2.8-percent economic expansion in the first quarter has made the government’s growth target a tall order this year, with economists warning that mounting domestic and global headwinds could further weigh on the country’s recovery momentum.
The Philippine Statistics Author ity (PSA) on Thursday reported that the latest print marked the weak est gross domestic product (GDP) growth since the 3.8 percent con traction recorded in the first quar ter of 2021 at the height of the pan demic.
Excluding the pandemic years, it was the slowest expansion since the fourth quarter of 2009, when the economy posted a 1.8 percent growth. For economists, the weak first quarter outturn suggests that the Marcos administration’s 5 to 6 per cent growth target may now be out of reach.
LONG‑TERM ENERGY CRISIS WORRIES ASEAN TRADE CHIEFS
By Malou Talosig‑Bartolome
LAPU ‑LAPU CITY—Eco nomic ministers of the 11‑member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) voiced concern that the energy crisis triggered by the US‑Israel war against Iran could have lasting effects on the re gion.
Trade Secretary Cristina Al deguer‑Roque said that at their meeting Thursday in Cebu, her Asean counterparts shared how their economies are coping with the surge in oil prices.
Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) economist Alvin P. Ang
If missed, it would mark the fourth consecutive year that the government has failed to meet its growth goal. “The real GDP growth target of the [government] in 2026 is I think no longer attainable,” Former Socio economic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas told the BusinessMirror Canlas said several factors have continued to weigh on growth, in cluding the fallout from last year’s corruption scandal and the coun try’s ballooning public debt. These, combined with prolonged tensions in the Middle East that have pushed up global oil prices and affected domestic supply, could make it more difficult for the econ omy to regain momentum in the coming quarters.
“We compared how we han dled the Middle East crisis. It’s not just short‑term—it looks like it will have a long‑term ef fect,” Aldeguer‑Roque, chair of
the Asean Economic Ministers’ Meeting, told the BusinessMirror after talks at Shangri‑La Mac tan Hotel.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted nearly 20 percent of global oil supply, sending prices up more than 50 percent.
Economic ministers also met with their foreign minister counterparts on Thursday, with the Middle East crisis again tak ing center stage.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the joint ses sion identified practical response measures—strengthening en ergy security, safeguarding food supplies, and coordinating hu manitarian efforts.
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
ARSENIO M. BALISACAN,
the country’s chief econo mist, is keeping an open mind on proposals to expand in come tax exemptions if the gov ernment can replace the revenues needed to sustain public spending.
Balisacan, who also heads the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), said on Thursday that any reduction in income taxes must be matched with alternative revenue sources to avoid weakening the government’s capac ity to fund basic services and infra structure projects.
“I am in favor of reducing taxes, especially those that burden the poor and the middle class, but we have to find replacement for very
much needed tax revenues,” Bali sacan said during a chance inter view.
“Unless we are able to do that, what you remove might actually hurt the very group that you are trying to help,” he added.
Several lawmakers have filed pro posals in recent months seeking to amend income tax rates for individ ual taxpayers as households grapple with rising prices amid global sup ply uncertainties and tensions in the Middle East.
Among these is the proposed Patas na Ambag sa Tax para sa Angat Sahod (PATAS) bill filed by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).
to P600,000 annually, from paying income tax.
In the Senate, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian has also proposed raising the tax-exempt threshold to P400,000 annually to increase workers’ disposable income and support household spending, a major driver of economic activity.
At present, the country follows a graduated income tax system under the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.
Individuals earning up to P250,000 annually are exempt from income tax, while higher income brackets are taxed progressively, with rates reaching as high as 35 percent.
Balisacan said the government must carefully weigh proposals to raise the exemption threshold, noting that public revenues are needed to finance education, healthcare, roads, and other infrastructure and social services.
“The thrust of the Marcos administration is to bring those services as close to the people as possible, which means spending more for quality services. So we are sensitive to that,” he said.
Balisacan also urged Congress to identify new revenue streams if it plans to push through with measures lowering income taxes to ensure uninterrupted delivery of government services.
The DepDev has yet to provide an estimation on the potential revenue losses should the proposed measures be enacted.
Rice tariff collection down 59% on 4-mo import freeze
By Ada Pelonia
THEcountry’s rice tariff collection plunged by 59 percent to P13.9 billion in 2025 as shipments slumped to its lowest level due to the fourmonth import freeze.
Data obtained by the BusinessMirror showed that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P13.9 billion in rice duties last year, from the record P34.2 billion in 2024.
Broken down, tariff collections in the first quarter amounted to P4.3 billion, second quarter at P5.47 billion, third quarter at P3.6 billion, and fourth quarter at P511.43 million.
Continued from A1
likewise agreed, saying the spillover effects of the ongoing crisis are expected to ripple across the broader
Tariff collections plummeted in the last quarter of 2025 after the government slapped a temporary ban on foreign rice shipments to prop up farmgate price of palay that fell to a low of P8 per kilo.
It was initially set to last for only 60 days starting September 1, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended this until December 31 to stabilize
economy in the coming months.
“The target growth is unlikely due to the crisis secondary effects rolling over throughout the year,” Ang told the BusinessMirror
Based on PSA data, household final consumption expenditure—long considered the main driver of domestic
prices of unmilled rice.
The ban covered regular and well-milled rice, excluding special varieties such as Japonica, glutinous, and basmati rice.
Figures from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that the Philippines imported 3.39 million metric tons (MMT) of rice in 2025, the lowest level in four years since the 2.77 MMT posted in 2021.
With the global oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war squeezing farmers’ margins and the threats posed by El Niño in the second half, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said rice arrivals in 2026 could hit a new record high.
DA officials project palay output this year to fall within a range of 18.6 MMT to 18.8 MMT
demand—slowed further to 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, continuing its decline from 5.3 percent in the same period last year.
The PSA said this was the slowest household spending growth since the pandemic-era contraction of 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2022. Excluding the pandemic years, it was the weakest since the third quarter of 2010 at 2.6 percent.
Gross capital formation, the investment component of the economy, also contracted by 3.3 percent in the first quarter.
While this was an improvement from the 9.4 percent decline recorded in the previous quarter, it was significantly weaker than the 0.9 percent growth posted in the first quarter of 2025.
De La Salle University (DLSU) economist Ella C. Oplas said the current situation highlights how difficult it may be for the government to achieve its growth target, especially since household spending remains the main driver of the economy.
She said uncertainty is causing consumers to hold back spending, which in turn pushes businesses to slow production and investors to think twice about expanding.
“How can we consume when we are insecure about our tomorrow? We don’t even know if we get to retain our jobs tomorrow,” Oplas told the BusinessMirror
Stagflation risks
MEANWHILE , Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) John Paolo R. Rivera warned that the weak first quarter growth also raises the risk of stagflation.
Stagflation refers to a situation where economic growth slows while inflation and unemployment remain elevated at the same time.
Inflation has continued to accelerate in recent months, with headline inflation rising to 4.1 percent in March and surging further to 7.2 percent in April.
Unemployment, meanwhile, remained at the 5-percent level during the first three months of the year.
“The economy is still growing and services remain relatively resilient. But the combination of slowing growth, high inflation, and weaker investment momen-
if prices of inputs—fertilizer and fuel—sustain their upward momentum.
The latest outlook was lower than the agency’s initial 20.28 MMT forecast for this year before the price shocks and is poised to be the lowest in a decade should it materialize.
With farmgate prices of palay sliding to as low as P16 per kilo in key rice-producing areas as the main harvest season nears its completion, the DA is looking at curbing rice imports once more.
The DA said it is considering limiting monthly rice imports volumes from June to August to “balance supply and farmgate price concerns.” This will ensure sufficient domestic supply while preventing a farmgate price collapse.
tum is clearly a warning sign,” Rivera told the BusinessMirror Ang also noted that persistent weakness in investment confidence could eventually make stagflation pressures “become evident sooner.”
Stronger execution needed AMID the government’s repeated failure to hit its growth targets, Rivera said the issue may not necessarily be the absence of policies, but the need for stronger execution and better coordination to address deeper structural issues in the economy.
“This suggests that the current policy mix may be struggling to fully address structural constraints such as weak investment confidence, high logistics and energy costs, slow project implementation, and vulnerabilities to external shocks,” he said.
Ang added that the Marcos administration should “build structural resilience, improve institutions, restore trust in governance and to fast-track reforms to improve infrastructure spending.”
For her part, Oplas said the more important measure of economic management goes beyond GDP growth, noting that the government must also focus on economic development by improving people’s welfare.
“Economic development is about the capacity of the government to manage inflation [which they failed to], maintain low unemployment [which they also failed to], and of course sustain economic growth [which they also failed too],” she added.
Revisiting targets WITH mounting risks ahead, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary (DepDev) Arsenio M. Balisacan admitted that it is now a “foregone conclusion” that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will once again revisit its growth target.
“We don’t expect to achieve the kind of growth that we expected to happen a year ago given recent developments,” Balisacan said.
It may be recalled that the DBCC had already lowered its 2026 growth target in January to 5 to 6 percent from the earlier 6 to 7 percent goal.
Targets for 2027 and 2028 were likewise trimmed to 5.5 to 6.5 percent and 6 to 7 percent, respectively.
“We definitely will move our targets lower because given the situation, especially the global uncertainty remaining highly elevated, our pre-Middle East conflict assumptions would no longer hold,” Balisacan said.
The DBCC is scheduled to meet next week to review the country’s macroeconomic targets.
Proposals included diversifying energy sources, suppliers, and routes; enhancing food monitoring and information-sharing; and reinforcing intra-A sean trade, investment, and supply chains. The ministers likewise explored the creation of a crisis communication protocol at the ministerial level to ensure coherent, timely, and coordinated responses to future shocks
In Cebu, diesel ang gasoline now cost more than P80 per liter.
Net importers like the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Singapore are bearing the brunt through inflation and current-account pressures, while exporters such as Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia gain revenue but still face rising domestic fuel and utility costs.
Economists warn that countries with weak fiscal buffers—Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar—are most vulnerable, while Singapore’s strong reserves provide some cushion.
The Philippines, importing virtually all of its oil from the Middle East, declared a state of national energy emergency in March, with estimates that 1.3 million–3.1 million Filipinos could fall into poverty if the crisis persists.
Initiatives for Leaders AGAINST this backdrop, the ministers discussed initiatives they plan to elevate to Asean leaders, who convene Friday in Lapu-L apu City.
Among the proposals are the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), designed to strengthen oil-sharing mechanisms and coordinated stockpiling, and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), aimed at deepening regional digital integration.
DTI Undersecretary Allan Gepty explained that one of DEFA’s core pillars is accelerating regional payment interconnectivity to enable faster, cheaper, and more secure cross-border transactions.
“The online platform is one equalizer for our MSMEs to access foreign markets. And I think to come up with a set of rules that would govern transactions online would be highly welcome—including our initiative on regional payment interconnectivity,” Gepty added.
borrowing needs rise further, debt levels could face additional upward pressure,” he warned.
To keep debt levels manageable, Rivera stressed prudent spending. “Spend wisely and effectively so we do not create more debt. Avoid ghost spending that does not bring multiplier effects.”
“What’s concerning is whether interventions are being made to mitigate this [oil crisis] and whether we are being proactive in addressing the ballooning NG debt or just responding to it,” he added.
17,904.02MW, were terminated and relinquished in 2024 and 2025. “Out of the 17,904 megawatts of terminated contracts for 2025 and 2024, Solar Philippines would be about, if I’m correct here, 11,427 megawatts. That’s more or less equivalent to 64 percent of the terminated contracts,” Garin had said.
For failure to meet contractual obligations, the agency imposed a penalty of at least P24 billion on the units of SPPPHI that were cited by the DOE.
The complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Wednesday. However, it has not been yet formally docketed as it remains under evaluation.
“Should the evidence, upon evaluation, be found sufficient, the complaint will be docketed accordingly for the conduct of a preliminary investigation,” DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said.
PMA trains cadets in warfare strategies using AI, e-games
By Marilou Guieb
THE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Superin -
Vice Admiral Cae -
tendent,
sar Bernard N. Valencia, speaking to the local media on what is new with Class 2026 Talang Dangal, said the academy has introduced “microcredentials” or short courses to bridge learning gaps and expose the cadets to emerging fields.
Valencia said that it is the call of the higher-ups to level the playing field because the battle has shifted from anti-insurgency to territorial defense, adding that the Class of 2026 is the first batch to be exposed to a multi- domain task unity during the joint field training exercise done in April. The training event prepares cadets for modern warfare.
“The training integrates land, air and naval components to prepare cadets to be proficient in drone, cyber and cognitive warfare,” he said. The exercise had an emphasis on the joint employment of the army, air force and the navy.
This multi-domain task exercise trained cadets in modern warfare concepts involving cognitive domain, cyberspace and unmanned systems.
Through microcredentials, cadets undertook special classes in Python programming, data analytics, unmanned systems, electronic warfare and fundamanetals of artificial intelligence (AI).
Talang Dangal is the first in gamefield training, using electronic games as learning tools for strategy, decision-making and small unit tactics, opening the door to future collaboration with the United States Military Academy
“This will sharpen cadets’ strategic thinking, maximize technology, and allow cadets from both academies to train and compete in the virtual space,” Valencia said.
Following this direction compels the PMA to invest in modern learning facilities such as simulators, a rappeling tower, modern classrooms, a robust e-library, digital infrastructures, and the ongoing construction of the Henry Sy Hall which will accommodate a growing cadet population to serve as a mess hall and multi—purpose building.
In other areas, members of the Class of 2026, also participated in the International Forum on Peace, Security and Prosperity held in Palermo, Italy, where PMA placed ninth out of 32 entries in the Research Poster Contest.
PMA plans to increase its cadet population to 2,000 by 2040 to ensure the PMA can suport future manpower requirments of the Armed Forces (AFP). The cadet corps is currently 1,300 strong.
Valencia also said that the academy continues to support the AFP’s defense cooperation efforts through military education, people-to- people engagement, and stronger partnerships with counterpart military academies. PMA currently has 45 FPTCI cadets in five countries: USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and India. Further, the academy will expand cadet exchange opportunities with the upcoming semesterlong cadet exchange programs with the Italian Naval Academy and the Royal Military College Saint- Jean, Canada.
Valencia also announced that to bring global expertise closer to cadets, the PMA continues to invite foreign lecturers and subject matter experts to discuss emerging security trends such as drone warfare, the Arabian Sea, and the Indo-Pacific security environment.
The PMA will host the International Cadet Conference 2026 in September, the first cadet-led international conference of its kind in the academy.
Squatters in Lapu-Lapu City given 2-week paid ‘vacation’
By Carmel Pedroza
APU-LAPU CITY—Authori-
Lties stepped up security and safety measures ahead of the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, with the temporary relocation of dozens of families and intensified enforcement of a regional gun ban.
A total of 66 families from sitio Ka Isko, located behind the Mactan Expo Center—the summit’s main venue—were moved to a hotel in nearby Cordova town since April 28.
The relocation was ordered by the National Organizing Committee (NOC) to ensure the safety of both residents and visiting delegates during the high-level gathering.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King Chan, in an interview, clarified that the decision was mandated at the national level, with the local government implementing the directive.
She added that while the move displaced residents, it also opened opportunities for welfare support.
During a visit on May 2, Chan noted that evacuees were participating in structured daily activities, including family-oriented events, livelihood training, wellness sessions, and recreational programs aimed at maintaining both physical and mental wellbeing.
The city government is shoul -
Six Batangas congressmen file resolution condemning Leviste
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
SIX lawmakers from Batangas have filed a resolution at the House of Representatives condemning what they described as “baseless, malicious, and irresponsible” allegations made by Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto.
House Resolution 994, filed on May 6, was authored by Batangas Reps. Ryan Recto, Amado Carlos Bolilia IV, King George Collantes, Beverly Rose Dimacuha, and Gerville Luistro.
The resolution expressed “firm solidarity and support” for Recto and Santos-Recto following Leviste’s privilege speech delivered on May 5, 2026, where he linked the two officials to supposed anomalies in Batangas.
The resolution said the accusations were made “without any competent, verifiable, or documentary evidence,” and relied solely on anonymous and uncorroborated claims.
The Batangas lawmakers stressed that while members of Congress are granted parliamentary immunity and freedom of speech under the Constitution, such privilege “should not be abused to put forth personal interests in the guise of public service.”
“The deliberate airing of unverified allegations in a privileged forum constitutes a grave misuse
of legislative authority and undermines the integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution,” the resolution stated.
The lawmakers further accused Leviste of spreading unverified information and “misleading narratives,” saying such conduct was unbecoming of a member of Congress.
The resolution also raised concerns that Leviste’s remarks may have been politically motivated, particularly in the context of future elections, and intended to damage the public image of Recto and Santos-Recto.
“ES Recto and Gov. Santos-Recto have, for decades, demonstrated exemplary leadership, unquestioned integrity, and steadfast dedication to public service,” the resolution read.
The lawmakers cited the development programs implemented in Batangas under the leadership of Santos-Recto, particularly the HEARTS program, which stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism, and Social Services.
They noted that Batangas experienced “transformative growth” under her administration, gaining national recognition for improvements in governance and public welfare.
The resolution also credited Recto, a former senator, for helping secure infrastructure projects, economic support, and national government programs that contributed to the province’s development agenda.
House Resolution 994 formally calls on the House of Representatives to condemn the allegations raised by Leviste and reaffirm support for what the lawmakers described as the Rectos’ “enduring legacy of service to the Filipino people and to the Province of Batangas.”
Earlier, Leviste delivered a privileged speech on Batangas politics in which he accused his House colleague and fellow Batangueño, Party-lilst Rep. Edwin Gardiola of the Construction Workers Solidarity, of funding the election campaign of certain local politicians.
Leviste accused Gardiola of allegedly inviting him to join a scheme, along with Recto, to conduct business transactions with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in his district.
For his part, Leviste defended his privilege speech.
In a statement, Leviste argued that House Resolution 994 did not directly refute his claims involving Gardiola.
Leviste questioned whether the allegations he raised regarding Gardiola’s alleged involvement in campaign activities for SantosRecto were true, noting that the
resolution did not specifically deny them.
“Thus, my first response is to ask: Totoo ba ang mga sinabi ko tungkol kay Cong. Edwin Gardiola at gumastos ba siya para sa kampanya nina Gov. Vilma? Dahil sa resolusyon hindi nakalagay na hindi totoo ang sinabi ko tungkol kay Gardiola,” he added. The lawmaker also maintained that his remarks were supported by photographs and social media posts that he had previously uploaded online.
According to Leviste, the materials included photos allegedly showing Recto, Santos-Recto, and Gardiola together during a meeting with Batangas mayors at Tagaytay Highlands, where Gardiola was supposedly introduced as the host and sponsor of a raffle event.
He also cited a photo of Recto and Gardiola together during Barakofest 2025, where Gardiola allegedly donated three Toyota Vios units for a “Last to Take Hands Off Challenge,” which Leviste claimed became the subject of a complaint before the Commission on Elections.
Leviste further pointed to photos allegedly showing him dining with Recto and Gardiola in Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, as well as another image showing Recto and Gardiola together on a yacht in the same area.
The congressman said these images contradicted claims that Recto and Gardiola only shared a “purely professional relationship.” He also referenced a Facebook post by Gardiola regarding a meeting with Recto to discuss road projects that would connect various parts of Batangas.
Phivolcs expands Mayon’s danger zone
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga & Rex Anthony Naval
dering all relocation-related expenses, including accommodation, food, and other daily needs.
Edgar Forrosuelo, president of the Lampara Urban Poor Association, in a news report by local station MyTV Cebu, described the experience as manageable, saying it felt “like a vacation” for some families.
The relocation is set to last until May 9, aligning with the conclusion of summit activities, after which residents are expected to return home.
Meanwhile, security operations all over Central Visayas have intensified. The Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) reported the arrest of six individuals for violating the gun ban imposed on May 4.
Authorities also seized nine firearms through a combination of voluntary surrender, police response operations, and a buy-bust operation.
The acting regional police commander, Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad, said full-scale security deployments are in place, with close coordination among law enforcement agencies to prevent threats and maintain order throughout the summit.
PRO7 has urged the public to remain vigilant, comply with all regulations, and report suspicious activities, stressing that community cooperation is essential in ensuring the peaceful and secure conduct of one of Southeast Asia’s most significant diplomatic events.
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has expanded the Mayon Volcano’s danger zone from a radius of six kilometers to eight kilometers.
At the same time, Phivolcs advised communities within an 8-kilometer radius of Mayon to be ready for evacuation in case monitoring parameters suddenly escalate and the volcano status is raised to Alert Level 4, which signifies that a hazardous explosive eruption is imminent and could occur within hours or days.
In its Volcanic Activity Report for Mayon Volcano issued at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Phivolcs said that while Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest prevails over Mayon, one of the country’s most active volcanoes and renowned for its near-perfect cone shape, effusive eruption is still ongoing and continues to feed new lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) or uson and rockfall on the southern and eastern slopes of the volcano continues to happen.
“The public is further reminded that entry into the six-kilometer-radius PDZ must be strictly prohibited, especially in the southern sector of Mayon Volcano due to the chances of life-threatening PDCs similar to the May 2, 2026 PDC series occurring again and impacting these areas,” Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs said PDCs move at speeds that cannot be outrun and can burn, bury, forcefully impact, and asphyxiate all living things in their path.
“Communities within a seven-kilometer radius from the crater must prepare in case similar large PDC events recur, and evacuation areas are recommended to be expanded under the prevailing Alert Level,” it said.
Meanwhile, in the event of significant ashfall, Phivolcs said communities must safeguard against the health impacts of ash inhalation, as well as from impacts on transportation or travel safety, food and water resources.
Lahar, sediments
PHIVOLCS also said that increased vigilance against lahar and sediment-laden streamflow along channels draining the edifice, most especially the Mi-isi-Binaan Channel and adjacent areas, must be exercised in the event heavy rains occur over the volcano.
“Lahars, especially hot lahars generated from new PDC deposits, and sediment-laden streamflow can cause life-threatening injuries, washout, and burial. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” it said.
Since the onset of magmatic eruption on 6 January 2026, activity at Mayon Volcano has been dominated by nearly steady-rate lava effusion or non-explosive eruption of lava from its summit crater.
Phivolcs said that the ashfall event on May 2 has affected 109 barangays in four cities or municipalities, namely Ligao City, Camalig, Guinobatan, and Oas.
Phivolcs said that from 1 January to 4 May 2026, a total of 8,926 volcanic earthquakes and 2,291 PDC and 36,738 rockfall signals have been recorded by the Mayon Volcano Observatory (MVO). It reported that seismicity has been dominated by low-frequency volcanic earthquakes (LFVQs) that are associated with volcanic gas activity within the shallow levels of the volcanic edifice.
In addition, some 4,599 minor Strombolian activity and 480 SLLF episodes have occurred. Sulfur emission for this period averaged 2,562 tonnes/day, with
a peak of 7,633 tonnes/day measured on 6 March 2026.
Health safeguards
THE National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Thursday ordered all police personnel to observe strict health safeguards to protect them from respiratory risks posed by heavy volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide exposure due to Mayon Volcano’s activities as they go about their checkpoint and other humanitarian response duties.
In a statement, Nartatez also ordered regional commanders to provide highfiltration face masks and adequate hydration supplies to all ground units as he emphasized that operational effectiveness depended heavily on the physical wellbeing of the officers exposed to hazardous volcanic conditions.
“We have to look after the welfare of our personnel on the ground, especially those heavily-exposed to volcanic ash, being the frontliners of government response and assistance,” Nartatez stressed.
PNP personnel are also among those who were tapped to clear roads in affected areas in Albay.
Army deploys HADR teams
THE Army (PA) on Thursday said it has deployed troops and transport assets to communities heavily affected by Mayon Volcano’s heavy spewing of ash on May 2.
