver both.

Fresh distinct departure from the traditional experience around banking PHILIPPINE banks stand at a strategic inflection point. While digital is undoubtedly the way forward, it must be inclusive, intuitive, and anchored in trust. Physical branches are not obsolete, and they are here to stay but evolving. The banks that will thrive are those that can reimagine their networks, empower their people, and design customer journeys that meet clients wherever they are, online or offline.

The future isn’t just digital; It’s human digital.

Emmanuel Mari K. Valdes is the Head of Emerging Affluent & Affluent Market Segments, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. and the Auditor of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines. He can be reached at ekvaldes@rcbc.com. The writer’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror the RCBC and the BMAP.

Health&Fitness

Gen Z going into digital detox due to digital fatigue–study

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor

MEMBERS of Generation

Z who are experienc -

ing digital fatigue expressed a serious intention to disengage digitally because of s everal factors such as health issues like negative effects on sleep and its impact on mental health, reduced productivity and strain on personal relationships, according to a recent survey by a major management consulting research company.

I n their recent survey, Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy said 84 percent of those t hey surveyed said they would disengage digitally. “They are sensitized t o the negative effects of extensive exposure to digital devices,” said Ghermaine Reyes, President and CEO of Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy in her recent presentation during the “Insights on Conscious Consumers+First-Ever You-Gov awards” held in Makati City. She said 54 percent are digital/detox triers while 30 percent considered

t hemselves as digital/detox considerers. Meanwhile, only 16 percent identified themselves as non-interested. The report said 63 percent are working and 60 percent belong to the Generation Z. Also known as Zoomers, i Generation or post millennials, Gen Z members are roughly between 13 and 28 years old. They are the original digital natives as they have grown up with the Internet, smartphones, and social media as a vital part of their daily lives. Further, technology is second nature to them.

Intentional breaks

FIFTY-THREE percent said they would take intentional breaks multiple times a day. “They usually watch v ideos [71 percent], scroll through social media [65 percent], check emails o r work-related tasks [42 percent] before bedtime, Reyes said. Screentime concerns of the respondents include physical health i ssues, 61 percent; negative effects on sleep, 60 percent; impact on mental health (stress, anxiety, etc), 52 pe rcent; reduced productivity, 49 percent; strain on personal relation -

Immunotherapy is transforming advanced cancer treatment, including head and neck cancer

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

WHEN facing a cancer diagnosis, the usual treatment modalities are surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

But what if there was another powerful weapon in the fight against cancer you haven’t heard of or aren’t familiar with?

Immunotherapy is an innovative cancer treatment that harnesses your body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. It can be a highly effective option for certain cancer types and stages. Your doctor can determine if immunotherapy is a suitable path for your specific situation.

Every June, Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month is observed globally to highlight the pivotal role of immunotherapy in cancer treatment—a breakthrough made possible by years of dedicated research from scientists and oncologists.

Dr. Aaron Hansen, medical oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre (Greenslopes, Australia) and associate professor at the University of Queensland, presented immunotherapy in an understandable, straightforward manner. “Immunotherapy is very different from chemotherapy,” said Dr. Hansen. Instead of attacking the tumor directly, immunotherapy focuses on reprogramming your body’s own immune cells. These are the very cells that usually protect you from infections. Immunotherapy reprograms those immune cells to recognize and attack your tumor. Clever cancers

HOWEVER , Dr. Hansen pointed out that cancers are very clever.

“They are able to hijack your immune system and hide from it and camouflage themselves so that they can grow and grow without your immune system recognizing them. What some immunotherapies do is that they remove that camouflage and they allow the immune cells to see the tumor, recognize it as a tumor and then kill it. That’s essentially how immunotherapy works,” shared Dr. Hansen.

Immunotherapy can be administered in various ways, including orally, intravenously, topically, or intravesically (directly into the bladder). The frequency and duration of treatment are determined by the cancer’s type and stage, the specific immunotherapy employed, the patient’s response, and any experienced side effects.

Dr. Hansen also noted that immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. This innovative treatment is now an established option for a growing list of cancers, including head and neck, lung, kidney, liver, and bladder cancers, as well as melanoma (a type of skin cancer), lymphoma, and leukemia. This list is not exhaustive, as immunotherapy continues to be researched and approved for an expanding range of malignancies.

Typically, immunotherapy is employed for cancers that are already advanced when diagnosed, or that have recurred and spread after initial treatment.

When determining if immunotherapy is the right path, Dr. Hansen explained that doctors consider several key factors including the pa -

ships, one percent; and none of the abo ve, two percent.

The survey covered Filipinos aged 18 years and above. The online survey was conducted by YouGov. The topical studies started March 2024 to May 2025. The sample size ranged from 1,500 to 3,500 respondents.

Temporary disconnection

A “DIGITAL DETOX” involves intentionally and temporarily disconnecting from digital devices and the o nline world. For Gen Z (those born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s), who have grown up as “digital natives” with constant access to smartphones, social media, a nd instant communication, digital detoxing is increasingly recognized as crucial for their well-being.

According to studies, individuals between the ages of 13 to 24 have higher rates of technology addiction compared to other age groups. Gen Z’s formative years have been shaped by the omnipresence of digital tools, making them particularly susceptible to overuse.

The studies also observed that

unrestrained screen time has been linked to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and social anxiety in young people. The stable bombardment of information, social comparisons on platforms, and the pressure to b e constantly connected contribute to mental health challenges like FOMO (fear of missing out) and feelings of inadequacy.

Benefits of digital detox DIGITAL detoxing reduces stress, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy. It allows for mental unwinding, rest, and rejuvenation.

Limiting screen time, especially before bed, helps regulate circadian rhythms, leading to more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

By minimizing digital distractions, Gen Z can improve their ability to concentrate on tasks, leading t o greater productivity and satisfaction in their academic or personal p ursuits. Meanwhile, disconnecting from screens will develop more opportunities for genuine, in-person i nteractions, fostering deeper and more meaningful connections with

family and friends. By disengaging from the digital world, an individual can gain space for reflection, enabling fresh ideas to emerge and creativity to thrive. It also gives an opportunity to have self assessment and understand one’s own emotions and thoughts more clearly.

Offline activities

WITH less time spent online, Gen Z can allocate more time to offline activities they enjoy, such as reading, e ngaging in physical activities, or pursuing creative projects.

A temporary detox can help Gen Z evaluate their usage patterns and develop a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology, using it as a tool rather than being consumed by it.

To implement a digital detox, a Gen Z can decide on specific “devicefree zones” (e.g., bedrooms, dinner tables) and “tech-free hours” each day. Gen Z can dedicate specific periods for offline activities like exercising, reading, journaling, or engaging in hobbies.

