BusinessMirror May 16, 2025

HALALAN 2025

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

THE Commission on Elections en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), has completed the canvassing of all 175 certificates of canvass (COCs) after three days of proceedings.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia confirmed on Thursday that the NBOC has processed all COCs coming from 82 provinces, 26 highly urbanized cities, 64 overseas voting posts, one local absentee voting, and two legislative districts.

Based on the NBOC’s national canvass report, former senator

Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go leads the senatorial race with 27.12 million votes, followed closely by opposition bet Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, who garnered 20.97 million votes.

Former police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa placed third with 20.77 million votes, followed by Erwin Tulfo with 17.12 million.

Former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan secured 15.34 million votes, while Rodante Marcoleta tallied 15.25 million. Ping Lacson received 15.11 million votes, Vicente “Tito” Sotto had 14.83 million, and Pia Cayetano got 14.57 million.

Camille Villar earned 13.65 mil-

lion votes, Lito Lapid followed with 13.39 million, and Imee Marcos closed the top 12 with 13.34 million votes.

Party-list race IN the party-list race, Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party (Akbayan) emerged as the top vote-getter with 2.78 million votes. Trailing behind Akbayan are Duty to Energize the Republic through the Enlightenment of the Youth Sectoral Party-list Organization (Duterte Youth) with 2.34 million votes and Tingog Sinirangan (Tingog) with 1.82 million. The Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

DepDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan told reporters that the economic team needs to be more strategic when it comes to proposing priority legislation such as those advocated by winning candidates.

Balisacan said leading senatorial candidates such as Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan advocate for education and food security, which augurs well for the priorities of the Marcos administration.

“Of course we’ll have to make a pitch. We’ll have to sell our program

THE Philippines needs to vie for faster economic growth despite uncertainties to play catch up with its peers in the region and attain inclusive economic growth, according to the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DepDev).

DepDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan recently told reporters he remains optimistic about the growth target of 6 to 8 percent despite global uncertainties.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in its latest Monetary Policy Stance Highlights Report that the country’s GDP growth may “settle close” to the government’s low-end target until 2027.

“We have to be ambitious. We have been left behind so far by our neighbors. If you don’t push very hard to work on a more rapid growth, you’ll always be kulelat, yan ang ano ko, eh [a cellar dweller, that’s my take]. There are problems, there are challenges.

to the new members of Congress. But we are quite confident that they will look at the longer issues, the bigger picture,” Balisacan said.

“Actually, those that are going to be elected...have well-known policy positions and particular preferences. And we are quite happy with them,” he added.

Balisacan also said the strategy on the priorities of the Marcos administration will have to be discussed at the Legislative-Executive

Let’s work on those challenges. If it takes time, let’s start working on them,” Balisacan said. Balisacan said despite the uncertainties, Asean countries like Vietnam are now working to achieve a growth of 8 to 10 percent. This, he said, is in line with Vietnam’s aim to become an advanced economy by the middle of the century.

“Can you imagine? Why can’t we be as ambitious as they are? Of course, we have direct challenges, serious challenges in fact. Like our fiscal space, partly because of the Covid-19 policy responses, we don’t have that much of fiscal space as some of our neighbors have. But it doesn’t mean that we (can’t) do much with what we have,” Balisacan said. In the first quarter of the year, the economy posted a growth of 5.4 percent. Balisacan said this was largely because of the country’s trade deficit which widened by nearly 20 percent.

velopment Issues (IMDI) Executive Director Jeremaiah M. Opiniano told BusinessMirror that when the dollar is weak, there is less incentive for OFs to increase their remittances. Despite the uncertainty created by the tariff war, which weakened the dollar against currencies like the Philippine peso, Opiniano said remittances will continue to remain strong this year.

“Filipinos abroad have long been

making their cash remittances countercyclical, even during the most harrowing of global crises. Truly heroic, even if at the cost of their well-being,” he told this newspaper. BSP data also showed that the pace of growth of remittances at 2.6 percent in March 2025 was the slowest since the 2.5 percent posted in June 2024.

Opiniano said this indicates that Filipinos are also holding on to

some of their dollars in the face of all the uncertainties, particularly those in host countries that are significantly affected by the tariff war. He said this is actually “a good thing” and that he hopes OFWs will continue setting aside some of their earnings to boost their savings and create nest eggs for future investments.

“It’s hard that we show worry when the dollars go down, and yet

‘Diokno, de Lima to boost legal weight, credibility of Duterte impeachment trial’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

LEADERS of the House of Representatives on Thursday said the inclusion of Mamamayang Liberal Rep.-elect

Leila M. de Lima and Akbayan Rep.-elect Chel Diokno in the House prosecution panel will fortify the legal weight and institutional credibility of the impeachment trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong and House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V said the addition of de Lima and Diokno not only enhances the prosecution’s legal capabilities but also demonstrates

the House’s commitment to uphold democratic accountability.

“With the addition of incoming Representatives de Lima and Diokno, we see the convergence of moral clarity and legal precision in our pursuit of conviction. Their presence brings not only valuable expertise but also a profound human rights perspective that elevates the quality of the entire proceeding,” Adiong, who represents Lanao del Sur, said. Diokno, the first nominee of Akbayan party-list group, and de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal will now join the House of Representatives as members of the 20th Congress following their groups’ getting 2 percent of the votes in the 2025 elections.

Adiong noted that de Lima’s presence on the panel carries deep symbolic and institutional weight, given her experience as a former senator and former secretary of justice.

“Her inclusion is more than strategic; it is poetic. It tells us that the advance of justice may be delayed but never denied,” Adiong noted.

De Lima was detained for more than four years on drugs charges during the watch of then President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained in The Hague, the Netherlands on crimes against humanity in relation to murders charges.

Adiong said that both de Lima and Diokno have long embodied the kind of leadership rooted in

Escudero shuns color-tagging of senators, ‘pre-game analysis’ of VP impeachment

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATE President Francis Escudero is shunning an arbitrary division of the Senate composition between the “Marcos” and “Duterte” camp, with a third force from the socalled “pinks” or “yellows.”

The Senate, Escudero said, “has always been a chamber of 24 ‘independent republics,’ so the delineation of political alignment or loyalties will not always affect what the individual members choose in any vote.”

“It’s not Marcos v Duterte” in the Senate, he stressed, as he shunned the ongoing exercise by pundits to tag the incoming members of the 20th Senate accordingly—a distinction deemed crucial in votes in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

“In successful elections, I don’t see politics as the end-result because it is democracy that won... We equally heard the voice of all Filipinos, regardless of circumstance—and our democratic system counted them all,” Escudero said, mostly in Filipino, as he fielded questions at Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado.

MALACAÑANG is optimistic that the Senate will prioritize the truth over individual interests in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark amid news reports on how the result

of the Senate race in this month’s elections can affect the trial.

“Senators should just fulfill their duties as leaders of the country, and really learn the truth: they should not work for [the interest of] a single person but for the people,” Castro said in an television last Wednesday evening.

In a separate interview, Castro urged senators to have a legal basis on their verdict on the upcoming impeachment trial.

“Whatever is in accordance with the law...that is what should be followed,” Castro said.

She reiterated that President Ferdinand Marcos has no intervention in the ongoing impeachment procedures against his running mate in the 2022 polls.

“For the president, that is not his priority. It is now in the hands of the Senate to decide since they will be the ones to judge VP Sara,” she said.

At least one third or 16 of the 24 members of the Senate must vote for conviction to impeach Duterte, while it will only take 9 votes from the Upper House of Congress for her to be acquitted. Samuel P. Medenilla

Most analysts had said the midterm race reflected a “tie” between the camps of President Marcos, whose Alyansa slate won five of the 12 seats up for elections; and that of former President Rodrigo Duterte, five of whose perceived

loyalists made it. The last two of the 12 seats were won by an upset from the political camps associated with former Vice President Leni Robredo (“pink”) and the Aquino loyalists (“yellow”)—comebacking senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.

But Escudero refused to arbitrarily box in each senator according to conventional tags. He said each senator, from experience, is an “independent republic, deciding on each issue as it comes, and not because of the color they wore when they ran and won.”

However, he is elated by the fact that “three new lawyers” are joining the Senate, and said this could help enhance deliberations in an impeachment trial.

Senate leadership

ESCUDERO also declined comment on reports that comebacking former senator President Vicente Sotto III had said he was “ready to accept” the chamber’s top post if he was asked and there are enough numbers to install him to the Senate presidency, which he once held.

He said he would rather focus on having the 19th Senate complete its job—pass urgent bills—in the two weeks it has left before closing to give way to the 20th Senate.

He also reminded reporters that per Senate rules, “membership is determined by majority or minority,” not administration and opposition. “If you voted for the winning Speaker or Senate President, you are with the majority; if you voted for the one who lost, you are

Brownout hits DOE during power supply briefing

By lenie lectura @llectura

APOWER outage occurred at the Department of Energy

(DOE) Thursday afternoon in the middle of a discussion about the country’s power rates and concerns on power supply.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who presided a news conference, was caught off-guard when the power interruption hit his office. At one point, he was asked if power rates can still be lowered during the remaining term of the current President.

“I’m not going to cite a specific amount and a specific timeline but we are constantly addressing this...if the Peso strengthens, if the price of LNG [liquefied natural gas] and imported fuels and coal go down further then we can bring this down further.

“These are external factors and therefore we can not give you an assurance that coal prices will go down tomorrow by 50 percent and stable over time. So, I think it’s more realistic to take note of fact we are still exposed to global pressure,” Lotilla said. The Philippines has one of the

lowest energy consumption per capita. As the country continues to grow, energy use for our activities will grow as well.

“Per the latest Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) figures, the Philippine power sector is now valued at P3.3 trillion as of 2024. The significant growth over the past few years enables the industry to supply the power needs of the economy. With adequate supply growth, prices can also decrease over time,” Lotilla said.

When the power generators kicked in after five minutes, Lotilla said in jest, “you can now ask your Meralco

the rule of law, not in fear or political convenience.

“Representative Chel Diokno has spent decades defending rights, educating lawyers, and upholding the Constitution. His presence assures the public that this trial is about truth, not theatrics, not power plays,” Adiong added.

The House of Representatives impeached Vice President Duterte on grounds of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution. Central to the case is Duterte’s alleged abuse and misuse of a portion of the P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and her televised remarks interpreted as threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos,

with the minority. It has nothing to do with whether you are with the opposition or administration.”

Impeachment trial

ESCUDERO said, meanwhile, that all preparations on the Senate’s part for the holding of VP Sara’s impeachment trial are nearly done, and the Senate will use the rules used in the impeachment of then Chief Justice Renato Corona, but amended as a result of the corresponding changes in the rules of court that have been mandated by the Supreme Court between 2012 and 2025.

He stressed he does not want to encourage any “pre-game analysis,” as such “may be interpreted as a judgment” of the outcome.

“They [Duterte camp] have a pending case questioning the House moves on VP Sara’s impeachment that the SC has not acted upon,” he reminded everyone.

“The SC didn’t issue a TRO or mandamus for us to stop or continue the impeachment process,” Escudero noted, adding that, “ultimately, it will be the SC’s decision, but the Senate can decide on it [its course of action] one way or the other—both as the Senate and an impeachment court.”

“The House prosecutors must formally read aloud before the Senate plenary the articles of impeachment or charges against Duterte, and it’s not the submission of such articles to the Senate Secretary that triggers the impeachment process, but the formal presentation by House before the Senate plenary,” he explained.

“It’s not the filing that triggers the impeachment Court, but it’s the Senate taking cognizance of it. That will be done in plenary.”

Members of the House will be called upon in plenary to read aloud the charges they filed.

questions.”

The brownout, he added, was “localized in the building,” while telling reporters that “maybe it’s because our connections cannot take simultaneously all of your equipment.”

Meanwhile, Meralco said it is currently assisting the DOE to identify the cause of the power interruption.

“We received the report on a sudden power interruption at a building inside the DOE compound and immediately deployed crews onsite. It appears to be a problem with load side facility, as our crews found a blown fuse at the building,” Meralco said in a statement.

and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

Meanwhile, Ortega emphasized the “serious legal firepower” that de Lima and Diokno bring to the prosecution team.

“It’s not just that the team got bigger: we’ve added two voices who have long been fighting for human rights and the rule of law. The presence of incoming Representative de Lima and Representative Diokno is significant—not just in terms of legal matters, but also in the moral aspect of Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial,” Ortega, who represents La Union, said.

“They are our true icons of justice, so it’s a big deal that they agreed to be part of the House

prosecution. This shows the kind of leaders we want on the frontlines—those who have spent their lives defending the Constitution,” Ortega added.

Ortega said that the inclusion of de Lima and Diokno is not merely symbolic; it is also a strategic move that will further enhance the case of the House of Representatives against Duterte.

Ortega noted that this impeachment trial is no longer just a political process but a national movement for truth, justice, and accountability.

He lauded the House leadership’s decision to include lawmakers from outside the majority bloc, underscoring the seriousness of the impeachment proceedings.

PHL to deploy more troops in UN peacekeeping missions–Teodoro

THE Philippines is committed to deploy more troops in United Nations peacekeeping mission worldwide, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. Teodoro made this commitment during the Pledging Session I-Training and Capacity Building, Partnership, Cross-Cutting Issues of the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday (local time).

“As a trusted partner, innovative pathfinder, and committed peacemaker, the Philippines supports all efforts to revitalize and further strengthen peacekeeping missions. We are prepared to expand our participation and help shape the future of peacekeeping,” Teodoro said.

He added that peacekeeping is one of the clearest symbols of the UN’s promise to protect people and preserve peace.

“We honor the more than 70,000 UN peacekeepers—women and men—who serve under challenging conditions worldwide,” Teodoro said.

He also committed to increase the number of Filipino peacekeepers deployed globally in the years to come.

“In this regard, we are honored to announce our new pledges: The deployment of one light infantry battalion and one formed police unit under the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. The Philippines will also continue to deploy military observers and individual police officers and to support staff offices of United Nations missions worldwide,” he added.

Teodoro said these contributions build upon the Philippines’ existing pledges, which include a quick reaction force company and a military construction engineering company.

“On new peacekeeping models, there must be a clear outcome when we engage in a peacekeeping

mission, and that political outcome must be based on and in line with the United Nations Charter,” he added.

Teodoro also reiterated that the Philippines will continue to deploy military and police personnel in any area while taking into consideration their effectiveness in fulfilling the mandate of their deployment.

While doing so, he stressed that all Filipino personnel continue to uphold the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in fulfilling their mandates.

“Finally, we are honored to announce that the Philippines will host the 2025 Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Countries] Peacekeeping Staff Exercise this September, underscoring our dedication to fostering regional cooperation and strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and regional and regional, and subregional organizations,” Teodoro said.

Aside from this, hesaid the country reaffirmed its commitment to support the UN’s capacitybuilding initiatives.

“To this end, we pledge to host the United Nations Triangular Partnership Program Training Courses in the Asean region in the Calendar Year 2029 to 2030. We also pledge to provide certified military mobile training teams to enhance peacekeeper preparedness in addressing both emerging and persistent challenges,” he added.