In a statement,the Army spokesperson, Col. Louie Dema-ala, said troops and assets from the Ninth Infantry “ Spear” Division were deployed in Camalig, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Ligao City, and Malilipot, on May 5.
These units include the 31st Infantry Battalion which has three disaster response units (DRUs) comprising 23 soldiers and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Auxiliary members, as well as three
vehicles in barangay Salugan, Camalig, Albay, he said.
“Meanwhile, the 49th Infantry Battalion has deployed a DRU with five enlisted personnel, four CAA members, and one vehicle at Guinobatan, plus liaisons in Legazpi, Guinobatan, and Ligao City,” Dema-ala said.
Aside from these, Dema-ala said the 9th Infantry Division has 22 DRUs on standby, ready to reinforce deployed units against potential worsening volcanic activity.
“As of this date, more than 4,000 food packs have been distributed as part of the initial wave of relief to residents affected and displaced by the volcano unrest in the nine municipalities and cities of Albay, including Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Tabaco, Malilipot, Legazpi, Ligao, Santo Domingo, and Bacacay,” he said. The volcanic unrest of Mayon Volcano remains characterized by intermittent ash emissions, lava effusion, and the threat of pyroclastic density currents or uson and lava flows, particularly within the permanent danger zone as of this time.
“The PA humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations include dedicated troops operating in full swing in partnership with local disaster response offices and other government units to ensure the safety of Filipinos in times of unrest and crises,” Dema-ala said.
The Armed Forces (AFP) said it also continues to augment its HADR operations in affected areas.
“The AFP is working closely with partner agencies to ensure essential services remain accessible, including maintaining passable roads and supporting ongoing clearing operations in ash-affected areas,” the AFP spokesperson, Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, said in a separate message. “Assistance continues to reach affected families both inside and outside evacuation centers,” she said. With PNA
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Support for Sara impeachment snowballs at House
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALEADER of the House of Representatives on Thursday said about 215 lawmakers are now backing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and a member of the House Committee on Justice, said the chamber expects the impeachment proceedings in the plenary to move forward swiftly.
“From consultations, we are now at around 215 House members supporting the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ridon told reporters.
In a separate interview, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno expressed confidence that the impeachment bid would easily surpass the constitutional requirement of onethird of House members, or at least 106 votes.
Puno said support for the impeachment had already been strong even during the initial stages of the proceedings before the House Committee on Justice.
“We’re here now… reaching 106 votes is easy. In fact, I believe we already had 106 even before. During the discussions on form and substance alone, the 106 votes were already very achievable,” Puno said, adding that the release of more information and evidence had further
Senator urges DOTr: Expand net service contracting
SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian is urging Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) to expand its net service contracting program to ensure steady income for drivers of public utilityh vehicles (PUVs) as higher fuel prices continue to keep many off their usual rotes.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the PROTECT ad hoc panel, said he is ready to back the program with funding when Congress takes up a supplemental budget under the proposed Bayanihan 3 measure.
“I can see that this program is really meant to help the income of our drivers. The drivers are working and they earn something,” the senator said. The program is a government subsidy that pays PUV operators and drivers a fixed rate per kilometer, ensuring stable income regardless of passenger volume, while granting passengers a 20-percent fare discount. This performance-based system reduces operational risks from high fuel costs and covers thousands of routes nationwide.
While cash aid from the DSWD provides relief to PUV drivers, Gatchalian emphasized that the priority is to keep them on their regular routes, preventing transport disruptions and enabling them to earn.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency needs P5 billion to run the program for two to three months and stressed the need for local government support. So far, the DOTr has allocated P740 million, enough for about 10 days. Butch Fernandez
clarified the issue for lawmakers and the public.
Puno, who also chairs the National Unity Party (NUP), disclosed that 34 of the party’s 55 members voted in favor of impeachment during a recent secret-ballot straw vote.
“We had a meeting the other day and conducted a straw vote. I asked them to cast their votes through a secret ballot. At that time, around 34 voted yes,” Puno said.
He added that support within the party could still increase, estimating that at least 36 NUP lawmakers may ultimately back the impeachment complaint.
Puno also projected that support from other major political parties such as Lakas-CMD, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and several party-list representatives could raise the total number of votes to around 180 or even higher.
According to Puno, lawmakers are continuing consultations in their respective districts as they assess public sentiment on the impeachment proceedings. He noted, however, that discussions within the House have gradually shifted away from emotions and are now centered more on the evidence presented during committee hearings.
At least 200 PARTY-LIST Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog on Thursday expressed confidence that at least 200 members
of the House of Representatives— around two-thirds of its membership—will vote to impeach Duterte when the measure reaches the plenary on Monday.
Acidre said internal monitoring indicates strong support for the impeachment move.
“Based on our monitoring, I think we’re going to hit the majority number, we’re hoping the result would be as much as or even higher than the impeachment last time, we’re hoping that at least 200 or 215, that’s really the goal,” he said.
“As of now, I can confidently say it will be above 180,” he said, referring to vote estimates made earlier by House leaders.
Acidre attributed the growing support to the clarificatory hearings conducted by the House Committee on Justice, where evidence was presented and scrutinized in determining probable cause.
He noted that the process this time around was more comprehensive compared to previous proceedings.
According to Acidre, the hearings helped convince more lawmakers to support the impeachment bid.
He added that early hesitation among some lawmakers has gradually diminished as the evidence was presented.
Acidre also said the proceedings, which were broadcast on television and social media, helped inform the public and lawmakers alike.
On party-list support, Acidre said at least 47 of more than 60 party-list representatives are expected to vote in favor of impeachment.
He added that while he would still engage those with reservations, he respects differing positions, noting that some party-list groups have close ties with the Vice President and the previous administration.
Strongest grounds
PARTY-LIST Rep. Manuel Tadeo Diokno said the strongest grounds for impeaching Duterte is the allegation of unexplained wealth tied to billions of pesos in transactions linked to her accounts and those of her spouse.
“If you go by previous impeachment cases that reached the Senate, then of course the biggest issue, and to me it’s a very valid issue, is the issue of unexplained wealth,” he said.
Diokno pointed to Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to her lawful income and for allegedly failing to fully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
The impeachment article cited Anti-Money Laundering Council records allegedly showing more than P6.7 billion in covered and suspicious transactions involving
Group reiterates call to stop Manila Bay reclamation projects
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
THE Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Thursday reiterated its call to permanently stop all reclamation projects at Manila Bay in the wake of reports that the local government of Bacoor, Cavite, is moving to demolish shanties along a coastal barangay to pave the way for its reclamation projects.
In a statement, Pamalakaya National Chairperson Fernando Hicap said that the cumulative study of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) “appears useless” as several reclamation projects at Manila Bay continue to push through. The group was referring to the cumulative impact assessment of the said agency, which affirmed the environmental and geohazard costs of reclamation.
“The DENR has not done anything concrete to address
the worsening conditions of marine biodiversity of Manila Bay courtesy of reclamation projects and seabed quarrying. The cumulative study was not followed by an actual change in policy,” Hicap said.
Pamalakaya cited a coastal village in Bacoor City, which is bracing for an impending demolition to pave the way for the 420-hectare reclamation project of the Frabelle Fishing Corp. (FFC), a company owned by the family of current Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.
On April 30, fishermen and residents received a verbal notice from the local government about the forcible demolition of houses, triggering a protest from the affected residents. Despite being given relocation site in Naic, Cavite, most fishermen still return to Bacoor City because their livelihood primarily relies on the sea.
Pamalakaya urged the Agriculture Secretary to “withdraw” the reclamation project of FFC,
underscoring the priority of the said agency to ensure that sources of agricultural and fisheries products, especially fishing grounds, are intact.
“ Hindi ba’t tungkulin ng DA na tiyaking walang aberya sa produksyon ng pagkain? Ang reklamasyon ng pamilya ng Kalihim nito ay nagdulot ng signipikanteng pagbagsak sa produksyon ng isda hindi lamang sa Bacoor City, kundi sa mga karatig bayan nito.
Sa buong Manila Bay, naitala ang malubhang epekto ng reklamasyon sa kabuhayan ng maraming mangingisda Nakakabahala ang pagdami ng mga mangingisdang tumitigil sa pagpalaot ng labag sa kanilang kagustuhan dahil sa pagbagsak ng kalidad ng pangisdaan ,” Hicap said.
In 2024, Pamalakaya and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment sought Writs of Kalikasan and continuing mandamus against various reclamation and seabed quarrying projects at Manila Bay.
Airbus, Assist launch Resilient Communities Program in Manila
AIRBUS and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) have officially launched the Resilient Communities Program, a strategic community initiative designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and longterm sustainability in Barangay 649, Baseco, Manila.
The partnership focuses on delivering scalable solutions across four key pillars: food security through a community garden, energy resilience through solar lighting community hubs, water security via rainwater harvesting systems, and disaster risk reduction through a Master of Disaster (MOD) capacity building game.
Duterte and her spouse between 2007 and 2024.
Diokno stressed that the issue goes beyond declarations in the SALN and centers on explaining how billions of pesos allegedly passed through accounts connected to the Vice President.
He also defended the House Committee on Justice against accusations of persecution, saying Duterte had repeatedly been invited to attend hearings and present her side.
Lawyers for Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, earlier said the Bank of the Philippine Islands clarified that a reported “P2 billion” transaction figure was actually “P2 million,” which they attributed to a supposed system glitch.
Still, Diokno maintained that discrepancies between declared assets in Duterte’s SALNs and financial institution records should be examined during a Senate impeachment trial.
RTC junks Carpio plea
IN a related development, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Quezon City dismissed a petition filed by Carpio seeking to halt the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, ruling that courts cannot interfere with the constitutional powers of the House of Representatives in impeachment cases.
In a five-page order dated May 6, 2026, Judge Madonna C. Echiverri of Branch 81 of the RTC
in Quezon City dismissed Carpio’s petition for prohibition and denied his request for a writ of preliminary injunction against Speaker Faustino G. Dy III, House Committee on Justice chairperson Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, and Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza.
“The petition for prohibition is DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction. The prayer for issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction is DENIED,” the court said in its ruling received by the House of Representatives. Carpio sought to block the House justice panel from enforcing subpoenas and proceeding with actions tied to the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
The RTC ruled that the House panel was lawfully exercising its constitutional powers, including the authority to issue subpoenas in impeachment proceedings.
Citing Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, the court stressed that the House has the “exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.”
The court also said the petition should have been filed before the Supreme Court since the respondents were acting as part of a co-equal branch of government. The ruling came after the House Committee on Justice unanimously found probable cause to impeach Duterte and approved the Articles of Impeachment for transmittal to the plenary.
House Justice panel seeks Sara’s removal as VP, DQ from public office, prosecution
THE House Committee on Justice wants the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to convict Vice President Sara Duterte on all four articles of impeachment, remove her from office, permanently disqualify her from holding any public office, and hold her liable for prosecution and punishment under existing laws.
The impeachment complaint, contained in House Committee Report N261 titled “Resolution Setting Forth the Articles of Impeachment Against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte,” has been distributed to lawmakers and uploaded to the official website of the House of Representatives.
Congressmen are expected to vote on the impeachment complaint on May 11 after reviewing the Articles and supporting evidence.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, unexplained wealth, and threats against top government officials.
Article I focused on the alleged misuse and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President [OVP] and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s tenure as Vice President and Education secretary.
The impeachment article claimed Duterte rapidly exhausted P125 million in confidential funds within 11 days in December 2022, despite several holidays during the period, raising questions on the legitimacy of the transactions. It also cited alleged irregularities involving “safe house rentals,” questionable liquidation documents, and the use of unauthorized intermediaries in handling confidential funds.
Lawmakers also cited findings from the Commission on Audit (COA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), including allegedly fabricated acknowledgment receipts and unverifiable names listed in liquidation documents.
The program launch, held at the Amadome Covered Court, marked the culmination of a rigorous needs assessment and planning phase involving local residents. By engaging stakeholders from the local government (LGU), the Barangay InterAgency Network (Bian), and local schools, the project ensures that the solutions are not only delivered to the community but are designed and managed by them.
“Airbus is committed in driving meaningful change in the locations where we live and work,” said Juha-Pekka Hoikka, Airbus Country Representative in the Philippines.
“At the very outset of her tenure, although the conduct of surveillance activities was not part of the mandate of her office, respondent sought access to confidential funds, requesting substantial allocations for the Office of the Vice President (‘OVP’),” Article I stated.
Article II accused Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth allegedly disproportionate to her lawful income. The complaint cited her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which showed her family’s net worth increasing from about P7.2 million in 2007 to P88.5 million in 2024.
The impeachment article further referenced Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records allegedly involving P6.7 billion in covered and suspicious transactions connected to Duterte and her spouse, lawyer Manases Carpio. The article alleged that the transactions could not be reconciled with Duterte’s declared income as a public official.
The complaint also accused Duterte of failing
to fully disclose assets and business interests in her SALNs and of maintaining corporate interests while serving as vice president, allegedly violating constitutional restrictions on public officials. The article cited Article XI, Section 17 of the Constitution and provisions of Republic Act 6713 and Republic Act 3019 requiring public officials to declare SALN and business interests.
“In violation of the foregoing and other relevant laws, respondent amassed unexplained wealth disproportionate to her lawful income, which was not fully and truthfully disclosed in her SALN for the years when she was a public official,” Article II stated.
Article III accused Duterte of bribery and graft over alleged cash payments distributed to several Department of Education officials in 2023. The impeachment complaint cited testimonies from Education officials who claimed they received envelopes containing cash allegedly originating from Duterte while she was DepEd secretary. The article alleged the payments were intended to influence procurement decisions and approvals related to confidential funds and government transactions.
Lawmakers argued that the alleged acts constituted direct bribery, graft, corrupt practices, and betrayal of public trust.
Article IV accused Duterte of grave threats, inciting to sedition, and allegedly plotting the assassination of President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The article cited Duterte’s November 23, 2024, online media briefing, where she publicly claimed she had instructed a person to kill the country’s top officials if she herself were killed. The complaint said Duterte later confirmed the statement during another interview and did not retract her remarks. It also referenced earlier statements criticizing the President and allegedly encouraging political destabilization.
The article described Duterte’s conduct as “a radical and dangerous departure from the constitutional duties of the vice presidency.” The article said Duterte neither retracted nor denied the statements and instead defended the alleged assassination plot by claiming it was conditional on her death.
House prosecutors said the totality of evidence established“more than sufficient probable cause” to impeach Duterte and indicated they would present additional witnesses, documents, and financial records during the Senate trial. A total of 106 votes are needed to transmit the impeachment complaint to the Senate, the minimum one-third vote required under the Constitution for the House of Representatives to approve the
If
OFW deployments plunge 45% as Middle East war disrupts travel, supply chains
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
THE deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) dropped by nearly half in the first quarter of the year, following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, which disrupted flights and supply chains across the region.
The significant decline covered not only countries in the Middle East, but also those outside the region.
In its latest deployment figures, the agency reported that 526,464 Filipinos went abroad for work from January to March this year
- 45.15 percent lower compared to the 767,057 in the same period in 2025.
Most or 408,053 of those deployed were land-based, while 118,411 were sea-based.
The bulk or 141,275 of the land-based OFWs still headed to the Middle East, but it suffered a 48.25 percent decline compared to the 273,001 year-on-year.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) remains the top destination country for OFWs this year with 59,910 deployment numbers followed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 42,243. However, KSA suffered a 39.68
Senators denounce ‘pakyawan’ system as exploitative of labor
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
EVEN as the clamor for a minimum wage hike has not yet borne fruit, senators are now also focusing on a substantial segment of the labor force that they deem among the most exploited: the “pakyawan” workers.
Senators took turns expressing support Senate Bill. No. 2115 or the “Anti-Abuse of Pakyawan Workers Act,” a measure that seeks to strengthen the rights and welfare of Filipino workers compensated under piece-rate or pakyawan arrangements, sponsored by Senator Raffy Tulfo.
In his manifestation seeking to cosponsor the measure, Sen. Joel Villanueva noted that, “many of our countrymen work under the pakyawan system. Filipinos who work daily so they have food on the table. Workers who get paid not on the basis of hours toiled, but on the volume of what they have produced. In Theory, the more they produce, the more they should get paid. But that’s not always how it works. Many times, it is not fair. Some workers barely rest just to chase their quota. Some work from morning till late night, but when payday comes, their takehome pay cannot cover rent, electricity, water and food,” Villanueva said in Filipino Some workers, he said, “spend the entire day sewing garments, carrying heavy loads, packing products, processing materials, or assembling goods piece by piece. Yet at
the end of the day, their earnings still fall below the minimum wage.” Some of those interviewed in a video aired by Tulfo said they were getting paid on average P300 a day. The minimum wage in Metro Manila is P685.
Villanueva continued: “The most painful part of all this is: there is no clear basis as to how their pay is computed. They just have to keep working. When the output slows, their pay is quickly deducted. If they ask or complaint, they are at risk of losing their jobs. That should not be tha case. This bill seeks to correct that injustice.”
Under the bill, all piece-rate compensation systems must be supported by proper and scientific production standards through a Time and Motion Study or TMS. This means, he explained, there is clear and fair basis for determining if the quota is realistic and the pay is commensurate to the labor.
The bill also guarantees that workers who render at least eight hours of work shall receive no less than the applicable minimum wage, regardless of the output produced.
“The principle here is simple: if you work the whole day, you must be able to bring home just enough for your family. It cannot be that you come home dead tired, but your children stay hungry.
Villanueva conceded that industry is crucial to creating jobs, “but we also believe that businesses grow stronger when workers are treated fairly.”
Accelerate implementation of poverty action plans, LGUs told
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the implementation and development of Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAPs) to ensure a whole-ofgovernment approach to poverty alleviation. The directive places local governments at the forefront of delivering targeted, community-based interventions, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier pronouncements, emphasizing that poverty reduction remains achievable despite the ongoing energy and oil crisis.
Marcos also stressed that the national government continues to roll out social safety nets to protect vulnerable sectors and help Filipino families cope with rising challenges.
The LPRAP serves as a critical governance tool that ensures anti-poverty programs are responsive to the actual needs of communities. It provides policy direction for LGUs to craft strategic, inclusive, and results-driven interventions tailored to their respective localities.
The Department stressed that translating these plans into concrete policies, programs, and budget priorities will enable LGUs to deliver lasting and measurable improvements in the lives of disadvantaged and underserved sectors.
To further strengthen local implementation, the DILG and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) signed a Joint Memoran -
dum Circular (JMC) to align grassroots initiatives with the national target of reducing poverty incidence to 9% by 2028.
The DILG also reaffirmed its commitment to fully support LGUs through capacity development initiatives, technical assistance, and policy guidance to ensure the effective formulation and implementation of their respective LPRAPs.
To date, 195 LPRAP formulation workshops have been conducted across nine focus provinces: Romblon, Leyte, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
Meanwhile, orientation seminars were successfully rolled out across all 82 provinces from 2023 to 2024, further strengthening local capacities in planning, coordination, and implementation.
The initiative has, likewise, gained positive public feedback, with stakeholders recognizing its strong focus on empowering marginalized communities by actively involving them in local development planning and advancing targeted, community-driven anti-poverty strategies.
“Poverty reduction cannot be achieved by the national government alone. Strong and responsive local governments remain crucial in ensuring that programs reach the communities that need them most and that no Filipino is left behind,” the DILG said. Jonathan L. Mayuga
percent drop in deployment figures, while for UAE, it decreased by 51.38 percent.
DMW earlier said the air strikes initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran have resulted in some Middle East countries to close or restrict entry in their air spaces.
Iran retaliated by attacking its neighboring countries with US military bases. The spread of conflict in the Middle East has prompted OFWs in the region to seek repatriation.
As of Wednesday, DMW said the number of OFWs it has brought home from the Middle East was already close to 9,000.
The dwindling deployment figures were not limited to the Middle East, but was also observed in other popular destination countries and territories for OFWs namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Qatar, Japan, Kuwait, Australia, and South Korea.
Deployment of OFWs in the said countries dropped from 11 percent to 46.92 percent.
Seafarers were also not spared from the decline. DMW reported the number of Filipino sailors, who boarded ships, which sailed on international waters during the first quarter of the year dropped to 47,886 from 166,794 in the same
period last year. When asked if the ongoing Middle East conflict will result in a decline in the demand for skilled and semi-skilled OFWs, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said “it was still too early to tell.”
“After the pandemic, there was a resurgence of OFW deployments. So at this stage it is still too early to tell in terms of the effect of the ongoing situation for the deployment of our OFWs,” Cacdac said in an online press briefing last month.
He said a similar trend may happen after the end of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Philippines calls for stronger ASEAN crisis preparedness as regional pressures mount
LBy Carmel Pedroza
APU -LAPU CITY — Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Teresa
Lazaro highlighted the need for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen its crisis coordination mechanisms and institutional preparedness to better respond to future emergencies, as the region grapples with the economic and security spillovers of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) on Thursday morning, May 7, 2026, Lazaro said recent developments had underscored the urgency for ASEAN to improve its collective ability to respond swiftly and coherently during crises, citing disruptions affecting energy supplies, trade routes, food systems, and the welfare of Southeast Asian nationals abroad.
She noted that the Middle East conflict has had significant repercussions for ASEAN economies, particularly given that the region imports about 66 percent of its crude oil.
The resulting supply pressures have driven up fuel and energy costs, which in turn have increased prices for agricultural inputs, food, and other basic commodities
across Southeast Asia.
The Philippine government earlier declared a state of national energy emergency on March 24 in response to the deepening impact of the crisis on domestic energy security.
This move prompted Manila to scale down its ASEAN hosting commitments this year, shifting most meetings to virtual formats and reducing the scale of in-person gatherings.
Lazaro said the adjustment was made in light of prevailing sensitivities but stressed that ASEAN remains committed to advancing its core agenda despite current disruptions.
Under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future Together,” she emphasized the importance of balancing immediate crisis response with long-term regional goals under ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
“The ongoing crisis in the Middle East reminds us that developments beyond our region can have immediate and profound effects on ASEAN,” she said.
ASEAN foreign ministers have already convened two special meetings to coordinate a regional response to the crisis.
According to Lazaro, those discussions reflected a shared resolve to act
TBy Henry Empeño
HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has announced the conduct of a nationwide survey to gauge public perception of the state-owned deposit insurer and develop evidence-based communication tools for better decisionmaking and service delivery.
This after the agency gained clearance from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to conduct its Nationwide Public Awareness and Reputation Survey (NPARS) under the PSA’s Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS). PDIC, which operates as an attached unit of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said in a statement on Monday, May 4, that obtaining SSRCS clearance ensures that the survey will adhere to national statistical standards, thereby reinforcing the credibility, reliability, and integrity of the survey results. The survey, administered to 1,500 adult Filipino respondents, will measure the level of public awareness of PDIC and
with urgency and greater coordination, while also revealing the need to strengthen institutional readiness moving forward.
The crisis has also affected key sectors such as transportation and tourism, and has impacted millions of ASEAN nationals working in the Middle East.
Despite these challenges, Lazaro said ASEAN remains focused on advancing key regional initiatives, including the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the ongoing integration of Timor-Leste into the regional bloc.
She also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining its central role in regional diplomacy and ensuring that external partnerships continue to support its cohesion and strategic autonomy.
Meanwhile, as Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, Lazaro said she would provide updates on the situation in Myanmar and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus aimed at addressing the country’s political crisis.
She concluded by expressing hope for productive discussions among ASEAN foreign ministers as the bloc navigates an increasingly complex regional and global environment.
OPAPRU hails BARMM for getting ₧5.1B worth of investments for first 4 months of ‘26
THE Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento on Thursday hailed the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government for generating P5.1 billion in approved investments in the first four months of 2026
In a statement, the peace adviser said this development is a strong indicator of rising investor confidence and sustained peace-driven development in the region.