Push notifications THEY should limit interruptions by turning off non-essential push notifications. Fill detox time with enjoyable real-world activities to replace screen time. Since Gen Z has a s trong addiction with digital technology, they start gradually by reducing s creen time by 30 minutes each week, rather than attempting an immediate, drastic cut-off. It would be also go od if Gen Z uses simpler “dumb phones” for basic communication to reduce smartphone reliance. For parents and guardians, leadership should be by example as adults modeling healthy screen habits is crucial for younger Gen Z individuals. If digital addiction or related mental health concerns are significant, a G enz should seek  professional help from therapists or counselors. Finally, a digital detox for Gen Z  does not mean abandoning technology entirely but about finding a he althy balance that supports their mental, emotional, and physical well-being in an increasingly digital world.

Atherosclerosis is a silent, deadly threat that should not be ignored–expert

By Rory Visco Contributor

tient’s overall health, the type and extent of the cancer’s growth or spread, and any previous treatments received.

Head and neck cancers

DR. Hansen is also a member of the US NCI Taskforce on Recurrent/ Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. He recently traveled to the Philippines to deliver a lecture on head and neck cancer.

Dr. Hansen explained that head and neck cancers are tumors originating from various areas like the oral cavity (tongue, gums, mouth), back of the throat (base of tongue), voice box (larynx), and the hypopharynx. They also include tumors from the nasopharynx (behind the nose) and salivary glands. Most commonly, these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), developing from the mucosal lining of these areas. While less frequent, head and neck cancers can also arise in salivary glands, sinuses, muscles, or nerves.

Dr. Hansen highlighted a distinct type: nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Though part of the head and neck cancer family, NPC has a different biology and behavior. It’s primarily linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), making it more prevalent in Southeast Asia, particularly in southern China and, notably, the most common head and neck tumor in the Philippines. This makes NPC a unique clinical challenge compared to SCCs.

Several potential risk factors contribute to the development of head and neck SCC and NPC, including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, betel quid chewing, inadequate nutrition, poor oral hygiene, HPV, and Epstein–Barr virus.

Late-stage head and neck cancer diagnosis

GLOBALLY, a majority of head and neck cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages because initial symptoms are often not recognized by themselves, their physician, or the surgeon they first consult. This can lead to significant diagnostic delays.

When addressing advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer, the approach often begins with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting, Dr. Hansen noted. The first step is to determine if local treatments such as surgery or radiation are viable. If a patient isn’t a candidate for these, the focus shifts to systemic therapy.

“The standard systemic therapy would be immunotherapy plus or minus chemotherapy together. And there are a number of factors which would go into making a decision about whether you do the immunotherapy with or without chemo. Patient factors like are they fit enough for treatment?,” said Dr. Hansen.

He added that if a patient is unwell or frail, a doctor might opt for immunotherapy alone, as it’s generally better tolerated than chemotherapy. However, for patients who are fitter, have fewer medical conditions, and a rapidly growing or extensive disease, combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy might be the preferred approach.

“Immunotherapy offers a clinically meaningful extension of life, often adding not just weeks, but many months or even years for a significant proportion of patients. This valuable time allows individuals to spend more moments with family and friends, all while generally maintaining a reasonably good quality of life.” said Dr. Hansen.

THERE is no doubt that atherosclerosis is a silent but formidable disease, pointed to being at the heart of several of the most serious health risks today. The worst part is that its symptoms are p ractically unnoticeable until it’s too late. It is estimated to have affected millions of people worldwide. Despite today’s medical advancements in diagnostics and treatment, many people still fall victim to it, mainly because of lack of awareness or refusal to transition to a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Beaver Tamesis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, explained that atherosclerosis is a process that causes the blockage of the arteries. “Our arteries, normally, should be elastic but with atherosclerosis, it will harden. Aside from hardening, it will have blockages inside as well,” Dr. Tamesis said during the launch of a renewed campaign by the Department of Health (DOH) called “’Wag Magpaloko sa vape at sigarilyo” as part of the celebration of World No Tobacco Day last May 31, 2025 at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City.

Causes of Atherosclerosis

WHAT causes these blockages? Dr. Tamesis noted high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking, among others. “That’s why it’s important to stop smoking to help stop or slow down the atherosclerosis process. While one smokes, the cigarettes have nicotine, and that nicotine aggravates the high heart rate, blood pressure, the arteries become hard and more spastic rather than become elastic and relaxed. That way, the arteries become blocked, and it changes the way blood vessels normally respond to stresses.”

When asked by BusinessMirror who are the most to have atherosclerosis, he said everybody who has had a heart attack, stroke, blockage of arteries all have atherosclerosis. “Also, while we age, we will have it because it comes with ageing, but the process becomes bad or worse if you add smoking, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, and then there’s diabetes and hypertension, all of these accelerate the process of atherosclerosis and make it much worse.”

Most commonly affected by atherosclerosis are men, Dr. Tamesis said, especially after passing the age of 40, where they are then considered as high risk. For women, however, he said it’s about 10 years delayed because they are still protected by their

ovaries or through their menstrual cycle.

But after 50 years old, when menstruation stops, that’s the time they become high risk to stroke or heart disease.

Slowing down, stopping atherosclerosis

ASIAN Hospital, Dr. Tamesis said, is definitely here to slow down the process of atherosclerosis. He said it can start with the prevention phase where they can educate the communities, or even at the therapeutic stage when the disease is already here.

“Since last year, we’ve been reaching out to communities that surround Asian Hospital where we create awareness even at the barangay level like townhall meetings. We make them understand the process they are facing, and the things they can do to stop it.”

Many people are not really aware about atherosclerosis because it’s such a long word and very hard to spell, Dr. Tamesis mentioned with a slight chuckle. That’s why many people think of it as heart disease or stroke but these are the endpoints already and they miss out on the process. “That’s why we made it part of our campaign at the Asian Hospital to make people aware about and understand the process. The process needs to be slowed down or better yet

stopped as much as we can. But hopefully patients don’t come to us if they already had a stroke or heart attack. As much as possible, we practice prevention.”

Renewed fight vs. smoking and vaping AT the World Tobacco Day event, Asian Hospital joined several other medical institutions in a renewed fight put up by the DOH against smoking and vaping. For this campaign, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa reintroduced “Yosi Kadiri,” together with “Vape Sulasok,” “Eva Li” (E-cigarette- or vaping-use-associated lung injury) and “Ate Rose,” a play of words that means Atherosclerosis coined by Asian Hospital. Other partners in the campaign that is taking a united stand include the Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine General Hospital, and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians. Dr. Tamesis again reiterated his call to stop smoking or vaping to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening diseases. “Smoking not only harms your lung health—it rapidly accelerates the development of atherosclerosis, quietly destroying your blood vessels and putting your heart and brain at risk. So we must begin prevention now,” he concluded.

