THEDepartment of Finance (DOF) is pushing for the immediate passage of a proposed measure that will impose a domestic top-up tax on multinational corporations in its bid to align the Philippines with the global minimum tax regime and safeguard its taxing rights.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
AT least 35,000 Filipinos could be pushed into poverty as tensions in the Middle East continue, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In a new policy brief, the UNDP estimated that an initial conflictrelated shock could push around 35,221 Filipinos below the international poverty threshold of $4.20 per person per day, measured in 2021 purchasing power parity (PPP) terms for lower-middle-income countries.
The agency warned that the
number could rise significantly if the conflict drags on and further disrupts global energy markets, trade flows, and remittance channels.
The estimate would raise the number of Filipinos living below the international poverty line to about 20.15 million from 20.11 million, nudging the poverty rate to 17 percent from 16.9 percent.
“The most exposed groups are informal workers, public-transport drivers, smallholder farmers, remittance-dependent households, women in low-paid service and care work, and young people entering a softening labor mar-
ket,” it said. According to the UNDP, the economic impact of the geopolitical tensions would be largely regressive, with low-income households bearing the brunt of higher fuel and food prices.
The report noted that many vulnerable families remain only slightly above the poverty threshold, making them susceptible to falling back into poverty even from moderate increases in living costs.
The concern extends beyond income losses. The UNDP said the Middle East conflict could set back the Philippines’s human develop -
ment progress by the equivalent of 0.01 to 0.05 years, warning that persistent inflation and slower growth could undermine gains in income, health, and education.
“If relief is delayed or poorly targeted, coping responses such as reduced meals, forgone health care and interrupted schooling can convert the crisis into lasting human development losses in capabilities,” it said.
The impact is also expected to vary across regions. The UNDP identified the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Bicol, MIMAROPA,
TBy Bless Ogerio @blessogerio
HE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) is pressing for the immediate rollout of new reinforcing steel standards, warning that older grades still allowed in construction may not withstand disasters.
According to the umbrella organization of the local iron and steel industry, the updated standard marks a significant shift from previous regulations because it removes steel grades that do not meet seismic performance requirements but remain widely used in construction projects across the country.
“Non-seismic grades are the wrong material for a building in
Following the recent collapse of a building under construction in Pampanga and the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao, PISI called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to mandate the full nationwide implementation of Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49:2026.
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
AS aftershocks of the magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake near Maasim, Sarangani province continue to rock Northern Mindanao, search, rescue, and retrieval operations in the rubble of collapsed buildings continue.
A group of miners on Thursday joined responders from uniformed services, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and local
government units (LGUs).
At least 31 people remain missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which also reported the casualties at 47 dead and 688 injured.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said aftershocks continue to occur on Thursday, the fourth day since the June 8 earthquake struck Southern Mindanao, the strongest since the 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami that killed around 5,000 to 8,000 people.
As of 4 p.m., Phivolcs’ monitor-
ing stations in General Santos City and Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, recorded 3,182 aftershocks. Of these, 841 were plotted, and 61 were felt. Aftershocks are expected to continue in the next two weeks, but the frequency will be less and the intensity weaker by the day, Phivolcs said.
Because of the aftershocks, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked local government units (LGUs) in affected areas to conduct safety checks of buildings and houses within their respective jurisdiction.
The DILG said residents in dam-
aged houses that are already compromised and may collapse should be evacuated for safety measures.
“Following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off southern Mindanao, the DENR is helping facilitate search and rescue operations, the delivery of potable water, medical evacuation, and the transport of relief goods and emergency personnel to Glan, Sarangani, under the coordination of the Office of Civil Defense,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. The DENR is also collaborating
the Visayas, and parts of Mindanao as among the areas most exposed to the shock, citing weaker development indicators and more limited fiscal capacity to respond to economic disruptions.
Given these risks, the agency said the crisis highlights the need to shift from reactive responses toward building long-term resilience, with interventions targeted at the most vulnerable sectors rather than broad and fiscally costly subsidies.
“The guiding principles of the response should therefore be to build resilience, to protect the most vulnerable, and to use and strengthen existing systems rather over new designs,” it added.
To mitigate the potential impact of a prolonged conflict, the UNDP urged policymakers to safeguard fuel and food price stability while protecting the purchasing power of vulnerable households.
It also called for stronger energy security through diversified fuel sources, adequate buffer stocks, and accelerated investments in renewable energy to reduce the country’s exposure to future external shocks.
The agency further recommended expanding targeted social assistance, particularly in high-risk regions, while supporting farmers, small businesses, and overseas Filipino workers that could be affected by the economic fallout.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
WITH only eight infrastruc-
ture flagship projects (IFPs) completed nearly four years into the Marcos administration, the government is pinning its hopes on a larger pipeline of projects scheduled for delivery before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leaves office in 2028.
In an exclusive interview with the BusinessMirror, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno said the administration is targeting the completion of 26 additional IFPs worth P427.16 billion by the end of the President’s term.
DepDev data showed that transport and logistics infrastructure accounts for the largest share of projects targeted for completion, with 13 projects in the pipeline.
Capuno said projects under the physical connectivity sector amount to P188.65 billion and include roads, bridges, ports, and other transportrelated facilities designed to improve the movement of goods and people.
Water resource projects comprise the second-largest segment, with five projects worth P58.58 billion focused on water supply, sanitation, flood con-
trol and irrigation. The agriculture sector accounts for three projects valued at P36.08 billion.
“The remaining five projects are in power and energy, health, tourism, housing, and other infrastructure, with a combined cost of P143.85 billion,” Capuno said.
Capuno said DepDev continues to coordinate closely with implementing agencies to monitor project progress and help resolve bottlenecks that could affect delivery timelines.
“For ongoing projects, the usual concerns are right-of-way, procurement, permits, funding releases, utility relocation, and contractor performance,” he said.
For projects that have yet to enter the construction phase—particularly the P7.36-billion New Clark City Capas 4PH Housing Project and the P17-billion Clark International Convention Center, Indoor Sports Arena, and Clark Airport Mall project—Capuno said implementing agencies are focused on completing key preconstruction requirements, including technical studies, detailed engineering designs, regulatory approvals, financing arrangements, and procurement activities.
The government’s infrastructure flagship pipeline currently consists
of 201 projects with a combined indicative cost of P10.28 trillion.
As of the first quarter of 2026, eight infrastructure flagship projects worth a combined P82.24 billion have been reported as physically completed.
Middle East risks
CAPUNO acknowledged that the prolonged conflict in the Middle East could pose risks to the delivery timelines of some infrastructure projects, particularly those that rely heavily on imported materials, fuel, and equipment.
“Fuel prices, shipping disruptions, and supply chain issues can affect infrastructure projects, especially those that rely on imported materials, heavy equipment, and fuel-intensive construction work,” he said.
The DepDev undersecretary said projects under the physical connectivity sector, including roads, bridges, ports and other transport infrastructure, are among those most exposed to potential increases in fuel, freight, and construction material costs.
Large-scale water resource projects, such as flood control, irrigation, and bulk water developments, could also face cost and
scheduling pressures if global supply chains are disrupted.
However, Capuno said DepDev has yet to receive reports from implementing agencies indicating that the Middle East crisis has directly affected project timelines.
Most implementation issues reported so far, he said, remain project-specific, particularly those involving right-ofway acquisition, procurement, permitting, site access, funding releases, and contractor performance.
Should agencies determine that geopolitical developments have materially affected project schedules, they would need to submit supporting documentation, revised timelines, and justifications for review by DepDev. Capuno stressed that any adjustments to project schedules would be evaluated on a caseby-case basis and would require validation from the concerned agency.
“DepDev will continue to monitor whether emerging external risks are affecting the delivery of major infrastructure projects, but adjustments will not be made on a blanket or portfolio-wide basis without agency validation and formal review,” he added.
Last year, the DOF lobbied before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means for a domestic top-up tax on multinational enterprises to collect foregone revenues that will otherwise be collected by other countries.
QDMTT is a domestic tax imposed by a country that ensures large multinational enterprises with revenues of at least €750 million pay at least a 15-percent effective tax rate on profits earned in that country. For example, if a multinational earns profits in the Philippines but pays an effective tax rate of only 10 percent after incentives and deductions, the government could impose a 5 percent top-up tax to bring the total tax paid up to the 15 percent global minimum tax rate under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)/G20 Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) initiative.
Without a QDMTT, that additional tax could instead be collected by another jurisdiction, such as the country where the multinational’s parent company is based, resulting in lost tax revenue for the Philippines.
a seismic zone. The old standard permitted their use. PNS 49:2026 does not,” PISI President Joel Ronquillo said in a statement.
“Every day we delay implementation is another day Filipino lives are at risk from buildings that were built legally but not built to withstand what this country’s geology demands,” he added.
PNS 49:2026 was developed by the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ Technical Committee 11 to align local specifications for reinforcing steel bars with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and internationally recognized seismic design requirements.
According to the institute, one of the key changes under the new standard is the removal of lowyield, non-seismic steel grades from structural applications.
“The Philippines sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the continued permissibility of these grades in structural applications under the old standard has been a long-standing gap in our seismic resilience framework,” it said.
In a letter dated June 8 to Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, the group also called for stricter monitoring and enforcement among manufacturers, distributors, contractors and other industry players to ensure adherence to the revised requirements.
PISI further proposed closer collaboration between the government and the construction sector to facilitate the transition, including information campaigns for builders, engineers, and local governments on the significance of the updated steel grade requirements.
The institute said it has offered technical assistance to support the implementation of the new standard across the construction industry.
palities in 11 provinces have been affected.
with Apex Mining, which will deploy additional Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) personnel in the mining-affected town.
“With limited land access and the Malapatan–Glan Highway expected to be restored in about a week, the immediate deployment of air and sea assets remains critical to sustaining emergency operations in affected communities,” the DENR said.
Personnel, assets deployed
ACCORDING to the NDRRMC, more personnel and assets have been deployed, particularly in General Santos City, Sarangani, and Davao Occidental.
The NDRRMC reported that a total of 3,393 personnel from the uniformed services—Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection were deployed.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said a total of 75,324 families, or 346,449 persons, in 291 barangays across 44 cities and munici-
The NDRRMC said 1,000 shelter-grade tarpaulins are to be distributed to 1,000 beneficiaries in Region 12.
According to the NDRRMC, 3,215 families or 14,594 persons are currently sheltered in various evacuation centers in Regions XI and XII, while 7,279 families or 29,260 persons are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.
Meanwhile, the number of damaged houses now stands at 12,641, of which 2,289 were totally damaged.
Quick assessments in affected areas, meanwhile, revealed that the number of damaged infrastructure is 238.
According to the NDRRMC, 45 road bridges and 8 bridge sections were affected, of which 40 percent are now passable to all vehicles.
Classes remain suspended in 210 cities and municipalities, while work in 113 of these affected areas remains suspended. According to the NDRRMC, more than 26 million worth of assistance was provided to the affected families, while another P6.7 million was provided to LGUs.
The Philippines joined the OECD/ G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), an international collaboration with over 140 member countries and jurisdictions, in 2023, but has not yet enacted a QDMTT law. However, the DOF has drafted a proposed “Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax of 2026” bill, which it hopes to implement by 2027.
Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, the chairperson of the committee, told the BusinessMirror that they will meet with the DOF next week to discuss all the pending tax measures.
As the measure awaits congressional approval, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it has started preparations for the possible implementation of the proposed QDMTT.
The BIR said Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza met with the DOF QDMTT team and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, who presented the key features and framework of the draft bill.
“As global tax rules evolve, we have to make sure that income earned in the Philippines remains taxable in the Philippines,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza was quoted in a statement as saying. At this point, Mendoza said the BIR is focusing on building institutional capacity, including training personnel, developing new tax forms and compliance systems, and establishing organizational structures needed to administer the proposed regime.
According to Finance Assistant Secretary Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion, the proposed measure responds to requests from multinational corporations operating in the Philippines. Asuncion said many companies reportedly prefer to comply with global minimum tax rules in the Philippines, rather than deal with foreign tax authorities and unfamiliar regulations overseas.
“The primary considerations are simplifying domestic compliance and ensuring that implementation is strictly in accordance with the international standards,” Asuncion said. Mendoza said the BIR remains committed to working closely with the DOF in preparing for the proposed QDMTT regime to ensure that the country’s taxing rights are protected amid ongoing developments in international taxation.
According to the DOF, there are over 1,100 multinational enterprises operating in the Philippines, with about 531 falling within the global minimum tax scope.
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House prosecution panel on Thursday unveiled a powerhouse lineup of private lawyers who will serve as prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, boosting the team that will present the case before the Senate.
Leading the prosecution, the chairman of the House Justice committee, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, said the lawyers volunteered to serve on a pro bono basis and will help in preparing witnesses, evidence, pleadings, and overall trial strategy.
“Today is a very important day for the country because finally, we will be introducing the first batch of the private prosecutors who will be assisting the House prosecu -
Marcos, Steinmeier to meet on defense cooperation, trade
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. is scheduled to hold a bilat -
eral meeting with German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss defense cooperation, trade and investment, renewable energy and other key areas of mutual interest.
In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that Steinmer will embark on a state visit in the Philippines on June 15 to 17.
Marcos will welcome Steinmeier at Malacañan Palace in Manila during his state visit.
“President Marcos and Steinmeier are expected to discuss issues of mutual interest, including defense, peacebuilding, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, climate change, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchanges,” the PCO said.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments, including the Philippines’ ongoing Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Steinmeier’s visit marks a key moment in the over seven decades of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Germany.
The last visit by a German head of state to the Philippines was in 1963, when German president Heinrich Lübke and his wife visited the country.
In March 2024, Marcos traveled to Berlin for a working visit,
tors. By first batch, it means that there will be subsequent batches,” Luistro said in a press conference.
The initial group comes from three prominent law firms – Pecabar Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, and Saligal Law –bringing with them extensive experience in high-profile litigation, criminal prosecution, corporate disputes, arbitration, and complex commercial cases.
Pecabar is the law firm founded
by the late Juan Ponce Enrile and the late Rene Cayetano, the former Senate president’s father is one of the original partners in that firm.
Among those joining the team are Pecabar managing partner Marforth T. Fua, a former assistant presidential legal counsel; veteran litigator Lorna Kapunan of Kapunan and Castillo; and Amando Virgil Ligutan of Saligal Law, who teaches at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Also joining the prosecution effort are Pecabar partners Erwin Matib and Justine Anne Lamarca and senior associate James Bryan Ibrahim; Kapunan and Castillo senior partner Sonya Margarita Benemerito Castillo, junior partner Deanne Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, co-managing partner Bettina Zamora, and lawyer Lino Chris Kapunan.
The lawyers collectively bring decades of experience in criminal litigation, anti-graft cases, whitecollar crime, commercial disputes, labor law, family law, environmental law, arbitration, taxation and
corporate practice.
House prosecutor and Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno of Akbayan said the inclusion of private prosecutors follows tradition in major impeachment proceedings, recalling his own experience as a volunteer prosecutor in the trial of former President Joseph Estrada.
Diokno said the assistance of private lawyers would be invaluable as the prosecution prepares to present documentary evidence and witnesses before the Senate.
“The work of a prosecutor is not easy. There’s a lot to prepare – from witnesses to evidence and exhibits, and ensuring everything is admitted by the court,” Diokno said.
“It’s not exactly simple or easy. That’s why we really appreciate the help of our private prosecutors,” he added.
Luistro emphasized that all volunteer lawyers agreed to serve without pay out of a shared commitment to accountability.
“We solicited the help of private lawyers who are willing to support this cause on a voluntary basis.
Dozens of Filipino workers in Cambodia scam compounds in legal trouble–DMW
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
THREE Filipinos were charged for killing fellow Filipinos in a scam compound in Cambodia as part of the Southeast Asian country’s intensified crackdown against cyber crimes under its new law, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.
Forty-seven other Filipinos are now also facing criminal cases after Cambodian authorities raided the scam hubs, where they were based in the provinces of Sihanouk and Battambang.
“Based on the new law, 244 online scam workers have already been arrested by the police and are undergoing the process of
prosecution and trial,” DMW said in Filipino in a statement, citing information from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It urged other Filipinos in similar scam hubs to voluntarily leave such facilities and seek help from the Philippine government or Cambodian authorities so they can avoid similar charges.
DMW said distressed Filipinos in Cambodia may call the government hotline at : +855 98 888 771 via SMS, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber. They may also contact the Cambodian Police Hotline at 0312012345 and 0316012345 or its email at hotinfocnp@police.gov.kh.
Under Cambodia’s new antiscam law, those involved in scam hubs can face imprisonment from
one to 20 years.
Those who will serve as whistle blowers or voluntarily leave such scam hubs will only be subjected to deportation procedures and not slapped with criminal charges.
DMW reiterated its warning to Filipinos, who are seeking employment abroad to become wary of bogus online job offers in Cambodia and other countries.
Some of the victims in such scam hubs said they were recruited through job offers in social media.
“Everyone is advised to comply with the policies of the Department of Migrant Workers which aim to protect Filipinos against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” DMW said.
‘House passage of Anti-Dynasty bill significant step in realizing 1987 Constitution mandate’
TWO members of academe, including one who served in the 2018 Consultative Committee (ConCom) that reviewed the 1987 Constitution, on Thursday said the passage of the Anti-dynasty bill on third reading by the House of Representatives marked a significant step toward realizing the constitutional mandate prohibiting political dynasties.
Eddie Alih, former chancellor of the Mindanao State University at Tawi-Tawi, noted that this is the first time in 39 years that an anti-dynasty legislation survived plenary debate in the House.
“This is an encouraging development. Regardless of what the bill proposes, hurdling plenary debate in a legislature dominated by political dynasties
signals that we may eventually have a law that regulates political dynasties,” said Alih, who was a member of the 2018 ConCom that proposed strong anti-dynasty provisions.
The anti-dynasty measure is among the 21 bills included on the priority legislative agenda of President Marcos agreed upon
IN a move to strengthen public service, the House of Representatives inaugurated its Legal Aid Help Desk, offering free consultations and guidance to underserved communities.
Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno of Akbayan led the launch of the House of Representatives Legal Aid Help Desk on Wednesday, highlighting the initiative as a major step toward improving access to justice for ordinary Filipinos.
The Legal Aid Help Desk, a joint effort between the House Legal Affairs Department and the Inte -
This is more commonly known as ‘pro bono,’ or to make it clearer for our fellow Filipinos, it means free of charge, without payment,” she said.
She stressed that while the legal team has expanded, control of the case remains with the House prosecution panel.
“I want to make it clear that the lead and the one in control of the trial will still be the House prosecutors,” Luistro said.
“In other words, the private prosecutors who will join the House prosecutors will be assisting in the case. And pursuant to the rules, they will remain under the direct control and supervision of the House prosecutors,” she added.
Diokno echoed this, noting that under impeachment rules, private prosecutors operate under the authority of the public prosecutors throughout the proceedings.
“As far as the rules are concerned, it is clear that any and all private prosecutors are under the control and supervision of the public prosecutors, and that will
be the role that we will maintain throughout the impeachment proceedings,” he said. Luistro added that the volunteer lawyers are united by their commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
“What is important today is to express to the public that the private lawyers who are with us share with the House prosecutors the cause of bringing this case to the impeachment trial and until the rendition of judgement,” she said.
“They believe in the mandate of transparency and accountability. They support the mandate of the Constitution, and that is the ultimate and sole reason why they are joining the public prosecutors in this impeachment trial.” She said the announcement marks only the first wave of reinforcements, with more private prosecutors expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.
“We are more confident than before because of the presence of the private prosecutors,” Luistro said.
Another libel case filed against lawyer, 18 former bodyguards
ANOTHER lawmaker on Thursday filed a cyber libel complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Marawi City against lawyer Levito Baligod and 18 individuals who claimed to have been former security escorts and money delivery men of a disgraced former partylist congressman. In his complaint-affidavit, House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziauhr-Rahman Alonto Adiong accused the respondents of orchestrating and publicly disseminating what he described as false and malicious claims.
Adiong demanded the criminal conviction of Baligod and the 18 and sought a total of P25 million in damages over allegations that he received cash-filled suitcases from former Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol that were delivered by the 18.
Aside from Baligod, the complaint also named Bernard Tube, Rosebert Waupan, Benny Bulontante, Johnny Buduan, Rodent Orbillo, Reyneboy Julian, Christopher Esquivel, George Villain Jr., Romeo Rommel Bobares, Gil Navidad Jr., Anselmo Tabard, Walter Manalansan, Joel Cadioao, Rommel Galapon, Cecilia Larder Jr., Bernard Guimban, Crisanie Dado and Fidel Corpuz as respondents.
The complaint stemmed from a news conference held on February 24, 2026, during which Baligod announced the existence of a joint affidavit alleging a multibillion-peso kickback scheme involving flood
grated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Quezon City Chapter under the Supreme Court’s Unified Legal Aid Service Program, aims to provide free legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford legal services.
Speaking at the inauguration, Diokno emphasized that many Filipinos view the justice system as inaccessible owing to its complexity and cost.
