BusinessMirror June 18, 2026

Can Russia help Asean on China’s SCS moves?

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand Mar-

cos Jr. is eyeing to secure “concrete contributions” from Russia in the ongoing efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to maintain regional peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region as Beijing continues to tighten its grip in the South China Sea.

The chief executive issued the statement through a video message before he left for Kazan, Russia on Tuesday to attend the Asean–Russia Commemorative Summit on June 17 and 18 to mark the 35th anniversary of rela-

tions between the two groups.

It will be the first time Marcos visits Russia as President.

“As Chair of Asean, the Philippines is committed to ensuring that this commemorative summit produces substantive and forward-looking outcomes that deepen Asean’s strategic partnership with Russia and contribute in concrete terms to regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” Marcos said.

Marcos and other members of the Philippine delegates in the summit left at 11:55 pm on June 16 and arrived at 12:49 pm (Philippine time) on Wednesday.

During the summit, Marcos will lead Asean in pushing for peace

and security, trade and investment, food and energy security, science and technology, digital transformation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges with Russia, one of its.

“We travel to Kazan with purpose, and we return with renewed commitment to our partnership,” Marcos said.

“Together with my fellow Asean leaders and President Vladimir Putin, we will take stock of 35 years of Asean-Russia cooperation and help chart the course for the decades ahead,” he added.

Russia is one of the dialogue partners of Asean together with Australia, Canada, European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand,

Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, United States, and China. Marcos will also hold a bilateral meeting with Putin to discuss trade, education, culture, agriculture, energy, and science.

“We look forward to building on these foundations and opening new avenues of cooperation for the future,” Marcos said.

Russia is currently among the countries which maintain good relations with China. Last year Beijing affirmed its “no limits” strategic partnership with Moscow. Marcos is seeking ways that will encourage Beijing to comply with international laws when it comes to the South China Sea, which

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

THEPhilippines successfully raised $2.5 billion from its second tripletranche global bond offering this year, backed by strong investor demand and favorable market conditions, allowing the government to increase the deal size.

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Philippines’s demographic dividend could be at risk if a significant share of young Filipinos continues to fall behind in school, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).

CPD Executive Director Lisa Grace S. Bersales warned that about one in four Filipino youth are already off track in their education by age 18—having fallen behind the expected grade level for their age due to late school entry, grade repetition, or missed school years—a trend

that could weaken the quality of the country’s future workforce.

“If one in four of our youth transition to working age, we have 25 percent of them who will not get good employment,” Bersales told reporters in a chance interview on Wednesday. Her remarks came after findings from the Longitudinal Cohort Study on Filipino Children (LCSFC) showed that while school enrollment is nearly universal among 10-year-olds, about 24 percent of the cohort had fallen off track by age 18. The study identified several factors associated with poor

By Malou Talosig Bartolome

THE powerful US Senate Armed Services Committee has endorsed to the plenary a sweeping $1.15 -t rillion defense budget for Fiscal Year 2027, embedding the Philippines into Washington’s expanded Indo -Pacific posture.

The measure—formally the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—creates the First Island Chain Security Cooperation Initiative (FICSCI), a broadened framework that makes Manila eligible for US military assistance. This includes support for third- party equipment purchases, emerging technology cooperation,

and access to American stockpiles, alongside infrastructure planning for rotational US forces in the Philippines and Australia. The committee’s action is a key step, but the NDAA remains a proposal that must still secure final passage by both the US Senate and House of Representatives before becoming law.

Largest US defense package for PHL THE Philippines’s inclusion in FICSCI builds on a record US$3.5 -billion (P205.5

BOBET’S FINAL JOURNEY Oversized billboards depicting various stages in the career of

Rene Clert “Bobet” N. Baterbonia, the 18-year-old basketball player and Palarong Pambansa 2025 Most Valuable Player, rise behind his casket as his townmates and relatives grieve at his wake at the evacuation gymnasium of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

drawing residents who had waited through the night for his remains to come home. The local government began

$2.5B…

2051s has an initial indicative yield of 6.1 percent.

National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza said the recent favorable market conditions presented an opportunity for the Philippines to re-enter the international capital markets.

“Our aim is to harness this market momentum in order to secure the most efficient cost dynamics in anticipation of potential future market uncertainties,” Almanza said. “We continue to value the outstanding global support of the bond investor community through our journey.”

Amid the prevailing “challenging market conditions” and “short-lived execution windows,” Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said the strong demand signifies strong confidence in the Philippines’s economic resilience and foundational stability.

“This outcome reinforces the Republic’s progress toward economic growth, its adherence to sound fiscal policies, and its commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic development,” Go added.

This transaction successfully completes the Philippines’s $5.25-billion external commercial borrowing program for 2026, following the triple-tranche issuance of $2.75 billion in January. Proceeds from the global bond sale will be used for general budget financing.

The bonds are rated “Baa2” by Moody’s, “BBB+” by Standard & Poor’s and “BBB” by Fitch.

BNP Paribas, Citigroup, HSBC (B&D), J.P. Morgan, MUFG, and Standard Chartered Bank are acting as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners for the transaction. The transaction is scheduled to settle on June 24, 2026.

PHL eyes expanded network of tax treaties, taxes on MNCs

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

THEPhilippines is seeking to strike a balance between courting foreign direct investors and protecting government revenues by expanding its network of tax treaties with other countries and imposing taxes on large multinational companies.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go told reporters on Tuesday that the government is pursuing 10 double taxation agreements (DTAs), while moving forward with the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (QDMTT) Bill.

For the DTAs, Go said tax treaties with Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong are currently being renegotiated, while negotiations for new agree -

Dividend…

Continued from A1

ments with Liechtenstein, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Ireland are under way.

Discussions with Malaysia, Luxembourg and South Korea remain in the early stages as the government is still securing authority to negotiate.

Go said foreign companies have sought tax treaties with the Philippines because DTAs provide legal certainty and help prevent the same income from being taxed twice.

schooling outcomes, including poverty, disability, stunting, child labor, behavioral and emotional problems, and belonging to Indigenous Peoples com -

He illustrated that if a company has a total tax obligation of P150 million, it can credit the P100 million paid in the Philippines against its home-country tax bill and only pay the remaining P50 million.

“[A] DTA is a very essential tool to attract foreign direct investments,” Go said, noting that the Philippines “has not been up to speed” due to the lack of direct foreign investments despite having a healthy base of domestic investors.

While it takes years for a DTA to be finalized, Go said he is committed to making all 10 in the pipeline happen.

Go: Pass QDMTT bill this year AT the same time, Go said he wants the QDMTT Bill to be passed into law this year so that the government could start collecting taxes in 2028.

“It’s very important that we pass this law this year so that we can enroll in the program next

munities.

The flagship 15-year study, supported by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also found that enrollment declines from nearly universal levels at age 10 to 89 percent by age 18.

Researchers identified the transition from junior high school to senior high school as a particularly vulnerable stage, with factors such as poverty, lower parental education, stunting, and Indigenous status also affecting students’ ability to continue their schooling.

For Bersales, the findings raise concerns over the country’s ability to maximize its demographic “sweet spot,” where the workingage population significantly outnumbers dependents.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that 63.9 percent of the country’s population, or around 69.4 million Filipinos, belonged to the working-age group in 2020.

Meanwhile, 30.7 percent were classified as young dependents and 5.4 percent as old dependents, bringing the dependency ratio down to 57 dependents for every 100 working-age Filipinos.

She explained that students who fail to complete their education are more likely to end up in low-paying and low-skilled jobs, limiting their earning potential and increasing their vulnerability to poverty.

“It’s like a butterfly effect, a flutter of the butterfly’s wings now will create possible catastrophic consequences,” she added.

Focusing on boys

BERSALES said the study also points to the need for greater attention to boys, who are increasingly at risk of falling behind in school and eventually ending up in low-skilled occupations.

“Girls, although the study says that their aspiration become lower, from official statistics they are

year,” Go said. “If we do not do this, there will be opportunity losses. This could have been collected by us, but instead, other jurisdictions will.”

Go said the Philippines will impose the minimum 15-percent rate prescribed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) under the Global Minimum Tax (Pillar Two) initiative. Only multinational companies that have operations or are domiciled in a country that has signed up for the Pillar Two initiative and with revenues of at least €750 million annually will be levied.

“Nobody should get upset about this because it’s not us who signed up for this. Their country where they are based signed up for this,” Go said. There are over 1,100 multinational enterprises operating in the Philippines, with about 531 falling within the global minimum tax scope, according to the Department of Finance.

the ones that have, on average, the higher educational attainment,” she said. “As we see, it’s the boys. We have to really give more attention to the boys.”

Data from the LCSFC showed that by age 18, 93 percent of girls remained enrolled in school, compared with only 85 percent of boys. Girls also consistently recorded higher ontrack schooling rates throughout adolescence.

The study found that among boys who were no longer enrolled, common reasons included lack of interest in schooling, difficulty understanding lessons and the desire to work.

LCSFC consultant Alejandro N. Herrin said the education system may be better aligned with how girls learn.

He noted that classroom instruction tends to be highly academic, which may disadvantage boys who respond better to more activity-based and experiential learning approaches.

Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Project Manager Llewelyn Dela Cruz also said boys may be less likely to seek help because of social expectations surrounding masculinity. She said targeted interventions are needed to address anxiety and mental health concerns among boys and young men, who often suffer in silence despite showing signs of emotional distress.

Window until 2040

DESPITE these challenges, Bersales said the Philippines still has time to capitalize on its demographic advantage.

“The good news is, we have until 2040,” she said.

“It’s not automatic for us to experience more socioeconomic growth because of more working age. We need to pursue human capital development, especially our youth and adolescents.”

To fully capitalize on the opportunity, Bersales said the government must ensure that young Filipinos stay in school, acquire future-ready skills, and are prepared for emerging jobs in the digital economy.

She added that the education system should go beyond improving basic literacy and numeracy by equipping students with competencies in digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and other skills that will be increasingly demanded in the labor market.

That measure combined grants and loans to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard—marking the largest US defense commitment to Manila in decades. (See related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/12/22/phl-secureshistoric-3-5-b-u-s-defense-aidvia-ndaa-2026/)

Expanding the First Island Chain FICSCI rebrands and enlarges the earlier Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, extending eligibility to the Philippines while keeping Taiwan within scope. The program runs through 2032, with authority for up to $1.5 trillion in assistance.

Taiwan’s defense ministry stressed the rebranding reflects a wider geographic strategy—covering Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Borneo—as part of a deterrence line against coercive actions.

South China Sea and Indo‑Pacific focus THE NDAA directs the Pentagon to craft a South China Sea crisis-m anagement strategy, building on last year’s law that elevated the Philippines as a central operational partner. It also mandates a Regional Sustainment Framework to ensure logistics with allies, and requires reporting on any assets shifted away from Indo -Pacific Command (Indopacom) since May 2025.

Military infrastructure thresholds are raised, with Indopacom’s minor construction cap increased to $35 million, plus cost-factor relief for Hawaii, Alaska, and Pacific islands. The bill reauthorizes the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and extends the China Military Power Report requirement to 2032.

An ‘Axis of Aggressors’ US lawmakers framed the Indo - Pacific buildup as a response to what they called an “axis of aggressors”—China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

The bill orders a review of delays in foreign military sales to the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, citing risks to denial defense along the First Island Chain. It also authorizes a War Reserve Stockpile program for Taiwan. Global and domestic provisions UKRAINE: Extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2029, with $750 million authorized and a new US -U kraine defense innovation group on drones.

Middle East: Establishes a Civil-Military Coordination Center for Gaza ceasefire monitoring, conditions Lebanese Armed Forces funding on counter-Hezbollah actions, and expands defense tech cooperation with Israel. US Border: Designates the southwest border mission as a “named mission” and creates a joint task force against cartels.

is reflected in the Asean Summit’s theme this year: “Navigating Our Future, Together.” China continues to claim most parts of the important waterway even after the Arbitral ruling of 2016 invalidated such an expansive stake. The latest of the said attempts was China’s deployment of a floating platform at the Bajo de Masinloc lagoon, which is still part of the Philippine maritime territory. While in Russia, Marcos

DICT hopes for enactment of digital safety law by 3Q

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology

(DICT) is hoping a digital safety law will be enacted by the third quarter of 2026, a measure that Secretary Henry Aguda said would clean up the country’s online space in time for the holidays.

I would push and I would aspire na mapasa iyan by third quarter,” Aguda said at the sidelines of the Digital Bayanihan Safety Summit 2026, expressing hope that “by Christmas, mas malinis na ang Internet.”

A guda said both chambers of Congress are working to consolidate several pending measures—covering platform colocation, age restrictions, and content classification— into a single mother legislation, a

harmonization process he believes is behind the delay.

A mong the provisions the DICT is pushing for a requirement for social media companies to establish a corporate presence in the country, a minimum age of 16 for social media use, locally handled content moderation, and direct reporting lines between government and platforms. In fairness to the platforms, kapag may batas, sumusunod sila,” Aguda said,

noting that companies tend to comply once a legal framework is in place.

He cited Singapore as an example, which maintains stricter digital safety laws, as a model lawmakers have studied. Until a Philippine law is passed, Aguda said, the agency would continue coordinating with platforms voluntarily.

T he DICT chief admitted that he is quite disappointed with YouTube, citing slow turnaround on government requests to remove disinformation. He recalled instances where flagged content stayed online long after authorities had identified it as false—a “particular risk during emergencies” such as disasterrelated disinformation.

A guda clarified the agency was not seeking takedown authority but a faster, more direct line to the platform.

“ We are not asking YouTube for us to take down content, what we’re asking is a direct communication with them,” he said, adding that he planned to write to the company again. He cautioned against suspending

Cebu water utility girds for El Niño

CBy Carmel Pedroza

EBU CITY—The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is fast-tracking several water supply projects and partnerships to augment Metro Cebu’s water resources as authorities prepare for the anticipated impacts of El Niño in the coming months.

MCWD General Manager John DX Lapid, said the water utility is pursuing multiple initiatives aimed at increasing available water supply, including the drilling of new production wells, sourcing additional water from bulk water providers, and developing alternative water sources all over its service areas.

A mong the projects being pursued are the drilling of 11 new production wells in Cebu City, the rehabilitation and activation of standby wells, and the commissioning of additional facilities such as the Kalunasan Well, which is expected to serve the Cebu City Jail and nearby communities once operational.

MCWD is also looking at additional supply sources that could contribute significant volumes of water, including 11 New production wells expected t o add 8,000 cubic meters per day (CMD); additional bulk water supply (1,000 CMD); desalination project

(5,000 CMD); Mambaling supply project (5,000 CMD); and the Cordova project (20,000 CMD). These projects are intended to strengthen water availability and improve resilience against possible supply shortages,” Lapid said.

El Niño

LAPID said MCWD has intensified coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration ( Pagasa) amid growing concerns over the El Niño phenomenon. “ We have constant briefings with Pagasa and conduct monthly coordination meetings because of the coming E l Niño,” he said. Pagasa’s latest assessment indicate that there is now more than an 80 percent probability that a full El Niño event will e felt in the county in the coming months. The El Niño we are expecting could be felt during the first quarter of 2027 and may extend until May or June 2027,” Lapid explained.

He emphasized that the phenomenon is no longer merely a forecast. This is not just a forecast anymore. El Niño is already occurring. What is unusual is that the rainy season and El

Niño conditions are happening at the same time,” he said.

Supply still stable

MCWD reported that its current inhouse water production remains at approximately 153 million liters per day, with existing reductions in supply largely attributed to the effects of the dry season rather than El Niño.

L apid noted that rainfall is expected to improve by October, which could help replenish water sources.

A mong MCWD’s major sources, the Carmen water source is expected to experience only minimal impact.

However, some reduction has already been observed in the Lusaran R iver source, while water supplied from Compostela remains an important component of the utility’s supply portfolio.

A presentation shown during a briefing on Wednesday morning, indicated t hat some surface water sources could experience substantial reductions during El Niño conditions.

T he Lusaran River, which currently produces around 20,000 cubic m eters per day (CMD), could drop to approximately 10,000 CMD, while the Jaclupan facility could see production decline from around 20,699

platforms wholesale, noting YouTube’s legitimate uses in remote schools and online learning, and acknowledged that the platform earns revenue through Google Ads.

The goal, he said, is to strip out harmful content without penalizing legitimate users.

Meanwhile, Aguda praised TikTok’s moderation system, which he said uses artificial intelligence to automatically remove roughly 98 percent of content flagged as internet harm. He urged Meta and Google to adopt a similar approach.

H e also cited Roblox’s direct reporting arrangement with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which he said enables near-instant action on flagged material.

He warned that disinformation, deepfakes, and the unauthorized sale of financial instruments would draw regulatory action if they proliferate.

A guda floated a personal proposal to require users to watch a digital safety video before accessing a platform, replayed annually thereafter.

CMD to 7,000 CMD.

Meanwhile, water from the Mananga River system is projected to remain l argely unaffected, while smaller sources such as Buhisan Dam and Cotcot River could experience severe reductions.

Four-point action plan

TO address the potential impacts of El Niño, MCWD has adopted a four-point action plan focused on monitoring and preparedness.

T he plan includes monthly coordination and briefings with Pagasa; c ontinuous monitoring of rainfall forecasts and weather patterns; monitoring river flows, surface water sources, groundwater production, and aquifer performance; and assessing supply-and-demand conditions across MCWD’s service area.

L apid said the utility relies on real-time data and scientific forecasting to guide operational decisions and mitigate the effects of prolonged dry conditions.

Deep wells

AS part of its contingency measures, MCWD is also coordinating with the Cebu City Government to revive a previously proposed project involving the installation of deep wells in p ublic schools.

See “Cebu,” A8

Local training on green construction skills set

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Philippines is set to pilot a new training program that could eventually make green skills a standard competency for construction workers, as the industry prepares for a shift toward more sustainable and climate-resilient building practices.

The Introduction to Green Construction Skills (IGCS) program will undergo pilot runs in July before its planned rollout across various regions in August, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Developed under the ILO-Korea Partnership Program on Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the course is designed to equip workers with foundational competencies in resource efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable materials and climate-responsive construction.

According to Joshua Miguel Lopez, national project coordinator of the ILO-Korea Partnership Program, the training translates sustainability concepts into practical skills that workers can apply on construction sites.

“ It is crucial to be  mahusay  or adept at using green building techniques, masinop or thorough in the use of energy and material resources, and ligtas, ensuring safe and secure

construction for workers and building occupants,” Lopez said.

The course covers carbon reduction, resource efficiency, renewable energy applications, sustainable materials, passive and active building design, and green building certifications. It was developed with experts from Korea Polytechnic University and is envisioned to serve as a common competency across construction-related training programs.

For the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), the challenge lies in adapting these concepts to local conditions.

“ Green construction is a way of rethinking building performance across its full life cycle,” said Michael Gayona, an engineer and center coordinator of Tesda’s Green Technology Center.  The challenge now is not only how to teach these concepts, but how to contextualize them within the Philippine construction sector.” The construction sector accounts for nearly 10 percent of the country’s workforce and has been identified as a strategic industry for generating green jobs under the National Green Jobs Human Resource Development Plan. The ILO said a group of newly trained master trainers will lead the pilot implementation of the course before its wider rollout later this year.

Tolentino creates legal aid office for indigent workers

By Mary Jade Jadormio

WORKERS who cannot afford legal representation may soon receive governmentbacked legal assistance after Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino ordered the creation of a Labor Attorney’s Office within the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

Speaking at the “Kapihan sa Manila Bay,” Tolentino said he signed a department order establishing the office during his first week in office, describing it as a counterpart of the Public Attorney’s Office for workers pursuing labor-related claims and complaints.

“On my fifth day or sixth day, I signed a department order creating the Labor Attorney’s Office, the counterpart of the PAO,” Tolentino said.

He said the initiative aims to help indigent workers who often struggle to pursue cases because they lack access to lawyers and legal assistance.

The office, Tolentino said, will cater to workers seeking legal remedies in disputes involving wages, benefits and

other labor-related concerns. Labor attorney’s office will cater to the needs of indigent workers without access to lawyers,” he said. To support the program, the labor secretary said he has begun coordinating with academic institutions, including the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, to involve senior law students in assisting labor-related cases. So that even fourth-year law students can help workers,” Tolentino said. The creation of the office forms part of a broader effort by the department to make labor services more accessible and responsive to workers’ concerns. Tolentino said he has also adopted an open-door policy for labor groups and workers seeking government intervention, allowing them to directly raise g rievances before the department.

T he labor chief noted that he has already met with several labor organizations and plans to continue consultations with workers and employers in the coming weeks.

See “Tolentino,” A8

Lawmaker seeks P15 billion for quake-hit area relief, rehab

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

ALEGISLATOR has filed a bill seeking a P15-billion supplemental appropriation for Fiscal Year 2026 to support areas devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore near Sarangani Province on June 8.

L anao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong filed House Bill 9887, which aims to finance relief, recovery, rehabilitation, repair, and reconstruction efforts in Regions XI and XII, where thousands of families remain displaced and key infrastructure has sustained heavy damage.

The proposed measure will augment the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund and provide immediate assistance to affected communities. It covers the rehabilitation of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, irrigation systems, power facilities, ports, airports, and other essential infrastructure.

