jurisdictions” when it comes to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).
The European Commission said the Philippines is one of the countries that have already addressed their technical deficiencies on AML/CFT.
Apart from the Philippines, other countries that were removed from the “dirty money” list also includes Barbados, Jamaica, Senegal and Uganda.
“These countries have strengthened the effectiveness of their AML/CFT regimes and addressed
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may see a decline in bank complaints, especially when it comes to scams and fraudulent transactions, with the passage of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Afasa).
In a briefing on Wednesday, BSP Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services Deputy Director Janice G. Ayson-Zales said the Afasa allows banks to immediately hold accounts once they receive complaints from account holders.
Ayson-Zales said this is one of the key features of the Afasa which allows banks and other financial institutions, including
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Senate must uphold the rule of law to ensure a stable and predictable environment in the country, according to a business group.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said it is “deeply concerned” by the decision of the Senate of the Philippines to remand the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives.
“We believe that the Senate has a constitutional duty to conduct, without any delay or disruption,
the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Abandoning this mandate undermines the integrity of our democratic processes,” MAP said.
The business group said this impeachment trial goes beyond politics, as it is “fundamentally” about Good Governance and the Rule of Law.
See related story in A3 Nation, “House on remand of impeachment case vs VP: A dangerous precedent.”
MAP said that by allowing the trial to proceed, the Senate would affirm its commitment to transparency, accountability and other principles of Good Governance— giving the prosecution a “fair
chance” to present its case and the defense a full opportunity to respond and clear the respondent’s name.
“Upholding the Rule of Law is essential not only to safeguard our institutions but also to ensure a stable, predictable environment for economic growth. It builds investor confidence, attracts jobgenerating investments, and ultimately benefits all Filipinos,” MAP noted.
Meanwhile, an industry leader is urging the Congress to tackle “more urgent” matters such as the proposed wage hike, high prices of food, and initiatives to support the country’s small merchants in-
stead of “wasting” their time on the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, which could scare off investors.
“Why are we wasting our time? There are so many items more urgent on the national agenda. So they are forcing that process. Because many of them are fond of telenovela that’s why they want to continue with it. It’s a useless exercise. Why do they have to grandstand? The whole world is watching us. It’s bad enough that few investments are coming in, and the tourists are staying away because of scandals and kidnapping. And we have to add this telenovela
technical deficiencies to meet the commitments in their action plans on the strategic deficiencies identified by the FATF [Financial Action Task Force],” the EC said in a statement.
“The Commission concludes that these countries have addressed the strategic deficiencies identified in their AML/CFT regimes. It is therefore appropriate to remove these countries from
e-wallets, to hold disputed funds initially for five days which can be extended to 30 days.
“With the passage of Afasa, we are anticipating that complaints will go down because, for example, if the banks are able to interconnect the FMS, the fraud management system, so in case there are behavioral anomalies, the bank will stop the transaction,” Ayson-Zales said. “If you’re in Manila, tapos [and then] after five minutes there are transactions in Europe, [through] the FMS, the transactions being done by the scammer in Europe, [the transaction] should be stopped by the
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
WHILE the Philippines made notable gains in fiscal discipline, resource allocation and service delivery, weaknesses in these areas could still undermine the country’s public financial management (PFM) performance.
Based on the results of the 2024 Philippine Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (Pefa) Performance Assessment Report, the country’s PFM system demonstrated strong performance in maintaining actual expenditure and revenue close to budgeted amounts in terms of fiscal discipline. Debt management practices, through the monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliation of debt
data and public reporting of debt service and stock, were also cited as reinforcing fiscal prudence.
However, the report flagged weaknesses in expenditure control and fiscal risk reporting, which could undermine fiscal discipline and increase the risk of unplanned deficits and debt accumulation.
In terms of resource allocation, the PFM system was found to be relatively strong, particularly in integrating performance information and prioritizing investments.
To ensure that strategic goals and resource allocation are aligned, comprehensive annual performance plans outline the policy objectives, key performance indicators and planned outcomes.
Major investment projects in the country are also prioritized to direct resources towards initiatives with high economic impact, while
transfers to local government units are governed by rules and procedures.
Still, the report raised concerns about strategic alignment and medium-term planning.
It noted that department-level expenditure forecasts remain incomplete, and adjustments to medium-term projections are often not adequately explained in budget documents.
“Resource misallocations could hinder the government’s ability to address pressing national objectives, including infrastructure development and poverty alleviation,” the report said.
On service delivery, the report acknowledged improvements in transparency and accountability, including the publication of data on departmental outputs and outcomes and the expansion of pro -
curement monitoring systems. Yet, gaps remained in accountability mechanisms, including the absence of an independent procurement complaints body and limited legislative action on audit recommendations.
“Weaknesses in service delivery monitoring and asset management constrain the PFM system’s ability to achieve efficient outcomes, particularly in education, health, and infrastructure,” it said.
The 2024 Pefa Assessment is the first multiframework, multistakeholder assessment of its kind in the Philippines, led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with support from development partners. The PFM Committee launched the results of the PEFA Reports, providing an evidence-based look at the strengths and weaknesses of the
country’s PFM system, on June 10.
The primary Pefa assessment is supplemented by the Gender-Responsive PFM, Climate-Responsive PFM, ChildResponsive PFM and Disaster Resilient and Responsive-PFM.
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the results of the Pefa assessments allow the government to reflect on how it can achieve a PFM system “truly responsive to the needs and aspirations of all Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable sectors of society.”
“It is also a time for us to reinforce our commitment to utilizing our public funds to address the climate crisis and disaster risks, among other challenges, that significantly affect the lives of our citizens,” Pangandaman said.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the reports serve as a reminder to those with the power to ordain public spending to “spend wisely and never recklessly.”
“Above all, resistant to the tinkering and the tampering that subvert national goals and derail our fiscal plan,” Recto said.
To sustain and build on these gains, the Finance chief said the government is strongly committed to the MediumTerm Fiscal Framework (MTFF), while continuously raising the bar for fiscal discipline and good governance.
“[I]t is papers and studies like the one we are launching today that make good become better, and better become best. More so if they are utilized not just as tabletop reading but to improve conditions on the ground, where they matter most,” Recto said.
Coco oil earnings seen rising on demand, high global prices
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
THEPhilippines’s earnings from coconut oil could reach a new record high this year on rising demand and surging global prices, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
In a press conference on Wednesday, the PCA said the country’s earnings from outbound shipments of coconut oil this year could surpass the all-time high revenues of the commodity in 2024 at $2.22 billion.
The agency attributed this to the rising global demand and surging
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the table in point I of the Annex to Delegated Regulation [EU],” it added. With the removal of the Philippines from the list, only three Southeast Asian economies remain on the list—
quotations of the tropical oil in the world market.
Historical figures from the World Bank showed that the average price of coconut oil skyrocketed to an all-time high of $2,742 per metric ton (MT) in May. Meanwhile, the PCA Administra-
Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The European Commission also added countries to its dirty money list. This includes Algeria, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela.
“That’s certainly good news. But the European Union [EU] Parliament will still need to confirm the EC decision,”
tor Dexter Buted assured the public that the spread of coconut scale insect (CSI) or cocolisap to 516,962 trees as of May 30 remains “manageable.”
“I want to clarify that while we have reached more than half a million affected trees, this is just a very small part [ . . . ] We can consider that this is not a national-level issue, and it’s manageable,” Buted told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday.
The PCA chief noted that the over 500,000 affected trees make up only 0.15 percent of the 345 million coconut-bearing trees in the country. Currently, the agency has treated 355,859 trees.
The agency has issued several measures to prevent the spread, such as rapid ground assessment,
BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told reporters on Wednesday. Article 9 of the 4th Anti-money Laundering Directive (AMLD IV) mandates the Commission to regularly update the list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions. The update of the list takes the legal form of a delegated regulation, which will enter into force after scrutiny and non-objection of the European Parliament and the Council within a period of one month (which can be prolonged for another month).
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And miss it they did. For months, Filipino-style lechon sauces had faced import hurdles and temporary US bans due to food safety regulations. Its absence was subtle but deeply felt—like a missing note in a familiar song.
So when the sauce reappeared, it wasn’t just a condiment. It was a reunion.
This wasn’t just any lechon sauce. Lydia’s Lechon Sauce traces its roots back to the iconic Lydia’s Lechon in Baclaran, Parañaque— a household name in Metro Manila since the 1960s. Beloved for its roast pig and signature sauce, Lydia’s has become a culinary
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informal sector and do not even make minimum wage, bearing the brunt of the impact of the wage increase,” they pointed out.
The mandated wage increase per worker will also make it hard for micro, small and medium enterprises that account for over 90 percent of all business enterprises in the country.
Some would be forced to increase the prices of goods or services, lessen their workforce or shut down operations altogether to cope with the order.
“Enterprises may be forced to either stop hiring or even lay off or retrench workers, resulting in unemployment,” they said.
This could make the unemployment rate go up by 0.2 percentage points for the P100 increase, to 0.6 percentage points for the P200 increase—potentially leaving around 105,000 to 300,000 persons jobless.
While those losing their jobs may shift to the informal sector, this puts them in a worse situation as they will be unable to meet their basic needs and such will worsen the poverty incidence. Although mandated, employ-
pruning activities, integrated pest management, and checkpoints across the country. The cocolisap has affected eight regions, based on PCA report.
Meanwhile, PCA Deputy Administrator Roel Rosales noted that the damage incurred from the cocolisap infestation stands at a loss of 14 million nuts, or equivalent to around P280 million.
“That would be the amount that is lost in the different areas that are affected,” Rosales said.
This year, the PCA has earmarked P94 million for pest infestations. Of this, P60 million has been allocated to manage and curb the spread of cocolisap alone, while P34 million would be defrayed as expenses for other pests.
In February 2025, the Philippines exited the FATF “grey list” after nearly four years. The Paris-based global financial watchdog announced the country’s delisting after a plenary session on Friday, citing the Philippines’s completion of its action plan within the agreed timeframe.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. told reporters in a text message that the Philippines’s grey list exit is “a vote of confidence” for the country.
landmark, serving generations of Filipinos and their fiestas.
That night’s menu, curated by Chef Earl, was an ode to comfort and tradition, lumpiang shanghai, canton guisado, chicken adobo, beef kare-kare, and sticky biko for dessert. But it was the lechon kawali, with the sauce now proudly listed on the menu, that drew the warmest reaction and second helpings.
For many of the guests, Filipino-Americans raising the next generation far from home, the evening offered something more than dinner. It stirred memory. It fed identity.
In a city that thrives on reinvention, sometimes the most meaningful return isn’t a trend or a twist, but the quiet comeback of something we never stopped loving.
ers who do not follow the increase to keep their employees will only give rise to less protection for minimum wage earners.
Lastly, the Philippines’s gross domestic product (GDP), or the total value of all goods and services produced within a country, will go down by 1.6 percentage points if the P200 hike is imposed and 0.5 percentage points for an increase of P100.
“Both scenarios are predicted to result in the economy missing the lower end of the GDP growth target range,” they said.
The government aims for a 6 to 8 percent GDP growth target this year. In the first quarter, the country’s GDP grew by 5.4 percent. This is slower than the 5.9-percent expansion in the same period last year, but quicker than the 5.3-percent pace in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The joint position paper was signed by the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go; Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto; Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan; Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman; Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque; and BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona.
bank,” she added.
The FMS is another key feature of the Afasa. It mandates banks and other financial institutions to install checks such as behavioral anomalies in financial transactions; blacklist screenings; and geolocation monitoring.
The BSP said FMS requirements include mobile device and account information changes as well as transaction velocity checks or thresholds. Apart from these, the BSP has also required financial institutions to go beyond one-time pins as security measures, particularly for large transactions.
“When we send our recent surveillance, even the OTPs have to be delivered, like if the customer should leave the OTPs to the scammers, and it’s [makes them] quite vulnerable,” BSP Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department Deputy Director Maricris A. Salud said.
“So, we’re recommending here financial institutions to look for other alternative measures of doing multifactor authentication,” she added. Banks are given six months to update their manuals and a full year to put in place all the necessary system changes to make them compliant to the Afasa.
In 2024, BSP Financial Inclusion and Consumer Empowerment SubSector Managing Director Charina B. De Vera-Yap said the central bank received 70,000 complaints from Filipinos experiencing problems with their accounts in various financial institutions last year.
This was a 62.79-percent increase from about 43,000 complaints lodged at the BSP as of 2023. BSP Financial Inclusion and Consumer Empowerment Sub-Sector Managing Director Charina De Vera-Yap said the increase indicates greater awareness among Filipinos regarding their consumer rights.
However, all these complaints are not linked to scams and fraudulent transactions. Only 13 percent are considered unauthorized transactions such as those on phishing. In 2024, the BSP also said it is estimated that 41 percent of these complaints were resolved in favor of complainants.
In terms of mediation, there were 322 cases with a 69-percent success rate and increased to 703 mediation cases in 2024 with a success rate of 83 percent. As of May 2025, the BSP already has 400 mediation cases.
“We hope that with the passage of Afasa, the scammers will be stopped so that the money being taken from the clients will be stopped so that there will be no more complainants,” Ayson-Zales said.
Afasa aims to prevent the misuse of financial accounts in fraud and scams like phishing and vishing. It also defines and penalizes social engineering schemes, money muling activities, and related offenses. These include those committed using advances in technology, which were previously not covered by existing cybercrime laws in the Philippines.
The BSP urges the public to stay vigilant, safeguard their financial credentials, and promptly report suspicious transactions to BSIs or appropriate authorities. Cai U. Ordinario
for the whole world to watch,” an industry leader who preferred not to be identified, told the BusinessMirror in an interview on Wednesday.
“What can we accomplish by this? Everyone has a personal agenda to satisfy themselves,” he added. Instead of “wasting time” on the impeachment trial, the industry leader said the Congress should focus on: “Number one, there’s the problem of wage increase, why not look into the increasing cost of food? Also, the MSMEs are asking for support.”
www.businessmirror.com.ph
HONORING THE PAST, PAVING THE FUTURE:
Makati Sports Club commemorates its 50th anniversary
By Vincent Peter Rivera
MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY
A city grows not only through its skylines, but through the spaces where its people find rhythm—where days are paced by movement, and community is formed through repetition and return. The Makati Sports Club, Inc. (MSCI) has long been one of those spaces. Born of improvisation and vision, it opened its doors not only to athletes, but to a culture of presence, participation, and shared purpose.
From its earliest matches to today’s golden celebration, MSCI has stood as both sanctuary and arena—a place where the city catches its breath, picks up the pace, and keeps its pulse.
The story of the MSCI reads like a well-run season—built on vi sion, sharpened by setbacks, and made whole by those who kept showing up. From its founding in the 1970s under the stewardship of the Ayala Investment and Development Corporation and the leadership of Mr. Jovencio Cinco, to today’s vibrant membership, the MSCI has proven that the true markers of success are habits.
As you celebrate your 50th Founding Anniversary, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Board of Directors, to the Club’s leadership and staff, and to every member—past and present—who has kept the spirit of the game alive. May the matches you play, the friendships you renew, and the memories you create remind us that great institutions, like great athletes, are nurtured and built. I hope that in the succeeding years, the MSCI will remain our partner in nurturing a more active and dynamic Bagong Pilipinas
Congratulations! I wish you a memorable golden anniversary!
-Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines
MESSAGES FROM MANAGEMENT
For half a century, this Club has stood as a vibrant home for sports, leisure, and lasting friendships—serving generations of members who have helped shape its rich history and strong community spirit. Today, we honor not just the passage of time, but the people, values, and traditions that have made this milestone possible.
To our founding members, past leaders, loyal staff, and dedicated members—thank you. Your unwavering support and love for the Club have brought us to where we are today.
BUILDING a legacy is a story in itself, but sustaining it for decades is a testament to extraordinary resilience. This year, the Makati Sports Club isn’t just celebrating any other anniversary; it’s marking its golden jubilee, a monumental milestone honoring rich past while forging ahead into the future.
50 YEARS OF INSPIRING STORIES
L ocated in the heart of the country’s premiere business district, Makati Sports Club, Inc. is a world-class sports and leisure destination built for professionals, families, and friends to work, enjoy, and unwind—providing a welcoming and serene ambiance in bustling Makati City.
More than just a club, the Makati Sports Club offers the perfect synergy of business and leisure. With its world-class facilities, unparalleled service, and excellent management, the club is a
valuable lifestyle investment to be enjoyed at the very heart of the city. On its 50th year, the Club is igniting the remembrance of its profound journey with the theme “Torch of Hope.” Far more than a symbolic milestone, the celebration draws inspiration from the biblical Jubilee—a sacred tradition of renewal, forgiveness, and new beginnings. It’s precisely this spirit, a blend of grateful reflection and courageous foresight, that burns brightly at the heart of our Club today.
THE Makati Sports Club (MSC), hailed as the first non-stock and non-profit sports and social Club in the Philippines, originated under the development and organization of the Ayala Investment and Development Corporation (AIDC), the investment house of the Ayala Group of Companies. On June 06, 1975, it was officially incorporated under the leadership of then-President Jovencio F. Cinco.
As we look to the future, let us remain committed to preserving the legacy we have built together while embracing new opportunities for growth and renewal. With your continued trust and participation, I am confident that the next 50 years will be just as dynamic and meaningful.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you all for being part of this celebration. Here’s to a golden past—and an even brighter future.
-Eduardo Francisco, Makati Sports Club, Inc. President (2025-2026)
We celebrate today the 50th anniversary of the Makati Sports Club, with “Torch of Hope” as our theme, a celebration of renewal and new beginnings.
It is this celebratory spirit that burns in the heart of the Club today.
Its inception started when AIDC failed to win the award for the development of the Elks Club (now known as the Metropolitan Club) into a proprietary sports and social establishment. On the very day of this setback, AIDC president Cinco penned a memo to Enrique Zobel de Ayala, then President and CEO of the Ayala Group, recommending: the establishment of a new sports and social club on a 1.3-hectare parcel in
Salcedo Village, right in the heart of Makati. Remarkably, Mr. Zobel de Ayala’s approval was secured in less than an hour, landing back on Mr. Cinco’s desk. It was in this decisive moment that the Makati Sports Club truly began its journey.
The enduring and meaningful journey of the club was brought to life through the vision and dedication of its founders: Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Vicente R. Ayllon, Jovencio F. Cinco, Dr. Jose S. Sandejas, Adolfo Duarte, Enrique Zobel, Manuel G. Chuidian, Mario D. Camacho, and Eduardo P. Lichauco.
Following Jaime Zobel De Ayala’s presidency from 1976 to 1977, the Makati Sports Club saw a succession of distinguished leaders: Adolfo Duarte took the helm from 1977 to 1978, followed by Vicente R. Ayllon from 1978 to 1979. Jovencio F. Cinco then served from 1979
PREMIER FACILITIES WITH QUALITY AND PURPOSE
to 1980, with Renato L. Paras completing this early leadership sequence from 1980 to 1981.
P resently, the Makati Sports Club is under the leadership of its 49th president, Eduardo Francisco. He leads the 2025 to 2026 Board of Directors, which includes Jennifer Guerrero as Vice President and Membership Committee Chairwoman, Atty. Godofredo De Guzman as Secretary and HRD Committee Chairman, and Henry Joseph Herrera as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman.
The board also comprises Sisenando Bengzon (House Committee Chairman), Aurelio Alonzo (Construction Committee Chairman), Dennis Loyola (Sports Committee Chairman), Carlos Simon Casas (Socials Committee Chairman), and Emmanuel Mendoza (Planning Committee Chairman).
We express our gratitude for the legacy of excellence —borne out of the initiative of its founding members, led by the late Jovencio F. Cinco, that began on June 6, 1975. Today, the Club has become a nurturing, resilient institution, inspiring us to move forward with pride and purpose. We have become a stronger community through the solid support and unwavering patronage of our loyal members and hardworking employees — each one helping keep the flame of hope alive for generations to come.
We renew and look forward to more fruitful years for fostering camaraderie, wellness, and service.
With the Lord’s guidance, let us celebrate this golden milestone. Here’s to 50 more years of the Makati Sports Club!
-Atty. Simplicio M. Virtudazo Jr., Immediate Past President of Makati Sports Club, Inc.
we have shown during the pandemic and the way the company has grown despite the insurmountable challenges which we faced. The past 50 years have been marked by ups and downs. Needless to say, we have survived and our progress is a result of your continuous patronage and support for the club’s products and services.
This year, we celebrate a significant milestone as we commemorate our Golden Anniversary – 5 decades of growth and hard work. As we reflect on the past several years, I am filled with so much appreciation to all the members and employees, the backbone of our organization, who supported the club’s endeavors and who remained loyal to our ideals.
As we head into the future, we want to assure you that we will continue to work on improving our services and meet the needs of the general membership.
-Ronaldo C. Limbo, General Manager of Makati Sports Club, Inc.
True to its promise of seamlessly blending business with leisure, the Makati Sports Club boasts premier facilities meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs, welfare, and well-being of its members.
Its array of dining outlets—including the Bistro Lounge, Club Deli, Le Patisserie, Zobel Dining, and Log Cabin—provide more than just exquisite meals. They are conducive spaces where professionals can converse, collaborate, and conduct economic forums and talks, transforming ideas into tangible realities.
TOWARDS A HOLISTIC FUTURE
AS the Club embarks on its next chapter, it continues to be guided by the power of collaboration and teamwork—a fundamental principle championed by its current president, Eduardo V. Francisco. Under his forward-thinking leadership, President Francisco places paramount importance on consulting every individual involved. He firmly believes that true success stems from a holistic approach, acknowledging each member as a key player in ensuring the Club’s continued prosperity and vibrancy in the years to come.
B eyond its elegantly appointed dining areas, the Club serves as a dynamic hub for various sports, making it an ideal training ground for aspiring athletes and a perfect venue for competitive tournaments. Its comprehensive facilities include an Indoor and Outdoor Tennis Court, Swimming Pool, Badminton Court, Bowling Alley, Squash Court, Billiard Hall, and
dedicated spaces for Aikido & Boxing.
The Makati Sports Club also serves as a distinguished venue for hosting both grand and intimate special events. Its extensive selection of function rooms, such as the Ayala Banquet Hall, San Antonio Room, Legazpi Hall, Bel-Air Room, Urdaneta, Magallanes, San Miguel, San Lorenzo, Meeting Room, Salcedo, Dasmarinas, Board Room, Club Cafe, and Gallerie Room, ensures every occasion finds its perfect setting.
O n June 18, 2025, the Club will hold its inaugural Town Hall meeting. This crucial gathering aims to discuss the Club’s short, medium, and long-term plans, articulate its Strategic Vision, and actively solicit valuable comments, ideas, and suggestions directly from its esteemed members. I n addition, the MSCI is also set to embark on renovating its Log Cabin along with the expansion of the Pavilion area, adding multilevel floors to significantly increase the number of courts available for badminton, pickleball, and tennis. To properly wrap up its 50th Anniversary milestone, the Makati Sports Club will launch a special commemorative book this November. With the theme, “A Torch of Hope, A Jubilee Flame,” it will chronicle the Club’s significant events, accomplishments, and substantive endeavors over five decades. This memento will also feature the visionary founders and notable individuals who shaped its journey, preserving the Club’s vibrant legacy for generations to come.
Senate told on remand of case vs VP Sara: A dangerous precedent
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
CALLING it a “dangerous precedent,”
lawmakers on Wednesday strongly criticized the Senate’s decision to remand the Articles of Impeachment back to the House of Representatives, calling the move a clear violation of the 1987 Constitution and assuring that the impeachment case is far from over.
House impeachment prosecutor and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor said the Senate has set a dangerous precedent with its decision to return the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives.
“This is a clear dereliction of duty and a breach of public trust,” said Defensor.
“To remand the case is not an option under our Constitution. The Senate’s role is to either acquit or convict after trial. This move is a blatant violation of our Constitution and a serious blow to our democracy,” he added.
San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, a member of the House prosecution team, also questioned the Senate’s decision.
“We were watching all night and were shocked by the Senate’s action. Remanding the Articles of Impeachment back to the House is beyond their authority. The Senate has no power to do that,” Zamora said.
Effectively a review
“ RETURNING the case to the House is effectively a review, which is not the Senate’s role. As an impeachment court, the Senate’s duty is to try and decide the case—not to review the actions of the House,” she stressed.
Zamora also clarified that the House did not violate the one-year bar rule on impeachment, a concern they had already addressed when the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted.
The Senate’s move to return the Articles
of Impeachment against Duterte to the House can be considered a violation of the Constitution, according to House prosecutor Manila Rep. Joel Chua.
Chua expressed disappointment over the action, saying, “We are saddened because this is clearly a violation of our Constitution. The senators have no mandate to file or decide on such motions.”
“In fact, this is supposed to be the responsibility of the defense counsel. What’s happening here is that the Senate appears to be lawyering for the Vice President,” he added.