Sexually active individuals should be tested regularly for HIV–DOH

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

SEXUALLY active individuals, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation should have themselves regularly tested for HIV, the Department of Health (DOH) said. This was the advise of the DOH amid the rise of HIV cases in the country. In fact, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the Philippines now has the highest number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region.

The DOH said that the minimum recommended interval is every three months, since HIV can take as long as three months before becoming detectable through HIV screening tests.

Based on the data from the DOH, newly diagnosed HIV cases increased by 129 percent or 2.3 times over the past 10 years, from just 21 per day in 2014, to 48 in 2024.

There were 56 cases per day from January to April 2025, 44 percent higher than the same period last year.  Ang nakakatakot lang napakarami po ang ating new cases sa ating mga kabataan. Kapag hindi po natin napigilan ang pagdami ng HIV aabot tayo sa lampas 400,000 people living with HIV [The only scary thing is that we have so many new cases among our youth. If we don’t stop the increase in HIV, we will reach over 400,000 people living with HIV],” said Herbosa, revealing that a 500 percent increase in HIV cases among individuals aged 15 to 25 were recorded in the country.

How HIV spreads

HIV, the DOH said, is an infectious disease. It is spread through:

n Unprotected sex;

n The presence of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can increase the risk of HIV infection during sex;

n Oral sex has very low risk of HIV transmission, but it is very much possible;

n Sharing needles, syringes, and other drug injection equipment;

n Mother-to-child or perinatal transmission. HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding; and

n Receiving blood or organs (during blood donation or organ transplant) that is infected with HIV. This is very rare nowadays because of stringent requirements for blood and organ donors all over the world.

The DOH also clarified that HIV is not transmitted through saliva (e.g. casual kissing), sweat, tears, insect bites (e.g. mosquitoes), the air, sharing utensils, using public toilets, shaking hands, and other

forms of sexual activity that do not involve the exchange of body fluids into the body.

It is a misconception that HIV affects only men who have sex with men. Anyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation can be infected with HIV.

Signs and Symptoms

EARLY symptomatic infection usually manifests three to six weeks after exposure and resembles a normal viral infection. Symptoms include:

n Fever;

n Chills; n Fatigue; n Rashes;

n Muscle pains, joint pains;

n Sore throat;

n Swollen lymph nodes; and

n Mouth ulcers

Most individuals recover spontaneously from these symptoms, so they do not suspect that they have an HIV infection. Some individuals may not manifest any symptoms at all.

It can take as long as 10 years before HIV has weakened the immune system enough to cause serious illness, and more severe symptoms start to manifest, including those from opportunistic infections, or bacteria, viruses, and fungi that would otherwise be harmless to healthy individuals.

Cure

THERE is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, a combination of drugs known as anti-retroviral therapy (ART) can slow down and

virtually halt the progression of HIV. Persons with HIV on ART have gone on to live long and otherwise healthy lives.  People on ART should thus take their medication regularly according to their doctor’s advice.

With regular medication, persons with HIV can reach a point where the amount of virus in their blood becomes “undetectable,” at this stage, they are also considered “untransmissible,” which means they can no longer infect other people with HIV.

Safe sex

THE DOH reminded the practice safe and protected sex as much as possible.

This can mean sticking to one partner and/or knowing your partner’s status at all times.

Individuals who are at high risk for HIV infection can opt to use pre-exposure prophylaxis upon doctor’s advice.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is medicine that should be taken regularly and as prescribed in order to effectively prevent HIV infection.

Individuals who think they may have been exposed to HIV should immediately consult a doctor or health authority so they can be given medicine called postexposure prophylaxis within 72 hours of potential exposure.

Avoid sharing needles and equipment in any scenario that involves injecting equipment.

Pregnant women with HIV should be on ART so they can avoid passing the virus on to their infants.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

PHL and EU enhance security cooperation

HIGH-RANKING officials from the Philippines and the European Union (EU) recently engaged in a high-level dialogue to reaffirm their strong and growing partnership.

The European Commission’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas visited Manila on June 2 and met with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo. Both recognized the growing complexity of security threats and agreed to enhance their cooperation and announce the establishment of a Security and Defense Dialogue.

The visit marked a significant milestone in the longstanding relations between the country and the bloc, rooted in shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The engagement anchored in the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the IndoPacific, and the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Kallas said the dialogue “addresses the current geopolitical challenges, and will foster exchanges and cooperation in security and defense areas—including maritime security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, [as well as foreign information manipulation and interference or FIMI].” Manalo underscored that the reinforced EU-Philippines security cooperation is “a step in the right direction.” He said that through sustained dialogue and practical cooperation, the Philippines aims to promote a resilient, rules-based international order that upholds peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The inaugural session of the dialogue is tentatively set to take place in the last quarter of 2025.

On maritime security and regional stability, both parties agreed to continue their cooperation under initiatives such as the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific or CRIMARIO II, Copernicus, and Enhancing security cooperation in and with Asia or ESIWA Plus. They expressed their interest to further explore joint activities—including knowledge exchanges on submarine cables and uncrewed vessels—as well as shared concerns over environmental monitoring and

connectivity.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They expressed concern about China’s illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions targeting Philippine vessels and aircraft conducting lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea. Both reiterated their commitment to upholding international law, particularly the binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Japan foreign minister: Linkages with PHL at ‘near-alliance’ status

FOREIGN Affairs chief Enrique

A. Manalo and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya discussed a wide-range of topics of mutual interest during the former’s recent working visit to Japan.

Over lunch on May 28, Iwaya emphasized the significance of the two nations’ summit in April, which he said further strengthened ties between Japan and the Philippines as “neighbors connected by the sea.” He commended the close mutual relations that enabled a swift followup meeting between their foreign ministers.

“Our cooperation has evolved into a ‘near-alliance status,’” said Iwaya. “We would like to work together to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

For his part, Manalo expressed appreciation for their continued engagement since Iwaya’s visit to the Philippines in January. He noted that, despite global turbulence, cooperation has advanced, especially following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s visit to the Philippines in April.

Ahead of the 70th year of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two nations next year, Manalo hoped their meeting would serve as a venue to intensify their cooperation as “partners who share common values and interests.”

Bilateral security cooperation ON security matters, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen the foundation for security and defense cooperation, building on last month’s summit.

They praised the start of negotiations for a Japan-Philippines Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, as well as discussions toward a future Agreement on the Security of Information. Both welcomed continued progress on the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement.