Data released by the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) showed that total approved investments reached P5.1 billion as of April, already exceeding the region’s full-year total of P5 billion in 2025.
According to the BBIO, the new investments are expected to create 2,583 jobs across the region.
Sarmiento said this development reflects the growing trust of investors in the Bangsamoro, attributing this to the significant gains achieved over the years by the national and BARMM governments under their joint peacebuilding and normalization efforts in the region.
“We congratulate BBOI Chairperson Mohamad Omar Pasigan and the rest of the Bangsamoro Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua for achieving this major milestone. The P5.1 billion in investments generated by BARMM sends a clear and strong message that the region is now on the rise,” Sarmiento said.
“This level of investor confidence is the result of years of hard work in build -
ing peace, strengthening institutions, and creating a stable and secure environment where businesses can truly thrive,” he pointed out.
Sarmiento emphasized that this influx of investments affirms that peace and development must always go hand in hand, noting that the improved security conditions in the Bangsamoro have made it more attractive to both local and foreign investors who are looking at the region with a fresh eye.
“When communities are stable, and governance is responsive, investments follow. What we are seeing in BARMM today is proof that peace agreements, when fully implemented, translate into real economic opportunities that will benefit our people,” he said.
The peace adviser also highlighted the broader impact of the investment surge, particularly in terms of generating employment and boosting economic growth throughout the region.
“These investments mean jobs, livelihoods, and a better future for Bangsamoro families. They bring hope and demonstrate that lasting peace can deliver tangible dividends on the ground,” Sarmiento said.
He further noted that the BARMM’s performance sends a strong signal to the rest of the country and the international community that conflict-affected areas can transform into vibrant economic hubs when anchored on effective governance and sustained peace efforts.
“This milestone augurs well not only
for BARMM but for the entire nation,” he said. “It shows that regions once affected by conflict can become a show window of inclusive growth and stability.”
He also commended the Bangsamoro government and its various partners for their continued efforts to attract investments and implement reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the region.
“The leadership of BARMM has demonstrated that with the right policies and a shared vision, progress is achievable,” Sarmiento said.
Likewise, the OPAPRU chief said that this momentum must be sustained to ensur e that these gains are felt by every Bangsamoro citizen.
Moving forward, Sarmiento reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to supporting BARMM in sustaining this upward trend, particularly as it prepares for key political milestones and continues to implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“As we move closer to the realization of a fully normalized and progressive Bangsamoro, we will continue to work hand in hand with the regional government and all stakeholders,” he said.
“Under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we will ensure that peace remains the foundation of sustainable development and that the BARMM’s remarkable transformation will become a success story that we can all be proud of,” Sarmiento concluded. Rex Anthony Naval
results will be instrumental for PDIC to develop data-driven communication tools that would help the public better understand the role of PDIC and the importance of deposit insurance in protecting depositors’ hard-earned savings in banks. PDIC, which insures deposits in commercial, savings, mortgage, and rural banks, among others, posted P5.2 trillion in total insured deposits at the end of 2025. In March last year, the company raised the maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) from P500,000 to P1 million, making a strategic policy initiative that proved to be the major driver in the growth of insured deposits. PDIC said increasing the MDIC accounted for P1.3 trillion, or 86.1 percent of the surge in insured deposits last year, thereby resulting to an increase of P1.5 trillion, or 40.9 percent, over the
BI nabs Vietnamese drug fugitive at Naia, 6 Chinese nationals in Pasay fraud raid
THE Bureau of Immigration on Thursday announced the arrest of a 25-year-old Vietnamese woman wanted for drug-related offenses upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) last week.
The arrested individual was identified as Tran Thi Hoai Nam, who was intercepted at the primary inspection line at Naia Terminal 1 last April 29, after immigration officers detected an Interpol hit upon her arrival from Phnom Penh via a Philippine Airlines flight.
Tran, according to the BI, is the subject of an active Interpol red notice issued by Vietnam authorities for alleged facilitation of illegal use of narcotics substances. Her case was reviewed and endorsed to the BI Interpol Unit and confirmed with Vietnamese authorities.
BI Interpol Unit Chief Peter de Guzman said the fugitive had been evading authorities after allegedly facilitating drug use activities in Vietnam in 2022 and fleeing during a police operation.
The BI then informed the National Central Bureau in Hanoi about Tran’s arrest, which prompted the Vietnamese Embassy in Manila to formally request her return to Vietnam to face prosecution.
“Our borders will not serve as refuge for fugitives. This case highlights our strong coordination with INTERPOL and our foreign counterparts to ensure that individuals attempting to evade justice are intercepted and held accountable,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. Joel R. San Juan
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Iran reviews US proposal as Trump pressures Tehran for agreement on deal to end conflict
By Adam Schreck And Elena Becatoros The Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposals on ending the war, as US President Donald Trump threatened the country with a new wave of bombing unless a deal is reached that includes reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.
Hope that the two-month conflict could soon end buoyed international markets on Thursday, even as the US military fired on an Iranian oil tanker attempting to breach an American blockade of Iran’s ports hours earlier. The developments followed days of mixed messaging from the Trump administration over its strategy to end the war.
Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that he did not detail.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote.
A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has largely held since April 8. But in-person talks between the two countries hosted by Pakistan last month failed to reach an agreement. The war began Feb. 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.
Pakistan says it expects a deal soon “ WE expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday. “We hope the parties will reach a peaceful and sustainable solution that will contribute not only to peace in our region but to international peace as well.”
But he declined to give a timeline, saying Pakistan would not disclose details of the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“What I can tell you and this is what I have stated before that we remain positive, we remain optimist, and we hope the settlement will be soon rather than later,” he said.
Asked whether Pakistan was expecting any response from Iran later Thursday, Andrabi said: “I will not comment on specifics or the movement of the messages.”
A shifting narrative of the war
THE Trump administration’s messaging throughout the Iran war has been shifting and often contradictory. This week, the president
and his aides presented a dizzying narrative over the US strategy to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and wrap up the war that drastically changed over the course of mere hours.
Iran has effectively shut the strait, a vital waterway for the shipment of supplies of oil, gas, fertilizer and other petroleum products, while the US is blockading Iranian ports.
On Wednesday, a US fighter jet shot out the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it tried to breach the American blockade, US Central Command said in a social media post.
Trump suggests US might force a deal with Tehran
TRUMP insisted Wednesday that Iranian officials want to end the war.
“We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much, and we’ll see whether or not they can make a deal that’s satisfactory to us,” the president said. He suggested the US could ultimately force a settlement.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump said on social media, “and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
The White House believes it is near an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war, according to reporting by the news outlet Axios. Provisions include a moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment, lifting of US sanctions, distribution of frozen Iranian funds and opening the strait for ships.
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the possible agreement.
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, told state TV that Tehran had “strongly rejected” US proposals reported by Axios, but that it was still examining the latest US proposal.
US effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz suspended TRUMP has sought to increase pressure on Tehran after suspend -
ing on Tuesday a short-lived US effort, dubbed Project Freedom, to force open a safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Only two American-flagged merchant ships are known to have passed through the US-guarded route after it opened Monday. The US military said it sank six Iranian small boats threatening civilian ships.
Hundreds of merchant ships remain bottled up in the Persian Gulf, unable to reach the open sea without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait’s closure has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and put enormous economic pressure on countries, including major powers such as China.
Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, said in a statement that the strait’s shutdown is costing it around $60 million per week, with rising fuel and insurance costs hitting particularly hard.
On Thursday, the price of Brent crude oil stabilized at around $100 a barrel as investors waited to see whether the strait would reopen. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that France’s aircraft carrier strike group was moving into the Red Sea in preparation for a potential French-British mission to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as conditions allow.
China’s foreign minister called for a comprehensive ceasefire Wednesday after meeting in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Wang Yi said his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict.
China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the strait. Iranian envoy visits China ahead of Trump
ARAGHCHI’S visit to China came ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by Trump, who is scheduled to attend a high-profile summit on May 14-15 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump was the last US president to visit China in 2017. Araghchi told Iranian state TV that his visit included discussions about the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions imposed on Tehran.
Trump has demanded a major rollback of Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece. Joshua Boak and Ben Finley in Washington, Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan, E. Eduardo Castillo in Beijing and David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany contributed.
A
Home Improvement
By Vincent Peter Rivera
IF you are entering your “adulting” era, you likely already understand the daunting reality of home renovation and makeovers. Given how vast the home improvement market is, knowing where to start and navigating an endless sea of solutions can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, several retail giants now house these diverse needs under one roof, sparing homeowners the hassle of store-hopping, and among these is Wilcon Depot.
For nearly 50 years, Wilcon Depot has taken pride in itself as the Philippines’ premier one-stop shop for home improvement. The company plays a vital role in helping Filipinos realize their dream homes by offering an expansive portfolio of high-quality products and reliable construction solutions.
Beyond being a retailer, [Wilcon] sees itself as a reliable partner in homeowners’ everyday lives— supporting everything from major construction projects to simple home upgrades, and making home improvement more accessible and convenient.
Under its tagline, “Building Big Ideas,” Wilcon Depot aims to bring quality home improvement closer to every Filipino. By combining innovation and affordability with an extensive product selection, the retailer empowers customers to transform their creative concepts into practical, lasting living spaces.
The Wilcon experience: Efficiency meets inspiration
With decades of industry leadership, Wilcon Depot has identified challenges for Filipino homeowners. Customers often face various decisions due to an immense se -
lection of products, limited technical knowledge among first-time owners, and the constant struggle to balance budget constraints with quality. Furthermore, space limitations and the logistical challenge of coordinating materials with contractor timelines remain significant hurdles.
To mitigate these challenges, Wilcon has transformed its stores into organized, efficient hubs. Unlike traditional hardware stores, these locations feature curated showrooms designed to spark inspiration, paired with a 3D Design Hub that allows customers to visualize their floor plans in real-time. This is supported by a team of trained consultants who provide guided instore assistance, ensuring that technical questions are answered before a single purchase is made. This evolution is a direct response to a major shift in consumer behavior. While previous generations prioritized function and durability with little regard for aesthetics, today’s Filipino homeowners are increas-
ingly lifestyle-driven.
Over the past decades, Filipino homeowners have shifted from a function-first approach to one that is more lifestyle-driven and experience-oriented. In this generation, the consumers’ decisions were centered on affordability and durability, with limited attention to design. Everything they see online, they purchase right away instead of visiting physical stores.”
Wilcon has met this shift by diversifying its portfolio to include premium fixtures, furniture, and exclusive décor brands. Recognizing that modern “adulting” often involves digital-first browsing, the company has also bridged the gap between online inspiration and physical procurement.
Recognizing the value of time in a fast-paced economy, Wilcon Depot has streamlined the purchasing process through a multi-channel approach. Beyond the physical store experience, the company offers the 88-WILCON Hotline [dedicated service (88-945266) for di-
rect product requests and delivery coordination] and the enhanced e-commerce website featuring an “add-to-cart” system for effortless online shopping.
By combining these digital options with their expansive physical footprint, Wilcon Depot ensures that whether a customer is a busy professional or a hands-on contractor, high-quality home solutions are always within reach.
Strategically upgrading your home
Knowing that an efficient, one-stop home improvement shop exists nearby is only the first step; being strategic in your approach is equally essential to bringing your dream renovation to life. With Wilcon Depot, homeowners are encouraged to prioritize high-impact areas that deliver long-term value, especially when resources are limited.
A s the kitchen remains the top priority due to its high daily usage, prioritizing durable countertops, sinks, and storage solutions, as even
modest upgrades can significantly enhance daily functionality.
This is followed closely by the bathroom. Investing in quality fixtures is essential to avoid costly future repairs. Consider trusted brands like Atelier toilets or Pozzi showers that have water-saving features, helps reduce utility bills while being environmentally responsible.
Finally, highlight flooring as a critical element that sets the visual tone of the entire home, recommending durable yet stylish tiles as a savvy investment for longterm savings.
Innovation, sustainability, and the future of homebuilding
Nodding to the future, Wilcon Depot is actively integrating smart home trends and sustainable practices into the Filipino lifestyle. The retailer now offers energy-efficient LED lighting, solar-powered motion-sensor lights, and water-saving systems, while simultaneously expanding its e-commerce platforms for a tech-enabled shopping experience.
Wilcon’s goal is to support sustainable living by offering lowflow faucets and environmentally conscious building materials that reduce energy and water consumption. To assist eco-conscious shoppers, Wilcon has even implemented specialized labeling for sustainable essentials like organizers and chairs, making green choices more identifiable.
Nationwide reliability To ensure these innovations are accessible nationwide, Wilcon Depot continues to strengthen its supply chain and expand its physical footprint. Through standardized offerings and rigorous quality checks, the company maintains consistent product availability across all locations. By regularly updating its product offerings and showrooms to reflect international design trends, Wilcon Depot ensures that its product mix remains relevant and contemporary. This dedication to logistics and modern architectural styles guarantees that customers receive reliable access to the quality materials necessary for building their own “big ideas.”
Indeed, home maintenance and renovation require high-level decision-making and a significant investment of time. However, a formulaic approach—combining strategic planning with an efficient, innovative, and comprehensive retail partner—is the key to a successful transformation.
A s the home improvement market continues to evolve, Wilcon Depot remains a steadfast partner for the Filipino homeowner, proving that “Building Big Ideas” is more than just a tagline; it is a commitment making every home starts with a dream, and it starts with you.
By John Eiron R. Francisco
HILE
WBut for many homeowners, the decision to renovate often comes with a familiar
simple paint job, locally known as “hilamos” (a term used for repainting to refresh or “wash” the look of walls), he said, can already refresh key areas of the home, from living rooms and bedrooms to exterior walls, without requiring a large budget or professional intervention.
The difference is night and day, especially if you haven’t repainted in five years,” Mateo said. “With just a small budget, the space can already feel brand new.”
He added that repainting cycles vary depending on location and exposure. Homes that receive direct sunlight tend to require more frequent upkeep, while those surrounded by trees or shaded areas may last longer. As a general guide, however, he suggested repainting every two to three years to maintain both appearance and protection.
Red Lines in Renovation
However, Mateo drew a clear line with technical systems, saying he does not recommend DIY work for plumbing and electrical installations. He explained that improper plumbing
work, particularly in bathrooms, can lead to long-term issues such as foul odors and water system problems. Electrical work, meanwhile, carries serious safety risks when done incorrectly.
For these types of repairs, he stressed the importance of always consulting a professional.
“Doing it yourself without proper information is very risky,” Mateo said, recalling cases where homeowners mismanaged pipe sizing during renovations, resulting in either low water pressure or, in another instance, excessive pressure that caused fixtures to burst and flood the house.
“DIY home renovation is fun. But do it wisely,” he added. “Aside from improving your home, it’s a fun endeavor. Do it with family members or do it with friends. It’s a good bonding activity. It’s good exercise.”
The Cost of Going Unchecked Moreover, he pointed out that risks go beyond technical errors—they may include structural modifications that could be done without proper assessment or permits.
In the Philippines, he said, it is not uncommon for homeowners to attempt expansions such as adding another floor or extending existing structures without consulting an engineer
or checking compliance with building codes. These include setback requirements and firewall regulations, which vary depending on local enforcement.
“Some people think they can just expand their house, but there are rules you need to follow,” he said. “It really pays to consult because you might end up facing penalties or bigger problems later on.”
Beyond safety and compliance, Mateo stressed that professional guidance can also help homeowners manage costs more effectively, especially in projects done within a fixed budget.
Without proper planning, he said, renovation expenses can easily spiral due to unexpected changes and additional work discovered along the way.
He explained that in project management, this is commonly referred to as “scope creep,” where an initially simple plan gradually expands as new issues arise during construction.
A renovation that starts with a clear set of tasks, he said, can quickly grow beyond its original scope once repairs begin, uncovering additional problems.
For example,
Improvement
Renovate with ease | What is a home improvement loan and who is it made for?
For many, the Pag-IBIG Fund remains one of the most accessible financing programs in the country, allowing members to borrow up to P6 million for home improvements.
By Vincent Peter Rivera
INVESTING in a dream home is rarely a single, magical act of creation. Most homeowners focus on the initial thrill— securing the land, raising the walls, and styling the interior—while overlooking the inevitable reality of long-term maintenance and future renovations.
However, keeping your sanctuary in peak condition doesn’t have to drain your savings; today, financial tools like home improvement loans allow you to upgrade your space without breaking the bank.
According to the official website of Robinsons Bank, a home improvement loan allows homeowners to borrow a lump sum from banks or lending agencies to specifically cover repair costs, labor, and equipment upgrades. Unlike general savings, these loans provide immediate liquidity for large-scale projects that might otherwise be delayed due to budget constraints.
As noted by moneymax.ph, these loans function by providing the borrower with the total amount upfront, which is then repaid over a predetermined period at a fixed interest rate. This structure provides a sense of predictability for the homeowner’s monthly budgeting.
Leading home improvement loans in PHL
In the Philippines, navigating the financial landscape for home upgrades often leads homeowners to two distinct paths: government-backed programs and commercial bank offerings. For many, the Pag-IBIG Fund (HDMF) is the first port of call. It remains one of the most accessible financing programs in the country, allowing members to borrow up to P6 million for home improvements. As noted in the Great Day HR 2025/2026 guide, this loan is a cornerstone for Filipino workers, offering competitive interest rates starting at 5.75% per annum. The primary appeal of Pag-IBIG lies in its long-term stability with repayment terms that can extend to 30 years. This effectively maintains monthly amorti-
However, there is a trade-off to consider regarding borrowing costs. “Since [these loans are often] unsecured, banks and online lenders who offer these loans don’t require any collateral,” Moneymax explained. This lack of security for the lender typically results in considerably higher interest rates compared to traditional secured loans. While a home improvement loan covers the “soft” and “hard” costs of renovation— such as labor, permitting fees, and materials— a housing loan is strictly intended for the acquisition of the real estate property itself or other related land assets.ph emphasized.
zations manageable for the average household.
On the other side of the spectrum, commercial giants like Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and Banco de Oro (BDO) Unibank offer specialized products for those looking to fast-track their renovations.
As stated on BPI’s official website, its Housing Loan for Renovation is tailored for major repairs of an existing residential property, remodeling, and existing house renovations, covering up to 90% of the property’s appraised value within a fixed period (for as low as 7%)
that allows for predictable budgeting.
While bank rates—often starting around 7% to 10%—may be slightly higher than government options, they typically boast faster processing times and digital promos that occasionally waive fees.
For those who have already built significant equity in their homes, “Home Equity” loans from institutions like Security Bank or Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) provide leverage on the current value of the property to fund large-scale expansions or high-end aesthetic upgrades.
Is this the right move for
In
Russia says Ukraine launched a major drone attack after Moscow shunned ceasefire offer
By The Associated Press
RUSSIAN air defenses shot down 347 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday, in what appeared to be a major attack after Moscow spurned Kyiv’s ceasefire earlier in the week and tension mounted over Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations.
Incoming drones were destroyed over 20 Russian regions, including Moscow, according to the Defense Ministry, in Ukraine’s second-biggest aerial attack since Russia’s all-out invasion more than four years ago. The largest was last March when it launched 389 drones. The attack came ahead of Russia’s most important secular holiday, when it marks the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian authorities have declared a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine for Friday and Saturday.
Ukraine had responded to that with its own suspension of hostilities from midnight Tuesday. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow disregarded the goodwill gesture and launched fresh attacks.
“Russia has not stopped any type of its military activity. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Ukraine will act symmetrically,” Zelenskyy said in his regular evening video address Wednesday.
Tension has grown as Russia’s Victory Day celebrations approach and US-led
efforts gain no traction. All mobile internet access and text messaging services will be shut down in the Russian capital on May 9, state media reported Thursday, citing the country’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media.
Also, a traditional parade in Moscow won’t feature the usual tanks, missiles and other military equipment for the first time in nearly two decades.
Russian authorities say they are concerned about possible Ukrainian attacks, as Kyiv has expanded its long-range drone and missile capabilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry cited the “current operational situation” as a reason for excluding military equipment. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed Ukraine for the scaled-back celebrations and tighter security in Moscow, accusing Kyiv of “terrorist activity,” in an apparent reference to the drone strikes.
The restrictions will include websites on the Russian government’s so-called “white list,” a group of state-approved online services that are kept available during the country’s increasingly common connectivity blackouts. Home internet and Wi-Fi will be unaffected, officials said.
Ukraine’s air defense shot down 92 of the 102 drones Russia launched overnight, the military said. Russia maintains a significant advantage in drone numbers, regularly deploying hundreds in a single attack.
TOURISTS walk past The Triumphal Arch, the monument of the Patriotic War of 1812 and victory over Napoleon, decorated for the celebrations of the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II, in Moscow, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. AP PHOTO/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO
AI hub pitch pulls UAE energy, data giants
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE country’s planned artificial in -
telligence (AI)-focused industrial hub in Central Luzon drew interest from major United Arab Emirates companies involved in renewable energy and digital infrastructure, as the government pushes to position the country within emerging AI and semiconductor supply chains.
The Board of Investments (BOI) said recent meetings with UAE-based companies
Asean
followed the Philippines’ entry into the Pax Silica alliance, a US-linked initiative seeking to develop a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial hub in Central Luzon.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo met with executives from Masdar and Damac Digital to discuss potential investments tied to the project, including renewable energy systems and data center infrastructure.
“Our collaborations with industry leaders such as Masdar and Damac underscore our
working to keep region open, stable amid global challenges
By Carmel Pedroza
CEBU
CITY—Trade Secretary Cris -
tina Roque said on Thursday said Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Community Council ministers are working to further strengthen regional coordination and ensure that the region remains open and stable amid global economic uncertainties.
In her opening statement for the 27th Asean Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting in Cebu, Roque said discussions are continuing following the recent Special AEC Council Meeting held virtually to discuss the rapidly evolving developments in the Middle East.
She noted that Asean works through “steady, deliberate steps,” where discussions and meetings gradually move the region closer toward decisions and concrete outcomes.
“What we do here matters. Because this meeting is not simply an exchange of views. It is where we align our positions, sharpen our priorities, and ensure that when issues are elevated, they are clear, focused, and ready for decision,” she said.
The Secretary also underscored the impact of current global developments,
particularly rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions, which continue to affect Asean economies and their people.
“We are here not only to respond to these pressures, but to ensure that our region remains open, stable, and moving forward,” Roque said.
On Friday, Asean Leaders will issue a statement on the region’s collective response to the Middle East Crisis. It outlines the collective actions Member States will implement to strengthen energy security, market stability, financial resilience and macroeconomic stability. It will also identify how the bloc will further safeguard food security and agricultural supply chains, as well as strengthen regional humanitarian response to address the impacts of the crisis.
Aside from addressing current challenges, Roque said Asean will continue advancing the Philippines’ Priority Economic Deliverables, including the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa), while beginning work to translate the Asean Community Vision 2045 into concrete actions.
“These are not separate tracks but are part of a single effort to ensure that Asean remains resilient, competitive, and relevant in a changing global environment,” she added.
commitment to transform the Philippines into a premier destination for AI-driven technologies and sustainable industrial acceleration,” Rodolfo said.
During talks with Masdar Chief Investment Officer Raphael Barreau, the discussion focused on renewable energy requirements for the planned Luzon AI hub and potential areas of collaboration in AI-driven industrial development.
Masdar is currently involved in Abu Dhabi’s Stargate UAE project, which includes a 5-gigawatt renewable energy system and
Airbus. . .
Continued from A4
“The Resilient Communities Program is built on the principle of lasting positive change. By focusing on the unique needs of Baseco and fostering community ownership of these sustainability tools, we are helping to build a foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant future.”
The launch event featured the first MOD game community session, where 90 participants, including youth leaders and school representatives, engaged in interactive disaster preparedness training. Airbus volunteers were also engaged to train the community members through the MOD game. The day concluded with the formal handover of MOD board games, ensuring the program’s disaster-readiness curriculum is integrated into local schools and community organizations.