On Tuesday, 18 senators voted in favor of remanding the case to the House. The House must now certify that it did not violate any constitutional provisions and that it remains prepared to pursue the case when the new members assume office on June 30.
Abandonment
HUMAN-RIGHTS lawyer and incoming lawmaker Chel Diokno said the Senate’s action amounted to an “abandonment of the Constitution.”
He emphasized that once the Articles of Impeachment—signed by at least onethird of the House—are transmitted, the Senate has a constitutional duty to proceed directly with the trial.
“The Constitution is very clear. Once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, the Senate must immediately begin the trial. That means receiving evidence, seating witnesses, and presenting exhibits. The Constitution is not just a piece of paper—it is the will of the people. It cannot be ignored or set aside,” Diokno said.
Responding to claims that the House still needs to certify the impeachment, Diokno said the mere act of transmitting the articles already serves as certification.
“Why is there a need for further
See “Impeachment,” A7
Legislators to file charges vs Sara, others at Ombudsman
By Jovee Marie N. de;a Cruz @joveemarie
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted a recommendation from its Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to pursue criminal, civil, and administrative charges against Vice President Sara Duterte and several Department of Education officials.
The move comes amid allegations of widespread misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
The committee’s report specifically calls for the filing of charges such as technical malversation, plunder, perjury, and bribery against Duterte and other implicated individuals.
The charges, including falsification of documents, use of falsified documents, corruption, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the Constitution, are also recommended for other officials involved in the alleged scheme.
The recommendations are:
n Technical Malversation: Against Duterte, special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, and former special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, based on the premise that confidential funds were used for purposes outside their designated confidential activities.
THE plenary of the House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted the findings of its Quad Committee, directly accusing former President Rodrigo Duterte and his closest henchmen—Sens.
Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence Go—of orchestrating a chilling campaign of State-sanctioned killings, actively shielding drug traffickers, and enabling rampant corruption through Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos).
The 66-page report, the culmination of 15 public hearings held between August 2024 and June 2025, unequivocally states that Duterte’s “war on drugs” was intrinsically linked to thousands of extra-judicial killings that it “enabled and rewarded.”
The comprehensive report was signed by Quad Comm lead chairman Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and co-chairmen Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano. Barbers personally sponsored the committee report.
Sworn testimonies revealed that promotions and prized assignments were routinely given to National Police (PNP) officers who killed suspected drug personalities.
“Police officers who have a track record of ‘delivering’ the ‘big fish’ suspected
n Perjury: Against Duterte and Acosta, concerning a notarized certification that supposedly falsely claimed funds were used for legal and necessary confidential activities.
n Bribery: Against Duterte and lawyer Sunshine Fajarda, who are accused of offering cash in “white envelopes” to DepEd employees.
n Corruption of Public Officers: Targeting DepEd employees involved in the irregular disbursement and liquidation of these funds.
n Falsification and Use of Falsified Documents: Related to acknowledgment receipts that allegedly showed inconsistencies in recipient information, ink, and penmanship.
Super panel report links Duterte, dela Rosa, Go to EJKs, Pogos
personalities would be transferred and assigned to lead units,” the report said.
The Quad Committee highlighted former President Duterte’s own admissions, citing his statements that he “ordered the PNP to kill drug personalities if they fight or, if they won’t fight, force them to fight to justify the killing.” He also confirmed creating a task force based on his “Davao template” and famously declared he would “take responsibility and accountability for the killings perpetrated by the PNP.”
Dela Rosa and Go
THE committee report linked dela Rosa to the implementation of these orders as then-chief of the National Police. Go, on the other hand, was identified as the facilitator of reward payouts to police operatives.
“[Go] played a crucial role in the disbursement of funds relating to the rewards system,” the committee said, adding, “The funding of the cash rewards came from, among others, Pogo [Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations] entities.”
In his testimony, former police colonel Jovie Espenido confirmed that Go provided cash incentives for drug war killings, a claim corroborated by retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma
and other resource persons.
The panel called for investigations into Go’s financial involvement in the campaign.
The report documented several killings allegedly ordered or encouraged by state officials. In 2016, Davao Penal Colony inmates Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando Magdadaro testified they were paid P1 million each to assassinate three Chinese nationals.
“When the evil deed was done, former President Duterte called up Padilla and congratulated him,” the committee stated, citing former prison warden Gerardo Padilla’s confirmation.
High-ranking officers like Police Colonels Marvin Marcos and Espenido also admitted following “orders from higher-ups” in the killings of Mayors Rolando Espinosa and Reynaldo Parojinog and his family.
These acts, according to the committee, were part of a coordinated effort to eliminate individuals on Duterte’s “narco list,” regardless of evidence.
Beyond killings
THE report also exposed Duterte’s inner circle as allegedly complicit in the drug trade.
Inmates Jimmy Guban and Mark Taguba testified that former President Duterte’s
Bill creating Virology Institute awaits President’s signature
ASENIOR legislator on Tuesday said the bill mandating the creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines or the proposed VIP Act is now awaiting President Marcos’ signature.
VIP Act strengthens the country’s scientific capacity and readiness against pandemics.
The measure aims to equip the Philippines with the necessary tools to detect, prevent, and respond to future outbreaks—whether they affect humans, animals, or crops.
Albay Rep. Jose Clemente “Joey” Salceda, House Committee on Ways and Means chairman, principal author of the bill, called it a landmark win for science, public health, and national resilience.
“We lived through Covid. We lost billions to the African swine fever. Avian influenza keeps coming back. We need our own tools to fight back,” Salceda said.
“The Virology Institute will prepare us before the next outbreak hits. Not after. This is our insurance policy against pandemics and food shocks.”
Salceda said the institute’s first focus should be on animal diseases, especially those affecting livestock and poultry.
“These sectors have suffered the most economic damage from viruses. We need early detection, better diagnostics, and local vaccine development for ASF and avian flu,” he added.
To be placed under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Virology Institute will lead national research on virii affecting humans, animals, and plants. It will develop testing kits, vaccines, and treatments, and it will house advanced laboratories capable of handling highrisk pathogens.
“Right now, we rely on foreign laboratories and imported vaccines. This law changes that. We build our own science. We take control of our future,” Salceda said.
The final version of the law also clears concerns about overlapping with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
“RITM remains the national reference laboratory. The VIP will do the upstream research. They will work together,” Salceda clarified.
Located in New Clark City, the institute will be able to establish regional centers, partner with academic institutions, and bring back Filipino scientists through the Balik Scientist Program. It will also pursue collaborations with leading global virology research facilities.
“The next pandemic could come from people, pigs, poultry, or plants. It might not wait for us to prepare. So we are preparing now,” said Salceda.
“Pandemics always come. So we should always be prepared,” he added. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
n Additionally, charges of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution are recommended. To aid in the prosecution, the committee also suggested to the plenary that former and current DepEd officials who can provide assistance be admitted into the Witness Protection Program.
The report will be officially submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for their review and action.
n Plunder: A serious charge against Duterte and a roster of DepEd and Office of the Vice President officials. This charge alleges the amassing of at least P50 million from the total P612.5 million in misused confidential funds, citing an established “wheel of conspiracy” during committee hearings.
House OKs bill banning Pogos
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved on third and final reading a bill prohibiting all forms of offshore gaming operations in the country.
Voting 172 affirmative and one negative, lawmakers passed House Bill 10987, which outlaws offshore gaming, revoke licenses previously issued to offshore gaming operators, and impose strict penalties for violations.
The measure explicitly declares it unlawful for any person or entity to conduct offshore gaming operations within the country.
The following activities will be considered illegal under the proposed law: facilitating offshore gaming through any means or device; accepting any form of betting for offshore gaming operations; operating as a service provider for offshore gaming activities; constructing or maintaining offshore gaming operation hubs or structural complexes housing logistical, administrative, and support services; establishing or providing services for gaming laboratories; possessing any offshore gaming paraphernalia; and aiding, protecting, or abetting any of the acts listed. The bill also mandates the immediate cancellation of all visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration and employment permits granted by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to foreign workers employed in the offshore gaming industry.
House Bill 10987 imposes heavy penalties for any individual or entity caught engaging in offshore gaming operations.
First offense: imprisonment of four to six years and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000.
Second offense: imprisonment of six to eight years and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P1 million.
Third and succeeding offenses: Imprisonment of eight to 10 years and a fine ranging from P5 million to P10 million. Additionally, upon conviction, all buildings, facilities, equipment, and proceeds derived from illegal offshore gaming operations will be confiscated and forfeited in favor of the government, except in cases where ownership belongs to innocent third parties.
The bill mandates that all Pogos, support providers, local gaming agents, and business process outsourcing (BPO) providers involved in the industry must settle any outstanding taxes and fees due to the government before ceasing operations. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
‘Close
gaps in crypto asset enforcement’
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
POLICY think tank Infrawatch on Tuesday called on the government to “close enforcement gaps” amid the launch of the Strategic Surveillance and Enforcement Sandbox (StratBox), a regulatory platform that allows licensed crypto asset service providers (CASPs) to test innovative digital products under controlled conditions.
Infrawatch Convener Terry Ridon said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ought to bolster enforcement actions against unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges, warning that continued inaction could enable illicit activities and undermine the country’s regulatory framework.
“The sandbox model supports innovation but only for regulated and licensed entities. The use of crypto for illicit activities remains rampant particularly on unregulated and unlicensed firms, and the
EJKs. . .
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son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and his son-in-law lawyer Manases Carpio and former economic adviser Michael Yang orchestrated drug shipments worth billions of pesos.
“Mr. Guban asserted that now Rep. Paolo Duterte, Atty. Manases Carpio and Michael Yang… owned a drug shipment worth P6.4 billion in 2016,” the report stated.
Taguba added that Paolo Duterte was “the handler of the drug shipments,” and either he or Carpio “gives the ‘go signal’ for the release of the ‘special’ containers.”
Yang’s ties to drug syndicates, according to former PNP official Eduardo Acierto, date back to 2004. Arturo Lascañas, a former Duterte ally, declared in his testimony that Duterte “is the ‘Lord of All Drug Lords.’”
Pogos as criminal havens
THE committee also found that the Duterte administration enabled criminal activity through Pogos.
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certification? The House, by transmitting the articles, is already saying, ‘This is our case, and we believe it is backed by strong evidence.’ That is the certification,” he said.
When asked about the Senate acting like an upper court, Diokno raised concerns over a senator filing a motion to remand the Articles—a move typically reserved for parties to a case, such as the defense or prosecution.
“Can a judge file a motion? In a trial, motions come from the parties, not the judges. Yet, here we have a senator—who is supposed to be acting as a judge—filing a motion. That’s not in the rules they themselves approved,” Diokno pointed out.
Blur in separation of roles
HE further warned that this blurs the separation of roles and undermines the legitimacy of the impeachment process.
“Some senators seem to still be thinking like lawmakers, but they took an oath as senator-judges. They should act accordingly,” he added.
Despite the Senate’s action, Diokno said the impeachment case is far from over.
“Even Senate President Escudero said the case hasn’t been dismissed. We will fight to ensure that the impeachment trial proceeds because that is what the Constitution requires,” said Diokno. Diokno expressed confidence that the impeachment court could carry over its proceedings into the 20th Congress.
“The impeachment court is not part of Article VI, which covers the legislative department. It falls under Article XI on public accountability. Like other courts, once convened, the impeachment court continues its work—even if its composition changes—unless it is formally dissolved.”
While noting that he will not officially be a member of the House until June 30, Diokno said the burden now lies on the
government should crackdown on firms operating in the Philippine market,” he said. Ridon emphasized that platforms operating outside regulatory oversight have become breeding grounds for online scams, money laundering, and fraud— many of which have already ensnared Filipino investors.
He urged the SEC to step up its issuance of investor advisories and collaborate more closely with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to block public access to illegal crypto websites.
He cited the NTC’s earlier move to restrict access to Binance as a precedent that should be applied more broadly to other unregistered players.
“Compliant players are subject to strict regulatory requirements, while unlicensed entities often operate with fewer restrictions, creating a distorted environment where non-compliance appears more profitable,” Ridon said.
“The Pogos have also become havens and refuges for criminals wanted in their country,” the report highlighted, noting that Chinese fugitives were operating gaming hubs under fake Filipino identities.
Former Bamban (Tarlac) Mayor Alice Guo was identified as a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping, who allegedly used falsified documents to acquire land and establish criminal Pogo operations. She was described as a potential Chinese spy.
“A criminal investigation should also be commenced to inquire into the extent of his [Harry Roque]’s involvement in the operation of Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corporation,” the report said.
Crimes against humanity
THE committee urged the filing of criminal charges for murder and crimes against humanity against Duterte, dela Rosa, Go, and several senior police officials. Specifically, it recommended charges under Section 6 (Other Crimes Against Humanity) of Republic Act 9851.
“File criminal charges under Section 6 [Other Crimes Against Humanity] of
Senate to do its constitutional duty.
“In my view as a lawyer, the ball is now in the Senate’s court. We must call on them to proceed with the trial, as mandated by the Constitution,” he said.
On whether the Speaker or the House needs to take any additional steps, Diokno deferred, saying such questions are better directed to the panel of prosecutors or Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Asked if the matter should be brought to the Supreme Court, Diokno said it is difficult to predict how the judiciary would respond.
He also raised concerns about the perceived partiality of some senators.
Lawyering
“SOME senators appear to be lawyering for the Vice President. Again, a judge shouldn’t be filing motions—that’s for the prosecution or the defense. This violates not only the Constitution but also their own rules,” he said.
Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares condemned the Senate impeachment court’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and a clear attempt to evade justice and accountability.
“There is neither a factual nor constitutional basis for returning the Articles of Impeachment. The Constitution is explicit: once the articles are transmitted, the Senate must immediately proceed with the trial. Sending it back is not within their mandate,” Colmenares said.
“As for the facts, the House has upheld the constitutionality of the Articles and has repeatedly expressed its readiness to prosecute. There’s no reason to question that now. I’ve never seen a judge return a complaint to the complainant just to ask if it’s in order or if they’re serious about pursuing it,” he added.
Also, the Makabayan bloc in Congress also issued a strong statement condemning the Senate’s unprecedented move.
“We vehemently condemn the Senate impeachment court’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House.
“This sends the wrong signal to the market and undermines confidence in the regulatory framework.” StratBox, which opened applications in May, is part of the SEC’s strategy to foster a safer and more transparent crypto landscape. Through this sandbox, the commission aims to assess the risks associated with new financial technologies while allowing licensed firms to innovate responsibly.
But Ridon warned that regulatory clarity alone is not enough.
“An emerging crypto environment should be regulated by the government to protect the public interest and investor funds while allowing innovation to thrive. This means crypto entities working with the government through a regulatory framework which gives importance to transparency and accountability while allowing entities to create new products and services to fill various gaps in the market,” Ridon said.
Republic Act 9851
stated.
The report also recommended investigating the alleged joint bank accounts of the former President and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, following former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claim that these accounts received funds from druglinked financier Sammy Uy.
It called for sweeping reforms, including amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Dummy Law, and Anti-Money Laundering Act; the creation of a truly independent Internal Affairs Service for the PNP; new laws on custodial deaths and autopsies; and reparations for families of drug war victims.
“This is not just about policy failures. This is about killings ordered and protected by the highest officials of the land. The time for accountability has come,” the committee said. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
This is an unconstitutional and dangerous deviation from proper procedure,” the statement read.
“This brazen act undermines the impeachment process as a tool for holding high-ranking officials accountable. The Senate’s action has no legal basis and constitutes a clear abandonment of its constitutional duty to try impeachment cases.”
The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) on Wednesday expressed grave concern with the Senate’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives.
“CenPEG believes that this action, while framed as procedural diligence, brings up concerns regarding the Senate’s dedication to its constitutional duty as an impeachment court, accountability, and the rule of law in a democracy,” it said.
CenPEG emphasized that the weaponization of procedure is being harnessed as the Senate’s return of the Articles of Impeachment without a trial represents an abandonment of its constitutional duty. Once the House of Representatives files verified Articles of Impeachment, the political think tank pointed out that the Senate is obligated to convene as an impeachment court under the 1987 Constitution.
“CenPEG asserts that the Senate is imposing additional requirements without constitutional basis, such as reaffirming the House’s intent or certifying compliance with the one-year bar, and that these internal matters of the House should not delay or prevent a trial,” it explained.
CenPEG contends that this move is part of a pattern of using procedural technicalities to protect powerful figures from accountability. Instead of addressing the allegations against Vice President Duterte, CenPEG stressed that the Senate is exploiting ambiguity and causing delays, undermining the system of checks and balances that impeachment is intended to uphold. With Rizal Raoul Reyes
against the following individuals: Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; Senator Ronald dela Rosa; Senator Christopher Lawrence Go; Former PNP Chief Oscar David Albayalde; Former PNP Chief Debold Sinas; PCol. Royina Garma; and PCol Edilberto Leonardo,” the report
Thursday, June 12, 2025
House adopts Tri-Comm report to regulate social media, protect against digital deception
TBy Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
HE House of Representatives has adopted the recommendation of the Tri-Committee (Tri-Comm), which calls for sweeping legislative reforms aimed at penalizing individuals and entities involved in the creation, funding, and dissemination of fake news, organized disinformation, and troll farm operations that undermine public order, democratic institutions, and national sovereignty.
The report proposes a sweeping overhaul of the country’s cyber governance policies through amendments to the Cybercrime Prevention Act and new laws addressing platform accountability, content moderation, and foreign-funded propaganda. “The Tri-Comm was never about silenc -
ing dissent. It is about stopping deliberate digital deception—often paid for, often anonymous, and often dangerous,” said Information and Communications Technology Committee Vice Chairman Johnny Ty Pimentel during his sponsorship speech on the floor.
Among its key proposals is legislation that would formally define and penalize disinformation and malinformation—especially when used to manipulate elections or support state-sponsored interference. The report also calls for criminalizing the creation and financing of troll farms, requiring foreign-based social media platforms to register with Philippine authorities, and obliging them to comply with takedown, correction, and blocking orders. These platforms would also be mandated to open local offices and store data to aid
in investigations.
Lawmakers also raised alarms over foreign-backed disinformation campaigns, particularly those allegedly linked to Chinese interests that spread anti-Philippine narratives related to the West Philippine Sea while promoting specific domestic political figures.
Public Order and Safety Committee Chair Dan Fernandez cited InfinitUs Marketing Solutions Inc. as a potential front for foreign disinformation activity.
“This matter demands urgent and thorough investigation due to its implications for national security,” he said.
The report further recommends the creation of a Digital Council of the Philippines—a regulatory or self-regulatory body akin to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP)—to accredit influencers and content marketers, enforce
ethical guidelines, supervise content moderation, and lead public education efforts on digital literacy.
To counter AI-driven online threats, the Tri-Comm is also pushing for new laws to regulate developers and deployers of artificial intelligence, especially those engaged in deepfake creation, algorithmic manipulation, and phishing schemes. The proposed measures would establish ethical and accountability standards while encouraging the development of locally grown AI technologies.
Additionally, the committee urged Congress to bolster the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s capacity to monitor digital income, noting that many influencers evade taxes due to a lack of data-sharing agreements with global platforms. The report recommends legal mandates requiring platforms to disclose earnings derived from Filipino
95 countries back global treaty to combat plastic pollution at UN Oceans Conference
ON the second day of the United Na -
tions Oceans Conference in Nice, France, Environmental Ministers and representatives from 95 countries released a declaration that sets the stage for the next round of negotiations for an ambitious international treaty to address the worsening global plastic pollution.
The figure represents more than half of the United Nations member countries.
Civil society organizations (CSOs) welcome the Nice declaration entitled “The Nice WakeUp Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty.”
However, in its own statement issued in response to the declaration, CSO leaders described the commitment of the Environment Ministers as a “floor, not a ceiling” of ambition in the upcoming talks from August 5 to 14 in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We are heartened to see this demonstration of ambition from the majority of countries, who are showing a united front against the small number of petrochemical states trying to
prevent a strong treaty. While there are several crucial elements missing from the statement, it is a strong starting point for negotiations. We now need these Member States to continue to stand their ground, and secure the historic treaty the world needs,” Ana Rocha, Global Plastics Policy Director of the Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives (GAIA) said in a statement.
Civil society leaders applauded the statement’s reaffirmation of the need for a treaty to have a global target for plastic production reduction, to phase out the most problematic plastic products and hazardous chemicals, and to include monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure that countries remain on target, as well as room to strengthen commitments based on emerging science, health, and environmental impacts. However, some civil society organization leaders said the statement was missing a reference to a just transition, particularly for informal waste pickers and workers, and health and human rights, including rights of
Indigenous Peoples. The statement does not fully emphasize systems shift, especially reuse and refill, a financial mechanism that enables implementation and compliance, and the need for national obligations to meet global targets.
Larisa de Orbe, from Acción Ecológica in Mexico states,“We already have enough evidence of how human rights are violated throughout the entire plastics cycle. It is therefore essential that the spirit of the plastics treaty be the protection of human rights and environmental justice, rather than protecting the economic and political interests of polluters.”
Mohamed Kamal of the Greenish Foundation in Egypt states, “The Nice Wake-Up Call Declaration underscores the importance of strong positions on key articles and measures necessary to effectively address plastic pollution. However, it falls short in acknowledging the need for a new and independent financial mechanism, an essential element for ensuring the success of the treaty that was called for by over 120 countries in INC5 and championed by Africa.”
GAIA members also caution against harmful waste management approaches like “waste-to-energy” incineration, chemical “recycling,” and plastic credits, which will only exacerbate the plastics crisis.
A line in the statement also calls for standard decision-making practices if consensus cannot be reached. At previous INCs, petrochemical states have attempted to buck convention and stall progress by refusing to accept a provision for voting, essentially allowing a single Member State to prevent the world from solving the plastic crisis.
Wong Si Peng of C4 Center in Malaysia states, “Decision-making through voting— once all efforts to reach consensus have been exhausted - is vital for the future Conference of Parties to be effective. Voting should not be misconstrued as abandoning alliances or cooperation—instead, through voting, member states protect both their sovereignty and the rights of the citizens they represent at the negotiation table.”
Jonathan L Mayuga
Viado: ‘We share the President’s view that transparency, fairness, and due process’
BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commis -
sioner Joel Anthony Viado welcomed the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos to look into the allegations raised against him in the white paper sent to the Palace by alleged anonymous employees of the agency.
We share the President’s view that transparency, fairness, and due process are essential in addressing matters of public concern,”Viado said in a statement.
“ We trust that an impartial and comprehensive investigation will bring clarity, establish accountability where warranted,
and ultimately strengthen the public’s trust in our institutions,” he added. Viado issued the statement in response to Marcos’ confirmation of the existence of the white paper containing allegations of corruption and other irregularities against the BI chief. Marcos said the accusations will be looked into despite the lack of specifics. The DOJ, the mother department of the BI, earlier said the anonymous letter should be treated as a mere white paper or fake news if not substantiated.
It added that the DOJ cannot act on such claims without any evidence being presented.
V iado has categorically denied the allegations in the white paper and expressed his willingness to cooperate with any agency that would conduct an investigation on the matter.
He also surmised that the white paper is part of an “orchestrated and well-funded campaign aimed at shoving the agency into negative limelight once again.”
Viado noted that he has been warned about the possible retaliation from individuals
whose underground operations at the BI have been halted, following reforms he introduced when he assumed his post.
The BI chief on Tuesday disclosed an attempt to secure the release of Tony Yang, a high-profile detainee currently facing charges in connection with his involvement with Philippine offshore gaming operators operations in the country, through a resolution that was drafted and passed during his absence.
Viado recounted that he immediately blocked Yang’s release and ordered that the resolution be rescinded.
Joel R. San Juan
users and advertisers.
The Tri-Comm also proposed revisions to the Data Privacy Act to align with global standards, especially in the context of AI-driven data processing. The goal is to improve user protection, establish clear consent protocols, and hold platforms accountable for misuse of personal data.
During committee hearings, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube came under fire for failing to adequately moderate harmful content and for lacking a formal legal presence in the Philippines, hampering timely enforcement of regulations.
Public Information Committee Chair and Tri-Comm co-chair Jose “Joboy” Aquino II emphasized the urgency of the House’s action on the report. “Without immediate legal, institutional, and technological reforms, our democracy remains vulnerable to digital manipulation, polarization fueled by misinformation, and a weakened state presence online,” he warned. The report also advocates for the inclusion of media and information literacy in the national education curriculum, stressing the importance of teaching digital citizenship and critical thinking at an early age to protect future generations from online deception. Finally, the Tri-Comm urged the House to forward the report to key government agencies—including the DICT, DOJ, BIR, NBI, and NTC—for swift coordination and implementation.
The committee expressed confidence that the proposed reforms will lay the groundwork for landmark legislation aimed at curbing digital disinformation and promoting a more responsible and transparent online environment.