I t also includes aid for displaced families, farmers, fishermen, and other vulnerable sectors whose livelihoods were disrupted.

L atest reports show that the earthquake left 47 people dead, 688 injured, and 31 missing. More than 45,000 individuals remain displaced, while over 12,600 homes

were damaged. In General Santos City alone, property losses have reached around P1 billion, with assessments in other areas still ongoing. The disaster also caused significant losses in agriculture and fisheries.

Mindanao is reeling from one of the strongest earthquakes in recent memory. Our people need immediate help to rebuild their lives, restore essential services, and recover their livelihoods. This bill delivers the substantial resources required to accelerate relief and long-term rehabilitation,” Adiong said.

A diong, the chairperson of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the proposal is deeply personal to him as a fellow Mindanaoan.

“ This bill is close to my heart. As a Mindanaoan, I deeply feel for my brothers and sisters across the region who are now struggling to pick up the pieces after this tragedy. We must stand

with them and give them the support they urgently need,” he said. Under the proposal, P2 billion each will be allocated to the Department of Agriculture for irrigation repairs and assistance to farmers and fishermen and to the Department of Education for the repair and rehabilitation of damaged schools. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health will receive P1.5 billion each. The DSWD allocation will fund emergency cash assistance, food packs, and temporary shelters, while the DOH allocation will support hospital repairs, medical equipment, and rehabilitation of local health facilities.

A nother P2 billion will be earmarked for housing assistance and relocation through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority. A dditional funds will be allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units for the repair of roads, bridges, and community infrastructure, as well as for power restoration, state universities and colleges, and transport facilities.

Gatchalian assumes Senate presidency

By Butch Fernandez | @butchfBM

THIRTEEN senators, 12 from the Gatchalian bloc plus Sen. Joel Villanueva, on Wednesday formally elected Senate President Protempore Sherwin Gatchalian as the fourth Senate President of the 20th Congress, ending a stalemate that had disrupted lawmaking in the chamber, and cast uncertainty over the timeline of the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

B y acclamation, the 13 senators also unanimously elected Sen. Vicente Sotto III as the new Senate President Protempore.

G atchalian was nominated by Zubiri who cited the lawmaker’s track record in public service, leadership, experience, and work ethics a s reasons for his support.

“ Throughout his public service career as member of the House of Representatives, as mayor of Valenzuela City, and as senator, he has c onsistently proven his competence, his effective leadership, and his unparalleled work ethics,” Zubiri said i n mixed English and Filipino.

W hen the special session reconvened in the afternoon, former Senate president protempore Loren Legarda took the floor to announce that Cayetano will serve as the minority leader while the case he filed in the Supreme Court, seeking to void the acts of the Gatchalian bloc last June 3, is pending.

of budget proposals and greater transparency in the allocation of public f unds amid heightened concerns over government spending.

H e added that under Gatchalian’s leadership, lawmakers were required to submit extensive documentation and justification for proposed a mendments and funding requests, resulting in what he described as one of the most transparent budget processes in recent years.

C alling Gatchalian “the leader that the Senate needs in this time of division and disarray,” Zubiri expressed confidence that the newly elected Senate President would help restore the chamber’s focus on legislation and strengthen public trust in the institution.

Investigations otherwise known as the Blue-Ribbon panel.

Number one, I am tired of losing old friends and creating new enemies. And number two, there are other colleagues who are equally, if not more qualified than this humble representation to take on the job,” said Lacson.

R ight after the election of Gatchalian and Sotto to their new posts on Wednesday morning, the 13 senators who had convened for a special session proceeded to tackle the priority bills endorsed by President Marcos, who earlier lamented the political drama at the Senate just before Congress adjourned sine die on June 3. Besides disrupting passage of the eight bills, the standoff between the two factions had also held up confirmation of several  officers and the naturalization bills for two athletes.

Thirteen senators were present during the chamber’s First Special Session, namely, Sens. Bam Aquino, Francis Escudero, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Gatchalian, R isa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, and Vicente Sotto III.

Hours earlier, Gatchalian’s rival, pre-June 3 Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano, had conceded in a Facebook post his loss of the position he took in a coup against Sotto in May, after getting a crucial vote from absentee Sen. R onald dela Rosa, who showed up just to vote for Cayetano.

House leaders see faster legislative work with Senate leadership change

THE leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed optimism that the Senate leadership change would allow the c hamber to move past internal tensions and refocus on pending legislative work as they welcomed the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate president.

“On behalf of the House, we would like to congratulate Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. We look forward to working with him,” House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos said in an ambush interview.

M arcos said Gatchalian’s assumption to the top Senate post offers an opportunity for the chamber to overcome w eeks of leadership disputes that had disrupted its operations.

“I have worked with him, and I know how level-headed he can be. So I think that’s exactly what this current political climate needs, especially there in the Senate, levelheadedness and just the need for all of us to really get back to work,” Marcos said.

T he House leader noted that Congress still has several pending matters to a ct on during the special session called by President Marcos despite the House having already approved a number of priority measures.

He said lawmakers are awaiting the ratification of bicameral conference committee reports, while the Commission on Appointments is expected to act on pending promotions and appointments, including those involving senior officers of the Armed Forces (AFP).

“ We passed a number of resolutions; we are awaiting some bicam reports for ratification; and of course for the Committee on Appointments to appoint and confirm the pending matters to do with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.   He added that the Senate leadership impasse had delayed the confirmation of several military officials due for promotion.

I believe it’s the seven or eight generals who were due for promotion but as a result

of the leadership struggle in the Senate were not able to be confirmed, so that is what we are waiting for now,” he said.   G atchalian formally assumed the Senate presidency following a weeks-long leadership battle that stalled much of the chamber’s work.

Focus on work

DEPUTY Speaker Paolo Ortega V expressed hope that the Senate would now shift its focus to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and the passage of priority legislation.

“ It’s high time we focus on work. The impeachment trial is also part of that work that will take place,” Ortega, who represents La Union, said. He said the easing of tensions in the Senate should enable it to carry out its constitutional duties, including convening as an Impeachment Court.

Maybe things will simmer down and at the end of the day, as I said, we can go back to our work,” Ortega said.

The deputy speaker added that the public expects lawmakers to move beyond political maneuvering and address pressing national concerns. The Senate is scheduled to convene as an Impeachment Court on July 6, following a pre-trial conference set on June 18, w ith proceedings expected to extend into the 20th Congress.

O rtega expressed confidence that the Senate would be able to conduct the trial in an orderly manner following the leadership transition.

T he Congress has conducted a special session to act on priority measures, including the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, Last Mile Schools Program, Geriatric Care Act and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act, as well as pending appointments before the Commission on Appointments. The House of Representatives h as already approved these measures. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

House names new CA members

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday elected new members to the Commission on Appointments (CA) during the special session c alled by President Marcos. Chosen to represent the House in the powerful body were Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V, TGP Party-list Rep. Jose Teves Jr., Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren, Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, and Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez. They replaced Camiguin Rep. Jesus Romualdo, Abono Party-list Rep. Robert Raymond Estrella, Agusan del Sur Rep. Eddiebong Plaza, Cavite Rep. Roy Loyola, and C amarines Sur Rep. Arnie Fuentebella.

M arcos, by virtue of Proclamation 1318, called for the special session of Congress not only for both chambers to urgently consider the passage of eight identified priority measures but also to enable the CA to convene and act on appointments made to the Cabinet, the military, and the foreign service.  The CA is expected to take up the confirmation of eight Cabinet members, five generals of the Armed Forces, and several appointees to diplomatic posts. The CA is mandated to confirm or reject presidential appointments, serving as a constitutional check against abuse and ensuring that nominations are in the public interest. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

Most diligent senator ZUBIRI , in nominating Gatchalian, cited his stewardship of several key Senate committees, including Energy, Economic Affairs, Basic Education, and Finance, describing him as one of the chamber’s most diligent and resultsoriented members.

Zu biri particularly pointed to Gatchalian’s tenure as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, where he pushed for stricter scrutiny

S ubsequently after Gatchalian took his oath, Lacson stood on the floor to nominate Sotto as Senate President Pro Tempore. Before he made his motion, Lacson commended Escudero and Villanueva for “responding to their higher calling.”

B oth Escudero and Villanueva were part of the then-majority bloc led by Cayetano.

L acson, likewise, placed on record that he had intentionally and voluntarily relinquished the chairmanship of the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and

Following the schedule announced earlier by Gatchalian for the special session, the chamber tackled bills until 11 a.m. Wednesday, then took a break to allow the Commission on Appointments to convene, and returned to plenary at 3:00 p.m. This time, they were already joined by members of the Cayetano bloc.

With the two-week leadership dispute in the Senate finally settled, Malacañang called on Congress for the swift passage of priority bills of the President. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro

Sara impeachment pre-trial brief long on pages, short on answers–legislator

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

AHOUSE trial spokesman on Wednesday criticized the impeachment pre-trial brief submitted by the defense team of Vice P resident Sara Duterte, saying it appears extensive in length but lacking in substantive responses to the allegations in the impeachment case.

House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong noted that the filing spans 72 pages and includes more than a hundred witnesses and numerous documentary exhibits, yet allegedly fails to directly confront the accusations raised in the articles of impeachment.

After reviewing the defense pretrial brief, one cannot help but notice that it is long on pages but short on answers,” Adiong said.

“ But the question that ordinary Filipinos are asking remains unanswered: W here is the clear and direct response to the allegations?” Adiong asked.

A diong stressed that the core issue is not the volume of submissions but whether they clearly address the charges.

“ It’s not about the number of pages. It’s also not about the number of witnesses or documents. The measure of a defense is whether it addresses the allegations. And in our reading of the filing, it leaves more questions unanswered than it answers,” he said.

He also pointed out that several witnesses and documents listed by the defense appear to overlap with evidence already presented by the prosecution, questioning the defense’s “independent

factual narrative.”

A ccording to Adiong, a pre-trial brief should help define issues, identify relevant evidence, and guide the court in focusing on material matters.

Despite his criticism, he reiterated that the prosecution respects Duterte’s constitutional rights.

Let me be clear: the Vice President has every right to present evidence, call witnesses, and defend herself before the impeachment court,” he said.

A diong added that the filing reinforces the need for a full trial, saying it demonstrates why the Senate impeachment court must proceed with hearing t he evidence.

‘Fundamental question’

FOR her part, House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said the defense brief raises a key question: whether it intends to present a factual defense or simply challenge the credibility of prosecution witnesses.

After reviewing their pre-trial brief, one question immediately comes to mind: Do they actually have their own defense, or is their plan simply to discredit the prosecution’s witnesses?” Co said.

She said many witnesses and documents listed by the defense appear to m irror those already submitted by the prosecution, questioning where the defense’s own explanation of the allegations can be found.

Co emphasized that attacking witnesses is not equivalent to mounting a defense.

They are different. A defense is not just about finding flaws in the other side. A defense presents its own explanation. It shows its own evidence. It presents

witnesses with personal knowledge of the events,” Co pointed out.

“ If all the public hears are attacks on witnesses, the most important question still remains unanswered: What is the vice president’s actual explanation for the allegations?” she asked.

The House trial spokesperson said ordinary Filipinos are not interested in legal maneuvering but in obtaining answers.

Full authority

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday formally authorized its prosecution panel to act on its behalf in all pre-trial proceedings before the Senate impeachment court in the case against Duterte.

T he motion was introduced by House Assistant Majority Leader and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora during a special session presided over by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez.

Under the authorization, the prosecution team may simplify issues, stipulate facts and documents, identify witnesses, set trial dates, and undertake other measures to expedite proceedings. They are also allowed to engage private counsel, experts, and consultants.

W ith no objections raised, the motion was approved.

The House prosecution panel recently submitted a 57-page pre-trial brief along with its list of witnesses and documentary evidence. House Committee on Justice Chairperson and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro leads the 11-member panel.

Dole imposes P11.4-M fine, other penalties on owner, contractor of collapsed building

By Mary Jade Jadormio

Corp. were found liable for a total of P11,426,798.50 following an investigation conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

The amount includes P1,102,798.50 for labor standards violations and P10.324 million in administrative fines under Republic Act 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law.

Tolentino announced the findings after signing an order that would be served on the respondents on the same day.

Tolentino said investigators found that construction activities continued despite the existence of a work stoppage order, exposing workers to conditions that eventually led to deaths and injuries. So despite the existence of a work stoppage order, the workers continued working, exposing themselves to danger that would result in death or injury,” Tolentino said.

said the Palace welcomes the latest development, which she said will clear the deadlock in the Senate allowing Congress to pass the bills being pushed by Marcos.     “ We know the desire of President Marcos – fast and efficient service for the people. Priority legislative bills must be enacted to further strengthen and expand government assistance to our countrymen,” Castro said in Filipino in a statement to reporters.  In Proclamation 1318, where Marcos called on Congress to conduct a special session, the Chief Executive called for the passage of at least eight bills.  The list includes the National Center for Geriatric Health; the Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (Gastpe) Act; Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act; and the Anti-Political Dynasty Law. A lso part of the list are the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act; Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; Last Mile and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas (Gida) Schools Act; and the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program.  He made the appeal weeks before his fifth State of the Nation Address on 27 July 2026. With Samuel Medenilla

Pampanga gov suspends Porac mayor for 60 days

ABy Ashley J. Manabat

NGELES CITY—Porac Mayor Jaime Capil has been placed under a 60-day preventive suspension effective June 11 by Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda.

C apil received the suspension order in an email from the Office of the Governor, his legal team said.

T he latest suspension stems from administrative complaints related to quarry permits filed before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in December 2025 by two complainants who are father and son, according to Capil’s lawyers. In a statement read by Capil’s lawyer, Arvi Gerard Rivera, in a press conference, Capil confirmed receipt of the suspension order and said he would voluntarily comply “out of respect for the legal process and the honorable offices implementing it.” Rivera said the mayor’s compliance is “without prejudice” to the legal remedies and defenses available to him, which will be raised in the proper forum.

“Mayor Capil will not discuss the merits of the administrative cases in the media due to the pending proceedings and the sub judice rule,” Rivera said. With the suspension taking effect, Vice Mayor Jen Capil will serve as acting mayor and oversee the municipality’s operations.

In the meantime, Vice Mayor Jen Capil will take care of the Municipality of Porac and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of basic services to the public,” Rivera said.

C apil’s lawyers questioned the continued proceedings and cited provisions of the Local Government Code that they said impose a 120-day period for the resolution of administrative cases involving elective local officials. The mayor just came from a three-month suspension from a different case. This two-month suspension is due to the quarry permit case filed in December 2025,” Capil’s

The investigation also uncovered labor violations involving underpayment of wages, unpaid holiday pay and deficiencies in compensation for work performed on rest days and weekends. Workers employed at the site were likewise found to have lacked adequate safety protection and welfare facilities required under labor regulations. Tolentino said Golden Years Construction and Lim failed to provide personal protective equipment, occupational safety and health personnel, first-aid and safety officers, temporary worker accommodations and permits for certain mechanical equipment used at the site.

A6

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Interim US-Iran deal leaves thorniest issue to be negotiated: Tehran’s nuclear program

By Matthew Lee AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON—The interim deal between the US and Iran is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries—Tehran’s nuclear program.

Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb is a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war alongside Israel in February, but the tentative agreement he has trumpeted leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point. The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, which Trump pulled the US from in his first term, took many months to negotiate.

Few details have been publicly released about the initial deal, set to be officially signed Friday in Switzerland, but it generally calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments, financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks, and a 60-day period for talks on ending the country’s nuclear program.

There is deep skepticism among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, pro-Israel advocates and Israel itself that the deal is realistic, workable or would have any effect on nuclear talks.

“My skepticism is Iran itself. What would a good deal look like? No enrichment. And we’ll see if we can get there,” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close Trump ally and longtime Iran hawk, said Tuesday. “But whether or not we can get phase two, I don’t know.” A nuclear deal takes commitment to the details

DAVID SCHENKER , director of the Arab Politics Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that “this administration has proven that it has a hard time keeping its attention on these issues.”

Schenker, who served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs in the first Trump administration, questioned whether the current administration would have the wherewithal to reach a nuclear deal even if the agreement is signed Friday.

“This is the kind of thing that requires dogged attention, attention to detail and numerous technical experts involved,” he said. “Trump loses his attention, moves on, and so does the administration. It’s like they don’t understand Iran’s strategy. They didn’t get it the first time, or the second.”

The Trump administration has maintained its confidence. Vice President JD Vance said much of the technical detail must be negotiated but that the US must see action for Iran to receive incentives like sanctions relief.

“Our plan under this deal is, again, the Iranians are getting a lot of benefits so long as they dismantle that nuclear weapons program,” Vance told Megyn Kelly on her podcast Tuesday.

“People always ask me, ‘Why do you believe it this time?’ I don’t believe them,” he added. “I don’t trust anything that anybody says. I trust what people do. And the way this deal is structured is that as they do more, they receive more. As they do less, they receive less.”

Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful. It took over a year and a half to get the previous nuclear deal

THE 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, took more than 18 months to negotiate, starting with secret talks between US and Iranian officials in Oman at the end of then-President Barack Obama’s first term. They required dozens of direct high-level interventions from Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, not to mention a team of dozens of technical experts traveling to Europe and elsewhere before the conclusion of the negotiations in Vienna, Austria.

Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 before most of its more contentious concessions had come into effect, and there is no indication now that Iran is willing to offer much more.

The JCPOA relied on very technical language and understandings, including limits on uranium enrichment, advanced centrifuges and heavy water production. In exchange, Iran was granted significant sanctions relief, amounting to billions of dollars.

As unhappy as critics were about the JCPOA—Trump called it the “worst deal ever negotiated,” while all Republicans and a number of prominent Democrats voted against it—all sides acknowledge it took more than 18 months to get to an even imperfect agreement.

Republicans say Congress must approve any deal REPUBLICANS say any nuclear deal with Iran should be brought to Congress, as required by law. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he “would certainly anticipate that” the Senate will get the final say.

GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he had little confidence Iran would abide by any agreement.

But Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., one of a handful of senators who has spoken to Vance about the agreement, said the shortened timeline could be an advantage.

“Iran’s modus operandi is to negotiate for the purpose of delaying, so they can rearm themselves,” Marshall said. “I think the president has to give them some type of a finite amount of time, or there’s going to be consequences. So, I think it can be done.”

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., noted that what could help Trump’s negotiators to hammer out a nuclear agreement in such a truncated timeline is that there is “a base” to work from following the Obama-era talks.

Still, the JCPOA “took years to put together. You had allies and even adversaries—China and Russia—around the table, you had the IAEA at the table, the Obama chief negotiator had a Nobel Prize in physics, Ernie Moniz,” Kaine said. “I don’t know that either Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff have a Nobel Prize. So, it’s going to be hard.”

Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner, neither of whom had any prior experience in nuclear negotiations, made numerous but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement under Omani mediation during the first months of Trump’s second term.

Those tapered off after the US-Israel attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025—after which Pakistan emerged as the main facilitator. There also is uncertainty about other issues besides nuclear that have been of concern to Arab countries, Israel, Europe and the United States.

It is not clear that any of those issues, including Iran’s ballistic missile program, its support for militant proxies in the region or repression of its own people, will be addressed by either the interim or potential longerterm agreements.

Without significant capitulations by Trump up-front, it is hard to imagine that nuclear negotiations with Iran will take only several months. “A deal is better than more fighting, but the war America and Israel prosecuted against Iran has fallen short of achieving its stated objectives,” said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. “This agreement is mostly about cleaning up an unnecessary mess and putting the best face on it.”

The Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.

A8

Thursday, June 18, 2026

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Barangay health workers to finally get their due as Senate OKs bill on 2nd reading

ABy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

FTER nearly two decades,

Barangay Health Workers

(BHW)—the vanguard in health care across the country may finally get real, substantial benefits under a bill approved on second reading by the Senate on Wednesday.

. .

Luistro earlier said the prosecution is preparing to present more than 30 witnesses to support the four Articles of Impeachment, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against top officials. The filing comes ahead of the Senate Impeachment Court’s pretrial conference scheduled on June 18, where both sides are expected to define issues, evidence, and trial procedures.

The prosecution panel is composed of several House members, including Reps. Terry Ridon, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Lorenz Defensor, Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Leila de Lima, Arlene Bag-ao, Jonathan Keith Flores, Lordan Suan, and Joel Chua, with assistance from private lawyers under a pro bono arrangement.

. .

Continued from A4

Lapid said the utility plans to develop deep wells in eight schools in Cebu City, most of which are located in the southern part of the city.

The project was initially proposed in 2019 but was eventually put on hold. MCWD has already sent a follow-up letter to the Cebu City Government to restart discussions.

“We need a memorandum of agreement or a usufruct agreement with the Cebu City government before implementation can proceed,” Lapid said.

The initiative is intended to provide additional water supply to communities that may be affected if production from the Jaclupan facility declines during drought conditions. Many barangays in southern Cebu City currently depend on water supplied from the facility.

“If these deep wells are established, they can help supply the affected barangays during periods of reduced production caused by drought or El Niño,” Lapid added.

Continued from A4

Convened as a Special Session to tackle vital, urgent measures that were disrupted during the weeks-long standoff between rival Senate factions, the chamber approved SB 1905 mainly sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, with strong support from Sens. Erwin Tulfo and JV Ejercito.