Marielle Mariano, Project Management Office Lead at Assist, emphasized the project’s impact logic: “This is more than a one-time donation; it is a capacitybuilding framework. From urban gardening to renewable energy, we are focusing on measurable outcomes that allow the community to lead their own recovery and development long after the initial implementation.”
The Resilient Communities Program will continue through December 2028, with regular monitoring and impact assessments to ensure the initiatives remain sustainable and scalable for other vulnerable urban communities.
a 19-gigawatt-hour battery energy storage facility.
The company also has existing renewable energy projects in the Philippines under an earlier memorandum of understanding with the BOI, covering plans to support up to 10 gigawatts of renewable energy projects in the country by 2035.
On the other hand, Rodolfo also met with Damac Digital Senior Vice President Troy Gilson to discuss developments involving a planned 250-megawatt data center facility
in the Philippines.
The discussions followed an earlier meeting between Damac Chairman Hussain Sajwani and President Marcos in Abu Dhabi in January this year.
According to the BOI, the proposed data center project is expected to support the country’s role in AI-related infrastructure development under the Pax Silica initiative.
For his part, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said the Philippines’ participation in the alliance adds another
layer to existing economic ties between the two countries.
“Philippines’ accession in the Pax Silica alliance, where UAE is also a key party, further solidifies our bilateral trade and investment frameworks, such as the CEPA and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement [IPPA],” Ver said.
“This signifies that the Philippines and the UAE are no longer just traditional trading partners; they are now strategic tech-allies,” he added.
DA allocates ₧55-M for food testing labs
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P55 million to bankroll the rollout of nitrate-testing laboratories and enhance food safety amid stringent global regulatory standards.
The agency said this signals a more data-driven approach in regulating produce safety, as officials start building baseline evidence for future national standards.
The allocation will equip the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) laboratories nationwide with the capability to detect nitrate and nitrite contaminants in plant-based foods and to upgrade its food safety monitoring capability, the DA said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the investment supports the government’s bid to strengthen food safety
and expand the country’s agricultural export potential.
“This is part of our continuing effort to ensure food security, protect public health while preparing our capacity to broaden access for Philippine plant products to markets abroad,” Tiu Laurel said. The BPI has rolled out nitrate testing capabilities in five laboratories in Quezon City, Cebu, Baguio, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro.
These facilities, operated by the Plant Product Safety Services Division, can now analyze key contaminants commonly found in vegetables, particularly leafy greens that are more susceptible to nitrate accumulation.
Initial recovery tests have been completed, the DA said, adding that validation work is ongoing to ensure accuracy and consistency of results.
The agency noted that authorities are currently using European Union standards as
interim reference points amid the absence of Philippine regulatory benchmarks, highlighting a gap in local food safety rules that the program aims to address.
For the DA, the initiative goes beyond laboratory upgrades.
“Funding has also been allocated for ion chromatograph equipment, specialized chemicals, and technical training for personnel. Once fully operational, the system will support nationwide monitoring of high-risk crops, including vegetables and fruits, allowing regulators to track contamination levels more systematically.”
From a business standpoint, the DA said this development could improve consumer confidence and support exporters that need to meet stricter global standards.
Tighter monitoring, however, may also raise compliance requirements for producers adjusting to more rigorous testing protocols, it added.
Lawmakers urge reforms in electric billing system
LAWMAKERS have raised fresh concerns over the rising cost of electricity, calling for urgent reforms and questioning the fairness of current billing practices imposed on Filipino consumers.
In a recent privileged speech, Party-List Rep. Sergio C. Dagooc of Apec warned that escalating power rates are becoming a
heavy burden on households and a threat to economic productivity. He described a recurring cycle of unpredictable generation spikes, rising fuel pass-through costs, and multiple layers of charges that ultimately lead to “bill shock” among consumers.
“For the ordinary Filipino, the cost of power is no longer justifiable,” Dagooc said, stressing that high electricity rates now affect food security, small businesses, and overall national productivity.
While acknowledging that the energy sector can provide technical explanations for price increases, Dagooc said these fail to address the real impact on consumers. He also rejected the long-standing justification that high power rates are inevitable due to the country’s reliance on imported fuel, saying this has become an excuse for inefficiency and lack of urgency in reforms.
He pointed to structural issues under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), particularly the unbundling of charges into generation, transmission, and distribution components. He noted that generation costs—comprising the largest portion of electricity bills—are subject to automatic fuel cost pass-through mechanisms.
“This means that when global fuel prices increase, the burden is directly transferred to consumers,” he said, questioning why Filipinos serve as “shock absorbers” for international market volatility.
Dagooc also flagged inefficiencies in transmission projects and criticized the imposition of the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) across the entire power supply chain under the Expanded Value-Added Tax Law, calling it a “tax-on-tax” system.
He proposed removing VAT on system losses and lifeline rates to provide immediate relief.
In addition, he raised concerns over mounting charges linked to renewable energy programs, including the Green Energy Auction Allowance and the Feed-in Tariff Allowance, warning that layering these costs could lock consumers into long-term high electricity rates.
To address the issue, Dagooc called for the immediate activation of the Joint Congressional Energy Commission (JCEC), which is tasked with overseeing energy policies and ensuring accountability in the sector.
“More than a year into the 20th Congress, this crucial oversight body remains underutilized,” he said.
Dagooc emphasized that the rising cost of electricity is ultimately a governance issue, urging Congress and relevant agencies
to take decisive action.
“The public does not need more explanations—they need solutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Manuel Tadeo Diokno of Akbayan pushed back against the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) over its response to concerns on the lifeline subsidy, stressing that legality does not automatically equate to fairness— especially amid economic hardship.
In a statement, Diokno clarified that he is not disputing the legality of charging “pass-through costs” such as the lifeline discount to electricity consumers. Instead, he questioned whether it is just to pass on these costs to the public at a time when many Filipinos are struggling with rising expenses.
“Meralco completely missed my point. I am not questioning the legality of charging consumers ‘pass-through costs’—what I am asking is whether it is fair,” Diokno said. The lawmaker pointed out the disparity between Meralco’s financial performance and the situation of ordinary consumers. He cited that the power distributor earned P50 billion in 2025 and P11 billion in the first quarter of 2026 alone, while many households continue to grapple with high electricity bills.
According to Diokno, the cost of the lifeline rate—a subsidy intended to benefit low-income consumers—would be minimal for a company of Meralco’s scale. He argued that the utility could absorb the expense by deducting it from its profits, over recoveries, or allowed returns.
“It’s just a small amount for them. They can deduct it from their profits, over-recoveries, or the allowed returns of distribution utilities,” he added.
Diokno also underscored that Meralco operates not as an ordinary private enterprise but as a regulated monopoly granted a franchise by Congress. With such privilege, he said, comes a corresponding social responsibility to prioritize public welfare.
He further called for a review of existing policies governing the power sector if distribution utilities are unwilling to shoulder part of the burden. In particular, he cited the need to reassess the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and the rules set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
“If they are unwilling to reciprocate this privilege, it is time to review EPIRA and the rules of the ERC to ensure that the power system is not only legal but also fair and truly serves the welfare of the people,” Diokno said. Jovee Marie N. dela
₧230M DAR projects bring better opportunities
to E. Visayas ARBs
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it has recently turned over a total of P230 million worth of projects, benefitting agrarian reform beneficiaries to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) with a communal irrigation system and faster, affordable transportation of their produce to trading centers through farm-to-market roads.
The communal irrigation system and farmto-market roads are designed to make farming easier, reduce costs, and improve productivity for ARBs.
During the turnover ceremony in Tacloban City, DAR officials highlighted how these projects directly improve farmers’ lives.
“When roads are better, farmers can bring their products to market faster and at lower cost. When irrigation is available, crops grow more consistently. All these mean higher income,” DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Office (SSO) Josef Angelo Martires said.
Across the region, communities are already seeing the benefits: In Palo, Leyte, two major road projects are helping farmers transport their produce more easily. The 1.5-kilometer Cabarasan Daku–San Agustin road, worth P25 million now, serves around 1,977 residents or about 420–460 households, including 667 ARBs.
Another 4.10-kilometer road connecting San Agustin to Cangumbang, worth P45 million, further improves mobility and trade in the area. The area is an Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) planted to rice, vegetables, and other crops.
In San Miguel, Leyte, the 1.95-kilometer Bahay farm-to-market road, valued at P35 million, benefits about 1,634 residents or 320–350 households, including 107 ARBs engaged in rice, coconut, and other crops. Farmers can now transport their harvest faster and with less loss.
In Calbayog City, the concreting of the Canhumadac–Helino road, worth P12 million, benefits over 1,000 residents across three barangays. Travel time has been reduced by up to 30 minutes, making it easier to sell produce and access essential services. The Mabagdok communal irrigation system, covering 25 hectares and valued at P1 million, now allows farmers to plant up to three to four times a year instead of relying only on rainfall.
In Tarangnan, Samar, the 1.836-kilometer Majacob–Sto. Niño Road, worth P12 million, connects remote farming communities, improving access to markets.
In Oras, Eastern Samar, a P100 million network of interconnected farm-to-market roads spanning 3.1 kilometers links multiple barangays, strengthening the region’s agricultural transport system and speeding up the delivery of goods.
DAR Eastern Samar Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu emphasized that these projects help farmers get fair value for their hard work while boosting local economies.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, CIS recipient Wilfredo Senario, 59 years old, expressed gratitude for the project, emphasizing its impact on their farming activities: “This is a big help to us. Before, we relied only on rain. Now we can plant three to four times, so our income is higher.”
With better roads and a reliable water supply, farmers can now produce more, earn more, and support their families more consistently.
These projects demonstrate the government’s continued commitment to supporting farmers—not just by providing land, but also by providing the services they need to succeed. Jonathan L. Mayuga
CHED stands by reframed GE curriculum, cites stakeholder engagement amid academic criticism
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
AMID criticism from various sectors, particularly from the academic community, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) affirmed on Thursday that it firmly recognizes and values the active engagement of stakeholders regarding the proposed Reframed General Education (GE) curriculum.
On May 5, CHED held an online public hearing on the proposed Reframed GE curriculum, which drew more than 4,700
viewers via Facebook Live and 1,400 participants via Zoom.
The proposed reframing forms part of the deliverables of the Technical Panel for General Education (TPGE), which was re-constituted last September 2024 in response to urgent concerns relative to the alignment between the Senior High School and General Education curricula.
Following a comprehensive review and initial consultations, the TPGE subsequently presented its recommendations in consecutive Commission en Banc meetings.
This led to the decision to conduct
ASEAN foreign ministers back maritime cooperation initiatives
LAPU - Lapu City – Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have endorsed two Philippine -led proposals to strengthen regional maritime security: the establishment of an ASEAN Maritime Center and the convening of an ASEAN Coast Guard Forum.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim said one of the key outcomes of Thursday’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was the approval of the draft Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation.
The ASEAN Maritime Center will be hosted in the Philippines, with its terms of reference to be finalized in upcoming meetings, Herrera-Lim noted.
He added that the proposed ASEAN Coast Guard Forum would serve as a new sectoral body of the bloc, institutionalizing cooperation among coast guard agencies that are organized under different departments in each member state. In the Philippines, for example, the Coast Guard is attached to the Department of Transportation.
The Philippines is also eyeing to be the first host of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum. Herrera-Lim stressed that both initiatives are designed to enhance coordination in the South China Sea, where four ASEAN members – the Phil-
ippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam – have overlapping claims. Indonesia’s Natuna Islands also fall within the area’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Beyond the South China Sea, however, ASEAN officials acknowledged that the region’s maritime security agenda is far broader.
Southeast Asia continues to grapple with piracy and armed robbery in chokepoints such as the Strait of Malacca, the Singapore Strait, and the Sulu-Celebes Seas; illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that undermines food security; and intra-ASEAN boundar y disputes in the Gulf of Thailand.
The region also faces human trafficking, drug and arms smuggling, and irregular migration flows, alongside environmental threats such as over-fishing, coral reef destruction, marine pollution, and sea-level rise.
Analysts warn that vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure—from submarine cables to seabed mineral exploration—add another layer of risk.
Weak maritime governance and uneven enforcement capacity remain cross - c utting challenges, despite cooperative mechanisms like the Malacca Straits Patrols and the ReCAAP agreement. Malou Talosig-Bartolome
Ejercito vs Zamora: San Juan mayor refutes
‘declining
condition’ tag on city hospital
SAN Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora
belied reported that San Juan Medical Center (SJMC) is in a poor state, noting that the hospital budget increased from P315.9 million in 2019 to P644.5 million in 2026, under his watch.
“This proves that our Makabagong San Juan Administration prioritizes the healthcare of every San Juaneño through the infusion of funding for SJMC,”Zamora said, adding that they are targeting SJMC to be a Level 3 hospital and a nationally recognized Green Medical Center of Excellence providing holistic care by June 30, 2028.
Earlier, Senator Joseph Victor “JV”Ejercito has expressed dismay, describing the state of SJMC in a “declining condition.”
However, Zamora said that improving the hospital remain to be a work in progress.
“But it has come a long, long way from the deeply neglected and unacceptable hospital we inherited in 2019. In fact, our constituents actually would call it back then ‘San Juan Medi-kill Center,’” he said.
He boasted that the city government of San Juan has already secured an initial P554 million worth of funding for new medical equipment,
broader public consultations to ensure that the policy-making process remains transparent and grounded in a holistic understanding of the sector’s needs.
Meanwhile, in a letter to CHED from the Ateneo De Manila University (AdMU), signed by its Vice President for Higher Education Maria Luz Vilches, PhD, read: “In general, the ‘Reframed GE’ looks ideal.”
“It assumes [implicitly] that all the foundational courses that help with the personal development of students are well taken care of in Senior High School [or Basic Education for that matter]. It also assumes
[implicitly] that students in HEIs are ready to take on other GE courses that seem to be deemed to allow them to be ready to face the professional world after graduation,” the letter read.
However, the AdMU stressed that the reality on the ground, is ”starkly different,” sharing their own experience of handling students and their circumstances, and that, CHED’s assumptions are not “realistic.”
including our very first MRI and a new CT scan machine, the renovation of the Emergency Room to Level 3 standards and other hospital facilities, electrical service rehabilitation, hospital building facelift and 3 new ambulances.
Also, underway are an 11-station Hemodialysis Center, a Blood Bank, an Ambulatory Surgical Clinic, the expansion of the Surgical Wing with Burn unit and Surgical ICU, and a Tertiary Laboratory with Histopathology capability.
“These are not just promises. These are the improvements that already have funding and are now undergoing the procurement process,” Zamora said.
He also said that they welcome feedback, scrutiny, and criticism.
“But criticism should not erase the hard work already done, especially when San Juaneño patients are already seeing and feeling the positive changes,” he said, stressing that “accountability matters. Accuracy matters too.”
“I am staking my name and reputation on this undertaking because the improvement and rehabilitation of San Juan Medical Center is my priority here in San Juan City,” the mayor pointed out. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE camp of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday rejected claims that the arrest of Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN) founder Franco Mabanta was an attack on press freedom, stressing that the case involves alleged extortion and not journalism.
In a statement, Atty. Elaine A. Atienza, spokesperson for Romualdez, said the matter should not be framed as an issue of free speech or criticism of government officials.
“PGMN is twisting the narrative,” Atienza said.
“The issue here is not about press freedom. It is not about anyone’s right to criticize the government. The real question is, was there a demand for money in exchange for silence?” she added.
Atienza said Romualdez only acted after allegedly being subjected to an extortion attempt, bringing the matter to the proper authorities.
“Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez simply did what any person exposed to the same circumstance would do—he reported the matter to the proper authorities, and the NBI acted on that report pursuant to its mandate under the law,” she said.
She also dismissed PGMN’s claim that it possesses damaging materials or exposés against public officials, saying these are irrelevant to the ongoing criminal investigation.
“Whatever materials or exposés they claim to have are irrelevant to the extortion allegations now under investigation,” Atienza said.
“If anyone believes he has evidence of wrongdoing by public officials, the proper course is simple: release it, submit it to the authorities, and let the proper institutions act on it — not use it as leverage in exchange for money,” she added.
Atienza further alleged that PGMN had prepared a video weeks ago but chose not to release it.
“That is what PGMN did: they purportedly produced a video that was allegedly ready to run several weeks ago and yet chose not to release it. That is not journalism, that is extortion,” she said.
She stressed that the case will be decided based on evidence and due process, not
n What does it mean, now, to have a university education given this ‘Reframed GE’?
n Are we really educating people or are we just training them for the world of work whose landscape is quite unstable/volatile?
n What is the real end goal of university education?
n What kinds of citizens are we producing?
“We cannot imagine what it’s like in the other HEIs,” the school said, adding that they are raising their concerns to CHED not only for their benefit, but for “all HEIs with similar concerns.” AdMU also stated that on the whole, the ‘Reframed GE’ raises fundamental questions, some or which as follows:
Romualdez camp says arrest of PGMN founder ‘not about journalism, but extortion’
online narratives.
“Ultimately, this case will be decided by facts, evidence, and the rule of law — not by competing narratives on social media,” Atienza said.
Atienza also warned that such actions could undermine public trust in legitimate media organizations.
“Such conduct undermines legitimate journalism and damages public trust in genuine media institutions,” she said.
“Simple as this: in a democracy, criticism is free. But under our laws, extortion is a crime,” Atienza added.
The March job report: Comforting headlines, concerning numbers
THE latest employment report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is a textbook example of data storytelling. At first glance, the headlines seem comforting—the national unemployment rate edged down from 5.1 percent in February to 5 percent in March. However, a closer, more responsible look at the numbers uncovers a much grimmer situation for Filipino workers. (Read the BusinessMirror story: March unemployment hits 2.58M despite slight dip in jobless rate, May 6, 2026).
Yes, the seasonally adjusted improvement is welcome, but it is a fragile fig leaf covering a gaping wound. Compare the numbers to March of last year— just 12 months ago—and the narrative collapses. A year ago, the unemployment rate was a much healthier 3.9 percent, with only 1.93 million Filipinos jobless. Today, that number has ballooned to 2.58 million. In plain language, over half a million more Filipinos are unable to find work now than at the same time last year.
The PSA’s own breakdown should alarm our policymakers. National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa correctly points to the ongoing Middle East crisis as a contributing factor. But while geopolitical turmoil is beyond our control, our lack of economic diversification and over-reliance on vulnerable sectors is not. Consider the hardest-hit industries. Fishing and aquaculture lost 420,000 jobs in just one month. Manufacturing shed another 217,000. These are not marginal sectors—they are the backbone of rural livelihoods and the industrial middle class. When fishermen cannot sail and factory workers are laid off, the ripple effect is immediate: less money for food, fewer children in schools, and more families sinking into debt.
Equally disturbing is the rise in underemployment. With 6.03 million Filipinos now seeking additional hours or a second job—up from 5.84 million in February—we see a workforce that is exhausted but impoverished. These are people with jobs, yes, but not with sustainable lives. The 12.3 percent underemployment rate tells us that even those counted as “employed” are struggling to keep their heads above water.
The labor force participation rate stands at 64.5 percent. That means over 35 percent of working-age Filipinos have simply given up looking or are stuck in domestic or informal labor that the PSA cannot even track. This is the silent majority of our economy.
There is still time to act—but only if the government treats the collapse of the fishing and manufacturing sectors as a national emergency. Within weeks, not quarters, it must roll out fuel subsidies for fisherfolk, targeted tariff relief on production inputs, and a rapid reskilling program for displaced factory workers.
Second, the connection to the Middle East crisis demands a proactive, not reactive, diplomatic and economic strategy. The Department of Migrant Workers must prepare for the worst—more job losses among OFWs—by aggressively opening new labor markets in Southeast Asia and Europe.
Finally, we must stop celebrating minor month-on-month improvements. A 0.1 percent drop in unemployment is meaningless when year-on-year data shows a nation sliding backward. The PSA must be commended for its transparency, but our economic managers must be held accountable for their lack of urgency.
The 2.58 million unemployed are not just numbers on a report. They are parents, recent graduates, and skilled workers facing empty tables. The slight dip from February to March is statistically insignificant. The real story is the crisis—and it calls for a national reset on jobs.
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Protection of trademarks in the era of artificial intelligence
LONDON, United Kingdom—Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been a hot topic in any conference, especially its impact on intellectual property rights including trademarks.
AI was discussed in some of the sessions in the 2026 annual meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) held in London, United Kingdom from May 2 to 6, 2026.
INTA is a global, non-profit member organization of brand owners and intellectual property (IP) professionals. Based in New York, it supports trademark development, advocates for policy changes, provides education, and hosts major industry events, including an annual meeting with over 10,000 participants.
I asked ChatGPT what is AI and it answered “Artificial intelligence [AI] is the field of computer science focused on creating systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. These tasks include learning from experience [machine learning], understanding language [natural language processing], recognizing patterns [computer vision], solving problems, and making decisions.”
ChatGPT is one of the popular AI platforms utilized in online research by students, in creation of social media content, in digital marketing businesses, in business processing, as tool to streamline tasks and automate processes, language translation processing, and software development.
AI is the discipline concerned with the design and development of automated intelligent systems that perceive, reason out, formulate decisions, and act in an environment to achieve a set of measurable goals.
AI systems embody computational structures that mimic human or animal cognition to process data, learn from experiences, and decide, plan, and act autonomously to satisfy a programmed objective.
AI provides software that can reason on input and explain on output. AI will provide humanlike interactions with software and offer decision support for specific tasks.
The growing use of AI in brand -
AI is the discipline concerned with the design and development of automated intelligent systems that perceive, reason out, formulate decisions, and act in an environment to achieve a set of measurable goals.
ing, trademark searches and content creation, coupled with the rise of deepfakes and digital replicas, has introduced new layers of complexity to trademark protection, raising pressing questions around ownership, enforcement and liability.
Asia is among the regions with the most active AI applications and the highest concentration of trademark infringements worldwide.
INTA has adopted a resolution passed during the 2025 Annual Meeting which contained the newly adopted principles with emphasis on the importance of balancing innovation with the protection of IPRs:
a. recognition of human contributions: applicable legislation and regulation should acknowledge the source of inputs and outputs, distinguishing between human and machine contributions. This ensures fair reward for human creativity while avoiding unnecessary disclosure requirements.
b. human oversight in IP decisions: final decisions regarding the registrability, protectability, validity, or revocation of IPRs should involve human oversight. AI can be used to reduce errors in
judicial or administrative systems, but final determinations must be made by humans.
c. t ransparency and consumer trust: transparency in the use of AI in creating goods, services, and content is crucial. Consumers should have access to information about the use of AI and the identity of the responsible party, especially when there is a significant legal impact or potential harm. d. pr otection of proprietary information: while transparency is important, it must be balanced with the need to protect trade secrets and proprietary information. In the Philippines, AI systems cannot be inventors or authors, meaning only human-created works are protected by copyright, and only human-directed inventions are patentable. Only natural or juridical persons can be applicants, meaning AI systems cannot own IP.
While AI is not recognized as a legal person, it can be a tool in invention, with IP ownership assigned to the human directing the AI. AI applications often mine data without distinguishing between protected and non-protected material, risking trade mark and copyright infringement. The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has been actively integrating AI into its trademark and patent examination systems to enhance efficiency and address the rising volume of applications. See “Gorecho,” A19
Unexpected inflation, slow growth, and household poverty
THIS week sees the release of two much awaited macroeconomic statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The first is April 2026 inflation, which came out on Tuesday, and the second is the national income accounts (which includes GDP growth) for the first quarter of 2026, which was scheduled to come out yesterday (after the deadline for this column).