Lawyers ask SC to immediately intervene to resolve constitutional issues surrounding Sara’s impeachment
AGROUP of lawyers asked the Supreme Court (SC) to immediately intervene Wednesday to resolve the constitutional issues surrounding the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a 49-page supplemental petition, the petitioners led by lawyer Israelito Torreon also urged the Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment trial of Duterte based on the fourth impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives.
In seeking the issuance of a TRO, the petitioners cited new and “critical” developments in connection with the impeachment proceedings before the Senate.
The petitioners particularly cited the decision of the Senate to finally convene as impeachment court after the senators led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero took their oath as senate-judge despite constitutional questions about jurisdiction, continuity of proceedings from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress and on the interpretation of the word “forthwith” in the constitutional provision on the conduct of impeachment proceedings before the Senate.
They stressed that it is now time for the SC to intervene on the issue to prevent any branch of the government from acting beyond what is mandated under the Constitution.
“These cases, taken together, clearly establish that this Honorable Court has the authority to issue a TRO to prevent the unconstitutional abuse of impeachment proceedings,” the petitioners said.
The petitioners said the Court should rule
on whether there was grave abuse of discretion on the part of the House of Representatives in transmitting the Articles of impeachment to the Senate.
“The presence of constitutionally imposed limits on the power of Congress—such as the requirement for proper deliberation, verification process, adherence to internal rules, and the one-year bar for impeachment complaints—means that courts must not abdicate their role in ensuring these limits are observed,” the lawyers said. They also maintained that the Senate can no longer function as an impeachment court once the 19th Congress ends on June 30, 2025.
“Any attempt by the 20th Congress to pick up and resume a trial left unresolved by the 19th Congress is an unconstitutional usurpation of jurisdiction, violating the principle of legislative discontinuity and undermining the integrity of the impeachment process.”
“To permit the 20th Congress to resume the trial would be to allow a new Senate— composed partly of new members who did not receive or deliberate on the articles—to adjudicate a case for which they were constitutionally convened,” they added. The petitioners also raised the possibility that their original petition would be rendered moot if the impeachment trial is allowed to proceed.
In their original petition, Torreon together with lawyers Martin Delgra III, James Reserva, and Hillary Olga Reserva asked the Court to bar the Senate conducting impeachment
COMP welcomes ‘win-win’ bicam committee’s reconciled version of mining fiscal regime
THE Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) supports the Bicameral Conference Committee’s reconciled version of the mining fiscal reform bill, which proposes a shift to a tax regime based on profit margins and windfall earnings, and looks forward to President Ferdinand Marcos’ signing the measure into law.
COMP Chairman Michael Toledo said that while a tax increase is inevitable, they believe the measure, which he described as a progressive and responsive approach, allows the government to benefit more when global commodity prices rise, without placing undue burden on miners during market downturns.
“We also welcome the reconciled version’s removal of the proposed raw ore export ban under Senate Bill 2826. Clearly, this is a strategic step toward revitalizing the Philippine mining industry. It reflects a realistic understanding of the Philippine mining landscape—its policy context, infrastructure limitations, and the technical nuances of our ore compared to other mineral-rich jurisdictions,” he said.
The framework, he said, offers a win-win outcome. It ensures fairer and more sustainable government revenues, encourages both local and foreign investment, and strengthens the Philippines’ role in the global clean energy supply chain.
Just as important, Toledo said the proposed measure promotes inclusive development. “When properly regulated, increased mining will boost regional economies, provide funding for host communities, and support local governments,” he said.
Toledo said they look forward to President Marcos signing this landmark legislation into law. Our members stand ready to contribute more meaningfully to national growth under a transparent, competitive, and forward-looking policy environment. Jonathan L. Mayuga
DOLE reminds employers to pay proper wages on Independence Day
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded private employers on Wednesday to observe proper holiday pay rules for their workers on Independence Day, July 12, which is a regular holiday.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, DOLE called on employers in the private sector to ensure workers are properly compensated in accordance with existing labor standards.
“The [DOLE] reminds private sector employers and workers of the proper payment of wages tomorrow,” the department said.
Under Labor Advisory No. 08, Series of 2025, the department said employees who will not report for work are still entitled to receive 100 percent of their daily wage, provided they were present or on paid leave on the workday immediately before the holiday.
Meanwhile, workers who will report for duty must be paid 200 percent of their daily wage for the first eight hours of work.
Those who render overtime work must receive an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate on top of the holiday pay.
If the holiday falls on an employee’s rest day and the employee is required to work, the pay increases to 230 percent of the basic wage for the first eight hours. Any work performed in excess of eight hours must also be paid with an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate.
Nationwide job fair
DOLE also reminded jobseekers that more than 89,000 vacancies will be available during the nationwide job fairs on July 12.
A total of 968 employers are expected to join the activity, which will take place in 49 locations across the country.
DOLE said each job fair site will feature a one-stop shop for government services to assist applicants with pre-employment requirements.
Services like career counseling, consultations on labor regulations, and programs on skills training, livelihood, and entrepreneurship will also be available the fair.
In the National Capital Region, job fairs will be held in malls located in Las Piñas, Pasay, Taguig, Manila, Quezon City, and other cities.
The labor department earlier announced that among the top available positions for this year’s Independence Day job fair are production operators, sales clerks, customer service representatives, service crew, and microfinance officers. Justine Xyrah Garcia
Sara. . .
Continued from A8
proceedings based on the defective Articles of Impeachment.
They added that the impeachment complaint was railroaded by the House as the entire process was rushed on the adjournment day of Congress 3rd regular session.
The petitioners pointed out that the impeachment complaint failed to meet constitutional requirements on verification and proper initiation of impeachment proceedings and for failure to accord due process to Duterte prior to its filing with the Senate.
They added that the fourth impeachment complaint signed by 215 members of the House against the Vice President did not contain verification as mandated under Section 3, Rule II of the House Rules on Impeachment.
The said provision mandates that an impeachment complaint must be “verified by an affidavit that the complainant has read the complaint and that the allegations therein are true and correct on his personal knowledge or based on authentic records.”
The mere signing of the 215 solons, according to the petitioners, does not constitute proper verification.
Aside from Torreon et al petition, Duterte also filed a separate petition before the Court last February 19 seeking to declare as unconstitutional the fourth impeachment complaint filed against her for violating the One-Year Bar rule under the Constitution.
She argued that the fourth impeachment complaint violated the “One-Year Bar” under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution, which states that no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.
Duterte’s petition also sought the issuance of a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction to immediately enjoin the Senate from conducting impeachment proceedings against her which she branded as “politically-motivated.”
She said a TRO is necessary due to violation of her constitutional right under Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.
In a resolution issued on February 26, the Court directed the House and the Senate to comment on Duterte’s petition.
Duterte’s petition remains pending before the SC, including two other related petitions filed by high school teacher Barry Tayam and former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) special government counsel Catalino Generillo Jr. Tayam’s petition sought the Court’s interpretation of the word “forthwith” under Article XI Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution.
The said provision specifically states: “In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”
Tayam said the Court should explain the definition of “forthwith” since Escudero’s interpretation differed with some legal experts and lawyers.
He noted that Escudero’s position runs contrary to the opinion of some of his peers in the Senate and legal experts who claimed that the trial impeachment should proceed immediately.
Tayam also asked the Court of its position on the constitutionality of “passing the burden of the impeachment from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress.”
Generillo’s petition, on the other hand, sought the Court’s issuance of an order directing the Senate to immediately constitute an impeachment court and begin the proceedings against Duterte. Joel R. San Juan
A12 Thursday, June 12, 2025 | www.businessmirror.com.ph
Stop and salute: NHCP holds flag-raising events to mark PH Indpendence day
Ceremonies, parades, and tributes nationwide recall hard-won liberty and the Filipino people’s enduring spirit triumph during the revolution against Spain. That date was originally declared National Flag Day through Presidential Proclamation No. 374 (1965).
By John Eiron R. Francisco
THE nation pauses once again to remember a defining moment in its history as it celebrates the 127th anniversary of the Philippine Independence today, June 12, Thursday.
With this year’s theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is leading nationwide commemorations that underscore the enduring link between history, national identity, and a collective future.
At the center of the festivities is the official program at Rizal Park, Manila, which kicked off at 7 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Independence flagpole near the Rizal Monument. The president was joined by NHCP Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. in a wreath-laying ceremony that followed the traditional arrival honors.
Later in the day, the spotlight shifts to “Parada ng Kalayaan 2025” at the Quirino Grandstand. The parade brings together military and police contingents, government agencies, educational institutions, civic organizations, and cultural performers, all taking part in a vibrant retelling of the nation’s road to independence through floats, reenactments, and artistic performances.
In the evening, the celebration culminates with “Musikal III: Ang Tanghalan at Ang Kalayaan” at the Metropolitan Theater, featuring Filipino artists in a rousing tribute to the nation’s enduring spirit of freedom.
Simultaneous flag-raising and wreathlaying ceremonies are also taking place at historically significant sites across the country,
including the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite, Barasoain Church in Bulacan, Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan, Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución in Manila North Cemetery, and Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles City, Pampanga.
In addition, all 28 NHCP museums, various local government units, and Philippine
The NHCP, in partnership with the National Parks Development Committee, launched this year’s observance with a “Stop and Salute” ceremony at Luneta, attended by public officials, community leaders,
Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence from more than three centuries of Spanish rule. It was also the first time the Philippine flag was formally unfurled, and the national anthem was played in Kawit, Cavite. However, the declaration was not recognized by Spain or the United States. Instead, under the 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S., prompting a new conflict—the Philippine-American War—which broke out in 1899. It wasn’t until July 4, 1946, through the Treaty of Manila, that the Philippines achieved full independence.
For years, the country celebrated Independence Day on July 4, until the passage of Republic Act No. 4166, signed by President Diosdado Macapagal on August 4, 1964, which officially moved the national observance to June 12 to honor the country’s original declaration of freedom.
National Flag Days and Public Involvement
embassies around the world are holding their own commemorative programs to mark the national holiday.
Historical Significance and National Flag Days
The annual celebration on June 12 commemorates the historic day in 1898 when General
The lead-up to Independence Day is also marked by National Flag Days, observed from May 28 to June 12 under Executive Order No. 79 issued in 1994. The period commemorates the moment the Philippine flag was first raised after the Filipino victory in the Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite on May 28, 1898—a significant
Kultura and SM Green Finds: Honoring Freedom Through Filipino Craft and Conscious Living
By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
AS the country proudly raises its flags to mark the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, we are reminded that freedom is not only a legacy of our past but a responsibility we carry into the future. Today, freedom finds new meaning in the choices we make—in how we live, how we give, and how we create a more sustainable, inclusive, and proudly Filipino way of life.
At Kultura, freedom is handcrafted. An SM Retail Affiliate and part of the SM Green Finds program, Kultura has become more than just a store. It is a vital platform for Filipino artisans, local communities, and sustainable enterprises, championing products that are not only beautiful and meaningful but also kind to the planet. It is here that brands like Our Little Ideas (OLI) and KOKO Slow Living have found their voice, their purpose, and their freedom to grow.
From Purpose to Product: The Story of Our Little Ideas FOR Chris Olimpo, co-founder of Our Little Ideas, freedom began with a dream—to connect Gawad Kalinga communities and Bicolano weavers with Filipino homes through products that tell a story. Launched in 2019, OLI was never just about pillows or packaging. It was about people.
Our products are woven with meaning,” Chris explains. “They represent the culture of Ragay in Camarines Sur, the skill of our sewers in Batangas, and the hopes of the communities we work with.”
Their handwoven banig throw pillows, sustainably sourced and lovingly crafted, have become symbols of this mission. When OLI joined Kultura’s Green Finds collection, the impact was immediate and meaningful.
“Kultura gave us more than retail space,” Chris shares. “They gave us credibility, visibility, and the chance to scale our impact. It em-
powered us to grow while staying true to our roots.”
A nd isn’t that the essence of Filipino independence? The freedom to grow without forgetting where we
come from. The freedom to innovate while honoring heritage. Today, OLI partners with multiple weaving communities, especially during peak seasons, and is working on expanding its product line. Their story is proof that local brands can thrive when given the right platform—and that supporting Filipino-made means investing in our shared future.
A Journey to Slow, Meaningful Living: The Rise of KOKO WHILE OLI’s beginnings were rooted in community development, KOKO Slow Living was born from a deeply personal pursuit. For found-
er Koleen Davila Palaganas, KOKO is not just a brand—it is a lifestyle and a love letter to mindful living.
Named after her childhood nickname and inspired by the SLOW philosophy—Sustainable, Local, Organic, and Whole—KOKO Living began as an advocacy project.
Koleen created candles, soaps, and room sprays to support her own shift toward natural living. She wasn’t thinking of starting a business. But the response was overwhelming.
People resonated with our story and our products,” Koleen recalls. “They weren’t just buying candles—they were embracing a way of life that felt more grounded,
intentional, and Filipino.”
Run from their home with the help of her husband, one full-time staff member, and a network of local mompreneurs and artisans— including acacia wood carvers from Baguio—KOKO continues to operate with heart and purpose.
W hen Kultura invited them to join the Green Finds collection, it marked a turning point.
Kultura saw something in us,” she says. “They helped us refine our branding, guided us on packaging, and encouraged us to think bigger while staying authentic.”
Koleen sees this support as a reflection of what modern indepen-
dence should look like: a community uplifting each other, rooted in values, and moving forward together.
Celebrating Freedom by Supporting Local THIS Independence Day, as we look back on our nation’s long and difficult road to sovereignty, we are also called to reflect on what it means to be truly free today. Freedom is not just about governance or politics—it is about empowerment, equity, and the ability to make conscious choices that benefit both people and planet.
Through SM Green Finds at Kultura, Filipino entrepreneurs like Chris and Koleen are not only given
space to showcase their work—they are given the freedom to lead a movement that preserves Filipino heritage through traditional crafts. It’s also a movement that uplifts communities by creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods and inspires consumers to buy better, live lighter, and love local. By choosing brands like Our Little Ideas and KOKO Living, customers are not just purchasing products—they are participating in a vision of sustainable, self-reliant Filipino living. They are declaring, in their own quiet way, that they believe in the value of what is proudly made in the
These stories, stitched and shaped by hand, reflect the very spirit of our independence—our resilience, our creativity, our unity, and our love for country. This June, let us celebrate Kalayaan not just with flags and parades, but with choices that matter. Support local. Embrace sustainability. And be part of a movement that redefines freedom for the next generation.
Independence Day
Historical Films Return to Cinemas
TANDANG SORA MUSEUM: CELEBRATING ‘HERSTORY’
Remembering the bravery and selflessness of Filipinas like Tandang Sora to learn from the past and to move forward.
By Francine Medina
Seffect
To accommodate today’s major events, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has enforced road closures from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. across key roads surrounding Luneta, including Roxas Boulevard (Buendia to P. Burgos) and nearby streets such as Bonifacio Drive, TM Kalaw, P. Burgos, Finance Road, and Maria Orosa.
Motorists are advised to take alternate routes, while over 1,100 traffic enforcers have been deployed to manage traffic flow and ensure safety throughout the events.
To ease the public’s commute, free train rides are being offered today by:
• MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
In a fitting tribute to Filipino heroism, TBA Studios is bringing back “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” to select cinemas starting today. These award-winning films serve as a timely cinematic refresher ahead of the much-anticipated release of “Quezon”, the final installment in the “Bayaniverse” trilogy by director Jerrold Tarog.
While many will mark Independence Day with leisure and celebration, the date is a living reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom, the lessons of the past, and the shared responsibility of shaping a just and united future. As the nation raises its flag and sings its anthem, it also renews its commitment to the values that define Filipino identity: resilience, dignity, and a deep-seated love of country. Independence, after all, is not merely a moment in history—it is a continuing duty that each generation must uphold.
• Passengers with beep cards can simply tap in; those without may avail of free Single Journey Tickets at teller booths.
OME facts about Tandang Sora on her 213th birth anniversary this year: She was a fierce and fabulous hero who was a towering beauty at 5'8, She was a good singer and would sing when asked during gatherings. She owned a sari-sari store. She wasn’t into writing letters and would rather study herbal concoctions mixed in her stone grinder to heal the sick and wounded Katipuneros.
Students of Philippine history would delightfully discover these and other facts at the Tandang Sora Museum, which opened on her birthday on January 6 this year.
Situated at Tandang Sora’s original home on a hill in Quezon City, the place is also the first of its kind museum highlighting the women’s movement, the feats, and contributions of Filipinas to the country’s growth as a nation.
Tandang Sora, whose real name was Melchora Aquino, played a critical role in the Philippine revolutionary movement despite her advanced age. Known as the Mother of Philippine Revolution, she tirelessly supported and provided medical care, shelter, and
spiritual guidance to Katipuneros. Aquino passed away in her home in Banlat on February 19, 1919, at the age of 107 and was given full state honors for her valiant acts and patriotism.
The museum was made possible by the circle of women supporting the venue. Namely, curator and museum director Sandra Torijos, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte who was at the helm of the project, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros for her support.
Today, celebrate the 127th Philippine Independence Day by
remembering the courageous and selflessness of Filipinas like Tandang Sora, to learn from the past and to move forward. The museum is located at the Tandang Sora National Shrine, Banlat Road, Quezon City. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Free admission for all Quezon City residents, PWDs, and senior citizens (valid ID required). Walk-ins are welcome. For group visits and guided tours, reservations are required via promotion. qctd@quezoncity.gov.ph or may call 0915-392-1044.
Officials and guests join the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in singing the national anthem during a flag-raising ceremony held ahead of Independence Day this year. PHOTO COURTESY OF NHCP.
Your date with Philippine women's history awaits you at the new Tandang Sora Museum in Quezon City. PHOTOS BY FRANCINE MEDINA.
A16 Thursday, June 12, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Trump’s National Guard deployment sparks outrage in California, Newsom warns other states to prepare
By Eliyahu Kamisher
ALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom
Caccused President Donald Trump of misusing his power by mobilizing troops in Los Angeles and warned other states to prepare for similar unrest, as protests over immigration raids stretched into a fifth night and led to a curfew in parts of the city’s downtown.
Almost 380 people have been arrested in the greater Los Angeles area since the weekend amid clashes between police and demonstrators rallying in response to increasingly aggressive raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Ma yor Karen Bass imposed a 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew Tuesday in a one-squaremile section of downtown where tensions have run high during the demonstrations. She said 23 businesses were looted the night before, many were also vandalized and the area had been covered in graffiti.
“If you do not live or work in downtown LA, avoid the area,” Bass said.
Trump has authorized the deployment of up to 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to the city, a move made over the objections of Newsom and Bass. Both say the federal presence is unnecessary and could further escalate tensions.
In an address Tuesday evening, Newsom said Trump had bypassed state and local officials to stage what he called an unlawful and inflammatory military deployment. He urged people to “stand up” against the moment.
“California may be first – but it clearly won’t end here. Other states are next,” Newsom said. “Democracy is under assault right before our eyes. This moment we have feared has arrived”
The Trump administration has argued the conditions in Los Angeles are spiraling and that federal forces are needed to support immigration agents and restore order.
The Democratic governor’s warning came as active-duty Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment arrived in the Los Angeles area. A US Northern Command spokesperson said the troops would reinforce security at federal sites and assist in “quick reaction” operations, though their specific location was undisclosed.
The Marines are expected to join about 2,100 members of the California National Guard already stationed around the city. Before deploying on the streets, the activeduty troops are undergoing training on crowd-control tactics, including the use of riot shields, CNN reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Pentagon has said the forces are there to protect immigration agents
and federal property, not to engage directly with protesters. Marine Corps Commandant General Eric Smith told lawmakers on Tuesday that the troops are equipped with shields and batons—but will lack authority to make arrests.
But city and state officials have pushed back hard against the show of force. Los Angeles Police Department
Chief Jim McDonnell said his department received no advance notice of the Marines’ arrival and warned of operational challenges if the deployments continue without coordination.
The protests began after a wave of public raids by ICE agents swept through parts of Los Angeles starting Friday, hitting workplaces from the city’s fashion district to Home Depot parking lots where day laborers gather. According to local officials the raids are expected to continue daily for at least a month.
N ewsom said in his speech on Tuesday that the arrests included a nine-months pregnant US citizen and a 4-year-old girl. He described agents jumping out of unmarked vans and detaining people in heavily Latino neighborhoods.
“This administration is pushing mass deportations, indiscriminately targeting hardworking immigrant families, regardless of their roots or risk,” said Newsom.
ICE has yet to disclose how many people have been detained in the latest Los Angeles-area raids.
Daytime protests have remained mostly peaceful, but by nightfall, some rallies have turned volatile. Police have fired less-lethal rounds at crowds, while demonstrators have hurled bottles and set vehicles ablaze, including several self-driving Waymo cars.
P rotests have been limited to a few parts of a city that spreads over 500 square miles and is connected by a web of freeways. There have been no signs of unrest in areas such as Century City, Hollywood Hills and Santa Monica that are miles away from downtown, with businesses and residents largely unaffected.
Trump and Newsom have repeatedly sparred over the response to the protests, with the state suing the administration for mobilizing the National Guard and Marines in the city. Newsom has accused the administration of sending in troops without providing food or water and saying more are being sent in while hundreds sit in federal buildings without orders.
The president said on Tuesday that troops would remain in Los Angeles until “there’s no danger.”
“I mean, I could tell you there were certain areas of Los Angeles—you could have called it an insurrection,”
Trump said. “It was terrible. But these are paid insurrectionists. These are paid troublemakers.”
While addressing troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump also claimed protesters wearing armor and face shields are being financed by an unknown entity and that the Department of Justice will investigate.
A day earlier, Trump suggested that Newsom—a Democrat widely seen as a potential presidential contender in 2028—could be arrested if he interferes with the federal immigration raids or response to the unrest.
D efense Secretary Pete Hegseth, testifying before Congress on Tuesday, pushed back on criticism and said the Trump administration is seeking to protect immigration agents and keep demonstrations from getting out of control.
ICE “has the right to safely conduct operations in any state and any jurisdiction in the country, especially after 21 million illegals have crossed our border under the previous administration,” Hegseth said. Speak ing alongside the defense secretary, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn MacDonnell said the deployment is estimated to cost $134 million, which covers travel, housing and food. US law generally bars the use of the active-duty US military—the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines—from carrying out domestic law enforcement. The deployment of the Marines adds to Trump’s order over the weekend that directed the US Northern Command to assume control of the National Guard and dispatch them to LA. California and Newsom on Tuesday asked a federal judge in San Francisco to temporarily limit the mobilization in a way that would still let the troops physically protect federal courthouses, offices and personnel, but bar them from helping in federal law enforcement like immigration raids. In its request for an emergency order by early afternoon, attorneys for the state argued that the military deployment “creates imminent harm to state sovereignty” and “escalates tensions.”
After Trump and Hegseth asked for time to respond to the state’s request, the judge set deadlines for each side to file written arguments and scheduled a hearing for Thursday afternoon. The overnight curfew in downtown LA, which will likely last for at least several days, is aimed at stopping “bad actors who are taking advantage of the president’s chaotic escalation,” Bass said. Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted,” she said in a post on X. Bloomberg News
Protests over immigration raids pop up across the US with more planned
By Jim Vertuno The Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas—Protests that sprang up in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids and prompted President Donald Trump to mobilize National Guard troops and Marines have begun to spread across the country, with more planned into the weekend.
From Seattle and Austin to Chicago and Washington, D.C., marchers have chanted slogans, carried signs against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and snarled traffic through downtown avenues and outside federal offices. While many have been peaceful, some have resulted in clashes with law enforcement as officers made arrests and used chemical irritants to disperse crowds.
Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with “No Kings” events across the country on Saturday to coincide with Trump’s planned military parade through Washington. The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests.
“ICE will continue to enforce the law,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted Tuesday on social media.
A look at some protests across the country:
Philadelphia ABOUT 150 protesters gathered outside the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon and marched to ICE headquarters for speeches and then back to the detention center, according to Philadelphia police.
A group then walked through what police called major roads using bicycles to obstruct officers, prompting police to issue several orders for people to disperse. Police said demonstrators ignored the orders and things escalated when officers started arresting people.
Fifteen people were arrested, one on allegations of aggravated assault on police, and the rest for disorderly conduct, police said. Several officers used force during the arrests and their conduct will be reviewed, police said. Police didn’t say specifically what kind of force was used. Two officers had minor injuries and were treated at a hospital. Two females who were arrested reported minor injuries and were receiving medical attention, police said. About 20 people remained peacefully gathered outside the detention center as of Tuesday night, police said.
San Francisco ABOUT 200 protesters gathered outside the San Francisco Immigration Court on
Tuesday after activists said several arrests were made there.