Teodoro also said the Philippines strongly supports the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping.

“We are proud to meet the Secretary-General’s 2025 targets under the Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy, and as part of our continued commitment, we pledge to increase the deployment of women peacekeepers across all roles,” he added. PNA

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

Illicit vape traders use residences as warehouses

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

RESIDENTIAL areas are now being turned into illegal vape warehouses as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) found vape pods with over P543 million in tax liabilities in a house in Marilao, Bulacan.

In a statement on Thursday, the BIR said it raided a house garage and confiscated 406 master cases containing an estimated 81,200 vape products branded as “TEAM PAPA.”

The vape products were found without the mandatory BIR-issued excise stamps affixed to them, which indicates that excise taxes have not been paid.

“This is a clear violation of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended,” the BIR said, as the vape products owed the government P543.739 million in taxes, including penalties and surcharges.

“Criminals engaged in illicit vape are already using houses and residential compounds to hide their illegal activities,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. was quoted as saying.

“These criminals are now hiding in houses and villages, thinking that we cannot reach them. Think again,” Lumagui said, adding that the BIR will focus on residential areas being used as warehouses for illicit vape products.

The offenders will face possible charges for multiple violations of the Tax Code, including Section 258—Unlawful Pursuit of Business, Section 263—Unlawful Possession or Removal of Articles Subject to Excise Tax Without Payment of the Tax and Section 254—Attempt to Defeat or Evade Payment of Taxes.

According to BIR data, there are 37 registered manufacturers and 64 importers of vapor products in the Philippines as of April 29, 2025.

“We call on everyone to report all forms of illicit vape. They are hiding in villages. They are hiding in residential compounds,” Lumagui said.

“Once reported and verified, the BIR will raid these locations and file cases against these criminals. Illicit vape criminals have no place in our homes and neighborhoods. They are a threat to the peace and quiet of our residences,” the tax chief added.

In 2024, the BIR raked in a total of P304.279 billion in excise taxes, which is P8.799 billion short, or 2.89 percent lower than the P313.078 billion target. Lumagui said the BIR is expecting a narrower gap between the actual excise tax collection and the target set for the year.

The BIR is eyeing to collect a total of P337.797 billion in excise taxes in 2025, which is 7.89 percent higher than the P313.078 billion programmed in 2024.

The BIR has been advocating for a unified tax rate on vape products to equalize it with the rates imposed on cigarettes.

Currently, the excise tax imposed on a pack of cigarettes costs P66.15; P57.33 per milliliter for nicotine salt liquids and P66.15 per 10 milliliters for conventional freebase or classic nicotine vape products.

DOTr eyes review of insurance rates for motor vehicles

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing an overhaul of government road safety policies, which involve raising insurance premiums not only for private vehicles, but also public utility vehicles (PUV); as well as the passage of a modernization law.

In an interview with reporters in Malacañang on Thursday, Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon disclosed that President Marcos ordered the reforms following the series of recent deadly vehicular accidents.

“The reason why the President ordered reforms is because the [commuters] are paying fares in exchange for the assurance that they are able to go home safely. There are many incidents now where that is now happening,” he said in Filipino.

Earlier this month, Marcos ordered a crackdown against erring bus operators and drivers and a review on the issuance of driver’s licenses after a Solid North bus figured in a accident at the SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) tollgate, which killed 10 people.

He also expressed concern over the sports utility vehicle crash at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), which killed two people.

“The President has said that our priority is the safety of our passengers, and we saw the bad things that happened last week. Some people died, some were seriously injured,” Dizon said.

“So insurance is very important, and the President’s call is to completely increase insurance [premiums],” he added.

Within the year DIZON confirmed they are considering the proposal of the transport groups to raise the insurance coverage for private vehicles, which will be involved in a road mishap with a PUV, so it will be at par with that of PUVs.

But he said DOTr is also studying raising the insurance coverage for PUVs, while mitigating its potential impact on the fares.

“We need to talk to the industry carefully. The bus companies, the PUVs, of course, nothing is free in the world, someone has to pay a higher insurance premium,” Dizon said.

“So when we need to balance the ability of the operators of the bus companies to absorb that. Anyway, the fares are regulated. There are factors for the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board] to approve a fare increase or not,” he added. He said the are targeting to adjust the said insurance premiums this year.

Lacson to make sure education will be natl budget’s top priority

EDUCATION will not be denied the top priority in the national budget as mandated in the 1987 Constitution, and Senate re-electionist Panfilo M. Lacson will make sure of that.

Lacson noted in a television interview on Thursday that this becomes more urgent in the wake of findings from the Department of Education that more than 18 million Filipinos may be functionally illiterate.

Modernization law

ASIDE from raising insurance premiums, Dizon said he formed a task force to propose other measures to improve road safety, which includes reducing the work hours for bus drivers from six hours to four hours, ensuring road worthiness of vehicles, as well as the ability of drivers.

“We gave a deadline to the task force we assigned, it’s this week, I’m actually meeting with them today, we’ll talk to various road safety advocates so we can change this system that clearly doesn’t work for the safety of our commuters. That also includes insurance,” Dizon said.

He said they are also considering pushing for the passage of a PUV Modernization Act in the upcoming 20th Congress.

Dizon there are currently members of the House of Representatives and the Senate who have expressed interest in filing the said piece of legislation.

After taking over the leadership of DOTr last February, Dizon initiated discussions with the groups, which continue to oppose the government’s Public Transport Modernization Programs (PTMP).

Among the concerns of the groups against the PTMP was the mandatory consolidation of individual franchises as well as the cost and financing of the procurement of new modern jeepneys.

Dizon said the new PUV Modernization Law can help address the said concerns through legislated tax incentives or subsidies, which can help PUV operators and drivers modernize their vehicles.

So hopefully in the next Congress that will be discussed in depth. We will work with Congress to get that passed,” Dizon said.

Group assails SC decision on mining ban in Mindoro

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the mining ban in Occidental Mindoro has clear repercussions for existing local efforts to resist destructive and irresponsible mining, the anti-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina said.

“We take the SC ruling as a balanced interpretation of our laws on local autonomy and minerals management. In the real world where mining corporations and political dynasties rule economic decisions and management of our natural resources, this is not a just interpretation from our simple view,” ATM said in a statement.

The mining ban in Occidental Mindoro was imposed to protect the province’s environment and conserve its unique biodiversity, which is threatened by mining operations.

Home to protected areas such as the Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park and Mount Calavite National Park, the island of Mindoro, is home to critically endangered species, including the iconic Philippine Tamaraw, whose dwindling population was attributed to the shrinking ecosystem of the world’s rarest land mammal.

Aside from its rich biodiversity, Occidental Mindoro and its neighboring province, Oriental Mindoro, boast some of the world’s best dive spots, such as the Apo Reef and the white sand beach, the Puerto Galera beach resort.

ATM was dismayed by the SC’s affirmation of a 2018 order by a local court, which declared invalid for being unconstitutional the ordinance and resolutions issued by the Province of Occidental Mindoro and the Municipality of Abra de Ilog that impose a 25-year moratorium on large-scale mining.

In a 30-page unanimous decision written by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Court en banc held that such ordinances resolutions violated Republic Act 7942 or The Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

“While the Constitution recognizes the autonomy of local government units to enact ordinances and adopt resolutions for the general welfare of their constituents, this does not extend to vetoing the national law,” the SC declared.

“We’re partly disappointed as it seemingly reduces the police powers of local governments, but we take note of the clear legal reasoning of Justice Leonen that local governments must exercise all their powers and then decide to approve or disapprove specific mining projects only, and that a blanket ordinance that prohibits any mining projects in their locality is not justified,” ATM’s statement said.

ATM said it is asking the different legal groups and public interest law organizations to review and give a briefing to environmental and climate justice networks and affected communities as soon as possible, for them to craft local responses with concerned local governments.

“We will continue to support and give stronger and broader assistance to affected communities and local governments who refuse to allow the continued plunder of our natural resources while remaining blind to the multiple crises of climate, poverty, and hunger,” the group stressed.

Finally, ATM said the SC decision only means “we have to calibrate our approach and make interventions to biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development while using all the available powers and platforms of local autonomy.”

Romualdez eyes PHL as rice exporter

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

AIMING to to make the Philippines a rice exportrt, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Thursday that the government has distributed more than 20 solar-powered pump irrigation systems (SPIP) in Central Luzon, the country’s “rice granary.”

by AI to enhance productivity,” Romualdez said, noting that early adopters have reported yield increases exceeding 25 percent. Guillen thanked Congress for its sustained funding, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of solar irrigation, which ranges from P200,000 to P300,000 per hectare, compared to traditional methods.

“I will make sure that the Constitution will be followed as far as giving the education sector top priority in the budget is concerned,” he said in Filipino in a television interview.

Lacson was referring to the issue involving the 2025 proposed national budget where the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had a higher appropriation than the education sector—the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and state colleges and universities.

Lacson had questioned the bicameral conference committee’s reduction of the DepEd budget to P737 billion and increasing that of the DPWH to P1.113 trillion, which was higher than the combined P912 billion of the DepEd, CHED, Tesda, and SUCs – a violation of Article XIV, Section 5(5) of the Constitution

ICC. . .

Continued from A3

Vice President Duterte said the campaign will be included on her schedule abroad after the elections.

She said the Office of the Vice President will now proceed anew with her flagship “Pagbabago” campaign immediately after the elections, including an overseas trip to meet Filipino migrants and update them with government development. Her other itinerary are her small family

which declares that “the State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.”

Making this even more urgent is the finding of the DepEd that more than 18 million Filipinos may be functionally illiterate, he said.

“We must pay more attention to the situation of the education sector, especially primary education,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he expects senators in the 20th Congress to set aside their political differences in doing legislative work, especially if the leadership will not be a part of political divisiveness.

“I think we can move on from the DuterteMarcos effect in the midterm elections. When we focus on attending caucuses and discussing our legislative agenda, it would be a step in the right direction,” he said. Butch Fernandez

gathering, also in The Hague, to celebrate her 47th birth anniversary on May 31, and the Independence Day celebration. The latter is still being determined as to which country Duterte will attend.

The “Pagbabago” campaign is Duterte’s flagship twofold program that was designed “to make a meaningful impact across the country by distributing one million bags with school supplies and dental kits and planting one million seedlings,” the office’s website post said.

“By distributing bags with school supplies and dental kits, Pagbabago

At a ceremony in barangay Candating, Arayat, Pampanga, Romualdez activated a solar-powered irrigation pump, providing reliable irrigation to 15 hectares of previously rain-dependent farms belonging to the Maunlad na Candating–Sapang Paitan Irrigators’ Association.

He was joined by Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo Guillen, Arayat Mayor Maria Lourdes Alejandrino, and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. The event marked the symbolic launch of additional SPIPs: seven in Nueva Ecija, ten in Zambales, one in Bulacan, and one in Bataan, along with two irrigation augmentation projects in Tarlac. Each system utilizes typhoon-rated photovoltaic panels and AI-driven moisture sensors from Israel’s LR Group, significantly reducing operational costs and enhancing crop yields.

“This is the future of agriculture, assisted

supports learners and their families, making education more accessible and less economically challenging. At the same time, planting seedlings and mangroves contributes to coastal and marine ecosystems, enhances the national greening program, enhances biodiversity conservation, and responds strategically to climate challenges,” it said.

This program was first initiated when Duterte was mayor of this city and has since been elevated to a national level and became one of her flagship programs under the OVP following her election in

Gilberto Guina, a 75-year-old farmer, shared that he previously spent P30,000 per cropping on diesel fuel, expenses now redirected to family needs and farm improvements. Also, Rey Velasco, president of the Maunlad na Candating—Sapang Paitan Farmers’ Irrigators Association, recalled seasons of relying on rain and struggling to haul water uphill.

“Before, we only relied on rain. We were only happy when it rained. Water was very difficult to get because we were located uphill. We even had to ask for irrigation water from different places,” Velasco said. Romualdez, meanwhile, connected these advancements to President Marcos’s directive to implement solar irrigation in 180,000 hectares nationwide, aiming to boost annual rice production by 1.2 million metric tons.

“With the help of solar irrigation and smart farming, we can restore our production strength and achieve our goal of becoming a rice exporter again,” he added.

2022. The Pagbabago is implemented nationwide through the OVP’s central office, ten satellites and one extension office. This campaign starts in May. Meanwhile, Duterte said she was leaving it to her lawyers to handle the impeachment case against her.

“They will be updating me only with the challenges they will be encountering and as much as I can I will answer their queries, and to point them to the right direction where to get the documents need in the impeachment trial.”

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 70 people, including 22 children–health officials

By Wafaa Shurafa & Melanie Lidman The Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—Israeli airstrikes pounded northern and southern Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 70 people, including almost two dozen children, according to hospitals and health officials, a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “no way” he would halt Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory before Hamas is defeated.

At least 50 people, including 22 children, were killed in strikes around Jabaliya in northern Gaza alone, according to hospitals and Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The strikes came after Hamas on Monday released an Israeli-American hostage, a gesture that some thought could lay the groundwork for a ceasefire, and as US President Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia during a multi-day trip to Gulf countries.

Israel’s military refused to comment on the strikes. It warned Jabaliya residents to evacuate late Tuesday, citing militant infrastructure in the area, including rocket launchers.

In Jabaliya, rescue workers smashed through collapsed concrete slabs using hand tools, lit by the light of cellphones, to remove children’s bodies.

Israel threatens to escalate operations in Gaza IN comments released by Netanyahu’s office Tuesday, the prime minister said Israeli forces were days away from a promised escalation of force and would enter Gaza “with great strength to complete the mission ... It means destroying Hamas.”

There had been widespread hope that Trump’s visit to the Middle East could usher in a ceasefire deal or renewal of humanitarian aid to Gaza. An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month.

The war began when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in a

2023 intrusion into southern Israel. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed over 52,928 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. Almost 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18, the ministry said. Israel’s offensive has obliterated vast swathes of Gaza’s urban landscape and displaced 90 percent of the population, often multiple times.

Israeli media reported that one target in a strike on a hospital in Khan Younis on Tuesday was Mohammed Sinwar, younger brother of the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces last October. The military would not comment beyond saying it had targeted a Hamas “command and control center” which it said was located beneath the European Hospital.

Mohammed Sinwar is believed to be Hamas’ top military leader in Gaza. Israel has tried to assassinate him multiple times over the past decades.

A senior health official in Gaza said Wednesday that ambulances were no longer able to reach the hospital due to damage from the strike, which had also forced the facility to suspend surgical operations.

Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director general of Field Hospitals at Gaza’s

Health Ministry, said the strike had severely damaged the hospital’s water and sewage systems, as well as its courtyard. He added that the Israeli military hit a bulldozer brought in by hospital authorities to repair the area to allow ambulances reach the building.

“Until these damages are fixed, we will have to shut down most departments of the hospital,” he said, adding that he had no information about Israel’s claimed target of the strike.

France condemns Israeli blockade of aid INTERNATIONAL food security experts warned earlier this week that Gaza will likely fall into famine if Israel doesn’t lift its blockade and stop its military campaign.