As has been reported, April headline inflation for the country was at 7.2 percent, which represents an acceleration from the previous month’s 4.1 percent, and is the highest monthly inflation since March 2023, when rapid increases in the price of imported rice drove inflation to 7.6 percent. Inflation was also way above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s 2 percent to 4 percent target inflation for the entire year. Most analysts expect first quarter
GDP growth to fall between 3 percent and 4 percent, which would be in line with GDP growth in the last two quarters (4 percent and 3 percent, respectively, in the third and fourth quarters of 2025), but would be historically low. Inflation is likely to stay elevated in the coming months because the factors that drove inflation higher— mostly cost-push factors—are still in place. Fuel prices are still much higher compared to a year ago, with no im-
In reaction to higher prices, workers could understandably demand higher wages, and firms further adjust prices, leading to second-round inflationary effects even if imported oil prices do not rise further or the peso does not weaken any further.
mediate prospect of coming down to pre-Iran war levels. The peso is also at its weakest historically against the dollar, making the price of imports, both final consumption goods and input goods, more expensive. In the first week of May, the peso has depreciated by about 11 percent relative to the dollar compared to a year ago. In reaction to higher prices, workers could understandably demand higher wages, and firms further adjust prices, leading to second-round inflationary effects even if imported oil prices do not rise further or the peso does not weaken any further.
Some of the key consumption items that weigh heavily in the consumer price index (CPI) basket have
likely not even fully reflected yet the much higher price of imported fuel and other inputs. For example, according to Meralco, spikes in global fuel prices are only expected to be reflected in their electricity rates starting in May because the fuel used for electricity generation is bought months in advance. This means that inflation for the ‘housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels’ component of the CPI basket will likely even go up from its 8.2 percent level in April. Similarly, the current retail prices of rice, already going up, likely do not yet fully reflect the impact of fertilizer shortage (because the Gulf region is a significant source of fertilizer), which could cut rice planting and rice output. This is likely to be only fully reflected in the next cropping and harvest cycles, or a few months down the road. In April, rice inflation was already at 13.7 percent. Of course, other agricultural products that require fertilizer could also be expected to be affected. Overall food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation was still relatively modest at 6 percent in April, See “Eagle Watch,”
EAGLE WATCH
Dr. Geoffrey Ducanes
Amicus Curiae
Dennis Gorecho
Elite M&A lawyers fed massive insider-trading ring, US says
By Chris Dolmetsch
LAWYERS from top mergers and acquisitions firms provided tips on some of the biggest deals of the last decade to an insider trading ring that made tens of millions of dollars in illegal profits, federal prosecutors said.
Two indictments charging 30 people were unsealed Wednesday in federal court in Boston. None of the firms from whom information was allegedly stolen were identified by prosecutors, but detailed descriptions of the relevant deals indicate they included Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, Latham & Watkins and Goodwin Procter.
According to the indictments, as well as a parallel suit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, Nicolo Nourafchan, a 2011 Yale Law School graduate who worked at three large firms, including Goodwin and Latham, from 2013 to 2023, misappropriated confidential deal information from those employers. He allegedly conspired with a college classmate, Robert Yadgarov, to recruit other corporate lawyers to provide tips.
Nourafchan, 43, and Yadgarov, 45, then allegedly provided those tips to a network of relatives, friends, classmates and associates, many of whom were also charged. Authorities allege the defendants went to great lengths to conceal their activity, using burner phones, encrypted applications and clandestine meetings.
‘How’s the Rabbi?’ THEY also discussed the tips in code, referring to them as airline “flights” and discussing the upcoming public disclosure of merger plans as dates on which a “rabbi” was scheduled for surgery, according to prosecutors.
“I really need to know when the rabbi is scheduled for surgery,” one defendant allegedly wrote in a text several weeks before Amazon.com Inc.’s August 2022 announcement to acquire Roomba maker iRobot Corp., writing again days later, “How’s the rabbi?”
“He’s stable,” another alleged ring member responded, suggesting there was no reason to be worried about missing the date.
Lawyers for the defendants couldn’t immediately be identified. Prosecutors said 19 people were arrested today and are scheduled to appear in court in locations including California, Florida and New York. Two other defendants located in Russia and Israel are considered fugitives. It’s unclear what the status of the other defendants is.
In a statement, Goodwin said: “We are deeply disappointed that a former employee is alleged to have violated the trust placed in him and misused confidential information as part of a broader criminal scheme affecting multiple law firms and their clients. We have been cooperating and continue to cooperate fully with
. . continued from A18
Lawyers for the defendants couldn’t immediately be identified. Prosecutors said 19 people were arrested today and are scheduled to appear in court in locations including California, Florida and New York. Two other defendants located in Russia and Israel are considered fugitives. It’s unclear what the status of the other defendants is.
law enforcement.”
Yale classmate AMONG the co-conspirators described in one of the indictments was a Yale classmate of Nourafchan’s who worked at the law firm that advised Anadarko Petroleum Corp. on its $55 billion acquisition by Occidental Petroleum Corp. in 2019 and Tim Hortons Inc. in its $11 billion takeover by Burger King Worldwide Inc. in 2014. That firm was Wachtell.
“The responsible party left Wachtell Lipton over four years ago,” a spokesperson for the firm said in a statement. “There are no allegations of wrongdoing against the firm. Wachtell Lipton has cooperated fully with the US Attorney’s office and will continue to do so.”
Several other firms described in the indictment didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Latham & Watkins, another of Nourafchan’s former employers, said in a statement: “The former associate charged today has not been associated with our firm for five years, and the conduct as alleged would reflect a serious violation of our robust policies and procedures.”
“The trading on unannounced financial news alleged here not only violated the securities laws, but it also took advantage of the special access and ethical duties that come with a law license,” Massachusetts US Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement. “If the American people believe that trading is only for the connected, they will keep their investment and retirement savings out of the markets, which will hurt our economy.”
In 2018, Nourafchan recruited another former classmate to join the scheme, telling him that he had a “side business” obtaining information on deals and trading on it. The SEC complaint alleges that Nourafchan described how he obtained the information, searching his firm’s document management system and viewing documents in preview or read-only mode to hide his digital footprint. With assistance from Mahira Dayal, Brian Dowling, Meghan Tribe, Tatyana Monnay, Roy Strom and Nicola M White Bloomberg
Between ignorance and erudition: The Romanovs and Mussolini in the House
HTito Genova Valiente ANNOTATIONS
ISTORY, or its pedagogy, has now invaded the House of Representatives. For a long while, the House has been offering ponderous sessions, hours of legalese and officialese, which, instead of crystallizing ideas, have turned them to dark, rough stones.
I am happier though of a shift in the atmosphere of the House, i.e. in the Justice Committee. Recall the Quadcom years back. It was examining the same case, which was the impeachment of the sitting Vice President. The atmosphere then was virulent, with mostly the congressmen of more senior years, terrifically pugnacious and with short temper. It was as if vociferous voices were equal to truths and vindication. Woe to the witness or resource person with a quiver in his voice and timidity in his conscience—those who sat at the table of Governance were Angry Prophets ever ready to hurl anything except the fiery solutions.
All that’s changed. Has it to do with the ages of mostly the representatives? And, fresh from school, has it to do with a sense of education? The legalese and officialese have remained the dominant elements in the communication. This is not, however, a hopeless case. Nothing that cannot be solved by a dictionary or a thesaurus.
Perhaps, the more helpless case is the legalese. While the contentious word may be examined linguistically or grammatically, the legal meaning or definition seems to stand as the final wall to breach.
Consider the word “forthwith.”
Those who have reached a level of education have all agreed to its meaning vis-à-vis Chiz Escudero’s uncertainty. Well, the word is back again and it seems to favor the hehawing of Escudero. In the published press release of the Supreme Court, “Forthwith does not specify a fixed timeline.”
This was the ruling en banc of the Supreme Court as a response to the clamor for the court to convene immediately.
Significantly, the ruling cites how the Constitution requires the House to act within a certain number of days even as the Senate “shall forthwith proceed,” leaving the definition of that word to them.
Let us go back to what dictionar -
have walls: “In legal documents and court orders, it generally requires that an action be taken as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances.” Law years can do many things with the word “reasonably” and the phrase “under the circumstances.” The obfuscation rears its muddy head with the next sentence: “The exact timing may depend on the context of the order.” What would resolve the debate? À journey through time to the 14th century when the word “forthwith” first appeared? The big books say it first appeared in the so-called Middle English period (1150-1500). Whoa! Magellan wasn’t yet in our historical consciousness, not that we want him there.
Historically, it meant “immediately,” “without delay” or “at once.”
This was our understanding then and, for a year, we wallowed in the memes about “forthwith,” we educated ourselves in an adverb that
ies teach us. Start with the basic, the Merriam Webster, where forthwith is identified as an adverb, which means without any delay, immediately. Other meanings are presented forward: promptly, instantly, now. Nowhere is the “several months” of Escudero embedded in any of those meanings.
Let us be a bit more rigorous and consult the Legal Information Institute that is found within the Cornell Law School page. Here is the entry for “forthwith:” “a legal term meaning immediately or without delay.” Do not be consoled forthwith for the succeeding lines
was not in our language. Bitterly, we realized that another language can shatter our sense of the future, or, bleakly, murder our political aspirations.
We have to note this act: a Supreme Court rendered a decision based on the English language, with the caveat and qualifications nested in the same language. Does a lawyer retain dominance within their domain or language, or does this open the door for language experts to challenge that previously uncontested authority?
Close your eyes and envision a political debate where one side al-
ways opens his argument with the apologetic “I may not be a lawyer but…” Open your eyes and be hopeful because there are societies that are non-legalistic. In fact, you can close and open your eyes because you can always encounter lawyers who have their own grammar rules, and who may not speak with the “brillo” of a good speaker.
And now a crash course on history. You have heard of the grand faux-pas by Congressman Marcoleta, who was citing pop references, by alluding to lines from Filipino movies. The problem with this representative was his choice of source—the movies, the most popular of the media arts. It was between two sources of quotable quotes—John Lloyd or Piolo? It was the latter and Marcoleta, oozing with confidence, flubbed big time. And the audience, most knowledgeable about “pelikula,” had a feast correcting the legislator big-time.
Then came the Russian Revolution in the midst of all this chaos. À neo-noir short film was shown with a Duterte boy bringing up vengeance again. Unlike the Sara version, which was raw and crude and full of bathos, this darker iteration of murder in the palace was laced with Romanovs and Mussolini. The two figures are so disparate they almost challenged us to treat them as montages à la Russian cinema.
Unlike the popular references of Marcoleta, very few seemed to notice the Romanovs and Mussolini until Congresswoman Zamora, with that lovely edge in her voice, proffered to expound on those already-obscure terms. She began by identifying the Tsar Nicholas and his Empress Alexandra, the last of the Romanovs, and how during the Revolution, the two rulers and their children were locked in a place and were soon all killed. Mussolini was mentioned next as the Italian dictator who joined the Axis forces. With the victory of the Allied forces, Mussolini was executed in a firing squad. The silence that followed was brief. Golden. This was interrupted by the Chairwoman Luistro handing to Zamora an accolade.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
US, Iran weigh potential deal as Trump seeks a way out of war
By Salma El Wardany, Fiona MacDonald & Jeff Mason
THE US and Iran were circling around a fresh proposal to end the war on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump searches for an exit from a conflict that has elevated energy prices and damaged his political standing.
ter Trump suspended a short-lived US mission to offer safe passage for commercial ships through the strait, a vital waterway for oil and gas.
Adding to his urgency is a summit scheduled next week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which already was postponed in the early days of the conflict because the Middle East backdrop.
none has materialized. He acknowledged to the New York Post that it might be “too soon” to think about face-to-face talks to lock up such an agreement.
citing an Israeli source it didn’t identify.
Trump says no deadline
IPOPHL uses WIPO-developed AI tools for similarity searches— phonetic and visual—improving trademark classification and identifying potential conflicts. The IPO faces challenges with AI-generated trademarks regarding ownership, distinctiveness, and potential flooding of the registration system with derivative works.
likely mainly reflecting the increased costs of fuel in the preparation and transportation of some food items. For example, a sidewalk vendor in Esteban Abada from whom I frequently buy turon (fried banana spring roll) raised prices in April by 25 percent from P20 to P25 each (still very much worth it), after liquefied petroleum gas prices have risen by more than
Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@ sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.
50 percent since April. Combined with the weak GDP growth in last two quarters of 2025 and the expected weak GDP growth in the first quarter of this year, the country appears to be in the middle of a period of slow growth and now high inflation. This is technically not what is called stagflation, which was coined to describe a period of high inflation and stagnant or falling output. A GDP growth rate of 3 percent represents not just aggregate economic growth in the country
Washington has presented a onepage memorandum of understanding that would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the American blockade on Iranian ports, according to a person familiar with the measure, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. Detailed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program would come later in the process, the person said, adding that nothing has yet been agreed upon.
The initial offer capped off a chaotic 48 hours that illustrates the bind Trump confronts as he tries to defuse an energy crisis he helped create by attacking Iran alongside Israel in late February. The move came af-
but also still more than a 2 percent growth in per capita GDP, since the country’s population growth rate is now less than 1 percent per year. It still represents a big economic challenge, however. Higher prices directly impact the wellbeing of households, especially if the price increases are concentrated on goods and services that weigh heavily in their consumption. According to the PSA, overall inflation for the bottom 30 percent of households by income is higher at 8.5 percent.
Polls show Americans’ distaste for the conflict is growing—six months from midterm elections in which prices will be a central focus. Gasoline prices breached $4.50 a gallon for the first time since July 2022, according to the American Automobile Association. The trajectory has challenged predictions from Trump, who has vowed costs at the pump will plummet when the war ends.
Stocks rose and oil retreated Wednesday, with benchmark Brent crude settling at $101.27 a barrel, as investors weighed developments in negotiations.
Trump on numerous occasions throughout the conflict has indicated that a deal is near, though
Higher inflation effectively translates to a higher amount of money that households will require to purchase the most basic food and nonfood needs. Roughly, basic food need is the least-cost food available in the market needed to meet the prescribed nutritional needs of a person. This amount of money is what we call the income poverty threshold. What is the effect of a higherthan-expected inflation on household poverty? The median of the BSP target inflation is 3 percent. Simu-
Iran is expected to send a response via Pakistan, acting as a mediator, in the next two days, the person familiar said. State media have signaled that parts of the US proposal remain unrealistic to Iran’s leadership.
The US will end its military campaign and lift its blockade of Hormuz “assuming Iran agrees to give what has been agreed to, which is, perhaps, a big assumption,” Trump posted on social media on Wednesday, without giving details of the proposal. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts.”
In Israel, the prospective deal caused concern, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government pledging to keep pressure on Iran until it’s totally defeated and its nuclear, missile and proxy militia programs dismantled.
Netanyahu is holding talks with American officials to better understand the situation, CNN reported,
lating the effect of an increase in the provincial poverty thresholds by 5.5 percent (8.5 percent actual minus 3 percent target) and assuming no change in household incomes using the 2023 Family Income and Expenditures Survey, shows it effectively increases income poverty incidence by 2.1 percentage-points (566 thousand additional poor households than otherwise with no unexpected inflation) and food poverty incidence by 0.4 percentage-points (206,000 additional households that cannot
TRUMP told reporters at the White House that he didn’t have a deadline to reach an agreement with Iran, but predicted “it’ll happen” and declared “we won” the war. The new peace plan includes provisions for the removal of sanctions on Iran and a moratorium on the country’s uranium enrichment program, according to the person familiar with the matter. All conditions could be reversed if a wider nuclear deal can’t be reached, they said. Axios first reported on the proposal earlier Wednesday. The Israeli army carried out an attack in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday, the first in the vicinity of the Lebanese capital since the US-brokered ceasefire came into effect last month. The assault was intended to kill a Hezbollah commander. There has been no official confirmation of his death. With assistance from John Bowker and John Harney /Bloomberg
afford the most basic food needs). All of these simply highlight that today’s inflation bear down heavily on ordinary households, especially the poor, and that policymakers need to continue to respond with measures that not only tame inflation but protect vulnerable households from the brunt of rising prices.
Dr. Geoffrey
A20
Friday, May 8, 2026
MARCOS JR. SECURES ASEAN MONITORING OF CEASEFIRE FOR CAMBODIA–THAILAND
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
Presi-
APU -LAPU CITY—
Ldent Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
scored a diplomatic breakthrough on the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Cebu, bringing together Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Chanwirakun for a rare dialogue that extended the mandate of the Asean Observer Team (AOT) to monitor the fragile ceasefire along their disputed border.
The meeting on Thursday, convened under the Philippines’s Asean chairmanship, resulted in a three -month extension of the AOT’s mission until July.
Both Thai and Cambodian leaders affirmed their commitment to restraint, open communication, and confidence-building measures, while tasking their foreign ministers to sustain candid talks and resume technical mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission.
Marcos Jr. underscored Asean’s principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
“Peace and stability are indispensable for Asean’s continued growth, prosperity, and the well-being of our people,” Marcos said during a joint press conference with Anutin and Hun. Hun Manet stressed Cambodia’s position that “borders can-
not be changed nor determined by force... sovereignty, territorial integrity and international boundary must be respected in accordance with international law.”
He pressed for full implementation of the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025, including the resumption of survey and demarcation work.
Anutin Chanwirakun echoed the urgency of peace.
“Thailand and Cambodia are two neighboring countries. It is best that we avoid conflict. It only brings losses and suffering.” the Thai leader said.
“Now is the time for us to look forward and walk this path together towards peace. This requires sincerity, good faith and determination.”
The Philippines, as coordinator of the AOT, pledged to continue offering its “good offices” to enable sustained dialogue.
BusinessMirror
End-March govt debt hits new all-time high of ₧18.49T
THEBy Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
national government’s outstanding debt ballooned to a new all-time high of P18.488 trillion as of end-March, equivalent to 65.2 percent of the Philippine economy.
Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that the share of the national government’s debt to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 65.2 percent as of the first quarter from 62 percent in the same period last year.
This exceeded the internationally accepted threshold for emerging economies of 60 percent, which is generally considered fiscally responsible.
A lower ratio indicates a more sustainable debt level, which affects the country’s ability to secure financing, attract foreign investments and settle its obligations.
According to Domini S.D. Velasquez, chief economist at Chinabank, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio could stay under pressure due to slower fiscal consolidation amid the current oil crisis and weaker economic growth as the denominator effect kicks in.
The Philippine economy grew by only 2.8 percent in the first quarter due to the lingering impact of the flood control corruption scandal and escalation of the Middle East war (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/05/07/growthcools-to-2-8-in-q1-2026/).
A softer peso, which raises the value of foreign currency-denominated debt, and higher interest payments in a tighter monetary policy environment could also weigh on the ratio, Velasquez added.
The government aims to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to 61.8 percent this year.
NG outstanding debt at P18.488T
THE government’s outstanding debt rose by 1.81 percent to P18.488 trillion as of end-March from P18.159 trillion in the previous month, Treasury data showed.
“The expansion was primarily driven by the revaluation impact
of peso depreciation against the US dollar, alongside net issuance of domestic securities,” the Treasury explained.
Compared to last year, the outstanding debt grew by 10.81 percent, or P1.804 trillion, from P16.683 trillion.
Broken down, debt incurred from foreign sources grew by 4.81 percent to P5.953 trillion as of end-March from P5.680 trillion a month earlier.
As a share of the economy, this grew to 21 percent in the first quarter from 19.7 percent in the same period last year.
The increase in external debt was due to the depreciation of the peso, which increased the peso value of foreign currency-denominated obligations by P299.50 billion, after the peso weakened by P3.039 against the dollar.
However, this was partially offset by net repayments of P2.55 billion and downward revaluation of third currencies debt by P23.92 billion.
Year on year, external debt jumped by 12.24 percent from P5.304 trillion.
Meanwhile, domestic debt increased by 0.44 percent to P12.534 trillion as of end-March from P12.479 trillion in end-February.
This was driven by the net issuance of government securities amounting to P46.72 billion and peso weakness, which added
P8.68 billion to the peso value of foreign-currency-denominated domestic securities, the Treasury said.
Year-on-year, domestic debt expanded by 10.15 percent, or P1.155 trillion, from P11.379 trillion. Domestic debt-to-GDP ratio also grew to 44.2 percent in the first quarter from 42.3 percent in the same period a year ago.
‘Weak peso could push NG debt beyond target’ LOOKING ahead, the government’s outstanding debt could rise beyond the target of P19.1 trillion this year if the peso stays weak for a prolonged period, since a portion of it is in foreign currencies.
“A weaker peso increases the peso value of external debt even without new borrowings. This does not necessarily mean debt sustainability is deteriorating sharply,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at the state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said. The future direction of the government’s debt also hinges on the pace of government borrowing, exchange rate movements and interest rates, Rivera added.
“If the peso stabilizes and fiscal consolidation continues, debt growth may remain manageable. But if external shocks persist and
DOE sues Leviste over Solar mess
By Lenie Lectura
ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin has filed a criminal complaint against Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste and several directors of Solar Para Sa Bayan (SPSB) for failure to fulfill obligations under its franchise.
“SPSB/SPBC, through respondent incorporators, directors, and/or officers, knowingly and willfully neglected, failed, or omitted to do or perform its obligation under the legislative franchise to provide electric power to customers and end-users in remote, unviable , unserved, or underserved areas,” the complaint stated.
Aside from Leviste, board directors Antonio C. Legarda Sr., Benjamin C. Legarda, Hazel Iris P. Lafuente, and Irma C. Flamiliano were named respondents.
For his part, Leviste called the complaint “super-duper weak.” He also said via text message on Thursday that he will pursue his own probe on the flood control scandal involving officials of the Executive and Legislative branches of the government.
“I am continuing this even though someone told me that (Executive Secretary Ralph Recto) is allegedly ordering Garin, because Recto’s term is coming to an end, but the investigation into Recto’s connection with Gardiola should not be over,” he said.
SPSB was granted a 25-year franchise on July 31, 2019. However, it has not completed a power project since inception.
“To this date, it has been almost seven years since the legislative franchise was granted to SPSB/ SPBC. During this period, the respondents, being the incorpora-
tors, directors, and/or officers of SPSB/SPBC, failed to comply with their obligations under the franchise,” the complaint stated. The DOE further alleged that during these years, SPSB/SPBC continuously established and provided renewable energy for profit through several groups of companies under the umbrella of Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. (SPPPHI), a corporation that is 100-percent owned by respondent Leviste. It can be recalled that in January this year, the DOE terminated 33 renewable energy (RE) service contracts awarded to the project companies of SPPPHI. This represents roughly 64 percent of the terminated contracts that failed to meet contractual obligations. A total of
(URC), the food subsidiary of the Gokongwei family, said its net income fell 2 percent to P3.97 billion in the first quarter from the previous year’s P4.05 billion.
Revenues were up 6 per cent to P47.87 billion, driven by broad‑based, volume‑led growth in branded food in the Philippines, alongside strong contributions from both the animal nutrition and health and the flour divisions, particularly as its new Sariaya flour mill contributed to production.
Branded consumer foods deliv
SBy Lenie Lectura
PC Power Corp. is earmarking P3 billion in capital expenditures (capex) this year and is determined to strengthen its renewable energy (RE) portfolio by adding 500 megawatts (MW) of new capacity in the years to come.
During the company’s annual meeting, official said SPC is advancing its energy transition strategy with 160 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects set for commissioning this year, alongside plans to develop 100 MW of solar capacity by 2027 to
ered P32.2 billion in sales for the quarter ending March 31. Its do mestic market grew 10 percent to P22 billion, driven by broad based volume expansion and the carry over benefit of last year’s pricing actions.
Its international business rose 6 percent to P10.2 billion, reflect ing resilient demand and consis
tent execution across key markets, led by Malaysia on the back of the continued success of the Munchy’s business.