That gathering came after protests on Sunday and Monday swelled to several thousand demonstrators and saw more than 150 arrests with outbreaks of violence that included vandalized buildings, and damaged cars, police vehicles and buses. Police said two officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Most of the arrests were Sunday night.
“Individuals are always free to exercise their First Amendment rights in San Francisco, but violence, especially against SFPD officers, will never be tolerated,” San Francisco police posted on social media. Police described Monday’s march as “overwhelmingly peaceful,” but said “two small groups broke off and committed vandalism and other criminal acts.” Several people were detained or arrested, police said.
Seattle ABOUT 50 people gathered outside the immigration court in downtown Seattle on Tuesday, chanting with drums and holding up signs that said, “Free Them All; Abolish ICE” and “No to Deportations.” Protesters began putting scooters in front of building entryways before police arrived.
See “Immigration,” A19
The World
RCEP Forum 2025: Asia-Pacific focuses on regional cooperation, innovation, youth empowerment
HBy Wes Cabangon
UANGSHAN, Anhui—The 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum was held on June 4-6 in scenic Huangshan with a clear message: amid the turbulence of global protectionism and economic fragmentation, the AsiaPacific region is determined to strengthen ties, deepen cooperation, and build a resilient, innovation-driven future. The opening ceremony brought together a broad and high-level slate of dignitaries, reflecting the growing political and economic weight of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Among the key attendees were Wu Weihua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China; Liang Yanshun, Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress; Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Bhokin Bhakula, Former President of the Thai Parliament and President of the Association of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economic Affairs; Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn; Yeo Zhong Hyup, Vice Governor of Gangwon State, South Korea; and Lee Hee-sup, Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. Their collective presence underscored a shared commitment to multilateralism, connectivity, and regional prosperity.
Pushing back against protectionism THROUGHOUT the sessions, speakers
Immigration. . .
Continued from A16
Mathieu Chabaud, with Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Washington, said they were there in solidarity with the Los Angeles protesters, “and to show that we’re opposed to ICE in our community.”
Legal advocates who normally attend the immigration court hearings as observers and to provide support to immigrants were not allowed inside the building. Security guards also turned away the media. The hearings are normally open to the public.
New York City
A MASS of people rallied in lower Manhattan on Tuesday evening to protest deportations and federal immigration policy.
Demonstrators gathered outside two federal buildings that house immigration courts and began marching amid a heavy police presence.
Some protesters held signs reading “ICE out of New York” and others chanted, “Why are you in riot gear? don’t see no riot here.”
New York City police said multiple people were taken into custody. There were no immediate charges.
Chicago
IN Chicago, a small crowd gathered Tuesday outside immigration court in downtown and called for an end to Trump administration immigration sweeps and military presence in California.
“With the militarization of Los Angeles, it’s time to get out and let Trump know this is unacceptable,” said retiree Gary Snyderman. “All of this is so unconstitutional.”
The group then marched through downtown streets drumming and chanting, “No more deportations! and “Trump must go now.” A woman at one point drove a car quickly through the street filled with protesters, causing them to dart out of her way. It was not immediately known whether anyone had been injured.
The demonstration had grown to at least a thousand protesters by late Tuesday, remaining relatively peaceful with limited engagement between the group and police officers.
Denver
A GROUP of protesters gathered in front of the Colorado state capitol in Denver on Tuesday, creating a sea of cardboard signs, one exhorting: “Show your faces. ICE cowards.”
The group, inspired by the Los Angeles protests over the past several days, split in half, marching down two different thoroughfares and crowding out traffic.
and delegates reaffirmed RCEP’s role as a stabilizing force in a world increasingly tilted toward economic isolation. They cited rising unilateral trade actions by some Western countries—particularly the US—as threats to the open trade environment that underpins the AsiaPacific’s development momentum. Against this backdrop, RCEP is striving to not only keep trade flows and value chains open, but also reimagine what a regional economy can look like in an era shaped by digitalization, green transformation, and geopolitical complexity. The forum emphasized strengthening intra-regional supply chains and building buffers against external shocks through deeper integration and localized cooperation.
Innovation-led growth: EVs, AI, and Clean Tech THE forum was also a showcase for industries defining the region’s future. Flagship companies from across the RCEP bloc highlighted advances in: Electric Vehicles (EVs): Leading Chinese automakers like JAC Motors, Chery, and NIO are scaling partnerships across Asean, with shared platforms and battery tech already in development. These moves aim to position RCEP as a global EV production and adoption powerhouse. AI and Intelligent Tech: Firms such as iFLYTEK presented cutting-edge developments in language AI, voice recognition, and education tools, indicating a region-wide pivot toward digitized public services and smart governance.
Green Energy: Companies like Sungrow, a top player in solar and storage
A large police presence wasn’t seen initially, but a few officers began blocking a street behind the marchers.
Santa Ana IN Santa Ana near Los Angeles, armored vehicles blocked the road Tuesday morning leading into the Civic Center, where federal immigration officers and numerous city and county agencies have their offices.
Workers swept up plastic bottles and broken glass from Monday’s protests. Tiny shards of red, black and purple glass littered the pavement. Nearby buildings and the sidewalk were tagged with profane graffiti slogans against ICE and had Trump’s name crossed out. A worker rolled paint over graffiti on a wall to block it out. National Guard officers wearing fatigues and carrying rifles prevented people from entering the area unless they worked there. While a small group kept up their demonstration Tuesday, several counterprotesters showed up. One man wore a red T-shirt and Make America Great Again cap as he exchanged words with the crowd opposing the raids.
San Antonio SAN Antonio Police Chief William McManus confirmed that Texas Gov. Greg Abbot sent members of the state’s National Guard to the city in advance of protests expected this week, Assistant Chief Jesse Salame told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
“We don’t have any additional details about their deployment,” Salame said. Soldiers were “on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed,” Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said Tuesday evening.
Austin FOUR Austin police officers were injured and authorities used chemical irritants to disperse a crowd of several hundred demonstrators Monday night that moved between the state Capitol and a federal building that houses an ICE office. State officials had closed the Capitol to the public an hour early in anticipation of the protest.
Austin police used pepper spray balls and state police used tear gas when demonstrators began trying to deface the federal building with spray paint. The demonstrators then started throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at a police barricade, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. Three officers were injured by “very large” rocks and another was injured while making an arrest, she said.
Austin police arrested eight people, and state police arrested five more. Davis said her department is prepared for Saturday’s planned protest downtown.
systems, reinforced the region’s commitment to decarbonization through increased deployment of PV and renewable technologies across member economies.
A platform for the next generation
ONE of the most dynamic parts of the forum was the Young Entrepreneurs Panel, aimed at transforming the region into a thriving startup ecosystem. The session brought together rising business leaders and innovation enablers to discuss how youth entrepreneurship can drive inclusive growth. Topics included the integration of digital platforms in cross-border business, using AI to level the playing field for smaller enterprises, and education reforms to prepare the labor force for a tech-intensive future. Panelists emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across governments and the private sector to empower young talent, upskill workers, and foster entrepreneurship through better access to funding, mentorship, and regional incubators.
Looking ahead
THE 2025 RCEP Forum in Huangshan showcased more than just dialogue—it was a reflection of a bloc increasingly confident in its ability to shape the 21stcentury economy. With a clear focus on supply chain resilience, clean technology, and youth-led innovation, RCEP nations are not just resisting the pull of protectionism—they are building a future rooted in openness, cooperation, and shared progress.
“We support peaceful protest,” Davis said. “When that protest turns violent, when it turns to throwing rocks and bottles ... that will not be tolerated. Arrests will be made.”
Dallas
A PROTEST that drew hundreds to a rally on a city bridge lasted for several hours Monday night before Dallas police declared it an “unlawful assembly” and warned people to leave or face possible arrest. Dallas police initially posted on social media that officers would not interfere with a “lawful and peaceful assembly of individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights.” But officers later moved in and media reported seeing some in the crowd throw objects as officers used pepper spray and smoke to clear the area. At least one person was arrested.
“Peaceful protesting is legal,”Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, posted on X. “But once you cross the line, you will be arrested.”
Boston
HUNDREDS of people gathered in Boston’s City Hall Plaza on Monday to protest the detainment of union leader David Huerta Friday during immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Protesters held signs reading “Massachusetts stands with our neighbors in Los Angeles” and “Protect our immigrant neighbors,” and shouted, “Come for one, come for all” and “Free David, free them all.” Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union California, was released from federal custody later Monday on $50,000 bond.
“An immigrant doesn’t stand between an American worker and a good job, a billionaire does,” said Chrissy Lynch, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. Washington, D.C. SEVERAL unions gathered Monday in Washington to protest the raids and rally for Huerta’s release, and marched past the Department of Justice building.
Among the demonstrators was US Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state.
“Enough of these mass ICE raids that are sweeping up innocent people,” Jayapal said. “As we see people exercising the constitutional rights to peacefully use their voices to speak out against this injustice, they are being met with tear gas and rubber bullets.”
The Associated Press writers Martha Bellisle in Seattle, Sophia Tareen in Chicago, Leah Willingham in Boston, Michael Hill in New York, Jesse Bedayn in Denver and Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, California, contributed.
A20 Thursday, June 12, 2025
US, China reach framework to revive trade flows, await Trump and Xi’s approval after London talks
By Daniel Flatley & Annmarie Hordern
THE US and China capped two days of high-stakes trade talks with a plan to revive the flow of sensitive goods—a framework now awaiting the blessing of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
After some 20 hours of negotiations in London, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said both sides had established a framework for implementing the Geneva consensus that last month brought down tariffs. “First we had to get sort of the negativity out,” he said. “Now we can go forward to try to do positive trade, growing trade.”
Capping a marathon round of haggling that stretched over 12 hours on Tuesday, Lutnick said the Chinese had pledged to speed up shipments of rare earth metals critical to US auto and defense firms, while Washington would ease some of its own export controls—suggesting progress was
made on two of the thorniest issues in bilateral ties.
The US and Chinese delegations will take that proposal back to their respective leaders, according to China’s chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang. Negotiations were “in depth and candid,” he told reporters in brief remarks before midnight outside Lancaster House, a Georgian-era mansion near Buckingham Palace that served as this week’s meeting site.
While the positive tone should reassure investors worried about a decoupling of the world’s largest economies, details were scarce and the deal could still be nixed by top leaders. The discussions also did little to fix issues such as China’s massive trade surplus with the US, and a belief in Washington that Beijing is dumping goods on its markets.
Initial market reaction to the announcement was muted, with US equity futures edging lower and the offshore yuan little changed. The Chinese onshore benchmark stock gauge
was up 0.9% on Wednesday morning, on track for the biggest increase since May 14, shortly after the Geneva agreement.
“Markets will likely welcome the shift from confrontation to coordination,” said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets. “We’re not out of the woods yet—it’s up to Trump and Xi to approve and enforce the deal.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The London meetings came together at short notice after Trump last week spoke to Xi for the first time since taking office, in a bid to stop ties spiraling over claims both sides had reneged on the Geneva accord. US officials accused China of stalling magnet exports, while Trump officials angered Beijing with new controls on chip design software, jet engines and student visas.
That spat showcased the growing role of export controls in modern trade
warfare, where access to rare metals or tiny microchips can give one economy leverage over a rival. European trade officials and global carmakers also sounded the alarm in recent weeks on disruption of supplies from China that are critical for fighter jets and electric vehicles.
Lutnick suggested they’d found a way to overcome the deadlock.
“There were a number of measures the United States of America put on when those rare earths were not coming,” he added. “You should expect those to come off—sort of, as President Trump said, in a balanced way.”
Allowing technology that’s critical to Beijing’s military advancement to become a bargaining chip would mark a major departure for Washington, which has justified such export controls with national security concerns. It would also open the door for China to use its dominance of rare earths to put a lid on further limits on cuttingedge chips.
The US relenting on export con -
trols is “unprecedented,” Wendy Cutler, a former senior US trade negotiator now at the Asia Society Policy Institute, wrote on LinkedIn, while pointing to the fragility of the current arrangement.
It took two days, three US Cabinet members and one Chinese vice premier to get back to upholding the Geneva accord, she added. That’s “a preview” for the next 60 days, she said, when US and Chinese officials have to hammer out agreements on excess capacity, unfair trade practices and the flow of fentanyl, as part of a broader trade agreement.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the issue of fentanyl, which the Trump has administration cited as a rationale for imposing a 20% tariff on China, was a priority for the US president. “We would expect to see progress from the Chinese on that issue in a major way,” he added. Greer said there no other meetings scheduled, adding that both sides talk frequently. Striking a similar tone,
China’s Li said: “We hope the progress we made will be conducive to building trust.” The US and China are about a third of the way through a 90-day reprieve on the crippling tit-for-tat tariffs imposed on each other through April. Though the Geneva settlement dramatically reduced duties, trade remains disrupted—China’s exports to the US fell in May by the most since early 2020 when the pandemic shut down the Chinese economy. The trade war’s biggest casualty hasn’t been lost sales, but lost trust, according to Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of international relations at Shanghai’s East China Normal University. “We’ve heard a lot about agreements on frameworks for talks,” he added. “But the fundamental issue remains: Chips vs rare earths. Everything else is a peacock dance.” With assistance from Jordan Fabian, Josh Wingrove, Winnie Hsu, Colum Murphy, James Mayger, Bill Faries and Laura Curtis/Bloomberg
36 killed, 207 wounded as Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza face gunfire
By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy
The Associated Press
EIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—
DPalestinians desperately trying to access aid in Gaza came under fire again Tuesday, killing 36 people and wounding 207, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Experts and humanitarian aid workers say Israel’s blockade and 20-month military campaign have pushed Gaza to the brink of famine.
At least 163 people have been killed and 1,495 wounded in a number of shootings near aid sites run by the Israeli and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which are in military zones that are off-limits to independent media. The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots on previous occasions at people who it says approached its forces in a suspicious manner. The foundation says there has been no violence in or around the distribution points themselves. But it has warned people to stay on designated access routes and it paused
delivery last week while it held talks with the military on improving safety.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday there is “meaningful progress” on a possible ceasefire deal that would also return some of the 55 hostages still being held in Gaza, but said it was “too early to hope.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also mentioned Tuesday that there was progress in ceasefire negotiations.
Netanyahu was meeting with the Israeli negotiating team and the defense minister Tuesday evening to discuss next steps.
‘People are killed just trying to get food’
IN southern Gaza, at least eight people were killed while trying to obtain aid around Rafah, according to Nasser Hospital.
In northern Gaza, two men and a child were killed and at least 130 were wounded on Tuesday, according to Nader Garghoun, a
spokesperson for the al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties. He said most were being treated for gunshot wounds.
Witnesses told The Associated Press that Israeli forces opened fire at around 2 a.m., several hundred meters (yards) from the aid site in central Gaza. Crowds of Palestinians seeking desperately needed food often head to the sites hours before dawn, hoping to beat the crowds.
The Israeli military said it fired warning shots at people it referred to as suspects. It said they had advanced toward its troops hundreds of meters (yards) from the aid site prior to its opening hours.
Mohammed Abu Hussein, a resident of the nearby built-up Bureij refugee camp, said Israeli drones and tanks opened fire, and that he saw five people wounded by gunshots.
Abed Haniyah, another witness, said Israeli forces opened fire “indiscriminately” as thousands of people were attempting to
reach the food site.
“What happens every day is humiliation,” he said. “Every day, people are killed just trying to get food for their children.”
Additionally, three Palestinian medics were killed in an Israeli strike Tuesday in Gaza City, according to the health ministry.
The medics from the health ministry’s emergency service were responding to an Israeli attack on a house in Jaffa Street in Gaza City when a second strike hit the building, the ministry said. The Israeli military did not comment on the strike, but said over the past day the air force has hit dozens of targets belonging to Hamas’ military infrastructure, including rocket launchers.
The UN has rejected the new aid system ISRAEL and the United States say they set up the new food distribution system to prevent Hamas from stealing humanitarian aid and
using it to finance militant activities. The United Nations, which runs a longstanding system capable of delivering aid to all parts of Gaza, says there is no evidence of any systematic diversion. U.N. agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the new system, saying it violates humanitarian principles by allowing Israel to decide who receives aid and by forcing Palestinians to relocate to just three currently operational sites.
The other two distribution sites are in the now mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah, which Israel has transformed into a military zone. Israeli forces maintain an outer perimeter around all three hubs, and Palestinians must pass close to them to reach the distribution points.
Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Jerusalem.
NBB seeks suspension of hike in CME blend
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE National Biofuels Board (NBB) has recommended to put on hold the increase in the biofuels blend to 4 percent in October due to the surge in feedstock prices which could make fuel more expensive.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said the NBB proposed in its recent meeting the suspension of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) guidelines which mandated the increase in coconut methyl ester (CME) blend to 4 percent (B4).
The agency noted that despite the sufficient domestic supply of coconut, the recent spike in copra quotations could put pressure on pump prices. PCA is a member of the NBB.
Copra prices surged to around P80 per kilo as of June 3, more than quadruple the level recorded in the same period last year.
The recommendation of the NBB is subject to the approval of the DOE secretary, who chairs the board.
The board was established as an oversight body composed of eight government agencies. It acts as recommendatory body on biofuels policies, assisted by a technical secretariat, whose
powers and functions are monitoring implementation and recommending policies to be promulgated by the DOE.
Under the Biofuels Act of 2006 or Republic Act (RA) 9367, all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the country should be blended with biofuels.
In 2007, the Philippines implemented a 1-percent biodiesel blend (B1) in compliance with RA 9367. This was increased to 2 percent or B2 in 2011.
The government raised it to 3 percent or B3 only last year, a move aimed at minimizing the country’s dependence on imported fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and bolstering the local biodiesel and bioethanol sectors.
The CME blend increase to 4 percent or B4 will take effect in October. Next year, the CME blend should go up to 5 percent (B5).
Earlier, the DOE noted that such an increase in CME blend is expected to generate additional market for coconut farmers, bio -
diesel producers, and other stakeholders in the coconut industry.
Following the recommendations made by the NBB, the DOE released in May 2024 guidelines for adopting a higher biofuels blend.
Under Department Circular No. 2024-05-0014, downstream
‘PHL may import bone-in beef from FMD-free Brazil’
THE recent recognition of Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination will diversify the Philippines’ meat sources, according to the Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita).
“This will allow the Philippines to import bone-in beef meat, as well as offal and by-products,” Mita President Emeritus Jesus Cham told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “It will give the Philippines more variety [of meat products].”
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recognized Brazil as free of FMD without the need for vaccination, considered a milestone in the global fight against the transboundary animal disease. According to WOAH, becoming FMD-free has been a “long and challenging process” for the South American nation, given the
country’s size and large number of livestock, including over 234 million head of cattle.
“This FMD-free status is a huge milestone for Brazil,” Marcelo de Andrade Mota, WOAH Delegate and Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil, said.
“Livestock in South America is a critical part of the economy, and it’s not only important within the region but also for contributing to global food security. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of beef, and this status ensures that we continue to contribute to feeding people worldwide,” Mota added.
Brazil, cleaved into 27 states, mobilized its national, state, and municipal level veterinary system to guarantee that veterinarians could be present in over 85 percent of its municipalities, including
remote areas.
“The FMD-free status is extremely significant for Brazil because it represents the culmination of efforts we’ve been working toward for decades,” Mota said.
FMD is a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting livestock, especially cattle. Other cloven-hoofed animals, including pigs, sheep, goats, and buffalo, are also susceptible.
In a separate development, the Department of Agriculture has lifted the temporary ban it slapped on FMDsusceptible animals and their products originating from Germany.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 29, which authorized the entry of inbound shipments of the FMD-susceptible commodities from the European nation.
Brazil was the Philippines’ top supplier of poultry, pork, and beef last year, according to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Figures from BAI showed that meat imports expanded by 20.40 percent to a record-high of 1.45 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024 from 1.2 MMT recorded in 2023.
Chicken imports grew by 10.69 percent to 472,211 metric tons (MT) from 426,619 MT in 2023, based on BAI data.
Pork shipments jumped by 23.96 percent to 733,729 MT in 2024 from 591,888 MT in 2023.
BAI data also indicated that beef imports soared by 40.62 percent to 203,898 MT last year from 145,002 MT in 2023, the bulk of which consisted of beef cuts at 141,202 MT. Ada Pelonia
DOST develops robot for pesticide application
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
AN innovation-led project by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed an autonomous mobile robot prototypes designed to boost productivity across industries, particularly agriculture.
The technology, under the Roamer Project led by the DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), was showcased during the 48th anniversary celebration of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) last May 30.
The prototype aims to enable safer and more precise pesticide application in farming, especially in crops like bananas, by supporting data-driven practices while reducing farmers’
exposure to harmful chemicals.
“This aligns with the project’s efforts to improve farmers’ productivity while enhancing occupational safety in agriculture,” ASTI said in a statement.
Short for Robot for Optimized and Autonomous Mission-Enhancement Responses, Roamer was developed as part of ASTI’s automation initiatives in the agriculture sector.
During the FPA anniversary event, the Roamer team took part in a businessmatching session and conducted a technology pitch to showcase the robot’s capabilities and potential applications.
Roamer project manager and engineer Stephanie Anne Alves led the demonstration, highlighting how the robot system works in the context of pesticide spraying.
Alves said it is intended for banana plantations, where pest control is both crucial and labor-intensive.
The robot is designed to enhance precision in pesticide application, potentially leading to better pest management outcomes and improved worker safety.
The event also served as a platform for the project team to expand its network and foster engagement with stakeholders from the academe, agricultural industry groups, pesticide companies, government agencies and potential investors.
This outreach marks a key step for the pre-commercialization phase of Roamer as the team prepares the technology for wider adoption.
The project is supported through the Funding Assistance for Spinoff and
Translation of Research in Advancing Commercialization, a program under the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
While Roamer’s specific budget was not disclosed, the ASTI received approximately P300 million in grants and support in 2023 to fund multiple research and development projects, including Roamer.
Prior to the pitching event, the technology was also introduced to the public during a joint press conference hosted by the FPA and ASTI at the Philippine Information Agency office last May 16.
Launched in 2024, the Roamer project forms part of ASTI’s broader agenda to integrate robotics and automation into agricultural processes.
oil industry participants are required to implement a 3-percent CME blend in all diesel fuel sold nationwide, beginning October 1, 2024. This percentage will gradually increase to 4 percent by October 1, 2025, and further to 5 percent by October 1, 2026.
“The increase in the CME blend
is expected to create additional market for coconut farmers, biodiesel producers, and other stakeholders in the coconut industry, with around 900 million additional nuts as feedstocks to produce around 100-120 million liters of additional CME requirements to satisfy a 1-percent mandatory increase in CME blend.”
Based on a 30,000-kilometer on-road test with a higher CME blend of 5 percent, an increase of around 10 percent in mileage corresponds to an estimated net savings of P4.17 per liter of diesel, according to the DOE. Meanwhile, downstream oil industry participants were given the option to raise the ethanol blend in all gasoline fuel by 20 percent, from 10 percent, to reduce domestic pump prices.
“Increasing the ethanol blend to 20 percent could bring about an estimated decrease of approximately P3.21 per liter in the gasoline pump price,” the agency said in a statement.
Kubota Philippines unveils new tractor
AGRICULTURAL machinery firm Kubota launched a new tractor which seeks to meet the “evolving needs” of planters in the Philippines. Kubota Philippines Inc. said its L Series lineup: the Kubota L5228, is “a new standard of power, precision, and durability.”
“For many Filipino farmers, a tractor like the Kubota L5228 is more than just a machine; it’s a partner in building a better life.”
According to Kubota, the new tractor could help farmers till more land, work longer hours, and deliver more reliable harvests.
“It turns long days into productive ones and hard work into lasting results.”
The company noted that the tractor was designed to overcome the conditions in Philippine plantations, while prioritizing farmers’ comfort.
It offers capable engine and synchromesh transmission, along with features like a deluxe adjustable seat, LED lights, and air cleaner alert system. “Every detail is engineered with the farmer in mind.”
The tractor also incorporates features for added convenience and safety, such as a 12-Volt socket for charging, a bigger toolbox to keep farming essentials within reach, and a right-hand grip that provides extra support when climbing on and off the tractor.
It also has a durable check chain and easy-to-maintain bonnet design, “reflecting Kubota’s deep understanding of what farmers truly need.”
Meanwhile, the company also noted the continued success of its two tractor models, Kubota L3228 and Kubota L4028.
“With a nationwide network of authorized dealers and the most reliable after-sales service in the industry, Kubota ensures that support is always within reach.”
Through communitydriven efforts like Kubota Saka Activities, AgriTalk, and Arangkada, Kubota said it will continue to share knowledge and build connections, helping farming families grow not just crops but also confidence. Ada Pelonia
China nudges pig farmers to restrain production after prices slump
CHINA is seeking to control hog numbers and curb pork production, in a bid to support prices of the country’s favorite meat and ease deflationary pressures in the economy. Authorities have asked farmers to be prudent when it comes to expanding their sow herds, and to halt secondary fattening of livestock, according to people familiar with the matter, who declined to be named as they aren’t authorized to speak publicly. The latter practice involves buying standard pigs and fattening them beyond normal slaughter-weights to boost meat output.