Earlier on May 6, 2026 - before the start of the “Senate drama” that ended with adjournment sine die on June 3 even as key measures lay pending - Sen. Erwin Tulfo had expressed strong support for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1905 (SBN 1905), or the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, which seeks to institutionalize their roles

and provide them with incentives and benefits.

Tulfo said during the interpellation on SBN 1905, that the measure must be passed because all the barangay health workers he met in visits across the country had expressed hope that Magna Carta for BHWs will be finally enacted.

On Wednesday, Hontiveros

DOJ issues ILBO vs Baldwin, four others

Tmoved to close the period of amendments to the bill, with Tulfo making a manifestation that: “I believe it’s high time we pass this SB 1905.” And, he added, “as our way of thanking them [barangay health workers] for their service.”

Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri then closed the period of amendments, paving the way for second reading approval of the measure. For Zubiri, the bill is necessary in order to institutionalize the profession and provide fair compensation for BHWs. He had earlier lamented that, despite having the same workload, BHWs in rural areas receive much lower compensation compared with BHWs in the cities.

Quake. . .

Continued from A7

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) against former Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles basketball head coach Thomas Anthony “Tab” Baldwin and four others in connection with the ongoing investigation into the drowning incident in Dipaculao, Aurora last June 8 that claimed the lives of 18-year-old promising basketball player Rene Clert Baternonia and 21-year-old Nigerian teammate Divine Adili.

Aside from Baldwin, the ILBO also covers former ADMU former team manager Christopher Quimpo and assistant coaches namely Reynaldo Jacinto, Dean Castaño and Sandro Soriano.

DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida said the ILBO was issued to alert authorities in the event that the subject individuals would attempt to leave the country while the investigation is ongoing.

Vida clarified that the ILBO is not a travel restriction nor a finding of liability considering

DFA

. .

Continued from A7

that the investigation is still ongoing.

The DOJ secretary said the issuance of an ILBO against the members of ADMU’s coaching staff is necessary considering “the seriousness of the allegations” being investigated by law enforcement agencies.

It may be recalled that it was the family of Baterbonia, through their legal representatives, who initially asked the DOJ to issue an ILBO against Baldwin.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), one of the agencies conducting an investigation into the drowning incident, had also made a similar request.

The ADMU, in a statement issued last June 8, said the drowning incident occurred during a team-building activity in Dipaculao.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, the legal counsel of the Baterbonias, had clarified that their request for ILBO is not a “punitive measure” but merely a “monitoring mechanism” to ensure that the DOJ, the NBI other concerned

government agencies are immediately informed in case Baldwin would attempt to leave the country while investigations surrounding the tragic incident.

According to Torreon, the issuance of ILBO is justifiable considering that Baldwin is a US-New Zealand national.

Initial investigation conducted by the Aurora Provincial Police Office showed that the drowning of Baterbonia Adili was “purely accidental.”

Despite these findings, Vida issued a directive last June 10 for the NBI to conduct a parallel probe into the drowning incident.

The NBI earlier said it has deployed a task force to investigate all angles of the incident, including whether there was foul play.

The task force is looking into whether the hazards of the location and the condition of the sea were properly assessed, whether adequate safeguards and supervision were in place, and whether the chain of events that claimed these two lives reflects a breach of the duty owed to those entrusted to the institution’s care.

“We are in constant communication with all those affected to ensure that the leadership provides all the support it can to our fellow Filipinos who have been affected,” Marcos said in an ambush interview.

He said assistance will be based on the specific needs identified by local governments, noting that support may include medical assistance, relief goods, and the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program, among others.

“Whether it be MAIP or medical assistance, whether it be relief goods, whether it be anything that the House can provide,” he said.

Marcos also cited the early response of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, who personally visited General Santos City and Sarangani Province to assess the situation and coordinate with local officials.

Dy inspected key infrastructure, including the General Santos International Airport, and met with local leaders as part of the House’s ongoing monitoring and response efforts.

PA units hard at work

Occidental and Sarangani. He added that around 600 families received around 190 gallons of potable water from the Army’s Mobile Water Purification Station in Sitio Linao, Barangay Tinoto Maasim, Sarangani. “Soldiers and responders also helped distribute relief goods donated by civilian volunteers to displaced families in Brgy. Butulan, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental,” Dema-ala noted. Likewise, he said Army responders, in close coordination with the Philippine Air Force, airlifted and distributed food packs, rice, bottled water, and other essential relief supplies to affected residents in Barangays Molmol, Quiapo, San Isidro, and Sitio Makina of Barangay Kalbay in Jose Abad Santos, as well as Barangay E. Alegado in Glan, Sarangani. From June 11 to 15, the airlift operations facilitated the delivery of approximately 4,925 food packs, 800 five-kilogram rice packs, 3,400 bottles of water, 400 boxes of relief goods, 100 containers of 20-liter potable water, and 40 cases of sixliter bottled water to affected communities.

Carpio’s assertion that the BBNJ governs fish stocks moving between the high seas and EEZ, noting that this is covered by the separate UN Fish Stocks Agreement. Rejecting accusations of inaction as “baseless,” the DFA emphasized that the Philippines consistently placed on record during negotiations that the BBNJ applies to pockets of high seas within the South China Sea.

PSA

. .

Continued from A7

Awareness was highest in the National Capital Region (NCR) at 53.6 percent and lowest in BARMM at 6.5 percent.

It also opposed mechanisms that would allow states to veto marine management measures based on unresolved disputes.

The PSA also found that cybersecurity awareness was higher among women at 35.8 percent than men at 31.1 percent.

By age group, awareness was highest among individuals aged 25 to 34 years at 42.6 percent and lowest among those aged 75 years

“We are making sure that the funding reaches the sectors that matter most to Mindanawons right now—our farmers and fisherfolk who feed the region, our children who deserve safe classrooms, our families who need r oofs over their heads, and our local governments that know their communities best,” Adiong said. The bill mandates quarterly reporting to Congress and the Commission on Audit, requires coordination with local government units, and prioritizes assistance for the hardest-hit areas. Funds will be limited to earthquakeaffected communities, including those impacted by aftershocks and related hazards.

While acknowledging Carpio’s stature in Philippine law, the DFA urged him to exercise “greater care in public commentary on issues of national importance.”

It assured the public that the government remains fully committed to defending Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights in its maritime zones.

and older at 11.3 percent.

In terms of educational attainment, awareness reached 62.6 percent among individuals with tertiary education, while only 9.6 percent of those with primary education or lower reported awareness.

Adiong noted that the measure complements a counterpart bill filed in the Senate by Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

“The people of Mindanao have shown remarkable resilience. It is now our duty as legislators to match that resilience with decisive action and adequate resources. Let us pass this bill without delay so that help reaches the ground as fast as possible,” Adiong said.

PHILIPPINE Army (PA) units are still hard at work helping communities badly affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that rattled Maasim, Sarangani and other nearby provinces last June 8, its spokesperson said on Wednesday.

In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said their humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) units distributed aid to isolated communities and conducted search, rescue and retrieval efforts in landslide-hit areas affected by the earthquake in Davao

Tolentino. .

Continued from A4

Apart from legal assistance, Dole is studying the establishment of a new hotline that would allow workers and employers to seek assistance and report concerns more easily.

“We will institutionalize a new hotline for Dole,”Tolentino said.

The secretary said the department is likewise reviewing issues affecting emerging sectors of the workforce, including appbased delivery riders who may face abrupt removal from digital platforms without sufficient avenues to contest complaints or sanctions.

Dole. . .

Continued from A5

The Labor Secretary also disclosed that the company submitted what Dole described as “fake and invalid certificates” for personnel designated as first-aid and safety officers for the project.

As a result, the department will endorse the case records to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Angeles City government for possible criminal proceedings.

“Dole will also endorse the complete case records for aaction to the NBI and to the Angeles City local govvernment to initiate appropriate criminal actions within their respective jurisdictions,” Tolentino said. He stressed that due process

Soldiers also facilitated the movement of approximately 400 boxes of relief goods from General Santos City to affected communities, assisted in the loading and unloading of relief supplies at key distribution points, and supported the handling of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office assistance delivered through the General Santos City International Airport.

“The PA’s HADR teams are working closely with national government agencies and local government units to sustain the delivery of essential aid and assistance to quakehit communities,” Dema-ala said. Justine Xyrah Garcia, Rex Anthony Naval and Jovee Marie Dela Cruz

Tolentino also acknowledged ongoing calls for higher wages, saying discussions with employer groups are expected later this month as the government weighs measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare while sustaining business growth. Asked about proposals for a legislated wage increase, he declined to endorse a specific amount but expressed hope that consultations would produce positive results for workers.

“I hope I can deliver something soon,” Tolentino added.

For Tolentino, the new legal aid office represents one of the first steps in advancing what he described as the government’s broader commitment to protecting workers and promoting the dignity of labor.

was observed throughout the proceedings, noting that Lim personally attended hearings conducted by the department.

“Jackson Lim attended the hearing. Due process was complied with,” Tolentino said. The monetary awards arising from labor standards violations will be distributed to surviving workers affected by the collapse through Dole Regional Office III, while the Employees Compensation Commission continues to process assistance for the families of workers who died and those who were injured in the incident.

“At least on the part of Dole, we have completed our investigation,” Tolentino said. “We have closed the case in terms of the fines imposed on Mr. Jackson Lim and Golden Years.” With Ashley J. Manabat

Sara.

Cebu

PHL banks on fungus to stop sugarcane pest

By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered the mass production of a fungus that can curb the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), which could dent the Philippines’ sugar output.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to fast-track the production of biological control agents, vowing to provide additional funding to contain the outbreak. “I told SRA to address the RSSI

US to assist PHL in raising purple yam output

THE United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set aside $34 million for a program that aims to strengthen the Philippine purple yam (ube) value chain and enable the country to meet global demand.

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently announced that it has begun accepting applications for the fiscal year 2026 Food for Progress Program (FFPr), aimed at increasing farm productivity and expanding trade of agricultural goods.

The Philippines was among the program’s priority countries, with a focus on strengthening the ube value chain, which has gained strong commercial traction in international markets.

Despite the growing consumption of purple yams and their byproducts, the USDA-FAS flagged several bottlenecks in domestic production and supply.

“The crop faces limited availability of quality planting materials, dispersed smallholder production, and uneven access to extension services,” the agency said.

“While several provinces have processing facilities for grated and powdered ube, overall capacity remains insufficient to meet market demand, reducing opportunities for higher value products.”

The USDA-FAS allocated up to $34.12 million for the four to five-year FFPr program in the Philippines, identifying Luzon and Visayas as potential regions for assistance.

Applicants should define a targeted area comprising any combination of the two regions that is “cost - effec tive, close to a processor or end-market, and aligned with the technical approach.”

Furthermore, the USDA-FAS said applicants should include a clear strategy to

enhance the ube value chain by addressing clearly defined gaps in planting materials, farm productivity, postharvest handling, processing, and market access.

Interventions, however, should complement ongoing government and private sector efforts that already support related areas such as nurseries, planting materials, and market access.

These efforts include the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) for planting material distribution and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale Up for logistics and enterprise infrastructure.

Also included are the World Bank’s programs supporting planting material systems and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) finance, and IFAD programs strengthening upland value chains.

“Proposals must include a map to showcase current donor activities to ensure activities are complementary, not duplicative, across all interventions,” the agency said.

Several interventions to bridge the gap across the value chain could include strengthening farmer groups and cooperatives, upgrading postharvest systems and processing quality, and improving engagement with lending institutions or credit cooperatives, among others.

“Sustainability should be integrated into program design by building long-term capacity in farmer groups, processors, and nurseries; using cost-sharing or revenue models that maintain key services after project completion; and promoting regenerative farming practices that protect soil health and long-term productivity,” the USDA-FAS said. Ada Pelonia

Bohol seeks GI protection for ube variant

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) received a geographical indication (GI) application for Bohol Ubi Kinampay from the provincial government of Bohol.

According to IPOPHL, Bohol’s move seeks to formally recognize the qualities, reputation and cultural heritage of the Bohol Ubi Kinampay that are inherently linked to the province’s geography, soil, climate and traditional farming practices.

“The world is now in the middle of a ‘purple gold rush,’ and GI protection can help the Philippines stake its claim in the growing global demand by strengthening its market identity and position,” IPOPHL Director General Teodoro Pascua said.

“As ube becomes more global, we must make sure the roots of varieties from the country are not lost. GI protection helps ensure that the true heart of the Bohol Ubi Kinampay—its soil, story and people—remain Boholano and Filipino.”

IPOPHL said GI protection could safeguard the Bohol Ubi Kinampay from false origin claims and unauthorized use of the name, thus strengthening consumer trust and market value.

It can also sustain local livelihoods and preserve traditional and organic farming practices that give the Bohol-grown variety its distinct aroma, texture and color despite growing concerns over the increased use of synthetic fertilizers.

IPOPHL will review the applicant’s submitted Manual of Specifications covering the product description, geographic production area, production methods, quality control measures, standards and labeling rules.

It will also evaluate the evidence linking the Bohol Ubi Kinampay’s distinct qualities, characteristics and reputation to Bohol’s natural conditions and traditional know-how, as part of the registration process.

IPOPHL said the application comes as the agency actively promotes origin-based branding.

“Over the years, it has been working closely with local government units, producers and community groups to advance GI awareness,” the agency said.

In 2023, IPOPHL said it conducted seminar-workshops with producers of the Bohol Ubi Kinampay and the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok to help them understand the registration process and how GI protection can help preserve heritage and create economic opportunities.

If approved, the Bohol Ubi Kinampay could be the second locally protected GI from Bohol after the Alburquerque Asin Tibuok, IPOPHL said.

The Philippines currently has four registered GIs: Guimaras Mangoes, Aklan Piña, Alburquerque Asin Tibuok and Tau Sebu T’nalak. Ada Pelonia

infestation head on. We have the technology and the capability to produce the biocontrol agent to do so,” he said. “We must have enough biocontrol agents to cover at least 75,000 hectares.”

The rapid spread of RSSI infestation can slash the sugar content of affected cane by as much as 50 percent, reducing farm productivity and farmers’ profit margins.

For its part, SRA said it receiving reports that areas infested in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental surpassed 30 percent of the planted area, having verified about 4,600 hectares.

Citing industry sources, the agency said the RSSI may have also

spread to Iloilo, Capiz, Leyte, and even Mindanao, stoking concerns that the affected area could expand sharply if left unchecked.

First detected in the Philippines in 2022, RSSI emerged as one of the most serious biological threats to the sugar industry.

The insect feeds on plant sap, which stunts cane growth and covers the plant with sooty mold that prevents photosynthesis and reduces yields.

Currently, the SRA has allocated about P8 million for RSSI mitigation.

The DA chief said additional resources would be made available to expand fungus production and

develop artificial intelligencebased tools for early pest detection and monitoring.

He also offered the laboratories of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and other DA facilities to speed up the production of biocontrol agents.

The DA said its move was a shift toward science-based and environmentally sustainable pest management as the government ramps up efforts to shield domestic sugar production and enhance industry resilience.

Figures from the SRA showed that the country’s raw sugar output settled at 2.085 MMT in crop year 2024-2025.

As of end-May, the SRA said raw sugar output fell by 8.43 percent to 1.82 million metric tons (MMT), from last year’s 1.99 MMT. During the period, sugarcane milled also declined by nearly 8 percent to 22.78 MMT from the previous year’s 24.74 MMT. The current crop year, which will end on September 30, is currently at the tail end of the milling season. The SRA revised downward its projection for raw sugar output in the current crop year due to pest infestation and weather-related shocks. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona told the BusinessMirror that raw sugar production could fall to as low as 1.85 MMT.

Cebu aims to add Wagyu to list of popular food items

By Carmel Pedroza

CEBU City—The province of Cebu is exploring the possibility of producing Wagyu beef as part of its continuing livestock development efforts, utilizing artificial insemination (AI) technology to improve cattle breeds and increase farmers’ incomes.

During the Istorya Cebu talk show, Provincial Veterinarian Mary Rose Vincoy highlighted the province’s long-running livestock development initiatives, which she said play a crucial role in strengthening food security and supporting rural livelihoods.

“We have a significant portion of our programs focused on livestock production and development, including interventions that can help improve food security in Cebu,” Vincoy said.

At the center of the initiative is the Cebu Provincial Liquid Nitrogen Plant in Cebu City, a facility operated by the Provincial Veterinarian Office (PVO).

The plant stores frozen semen used in artificial insemination, a nationwide

program implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and adopted by provincial governments across the country.

The AI program aims to improve the genetic quality of livestock by introducing superior breeds to existing cattle populations. Through the program, the national government supplies semen from selected breeds, which are preserved in liquid nitrogen tanks before being distributed to local government units and trained AI technicians.

According to Vincoy, the technology enables farmers who own native cattle to produce offspring with improved growth potential and market value.

“When farmers eventually sell their animals, the additional income can help cover household expenses, including education and other family needs,” she explained. The semen is stored in specialized tanks containing liquid nitrogen, where individual semen straws are identified through breedspecific codes.

Aside from preserving the material, the province also conducts awareness campaigns among local government units to encourage

Senate to resume hearings on soaring food prices

THE Senate hearings on agricultural smuggling and the continuing rise in food prices will resume with the return to his committee post of Senator Francis Pangilinan.

The senator said on Wednesday that hearings will resume soon as he underscored the urgent need to protect farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers from the effects of illegal trade and market manipulation.

Despite weeks of leadership deadlock in the Senate, the veteran lawmaker has conducted fieldwork and meetings with stakeholders to identify the factors driving persistently high food prices despite government interventions.

He also aimed to determine accountability for the continued entry of smuggled agricultural products into the country, including tons of onions that were recently abandoned at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

“Patuloy na nagugutom ang madaming pamilyang Pilipino, habang ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisdaaypatuloynamannahinaharapanghindipatasnasistemaatkalakaran,” he said.

Nagpapasalamat tayo sa bagong liderato ng Senado at ngayon, panahon na para bumalik tayo sa trabahoatsolusyunanangmgaproblemanghinaharapngsektorngagrikulturaatpangingisda.”

Pangilinan was restored as chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform on June 3.

In the past year, as chairman of the Senate panel, the lawmaker examined the implementation of existing anti-smuggling laws, the effectiveness of border control and customs enforcement, and the impact of smuggled agricultural products on local food production and prices.

His committee was also responsible for detaining several people involved in the agricultural smuggling trade after they provided conflicting statements during committee inquiries.

Aside from continuing to run after unscrupulous individuals and syndicates, Pangilinan vowed to enact laws and policies to stabilize food prices and strengthen the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.

He called on government agencies, industry stakeholders, farmer groups, consumer advocates, and law enforcement officials to participate in the proceedings.

Details regarding the schedule of the hearings and invited resource persons will be announced in the coming days. Butch Fernandez

livestock raisers to take advantage of the technology.

Vincoy noted that Cebuano farmers have increasingly embraced artificial insemination over the years.

She cited data showing that Cebu accounts for roughly 60 percent of the cattle inventory in Central Visayas. The region itself currently leads the country in terms of cattle population by region, underscoring the importance of livestock production in Cebu’s agricultural sector.

The province’s AI program has recently expanded to include Wagyu genetics.

Beginning in 2024, the Department of Agriculture started distributing limited quantities of Wagyu semen to selected provinces, including Cebu.

Wagyu cattle, a breed developed in Japan, are widely recognized for the high degree of marbling in their meat, a characteristic

associated with tenderness and flavor. Through artificial insemination, local cattle can be bred with Wagyu genetics to produce crossbred offspring.

According to livestock experts, Wagyucross cattle may exhibit some of the meat quality traits associated with the breed while retaining characteristics suited to local production conditions.

The introduction of Wagyu genetics is expected to provide livestock raisers with access to higher-value animals while maintaining adaptability to local farming conditions.

Vincoy said demand from farmers remains strongest for Brahman semen, which is known for its hardiness and suitability to tropical climates.

Nevertheless, she expects more Wagyu semen to become available in the future as the national government expands distribution.

Breaking the 40% mentality: Why PHL must finally welcome foreign investment

FOR decades, the Philippines has stood at the edge of Southeast Asia’s economic boom, watching neighbors like Vietnam sprint ahead while it remained stuck in the starting blocks. Economist and University of Asia and the Pacific Professor Bernardo Villegas has put his finger squarely on the wound: an “ultra-nationalist” Constitution that told foreign investors, in effect, we don’t want you. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “PHL must fix FDI gap; invest in infrastructure, agriculture,” June 12, 2026).

The numbers are damning. While Vietnam has consistently pulled in $15 billion to $20 billion in foreign direct investments annually for the past 15 years, the Philippines only began touching $10 billion to $11 billion in recent years. Why would a multinational corporation pour billions into a country where it can own at most 40 percent of an enterprise—putting up all the capital and bearing all the risk, yet surrendering control?

That 40-percent cap, enshrined in the Constitution, was born of a defensive, inward-looking era. But global capital is not sentimental. It flows to where it is welcomed, protected, and allowed to thrive. Vietnam understood this. It opened its doors aggressively, permitting 100 percent foreign ownership across many sectors, including infrastructure. The result? A transformed economy, modernized agriculture, and export dominance in everything from coffee to durian.