“If you are an ordinary citizen working every day just to support your family, the law can feel like a labyrinth – a costly, slow, and complicated system that seems to
exist only for the wealthy and the powerful,” Diokno said.
“That is why when a poor person faces a legal problem, the first question is often not ‘What are my rights?’ but, ‘Where will I get money to pay for a lawyer?’” he added.
Diokno described pro bono work as “the soul of the legal profession,” drawing from his more than three decades of experience as a human-rights lawyer providing free legal services. He also cited his experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he established a free legal
control projects. Portions of the affidavit were later circulated online and across social media platforms. According to Adiong, the affidavit specifically identified him as among the lawmakers who allegedly received cash-filled suitcases.
“The accusations hurled against me by the Respondents are absolute fabrications, total falsehoods, and malicious inventions,” Adiong said in his affidavit.
“I have never met any of these eighteen [18] individuals, I have never received any suitcase of cash from anyone, and I have absolutely no involvement in the anomalous transactions they describe,” he added.
The lawmaker argued that all elements of cyber libel are present, saying the allegations falsely imputed criminal acts, were publicly disseminated through online platforms, and were made with actual malice.
“Respondents acted with actual malice because they published an unverified, logistically impossible narrative with reckless disregard for whether it was true or false,” the complaint stated.
Adiong further alleged that the claims were deliberately amplified online after the respondents expressed their intent to distribute copies of the affidavit to members of the media.
According to the complaint, Baligod told reporters during the February 26 filing of the affidavit
help desk that assisted thousands of Filipinos.
“I’m very happy to report that within those months and years of the pandemic, we were able to help more than 20,000 Filipinos, just by giving them the information they need so that they themselves can solve their own problems,” he said. Diokno encouraged the House Legal Aid Help Desk to incorporate a strong information component alongside legal consultations, enabling more people to understand
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—
Acdi Multipurpose Coop -
erative (Acdi MPC), the largest cooperative in the Philippines, announced on Thursday the arrival of its newly acquired Cessna 408 SkyCourier aircraft at Clark International Airport, marking its strategic expansion into the aviation industry through its subsidiary, Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (Leascor).
The arrival of the first-ever Cessna 408 SkyCourier in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region represents another milestone in the cooperative’s continuing commitment to innovation, nationbuilding, and service excellence.
The aircraft will be operated by Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (Leascor), the aviation arm and wholly owned subsidiary of ACDI MPC. Through this strategic investment, ACDI MPC strengthens its participation in the aviation sector while contributing to the development of air transport services in the country.
Leascor currently operates a fleet consisting of two ATR 72-500 aircraft and one King Air 200. In 2026, the company is expanding its fleet with the acquisition of two
NNIC: 34 airlines now linked to BI passenger data system
THIRTY-FOUR international airlines operating at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) are now connected to the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Advance Passenger Information System (Apis), allowing them to transmit flight-related passenger data to immigration authorities ahead of arrivals and departures, New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) said on Thursday.
Eleven other airlines have yet to complete full Apis connectivity and begin regular transmission of passenger information to the BI.
NNIC, the private operator of Naia, said full airline compliance with the BI requirement is necessary to support advance passenger screening, improve processing at immigration counters, and help enable wider use of BI’s immigration e-gates at the airport.
The e-gates were procured by NNIC as part of Naia’s modernization program.
The BI has directed all remaining international airlines operating in the Philippines to complete their Passenger API connectivity and begin full and regular transmission of passenger data by June 30.
NNIC said full airline participation will help maximize the benefits of automated border control systems, cut processing times, and improve the overall passenger experience at the country’s main gateway.
The company added that it will continue coordinating with the BI, airlines, and other airport stakeholders to support faster, safer, and more efficient passenger processing at Naia.
Lorenz
S. Marasigan
Cessna SkyCourier aircraft, with the first aircraft arriving in June 2026 and the second expected to arrive in the coming months.
Based at Clark General Aviation Airport, Leascor serves a wide range of destinations across the Philippines. Its operations include the Zamboanga–Jolo route, charter services for mining companies, exclusive resorts, corporate clients, and customized air transport services tailored to specific customer requirements.
The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is a next-generation twin-engine turboprop aircraft designed for versatility, efficiency, and operational flexibility. It can accommodate up to 19 passengers and can be rapidly configured for cargo operations, making it ideal for passenger transport, logistics support, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and inter-island connectivity.
One of the aircraft’s key advantages is its capability to operate from shorter and less-developed runways, enabling access to remote and underserved communities that are often difficult for
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
RESIDENTS of Pagbilao, Quezon, welcomed the announcement of Australia-based Energy World Corp. (EWC) on the sale of heavyduty fossil gas turbines to a US-based company, claiming that it is a victory against liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The gas turbines were originally intended for EWC’s proposed 650 megawatt (MW) gas-fired combined cycle power plant in the town.
“These victories are important to us, affected communities. [...] It takes years to get any response from the government when we complain about the illness of our children due to the Therma Energy power plant. Sometimes, we are discouraged. That is normal. What can small townspeople do against giant companies and multinational corporations? But these victories are proof that every action against destructive projects and the oppres-
sive rich and politicians who push them is meaningful. I congratulate all of my comrades in the province of Quezon for this victory,” Domingo Moreno, a leader of Tagapagtanggol ng Kalikasan sa Pagbilao, said in a statement.
Moreno is one of the residents of barangay Ibabang Polo in Pagbilao, who also filed a complaint in August 2024 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), seeking invalidation of what they described as “illegally” conducted public scoping for another liquified natural gas (LNG) project
of the Aboitiz-owned Pagbilao Energy Corporation power plant.
The company has owned and operated the Pagbilao coal plant for years. It has been blamed for allegedly causing diseases in nearby communities and disrupting people’s livelihoods.
Moreno is also among those who campaigned against the EWC application in Pagbilao, alongside other residents and local organizations, including Quezon for the Environment (QUEEN) and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ).
“We raise this win with the Pagbilao plant-affected communities, who are staunch in resisting environmentally-destructive projects. Pagbilao and the whole of Quezon province are lucky to have such firm community members who actively fight the powers-that-be and challenge them to genuinely serve the people and the environment. The Church is proud of this victory. We vow to continue fighting alongside the marginalized in pursuit of social, ecological, and climate justice,” Fr. Warren Puno of QUEEN said. Ian Rivera, national coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, highlighted
that a combination of factors led to the EWC LNG project’s demise. These include local supply chain bottlenecks, extreme global fuel price volatility, a global shortage of gas turbines, campaigns and resistance to zoning, land use change and reclassification of land for the LNG project.
He added that the stalling of the project for 10 years, resulting in only 70 percent completion in 2024, and the Philippines’ accelerating pivot toward cheaper renewable energy sources, are all contributing factors to tbe demise of the LNG project.
“It is not just the economics that killed the EWC LNG project. It is a combination of efforts and situation. There is a strong campaign against the project by groups involved in fossil fuel campaigning in Quezon province. The project is also plagued by over a decade of delays, mainly due to the permitting process and construction delays for power transmission lines. The momentum of LNG project cancellations from Kuswagan, Batangas and now in Quezon, is a signal that can’t be ignored. The remaining gas and terminal
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE Philippines will push for a human-centered approach to artificial intelligence (AI) as the technology continues to reshape workplaces and industries, with Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino warning that its adoption must be managed carefully to protect workers and labor rights.
Speaking virtually before the 114th International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Tolentino said AI offers significant opportunities to improve productivity, innovation, public service delivery and economic growth.
However, he cautioned that the technology could also disrupt labor markets and displace workers if safeguards are not put in place.
“AI must complement human labor, not replace human dignity and judgment…Technology must move the country forward, but it must never leave workers behind,” Tolentino said.
See “Acdi,” A6 See “AI,” A6
According to the labor chief, the Philippine government is taking steps to prepare workers and enterprises for digital transformation through policies and programs aimed at strengthening workforce readiness.
Among these are the Telecommuting Act, which provides protections for employees under workfrom-home arrangements, and the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Act, which seeks to strengthen technical-vocational education and training.
Tolentino also cited the Philippine Skills Framework for Analytics and AI, which identifies the competencies needed for AIrelated jobs.
He said the transition to an AI-driven economy must remain inclusive, particularly for older workers, women, young labormarket entrants and those in vulnerable forms of employment.
To support workers adapting
House to tackle six measures on higher education system
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
AS education leaders, government officials, industry partners, and key stakeholders convened for the Commission on Higher Education Strategic Partnership Convergence, the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairperson announced the filing of six priority reform measures aimed at strengthening the country’s higher education system. Filed as House Bills 9843 to 9848,
the measures seek to make higher education more accessible, aligned with labor market demands, closely linked with industry, supported by stronger faculty and research systems, and better positioned for global engagement.
Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairman, said the legislative package signals a shift from dialogue to concrete action as the sector faces evolving learner needs, a persistent
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie & Rex Anthony Naval
HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Thursday said the House of Representatives is prepared to allocate additional funding to support communities affected by the recent earthquake, as he led a congressional delegation to General Santos City and Sarangani Province to assess damage and coordinate immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation measures.
Dy said the House is also ready to shoulder the medical expenses of all individuals injured by the earthquake, whether they are confined in government or private hospitals, and assured affected families that further assistance will be mobilized as
and navigate legal processes independently.
At the same time, he urged fellow lawmakers to fast-track the passage of House Bill 7305, which seeks to create a Joint Congressional Commission on Justice System Reform (Justcom).
“The crisis we face in the justice system, while not often discussed, is just as serious as the crisis in our education system. And unless we fix it, we will continue to see a lack of accountability, and ordinary Filipinos will continue to experience impunity,” Diokno said.
House Bill 7305 proposes a comprehensive review of the country’s justice system, addressing issues such as case backlogs, prolonged pre-trial detention, jail congestion, limited access to legal services, weak accountability mechanisms, and declining public trust, while laying the groundwork for long-term structural reforms.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
with the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) in February. The Senate, that has three pairs of siblings, has yet to pass its own version of the bill.
Former Dean Edna Co of the
to technological change, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) continues to promote lifelong learning, digital-skills development and gender-responsive labor policies.
job-skills mismatch, uneven research capacity, intensifying global competition, and growing demand for flexible learning pathways.
before the Office of the Ombudsman: “Bibigyannaminkayongkopyangaffidavit in sof t copy lang kasi marami.”
The complaint emphasized that the widespread online circulation of the allegations was not accidental but a foreseeable consequence of the respondents’ actions.
“Having intentionally exposed the allegations to members of the media with the expectation that they would be reported to the public, Respondents are liable not only for the original publication of the defamatory imputations but likewise for their foreseeable republication and dissemination through digital and online platforms,” the affidavit stated.
Adiong also rejected any claim that the allegations were protected by qualified privilege, arguing that the respondents themselves publicized the accusations through press conferences, media interviews, and online distribution. He said the controversy caused serious damage to his reputation and standing as a public official.
“By reason of and as a direct consequence of these criminal acts, I suffered severe mental anguish, a besmirched reputation, and widespread social humiliation,” Adiong said. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
“These measures are not separate and isolated reforms. They are part of one direction: to build a higher education system where every learner has a genuine opportunity to succeed, where institutions are empowered to innovate, where research contributes to national development, where education and employment are more closely connected, and where Philippine higher education earns greater recognition globally while remaining responsive to local needs,” Acidre said.
House Bill 9843, or the proposed Abot-Kayang Pangarap Act, seeks to institutionalize the recognition, quality assurance, stackability, and portability of microcredentials and short courses. It aims to support working learners, freelancers, contractual workers, and those in the informal sector by providing flexible pathways that can be credited toward formal academic qualifications.
House Bill 9844, or the proposed Comprehensive Educationto-Employment Alignment Act, aims to align the quality assurance systems of the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Department of Labor and Employment with
recovery efforts continue.
“In the name of the House of Representatives, we extend our deepest condolences. We are here to ensure that, as we have said, in all hospitals where earthquake-related treatment is needed, we will make sure that our fellow citizens in those hospitals will have zero balance,” said the Speaker.
He also underscored the need for additional funding support to ensure faster recovery and rehabilitation in affected areas.
“And there should be additional funds so that we have assurance and can ensure that we will overcome this challenge that has struck us and our fellow citizens here in this region,” he added.
Dy said members of the House delegation conducted on-site inspections of damaged infrastructure, including airports and other key public facilities, to determine reconstruction requirements that will be reflected in the proposed 2027 national budget.
“It is also important to properly assess buildings such as the
University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance said the two versions “have laid out key points” that “open the gate to wider discussion.”
“I guess the two versions could be sent to sail off, after which whatever could be harmonized should be done,” said Co who prefers the Senate version because of
The agency has likewise expanded the use of digital tools in delivering employment services, including AI-powered job matching through PhilJobNet and round-the-clock chatbots that provide information on wages, productivity training and technical services.
By the end of 2025, the agen -
labor market needs. The measure is designed to address job-skills mismatch and ensure that education and training programs lead to productive, decent, and sustainable employment.
House Bill 9845, or the proposed Higher Education-Industry Partnership Framework Act, seeks to institutionalize structured collaboration among higher education institutions, industry partners, and government agencies. It also proposes the creation of a Tripartite Council for Tertiary Education to serve as a coordinating and advisory body on workforce relevance, innovation, and graduate employability.
House Bill 9846, or the proposed Philippine Higher Education Faculty Development and Research Act, aims to establish a sustainable framework for faculty development and research. The bill provides for scholarships, research grants, the creation of a Faculty Development and Research Fund, and enhanced support for teaching quality, academic leadership, and institutional development.
House Bill 9847, or the proposed Foreign Academic Faculty Tenure Act, allows—under strict and exceptional conditions—the appointment and grant of academic tenure to qualified foreign nationals in teaching and research positions in state universities and colleges. The measure limits such appointments to cases where needed expertise is unavailable locally and excludes administrative and policy-making positions.
House Bill 9848, or the proposed
airports we saw earlier so that we can ensure that there will be no problems,” Dy said.
“That is why our support is the same—we will work together so that we can quickly rehabilitate these hospitals, because these are among the most urgent needs in your area,” he added.
He added that rehabilitation of critical facilities, particularly hospitals, will be prioritized to ensure u ninterrupted public services in the affected areas.
“There are reports of damages in your area. And of course, this is timely, as your representatives in the region will work together with us to ensure that this is included in the proposed budget for next year, so that we can make sure the necessary roads, bridges, and other facilities are built and improved for the benefit of our fellow citizens,” he said.
Dy said the findings from the inspection would help Congress identify priority funding requirements for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts
its “defined key terms, concepts, scope, and limits.”
“Once the Senate passes its version, then the bicameral conference committee can work on reconciling their provisions to come up with a final law,” said Alih who was also a member of the Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.
cy said the PhilJobNet had 2.5 million registered jobseekers and 39,336 employers.
Tolentino said the Philippines will continue working with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its social partners to ensure that AI supports innovation and economic growth while safeguarding workers’ welfare.
Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Act, seeks to strengthen the global competitiveness of Philippine higher education institutions by institutionalizing a national internationalization framework, establishing an Internationalization Support Fund, and boosting education export through inter-agency coordination.
Acidre emphasized that the proposed reforms are grounded in the real conditions faced by students, educators, and institutions nationwide.
“Every meaningful reform begins with listening. Before we propose solutions, we listen to people. Before we draft legislation, we listen to experiences,” Acidre said.
He added that Congress plays a crucial role in ensuring these reforms translate into real opportunities through policy direction, funding support, oversight, and partnerships.
“As your partner in Congress, I give you this commitment: we will not allow these reforms to remain only as speeches, plans, or promises. We will continue to champion the laws, secure the investments, exercise the oversight, and pursue the partnerships needed to move Philippine higher education forward,” Acidre said.
“Through these measures, we continue the work of building a higher education system that opens doors, raises standards, strengthens institutions, and prepares Filipinos not only for work but also for service, leadership, and nation-building,” he added.
across affected communities.
Cities for quake victims
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)
chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez
Jr. on Thursday said police units will assist local government units (LGUs) and disaster response agencies in establishing secure tent cities for residents displaced by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rocked Maasim, Sarangani and other nearby provinces last June 8.
In a statement, Nartatez said PNP units in affected areas have been directed to closely coordinate with local authorities in identifying safe locations where displaced families can temporarily stay while damage assessments continue.
“We understand that many of our fellow Filipinos are still anxious about returning to their homes because of the continuing aftershocks. The PNP stands ready to support our local government units and partner agencies in establishing safe and secure tent
where he met with then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as the two nations commemorated the the 70th anniversary of Germany diplomatic relations established on October 8, 1954.
Germany remains the Philippines’ largest trading and investment partner among
cities where affected families can temporarily stay with peace of mind while authorities complete structural assessments and recovery efforts,” the PNP chief said. Nartatez said the PNP is supporting ongoing disaster-response efforts by helping LGUs establish orderly and secure temporary communities while ensuring public safety in affected areas.
“Whether you choose to stay in designated evacuation centers or in makeshift tent spaces, your police force will be there to protect you and your properties. Please remain calm, stay vigilant, look out for updates from structural engineers and disaster agencies, and do not hesitate to approach our deployed personnel on the ground for any immediate assistance,” he added.
Likewise, the PNP chief said they will continue working with LGUs, the Office of Civil Defense, and other concerned agencies to support relief operations and ensure the safety of communities affected by the earthquake.
member-states of the European Union.
Several German companies operate in the Philippines, including Siemens, Lufthansa Technik, Deutsche Bank, Bayer and Bosch. Germany has also served as a development partner of Asean since 2016 and has consistently supported the the rule of law and a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Samuel P. Medenilla with PNA
projects in the pipeline should be canceled. Together with the dying coal industry, LNG is never the answer, and our call has always been proven that issues against LNG will eventually render its failure,” Rivera said. Rivera is confident that no new LNG-fired power plants will come through in the country this decade, as no project has progressed beyond the initial stages of development. Recent research by BloombergNEF shows that in the Philippines, solar energy is cheaper than coal and gas.
larger aircraft to reach. This makes it particularly well-suited to the geographic realities of the Philippine archipelago.
Acdi MPC is chaired by retired Maj. Gen. Gilbert S. Llanto, who also serves as the president of the National Alliance of Cooperatives (NAC), a national cooperative organization representing more than 20,000 cooperatives in the country, and also a Director of the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), the regional organization representing millions of cooperative members across the Asia-Pacific region.
Acdi started as the Aces Credit Cooperative Development Inc., organized by Air Force (PAF) pilots, that later opened membership to all active and former members of the Armed Forces (AFP) and other uniformed personnel. It now has a membership base of more than 230,000 active and retired uniformed personnel and their dependents. Acdi MPC has long been recognized as the country’s most successful cooperative, providing financial services, livelihood opportunities, and member-centered programs that improve the quality of life of its members and their families.
The cooperative’s venture into the aviation industry reflects the
growing role of the Philippine cooperative sector as a significant partner in national development. Traditionally known for providing financial and social services to their members, cooperatives are now expanding into strategic industries that contribute directly to economic growth, transportation connectivity, job generation, and countryside development.
Through this investment, ACDI MPC demonstrates that the cooperative sector can actively participate in nation-building by addressing critical transportation and logistics requirements, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The acquisition of the SkyCourier is a clear example of how cooperatives can move beyond traditional business models and become major contributors to national progress. The aircraft will be operated by Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (Leascor), the aviation arm and wholly owned subsidiary of Acdi MPC. Through this strategic investment, Acdi MPC strengthens its participation in the aviation sector while contributing to the development of air transport services in the country.
Leascor currently operates a fleet consisting of two ATR 72-500 aircraft and one King Air 200. In 2026, the company is expanding its fleet with the acquisition of two Cessna SkyCourier aircraft. Ashley J. Manabat
Editor: Angel R. Calso
By Jon Gambrell, Michelle L. Price & Konstantin Toropin
The Associated Press
UBAI, United Arab Emir -
Dates—The United States launched a second round of airstrikes on Iran into Thursday morning after US President Donald Trump warned that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations, and Iran responded with strikes targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan.
The new US assault across multiple Iranian cities came as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher. The American attack appeared more intense and wider than the day before, but Iran released little information on the extent of the damage.
Kuwait closed its airspace for several hours because of the Thursday morning attack, but did not elaborate on any damage. Jordan said it intercepted 20 Iranian missiles fired toward an area that is home to an air base hosting US troops, though no one was hurt.
And in Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said an 11-year-old girl had been hurt and cars and homes were damaged by “falling debris” from interceptions responding to the Iranian attack. The third back-and-forth strikes
this week have tested a two-month shaky ceasefire. The first were attacks between Iran and Israel on Sunday into Monday, followed by the two rounds of fire between America and Tehran. Meanwhile, an Indian official confirmed Thursday that a US attack on an oil tanker allegedly trying to violate the Iran blockade killed three Indian mariners, showing the danger to seafarers.
Trump has urged Iran to sign a deal to end the war and suggested earlier this week that an agreement could be reached in days.