Nearly half a million Palestinians are facing possible starvation while 1 million others can barely get enough food, according to findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority on the severity of hunger crises.

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly denounced Netanyahu’s decision to block aid as “a disgrace” that has caused a major humanitarian crisis.

See “Israeli,” A8

Russian, Ukrainian delegations arrive in Istanbul for peace talks, but Putin’s absence raises doubts

By Mehmet Guzel The Associated Press

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Russia’s delegation arrived in Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin was not part of the delegation, according to a list released by the Kremlin Wednesday night, prompting criticism from Western officials that Moscow isn’t serious about the peace effort.

Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Putin, will lead the Russian delegation that will also include three other senior officials, the Kremlin said. Putin also appointed four lower-level officials as “experts” for the talks.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenged the Russian leader to meet in person in Turkey. Zelenskyy said he would travel to Ankara, the Turkish capital, meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and wait for Putin.

Zelenskyy will sit at the table only with Putin, Ukraine’s presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said.

Details about the Ukrainian delegation and whether they will meet their Russian counterparts are still unclear but is expected to be clarified after Zelenskyy and Erdogan meet, according to a Ukrainian official who requested anonymity to speak openly about the day’s plan.

Tass said that the talks were to take place in a presidential office on the Bosphorus.

Moscow offered talks instead of a ceasefire

PUTIN on Wednesday evening held a meeting with senior government officials and members of the delegation in preparation for the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry

Peskov said. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov, and National Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu attended the meeting, among others.

Kyiv and its European allies had urged the Kremlin to agree to a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a first step toward peace. Putin effectively rejected the proposal, offering direct talks between Russia and Ukraine instead.

The Kremlin billed Thursday’s talks as a “restart” of peace negotiations that were held in Istanbul in the first weeks of the war in 2022 but quickly fell apart. Moscow accused Ukraine and the West of wanting to continue fighting, while Kyiv said Russia’s demands amounted to an ultimatum rather than something both sides could agree on. Russia’s delegation then was also headed by Vladimir Medinsky.

Putin’s proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kickstarted by US President Donald Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the devastating war swiftly. The Trump administration in recent weeks indicated that it might walk away from the peace effort if there was no tangible progress soon.

Trump had pressed for Putin and Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul but said Thursday he wasn’t surprised that Putin was a noshow. He brushed off Putin’s decision to not take part in the talks.

“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump said during a roundtable in Doha, Qatar.

The US and Western European leaders have threatened Russia with further sanctions if there is no progress in halting the fighting.

NATO ministers back Ukraine

UKRAINIAN Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with US State Secretary Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsey Graham in the Turk-

ish city of Antalya late Wednesday night. Antalya on Thursday is hosting NATO foreign ministers to discuss new defense investment goals as the US shifts its focus to security challenges away from Europe. Sybiha reaffirmed Ukraine’s support for Trump’s mediation efforts and thanked the US for its continued involvement, urging Moscow to “reciprocate Ukraine’s constructive steps” toward peace. “So far, it has not,” Sybiha said.

On Thursday morning, Sybiha also met with other European foreign ministers, including his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, who in a post on X reiterated the call for a ceasefire and the threat of “massive sanctions” if Russia doesn’t comply.

“We’re in a very difficult spot right now, and we hope that we can find the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future,” Rubio said Thursday.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, also in Antalya for the NATO talks, accused Moscow of not being willing to engage in a serious peace process.

“We have one chair empty, which is the chair of Vladimir Putin. So now I guess the entire world has realized that there’s only one party not willing to engage in serious peace negotiations, and that certainly is Russia,” Valtonen said. Barrot echoed her sentiment: “In front of Ukrainians there is an empty chair, one that should have been occupied by Vladimir Putin,” he said. “Vladimir Putin is dragging his feet and in all evidence does not want to enter into these peace discussions.”

Associated Press writers Lorne Cook in Brussels; Illia Novikov and Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; and Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed to this report.

PALESTINIANS mourn the children from their families who were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. According to local hospitals, the strikes killed 48 people, including 22 children. AP PHOTO/JEHAD

Rubio, top NATO diplomats gather in Turkey to shape future European security amid Ukraine ceasefire talks

By Matthew Lee, Lorne Cook & Suzan Fraser The Associated Press

ANTALYA, Turkey—US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his NATO counterparts meet in Turkey on Thursday to prepare a pivotal summit of alliance leaders next month that will set the course for future European security as America focuses on challenges elsewhere.

The meeting in the Mediterranean coastal city of Antalya comes amid a flurry of negotiations aimed at producing a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, including talks in Istanbul that Rubio and President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff plan to attend Friday. Rubio and Witkoff are coming to Turkey after accompanying Trump on portions of his trip to Gulf Arab countries. On the sidelines of the NATO meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Wednesday with Rubio, who also is having separate talks with new German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey, whose country is trying

Israeli...

Continued from A7

“I say it forcefully, what Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is doing today is unacceptable,” Macron said Tuesday evening on TF1 national television. “There’s no medicine. We can’t get the wounded out. Doctors can’t get in.”

Macron, who visited injured Palestinians in Egypt last month, called for the reopening of the Gaza border to humanitarian convoys. “Then, yes, we must fight to demilitarize Hamas, free the hostages and build a political solution,” he said.

Netanyahu retorted that Macron was “echoing the false propaganda” of an extremist militant organization.

Gaza’s population of around 2.3 million people relies almost entirely on outside aid to survive. Israel’s 19-month-old military campaign has wiped away most capacity to produce food in the territory. Markets are empty of most items, and prices for what remains have skyrocketed.

Blockades force charity kitchens to close THE United Nations says the num -

to help broker a deal that might end the more than three-year-old war. Sybiha and Fidan on Wednesday discussed efforts to establish a ceasefire and steps toward securing a lasting peace with Russia, according to the Turkish foreign ministry.

Talks on Ukraine also in Turkey THE same day that NATO foreign ministers gather, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. It’s an open question whether Trump or Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate Thursday. Trump teased a possible visit to Istanbul while flying from Saudi Arabia to Qatar on Wednesday, but

ber of meals that charity kitchens are providing in Gaza has plunged to around 260,000 under Israel’s blockade, down from more than 1 million a day in late April.

Charity kitchens are the last lifeline for most of Gaza’s population, but they are rapidly shutting down because supplies are running out. In the first two weeks of May, at least 112 kitchens – more than 60% of the total – closed, the U.N. humanitarian office said Wednesday. Only 68 kitchens still operate.

The World Health Organization said it has only enough stocks to treat 500 children with acute malnutrition, a fraction of the need. Thousands of children have been diagnosed with malnutrition in recent weeks.

Israel says the blockade is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages and disarm. Israeli officials have asserted there is enough food in the territory after a surge in aid entered during the recent two-month ceasefire.

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Fatma Khaled and Lee Keath in Cairo and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.

SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio leaves a lunch attended by President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. AP PHOTO/ALEX BRANDON

there was no immediate indication that his travel plans would change.

“He’d like me to be there, and that’s a possibility,” Trump said, referring to Putin. “I don’t know that he would be there if I’m not there.

We’re going to find out.”

Zelenskyy has been pushing for direct talks with Russia but only if Putin attends. Putin, who has rebuffed previous such calls, has been coy and has not committed to a meeting.

The Kremlin on Wednesday said Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky, will head the Russian delegation, which also will include Deputy De -

fense Minister Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Igor Kostyukov, chief of the General Staff’s main directorate. The list did not include Putin himself.

Zelenskyy also remains keen on Ukraine joining NATO, which Russia has adamantly rejected and Trump appears to have agreed with. So even with a Ukrainian presence in Antalya, it appeared unlikely there would be any decisions made about Ukraine’s future, or lack thereof, in the military alliance.

Trump administration pushes for NATO members to spend more on defense

OF greater concern to the US is money, with the Trump administration saying it wants to hear how European members of NATO and Canada plan to boost their national defense investments to 5 percent of gross domestic product.

In 2023, as Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine entered its second year, NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on national defense budgets. So far, 22 of the 32 member countries have done so.

The leaders will set a new goal at a summit in The Hague on June 25.

Trump insists that US allies should

commit to spending at least 5 percent to be ready to defend themselves, but that would require investment at an unprecedented scale.

Trump has cast doubt over whether the US would defend allies that spend too little. The US was projected to have spent 3.38 percent last year, NATO figures show, the only ally whose spending has dropped over the last decade. Asked last month whether the US would match the 5 percent target, Rubio said, “Sure. We’re heading there now.”

“Make no mistake, this ministerial is going to be different,” US envoy to NATO

Matthew Whitaker said this week, adding that “5 percent is not just a number, it is a necessity for our security. The alliance is facing significant threats.”

He did not outline those threats.

NATO leaders insisted at their summit last year that “Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security,” but some countries are uneasy about Trump reengaging with Putin.

Fidan, the Turkish foreign minister who is hosting the meeting, is expected to express Turkey’s commitment to strengthening NATO and call for the inclusion of NATO allies that aren’t European Union members—such as Turkey—into European security and defense initiatives, according to Turkish officials.

Fidan also would advocate a comprehensive, “360-degree security” ap -

proach focusing not only on ending the Russia-Ukraine war but also on stability in the Middle East and regions adjacent to NATO members, the officials said.

The plan on higher defense spending

MEANWHILE , the defense spending plan under consideration appears to be for all allies to aim for 3.5 percent of GDP on “hard military spending by 2032,” and an extra “1.5 percent related spending (on) infrastructure, cybersecurity and things like that. Also achievable by 2032,” according to the Dutch government. While the two figures add up to 5 percent, factoring in infrastructure and cybersecurity would change the basis on which NATO traditionally calculates defense spending. The seven-year time frame is also short by the alliance’s usual standards.

Whitaker, the US NATO ambassador, appeared this week to confirm the plan, saying it “also includes things like mobility, necessary infrastructure, cybersecurity. It is definitely more than just missiles, tanks and howitzers.” It’s difficult to see how many allies might reach even 3.5 percent of GDP. The meeting in Turkey may provide more clarity.

Cook reported from Brussels, and Fraser from Ankara, Turkey.

Trump urges Qatar to leverage influence

over

Iran for nuclear deal negotiations amid rising tensions

By Zeke Miller, Jon Gambrell & Aamer Madhani

The Associated Press

OHA, Qatar—President Donald

DTrump urged Qatar on Wednesday to use its influence over Iran to persuade the country’s leadership to reach an agreement with the US to dial back its rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Trump, who is visiting the Gulf nation as part of a three-country Mideast swing, made the appeal during a state dinner held in his honor by Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatar, over the years, has played the role of intermediary between the US and Iran and its proxies, including during talks with Tehran-backed Hamas as its 19-month war with Israel grinds on.

“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” Trump said during remarks at the formal dinner. “It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing.”

Trump wants Iran to stop backing militant proxy groups THE appeal to Qatar came after Trump

told leaders at a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting earlier Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that he wants “to make a deal,” but Tehran must end its support of proxy groups throughout the Mideast as part of any potential agreement.

The US and Iran brokered a nuclear deal in 2015, during Democrat Barack Obama’s administration, in which Iran agreed to drastically reduce its stockpile of uranium and only enrich up to 3.67%.

But that deal was scrapped during the first Trump administration.

Today, Iran enriches up to 60%, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels, and has enough stockpiled for multiple nuclear bombs should it choose to build them.

The Qatari emir told Fox News Channel on Wednesday night that “we agree that we want a nuclear-free region, and we cannot afford a nuclear race in that region.”

But, Al Thani said, “Iran has its right to have a nuclear—a civilian nuclear power, while not also representing any challenge or any threat for anyone in the region.”

He said the issue needs to be resolved diplomatically.

The US and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks since early last month about the country’s nuclear program. Trump has said that he believes brokering a nuclear deal is possible but that the window is closing.

At the state dinner, he called on Iran’s leadership to “get moving” or risk the situation spiraling into a head-on conflict.

“Because things like that get started and they get out of control,” Trump said. “I’ve seen it over and over again. They go to war and things get out of control, and we’re not going to let that happen.”

Trump, in his appearance at the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh, also said that Tehran “must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons” as conditions for any deal.

The call for Iran to cease support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen comes as that proxy network has faced significant setbacks in the 19 months since Hamas launched its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

In Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Trump’s remarks “deceitful” but did not directly address his demands.

Trump said that he also believed the moment was ripe “for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists.” Hezbollah is severely weakened after its war last year with Israel, in which much of its top leadership was killed and after losing a key ally with the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a conduit for Iran to send arms.

Lifting sanctions on Syria

WHILE in Riyadh, Trump also met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a face-to-face engagement with the onetime insurgent leader who spent years imprisoned by US forces after being captured in Iraq.

Al-Sharaa was named president of Syria in January, a month after a stunning offensive by insurgent groups led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stormed Damascus and ended the 54year rule of the Assad family.

Trump said he decided to meet with alSharaa after being encouraged to do so by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He also pledged to lift yearslong sanctions on Syria.

The White House billed the al-Sharaa meeting as a brief “pull aside” that ended up lasting 33 minutes.

Trump told reporters that the meeting went “great” and described him as a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.”

“He’s got a real shot at holding it together,” Trump said.

Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu

Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the US-led invasion. He still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. The US once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al-Qaida.

Al-Sharaa returned to his home country of Syria after the conflict began in 2011 and led al-Qaida’s branch called the Nusra Front. He changed the name of his group to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and cut links with al-Qaida. The sanctions go back to the rule of Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December, and were intended to inflict major pain on his economy. Qatar rolls out the red carpet for Trump IN Qatar, Trump was greeted at the airport by Al Thani. Air Force One was escorted by Qatari F-15 jets as it neared Doha, the capital city. As he sat down for talks at Amiri Diwan, the administrative office of the emir, Trump told the Qatari leader he was impressed with the “perfecto” marble as well as the camels that took part in the arrival ceremony. The emir said he had high hopes for Trump’s efforts with Iran and at ending the war in Gaza.

“I know that you are a man of peace,” he said. “I know that you want to bring peace to this region.”

Qatar, like the other Gulf Arab states, is an autocratic nation where political parties are banned and speech is tightly controlled. But Qatar has also served as a valuable partner to the US. The country is also home to Al-Udeid Air Base, a sprawling facility that hosts the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command.

The oil-and-gas-rich country is also in the center of a controversy over its

Japan and Taiwan insurers face billions in paper losses as Trump rocks markets

By Bei Hu, Echo Wong & Nao Sano

LIFE insurers in Japan and Taiwan are staring down billions of dollars in paper losses from market turmoil triggered by reactions to Donald Trump’s policies.

In Taiwan, a surging local currency piled pressure on more than NT$23 trillion ($762 billion) of foreign assets held by insurers. Across Japan, insurance firms were hit as long-term government bond yields spiked to the highest level in decades.

“Japan and Taiwan insurers have always needed to weather two components of market risks that their peers have less burden on—FX and yield,” said Steven Lam, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

Those challenges have been laid bare as the playbooks of insurers are disrupted. Analysts warn of massive risks faced by the insurance industry, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimating that Taiwan insurers alone could be sitting on about $18 billion in paper losses.