Further, Iwaya expressed his desire to further promote cooperation

France urges PHL to ratify

EARLY ratification of a United Nations (UN) treaty to protect the high seas would significantly boost the Philippines’ regional and global position, according to France’s envoy and the international organization High Seas Alliance (HAS). At a recent high-level legislative forum, Amb. Marie Fontanel of France expressed hope that the Philippines would be among the first 60 countries to ratify the landmark Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) pact—also known as the UN High Seas Treaty.

“I’m sure that the Philippines will ratify; it’s just a question of time,” Fontanel told reporters. “But…if we reach 60 ratifications without you in Nice, France and the treaty will enter into force soon, we don’t want you to be next and not participate in the very first discussions.” The ambassador emphasized that the Philippines, as an archipelagic

on the Official Security Assistance to help build the Philippines’ defense capabilities, while Manalo thanked Japan for its ongoing cooperation.

The ministers agreed to hold the Maritime Consultations and ViceMinisterial Strategic Dialogue within the year to share strategic perceptions and deepen their collaboration on maritime and security affairs.

Economic, people-centered priorities

FOR economic relations, Iwaya affirmed Japan’s pledge to advancing infrastructure progress in the

Philippines through public-private partnerships. Manalo thanked Japan for its substantial support, and expressed his hopes for sustained cooperation.

Both agreed to plan for the upcoming High-Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation that will be held in Japan later this year.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of a stable investment environment for mineral resource projects, particularly in nickel extraction.

Iwaya said Japan remains committed to addressing issues such as nationality acquisition for secondgeneration Nikkei-jin in the Philippines, which Manalo acknowledged as a shared priority.

On the topic of safety, Iwaya stressed the need to ensure the wellbeing of Japanese nationals living and working in the Philippines—an essential condition for sustaining investment and tourism. Manalo assured him that the matter is being handled “at the highest level,” and that the Philippine government is committed to safeguarding all Japanese visitors and residents.

Finally, both ministers reaffirmed cooperation on the Philippines’ National Day activities during the upcoming Osaka–Kansai Expo.

early ‘politically’ beneficial UN high seas treaty

state vulnerable to natural disasters, is well-positioned to advocate for stronger protection of the oceans “much more than many other countries.” Ratifying the treaty early, she added, would also manifest Manila’s leadership in making international law more protective of the oceans.

HAS Asia’s regional coordinator Rizza Sacra-Dejucos echoed the envoy’s call, as she said that the Philippines’ early ratification would send

a “strong signal” of its commitment to protect 30 percent of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

“By ratifying the treaty, the Philippines will reaffirm its leadership in marine conservation, strengthen regional cooperation, and gain access to new scientific, technological and financial resources,” Sacra-Dejucos explained. “This will ensure that the Philippines has a voice in shaping the future of global ocean governance, impacting the generations to come.”

France will host the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice from June 9 to 13. Fontanel said Paris is actively working to secure 60 ratifications by then: “We see that now, 30 countries are really about to ratify.”

So far, 22 out of the 104 signatories have ratified the BBNJ treaty.

The agreement is the first legally binding international accord focused on the conservation and sustainable

Kallas and Manalo also highlighted the importance of deepening trade and investment ties, then welcomed the ongoing negotiations for an EUPhilippines Free Trade Agreement, as they expressed their hopes for its early conclusion.

Regarding human rights, the rule of law, and good governance, both sides reiterated these as pillars to their partnership. They discussed the “EU Election Observation Mission” during the recent midterm elections and its preliminary statement, while awaiting its final report.

The two agreed to intensify cooperation on climate change and green transition under the Global Gateway Strategy which covers data-sharing under the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme, and back the Team Europe Initiative on Green Economy which supports the Philippines’ transition into a circular economy.

They also acknowledged the value of people-to-people exchanges in deepening cultural ties through initiatives like the Erasmus scholarships, enhancing educational and vocational opportunities, promoting deeper intercultural bridges, strengthening their research and innovation partnership and promoting a more inclu-

sive, peaceful, and interconnected future for both regions.

Finally, the parties reaffirmed their shared commitment in responding to evolving regional and global challenges. Kallas welcomed the Philippines’ constructive role in Asean and its strong commitment to multilateralism, the United Nations Charter and the rule of law---including its consistent support for all relevant UN General Assembly resolutions, notably on Ukraine.

On Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU and the Philippines reiterated their support for the latter’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. They called for immediate ceasefire and cessation of attacks against civilians, and progress toward a comprehensive, just and lasting peace grounded in international law and the UN Charter. They also emphasized preventing further escalation of the war; and the use, or threat of use, of weapons of mass destruction.

Both sides expressed their shared support for a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict, in line with the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.

Boosting decades of partnership by way of mining innovation

Ais the world’s largest producer of lithium—a key mineral for the clean-energy transition—and ranks among the top five producers of gold, iron ore, lead, zinc, and nickel.

Over the past decade, mining exports have generated more than AU$2.4 trillion, accounting for nearly 59 percent of Australia’s total exports.

Our expertise and investment interests in this vital sector aligns closely with the Philippine government’s commitment under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to revitalize mining as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.

Mining is not just about resource extraction; it is a powerful engine of development. In the Philippines, the sector employs close to 250,000 Filipino workers directly, with many more in allied industries such as construction, transportation, energy, and technology. These ripple effects benefit families and communities nationwide.

use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction—commonly referred to as the “high seas.”

HAS said these areas have long suffered from “fragmented management and a lack of coordinated regulations,” exposing them to overexploitation, pollution and the accelerating impacts of climate change.

The treaty aims to address these issues by establishing a framework for creating marine protected areas, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources.

The Department of Foreign Affairs announced in April that the Philippines is committed to ratifying the accord early. It is currently undergoing the Senate’s concurrence, after which the country’s instrument of ratification can be deposited with the UN. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

Despite its vital role in economic growth and development, the Philippines still has untapped mineral reserves valued at an estimated P55 trillion. Only around 5 percent of this resource has been explored, offering immense opportunity for Australian mining and technology firms to help build a responsible and sustainable mining industry—one that balances economic gain with environmental stewardship and community welfare.

Australian firms have already made solid inroads. Makilala Mining Corp.— a Philippine partner of Celsius Resources Limited which is an Australian mining company—recently secured a mineral production-sharing agreement for the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog Copper-Gold Project in Kalinga. This endeavor received a P4.2-billion bridge loan from the Philippines’ Maharlika Investment Corp. to fund early development activities, signaling strong confidence in its potential and sustainability commitments. Similarly, Australian mineral companies Blackstone Minerals Limited and IDM International Limited have merged to advance exploration of the Mankayan Copper-Gold Project—one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in Northern Luzon. The recent registration of their Scheme Booklet—a comprehensive guide for shareholders by the

Australian Securities and Investments Commission—underscores regulatory confidence and paves the way for completing this strategic acquisition. These developments highlight a growing synergy between Australian mining expertise and Philippine resource potential.