“We started the year with strong, volume led growth, led by BCF Phil ippines, reflecting accelerating mo mentum and continued excellence in execution,” Irwin Lee, URC Presi dent and CEO, said.
“We are balancing targeted de mand support with margin recov ery. We remain mindful that any inflationary spillover from the Middle East conflict could pressure consumer demand, and we will stay agile—managing pricing, mix and costs carefully to sustain momen tum.”
Agro‑industrial and commodities recorded P15.7 billion in sales, flat compared with the previous year.
Animal nutrition was up 22 per cent year on year, while flour grew 17 percent as Sariaya production
ramps up.
This was offset by a decline in the sugar and renewables business on lower distillery utilization rates.
With several mills operating across the Philippines, URC is still the largest miller in the country based on capacity, aided by the purchase of Roxas Holdings Inc.’s sugar mill, ethanol plant and other investment properties in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental in 2020.
It also has idle sugar milling ma chinery and equipment in Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. in Balay an, Batangas, which it acquired in 2023.
The acquisition allows for opera tional synergies, increase in capac ity and efficiency of URC’s existing operations and continue in the ef forts to support the development of the sugar industry in the Philip pines, the company said.
‘26 capital spending at ₧3B
2028. Further, SPC reaffirmed its commitment to add 500 MW of new capacity actively pursuing strategic acquisitions and new projects.
“For 2026, the board of directors has approved and earmarked P3 billion for capital spending for the year. The breakdown of which will be directly spent on our battery projects and our solar projects under development. We also are focused on maximizing the performance of our existing plants,” said SPC President James Roy Villareal. The 160-MWh BESS projects will be deployed into the grid in the second half of this year. This and the development of solar power
projects remain SPC’s focus moving forward.
At the same time, SPC acknowledged ongoing risks, including energy price volatility, geopolitical tensions affecting fuel supply, and regulatory changes. SPC said it remains focused on profitable growth, operational excellence, and sustainable energy investments.
“The recent Iran war has posed significant challenges to the company. One of which is the market suspension, which has recently been ended. But this has led to some unstable revenues during that time.
“The second challenge was, of course, we’ve been facing higher operating costs, includ-
ing fuel costs. And then lastly, looking ahead, there’s always that risk that we face of fuel supply shortages,” added Villareal.
SPC Power booked a net income of P2.223 billion last year, an increase of 43 percent from the previous year. Plant availability rose to 96.4 percent from 86 percent, while distribution utility peak demand grew 8 percent to 127.7 MW. System loss declined to 6 percent.
“2025 was a milestone year for SPC. Our results reflect disciplined operations, improved plant reliability, and the strength of our core businesses despite a challenging market environment,” the company said in a statement.
‘Meralco will comply with ERC order’
By Lenie Lectura
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said, Thursday it will comply the regulator’s directive to suspend disconnection activities for billing periods cover ing May to July this year.
“Meralco is one with the Energy Regulatory Commission [ERC] in finding ways to ease the challenges faced by consumers in light of the government’s declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency due to the conflict in the Middle East. In line with this, we assure our customers that we will comply with the ERC’s directive,” the utility firm said.
Customers may also request for flexible payment measures in ac cordance with the ERC’s advisory.
“We continue to work with the gov ernment and relevant stakeholders to ensure the continuous delivery of stable, and reliable electricity service to our customers,” added Meralco.
The ERC has directed all distri bution utilities (DUs) to suspend electricity service disconnections of residential and non residential consumers for non payment of electricity bills covering the three month period. Consumers with unpaid bills for the said period can opt for a staggered payment.
“By mandating the suspension of disconnections and allowing staggered payments for residential consumers, the ERC is taking deci sive action to shield Filipino house holds and businesses from immedi ate bill shock and the full impact of rising electricity prices during this national energy emergency.
These measures ensure that no consumer is abruptly cut off from power while providing manageable payment terms, thereby alleviat ing financial strain and stabiliz
CNPF: Branded food sales buoy income in Q1
ENTURY Pacific Food Inc.
(CNPF), the tuna canner controlled by the Po family, on Thursday said its income rose 10 percent to P2.09 billion in the first quarter from last year’s P1.9 billion. Revenues rose 15 percent to P23.24 billion from the previ ous P19.93 billion as the branded food unit sustained its volume led growth momentum, delivering an 11 percent growth.
Meanwhile, OEM exports re covered, growing 32 percent, sup ported by gradually improving tuna markets and sustained global de mand for coconut products.
“It has not been an easy envi ronment, especially for the Fili pino household. This is why we widened our value for money of ferings, leaned into convenience, and worked to keep our products accessible during the quarter. We are humbled that in these difficult times, our consumers continue to reach for our brands,” Chad Manapat, the company’s CFO, said. As part of its strategy to offer
Tuna in the first quar ter, and a ready to eat meal com plete with protein and rice at an accessible price point, designed for consumers on t he go CNPF said its dollar denomi nated export revenues served as a natural hedge against rising input costs.
Gross margin fell 100 basis points to 25.1 percent, this was offset by gains from a favorable foreign ex change, which expanded other in come as a percentage of sales by 110 basis points.
Effective tax grew to 19.4 percent from 15.6 percent, due to expiring tax incentives.
“With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we are clear eyed that the months ahead will be marked by headwinds. The aspiration to sustain our double d igit growth momentum remains as we balance the needs of our stakeholders,” Manapat said.
ing the effects of higher electricity prices across the country,” said ERC Chairman Francis Saturnino Juan.
In an advisory, the agency said all DUs shall implement deferred pay ment schemes to ease the financial burden on consumers.
Those with monthly consump tion not exceeding 200 kilowatt hours (kWh) are allowed to defer payment of their electricity bills and pay the same on a staggered basis for at least three months from receipt of the electricity bill. The payment may be spread over three months, with installments reflected in subsequent billing statements.
The ERC also directed state owned firms such as Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Manage ment Corp. (PSALM), National Power Corp. (NPC), and National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) and private stakeholders—generation companies (GenCos), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Independent Power Pro ducers (IPPs), and market operator (MO)—to extend the same pay ment scheme to DUs.
The DUs were told to segregate the amounts paid by the consum ers to determine the amount due to gencos, PSALM, NPC, TransCo, IPPs, NGCP, and MO. “DUs are required to submit their compliance to the directives under this advisory within 30 days from end of the covered billing period or on or before August 30, 2026,” the ERC said.
The Power for People Coalition (P4P), meanwhile, welcomed the move of ERC but said that this “should have, in fact, been imple mented much sooner into the be ginning of the war and the dec laration of the national energy emergency.”
Gerry Arances of the Power for
People Coalition (P4P) also urged the agency to mandate the imme diate reconnection of consumers whose electricity supply has al ready been cut off prior to this ad visory.
VAT on electricity
MEANWHILE, the Department of Energy (DOE) said it is prepared to provide inputs to economic manag ers and Congress amid calls to re move or suspend the imposition of value added tax (VAT) on electricity.
“Removing or adjusting VAT on electricity therefore requires a thorough evaluation of how these changes will flow through the en t ire supply chain, and whether the resulting savings will be fully and directly felt by consumers at the household and business level,” the agency said.
Under the current VAT system, electricity is subject to a pass through tax structure where com panies along the power supply chain—from generation to distribu tion—claim offsets between the VAT they pay on their inputs and the VAT they collect from consumers.
DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said her office remains firm in its push to remove VAT in a bid to lower power rates. “We have been consistent in our opinion on VAT removal and anything that would lower the price of electricity, the DOE supports, in cluding revisiting the VAT and any taxes included in our electricity bill,” she said during an online news con ference early this week.
The decision on whether the sus pension, removal or imposition of any tax measure is under the mandate of DOF (Department of Finance). “This is for the DOF to assess and review,” she added.
Beyond tax related propos als, the agency has helped avert a potential P7 per kilowatt hour
increase in electricity prices. The DOE said it remains committed to long term solutions that will make electricity more affordable and re liable by expanding power supply, accelerating renewable energy de velopment, and strengthening the country’s grid infrastructure.
Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Regulatory Management Jose Ronald Valles said the utility firm had asked lawmakers to remove the energy tax in Meralco bills.
The energy tax is a government mandated tax applied to residen tial customers consuming over 650 k ilowatt hour (kWh) monthly. It falls under “taxes” and repre sents around eight percent of the bill. It is remitted to the national government, along with VAT, local franchise tax, and real property tax. On the average, energy tax amounts anywhere from 10 to 35 centavos per kWh.
“I also want to get rid of that. The purpose of the energy tax is to conserve energy and to promote ef ficient utilization of energy. So only high consumption residential cus tomers are charged with that.
“And if I recall correctly, Meralco, or maybe a few other utilities, have that. Some utilities do not have that. So, the objective of that law is to con serve energy and promote efficient utilization of energy. Actually, it has been achieved already because…We already have a lifeline, we already have it when your consumption is higher, the rate is higher.
“Also, there is already this Energy Conservation Act. It has the same objective. I think it is really right to amend this law. The range of that collection is between 10 35 centavos per kilowatt hour. So, that’s pretty big, even bigger than Lifeline and Senior Citizen. If that is removed, the primary beneficiary is those con suming 650 kWh,” said Valles.
VG Cabuag
shock prompts Campi to rethink ‘26 sales goal
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
tensions
EOPOLITICAL
Gand weaker global de mand continue to weigh on market conditions in the local automotive industry, prompt ing the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philip pines Inc. (Campi) to drop its goal of selling 500,000 vehicles this year.
According to CAMPI President Jose Maria Atienza, the industry entered 2026 targeting the half m illion sales mark, but mounting external pressures have shifted priorities for carmakers.
“We announced 500,000 units as a milestone for this year,” Atienza said on Wednesday. “But of course, so many things have been happening. Considering what’s happening and the world crisis, that number is not actu ally our main goal for this year anymore.” Instead, he said industry play ers are now focusing on how brands can support motorists and customers amid rising un certainty and higher fuel costs.
Atienza acknowledged that ve hicle sales have already weakened compared to last year, although the decline has so far been less severe than initially feared.
“When this so c alled crisis started, I was expecting more— meaning lower market perfor mance,” he said. “Actually, it’s better than my previous person al projection.”
Still, he said Campi expects softer demand to persist through the rest of the year, with the global automotive market cur
rently down by around 8 percent to 10 percent from year a go lev els.
“Personally, because we still don’t have the final forecast for the year, it should go down from last year’s forecast.”
Despite the slowdown, the in dustry is seeing stronger demand for electrified vehicles as con sumers respond to elevated fuel prices.
Total electrified vehicle (EV) sales reached 11,800 units in the first quarter of 2026, up 36.19 percent from 8,664 units a year earlier.
Atienza said EVs, including hy brid and battery p owered mod els, made up around 10 percent of the market last year. That share has since climbed sharply, reaching about 23 per cent in March and an estimated 25 percent in April.
“We’ve seen the effect of fuel prices and how customers and motorists choose what kind of vehicles they’d like,” he said. Meamwhile, Campi said it did not set a sales target for electri fied vehicles, noting that each automotive brand follows its own market strategy.
Still, Atienza said the trend to ward electrification is expected to continue beyond this year.
“The only way for it to go is up,” he said, referring to the share of electrified vehicles in the mar ket. He noted that the segment’s growth has accelerated signifi cantly over the past five years, from nearly negligible levels to roughly a quarter of total month ly vehicle sales.
Banks’
exposure to war impact ‘limited’—BSP
THE Philippine banking system’s direct exposures to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain “limited”, with risks largely transmitted through “indirect channels” such as higher oil prices, inflationary pressures, foreign exchange (FX) movements, and tighter global financial conditions, a report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) noted.
Based on its “Second Semester 2025 Report on the Philippine Financial System,” the central bank noted that banks’ “strong capital and liquidity positions, diversified funding bases, and proactive risk management practices provide cushions against these external spillovers, supporting overall system resilience amid heightened global uncertainty.”
The BSP said this after it underscored that the Philippine financial system remained “resilient” in the second half of 2025, providing “steady support” to the economy.
This was evident in the growth of total assets of banks as these grew by 8.9 percent to P29.9 trillion as of December 2025.
Albeit slightly lower than the previous year’s growth of 9 percent, the latest growth in assets continued to outpace the expansion of the Philippine economy, the BSP underscored.
The central bank said as banks maintained healthy indicators, public confidence in the banking sector remained “solid,” with deposits reaching P21.9 trillion as of endDecember 2025, up by 7.4 percent year-on-year.
Banking&Finance Strong peso calms market bracing for future volatility
BSP also noted that bank lending expanded by 11.7 percent to P17.1 trillion, supporting household consumption and business investments, including priority and underserved sectors.
Moreover, the central bank said asset quality is manageable coupled with banks’ “prudent” lending practices.
“The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio, or the proportion of bad loans to total loans, stood at 3.1 percent as of end-December 2025, complemented by an adequate loan-loss coverage ratio of 97.2 percent,” BSP said.
Meanwhile, the central bank said capital and liquidity positions are strong.
As of end-December 2025, the “solo” capital adequacy ratio (CAR) was recorded at 15.8 percent, while the “consolidated” CAR, which covers banks and their subsidiaries, at 16.2 percent, both exceeding the BSP’s 10-percent minimum requirement, BSP said.
Liquidity indicators were also above the 100-percent regulatory minimum, with universal and commercial banks’ “solo” liquidity coverage ratio at 172.3 percent and “solo” net stable funding ratio at 132.7 percent.
Alongside banks, BSP-supervised non-bank financial institutions also continued to broaden access to financial services during the period. Trust and foreign currency deposit unit operations expanded credit and asset management services. Andrea Louise San Juan
Strict credit rules seen ‘anti-poor’ by fintech
THE operator of the JuanHand online lending platform has launched a new facility as an option for Filipinos discouraged by the strict rules for credit cards imposed by traditional financial institutions.
“I think there is a need for an access card because a lot of Filipinos want a credit card. Traditional financial institutions are very strict and I understand that they want to limit risk,” WeFund Lending Corp. CEO Francisco D.C. Mauricio told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the firm’s card, which it calls “Luvit.” Mauricio stressed that if financial institutions are too strict, it becomes “anti-poor” and “anti-opportunity.”
“Everyone deserves a chance so that’s what we try to do. So amidst this, we want to launch it,” he added.
Mauricio said this as the Finvolution Group’s Philippine subsidiary aims to convince over 20 million Filipino adults who are still “credit invisible” to use its card-based lending app.
“We want people to have a credit footprint; especially at this time di ba? Ang dami kasi: there’s over 20 million Filipino adults, 18 and up, [who] has zero credit footprint; meaning, credit invisible sila” he told reporters last Wednesday. According to Mauricio, the spend-
TBy Andrea Louise San Juan
HE strengthening of the peso last Thursday may be the lull before a storm.
So says Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera and Reyes Tacandong & Co. Senior Adviser Jonathan L. Ravelas.
Rivera told the BusinessMirror that while the peso rebound is “encouraging,” the local tender is still expected to remain volatile as movements continue to be heavily influenced by oil prices, global dollar strength, and geopolitical developments.
After truce talks between Washington and Tehran pushed oil prices below $100, the Philippine peso rose to its strongest level in over two weeks, pulling it back to the P60-
per-dollar rate last Thursday.
Within the trading session on May 7, the local currency traded for as weak as P60.9 against the dollar and as strong as P60.345.
Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) showed the Philippine peso strengthened for the third straight trading day as it closed at P60.42 against the dollar on Thursday, 88 centavos stronger than its previous finish of P61.305 on Wednesday.
China Banking Corp. Group Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said that the positive news on a possible de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East weakened the US dol-
BTr returns to Philhealth funds stripped off by DOF
lar and lowered oil prices, supporting the appreciation of the Philippine peso.
Velasquez’s view is shared by Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), who said the peso could have strengthened “after global crude oil prices again declined to near 2-week lows, at $93 per barrel for the Nymex crude oil benchmark (lower/better vs. $100 in the previous trading day) amid market optimism that the US and Iran could be nearing a deal to end the war, as Trump signaled that the war could be over within a week or before his visit to Beijing on May 14.”
Velasquez believes the peso is now recovering against the greenback after being one of the “most depreciated” currencies in the region since the start of the year. In fact, she said, the local currency has now emerged as “one of the strongest-performing currencies” today.
Ravelas shares Velasquez’s view
saying that the peso’s “healthy relief rally is largely on truce talks.”
“Pulling the peso back to the P60 level helps stabilize sentiment,” he added.
Rivera told the BusinessMirror that the stronger move on Thursday may also indicate “reduced demand for dollars and possible support from improving market positioning after the peso hit record lows earlier.”
He also attributed the stronger local currency to expectations that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could maintain a “firmer policy stance if inflation remains elevated.”
These expectations, he further explained, can help support the currency.
However, Ravelas pointed out that Thursday’s peso strength is “not yet a full trend reversal.”
“Sustainability still depends on global rate expectations and risk appetite, so for now, expect a rangebound peso between 60.300/60.750,” he added.
Associations need mindset of a coach
ing limit for the Luvit card starts at P6,000 but capped to P200,000. He explained that this threshold fits into the micro-loan or nano-loan category and aligned with the maximum needs of the lending app’s target market.
Emmanuel Vera, the brand head of Luvit, said the card-based lending app is targeting young professionals and people who are starting with their career.
“Because we want to show them na flexible payment kami; makatulong kami technically sa cash flow nila,” Vera added.
Mauricio explained that Luvit has a “fast and easy” application form which only takes less than five minutes to accomplish. In addition, only one valid ID is required from the user and the approval takes “in as fast as 90 seconds.”
Mastercard and FinVolution Group have launched the Luvit Card as more Filipinos adopt digital financial services.
In July 2025, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that the share of digital payments to total monthly retail transactions rose to 57.4 percent in terms of volume and 59 percent in terms of value in 2024. These are up from 52.8 percent and 55.3 percent, respectively, in 2023. Andrea Louise San Juan
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced it has filed criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Lobelle Commodities Corp. over P262 million in tax liabilities tied to its misuse of valueadded tax (VAT) exemption on palm olein imports.
A statement issued by the BIR last Thursday read that Lobelle improperly claimed VAT exemptions on imported palm olein despite allegedly not qualifying for the privilege under the law. Under the Tax Code, palm olein oil imports can only be exempted from VAT if the oil will be used in manufacturing animal feeds and if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certifies that the oil is unfit for human consumption.
The BIR said its investigation showed that the corporation was not engaged in manufacturing animal feeds and that the imported palm olein oil was later sold to entities also not involved in producing finished animal feeds. There were also no records from the FDA of any requests from the corporation for certifications related to the importation of palm olein oil in 2020. According to the BIR, VAT exemptions are special privileges that can only be used if all legal requirements are met. The repeated importations and non-payment of VAT allegedly showed willful intent to evade taxes.
“Tax exemptions are granted
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) finally recovered the P60 billion in reserve funds it was stripped of by the Department of Finance (DOF) two years ago.
In a statement the health insurer issued last Thursday, PhilHealth said that the National Treasury returned funds, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.
“The corporation assures that every peso will be allocated toward improving benefits, strengthening systems to accelerate processes and providing every Filipino with service that is fast, fair, and truly reliable,” read the statement crafted partly in Filipino.
To recall, the DOF ordered, under its Circular 003-2024, the sweeping of excess funds by government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) such as PhilHealth, purportedly to finance unprogrammed appropriations.
After receiving flak for the move, the DOF, then led by current Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, said it only complied with a Congressional mandate under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). In addition, the DOF’s defense cited its move was strictly in accordance with the opinion from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.
PhilHealth was supposed to remit a total of P89.9 billion, but the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the insurer’s remittance to the Treasury. Only P60 billion was remitted in three separate tranches in 2024.
The PhilHealth has earlier expressed use of that money for the increase and expansion of benefit packages, the implementation of zero-balance billing and the funding of a digitalization program.
According to the DOF, P27.45 billion of the P60-billion fund that PhilHealth remitted was used to pay for the Health Emergency Allowances of COVID-19 frontliners.
Other programs that were funded are the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (P10 billion); the procurement of various medical equipment for the Department of Health (DOH) and local government unit hospitals, and primary care facilities (P4.10 billion).
It also funded three DOH health facilities (P3.37 billion) and the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (P1.69 billion).
The rest, or about P13.00 billion, was used to fund government counterpart financing for foreignassisted infrastructure and “social determinants for health” projects.
In December last year, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered Malacañang to return PhilHealth’s P60 billion through the 2026 GAA.
BIR files criminal complaints vs palm olein importer
for specific purposes under the law. They cannot be used loosely or claimed when the conditions are not met. When exemptions are abused, the government loses revenue, and compliant taxpayers are put at a disadvantage,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza was quoted as saying in the statement.
Meanwhile, the BIR also filed two separate complaints before the DOJ against two business owners over more than P8 million in unpaid taxes in 2019.
The BIR said Junn Ryan Tolentino Pucan, owner of JRT Pucan Meat Stall, and Romy Cruzada Claveria, owner of Yarikata Construction, allegedly failed to pay taxes despite repeated notices and opportunities
to settle their liabilities.
According to the BIR, Pucan ignored final government demands to pay his income tax liabilities after the assessments became final and executory.
Claveria, meanwhile, filed VAT returns without paying the taxes due and also ignored the BIR’s demand to settle his self-assessed VAT liabilities.
“Taxpayers are given opportunities to respond, explain, or settle their liabilities. But when an assessment becomes final and executory, continued refusal to pay may lead to criminal action,” Mendoza said.
The BIR has filed more than 74 “Run After Tax Evaders” cases before the DOJ. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
WE recently had the opportunity to interview Ms. Tina Sioson, a leadership coach and human capital consultant, for an episode of the PCAAE Podcast, Association Matters. Our conversation, titled, Why Associations Need a Coach Mindset, struck a chord with me, not only because coaching is gaining traction across industries, but also because it resonates deeply with how associations operate today. As associations navigate rapid change, diverse member expectations, and evolving leadership styles, adopting a coaching mindset may be one of the most practical leadership shifts associations can make.
One of Coach Tina’s most compelling points was her definition of coaching as a partnership. Unlike mentoring, consulting, or counseling, coaching treats both parties as co-equals. The coach is the process expert; the client is the content expert. The goal is not to prescribe solutions but to unleash potential, helping individuals or teams discover answers from within. This distinction is important for associations. They often operate from a position of authority: setting standards, issuing guidelines, and recommending best practices. But what if, instead of telling members what to do, associations engaged them in co-creating solutions?
This is where the coaching mindset becomes especially relevant. Coach Tina observed that associations are already strong in governance and structure. Coaching complements this strength by encouraging collaboration and shared ownership. When association leaders facilitate coachingstyle conversations, they invite members to contribute ideas, refine solutions, and take greater responsibility for outcomes. Not surprisingly, solutions developed collaboratively tend to gain stronger buy-in and reduce resistance.
Another key takeaway is that association leaders don’t need to be certified coaches to apply coaching principles. Coach Tina highlighted practical skills that leaders can begin using immediately. These include active listening, not just to words, but to tone and body language, empathy, authenticity, and staying curious. Perhaps most importantly, she emphasized being non-judgmental. When leaders ask thoughtful questions instead of offering quick answers, they
create space for “aha” moments. These moments, she noted, lead to stronger ownership because the solutions come from the individuals themselves.
This insight is particularly useful in association environments, where volunteers, board members, and stakeholders bring diverse perspectives. Coaching-style conversations can help align these perspectives without imposing authority. Rather than debating whose idea is best, leaders can guide discussions that surface collective wisdom.
Coach Tina also pointed to where coaching can have the greatest impact in association programs; by developing the next generation of leaders. Associations are uniquely positioned to support emerging professionals, especially Gen Z members and soon, Gen Alpha. By embedding coaching approaches into leadership development, mentoring programs, and volunteer engagement, associations can nurture leaders who are more collaborative, adaptive, and self-aware. This forward-looking approach, she suggested, will shape a new breed of association executives prepared for future challenges.