By guiding farmers to limit production now, the government is likely hoping to avoid
more forceful measures later that could exacerbate price swings and destabilize the market. The National Development and Reform Commission, the state planning agency that contacted producers, didn’t respond to a faxed request for comment. China’s commodity markets and the wider economy are feeling the strain of slowing growth, compounded by Beijing’s trade disputes with the US. Wholesale pork prices are near their lowest in almost a year, having dropped 10 percent from a January peak. The protein is an important component of consumer prices, which have been in deflation for four straight months. The focus on smoothing China’s pork cycle—where prices are
out much of the herd.
Policymakers are also concerned about rural incomes. Pig farmers have struggled to make ends meet this year and are now losing about 70 yuan ($10) on each animal raised. Sow numbers, meanwhile, have climbed to 40.38 million, above the 39 million considered normal and close to levels that might trigger formal intervention. Controlling livestock numbers has ramifications beyond the domestic economy. The country’s hog herd is the world’s largest and consumes vast quantities of feed, including items like soybeans that are mostly imported. Capping slaughter weights and limiting production
curity priorities while undermining export prospects for suppliers in Brazil and the US. The US and China agreed to a preliminary plan to ease trade tensions, which could revive the flow of sensitive goods between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s struggling solar industry needs government support to ease overcapacity as attempts to self-discipline seem to have failed, company executives said at the industry’s top annual event in Shanghai on Tuesday. China extended its probe into European pork for another six months, providing a temporary reprieve to farmers and producers who risk losing one of their major markets. Bloomberg
BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO
Landmark legislation expands protections and benefits for elderly
THE recent passage of House Bill 11400 in the House of Representatives marks a significant advancement in the rights and privileges of our senior citizens. With a resounding 177 affirmative votes and no opposition, the bill reflects a growing recognition of the need to support our elderly population, who have contributed so much to our society. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “House clears consolidated bill expanding seniors’ perks,” June 6, 2025).
House Bill 11400 serves as a comprehensive substitute for 24 individual measures aimed at enhancing the benefits available to senior citizens. It seeks to amend Republic Act 7432, introducing vital updates to the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.” This unified approach not only streamlines the legislative process but also strengthens the safety net for our elders, ensuring they receive the respect and care they deserve.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez articulated the essence of this legislation, emphasizing the Filipino cultural value of respecting and caring for our elders. This bill embodies that ethos, aiming to make life easier and more comfortable for those in their golden years. By defining the scope of benefits—ranging from discounts on medicines and health services to exemptions from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program—this legislation recognizes the diverse needs of senior citizens.
One of the most commendable aspects of HB 11400 is its focus on practical benefits. The inclusion of a 15 percent discount on electricity and water bills, contingent upon reasonable consumption limits, acknowledges the financial pressures many seniors face. Furthermore, the provision of a P25,000 allocation to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizenº is a thoughtful measure that addresses the emotional and financial challenges that often arise during such difficult times.
The bill also empowers senior citizens in their day-to-day lives. By allowing them to choose between promotional discounts and those specified in the bill, it ensures they benefit from the best available offers. The exemption from parking fees and the ability to drive without fear of penalties under the color-coding scheme further enhance their mobility and independence.
However, the successful implementation of these provisions will hinge on collaboration among various government agencies. The directive for the National Commission of Senior Citizens and other departments to formulate the necessary regulations is crucial. It is essential that these rules are clear, accessible, and effectively communicated to ensure that senior citizens can fully utilize the benefits available to them.
While the passage of HB 11400 is undoubtedly a victory, it is important to recognize that it is merely a step in the ongoing journey toward improving the quality of life for senior citizens. As the population ages, there will be increasing demands for services and support. Continued advocacy and legislative efforts will be necessary to address these evolving challenges.
As we celebrate this legislative achievement, let us also reaffirm our collective responsibility to ensure that our aging population is treated with dignity, respect, and love. The true measure of our society lies in how we care for our most vulnerable members, and with this bill, we are taking a significant step in the right direction.
BusinessMirror
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Why the markets outsmart the experts
‘UOUTSIDE THE BOX
NCERTAINTY must be taken in a sense radically distinct from the familiar notion of Risk, from which it has never been properly separated.”
Frank H. Knight, a titan of the Chicago School—that free-market fortress at the University of Chicago—unleashed “Risk, Uncertainty, and Profit,” shredding classical economics’ shaky theories in 1921. This was not an academic sermon; it was a sharp lesson for navigating Wall Street’s chaos. Knight mocked economists who think algorithms run the game. Let us probe his wisdom, tie it to trading profits, and show why it endures in a world chasing wealth.
Markets defy the gurus, analysts, and textbook trading formulas. Knight’s free-market vision splits risk from uncertainty with surgical skill. Risk is measurable—think insurance executives pricing the cost of the next typhoon with reams of data. Uncertainty is the abyss where numbers vanish, like finding the ‘fair value’ stock price of a 2025 startup chasing lab-grown human organs. This is not classroom trivia; it is why self-confident predictions collapse when reality hits as the line between
risk and uncertainty is blurred. The market defies analysts and their textbook formulas because it thrives on uncertainty.
Knight’s take on uncertainty explains more than failed forecasts. Profits flourish in chaotic markets. Profit is the prize for tackling uncertainty. Entrepreneurs, not deskjockeys, seize opportunities—think Sublime Systems’ 2025 push for green cement. Knight shows why some rake in millions while others are hoping for the crumbs. Who shapes the future: the cautious or the fearless?
For example, entrepreneurs blaze economic trails, navigating with half the facts. Companies pivot fast when economies stumble. That is why outdoor recreation clothing company Patagonia, Inc. redefined apparel with 2025’s eco-tech fibers made from recycled materials during the Covid supply chain crunch while the experts could only watch. Knight’s world rewards quick moves
over rigid formulas. Some firms soar while others sink as they conquer the uncertainty wave.
Economic theory makes much of ‘perfect competition’, where many firms sell identical products and none can control prices. But it is an academic delusion as asymmetric information and unpredictability creates a chaotic market where innovators excel. Knight’s insight shows that stock markets, filled with unknowns, reward those who navigate disorder, not those chasing theoretical balance.
Stock traders live Knight’s truth. Risk appears in volatility charts or diversified portfolios, managed with data. Uncertainty is the unexpected shock nobody sees—a 2025 trade war or Nvidia’s AI stock surge. Winning traders, like entrepreneurs, bet on untested firms or emerging trends. Portfolio theory, built on Knight’s ideas, can handle risk but not unknowns. Smug traders think they have nailed it, but trading chaos proves unpredictability is both the cost and the prize.
In 2025, Bitcoin’s 12 percent rise dominated headlines, but smart PSE traders, ignoring the crypto hype, invested in Apex Mining (APX), which surged 75 percent as gold rose 20 percent amid geopolitical tensions. Algorithms, focused on popular trends, missed gold’s quiet climb. Knight’s wisdom shows that bold bets on unseen market shifts, not fads, drive profits. Traders who embrace unpredictability
lead the market. Economics and stock trading is not just math and that is Knight’s legacy. Uncertainty sparks greed and fear, driving fortunes. This fuels behavioral economics. Programmers tout their algorithms, but Knight warns: code lacks human instinct. This is why markets jolt over a Federal Reserve hint. People, not machines, dictate the rhythm. His wisdom humbles traders who think tech can outsmart human nature. A century later, “Risk, Uncertainty, and Profit,” building on Adam Smith’s free markets and Alfred Marshall’s market equilibrium ideas, shows how uncertainty, not predictable models, drives trading profits. Unlike classical models predicting flat returns, unpredictability fuels trading gains, rewarding bold moves in a chaotic market where rigid formulas fail. Knight’s uncertainty theory distinguishes risk (measurable probabilities) from uncertainty (unpredictable outcomes). Unlike risk, uncertainty cannot be quantified, creating opportunities for traders to earn profits because markets reward those who embrace unknown market conditions, challenging classical views that the stock market has already priced in the future. It has not.
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.
Malaysia’s Anwar faces more challenges even as lawsuit paused
By Anisah Shukry
AFTER more than two years of relative political stability in Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces multiple hurdles that could fuel discontent within his ruling coalition.
He must replace two ministers who quit after their defeat in party elections, while dealing with a key ally angered by another minister’s plans to switch parties. He’s also fighting a sexual assault lawsuit and his administration is racing to secure a trade deal with the US and avert a 24 percent tariff.
While elections aren’t due until early 2028, investors are watching for signs of instability, wary of a return to the revolving door of leaders that preceded his administration. Malaysia has one of Southeast Asia’s strongest economies, but the nation’s stocks have dropped over 7 percent this year even as emergingmarket shares rose. The ringgit is up 5.5 percent, but the growth outlook is worsening.
“Trust is low. Can Anwar get back people’s trust on his ability to lead?” said Syaza Farhana Mo -
hamad Shukri, a political science associate professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia. “For me this is a hiccup—but a major one.”
Anwar caught a break on Tuesday, when a Malaysian court agreed to temporarily pause a civil lawsuit by a former aide who says he was sexually assaulted by the leader.
Anwar denies the allegations and is trying to get the Federal Court to rule whether a sitting prime minister can be sued. While not a criminal case, the lawsuit is an unwelcome distraction that could contain testimony that could hurt his public image.
Anwar’s office didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The premier’s future is important for investors. Anwar also doubles as finance minister and his plans to reduce petrol subsidies is seen as an im-
portant—but unpopular—measure needed to prevent a deficit blowout.
His administration has also launched the long-term National Semiconductor Strategy, the National Economic Transformation Plan and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030. Anwar would need a second term to see those through.
He has also yet to implement institutional reforms such as limiting the prime minister’s rule to two terms and separating the role of the attorney-general and solicitor-general.
The government was shaken on May 28, when Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said they’d leave the cabinet. Both were defeated in an internal election for the People’s Justice Party, or PKR, that was marred by allegations of vote-rigging and nepotism. Rafizi was beaten by Anwar’s daughter in the PKR polls.
Days later, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Aziz said he was leaving the United Malays National Organisation to join Anwar’s party. UMNO, a key ally in the
ruling coalition, was quick to warn the PKR against accepting Zafrul’s membership.
Zafrul’s move is unlikely to fracture the coalition as long as UMNO retains its seven ministerial posts, said Wong Chin Huat, a political analyst at Sunway University. But it may affect sentiment within Anwar’s own party, he cautioned.
“The V.V.I.P. treatment that Zafrul enjoys has triggered dissatisfaction within PKR, especially after Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned and reinforced the norm and expectation that ministerial post is tied to party mandate,” he said.
The prime minister has handled setbacks before. Anwar was deputy prime minister in the late 1990s before he was jailed for sodomy and abuse of power, charges he claimed were trumped up by his political rivals.
“We don’t expect it to be always smooth sailing,” said Tan Chong Koay, founder of Pheim Asset Management. “But it’s not a significant concern. Anwar is an experienced politician—he will find a way to make it work.” Bloomberg
John Mangun
The euro struggles to win over Czechs going slow on adoption
TBy Peter Laca, Krystof Chamonikolas & Kriti Gupta
HE Czech central bank governor touted the benefits of his country’s currency, saying that the koruna puts it in a better position to moderate price-growth than the euro would.
“By using independent monetary policy, we are able to have very low inflation for a very long time,” Ales Michl told an event hosted by Bloomberg in Prague on Tuesday. The koruna has served the Czech economy well and, as a strong currency, has a critical role in taming price growth, he said.
The euro has struggled to gather allure in the Czech Republic, one of the biggest countries on the doorstep of the euro area, even as the region gradually expands eastward on a promise of stability and a boost to economic growth.
Bulgaria last week received the nod to switch to the euro in 2026, a key milestone for the poorest nation in the European Union. The country, which started working toward adoption almost two decades ago, is set to follow Croatia and other smaller members like the Baltic states and Slovakia. Bulgaria’s rush to embrace the common currency is now more of an exception than a rule in the EU’s east, where all the countries are obliged to eventually switch to the euro. The four largest of them—Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary—are either struggling to fulfill the entry conditions, lack the political will to join, or both.
Some European officials see the threat of global trade wars as a chance to strengthen the euro’s international role, but loose fiscal policies and memories of the Greek debt crisis are making parts of EU’s east unable or reluctant to ditch national currencies.
The Czechs stand out in the group with their key industries already highly integrated in the euro area and on the path to meet most of the criteria. The country sells two-thirds of its exports to the euro region, has one of the EU’s lowest debt piles relative to the size of the economy, a budget deficit below the bloc’s limit and inflation near the 2 percent target. But along with opposition from the main political parties, the central bank is also among those arguing against giving up the koruna and the monetary powers that come with it, at least for now.
Officials say the euro isn’t an automatic fillip to growth and that having an independent monetary policy acts as a buffer against global shocks. That overshadows potential benefits like elimination of the conversion costs or currency risks for businesses.
“Our goal is price stability, not to help exporters, not to help investors, not to have cheap loans,” said Michl. “I would like to support savers. That’s my vision, and it’s a noble one.” Croatia and Bulgaria are in a different position. Croatia relies more than any other EU state on tourists and has benefitted from the elimination of an exchange rate. Most private and corporate bank deposits, meanwhile, were held in euros even before entry, along with more than two-thirds of debt.
“It seems reasonable to adopt the euro,” Croatian central bank chief Boris Vujcic said at the same panel in Prague. “It has served us well.” Bulgaria, meanwhile, has relied
The euro has struggled to gather allure in the Czech Republic, one of the biggest countries on the doorstep of the euro area, even as the region gradually expands eastward on a promise of stability and a boost to economic growth.
on a currency-board regime for almost three decades, with the lev pegged first to the Deutsche mark and then to the euro. A seat at the European Central Bank will actually give the country more influence over its monetary policy.
Despite resistance among its leaders, the single currency is already playing a large role in the Czech economy, too. The biggest companies have been increasingly taking euro loans to lower their interest payments, as well as to avoid the financial pain of currency swings and conversion fees.
Skoda Auto AS, the biggest manufacturer, shifted its accounting to the common currency in 2023 because the unit of Volkswagen AG sells most of its cars in Western Europe and pays many local suppliers in euros.
Households and smaller business owners don’t have access to cheap loans in euros and they have to convert korunas when traveling abroad. The four most popular destinations for Czech tourists are Croatia, Slovakia, Italy and Austria, all euro countries.
The inconvenience, and rising geopolitical fears after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022, are now making the common currency more popular among the public. About 80% of Czechs opposed joining the euro in 2013, during the European debt crisis. They were split down the middle last year, according to the European Commission’s annual surveys.
In their last joint report on readiness to adopt the euro, the Finance Ministry and central bank recommended not setting a target date. There’s also the prospect of a change of government after an election in October, with Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Civic Democrats trailing in the polls to the ANO party of populist billionaire Andrej Babis. Both oppose giving up the koruna.
“We don’t need the euro,” Babis said in a video on his Facebook account. “We need the Czech koruna, which is one the best currencies in Europe.
The advocates of euro adoption point to the post-pandemic surge in consumer prices, which sent Czech inflation to 18 percent and well above the euro-area’s peak. Opponents say that Czech policymakers were able to start raising interest rates much earlier than their counterparts in Frankfurt, helping to bring inflation back to target more quickly.
Michl, the central bank governor, said the right time for joining the euro would be when the benefits of having a Czech currency fade. That could happen when most loans are in euros and monetary policy effectively stops working, or if a weaker koruna pushes up the cost of imports and fuels inflation. Bloomberg
Kirchner’s ban from office marks new chapter for Argentina
By Manuela Tobias
ARGENTINA’S top court sidelined former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner from elections, likely ushering in a new political era in South America’s second biggest economy.
Just a week after President Javier Milei’s arch rival announced a bid in a key midterm race, the Supreme Court banned the opposition leader from public office for life, delivering a major political victory for Milei as he works to convince investors that Argentina is changing. The ruling forces Peronism—the country’s dominant political force for decades—to reinvent itself, while leaving Milei without his most emblematic adversary in an increasingly polarized nation.
“For the last decade and a half, Argentine politics has been reorganized under two very strong poles,” said Joaquin Bagues, managing director at local brokerage Grit Capital Group. Kirchner and former pro-market President Mauricio Macri “were the sun for their respective parties, and now we’re entering a new era,” he said.
Argentina’s top court upheld Kirchner’s 2022 conviction on corruption charges, confirming a sixyear prison sentence and the lifelong ban on holding public office, according to court documents. The three sitting justices ruled unanimously. The court’s two remaining seats remain vacant after Milei’s failed attempts to appoint allies.
Now 72, Kirchner has five days to appear for final sentencing. She is eligible for house arrest and is unlikely to serve time in prison.
Kirchner has long denied wrongdoing and denounced the ruling as politically motivated. Speaking outside her party’s headquarters, she
claimed the ruling elite fears Peronism’s ability to offer an alternative once Milei’s government “falls apart.” In anticipation of the verdict, party supporters and unions blocked major highways around Buenos Aires, burning tires and beating drums.
“They can send me to jail, but people will still have miserable salaries or lose their jobs,” Kirchner said, rallying her base to mobilize.
A longtime figurehead of Peronism, Kirchner had recently announced her candidacy for a Buenos Aires provincial legislative seat in September—a bellwether for the October mid-term election. Some experts believed the move might have granted her immunity or at least delayed legal proceedings, but the court’s ruling eliminated that possibility.
Conversely, many believe her candidacy accelerated the court’s decision ahead of the July deadline for candidate registration.
“This ruling has a marvelous electoral schedule,” she said, alluding to the timing.
Political vacuum IT remains unclear who will fill the vacuum she leaves behind. None of her closest allies—including her son, lawmaker Maximo Kirchner— poll close to her. Though divisive, Kirchner remains one of Argentina’s most recognizable political figures, with 33 percent approval, far behind Milei’s 50 percent, according to a re -
Just a week after President Javier Milei’s arch rival announced a bid in a key midterm race, the Supreme Court banned the opposition leader from public office for life, delivering a major political victory for Milei as he works to convince investors that Argentina is changing. The ruling forces Peronism—the country’s dominant political force for decades—to reinvent itself, while leaving Milei without his most emblematic adversary in an increasingly polarized nation.
cent LatAm Pulse poll conducted by AtlasIntel for Bloomberg News.
“The big question mark now is how Kirchner will be able to hold onto leadership of Peronism once she loses the main tool she’s always used to exert power, which is to run for office and prove her support at the polls,” said Alejandro Catterberg, director of top polling firm Poliarquia in Buenos Aires. “She no longer has that chance.”
Kirchner’s relationship with Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof—a former economy minister and longtime protege—has grown strained. He defied her by decoupling provincial and national elections, a move seen as a bid to boost his own prospects. In a television interview last week, Kirchner criticized the decision, exposing rifts within the movement. The two met for the first time in months after the announcement, according to local media.
Yet Kicillof, former Economy Minister Sergio Massa and even former President Alberto Fernandez were
Trump tariffs can stay in effect longer, says US Court of Appeals
By Zoe Tillman & Erik Larson
DONALD TRUMP can continue to enforce his global tariffs for now, a federal appeals court held in a win for the president on one of his signature economic policies.
The order Tuesday by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit extends an earlier, short-term reprieve for the administration as it presses a challenge to a lower court ruling last month that blocked the tariffs. The Justice Department had argued that US officials’ concerns about ongoing trade negotiations outweighed the economic harm claimed by the small businesses that sued.
The Washington-based court put the case on an expedited track, citing the “issues of exceptional importance” at stake, and scheduled arguments for July 31. The court didn’t offer a detailed reason for siding with the administration at this stage, indicating in the order that the government had met its burden for showing that keeping the lower court’s injunction on hold was “warranted.” No judge noted a dissent.
The ruling comes as negotiators for the US and China reached a preliminary agreement to de-escalate trade tensions. Representatives of the world’s two largest economies announced the accord in the second day of talks in London over exports of key tech and industrial goods. Trump has portrayed tariffs as critical to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers amid chronic trade deficits.
Trade court
THE Trump administration asked the appeals court to step in after the US Court of International Trade last month ruled that Trump had misused an emergency law to implement the tariffs. Unless the challengers request swift intervention by the US Supreme Court, the levies will stay in place for at least another month, if not longer, as the rest of the legal fight plays out before the Washington-based appellate court. Whoever loses the next round of the case before the Federal Circuit could then ask the high court justices to weigh in.
Tuesday’s order comes a month before Trump’s own 90-day pause on most of his sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs is set to expire. On July 9, US tariff rates are set to increase drastically for many nations, absent trade deals or a further extension. Goods from the European Union, for instance, are facing a 50 percent levy.
Companies led by New York wine importer V.O.S. Selections Inc. claimed that letting the tariffs go into effect would lead to much higher costs and lower sales, with some of them likely to end up in bankruptcy. The administration argued that blocking the tariffs would disrupt US diplomacy and intrude upon the president’s power to conduct foreign affairs.
The Washington-based court put the case on an expedited track, citing the “issues of exceptional importance” at stake, and scheduled arguments for July 31. The court didn’t offer a detailed reason for siding with the administration at this stage, indicating in the order that the government had met its burden for showing that keeping the lower court’s injunction on hold was “warranted.” No judge noted a dissent.
A dozen Democratic-led states also sued the administration over the tariffs.
Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Liberty Justice Center, which represents the private plaintiffs, said in a statement that they were disappointed but glad the Federal Circuit set a fast schedule and would have the full court hear the fight over Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
“It’s important to note that every court to rule on the merits so far has found these tariffs unlawful, and we have faith that this court will likewise see what is plain as day: that IEEPA does not allow the president to impose whatever tax he wants whenever he wants,” Schwab said.
A White House spokesperson and a representative of the Oregon attorney general’s office, which led the state coalition that sued, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Chinese exports flood Southeast Asia on US tariffs, Citi says
By Claire Jiao
quick to publicly support Kirchner, both in person and on social media. Meanwhile, Milei celebrated from Israel, where he is on an international tour meeting world leaders. “The republic works,” he wrote on X, adding criticism of corrupt politicians and journalists who had previously suggested he made a secret pact with Kirchner after a legislative effort to bar her from office failed in Congress. For many investors, Kirchner has long represented Argentina’s most destabilizing political force. As president from 2007 to 2015, she imposed capital and currency controls, ran large deficits, manipulated data, raised tariffs and defaulted on debts. Though her husband, Nestor Kirchner, had initiated the couple’s populist brand of Peronism, it was Cristina who became the movement’s enduring face.
When Macri came to power in 2015, Kirchnerism seemed on the decline. But she returned in 2019 as vice president under her hand-picked successor—a tenure marked by deeper economic controls and worsening investor confidence. Milei’s 2023 victory over Fernandez’s economy minister marked a decisive break. Kirchner remains a polarizing figure. She survived an assassination attempt in 2022 and faces several other corruption cases. In March, the US government banned her and her immediate family from entering the country due to her conviction.
“Now the ball is in Milei’s court,” said Mariel Fornoni of polling firm Management and Fit. “If Milei gets the economy to reactivate and keeps inflation down, Peronism doesn’t stand a chance. But if the government struggles, there could be a growth opportunity for Peronism.” Bloomberg
‘Liberation Day’ TARIFFS covered by the trade court ruling include Trump’s global 10% levy, his April 2 “Liberation Day” tariffs and measures targeting China, Canada and Mexico over fentanyl trafficking. The president claimed authority to impose those tariffs under the 1977 emergency economic powers law.
A three-judge panel of the trade court ruled last month that law didn’t give the president unbridled tariff power. The court also took issue with Trump’s claims of “emergencies” over trade deficits and drug-trafficking. In their decision, the judges said government lawyers actually undercut that position by arguing that tariffs were needed as negotiating tools.
“The government’s ‘pressure’ argument effectively concedes that the direct effect of the country-specific tariffs is simply to burden the countries they target,” wrote the panel, which includes judges appointed by Trump, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan. Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles were imposed under a different law, so were not affected by the trade court ruling. Administration officials have often publicly downplayed the impact of the May 28 decision by claiming that most of its tariffs can be imposed by other means.
Global markets have fluctuated wildly since Trump announced the socalled reciprocal levies in a sweeping executive order on April 2. Since then, trillions of dollars in market value have been shed and regained amid weeks of delays, reversals and announcements about potential trade deals, particularly with China. Bloomberg
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Economic team warns vs legislating daily wage hike
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto and Samuel P. Medenilla
PRESIDENT
Ferdinand R. Marcos
Jr. should maintain the current system of adjusting wages instead of increasing the minimum wage, so as not to stoke inflation, shut down businesses, lay off workers and ultimately, “damage” the economy, according to the country’s economic managers.