But Iran has proved resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing. It is betting that its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passageway for oil and natural gas— gives it a strong bargaining chip. Still, both countries seem to be looking for a way to end the conflict— if they can manage to sell it as a win at home.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also appears intent on pursuing goals that make compromise harder: the collapse of Iran’s theocratic government, the elimination of its nuclear program, and the destruction of the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
US strikes Iran and Iran fires back at Gulf states
THE US Central Command said its latest round of airstrikes ended just before sunrise Thursday in Iran. The
From ‘Dock of Shame’ to Papal embrace: Leo XIV visits Canary Islands migrant hub
By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press
BARCELONA,
Spain—Pope
Leo
XIV is visiting the Canary Is -
lands on Thursday to draw attention to the plight of migrants who risk their lives every year trying to reach Europe, fulfilling a wish of Pope Francis to visit one of the epicenters of the European migration debate.
Leo is spending the final two days of his weeklong trip to Spain in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago closer to Africa than the Iberian Peninsula and a key point of entry for migrants smuggled from West Africa.
He is meeting with recently arrived migrants and representatives of the church and humanitarian organizations that care for them and work to integrate them into Spanish society.
Most poignantly, he will commemorate the thousands of lives lost at sea from a port that in 2020 became known as the “dock of shame” because of the squalid conditions migrants lived in when they came ashore during a spike in arrivals.
Spain’s Socialist-led government, which had been shamed by the 2020 crisis, has bucked a trend in Europe and the United States by defending immigration on economic and humanitarian grounds. It launched a legalization push earlier this year for hundreds of thousands of immigrants without authorization.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has highlighted the benefits to the economy with an aging workforce and low birth rate.
A historic speech defends dignity of migrants
LEO has already called for strengthened international efforts to prevent the smuggling of migrants, the creation of safe pathways for them to move legally and development in countries of origin so more people can choose to stay home.
In a speech to the Spanish Parliament earlier this week, the first-ever by a pope, Leo demanded welcome and integration for those who do choose to flee, insisting on their inherent human dignity.
“The moral greatness of a nation is
manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile,” Leo said in a speech that also upheld the inherent dignity of the unborn, the elderly and sick. He received a 7-minute standing ovation at the end.
A visit to the ‘Dock of Shame’ MIGRANT arrivals in the Canary Islands peaked in 2024 at nearly 47,000, but have fallen dramatically, with just over 3,000 people landing there in the first five months of 2026.
Upon his arrival in Las Palmas, Leo was to head to Arguineguin, where in 2020 arrivals reached such numbers that migrants were forced to sleep in makeshift camps in the open air on a dock that became known as the “dock of shame.”
Many migrants were left to sleep for weeks with just a blanket and no showers. Potential asylum seekers had no proper access to legal advice and some people were held for weeks, much longer than the three days that the law allowed. The ombudsman later forced the government to shutter the makeshift camp and relocate the migrants.
Learning of the crisis, Francis had planned to visit the Canary Islands to bring his solidarity, but never managed the trip. Francis had made the plight of refugees a hallmark of his papacy, following the Gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger.”
Leo has followed suit, insisting especially on the dignity of migrants in his native United States amid the Trump administration’s crackdown and mass deportation program.
Next month, on July 4, the American pope will spend US Independence Day on the island of Lampedusa, Sicily, another main point of entry for migrants smuggled from North Africa trying to reach Europe.
Francis had visited Lampedusa in 2013, on his first trip outside Rome, and tossed a wreath into the Mediterranean in honor of the thousands of migrants who died in the perilous crossing. It was on that trip that he coined a phrase that became a mantra during his pontificate denouncing the “globalization of indifference” that the world showed migrants.
A PROJECTILE streaks through the sky over central Israel during an Iranian missile attack, Sunday, June 7, 2026. AP PHOTO/OHAD ZWIGENBERG
military command said the strikes came “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression” and targeted “Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites.” It did not elaborate on the damage done by the strikes, which it said were carried out by the US Air Force, Marines and Navy. Explosions from the strikes echoed around Iran’s capital, Tehran, as well as the port city of Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard later said sites hit by the Americans included a manufacturing complex, a military barracks and a local Guard base outside of Tehran. Israel early Thursday also warned residents in the country’s north to seek
shelter after the detection of suspected incoming fire from Lebanon.
Trump says US is sneaking oil past the Strait of Hormuz
SINCE the US and Israel started the war with Feb. 28 attacks on Iran, the conflict has shaken the global economy, driven up energy prices and made food and other basics more expensive.
The international benchmark for crude oil traded above $93 a barrel on Wednesday, up more than 25% since the start of the war.
Trump said the US military has since last month undertaken a “secret mission” to sneak oil shipments past Iran’s forces in the Strait of Hormuz. He said ships were slipping through at night, aided by the destruction of
Iranian radar equipment.
Trump said as a result more than 100 million barrels of oil have evaded Iran’s chokehold on the strait. There was no immediate confirmation of that figure, which roughly equals five days of oil shipments through the waterway before the war began.
The military’s role was not immediately clear. The US Central Command on Wednesday disputed Iran’s claims that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, saying commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out.
But the seas remain dangerous for mariners. Indian Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on X that three Indians missing after the American attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello had been killed. The US military’s Central Command had accused the Settebello of having “violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.” American forces fired into the ship’s engine room to stop it Wednesday.
The leader of the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, condemned the attack on the Settebello. Since the start of the Iran war, there have been 43 attacks on international shipping in the area, the IMO said.
Another tanker near where the Settebello had been struck off Oman experienced an engine room fire on Thursday morning as well, according to the British military’s United King -
dom Maritime Operations center. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the blaze, though initial suspicion fell on another US attack.
Big disagreements stand in the way of a quick peace deal
WARY of high gas prices in the runup to midterm elections in November, Trump seems to be looking for a quick win. But he is also making demands that will be tough for Iran to swallow. The US wants to see Iran give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. While Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, that uranium is a short technical step from weaponsgrade levels. Iran is refusing to give up the uranium and demanding relief from sanctions. It also wants the release of frozen assets even before a final agreement is in place, something Trump rejected.
Iran has insisted that any deal to end the war must also end fighting between its ally Hezbollah and Israel. A Qatari diplomatic delegation, negotiating in coordination with the US, left Tehran on Thursday morning after holding talks, said an official with knowledge of the team who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the mediation.
Price and Toropin reported from Washington. Associated Press journalist Victoria Eastwood in Cairo contributed to this report.
Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Epstein, calls meeting him ‘grave error in judgment’
By Joey Cappelletti & Hannah Schoenbaum The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—Bill Gates said Wednesday that he made a “grave error in judgment” by meeting with Jeffrey Epstein but denied any wrongdoing as the Microsoft co-founder faced hours of questioning from lawmakers about his relationship with the disgraced financier.
In an opening statement provided to The Associated Press, Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” but that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.”
The tech billionaire became the latest powerful figure linked to Epstein to testify before the House Oversight Committee in a closed-door deposition. The committee chairman, Republican Rep. James Comer, formally requested that Gates testify after he appeared multiple times in a trove of documents released by the Justice Department as part of its Epstein probe.
As Gates arrived at the Capitol, he noted that his appearance was voluntary and said he hoped his testimony would help lawmakers “find justice for the victims.”
Gates did not take questions from reporters at the conclusion of the interview late Wednesday afternoon.
Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, has not been accused in connection with Epstein’s crimes and has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of girls. He has said the two met only to discuss philanthropy and previously described the relationship as “a huge mistake.”
Most Democratic members who participated in Wednesday’s questioning described Gates as cooperative. They said some of the most useful information he provided involved other influential people in Epstein’s orbit. Lawmakers also said they pressed Gates on why he continued interacting with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Gates was aware that Epstein had been convicted of “a horrific crime and continued to interact with him to seek money for his foundation,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, who described Gates’ actions as “a horrific judgment call.”
Before the interview began, Comer told reporters that the committee’s effort was “about trying to figure out how the government failed.”
Lawmakers scrutinize Gates’ relationship with Epstein GATES said he was introduced to Epstein through people involved in his professional and philanthropic work and was drawn in by Epstein’s claims that he could help raise billions of dollars for global health initiatives.
Their relationship began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s guilty plea in Florida, according to the Justice Department files.
Gates said he cut ties in 2014 after concluding Epstein could not deliver on those promises.
Included in the files are calendar entries for meetings between Gates and Epstein, email correspondence between the two about philanthropic projects and photos of Gates at events that Epstein also attended.
Gates added that he never went to Epstein’s island or his other infamous properties.
“I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated,” Gates said.
Lawmakers offered differing accounts of the interview as they exited the room throughout the day.
GOP Rep. Tim Burchett described the questioning as “intense,” while Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said Gates was “combative” and “not terribly forthcoming or candid.” Garcia, by contrast, said that while Gates pushed back on some inquiries, “he’s answering the questions.”
Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury said Gates acknowledged maintaining contact with Epstein because he believed the “narrow relationship” was “an acceptable means to access wealthy donors.”
The Gates Foundation said in February that a small number of employees had met with Epstein based on his “claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources” for global health. They never created a charitable fund together, and the foundation made no payments to Epstein.
Both Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, have said his association with Epstein created tension in their marriage.
Broader Epstein investigation continues EPSTEIN was federally indicted in July 2019 on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. The Justice Department alleged that Epstein formed a vast network of girls,
some as young as 14, for him to sexually abuse between 2002 and 2005. He died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Schoenbaum reported from Salt Lake City.
By Julia Frankel
The Associated Press
ERUSALEM—Amnesty Interna -
Jtional accused Israel on Wednesday of carrying out a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank with the intention to annex the Palestinian territory.
The accusation came in a new, 149page report alleging that the forced displacement of West Bank Palestinians resulted from a concerted state policy, and not just the actions of violent settlers. While much of the displacement is driven by settlers who build outposts on Palestinian land, the
report asserts that the process could not occur without the support of the government.
The international community overwhelmingly considers the settlements illegal. Israel, meanwhile, views the West Bank as disputed territory and says its final status is subject to negotiations.
UN data says that over 100 West Bank villages have been fully or partially emptied out between January 2023 and April 2026. At the same time, the United Nations has tracked more than 7,280 instances of individual Palestinian displacement because of demolition of homes and structures by Israeli forces, a figure that includes
people who were displaced more than once.
Israel has in the past denounced such accusations—including allegations of “ethnic cleansing,” a term referring to forced expulsions of population by violence—as reflecting longtime unfair bias. It did not immediately respond to the report.
Amnesty says settler violence is sanctioned by the state
THESE abuses are not the result of a few ‘bad apples.’ Settler violence is a core component of a state-sanctioned campaign of ethnic cleansing,” said Agnès Callamard, the head of Amnesty. “What we are witnessing is deliberate, state-led annexation, in complete violation of international law unfolding before the eyes of the entire world.”
Israeli leaders have condemned particularly grave violence by Jewish settlers but tend to denounce them as exceptions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government is dominated by settler leaders and supporters, and key Cabinet ministers are pushing for a formal annexation of the territory.
The government has come under heavy criticism from Palestinians and rights groups for accelerating settlement expansion, which they say is aimed at preventing the establishment of a future Palestinian state there.
Over 700,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war and claimed by the Palestinians as parts of a future state.
Amnesty says it has identified dozens of bills in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, to extend Israeli civil law and jurisdiction over settlement blocs, as well as over courts that try Palestinians. Recently, the parliament approved a measure making the death penalty the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis.
Last year, US President Donald Trump said he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel
and the Hamas militant group that aimed to stop the war in Gaza also acknowledged Palestinian aspirations for statehood.
Villages in remote areas are most vulnerable, rights groups say AMNESTY says the large-scale displacement of Palestinian Bedouin communities in the territory is caused by settler violence, advancement of new settlements and the Israeli takeover of large swaths of unregistered land. Rights groups have raised the alarm about this form of displacement before 2023, but say it dramatically intensified after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel that year that triggered the war.
Rights groups say Bedouin herding communities in remote areas of the West Bank are most vulnerable to displacement. Unlike Palestinians in cities and towns across the West Bank, the villagers are less able to withstand the pressure from often-armed settlers as they establish new outposts around Palestinian villages.
The anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now says that 212 of at least 363 existing outposts in the West Bank were created since 2023. The outposts are built without permission from Israeli authorities, who sometimes dismantle them but often turn a blind eye or even legalize them retroactively.
Amnesty said its report looked into 27 hamlets and villages in the West Bank where Palestinians were displaced between 2023 and 2025. Researchers interviewed dozens of Palestinians and lawyers, spoke with witnesses of settler violence, watched over 420 videos and analyzed government statements and other reports.
The group also said the international community has failed to act to stop the displacement.
Dror Etkes, who runs the settlement watchdog group Kerem Navot, said that since the October 2023 attack, settlers have taken about 12.5% of West Bank territory—land that Palestinians can no longer access or cross safely.
By Jamey Keaten & Sylvie Corbet The Associated Press
GENEVA — French and Swiss authorities will impose a week of pandemic-like border restrictions as US President Donald Trump and other leaders attend a G7 summit starting Monday while organizers fear potentially violent protests.
The summit of some of the world’s richest nations from June 15-17 in the French town of Evian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva is meant to discuss the Middle East, Ukraine and global economic imbalances.
In nearby Geneva, Switzerland, business owners and local leaders want to avoid a repeat of violent protests that smashed storefronts on the sidelines of the G8 summit in 2003, when Russia was in the club of nations.
Protests are nothing new around such elite gatherings. This time, activists want to demonstrate frustration with Trump’s leadership on issues as diverse as tariffs, the war in Iran and the climate, or even highlight his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Authorities in Geneva and activist groups including environmentalists, feminists and foes of capitalism are facing off over the right to protest and the right to protection from those who target symbols of corporate and political power.
“As the G7 meets in Evian, France, to plan the destruction of peoples, the exploitation of life and the domination of bodies, let us organize our resistance against fascism and imperialism,” the No G7 coalition of anticapitalism groups said in its call for a “largescale internationalist mobilization against this meeting.”
Businesses have been boarding up storefronts in Geneva, a center for United Nations offices, while some institutions like the World Trade Organization, which faced anti-capitalist protests in Seattle in the 1990s, are closing offices and instructing staff to work remotely.
Switzerland, a rich Alpine country, is not among the G7 membership that includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.
G7 also brings airspace restrictions
FRANCE and Switzerland have struck a military
cooperation agreement on G7 summit security. The arriving leaders will pass through the airport in Geneva, which is 95% surrounded by France and connected to the rest of Switzerland by a strip of land. The Swiss government said the army will deploy some 4,000 personnel to support police. Operations will include airspace restrictions, patrols on Lake Geneva and roadway restrictions. Seven of the 35 roadway border crossings will remain open. Geneva also is closing a major park where activists wanted to congregate.
France will deploy more than 13,000 police and gendarmerie officers to ensure security in the summit area just over the border. Over 800 French border control officers will be active, up from about 60 normally.
France also has introduced special permits for residents of Evian, perhaps best known for its bottled water, and environs while cordoning off a zone around the Hotel Royal where the leaders will meet. There is an authorized march on June 14. Public gatherings not previously planned are banned.
Cedric Dupont, a professor of international relations at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said authorities were “overreacting” with such stringent security measures that will impact the economy and people, alluding to the long lines at the border during the Covid crisis.
“It seems that they have not learned the lesson,” he said, noting that protesters can find their way to Geneva by traveling from other parts of Switzerland. “It’s just creating more problems than actually solving them.”
Residents and businesses prepare for disruption OVER 110,000 cross-border workers commute daily from France to Geneva, France’s Foreign Ministry says.
French authorities have advised people to postpone nonessential travel and work from home when possible.
Lake crossings by boat, also used by commuters, have been moved from Evian to other ferry landings outside restricted areas. Recreational water activities, including paddleboarding and swimming, will be allowed outside the summit area as the summer season begins, authorities said.
Corbet reported from Paris.
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
PRIVATE lawyers volunteer -
ing to assist the House prosecution panel in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte said on Thursday that they are ready to withstand disinformation campaigns, personal attacks, and political backlash as the proceedings move forward, emphasizing that their role is rooted in upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability. During the introduction of the first batch of private prosecutors, veteran litigator Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan acknowledged that the months ahead are expected to be politically charged, with efforts to distort facts and influence pub -
Alice Guo faces new tax evasion case as BIR cites ₧1.46B in total tax deficiencies
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal tax charges against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and four other sets of respondents over alleged tax deficiencies totaling more than P1.46 billion before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
A statement issued by the BIR read that it filed a criminal complaint against Guo for allegedly evading taxes and for her failure to file annual income tax returns for taxable years 2019 to 2023, involving an estimated income tax deficiency of more than P1.008 billion, inclusive of surcharges and interest.
This comes after Guo testified during a Senate hearing on May 22, 2024, regarding a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) compound in Bamban, where she reportedly admitted owning various real properties, vehicles and interests in several corporations.
Guo, now convicted of human trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment, is a Chinese national involved in Pogo operations and other criminal activities in Bamban, Tarlac.
Guo is charged under Section 254 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, for Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax, and under Section 255 for Failure to File Return and Pay Tax.
The BIR said its subsequent investigations uncovered substantial assets, expenditures and financial transactions linked to Guo, including real properties, motor vehicles, a helicopter, bank transactions, shares of stock and other acquisitions.
BIR records also showed that Guo allegedly failed to file annual income tax returns for five consecutive years despite significant documented expenditures and acquisitions during the same period.
The Bureau said it evaluated available records and found that the submitted documents were insufficient to explain the magnitude of the expenditures and transactions identified during the investigation.
Meanwhile, the BIR likewise filed criminal charges against Clint Anthony A. Vinco, Zestar Food Corp., represented by its president Yiling Huang and treasurer Xiazhen Guo, and nine other respondents over the alleged unlawful possession of illicit cigarettes subject to excise tax.
The respondents were charged under Section 263 of the Tax Code for unlawful possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment and under Section 254 for tax evasion.
The offenses carry penalties of up to 12 years of imprisonment and fines of up to P20 million, the BIR said.
According to the BIR, the case arose from an enforcement operation in Belison, Antique, where three vehicles carrying 574,980 packs of locally manufactured and imported cigarettes that did not bear the required internal revenue stamps were intercepted.
The agency estimated the excise tax deficiency at more than P418.38 million, inclusive of increments, for taxable year 2025. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
lic perception.
“It will be difficult. The coming days will be difficult,” she said, noting the rise of misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content that could be used to mislead the public.
Kapunan said they anticipate attempts to discredit the impeachment process, particularly from supporters of the Vice President, but stressed that their commitment remains focused on truth and constitutional duty.
“There will be those who will distort the truth, especially those who have pledged allegiance to the vice president,” she said.
“We call on the media to share with the public the responsibility that we as private prosecutors have assumed to help bring out the
truth, to help make accountable a public official that deserves to be accountable,” she added.
Despite expected criticism, Kapunan said the volunteer lawyers will not be deterred from assisting the House prosecution panel in preparing witnesses, evidence, and legal pleadings.
“It does not matter if we are hated personally,” Kapunan said. “What matters here is that we are useful, that we will be useful in supporting or aiding our public prosecutors in presenting a strong, fair and evidence-based case.”
SALiGAL Law managing partner Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan of SALiGAL Law said the backlash was expected but insignificant compared to their sense of duty.
“The hate that we will encoun -
ter and or experience, that is expected. But it is nothing compared to the honor that this obligation that we are fulfilling, the honor that it brings,” Ligutan said.
PECABAR Law managing partner Atty. Marforth Fua of PECABAR Law said their participation is strictly professional and not political.
“To us, this is just like any other legal work that we have handled and we are handling,” Fua said. “This is nothing personal. We’re given a job, we’re given an objective, so we’ll just fulfill our objective in this case like any other case we have handled.”
Kapunan also said the private prosecutors are prepared to take on courtroom roles, including possible cross-examination of the Vice President should she testify,
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
To address urgent classroom shortages while permanent struc
-
tures are under construction, the Department of Education (DepEd) is implementing 1,622 Learning Continuity Spaces—prefabricated classrooms worth P3.5 billion—nationwide.
DepEd said that three projects have already been completed and turned over before the opening of classes in Bulacan, Quezon, and Davao, while 159 projects are currently under construction and expected to be completed by July.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that DepEd is accelerating efforts to address the country’s classroom shortage by fast-tracking the utilization of classroom construction funds under the 2026 budget. Angara said that through various implementation mechanisms, thousands of classrooms nationwide are already funded, under procurement, under construction, or moving through the final stages of funding release.
He emphasized that DepEd is focused on shortening timelines, removing bottlenecks, and making sure every peso translates into learning spaces that Filipino students and teachers urgently need.
“Our objective is to move faster from budget to building. Every classroom that enters procurement, receives funding approval, breaks ground, or reaches completion is part of that effort. What our learners need are safe and functional classrooms, and we are working with DBM, DPWH, local governments, and private sector partners to deliver them as quickly as possible,” Angara said.
Based on the Department’s latest infrastructure monitoring report, of the P58.431 billion total budget covering 21,714 classrooms, a total of P36.227 billion covering 10,488 classrooms in 2,437 school sites nationwide is already moving through the implementation pipeline.
Of this amount, P17.27 billion has already been approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), while additional funding releases are under process. Beyond the national governmentfunded projects, DepEd has also signed
agreements with 79 local government units covering 2,632 classrooms in 666 school sites worth P9.31 billion, allowing classroom construction to proceed through LGU implementation.