The overarching lesson from my conversation with Coach Tina is simple yet powerful: associations don’t always need better answers; they need better conversations. A coach mindset shifts leadership from directing to empowering, from prescribing to co-creating, and from authority to partnership. In a world where engagement and collaboration matter more than ever, this may be the mindset that helps associations remain relevant, resilient, and impactful. And perhaps that’s the real takeaway: when associations learn to ask better questions, they unlock better possibilities.
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the
Octavio Peralta Association World
Viral moments: In a world of excess, humility still wins
THEY say the rich are different from you and me. But lately, a few of them have proven that they are as human and ordinary as most of us, in spite of their incredible wealth.
In two videos that went viral in the last two weeks, tycoon siblings Teresita Sy-Coson (TSC) and Hans T. Sy seemed to be engaged in a game of one-upmanship on who was the most down to earth, or who would also fall prey to the demands of popular culture?
In the first video that caught the attention of netizens, Sy, chairman of SM Prime Holdings’ executive committee, was seen holding up a light stick while shaking it to the current popular tune “Hawak Mo ang Beat” at an event with one of my favorite lawmakers, Sen. Risa Hontiveros. No doubt, participants at the Angels Walk for Autism 2026, which was held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, were surprised at the agility of Sy, now in his 70s, and his joyful exuberance.
Sy was there as representative of SM Cares Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM Supermalls which partnered with the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) for the event. Before everyone got down to the important business of dancing their hearts out, Hontiveros proudly announced that the proposed legislation she sponsored, the National Autism CARES Bill, was finally passed in the Senate. Through Angels Walk, SM Cares and ASP advocate for the awareness, acceptance and inclusion of all persons with autism. And once enacted into law, Hontiveros’s bill aims to develop a comprehensive national care plan for individuals in the autism
MCAD HOSTS FREE SUMMER ART WORKSHOPS THIS MAY THE Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) invites young and budding creatives to explore their passion and talent in a series of Saturday art workshops for free. Organized as part of the Summer Arts Festival of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Center for Social Action (CSA), the lineup includes a blend of interactive and fun-filled lectures and hands-on sessions. These were specially curated to introduce fresh minds and enthusiasts to diverse art forms, and encourages them to foster and showcase their ingenuity and imagination.
On May 9, Quilt & Connect will provide a bonding opportunity for parents and children as they weave functional textile products through recycled materials, such as fabric scraps. This family crafting session guides participants as they practice and learn their hand-stitching skills. It will be facilitated by Olivia Jaro Lopez, a textile and surface designer and visual artist, and a full-time professor under the Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program, where she teaches Textile Design, On May 16, A Kaleidoscope World is set to immerse young artists aged 13 to 17 in the beauty and significance of patterns in nature, design, and everyday life. It will be spearheaded by Sophia Glorianna Viola, a visual artist, designer, and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) senior artist-teacher.
On May 23, a Mosaic Workshop will challenge crafters aged 20 and above to explore and exemplify their imagination as they form decorative images using small and versatile pieces of colored tiles. It will be facilitated by visual artist and writer Tey Ihvonie Maravilla Sevilleno. The workshops are free and open to the public. Materials will be provided. The sessions will run from 9 am to 11 am on the scheduled Saturdays. It will be held at The Loop, Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/ MCADManila or www.mcadmanila.org.ph
the right therapist who can teach them to care for their kids. Then there is the general school system, which is on the whole not geared to educate autistic children. So parents have to enroll their autistic kids in special needs schools, which can be quite expensive. A law that will ensure assistance to these parents will certainly be a load off their shoulders.
In another viral video, Sy’s Achi Tessie earned praise from netizens for lining up to pay for her groceries at an SM Supermarket outlet. The video was shared by one @aritafernando12 on TikTok, who is heard annotating and is amazed that “may-ari ’yan ng SM ha, simple lang. Pumipila lang tapos walang bodyguard [That’s the owner of SM, she’s very simple. She lines up and doesn’t have any bodyguard].”
TSC was dressed simply in her favorite weekend attire, a button-down long-sleeved top with cuffs folded above her wrist, black slim-fit slacks, and a pair of black ballet flats. (I saw her in a similar outfit once, when I bumped into her at a restaurant where she was having lunch with PSE director Vivian Yuchengco and other friends. She told me that she enjoyed being out of her usual corporate suit and just lazing it on weekends, lunching with the girls.)
But what amused me while watching this particular video, was how TSC walked away a bit from the cashier to inspect her rather long grocery receipt, as if checking that each item was priced correctly. Something that many of us do, too! Hahaha.
(In my personal experience at some supermarkets, there have been a few times that the price rung up on the till is different from the tag on the shelf of goods. This is unfair and unprofessional since the price tags are supposed to help customers decide how to keep within our grocery budget. So please do check your receipts, people. Especially at this time when supermarkets are already raising prices.)
Now, what I want to really know is if TSC also uses a Prestige Card to accumulate points, and a senior
Other than the Sy siblings, Ayala Corp.’s Jaime August Zobel de Ayala (Jaza) is also one cool dude who doesn’t think twice about walking from his corporate office to another destination in Makati. I’ve caught him a couple of times doing this, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt, no tie, his well-polished shoes just hitting the pavement along Ayala Avenue, and seemingly without any aide or bodyguard following him.
Years ago, while in a long queue to enter a Naia passenger terminal (this was when X-ray machines were still positioned at the entrance), I observed one security guard approach a man at the back of the line. It turned out to be Jaza. While I couldn’t hear what they were saying to each other, from the looks of it the guard had offered Jaza to cut the line and enter the terminal ahead of others. Jaza, bless him, politely turned down the guard’s offer and stayed in his place in the queue.
Even former Trade Secretary Mar Roxas would ride the MRT coach from Cubao to Buendia Avenue to escape traffic and get to his office in Makati, while my ex-boss and the current Ambassador to the Court of Saint James Teddyboy Locsin would sometimes take the public bus to go home near Ayala Avenue from our office along Edsa.
Amid these rich folk just moving about here and abroad on the DL, we have get-rich-quick politicians with massive numbers of security aides in tow, then waltzing into airport terminals, restaurants, boutiques and hotels, etc., like they owned these joints.
They are so insecure that they need to live large and call attention to themselves. They also surround themselves with sycophants who hang on to their every word, because they know deep down they will never escape their petty and parochial beginnings. Shameless.
Meanwhile, I need to get that blasted dance tune to stop “re-beating” in my head. Unhh.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Trust in your ability to do the research and to come up with a realistic plan before you give someone else the reins. Learn from experience, and dedicate your time to being diverse, paying attention to detail and executing your plans with dedication and discipline. Give yourself the right to do things your way. ★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Simplify your routine and concentrate on what you enjoy doing most. It’s time to make life choices that put your mind at ease and offer the benefits that are most important to you. Physical fitness, travel and educational pursuits that upgrade your skills, knowledge and experience will encourage you to align yourself with those who complement your strengths. ★★★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Keep your thoughts and emotions to yourself. Pay attention to how others respond, and distance yourself from those looking for an argument. Discipline and originality will give depth to your aspirations, encouraging you to put solid plans in place as you navigate your way forward. Put ego aside when dealing with meaningful relationships. ★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Follow through with your intentions, and you’ll get the boost you need to bring about positive change. A job change can offer relief from a situation that is holding you back. Spending more time at home or building a remote business will encourage you to explore unique ways to use your skills and experience to your advantage. ★★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Listen carefully when discussing domestic issues. How you run your household or relate to emotional matters will determine what happens next. An opportunity to change the dynamics of your relationships with those close to you will help you put the past behind you. Refuse to let ego and emotional anger seep into conversations. A physical outlet is favored. ★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When confusion sets in, discipline and ingenuity will come in handy. Reflect and establish what’s most important and what’s necessary to reach your destination. Anger, overspending and professional changes will cause uncertainty, leaving you questioning your past, present and future. A pickme-up that eases stress and boosts your ego is encouraged, and romance is in the stars. ★★★
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Explore and expand your interests, friendships and skills. Refuse to let the changes going on around you push you in a direction that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Put more thought and energy into what you know and do best, and incorporate your attributes into your routine. Settling into
TOO NICE TO GIRLS
THE actor’s ex, a retired actress, once replied to a question about his being nice by saying, “Oh, yes, he is nice. Too nice to other girls.” The actor, now married, reportedly cheated on the actress a lot of times. He has also reportedly cheated on his beautiful wife not once but several times. A story that would not go away is his alleged thing with a starlet who has now disappeared from the public eye. According to rumors, their short encounter reportedly resulted in the starlet getting pregnant. It’s not clear if they are still in contact. If this rumored affair was true, it’s not the first time the actor cheated on his wife. He’s had several affairs throughout their marriage.
SIDELINED
THE actress is said to be pregnant. She’s in a committed relationship with a man who seems to love her so much and they’re both financially stable. It’s just too bad that her career will be sidelined because of this development, and it’s not clear if she’ll come back to acting after marriage and motherhood. She doesn’t need to because she is rich and so is her husband. It’s just too bad because she’s such a good actress and her TV dramas and movies are such a joy to watch, no matter who her leading man is. She was shooting for a new drama when this pregnancy was discovered. No one knows what will happen to the show.
GREAT TO WORK WITH BRANDS and advertisers are very happy about working with these two young stars. The girl is more popular than the guy but his celebrity is fast catching up because many fans find him to be sincere and adorable. Brands like working with the two separately or together because of their professionalism. They always arrive on time. They don’t make a necessary demands, and everything they ask for is reasonable and doable. They also fulfill the social media requirements of every engagement promptly. No reminders required.
NO TO LOVETEAMS
WHAT fans don’t know about the actor is that he’s a very private person with set likes and dislikes. He’s never liked being in a loveteam and it’s nothing personal. He could like a girl and still not like being in a loveteam. He knows the pitfalls of loveteams, and it has happened so many times that even the privacy of his family members could be breached by fans. He’s also concerned about the girls he works with and those he has worked with in the past getting hate from overzealous fans. He also thinks he’s too old to be in a loveteam.
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni settle ‘It Ends With Us’ dispute
NEW YORK—Actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni agreed on Monday to end their legal feud over the acrimonious production of their 2024 film It Ends With Us, averting a trial that threatened to further tarnish their reputations and expose the dark side of Hollywood moviemaking.
The costars turned courtroom adversaries settled the civil case two weeks before they were to go to trial in New York on Lively’s claims that Baldoni conspired with publicists to preemptively destroy her reputation after she privately accused him of sexually harassing her on the movie set.
“Raising awareness, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors— and all survivors—is a goal that we stand behind,” Lively and Baldoni said in a joint statement issued through their lawyers.
“It is our sincere hope that this brings closure and allows all involved to move forward constructively and in peace, including a respectful environment online.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Lively, 38, sued Baldoni, 42, and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, at the end of 2024. Weeks later, Baldoni sued Lively, accusing her, her husband—Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds—and their publicist of defamation and extortion.
Baldoni, who directed the dark romantic drama and starred in it with Lively, had denied harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign. He’d claimed the complaints about his behavior were made up by Lively as part of an effort to seize creative control of the movie.
Monday’s settlement came after a federal judge in Manhattan tossed some of each actors’ claims.
Last June, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Baldoni’s defamation and extortion lawsuit. In April, he threw out Lively’s sexual harassment claims, ruling that she couldn’t pursue them under federal law because she was an independent contractor rather than an employee on the movie set.
In their joint statement, the parties said they recognize that Lively’s concerns “deserved to be heard” and that they ”remain firmly committed to workplaces free of improprieties and unproductive environments.” AP
Show BusinessMirror
‘The Choral’: A town sings of the world
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture everyday of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful that God has implanted in the human soul.”—GOETHE
IT is 1916. In one of the mill towns in Yorkshire, the adult men are disappearing. They are going to the war front. It is World War I. A significant number it seems are signing up, with patriotism a newly minted word with a good scent.
The film The Choral opens with a gray, smoke-filled screen, with the sound of guns ushering us into a wartorn landscape. It’s an illusion. This brief ominous intro is interrupted by two young men talk being in the trenches, as they heard of them. They are not in the trenches; they are birdboys assisting bird hunters.
In the town, we see them, the other young man working as a sort of postal person—delivering official notices from the “King” to wives or mothers of those who perished in the war.
These are short episodes in the life of this Yorkshire town that despite the death across the channel still resemble a quiet and safe place for all mankind. There is no war here, no world is battered by young men who will come home without legs, partly blind, or unhinged. Some critics took note of this and complained about the lack of sentiment and world politics in this piece of history.
The Choraldocuments in both graceful and grave way about a war that has stopped the life of those in the trenches, making the sociopolitical lives of the leaders of the era to tremble with the fury of demigods.
They are, after all, the ones who have the last words to stop and begin another war. It underscores how the war sometimes cannot push back the arts—
and music. In so many ways, the case of England at war during WW I is different because it did not happen on English soil.
Back in the town, there seems to be a more serious business to take care of: with the men going away, what happens to the town choral group? The problem is not with the “lassies” as one of them puts it. From what looks like a bucolic entry, the hint of war notwithstanding, into this town, we sense an agitation.
The soberly dressed and smart old man fetches the town photographer, presently busy taking memorial shots of military recruits. The two proceed to the town hall filled by mostly women and men who have read the announcement on the town building walls. The smile begins at this point for this uncannily entertaining film.
At the hall, the first rehearsal is initiated. Frustrating. Lack of harmony. Unprofessional sounding. This is where the cast of characters is partly introduced to us. But at the end of the rehearsal, the pianist who is also the choral master, tells the organizers he has to go. He is resigning. He is joining the military.
The next step therefore is to look for the new choral master. Remembering that this is still wartime, the task at hand for the town gentlemen is daunting. At the living room of the wealthy mill owner Duxbury, the gentlemen look exhausted even before they have dived into the selection process. With no name to agree on, the town photographer, with much hesitation and anxiety, gives the name of Guthrie.
Pushed out of Germany where he has long resided, Guthrie has the capacity to train chorus except that he is.... One gentleman cannot even say the word. Guthrie is an atheist—that is easy to say. For Dr. Guthrie is an atheist, a Germanophile, England’s present enemy, and a homosexual.
Guthrie is in; Bach’s “Passion according to St. Matthew” is out. During their rehearsal, a stone was thrown through the glass window. They saw this as a protest against their choice of music. It was then back to zero. They begin by enumerating works by other composers. They were all Germans. Until they come upon “The Dream of Gerontius.” The composer: Elgar. England’s own.
Artifice and all, The Choral is the kind of film, which those who adore music and the conflicting
histories where it is linked to, that is easy to love. The crucial problem is that it draws you away from the ugly truths of war. Be that as it may, Guthrie decides to work around the measly human and musical resources he is given. He turns Elgar’s “The Dream of Gerontius” into a semi-staged adaptation.
In the oratorio about an old man dying, Guthrie transforms Gerontius into a soldier at the battlefront, the Angel guiding the soul into a nurse. He has brought the war to a quiet town, where music has never lost its hold.
What will Elgar think of these changes? As Elgar, Simon Russell Beale is irrepressibly flamboyant as the composer who was already a major then and who must have predicted he would be celebrated in the future for his genius.
As the soldier taking on the tenor role of Gerontius, Jacob Dudman is the perfect youth gone to waste by war. With a soft, angelic face, he is part of the destroyed generation of the post-1916, about to face the future with another world war where music may not have a fair chance at all.
Roger Alam, as the mill owner Duxbury, leads a wonderful ensemble of actors essaying an era with dreams and desires, love and lust, growing up and growing old that belong to a time we are left to imagine and romanticize about. We see them in faded photographs and contentious narratives.
Ralph Fiennes gives a splendid quiet performance, used as we are to his luxuriously imposing characterization in the past. Not that he is less marvelous as Guthrie; he is splendid as the man who not only is forced to hide his sexuality but also his sadness. If the war has not disturbed the small town, Fiennes as Guthrie portrays all that will disturb quiet and unruly civilizations: religion, ethnicity, and sexuality.
The Choral is directed by Nicholas Hytner from the screenplay of his frequent collaborator Allan Bennett. The two, as an example, worked together on the films
The Madness of King George and The History Boys. Hytner is also popular for directing Miss Saigon.
With a distinct coloration that shifts from the sylvan to the severe, Mike Eley is the cinematographer. Music is by George Fenton; editing is by Tariq Anwar.
Released by Sony Pictures Classics, The Choral streams on Netflix.
‘ENCANTADIA CHRONICLES: SANG’GRE’ SURPASSES ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBERS, EARNS YOUTUBE HONORS
GMA Network’s iconic fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre marked a significant digital milestone. Its official YouTube channel (@EncantadiaGMA) surpassed one million subscribers, earning the Gold Play Button and Silver Play Button Creator Awards from the video-sharing platform. To date, it has 1.47 million subscribers. The program’s digital milestone comes just in time for its highly anticipated finale week, airing until May 8.
On #SanggreFinaleMediaDay held on April 30 at the GMA Network Center, the New Generation Sang’gres led by Biana Umali (Sang’gre Terra), Angel Guardian (Sang’gre Deia) and Kelvin Miranda (Sang’gre Adamus), together with Rhian Ramos (Mitena), received the awards from YouTube.
YouTube have become in extending the reach of our content,” said JR Remigio, GMA New Media Inc. (GMA NMI) assistant vice president and AVOD business and content management.
“Reaching both the Gold and Silver Play Buttons underscores how powerful digital platforms like
“At GMA New Media, we’re focused on building communities around our shows, where audiences can connect
with GMA programs anytime, anywhere.”
The official Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre channel on YouTube is managed by GMA New Media Inc., the technology and innovation arm of GMA Network. It serves as a hub for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes
features, and extended storytelling that provides a more immersive viewing experience beyond television
The Gold Play Button and Silver Play Button Creator Awards from YouTube are given to channels that have reached 1 million and 100,000 subscribers, respectively. The platform’s recognition of the Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre channel is made possible by the overwhelming support of the fandom, which continues to drive the series’
RALPH FIENNES headlines The Choral, now streaming on Netflix.
Mom’s time off, styled just for her at Ibis Styles Manila Araneta City
This Mother’s Day, ibis Styles Manila
Araneta City is putting Mom in the spotlight with a celebration that is bright, playful, and full of feel-good moments. She may be booked, busy, and always on the move, but this time, it is her turn to pause, be spoiled, and enjoy a day made around her. From stylish stays and festive dining to sweet treats, skyline drinks, and poolside fun, the hotel brings together a vibrant lineup of offers for families ready to celebrate Mom in a fresh and memorable way.
For moms who deserve to switch off and settle into a well-earned break, Mom’s Time Off gives families a stylish city stay made easy. Available for booking until May 30, 2026, for stays until May 31, 2026, the Mother’s Day staycation offer lets Mom enjoy a relaxing change of scenery with thoughtful treats and family-friendly inclusions.
Guests may book a Standard Room at P3,699 nett per night or a Family Room at P8,199 nett per night. Each stay comes with a welcome gift for Mom and 10 percent off on food orders at Le Bistro, The Edge Skyview Bar, and strEATs Coworking Café. Standard Room bookings include breakfast buffet for two adults and one child aged 12 years old and below at strEATs, while Family Room bookings include breakfast buffet for two adults and two children aged 12 years old and below at strEATs. (Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No.
FTEB-254686, Series of 2026.)
The celebration blooms at strEATs with Plates & Petals, a Mother’s Day Full Bloom Feast happening on May 10, 2026, from 12 noon to 2 pm. Made for moms who deserve a table as bright as the love they give, this garden-inspired lunch buffet brings together hearty flavors, live entertainment, and fun activities designed to keep the whole family smiling. Priced at P1,699 nett per person, the lunch buffet includes live entertainment and free-flowing soda, tea, and coffee. Guests may also enjoy an early-bird rate of P1,499 nett per person at My Novotel Manila Boutique until May 6, 2026. To make the day even more special, Mom gets 50 percent off
when she dines with two of her favorite people, while seniors eat for free when dining with one guest.
Beyond the buffet spread, families can take part in feel-good activities made for bonding and memory-making, including a Message for Mom Wall, where guests can leave heartfelt notes, a Mom & Me Photo Challenge for a chance to win a surprise gift for Mom, a Dessert Decorating Corner for sweet creativity, and a DIY Flower Crown Station for a floral keepsake she can proudly wear or take home.
For moms who prefer to sip, snack, and enjoy something a little more charming, Merci, Maman! at Le Bistro offers a Mother’s Day treat with a Parisian touch.
Available on May 10, 2026, this special offering gives Mom the choice between high tea or a beautifully arranged charcuterie platter, perfect for a slower, sweeter moment in the middle of the celebration. Priced at P1,499 nett, guests may choose between Le Parisien High Tea, featuring savory bites such as Truffled Egg Mayonnaise Finger Sandwich, Brie and Blueberry Mini Croissant, and Mini Bacon Quiche Lorraine, along with sweet selections including Strawberry Cheesecake, Craquelin Choux with Vanilla Crème Pâtissière, and Chocolate Hazelnut Tart. Guests may also choose the Cured & Crafted Charcuterie Platter, served with two kinds of cheese and cold cuts, olives, nuts, fruit, jam, pickles, honey, and sourdough bread. The offer also includes free-flowing coffee or tea drinks for one hour and a welcome gift for Mom.
As the day turns golden, families
can take the celebration up a notch with Sunset Sips for Mom at The Edge Skyview Bar. For moms who would love a seat, a sip, and a skyline view, Bar Pours & Bites brings together cocktails, mocktails, and bar favorites in an elevated setting made for unwinding. Available for selling until May 10, 2026, with redemption on May 10, 2026 from 5 pm to 2 am, the offer is priced at P749 per person, with a minimum of four persons. It includes a choice of four cocktails or mocktails and a bar platter featuring Chili Dynamite, Spam Fries, Chicharon Bulaklak, and Umami Fries.
“Mother’s Day at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City is about celebrating Mom with the same energy she brings into every room—bright, warm, and full of life,” said Ms. Therese Galindo, Resident Manager of ibis Styles Manila Araneta City. “We wanted this year’s offers to feel like a love letter from the family: a little time to breathe, something delicious on the table, a refreshing drink in hand, and moments that let Mom feel seen, spoiled, and celebrated in her own style.”
With Mom’s Day around the corner, ibis Styles Manila Araneta City invites families to celebrate Mom with color, flavor, movement, and plenty of heart. With offers made for every kind of celebration, from a cozy stay to a festive feast and a splash-filled morning, Mom’s time off begins with moments that feel light, joyful, and unmistakably hers.
Explore our Mom’s Day offers at ibisstyles-manilaaranetacity.com. For inquiries and table reservations, please call +632 8248 8444 or email HB133@ accor.com.
ingredient: creamier, milkier cheese for everyday meals
ROM weekday breakfasts before school to
Flunches shared with family, many of our best food memories come from recipes we grew up with. They’re passed down, revisited, and refined over generations.
Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria unveil festive culinary, art, and Mother’s Day celebrations
CROWNE Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria announce a vibrant lineup of dining experiences and special celebrations this season, featuring Mexican-inspired weekends, midweek beer and taco nights, and a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute complemented by local art and cultural expression. Mother’s Day Special at Seven Corners and Xin Tian Di A HEARTFELT celebration for mothers unfolds at Seven Corners and Xin Tian Di, where chefs bring together a thoughtfully curated buffet and set menu inspired by their own mothers’ favorite dishes.
This Mother’s Day, indulge in a culinary tribute featuring Executive Chef David’s signature Chinese specialties at Xin Tian Di, Cluster Executive Chef Luca’s Italian creations, and Chef Romeo’s beloved Filipino flavors—each dish crafted with the warmth and love that only a mother can inspire.