The potential losses may prompt insurers to reevaluate investments in foreign bonds and increase their use of hedging contracts to protect them from wild currency swings. The insurers hold at least a combined $1.5 trillion in foreign assets, which decline in relative value when their domestic currencies rise against the dollar.

Companies including Nan Shan Life Insurance Co. said they will diversify assets and stay flexible, after the six biggest Taiwan insurers posted a loss of almost NT$19 billion in April.

The Taiwan currency has been among the top gainers in Asia this year, as investors dumped US dollars amid the trade wars. It soared in the first two trading days of May, taking the appreciation against the greenback since the end of March to about 10 percent.

Insurers from the regions have historically invested a sizable portion of their assets abroad because the domestic market for government and corporate bonds—the mainstay of their holdings—isn’t large enough to meet their growing

investment needs, said Max Davies, Man Group Plc’s director of AsiaPacific insurance.

Taiwan currency

TAIWANESE life insurers accumulated about $710 billion of foreign investments by March, Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a May 8 note. An estimated 28 percent—or about $200 billion—of that is not hedged with traditional tools such as currency swaps or forward contracts.  While unhedged currency risk “in the past has been a good source of returns at various different times,” the recent sharp appreciation of the Taiwan dollar has underscored increasing currency volatility against the new global economic backdrop, Davies said. A 10 percent Taiwan dollar appreciation against the greenback could lead to about $18 billion of unrealized currency losses for local insurers, potentially erasing 2024 pretax profit and wiping out the capital reserves they built up to offset currency volatility, the Goldman note said. It can also drive up the cost of currency hedging for this year and next, according to separate Goldman research.

Hedging efforts

REGULATORS are paying attention.

The Taiwan dollar’s jump prompted the island’s Financial Supervisory Commission to offer assurances on May 6 that no major insurers have had solvency issues. Its central bank on the same day said it would inspect banks to ensure that fund inflows are for investment, not currency speculation.

Regulators have introduced riskbased capital regimes, under which insurers are essentially punished for having unhedged currency exposure, a development that may prompt the increasing adoption of hedging through currency swaps or forward

Trump says India offered to drop all tariffs on US goods amid trade talks

By Jordan Fabian & Shruti Srivastava

PRESIDENT Donald Trump said India has made an offer to drop tariffs on US goods, as the Asian nation negotiates a deal to avert higher import taxes.

Speaking Thursday at an event with business leaders in Qatar, Trump said the Indian government has “offered us a deal where basically they are willing to literally charge us no tariff.”

Trump didn’t provide further details of New Delhi’s apparent offer and the Indian government didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.  India was one of the first countries to begin trade negotiations with the US following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in February, with both sides agreeing to finalize the first phase of a bilateral deal by the fall. India’s trade minister is expected to meet Trump administration officials in the US from May 17-20 for further negotiations.

Trump’s comments came days after India threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to higher US duties on steel and aluminum, a sign that New Delhi may be adopting a more assertive approach in its trade negotiations with the White

House. The trade talks remain on track though, people familiar with the matter have said.

Some analysts in New Delhi suggested that Trump’s remarks could indicate either that India is close to finalizing a deal, or that the comments are a negotiating tactic by the White House.

“An India–US trade deal may be on the cards,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of New Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Institute. “But the deal must ensure strict reciprocity, with both sides eliminating tariffs equally.”

Market reaction was relatively muted after Trump’s comments with the rupee recouping some of its losses. The benchmark NSE Nifty 50 index was up 1.7 percent as of 2 p.m. local time.

Zero tariffs

SINCE returning to the White House, Trump has been dialing up the pressure on the Indian government to address the trade imbalance between their two countries, running at about $47 billion last year.

Having long complained that India’s tariffs were too high and hurt US businesses, Trump has pledged to impose “reciprocal” tariffs of 26 percent on India. Those tariffs are currently on hold until early July.  India have made several moves

Loo said.

Mark-to-market losses THE real trouble is that Japanese life insurers are sitting on mark-tomarket losses from surging bond yields, especially 30- and 40-year local government papers. While the local credit market is small, the domestic government bond market is large and long-dated, a key tool Japanese insurers have been using to match their long-term liabilities without having to take on currency risks.

It’s a complex set of challenges they face. Tariffs threaten to slow economic growth globally and dim the prospects for the much anticipated near-term Bank of Japan rate hikes. On the other hand, investors may demand higher yields to hold long-end bonds, as tariffs threaten to accelerate inflation. There are also concerns about low liquidity and heightened volatility for the 30-year notes that they favor.

With assistance from Jaehyun Eom and Jun Luo / Bloomberg

to satisfy Trump’s grievances this year, including overhauling its tariff regime to reduce import duties on prominent American goods like bourbon whiskey and high-end motorcycles made by Harley-Davidson Inc.  As part of its trade negotiations, New Delhi has also proposed zero tariffs on some goods like auto components and pharmaceuticals on a reciprocal basis up to a certain quantity of imports, Bloomberg News reported earlier this month.

While Modi and Trump share a strong personal rapport, there is growing frustration in New Delhi in recent days over the US president’s insistence he used trade as a bargaining tool to secure a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after four days of military conflict. Indian officials have disputed that.

The US president also said Thursday he spoke with Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to discourage him from expanding production in India.

“I said I don’t want you building in India,” Trump said about a conversation he said he had with Cook. He added that he told Cook “India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well.” As a result of their discussion, Trump said Apple will be “upping their production in the United States.”

Pope Leo XIV vows to pursue peace in Ukraine and Middle East, support eastern rite churches

By Nicole Winfield

The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY—Pope Leo XIV vowed to take “every effort” Wednesday to work for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and to actively promote the spirituality and traditions of the eastern rite churches, those Catholic communities with origins in the Mideast and eastern Europe that have been decimated by years of conflict and persecution.

“The church needs you!” Leo told a Holy Year audience of eastern rite pilgrims.

Eastern-rite Catholics accept the authority of the pope but have many of their own rituals and liturgy. They include the Coptic, Chaldean, Maronite and Eritrean Catholic churches, as well as the Syro-Malabar church in India and Greek Catholic communities that are found across Eastern Europe and the Americas. Unlike Orthodox

these communities in northern Iraq were some of the oldest of the faith, where the dialects of Aramaic—the language of Jesus—are still spoken.

Christians, these Catholic churches fully recognize papal authority.

In his remarks, Leo acknowledged that many eastern rite Catholics have been forced to flee their homelands because of “war and persecution, instability and poverty.” It was a reference to the exodus of Christians from the Middle East, Iraq and Syria especially, where entire communities have been displaced by years of Islamic extremist violence. Many of

Leo vowed to work for peace in those regions, citing in particular the Middle East and Ukraine, and said the Holy See was ready to “help bring enemies together, face to face.”

“Who better than you can sing a song of hope even amid the abyss of violence?” he said. “From the Holy Land to Ukraine, from Lebanon to Syria, from the Middle East to Tigray and the Caucasus, how much violence do we see!”

In one of his first acts as pope, Leo

spoke by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who invited him to Ukraine and thanked him for his support. Leo has in the past called Russia’s war in Ukraine “an imperialist invasion in which Russia wants to conquer territory for reasons of power given Ukraine’s strategic location.”

The Vatican under Francis was largely sidelined in any peace efforts, though the Holy See did work on prisoner exchanges and to reunite Ukrainian children who were taken to Russian territory back with their families.

Zelenskyy, who met with President Donald Trump in St. Peter’s Basilica on

ICC faces severe challenges following Trump’s

TBy Molly Quell

The Associated Press

HE HAGUE, Netherlands—The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has lost access to his email, and his bank accounts have been frozen.

The Hague-based court’s American staffers have been told that if they travel to the US they risk arrest.

Some non-governmental organizations have stopped working with the ICC and the leaders of one won’t even reply to emails from court officials.

Those are just some of the hurdles facing court staff since US President Donald Trump in February slapped sanctions on its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, according to interviews with current and former ICC officials, international lawyers and human rights advocates.

The sanctions will “prevent victims from getting access to justice,” said Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch.

Trump sanctioned the court after a panel of ICC judges in November issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and

his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant.

Judges found there was reason to believe that the pair may have committed war crimes by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeting civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza—charges Israeli officials deny.

Staffers and allies of the ICC said the sanctions have made it increasingly difficult for the tribunal to conduct basic tasks, let alone seek justice for victims of war crimes or genocide.

A spokesperson for the ICC and for Khan declined to comment. In February, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane said that the sanctions “constitute serious attacks against the Court’s States Parties, the rule of law based international order and millions of victims.”

Order targets chief prosecutor THE February order bans Khan and other non-Americans among the ICC’s 900 staff members from entering the United States. It also threatens any person, institution or company with fines and prison time if they provide Khan with “financial, material, or

technological support.”

The sanctions are hampering work on a broad array of investigations, not just the one into Israel’s leaders.

The ICC, for example, had been investigating atrocities in Sudan and had issued arrest warrants for former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges that include genocide. That probe has ground to a halt even as reports mount of new atrocities in Sudan, according to an attorney representing an ICC prosecutor who is fighting the sanctions in US courts. The prosecutor, Eric Iverson, filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump ad -

the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, is expected in Rome for Leo’s formal installation Mass on Sunday.

Leo praised those Christians who are working at reconciliation even in regions where they are persecuted minorities, and urged them to continue.

“I thank God for those Christians—Eastern and Latin alike—who, above all in the Middle East, persevere and remain in their homelands, resisting the temptation to abandon them,” Leo said. “Christians must be given the opportunity, and not just in words, to remain in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence.”

The audience featured a mix of faithful from around the world, with Lebanese and Ukrainian flags and ululating pilgrims.

Leo recalled that his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, paid particular attention to the eastern rite churches.

That Leo, who was pope from 1878 to 1903, penned the first specific document about the dignity of eastern rite churches and the need to preserve and celebrate their traditions in the west.

That Leo went so far as to threaten any Latin rite priest in the west with dismissal if he tried to bring an eastern rite Catholic over to the western traditions of the Latin rite.

The former Cardinal Robert Prevost lamented that today, these Catholics often find indifference among other Latin rite Catholics when they resettle in communities in the diaspora. They “risk losing not only their native lands, but also, when they reach the West, their religious identity,” he said.

“As a result, with the passing of generations, the priceless heritage of the Eastern Churches is being lost,” the pontiff said.

He urged the Vatican office that deals with eastern churches to define guidelines for Latin rite bishops to better support diaspora communities, saying the contribution that eastern churches can give the west is “immense.”

“We have great need to recover the sense of mystery that remains alive in your liturgies, liturgies that engage the human person in his or her entirety, that sing of the beauty of salvation and evoke a sense of wonder at how God’s majesty embraces our human frailty,” he said.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

sanctions on chief prosecutor

ministration seeking protection from the sanctions.

Her client “cannot do, what I would describe as, basic lawyer functions,” said Allison Miller who is representing Iverson in the suit. American staffers at the organization, like Iverson, have been warned by its attorneys that they risk arrest if they return home to visit family, according to ICC officials. Six senior officials have left the court over concerns about sanctions.

One reason the court has been hamstrung is that it relies heavily on contractors and non-governmental organizations. Those businesses and groups have curtailed work on behalf of the court because they were concerned about being targeted by US authorities, according to current and former ICC staffers.

Microsoft, for example, cancelled Khan’s e-mail address, forcing the prosecutor to move to Proton Mail, a Swiss e-mail provider, ICC staffers said. His bank accounts in his home country of the United Kingdom have been blocked.

Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment.

Staffers at a non-governmental organization that plays an integral role in the court’s efforts to gather evidence and find witnesses said the group has transferred money out of US bank accounts because they fear it might be seized by the Trump administration.

Senior leadership at two other USbased human rights organizations told the AP that their groups have stopped working with the ICC. A senior staffer at one told the AP that employees have even stopped replying to emails from court officials out of fear of triggering a response from the Trump administration.

The cumulative effect of such actions has led ICC staffers to openly wonder whether the organization can survive the Trump administration, according to ICC officials who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.

Said one such official: “It’s hard to see how the court makes it through the next four years.”

Trump alleged ICC’s actions were baseless

TRUMP, a staunch supporter of Netanyahu, issued his sanctions order shortly after re-taking office, accusing the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.” Washington says the court has no jurisdiction over Israel.

Trump’s order said the ICC’s “actions against Israel and the United States set a dangerous precedent, directly endangering current and former United States personnel, including active service members of the Armed Forces.” He said the court’s “malign conduct” threatens “the sovereignty of the United States and undermines the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States Government.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Netanyahu has dismissed the ICC’s allegations as “absurd,” and Israel’s Knesset is considering legislation that would make providing evidence to the court a crime.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting scores of others. Hamas is believed to be holding about

two dozen hostages.

Coping with dark humor INSIDE the court, staffers have been coping with dark humor, joking about how they cannot even loan Khan a pen or risk appearing on the US radar.

This is not the first time the ICC has drawn Trump’s ire. In 2020, the former Trump administration sanctioned Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, and one of her deputies over the court’s investigation into alleged crimes committed in Afghanistan while the United States military was operating in the country.

President Joe Biden rescinded the sanctions when he took office several months later.

Three lawsuits are now pending from US court staff and consultants against the Trump administration arguing that the sanctions infringe on their freedom of expression. Earlier this week Iverson, the lawyer investigating genocide in Sudan, won temporary protection from prosecution but if other US citizens at the court want a similar assurance, they would have to bring their own complaint.

Meanwhile, the court is facing an i ncreasing lack of cooperation from countries normally considered to be its staunchest supporters.

The ICC has no enforcement apparatus of its own and relies on member states. In the last year, three countries—including two in the European Union—have refused to execute warrants issued by the court.

The renewed assault from the Trump administration comes as the court was already facing internal challenges.

Last year, just weeks before Khan announced he was requesting arrest warrants for the Israeli officials, two court staff reported the British barrister had harassed a female aide, according to reporting by the Associated Press. Khan has categorically denied the accusations that he groped and tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship. A United Nations investigation is underway, and Khan has since been accused of retaliating against staff who supported the woman, including demoting several people he felt were critical of him.

Associated Press writer Mike Corder in The

Hague, Netherlands, contributed to this report.

POPE LEO XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. AP PHOTO/DOMENICO STINELLIS

KARIM KHAN, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, July 3, 2023. AP PHOTO/PETER DEJONG

From brick-and-mortar to AI: Travel planning enters new era

By Lebawit Lily Girma

LONG before there was ChatGPT, you’d have to visit an actual brick-and-mortar travel agency to craft and book your dream itinerary. This month, travel agency Fora has brought that nostalgic experience back to the modern era with a pop-up location—open through May 29—in New York City. It’s more like Soho House than the old AAA mainstays where you’d pick up road maps, with luxury hotel brands and tourism boards carrying out elaborate activations while Fora agents brainstorm vacation ideas with clients at a communal workstation.