Meanwhile, P7.627 billion worth of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-led classroom projects covering 2,217 classrooms have likewise secured funding approval. An additional funding worth P3.615 billion for 1,081 classrooms is also requested for Batch 2. Angara said the Department has adopted multiple implementation tracks to accelerate classroom delivery and avoid delays that have historically affected school infrastructure projects.
The Department also noted that 3,100 classrooms under the Public-Private Partnership School Infrastructure Program are already in the bidding stage, providing an additional mechanism for accelerating classroom construction nationwide.
DepEd reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that education infrastructure investments translate into actual classrooms that will benefit learners, teachers, and communities across the country.
Comelec may realign funds, reuse election materials for Dasmariñas special polls
By Mary Jade Gale Jadormio
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) may be forced to realign funds and reuse materials from previous polls as it struggles to raise nearly P200 million needed to conduct a special election in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body currently has no dedicated budget for the special election and is exploring contingency measures while awaiting possible assistance from the national government.
“We will tighten our belt. Comelec will always find ways,” Garcia said during a press briefing in Dasmariñas on Thursday.
Garcia said election officials have already been instructed to inventory and retrieve unused election supplies from previous electoral exercises to reduce procurement costs.
He cited unused indelible ink, election forms and other materials that could still be utilized for the special election.
“We have directed our regional directors to collect unused indelible ink and other election materials from different municipalities so we will no longer need to procure new ones,” Garcia said.
The Comelec chief stressed, however, that while the commission is prepared to economize, it would not compromise the integrity of the electoral process or reduce compensation for teachers serving as election workers.
“We will never compromise the honoraria to be received by teachers,” Garcia said.
He noted that under the current commission leadership, Comelec has consistently pushed for higher honoraria for teachers, members of boards of canvassers and other
election personnel.
The funding challenge comes as Comelec estimates that conducting a special election in Dasmariñas would cost around P200 million due to the city’s 437,730 registered voters, making it significantly larger than the recent Antipolo special election, which cost nearly P98 million.
Garcia revealed that although Comelec originally sought a larger contingency allocation for special elections under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the amount eventually approved was only around P11 million.
“Every year we are given only about P11 million because special elections are not events that can easily be predicted,” he said.
According to Garcia, the commission cannot use funds already appropriated for the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro parliamentary elections or the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections because those budgets are legally earmarked for specific purposes.
Instead, Comelec is considering postponing certain procurements and other non-essential expenditures to free up funds for the Dasmariñas polls.
“If there are items that can be deferred, then we will defer them,” Garcia said.
The commission is also seeking assistance from the executive branch, recalling that the government provided additional funding during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) after the polls were postponed and costs increased.
Garcia said Comelec has little choice but to secure the necessary funds because the lack of budget cannot be used as an excuse to avoid conducting a special election.
depending on the assignment of the House prosecution panel.
“If that is the role assigned to us, yes,” she said, stressing that such scenarios remain hypothetical at this stage.
She emphasized that the volunteer lawyers remain under the supervision of the House prosecution team and are primarily providing litigation support, legal research, and assistance in preparing arguments and evidence.
The House prosecution panel is led by House Committee on Justice Chairman Gerville Luistro.
Luistro said the inclusion of prominent private lawyers has boosted the confidence of the prosecution team as it prepares for trial before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
“We are confident because of the private prosecutors assisting us. They are highly respected lawyers,” she said, adding that their expertise strengthens the legal team. She also said confidence is anchored not only on legal support but also on the strength of the evidence gathered for the impeachment complaint.
Kapunan reiterated that the private lawyers are not seeking prominence in the proceedings.
The first batch of private prosecutors—drawn from Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices, SALiGAL Law, and PECABAR Law—is expected to formally enter its appearance before the Senate impeachment court on June 15 as the case moves toward pre-trial proceedings.
PHL, Sweden eye deeper cooperation on RE, AI, and manufacturing–DOF
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Philippines and Sweden are looking to expand economic cooperation in renewable energy (RE), digitalization and manufacturing, among others, to boost economic growth and strengthen bilateral relations, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
In a statement on Thursday, the DOF said Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go met with a Swedish delegation, led by Swedish Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk and Swedish Ambassador Anna Ferry, and discussed investment prospects in the Philippines.
“What we are pushing for is job creation. We welcome manufacturing investments, for instance, because it has the capability to create many jobs for the country’s highly skilled labor force,” Go was quoted as saying. Go said the government is seeking investments in renewable and clean energy, as well as digital technologies, including the adoption of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity solutions.
“At all costs, Comelec will find a way to fund this election because we have no choice,” he said.
Despite the financial strain and overlapping preparations for the Bangsamoro polls and BSKE, Garcia said Comelec remains committed to holding the election within the constitutional period if it is determined to be mandatory.
Special elections in Cavite
WITH its sufficient funds, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can now push through with the special elections in Cavite for the position vacated by former Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, according to Malacañang.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already identified a fund source for the said special elections.
“According to DBM, there are still funds, which the Comelec can use. The funds are sufficient,” she said in Filipino in a press briefing last Thursday.
Last week, the Comelec estimated it may need P200 million to conduct the special elections in Cavite.
It sought an additional budget for the said polls since it has no specific allocation for its under the 2026 national budget. The additional expense also comes as the poll body prepares for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections and the Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections.
DBM said Comelec can afford the special elections using its allocations in the 2026 General Appropriations Act as well as a unobligated allotments from prior years. With Samuel Medenilla
Meanwhile, Lennefalk cited Sweden’s extensive expertise in fossil-free energy technologies and renewable energy solutions.
“We are working with the Swedish Energy Agency on various
technologies, including floating offshore wind, as well as integrated wind and solar solutions,” Lennefalk said. “We hope to see some installations down the line, and there are already two or three companies involved in these initiatives.”
Go also welcomed possible partnerships in healthcare, agriculture, food security, electronics, mineral processing and the services sector, as these have the potential to increase investment growth and employment generation.
Moreover, Ferry raised the issue of streamlining and accelerating grant processing procedures to help attract more investments and accelerate the implementation of development projects.
Sweden is contributing to Luzon’s Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway through a 74-million grant to fund a feasibility study on signaling systems and operational models (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2026/05/13/swedens-rail-study-opens-door-to-more-investments/).
Sweden is among seven new countries that recently joined the Luzon Economic Corridor, alongside Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea and the United Kingdom, expanding a partnership initially launched by the Philippines, the United States and Japan in 2024.
DA: Aid mobilized for fishing communities after Badoc oil spill
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has mobilized assistance for coastal communities following an oil spill in Badoc, Ilocos Norte, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on fisheries, livelihoods, and marine ecosystems.
This, following an oil spill from a partially capsized cargo vessel off Badoc, Ilocos Norte, which resulted in the discharge of suspected petroleum-based products.
The DA noted that oil residues were later reported along portions of the shoreline in Barangay Dadalaquiten Norte, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel
Jr. said the DA has dispatched teams from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to support response efforts led by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
“The oil spill is a serious concern because it threatens not only marine resources but also the livelihoods of fishing communities that depend on healthy coastal waters,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Our priority is to contain any potential impact on fisheries, ensure seafood safety, and provide immediate assistance to affected fisherfolk should the situation worsen.”
Tiu Laurel said initial reports suggest the vessel was not carrying crude oil or large volumes of bunker fuel, which could help limit environmental damage and simplify cleanup operations.
Furthermore, initial assessments indicate that at least 135 registered fisherfolk and 30 fishing vessels operating in Badoc could be affected.
The DA said it stands ready to provide food packs, temporary livelihood assistance, and other support measures should fishing activities be disrupted.
For her part, DA Undersecretary Drusila Bayate said BFAR has intensified monitoring and assessment activities to determine the extent of contamination and its potential effects on fishery resources.
“While there have been no reports of fish kills, abnormal fish behavior, or contaminated fishery products so far, we are taking a precautionary approach,” Bayate said.
“Continuous monitoring, seafood safety testing, and fisheries impact assessments are underway to ensure that any emerging risks are detected and addressed immediately,” she added. Ada Pelonia
THE recent statement from Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan carries a refreshing note of candor: poverty may be declining, but vulnerability remains stubbornly high. Official figures show poverty incidence dropping to 15.5 percent in 2023 from 18.1 percent in 2021—a welcome achievement. Yet as Balisacan himself acknowledges, millions of Filipino households remain one health emergency, one typhoon, or one spell of food inflation away from slipping back into destitution. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “High-quality jobs key to cutting poverty,” June 8, 2026).
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) has rightly identified the solution: quality, productive jobs. The World Bank’s finding is especially striking—95 percent of poverty reduction between 2012 and 2023 came from Filipinos moving into wage employment outside agriculture and fisheries. In other words, the most powerful anti-poverty program is a decent paycheck.
But here lies the rub. Productivity growth has been weak, and without it, higher-quality jobs will remain scarce. The Philippines cannot build a resilient middle class on a foundation of low-wage, insecure, or informal work. A middle class that trembles at every economic shock is no middle class at all. Secretary Balisacan’s prescription is sound: promote competition, encourage innovation and investment, and strengthen labor market institutions that balance worker protection with flexibility. Yet the gap between policy pronouncements and on-the-ground reality remains wide. Small and medium enterprises—the country’s primary job generators—still struggle with red tape, access to credit, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. Meanwhile, workers in emerging sectors like digital services and the green economy often lack formal protections and pathways to upward mobility.
We commend the government’s focus under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. But creating quality jobs cannot be reduced to a target in a planning document. It requires addressing persistent disparities in health, education, and nutrition, especially in remote areas. A child in rural Mindanao who is chronically malnourished and underserved by local health clinics will not suddenly become a productive member of the middle-class workforce, regardless of how many jobs are created in Metro Manila.
Balisacan is right to call for stronger local institutions, more effective fiscal transfers, and better implementation capacity. These are the unglamorous, unflashy reforms that determine whether national aspirations translate into local realities.
Ultimately, building a predominantly middle-class society is not merely a social aspiration—it is an economic and political imperative. A broad, secure middle class drives robust domestic demand, widens the tax base, funds human capital investment, and strengthens social cohesion. Without it, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of boom-and-bust vulnerability, where growth is episodic and poverty reduction reversible.
The government’s acknowledgment of these challenges is a necessary first step. But Filipinos need more than acknowledgment. They need competition policy that breaks up entrenched monopolies, labor reforms that reward productivity without sacrificing security, and public services that reach the last mile. They need a job market where a day’s work delivers not just a wage, but a pathway to a better life.
As Secretary Balisacan put it, the vision is a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay—a stable, prosperous, and secure life for every Filipino. That vision will remain a slogan until the country delivers on the one thing that makes it possible: quality jobs, at scale, for all.
ANY fathers struggle to verbally say “I love you” due to toxic or traditional masculinity.
The logline of the Virgin Lab Fest’s play “Elehiya” reads “a collection of monologues. It is an impressionistic montage of the important conversations that should have taken place between sons and their fathers, but never did.”
Written by Dustin Celestino and directed by Ron Capinding, “Elehiya” features a five-man cast with two sets of fathers and sons and the storyteller Lalaki. Veteran filmmaker and occasional actor Carlitos Siguion-Reyna (as Nick) shared the stage for the first time with his son Rafa (as Kulas). The other pair is CCP artistic director Dennis Marasigan (as Gardo), and John Sanchez (as Ed).
The play explores fatherhood, parenting, toxic masculinity, and the culture of silence that often pervades Filipino households—especially the emotional restraint between father and son.
It touches upon traditional ideas of “manhood” where men were supposed to be tough, occasionally reckless, and brave.
Fathers and men, in general, were taught the values and behaviors society wanted them to understand and believe about manhood and masculinity.
Using basketball as the focal point of the dialogues, the play highlights how expressing love can feel almost taboo, as if showing emotion makes men appear weak or vulnerable.
Many older generations of men often repeat the parenting styles they received from their own fathers, continuing a cycle of unspoken affection.
If a father was raised by a stoic man, he may not have learned how to be emotionally expressive with his own children. They were never given space or permission to access the full range of their true emotional being when they were children.
If a father was raised by a stoic man, he may not have learned how to be emotionally expressive with his own children. They were never given space or permission to access the full range of their true emotional being when they were children.
Many traditional fathers believe their primary duty is protection and building resilience, leading them to express love through hard work, support as well as the sturdy hand of control and discipline.
Rather than spoken words, they express their love through acts of service, providing for the family, and quiet sacrifice to secure their children’s future.
Like Nick, the acts of fathers who are overly harsh or aggressive can come across as rejections if the son’s actuations do not fit with the father’s expectations.
The play somewhat depicts my
By Andrea Dudik & Michal Kubala
L. Cabangon
T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes D. Edgard A. Cabangon
V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
Rolando M. Manangan
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THE Czech Republic will block the European Union’s attempts to sanction Israel’s national security minister over his treatment of activists who were trying to get aid into Gaza, the country’s top diplomat said.
Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said he told EU partners to “not even try or we will block” such a proposal if it’s tabled before an election in Israel in late October as doing so would fuel the popularity of the far-right minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, at home.
EU diplomats have begun work on imposing sanctions on Ben-Gvir even as divisions persist among member states, Bloomberg News reported last week. Czech opposition is set to stymie those efforts, likely leaving member states to act unilaterally as some—including France and Ireland—have already done.
Spelling out his reasoning, Macinka described Israeli minister as “a terrible person, an unbearable individual” whose behavior “really goes beyond the pale.”
Still, the measures targeting BenGvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both considered hard-line nationalists, would turn them into heroes for their voters and “victims
of some anti-Zionist conspiracy by the West,” he told Bloomberg News in an interview in Prague on Tuesday.
“Paradoxically, we would actually help them by doing this,” Macinka said.
In addition to casting sanctions as election interference, the minister also criticized the activists themselves calling them “provocateurs” and “very radical.”
The EU last month moved to sanction violent settlers in the West Bank, the first time the 27-member bloc secured unanimous backing for punitive measures against Israel since the height of the Gaza crisis.
That list was initially going to include Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, but ultimately officials held off in order to gain more support. Macinka has been focused on strengthening political and economic ties with Israel. In May, the Czech Republic hosted the biggest Israeli business delegation to the country, along with Foreign Minister
EU diplomats have begun work on imposing sanctions on Ben-Gvir even as divisions persist among member states, Bloomberg News reported last week. Czech opposition is set to stymie those efforts, likely leaving member states to act unilaterally as some—including France and Ireland—have already done.
Gideon Sa’ar.
The government of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis is keen to build pragmatic ties with other countries, Macinka said. This aligns the Czechs more closely with the administration of US President Donald Trump as we “speak the same language” and “share the same world view,” according to the minister.
“Under us, there has been a significant reduction in that kind of exporting of moralizing,” he said.
“Instead we are trying to export goods and services.”
The 47-year-old Czech diplomat drew praise from Trump after he sparred with Hillary Clinton at a panel discussion earlier this year. He said his recent talks in the US have
father in the character of Marasigan as Gardo, who acted as a security guard like my father.
All throughout their more than 30 years of marriage, we never saw our parents engage in physical fights.
Although we were accustomed to Mama’s mataray lines, we knew that was just how they expressed their emotions: only through words and eye contact.
Papa will always say that before Mama would be mad at him, he already forgave her. Papa would just step back. He would not overreact to the emotions of mama.
They had a reverse role: Mama was the breadwinner and Papa was the family caretaker. Mama took care of the financial well-being of the family while Papa was in charge of the spiritual and emotional needs of the children. He would tell us stories of life, how proud he was of us, his children. He often stressed that he had nothing to give to us but our future. Two of his sons entered the priesthood, Fr. Philip Welthy and Fr. Stephen Melvin. I finished legal studies from the University of the Philippines. “Pagkatapos nito—pagkatapos ng dulang ‘to—babalik na ‘ko sa pagkamacho, pagkamanhid, at puwede na See “Gorecho,” A11
focused on forging closer business ties in the defense sector.
Czech companies may be involved in America First Arms Transfer Strategy, a program intended to make up for missing capacity in US defense sector, he said.
Macinka wouldn’t elaborate on the size of these deals or companies involved, but said such production could take place in the US and the Czech Republic and would start during Trump’s presidency.
“If those technologies were transferred to our territory, that would undoubtedly be quite a good set of steroids for Czech defense exports as well,” he said. The Czech defense sector, led by arms maker CSG NA, has undergone an unprecedented boom since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 as revenue soared on ammunition and defense vehicles sales. CSG owner billionaire Michal Strnad said last month that he’s looking at possibilities to further diversify in the US.
‘Very difficult for us’ THE Nato leaders’ summit in Ankara next month will test the relationship Czechs have with Trump. The government in Prague has come under US pressure after falling
Nigeria’s stock market frenzy sends zombie firm share price up 250%
By Emele Onu
FOR most of the past two decades, the Union Dicon Salt factory in Nigeria’s capital has been idle. Losses are piling up and its largest shareholder has seemingly vanished.
Essentially, the company is moribund. Yet, in the stock market, its value has done nothing but rise this year. For reasons even Union Dicon executives can’t explain, small-time speculators have been buying the shares in droves. It’s up almost 250 percent this year, putting it among the 10 best stocks in Nigeria this year.
The rally is part of a stock frenzy that’s sweeping the country, driven in part by day traders looking for the chance to strike it rich. Even though the Nigerian exchange is tiny by global standards (the median market value of publicly traded companies is just $35 million), its rise underscores the power of brokerage apps pulling in new customers from far-flung corners of the world and giving them the chance to speculate on stocks pumped up by social-media hype.
Retail investors have become a formidable force in Nigeria. Individuals were behind a third of all trades on the Nigerian Exchange at the end of 2025, according to the latest available stock exchange data. That’s up from a fifth the previous year. Five years ago, they figured far less.
Boniface Okezie, a 70-year-old owner of a delivery company, is one of those small-time traders. He’s hoping his punt on Union Dicon shares, or maybe another of his wagers, will be the one that makes him a fortune. While his portfolio contains some larger firms, he’s most excited about the small ones.
“Those penny stocks, even with small naira in your pocket you can buy them,” Okezie said one afternoon as he milled about the lobby of the Nigerian stock exchange. “The market is a risk, so we are risk takers,” he said. “It’s something we are addicted to.”
To Union Dicon executive Alfred James, the rally is an absurdity. There was a little re-start of the ramshackle factory last August but, James says, salt production has essentially been zero since 2004. And, he adds, the company “has not paid dividends to anybody. I just think people are getting feelers as if something is happening.”
Those “feelers” have helped push the stock above 23 naira, the equivalent of about 2 US cents, from 7 naira back in January.
For the wider Nigerian market, there are plenty of good reasons behind the rally. Dangote Cement Plc has doubled this year as its owner, billionaire Aliko Dangote, presses ahead with plans for a secondary listing in London. Oil companies, like Seplat Energy Plc, are reaping windfall profits.
It’s a trend fraught with risk, especially in a country where nearly half the population lives in extreme poverty. Most individual traders tend to end up losing money because they are poor at stock selection and market timing, said Bige Kahraman, a pro -
Czech. . . continued from A10
military alliance’s spending targets.
“The Czech Republic’s fiscal conditions” are “very difficult for us,” he said, adding that the country remains committed to increasing defense spending going forward. “It will take some time.”
While the Czech budget deficit was below 3 percent of gross domestic product last year, the government has signaled the gap may widen because of investment spending.
Macinka hails from the ruling coalition’s junior Motorists party, which entered parliament for the first time after last year’s election. His politics were shaped under
Tfessor at Oxford University’s Said Business School who has studied retail investing.
“It’s quite dangerous, especially when people probably have limited savings already,” she said. “Even during normal times, retail investors tend to lose money, but how much they lose can really get amplified during a market bubble.”
Many amateur Nigerian traders don’t know what they are buying and risk getting burned, according to David Adonri, chief executive officer of brokerage Highcap Securities Ltd.
“Some of the trades are done on the expectation that the price will increase further because it increased yesterday,” he said.
The head of Nigeria’s financial regulator said last year that the preference for speculation was a major hurdle for the country’s growth. More than a quarter of Nigeria’s nearly 240 million people are regularly gambling, compared with less than 5 percent that invest in capital markets, Securities and Exchange Commission Director-General Emomotimi Agama said at the time.
But with stocks going up and up, many individuals are undeterred. Business consultant Chinedu Dike, for instance, says he’s used brokers in the past, but now relies on media reports and his own judgment to invest.
And having made a 500 percent return on Deap Capital shares in just a year, Dike, 45, isn’t about to lay off penny stocks either, because “if a stock is already low, in the one-naira region, how far deeper can it fall?”
It helps that Dike and other doit-yourself investors are courted by a slew of online trading platforms that promise fast and cheap trading. On one of the most popular apps, called Bamboo, almost quarter of the customers are under the age of 25 and they tend to commit a median investment of about 13,000 naira each time, or roughly $10.
“We’re acquiring young people and that’s exciting for us,” said Richmond Bassey, who founded the brokerage.
Among Bamboo users is Ifeanyichukwu Omoregie, a 24-year-old content producer at a Lagos radio station. She embraced investing just over a year ago, she says, buying Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc stock at 25 naira per share. Since then, she’s gradually added more money, favoring companies whose products she uses.