Shared commitments, stronger ties

AUSTRALIA’S commitment to this partnership was further exemplified when the Australian Trade and Investment Commission or Austrade facilitated a Philippine delegation to the Global Resources Innovation Expo in Brisbane, Australia last month, hosted by Austmine. The event welcomed 25 delegates from 12 Philippine companies, and showcased cutting-edge mining technologies and solutions shaping the global resources industry. Ahead of the expo, the Australian Philippine Business Council hosted the Mining Resource Forum, which provided a platform to discuss Philippine mining policies, opportunities and challenges. The dialogs aimed at fostering a transparent, investment-friendly environment conducive to sustainable growth and community support in mining operations. Such dialogues are key in aligning our shared aspirations for an economically viable and socially responsible mining sector. Looking ahead, Australia is focused on deepening ties in mining equipment, technology and services or METS to leverage our strengths supportive of the Philippines’ mining modernization and environmental goals.

We are also ready to share our experiences in boosting the economic engagement of indigenous peoples in mining-related development. Together, we can build a future where mining contributes not only to economic prosperity, but also the well-being of local communities and the preservation of natural ecosystems. Our nearly eight decades of friendship have laid a strong foundation. Through innovative mining partnerships, Australia and the Philippines are embracing a new era of growth and sustainability—one that benefits our peoples

AMB. Marie Fontanel PNA/AVITO C. DALAN

SECRETARY Enrique A. Manalo (left) and Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya

Pru Life UK recognized for Thought Leadership, Innovative CSR Initiatives

Pand Silver distinctions for its outstanding thought leadership and innovative corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives supporting underserved Filipinos and promoting youth financial education.

recognize business innovation across 29 countries, honouring organisations and individuals for excellence in thought leadership, business development, and CSR.

for Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year for its Takaful Journey–a holistic approach to Islamic Finance through stakeholder and community engagement, capacity building workshops, and educational efforts. The initiative made Pru Life UK the first insurer in the Philippines to receive a Takaful license and is set to launch a Shari’ah-compliant product to cater to the financial needs of over seven million Muslim Filipinos.

Sustainability Officer at Pru Life UK. “We remain committed to helping Filipinos from all walks of life secure a better future.”

Pru Life UK Assistant Manager for Community Investments and Sustainability Partnerships Hannah Aman accepted the awards during a banquet dinner in Seoul, South Korea.

Freddie Aguilar Honored at Eastwood City Walk of Fame

THE German Moreno Walk of Fame Foundation and Eastwood City joined the nation in mourning the passing of Freddie Aguilar, a true icon of Filipino music whose songs gave voice to the struggles, hopes, and identity of the Filipino people.

Best known for his timeless anthem “Anak”—a song that resonated across generations and cultures— Aguilar’s powerful storytelling and unwavering patriotism made him a central figure in the evolution of Philippine music. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to inspire reflection and pride in Filipino heritage.

In 2010, Aguilar was awarded a star on the Eastwood City Walk of Fame—an enduring tribute to his profound influence on the country’s cultural and artistic landscape. His star stands proudly among those of other revered artists who have shaped the soul of a nation.

Those who wish to pay their respects may visit his star in Eastwood City located at Fuente Circle Fountain Area.

In honoring Freddie Aguilar, the German Moreno Walk of Fame not only commemorates a music legend but also celebrates the enduring power of art to unite, heal, and uplift a nation. Aguilar’s star will forever shine as a beacon of Filipino resilience, pride, and identity—reminding future generations of the man who sang their truth and told their story through every lyric, every note, and every performance.

TWO global foundations, built by visionary Asian technopreneurs, Diosdado Banatao and Romesh Wadhwani, who made their mark in Silicon Valley, are joining forces to give back, championing the next generation of Filipino innovators.

The Philippine S&T Development Foundation (PhilDev) and the Wadhwani Foundation have formed a landmark partnership to elevate technopreneurship education across the Philippines, with the shared mission of turning classrooms into catalysts for real-world innovation. At the heart of this collaboration is a powerful synergy—merging PhilDev’s deep commitment to elevate Filipino innovation through education with Wadhwani Foundation’s global legacy of fostering entrepreneurship and scalable impact.

“This partnership is more than strategy—it’s synergy,” said Frederick Blancas, Executive Director of PhilDev.

“We’re combining global expertise with deep local understanding and empathy

to create something sustainable, scalable, and truly Filipino. With over a decade of empowering and inspiring Filipinos in Science and Technology through education, technopreneurship and innovation, PhilDev is glad to forge ahead in collaboration with Wadhwani Foundation.”

“Technopreneurshipturns innovation into impact—transforming bold ideas into real-world solutions. By empowering Filipinos with the right skills and resources, this partnership paves the way for a dynamic and sustainable future,” said William Eka, Wadhwani Foundation’s Vice President for Southeast Asia.

“We believe in unlocking potential through opportunity,” added Lucrecio Delgado, Southeast Asia Regional Director of Wadhwani Foundation.

“Together, we’re empowering the next generation of innovators—giving them the mindset and tools to not just dream, but build.”

Students will receive hands-on training on an AI powered digital

SEC Commissioner brings compassionate innovations to PHL financial ecosystem

IN a world where bankers and tycoons dominate the finance industry, Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Atty. Rogelio Quevedo stands as a lovable and excited lolo with his heart set on changing the way we view bureaucracy, red tape, and financial assets.

At a press conference held recently in Quezon City, Quevedo, a long-time teacher at the University of the Philippines College of Law and mentor to some of the country’s top senators, shared his thoughts on cybersecurity, digitization, artificial intelligence, and how the SEC can help micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises thrive in their respective industries. It is Quevedo’s goal for the SEC to gain the Filipino’s trust in the government. To further the thrusts of the Ease of Doing Business Act, Quevedo plans to reduce requirements needed for incorporation and other securities-related matters. Using AI to assemble secure databases and automate repetitive tasks, the SEC hopes to simplify their services. Digitization

allows the SEC to be user-friendly and corruption-free.

With AI technology improving at a rapid rate, AI’s capabilities are vast. From providing fun enhancement to user photos, to text generators, and to the frightening possibilities of deep fakes, AI has become a concern to users. But Quevedo insists that AI only runs because of human input and that we, as humans, need to learn how to use AI and harness its powers for progress.

The SEC will now be entering a new phase in their history. “With innovation rooted on practicality, it will always have to be service with compassion,” Quevedo reminds his agency. In addition to this, the SEC aims to do its part in promoting financial literacy in the Philippines, with every demographic targeted including high schoolers.

With Quevedo’s vision, the SEC will be transformed into a high-tech government agency running with all the powers of digitization, but still with a living, beating heart for the success of every Filipino.