To its credit, the Philippines took a modest but meaningful step in 2022 by amending the Public Service Act, redefining public utilities and opening airports, railways, and telecommunications to greater foreign participation. Investors from Japan, South Korea, Spain, and the United States have shown interest. Yet as Villegas warns, one law does not make a revolution.

The country’s infrastructure spending, which only recently rose to about 6 percent of GDP under the previous administration, had languished at 2 to 3 percent for years—far below what Vietnam and Indonesia have long sustained. Roads, bridges, ports, and railways are the circulatory system of economic confidence. Without them, even the most welcoming investment climate falters.But infrastructure alone is not enough. Villegas rightly points to agriculture—a sector we have neglected for decades while Vietnam built a rural export powerhouse. The Philippines cannot preach inclusive growth while leaving its countryside behind. Targeting 2 to 3 percent annual agricultural growth, modernizing supply chains, and scaling up agribusiness in corn, coconut, and palm oil are not optional—they are existential.

None of this will matter, however, if the country does not confront its deepest vulnerability: corruption. Villegas identifies “corruption-related leakages in public spending” as one of three key barriers to achieving 8 percent annual growth. Investors do not fear hard work; they fear uncertainty, graft, and the sense that contracts are written in pencil.

The Philippines is no longer the “Sick man of Asia.” That reputation has been shed. But shedding a label is not the same as building a legacy. The foundations are being laid—higher infrastructure spending, rising FDI, resilient remittances, and a more skilled BPO workforce. Yet foundations do not build a house.

What is required now is political courage: to revisit the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution without demagoguery, to sustain infrastructure investment across administrations, and to treat agriculture as a national security priority rather than an afterthought.

The question before the country is simple. Does the Philippines want to remain a junior partner in its own development, watching Vietnam and others take the lead? Or will it finally tell the world: You are welcome here—fully, fairly, and without hesitation?

BusinessMirror

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T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez

V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace

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BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.businessmirror.com.ph

Watching Jakarta burn

WJohn Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

HEN a neighbor’s house catches fire, the social response is to call the fire department. The sensible response is to check your own roof.

Indonesia is burning. The rupiah has broken through 18,000 to the USD, the stock market is down 32 percent year-to-date, and foreign investors are in full retreat. The cause, depending on who you ask, is higher-than-expected inflation or a collapsing trade surplus.

In 1997, the Thai baht broke first. The rupiah followed within weeks, and the peso was not far behind. The contagion moved through the region because investors stopped believing the institutions meant to prevent it. History does not repeat, but it does have favorite patterns. What is happening in Jakarta today is not a currency crisis in the technical sense—not yet. The real cause is simpler and more revealing: a government that decided the rules of modern capital markets were optional.

Start with the sequence, because the sequence is everything. Prabowo took office in late 2024 with a mandate and a strong approval rating. Within a year, protests over parliamentary housing allowances—

lawmakers were receiving roughly 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage—had turned violent enough to require a cabinet reshuffle. The reshuffle removed Sri Mulyani, the finance minister with World Bank credibility and a track record of keeping Indonesia’s books acceptable to foreign investors. She was replaced with someone who promised fast growth. Promises of fast growth are not a credential. What followed was policy from a government that decided accountability is an obstacle. A new stateowned company will now serve as the sole exporter of key commodities. Millions of hectares were seized from palm oil and mining firms. Fuel subsidies were held steady through an energy shock, widening the budget deficit to the point where the government’s own fiscal rules are expected to be suspended. The free school meals program—Prabowo’s signature initiative—has produced food poisoning cases, corruption arrests, and a slower rollout than promised, which investors correctly read as

pressure to spend faster, not better.

The recently passed central bank legislation is the most precise indicator of where this ends. Bank Indonesia’s mandate has been widened to implement policies “conducive to the real sector,” language that in practice means the central bank is now expected to support growth over price stability. Also in practice, it means the bank is now politicized. Parliament has granted itself the power to conduct performance reviews of BI officials. A central banker who raises rates when the president wants cheap credit now faces removal.

Turkey ran this experiment between 2019 and 2021, when President Erdogan replaced three central bank governors in two years for the offense of raising interest rates.

Turkish inflation peaked above 85 percent in 2022. Since 2013, the lira has lost more than 95 percent of its value against the dollar.

Bank Indonesia hiked 50 basis points in May, and the market has priced in the likelihood that hike is the last independent decision BI will make for some time. Rate increases from a compromised institution carry less weight than rate increases from a credible one. Investors know the difference. MSCI is currently deciding whether to downgrade Indonesia to “frontier market” status over what it calls “fundamental investability issues”, meaning the rules here are no longer reliable.For Manila, the question is not whether to feel sorry for Jakarta. The question is which of the conditions currently separating the Philippines from In-

donesia are structural and which are just political weather. Indonesia and the Philippines are not resource twins—one sits on nickel, bauxite, and palm oil; the other sells labor, remittances, and services. When one competitor degrades its institutional credibility, the relative attractiveness of the alternative rises, but only to the extent that the alternative economy is actually credible. The rupiah has lost roughly 2.5 percent against the peso year-todate—a narrow margin, but it is moving in one direction only, and the gap between the two economies’ institutional credibility is widening faster than the exchange rate suggests. Indonesia did not become uninvestable overnight. It became uninvestable one institutional concession at a time, each one reasonable when made. The rupiah was at 16,000 to the dollar 18 months ago. The finance minister had World Bank credentials. The central bank was independent in law and in practice. Investors had no particular reason to leave. They do now. Manila should recognize the pattern—not because the Philippines is on the same path, but because the same path always looks different from the inside. It looks like growth policy. It looks like responding to public demand. It looks, for a while, like leadership.

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

FBI says drone plot at White House foiled by worried mom’s call

By Anthony Aarons, Erik Larson & Jimmy Jenkins

TYCEN PROPER’S parents got worried after their 19-year-old son started communicating with “random” people online. They called law enforcement after he spent $3,000 of his graduation money on ballistic armor plates, a new shotgun and “lots” of ammunition, according to authorities.

The shopping spree was part of an alleged plan by Proper and others to attack President Donald Trump’s UFC fight Sunday on the White House lawn, according to FBI affidavits released Tuesday and criminal charges against the alleged plotters. Law enforcement paint them as a ragtag group of disgruntled men with violent tendencies and easy access to weapons bent on kick-starting a revolution.

The US Justice Department charged five people in connection with the alleged plot to use snipers to target politicians at the event. Proper’s mother told the FBI that her son communicated with strangers who expressed “ultra-religious and anti-government sentiments,” including “grievances about government corruption, the handling of the Epstein files, data centers taking up

all the water in communities and other government actions.”

Officials say the planned attack was foiled days before it got off the ground, when Proper’s parents reached out to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio, hundreds of miles from Washington, on the evening of June 10. After police arrived on the scene and found his cache of weapons, Proper was admitted to a local hospital based on “homicidal ideations.”

There, law enforcement officials accessed his phone, which contained more information about the plans detailed in Signal chats. The wouldbe attackers envisioned using drones carrying explosives to be detonated near the UFC event, forcing the starstudded crowd to run toward snipers stationed outside the White House lawn, according to the government.

In an affidavit, an FBI agent concluded the suspects were eyeing targets including Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the event, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk and US lawmakers who Proper believed were supporters of Israel. Another official stated that Proper appeared to have taken images of members of Congress from a website that tracks donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other pro-Israel groups and also sent a message that “these are people we’re going to focus on.”

Critically, the data from Proper’s phone included technical information that helped law enforcement track down others they accused of being involved in the plot. Federal officials charged Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez of Nebraska, Daniel Kenely Eskridge of Missouri, Bryan Omar Roa of California, and Michael Alan Thomas of California, with conspiracy to commit murder.

An attorney for Alvarez declined to comment. Attorneys for Proper and Eskridge didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The dockets for Roa and Thomas are

sealed and their attorneys aren’t yet known. Proper’s mother couldn’t be reached for comment.

“Proper’s mother detailed that talking with these individuals online” caused her son “to lean heavily into his religion, and she believed that those individuals were using religion to manipulate and influence her son,” the FBI official said in the affidavit.

41 Fulcrum ACCORDING to court documents, the spouse of Eskridge, a 32-year-old father of five, told law enforcement he held himself out as a “recruiter” for the group. Using the online handle 41 Fulcrum on a May 20 group chat entitled “Vanguard of the Old Republic”—possibly a reference to the elite force for good in the Star Wars franchise—Eskridge said “our constitutional republic has been stolen by corporations, politicians and foreign actors.”

“Eskridge continued to talk about a corrupt system and how individuals in the group should put differences aside because they have all been ‘victims of the system in one See “FBI,” A11

World Cup exposes growing global prediction market rift US set to offer Iran broad financial gains in peace deal

By Suvashree Ghosh

THIS year’s World Cup is the first since prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket exploded to popularity as a new way to bet on sports.

Fans in the US are free to collectively wager billions of dollars on the tournament, but a growing number of other countries are making it harder to access the platforms offering those bets. Whether fans can bet on how many goals Kylian Mbappe scores or who wins the tournament may depend on where they live. In some cases, fans may not be able to bet at all.

The World Cup could generate roughly $3 billion in additional wagers and drive as much as $10 billion in betting volume across sportsbetting and prediction-market platforms, according to Bernstein analysts.

In just the last few weeks, Spain, Indonesia and India have joined the growing list of countries—including most of the European Union and large parts of Asia—that have put in place temporary or permanent measures to cut off access to the Kalshi and Polymarket websites and apps.

Brazil shut down 27 prediction platforms in April, including Kalshi, whose co-founder, Luana Lopes Lara, is Brazilian, leaving the company scrambling shortly after it launched in the country.

Regulators have intensified their scrutiny of prediction markets as the companies have expanded rapidly around the world, offering a new kind of financial contract that straddles the line between gambling and financial speculation.

Some countries view the new types of financial contracts offered by the prediction markets as a form of gambling and subject them to betting laws. Others argue that they should fall under securities or derivatives rules. The startups have used the legal uncertainty around their new products to offer them to customers even as regulators struggle to catch up.

“Prediction markets are entering the same phase every novel financial primitive eventually enters: first hobbyist market, then mass attraction, then legitimacy fights,” said Dovey Wan, founding partner of Primitive Ventures, a backer of prediction market platform Opinion Labs. “The recent bans mean the category has become important enough to regulate.”

Prediction market operators argue their platforms provide valuable information by aggregating collective forecasts on everything from economic indicators to geopolitical events. Critics counter that the contracts can encourage excessive speculation, and also open new opportunities for insider trading, alongside the ethical issues created by making it possible to bet on the war and other matters of life and death.

“Betting isn’t new,” said Chris Holland, partner at Singaporean consulting firm HM Strategy. “What’s new is the structure.” Because prediction market contracts are typically classified as derivatives, they fall outside gambling licensing frameworks, he added. “That gap is an open invitation to insiders.”

Though Kalshi and Polymarket are by far the largest prediction companies, many more are expanding globally, including Opinion Labs, which is backed by Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao’s family office YZi Labs, and Coinbase Venturesbacked Limitless.

A number of exchanges have cut marketing deals with soccer leagues and teams ahead of the World Cup to increase their visibility around the tournament.

The markets are big business, and growing. On Monday, Piper Sandler analyst Patrick Moley wrote that the World Cup was “like the Super Bowl

IThe World Cup could generate roughly $3 billion in additional wagers and drive as much as $10 billion in betting volume across sports-betting and predictionmarket platforms, according to Bernstein analysts.

every day,” and was driving record daily volumes on Kalshi since Friday.

Polymarket recorded around $2.8 billion in notional trading volume across its international and US exchanges in the first week of June, according to user-compiled data on Dune Analytics, up from $2.1 billion a week earlier. Kalshi reported about $4.5 billion over the same period, up from $4.2 billion.

Creating a regulatory framework that restricts the sites is proving a challenge for country-specific regulators. The companies have been rapidly expanding around the world, unlike traditional gambling companies that are generally restricted to a specific jurisdiction. The use of virtual private-networks and cryptocurrencies make it easier to operate without going through local financial firms and regulators, and makes it difficult to completely shut the platforms down.

India’s government said users were able to access “illegal and blocked” prediction markets and said “Polymarket and a few other similar sites” were enabling the use of virtual private networks to circumvent the national ban, The government asked internet providers to cut off access to the platforms.

Polymarket and Kalshi’s terms of service already prohibit people from signing up in certain countries, including many that have recently taken steps to crack down on the sites. They’ve also strengthened safeguards against insider trading and market manipulation as prediction markets face growing scrutiny.

Polymarket is partnering with blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis Inc. to help police its platform related to suspicious trades.

“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Spain, Brazil, and other countries on a path forward that supports responsible innovation, transparency, and user protection in prediction markets,” a Polymarket spokesperson said in an email. The firm monitors for insider trading and other illegal activity, consistent with other markets, the spokesperson added.

Opinion Labs has restricted access for users from various jurisdictions and blocked any sanctioned addresses, said Alex Chan, Chief Investment Officer, in an emailed response. “We are working closely with a number of local authorities toward launching compliant local platforms.”

Kalshi said it maintains safeguards that include customer identification and employee disclosure requirements. “We are in active discussions with regulators across a number of jurisdictions where we hope to expand,” Kalshi international counsel Valeria Vouterakou said in an emailed comment. “As interest in World Cup markets grows, market integrity remains a top priority.”

Limitless didn’t respond to email seeking comments.

For now, prediction markets remain legal in a patchwork of jurisdictions, but the direction of travel is becoming clearer: governments are increasingly unwilling to let platforms operate in a regulatory gray zone. With assistance from Emily

By Jonathan Tirone, Daniel Flatley & Josh Wingrove

RAN is set to receive broad financial incentives as part of its agreement with the US, including the right to sell oil immediately, tap a $300 billion development fund and get eventual access to its frozen assets, according to a final draft of the deal.

While the contours of the memorandum of understanding have been circulating for days, the latest document—a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg News—offers the most complete accounting yet of the economic boost Iran is set to receive for ending its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and reiterating its commitment never to seek a nuclear weapon.

The two sides agreed to the deal on Sunday and plan to formally sign it on June 19 in Switzerland, clearing the way for 60 days of talks intended to end the war for good and put strict new limits on Iran’s nuclear program. Neither side has formally released the text but the US has begun circulating it with allied nations at the Group of Seven summit in France, a person familiar with the matter said.

Another person familiar with its contents, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, said technical details were still being worked out. That suggested precise language may still change before the signing.

Under its terms, the US Treasury Department “will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives” immediately after the memorandum is signed. The US will lift its naval blockade and the two countries will work to ensure that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz returns to its prewar level within 30 days.

US officials have given conflicting accounts of when the text of the agreement will be released. Trump has said it will be published some-

time after Friday’s signing ceremony, while a senior US official said Monday it could be released within days. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Bürgenstock, a mountain resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, according to the Swiss foreign ministry. Vice President JD Vance is expected to head the American delegation, while Iran will likely be represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Oil prices have fallen sharply since Trump said late last week an agreement was imminent. Brent traded below $80 a barrel after sinking 15% over four days in its longest losing streak this year on bets that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would unleash a wave of supply.

According to the draft document, the US and its regional partners would create a plan to rehabilitate Iran and allow for its economic development, with financing of at least $300 billion. It is vague on the release of Iran’s frozen assets, saying the US undertakes that those funds “will be released and made fully available” without setting a timeline.

Asked for comment, a US official declined to discuss the specifics of the draft but said Iran can only get the benefits of the deal if it meets its commitments. Those include never getting a nuclear weapon, neutralizing its enriched material and allowing free navigation in the strait.

Trump had earlier denied that the US would pay Iran $300 billion. The draft says only that the US and its partners would ensure financing

of that amount.

Speaking at the G-7, Trump said the agreement was a “done deal” that will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, adding that the US would not pay war reparations or invest money in Iran. The president said Tehran’s leaders “have to prove themselves, I think, before any of us go in there.”

The latest deal presents political risks for Trump, who had claimed for years that a 2015 accord between President Barack Obama’s administration and Iran over its nuclear program amounted to massive financial giveaway to Tehran. Trump scrapped that agreement in 2018 and promised a better version.

Now that Trump is looking to wind down the conflict the US and Israel launched on Feb. 28, his Republican allies in Congress and Iran hawks outside the administration have voiced concern that he’s preparing to give Iran too much financial reward without getting enough in return.

“If this is true, Iran wins,” former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said on X of the prospect that Iran will get waivers to sell its oil. “There should be zero sanctions relief day one.”

Other challenges also await: the draft version said the war will be ended “on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” That will require consent from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has so far refused to end his country’s war against Hezbollah across Israel’s northern border.

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin will host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with energy security likely to top the agenda of their first summit since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, as well as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia and his Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul are among those expected to attend the event starting Wednesday in Kazan, some 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Moscow.

It’s the first in-person meeting between the Russian leader and the Asean group since 2018, when they declared a “strategic partnership” in Singapore. A 2021 summit was held online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Russia has emerged as a key energy supplier to Southeast Asia after the USIsrael war on Iran triggered the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, choking off oil and gas crucial for the region of 680 million people. While a deal to end the Middle East conflict may be signed this week, the crisis pushed several Asean members to pursue energy supply cooperation with Moscow, helping ease its isolation.

“The US-Iran conflict has led to energy shortages and price rises, and Putin will offer to mitigate their energy problems by increasing oil and gas exports and building nuclear power plants,” said Ian Storey, a principal fellow at the IS -

continued from A10

way or another,’” an FBI agent said in a court filing.

Eskridge’s wife told police that he had purchased a $700 rifle and painted it, as well as a large amount of ammunition.

Due to a recent Child Protective Services call involving a domestic situation with his stepson, Eskridge’s wife stated that he had removed all his tactical equipment from their residence and took it to his parents’ house, the FBI said. However, she said he recently moved the equipment back to the house.

In Omaha, Nebraska, FBI officials said that Alvarez went by the

EAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

The two-day Russia-Asean meeting overlaps with the Group of Seven summit in France, where European leaders are seeking US President Donald Trump’s support for their effort to draw Putin into negotiations on a deal to end the war in Ukraine that’s now in its fifth year.

“It will send a strong signal from Russia to the West that Russia isn’t isolated,” said Alexander Korolev, an expert on Asean at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. The visit by Asean leaders shows that “against the background of the Middle East conflict, they are starting to regard Russia as an important option in terms of ensuring energy and food security.”

The Kremlin is also pushing the geopolitical concept of a Great Eurasian Partnership involving closer cooperation between the Moscow-dominated Eurasian Union, China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Asean.  Putin will have “a marathon” of bilateral talks with Asean leaders, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who didn’t provide specifics. The group’s 11 members are the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos,

online moniker Shepherd. In chats with Thomas, they discussed trying to obtain drones for the alleged attack. He speculated about as many as five drones, but said “I have one so far.” Alvarez allegedly mapped out team coordinates and designated an abandoned Nebraska church as a safe-house fallback point.

Whiskey_Six ACROSS the country, outside Los Angeles, Thomas participated in chats entitled Hunters using the handle “whiskey_six(CA) {Amerika}.” An FBI agent said that he also took part in the Vanguard of the Old Republic chats, expressing a “violent ideology.”

“To be clear, I intend to escalate this group, and I don’t want to take

The agreement offers a mix of immediate and eventual incentives for Iran while committing it never to seek a nuclear weapon. The country has long insisted it doesn’t want the atomic bomb and had committed not to seek one as part of the Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran has been under US sanctions since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the shah. Approximately $12 billion in Iranian funds were frozen at that time, according to an analysis by the Atlantic Council. Subsequent decades saw additional US sanctions as well as sanctions from other countries, especially during the run-up to the JCPOA on Iran’s nuclear program, which was implemented in 2015.

The draft seen by Bloomberg doesn’t directly address the state of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. It says only that the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium “will be adequately addressed in a final agreement” along with all other nuclear issues.

The latest draft doesn’t commit the US to hard deadlines for easing sanctions or establishing the fund. Even so, analysts who have pushed for strict limits on Iran reacted skeptically to the draft.

The Trump administration has “managed to unite both supporters and critics against the a deal that it still hasn’t released,” Mark Dubowitz, the chief executive officer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote on X. “So far, it doesn’t look promising.” With assistance from Andrea Palasciano and John Harney/Bloomberg

Under the terms of the deal, the US would also commit to ending its sanctions against Iran—but only as part of a final agreement to be negotiated over the next two months to end their war for good. The US would also withdraw its military forces “from the surrounding areas” within 30 days of a final agreement. The person familiar with the matter said the US understanding was that the oil sales applied only to Iranian oil already loaded onto tankers, not broader authorization for Iran to resume exports.

Putin hosts first Southeast Asia summit since Ukraine invasion

Brunei and Timor-Leste.

A comprehensive action plan for 2026-2030 to expand cooperation in areas including security, energy, trade, agriculture, investment and technology will be adopted at the summit, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Tuesday.

The Philippines, a US treaty ally, began taking Russian crude oil in March to replace lost Middle East supply, after Washington issued sanctions waivers. Marcos, who chairs Asean this year, will hold a bilateral meeting with Putin, where they plan to discuss energy and food security, according to a Philippine foreign affairs spokesman.