“I said if I can start with 5,000 naira, then if I lose it, it won’t be a lot of pain,” Omoregie said. So far it’s working out well. Her Dangote Sugar shares have tripled since she bought them. She likes to frequently check her investments, because “when you open up the app, you can see how much you made today on your stocks.” Bloomberg
former euroskeptic president Vaclav Klaus, whose opposition to deeper European integration, climate regulation and the euro still resonates in the country.
A former head of communications for Klaus, he has had tense relations with the current head of state, Petr Pavel.
The minister is keen to normalize ties with China, which he said soured under the previous government as it sought to focused more on building ties with Taiwan, while respecting the One China policy.
Relations with Taiwan will remain at business level but the Czechs “don’t want to take any steps that someone could interpret as steps supporting Taiwan’s independence,” he said. With assistance from Julius Domoney /Bloomberg
Tito Genova Valiente
HE first time I travelled to Sampaloc, Quezon, I did not know where it was. Nor did I have any knowledge about. Located in Quezon, and hemmed in by the more popular towns of Laguna, where, presently, one can find the more familiar towns of Nagcarlan, Majayjay and other sites that this generation would readily call “instagrammable,” Sampaloc seems an almost forgotten destination. Except perhaps for those who live there. Except perhaps for those who have earlier discovered a town so isolated and yet welcoming, a town that has settled singularly on à valley fertile now with people proud of their place and peace.
Last June 6, 2026, I had the privilege of making a second trip to the municipality of Sampaloc to give a workshop on film education. This was under the auspices of Cine Sampaloc, an ambitiously sprawling and generous project that aims to flesh out the other nature of film, which is to teach and explore the still fleeting contents of identity. The aim is to teach the technology and arts of cinema to young men and women with the assumption that these tools come naturally to them. The project has clear policies enough to include in the workshop not only the youth of this town but of the neighboring towns as well.
Personally, I was excited to join the program, which was being managed by an award-winning filmmaker, Lemuel Lorca, himself a son of Quezon province. There was also the esteemed company of filmmakers who chose to be cultural workers: Paulo Almaden, sound designer par excellence, Sheron Dayoc, multi-awarded filmmaker from Mindanao, and Lav Diaz, who, I was informed, had quietly taken residence in the quiet town of Sampaloc.
There is always a charm the second time one visits a far-off town or village. Your vision remains untarnished; in fact, the revisit creates in you a strange excitement. You do not know much about the town. You do not know much about its people. But
you feel you are now possessing the amulet of familiarity—that charm, yes, that assures you certain forces have allowed you to be back, in the same space.
In this second trip, I was more knowledgeable about the towns that abut my destination. This gave me a good feeling. As we reached what I would describe as gliding zigzag roads, I nudged my companion to assure him we were getting closer to Sampaloc. I spoke like an expert only to be disproven quickly: the roads kept winding more, down through, passing by massive bamboo clumps and trees so tall and unknown to me I could not identify one. A tree with bluish-gray body holds distinctly purple blooms. Trees with equally huge trunks stood proudly with their age unmarked. The way to Sampaloc is a sweet journey through the unknown. To a certain degree.
you wish—facts about it. It is a mere 53 kilometers from Lucena, a commercial hub in Quezon. It is only 183 kilometers from Manila.
Why this feeling of isolation then as one approaches Sampaloc?
Our car kept on going down, the roads still surprising us with its shape, a twisting ribbon guarded on both sides by trees and more trees. Suddenly, the right side cleared up. Houses began to appear but they were still demarcated by trees that seemingly refuse to give up their space.
The wonder of it all is that, I think, humans have learned respectfully to live with trees. Creatures that are older than their names.
To our left, at this point, we could see what had graciously hidden Sampaloc from loud commerce, from overzealous consumerism, from the urban afflictions that have ruined bigger, exposed towns and cities. We were looking now in awe at parts of Sierra Madre, literally the “Mother
What other secrets does this town of Sampaloc remain unheralded? My cursory research would reveal to me a town that rectified the faults of colonial history.
There was a man named Teodoro Asedillo, who used Sampaloc generally as his base. He was considered an outlaw (from the perspective of the American colonial government) and because Sampaloc was identified with him, the town became the target of surveillance and hamletting of villages.
Mountain Range.” Spanning more than 500 kilometers and crossing 10 provinces, we were eavesdropping on a force that had created the magical valley of Sampaloc.
There is something to discover in this town. Strangely enough, when you examine its geographical details, you realize friendlier—intimate, if
By Alberto Nardelli, Samy Adghirni & Alex Wickham
EUROPEAN leaders aim to use meetings with Donald Trump at a Group of Seven summit in France next week to get the US President on board with plans to push for new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.
The UK, France and Germany believe momentum in the war has shifted toward Ukraine, creating an opening for negotiations that would move beyond terms that emerged after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
The leaders of the so-called E3 nations want Russia to accept an immediate ceasefire with the current front line as the “starting point for negotiations” and robust security guarantees for Ukraine that include deployment of a multinational force. They set out the proposals in a joint statement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following talks in London on Sunday.
Putin has previously refused a ceasefire to allow for peace talks, arguing it would allow Kyiv to rearm and bolster its defenses, and has rejected the presence of European troops in Ukraine. He wants Ukraine to surrender territory in its eastern Donetsk region that Russian forces have failed to take in fighting since 2014 under any peace accord, something Kyiv has ruled out.
Critics of the idea of engaging with Russia now, including some
officials from E3 nations, say that is all unlikely to change any time soon.
Still, with the February 2022 full-scale invasion now in its fifth year, Russia’s forces are making little progress on the battlefield at the cost of mounting losses, while its economy is straining despite a boost from surging oil prices over the Middle East war.
Ukraine is also waging a sustained campaign of strikes inside Russia targeting oil refineries and companies linked to defense production, reaching deeper inside the country to bring the war closer to home for ordinary Russians.
The E3 see an opportunity to carve out a bigger role for Europe in shaping negotiations, as US-led talks have stalled with Washington focused on the conflict with Iran. They want Trump’s buy-in to their proposals as a way to help increase pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table, leading to talks involving officials from Europe, the US, Ukraine and Russia as early as next month, the people familiar said.
As part of these efforts, the UK and the European Union are working on new sanctions to impose on Russia in the coming weeks, the people added. They cautioned that the plans were in flux and could
change.
Europe is also seeking to avoid a repeat of last winter, when Ukrainians endured freezing temperatures without power or heating as Russia carried out waves of devastating attacks on energy infrastructure.
A German official declined to comment. French President Emmanuel Macron’s press office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The UK government declined to comment.
Putin last week criticized a mediation role for European leaders, saying they were clearly on Ukraine’s side in the war. He also flatly rejected an offer from Zelenskyy to meet for direct talks, dismissing an open letter from the Ukrainian leader as “rude” and intended to make it “impossible to hold any personal meetings.”
The Russian leader has stood firm on what he says were agreements reached with Trump at their meeting in Anchorage. European states should “convince the Kyiv authorities to agree to the compromises we are talking about,” he told a meeting with foreign media last week.
Ukraine’s in a position of strength now militarily, politically and economically and it’s “high time” for Europe to reach out to Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said at a news conference Wednesday in Helsinki.
“We need to coordinate, we need to have a common agenda,” Stubb said. “I think it’s important that we have the big players up in the front, France, Germany, and the UK.” With assistance from Kirsi Heikel, Arne Delfs and Thomas Hall /Bloomberg
Asedillo was killed in Sampaloc, his body was said to have been put on display in the town. As they always say, the victorious get to write the history of the nation they have vanquished. What must be the memory of Sampaloc about Asedillo, still a continuing revolutionary against colonialism?
It appears Sampaloc has a valorous way of rewriting history: they named one of its falls after Asedillo. I should visit that historical site one day. My stay in Sampaloc was facilitated greatly by Jane Devanadera. As to its arts and culture program, the town has a young leader, Mayor Noel Angelo T. Devanadera, a rare individual who is into two arts—martial arts and film arts and its related components. I always believe a local initiative becomes successful when the leaders in that place give their all-out support. Sampaloc has this in the person of Mayor Devanadera.
In the town, people spoke of rivers that divided the northern and southern half of the town. My short stay did not allow me to take a look at this body of water. I had a glimpse though of a stream that ran behind the transient studio where the local government has billeted me for a night. Its soft, rushing sound was the most perfect companion for sleep in town where no dogs bayed or barked. People also proudly told of caves and distant falls.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
. . continued from A10
ulit akong magkunwari na ni minsan, walang luha o uhog na dumapo sa mukha ko,” said the storyteller Lalaki at the end of the play. Elehiya is part of the 21st Virgin Lab Fest (VLF) that carried the theme “Hubo’t Hubad“ with the aim of “stripping down all pretense of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit.” Hubo’t hubad is a Tagalog phrase that translates to “completely naked.” It combines two related root words that describe states of being unclothed: “Hubo” from the waist down while “Hubad” from the waist up. Together, they emphasize total nudity, the unadorned truth without sugarcoating.
Established in 2005, VLF is known as the Philippines’ only festival dedicated to “untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays” showcasing diverse voices that touch on complex human experiences and social issues.
Organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), VLF aims to give voice to marginalized sectors who are normally invisible in public discussion and discourse.
The plays for this year’s VLF are grouped into four thematic sets labeled A, B, C, D (Tengang Kawali, Kapit Tuko, Balat Kalabaw, Pusong Mamon) with each set featuring three new plays plus set E (Dilang Matalim), which revisits standout plays from previous years. VLF XXI will run from June 3 to 28, 2026 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).
Peyups is the
Friday, June 12, 2026
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
EAL
RA
“The
The
trust departments REL stood at 9.43 percent in end-March 2026, the data revealed.
In absolute terms, the central bank said the real estate exposure of both bank and trust departments reached P3.204 trillion in March. Most of these
while the trust department accounted for P4.56 billion. Residential real estate loans increased by 8.38 percent to P1.229 trillion in March 2026 from P1.134 trillion a year ago. Commercial real estate loans also grew by 7.75 percent year-on-year to P1.975 trillion from P1.833 trillion. Past-due residential real estate loans went up by 0.87 percent year-on-year to P108.56 billion while past-due commercial real estate loans rose by 32.51 percent year-on-year to P55.517
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio
local businesses now have the option to choose their electricity supplier, but many remain within the orbit of the same corporate groups, according to a Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) study.
previously identified by its Market Surveillance Committee.
“Banks will likely remain selective and continue managing exposures prudently, keeping overall real estate exposure broadly stable,” he added. Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. said the latest data reflects “not a lack of appetite” but “strategic caution.”
“Until we see clear signs of sustained demand recovery, stable rates, and improving occupancy, real estate will likely stay range-bound in bank portfolios, not a major growth driver,” he said.
While the Electric Power Industry Reform Act allows firms to participate in both power generation and electricity distribution, the study noted that retail electricity suppliers (RES) affiliated with major power producers enjoy structural advantages that can make it difficult for smaller, independent players to compete.
The PCC noted that the market’s concentration warrants closer monitoring to better understand its longterm implications for competition better, a view shared by the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) during a strategic policy dialogue last May 22.
The study also found that many contestable customers, or those al-
lowed to choose their electricity supplier, have yet to switch providers despite the availability of retail competition programs.
Among the barriers identified were limited awareness of customer choice mechanisms and a lack of familiarity with the supplier-switching process.
They also observed a pattern of “affiliate switching,” in which customers switch to another retail supplier within the same corporate group rather than to an independent competitor.
While such movements could limit broader market diversification, PEMC said its monitoring data suggests these decisions are often influenced by commercial considerations, such as pricing structures, contract flexibility, and service quality.
For its part, PEMC added that the study’s findings closely mirror trends
Operational challenges were also highlighted, which they said continue to slow customer transitions, particularly delays in procuring and installing retail metering systems within franchise areas.
Both agencies noted that many contestable customers struggle to evaluate competing offers because of the complexity of electricity contracts and the absence of in-house technical expertise.
Despite these challenges, PEMC reported that electricity consumption within the competitive retail electricity market increased last year, driven largely by government-led customer choice programs.
The market is also expected to expand further after the Energy Regulatory Commission lowered the contestability threshold to 100 kilowatts from 500 kilowatts beginning in
June, allowing more small and medium-sized commercial and industrial consumers to participate.
Although retail competition has yet to reach the household level, both the PCC and PEMC said the expansion of the retail aggregation program could provide smaller end-users with a pathway to collectively access competitive electricity supply options. The two agencies are negotiating a cooperation agreement that would formalize data-sharing arrangements on market settlements and pricing behavior, while establishing procedures for PEMC to alert the PCC of market patterns or activities that may warrant competition review.
The dialogue formed part of the PCC’s ongoing stakeholder consultations on competition issues in the power sector, following a similar engagement with the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines in March.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
CUSTOMERS of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will pay higher electricity bills in June after the company announced an increase in rates, blaming a surge in wholesale spot market prices. The company said “tight grid conditions” pushed overall rates up by P0.1488 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Thus, the overall rate for a typical household would climb to P14.4833 per kWh this month from P14.3345 per kWh in May. For a household consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment adds P30 to the monthly bill.
According to the company, the main driver was the generation charge, which climbed P0.2762 per kWh to P9.0704 from P8.7942 per kWh in May.
Wholesale electricity spot market
(WESM) prices surged to P7.0281 per kWh after the Luzon grid was placed on Red Alert for three consecutive days from May 13 to 15, as power demand exceeded 2024’s record levels itself a period affected by El Niño while generation capacity tightened following transmission line trippings.
The secondary price cap was triggered 3.89 percent of the time.
Power Supply Agreement (PSA) charges also rose by P0.0941 per kWh excluding line rental adjustments, on the back of continued peso depreciation — which affected 54 percent of PSA costs — and higher world market prices for coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Charges from the Santa Rita and San Lorenzo gas plants of First Gas/Prime CoreGen, however, dropped P0.1569 per kWh
due to improved average dispatch, partially offsetting the impact of heavier LNG usage and currency weakness on fuel costs.
PSAs, First Gas/Prime CoreGen, and WESM respectively accounted for 69 percent, 21 percent, and 10 percent of Meralco’s total energy requirement for the billing period.
The overall rate increase was tempered by a P0.1525 per kWh decline in the transmission charge, following the lifting of the suspension of WESM operations on May 1.
Taxes and other charges added a net P0.0251 per kWh. Customers also continue to receive a refund of P0.4278 per kWh. Meralco’s distribution charge has remained unchanged since it was reduced by P0.0360 per kWh for typical residential customers in August 2022.
By Carmel Pedroza
CEBU City—Mandaue City
Mayor Thadeo Jovito M. Ouano considers the establishment and operation of an Ikea store in the city as “a significant development not only for Mandaue but for the entire region.”
Ouano expressed gratitude to investors Ikea (Philippines) Inc. and Ayala Land Inc. for the move that he expects to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, attract more visitors and provide “greater convenience and choices for families across the Visayas.”
He added that Ikea’s decision to establish its Visayas presence in Mandaue highlights the confidence of international investors in the city’s growth prospects.
“Your investment reflects confidence in our city’s potential, our strategic location, and most importantly our people,” he said.
Ouano also reiterated the local government’s commitment to sup -
porting investors and strengthening partnerships with the private sector to further position Mandaue as a premier destination for living, working, investing, and doing business.
“As your local government, we remain committed to creating a business-friendly environment through efficient services, ease of doing business and strong partnerships with the private sector,” he added.
Ouano spoke during ceremonies announcing the opening of the Ikea store at the Ayala mall in Barangay Subangdaku on December 16.
The Mandaue branch will be the first Ikea store outside Metro Manila and the second-largest in the country. It will occupy more than 4,000 square meters of retail space and feature 41 showcase rooms and approximately 2,500 products available to consumers across the Visayas.
During his courtesy visit to Cebu Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro last Tuesday, Ikea Philippines Country Retail Manager Ricardo Pinheiro
ACEN to inject SPAV with ₧1.15B
AThese represent a 6.67-percent stake in Giga Ace 8’s total outstanding shares. The infusion will be used entirely to fund the construction of Giga Ace 8’s 300.011-megawatt peak/237-megawatt alternating current Palauig Solar 2 Project, ACEN said. Payment will be made in cash, with the subscription price arrived at through mutual negotiation between the parties. Giga Ace 8 is a special purpose vehicle set up by ACEN for the development and construction of renewable energy projects in the Philippines. Lorenz S. Marasigan
described the company’s expansion in the province as “an important milestone.”
Pinheiro was quoted as saying in a statement that the Delft, Netherlands-headquartered company sees strong opportunities in the Visayas market.
Baricuatro was quoted in a statement as saying that the entry of a globally- recognized brand such as Ikea could further el -
evate Cebu’s status in the furniture industry by drawing greater local and international attention to the province’s craftsmanship and manufacturing capabilities.
She added the investment could create new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and market growth for Cebuano furniture makers while reinforcing Cebu’s position as a leading furniture destination in the Philippines.
By VG Cabuag @villygc
ABOITIZ Equity Venture Inc. announced last Thursday of having secured clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission for the sale of its 40 percent stake in Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. to Global Infrastructure Partners LLC (GIP).
GIP is a part of BlackRock and the deal was made through GIP EM Onyx Pte. Ltd.
“The PCC’s clearance is one of the closing conditions for the transaction. The parties are in the process of completing the other closing conditions for the transaction,” AEV said.
Last December, the AEV announced a share subscription and purchase agreement for the subscription of and purchase by GIP of a 40-percent ownership interest in AIC, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz group.
The deal amounted to about P13.7 billion, P4.64 billion of which will be paid to AIC directly with the remaining balance paid to AEV.
AIC currently operates the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the Panglao International Airport in Bohol and the Laguindingan
International Airport in Misamis Oriental.
AIC is the infrastructure arm of AEV. It holds a diversified portfolio of infrastructure-related investments in the Philippines, including airport operations, bulk water distribution and telecommunications towers.
GIP will acquire a total of 1.14 billion common common shares and 1.4 billion redeemable preferred shares in AIC, equivalent to a 40 percent.
“The transaction is intended to bring in a strategic investor in AIC. GIP brings deep global experience in infrastructure investing across transport, energy, water and digital assets, with a strong focus on operational excellence, sustainability, and long-term value creation,” read a statement the AEV issued.
GIP’s entry into the firm will support AIC’s existing infrastructure platform and provide access to additional institutional expertise, best practices and resources, it added.
“The transaction supports AEV’s disciplined portfolio management approach and its broader transformation into a ‘techglomerate,’ while driving inclusive growth and longterm stakeholder value,” it said.
IN one of our recent episodes of the PCAAE Podcast, “Association Matters,” we had the opportunity to speak with Evelyn Lo, executive director of the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association and secretary of the Malaysian Society of Association Executives (MSAE), about how associations are rethinking events, engagement, and collaboration in a rapidly changing business environment. What struck me most during our conversation was not simply the programs being organized by MSAE, but the mindset behind them, a mindset rooted in partnerships, adaptability, and communitybuilding.
Founded in 2017, MSAE is still a relatively young organization, but its vision is both ambitious and timely. Supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the organization was established to support association professionals across Malaysia and strengthen leadership and professionalism within the sector. In many ways, MSAE reflects the “great association reset” that many organizations around the world are now experiencing: a move away from simply conducting events towards intentionally creating ecosystems of learning, networking, and collaboration.
One important insight from Evelyn was the value of cross-industry engagement. MSAE’s membership spans a diverse range of sectors, from oil and gas to healthcare, retail, dentistry, logistics, and shopping malls. This diversity has become one of the organization’s strengths. As she pointed out, when people from different industries connect, collaborations become easier and new ideas emerge more naturally. Associations are no longer operating in silos. Increasingly, innovation happens at the intersections of industries and professions.
MSAE’s events strategy also offers practical lessons for associat ions navigating limited resources. Unlike larger organizations with full-time secretariats, MSAE operates primarily through volunteer council members. Yet instead of viewing this as a limitation, they have maximized partnerships. Their collaboration with MyCEB has enabled them to participate in major initiatives such as “Association Day” and the Malaysian Business Events Week (MBEW), bringing together hundreds of participants from across the country. What makes these events effective is their relevance. They are
not merely ceremonial gatherings or routine conferences. They tackle real operational concerns faced by associations today: governance, membership growth, sponsorship generation, advocacy funding, and professional development. In the post-pandemic environment, associations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate value to members, and practical learning opportunities have become essential.
Another key takeaway from Evelyn is the growing importance of networking as a strategic function, not just a social activity. She emphasized how “Association Day” creates opportunities for professionals from various sectors to meet, exchange experiences, and introduce MSAE to potential members and collaborators. In many ways, this reflects the future of association engagement. Members do not only join associations for information anymore; they join for access, relationships, partnerships, and shared opportunities.
The interview also highlighted the increasing role of regional collaboration among associations in Southeast Asia. Evelyn recalled MSAE’s collaboration with the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, particularly during the pandemic when PCAAE opened access to its “Pathways to Recovery” webinar series for MSAE council members. This kind of crossborder cooperation demonstrates how associations can learn from one another while strengthening the broader regional ecosystem.