Yet the reality is that most travelers this summer won’t talk to human travel agents face-to-face, or even online, as they plan their trips. Rather, generative artificial intelligence tools will increasingly play a role in helping us decide where to go. A 2024 survey from global consulting firm Oliver Wyman LLC showed more than 41 percent of travelers from the US and Canada had recently used this emerging technology for trip inspiration and design—up 30 percent from a year earlier. (One travel agency is embracing that inevitability, using AI to help turn your emotions into itineraries.)

If the latest suite of trip-planning tools is any indication, that percentage is sure to rise. A vast improvement in AI language models is adapting quickly to the ways we research our vacations. Take Gem, a Google-powered virtual travel agent, or Mindtrip, a collaborative itinerary builder that helps you map out trips with friends—the latter even uses Instagram images as fodder for inspiration. Other AI tools help travelers land the best hotel rates and airfares.

Of course, AI models don’t yet match the power of human travel advisers who have the pulse on their destinations and can help you identify your precise wants, but they’ve come a long way. Here are the latest tools we’ve tested ahead of summer travel season and what we’ve found most useful.

A Google-powered travel concierge SINCE 2023, Google has been steadily expanding the capabilities of Gemini, its AI-powered assistant. Free with a Google account, Gemini now lets you create a custom “Gem” for your trips—essentially a digital “concierge” that remembers your preferences, whether you’re into modern art, off-the-beatenpath adventures or local eats. Unlike Google Search, which excels at surfacing static information, it’s designed for open-ended, conversational brainstorming even if you’re starting with a vague idea, all while pulling from the personal profile you’ve fed it. Gemini of course then connects with your Gmail, Google Drive, Maps, Flights, Hotels and even YouTube. This means your itineraries, booking receipts and inspiration sources can all live in one ecosystem—and can be shared with a click.

After setting up my Gem and filling in my travel quirks—nature over museums, boutique hotels over big brands and no overly touristy sights—I asked it to plan a long, four-day weekend from Washington, DC, to Belize, a destination I know well. My additional search parameters: a vibrant local food scene and outdoorsy activities unique to the country. Gemini suggested staying in the mountain town of San Ignacio, with a day trip to the island of Caye Caulker. The itinerary leaned heavily on Mayan sites and iconic rainforest lodges that were more remotely located in the jungle than I would have liked, while noting that I could opt for a boutique hotel closer to town. It also failed to take distance into account when it crammed the island excursion into the same day as my return flight from Belize. Once I clarified that I was more interested in hiking and snorkeling,

Gemini steered me toward Hopkins Village instead of San Ignacio. With reef access and cultural experiences offered by the local Indigenous Garifuna community, it was a much better fit. Running that request a second time yielded an entirely different (but equally credible) itinerary, a reminder that these models don’t always produce identical results. When I got more granular, asking for “community-run experiences” in Hopkins, San Ignacio and Caye Caulker, I hit a limitation: Cultural tours in smaller Belizean towns often exist informally, my AI concierge said, passed through word of mouth or local networks rather than marketed online. It then listed specific search terms to use and recommended I ask around while there.

An all-in-one travel planner UNLIKE all-purpose chatbots, Mindtrip was built specifically for travel planning, combining generative AI with content fact-checked by an actual team of human staffers, plus a visual interface that pulls maps, reviews, images and itineraries into a single screen. A quiz at the start asks for basic personal information and travel preferences—if you’re an early bird or a night owl, for instance—which helps refine recommendations that are pulled from web searches as well as a library of roughly 25,000 human-curated destination guides. You can then chat with it to refine your options. Use a simple menu on the left side of the screen to add places of interest and reorder them on your itinerary, which is on the right side of the screen, with a simple drag. You can even invite family or friends into your itinerary, so you can co-design the trip and stay on the same page.

“A lot of what’s happening in generative AI is very text-based,” says Michelle Denogean, Mindtrip Inc.’s chief marketing officer. Mindtrip’s results are showcased on a split screen—a numbered list appears on the left, with bolded text and blue check marks next to the places and activities it recommends, and a color map shows up on the right, with all those places pinned. Its value becomes even clearer once you ask more targeted questions. When I searched for community-run experiences in Hopkins, San Ignacio and Caye Caulker, Mindtrip outperformed Google’s Gemini.

In Hopkins it surfaced the Lebeha Drumming Center, a popular spot for taking Garifuna drum lessons. It also suggested the Palmento Grove Garifuna Eco-Cultural & Healing Institute, where I learned on a previous trip to make hudut— a coconut-based fish stew served with mashed green plantains. In San Ignacio it recommended Ajaw Chocolate, where you can make your own chocolate and learn about the history of cacao in Belize, as well as the town’s farmers market on Saturdays. I found its results more accurate than some competitors’; it was able to flag that restaurants in stories I was reading had closed permanently, for example, thanks to its fact-checking army that keeps listings up to date.

A hotel price tracker  THIS one is simple but useful. If you’re familiar with tracking flight prices on Google, you’ll appreciate that, as of March, you’re now able to do that for hotels as well. Navi -

gate to Google’s hotels search page, enter the destination and dates and toggle “track hotel prices.” Kayak offers a similar hotel pricetracking tool. Run a search for places in a specific destination, and you’ll find the option to get alerts when prices change at the top of the results page.

An Instagram reel-inspired itinerary   EVER saved an Instagram reel in hopes of re-creating a trip or trying an activity you saw? The new “Trip Matching” tool from Expedia Group Inc. aims to do exactly that. Open the reel, hit the share button and send it directly to @expedia on the Instagram app. You’ll then open your direct message with Expedia, and within a couple of minutes you’ll get a suggested itinerary based on what’s in the reel you shared. I tested this process with a reel I made from my 2023 trip to Morocco that merely shows two guitarists’ minute-long performance at the family-owned luxury boutique hotel Riad Kniza in Marrakech. Expedia churned out a small description of the hotel, followed by the best time to visit and a list of top things to do in the area—with links to the activities on Expedia—as well as hidden gems and a four-day itinerary “to experience Marrakeshmagic without rushing.” The downside: There were no specific tour providers or links included for the itinerary beyond the hotels, so you’ll have to run that extra leg of research elsewhere. The suggestions leaned toward cultural activities, including exploring the Medina, a hammam spa treatment and a Moroccan cooking class, but it also suggested “hidden gems” such as the Jardin Secret, a less crowded alternative to Jardin Majorelle.

When I pushed further and asked for specific providers I could book with, it said to contact vendors directly—La Maison Arabe for a cooking class, Les Bains de Marrakech and Spa Royal Mansour—or go to Expedia. That makes this tool more of a fun starting point than a one-stop shop.

An airfare insider app OK, this one isn’t AI, but you should download it anyway if you’re eyeing airfare closely, as many people are this summer. The free version of Going will deliver alerts when any domestic deals pop up, while also letting you track specific routes on exact dates. A premium subscription ($4.08 per month) adds international flight deal alerts, including “mistake fares” that occasionally surface at supersteep discounts, while the Elite membership ($16.58 per month) adds deals on first- and business-class fares. Another new feature, “Going With Points,” helps you find and book flight deals with points and miles.

Since I signed up for a premium trial over the past week, the app has sent me a $453 mistake fare to New Delhi—an economy round-trip flight from San Francisco on Air India, with a layover—bookable via Google Flights, plus a $265 roundtrip flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Costa Rica, which it recommended booking within two days. Not on the app? Sign up on Going’s website, and it will e-mail you these alerts too.  Bloomberg News

A16

Coloring the Nation: The 75-Year Legacy

By Reginald T. Yu, President and CEO

IT didn’t begin with the vibrant splash of color that now defines the paint industry. No — it began with something far more raw, far more elemental: a thick, black compound of grit and survival, laced with purpose and forged in resilience. The date was May 5, 1950, and my grandfather, Tuan Cheng Yu — a determined young man who had journeyed from a humble village in Fujian to the Philippines with nothing but dreams in his heart and grit in his soul — stood before a bare, 300-square-meter patch of concrete in Marikina. There, amid the lingering ruins of a nation clawing its way back from the devastation of war, he dared to build what had never existed before: a proudly Filipino paint company, born not of privilege, but of purpose.

The world he stood in bore scars both visible and invisible. Manila, like much of the country, was still coughing up ash and dust from the Second World War. Buildings were broken, roads cracked, hope fragile. Imported waterproofing and sealant products — when available — were priced beyond what the ordinary Filipino could afford. Foreign brands dominated hardware shelves, speaking in foreign tongues and foreign currencies. But my grandfather, a man of little fanfare but boundless faith, saw what others did not.

He saw not just a market gap, but a moral calling.

Master Plastic Roof Cement was born from this conviction — a humble asphalt-based sealant capable of patching up leaky iron roofs and keeping the typhoon rains at bay. It was thick, durable, and unpretentious. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. And that, in a country still nursing wounds, was enough. He later introduced Master Super Fine Black Coal Tar — a heavy-duty protective coating to shield metal, wood, and concrete

with

hands, protect with their own

and stand strong with their own grit.

Growing up, I would often imagine what it must have felt like — my grandfather in that modest Marikina factory, his sleeves rolled up, the air pungent with bitumen, sweat glistening on his brow as he oversaw batches of black gold. There were no computers then, no automated mixers, no marketing playbooks. Just intuition, disci-

pline, and an unshakeable belief in the dignity of local industry. Word spread, and so did the dream. Demand grew as neighborhood carpenters, municipal engineers, and enterprising homeowners began to discover that these locally made products weren’t just cheaper alternatives — they were better. My angkong did not stop there. Under the MASTER brand, he introduced an array of allied products: white zinc paste, chalkboard slating paint, paint removers, turpentine and

stucco plaster. Each was tested, refined, and repurposed not for mass markets, but for real Filipino needs.

Then came the DETROIT label — a no-nonsense line of industrial-grade finishes, as solid and hardworking as its namesake city.

In the 1950s, while most entrepreneurs might have rested on early success, my grandfather did the opposite. He purchased a cogon-strewn property in a sleepy, semi-rural district north of the city: Balintawak. People thought he was crazy. There

was little development, no major infrastructure, and the traffic of opportunity still flowed elsewhere. But he had a knack for foresight. He transformed that wild patch into a 6,000-square-meter factory compound — one that would house manufacturing lines, laboratories, warehouses, and administrative offices. That facility still stands today. I pass through its gates almost daily, and each time, I remember that I am walking on land that my grandfather once envisioned as a corner-

To meet the demands of a dynamic industry, the company invests in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies — like precision milling machines — to ensure consistently high-quality paints.

Founder and visionary Tuan Cheng Yu (1910–1991) began materials, later pioneering the company’s expansion into paint

In 1958, Times Paint unveiled its laboratory, touted as one of the most cutting-edge facilities of its era. Breaking new ground in 1962, the company welcomed its first lady chemist into the laboratory.

Master Plastic Roof Cement — the pioneering product that the Times Paint legacy and remains its enduring flagship to

In pursuit of innovation and excellence, the company enlisted the expertise of a Dutch specialist who traveled from the Netherlands to collaborate with our local engineers and chemists—bridging global technolog.

Times Paint Corporation commemorates 75 vibrant years of innovation, craftsmanship, and service to the nation — honoring a legacy built since 1950.

Every paint batch undergoes comprehensive testing to ensure stability, accurate color reproduction, strong adhesion, flexibility, and optimal drying time.

Legacy of Times Paint Corporation

stone of national resilience. But no legacy — certainly not ours — comes without its trials.

In 1970, Super Typhoon Yoling (international name: Patsy) came with a vengeance. It tore through Balintawak like a ghost train, leaving behind crumpled roofs, shattered walls, and a stunned workforce. Half the plant was gone in a night. My father, Reynaldo “Rey” Yu , who by then had taken on more responsibility as the firm’s vice president, led the rebuilding efforts with quiet urgency. It wasn’t just about restoring operations — it was about preserving a legacy, honoring a dream.

A nd there were fires — literal ones — sparked by the volatile chemicals we worked with daily. Every explosion, every siren, every scorched drum reminded us how fragile even the toughest walls can be. But each time, we rebuilt, stronger and safer. There were no viral posts or sympathy press releases. Just men and women rolling up their sleeves the next morning and getting to work. Then came the competitors — big names with international backers, aggressive marketing budgets, and strategies designed to crush local challengers. But we never saw ourselves as their rivals. We

to what we

over spectacle, long-term value over short-term gimmicks. That philosophy kept us alive — and growing. On August 16, 1974, we officially incorporated as Times Paint Corporation. My father, ever meticulous, saw incorporation not as a legal formality but as an evolution. It allowed us to broaden our reach and expand our offerings. Soon, we had multiple product lines. PACER — our automotive paint line — brought sleek, enduring finishes to vehicles that moved the country

forward. TUFLON — our highperformance industrial coating — became the trusted brand for OEM partners manufacturing gas tanks, vehicle chassis, even steel furniture. WEISER emerged as our economy-grade architectural brand, serving the homes of everyday Filipinos with reliability and color. By the 2000s, our legacy products still had their place, but we knew the future demanded more. In 2007, we ventured into construction chemicals — skimcoats, mortar bonds, plastering

compounds. For the first time, we weren’t just protecting surfaces — we were becoming part of the structure itself.

W hen I formally assumed the helm of Times Paint Corporation in 2008 upon my father’s untimely passing, I knew I was not simply stepping into a title. I was stepping into a narrative — one written in sweat, soot, and the quiet sacrifices of three generations. I carry the weight of legacy — and the gift of purpose. Today, the fourth generation of the Yu family is being trained to carry this mantle. My children are learning not just how to run a company, but how to steward a story. A story that began with a grandfather and a can of bitumen, and now stretches across cities, provinces, and industries.

But we are not content to rest on old glories. The world has changed, and so must we. Paint, once merely decorative, is now expected to be intelligent. It must fight bacteria, resist smog, mend micro-cracks, and contribute to indoor air wellness. Environmental consciousness is no longer a luxury — it’s a moral obligation. That’s why we are investing in lowVOC and zero-VOC technologies. We are exploring antimicrobial and self-cleaning coatings. Sustainability, once a buzzword, is now our blueprint.

But through all this change, one truth remains: we are, and will always be, a Filipino company. We are not the biggest, and we may never be the flashiest, but we are grounded in something deeper than market share — we are anchored in memory, mission, and meaning.

W hen I walk through the Balintawak plant — past the labs, the production lines, the curing racks and canning machines — I see ghosts. Not the kind that haunt, but the kind that guide. My grandfather, adjusting the pressure on a mixing valve. My father, testing a new formulation by hand. My mother, balancing the books with a steely calm. Generations who chose service over spectacle. Who believed that building a Filipino brand was not just possible, but necessary.

A nd now, on our 75th year — our diamond year — I speak not just as a CEO, but as a grandson. A witness. A custodian.

I look back with awe and gratitude. I look forward with hope and responsibility. We are here because of every painter who trusted our cans, every hardware store that stocked our shelves, every worker who clocked in rain or shine, every engineer who recommended our products for a project that had to last. We are here because of you Times Paint Corporation has never simply been about color. It has been about courage — the courage to start local, to dream big, to endure storms, and to commit, for 75 years, to coloring this nation not just in hues and pigments, but in heart and honor.