The President, however, is still assessing the arguments from both sides, and wants to review the concerns of stakeholders, said Malacañang Palace.
In a joint position paper submitted to Marcos Jr., the economic managers, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) warned of the “dangerous repercussions” that raising the minimum wage would bring.
To prevent this, they recom-
mended keeping the current system of adjusting wages through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).
The President is also told to strengthen the implementation of the minimum wage law by ensuring that each region can effectively address the changing needs of its workers, alongside boosting investments aimed at creating more quality jobs.
“Regional minimum wage setting better reflects local economies,
avoids purchasing power disparities, and supports fairer wage distribution,” they said, adding that it ensures inclusivity in the decisionmaking by taking into consideration the side of the government and employers.
President still assessing situation
DESPITE the opposition of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), President Ferdinand Marcos is still undecided on the arguments against the pending pieces of legislation.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the chief executive will still conduct his own assessment on the proposed wage increase.
“The President still needs to read the details regarding that. If this is good for Filipino workers, the President will probably agree to it, but he said that he really needs to study it before he agrees because there are many stakeholders’ concerns that should also be heard in that area,” Castro said.
The two pending legislated wage hike bills are House Bill (HB) 11376, which will implement a
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE Philippines remains one of the most populous countries in the world, with its population expected to reach 116.8 million this year, according to the latest report from the United Nations.
Based on the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the country is one of 16 countries worldwide whose population is over 100 million this year.
The most populous countries are India and China whose populations are expected to exceed 1 billion at 1.46 billion and 1.42 billion this year, respectively.
“Millions and millions of people still, therefore, cannot exercise their reproductive rights and choices. This inability of individuals to realize their desired fertility goals is the real fertility crisis—not overpopulation or underpopulation— and we see it everywhere we look,” the report stated.
In the Philippines, the report showed an unmet need for contraception, which is at 8 percent for all Filipinos and 12 percent among those who are married or in union.
Contraception prevalence is 35 percent among all Filipinos and 59 percent among married or those in union. In terms of modern contraception, the prevalence is 26 percent for all Filipinos and 44 percent among married or those in union.
“We need to provide preferred commodities—pills and now injectables. Need to reach out to unmar-
P200 across-the board wage hike, and Senate Bill 2534, which will grant workers a P100 wage increase.
The House of Representatives and the Senate are currently trying to harmonize both legislation through the bicameral conference.
Last week, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the proposed P200 Across-the-Board Daily Wage Increase Act, more than a year since the Senate approved on third reading its version for a P100 increase.
However, economic managers said the P200 increase in wages could result in a 2-percentage- point increase in inflation, while a P100 hike may add 0.7 percentage points.
While inflation was brought down to its lowest level in 66 months at 1.3 percent, they said the minimum wage hike “may reverse this progress and make high inflation rates reappear.”
They explained that a higher minimum wage could raise the costs of production and lead to higher prices that may disproportionately affect low-income households.
“This will result in the poorest of the poor, who are mostly in the
By
NEW YORK—At the newly opened Binondo by Kabisera on East Broadway, something quietly powerful made its return—not with fanfare, but with flavor.
Next to the golden-crisp lechon kawali sat a small bowl of sauce. Not just any sauce, but Lydia’s Lechon Sauce—rich, tangy, liver-based—back on the table after being nearly impossible to find in the US for months.
“That’s it,” said Augelyn Francisco, founder of Binondo and the woman behind Kabisera in the East Village, nodding toward the familiar condiment. Known for her soulful and creative takes on Filipino cuisine, Francisco
At the helm of the kitchen was Chef Earl Robles, whose global culinary résumé includes an award-winning stint as executive chef at P.F. Chang’s. At Binondo, Robles brings a modern hand to traditional Filipino recipes, reimagining them without losing their soul.
Originally, Binondo left the lechon sauce off the menu.
“Some chefs felt it distracted from the crispness of the pork,” Francisco admitted.
“But our customers, especially our kababayan, kept asking. They missed it.”
ried and provide access to adolescents,” Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales told BusinessMirror on Wednesday.
“[We need to] reach out to special groups—farmers and fisherfolk, PWDs [Persons With Disability].
LGUs [Local Government Units] should have the active role in providing the services,” she added.
UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem said the report found there are barriers to avoiding an unintended pregnancy and barriers to starting a family are often ultimately the same.
These include economic precarity, gender discrimination, lack of support from partners and communities, low-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare, lack of access to services like affordable childcare or education, and pessimism about the future.
“Reproductive agency is more than just freedom from coercion or improved access to services, it is the full range of conditions that enable people to exercise their reproductive rights and ensure true choice, including gender equality, economic stability, decent health and confidence in the future,” Kanem said.
She said countries need to respond directly to population issues such as ensuring the full range of reproductive health and rights for all people and providing consistent, long-term support to parents and families.
Kanem said there is also a need to end gender-based violence and the gender discriminatory norms that undermine people’s fertility ambitions.
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has unanimously rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to disqualify two judges from ruling on jurisdictional matters in his case involving alleged crimes against humanity. In a decision dated June 9, the ICC plenary dismissed Duterte’s application to remove Judges María del Socorro Flores Liera and Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou from the tribunal’s Pre-Trial Chamber I.
Duterte’s lawyers had earlier asked the Pre-Trial Chamber to determine whether the ICC retains jurisdiction over the Philippines despite its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. They first asked Judges Flores and Alapini-Gansou to excuse themselves from adjudicating the jurisdictional question, citing “presumption of judicial impartiality and integrity.”
The two were also the same ICC Pre-Trial Chamber judges who ruled in 2023 that the ICC has jurisdiction over the war on drugs in the Philippines following the Philippine government’s request to defer the investigation. Last month, the Pre-Trial Chamber 1 tossed aside the
appeal of Duterte’s lawyers. They said Duterte’s lawyers should address their plea to disqualify the two judges before the ICC Presidency.
On June 9, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane convened a plenary of judges to discuss the merits of Duterte’s appeal to disqualify Judges
Flores and Alapini-Gansou. Akane said the plenary voted “unanimously” to reject the appeal.
Earlier, the ICC’s Office of the Public Counsel for Victims also urged the court to dismiss Duterte’s jurisdictional challenge, emphasizing that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not negate the ICC’s authority over crimes committed before the withdrawal took effect.
Duterte, who was arrested in March 2025 based on an ICC warrant, remains in custody at The Hague. His next scheduled appearance is on September 23, when the Pre-Trial Chamber will hold a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to put Duterte on proper trial. One of the issues that Duterte’s legal team is expected to raise is whether the ICC has jurisdiction over
Troi Santos
launched Kabisera after moving to New York, weaving together flavors from her Asian travels with the food she grew up with.
AP FILE PHOTO
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Razon-led Prime Infra bags renewable energy contracts
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
RAZON-LED Prime Infra Capital Inc. secured a third of the renewables capacity offered under the third Green Energy Auction (GEA-3).
GEA-3 locked in 6,680 megawatts (MW) of 12 committed power projects, with a delivery period between 2025 and 2035. These include 6,350 MW of pumped-storage hydropower (PSH), 300 MW of impounding hydro, and 30.887-MW geothermal.
Prime Infra’s 2-gigawatt (GW) PSH power projects were announced as one of the potential winning bidders in the third renewables auction.
The Department of Energy (DOE)
listed Prime Infra’s 600-MW Wawa and 1,400-MW Pakil pumped storage projects in the Notice of Award it issued last June 9.
“The DOE should be commended
for what is an ambitious and critical program to enable the transition to green energy, maximizing indigenous energy, bringing the country a step closer to decarbonizing the grid, and to some extent, and more importantly, enabling energy security and stabilizing the cost of generation,” said Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci.
The Wawa Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project in Rizal is targeted to begin commercial operations by 2030. This facility will provide an energy storage capacity of 6,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per day to the grid, and flexible charging
and discharging capacity of 600MW through its state-of-the-art variable speed reversible pump turbines and motor-generators.
It is integrated with the Upper Wawa Dam reservoir—the second phase of Prime Infra’s Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project—from which water will be pumped up into an artificial upper basin. This integration makes the pumped storage and bulk water supply projects a significant complex for ensuring water and energy security.
Meanwhile, the Pakil Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Project in Laguna will have an energy storage capacity of 14,000MWh per day and charging/discharging capabilities of 1,400MW, making it one of the largest pumped storage power projects in the world utilizing variable speed technology. It is set to be operational by 2030.
OSW capacity
MEANWHILE , the DOE formally launched the fifth Green Energy
Auction (GEA-5), offering 3,300 MW of offshore wind (OSW) capacity which should be delivered from 2028 to 2030.
“The DOE invites offshore wind developers, port operators, transmission companies, and other stakeholders to review the GEA-5 Terms of Reference and submit inputs, comments, or clarifications on or before June 18, 2025,” the DOE said.
Fixed-bottom offshore wind, or those directly connected to the seabed, has been selected as the focus of GEA-5 due to its established global track record, cost-efficiency, and scalability.
“By prioritizing fixed-bottom offshore wind for GEA-5, we are investing in a technology that is ready to deliver,” DOE Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
“This allows us to set a strong and credible foundation for the country’s offshore wind sector, one that can deliver first power by 2028.”
‘Airport costs fueled Jetstar Asia cut’
THE “unsustainable” rising costs of operating from Singapore’s Changi airport were partly to blame for the closure of Qantas Airways Ltd.’s low-cost subsidiary Jetstar Asia, executives said. The decision to shut down operations—and cut some 500 jobs— comes as losses mount for the Jetstar brand’s Singapore-based offshoot, which had only been profitable in the six of the 21 years. Higher airport fees imposed by Changi to fund a S$3 billion ($2.3 billion) facility upgrade kicked in on April 1.
Cost increases have been seen
across “the whole ecosystem we operate out of,” Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully told reporters at a briefing Wednesday. “The airport fees are a part of that. That has had an impact on the business.”
Jetstar Asia will stop operating July 31, enabling Qantas to free up as much as A$500 million ($327 million) in capital to fund the group’s fleet renewal program, Qantas said in a statement earlier Wednesday. Thirteen Jetstar Asia Airbus SE A320 aircraft will be redeployed to Australia and New Zealand, creating
100 jobs locally.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson is prioritizing the group’s cash cow, the Australian domestic network, as she juggles assets to pay for the biggest plane order in the airline’s history. Qantas has firm orders for almost 200 new aircraft.
Jetstar Asia, which is 49-percent owned by Qantas, is expected to post a A$35 million underlying operating loss this financial year in the face of intensifying competition and rising costs, Qantas’s statement said. The closure will result in a one-off impact of A$175 million. Bloomberg News
Villar firms told to solve power, water woes
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
THE Marcos administration has given Villar-owned power and water utility firms tight deadlines for resolving the service disruptions in Siquijor and Bulacan, respectively.
President Ferdinand Marcos gave the Siquijor Island Power Corp. (Sipcor) six months to restore power in the province of Siquijor.
In an interview with reporters last Wednesday, the chief executive said the government deems the 6-month period “sufficient” for Sipcor, a subsidiary of the Villarowned Prime Asset Ventures Inc., to repair three of its damaged power generator units.
“We have given ourselves a deadline of six months for the shortterm solution. By six months from now, we will then impose whatever new arrangements that we have to do.” He noted that damaged power generator units from Sipcor caused the blackouts in Siquijor, which is now taking a toll on the economic growth of the island province, which has become a popular tourist destination.
State of calamity LAST week, the provincial government of Siquijor declared a state of calamity which will allow it to tap its quick response fund for the procurement of power generators.
The lower energy output from Sipcor has caused power outages, which last up to eight hours or more.
THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it continues to extend assistance to foreign retirees after Korean nationals decided to pursue legal action against Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) over their lease agreements within Camp John Hay, Baguio City.
The state-run firm said it “acknowledges and supports” the decision of the affected Korean nationals to file charges against Sobrepeña-led CJHDevCo in relation to their lease agreements.
“BCDA takes the concerns raised by affected members of the Korean community seriously and affirms its commitment to a transition process that is lawful, transparent, and compassionate,” it said in a statement.
In coordination with relevant government agencies, BCDA said it continues to extend assistance to all stakeholders, including foreign retirees.
This includes translation support and one-on-one consultations to help clarify their options through “mutually beneficial and law-compliant lease arrangements.”
Moreover, BCDA said it respects the decision of affected individuals to seek redress through the courts and
welcomes the opportunity for these issues to be reviewed by the appropriate legal authorities.
“BCDA reiterates its position that valid lease agreements will be honored, provided they comply with Philippine laws and the final and executory decision of the Supreme Court.”
According to story published by the BusinessMirror , an official of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) told this paper that, “12 of our SRRV [Special Resident Retirement Visas] were affected by the harsh BCDA takeover,” following the Supreme Court’s order for a private developer to turn over its leased property in Camp John Hay to the BCDA.
The private developer, CJH Development Corp., led by businessman Robert Sobrepeña, had earlier leased homes and hotel units to foreign retirees, for 25 years.
In implementing the Supreme Court ruling, however, a number of retirees claimed in a press briefing that they were forcibly evicted from their homes and were unable to secure their things. They were apparently on the same status as some of the other private home renters—innocent lessees in good faith—caught in Sobrepeña’s legal debacle. Andrea E. San Juan
“There are some residences in Siquijor, that get two to five hours of power each day,” Marcos said in Filipino. “They are losing that opportunity to develop because of the power shortage.”
Marcos said a 2-megawatt modular generator set (genset) from the Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) will be deployed to Siquijor this week.
“The gensets will arrive tonight or tomorrow, so when they are installed and operational, the supply will be complete. But this is a temporary— that will be a temporary solution.”
Long-term solutions to resolve the growing power demand of Siquijor, he said, are now also being discussed such as the development of transmission lines as well as allowing the entry of another power supplier or provider in the island province.
“Everything is on the table. We just have to (determine) the best solution,” Marcos said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos has ordered for a “legal review and audit” of the agreement between Sipcor and the Province of Siquijor Electric Cooperative (Prosielco).
“This aims to determine if (Sipcor) has committed negligence and should be held liable to make sure (this problem) will not happen again,” Castro said.
The President visited Siquijor last Wednesday to check on ongoing efforts by the local government and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to address the power shortage.
He met with Governor Jake Vin-
cent Villa and was accompanied by NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda, Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz, as well as Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin, and DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan.
Repairs
CASTRO also said the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has identified PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., another Villar-owned firm, as having jurisdiction over a public school in Malolos, Bulacan that did not have access to water.
Marcos ordered LWUA to investigate the cause of water service disruption in the said public school, saying it can compromise the health of the students.
PrimeWater committed to complete the repairs of the broken pump station and damaged mainline which caused the water service disruption by June 13.
“Water is expected to return to normal levels upon completion of the repair and restoration of damaged pipelines before school opening,” Castro said.
LWUA is currently conducting an ongoing investigation on the alleged poor water service of PrimeWater upon the orders of Marcos last April.
Castro said she may be able to give updates on the said probe by next week.
“We are not sleeping on it. We are always following up on the investigation. Just give us a little time and we might release it.”
Banking&Finance
Are we ready to be a cash-lite society?
THE Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) recently attended Digital Banker’s AI Cloud and Cybersecurity Congress 2025 at the Dusit Thani in Makati. Among the resource speakers was Albert Tinio, Co-CEO of GoTyme Bank, who talked about “What it Takes to Move the Philippines Toward a Truly CashLite Society.”
Albert shared his views on what has made GoTyme one of the fastest-growing digital banks in the country. I want to share the points he presented:
1. Simplicity wins—they designed an app that is easy to follow and intuitive to attract the unbanked and underbanked sectors.
2. Physical presence builds emotional connection. Having ambassadors on the ground, cashiers accepting deposits and withdrawals, and realizing that there’s a person at the other end of the phone, that one is not talking to a “bot” or AI builds connection. AI can assist that person, though.
3. Reinforcing behavior. If depositing and withdrawing money is simple, easy, and something practical and familiar, customers will keep doing it over and over again. If borrowing money is based on an algorithm that computes a score based on their transactions, it is easier for them. They’ll keep on doing it over and over again and will tell their family, neighbors, and friends. That builds connections and snowballs.
Albert was asked what he thinks would be the measures of success.
1. If finance becomes pervasive and very invisible, where digital has become so commonplace that everybody’s using it and there’s no issue of trust or access.
2. Human and technology infrastructure blended. AI will not replace humans, but humans who do not study and use AI can be replaced by
Govt infrastructure spending hits ₧317.5B in January-March
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
Tthose who do. Physical infrastructure should be present and blended with digitally enabled financial institutions.
3. It’s not all about compliance. It’s also about behavior first, not just pushing compliance. It is understood why we need this ID, and why it is important and safer for you. The government has to reinforce these. We’re using payments as an entry to all transactions and the government has played a large part by making it simple.
Albert says the journey to a cashlite Philippines will not be through technology alone. It should be reinforced by first, what’s relevant to the market, to the merchant, and to the community. Second, trust. Access should always be available. When access is down, it’s quickly up. And lastly, it begins with listening to what our customers are saying. Ads should not be too difficult, and branches should be closer to customers. It’s a combination of government, technology, and human intervention.
BMAP welcomes GoTyme Bank to its membership. GoTyme Bank won 3 categories during the 5th BMAP Bank Marketing Awards in 2023, namely, Best Product Program for GoTyme Bank’s Debit Card Program, Best Financial Inclusion Program for GoTyme Bank’s Phygital Model, and Best Customer-Centric Product of Service for GoTyme Bank, A Human Digital Bank. For more information, visit www.bmap.org.ph or https://facebook.com/BankMarketingAssociationPH.
Eric Montelibano is a Consultant of Integrated Marketing and Communications at CSBank (Citystate Savings Bank) and the President of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines. He can be reached at erichmontelibano@gmail.com. The writer’s views and his written piece do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror BMAP and CSBank.
Pagcor chief leads launch of 2nd phase of PMAAAI facility construction
PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco on June 10 led the ceremonial launch of the second phase of construction for the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) building at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City.
The six-story facility, envisioned as the PMAAAI’s future Center for Leadership Excellence, has a funding support of P600 million from Newport World Resorts Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of one of Pagcor’s licensed integrated resorts. Tengco lauded the initiative as a model of public-private partnership, underscoring its long-term value to the country’s defense and governance sectors.
“This project is truly remarkable because it is being constructed at no cost to the Philippine government,” he said in a statement. “It stands as proof that the gaming industry—when properly regulated and responsibly managed—can be a strong partner in nation-building.”
Pagcor initially approved a P300million outlay for the building structure followed by an additional P300 million for the ongoing interior fitout phase.
Once completed, the building will serve as the official headquarters of the PMAAAI as well as a venue for strategic forums, leadership training, and legacy-building activities that will benefit generations of Filipino military leaders.
“We are optimistic that through this future Center for Leadership Excellence, we will not only help strengthen the PMAAAI as an institution but also help empower the Armed Forces and support our men and women in uniform,” Tengco said. He added that the gaming industry, under strong regulatory oversight, has consistently been supporting high-impact and socially relevant initiatives.
“This structure is a solid proof of what can be achieved when public service and private enterprise are united by a shared vision for progress and patriotism,” he said. Tengco also reaffirmed Pagcor’s broader support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Earlier this year, the agency committed funds for the construction of modern facilities at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) including a modern warfare laboratory, additional sports facilities, patient transport vehicle, and the renovation of PMA’s Candidate Control Liaison Office in Quezon City.
HE government’s spending on infrastructure rose by nearly a fifth to P317.5 billion in the first quarter, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Latest data on the national government’s disbursement performance showed infrastructure disbursements grew by 19.2 percent from January to March 2025, from P266.3 billion recorded in the same period in 2024.
Infrastructure disbursements include infrastructure components of subsidy and equity to governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and transfers to local government units (LGUs).
Public construction, where government investments in infrastructure and other capital outlays projects are accounted for, increased by 8.2 percent.
Infrastructure and other capital outlays also expanded by 20.8 percent to P261.8 billion in the first quarter from P216.8 billion a year ago.
For the month of March alone, infrastructure and other capital outlays went up by 17.9 percent to P113.5 billion from last year’s P96.3 billion.
The uptick in allocations was due to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) “aggressive implementation” of this year’s infrastructure projects, according to the budget department.
The DBM said the payment of process billings and accounts pay-
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued its rules on the operations of crypto-asset service providers (CASP) as it seeks to push the registration all CASPs in the country.
The SEC rules covering CASPs were released at end-May. Under its guidelines, crypto asset was defined as a cryptographically secured digital representation of value or of a right that relies on a cryptographically secured distributed ledger or a similar technology to validate and secure transactions that can be transferred, stored, or traded electronically.
Crypto-asset securities, meanwhile, are defined as crypto assets that are being offered as securities, as defined under the Securities Regulation Code (SRC).
A CASP is defined as a business entity that offers or engages in the provision of one or more crypto-asset services, including the operation of a digital platform that provides such services. Both the rules and the guidelines will apply to all CASPs that
ables, right-of-way settlements, release of final payments and retention releases for completed projects all increased.
Key projects include the construction of bridges, flood control systems, health facilities, office buildings, air passenger terminal buildings, as well as road rehabilitation works and access roads under the Convergence and Special Support Program.
“The increase in infrastructure spending in [the first quarter] is a positive signal of government commitment to growth-driven public investment,” John Paolo Rivera, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said.
Heightened spending indicates that flagship projects under the administration’s “Build Better More Program” are gaining traction and that procurement and implementation bottlenecks are being addressed, Rivera said.
“Infrastructure investment is a critical fiscal tool, especially in a period when private investment and exports may face global headwinds,” he added.
This level of infrastructure spending, Rivera said, could contribute
are offering crypto-asset services, as well as third-party service providers who engage in the marketing of crypto assets and cryptoasset services.
Crypto assets may take the form of financial products, specifically investments, under the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, or as crypto-asset securities which are securities, as defined under the SRC.
The SEC is empowered to regulate and supervise the conduct of CASPs by requiring the registration, licensing and disclosures pertaining to crypto assets, crypto-asset services, marketing and crypto-asset securities pursuant to the CASP rules.
“significantly” to the country’s economic growth, including job creation and long-term competitiveness if this momentum is sustained and the absorptive capacity continues to improve.
Meanwhile, overall government spending in the first quarter surged 22.4 percent year-on-year to P1.477 trillion from P1.206 trillion.
Broken down, maintenance and other operating expenses soared by 63.1 percent to P323.6 billion from P198.4 billion last year.
Interest payments rose 24.9 percent to P241 billion from P193 billion recorded a year ago.
Allotment to LGUs went up by 19.2 percent to P225 billion from last year’s P188.7 billion.
Personnel services expenditures inched up by 4.3 percent to P326.1 billion in the first quarter from P312.5 billion a year ago.
Tax expenditures climbed by 76 percent to P11.3 billion from the previous year’s P6.4 billion.
However, capital transfers to LGUs contracted by 9.8 percent to P64.2 billion from last year’s P71.2 billion due to the timing of releases for the Special Shares of LGUs in the Proceeds of National Taxes, particu-
ducement to purchase cryptoassets or crypto-asset services unless they are registered as a corporation and have obtained the necessary licenses from the concerned regulatory agencies, such as the SEC and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Under the rules, educational content “made in good faith and purely for educational purposes” will not be qualified as marketing.
larly for tobacco excise taxes. The DBM said government spending remained a key driver of the country’s economic growth in the first quarter, as Government Final Consumption Expenditure—the disbursements made for the delivery of goods and services, including personnel services expenses—grew by 18.7 percent.
This, combined with the growth in public construction, contributed almost 3 percentage points to the 5.4 percent GDP growth in the first quarter.
For the second quarter, the DBM expects disbursements to pick up towards the end of May as the election-related ban on public works and spending concludes.
“The implementation of massive infrastructure projects, governance reforms and investments in human capital are expected to sustain the strong spending performance recorded in the first quarter. This will hopefully help translate to improved economic growth for the rest of the year,” the DBM said. About P1.219 trillion, or 19.3 percent, remains in the balance as of end-March 2025, of the P6.326 trillion budget for this year.
Crypto assets and crypto-asset securities will not be sold or offered for sale or distribution in the country without a disclosure document or registration statement, as the case may be, duly filed with and approved by the SEC.
No person or entity should engage in the marketing or in -
In relation to the offering of crypto assets, disclosure documents must be filed by the offeror with the SEC and published on the platform’s website, social media account and other means of communication not less than 30 days before any marketing activities or the actual offering is conducted.
The disclosure document should include information about the issuer and offeror of the crypto asset; key features, risks and prospects of the crypto asset; and an outline of the underlying technology, among others.
The CASP rules also cover ini-
Ttial coin offerings (ICO) to the extent that such ICO can be characterized as a sale of securities as defined by the SRC, SEC issuances, among others.
The guidelines provide that CASPs must be registered as a corporation with a minimum paid-up capital of P100 million in cash or property, excluding crypto assets. They must also have a physical office which must be appropriately staffed or manned during regular business hours.