Malaysia’s Anwar this week said he plans to ensure continued supplies of oil from Putin. “This is the benefit of maintaining good relations with others,” he said.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, has been discussing oil and gas cooperation, potential nuclear energy development, military training and defense ties, as well as agricultural trade including wheat and fertilizers. Jakarta also recently opened up the country to imports of Russian beef.

For Thailand, “Russia plays a crucial role in global supply chains, including energy, fertilizers and raw materials essential to the production sector,” said a spokeswoman for the prime minister. “Meanwhile, Thailand has potential in agricultural products, food, and processed industries, which can be further

6business years to do it,” the FBI says Thomas posted in the chat on May 21. “Everyone in the group should ‘consider yourselves an enemy of the state,”’ Thomas posted, according to court documents.

As the plans were taking shape, the FBI agent said, when one of the alleged co-conspirators suggested to Thomas that everyone should chip in to cover costs of the White House attack, he replied that he was “flat broke.”

“I can pay in manpower though I bet you could come up with $100 in a week somehow,” he wrote, according to the government. “Maybe just hold a sign by the freeway saying ‘fund the freedom fighters.’”

According to the FBI, Roa, who went by Noble6, participated in the

developed to expand trade value.” Still, Russia’s overall economic footprint in Southeast Asia remains limited despite growing engagement. Two-way trade reached $18.1 billion in 2024, while Russian investment inflows to the group totaled $474 million, according to Asean data.

Even amid unprecedented sanctions over the war, Russia’s trade with the European Union totaled $63.5 billion in 2025, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Nowhere has Russia’s influence expanded more markedly in the Asean region than in Myanmar, where the military regime turned to Moscow for weapons, energy cooperation and diplomatic support after being shunned by much of the West following a 2021 coup. Its leader Min Aung Hlaing will be in China this week, though, as Myanmar has been essentially excluded from participating in Asean leader-level events since the takeover.  While relations with Vietnam have also been among the closest, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will lead its delegation rather than Communist Party chief and President To Lam. The two countries in March signed an agreement to develop a Russian nuclear power plant in Vietnam, as well as a preliminary supply deal for Russian liquefied natural gas.  With assistance from Chandra Asmara, Cliff Venzon, Suttinee Yuvejwattana, Stephen Stapczynski, Megan Durisin, Ram Anand and Philip J. Heijmans/Bloomberg

chats with Thomas and, on May 26, agreed to “link up” in what an agent described as “training to carry out an attack involving firearms to further the group’s anti-government ideology.”

When Roa’s home in California was searched, law enforcement found weapons including an AR-style rifle, a Glock handgun and an infrared laser target pointer. The FBI affidavit said that Thomas admitted to his role helping plan the attack. Roa, however, said that while he was driving to Washington to protest the UFC event, he denied any involvement in the conspiracy.  Roa told the FBI agent that his car broke down on the drive to Washington and that he had to return home. Bloomberg

Nicolle, Sidhartha Shukla, Alice French, Yian Lee, Betty Hou, Lulu Yilun Chen and Amanda Wang/Bloomberg

Thursday, June 18, 2026

2nd Front

BusinessMirror

CONSUMER LOANS GROW AT SLOWEST PACE POST PANDEMIC

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE growth of consumer loans in the first quarter of 2026 hit the slowest pace in the post-pandemic era, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

While consumer loans jumped nearly 16 percent to P3.9 trillion as of end-March 2026, historical data from the central bank shows that this is the slowest growth rate in terms of period-over-period comparison since end-March 2022 when the growth rate of consumer loans was at 1.05 percent.

Consumer loans, as defined by the central bank, is the sum of residential real estate loans, auto loans, and credit card receivables.

During the pandemic, consumer loans contracted by 2.07 percent to P2.01 trillion as of end-March 2021. This slightly recovered, at a 1.05-percent growth pace to P2.03 trillion as of end-March 2022.

Heading to the first quarter of 2023, consumer loans soared by 18.22 percent to P2.4 trillion.

Consumers’ borrowing for personal expenses in the first quarter of 2024, however, slowed as consumer loans only grew by 17.52 percent to P2.83 trillion.

In end-March 2025, consumer loans surged with a 19.02-percent growth as this type of loan crossed the P3-trillion mark, wrapping up the first quarter of

2025 with P3.363 trillion. While consumer loans continued to grow, particularly by 15.97 percent to P3.9 trillion as of end-March 2026, this pace marks the slowest since end-March 2022.

End-March 2026 data

AS of the first quarter of 2026, more than half of the consumer loans pie was occupied by credit card receivables and residential real estate loans.

Of the total consumer loans, credit card receivables account for 31.71 percent, amounting to P1.237 trillion as of end-March 2026.

This is 28.6 percent higher than the P964.20 billion in the same period in 2025.

Across all categories under consumer loans, credit card receivables saw the biggest jump. This was followed by Residential Real Estate Loans, amounting to P1.218 trillion, equivalent to 31.22 percent of the total consumer loans.

Loans under this category saw an 8.07-percent increase from the P1.127 trillion in the same period in 2025.

Another type of loan, Motor Vehicle Loans, saw a 10.46-percent increase to P704 billion as of endMarch 2026 from the P637.35 billion in the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, Salary-based general purpose loans expanded by 14.19 percent to P610.329 billion as of end-March 2026.

Global risks spark another tweak in growth assumptions

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

PRESIDENTMarcos’s economic managers have once again adjusted the country’s growth assumptions to account for a more uncertain global environment, with risks ranging from geopolitical conflicts to disruptions in trade and financial markets.

The revised projections have yet to be released by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), but Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the government’s medium-term outlook remains positive despite the headwinds.

The latest review comes barely six months after the DBCC announced a lower set of growth targets in January.

The revised forecasts were based on discussions held in December 2025, when economic managers as -

sessed the impact of the flood-control corruption scandal and other emerging risks on the country’s medium-term outlook.

Under the January revision, the DBCC reduced its 2026 growth target to 5 percent to 6 percent from the previous 6 percent to 7 percent. Growth projections for 2027 and 2028 were likewise lowered to 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent and 6 percent to 7 percent, respectively, from the earlier 6 percent to 8 percent range.

Speaking through DepDev Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon during the 2026 Jollibee Group

Truck with relief goods falls off cliff in Davao Occ.

By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CITY—A truck

Dloaded with goods for earthquake victims in Davao Occidental fell off the cliff on Wednesday morning at the treacherous mountain road near Don Marcelino town. The exact time it fell off the cliff at Sitio Sinugpang, Barangay Lapuan, Don Marcelino town some 170 kilometers south of Davao City, could not be immediately ascertained.

Police said it was informed by a motorist that at about 11:40 am Wednesday a truck was seen lying deep at the cliff.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Wagner John A Taal, duty investigator at the town police station, went to the area and said the involved ill-fated vehicle was an Isuzu forward truck

traveling from Davao City and was loaded with relief goods intended for distribution to earthquake victims in the town of Jose Abad Santos, 75 kilometers further south of Don Marcelino.

Police inspected the truck and found that it suffered mechanical brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. As a result, the vehicle veered off the road and fell into the nearby ravine, he said.

The driver and his passenger were injured and were brought to the town clinic by the responding personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Office. The victims were later transferred to the Digos City hospital. The vehicle remained at the cliff and could not be salvaged

due to the difficult terrain.

Davao Occidental was among the places battered by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8 due to its proximity to the epicenter off the waters of Maasim town, Sarangani province.

Earlier this week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced he has allocated P278 million from the Office of the President to help hard-hit areas in their recovery, livelihood restoration, and rebuilding efforts: Sarangani province and General Santos City will get P50 million each, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat at P30 million each, Davao Occidental and Glan of Sarangani province at P20 million each, and some parts of Zamboanga Peninsula with P15 million. Other affected local governments will receive P3 million to

P10 million each.

Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered the implementation of a moratorium on housing amortization payments and the activation of its regional shelter clusters in the affected areas in Mindanao.

The Philippine News Agency reported that DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling had directed the department’s key shelter agencies, the Pag-IBIG Fund, National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), to implement the moratorium for qualified affected beneficiaries.

The shelter agencies were yet to announce the guidelines on the moratorium.

Mid-Year Economic Briefing, Balisacan said the Philippines enters the period of uncertainty from a “stronger position than in previous decades,” supported largely by strong consumer spending and the continued expansion of the services sector.

Still, he acknowledged that sustaining growth will require more than strong domestic demand.

Balisacan said the challenge is not only to restore growth but also to ensure that economic expansion remains “inclusive employment-generating, and resilient to future shocks.”

To achieve this, the government is looking beyond its traditional growth drivers and is pushing for greater investment activity, higher productivity, and deeper industrial transformation.

Balisacan also identified infrastructure development as a key area of focus, saying major projects must move faster to improve connectivity, generate jobs, and support long-term economic expansion.

At the same time, he stressed the need for coordinated government action to cushion the impact of external shocks and prevent re -

FOI

newed inflationary pressures.

The country’s chief economic planner likewise pointed to human capital development as a critical factor in sustaining growth, particularly as the Philippines seeks to capitalize on its relatively young population.

“Demographics create possibilities, not guarantees. A young population becomes a true advantage only when it is healthy, educated, productive, and connected to opportunity,” he said.

Balisacan also argued that institutional quality has become increasingly important in attracting investments, saying predictable rules and accountable governance help reduce uncertainty for businesses.

As the government works toward its long-term Ambisyon Natin 2040 goals, he said stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would be needed to translate economic growth into broader opportunities for Filipinos.

“Growth has always been about more than expanding an economy or growing a business. It is about creating opportunities, uplifting communities, and improving lives,” he said.

portal data masks denials, delays in govt records access–study

By Mary Jade Jadormio

GOVERNMENT agencies may be reporting strong performance in responding to Freedom of Information requests, but official statistics fail to show how citizens are still being denied, delayed or blocked from obtaining public records, according to a new study by the Right to Know Right Now Coalition (R2KRN).

In its report, “Faults and Flaws of e-FOI Numbers,” the coalition said completion rates and request volumes often conceal barriers such as referrals, incomplete disclosures, recordsmanagement failures and the growing use of data privacy claims to restrict access to information.

The study examined data from the government’s electronic Freedom of Information (e-FOI) portal from November 2016 to March 2026, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Executive Order No. 2, which institutionalized FOI in the executive branch.

According to the report, numerical indicators frequently cited by government agencies provide only a limited picture of transparency because they do not measure whether citizens actually receive timely, complete and meaningful access to records.

“Request volumes and completion rates do not necessarily measure whether citizens receive timely, complete, and meaningful access to information,” the report said.

Researchers found that agencies often classify requests as completed even when information sought was denied, referred elsewhere or only partially disclosed.

As a result, favorable compliance figures may obscure the actual experience of citizens attempting to access government records, the report noted.

The coalition also raised concerns over the increasing use of data privacy as a basis for withholding information, saying some agencies have relied on privacy-related arguments or imposed non-disclosure agreements when acting on requests. It likewise questioned the failure of the executive branch to review agency-specific FOI manuals, allowing some offices to adopt exceptions and procedures that may run contrary to established transparency standards and international best practices. Operational problems have also affected the integrity of government transparency metrics, according to the report. The study noted that periods when the e-FOI portal became inaccessible disrupted public access to information and may have affected the reliability of performance statistics generated by the system.

Significant differences remain among agencies in their ability to process requests and proactively disclose information, suggesting that access to records still depends heavily on which office holds the information being sought.

The coalition argued that transparency reforms should be assessed not only through compliance statistics but also through the actual experiences of information requesters.

“Transparency cannot be reduced to numbers alone,” the report said, adding that while e-FOI statistics show sustained public demand for government information, they do not fully reveal whether the constitutional right to information is being effectively realized.

R2KRN called for stronger monitoring mechanisms, improved performance standards and reforms that prioritize meaningful public access to information over numerical compliance targets.

M.

Isagani

Criste, Brigadier

Niceforo

Diaz

Brigadier

Rosemawattee

Remo, and Lieutenant General Edmundo

Peralta. Senator Raffy Tulfo and Marikina Representative Marcy Teodoro, together with Senate President Win Gatchalian, expressed their support for the military officers prior to the commission’s vote on their appointments. ROY DOMINGO

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

GCash parent Mynt secures board nod to conduct IPO

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

MYNT Inc., the company behind the GCash mobile wallet, is filing a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a listing application with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in connection with a potential initial public offering (IPO).

The offer is structured to represent 12 percent of Mynt’s total outstanding capital stock post-IPO, with each common share carrying a par value of P0.03. The firm shares will consist of both primary and secondary offers.

Globe Telecom, Inc., which holds a stake in Mynt, separately disclosed the same information in accordance with corporate governance and regulatory requirements. Martha Sazon, president and CEO of Mynt, said the board and

shareholder authorization marks the next step in the company’s growth trajectory.

“Over the past decade, Mynt has evolved from an e-wallet operator into the Philippines’s number one finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem,” she said.

“The authorization of our Board and shareholders allows us to work toward a potential public listing as the next step in Mynt’s growth journey, while continuing to focus on the priorities that have brought us to this point: serving customers, supporting merchants, strengthening our platform offering, and building the business for the long term.”

Founded in 2015, Mynt operates GCash, which traces its origins to an SMS-based local money remittance service launched in 2004. The platform has since expanded into

a broad digital finance ecosystem covering payment solutions, lending, and other financial services for consumers, merchants, and enterprise partners.

Sazon also expressed hope that Mynt’s public listing journey would encourage local entrepreneurship.

“We hope Mynt’s journey could also inspire Filipino companies and startups, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in the local tech community, all while promoting the Philippines as a vibrant hub for technology and fintech innovation in Southeast Asia,” she said.

She noted that the potential offering remains subject to SEC registration requirements, PSE listing requirements, prevailing market conditions, transaction structure, governance approvals and consents, and other customary closing conditions.

WTCMM to expand exhibition space

Lufthansa bullish on MRO hub in Clark

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

LUFTHANSA

Technik

Phil -

ippines (LTP) is banking on the country’s “geopolitical neutrality” and skilled workforce as it launches a multimillion-dollar base maintenance hub at Clark International Airport, a move seen to cement the Philippines’s role as a strategic aviation gateway in Asia.

LTP formally signed an agreement for the Clark project with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) at Malacañan Palace last Tuesday when German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as part of his state visit. LTP is the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and tycoon Lucio Tan’s MacroAsia Corp.

The company said last February that it will invest about $400 million for the Clark MRO project.

The Clark facility will span 157,000 square meters, accommodate up to nine widebody aircraft bays, and generate about 1,200 high -v alue jobs when operations begin in 2028.

Beck acknowledged that while MRO operations are not directly tied to flashpoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, the industry remains sensitive to broader geopolitical pressures.

“We depend on the airlines,” he said, noting that restrictions or economic shocks eventually ripple down to service providers.

Despite these headwinds, Lufthansa Technik AG CEO Soeren Stark pointed to Asia - Pacific as one of the fastest - g rowing aviation markets, with the Philippines “central” to the company’s regional strategy.

Fleet coverage expansion

The new Clark site will add the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to LTP’s portfolio, which already includes Airbus A330, A340, A350, A380, and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Beck expressed pride in showcasing Filipino aviation talent to Steinmeier, calling the workforce “exceptional” and integral to the company’s growth.

Beck acknowledged competition from neighboring countries but reaffirmed confidence in the Philippine market.

WBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia

ORLD Trade Center Met-

ro Manila (WTCMM) on Wednesday announced its plan to spend P3 billion on the expansion of its exhibition space.

WTCMM said this would nearly double its indoor exhibition capacity to about 20,000 square meters by 2028, while maintaining around 7,000 square meters of outdoor space. The plan to scale was designed to increase capacity and meet rising demand from exhibition and event

SEC clears A Brown bond offer

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given its green light to the debt securities program of A Brown Co. Inc., which seeks to raise up to P5 billion in the initial offering.

In its en banc meeting also approved the registration statement of A Brown covering the shelf registration of up to P12 billion in fixedrate bonds.

A Brown’s initial offer consists of up to P3 billion in fixed-rate bonds with an oversubscription option of up to P2 billion. The bonds consist of three-year series A bonds due in 2029, and five-year series B bonds due in 2031, which will be offered at face value.

A Brown expects to net around P4.92 billion in the initial offer, assuming the oversubscription option is fully exercised. Proceeds will be used to fund renewable energy investments, residential projects, redemption of shares and other general corporate purposes. The offer period will run from June 22 to 26, in time for the issuance and listing of the bonds on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on July 3, according to the latest timeline submitted to the SEC.

The company picked PNB Capital and Investment Corp. as sole issue manager, which will also act as joint lead underwriter and bookrunner together with Land Bank of the Philippines. VG Cabuag

organizers, while reinforcing the country’s standing as a destination for world-class business events and trade shows.

WTCMM noted the increasing interest from both local and international organizers seeking to mount events at the venue.

As such, the expansion is expected to create more room for returning flagship shows, new market entrants, and larger international exhibitions that require scale, scheduling flexibility, and reliable venue capabilities.

“This expansion is an investment in the future of the Philippine

exhibitions and events industry,”

WTCMM Chairman and CEO Pamela Pascual said.

“It reflects our confidence in the market, our commitment to helping our partners scale, and our determination to ensure that the Philippines remains competitive in attracting major regional and international events.”

WTCMM also expects the expansion to elevate the country’s position as a competitive destination for international exhibitions and business events.

With increased capacity and improved infrastructure, WTCMM

added that it could accommodate more foreign organizers and bolster the country’s footprint in the global MICE landscape.

To prepare for the 2028 opening, WTCMM said it will begin accepting advance bookings, providing organizers early access and the opportunity to plan flagship events for the new expanded venue.

”With this expansion, World Trade Center Metro Manila reinforces its leadership in the industry and its role in helping shape the next chapter of trade, exhibitions, and business events in the Philippines.”

Singapore’s Sea tests AI chatbot Migoo

SINGAPORE internet leader Sea Ltd. is rolling out a generative-AI chatbot in regions including the United States, marking its maiden foray into the highly competitive American consumer market and accelerating its artificial intelligence push. The AI-powered companion chatbot called Migoo, whose website and app doesn’t mention Sea’s ownership, is already online and may get a bigger launch soon, according to people familiar with the matter. The app integrates directly into platforms like Apple Inc.’s iMessage and is designed to act as a hyper-personalized companion that remembers user preferences and quirks. The project represents one of Sea’s most significant steps into AI thus far. The operator of popular online retailer Shopee and gaming platform Garena has seen its shares decline more than 40 percent over the past year as

it’s trailed Asian peers such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. in the field.

In the US, Sea is going after the lucrative and very competitive GenZ AI market dominated by the likes of OpenAI and ByteDance Ltd., the people said, asking not to be named discussing private plans.

A Sea spokesperson declined to comment.

Sea is making structural shifts after Chief Executive Officer Forrest Li declared that a trillion-dollar market capitalization was possible if his company doubled down on AI. It joins a growing number of companies like rival Alibaba that are investing in AI to catalyze growth while competition in their core businesses intensifies.

Migoo is spearheaded by Sea President Chris Feng, and managers involved include longtime executive

Bingyu Wang, the people said. Migoo’s website is up and running and the app is downloadable, but Sea has yet to publicly claim ownership of the project.

In the US, Migoo operates under Marvelous Technology Inc., an entity registered to a known proxy address in Sacramento, according to California’s company registry. Filings show that the US unit is linked to a Singapore entity that lists Wang as a director.

Sea’s strategy with Migoo resembles the playbook ByteDance used to launch its viral AI homework app Gauth and Alibaba to introduce its Happy Oyster model. By not publicizing the ultimate corporate parent from the start, tech companies are aiming to test the waters for more new-fangled initiatives, affording these projects more freedom to experiment.

As part of his state visit, Steinmeier toured the Manila facility to witness the operations firsthand.

LTP CEO Holger Beck said the German leader was “very impressed” to find that the facility maintained the same “German standard” typically seen in Europe.

Beck said the Philippines is in a “unique position” amid geopolitical tensions.

“We see a lot of demand coming into the Philippines also because of the geopolitical tension that we see everywhere,” Beck said, describing the country as a “neutral place” for aviation services.

He added that the Clark expansion reflects Lufthansa Technik’s intent to strengthen the local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry.

Beck clarified that LTP’s strategy remains focused on its two hubs in Manila and Clark, noting that additional sites would require complex logistical chains.

“We do only here in Manila and in Clark,” he stressed, highlighting the synergy between the two facilities.

The expansion comes as the aviation sector navigates global uncertainties.

“The Philippines is one of our footholds and we believe the Philippines is the place to be in the aviation industry, in the MRO industries,” he said. He added that maintaining competitiveness requires constant improvement in quality and performance to meet customer expectations.

Beck concluded that the company’s two - pillar strategy combines “German standards” with “Filipino kindness and friendliness,” which he described as “the best of two worlds.” MacroAsia, Lufthansa Technik’s Philippine joint -venture partner, is part of the diversified business empire of Lucio Tan through LT Group Inc.

MacroAsia has built a portfolio spanning airline catering, ground handling, and aircraft maintenance. It is also a key service provider to Philippine Airlines, another flagship company under Tan’s conglomerate.

It entered into partnership with Lufthansa Technik in 2000, establishing Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) as a 51- 4 9 joint venture.