As associations continue to evolve, the experience of MSAE reminds us that growth is not always about size or age. Sometimes, it is about clarity of purpose, meaningful partnerships, and the ability to bring people together around shared goals. In today’s rapidly changing environment, that may well be the most important reset of all.
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” PCAAE will hold its 14th Annual Associations Summit (AS14) on November 24, 2026 at the Asian Institute of Management. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the BusinessMirror . E mail: bobby@pcaae.org
DA to use $12M in WB funds to boost exports
TBy Ada M. Pelonia
HE Department of Agriculture
(DA) will earmark around $12 million from a World Bankfunded grant to boost exports of highvalue crops amid ramped-up efforts to diversify export markets.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa said half of the $24.5-million Technical Assistance for Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (Tasat) grant from the World Bank will be allocated to export promotion. In particular, De Mesa said $12.25 million will be allocated to the agency’s High Value Export Crop, Agri-Fishery Export Development and Promotion office.
“It will focus on helping our [HVC] exports,” De Mesa told reporters. “We have a very strong comparative advantage compared to other countries.”
The DA has been intensifying its efforts to expand the country’s export portfolio for HVC, with recent shipments to non-traditional markets.
So far this June, the Philippines has exported its first-ever shipment of fresh Carabao mangoes to Toronto, Canada and fresh pineapples to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite the logistical bottlenecks due to the Middle East war.
The country has also shipped fresh mangoes to potential buyers in Europe
By Andrea E. San Juan
THE growth in unpaid credit card balances has outpaced receivables as of the first quarter of 2026 as Filipinos are turning to credit cards to bridge short-term gaps in a high-inflation environment.
The latest consumer loans data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that credit card receivables climbed to P1.24 trillion as of end-March 2026, up 28.6 percent from the P964.20 billion as of end-March 2025.
This figure is also 3.33-percent higher than the P1.20 trillion as of end December 2025.
and Hong Kong to penetrate “premium” overseas markets.
“There have been successive openings of new markets for our tropical fruits and high-value crops. That’s really our focus,” De Mesa said. Meanwhile, the DA official noted that the remaining half of TASAT funding would raise the productivity of HVC and enhance distribution of subsidized fertilizer through digitalization, deviating from paper vouchers.
“We aim to have a comprehensive and efficient way of distributing fertilizer [subsidies] through digital means,” De Mesa said.
He added that the DA has started with the interventions monitoring card (IMC), the implementation of which they plan to expand nationwide.
The Tasat serves as the grant component of the $1-billion loan for the Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation program, which is funded by the World Bank. The program releases funds based on a specific set of outcomes rather than upfront disbursements.
The government is set to receive an initial $300 million from the loan to provide fiscal support amid energy pressures and climate-related shocks.
The succeeding tranches of funding can only be accessed when the government meets verifiable targets under the disbursement-linked indicators.
However out of the P1.24 trillion receivables, P61.55 billion were nonperforming credit card receivables (CCR) or unpaid credit card balances. The P61.55 billion non-performing CCR as of March 2026 is also 39 percent higher than the P44.277 billion as of March 2025—outpacing the expansion rate of credit card receivables.
BOC amassed ₧329.934M in add’l revenues in 5 mos
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) amassed P329.934 million in additional revenues from the auctions and negotiated sales of various seized and forfeited goods in the first five months of the year.
According to the second-largest revenue-generating agency, a total of P329.934 million was raised from its disposal of forfeited goods from January to May 2026.
The bulk, or P114.744 million, of the collections from this year’s disposal activities came from the completed sale of 13 luxury vehicles owned by the infamous Discaya couple linked to the anomalous flood control projects.
Public auctions and negotiated sales are among the BOC’s methods of generating non-traditional revenues for the government.
Rather than allowing these goods to deteriorate or lose value over time, these seized and forfeited items are properly assessed, sold and converted into revenue, the BOC explained.
Proceeds are then remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury, allowing the government to recover value from forfeited assets and support public programs, infrastructure projects and essential services for the public.
WHEN Chris Barber, who’s been in the computer business for a quarter-century, says he’s never seen anything like the AI boom, he’s not talking about its potential to transform the future. He means what it’s doing to hardware prices right now.
Barber runs “Cheaper Than a Geek,” a Baltimore-based outfit that helps small companies with IT. Memory upgrades are a popular service, but nowadays he’s advising people that it’s barely worth the cost. RAM chips that sold for $100 six months ago are an “insane” $300 now, so customers may be better off just buying a new computer. “Parts themselves are just completely out of control,” Barber says. “This is the worst increase I’ve ever seen.” Behind it lies the rush to build data centers, which power artificial intelligence and need vast quantities of memory chips. That surge in demand is what’s pushing prices up for industry specialists like Barber who buy RAM chips raw. But the ultimate impact is much broader, since memory is embedded in all kinds of consumer staples, from phones and computers to cars.
The upshot: AI, driver of growth in America’s economy and creator of record wealth in its stock markets, has also be-
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno was quoted as saying in a statement that proceeds from auction do not go to personal interests.
“These are government funds that go through the proper process, from the issuance of official receipts, recording, deposit, and audit,” Nepomuceno said. “It is therefore important for the public to know that every peso collected from the auction is accounted for and managed in accordance with the law.”
Auction and negotiated sale activities follow established procedures, such as the publication of notices, inspection of goods, submission and evaluation of bids/ offers, awarding, payment and issuance of proper documentation.
The BOC also livestreams all public auctions and negotiated sales to allow the public and media to monitor in real time and ensure transparency in the disposal process.
Recently, the BOC issued two memoranda to direct all ports in the country to expedite the disposal of long-overstaying seized and abandoned goods, as well as strictly report confiscated assets, to prevent foregone revenues for the government. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/06/10/ports-told-toexpedite-disposal-of-overstaying-cargoes/ )
come part of the country’s latest inflation problem. Headline inflation climbed back above 4% last month for the first time since the spring of 2023. While the principal cause is an oil spike, triggered by the US war in Iran, AI is chipping in too. Software and computer accessories, which usually trend cheaper as technology improves, were up a record 14.5% in May from a year earlier. The memory squeeze will add 0.4 percentage point to headline inflation before it eases, Bloomberg Economics calculates. There are other knockon effects too, like higher electricity prices due to demand from data centers.
‘Certainly inflationary’
ALL of this adds financial strain to households still scarred by the post-pandemic inflation wave. It creates headaches for President Donald Trump and his Republican party, ahead of midterm elections—and for the Federal Reserve under its new chief Kevin Warsh, who’s argued that AI will eventually make companies and workers more productive, easing price pressures in the economy.
For now it’s having the opposite effect, says Stephanie Roth, chief economist at Wolfe Research. “The AI boom is stoking
This brings the non-performing CCR ratio to 4.98 percent, the highest since the 5.02 percent NPL as of end-September 2022 or in 3 years and 6 months.
“While the continued expansion in credit card receivables underscores resilient consumption, the sharper rise in non-performing accounts suggests that part of this growth is increasingly being financed by strained household balance sheets,” Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) told the BusinessMirror.
Asuncion explained that in a high-inflation, high-oil-price environment, more Filipinos are likely relying on credit cards to bridge short-term budget gaps.
This amalgam of factors, he said, “could sustain spending in the near term but gradually elevate credit risk—particularly within unsecured lending.”
Based on the 2025 Financial Stability Report released by the Financial Stability Coordination Council (FSCC), expansion in consumer loans outpaced hosehold income.
“From 2021 to 2025, consumer loans grew at a yearly pace of 15.7 percent, with unsecured credit rising even faster at 27.7 percent,” the report underscored. In contrast, household final consumption expenditure only grew by 5.8 percent over the same period.
“It remains to be seen whether the significantly faster pace of loan growth relative to income will result in deterioration of asset quality,” the Council, which the BSP chairs, wrote in its report. If left unchecked, the FSCC said this imbalance could heighten households’ sensitivity to economic shocks and increase the likelihood of spillovers to the banking system.
PHILIPPINE monetary authorities will likely deliver a jumbo hike at its upcoming rate-setting meeting as elevated inflation remains the key priority despite weaker growth momentum, according to a bank analyst.
“We expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to hike the policy rate by 50 basis points to 5 percent from 4.5 percent as elevated inflation remains the key policy concern despite softer domestic growth,” Jonathan Koh, Standard Chartered Bank Asia Economist and Foreign Exchange Analyst said last Thursday.
Koh said the lender anchors expectations on its view that underlying price pressures remain “sticky” despite the country’s headline inflation eased in May to 6.8 percent year-on-year from 7.2 percent yearon-year in April.
Moreover, he said that core inflation, which rose to 4.1 percent in May—the fastest in 2 years and 4 months—signals that broader price increases across the consumer basket remain.
Koh added that the persistent weakness of the Philippine peso also “reinforces” imported inflation concerns and supports BSP’s hawkish rhetoric.
While near-term fuel price rollbacks should provide some “disinflationary relief,” he said upside risks remain from higher energy prices
overall inflation pressure in meaningful ways,” she says. “The disinflationary productivity boom is still a ways out.”
Fed Governor Lisa Cook and St. Louis Fed chief Alberto Musalem are among policymakers who’ve recently highlighted various ways the AI boom is pushing prices up, whether via chips or electricity.
It’s among the factors that will likely prevent Warsh from cutting interest rates as quickly as he’d suggested should be possible, according to Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo Global Management Inc. “Initially the AI boom will certainly be inflationary,” Slok told Bloomberg Television’s Surveillance. The risk is “very clear when you look at semiconductor prices, when you look at energy prices, when you look at labor.”
As they suck in memory chips and electricity, data centers are also creating jobs for a growing chunk of the construction workforce, and they need armies of electricians or HVAC technicians to get up and running. These numbers may not be big enough to shift wage inflation nationwide, but there’s a palpable impact in many industries and regions.
Chip McElroy is head of McElroy Manufacturing Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
amid the uncertain Middle East backdrop, coupled with potential food-price pressures from El Niño and rising fertilizer costs.
“We therefore expect BSP to retain a hawkish near-term bias, with a further 25bps hike likely in August, taking the policy rate to 5.25 percent by end-2026, before easing begins from Q2-2027 amid a soft domestic growth backdrop once inflation eases back to within the BSP’s 2-4 percent target range,” added Koh.
In an earlier televised interview, Chinabank Group Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said the central bank will be hawkish throughout the year as long as inflation remains elevated, adding that there are currently no signs of inflation returning back to within target.
Velasquez emphasized, however, that the BSP cannot hike the same way it did in the 2022-2023 hiking cycle.
“They don’t have that much room. I mean, if you hike as much as you did before, you’ll see the economy going down or possibly enter into a recession,” she said.
As such, Velasquez said their educated guess would be a 25bps hike by the BSP on its meeting next week.
The Monetary Board, the central bank’s highest policy-making body, is set to hold its third scheduled monetary policy meeting for the year on June 18. Andrea E. San Juan
which makes thermoplastic pipe fusion equipment. He says business is booming, with the AI buildout driving around half of growth and staffing at a record above 600. But he still has openings for up to 60 more people to work as welders, machinists, assembly technicians and more.
“The economy for the labor we need is definitely booming,” McElroy says. “Starting pay is definitely up from a year ago.”
‘Like you buy lobster’ A MUCH bigger AI effect on inflation right now is the memory-chip shock. One big unknown, for industry buyers and central bankers alike, is how long it will last. Bloomberg Economics, which studied thousands of memory kits and found an average year-on-year price increase of 237%, estimates that the impact will peak in February next year.
“We think it will be a meaningful factor keeping core inflation elevated this year,” says Michael Pearce at Oxford Economics. In the longer run, it’s unclear “whether this is another transitory effect or a new supercycle for memory prices,” he says. “The chip cycle has historically been very volatile, and prices could drop back quickly once supply adjusts. Bloomberg
WINE, when chosen well, complements and lifts the flavors of many dishes. And while we all started in our youth just consuming a bottle of red or white for the entire meal, wine pairings have become de rigeuer when hosts want to show off a chef’s culinary genius or a restaurant’s new dishes.
Despite having attended such special wine-paired dinners, there are still a lot of things we occasional wine drinkers may not know so much about what author Robert Louis Stevenson declared as “bottled poetry.”
In Quezon City, Wine 101 classes are held every Friday at 6 pm at World Cellar, a one-of-a-kind winecentric concept at World Kitchens. The one-hour classes are taught by sommelier Benedict Tan, and for an affordable P999, guests are treated to three glasses of various wines (in our case, it was a Valdo Millesimato Prosecco DOC from Treviso, Italy; Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2024 from Marlborough, New Zealand; and a Lopez de Haro Tinto 2023 from Rioja, Spain) and a shared appetizer.
Ben, who holds a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) level 3 certificate in wines, leads an engaging class that teaches people the basics of wine and winetasting, ending in a guided wine-tasting session. Regular themed wine dinners showcasing different wines and cuisines are also held once a month, to encourage people to discover and experience a wide variety of wines rather than just choosing the same “safe” bottle all the time.
As World Cellar’s in-house sommelier, Ben is also on hand to assist with selections, making exploration easy even for those unsure of where to begin.
A “pet project” of businessman Jorge “Nene” L. Araneta, chair of the resilient Araneta Group of Companies, World Cellar aims to spread wine appreciation to a wider audience. “He believes that wines don’t have to be expensive to be enjoyed,” said World Cellar consultant CJ Juntereal of Araneta, who
is now 90, but is still very much in command of the ongoing redevelopment of Araneta City.
CJ says there are some 400 labels at World Cellar, many of which are sold at just a “15-percent markup” on their purchase price from suppliers. So, right after the class, if the guest has taken a fancy to any of the wines she has tasted, she can immediately purchase a bottle (or two, or three, or more!) to take home.
I was also telling a friend that the class was quite friendly and not intimidating at all. Even non-wine drinkers will be able to appreciate the new knowledge gained from tasting the nuances of each glass of wine served. And to be frank, this knowledge comes in handy on special occasions, when socializing with important people.
Meanwhile, among the wine myths busted by Ben:
■ White wines are for fish and chicken; red wines are for red meat dishes. Essentially, one’s palate can be the ultimate guide in the wine pairing, taking into consideration the overall flavor profile of the dishes served.
■ Bottles with deep indented bottoms contain the best wines. Ben says it’s really just the winery’s choice on the bottle they use. The bottle’s bottom has no bearing on the wine’s quality.
■ A screw top on a bottle of wine means lowclass and ordinary wine. Many wineries, especially those in Australia and New Zealand, now choose screw tops over corks out of sustainability concerns. Screw tops are also believed to preserve freshness better and ensure consistent aging.
After class, guests can leave the cellar and explore some 15 show kitchens at World Kitchens, a first-ofits-kind dining destination that brings a food-court sensibility to distinctive yet almost affordable dishes. Using a mobile phone, one just scans a QR code that opens to the menus of each kitchen helmed by local and international chefs. From there, the guest picks and chooses the dishes to order.
Unlike a food court, however, where one has to fork out the payment right after ordering, at World Kitchens, the guest receives just one tab at the end of the meal and pays for all she has ordered, only one time. After our wine class, we shared a Butter Naan with a luscious curry sauce from Prana (Chef Rajan Veeranan), a delicious crispy fried chicken from 18 Jade (Chef Peng), freshly made sashimis and sushis from Kuro Maguro (Chef Masaki Watanabe), and a heartwarming sisig from Chef Jessie (Jessie Sincioco).
All that good food with even a greater exchange of thoughts on that week’s political events made for a really enjoyable evening with other media buddies.
It was unfortunate that by the time we thought of ordering dessert, the stations were already closing.
On the upside, this gave us another reason to return for some sumptuous food and drink. Yay.
Meanwhile, CJ says World Cellar aims to build a wine culture rooted in everyday enjoyment, with a strong focus on everyday value wines that invite regular discovery rather than rare indulgence. Its thoughtfully assembled collection of up to 4,000 bottles features labels from renowned wine regions around the globe.
“These range from classic Old World wines from Europe to expressive New World varietals from Latin America and Oceania; our selection is curated to appeal to both seasoned wine enthusiasts and first-time drinkers, and to invite curiosity rather than settling on a single familiar label,” explained CJ.
The cellar space itself is anchored by expansive wine displays and a customized wine chiller system created through the collaboration of Celsius Equipment, known for crafting state-of-the-art wine cellars in Singapore, and Cellar Solutions, a Taiwanbased specialist in advanced wine storage systems.
World Cellar was designed by Singapore-based AT+Co, the same firm behind the overall design of World Kitchens. Together, these expert teams shaped a setting that feels immersive, relaxed, and elegant without being exclusive.
The cellar, which also houses some bottles from Araneta’s personal collection (I espied a Chateaux Margaux 1993–about P50,000), is kept at a very cool 16-18 degrees Centigrade. So, yes, menopausal me felt just fine in the space, that I wondered aloud if I could bring a mattress and pillow next time. Hehehe.
In a country where wine is still often viewed as a luxury reserved for special occasions, World Cellar makes a compelling case for its different tack: that wine can be approachable, affordable, and part of everyday dining. Whether one is a seasoned collector eyeing a rare vintage or a curious beginner taking her first sip of a Pinot Noir, the experience is designed to remove the intimidation and replace it with discovery.
As Stevenson described wine as bottled poetry,” perhaps the real lesson from Wine 101 is that one need not be a connoisseur to appreciate a good poem. Sometimes, all it takes is an open mind, a willing palate, and a glass shared with good food and even better company.
■ Reservations to World Cellar’s Wine 101 classes may be made via its Instagram account. The space is located on Level 4 of Gateway 2 Mall, in Cubao.
emotional situation you face today. Look for a moneymaking opportunity, a new job or a safe investment, and you’ll make a financial gain. A lifestyle change will improve your health and well-being. ★★★★
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A direct approach to life, love and what you desire most will leave nothing to chance. Stop dreaming and reminiscing when following through with your intentions will make you feel alive. Opportunity is apparent, but you must be willing to take a leap of faith, bare your soul and make things happen. Personal growth is within reach. ★★
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pursue a learning expedition and see what transpires. Something or someone you encounter will help you decide what’s best for you. Making a move for the wrong reason will lead to backtracking. Say yes only to people and things you want in your life. An opportunity to chase something that brings you joy will encourage encounters with like-minded people. ★★★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You may not agree with or like everyone you encounter, but they will offer insight into how to deal with opposition. Set boundaries, and be quick to make changes that allow you to dodge inappropriate gestures. Timing is everything, and if you stay one step ahead of whoever you’re dealing with, you will come out a winner. ★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Put more time and energy into traveling, learning and discovering what makes you happy. Take control, expand your circle and explore the possibilities of using your qualifications, skills and physical attributes to head in a desirable direction. A partnership will have a powerful and positive influence on your personal and financial growth. Romance is on the rise. ★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’re in a better position than you realize. Protect your assets, possessions and reputation from anyone who may want to challenge you. Preparation and a plan will help you outmaneuver any opponent who wants to take you on. It’s time to live life your way. Change your surroundings to accommodate what brings you joy. ★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick close to home and loved ones. Personal changes will be uplifting and help you manage your time and money efficiently. Don’t
REFLECTING its enduring commitment to delivering truthful, balanced, and credible journalism to Filipinos around the world, GMA News secured the No. 3 spot worldwide and emerged as the Philippines’ No. 1 news publisher under the News and Politics category in the Tubular Leadership Worldwide Rankings for April 2026.
GMA News generated 3.6 billion video views across its official digital platforms: 2.9 billion from Instagram, 569 million from Facebook, and 119 million from YouTube. This propelled GMA News up the global rankings of global video analytics company Tubular Labs, skyrocketing from No. 40 in March to No. 3 globally in April.
With this latest achievement, GMA News shares the global stage with international media titans US-based Fox News at No. 1 (6.7 billion views) and NDTV India at No. 2 (4 billion views)—besting other international news organizations including Al Jazeera, CNN, and BBC News.
Key drivers of GMA News’ high engagement were the livestreaming of newscasts and the biggest news events, which include the Senate and House of Representatives’ hearing on the fuel energy crisis due to the US-Iran tension, the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte, and international news such as the historic Moon mission of Artemis II.
GMA News ramped up its digital-first content, anchoring its strategy on real-time reporting as major news events unfolded. Its digitally focused content, such as “Explainers by GMA News” and “What We Know So Far,” offers a dynamic mix of context that netizens can easily consume.
Leveraging mobile journalism, GMA News reporters deliver on-the-scene updates tailored for online news consumers. GMA News, likewise, produces user-generated content featuring light-hearted, feel-good stories for YouScoop+, and packages the day’s biggest events into “News: Pinned” and digestible quote cards.
This year, GMA News ushered in a renewed era of strengthening its legacy in an evolving media landscape with its tagline “Walang kinikilingan. Walang pinoprotektahan. Noon at ngayon, Serbisyong Totoo”—reaffirming its trusted and familiar identity grounded in the same core values it has upheld through the years.
LIGHT and shadows tell the remarkable tale of Sisa, through the direction of Gerardo de Leon and the cinematography of Arsenio Doña. De Leon, who was noted for his gothic temperament, found in one of the characters of Jose Rizal’s novel the object of his chiaroscuro—Sisa, a sweet, and caring mother who became mad because her two sons, Crispin and Basilio, were accused of a crime they never committed. We all know the story but looking at the screen and being on the receiving end of Anita Linda’s gaze remains one of the most unforgettable cinematic gifts we can accept.