Rewriting the wellness story with a movement for healthier, happier Filipinos

IMAGINE a future where taking care of your health feels less like a checklist and more like a celebration.

Where making time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s empowering. Where you can laugh, move, connect, and grow, all while taking charge of your well-being.

That future is here, and it begins with Joyful Wellness—a movement that invites Filipinos to transform their health, one joyful step at a time.

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, health can feel like an afterthought. For many Filipinos, understanding how to care for their bodies and minds is still clouded by misinformation, stress, and a lack of access to expert guidance.

Rapid urbanization, climate change, and increasing exposure to health risks, from lifestyle diseases to emerging infections, continue to impact everyday life. But health isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about thriving.

According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. True wellness is about feeling alive, connected, and capable of living with purpose.

So how do we empower people to not only care about health—but to enjoy healthy living?

The Joyful Wellness campaign—launched by NEXT in partnership with wellness and fitness services provider LifeScience Center —is on a mission to help Filipinos become

more informed, inspired, and engaged in their personal health journeys.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the campaign recognizes the value of functional medicine and how it highlights that transformation is a journey, and everyone begins in a different place. Whether you’re just starting to pay attention to your health or already advocating for others, Joyful Wellness is here to walk with you— from curiosity to confidence, from being health-conscious individuals to becoming health & wellness champions. This isn’t just a campaign. It’s a shift in mindset. From being reactive to being empowered. From wellness as work—to wellness as joy. While other health and wellness efforts tend to focus on outcomes, Joyful Wellness is all about the process. It recognizes that wellness is not just physical—it’s mental, emotional, social, and even behavioral.

With seven core pillars—Nutrition, Beauty, Mental Health, Longevity, Disease Prevention, Health Innovation, and Joy—the campaign invites you to explore wellness from all angles. It encourages people to build self-awareness, seek expertise, and become experts of their own bodies. In doing so, Joyful Wellness supports not just individual transformation, but national progress.

platform, mentorship from startup leaders, and support rarely available in traditional education. Educators, often constrained by limited resources, will gain industry-aligned modules and practical tools, transforming how they teach and inspire.

The goal isn’t just to build businesses. It’s to build ecosystems— local, sustainable, and grounded in the realities of the Filipino context. With plans to scale to Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) and eventually across the nation, the program will help establish a network of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) designed not just to launch startups, but to keep them thriving.  Together, PhilDev and Wadhwani Foundation are sparking a movement to ignite Filipino innovation and transform the nation. This partnership proves that when we invest in our people, the future of the Philippines is built here—by Filipinos, for Filipinos.

Wadhwani

Frederick Blancas of PhilDev and William Eka of Wadhwani Foundation seal the partnership with a handshake during the MoU signing on May 7, 2025, marking a key milestone in advancing technopreneurship education in the Philippines.

Securities and Exchange Commissioner Rogelio Quevedo with guest from media at a press conference held last May 15, 2025, in Quezon City

Parentlife BusinessMirror

Emotional well-being. Fall prevention. Chair yoga has a lot to offer people of all ages

By  Leanne Italie

The Associated Press

NEW YORK—Marian Rivman is pushing

80. Harriet Luria is a proud 83. In this trio, Carol Leister is the baby at 62. Together, they have decades of experience with yoga. Only now, it involves a chair.

Chair yoga adapts traditional yoga poses for older people and others with physical challenges, but the three devotees said after a recent class that doesn’t mean it’s not a quality workout. As older adults have become more active, chair yoga has grown in popularity.

“You’re stretching your whole body,” Rivman offered. “What you can do in the chair is a little bit more forgiving on the knees and on the hips. So as you age, it allows you to get into positions that you were doing before without hurting yourself.”

Sitting down to exercise, or standing while holding onto a chair to perform some poses, may not sound like a workout, but Rivman, Luria, Leister and practitioners everywhere see a world of benefits.

“I took it up because I have osteoporosis and the chair yoga is much easier,” Luria said. “You don’t have to worry as much about falling and breaking anything. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be, but it’s not easy. And you really do use your muscles. It’s an excellent workout.”

YOGA WITH A CHAIR ISN’T JUST FOR OLDER PEOPLE

CHAIR yoga is clearly marketed to older women, who made up the class where the three yoga friends got together at the Marlene Meyerson JCC on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. But the practice also has a lot to offer others, said their instructor, Whitney Chapman.

Desk workers can squeeze in 15 minutes of chair yoga, for instance. Many companies offer it as a way to cut down on stress and improve overall health. And people recovering from surgery or injuries may not be ready to get down on a yoga mat, but they can stretch in a chair.

“I’ve known these ladies probably 18 to 20 years. And the very first time in a yoga class that I brought in the chair, all of my students said I don’t want geriatric yoga. I’m not an old person,” Chapman said.

“And then they saw that having a chair is just as good as a yoga strap, a yoga block. It’s another prop that’s going to help you do what you want to do. So it’s not necessarily because you’re older, but that it can be helpful. And it doesn’t mean you’re geriatric just because you’re sitting in a chair.”

flexibility, strength, balance. And there’s the overall emotional well-being that yoga practitioners in general report. It’s particularly useful for people with mobility issues or chronic ailments like arthritis or back pain. Chapman also teaches yoga to cancer and Parkinson’s disease patients.

In addition to restorative and other benefits, the practice of chair yoga can help improve posture for people of all ages and abilities, and help older people prevent falls.

A PHYSICAL PRACTICE THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME

LEISTER recently retired.

“I’ve been looking for all different kinds of exercises to do and this is one of them,” she said. “This

Traditional yoga originated more than 5,000 years ago in India. Many of the poses used today are also that old. It can be as much spiritual as physical, and that also goes for its chair descendant. The precise movements are tied to deliberate, cleansing breathwork.

Rivman has been doing yoga for about 50 years.

“Once you start and you get what it does for your body, you don’t want to give it up. And if there’s a way that you can keep doing it and keep doing it safely, that’s a choice you’re going to make,” she said.

YOGA BY THE NUMBERS, INCLUDING CHAIR YOGA

THE practice of yoga, including chair yoga, has been on the rise in the US over the last 20 years. In 2022, the percentage of adults age 18 and older who practiced yoga in the past 12 months was 16.9 percent, with percentages highest among women ages 18 to 44, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alo Yoga lands in Manila, just in time for city’s wellness boom

By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez

THE cult-favorite activewear brand beloved by Hollywood A-listers and fitness influencers alike, Alo Yoga has officially opened its first store in the Philippines, drawing a who’s who of local celebrities to an exclusive preview at Greenbelt 5, Makati. Nadine Lustre, Kylie Verzosa, Kyline Alcantara, and Mond Gutierrez led the charge, each decked out in signature Alo looks. According to Stores Specialists Inc., Alo Yoga’s official distributor in the country, the Philippines is a key stop in the brand’s Southeast Asia expansion, particularly in neighborhoods like Bonifacio Global City and Rockwell, where active living has evolved into a full-fledged cultural current. Dawn HIIT sessions, reformer Pilates, and neighborhood run clubs have become routine, while wellness studios now rival

cafés in visibility and foot traffic. Alo’s arrival lands squarely in that sweet spot. The 235-square-meter Greenbelt store features the brand’s complete range of performance wear: high-compression Airlift leggings that sculpt and support; the buttery, loungewear-ready Alo Soft collection; and the versatile Airbrush pieces designed to go from gym to brunch.