Banking&Finance

Pace of budget release slowed in first five mos

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released 87.7 percent of this year’s record P6.793-trillion national budget, slower compared to last year’s pace. Latest DBM data showed that the department allotted a total of P5.958 trillion from January to May 2026. This leaves P835.014 billion in the balance.

The rate, however, is lower compared to 90.4 percent of allotments released in the same period a year ago. Allotment releases to line departments amounted to P3.307 trillion, equivalent to 89.9 percent of the P3.677-trillion allocation this year for agencies in the Executive branch, Congress, the Judiciary, and other constitutional offices.

About P389.597 billion, or 54.2 percent, of the P719.397 billion in special purpose funds (SPFs) were also disbursed during the five-month period.

SPFs are earmarked for budgetary support for government corporations and local government units, the contingent fund, the miscellaneous personnel benefits fund, the national disaster risk reduction and management fund, and the pension and gratuity funds. Meanwhile, the DBM made available a total of P2.147 trillion in automatic appropriations, leaving a balance of P249.070 billion.

These include 100 percent of this year’s P1.190 trillion in national tax allotment and P93.982 billion

in block grant freed up as early as January.

The entire P480,000 in pensions for former presidents and their widows, as well as P36.466 billion in the special account in the general fund, were also released as of end-May.

An additional P465.820 million in retirement and life insurance premiums of state workers were also disbursed, on top of the P82.194 billion allotment this year.

The DBM has likewise set aside P21.525 billion for net lending, P712.5 billion for interest payments and P9.638 billion for the tax expenditures fund.

In terms of other releases, the DBM has released P19.516 billion from the continuing appropriations of last year’s budget for line departments and releases from SPFs.

A total of P13.331 billion in other automatic appropriations, such as grants, special accounts in the general fund and the AFP Modernization Program, has also been allocated as of end-May.

Unprogrammed appropriations also reached P81.365 billion, following the P1.472 billion allotted to the Department of Transportation in May. These standby funds authorize additional agency expenditures for priority programs and projects when revenue collections exceed the resource targets or when additional grants or foreign funds are generated. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

BSP requires more data on applicants in BSFIs

THE Monetary Board has approved the amendments on the “Authorization Form for Querying” (AFQ) the central bank records for screening applicants and confirming election of directors/trustees and appointment of officers.

According to BSP Circular 1236 (series of 2026), the amendment requires inclusion of the following details in the AFQ: complete maiden name of married female, taxpayer identification number (TIN), birth date, sex, and last known address of the individual subject to the query.

“This additional information serves as an added layer of verification by the Bangko Sentral against its existing records to ascertain the individual’s qualification or non-qualification to hold any position in Bangko Sentral Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFIs),” the BSP circular read. The central bank added that the amendment aligns with existing regulations that require BSFIs to use the AFQ.

The central bank said “applicants” refer to those who passed the initial stages of the BSFI’s preemployment screening and are required to accomplish the AFQ, as as part of the financial institution’s background screening. Meanwhile, in the absence of a TIN, a valid passport number may be used as an alternative, the circular noted.

As for the applicant’s birth date, the BSP underscored it should be consistent with the information

GIC orders insurers to hasten claims in areas hit by quake

THE Insurance Commission (IC) has directed insurers to fast-track the processing of claims and to ease requirements in areas placed under a state of calamity after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao early June.

A statement released by the regulator last Wednesday read that it ordered insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, mutual benefit associations and pre-need firms to implement the measures under the regulator’s Circular Letter 2025-21.

The circular stated that whenever a state of calamity is declared, insurers are mandated to expedite the processing, approval and payment of claims for damages due to disasters. This includes the relaxation of

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @ reine_alberto

THE Securities and Exchange Commission announced it slapped HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc. with a fine for engaging in unfair debt collection practices.

indicated in the birth certificate as authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or any “competent foreign authority.”

The Authorization form notes that the applicant is authorizing the BSP-supervised financial institution “to conduct a background investigation on myself relative to my application for election or election to the position of [Position] in [Name of BSFI] which include, among others, inquiring from the records of the Bangko Sentral, including its Watchlist Files.”

The form also authorizes the BSP to disclose its findings pertinent to the aforementioned inquiry on its records, including the Watchlist files to the BSFI.

“With the above authorization, I hereby waive my right to the confidentiality of the information that will be obtained as a result of the said inquiry, provided that disclosure of said information shall be limited to the purpose of ascertaining my qualification or non qualification for the said position,” a portion of the authorization form read.

The form also underscored that the person subject to this query shall hold the BSP, its officers, employees and representatives “free and harmless at all times from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, suits, costs, damages, losses and causes of action arising from this search, or attributable to errors, omissions or mistakes by the BSFI, its officers, employees, and/or agent/representatives.”

Andrea E. San Juan

OVERNMENTS around the world look to be facing lofty borrowing costs for at least the rest of the year, even as the fragile Middle East truce lowers energy prices and curbs inflationary fears. US Treasuries, German bunds and UK gilts have risen since Donald Trump announced a deal with Iran on Sunday, but strategists and investors say the economic fallout from the war will continue to reverberate around markets for months to come. Even as the Federal Reserve is forecast to keep interest rates on hold at its meeting Wednesday, market pricing points to hikes in 2027, with pressure on longer-maturity debt as US government spending shows no sign of abating. “We would be cautious about

HC Consumer Finance, 25-percent owned by Security Bank Corp., was ordered to pay a P50,000 fine for its first offense, and to stop from collecting debts from individuals who are neither guarantors nor co-mak-

Tcompany procedures and documentary requirements, as well as providing necessary support to claimants for the processing of claims.

All insurers must likewise extend the period for the submission of claim notices and other required documents for a reasonable period after the disaster and ensure that damage assessments are properly recorded to facilitate prompt settlement.

Moreover, insurers are told to coordinate with local government units and other government agen-

cies involved in relief and rehabilitation efforts to ensure affected policyholders receive the necessary assistance.

“The Commission reminds all regulated entities that prompt claims settlement is not only a regulatory obligation but also a vital means of providing immediate financial assistance to communities, especially those that need to rebuild after a disastrous calamity,” Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado was quoted as saying in the statement.

Co-ops cooperate MEANWHILE, the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives Inc. (Coop Chamber) said in a separate statement that four major cooperatives established a joint disaster-response mechanism to support relief and recovery efforts following the recent earthquake in Mindanao.

ers in a loan. The financial services company was also ordered to cease and desist from using third-party residences as collection venues.

Included in the list of unfair debt collection practices is the contacting of persons in the borrower’s contact list other than those named as guarantors or co-makers. The same act is considered an abusive debt recovery practice, the SEC said.

The regulator also directed HC Consumer Finance, also known as Home Credit Philippines, to review and revise its collection policies and

HE gambling industry is now required to devote its advertising space to promote the 24/7 helpline for problem gamblers established by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) instead of the generic “responsible gaming” ads.

Through a statement it issued last Wednesday, the Pagcor said a recentlyissued memorandum orders all licensees, suppliers, gaming system administrators and gaming venue operators to replace all gaming-related ads with the “National Problem Gambling Helpline” (NPGH) template.

Pagcor’s directive will cover billboards, wallscapes, digital displays and other out-of-home (OOH) advertising platforms currently carrying responsible gaming messages.

Existing ads must be replaced on or before July 15, 2026, and should remain in place until September 15, 2026, according to Pagcor.

“Responsible gaming goes beyond awareness. It also means ensuring that help is readily available to those who need it most,” Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Pagcor launched the gambling helpline last May 26, in partnership with the Seagulls Flock Organization

chasing the relief rally in government bonds,” said Thomas Hempell, head of macro and market research at Generali Investments. “Particularly in the US, where large fiscal deficits and still-elevated inflation are likely to keep term yields under upward pressure.”

procedures, and submit a compliance report to the SEC.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a borrower who claimed that HC Consumer Finance conducted collection activities at a third-party residence occupied by individuals who are neither guarantors nor co-makers to the loan obligation.

HC Consumer Finance continued its collection activities at the same residence despite written objection from the borrower, according to the complainant.

“The use of a third-party resi-

Inc., to provide support for those struggling with gambling-related issues.

The helpline is staffed by trained para-counselors and mental health professionals who offer confidential assistance and counseling, read an earlier statement issued by the state gaming regulator.

“By promoting the NPGH that we launched recently, we can offer professional support for individuals and families affected by gambling-related harm,” Tengco said. “This initiative reflects PAGCOR’s commitment to foster a safer and more responsible gaming environment for all.”

According to the Pagcor, the NGPH ads will not require approval from the Ad Standards Council (ASC), although the council will issue an “Exemption Certificate.”

Additionally, the Pagcor is requiring the industry to submit a status report on the ad replacement using the prescribed reporting template.

The accomplishment report must be submitted to the Gaming Licensing and Development Department on or before July 16, 2026.

The ASC may impose regulatory fines and other penalties for noncompliance, the statement read. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Yields on benchmark 10-year Treasuries, which affect the cost of mortgages and other kinds of loans, have risen almost half a percentage point since the US and Israel attacked Iran in late February. In the cash market, that’s left traders to reduce their net long positions to the lowest since May 18, according to a survey of JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Treasury clients published on Tuesday.

Most of the increase seen across yields was driven by so-called real

The Coop Chamber will mobilize policy support and cooperative funds for disaster response, while Climbs will accelerate insurance claims and provide payment relief to affected members, the statement read.

The Nafecoop will oversee grassroots logistics and supply distribution, and Co-op College PH will deploy volunteers for psychosocial support and disaster-risk management training.

According to the coalition, its officers are also coordinating with heads of government agencies and local authorities to facilitate both emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake has left more than 550,000 individuals displaced or severely affected across the Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, the Davao Region and the Barmm. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

The coalition is composed of the Coop Chamber, the Climbs Life and General Insurance Cooperative (Climbs), the National Federation of Cooperatives in the Philippines (Nafecoop) and the Co-operative College of the Philippines (Co-op College PH).

dence as a collection venue necessarily creates a substantial risk that the existence of the debt, the borrower’s financial condition, or the fact of delinquency will become known to persons who have no lawful interest in the transaction,” read the SEC’s order.

“The totality of the evidence on record establishes that [HC Consumer Finance], under the pretext of enforcing a valid obligation, transgressed the clear and non-waivable boundaries imposed by law on the manner of debt collection,” added the regulator.

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) announced last Monday that it has entered into an agreement with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to promote a lending window targeting owners of micro-sized, small-scale and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the agreement, the LandBank will provide qualified PCCI members access to its “tailored lending programs and services, complemented by financial literacy initiatives, digital payment solutions, deposit products, and sustainability-focused financing to help strengthen business resilience and growth.”

A statement issued by the state-run lender read that it expects the PCCI to promote the lending program—called “Lifting MSMEs”—and facilitate referrals of prospective MSME borrowers. The PCCI is also expected to advocate for business formalization, financial readiness, and digital adoption among its members.

Launched in September last year, the “Lifting MSMEs” lending program expands credit access through three tiered financing packages designed to support enterprises at various stages of growth.

A start-up package provides funding for new enterprises launching operations. A “step-up” package helps micro and small businesses strengthen and scale, while the Level-Up package supports established firms in expanding capacity, adopting technology, and boosting competitiveness.

As of April, the Landbank has approved P2.25 billion in loans under the program, the statement read.

yields, which strip out inflation expectations, indicating that bond investors’ concerns go beyond price pressures from the Iran war. Those elevated real yields reflect a combination of a stronger growth outlook and expectations that the neutral rate — the level that neither restricts nor stimulates economic activity — will rise over time.

“If we assume that the war is largely done now, that takes away that fear of the huge rate increases or a government bond selloff,” said Al Cattermole, fixed-income portfolio manager at Mirabaud Asset Management. “But it doesn’t replace it with this massive rally,”

Health&Fitness

SAFE SPACES, OPEN CONVERSATIONS KEYS TO CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION

By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor

FOR many women, visiting a gynecologist can be intimidating, often accompanied by anxiety, hesitation, or fear of being judged. Health advocates and medical experts say creating safe, supportive environments where women feel heard and empowered is essential to improving preventive healthcare and reducing cervical cancer risk.

“I heard recently that finding an OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) who fits with what you believe in is like falling in love. I think it is very important to find an OB-GYN who fits and where you can have a conversation where you don’t feel judged, where you don’t feel rushed, where you don’t feel like it is wrong to ask these questions,” said Dr. Ada Angela Cabrera, obstetrician-gynecologist and cervical cancer prevention advocate.

“I think there is no question that is wrong. I tell my patients there is nothing that you can ask me that will make me think you are overreacting,” she added.

Preventive healthcare

THE message took center stage at the recently concluded “Because She Can: Preventive Health for a Thriving Future—A Women’s Health Roundtable,” which brought together advocates, personalities, and medical experts to encourage more open conversations about preventive healthcare, cervical cancer prevention, and overall well-being. The discussion comes at a critical

time. Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the Philippines, claiming an estimated 12 lives each day. Nearly all cases are linked to high-risk strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that affects both men and women. Studies show that 80 to 90 percent of sexually active individuals are likely to acquire HPV at some point in their lives.

Organized by MSD in the Philippines through its Guard Against HPV initiative, the forum provided a platform for women to discuss health concerns that are often overlooked or left unspoken. Joining Dr. Cabrera on the panel were content creator and advocate Ayn Bernos, former Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa, and Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma, with momfluencer Alexis

Tinsay serving as moderator.

“We are gathered here because we need to take care of ourselves. We need to take action and take ownership of our health because we can. We only have one life, and the choices we make for our health will shape the kind of life we intentionally want to live,” said Dr. Mary Ann Galang-Escalona, MSD in the Philippines Country Medical Lead, during her welcoming remarks.

Awareness and early action

ALTHOUGH cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening, many women continue to delay seeking care because of fear, stigma, cost concerns, or simply the demands of daily life.

Health advocates emphasized that overcoming discomfort around reproductive health discussions is

crucial to encouraging early consultation and preventive action.

Dr. Cabrera underscored the importance of investing in prevention before health problems arise.

“The younger you are when you receive the vaccine, the better the protection it can provide. But regardless of age, if you are over 45, have not yet been vaccinated, and have the means to do so, getting vaccinated is still worth considering,” she said.

“It is always better to invest in prevention and protect yourself early, rather than having to deal with the consequences later on.”

While receiving vaccines through one’s primary healthcare provider remains ideal, accredited vaccination hubs may offer a convenient alternative for women seeking to update their immunizations after consulting with a healthcare professional.

The discussion also highlighted that prevention extends beyond vaccination and screening. Maintaining healthy habits, managing stress, staying informed about recommended health checks, and consulting a physician before symptoms appear are all important aspects of long-term wellness.

Creating supportive environments

BEYOND awareness campaigns and medical interventions, speakers emphasized the need for women to have access to trusted healthcare relationships and supportive environments where they can openly discuss their concerns without fear of judgment.

For Barcoma, breaking stigma begins with normalizing conversations about health and becoming a source

of support for others.

“I try to normalize these conversations and create an environment where people do not feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their health. I want to be a safe space for others,” Barcoma shared.

“When we create safe spaces, conversations like these can thrive, and prevention becomes not something people fear or blame themselves for, but a healthy practice that we embrace.”

Bernos highlighted the role of education in empowering women to make informed decisions about their health.

“Information alone is already a big step forward, and everything else can follow from there,” she said.

“Being intentional meant allowing myself to receive the information and education that I needed. In doing so, I realized that this was never something I needed to fear in the first place.”

For her part, Lastimosa emphasized that caring for one’s health today is an investment in the future.

“It is not just about how you look physically or what you post on social media. It is also about genuinely taking care of yourself,” she said.

“Many diseases develop over time, and the choices we make today can have a lasting impact. Taking care of your future self begins now.”

As advocates continue pushing for more open conversations around women’s health, they hope more Filipinas will view prevention not as a source of fear or discomfort, but as an act of self-care, empowerment, and responsibility for their future well-being.

Doctors explain how parents can manage HFMD safely at home

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

AND, Foot, and Mouth Dis -

Hease (HFMD) remains a recurring concern for parents across the Philippines, routinely breaking out in schools, day-care centers, and densely populated communities.

To help families better understand the illness, medical experts

Dr. Marlon Abad and Dr. Melchor Tuquero dedicated a recent episode of “Doctors Online” on 702 DZAS FEBC Radio TV to discussing how parents can identify and manage HFMD safely at home.

Both hosts, fellows of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians specializing in family medicine and occupational health, stressed that while HFMD is highly contagious, proper symptom management can help prevent complications and unnecessary hospital visits. HFMD is a viral illness caused

primarily by the Coxsackievirus. Dr. Tuquero noted that in his clinical practice over recent months, cases have been highly prevalent among children aged five and below, although older children and adults may also be affected.

The virus spreads easily in crowded environments through respiratory droplets, direct contact with blister fluid, and the fecal-oral route.

Parents should watch for the disease’s distinct two-stage progression: The initial stage. HFMD begins with an incubation period of three to seven days, followed by a highgrade fever, body weakness, and increased irritability, particularly among toddlers.

The breakout stage. By the third or fourth day of fever, painful fluid-filled blisters begin to appear. These lesions commonly develop inside the mouth, on the tongue, the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and in some cases around

the lips and genital area.

Preventing dehydration

ACCORDING to Dr. Tuquero, the greatest risk associated with HFMD is often dehydration rather than the virus itself. Because mouth sores can be extremely painful, children may refuse to drink fluids or eat, increasing the risk of requiring intravenous (IV) fluid treatment.

To help reduce discomfort and maintain hydration, Dr. Tuquero recommended cold and soft foods such as ice cream, gelatin, cold water, and smoothies. On the other hand, fruit juices, soft drinks, citrus fruits, spicy or salty foods, and coarse-textured foods such as oatmeal should be avoided because they may further irritate mouth sores.

For infants and young children who refuse to drink from a glass or spoon, parents may use a clean medicine dropper or syringe to administer fluids slowly into the side of the

Skincare industry embraces ‘aging

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

FOR decades, skincare marketing revolved around one promise: fighting aging. Creams claimed to erase wrinkles, serums promised youngerlooking skin, and beauty campaigns often framed aging as something to delay, conceal, or reverse.

Today, however, the skincare industry is increasingly embracing a different philosophy: “aging well.” Rather than focusing on reversing the signs of aging, the approach emphasizes prevention, hydration, consistency, and long-term skin health, reflecting changing consumer attitudes toward beauty and wellness.

The shift was highlighted during the recent Philippine launch of Japanese skincare brand Laviejo in Makati City, where discussions centered not on stopping aging but on caring for the skin intentionally at every stage of life.

“What it reminded me is that skincare is no longer about chasing youth,” said Dr. Pia Mendiola, head of Laviejo Philippines. “It’s about prevention, restoration, and caring for ourselves intentionally and confidently

at every stage of life.” While anti-aging products remain a major segment of the skincare market, hydration, sun protection, and skin barrier care are becoming increasingly central to skincare routines, particularly in Asian beauty markets where prevention-focused practices have long been emphasized.

In countries such as the Philippines, where daily exposure to heat, humidity, and pollution can affect skin condition, skincare routines are often built around maintenance and protection as much as appearance.

A changing approach to skin health

LAVIEJO, developed by Japan-based Towako Medical Cosmetics, was introduced as a skincare system designed to support hydration and skin resilience rather than rely on aggressive anti-aging claims. Its formulations incorporate ingredients associated with moisture retention and antioxidant support, while its multi-step regimen, from cleansing to UV protection, is intended to strengthen hydration and skin barrier function.

mouth, helping prevent dehydration.

Debunking the antibiotic myth

A COMMON misconception among parents is that antibiotics can treat HFMD. Dr. Tuquero clarified that because HFMD is caused by a virus, the illness is self-limiting and typically resolves on its own within seven to 10 days. Antibiotics have no effect against the Coxsackievirus.

However, antibiotics may be necessary if a secondary bacterial infection develops. Children often scratch itchy blisters, which can break the skin and allow bacteria to enter, potentially causing localized infections such as cellulitis, particularly on the limbs or around the genital area. In such cases, a physician may prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.

Community prevention and home care

TO help prevent transmission and

well’ over anti-aging

The brand also utilizes fermented ingredients, an increasingly common feature in Japanese and Korean skincare products that are often associated with hydration and skin-conditioning benefits.

Beyond individual products, the launch reflected a broader industry trend toward preventive skincare and long-term skin health.

Beyond surface-level beauty THE discussion also touched on broader skin-health concerns, including pigmentation and melasma, conditions that involve biological processes beneath the skin’s surface.

During the event, company representatives explained that oxidative stress, inflammation, and irregular melanin production contribute to pigmentation issues and may play a role in conditions such as melasma.

“Pigmentation problems are not only affecting the skin surface,” the company said during product discussions. “Oxidative stress, inflammation, and dysregulated melanin synthesis all occur within the skin. These contribute to conditions

like melasma.”

The conversation reflects how skincare messaging is increasingly intersecting with wellness and preventive care rather than focusing solely on cosmetic enhancement.

Instead of promising dramatic overnight transformations, many brands now emphasize gradual improvement through consistent routines, an approach that resonates with consumers who are becoming more cautious about aggressive treatments and unrealistic beauty expectations.

The rise of skincare-focused content on social media has further contributed to this shift. Discussions about skin texture, skin barrier repair, and realistic skincare routines have become more visible online, particularly among younger consumers who are increasingly skeptical of heavily filtered beauty standards.