But that’s not the point of this essay. My interest in revisiting De Leon is built around the curiosity as to how he creates imagery on screen. One of the most difficult elements in this filmmaker’s work is how he fills the frame with individuals—actors—who naturally step out of that crowd to deliver a line. In Sisa (1951), for example, the madwoman is invited to partake of the feast, whereupon she begins to gather the food from the table while everyone looks at her. But as she moves further to the left, the officer of the Guardia Civil surprises her. Sisa runs, flailing away all the food she has collected. She runs uphill, stands shadowed by a cluster of bamboo framing her dark figure. She briskly turns around, a phantom that may not be seen anymore.
When does Sisa create an appearance first? Feral, her face appears shot from one side. There’s no need to talk: that skewed angle and the eye twisted are enough to paint madness.
Child actors have always been considered as mere decorations in films. And yet the two actors who play Crispin and Basilio embody our fear of authority and patriarchy. Their moments are in the “campanario” or belfry. The two brothers are serious about their tasks of ringing the huge bells, tolling and giving those who hear the sound both refuge and time for prayer. The town doesn’t know that up there with the bells can be found the tragedy for two young boys and the eternal insanity of their mother. Here, De Leon converts the holy space into a cruel site by creating huge swaths
of shadow. Interestingly, there’s a scene where we find Sisa attending to her violent husband. He arrives with his hat wet from the rains. In the course of their conversation, lightning cuts across the sky, Sisa turns around. We see the distant belfry and we also catch the gaze of Sisa—her maternal instinct alive, ready to protect.
In Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, Gerardo de Leon is magnificent. Set in the Spanish Occupation, the story is about “tulisanes” but only from the definition of the colonialists.
I have always marveled at Kurosawa Akira and Ozu Yazujiro but in Sawa..., I see the style of the two Japanese masters. The entrance of Jose Padilla Jr. is a manfully amazing shot taken from below, the skies behind dark. This is followed by men on horses, up on the hill, and later rushing down almost in one long take. All throughout, you realize the camera is at a low angle. The characters do not simply walk but they cross through twigs and branches, over humps, and then more shadows.
The marked grave of the tulisan’s wife is always viewed from below. In the scene where the character of Anita Linda brings a wreath of flowers to the said grave, the low angle goes double because when she stares up, the tulisan is there on a promontory.
If Gerardo De Leon always seems to prefer the greater canvas of storytelling, Lamberto Avella favors the collapsed picture of social realism. In (1956) Anak Dalita (its title in English being The Ruins, with reference to Intramuros as its setting), Avellana situates post-war poverty in that small street where people go about daily. The embellishment, if you can call it that, happens subtly or even accidentally. This morning, the laundrywoman (or is she a vendor?) walks with the gait of a nonactor, unmindful of who else is there with her onscreen. That moment, in fact, cinema has vanished until we see this woman in stiletto, her dress hugging her tight. This is Rosa Rosal, beautiful in a sinful way as she was given roles similar to this manifesting before us. In this short introduction, Rosa Rosal hogs the screen without trying. But Lamberto Avella has a trick somewhere— further down that poor street is an itinerant barber servicing a customer right on the street.
The post-war scenario here has to be clarified: while Intramuros is a result of the devastation brought about by World War II, our protagonist comes home from Korea, the latest war that has conscripted Filipino soldiers once more. Our soldier is coming home to a dying mother.
When he finally arrives in their home, the character of Tony Santos (Vic) gets to embrace his mother who soon dies. Beside him is Tita (as played
by Rosa Rosal). Here is where we see the power of restraint and reality in Avellana’s direction. Upon seeing that his mother has passed on, Vic crumbles in front of the old woman, no weeping or screaming; Tita merely turns around, she being not the major mourner.
The scenes that follow show Tita comforting Vic, and the latter remaining stubborn in his grief. Tita, all this time, stays patient as if waiting for the coldness in Vic to thaw. That day comes when Vic absentmindedly pays Tita a visit. He arrives when Tita is primping herself up. Tita, pleasantly surprised, turns around and crosses her legs sensuously. The next line from Tita’s full lips can slash any poverty line: “Maybe, I can talk to you now like the men around here because now you know how to stare.”
Glenn Close will get an Oscar at last—honorarily. So will Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman
GLENN CLOSE will finally get her hands on an Oscar. Long considered among the best actors to never win one, the eight-time nominee will get an honorary Academy Award along with director Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman at the annual Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
“Throughout her extraordinary body of work, Glenn Close’s unparalleled emotional range has brought to life some of the most complex characters in cinema,” the academy said in a statement.
“Floyd Norman is the legendary animator who has broken barriers and inspired generations of artists over his remarkable career. Sir Ridley Scott is a true visionary whose decades-long legacy has left an immeasurable impact on global cinema and culture.”
Nominations for the 79-year-old Close date back to 1983, when she got her first nod for The World According to Garp. She was also nominated for her blockbuster turn as a rabbit-slaying stalker in 1987’s Fatal Attraction and was most recently up for a statuette for 2020’s Hillbilly Elegy.
Her eight nominations tie her with Peter O’Toole for the most for an actor without a win.
She has won virtually every other major award within reach, including three Emmys, three Tonys, three Grammys and three Golden Globes.
The Governors Awards often go to artists with extraordinary careers, but no competitive Oscar. Tom Cruise, a recipient last year, is a case in point. Scott, the 88-year-old director of Alien, Blade Runner and Gladiator whose epic decades of work have blended popular success and prestige like few others, has also never won despite four nominations, including best director nods for Thelma & Louise and Black Hawk Down.
Norman’s 65-year career began in 1956 when he became the first Black animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios, contributing to Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and Robin Hood. Decades later, he would work on Mulan, Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc.
Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will get the academy’s Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, presented to “a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production,” the academy said. Vachon and Koffler co-founded the New York-
based indie production hub Killer Films in 1995. Their credits as producers include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, One Hour Photo and May December.
Both were nominated for best picture Oscars for Past Lives in 2024. Killer Films’ output includes Velvet Goldmine, Happiness, Boys Don’t Cry, Far From Heaven and Carol The academy statement says the two “play a central role in American independent cinema, championing bold, ambitious and distinctive storytelling.”
All the winners will be honored at a ceremony on November 15 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood, the same complex that hosts the main Oscars ceremony. Along with luminaries who worked with the honorees, the event has been increasingly packed with young stars as it has become the unofficial kickoff to Hollywood’s award season campaigning. The Governors Awards, named for the academy’s board of governors and not the leader of the state, honor “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or for outstanding service to the Academy.” AP
Conrad Manila marks a decade of refined hospitality with a thoughtfully curated collection of culinary and wellness experiences throughout the month of June.
Honoring ten remarkable years, the hotel presents a distinguished line-up of offerings, including an elevated anniversary buffet at Brasserie on 3 featuring ten of the most beloved dishes since its opening; a bespoke lauriat menu at China Blue by Jereme Leung showcasing rare and premium ingredients sourced from China; ten signature cocktails at C Lounge; a selection of anniversary confections at Bru Coffee Bar; and a restorative wellness offering at Conrad Spa. Together, these experiences invite guests to celebrate a decade defined by craftsmanship, flavor, and inspired hospitality.
“As Conrad Manila celebrates ten remarkable years, we extend our sincere gratitude to the guests and partners who have been part of our journey,” shared Rupert Hallam, general manager of Conrad Manila. “These curated experiences are our way of expressing appreciation and honoring the trust and support we have received over the years.”
Anniversary Weekend Buffet at Brasserie on 3
IN celebration of its milestone year, Conrad Manila presents a limited-time anniversary buffet at Brasserie on 3, featuring ten of the restaurant’s most iconic dishes since its opening. Each dish is thoughtfully reimagined by Executive Chef Nicolas De Visch and showcased as a signature highlight within a vibrant spread of international and local cuisines, reflecting a decade of memorable dining.
C Lounge
The iconic dishes include lechon, prime rib, oxtail kare-kare, beef bulalo, and sustainable tuna at the live station, among others.
• Brasserie on 3 l Lunch & Dinner
• 10th Anniversary Buffet
• June 13 to 15, 2026
• P3,988 nett per person
Guests celebrating their birthday on June 15, 2026 are invited to enjoy the buffet experience and will receive a complimentary lunch buffet voucher for two.
A Decade-Defining Feast at China Blue by Jereme Leung
AT Michelin-selected China Blue by Jereme Leung, guests are invited to experience a specially curated lauriat menu that highlights ten rare and exquisite ingredients from China. This refined culinary journey reflects the restaurant’s artistry and heritage and is complemented by an exclusive cookbook, authored and signed by Jereme Leung.
Featured ingredients include China single-head black garlic, China yuzu juice, jellyfish flower, Yunnan wild red mushroom, wild lake rice, and fresh Chinese green bamboo shoots, yellow fungus, among others.
• China Blue by Jereme Leung l Lunch & Dinner
• 10th Anniversary Curated Set Menu
• June 27 to 30, 2026
• P7,500 nett
Cheers to Ten at C Lounge
C Lounge commemorates the milestone with a curated selection of ten signature cocktails that have defined the bar’s identity over the years. Each creation pays tribute to the flavors and memories inspired by Manila Bay.
Featured cocktails include Manila Bay Daiquiri, Sunset Old-Fashioned, and Seaside 2016, each artfully crafted with distinctive ingredients and techniques.
• C Lounge
• 10 Signature Cocktails Throughout the Years
• June 1 to 30, 2026 l Daily
• Starts at 450 ++
A decade in layers at Bru Coffee Bar
BRU Coffee Bar marks the occasion with a refined selection of cakes and pastries, ideal for sharing and celebration. The collection features reimagined Filipino favorites, including ube cheese bread, queso de bola with caramelized bacon, and pan de coco, alongside signature confections.
• Bru Coffee Bar
• 10th Anniversary Confections
• June 5 to 30, 2026 | Daily
• 8 am to 7 pm, daily
• Pastries start at P210 l Cakes start at P2,010
A Refined Wellness Journey at Conrad Spa CONRAD Spa offers a thoughtfully curated menu of restorative treatments designed to nurture both body and mind. Featuring massage and facial rituals enhanced with ISUN Skincare, introduced as part of the spa’s continued commitment to conscious wellbeing, guests are invited to indulge in bespoke wellness experiences tailored to their needs. For the full list of treatments, guests may visit Conrad Spa.
As Conrad Manila celebrates ten years of excellence, guests are invited to be part of this milestone through a series of thoughtfully curated experiences. For more information on the hotel’s dining exclusives and new offerings, please contact +632 8833 9999 or email MNLMB.FB@ConradHotels.com
Linya-Linya collection just dropped
Fried
Yfun, witty, and culturally resonant designs, turning iconic comfort food into wearable expressions. The merchandise includes illustrations of Bonchon favorites such as Korean fried chicken and Ultimate Bibimbowl.
“Bonchon has always been innovating to deepen our affinity with our consumers, and we’ve seen that K-culture continues to influence how we express ourselves. That’s why we are excited to offer fans a new way to showcase the Filipino wit through K-style-inspired essentials,” said Scott Tan, Managing Director of Bonchon Philippines.
NOVOTEL Manila Araneta City is bringing its global
“Longevity Everyday” philosophy closer to home with the launch of “My Novotel Family For ALL,” a campaign that celebrates well-being, meaningful connections, and the many forms family can take today.
For nearly six decades, Novotel has championed a hospitality experience centered on comfort, balance, and human connection. Through “Longevity Everyday,” the brand encourages people to embrace simple habits that contribute to living well—restorative sleep, mindful dining, purposeful movement, and meaningful relationships.
Built around the pillars of Eat, Sleep, Move, and Meet, the platform redefines longevity as something that can be nurtured through everyday experiences rather than pursued as a distant goal.
Inspired by this philosophy, “My Novotel Family
For ALL” serves as its local expression, recognizing that family extends beyond traditional definitions. The campaign embraces families, couples, lifelong friends, chosen families, and even beloved pets, celebrating the relationships that bring joy, support, and companionship.
“At Novotel Manila Araneta City, we believe that longevity is about more than adding years to life; it is about enriching those years through meaningful experiences and genuine human connections,” the hotel shared.
To mark the launch, Novotel Manila Araneta City staged a two-day immersive activation featuring wellness sessions from InBalance Wellness and Surge Fitness + Lifestyle, family-friendly activities with Dilmah Tea, interactive experiences at Art in Island, and a special pet first-aid session led by Dr. Cissy Ramos of Zippet Animal Center.
The celebration also included a Sunday Community Fun Run organized with aRUNeta Run Club, RWP Kyusi, and Araneta City, alongside partner booths and lifestyle activations from a variety of food, wellness, beauty, and pet-care brands.
Anchored on the belief that quality time remains one of life’s most valuable luxuries, the campaign introduces a collection of experiences spanning stays, dining, wellness, recreation, and milestone celebrations.
“Through this campaign, Novotel Araneta City brings its ‘Longevity Everyday’ ethos into sharper focus—not merely as a hospitality message, but as a reflection of how modern families choose to live, connect, and celebrate today,” said Erwin Dona III, Cluster Director of Marketing and Communications.
He noted that after years of listening to guests, the hotel recognized that the concept of family has become more inclusive and emotionally nuanced, encompassing fur parents, chosen families, lifelong friendships, and grandparents who remain the anchors of many Filipino households.
gatherings, and elevated everyday moments for every generation and every kind of connection,” Dona said.
Belong Together: Elevated Stays THE campaign offers thoughtfully curated staycation experiences designed to foster connection and relaxation.
The “Family Time Elevated” package features an Executive Room stay with breakfast for two adults and two children, Kids Club access, and Premier Lounge privileges. Guests seeking to rediscover the city can enjoy the “Explore the City” package, which includes access to attractions such as Art in Island and Gateway Cinema. For younger guests, the “Little Explorers Staycation” transforms Executive Suites into imaginative glamping-inspired spaces complete with themed amenities, Kids Club access, and weekend activities. Families and friends celebrating special occasions can also gather through “Reunions at The 25th,” which offers curated dining and cocktail experiences in the hotel’s Presidential Suite.
Savor Together: Dining Experiences AT Food Exchange Manila, dining becomes an opportunity for connection and celebration. Offerings include the “Your Age, Your Discount” birthday promotion, milestone buffet packages for family celebrations, and the “Weekend Family Feast,” which combines dining with activities designed for children and families.
Reconnect and Play Together INSPIRED by the wellness pillar of “Longevity Everyday,” Novotel also highlights experiences that encourage relaxation, movement, and recreation. Couples can unwind through the “Romantic Interlude Wellness Escape for Two” at InBalance Spa, while children can enjoy the “Little Relaxers Spa Day.” Meanwhile, the Kids Club offers activities ranging from yoga and arts and crafts to cupcake decorating and sports-inspired adventures that promote creativity and active play.
Celebrate Together FOR milestone events, Novotel Manila Araneta City introduces celebration packages designed for meaningful gatherings.
It’s clever, conversational, and instantly relatable, exactly the kind of piece that sparks compliments and starts conversations. Adding to the charm, “Ano’ng sa’yo” can also mean “Hello, what do you want to eat?” capturing the warmth and shared joy that make every Bonchon meal feel a little more special.
These limited-edition items are designed to reimagine Bonchon beyond a restaurant brand into something fans can connect with through
OUR everyday tote and favorite statement tee just got a Korean comfort style glow-up, OG Korean Fried Chicken brand Bonchon is serving beyond your usual K-food dining experience with an artsy and local twist on everyday essentials through its limited-edition collection with Linya-Linya, a homegrown brand known for clever Filipino humor and culturally relevant wordplay. The Bonchon x Linya-Linya collection features a graphic shirt and tote bag that plays with the common Filipino pun: “ANNYEONGHASEYO, ANO’NG SA’YO?”, a witty mashup of the Korean greeting annyeonghaseyo (“hello”) and the classic Filipino line that starts almost every barkada food order: “Ano’ng sa’yo?”
The limited-edition Bonchon x Linya-Linya shirt is priced at P799, while the tote bag retails for P650. Customers can grab the collection pieces instore at these participating branches: Valero One Center, Makati; Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong; Eastwood, Quezon City; U.P. Town Center, Quezon City; Market! Market!, Taguig; and SM Mall of Asia, Pasay. The tote and tee are also available online at delivery.bonchon.com.ph through the select branches.
As the OG Korean fried chicken brand in the Philippines, Bonchon has spent years serving crowd favorites and shaping local love for Korean flavors, long before the Hallyu wave fully took over. Today, with nearly 200 stores nationwide, it continues to be a well-loved go-to for comfort meals, quick cravings, and spontaneous barkada hangouts.
For more information and updates on stocks, follow Bonchon Chicken Philippines on Facebook, @bonchon_ph on Instagram, and @bonchon_ph on TikTok.
T
HIS June, guests are invited to experience a dynamic lineup of culinary celebrations, cultural highlights, and curated stay offers in honor of Father’s Day, Philippine Independence Day, Pride Month, and the
“As a seasoned hospitality brand, we see this as an opportunity to thoughtfully reposition Novotel Araneta City as a contemporary family-centric destination— one that curates meaningful stays, purposeful
The “Blossom & Bloom Debut Package” and “Memorable Milestones Celebration Package” combine elegant venues, curated menus, and personalized service to create memorable occasions for families and friends. At its heart, “My Novotel Family For ALL” is a reminder that well-being is shaped not only by how we eat, sleep, or move, but also by the relationships we nurture and the moments we share. Through this campaign, Novotel Manila Araneta City invites guests to embrace a broader and more inclusive definition of family, one built on connection, belonging, and everyday experiences that make life richer and more meaningful. Novotel Manila Araneta City brings ‘Longevity Everyday’ to life with ‘My
By Aldrin Quinto
was built on homework and scouting and coach Shaq de los Santos lamented that the lack of preparation spelled defeat for Alas Pilipinas.
The Taiwanese made it four wins in four matches, overpowering Alas Pilipinas, 25-16, 25-14, 25-10, on Thursday to secure a semifinal spot in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women’s Volleyball Cup at the Candon City Arena.
The recently assembled Philippine squad, on the other hand, absorbed its third loss in five matches and has been relegated to the classification round.
Yen is pleased that the hard work paid off, noting that they prepared well for the Philippine team, particularly Alyssa Solomon.
“ We focused on this game, we did a lot of homework,” Yen said. “I’m very happy we won again.”
W ith setter Yi Jen Liao running the plays, Chinese Taipei played fluid volleyball and ran an efficient offense, finishing with 40 attack points.
A las Pilipinas couldn’t get things going on the other end—poor passing cost them dearly.
C hinese Taipei took the provisional lead in Pool A as Korea looks to make it four consecutive wins when it took on Australia later Thursday.
Y i was elated to score a win over the Philippines and was very happy to perform in front of the adoring crowd of 2,800 at Candon City Arena.
I feel very happy. Big thanks to the fans,” Liao said.
C hinese Taipei takes on Korea on the final day of pool play.
De los Santos acknowledged the team’s struggles but stressed the need to keep building cohesion.
A big factor here is our preparation. Maybe we still need more time. But we have to accept this is really something that can happen,” De los Santos said. Still, we’re not losing hope because we want our volleyball to become even better.”
S kipper Alyssa Valdez echoed De los Santos’ sentiments, while underscoring the younger players’ potential. We really need preparation, especially since the opponents we face here are already quite experienced,” Valdez said.
We’re veterans too, but we also need quality time together as a team. The younger players here have so much potential, so hopefully this will be a good experience for them.”
Road to ’27 world championship ASIAN Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the governing body for the sport is doing what it can to help sustain the gains of local volleyball as he hopes the crisis in the national federation will be resolved soon.
Suzara noted that the AVC Women’s Cup and other tournaments lined up are part of the preparations for the country’s participation in the Asian Games in Japan this year and in under three years, the hosting of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in 2029. “ We want volleyball to be better,” Suzara said. “Let’s focus on events that will help our national teams.” Suzara also underscored the role Mayor Eric D. Singson of the City of Candon has played in keeping the volleyball fever alive in the country.
Candon now is the volleyball capital in the north,” Suzara said, noting the city’s hosting of the Southeast Asian V.League and the AVC Cup, with other big events being considered.
NEW YORK—A record-breaking comeback, capped off by what could go down as a legendary play.
The long road back to the top of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is almost complete for the New York Knicks, and the step they took Wednesday night was unforgettable.
T he Knicks came from 29 points down and moved to the brink of their first championship since 1973 by beating the San Antonio Spurs, 107-106, in Game 4 of the finals on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining.
“ That has to be the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said.
It’s certainly high on the list—as high as Anunoby leaped when Jalen Brunson’s long three-point shot bounced off the front of the rim, with his right hand stretching high to softly flick it in.
“ Right hand from God,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said.
T he Knicks, who have just two titles in their 80-year history and hadn’t even been to the NBA Finals since 1999, have a 3-1 lead and three chances to win the best-of-seven series—starting with Game 5 on Saturday night in San Antonio.