To keep the assortment fresh, the brand drops new colors every two weeks, with staple tones like black and macadamia always in rotation. Seasonal hues like muted greens, cherry reds, soft mauves, and mushroom browns cycle in and out of the seasons. Beyond clothing, the store’s layout also nods to Alo’s lifestyle branding, with a dedicated pilates and recovery corner showcasing its full suite of wellness accessories: yoga mats, blocks, resistance bands, and the like.

At the media launch on May 29, an SSI representative told BusinessMirror that “activewear has become a lifestyle uniform, not just gym gear,” a sentiment that reflects broader shifts in the way Filipinos approach health, identity, and everyday fashion. To mirror that ethos, the store was designed to “evoke zen.” The space is minimal, bright, and consistent with the brand’s clean, functional aesthetic. Filipina yoga instructor Anna Manalastas and partner yoga coach Eugene Butcher performed a dynamic Acroyoga demonstration—what a brand representative described as a way to “ground the opening in Alo’s wellnessforward identity.”

In the Philippines, Alo Yoga is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc., and is at Greenbelt 5, Makati City. Visit www.ssilife.com.ph or follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.

Women are more than twice as likely as men to practice yoga, the data showed. The percentage of

adults who practiced yoga to treat or manage pain decreased with increasing family income.

The CDC didn’t break out chair yoga for analysis but recommends that adults 65 and older focus on activities that improve balance and strength. That, the health agency said, can be achieved through various exercises, including chair yoga.

WHY DON’T MORE MEN DO YOGA?

CHAPMAN and her students have thoughts on why more men don’t practice yoga. Traditionally, Chapman said, the practice was reserved for men, but as yoga became more westernized, women took over.

“Women tend to be more group-oriented. I would love to see more men in class. I do have a few. I don’t know if they’re intimidated, but you know, it’s a great way to meet women if everybody’s single,” Chapman said with a chuckle.

Luria theorizes that fewer men are drawn to yoga because it’s not a competitive sport.

“You’re really working at your own level,” she said. “Take out the competition and it’s not their thing.” These chair yoga practitioners have lots of advice. Rivman summed it up best: “Get into a chair and do some yoga. You don’t have to stand on your head, but you have to move. You’re never too old to start.”

6 science-based self-improvement tips

FOCUSING on personal growth allows for a deeper understanding of oneself. It increases confidence, nurtures resilience and adaptability. It enriches mental health. Ultimately, this leads to a more successful and fulfilling life.

Well-being expert, consultant, and writer Tchiki Davis, PhD, stated selfimprovement can range from developing personal qualities, elevating skills, or even cultivating roles in relationships. In this journey, Davis, who has assisted to build happiness products, programs and services, tapping more than a million people worldwide, advised to be strategic. “Some aspects of ourselves are relatively changeable and some are pretty fixed,” she explained. “So, we are best served by focusing our efforts on the parts of us that are the most changeable.”

Meanwhile, leading psychology researcher Martin Seligman noted that mood, panic, depression, sexual difficulties, and even optimism are among the facets that can be changed.

Researchers Constantine Sedikides and Erica G.D. Hepper likewise added specific features to consider: wellbeing, personality factors, personal relationships, and achievement.

To guide the general public, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) shared Davis’ tips as published on Psychology Today, the world’s largest mental health and behavior science platform.

n Engage in self-reflection. Selfawareness allows you to understand the areas you might want to develop. Be guided to have a clear self-concept. How you see yourself may not always match how others see you.

n Try mindfulness. Bring attention to the experience of each moment. Practice an attitude of curiosity and acceptance. See thoughts and emotions as transient states. This will let you be more open to experiences and possibilities which may aid self-improvement.

n Cultivate a growth mindset. Believe you can hone your abilities. Be motivated to put in the effort required to learn and grow. It can help you achieve many of your objectives and advance yourself in ways you desire.

n Acknowledge feelings of shame. Rethink your self-improvement goals. Ensure that they align with your core values. If you are motivated to develop yourself due to societal pressures, external expectations, or the shame of not being good enough, you may likely end up unsatisfied.

n Build reappraisal skills.

Reinterpret stressful situations in a more optimistic way to reduce negative emotions and increase positive feelings. Think of a current difficult situation in a way that is less bad, or more good.

n Find and use your strength. Do not just focus on your weaknesses. Build your strengths, as well. Be masterful in your existing abilities.

Back where he belongs

Pacquiao says he’s done with politics, boxing comeback not a one-fight thing

Mvowed to put on exciting fights again and said the passion for boxing still burns strong as he says he is done with politics.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Novo at LA Live in Los Angeles, California, the 46-year-old eight-division world champion insisted he is totally focused on boxing this time.

H e faces 30-year-old World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Barrios on July 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fire, determination and eagerness to work hard are still there,” Pacquiao said. “I am still enjoying running the mountains. Not every fighter has this feeling. This is a blessing, because I have been through so many big fights in my career and I’m still here. I am back.”

Pacquiao admitted being distracted in 2021, when he climbed into the ring for the last time as a professional boxer, losing by decision to Yordenis Ugás. The then Senator launched his presidential campaign the next month and lost. Last month, Pacquiao fought to regain a seat in the Senate but wound up 18th in the battle for 12 spots.

“I was so bothered…I did a lot of things

that aren’t good for me,” Pacquiao said.

To the boxing fans all over the world, thank you for accepting me again. I hope that on July 19 this fight will entertain everyone. Everyone here is going to work hard in their training camp so that the fans are happy on July 19,” he explained.

Pacquiao’s comeback also has no concrete timeframe—not a one fight thing.

“I can still do my job in boxing,” Pacquiao said. “I’m not done yet.

“I returned because I missed boxing…I hope I can entertain you guys.”

Pacquiao is a significant underdog in this fight with Barrios, 16 years younger and four inches taller with an eight-centimeter advantage in reach, a -500 favorite.

“He [Barrios] is the kind of fighter who gives people good fights. We together in the ring will satisfy every fan and that is what I want,” he added. “It would mean a lot for me to become world champion again. Manny Pacquiao is always giving surprises to the fans.”