Applications for registration costs an initial filing fee of P50,000. The CASPs will then have to pay the SEC a supervision fee based on their gross revenue during the preceding year, for the privilege of doing business. Upon registration, a CASP must maintain an operational report that includes the total number of active users and daily trading summaries, which shall include the number of trades, crypto assets traded, and total settlement value among others. Violations are punishable by imprisonment of one to five years, or by a fine ranging from P50,000 to P10 million.
‘Alcohol denaturing bill to benefit personal care industry’ SEC issues rules for crypto-asset service providers
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE Senate on Wednesday ratified the conference committee report reconciling the House and its version of a measure that will expand the denaturing of alcohol in the country.
Following the approval of the alcohol denaturing bill on third and final reading last Monday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said its expected
enactment could pave the way for the expansion of the domestic personal care, cleaning, and health-related industries.
Denaturing is the process of mixing substances with ethyl alcohol to make it undrinkable.
In a statement, Gatchalian said the enactment of the measure amending Sections 134 and 168 of the National Internal Revenue Code—which covers denaturing of alcohol in the country—is a key
reform measure tagged priority for passage by the 19th Congress.
Under existing law, only locally produced ethyl alcohol is allowed for denaturing. The proposed measure, if enacted into law, would expand denaturing to include those sourced from overseas.
Once imported ethyl alcohol is allowed to be denatured locally, the product will also be exempt from excise tax, benefiting certain enterprises that include personal care,
cleaning, and health-related industries, according to Gatchalian. Oras maisabatas, ito ay magpapahintulot sa mga mahahalagang sektor na makakuha ng mga materyales nang mas episyente, mabawasan ang gastos sa produksyon, at manatiling competitive [Once this is enacted, this will allow key sectors to obtain materials more efficiently, reduce their cost of production and stay competitive],” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
BusinessMirror file photo
Health&Fitness
Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence offer hope for Parkinson’s Disease
By Rory Visco Contributor
MACHINE learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can help experts speed up the diagnosis and develop new treatments for Parkinson’s Disease.
“By transforming our understanding of the brain and how Parkinson’s impacts it, we can speed up diagnosis, develop new treatments and better empower patients themselves,” said Dr. Rowland Illing, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Global Healthcare and Non-Profits for Amazon Web Services (AWS).
According to Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. Symptoms start slowly. The first symptom may be a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand or sometimes a foot or the jaw. Tremor is common in Parkinson’s disease. But the disorder also may cause stiffness, slowing of movement and trouble with balance that raises the risk of falls.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said over 10 million people are living with the disease and incidence doubles every 25 years.
Illing said most specialists who diagnose Parkinson’s Disease still rely on looking at physical symptoms to know what’s happening in people’s brains. He noted that because researchers don’t know what causes patients’ dopamine to shut down, they can’t treat the root cause so they focus on replacing the lost dopamine. While it temporarily restores motor function, it does not prevent the disease’s progression. It may also lead to misdiagnosis since treatments that boost dopamine and help with symptoms of Parkinson’s may affect similar neurological conditions like dementia or essential tremor, Illing said. He emphasized that “finding a genuine cure for Parkinson’s involves collecting and analyzing vast amounts of different types of data and using a much deeper and more granular understanding of the brain to enable new forms of treatment.”
Using human genes for diagnosis ACCORDING to Illing, up to 15 percent of Parkinson’s cases can be due to changes in people’s genes. He said the more DNA data that researchers have to work with, the more they may discover, revealing genetic markers that can help warn of susceptibility to the condition. These enable earlier diagnosis and can signpost the way to treatments, he added.
Illing pointed to California-based company Ultima Genomics that was able to develop software, algorithms and training its AI models on AWS for its next-generation DNA sequencer. This scalable architecture, he said, reduces the cost of sequencing an entire human genome from roughly US$1,000 to just US$100. “This can help broaden genetic understanding of the disease and enable the development of gene therapy treatments that can edit DNA to prevent it.”
Illing said patients themselves have an invaluable role in advancing medical understanding. He pointed to The Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF), which runs The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a landmark citizen science study where wearable devices are used to gather more than four million data points from each participant daily. “PPMI monitors people’s movement, tremors, sleep quality and more, and stores this data securely on AWS. By combining it with patient brain scans, DNA,
bio-samples and clinical assessments, it can use AI to search for patterns and correlations,” Illing pointed out.
A cellular map of the brain ILLING pointed out connecting changes in the brain to changes in people’s experience will represent a huge advance in understanding Parkinson’s, but a vast amount of what’s happening in the brain remains invisible even to MRI scans. He said that mapping changes in the 200 billion cells the brain contains is one of the objectives of the Brain Knowledge Platform, a major new initiative led by the Allen Institute, which is building the world’s largest open-source database of brain cell data on AWS.
“Combining high-performance AWS computing services with AI and ML such as Amazon SageMaker enables the Brain Knowledge Platform to decode the characteristics of different brain cell types and monitor what happens to them as neurological diseases progress,” he said.
Through AWS, Illing stated that the Brain Knowledge Platform will become an open registry of neurological data that is available to doctors and researchers worldwide. “It could enable physicians to better diagnose diseases like Parkinson’s, and open the door to new therapies to prevent changes that lead to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, tackling the root cause of the disease.”
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
HE Department of Health
T(DOH) has warned the public against a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases, influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue, or the socalled W.I.L.D diseases as the rainy season has officially begun in the country.
Waterborne diseases are illnesses caused by consuming contaminated water, such as diarrhea and typhoid fever.
Influenza-like illnesses are common during the rainy season, with t he virus spreading through coughs and sneezes.
Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to the urine of infected animals, like rats if a person will wade i n floodwater.
Dengue, meanwhile, is fever spread by mosquitoes, caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
According to the DOH epidemiological analysis, influenza season in t he country peaks in July and October. It coincides with the onset of the rainy season as the weather transitions from increased heat and high humidity in the summer to the wet and damp weather conditions. Likewise, stagnant water due to flooding is a good habitat condition for mosquitoes.
These floodwaters may also contain leptospira bacteria which causes le ptospirosis.
Ngayong tag-ulan, nakaamba na naman ang banta ng W.I.L.D. diseases. K aya paalala ng DOH: Tumutok sa weather updates; magsuot ng kapote at bota; siguraduhin ang malinis na tubig-inumin; gawin ang 4T [Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip]; kumonsulta agad sa doktor kung may sintomas ng sakit,” the DOH reminded.
“This rainy season, the threat of W.I.L.D. diseases looms once again. So the DOH reminds: pay attention to weather updates; wear a raincoat and boots; ensure clean drinking water; do the 4T [Taob, Taktak, Tuyo, Takip]; consult a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of illness,” the DOH reminded.
Philippines on a rally towards Cervical Cancer Elimination by 2030
By Vincent Peter Rivera
TO mark the culmination of Cervical Cancer Consciousness Month this May, medical experts, public and private sector partners, and civil society organizations convened at the 2025 Philippine Cervical Cancer Elimination Media Summit, urging the country to adopt global standards in the disease’s vaccination, screening, and treatment.
“We are gathered here today not only to talk about a clinical condition but about the 12 Filipinas that die daily because of cervical cancer,” said Dr. Christia Padolina, Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AOFOG) Program Director for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
“We need to prevent, to advocate, and to act in order to prevent this because it affects women in the reproductive age group and girls who are just about to start their lives.”
Supporting this perspective, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Health, Research, and Development Dr. Jaime Montoya revealed that cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among Filipino women, highlighting its significant public health concern.
“Based on the 2023 data from The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Information Center, about 7,897 Filipino women are diagnosed with cancer and about 4,052 die from the disease annually,” Dr. Montoya said.
He also shared that the Philippines has one of the lowest cervical cancer screening rates globally, with only one percent of the 54 million women undergoing regular screening.
To mitigate this concern, the 2025 CCE Summit with the theme, “One Community Against HPV: Innovations Enabling Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Philippines,” has identified clear and science-driven solutions against the deadly HPV to meet the World Health Organization’s standards.
“The World Health Organization has set targets for countries like the Philippines to achieve by 2030. This includes HPV vaccination among 90 percent of girls by the age of 15, screening 70 percent of women using highperformance tests by the age of 35 and again at 45, and ensuring 90 percent of women with pre-cancer conditions receive pilot treatment with another 90 percent of those diagnosed with invasive cancer,” Dr. Montoya added.
A holistic approach IN the battle against cervical cancer, Commissioner of Philippine Commission on Women Cecilia La Madrid-Dy called for a whole society response to save the victims of the disease. “We have a call to action for our government. We need gender-responsive policies to ensure that prevention screening and treatment services reach all women specially in those underserved communities,” she said.
Madrid-Dy encouraged the people in authority to hand out free cervical cancer vaccines to teenage girls specially to those belonging to low income families to free them from the worst result which was dying from the disease.
“We hope that PhilHealth could include the HPV vaccines on the prim ary vaccines and the whole treatment package for that matter,” Dr.
Padolina pointed out, expressing her hope for the adoption of the HPV vaccines on PhilHealth’s Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) as the institution doesn’t offer a direct coverage on HPV-related health yet.
Madrid-Dy added: “For my healthcare sector, we must integrate cervical cancer prevention and control in primary healthcare and strengthen the capacity of healthcare workers to deliver quality care. Seek funding from international agencies so that women and girls from marginalized communities and families can access the full dose of the anti-cervical cancer vaccine.”
Emphasizing the crucial role of civil society and the private sector, Madrid-Dy also urged them to contribute their innovation, advocacy, and resources to support the government’s initiatives. She specifically called upon these entities to allocate a portion of their corporate social responsibility budgets towards the cervical cancer vaccination of girls from underprivileged families and marginalized communities.
“The private sector is a very important segment in the equation, why? Because they are an advocacy group. They also promote the update of the vaccine. We see it during the COVID-19, the private organizations contributed to promoting the solution,” Dr. Padolina said.
Ultimately, Madrid-Dy encouraged all the women and their families to be in the forefront of knowledge-building about cervical cancer. “For women and their families, we encourage you to seek accurate information, preventive services, and early detection,” she concluded.
Editor:
Patients, advocates call for greater awareness of NF1
GBy Candy P. Dalizon Contributor
IVEN its varied manifestation among individuals, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition reportedly affecting one in every 3,000 people worldwide, has prompted health experts to underscore the importance of heightened awareness to facilitate early detection and sustained patient care. NF1 is a genetic condition caused by an alteration on chromosome 17, which can either be inherited or occur spontaneously during conception. Rare disease experts indicate that the most common signs of NF1 are often recognizable before age 10 and primarily involve the skin, eyes, and nervous system. These include multiple nerve and skin tumors (neurofibromas), as well as characteristic skin discoloration. This discoloration typically presents as pale tan or light brown spots called cafe-au-lait macules, along with freckling in unusual locations like the armpits (axillary region) or groin (inguinal region). These skin abnormalities are often evident by one year of age and tend to increase in size and number throughout childhood.
Complex symptoms
WHILE these are the most prevalent manifestations, NF1 can also present with more complex symptoms. Some individuals may develop large, benign tumors consisting of nerve bundles (plexiform neurofibromas) at birth or in early childhood. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of people with NF1 may have at least one such tumor, which can develop deep inside the body, causing pain and further deformities. Other common features include benign nodules on the colored part of the eyes (Lisch nodules) and tumors on the nerves of the visual pathway (optic pathway gliomas).
“The challenge with NF1 is that it doesn’t always look the same in every person,” explained Dr. Loudella Castillo, neurologist and member of the Philippine Neurological AssociationRare Disease Interest Group. “That’s why awareness is key, not just among doctors, but in schools, communities, and families. The earlier we detect it, the better we can support patients throughout their lives.”
Health experts, patients, and rare disease advocates recently gathered to mark World Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month, calling for earlier diagnosis, stronger health education, and better support systems for Filipinos living with NF1.
“It’s not just about awareness, but about sharing our journeys, which are filled with fear, uncertainty, and pain, but also courage, compassion, and hope,” said Araceli Lanorio, patient leader of Neurofibromatosis Friends. “We are more than our diagnosis. We are warriors, advocates, and survivors. Together, we move forward,” she added. “We have a strong community,” Araceli emphasized, highlighting the importance of support and unity.
Currently, there is no definitive cure for NF1, although in recent years, researchers have found a way to minimize the growth of plexiform neurofibromas in children aged three and above.
Progress in NF1 treatment
SELUMETINIB is a prescription medicine that has been recently approved in the Philippines for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN) in children and teens with NF1.
The recent approval made by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration was based on positive results from its clinical trials, which showed a meaningful reduction in tumor size in most pediatric patients treated with selumetinib.
“Selumetinib brings hope to children and adolescents whose lives are affected by the growth of painful and debilitating tumors caused by NF1,” said AstraZeneca Philippines Country President Lotis Ramin.
“AstraZeneca takes pride in introducing this innovation to the NF1 community, demonstrating our strong commitment to bringing lifechanging treatments to those who will benefit the most: Filipino patients and their families. We will collaborate with the medical community, private sector, patient groups, and government to ensure earlier diagnosis and equitable access to care for all Filipinos with rare diseases,” added Ramin.
AstraZeneca is a global, scienceled biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing care in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology.
NF2, a rarer form of the disease BEING seen and understood is crucial for many patients living with NF. Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rarer form of the disease, results from an alteration in the NF2 gene on chromosome 22 and accounts for approximately three percent of all diagnosed neurofibromatosis cases. Despite its distinction from NF1, NF2 also faces significant challenges with low awareness and delayed diagnosis.
“One of the toughest parts of living with NF2 is dealing with the invisible pain that others often don’t see, and that’s why advocating for earlier diagnosis and better support is so vital to me,” said Sarah Gonzalez, an NF2 patient.
For others like Jorge Abril, who was diagnosed with NF1, the journey has been as emotional as it has been medical.
“It was tough being bullied for my appearance growing up with NF1. But when my classmates learned about my condition, it changed everything—even my bully became a friend,” shared Abril.
Dr. Castillo pointed out that the lumps or bumps that can be seen on the skin of some NF1 patients are not infectious and they cannot be passed on to anyone by touch. Abril and Gonzales were also joined by other patients who also shared their experiences as patients diagnosed with NF. Supported by AstraZeneca Philippines, the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) - Rare Disease Special Interest Group, PhilHealth, Neurofibromatosis & Friends, and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, the recent event brought together patients, families, healthcare professionals, advocacy leaders, and policymakers for a shared conversation on awareness, inclusion, and action.
Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror
Sweden, PHL heighten defense engagement
AS part of its broader defense strategy, Sweden is intensifying engagement in the IndoPacific, citing the region’s geopolitical importance and impact on global security and stability.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson at the 2025 IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31. The latter reaffirmed Sweden’s to upholding international law and strengthening security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The minister acknowledged that “the security landscape is increasingly contested. To navigate this, Europe and the Indo-Pacific need to understand, commit to, and enhance each other’s security. Sweden comes here to listen and engage.”
He also emphasized that stronger security begins with stronger partnerships: “Through exercises, joint innovation and industrial cooperation, we build trust, resilience and deterrence. These connections make us all safer and make conflict less likely.”
On the event’s sidelines, Jonson
held bilateral meetings and joined roundtable discussions to advance Sweden’s role in global defense dialogue.
Under its Defense Resolution 2025-2030, Sweden is undertaking its largest military and civil defense buildup since the Cold War. According to its embassy, the Nordic country investing heavily in electronic warfare, cybersecurity and universal conscription.
From 2025 to 2030, Sweden will allocate an annual average of more than SEK170 billion (about P980 billion) is allocated for military defense, and higher than SEK37.5 billion (approximately P220 billion) for civil defense.
By 2028, military spending will reach 2.6 percent of the said country’s gross domestic product. A powerful total defense strengthens the security of both Sweden and the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO, according to the embassy. Sweden’s revitalized universal conscription system, now training more than 10,000 conscripts annually, is projected to support a total defense force of approximately 130,000 personnel plus reserves by 2035.
New defense attaché MEANWHILE, Sweden has named Lt. Col. Anders Nikanorsson as its
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
new nonresident defense attaché to the Philippines, following Manila’s appointment of a counterpart to Stockholm.
Currently based in Bangkok, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson will help advance the Scandinavian country’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific which, for the embassy, “marks a significant step forward in bilateral defense engagement.”
The Swedish official shared his
deep honor and genuine excitement on taking the assignment: “The Philippines holds a pivotal position in the Indo-Pacific, both geographically and strategically. As a maritime nation committed to international law and regional stability, it is a natural partner for Sweden in promoting a rules-based global order and enhancing security cooperation.”
Ambassador Anna Ferry of Swe-
den welcomed the appointment: “His extensive experience as a senior defense officer significantly strengthens our capacity to engage on critical security and defense issues. His presence ensures a direct and informed dialogue with our counterparts in the Philippines—an important and valued partner. This addition deepens our understanding of regional dynamics from both military and strategic perspectives.”
PHL prodded to boost partnerships in Africa Germany halts appeals process for denied Schengen visas
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reaffirmed its intent to strengthen ties with African nations as part of its foreign-policy focus.
In his message at a reception for Africa Day on June 4, Secretary for Foreign Affairs (SFA) Enrique A. Manalo said the Philippines envisions partnerships with African states that “transcend traditional paradigms.”
Manalo said that “we want a partnership of “equals,” where “Philippine archipelagic experience complements African continental perspectives, and where shared commitment to international law and development strengthens and creates new models of international cooperation.”
The secretary announced last year that the DFA is taking a foreign-policy thrust toward having an “increased focus on Africa.” To complement such, he disclosed that the department plans to open a new embassy in Ghana. Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, who oversees Middle East and African Affairs, explained that the said plan also aligns with the DFA’s goal of enhancing people-to-people engagements in the continent.
“It is time to increase our footprints in Africa; thus, the DFA intends to open a new embassy to increase our permanent presence in the region,” Aguilar-Usudan told the Philippine News Agency.
The assistant secretary relayed that the DFA has the existing Office of Middle East and African Affairs, but its focus in the past was mostly toward the Middle East.
“We realize that there is so much potential in Africa in terms of trade, investment and deployment of skilled workers,” she conveyed. “In fact, Filipinos [in Abuja and Preto -
ria,] as well as those in North-East Africa [such as Rabat, Tripoli, Cairo and Nairobi have relayed great potential for meaningful ties] and enhanced collaboration.”
Vast opportunities
SPEAKING on behalf of resident African states’ resident embassies in the Philippines, Ambassador Mohammed Rida El-Fassi of Morocco welcomed the DFA’s renewed focus.
“I won’t say you are behind other countries—you have other priorities, and every [country has] priorities,” El-Fassi remarked. “But we think [you] have to pay more attention to the African continent.”
As the ambassador lauded the DFA’s annual Africa Day celebrations, he said the event has the potential to become a business platform for the country to gather businesses from both the Philippines and African states in the future, then commented that “such initiative is good to bring people together.”
According to him, the African continent can offer “significant opportunities” for the Philippines through its vast natural resources, growing markets and dynamic economies.
The ambassador added that Africa, with a population of more than 1.5 billion, can provide Manila a “strategic avenue for trade and investment” in various sectors, including renewable energy.
“We, the African representatives, remain committed to further strengthening our collaboration with the Philippines,” he affirmed.
“Together with [the DFA] and through the support of our respective capitals, we aim to identify new areas of cooperation in fields of common interests and promote initiatives such as joint business forums, cultural festivals, and educational programs,” the envoy committed. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
THE Federal Republic of Germany is eliminating the appeals process for visa rejections to streamline application workflows across its global missions, including the German Embassy in Manila.
Effective July 1, 2025, the Federal Foreign Office will abolish the “remonstration procedure,” which previously allowed visa applicants to file an appeal within one month of a rejection.
Japan’s
AMBASSADOR Endo Kazuya of Japan and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. recently inaugurated the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center in Misamis Oriental.
The center was built courtesy of a Japanese grant aid under the Project for Improving Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS) for Cagayan de Oro River Basin. Implemented by PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the project enhances disaster preparedness with X-band radars, rainfall-gauging stations and an upgraded telecommunication network.
The upgraded FFWS is expected to significantly improve the accuracy of weather information and flood bulletins issued to communities in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
According to its embassy, Japan remains the Philippines’ top donor of overseas development assistance (ODA), supporting key sectors such as infrastructure, disaster risk reduction and environmental protection. The country has also played a consistent role in the Mindanao peace process through ODA initiatives focused on socioeconomic growth.
Japan has also steadily supported the Mindanao peace process through various ODA initiatives that aim to boost the region’s socioeconomic development. The project is also a testament to the enduring and strategic tie-up with the Philippines, aimed at creating long-term solutions for the country’s most pressing concerns.
Envoy’s remarks BELOW are excerpts from the ambassador’s remarks at the event:
According to the embassy, this appeal process was optional and not legally required. Its suspension in other countries has freed up staffing and reduced wait times for new applications.
“As a result, more national and Schengen visa applications have been processed, and waiting time reduced compared to the same period last year,” the embassy stated. “The changes benefit all applicants.”
Applicants who are denied visas may still appeal through the Berlin Administrative Court (Verwaltungs-
gericht Berlin), though the process requires fluency in German and entails court fees. Alternatively, they may submit a new visa application after rejection.
The embassy processes visa applications for residents of the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Guam, Wake Island and the Mariana Islands.
There are around 35,000 Filipinos in Germany, many of whom are scholars, trainees or nurses.
Since January 1, German visa applications for skilled workers, stu-
dents, apprentices and family reunification have been available via the Consular Services Portal, offering a step-by-step interface to help prevent incomplete submissions. Applicants for Schengen visas, river-cruise crew and health-care workers may apply through VFS Global, with centers in Makati and Cebu. For fast-track visa types, applications must be filed directly at the German Embassy in Manila. The embassy reminds all applicants to submit complete documentation to avoid delays.
On behalf of the Japanese government, I…congratulate the people of Cagayan de Oro on the successful completion of [this project. This milestone greatly benefits many] low-lying communities along one of the major river basins in the Philippines, as they now have access to more timely, accurate and reliable floodwarning information.
The introduction of state-of-the-art technology, including additional X-band radars, rainfall gauging stations and an upgraded telecommunication network, will further strengthen disaster-preparedness efforts. More importantly, it will boost preventive measures that not only protect lives, but also safeguard the livelihoods of the people of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental.
The government of Japan applauds the Philippine government’s continuous and unwavering commitment in enhancing the country’s disaster mitigation capacity. This initiative is crucial in ensuring the well-being of communities,
especially as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to pose challenges to national socioeconomic development. By focusing on disaster-risk reduction, the Philippines is laying the groundwork for a safer, more resilient future for its citizens.
I would also like to extend our gratitude to all the government agencies, local authorities and dedicated individuals whose tireless work ensured this project’s timely completion. Your hard work has made this achievement possible and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Disaster-risk reduction remains a key area of cooperation between our countries. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned [that “we want to make Japan the world’s leading country in disaster prevention, as it spreads] disasterprevention awareness and technology throughout the world.” I hope this initiative will raise public awareness and encourage further investment in disaster mitigation in the Philippines.
Cherry blossoms are now in full bloom in various parts of Japan. The Philippine-Japan friendship and cooperation are also in full bloom, [often called the Golden Age.] But there is a critical difference: While the full bloom period of cherry blossom is quite short, and beautiful cherry flowers do fall in several weeks, our friendship and cooperation lasts for long. They will never fall.
A s we approach the 70th anniversary of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations next year, I am confident this milestone will further strengthen the bond between our nations. Our shared commitment to building a sustainable, disaster-resilient future will continue to guide our partnership in the years to come. Once again, congratulations on the successful completion of this vital project. Maraming salamat po, at mabu-
AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo (third from left) and Secretary Renato Solidum (third from right) lead the unveiling of the center’s marker.
SECRETARY Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) and Sweden’s Minister for Defense Dr. Pål Jonson DND LT. Col. Anders Nikanorsson
Pangasinan small businesses make it big at this year's IFEX
Eleven Pangasinan Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) took center stage at the country’s biggest food trade show, International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2025, to showcase their home-grown products and attract potential partners for global export.
The event, which happened on May 22 to 24, 2025 at the World Trade Center, was strategically designed to connect key stakeholders in the food, beverage, and ingredients sector, including manufacturers, suppliers, and support organizations.
Department of Trade and Industry 1 (Ilocos Region) Assistant Director Natalia Dalaten revealed that the successful inception of Pangasinan in the IFEX last year allowed the province to export its signature product bangus to international countries like Dubai and Japan.
“As a result, Pangasinan and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have once again supported our MSMEs in order to keep helping them penetrate the export market,” said Dalaten.