At the same time, skincare has become more closely associated with self-care and everyday wellness. For many consumers, applying skincare products is no longer solely about appearance but also about building habits that support confidence and personal well-being.

Awareness of vaping risks does not stop youth nicotine use–study

ABy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

NEW study by the Health Promotion Program (HPP) of the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health (UP Manila-NIH) suggests that awareness of the health risks associated with vaping and smoking may not be enough to prevent nicotine use among Filipino youth.

While most adolescents recognize that cigarettes and vapes can cause serious health harm, many young people continue to use these products despite understanding the risks, according to findings released by UP Manila-NIH in observance of World No Tobacco Day and No Smoking Month.

The study found that students who exclusively use vapes are significantly more likely to believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, with many describing it as only “a little harmful” or even “not harmful” at all.

Researchers said understanding how young people perceive the risks of vaping, and how those perceptions differ between users and non-users, is critical to developing prevention strategies that can effectively change behavior.

The study surveyed 4,340 students in Grades 7 to 10 from November to December 2025 across four highly urbanized cities with active tobacco control programs: Baguio, Pasig, Iloilo, and Davao. Students were asked to assess the harmfulness of cigarettes and vapes, indicate whether they viewed vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking, and explain how stress influenced their use of nicotine products. Researchers also analyzed open-ended responses regarding perceived health effects.

A gap in risk perception

THE findings revealed a clear difference in how users and non-users perceive vaping risks.

While 74 percent of students rated cigarettes as “very harmful,” perceptions were notably different among those who currently vape. Only 55 percent of vape users considered vaping “very harmful,” while 19.4 percent described it as “a little harmful” and 12.1 percent said it was “not harmful.”

The study also found that students who viewed vaping as a form of harm reduction were more likely to be vape users themselves. Among respondents who agreed that vaping is less harmful than smoking, 73.6 percent were exclusive vape users.

support recovery, the doctors recommended several basic precautions: Strict isolation. Children with fever or active blisters should be kept home from school and isolated from others until the blisters have completely dried.

Avoid sharing personal items. Family members should not share utensils, plates, cups, or drinking glasses.

Use the proper mouth rinse. The doctors advised against commercial mouthwashes, which may further irritate mouth sores. Instead, they recommended a mild cold salt-water rinse prepared with only a small amount of salt to help soothe the affected area.

Dr. Tuquero also reassured listeners that HFMD in humans is entirely different from Foot-andMouth Disease in livestock. The two illnesses are unrelated and cannot be transmitted between humans and animals.

Aging as part of life

THE language of “aging well” reflects a broader cultural shift in how aging itself is viewed.

Rather than treating aging as something negative, the philosophy encourages maintaining skin health while recognizing that physical changes are a natural part of life.

It does not necessarily mean abandoning skincare concerns altogether but approaching them through maintenance and prevention rather than correction.

For brands entering competitive markets such as the Philippines, that evolving mindset is increasingly shaping how they communicate with consumers.

Laviejo, which currently distributes its products online in the country, said accessibility remains part of its local strategy as it expands its presence.

“We don’t want the price to increase too much,” Mendiola told BusinessMirror during an exclusive interview at the event. “We want Laviejo to feel premium in experience, but still remain within reach.”

As consumers increasingly prioritize wellness, prevention, and realistic beauty expectations, the skincare conversation appears to be shifting away from the pursuit of eternal youth and toward supporting healthy skin throughout life’s different stages.

In contrast, non-users were more likely to reject the idea that vaping is a safer alternative or express uncertainty about it.

\Researchers noted that these perceptions mirror long-standing industry marketing messages that position vaping as a lower-risk alternative to conventional cigarettes.

Knowing the risks, continuing the habit PERHAPS the study’s most significant finding was that awareness of health risks alone does not necessarily prevent nicotine use.

Open-ended responses showed that even students who vape could identify potential health consequences such as lung damage, addiction, and cancer. Despite this knowledge, many continued using nicotine products because they associated vaping with stress relief, social acceptance, or sensory enjoyment.

As one student wrote, vaping “helps maintain emotions but causes a lot of issues physically and mentally.”

The findings suggest that many young people are making decisions about nicotine use based not only on risk perception but also on emotional and social factors.

Beyond awareness campaigns

ACCORDING to the researchers, the study highlights two major challenges facing current tobacco and vape control efforts.

First, many youth who vape continue to underestimate the harms associated with vaping compared to cigarettes. Second, even among those who understand the risks, nicotine products remain appealing as a coping mechanism for stress and as a means of fitting in socially.

Researchers said these realities point to limitations in prevention campaigns that focus solely on raising awareness.

“Addressing these requires more than information campaigns but should include expanding access to interventions such as counseling services and stress management initiatives and integrating prevention with support systems so that students not only hear about risks but also have practical, accessible pathways to quit or avoid nicotine use,” the study stated.

The researchers also noted that the persistence of misperceptions about vaping—even in cities with active tobacco control programs—supports stronger restrictions on industry messaging and may warrant broader regulatory measures to prevent further erosion of risk perception among young people. The findings suggest that reducing youth vaping will require more than simply warning adolescents about the dangers of nicotine. Public health experts say prevention efforts must also address the social and emotional factors that drive young people to start and continue using these products in the first place.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

JOINING Dr. Ada Angela Cabrera on the panel were content creator and advocate Ayn Bernos, former Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa, and Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma, with momfluencer Alexis Tinsay serving as moderator.

Envoys&Expats

PHL and Sweden eye stronger ties in energy, digitalization, manufacturing

THE Philippines and Sweden are seeking avenues to deepen linkages in digitalization, energy, manufacturing, and other strategic sectors to support economic growth and create more quality jobs in the country.

This came after Finance Secretary Frederick Go welcomed Ambassador Anna Ferry and the delegation from the Embassy of Sweden during a courtesy call on June 9 aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and exploring opportunities for increased Swedish investments in the Philippines.

In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) said that during the courtesy call, Go underscored the Philippines’ commitment to attracting investments that generate employment and strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness.

“What we are pushing for is job

creation,” Go said. “We welcome manufacturing investments, for instance, because it has the capability to create many jobs for the country’s highly skilled labor force.”

He added that the Philippine government is interested in attracting investments in renewable and clean energy, as well as digital technologies. These include the adoption of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity solutions.

For his part, Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk cited Sweden’s extensive experience in fossil-free energy technologies and renewable energy solutions.

“In energy, [Sweden is] mostly

The Hague Academy’s sec-gen

fossil-free,” Lennefalk said. “We are working with the Swedish Energy Agency on various technologies, including floating offshore wind, as well as integrated wind and solar solutions. We hope to see some installations down the line, and there are already two or three companies involved in these initiatives.”

Go likewise welcomed potential partnerships in healthcare, agriculture, food security, electronics, mineral processing, and the services sector, noting their potential to boost

investment growth and employment generation.

Both sides exchanged views on expanding areas of cooperation to further strengthen bilateral economic relations between Manila and Stockholm.

For her part, Ferry expressed hope for the continued streamlining and acceleration of grant-processing procedures, which could help attract more investments and facilitate the timely implementation of development projects.

By Anna Leah Gonzales/PNA

leads special forum on intl law

THE University of Santo Tomas (UST) recently welcomed Prof. Jean-Marc Thouvenin, who serves as secretary-general of The Hague Academy of International Law, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to the Kingdom of the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya. Both led the forum “Distinguishing between Individual and State Responsibilities under International Law,” jointly hosted by the UST Graduate School of Law and the UST

THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) welcomed the government’s decision to expand the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports, saying the measure could help improve food security, stabilize prices, and strengthen agricultural trade ties between the United Kingdom and the Philippines.

To address supply gaps and mitigate inflationary pressures, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently signed Executive Order (EO) 116, which increased the MAV for pork meat to 204,210 metric tons (MT) from 54,210 MT for 2026. The order forms part of the administration’s “Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport” or “UPLIFT” agenda aimed at cushioning the domestic economy from external shocks, while ensuring adequate

Faculty of Civil Law, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Philippines in The Hague, the Philippine Judicial Academy, and Divina Law. In his welcome remarks, Dean Nilo T. Divina emphasized the continuing relevance of international law and the value of academic engagement with global legal developments. In his introductory remarks, Malaya provided an overview of the Philippines’ continuing engagement with international legal institutions and highlighted The Hague’s role as

supply of essential goods.

“We remain open to further discussions on the revised increase of MAV, including the allocations, which we have been supporting since 2023,” Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson of BCCP said. “We believe that an increase in MAV…represents an important step toward strengthening the UK-Philippines bilateral trade and the country’s overall food security efforts.”

The chamber said it has consistently advocated for lower tariffs on pork and other meat products, while supporting the proposed increase in MAV allocations to better align with the country’s growing population, address supply constraints caused by African swine fever, and help temper food inflation.

Raffle system

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the revised

a center for international adjudication and scholarship.

Professor Thouvenin delivered the keynote lecture. He explained the distinction between individual responsibility and state responsibility under international law, and outlined the separate legal frameworks governing each. Dean Enrique V. Dela Cruz Jr., Assistant Dean Mae Elaine T. Bathan, and Professor Floro C. Balato Jr. offered their reflections as reactors, followed by an open forum.

MAV mechanism would also reform how import allocations are distributed among market players.

In an interview, he explained that “we changed the allocation of [MAV distribution. Before, 10 percent of the companies controlled 60 percent of the volume, but now we changed the system to a raffle system where everyone is at an equal footing] to promote more competition and provide a level playing field.”

“That means lower prices in general for the benefit of consumers,” he added.

Laurel also noted that the MAV framework had not undergone significant amendments in decades.

“It has been 30 years since it has been amended, where we [at the DA] finally did,” he said. Allocations, allotments UNDER EO 116, 30,000 MT of the

Ambassador: “Philippines is a priority for Australia”

IN his keynote to the members of the Makati Business Club (MBC), Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown PSM of Australia, underscored several initiatives that are deepening the eight decades of bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Over the past 80 years, Australia has stood alongside the Philippines in times of conflict, humanitarian crisis, and regional challenges,” said InnesBrown. “We have built a partnership that spans defence and maritime security, trade and investment, education, development, policing, and people-to-people exchanges.”

He also emphasized that the “Philippines is a priority for Australia,” with a series of key Australian leaders expected to visit the country to attend Asean-related meetings and support the Philippine chairship throughout the year.

The ambassador served as the speaker for the third session of MBC’s Foreign Leader Series this year, where he addressed over 90 representatives from business, government, diplomatic corps, and the media.

The event also featured a fireside chat with the envoy. Moderated by JP Orbeta of ACEN, key topics discussed were Australia’s investment priorities, as well as cooperation efforts in peace,

security, and maritime issues.

Aside from Ambassador

Mantaring and Dr. Aris Alip. Chua thanked Innes-Brown for his participation and drew attention to key aspects of the two countries’ friendship. “Australia’s geographic proximity, dynamic cooperation across multiple sectors, and growing community of around 400,000 people of Filipino heritage make [it] a very important, reliable, and trusted friend of the Philippines.” In 2023, Australia and the Philippines entered into a “Strategic Partnership,” which aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economy, security, and defense, among other priorities. In the same year, the former launched its “Invested: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040”—a long-term regional economic integration plan. It was spearheaded by Innes-Brown as lead author. The ambassador mentioned clean energy, infrastructure, education and skills, agriculture, resources and the digital economy, as areas for investment opportunities in the country under Invested 2040.

For the university, the forum served as a timely academic platform, as questions surrounding international accountability continue to invite rigorous legal reflection. Through coordinated efforts of the UST Graduate School of Law, the Faculty of Civil Law, partner institutions, and diplomatic counterparts, the Thomasian community was afforded a rare and meaningful opportunity to engage with one of the foremost institutions in the field of international law.

MAV allocation will be designated for processors, while 120,000 MT will be allotted to the Food Terminal Inc. and the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” program to augment domestic supply and stabilize prices.

The chamber said the policy could further support expanding agricultural trade between the Philippines and the UK, as it remains open to further discussions in terms of the allocation.

In partnership with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), BCCP has facilitated eight trade missions since 2021 aimed at strengthening bilateral agricultural and food trade relations.

Recent AHDB data showed that British exports to the Philippines rose by 13.3 percent year-on-year to 5,310 tons in the first quarter, while export value increased by 10.6 percent to £6.786 million.

GENEVA—The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have forged an institutional partnership to pursue joint initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience in fragile and conflictaffected areas.

A letter of intent (LOI) signifying the start of this formal collaboration was signed on June 10 by ADB vice president for sectors and themes Fatima Yasmin and ICRC directorgeneral Pierre Krähenbühl.

The LOI includes an approach to coordinate programs; promote innovation through knowledge exchange on emerging challenges and evolving humanitarian needs; and share best practices through joint events, meetings and publications, among others.

With the letter of intent signing, ADB and the ICRC have forged a strategic, high-level cooperation that will draw on their complementary mandates to support vulnerable people living in ADB’s member countries where the ICRC operates.

“Addressing interconnected challenges requires us to work beyond traditional development approaches,” said Yasmin in her remarks at the event. “This is where ICRC brings something distinctive: field presence, trusted access to affected communi-

ties, and credibility in environments that ADB alone cannot reach.” ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex issues together, it harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic ties to transform lives, build quality infrastructure and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, it is owned by 69 members, with 50 from the region.

According to an ICRC statement, the formal cooperation with ADB is a significant step in the humanitariandevelopment nexus, which bridges humanitarian aid with longer-term development for affected people, and may open possibilities for joint operational responses in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

“We look forward to this strategic partnership with ADB, as it will allow both organizations to learn from one another, [while complementing and reinforcing] the broader work of development actors for people affected by conflict and violence,” said Krähenbühl. “As a neutral and independent humanitarian organization, the ICRC offers unique access, perspective and depth of experience in many conflictaffected areas around the world, including in Asia.”

ATTY. JACQUELINE O. LOPEZ-KAW (from left), Atty. Enrique V. Dela Cruz Jr., Atty. Nilo Divina, Prof. Jean-Marc Thouvenin, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, Atty. Floro C. Balato Jr., and Assistant Dean Mae Elaine T. Bathan

Nicolas Brühl of Switzerland, attendees included MBC Chair Ed Chua, as well as MBC trustees Riza

INNES-BROWN

ICRC director-general Pierre Krähenbühl and ADB vice president Fatima Yasmin

FINANCE Secretary Frederick Go (center) welcomes Ambassador Anna Ferry (fifth from right) and the Swedish delegation in a courtesy call. DOF/PNA

Dr. Jose Rizal’s 165th birthday anniversary to be commemorated at Rizal Park Luneta

To honor the 165th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal on Friday, 19 June 2026, the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and the Department of Tourism invite the public to a free, day-long celebration at Rizal Park Luneta. Rather than just a standard historical commemoration, this year’s event offers a unique, hands-on look at Rizal’s life, transforming his enduring ideals into interactive experiences for modern Filipinos.

The day’s observances begin with a traditional Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Rizal Monument, bringing together government officials, civic organizations, and the public to pay tribute to the man who helped shape the Filipino nation.

Immediately following the ceremony, the celebration moves to

the Noli Me Tangere Garden from 10 am to 4 pm for a lineup of public activities. Visitors can discover a lesser-known, creative side of the hero by playing Rizal’s Oracle Game, a fortune-telling game he personally developed during his exile in Dapitan, based on Haec Est Sibylla Cumana. Guests can also drop by the Mirror Selfie with Rizal installation to snap a commemorative photo and leave their own handwritten birthday greetings. For those who complete the activities, a Live Stamping Booth will be on-site, printing personalized keepsakes to take home.

The NPDC aims to keep Rizal’s core values of patriotism and civic responsibility alive through these engaging programs. Admission to the entire event and all its activities is completely free, offering a perfect opportunity for families and friends to gather, honor, and connect with the enduring legacy of our national hero.

Surprisingly loved by Dads: Filipino flavors win hearts at Max’s Corner Bakery

GATHERING at Ruby Hall in Max’s Scout Tuazon for an intimate afternoon family gathering, Max’s Corner Bakery (MCB) officially unveiled its Father’s Day lineup.

Moving away from hyper-trendy gimmicks to honor the true anchor of the Filipino home, the brand is perfecting timeless heritage flavors with their signature “not-too-sweet” profile, giving families a meaningful reason to celebrate the man who has spent a lifetime quietly showing up for them.

The inspiration behind the campaign stems from a deeply relatable truth about Filipino fathers.

“Many dads express love quietly, not through words, but through showing up, providing, and bringing the family together,” said Jane Mendoza, Brand Marketing Specialist at Max’s Corner Bakery. “That insight shaped this campaign. It reminded us that Father’s Day is really about celebrating

that steady presence and giving families a reason to gather around him.”

The overwhelming demand from dads for the Ube Creme Brulee Cake made it evident that this was a product worth celebrating.

“Even internally, one of the biggest surprises was how much dads themselves loved it,” Joshua Decena, Sr. Business Development Manager, shared. “One of our owners even shared it with around 20 to 30 friends at his polo club, and people started calling him asking where they could order it.

That’s when we felt we had something that could genuinely become part of a Father’s Day celebration.”

Fathers are famously “not dessert people,” often shying away from overly sugary treats. Max’s Corner Bakery intentionally structured its lineup to pass the ultimate, Filipino father-approved benchmark: hindi masyadong matamis.

“MCB’s product line is anchored on a ‘not-too-sweet’ flavor profile, a characteristic that shines brightest in our cake category,” explained Vince Catubig, Product Marketing Officer. “We believe our Father’s Day cakes are perfectly positioned to appeal to ‘non-dessert people’—including Dads—who appreciate a refined, balanced dessert.”

When asked how they managed to layer rich ingredients like ube, custard, and caramelized sugar without making it too sweet for dads, Catubig explained it simply:

“Real ube isn’t actually that sweet, it’s very mild and earthy,” he shared. “So when you match that with the bitter taste of the torched sugar on top, it cuts down the sweetness. It doesn’t take over the cake at all, it just helps you taste the real ube flavor.”

For the father who is difficult to read or simply claims he doesn’t want anything sweet, MCB introduces the Triple Treat Cake. Combining chocolate, mocha, and vanilla into a single, elegant dessert, it offers a sophisticated profile that treats his palate with respect.

“It’s the cake designed for the dad who doesn’t want anything sweet, but ended up liking it anyway,” Catubig noted.

While the ways Filipino families celebrate continue to shift across generations, Max’s Corner Bakery remains steadfast in its core values.

The team chose to focus on heritage favorites— Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Ube—because of the emotional connection they carry.

“Heritage flavors do something novelty items can’t—they trigger a deep sense of comfort and nostalgic familiarity,” Catubig emphasized. “It’s a dad-centric move that honors the flavors he already loves.”

To bridge tradition with the modern landscape, the brand is introducing customizable message cakes alongside digital-forward campaigns. This includes collaborating with Gen Z creators on TikTok to share these heartfelt family moments authentically with a younger audience.

“We believe family never goes out of style,” Decena noted. “While the way people celebrate continues to evolve, the desire to gather and create memories remains the same. That’s why we paired familiar flavors and traditions with things that feel more relevant today, from message cakes for practical family celebrations to digital spaces.”

Ultimately, every new introduction serves a singular goal.

“For us, creativity isn’t about being different from Max’s, it’s about finding new ways to express the same values,” Joshua Decena concluded. “We always start with the same question: how do we help Filipino families celebrate meaningful moments together?”

The signature Ube Creme Brulee Cake is priced at P525 for the 5-inch size and P950 for the eight-inch size; exclusively available for in-store purchase at the Max’s Restaurant nearest you.

Designing wonder: How Andi Osana built a career in toys

LONG before she was designing toys for global brands, Andi Osana, also known professionally as “&I”, was the child who constantly asked, “What if?” Every object became an invitation to experiment, imagine, and discover how things worked. While her peers grew out of playing with toys and other childhood interests, she learned how she can transform her love for play into a fun and fulfilling career.

Her curiosity led her to study Industrial Design at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, where she eventually gravitated toward projects centered on play, children, and toys. At school, she enjoyed creating objects and finding ways to make them more interactive and playful.

After she graduated, she collaborated with Filipino design duo NAZARENO/LICHAUCO (Gabby Lichauco and Rita Nazareno), where she discovered how one can integrate work and play. She worked on projects like OB Montessori Center’s redesign that inspired her pursuit of work that sparked joy and laughter. To this day, she works with the duo to lend her talents to projects in the Philippines–with her work showing up in places like Museo Pambata’s “Ang Katawan Ko” exhibition.

Driven by her will to learn more about design as a whole and experience new things, Andi sought opportunities beyond the classroom to better understand the industry. To take her craft one step further, she joined the program Offsite, a then 14-week industrial design program designed to equip their students with real-world skills. Through this program, she met her mentors who helped her dive deeper into the world of toy design. In 2023, Andi was accepted into the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)’s BFA Toy Design Program in New York, making her one of only seven students admitted to the highly competitive program that year. Through this rigorous program, she later secured an internship with global toy manufacturer Jazwares. At Jazwares, she contributed to projects tied to major entertainment franchises, including “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and several properties under Crunchyroll.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2025, Andi has been working with multiple toy companies, primarily focusing on plush toys. Now based in New York City, she’s worked for brands such as Emotional Support Pals, Cozy Concepts Co, and other developing product lines under Relatable (formerly What Do You Meme?). She’s also helped develop toys for licensed properties like PAW Patrol, How to Train Your Dragon, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Ms. Rachel, and for specialty brands like GUND and Hidden Pigeon Company, among others.