That is my passion, and it is really important to me. I want everyone to be happy with this fight.”

Pacquiao, who has a 68-8-2 win-lossdraw record with 39 knockouts, stressed that he is back full time.

“R ight now, the book of politics

is closed,” Pacquiao said. “It is not even in my mind. I am focusing on my career as a boxer again. My goal is to leave a legacy to the boxing fans. I want to inspire the young generation who are dreaming of becoming a champion. I really missed boxing.”

Joining Pacquiao and Barrios was WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman.

B arrios said he is eager to face the boxing icon.

“I am h ere, I am ready, and I am the champion for a reason. This is a huge fight that could be Fight of the Year. I cannot wait. All the other big fights I have had have prepared me for a moment like this. I am defending my title against a legend, and I could not be more honored.”

“Facing Manny is something I never pictured unfolding, and now it’s here on one of the biggest cards of the year. July 19 is gonna be a night of boxing that you don’t wanna miss,” Barrios added.

“It is a great honor for a legend like Manny to want to come back and fight for my title. This is my biggest fight so far and I am excited to take it on.”

Pacquiao will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this weekend in upstate New York before returning to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym. Josef T. Ramos

NBA Finals: In clash of firepower, defense will be key

NDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the NBA’s best offenses. B ut this year’s title hopes may swing on the other facet: Who has the better defense?

Jaraula seizes lead, Van de Valk one stroke off at Forest Hills

REYMON JARAULA came up with a brilliant display of iron play under sweltering conditions to seize a one-stroke lead over Guido van der Valk halfway through the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Forest Hills Classic on Wednesday in Antipolo.

A f ive-under-par 66 put Jaraula on top of the leaderboard at eight-under 134 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, capping a dramatic second round that saw the top positions shuffle like musical chairs.

S tarting the round behind frontrunners Justin Quiban, van der Valk, Keanu Jahns and Jeffren Lumbo, Jaraula ignited his

CHANELLE AVARICIO finally rediscovered the rhythm, touch, and precision that once made her a dominant force on tour, firing a bogeyfree 65 to seize a three-stroke lead over Mafy Singson after two rounds of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s Forest Hills Classic on Wednesday in Antipolo. Avaricio, who opened with a steady 72, found her spark early with a birdiepar-birdie start at the back nine. She added another birdie on No. 16 and kept the momentum going with another

Avaricio carries three-shot lead into final round

flawless frontside effort, picking up strokes on Nos. 1, 3 and 9 to cap an impressive five-under-par 137 total at the Nicklaus course.

“I hit more fairways and I putted pretty good,” said Avaricio, whose second round was highlighted by two long birdie putts. “I couldn’t recall the average distance of my birdies, but it’s more than a pin with two long putts.”

Despite holding a solid cushion, the multi-titled Ladies Philippine Golf Tour winner remained cautious heading into Thursday’s finale.

W hile both teams made major improvements from last season’s respective rosters in the conference finals and conference semifinals, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who led Dallas on its only title run in 2010-11 knows just how difficult the challenge can be, especially against Oklahoma City. “Their depth of great defenders is staggering,” he said before listing names.

“ Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] is a great scorer, but he’s also a great competitor. You’ve got Jalen Williams, you’ve got [Lu] Dort, you’ve got [Alex] Caruso, and a bunch of other guys. People talk about [Aaron] Wiggins, Cason Wallace and all these guys are great competitors. And then they’ve got the rim protection to go along with it.” That combination helped the

Thunder win a league-high 68 regularseason games while earning the top seed in the Western Conference for the second straight year.

A pparently, it was just a warmup. During the franchise’s first Finals run since 2012, the Thunder’s scoring defense has been even stingier—allowing just 106.3 points per game compared with 107.6 over the first 82 games—while yielding fewer than 100 points in half of their 12 postseason wins. AP

“No expectations, but I’ll do my best and hopefully I’ll play well,” said Avaricio, who has been searching for her winning form since a banner 2022 season and a brief stint in the US circuit.

HUGE WIN Gian Mamuyac scores 18 points as Rain or Shine holds off Terrafirma, 94-85, on Wednesday for a 6-3 win-loss record and a share of fourth place with Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Westbrook also won it for the Thunder in 2017. Besides his scoring prowess and talent in evading defenders, this 6’6 guy with a 6’10.5 wingspan is the slyest guy to ever travel from court spot to court spot because he collects contact along his path. Also known for his high-level playmaking, he is versatile and a complete player.

fans, a “small-market match-up” like the Thunder-Pacers finals is no hindrance. “I’m an Aussie viewer. Just want to see good basketball and this fits perfectly,” says someone on Reddit. “Some of us are actually happy these 2 teams are in. Excited to see 2 teams that know how to ball, talented young stars vying to win their franchise’s first title,” says another.  Game 1 on Friday, June 6 (in Manila) has all the makings of a match made in heaven. Imagine the clash of newly minted MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder versus the league’s cold-blooded killa Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers. S GA is the first point guard to win MVP after Russell

She had shown glimpses of promise earlier this season, finishing tied for fifth at the season-opener in Pradera Verde and sharing fourth at Eagle Ridge. However, she never truly contended – far from the dominant form she displayed in 2022 when she strung together multiple wins before venturing into the US circuit. Still, her closest pursuers aren’t backing down. Singson stayed within striking distance with a second-round 69 for a 140 total. She caught fire with three birdies over a six-hole stretch from No. 8 and looked poised to make a stronger push before slowing down with a bogey-birdie-bogey stretch from No. 15.

In the opposite corner is what could be SGA’s perfect match—the tall, rangy, dynamic, versatile point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, known for his elite passing ability, court vision and shooting touch. The two-time NBA All-Star can defend well, has ultra-active feet and hands and is an ace at scoring, assisting and grabbing rebounds.

Team-wise, this Thunder-Pacers showdown is a mustwatch as well.

Young, energetic players with an up-and-at-‘em attitude like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, alongside SGA and vet Alex Caruso will make the series interesting and full of surprises for Oklahoma.

Haliburton will have battle-tested Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner to steady Indiana’s ship as sensational young guns Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin provide the fireworks for Indiana.

R eal basketball fans will love the perks: stars on both sides, good coaching, two young teams eager to show what

they’ve got to the fans.

“I think this finals is a great representation with the two teams that are in it. They’re teams that play good, exciting styles of basketball. Players that have great individual stories, teams that have a great story collectively. And we’re proud to be a part of that,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

“It is two teams that

MANNY PACQUIAO faces Mario Barrios, 16 years younger and four inches taller with an eight-centimeter advantage in reach. AP

ANNY PACQUIAO

CHANELLE AVARICIO hits three birdies on the front nine and three on the back.

REYMON JARAULA adds a 66 to his opening 68.