It looked impossible early, when the Spurs rolled to a 27-point halftime lead. But Brunson helped bring the Knicks back with 36 points and Anunoby finished with 33.
Knicks weather playoff storm NO team had come from more than 24 points down in a finals game, when Boston did it against the Lakers in 2008, since the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play for all four quarters in 1997.
T he Spurs led 81-52 in the third quarter.
We’re a resilient group. We’ve been through a lot,” Anunoby said. “We’ve come back plenty of times when we’re behind. Just staying with it, weathering the storm, not being too down or angry or frustrated.”
The only bigger comeback on record in any playoff game was 31 points by the Los Angeles Clippers against Golden State in
Game 2 of a first-round series in 2019.
“ You look at it when you’re down 29 of, ‘OK, let’s get it to 20.’ There’s three minutes left in the third quarter, we’re down 18, you’re thinking, ‘Let’s get it to 10,” forward Josh Hart said.
“In the fourth quarter, you’re like, this is winning time. Anything can happen.”
A nd it did.
Spurs: From awesome to awful THE Knicks had their 13-game winning streak snapped in Game 3 and seemed headed for a second straight defeat throughout the first half, when Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs opened the biggest halftime lead by a visiting team in the finals.
But the young Spurs, who made 11 of their first 16 three-pointers, went cold in the second half, going 3 for 17 behind the arc as the Knicks outscored them 58-30. AP
THE day started with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio asking why Ateneo de Manila head coach Tab Baldwin isn’t talking as his condemnation on the drowning to death of two of his players exponentially escalated. Where is Tab Baldwin? Why is he still not speaking up? This is beyond Ateneo. This is a national concern,” said Gregorio in a statement he released the day after he visited the wake of Rene Baterbonia at the Arlington Funeral Homes in Quezon City.
Out of respect for the family and the Filipino people, he has to come forward. He has been here for 10 years. I don’t understand why he can’t understand our culture—konting respeto at pakikipagkapwa naman,” Gregorio added.
Just before sundown, Ateneo de Manila president Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, issued a statement on Baldwin.
The University wishes to clarify that Coach Tab Baldwin’s silence following the tragedy was not a personal decision made independently of the University. The University requested that Coach Baldwin refrain from making public statements to allow the official processes to proceed and the facts to be established before any public discussion of the matter,” the statement said.
I n other fronts:
n Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the tragic deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili, with an aim to strengthen safety measures and accountability mechanisms for off-campus school activities and sports programs.
“ The deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili demand a careful and impartial examination of the circumstances that led to the incident, not only to ensure accountability where warranted, but above all to draw lessons that may help prevent the loss of young lives in the future and to provide their families and the public with a full and truthful account of what transpired,” said Aquino, an Ateneo alumnus from elementary to college, who on Thursday visited Baterbonia’s wake to personally offer his condolences to the family.
to home that in a wink of an eye, two youngsters have lost their dreams of becoming basketball stars one day. “As a basketball enthusiast and team owner, I know how much sacrifice every player puts into training and every game, in pursuit of making it to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and eventually the professional league. Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili were young athletes full of promise—gone at the very start of their journey,” he said. n The family of Rene Clert Baterbonia has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against Tab Baldwin pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation into the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8. The Baterbonias, through their appointed legal representative, lawyer Israelito Torreon clarified that the request is not a “punitive measure” but merely a “monitoring mechanism” to ensure that the DOJ, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and other concerned government agencies are immediately informed in case Baldwin would attempt to leave the country while investigations surrounding the tragic incident. Meanwhile, Baterbonia’s remains were t ransferred to Agusan del Sur on Thursday evening from Quezon C ity. Josef Ramos, Butch Fernandez and Joel San Juan
n Senator Jinggoy Estrada said in a statement that the “loss hits close
BARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel and TNT Tropang 5G found themselves fighting in the trenches now that the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Finals are tied at two games apiece. “ The longer it gets, it becomes a battle of attrition,” said coach Chot Reyes, whose Tropang 5G got the big numbers from Jordan Heading in their 106-98 Game 4 victory on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. It’s now down to a best-of-three series and we’re hoping to hold Ginebra below 100 points again,” added Reyes, who got 29 points from Heading, 15 of them from his seven attempts from the three-point zone. Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitted that they were outplayed and worned down by TNT in Game 4. It was a night that we could not get anything from our bench,” Cone said. “And it really hurt us.” Despite the loss, four-time Best Import Justin Brownlee erupted for 32 points with five rebounds and five assists and the Best Player of the Conference. R J Abarrientos made 17 points in the first half but was limited to a measly four points in the last two quarters.
Stephen Holt wasn’t in his elements either—after scoring 23 points in Game 3, Holt had only five points on 2 of 5 shooting with Scottie Thompson also struggling with four points. Heading, meanwhile, wanted to bring the momentum to Game 5 which is set at 7:30 p.m. on Friday also the Big Dome. “ We really need to come out and win that big game [Game 4]. We are hoping to sustain our effort the following games,”
Philippine companies make it on the global stage with brands and products for the world’s consumption.
TBy VG Cabuag
HERE’S a sense of Filipino pride when a Pinoy goes overseas and sees a homegrown brand go well there.
Take Jollibee Foods Corp., the country’s homegrown fast food chain, for instance. At home, Jollibee, famous for its sweet spaghetti, burgers, and juicy fried chicken, has slowed down the further expansion of American fast-food behemoths such as McDonald’s, locally owned by the Yang group, and Andrew Tan, its minority owner.
Its first international venture was in 1985 in Singapore and in Taiwan in 1986. Both Jollibee stores, however, closed shop easily due to heavy competition. In 1987, Jollibee’s opening in Brunei became a huge success. This became a template for its overseas expansion.
Jollibee then targeted the overseas Filipino workers and expanded where there were huge concentrations of Pinoy workers, anywhere from construction workers in the Middle East to domestic helpers, to immigrants in the United States and Europe.
Today, Jollibee is the fifth strongest restaurant brand in
the world, according to TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2026.
T he Jollibee brand was voted No. 1 Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) brand in Vietnam, despite not having the largest store network in the country, with just over 250 stores across more than 50 provinces. It has sustained expansion since market entry in 2005.
It markets itself in the Americas and Europe as the maker of Chickenjoy, which it claims is one of the world’s best, with its crispy crust and juicy meat. Tony Tan Caktiong, the company’s chairman, said they wanted the company and the brand itself to become big in China and the United States.
It first acquired Yonghe King, a famous Taiwanese-style fast-food chain known for its freshly brewed soy milk and fried dough sticks. Jollibee had ups and downs in its international forays, including the failed Dunkin’ Donuts approach in China. In 2012, it acquired a 50 percent stake in Highlands Coffee of Vietnam’s SuperFoods Group. The company then acquired the US brand Smashburger in 2015 and completed the full buyout in 2018.
It then bought The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf chain in 2019 for $350 million.
Since 2021, Jollibee has acquired stakes in mostly Asian brands, including Tim Ho Wan, South Korea’s Compose Coffee, and Shabu All Day.
Shakin’ up the world
Meanwhile, shifting focus from Jollibee to another notable player, Shakey’s Pizza tells a different story. While originally an American brand, it is now owned in the Philippines and in select countries by the Po family.
The company, Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., is licensed to
develop company-owned Shakey’s outlets and sub-license the Shakey’s brand to other entities in the country.
It owned the brand in Asia (except Malaysia and Japan), China, the Middle East, Australia, and Oceania.
A s of today, the company operates Shakey’s stores in the Philippines and Singapore.
W hat excites the global market is Shakey’s acquisition of Potato Corner, which just sells flavored French fries through its kiosks.
The company said it has grown the Potato Corner franchise internationally, especially since franchisees became interested in
the product, and opened “a few dozen stores” in different parts of the world after it opened the brand to franchisees.
Potato Corner is one of the leading and most established food kiosk chains in the Philippines, with an estimated 19 percent market share according to Euromonitor data, Shakey’s said. Since its inception in 1992, the brand has built a vast network of over 2,000 outlets domestically and has a growing international footprint in Asia and beyond.
Cracking the coconut D and L Industries Inc. is another company quietly conquering the world with its products, mostly from coconut oil and its derivatives. Over the years, its research and development has taken the coconut oil to a different level.
It is a B2B company that supplies ingredients to local and international companies, such as oils that fast-food chains use to fry French fries or Jollibee’s Chickenjoy.
There were growing international products, mostly in the fast-moving consumer goods section, that cannot do without their ingredient.
FROM a small weaving ini-
tiative born in the heart of Payatas in Quezon City to a proudly Filipino brand with global ambitions, Rags2Riches or R2R has always believed that business can do more than create products; it can create opportunities, restore dignity, and transform communities.
Founded in 2007 with only P10,000 and a vision to use craft as a pathway out of poverty, R2R has since empowered over 1,000 artisans across eight communities through zero-waste weaving techniques using upcycled and scrap textiles. But beyond sustainable craftsmanship, the social enterprise has built something far more meaningful: livelihoods rooted in dignity and hope.
“At the heart of everything we do are the artisans,” shared Reese Fernandez, co-founder of R2R. “What we’re really building is economic dignity and the ability for an artisan, mostly women from vulnerable communities, to get out and stay out of poverty.”
For Fernandez, this mission is deeply personal.
Growing up immersed in her mother’s missionary work, she was exposed early on not only to the realities of poverty but also to the power of compassion in action.
“My mom showed me that there are many ways to create good in the world, and that for whatever way you choose, you must show up fully,” she said.
Uplifting artisans
AS sustainability and conscious consumerism steadily move into the mainstream, initiatives like SM Retail’s SM Green Finds have become instrumental in helping advocacy-driven brands grow their reach and deepen their impact.
Designed to spotlight brands championing sustainability, ethical production, and community empowerment, SM Green Finds has created a valuable platform where social enterprises like R2R can thrive alongside established retail names. Through its partnership
with Kultura, SM Green Finds has helped shape a marketplace where purpose-driven businesses are not only seen but celebrated as well.
For R2R, the partnership with Kultura comes full circle.
“Kultura was one of R2R’s earliest believers,” Fernandez recalled.
“When R2R was only a few years old, we connected with Kultura and because our missions were so aligned from the beginning, it was a very easy conversation.”
Visibility, credibility THROUGH Kultura, R2R was able to showcase some of the earliest creations made by its artisans, giving the young social enterprise valuable visibility and credibility.
“Kultura gave us credibility and visibility at scale,” Fernandez said. “It introduced our brand, our artisans, and our story to people who might never have found us otherwise. And more reach, for us, means more impact.”
Years later, after building its own identity and following, R2R has once again returned to Kultura, this time at a moment when Filipino craftsmanship, heritage, and conscious living are receiving renewed appreciation from local consumers.
“We’re returning at a moment when Filipino pride and Filipino love are growing in leaps and bounds,” Fernandez shared. “More Filipinos are actively choosing Filipino, and Kultura is at the center of that movement.”
MORE than simply providing shelf space, Fernandez emphasized that Kultura creates an environment where advocacy-driven brands are treated as serious players in the retail landscape.
“We’re not looking to be just a feel-good corner,” she explained.
“We want to stand next to other excellent Filipino brands and compete on design, quality, and story all at once. Kultura creates that environment.”
Through SM Green Finds, R2R has also found a way to connect directly with consumers already leaning toward conscious and sustainable choices.
“Green Finds helped us reach
a consumer who was already leaning toward conscious choices but hadn’t found us yet,” Fernandez said. “The customers who discover us through Green Finds tend to become loyal ones because the values match from the start.”
Bridging the gap FOR social enterprises navigating the challenges of scaling micro and small businesses, this kind of visibility matters immensely. Programs like SM Green Finds help bridge the gap between grassroots enterprises and mainstream consumers, creating opportuni -
High-profile FMCG brands in the US, France, Germany, Japan, and Korea give us a very warm reception for our innovations,” Alvin Lao, DNL president and CEO, said.
The company declined to name the brands.
Examples would be natural and sustainable personal and home care products, such as hair care, skin care, and moisturizers with natural ingredients derived from coconut oil. For home care, think of laundry care and home cleaning products. There’s also a focus on health and nutrition as the company manufactures MCT (medium chain triglycerides), a derivative from coconut oil.
As we market ingredients and finished goods made from coconut oil, we enjoy a growing appreciation and premium pricing for the clean and sustainable positioning, in addition to natural,” Lao said.
Currently, the company has made a breakthrough innovation by manufacturing 100 percent abaca and pineapple pellets that can be used to replace plastic products, such as furniture and household items. These pellets, the company said, were hoped to harness the abundant plants and fruit in the Philippines.
ties
By Vincent Peter Rivera
EVERY 12th of June, the Philippines commemorates Independence Day, marking the historic declaration of freedom from Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1898.
F irst proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite, by General Emilio Aguinaldo, that momentous day witnessed the very first public unfurling of the Philippine National Flag, accompanied by the inaugural singing of the national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang.”
T his year, as the country celebrates its 128th Independence Day, a curated calendar of events and civic activities has been prepared nationwide to breathe new life into the purpose, memory, and enduring essence of Filipino freedom.
Simultaneous commemorative rites
The national celebration begins at the crack of dawn, precisely where history
was written. Today at 7 AM, the nation will observe simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at major historical landmarks across Luzon: Rizal Park, Manila: At the Jose Rizal National Monument, the heart of national remembrance.
Kawit, Cavite: At the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, the cradle of the 1898 proclamation.
Caloocan City: At the Andres Bonifacio National Monument, honoring the Supremo and the Katipunan. Malolos City, Bulacan: At the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark, birthplace of the First Philippine Republic.
Honor the country’s freedom and independence at various flag-raising events on June 12. PHOTO BY ISA WRED/UNSPLASH.
San Juan City: At the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, remembering the opening battlefields of the revolution.
Angeles City: At the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas, bridging local narratives to national freedom.
Manila North Cemetery: At the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución, paying homage to the unsung soldiers who fought in the trenches.
Parada ng Kalayaan 8 AM Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
Fo llowing the morning solemnity, the commemoration shifts to Roxas Boulevard for the Parada ng Kalayaan (Independence Day Parade). The parade will display a Filipino culture, civic pride, and military pageantry, bringing communities together under one flag.
“Mabining Mandirigma” at the Met 2 PM Metropolitan Theater Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila
F or those seeking a profound cultural experience, Tanghalang Pilipino will present its critically acclaimed, multi-awarded production “Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical.” This modern retelling of Apolinario Mabini’s life challenges audiences to reflect on true leadership and national unity, serving as a reminder that the intellect is just as powerful as the sword.
The SM Kalayaan Job Fair 11 AM to 9 PM Select SM Supermalls
Among the traditions and staple activities held every Independence Day is the initiative program of providing livelihood to Filipinos. In partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the SM Kalayaan Job Fair will open doors for thousands of job seekers nationwide, transforming a historic holiday into an avenue for future careers and economic independence.
Pinaglabanan Reenactment 4 PM Fort Santiago and Baluearte de San Diego Intramuros, Manila
History leaps off the textbook pages at the historic fortifications of Fort Santiago and the Baluarte de San Diego. On June 12, a live historical reenactment of The Battle of San Juan Del Monte (Pinaglabanan) will take place. This dramatic presentation breathes life into the bolos and bravery of the Katipuneros who first dared to strike against the empire.
The Souk Independence Day Pop-Up June 11 to 14 10 AM to 10 PM Eastwood Mall Bagumbayan, Quezon
By John Eiron R. Francisco
IT has been 128 years since the Philippines first tasted the freedom long fought for by its forebears, freedom won not through ease, but through sacrifice, conviction, and an unyielding belief in the possibility of a selfdetermined Filipino nation.
Yet more than a century later, the promise of that hard-won independence remains, for many, a work in progress. The struggle is no longer against foreign colonial rule, but against challenges that have emerged within the nation’s own democratic institutions.
In a time marked by political division, social challenges, and competing interests, how firmly can Filipinos hold on to the values that once united a people in pursuit of nationhood? And amid these realities, what does it truly mean to be Filipino today?
To enrich this reflection, BusinessMirror asked Filipinos from various sectors to share their perspectives on the meaning of independence today. Their viewpoints, expressed in a mix of Filipino and English and translated into English below, offer a broader lens grounded in lived experiences across various fields, showing how national identity is understood, challenged, and continually reshaped in today’s realities.
MARICEL
ROLDAN Antipolo native delicacies street vendor
“It is difficult to be Filipino today. Prices are high, and wages are low. It is not that people are lazy; rather, it is the government that should identify what more can be done to uplift the people’s welfare. We are working hard to earn a living, but it is sad to say that the services we receive
from the government are not enough. Especially since we pay taxes, yet we do not really see the fruits of those taxes in terms of transportation, education, and healthcare, there is either little or nothing felt on the ground.
Another issue is that voters in the Philippines have not yet fully matured politically; many still vote based on political colors or parties, which makes it difficult to elect the right leaders who can truly help the people.
“Because of this, many rely on their own efforts to get by. If you do not work hard and simply depend on the government, nothing will happen, especially with aid programs, which are often selective in who receives support.”
DIONYSIS BERJA Sangguniang Kabataan Official
“Despite the many challenges and conflicts our country is facing, it is truly said that, ‘Pilipinas ang hirap mong mahalin at ipaglaban [you are
hard to love and fight for].’
However, if we look at it from a more positive perspective, being Filipino today means choosing to stay and remain; remaining with dignity, love, and hope for the present and future of our nation.
“It is a choice to stand for what is right, to serve with integrity, and to never lose hope that we can still build a more progressive and just Philippines for everyone. And this begins with us (as SK Chairpersons and as youth) as we take part in the wider society and its various sectors.”
GABRIEL Customer Service Representative
“Being Filipino means being deprived of many opportunities. I have seen the country’s potential to grow and compete with first-world nations. We have so many resources, yet they are not maximized. There are still more leaders who are self-centered, prioritizing their own interests over the welfare of others.
“Many Filipinos are suffering; they are the ones most affected, yet many of them remain unheard and without a voice.
Despite everything happening in the country, I am still proud to be Filipino. There are many positive things I can say about us. But when it comes to government, disaster response, and preparedness, I feel like I would be ashamed if I were standing in front
NUSTAR Resort Cebu presents “Malaya, Flavors of Freedom,” an exclusive six-hands tasting menu happening on June 12, 7pm at Fina, Nustar Resort Cebu’s Filipino dining concept, bringing together some of the country’s most exciting culinary talents in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. The one-night-only sixcourse dining experience highlights regional heritage and contemporary Filipino gastronomy through a collaborative
This year’s mall-wide festivities highlight how heritage
HIS June 12, Megaworld
TLifestyle Malls joins the nation in celebrating Philippine Independence Day with music, art, heritage, local finds, and community experiences across its lifestyle destinations.
Th is year’s festivities highlight how heritage continues to be lived through everyday experiences. Across Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, guests can support local makers, discover proudly homegrown products, enjoy live entertainment, and take part in activities that honor the country’s stories, traditions, and creative spirit.
The Filipino Pride at Uptown Bonifacio
At Uptown Bonifacio, guests can take part in Threads of Tradition, a weaving workshop in partnership with The Art of Yarn, where participants can explore the beauty of handmade craft through a guided and interactive session. The celebration continues with Strings of Freedom, a live quartet performance. Adding to the festivities is Homegrown Finds, a fair in partnership with DTI-4A, which proudly showcases local products and
support entrepreneurs through a curated retail experience.
Freedom Reigns at Venice Grand Canal Guests can look forward to a charming celebration set against Venice Grand Canal’s signature open-air atmosphere. The Artisan Collective Fair will gather local makers and specialty finds, while the Lokal Maker’s Showcase will highlight handcrafted pieces and creative products from homegrown talents. Live acoustic performances create a relaxed and vibrant setting where guests can enjoy music while exploring the mall’s offerings.
Expressions of Freedom at Eastwood City
The celebration begins with Rise & Salute at Eastwood City, a flag-raising ceremony that sets a meaningful tone for the day. The festivities will continue with Hymns of Liberty, a special concert featuring Jolianne. Guests can also visit Liberty Expressions, an art exhibit that showcases creative interpretations of national pride. Capping off the celebration is Filipino Skies, a fireworks display that will light up the Eastwood skyline.
Colors of Freedom at Arcovia City At Arcovia City, Independence Day will be marked with a flagraising ceremony, live music, and local finds. Guests can enjoy Harmonies of Home, a busking session that brings familiar sounds of celebration to the mall. Proudly Local Fair features homegrown products and community-based offerings that encourage support for local businesses.
Moments of Liberty at Forbes Town At Forbes Town, a Local Fair features curated finds and local products. The activity gives visitors a simple yet meaningful way to support homegrown merchants while enjoying the vibrant neighborhood atmosphere of the destination.
Nation Forward at Festive Walk Iloilo Festive Walk Iloilo kicks off the celebration with the Freedom Run, inviting participants to begin the occasion with energy and purpose. Guests can also visit Threads of Filipiniana, a terno exhibit that pays tribute to traditional fashion, and an art exhibit by One Iloilo. Completing the lineup is the Artisan Fair, featuring local finds and handcrafted pieces. More Independence Day activities will also be held across Twin Lakes, Southwoods
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