A nd if the past is any guide, our most brilliant strokes may still lie ahead.

best:

Times Paint’s Balintawak plant, newly constructed in 1955, marked a major step in the company’s expansion.

The plant’s facade in the early 1990s — refurbished to refresh its look while preserving its original character.

The dedicated lean and mean team behind Times Paint Corporation — united in excellence, innovation, and 75 years of colorful service to the nation.

In 2008, the company broadened its portfolio with the launch of the Construction Materials Division, producing masonry essentials like

Make America healthy again: New era of food regulation could drive up costs

By Ilena Peng, Deena Shanker & Agnieszka de Sousa

FROM canola oil to colorful dyes, the US food industry is girding for a shift away from the ingredients that made American diets among the cheapest in the world.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy

Jr. is embracing policies and ideas that curb ultra-processed foods and discourage the use of seed oils, colorings, highfructose corn syrup and pesticides, all of which he blames for the overall poor health of Americans. The food wing of his Make America Healthy Again agenda got another boost last week with the nomination of Casey Means, a vocal critic of processed foods, as the US surgeon general.

The shift of the once-fringe MAHA movement to the highest levels of Washington now has food producers and restaurant operators preparing to implement ingredient changes—and the higher costs that come with them.

Kennedy’s concerns aren’t unwarranted: Life expectancy in the US is

about four years shorter than in other developed nations, six in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease, and obesity rates are the highest among the most developed countries. And a growing number of studies show that ultraprocessed foods—with many dyes and additives often found in them—are unhealthy. But experts are split over issues such as whether seed oils on their own are bad.

Joe Fontana says demand at his Fry the Coop chicken sandwich chain has climbed because he has shunned seed oils, used by the likes of McDonald’s Corp. for its world-famous fries. Fontana’s Chicago restaurant has long cooked its chicken and fries in beef tallow, which the health secretary has pitched as a healthy alternative.

“We have customers now coming out of the woodwork and they’re saying: ‘I’m 100 percent here because you guys don’t fry with seed oil,’” said Fontana, who considers himself an independent politically but supports Kennedy’s healthy foods agenda.

But Fontana’s choice came at a price: Beef fat is double the cost of conventional seed oils, he said.

Aside from recent approval of a few new natural colors, little has actually changed in food regulation at the federal level. Still, Kennedy’s sup -

porters see early efforts as promising. He has tried strong-arming food companies into pulling out dyes voluntarily, and pushed state governors to submit waivers to remove soda from a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income families. In comments to Congress on Wednesday, he said he is focusing his agency on disease prevention, including improving nutrition and addressing chemicals in foods.

Means, who as surgeon general would be responsible for communicating health-related information to Americans, has advocated for warning labels on ultra-processed food. President Donald Trump touted her “impeccable MAHA credentials” when naming her to the role.

Should Kennedy’s favored policies be embraced more widely, higher costs would inevitably be passed on to consumers already contending with rising grocery prices and the prospect that Trump’s tariffs will worsen inflation.

Organic foods were, on average, 41% more expensive than conventional products last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Sugar is about 10% to 30% pricier than corn syrup, and beef tallow is at least double the price of soybean oil. Removing seed oils from the food supply would boost the consumer price index for fats and oils by at least 29 percent, according to a recent study funded by the United Soybean Board and conducted by the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services.

“Certainly the assumption that you can do all this at zero cost, it’s hard to swallow,” said Nicholas Fereday, a senior analyst at Rabobank, one of the top lenders to the food and agriculture sectors.

Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Health and Human Services Department, said Kennedy is committed to his MAHA agenda and the focus shouldn’t be on preserving access to cheap ingredients, but “ensuring access to clean, nourishing, and truly safe food.”

“Americans are sick, and our food system is a major driver of that crisis,” Nixon said in a statement. “The status quo—defined by convenience foods engineered for addiction, profit, and built on a foundation of synthetic, inflammatory, and ultra-processed ingredients—is failing us.”

Massive undertaking

THE US food industry is one of the most competitive in the world, in part because of industrial-scale agriculture. Americans spend less than 7 percent of their income on food consumed at home, the lowest share of any country, according to the US Department of Agriculture. They also value convenience, with the majority of their calories coming from ultra-processed foods, which often include geneticallymodified products such as highfructose corn syrup and seed oils, as well as additives and synthetic dyes. Unraveling a system designed

to keep food supplies ample and readily available will be a massive undertaking. Seed oils, made from crops such as canola and soybeans, are present in 46 percent of all salad dressing, 42 percent of pizza and 41 percent of bread sold at US retailers, according to NielsenIQ data for the year ended February 22. More than 87 percent of all sweet snacks are ultra-processed and 38 percent of baking supplies contain Red Dye 3, banned by former President Joe Biden’s administration, effective January 2027.

There also are simply not enough supplies to replace some products. The best substitutes for seed oils make up just 5 percent of the total volumes needed, according to Cargill Inc., the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader.

As health secretary, Kennedy oversees a department whose $1.8 trillion in spending accounts for about a quarter of the federal budget. His remit has widened with the establishment of the MAHA commission to include influence over the USDA, which controls the $123 billion Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Those funds alone account for an estimated 8 percent to 10 percent of all US food retail sales, according to Rabobank. More than a third of the top 20 products bought with SNAP benefits are ultra-processed foods, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has boasted about her partnership with Kennedy.  “I don’t know that ever before, in any administration, Republican or Democrat, the health secretary and the agriculture secretary have really gone hand in glove together,” she said last month.

Some companies are already making changes. PepsiCo Inc. is working to pull artificial dyes out of all of its brands in the “next couple of years,” Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta said in an April earnings call. If not completely removed, the company will “at least provide the consumer with natural color options,” he added.

Spice maker McCormick & Co. said customers are requesting reformulations aligned with “what we’re hearing from the new administration.” Tyson Foods Inc. said it is “proactively reformulating” the few products it sells that contain dyes.

The Consumer Brands Association, a food industry trade group, says that sweeping changes will require increased availability and scalability for alternatives.

“This will entail sourcing, production, supply chain and packaging changes, all of which could impact prices,” Melissa Hockstad, the group’s president and CEO, said in a statement.  Amanda Lewey, CEO of Paulaur Corp., which started a line of natural colored sugar sprinkles a decade ago, said making the same color naturally is more expensive. That adds to the final bill, especially for

small businesses, even if colorings are a small part of a product’s overall production cost.

“If you were to make a pound of rainbow sprinkles, your cost for dye would be about 4 cents,” she said. “If you go up to a natural dye you’re looking at your cost for just the dye alone to be 54 cents per pound.”

Policy questions

KENNEDY has said dyes will be phased out by the end of 2026, though he has not proposed any new laws or reached an agreement with the food industry. US states have also heeded the call to submit waivers to cut soda out of SNAP. The health secretary has been quiet on seed oils recently, but he has previously tied their use to obesity and said Americans were being “unknowingly poisoned” by them.

Kennedy’s policies have some level of bipartisan support, something that’s “exceedingly rare,” said Lindsey Smith Taillie, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Still, there are questions over whether he is “willing and able to incorporate the scientific evidence into his policy making,” she said.

“There’s been a lot of concern over his history of vaccine skepticism and his denial of science,” Taillie said. “There’s no reason to think that we wouldn’t have that same issue when it comes to food and nutrition.”

A constituency dubbed “MAHA Moms” has taken to social media to support him. Zen Honeycutt, who started “Moms Across America” in 2013, is one of them. Her organization initially demanded labels for GMO foods and later became focused on glyphosate, one of the top herbicides.

“It wasn’t just GMOs that were being sprayed with glyphosate, it was non-organic grains, too,” said Honeycutt. “I was like, holy cow, I have to not just raise awareness about GMOs, I have to raise awareness and ask everybody to eat organic.”

Glyphosate has long been one of Kennedy’s targets. Even before he became health secretary, he railed against it in courtrooms, winning a $289 million verdict against chemicals giant Monsanto Co. in 2018. A wave of similar lawsuits created an “existential” threat to Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto just before that verdict.

Honeycutt, who has fed her three sons only organic products for more than a decade, recognizes she has foregone other niceties as a result. After all, the average 41 percent premium for organic food includes everything from the 112 percent upcharge for chicken to 2 percent on cereal and granola bars.

“It’s very difficult,” she said. “But here’s the thing, I would rather live in a trailer than not feed my kid organic.”

With assistance from Madison Muller, Rachel Cohrs Zhang and Margaret Sutherlin /Bloomberg

ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. PHOTOGRAPHER: KEN CEDENO/UPI/BLOOMBERG

Trump visits main American military base in Middle East as violence flares in Gaza

By The Associated Press

PRESIDENT

Donald Trump

on Thursday visited a US base installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East as he uses his four-day visit to Gulf states to reject the “interventionism” of America’s past in the region.

In other parts of the Middle East violence flared in the West Bank, and a hospital in southern Gaza said 54 people have been killed in overnight airstrikes on the city of Khan Younis.

Trump spoke of American military strength as he addressed troops at Qatar’s al-Udeid Air Base, which was a major staging ground during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also supported the recent US air campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, though the strikes themselves came from two aircraft carriers in the region.

The president has held up Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar as models for economic development in a region plagued by conflict as he works to entice Iran to come to terms with his administration on a deal to curb its nuclear program.

The President also meets business leaders in Qatar and heads to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Trump boasts of firings in the military

STANDING in front of US troops at the Qatari airbase, President

Donald Trump said “we let a lot of four stars go,” touting his administration’s effort to thin the military’s top ranks.

There’s long been friction between Trump and some top generals, and he’s been more emboldened to remake the command structure in his second term.

He described some military leaders as “frickin’ losers” as he addressed the rank-and-file.

The president danced for a moment to the Village People’s “YMCA” as he wrapped up his speech.

Trump speaks of ‘overwhelming’ American military power

PRESIDENT Donald Trump is speaking to troops at the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He started his speech thanking troops and discussing his Mideast trip so far, then spoke about America’s military power.

“As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them, but I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners,” Trump said. “And this is one of our great partners right here” in Qatar.

He added: “When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

Hegseth says the US is restoring ‘warrior ethos’

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asserted that “wokeness and weakness” allowed the wars in the world.

“We’re restoring the warrior ethos. No more political correctness,” he told US troops at Al-Udeid Air Base, before President Donald Trump addresses them.

“Sadly, over the last four years, we saw a collapse in Afghanistan. And what happened on October 7th, the war in Ukraine, violence unleashed by wokeness and weakness.”

Trump then took the stage as Lee Greenwood sang his signature song, “Proud to be an American.”

Gaza’s only hospital providing cancer treatment declared out of service

THE European Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis is out of service due to severe damage to its infrastructure and access roads from Israeli strikes, the territory’s Health Ministry said Thursday.

The shutdown halts all specialized treatments, including cardiac surgeries and cancer care in the only facility that was providing ongoing medical care to cancer patients in Gaza, the ministry added.

Israeli forces struck the European Hospital twice on Tuesday, saying it was targeting a Hamas command center beneath the facility. Six people were killed in the strike.

European Hospital director

Imad al-Hout told The Associated Press there had been 200 patients in the hospital at the time of Tuesday’s strikes. They were all gradually evacuated, with the last 90 transferred to other hospitals, including Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, on Wednesday morning. Efforts were now underway to coordinate repairs to the facility, he added.

American comedian jokes about cocaine on a baby before Trump visits base

AMERICAN comedian Theo Von did a set Thursday before President Donald Trump’s visit to a military base in Qatar that included references to snorting cocaine off a baby’s back.

The jokes drew laughter and some groans from the service members at Al-Udeid Air Base, home to the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command.

“Somebody put some cocaine on the baby’s back, right? I didn’t

do it,” Von said. “And it wasn’t a lot of cocaine.... It didn’t weigh the baby down, OK? And it was a mixed baby. So, you can see the cocaine. I’m not doing white dust off a white child’s back, man.”

A key US military base in the Middle East is awaiting a visit by President Donald Trump AL-UDEID Air Base in Qatar is the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command. At the base Thursday, service members listened to a comedy act ahead of Trump’s appearance. A Qatari and American flag flanked a large banner reading: “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

A Qatari F-15 and an MQ-9 Reaper drone sat to the side of the stage.

Theo Von, an American comedian, did a stand-up set that included making jokes about Qatar’s national dress for men, the white thobe, and everyone being named Mohammed.

“It’s like a Ku Klux sandsman,” he said.

He later made a joke about the US Navy: “I’m not going to fly across the whole world just to be gay. I’m not in the Navy.” And another punch line included: “Where do you think the next 9/11 should happen?”

Trump says only two solutions for Iran are ‘intelligent’ or ‘brutal’

PRESIDENT Donald Trump kept up pressure Thursday on Iran, warning Tehran that a deal over its nuclear program or potentially airstrikes are the only two solutions to the diplomatic impasse.

Speaking in Qatar before business leaders, Trump said: “We’d like to see if we could solve the Iran problem in an intelligent way, as opposed to a brutal way. There’s only two: intelligent and brutal. Those are the two alternatives.”

Trump also said that Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had been pushing for diplomatic deal over Iran’s nuclear program. Qatar shares a massive offshore oil and gas field that’s crucial to its wealth with Iran.

“I said last night that Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he’s actually fighting for them. He doesn’t want us to do a vicious blow to Iran,” Trump said. “He says, ‘You can make a deal. You can make a deal.’ He’s really fighting. And I really mean this: I think that Iran should say a big thank you to the emir.”

At another point, Trump mused: “In the case of Iran, they make a good drone.”

Trump says he didn’t think Putin would go to Turkey talks if he wasn’t there

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he didn’t think

Russian President Vladimir Putin would go to talks in Turkey with Ukraine if he wasn’t there.

Trump made the remarks at a business roundtable in Qatar on his Mideast trip.

“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump said.

Trump had suggested he could travel there for the talks if Putin was going. On Thursday, however, Trump said: “I actually said, why would he go if I’m not going? Because I wasn’t going to go. I wasn’t planning to go. I would go, but I wasn’t planning to go. And I said, I don’t think he’s going to go if I don’t go.”

Trump has attended a business forum in Qatar

TRUMP sat with GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp and Boeing Co.’s Kelly Ortberg on either side of him on Thursday. Both praised Trump for his support for the Qatar Airways order for Boeing aircraft. Ortberg called it one of the largest orders Boeing has ever had.

Al Jazeera mutes critiques of American foreign policy during Trump’s visit

QATAR’S satellite news channel Al Jazeera long has been a powerful force in the Middle East, often taking editorial positions at odds with America’s interests in the region during the wars that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by al-Qaida. But during President Donald Trump’s visit to the Gulf Arab nation this week, state-funded Al Jazeera muted its typical critiques of American foreign policy.

The channel, which broadcasts in Arabic and English, broadly covered Trump’s visit in a straightforward manner, highlighting it was the first-ever trip to Qatar by a sitting American leader. Mentions of the Israel-Hamas war, which Al Jazeera often has criticized America over for its military support to Israel, did not include any critiques of U.S. policy. Instead, journalists highlighted Qatar’s role as a mediator in the war and aired comments by Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, calling for a ceasefire.