“I find it rewarding that I get to play for work,” Andi explained. “It’s extremely fun to be able to watch TV shows and movies that I love for reference, study a character and stylize them in your own way.”

While Andi may be busy designing exciting toys based on other creators’ stories, she eventually plans to release her own property of toys centering around patched-up robots, found-object homes and collectible treasures in a place that exists in the middle of nowhere. In her current practice, Andi bridges the gap between imagination and reality, translating beloved characters into tangible toys cherished by a global audience. Yet, through every design, she preserves that original spark of curiosity—a steadfast conviction that every plaything serves as a catalyst for a new narrative, a grand adventure, or that very first question: “What if?” For more information on Andi Osana’s work, visit https://www.andiosana.com/.

Radenta Academy exclusively offers EC-Council training programs in the PHL

RADENTA Academy, the brainchild of Radenta Technologies, one of the country’s leading solutions integrators, is now the first and only reseller of ECCouncil training programs.

International Council of E-Commerce or EC-Council was formed when founder Jay Bavisi, after the 9/11 attack, asked if the world can survive an attack on the cyber battlefield. Would the information security community have the tools and resources to thwart such an attack? The answer was a disheartening no. The one and only next step was the creation of the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants or EC-Council.

Today, EC-Council boasts three major milestones: 150 countries that trust their globally recognized certifications, 20 plus years of experience delivering worldclass cybersecurity training and 400,000 certified professionals worldwide.

It is now the world’s largest cyber security technical certification body that operates in 145 countries. The body is the owner and developer of the world-famous Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI), Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), License Penetration Training (Practical) programs, among others.

Radenta Academy will offer the following courses: CEHv13 Ai CHFI / CND / EDRP / EHCS / CCSEv2

CCISO CASE Java /.NET / ECIH / CTIA / ECES / CSA/ ECDE

CSCUv3

CPM CPENT

CPENT (Challenge Edition) Web Application hacking

FATHER’S Day has long been associated with traditional family gatherings, but this year, Richmonde Hotels is flipping the script by answering a simple question: What does Dad actually want to do? Recognizing that every father possesses his own definition of the perfect urban escape, whether it is a peaceful sanctuary of absolute rest, an action-packed city exploration, or a dynamic culinary journey, Richmonde Hotels invites families to gift the king of the household with a well-earned break that seamlessly blends comfort, convenient leisure activities, and unforgettable family bonding.

Moving away from generic celebrations, Richmonde’s Father’s Day staycations are tailored to give dads permission to unwind on their own terms. Some dads might relish the opportunity to indulge in a soothing in-room massage, while others might look forward to leading their family on a vibrant food crawl, a movie marathon, or a cultural exploration of local museums. By embedding exclusive perks, dining discounts, and available neighborhood activities into each stay, Richmonde Hotels guarantee that dads can experience their ideal version of a city retreat surrounded by the people who matter most.

Wellness, Shopping, and Mediterranean Grills

NESTLED in the heart of a bustling corporate and leisure district, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas serves as the ultimate hub for dads who appreciate a harmonious balance of wellness, city convenience, and delectable culinary experiences. Dads can design their weekend around relaxing with the family, shopping at premier nearby malls, or engaging in sporty and wellness activities scattered across Ortigas Center and the Available for stays from June 19 to 21, 2026, the hotel’s “Richmonde Exclusives” Father’s Day staycation packages are exceptionally valued, starting at P3,000 nett for room-only accommodations and P4,200 nett for rooms inclusive of a hearty breakfast for two. To ensure Dad feels genuinely pampered, the package features a complimentary photo light therapy session and a 50 percent discount on select aesthetic treatments at Vine Aesthetics in Rockwell Ortigas, a 50 percent discount on soothing in-room massages, and discounts on food and beverage orders The celebration reaches its peak on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with the “Grill & Gather for Dad” Father’s Day Lunch Buffet at Richmonde Café. Served from 11:30 am to 2 pm, this Mediterranean-inspired feast showcases smoky grills, savory roasts, fresh salads, and aromatic wholesome dishes perfect for vibrant palates. Priced at only P1,198 nett per person, the buffet may be enjoyed by the family

Radenta Academy is the brainchild of Radenta Technologies, one of the country’s leading solutions integrators.

Andi Osana

Celebrating dads: The modern dad’s role in raising resilient children

THOUGHTFUL AND AFFORDABLE FATHER’S DAY GIFTS FROM ANKO SHOPPING for dads can feel surprisingly difficult. Ask them what they want, and you’ll likely get the same answer: “I don’t need anything.”

Most dads aren’t looking for grand gestures. The gifts they’ll appreciate most are the ones that show you know them, like the small upgrades that make their mornings better, support the hobbies they love, or simply make everyday life a little easier.

While Australian home and lifestyle brand Anko is often mom’s go-to for home styling and everyday living, its range across home, travel and hobbies makes it easy to find a gift that’s practical, personal, and made for the dad he’ll always be. Every family knows this dad. He’s up before everyone else, enjoys a quiet moment with his coffee, and believes breakfast deserves more than a rushed bite.

Elevate his morning routine with gifts he’ll use every single day, from a Coffee Plunger (P480) for his weekend brew sessions to a Compact Espresso Machine (P3,490) that brings café-style coffee home. Meanwhile, some dads are always looking for ways to improve their space, streamline their routines, or add thoughtful touches that make everyday living better. Consider these gift suggestions.

A Sunrise Music Alarm Clock (P1,290) brings a modern touch to his morning routine, while a Nico Lamp (P400) or minimalist Amiri Lamp (P290) instantly upgrades any desk, bedside table, or reading nook. Add personality to his space with stylish Photo Frames (P260) and an Arch Frame (P290), or introduce an Aroma Diffuser (P1,000) for a polished finishing touch.

Explore more thoughtful finds at Anko stores in Glorietta, Alabang Town Center, TriNoma, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and at the newest Gateway Mall branch opening on June 18.

CELEBRATING EVERYDAY

HEROES THIS FATHER’S DAY WITH METROBANK

WHETHER it’s their quiet strength, unwavering support, or driving for family road trips, dads deserve more than just a simple “thank you” this Father’s Day.

One of the country’s largest private universal banks, Metrobank has curated exciting offers perfect for a monthlong Father’s Day celebration, because dads deserve meaningful moments, thoughtful treats, and experiences that match their lifestyle and passions. Here are a few suggestions that will make every family meal, shopping trip, and adventure even more rewarding with your Metrobank card:

■ A FEAST FIT FOR THE MAN OF THE HOUSE. If your dad loves Japanese food, treat him to a satisfying dining experience at Botejyu and enjoy 50-percent off, plus a special Botejyu 10th Anniversary P10 dish offer for a minimum single-receipt spend of P3,000 from Mondays to Thursdays until June 30. Craving for hot pot? Gather the family and celebrate at Haidilao Hot Pot, enjoy 50-percent off on dishes for a minimum spend of P5,000 from Mondays to Fridays until June 30.

■ BECAUSE SELF-CARE ISN’T JUST FOR MOMS. Dads need self-care, too. Treat him to a wellness day at Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics Center and take advantage of a zeropercent installment up to 12 months, plus the flexibility to shop now and pay up to 90 days later.

■ A FRESH NEW PAIR FOR EVERYDAY ERRANDS.

Whether your dad enjoys running, traveling, or simply needs a dependable pair for everyday errands, give him footwear that’s both practical and stylish and get 10-percent off on all regular-priced and sale items at Merrell and Sperry—with no minimum purchase required.

Whether through a shared meal, a thoughtful gift, or a well-deserved family adventure, Metrobank makes it easier to celebrate the dads and father figures who continue to show up for their families every day. More information can be found at www.metrobank.com. ph/promos.

presence, encouragement and consistency from both parents.

Research and child-development guidance suggest that father involvement can support children’s emotional well-being, social development, and academic success. When fathers are engaged in consistent, positive ways, children may benefit in areas such as confidence, coping skills, and relationships. I have experienced in my own childhood knowing that my Dad was available and attentive. In many families, fathers help children practice independence, problem-solving, and healthy risk-taking.

For sons, fathers can become important models of how men handle setbacks, responsibilities, relationships, and integrity. A father does not need to be perfect. In fact, sons may benefit from seeing fathers acknowledge mistakes, recover from disappointments, and keep moving forward. My husband shows my son that real strength is not about pretending to be unbreakable, but in getting back up.

For daughters, fathers can also play a powerful role. Some research suggests that positive fatherdaughter relationships are associated with stronger self-esteem, academic engagement, and emotional security. A daughter’s sense of how she deserves to be treated can be shaped by many influences, and a respectful, supportive father-daughter bond can be one of them.

My daughter is lucky because my husband really helped set a standard for love, respect, and emotional safety that she carries with her especially now that

they are to have a dad who believes in what I call “ParenTEAM.”

As a businessman and triathlete, Vinson has shown our children the value of discipline, consistency, and perseverance. Through countless training sessions, races, and business challenges, he has demonstrated that meaningful goals are rarely achieved overnight. He teaches by example that preparation, effort and principles matter. When our children see him preparing before sunrise for a long ride or pushing through difficult situations, while never failing to send them off to school with his “I love you,” they are witnessing resilience and warmth in action.

As our children entered competitive sports, he continued to model this mindset. Whether it was fencing tournaments, basketball games, victories, or disappointments, he consistently emphasized effort, preparation and character over outcomes. In our home, we try to remind our children that results matter but they do not define their worth.

For fathers who want to strengthen their connection with their children, here are a few simple suggestions:

■ Create one-on-one time regularly. A walk, a meal, or a shared hobby can create meaningful connection.

■ Listen more than you speak. Children often

Share your own stories. Let your children hear about your mistakes, fears, and lessons learned.

■ Participate in their interests. Entering their world builds trust.

■ Show affection openly. Encouragement, hugs, and affirming words remain powerful at every age. For mothers, we also play an important role in strengthening father-child relationships. One of the most loving things we can do is make room for fathers to parent in their own way.

■ Avoid gatekeeping parenting responsibilities.

■ Encourage fathers to develop their own parenting style.

■ Celebrate their efforts instead of focusing on differences.

■ Create opportunities for father-child experiences.

■ Speak positively about their dad in front of the children.

As we celebrate Father’s Day next weekend, let us remember that families thrive when every member feels seen, valued, and secure in their role Strong families are not built on perfection. They are built on people who choose, every day, to show up for one another. And that is certainly something worth celebrating.

Advanced Happy Father’s Day to my husband and to all fathers in the world.

Grab, UNIQLO turn everyday app moments into wearable summer keepsakes

THIS summer, Grab Philippines and Uniqlo are inviting Filipinos to wear their best everyday Grab moments.

The two brands have launched “Blueprint for a 5-Star Summer,” a limited-edition UTme! collection that transforms familiar scenes from the Grab app into playful, wearable designs. Think food cravings finally satisfied, deliveries arriving just when you need them, spontaneous barkada plans, and that all-too-familiar “nagpa-Grab ako” moment brought to life on T-shirts and tote bags. The collaboration marks the first partnership between a superapp and Uniqlo’s UTme! service in the Philippines. The customizable apparel is now available at select Uniqlo Printer Stores nationwide.

Designed in a blueprint-inspired visual style, the collection reimagines everyday Grab experiences as technical diagrams, complete with witty Filipino annotations. Each piece maps the small but memorable ways Grab fits into Filipino life, whether through a ride, a delivery, a meal, or a last-minute plan made under the summer sun.

Leading the lineup is “Gutom Na Ako: A Technical Breakdown,” a tribute to the deeply relatable act of rewarding oneself with a well-earned treat, complete with notes like “Dasurb ko ’to.” “Pa-Grab Mo Na Yan: A Technical Study” captures the everyday coordination behind successful

deliveries, while “A Guide To Booking A Chill Ride” maps out how Grab helps make spontaneous group plans easier through features like Group Ride. Rounding out the collection is “The Inner Workings Of Nag-Pa Grab Ako,” which turns the familiar rush of meeting a rider or delivery-partner at the gate into a fun, wearable schematic.

Customers can print the designs on T-shirts and tote bags at participating Uniqlo Printer Stores, including the Manila Global Flagship Store and stores in Mall of Asia, BGC High Street, Greenhills, the Nuvali Sta. Rosa Roadside Store, Ayala Center Cebu, and the Davao Roadside Store. To make the experience even more seamless, Grab is also offering users discounted rides to and from selected Uniqlo roadside and flagship stores nationwide.

The promo gives users 10-percent off rides, capped at P30 per ride, with no minimum fare requirement. Users can redeem the offer up to four times per month, or up to 36 times across the promo period. The ride promo is ongoing until February 27, 2027, excluding the Uniqlo Thank You Festival. Grab Philippines and Uniqlo will roll out the collection in two phases, with Phase 1 available until September 30, 2026. Customers can view the full design catalog and the participating stores through Uniqlo’s official UTme! page.

VARIOUS moments of my husband with our children...from small,

B8 Thursday, June 18, 2026

‘Bobet:’ Kind son, hero of Talacogon

By Kurtnhy Love Maderal

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur—The town’s evacuation gymnasium, built for typhoons and emergencies, has become a place of grief.

P ublic viewing for Rene Clert

“Bobet” N. Baterbonia opened here Tuesday, drawing residents who had waited through the night for his remains to come home.

The local government opened the viewing at 1 p.m. on June 16 at the Municipal Evacuation and Gymnasium in Barangay San Agustin.

B aterbonia, was an 18-yearold basketball player and Palarong Pambansa 2025 Most Valuable Player who drowned during an Ateneo de Manila University team-building activity on June 8 with teammate Divine Adili in Dipaculao, Aurora.

B aterbonia was an incoming freshman recruit of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

T he casket had arrived hours earlier, before dawn, but his townmates waited until the funeral convoy reached town before 2 a.m., lighting candles and shouting “MVP! MVP!” as the vehicle passed, with some weeping as the casket was brought inside the gymnasium.

The wake will run until June 23 and Baterbonia will be laid to rest on June 24, 16 days after he drowned. The local government said it would livestream the entire wake on its official

Italy lives up to lofty billing, Team USA in dominant win as VNL Pasig City unwraps

By Aldrin Quinto

ITH an intact core, world

WNo. 1 Italy came up with an impressive sweep, while seventh-ranked USA paraded a rejigged squad and likewise pulled off a dominant win at the start of the Pasig City leg of the Women’s Volleyball Nations League on Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena.

E katerina Antropova and Sarah Fahr showed the way as Italy got back on track with a 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Czechia.

The US got off to a flying start, with Jordan Thompson and Logan Eggleston taking charge in a 25-20, 25-19, 25-12 shellacking of the Dominican Republic. Italy and the US have identical 4-1 win-loss records in the FIVB’s premier annual international competition featuring 18 of the world’s elite volleyball teams.

The top eight after the nine legs advance to the final stage set in Macau. Fahr, making her first appearance in the VNL this season, sparked Italy’s opening-set surge with six points. The Italians bounced back from a five-set loss to Brazil over a week ago in Brasilia and improved their win-loss record to 4-1 in the FIVB’s premier annual international competition.

A ntropova sustained her scoring touch, delivering five points in the first set and finishing with a team-high 21, with 14 coming from attacks for Italy. Fahr wound up with 13 points, while Stella Nervini scored 12, delighting the lively midweek crowd in the event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Monika Brancuska, a 21-year-old opposite spiker, had 16 points, all on attacks for Czechia, which suffered its second loss in five outings. Skipper Michaela Mlejnkova added 11 points.

W ith skipper and setter Jordyn

Facebook page for relatives, friends and supporters who cannot attend in person. For many here, the loss is personal because he never stopped acting like one of them. Mary Ann Andig, a Talacogon resident, recalled seeing Baterbonia join Brigada Eskwela at Talacogon Central Elementary School SPED Center before the opening of classes, helping clean and repaint rooms for his younger sibling. Buotan jud siya na pagkaanak Celebrity na bitaw siya, pero nag-brigada jud siya para sa iyang manghod,” Andig said. “Pwede ra man mag -donation lang P300 lang, pero wala siya nag -donate. Ang brigada jud siya, naghinlo, nagpintal sa mga rooms.” ( He was really a good son. He was already a celebrity, but he still joined Brigada Eskwela for his younger siblings. He could have just given a donation, just P300, but he didn’t simply donate. He did the work himself, cleaning and painting the rooms.)

A mong those tending to relatives and visitors at the wake was Marilyn Balderas Plaza, an aunt of Baterbonia’s mother and the wife of Renato Goloran Plaza, who coached and managed the young player in his elementary years. She traced his rise from a restless boy to the recruit the country came to know.

because my husband was his coach and manager. He would take him to leagues with prizes of P1,000, P3,000, P5,000. By high school, he was discovered, and now he is an MVP. He was very kind, he had matured. He was restless as a child, but he had grown up.)

T he sentiment was echoed by the town’s leadership.

Talacogon Mayor Pauline Marie R. Masendo described Baterbonia as a “ buotan nga anak ” (a kind son) and a young athlete who brought honor to the municipality.

B aterbonia’s death cut short a fast-rising career.

H e was a former Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knight recruited by Ateneo de Manila, his “dream school,” after graduating from senior high school in April.

H e arrived in Manila on June 4 and four days later, he was dead. Authorities cited asphyxia due to drowning as the cause of death, and investigations remain ongoing.

T he grief had followed his remains

Poulter dictating the flow, the Americans converted efficiently and posted a 43-31 difference in attack points in the opener of VNL Week 2 presented by the Philippine Sports Commission. Thompson, a holdover from the USA’s Week 1 roster, came up with 13 of those attack points, while also scoring two aces.

W ith the Americans unleashing firepower—once clocking over 91 kilometers per hour from the service line—the Dominicans were often left scrambling to organize their offense.

Eggleston, also retained by USA for the Philippine leg, had 10 points, all from attacks, while Dana Rettke scored five attack points and five blocks as the USA improved its winloss record to 4-1.

The teams posted only two aces each, and although the Dominican Republic had the statistical edge in reception, 69-46 and sets 104-94, the US was firmly in control. Thompson noted it wasn’t the most fluid game for Team USA, but she was pleased with how players adjusted quickly.

“ Practicing, training and just trying to gel together as a group, since it was a new roster,” Thompson said. It wasn’t always pretty, but I think what we do really well is finding ways toi grit through it, even when it’s not exactly how we want it,” Thompson said.

Veteran outside hitter Yokaira Paola Pena Ysabel had eight points on seven attacks to lead the Dominican Republic, while young opposite Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz scored five, all on attacks. The Dominicans absorbed their fifth loss in as many matches.

Kaniadto sa gamay pa si Bobet, wala pa ta kabalo unsa iyang pangandoy. Sa elementary days niya, madala pa siya sa barkada,” Plaza said. “Sa high school, nausab na siya. Sugod siya sa dula-dula, mamati siya kung unsa ang advise sa iyang dula, si daddy nga akong bana ang nagdala-dala niya, kay coach ug manager man akong bana. Dalhon siya sa mga liga nga naay premyo, 1,000, 3,000, 5,000. -high school, na -discover na siya, ug karon MVP na siya. Buotan kaayo siya, -matured na. Laagan siya sa bata pa, pero karon na- matured na.” When Bobet was small, we didn’t yet know what his dream was. In his elementary days, he could still be swayed by his friends. In high school, he changed. He started with casual games, and he would listen to advice about his play, my husband, his daddy, was the one who brought him along,

JAICEE CERVANTES and Jehanne Mendoza moved shot 76 and 77, respectively, to lead the girls’ 7-10 division of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Eagle R idge Junior Philippine Golf Tour Championship on Wednesday in General Trias, Cavite.

C ervantes, fresh off a victory at Beverly Place, birdied t wo of her first three holes and survived a difficult stretch to take a one-shot lead, while Mendoza recovered from an early triple bogey to s tay firmly in contention.

Tyly Bernardino carded an 81 for third place in the tournament played at Eagle Ridge’s Aoki course.

C ervantes and Mendoza entered the tournament ranked third and fourth in the Luzon standings and are seeking to join already-qualified Winter Serapio and Andrea Dee in the North squad.

A nother win by Cervantes and a runner-up finish by Mendoza could secure the remaining Finals slots, while challengers Cecilia Mamauag and Laura Pablo face an uphill battle after opening with 90 and 91, respectively, at the challenging par-72 layout.

ITALY’S Ekaterina Antropova soars high and strong at the net to score against her Czechian defenders. NONIE REYES

By Josef Ramos

“ I need to work on my short game tomorrow,” said Cervantes, 9, of Assumption College, who moved closer to completing back-to-back victories. But after a solid start, she found the greens difficult to read, yielding seven bogeys against just one more birdie to finish with a 40-36. The boys’ 7-10 division remains

Quincy Pilac matched 78s, Georgina Handog shot a 79, and Shantelle Laurel and Ronee Dungca carded 80 and 81, respectively.

PEOPLE from all walks of life in Agusan del Sur pay their last respects for Rene Clert

“Bobet” N. Baterbonia at the Municipal Evacuation and Gymnasium in Barangay San Agustin in Agusan del Sur. KLM PHOTO