The celebration includes live musical performances, a photo booth, and special giveaways, complemented by complimentary non-alcoholic beverages at Seven Corners. Packages are available at: P3,000 nett per person (Seven Corners buffet lunch) P16,888 nett for a group of five (Xin Tian Di set menu) Tex Mex Weekend at Seven Corners GUESTS are invited to indulge in a flavorful Tex Mex Weekend at Seven Corners, showcasing a rich spread of Mexican-inspired dishes designed for sharing and celebration. The offer is available at P3,200 nett per person (dinner
showcasing paintings by local female artists. The collection highlights themes of motherhood, strength, and emotional expression, with artworks available for purchase.
inspire its evolution today.
“A lot of people know that cooking and preparing food is my love language and I’m always looking for ways to make recipes that my family will enjoy while still feeling good about what I serve. And as someone who has been using Eden for years, it’s familiar, reliable, and bagay na bagay sa panlasa namin.”
“And ngayong upgraded na rin ‘yung Eden Cheese mismo, mas lalo niyang na-elevate yung mga classic na Pinoy lutong-bahay, but without losing the taste na kinalakihan natin,” Judy Ann added.
Marketing Director for Mondelez International Philippines Adrian Manlapig affirms that the new Eden formulation keeps the well-loved flavor Pinoys know and trust, while making the texture smoother and the taste more indulgent and comforting.
starts at P1,00 nett.
In addition to its culinary offerings, The Gallery Bar will feature “In Her Warmth,” a special art exhibit
Becoming a green
mom with thoughtful, earth-friendly essentials from Baby Company
Divided Function Plate
MOTHERHOOD has always been about making the best choices for one’s child. Today, more moms are taking that a step further—choosing not only what’s good for their families, but also what’s kind to the planet.
This Mother’s Day, more women are embracing what it means to be a “green mom,” proving that nurturing a child and caring for the environment can go hand in hand. Mothers are finding ways to reduce their environmental impact while still providing the very best for their children. At the heart of this movement is a preference for products that are safe, sustainable, and thoughtfully made. Green moms often choose baby items crafted from responsibly sourced materials—free from harmful chemicals and designed with both baby and nature in mind. From toiletries made with gentle, natural ingredients to everyday tools and accessories, these
choices reflect a commitment not only to a child’s wellbeing but also to a more sustainable lifestyle.
At Baby Company at SM Store, moms can find a curated selection of baby products under the Green Finds collection, that support this greener way of parenting.
The Beaba Silicone Meal Set, made from durable, foodgrade silicone, offers a reusable alternative to disposable feeding items, making mealtimes safer and less wasteful.
The Fisher-Price Function Plate, on the other hand, encourages balanced meals with its thoroughly designed compartments. This is perfect for toddlers to eat independently.
For oral care, the Dr. Brown Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush features soft, baby-safe bristles and an easygrip handle, helping little ones develop healthy dental habits from an early age.
For daily hygiene, Purcotton Baby Wet Wipes offer a gentle, natural option for sensitive skin while Rascal Diapers deliver reliable comfort and absorption with a more mindful approach to everyday care.
Meanwhile, the Gund Eco Baby Plush provides soft, huggable comfort made from recycled materials, combining sustainability with the warmth of a child’s favorite companion.
More than just a trend, becoming a green mom, reflects a meaningful shift in how families live and grow. It is about making intentional choices, big and small, that contribute to a healthier home and a healthier planet. By embracing this lifestyle, green moms are not only nurturing their children but also shaping a future where sustainability is second nature.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with choices that matter. Visit Baby Company at SM Store and discover Green Finds that care for your baby, and the world they will grow up in.
Flowers, ice cream, or cake? Why not all with DQ’s Bloomberry Sweets collection
F“For over 40 years, Eden has been part of Filipino homes and local food traditions. As the No. 1 Filipino family favorite, we continue to evolve with Filipino families’ preferences and the meals they share. With this reformulation, we focused on delivering a more enjoyable and an ‘Eden Better’ eating experience,” he said.
“When I’m in the kitchen, I pay close attention to how ingredients come together in a dish. Eden has long been a staple in our home because it complements Filipino food so well. With this new update, I can truly taste that it’s better—creamier, milkier, and richer. It’s also easy to grate while prepping, and it adds depth that can make even simple recipes feel more special,” she said. Eden Cheese has long been part of Filipino food culture, known for its understanding of the Filipino palate and for seamlessly enhancing local dishes.
It reflects the warmth, care, and togetherness that define Filipino family life — values that continue to
Most of the time, cheese is the secret ingredient that levels up a simple meal in just one step. It’s a versatile kitchen staple that can be used as bread fill or grated and melted to add a more flavorful finish into any recipe. For over four decades, Eden Cheese has been part of many Filipino tables, from quick merienda to celebrations big and small. Today, the brand continues that legacy with something new to love: Eden Cheese is now creamier and milkier, adding a fuller bite that makes the meals Filipinos grew up with feel Eden Better. A trusted celebrity chef and Eden’s long-time brand ambassador, Judy Ann Santos, is known for putting ingredients to the test in everyday dishes. For her, the upgrade shows up where it matters most: in the flavor, texture, and how easily it works with what she regularly cooks at home.
From sandwiches to saucy classics, Eden Cheese fits naturally into many Filipino kitchens. It melts, mixes, and layers in with ease, adding a creamy, savory lift while keeping the comfort-food feel.
“Grate it over Filipino-style spaghetti, mix it into lumpia filling, or stir it into caldereta for a cheesy twist. Eden is a convenient way to add richness to the dishes being served at home,” said Joan Naranjo, Mondelez International Philippines Category Lead for Meals.
“In addition to its improved taste and texture, each serving of Eden Cheese contains Milk Vitamins A, B2, and D, plus Calcium and Zinc, to support everyday nutrition alongside meals,” she emphasized.
LOWERS have long carried meaning beyond their petals, often standing in for emotions we struggle to say out loud. Cakes, on the other hand, have long stood for celebration and togetherness, transforming an ordinary day into something worth remembering. As for ice cream…well, who doesn’t love ice cream? It’s a symbol of carefree fun, that’s for sure! This Mother’s Day, DQ is bringing these powerful symbols together through the new Bloomberry Sweets Collection, featuring creations inspired by flowers and heartfelt celebrations, transforming a familiar gesture into something more indulgent and shareable! Designed as a love language for every kind of mom, whether she is quiet and caring, strong and selfless, or endlessly nurturing, the Bloomberry Sweets Collection is the perfect way to say “thank you,” “we love you,” and “you matter” in the most delectable way! At the heart of the collection is the Bloomberry Cheesecake Burst Blizzard Cake (starts at P599), a 100-percent ice cream cake made with DQ’s signature vanilla soft serve blended with cheesecake bits and blueberry syrup, layered with cake crunch and chocolate fudge, and finished with icing and beautiful floral piping, for a piece that will surely be the
highlight of your celebration!
Complementing this is the Belgian and Vanilla Bloom Cupcake (P99), a dreamy delight that combines Belgian chocolate soft serve and vanilla soft serve with cake crunch and chocolate fudge, and is topped with an eye-catching floral icing, for a simple pleasure you can treat mom to any time!
With DQ’s Bloomberry Sweets Collection, expressing your love and appreciation for mom on her special day has never been this easy and convenient!
Available for a limited time only, you can enjoy these creations together with your other favorites from DQ by visiting your nearest store for dine-in and take-out. You can also order for delivery via DQ’s official delivery partners GrabFood, foodpanda, and Pickaroo (prices may vary).
Judy Ann Santos dishes out her secret
Spoonfuls of laughter, forkfuls of love, and a Mother’s Day moment made for Mom at strEATs, ibis Styles Manila Araneta City.
Motoring
Autohub drives Deepal into the Philippines, REEV tech arrives
Text & photos
by Randy S. Peregrino
HE Autohub Group has ushered
Tin a new era of electrified mobility with the official Philippine debut of Deepal’s S05 and G318 Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) models. More than just fresh entries into the market, these REEVs embody breakthrough technology that blends the seamless drive of pure electric propulsion with the confidence of extended range. The S05, featuring spacecraft-inspired aerodynamics, and the G318, a purpose-built 4x4 SUV, together made a bold statement in vehicle segment electrification. Their arrival signals a decisive step forward, redefining expectations and positioning REEV as a game-changing solution for Filipino motorists.
Willy Tee Ten, president of Autohub Group and newly appointed president of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), shared his remarks and emphasized the urgency of electrification: “With high fuel prices, the right time to shift to electric vehicles is now.” He also confirmed Autohub Group as the exclusive distributor of Deepal in the Philippines, strengthening its role
in advancing sustainable mobility in the country.
DEEPAL S05 REEV COMPACT
CROSSOVER SUV
THE S05 embodies spacecraft-inspired aerodynamics, with its wide stance and futuristic fascia framing the “Smart Wing LED Headlights.” At 4,620 mm long and 1,900 mm wide, it stands among the broadest C-SUVs in its segment, complemented by a 2,880 mm wheelbase. Sleek curves, sharp creases, and dynamic accents define its profile, while the rear showcases “Star Wing Tail-lights” with arrow-like beams converging at the center. Completing the look are 18-inch two-tone alloys wrapped in 225/60 R18 tires, paired with frameless doors for added distinction.
Inside, the cabin adopts a flight-capsule wraparound theme highlighted by the Zero Gravity Co-pilot Seat—an unprecedented feature locally. With four-way powered adjustment, two-way leg rest, and a 124° recline, it sets new comfort standards. The Cosmic Amber interior integrates an Intelligent Emotional Cockpit anchored by a vivid 15.4-inch Sunflower touchscreen, augmented by an AR-enabled Heads-Up Display. Powering the system is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8155 chip, with
16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Enhancements include 14 Sky Surround Speakers, wireless charging, panoramic roof, multi-function steering, and 64-color ambient lighting.
Performance is driven by Deepal’s Range-Extender Technology 2.0, pairing a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a Force E-Drive motor delivering 215 hp and 320 N-m. Its 27.28 kWh Golden Shield Battery provides 170 km of pure EV range and over 1,000 km combined, with IP68 durability and RWD balance. V2L capability offers 6.6 kW portable power, supported by a 44.9-liter fuel tank.
Safety is anchored by FutureSense 2.0, a suite of 20 advanced driver aids, Smart Guardian mode, and intelligent self-park. Built on the EPA1 platform with a high-strength steel and aluminum chassis, the S05 blends safety, dynamics, and innovation. Positioned by Autohub to challenge the segment’s best-selling PHEV crossover, the S05 REEV retails at P1.688 million.
DEEPAL G318 4WD REEV
DEEPAL’S G318 4WD REEV arrives with a commanding presence, defined by the brand’s “Pioneer Armor Aesthetics” design language. Its wide fascia is punctuated by penetrating light bands and distinctive C-shaped split headlamps,
A grand salute to the Mitsubishi L300
THE Mitsubishi L300 is, without a doubt, an icon in the motoring industry. I’ve known about it since the Eighties. In fact, it’s the only van I’ve come to admire and love since I first rode in it three decades ago in the company of the late Danny “Boss Danny” Floro, the amiable former manager of the Crispa Redmanizers, the first two-time Grand Slam champion in 1976 and 1983 of the Philippine Basketball Association.
In fact, Boss Danny was so kind enough as to lend me his L300 for a family trip decades back to Quezon Province, our journey extending all the way to Jose Panganiban town in Bicol for a dip on a blue bay there fronting the majestic Mayon Volcano.
The L300 outdid itself magnificently, not complaining one teeny-weeny bit even as the family was packed into near-sardines level!
It never developed any engine trouble, mechanical trouble, big or small. Not even a flat tire.
It courageously battled the elements—driving rains, scorching sun, gurgling brooks to cross—so mightily that we finished the race in triumphant manner, as in completing a marathon that defied human limits.
Ah, those were the days, when spirits overflowed, when youth power seemed limitless, when adventure bucked risks in reckless abandon.
The L300 was there as partner in “crime,” the mute
witness with endless tales to tell if it could speak.
When I finally returned the L300, Boss Danny was so happy to learn of our successful family sojourn that he said to me: “You can have the L300. My birthday gift to you as I know you celebrated your special day in the hometown of your beloved wife. So touching,..”
I politely declined. But, of course. Boss Danny was one fella endlessly oozing with generosity. Our friendship was as pure as coconut water.
Just recently, the L300 was a huge toast in the mobility business.
Here is Faye Alexis Marcelino, vice president of Mitsubishi.
“Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. [MMPC] has reached a major manufacturing milestone with
while the bumper features a mechanical armor motif, complete with a five-ton retractable tow hook for genuine utility. The roof integrates high beams and camping lamps, underscoring its dual role as both rugged off-roader and lifestyle SUV. Measuring 5,125 mm long, 2,025 mm wide, and 1,895 mm tall, with a 2,880 mm wheelbase, the G318 asserts its stature with broad wheel arches housing 18-inch alloys shod in 265/60 R18 tires.
At the rear, the reinforced spare tire mount with single swing-arm cover completes the utilitarian aesthetic. Other exterior highlights include telescopic front tow hooks, a 1.6-ton qualification tow hook with PTO interface and ball joint, luggage rack PLUS, mechanical spike hubs, and all-aluminum alloy step boards. With approach and departure angles of 27 and 31 degrees, respectively, and ground clearance ranging from 210 mm to 240 mm, the G318 is engineered for serious off-road pursuits.
Inside, the cabin balances toughness with refinement. A dual-screen digital cockpit pairs a 10.25-inch instrument panel with a 14.6-inch touchscreen, while suede-like soft-touch surfaces and leather upholstery with red stitching elevate the atmosphere. The AI-powered interface integrates seamlessly with vehicle systems, offering advanced
the local production of its 900,000th unit of the Mitsubishi L300, reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to operational excellence and quality manufacturing in the Philippines.
“The locally produced L300 has become one of the most trusted commercial vehicles in the country, supporting business continuity and economic activity across industries.
“This milestone reflects sustained production growth driven by disciplined manufacturing processes and continuous improvement initiatives.
“MMPC achieved this milestone through the consistent demand for its locally assembled completely Knocked-down CKD models, alongside ongoing kaizen activities implemented by its Manufacturing Division. These initiatives have focused on optimizing the production line, improving efficiency, and strengthening quality across all CKD units.
“‘The 900,000-unit production milestone of the L300 reflects the dedication of our people and our commitment to continuous improvement in manufacturing,’ said Ritsu Imaeda, president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. ‘Through disciplined operations and teamwork across our organization, we have been able to sustain production excellence while delivering
connectivity and personalized assistance. Rear passengers benefit from three levels of heating, ventilation, and massage across eight modes. Cargo space starts at 818 liters and expands to 1,747 liters for maximum utility.
Performance is driven by “Super Extended Range 2.0” technology, which combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors. Together, they deliver 424 hp and 572 N-m of torque.
A 35.07 kWh battery provides up to 174 km of pure electric range and more than 900 km combined. Off-road capability is enhanced by a rear axle differential lock, five terrain modes, and three specialized functions: off-road creep, steep slope descent, and U-turn in place. Air suspension further refines damping across varied terrain.
Safety is comprehensive, with five HD cameras, five millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Intelligent
Safety Assistance integrates 12 warning systems, six assistance functions, Sentry mode, a 540-degree panoramic view, and steep slope vision assist. Priced at P2.6 million, the G318 positions itself as a formidable disruptor in the 4x4 SUV segment, blending pioneering design, advanced REEV technology, and uncompromising off-road capability.
vehicles that our customers have relied on for many years.’ Renowned for its durability and reliability, the L300 has long been a dependable partner for small and medium enterprises, logistics providers, and fleet operators. Its robust build and practical cargo capacity have made it well-suited for delivery operations and various business applications, helping support daily operations and long-term growth.
“The L300’s cost-efficient ownership has further strengthened its position as a practical commercial vehicle choice. Designed to balance performance, durability, and operating efficiency, it continues to serve as a valuable asset for businesses seeking dependable transportation solutions.
“As MMPC continues its production journey, the company remains focused on strengthening its manufacturing capabilities, upholding quality standards, and supporting the evolving mobility needs of customers.”
So there. Need I say more?
Precious moment for Zaragosa at Junior PGT Pueblo de Oro leg
By Aldrin Quinto
T
The victory ended a fruitless run for Zaragosa in the Vis-Min series dating to last season.
P lete had a tough second shot from the left rough in their return to the par-4 No. 9, sending the ball about 30 feet past the pin, while Zaragosa had a wide-open look from the fairway and got to within eight feet and two-putted for the win.
A s Zaragosa got the celebratory water bath from fellow competitors, Plete fell on her knees at the fringe as family and friends consoled her. She gathered herself long enough to congratulate Zaragosa before again breaking down at greenside.
It was a heartbreaking finish for Plete, who had carried a five-stroke lead after an impressive 72, the low round of the age-group on Wednesday. She was unable to close it out, though, her run taking a hit when she made double-bogey on No. 7, her 16th hole. For Zaragosa, it was moraleboosting comeback, turning the tables around after losing by a stroke to Plete in the Bukidnon stop of the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
I regained a lot of confidence…especially scoring four-under
today,” Zaragosa, who had earlier rounds of 76-80, said. I’m really happy to win here, it will be my confidence booster for my next events.”
L ois Lane Go of Cebu submitted a 77 for third place at 238.
A lexis Nailga scrambled to stay on top in the boys’ premier division, grinding it out a birdie-less 77 to win by three strokes.
L eader by one after 36 holes, Nailga suffered a double bogey on the sixth hole and another on the homeward nine, along with two other bogeys. He closed with three pars, missing his birdie attempt from about six feet on the final hole, but that was enough as he finished at 228 for his third victory in the Visayas-Mindanao series after triumphs in Mactan and Bukidnon.
M artin Lu had the lead within reach but could not gain much momentum, his two birdies immediately getting offset by bogeys. The parbuster from Cagayan de Oro ended up also with a 77 for a 231. Clement Ordeneza of Bukidnon posted a finalround 80 for a 232 aggregate.
BusinessMirror
Tugawin gives PHL 2nd stage win in ToL
By Josef Ramos
PAOAY, Ilocos Norte— Ryan Tugawin combined veteran smarts with adequate team support to win Stage 8 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026 on another sunny day Thursday from the resort town of Pagudpud.
“We managed to hold the breakaway to the finish—all five of us,” Tugawin, 36 and riding for Excellent Noodles Cycling Team, told reporters after the 148.40-km stage that saw the riders coming off fresh from a day’s off in Pagudpud on Wednesday.
I f the rider from Nueva Viscaya had to work hard with the breakaway, he had to multiply his effort in making the top of the podium—he nosed out Ariff Danial Noor Roseidi of National Team Malaysia,
Tropang 5G stars treat Kagay anons in CDO
BASKETBALL fans in Cagayan de Oro got an exciting treat as Kagay anon players of TNT Tropang 5G Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac and Glenn Khobuntin visited key PLDT and Smart stores in the city during the Jolas Cup 2026 opening weekend. With team manager Jojo Lastimosa, the players met customers and supporters at the PLDT Retail Store in Carmen and the Smart Store in Limketkai, before making a special stop at the Limketkai Mall Telco Tiangge, where they greeted fans, signed autographs, and posed for photos—turning an ordinary store visit into a memorable fan experience. Seeing fans smile, taking photos, and sharing stories with us reminds us why events like the Jolas Cup matter—
to inspire the community and the next generation of players,” Khobuntin said. They also visited Barangay Nazareth to bring excitement to the community and thank the fans for their unwavering support, participating in the games and fanfare organized by PLDT Home.
“CDO is home for us, so it’s always special to come back and feel the love from our ka-Tropa,” Nambatac said. Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental remain a priority area for PLDT, Smart, and TNT. Thousands of customers in the area enjoy the reliability of PLDT Fiber in their homes and businesses as Smart and TNT continue to roll out new cell sites across the province, delivering an improved 5G network experience for mobile customers. More than a comeback, the Jolas Cup
2026 reflects PLDT and Smart’s shared belief that progress in Philippine sports begins at the community level—by creating platforms where young players are seen, guided, and inspired long before the spotlight finds them.
We are happy to see these aspiring players who also dream of playing in the PBA. For us, this is where it all started—the Jolas Cup. This is not just for fun, but a stepping stone to the next level of their j ourney,” Erram said.
T he Jolas Cup 2026 runs until May 16 at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre in Cagayan de Oro, bringing together young athletes from across Northern Mindanao.
Marvin Mandac of Go for Gold, Charles Olsen Ferrer of CCN Factory and Nash Joshua Lim of MPT DriveHub in a sprint finish.
A ll had identical times of three hours, 16 minutes and 58 seconds with Erickson De los Santos of D’Reyna Orion Cement and Tyler Douglas Hannay of Excellent Noodles crossing three seconds later.
Russian Nikita Shulchenko of Life Cycle Works LCW UAE was in the peloton—along with the riders in the general classification—that finished 16 seconds after Tugawin and company.
Tugawin was only the second Filipino to win a stage in the Tour of Luzon presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. after Emmanuel Dave Montemayor Go for Gold in the third stage from New Clark City to Palayan City.
A nother Russian from LCW UAE, Ivan Anisimov, has two wins—Stage 4 and 5—with his 19-yearold teammate ruling the first stage from CaSoBe in Calatagan to Tagaytay City.
S eoul Cycling Team won the time trial with one of its riders, Min Kyeong Ho, ruling Stage 7 and Shulchenko topping the Tuguegarao-
PPagudpud longest stage at 230 kms.
S hulchenko will continue to wear the yellow jersey—symbolic of the general classification lead— in the ninth stage which will also be a relatively flat 142.6-km race from this Ilocos Norte capital to Candon City in Ilocos Sur.
T he Russian leads his Syrian teammate Alrefai by one minute and 38 seconds in the general classification where Mervin Corpuz of 7-Eleven Road Bike Philippines lurked at third place 4:15 behind, followed by Hannay (4:34) and Lim (4:42).
It was an extremely fast race, and we could not control it,” Shulchenko, 26, said. “But what’s important was we did our purpose to protect our advantage [general classification].”
Go for Gold held on to the team general classification lead with a total time of 90:22:18, followed by Standard Insurance Philippines (1:17 back) and 7-Eleven Road Bike Philippines (3:04) in the race also supported by the MVP Group, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and aligned with the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee and sanctioned by the PhilCycling.
AOAY, Ilocos Norte— Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio’s vision has gone beyond the country’s shores—he’s pushing for a Southeast Asian Pro Cycling Tour.
I pushed for the creation of the Southeast Asian Pro Cycling Tour, just like the Southeast Asian Marathon series,” said Gregorio, who’s in town to grace the MPTC Tour of Luzon’s eighth stage that started in Pagudpud and finished right beside the iconic Paoay Church. “ Because imagine, now there’s the Tour of Luzon and there’s the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia and there’s even a Tour of East Timor,” Gregorio at the Race Village of Stage 8 won by Excellent Noodles Cycling Team’s Ryan Tugawin.
It’s going to be a great cycling event for every country in the Southeast Asian region,” added Gregorio, who’s
acknowledged as the “Father of the Tour of Luzon Revival.” Gregorio pushed his vision during the Asean Sports Ministers Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last Monday. He said that besides sports, each of the country’s sports tourism program will get a major boost from the cycling tour. This will help everyone’s sports tourism—besides sports improvements along the way,” he said. H ow about the Tour of Luzon heading south to the Visayas and Mindanao?
Others ask ‘how can we go to Visayas? How can we go to Mindanao?’”he said. “My realization is that Tour of Luzon is the brand. Tour of Luzon is the iconic brand since 1955.” He added: “The Tour de France is raced not only in France, but in neighboring countries as well. The Tour of Luzon’s also like that. One day, in the near future, we can go out of Luzon. We can go to the Visayas, to Mindanao.” But the brand, the iconic brand that everybody understands, Tour of Luzon, remains,” he said. Josef Ramos
RYAN TUGAWIN gets a rousing welcome from the people of Paoay and Ilocos Norte in Stage 8. ROY DOMINGO