Trump begins his third day in the Middle East

AFTER a morning meeting with top US and Qatari officials and American defense and aerospace business leaders, Trump heads to Al-Udeid Air Base, a US installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East. There, he will address troops and is expected to view a demonstration of American air capability.

The president then travels to the United Arab Emirates, the final leg of his first major foreign trip. He will head first to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and then to a state visit hosted at Abu Dhabi’s Qasr al-Watan palace.

Human Rights Watch slams Israeli plans to expand Gaza war THE international rights group said that Israel’s plan to seize Gaza, remain in the territory and displace hundreds of thousands of people “inches closer to extermination.”

It called on the international community to speak out against the plan. It said that the new plans, coupled with the “systematic destruction” of civilian infrastructure and the block on all imports into Gaza, were cause for signatories to the Genocide Convention to act to prevent Israel’s See “Trump,” A23

The World

What judges have said about birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions

WASHINGTON—Federal courts have uniformly blocked President Donald Trump’s order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to someone in the country illegally.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Thursday in appeals of three of those orders that prevented the Trump administration’s citizenship restrictions from taking effect anywhere in the United States.

At issue are both the meaning of the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment and the authority of individual judges to universally block policies rather than apply them just to the people and organizations that sued.

In dozens of pages of opinions, four federal judges have explained why they believe Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, signed on his first day in office, is unconstitutional. Nine appellate judges also have weighed in over whether to narrow or pause those rulings while the administration appeals.

Here are excerpts from their opinions, as well as the 1898 Supreme Court case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, that the judges have cited as the clearest precedent for their rulings:

Supreme Court ruled 127 years ago in favor of a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents

Justice Horace Gray wrote the majority opinion in the 6-2 decision that Wong was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

“The real object of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, in qualifying the words ‘all persons born in the United States’ by the addition ‘and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,’ would appear to have been to exclude, by the fewest and fittest words (besides children of members of the Indian tribes, standing in a peculiar relation to the national government, unknown to the common law), the two classes of cases,—children born of alien enemies in hostile

occupation, and children of diplomatic representatives of a foreign state.”

“... The fourteenth amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory, in the allegiance and under the protection of the country, including all children here born of resident aliens, with the exceptions or qualifications (as old as the rule itself) of children of foreign sovereigns or their ministers, or born on foreign public ships, or of enemies within and during a hostile occupation of part of our territory, and with the single additional exception of children of members of the Indian tribes owing direct allegiance to their several tribes.

“The amendment, in clear words and in manifest intent, includes the children born within the territory of the United States of all other persons, of whatever race or color, domiciled within the United States.

In dissent, Chief Justice Melville Fuller wrote that Wong could not be a citizen because his parents still owed their allegiance to the Chinese emperor and could not be fully “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States. Justice John Marshall Harlan joined the dissent.

4 federal judges have said the changes likely violate the Constitution and 3 have blocked them nationally “I’VE been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” US District Judge John Coughenour said at a hearing in his Seattle courtroom.

In his written order, Coughe -

nour said, “The plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the order violates the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment... Indeed, the court need only look to its text. The Citizenship Clause is clear: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.’

In other words, any individual who is born in the territorial United States or properly naturalized according to federal procedures is a citizen of this country.

“The government for its part relies on the provision of the Citizenship Clause that conditions citizenship upon being ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States. That is, the government argues that ‘children born in the United States of illegal aliens or temporary visitors’ are not ‘subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ and therefore cannot be considered birthright citizens...But the government accords more meaning to the phrase ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ than those words or precedent support.”

US District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston said the Wong Kim Ark decision resolved the current case. “The rule and reasoning from that decision were reiterated and applied in later decisions, adopted by Congress as a matter of federal statutory law in 1940, and followed consistently by the Executive Branch for the past 100 years, at least. A single district judge would be bound to apply that settled interpretation, even if a party were to present persuasive arguments that the long-established understanding is erroneous. The defendants, however, have offered no such arguments here. “The loss of birthright citizenship—even if temporary, and later restored at the conclusion of litigation—has cascading effects that would cut across a young child’s life (and the life of that child’s family), very likely leaving permanent scars. The record before the court establishes that children born without a recognized or lawful status face barriers to accessing critical healthcare, among other services, along with the threat of removal to countries they have never lived in and possible family separation. That is irreparable

In Greenbelt, Maryland, a Washington suburb, US District Judge Deborah Boardman wrote that “the Supreme Court has resoundingly rejected and no court in the country has ever endorsed” Trump’s interpretation of birthright citizenship.

The children targeted by Trump’s order don’t fit into any of the exceptions the high court recognized in 1898, Indian tribes, foreign diplomats or occupying forces. “They are children whose citizenship by birth has been recognized in this country since the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. When the children described in the Executive Order are born, they will be United States citizens under the Fourteenth Amendment and long-standing Supreme Court precedent. The President does not have the authority to strip them of their constitutional right to citizenship by birth,” she wrote.

Boardman also explained why she issued a nationwide injunction. One of the groups that sued, ASAP, has more than 680,000 members. “Because ASAP’s members reside in every state and hundreds of them expect to give birth soon, a nationwide injunction is the only way ‘to provide complete relief’ to them,” she wrote. “It also is necessary because the policy concerns citizenship—a national concern that demands a uniform policy.”

In New Hampshire, US District

Judge Joseph Laplante blocked the citizenship order only in the state. “The court need not presume the Executive Order’s constitutionality. ‘A legislative enactment carries with it a presumption of constitutionality.’ The defense has not argued, or cited binding or persuasive authority, that executive orders enjoy a similar presumption, and the court does not know of any,” Laplante wrote.

3 federal appeals courts have refused to let the citizenship changes take effect while Trump appeals IN the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Danielle Forrest, a Trump appointee, wrote to explain why she voted against an emergency stay of Coughenour’s ruling. “To constitute an emergency under our Rules, the Government must show that its inability to implement the specific policy at issue creates a serious risk of irreparable harm within 21 days,” Forrest wrote. “The Government has not made that showing here. Nor do the circumstances themselves demonstrate an obvious emergency where it appears that the exception to birthright citizenship urged by the Government has never been recognized by the judiciary and where executivebranch interpretations before the challenged executive order was issued were contrary.”

In the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge David Barron wrote for a unanimous panel. “The

Government expressly declines to make any developed argument that it is likely to succeed on appeal in showing that the Executive Order is either constitutional or compliant with” federal law, Barron wrote.

The three-judge panel in the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals split 2-1 to deny the administration’s emergency appeal, focused on nationwide, or universal, injunctions. “We are of course aware of separate writings by Supreme Court Justices, emphasized by the government, that express concerns about the propriety of universal injunctions and an interest in taking up that question. But notwithstanding these reservations, the Supreme Court has allowed most universal injunctions to remain in effect during the course of litigation, even in cases in which the Court has ultimately reversed on the merits,” Judges Pam Harris and Roger Gregory wrote. “No decision of the Supreme Court has superseded our precedent in this area, and we have no reason to think the Court will soon announce a change in course.”

They also forecast “confusion and upheaval” if the restrictions were allowed to take effect. “Even for children born to two citizen parents, a standard birth certificate will no longer suffice to prove citizenship – not under the Executive Order, and not for any other purpose. Existing administrative systems will fail, states and localities will bear the costs of developing new systems for issuing birth certificates and verifying citizenship, and anxious parents-to-be will be caught in the middle.”

In dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer wrote that administration “only seeks to stay the effort by the district court to impose its injunction nationwide to afford relief to persons beyond the District of Maryland.”

The legality of the Trump order was not before the court, Niemeyer wrote. “Rather, it is whether the court was entitled, in the circumstances of this case, to extend its injunction to apply ‘throughout these United States’—to persons not before the court nor identified by the court. I would grant the government’s modest motion, which seeks only to cabin the order’s inappropriate reach,” he wrote. AP

PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks at an event for Military Mothers, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. AP/JACQUELYN MARTIN

harm.”

NATO weighs US demand to massively hike defense spending as some struggle to meet the current goal

By Matthew Lee, Lorne Cook & Suzan Fraser Associated Press

ANTALYA, Turkey—NATO foreign ministers on Thursday debated an American demand to massively ramp up defense investment to 5% of gross domestic product over the next seven years, as the US focuses on security challenges outside of Europe.

At talks in Antalya, Turkey, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that more investment and military equipment are needed to deal with the threat posed by Russia and terrorism, but also by China which has become the focus of US concern.

“When it comes to the core defense spending, we need to do much, much more,” Rutte told reporters. He underlined that once the war in Ukraine is over, Russia could reconstitute its armed forces within three to five years.

related things like infrastructure — roads, bridges, airports and seaports.

While the two figures add up to 5%, factoring in infrastructure and cybersecurity would change the basis on which NATO traditionally calculates defense spending. The seven-year time frame is also short by the alliance’s usual standards.

political moment where there are so many precious across the world, and particularly in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

As an organization, NATO plays no direct security role in Asia, and it remains unclear what demands the Trump administration might make of the allies as it turns its attention to China. The last NATO security operation outside the Euro-Atlantic area, its 18-year stay in Afghanistan, ended in chaos.

The debate on defense spending is heating up ahead of a summit of US President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts in the Netherlands on June 24-25. It’s a high-level gathering that will set the course for future European security, including that of Ukraine. In 2023, as Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine entered its second year, NATO leaders agreed to spend at least 2% of GDP on national defense budgets. So far, 22 of the 32 member countries have done so.

The new spending plan under consideration is for all allies to aim for 3.5% of GDP on their defense budgets by 2032, plus an extra 1.5% on potentially defense-

Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that “the alliance is only as strong as its weakest link.” He insisted that the US investment demand is about “spending money on the capabilities that are needed for the threats of the 21st century.”

Rutte refused to confirm the numbers under consideration, but he acknowledged the importance of including infrastructure in the equation, “for example to make sure that bridges, yes, are there for you and me to drive our cars but also if necessary to make sure that the bridge will hold a tank. So, all these expenditures have to be taken into account.”

But he didn’t signal any progress on narrowing the numbers down after the meeting, which came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy waited, apparently in vain, in the Turkish capital Ankara for Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold face-to-face talks on ending their 3-year-old war.

It’s difficult to see how many members would reach a new 3.5% goal. Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain are not even spending 2% yet, although Spain does expect to reach that goal in 2025, a year

past the deadline.

The US demand would require investment at an unprecedented scale, but Trump has cast doubt over whether the US would defend allies that spend too little, and this remains an incentive to do more, even as European allies realize that they must match the threat posed by Russia. Europe-wide, industry leaders and experts have pointed out challenges the continent must overcome to be a truly self-sufficient military power, chiefly its decadeslong reliance on the US as well as its fragmented defense industry.

Guerrilla resurgence in Colombia’s lucrative agribusiness region sparks extortion crisis

By Matthew Bristow

JAIME CRUZ hadn’t heard from Colombia’s extortion gangs for more than a decade until the palm-oil farmer checked his phone one day in September 2023 and got a terrible shock.  “Revolutionary greetings!”, the WhatsApp message began.

With these words, the guerrillas announced their return to the area around Puerto Gaitan, a key agroindustrial and energy-producing region in the tropical grasslands just 140 miles from Bogota. This was followed by a demand to meet “to discuss how you can contribute to our organization.”

Cruz, a pseudonym to  protect his identity from the group, was given an appointment in the village of Rincon del Indio in the guerrilla heartland on the fringes of the Amazon rainforest, more than a five-hour drive south. He says he didn’t attend, and instead hired a former special forces commando to handle his security.

Many of his neighbors did pay, however. One person who made the trip said he was met by about eight fighters in camouflage, armed with rifles. They made him ditch his car and travel for two hours along dirt tracks by motorbike to meet the guerrilla commander who negotiates annual extortion payments to the group.

Business owners who attend the meetings but fail to reach an agreement are likely to be kidnapped.

The shakedowns of Cruz and his neighbors are a sign that Colombia’s illegal armies are expanding beyond the remote mountains and jungles where they are traditionally strongest, and are penetrating formerly safe areas that are of great importance to the national economy.  That’s freezing investment in a region that the finance

ministry once touted as an engine of national economic development via huge agribusiness projects.     Meta province, where Cruz has his farm, produces more than half of Colombia’s crude, and tanker trucks continually roll along the unpaved roads near his plantation, throwing up dust. That’s helped give the region a gross domestic product per capita that is nearly 60% higher than the national average. The region is also a major producer of corn, rice, rubber, sugarcane, soy and beef.  The number of reported extortion attempts rose 54% in Meta last year, and 11% across the country as a whole, according to data collected by Colombia’s National Business Council.

That’s caused many firms to shelve new investments in Meta, according to Clara Leticia Serrano, head of Prorinoquia, an association of companies that operate in Colombia’s eastern plains.

“We are seeing a sudden stop, because of this security question,” she said. “For now, they’re sitting on their hands to wait and see what happens.”

Guerrillas and the private armies of drug traffickers have taken advantage of the relative lack of military pressure by the government under President Gustavo Petro, who since taking office in 2022 has sought “total peace” through negotiations with several of the groups. The talks have so far failed to yield major demobilizations.

The threats to Cruz and his neighbors come from the group calling itself the 39th Front, according to Major Andrés Felipe Granada, the regional chief of the police’s anti-kidnapping and antiextortion unit. This is controlled by a warlord known as Ivan Mordisco, a former commander with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, who rejected the group’s 2016 peace accord and took up arms again.

Mordisco’s base of operations is hundreds of miles further south, where the jungle makes it easier to stay hidden. The hot, cattle-raising plains around Puerto Gaitan lack tree cover, and are unsuited for guerrilla warfare. Nor is there any significant cocaine production

in the area. Yet the guerrillas are strengthening their presence there anyway, as the security forces fail to counter them effectively.

“What we seeing now across the country, including in Meta, is escalating violence and the reappearance of illegal armed groups in areas where they’d been absent,” said Jorge Mantilla, a criminologist who studies Colombia’s conflict. “One of the effects of the total peace plan is the territorial expansion of these groups.”

Over the last two years the 39th Front has probably contacted “basically everyone” who owns a business near Puerto Gaitan, according to Cruz.

When Cruz didn’t respond to their WhatsApp messages, the guerrillas left a note at the gates of his operation, where the bunches of red fruit are turned into vegetable oil that will eventually be blended with diesel to power trucks, buses and cars.

He now visits his operation much less frequently, arriving unannounced and never staying in the area for more than one night before returning to Bogota.

“The fact that you can’t be there for a long time will eventually impact your business,” he said. “If you can’t be constantly supervising what’s happening there, some things are not going to work as you would like.”

In April, at least four palm oil producers in Meta were attacked by extortionists, according to a former army intelligence colonel who works as a consultant for the sector. One farm had its operations paralyzed by an assault with explosives, while another had two pieces of heavy machinery burned. Producers of other crops, cattle farmers, and subcontractors for the oil industry are also being targeted.