Started in 2023, the project began when Pangasinan’s Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (PEDIPO) partnered with Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, founding president of Project Abound and mother of the governor, saw some of Pangasinan’s exportquality locally manufactured products join the FAME Trade Exhibition. Consequently, the provincial board then crafted two ordinances: the establishment of a MSME Trade, Investment, and Exposition Center in Pangasinan and the institutionalized participation of local MSMEs in the Manila Fame, the IFEX activities, and other similar trade expositions.
Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III attended the food exhibition and extended his support by reminding the MSMEs to see the potential of their products, especially the
province’s renowned 3Bs: Bangus, Bagoong, and Bucayo.
“First of all, we have to instill in their minds that they should not only aspire to reach the local market but instead, target the bigger market which is globally,” Guico mentioned.
“The province of Pangasinan provided support to our MSMEs by, first, funding their participation in this international exhibit,” he continued. “We also provide training and resource speakers depending on the products and expertise needed.”
For this year’s IFEX, the Pangasinan exhibitors present at the expo were Hou Yang Food Corp (bangus and chicken karaage); Elisha Bay Dagupan Bangus and Seafoods (processed bangus); Mama Cili Enterprises (bottled processed bangus), Dimalupig and Gabriele Good Products Trading (sugarcane vinegar); Bernal Bagoong (bagoong products); Abundance Agri Tourism and Training Center, Inc. (organic agriculture products); Bantog Samahang Nayon MPC (daily products); and Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corp. (ready
to eat complimentary and fortified foods).
Meanwhile, Rotico Food Products (Roman peanut brittle); Eldica Seafood Processing (processed bangus); and Anjo Farms Inc. (processed bangus) were the three newly added local brands in the exhibit of Pangasinan MSMEs.
With Pangasinan’s participation in IFEX and gradual penetration in the global market backed by the Provincial Government and the DTI’s commitment to sustained funding, Guico pledged to champion these homegrown brands in future international exhibitions and further encourage other local emerging MSMEs to join these valuable causes.
As Pangasinan slowly penetrated the global market by participating in the IFEX, Guico on behalf of the Provincial Government and together with DTI, promised to continuously fund the MSME’s participation on international exhibitions like this and will further champion their homegrown brands by encouraging them to participate on events like this.
Plaza and Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria offer the ideal destination this June. (Terms and conditions apply.)
For reservations and inquiries:
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June 12, 2025. The event will feature fun run and different sports activities. The highlight of the event will be the grand lunch buffet, recognition of
past presidents, founders, and members for 50 years, and the car raffle draw with a live performance from Noel Cabangon. We invite everyone to join
Mindanao Automotive Market to Benefit from High-Quality Bosch Batteries with 3 Distributors
OSCH solidified a strategic partnership with three distributors – Global Synergy Trade and Distribution, HE & Sons Corporation, and Philippine Reachwell
Distribution Corporation – to enhance the availability of its high-quality automotive, motorcycle, and commercial vehicle batteries in the region.
These distributors, recognized as battery specialists, bring expert knowledge in battery handling, storage, maintenance, and sales. They have also received specialized product and technical training to ensure that Bosch products are delivered with the highest standards of quality and service.
The official partnership signing was attended by key representatives from Bosch, including Grace Mok, Bosch Battery Powerhouse Head (ASEAN), Yudj Astani, Bosch Battery Technical Trainer (ASEAN), and Abraham Jabola, Bosch Battery Product Manager (PH).
“This milestone strengthens our presence in Mindanao. We’re making sure more drivers have access to Bosch battery tech—through trained, trusted local partners,” said Paulo Duarte, Managing Director of Bosch Philippines.
“That’s the kind of commitment that comes with over 100 years of battery leadership,” he added.
With over 100 years of innovation and excellence in battery manufacturing, Bosch has consistently led the way in developing cutting-edge battery technologies for the automotive industry worldwide. Known for their durability, high cranking power, and long lifespan, Bosch batteries are engineered to ensure reliable engine starts in
and
“This is only the beginning of expanding the Battery Specialists Program across the Philippines. In
Pangasinan booth at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2025.
BANG-FOR-YOUR-BUCK DEALS AND FREEBIES AT BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE
AS the new school year approaches, parents across the Philippines are doing their budgets and gearing up for the annual back-to-school shopping marathon. Between finding the prescribed uniforms, picking out quality school supplies, and ensuring kids have everything they need for the school year ahead, it can get overwhelming.
This year, Robinsons Department Store (RDS) is making it easier for parents and kids to check everything off their back-to-school lists without breaking the bank with its Back to School Sale ongoing until July 15, 2025. From crisp new uniforms and comfortable school shoes to colorful notebooks, stylish bags and sturdy backpacks, and skincare products to protect them from the sun’s UV rays, busy families can accomplish their entire shopping lists in a single trip—and save money too.
Robinsons Department Store is offering up to 50 percent savings on select items across all branches nationwide. What’s more, from June 12 to 15 and 27 to 30, RDS is offering exclusive Payday Deals. The Shop Now, Pay Later promo is giving away P300 gift certificates from 12 pm to 2 pm, and P200 gift certificates for the rest of the day for a minimum of P5,000 single receipt purchase. You may also get an additional P200 GC when you shop using your Go Rewards card.
The store’s bank partners are also offering families extra reasons to shop now and to spread their payments. BPI is giving away P500 gift certificates for a P6,000 minimum single-receipt purchase on a straight charge, and P13,000 single-receipt purchase on installment. RCBC is giving P400 cashback on a minimum single-receipt of P3,000 on a straight charge and P10,000 on installment. Security Bank is giving away P1,500 e-gift certificates on a minimum singlereceipt purchase of P5,000 and P10,000 on installment.
Morever, RDS understands how hectic back-to-school season can be for families, which is why they’ve curated a complete selection that covers every grade level and every budget, making it simple for parents to find quality items that kids will actually use and love.
The curated back-to-school selection includes trusted brands parents love alongside affordable options that don’t sacrifice durability. School uniforms from Guitar and Grizzly feature comfortable fabrics that hold up to daily wear and frequent washing, while the shoe selection from brands like Gibi and Rusty Lopez prioritizes both style and support for growing feet. The school supplies section stocks everything from basic pencils and notebooks to specialized items.
Backpacks and lunch boxes come in designs that appeal to different age groups, from fun cartoon characters for younger students to stylish bags for high school and university students. The variety ensures everyone can find items that reflect their personality.
More information can be found at Robinsons Department Store’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.
Parentlife
Let’s raise stronger, more active kids
AS mothers, we want our children to grow up healthy, confident, and equipped to chase after their dreams. But today, a worrying truth shadows their potential: 8 out of 10 Filipino children aren’t getting enough physical activity, according to the latest DOST-FNRI survey, putting them at risk not just today but for their future health and well-being.
Dr. Imelda AngelesAgdeppa, retired Scientist IV and former DOST-FNRI director, warned: “Lack of physical activity can hinder kids’ muscle and bone development, weaken joint stability, and raise the risk of long-term health issues...[perhps] preventing them from fully seizing life’s opportunities.”
She added that nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D are essential in supporting active bodies.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that physical activity in children improves bone health, muscle development, motor skills and even mental function, while inactivity risks obesity and poor fitness . Philippine adolescents aged 10 to 17 fare even worse, with 84.6 percent not meeting recommended exercise levels . Why don’t our children move as much? Several factors contribute to this. Urban play spaces are disappearing. Screen time has surged, and school physical education has taken a back seat . The result? Sedentary lifestyles starting early, making movement
feel unfamiliar and difficult.
Research has shown that children who stay inactive have weaker bones—up to 10 percent lower bone density—and are more prone to fractures in adulthood. What’s more, without weight-bearing exercise, bones may miss their ‘window’ for building maximum mass, increasing risks of osteoporosis later in life.
Cheez Whiz is known to many of us as a tasty snack, but now it is also stepping up as a champion of kid activity and health. Their Strong Kid Camp on May 31 and June 1 at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park featured Ninja Monkeys obstacle courses designed by athlete Kaizen Dela Serna.
Nearly 300 children tackled the ZWall, Monkey Bars, Balance Beam and more, all while learning how nutrition fuels play and strength. Kaizen emphasized, “When I do more and push through challenges, I build strength and mindset.... I want today’s kids to experience that same resilience.”
Food + Movement = Stronger Families. This event made clear a powerful truth: active play must go handinhand with proper nutrition.
Building muscles, nurturing bone density, and improving coordination requires healthy food—like calcium- and vitamin-rich choices—for energy and growth. Cheez Whiz, fortified with calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A and D, offers a convenient way to support active kids, especially after school or preplay.
Below are some of the things parents can do today to promote a more active lifestyle to their kids and at home:
1. Set a daily activity goal: Even 60 minutes of movement boosts bone health, fitness, and wellbeing. This can be split into different parts of the day. An after-dinner walk is also good for digestion and a nice time for a chat on how your children’s day went and share our day, as well.
2. Make activity fun: Try obstacle courses, hopscotch, dance-offs, or family nature walks. You
Is your teen sleep-deprived? These expert bedtime tips could help
By Jocelyn Gecker The Associated Press
NAVIGATING bedtime with a teenager is, in many homes, a nightly battle with a constant refrain: Get off your phone! Go to bed! Research shows that today’s teenagers are more sleep-deprived than ever before. Adolescents need between eight and 10 hours of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But nearly 80 percent of American teenagers aren’t getting that, and experts say it’s affecting important areas like mental health and school attendance.
Bedtime routines aren’t just for toddlers. Teenagers need them too, says Denise Pope, an expert on child development and a senior lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education.
Experts in adolescent sleep say a few small changes to how parents and teens approach sleep can make a dramatic difference.
TRY A TECH-FREE BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR TEENS
THE first step to setting up a better bedtime routine is dealing with technology.
n Separate children from their devices at night. Phones, tablets, streaming services and video games aren’t the only things keeping kids up at night, but experts agree they are a major factor in delaying sleep.
“Get the temptation out of the bedroom,” Pope says. If the phone is within arm’s reach, it’s hard to ignore when notifications buzz. Many teens say they fall asleep while scrolling, or reach for their phone if
they have trouble sleeping, and end up scrolling for hours.
n Be prepared for excuses. “My phone is my alarm clock” is something a lot of parents hear. The solution: Buy an alarm clock.
n Put screens away an hour before bedtime. Exposure to light prevents the release of melatonin, the hormone released by the brain that makes us feel drowsy. Then, replace screens with a new wind-down routine.
n Try to get to bed around the same time each night and start winding down at least 30 minutes before. During that time, silence notifications, take a warm shower, read a book. To get an idea of what your teen’s bedtime should be, try an online “bedtime calculator,” such as the one from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
n Avoid caffeine and energy drinks in the afternoon and evening.
n The best sleep environment is a cool, dark, quiet room. In noisy households, earplugs and a sleep mask can help. If a bedroom is too warm, it can affect getting to sleep and staying asleep, says adolescent sleep expert Kyla Wahlstrom.
KNOW THE SIGNS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION IN TEENS
SOME of the telltale evidence of sleep deprivation: being irritable, grumpy, short-tempered, emotionally fragile, unmotivated, impulsive and more likely to see the world and oneself through a negative lens.
A sleep-deprived teen also may fall asleep during
the daytime, in the car or in class. “We often blame adolescents for being lazy or unruly or having bad behavior, much of which could be attributed to the fact that they are chronically sleep-deprived,” says Wendy Troxel, a clinical psychologist who has conducted numerous studies on adolescent sleep.
How do you tell the difference between a sleepy teen and a cranky-but-well-rested one?
n One key sign is what sleep expert Joanna FongIsariyawongse calls “zombie mornings.”
“If your teen hits snooze five times, takes forever to get out of bed, asks you for a big cup of coffee first thing in the morning, most likely they are running on empty,” says Fong-Isariyawongse, a neurologist at the University of Pittsburgh.
n Extreme mood swings are another sign. Sleep is critical for emotional processing, which is why sleepdeprived teens are more likely to be irritable, anxious or depressed.
n A sleep-deprived teen may fall behind in school, because sleep is essential for learning and memory consolidation.
n Teens who sleep less are more likely to make bad choices when it comes to drug or alcohol use, drowsy or reckless driving, and risky sexual behavior.
n Does your teen sleep until lunchtime on weekends? “Most likely they are not getting enough sleep during the week,” says Fong-Isariyawongse. It’s fine to sleep in a bit, but try to limit it to a couple hours. Otherwise, it throws off the body clock and makes it harder to wake up when the new school week begins.
can also do a dance-off by finding free online dance videos for your child and your favorite song, where the whole family can follow.
3. Limit screen time: Replace idle hours with active ones—play with a ball, skip, or chase bubbles. Scheduling different sports activity each day for leisure has always kept my children off screen time. Later on, they developed a liking to one or two sports and decided they wanted to put in more time them.
4. Promote nutrient-rich meals: Include dairy, lean protein, fruits and vegetables to build strong bones and muscles.
5. Be their role model: Let your kids see you moving, whether it’s doing yoga, working in the garden, or playing catch. My husband is a great example for this. He runs, bikes and swims alternately each day. My son alternates between basketball, fencing and sometimes volleyball.
Raising active kids is not a one-time event—it’s a loving commitment.
As mothers, we have the power to shape how our children view their bodies, their health, and their future. Giving them daily movement and nutritious food shows them that their strength is worth caring for.
Cheez Whiz’s Strong Kid Camp reminds us that with playful encouragement and proper fuel, our children can build confidence, resilience and vitality. They can grow into adults who seize opportunities with strong minds and bodies—and make good choices in school, out-of-school activities and eventually in the longer term in life.
Let’s stand up, stretch, run, and live the lesson with them. Let’s guide our children from being couch potatoes into confident kids who are strong, active and full of joy.
For tips and updates on physical activity and nutrition, follow CheezWhizPH on Facebook. Because healthy kids don’t just happen, we have to plan, lead and provide active play activities so moving becomes a lifelong habit. n
WHY SHOULD TEENAGERS CARE?
SHOW THEM THE SCIENCE
EXPLAIN to your teens why sleep matters, and that it’s not just nagging parents who say so. The data on mental health and sleep is vast.
n Many studies show that depression, anxiety and the risk of suicidal thinking go up as sleep goes down.
n Beyond mood, sleep deprivation affects physical and athletic ability. That’s why several NFL and NBA teams have hired sleep coaches. Teens who are sleepdeprived sustain more physical injuries, because they take more risks, their judgment is impaired, and reflexes and reaction times are not as fast. Teens who get more sleep perform better in sports, and when they do get injuries, they have a quicker recovery time.
n More teenage car accidents come from drowsy driving than driving under the influence of alcohol, studies show. Teens who say they get less than eight hours of sleep a night are more likely to text while driving, not wear a seat belt, drink and drive — or get in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
As any parent knows, telling their teenager to go to sleep does not always work. You need to get their buy-in.
“Kids need to be educated about sleep, and their brain health and emotional health, and how it all ties together,” says Wahlstrom.
“Tell your kids, ‘You’ll do better in school, better in sports, you’ll look better after a good night’s sleep.’ Because until they want to help themselves, they won’t do it.”
PHOTOS from the Cheez Whiz’ Strong Kid Camp on May 31 to June 1 at Bridgetown Obstacle Park.
Rising stars dazzle for Alas Pilipinas Sports
By Aldrin Quinto
ALAS PILIPINAS is providing bite-sized samples of what’s cooking ahead of the FIBA Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025 and the young guns were first on the menu.
W hile it was expected that more experienced players would man the front—veteran internationalist Marck Espejo got huge cheers in his short appearances on court—it was Louie Ramirez who was thrust into the limelight in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals.
He did not disappoint.
T he National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Most Valuable Player showed the way in the Philippine national team’s opener, the hosts scoring a well-deserved four-set victory over Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi.
“It was a huge thing for me, especially since Kuya Marck is here. I didn’t expect to be called to start. I was never in the starting lineup until practice before this match,” Ramirez said.
The 25-year-old Ramirez, out of the University of Perpetual Help, scored 25 in Alas Pilipinas’ 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22 victory over the Indonesia ProLiga champions on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fans also erupted as University Athletic Association of the Philippines MVP Kennedy Batas came up with some fine plays in his international debut in the four-team test event for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
Fin ally fielded when Alas Pilipinas was looking to close out the Indonesian champions in the fourth set, the 24-year-old didn’t shy away from the spotlight and provided crucial points—two attacks and a kill block.
“It was a proud moment for me,” the Ateneo Blue Eagles star said. “To be given the opportunity to help in crucial moments, I’m very thankful.”
R amirez noted that aside from improving their skills, the training with the best volleyball players and
World Cup ’26: Several stones still unturned
NEW YORK—A year from the largest World Cup ever, there has been no announcement on general ticket sales, prices for most seats, location of a draw or security arrangements as FIFA has mostly avoided disclosing details of an event set for 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
There is uncertainty about whether fans from some nations will be welcome—11 of the venues are located in the US, where all matches will be played from the quarterfinals on. Security is a concern, too. At the last major soccer tournament in the US, the 2024 Copa America final at Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after spectators breached security gates. “That was certainly a reminder and a wake-up call if anybody needed it that those types of things are going to be used in terms of the ultimate assessment of whether this World Cup is successful,” said former US defender Alexi Lalas, now Fox’s lead soccer analyst.
coaches in the Philippines has helped boost his mental fortitude.
Matches against the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of the Korean Volleyball Federation and the Thailand national squad also put the spotlight on the Philippine team’s preparedness for the World Championships set to unfold in less than a hundred days.
“I t’s great that we were able to show what we’ve got. The skills, the mental toughness, we’ve been working hard to improve and it feels good to get a big win like this,” Ramirez said.
Fil- Am spiker Steven Rotter is also expected to be among the most consistent performers for Alas Pilipinas after a stellar opener as well as Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales.
A las Pilipinas is also showing vast improvement in the middle, with Peng Taguibolos teaming with Kim Malabunga.
The Philippine squad also features a new face in Fil-American outside hitter Jackson Reed from NCAA Division 1 University of Southern California.
Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni, 71, meanwhile, tempered expectations as Alas Pilipinas continues to train for the big show.
“For us, these matches show what we have to improve,” the Italian coach said.
“I t doesn’t really matter if you win or lose these matches. Because for us, it’s important to understand what we have to practice more. But of course we are happy to win.”
By Josef Ramos
NONITO “THE FILIPINO FLASH” DONAIRE JR. expressed readiness for his fight against Chile’s Andres Campos for the vacant World Boxing Association bantamweight interim title—a 12-round bout—at the Casino Buenos Aires in Argentina.
“I’m
I will just throw and
Home court edge for Haliburton, Pacers over Thunder in Game 3
NDIANAPOLIS—The Oklahoma City Thunder showed their bounceback capability in Game 2. The Indiana Pacers know they better do the same in Game 3. The National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals resume Wednesday night with the series tied at a game apiece, the matchup shifting to Indianapolis for Game 3 and what will be the first finals game in that city in 25 years. And the Pacers know it’s on them to respond after Game 2 wasn’t much of a contest.
Tyrese Haliburton said. “As NBA players, just as basketball players in general, it’s easy to make a mistake and dwell on it, give up a bucket or whatever. I feel like we do a great job of getting to the next play.”
W hen the finals are tied 1-1, the Game 3 winner eventually wins the title 80.5 percent of the time. It’s a big, big game and everybody knows the stakes.
It’s obviously possible: The Pacers haven’t lost back-to-back games in three months, going 9-0 after losses in that span. This would be a good time for them to extend that run.
“Biggest game of the year,” Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said.
US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on citizens from 12 nations exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. Vice President JD Vance made what could be interpreted as a warning on May 6. Of course everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event. I know we’ll have visitors probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,” he said. “But when the time is up they’ll have to go home. Otherwise they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem,” he added, speaking alongside Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The 1994 World Cup sparked the launch of Major League Soccer with 10 teams in 1996, and $50 million in World Cup profits seeded the US Soccer Foundation, tasked with developing the sport’s growth. MLS now has 30 teams, plays in 22 soccer specific stadiums and has club academies to grow the sport and improve talent.
Next year’s tournament will include 104 games, up from 64 from 1998 through 2022, and the 11 US stadiums are all NFL homes with lucrative luxury suites and club seating. It also will be the first World Cup run by FIFA without a local organizing committee. AP
That’s technically accurate when said before any finals game, but it does ring especially true in this case. Indiana did what it had to do in Oklahoma City; it got a win and stole home-court advantage. Win three games at home over the next week or so, and the Pacers will be NBA champions. Lose any game at home, and the Thunder get the edge right back.
But the Pacers have shown a penchant for resiliency. It’s much like how Oklahoma City is 17-2 after losses this season (or 18-2, if counting the NBA Cup final); the latest bounce-back effort for the Thunder came in Game 2 after Indiana won Game 1 of the finals.
“I think that we try not to dwell on things,” Pacers guard
“I think we just have to keep finding ways to get better as a group,” Thunder guard and NBA MVP Shai GilgeousAlexander said. “If we continue to do that, we’ll be just fine. If we’ve struggled in an area, that’s an area we can get better at. We have to attack that opportunity. I think Game 3 is a perfect example of that.”
Haliburton was limping after Game 2 and acknowledged there’s an issue with his lower leg. He didn’t offer much in the way of details, and it doesn’t matter. He’s playing.
“He practiced. He went through everything,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “I know he has some discomfort. He feels it. But each day it’s getting better. I don’t think you’re going to hear him making a big deal out of it. This is the time of year where it just doesn’t get any better than this.”
The Thunder have a big home-court edge thanks to their crowd at Paycom Center. The Pacers are hoping for just as much energy—if not more—from their crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Games 3 and 4. AP
TEverything set for Subic Ironkids
HE next generation of Filipino triathletes is all set to showcase their skills in the RLC Residences
Ironkids set this Saturday in Subic Bay with more than 150 youngsters gearing up for one of the most anticipated youth endurance events in the country. The boys’ 13-15 division is heating up with contenders Bren Tongco, Kristoffe Nadonga, Nico Cabrera, Juan Rafael Jimenez, Jairus Mejia, Joash Lee Dait, Ralf Prima and Franklin Billedo. They’ll be joined by strong challengers Nathaniel Ablin, Eziequel Estedola,
Matt Morales, Iñigo Souza, Joaquin Villaflor, Jose Roque Saludes and Robin Ortega in the 250-meter swim, 6-km bike and 2-km run race.
In the girls’ premier category, the competition will be equally intense among Dominique Aragones, Margaret Bobier, Danielle Ramos, Kaia Gica, Alaina Bouffaut, Isabela Reyes and Japanese standout Yuka Nakamura.
“Ironkids goes beyond competition,” said Princess Galura, president and general manager of organizing body Sunrise Events Inc.
“It’s about giving these kids exposure, building character and nurturing the future stars of Philippine triathlon.”
The event is backed by RLC Residences, the residential division of Robinsons Land Corp. RLC, for Raising Little Champions, is committed to promoting youth development, wellness and family bonding through sports.
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but Donaire remains in good condition because of his discipline, diet and proper workout. Donaire will be joined by wife Rachel, former MMA fighter Anthony Njokuani, conditioning coach James Michael Bazzel and trainer Cameron Fort in Buenos Aires. Campos (17-2-1 record with six knockouts) has been campaigning in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions and is now bringing his act to the bantamweight ranks. He fought British fighter Sunny Edwards two years ago but lost via unanimous decision in an International Boxing Federation flyweight title fight at the Wembley Arena in London.
ANGELI QUIÑONES and Fatima Dumlao brace for a fierce showdown as the spotlight shifts to the girls’ division in the Fortheo National Junior Tennis Championships that get under way at the Jethro Sports Center Thursday in Valenzuela City. Q uiñones and Dumlao are favored in the 18-and-under division of the tournament powered by Tier One Architects, but looking for upsets are Jeanne Rusco, Viktoria Baniaol, Melatiah Pascua, May Bautista, Jana Bermejo and Jade Macayan. The Group 2 event, supported by Casandra Resort, Darlings Fine Jewelry, LF Gadgets and Scrambowl, features 32-player draws across four other age divisions—16-, 14- and 12-and-under divisions, along with the 10-and-under unisex group—highlighting the strong turnout of young talent from Valenzuela and neighboring towns and cities. The tournament, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association, is part of the country’s longest-running grassroots tennis talent search, spearheaded by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro with support from Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports. All eyes will also be on Olongapo’s Ayl Gonzaga, who is aiming for a rare double victory in the 14- and 16-and-under divisions, but she faces stiff competition from a deep field that includes Shaner Gabaldon, Isabel Ataiza, Isabel Calingasan, Carolina Fandino, Natasha Gabriel, Brianna Gestuvo and Amara Paulino in the 14-and-under bracket. Gabaldon, Ataiza and Gabriel are also entered in the 16-and-under division alongside Baniaol, Dumlao,
TYRESE HALIBURTON: I feel like we do a great job of getting to the next play. AP
THE Alas Pilipinas men’s squad gears up for the gargantuan task in September—the world championship. NONIE REYES
ALYSSA SOLOMON is back to her spiking ways in Vietnam. AVC PHOTO