“There is a lot at stake for us,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said. He urged his NATO partners to meet the investment goals faster than the 2032 target “because we see the tempo and the speed, how Russia generates its forces now as we speak.”

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said his country should reach 2.5% by 2027, and then 3% by the next U.K. elections planned for 2029.

“It’s hugely important that we recommit to Europe’s defense and that we step up alongside our US partners in this challenging geo -

Asked after the meeting about whether the next summit communique will underline that still Russia poses the greatest threat to all NATO allies, Rutte refused to be drawn: “We will see what is the best way to play that,” he said. Question marks also hang over the way the leaders will frame NATO’s commitment to Ukraine. The war there has dominated recent summits, with envoys struggling to find language that would further anchor the country to the alliance without actually allowing it to join.

But this year, the United States has taken Ukraine’s membership off the table. Trump has shown impatience with Zelenskyy and remains unclear whether he will be invited to the meeting in The Hague.

Cook reported from Brussels, and Fraser from Ankara, Turkey.

Pope Leo XIV praised for promoting women in governance, but firm on ordination ban

By Nicole Winfield The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY—Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms of Pope Francis’ pontificate by having women serve on the Vatican board that vets nominations for bishops.

But he also has said decisively that women cannot be ordained as priests, and despite having worked for years in Peru where women often lead church communities, seems noncommittal on whether women could ever serve in any ministerial capacity.

Nevertheless, the women who have worked closely with Prevost in recent years have praised his leadership style, ability to listen and respect for their opinions. In interviews with The Associated Press, they say they expect that as pope, Leo will continue to promote women in church governance positions, albeit with limits.

Maria Lia Zervino was among the three women Francis appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops in 2022 to review possible appointments. It was a job previously held by cardinals and bishops, an old boy’s club that has jealously guarded the secret process behind the appointment of bishops.

Zervino rejoiced when Prevost was elected pope, saying the respect he showed for her and other women on the board and their opinions gave them faith in him as a leader.

“I’m convinced that he doesn’t need to learn how to work (with women), how to let them speak, to listen to them, to have them participate in decisions, because that’s what he does anyway,” said Zervino, the Argentine former head of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations.

Zervino said she expected Leo would continue Francis’ reform processes, albeit in his own style.

“He’s a simple man, serene, always with that smile that we saw that seems to come from an interior peace,” she said in an interview. “So, when you see someone who is balanced, peaceful and respectful

and who welcomes what you say and is always ready to hear the other, you have faith in him.”

A 2023 comment on women as priests

AT a 2023 gathering of bishops on the future of the Catholic Church, Prevost was asked at a news conference about women in church leadership positions. He said it was “a work in progress” and that there would be a “continuing recognition of the fact that women can add a great deal to the life of the church on many different levels.”

But he drew some very clear lines.

“I think we’re all familiar with the very significant and long tradition of the church, and that the apostolic tradition is something that has been spelled out very clearly, especially if you want to talk about the question of women’s ordination to the priesthood,” he said in the Oct. 25, 2023, briefing.

Catholic women do much of the church’s work in schools and hospitals and are usually responsible for passing the faith to the next generation. But they have long complained of second-class status in an institution that reserves the priesthood for men.

Prevost acknowledged Francis had created two commissions to study whether women could be made deacons, who perform many of the same functions as priests. While he said the issue was still open, he warned that turning women into clerics “doesn’t necessarily solve a problem, it might make a new problem.” Just because a woman in society can be president doesn’t mean there’s an “immediate parallel” in the church, he argued.

“It isn’t as simple as saying that at this stage we’re going to change, if you will, the tradition of the church after 2,000 years on any one of those points,” he said. Deacons are ordained ministers who preside at weddings, baptisms and funerals. They can preach but cannot celebrate Mass. Married men can be ordained as deacons while women cannot, although historians say women served as deacons in the early Christian church.

GUERRILLAS are extorting farmers around Puerto Gaitan. IVAN VALENCIA/BLOOMBERG

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL

Continued from A26

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Balisacan said, has yet to meet and no schedule has been set for its next meeting. However, he expects this will be soon given the finalization of the assumptions for the 2026 national budget.

“Typically we’ll say, okay, we’ll take the midpoint of that range. So if it’s 6 to 8 [percent], then it’s 7 [percent], right? If we reduce it to 6 to 7 [percent], then the midpoint will be 6.5 [percent]. So that has an effect,” Balisacan explained.

“But to me, it depends on what ecosystem you are faced with. There’s so much uncertainty there. That’s open to a wider range. But if you have a stable environment, then we are more specific the better,” he added.

BSP highlights IN its latest report, the Monetary Board expects demand conditions to benefit from the slowdown in inflation. This will be enough to see GDP growth settle close to the low-end of the 6 to 8 growth target this year until 2027.

This is lower relative to the BSP staff’s previous forecasts because of the higher real policy rate and the possibility that it will outweigh the impact of lower oil prices.

The BSP’s inflation forecasts for 2025 and 2026 have decreased due to cheaper food and oil prices. Inflation remains below the midpoint of the target range until the fourth quarter of 2025.

“Inflation is expected to rise gradually and peak in the second quarter of 2026. As global commodity prices stabilize, inflation could ease toward the midpoint of the target range starting in the third quarter of 2026. Initial baseline projections also indicate within-target inflation in 2027,” the BSP said.

Risks to the BSP’s inflation outlook are deemed “broadly balanced” until 2027. Upside risks include higher transport charges, meat prices, and electricity rates.

Downside risks, BSP said, include the impact of lower rice import tariffs as well as the expected impact of weaker global demand.

The BSP noted that lower international rice prices and the impact of reduced rice tariffs will keep rice affordable while the African Swine Fever, which continues to threaten hog repopulation, caused pork prices to spike.

Oil prices, meanwhile, saw reduced demand amid uncertainties created by the US tariff policies. Global oil market expectations are also mixed for 2025 and 2026.

“For 2025, the International Energy Agency [IEA] expects a surplus, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries [Opec] projects a deficit, and the US Energy Information Administration [EIA] sees a balanced market. For 2026, the OPEC forecasts a deficit, while the US EIA expects a surplus,” the BSP said. Meanwhile, the peso appreciated by 1.10 percent against the US dollar to P57.22 against the US dollar on 2 April 2025, relative to the end of 2024.

BSP noted that since the monetary policy meeting on 13 February 2025, the peso has appreciated by 1.48 percent. The appreciation, the central bank said, reflected the weakness of the US dollar due to Trump’s tariffs. Cai U. Ordinario

Angara urges new leaders to prioritize quality learning for every Filipino child

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco  @claudethmc3

EDUCATION Secretary Juan

Edgardo “Sonny” Angara on Thursday urged newlyelected officials to champion education by ensuring that every Filipino child has access to quality learning.

staying engaged, especially in causes that shape the future, like education,” Angara said.  Angara emphasized that education must be front and center as newly-elected leaders assume their posts.

leaders, every percentage point becomes a budget line, a classroom, a reading corner, a chance at a better life.”

Citing data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Angara noted that around 80 percent of the country’s 68 million registered voters participated in the polls, sending a strong signal of public commitment to democratic governance.

He also echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s post-election message, calling the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections a “renewal of our democracy” and a call to confront urgent national concerns.

work ahead, ensuring that every Filipino child has access to quality learning aligned with our Bagong Pilipinas vision,” Angara said. He also commended the more than 600,000 teachers and DepEd personnel who served as poll workers, ensuring the smooth conduct of elections in schools nationwide.

“Our teachers once again proved to be frontliners of democracy. Their professionalism, calm under pressure, and deep sense of service are examples we can all learn from,” he said.  He called on every Filipino to take an active role in uplifting the education sector.

While he thanked millions of Filipinos who cast their votes in the May 2025 midterm elections, Angara also appealed to the public to carry the same sense of civic duty into strengthening the country’s education system.

“We are grateful to every Filipino who exercised their right to vote. Democracy is our people

Pampanga court issues arrest

“We now have new senators, governors, mayors—some seasoned, some young and hungry, all stepping into the ring of public service. They come bearing the hopes of our people. But hope alone is not enough,” his message reads, delivered by Undersecretary Ron Mendoza, during the national data dissemination forum for the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS). “Leadership needs clarity. As new mandates begin, may we ensure that the data we provide guides them. For the hands of newly elected

T“As President Marcos said, our democracy has renewed itself. Now, we must channel that same commitment to the long-term

“The Midterm elections may be over, but the real work of nation-building continues. We encourage everyone to be an education champion,” Angara said.

warrant vs Roque, Ong and several others

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Angeles City, Pampanga has issued an arrest warrant against human rights lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and several others after finding probable cause to hold them for trial for alleged human trafficking in connection with alleged illegal activities of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm in Porac, Pampanga. The warrant also covers Cassandra Li Ong, the official rep -

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

THE Department of Finance (DOF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a $4.5-million (around P250 million) initiative to support enterprises scale up sustainable and inclusive business operations. Under the Accelerating Green and Climate Finance in the Philippines: Nature-based Solutions (AGCF-NbS) initiative, NatureNest aims to identify and support 10 high-potential nature-based enterprises across the Philippines

resentative of POGO hub Lucky South 99, Whirlwind Corporation Executive Duanren Wu, and other representatives and incorporators of the two POGO firms including Dennis Cunanan, former head of the now defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC).

“After careful evaluation of the eleven [11] separate informations, the resolution dated 07 April 225 and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to all all the afore-named accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged pursuant to the provi -

that deliver direct and measurable environmental benefits while driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The six-month accelerator program, co-chaired by the DOF and co-implemented by Villgro Philippines, will prime enterprises through tailored capacitybuilding, coaching and technical assistance to help them scale up.

Specifically, the project will help create a climate finance lab, climate data platforms for research in Nature-Based Solutions finance, the design and incorporation of gender-responsive and green and climate-related policies

sions of Section 5 [a] of Rule 112 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedures,” the court’s order read.

In a statement, Roque said he would include the issuance of the arrest warrant as part of his basis in seeking political asylum in the Netherlands.

Roque has applied and is waiting for the resolution of his request for asylum.

He earlier said his pending application for asylum would prevent the execution of the warrant of arrest issued against him.

“The issuance of a warrant of arrest forms part of the unjust prosecution which I will include to

in lending programs.

It will also establish a system to report Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) impacts of green and climate investments made by the private sector and financing institutions.

The DOF said private sector capital will also be harnessed to scale the impact of Nature-based Enterprises by connecting missionaligned investors and unlocking funding opportunities for growth.

“NatureNest is a vehicle of transformation, serving as an avenue to enhance the capacity of enterprises in developing and implementing NbS projects, al -

Surveys can’t predict elections–Comelec

HILE surveys often shape public perception during campaign season, they do not determine the outcome of elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) emphasized on Thursday.

“Surveys may influence the decision of the public or the voters, but they do not dictate the final result,” said Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia during a media briefing.

Garcia explained that there are many “moving factors” at play, especially in the final days leading up to the polls.

He said the public should remember that there are groups who were never asked, groups who may not have answered truthfully, and even those who responded just for the sake of answering, despite being undecided.

“So there are many variables. If the survey was conducted days before the election, what if a voter suddenly changed their mind while on the way to the precinct?” the poll chief added.

Pre-election surveys had consistently ranked administrationbacked Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates as front-runners in the Senate race.

Most surveys predicted that nearly all 12 winning senatorial seats would go to Marcosendorsed bets.

However, based on the partial and unofficial count from the Comelec, only six Alyanas-aligned candidates—Erwin Tulfo, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Lito Lapid— appear poised to enter the Senate’s top 12.

Meanwhile, opposition candi -

dates such as Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, who often fell just outside the “Magic 12” in surveys, currently rank second and fifth, respectively, in the ongoing tally.

For Garcia, this only shows how quickly voter sentiment can shift—even just hours before casting their votes.

“What if a voter changes their mind the night before the election? That’s why we say there are many moving factors,” he said.

“I’m not saying people shouldn’t look at surveys. What I’m saying is that surveys are not the elections themselves. Without questioning their integrity, they can serve as a basis for decision-making, perhaps even help us understand the current situation. But in the end, it is the actual vote that decides everything,” Garcia said. Justine Xyrah Garcia

my application for asylum in the Netherlands as a victim of political persecution owing to my loyalty to the Dutertes,” Roque said.

“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my lie and liberty which are currently under threat. I reiterate this is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum,” he added.

Roque, Ong and several others were charged in connection with their alleged involvement in the illegal activities of Lucky South 99, a POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga.

Roque was accused of benefiting from the fruits of the trafficking in persons operations and other illegal activities of Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind. Based on the complaint filed by Philippine National Police—Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). In particular, the complaint cited the claim of lawyer Jessa Mariz Fernandez, assistant president of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), that Roque and Ong went to their office to have a meeting with Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco regarding the arrears of Lucky South 99.

lowing participants to transform innovative ideas into scalable projects that will create jobs, restore and protect ecosystems, and shield vulnerable communities from the risks of climate change,” the DOF Climate Finance Policy Group said in a message of support.

“The NatureNest allows us to tap into the potential of NbS as cost-effective and sustainable means to build climate resilient communities and incentivize private sector investment,” the DOF said.

The program is also among the DOF’s pioneer projects for the implementation of the Inter -

agency Task Force on Sustainable Finance’s (ITSF) Center of Excellence.

The ITSF seeks to strengthen the pillars of the Sustainable Finance Roadmap (SFR) by creating the three key clusters to provide distinct and focused guidance in each identified area, namely the Policy, Financing and Investment Clusters.

The Center of Excellence for Sustainable Finance aims to serve as a central hub for capacity building, policy support and market development in sustainable finance.

SC resets oral argument on ‘25 budget controversy

LOSING senatorial candidate and former Malacañang executive secretary lawyer Victor “Vic” Rodriguez on Thursday called on the public to clamor for the immediate resolution of the petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act No. 12116 or the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) following the Supreme Court’s  (SC) second cancellation of the scheduled oral arguments on the issue.  The SC through the Office of the Spokesperson confirmed the issuance of the resolution resetting the oral argument to “a later date.”

It can be recalled that the SC originally scheduled the oral arguments on the petition filed by Rodriguez and Davao City Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab on April 1, 2025 at the SC En Banc Session Hall in Baguio City but was rescheduled on May 19. The SC, however, did not explain the reason for not setting a specific date for the conduct of the oral arguments. The Court’s resolution states that  the justices resolved to “reset the May 19, 2025 oral arguments to a later date, subject to further notice from the Court.” Joel R. San Juan

Business pushes for key economic measures for new Congress to pass

AS the country anticipates the final and official results of the mid-terms elections, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business organization in the country, hopes for the new Congress to pass economic measures that support and promote competitiveness and business growth.

PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio outlined the critical bills that the legislative should prioritize to ensure an inclusive economy and a stronger Philippine business. Some of them include:

Magna Carta for MSMEs to extend the mandatory allocation of MSME loans by banks and remove the BSP regulatory cover on SB Corporation to allow it to extend MSME development loans within an outof-the-box framework.

International Maritime Trade Competitiveness that mandates regulatory oversight of international shipping lines and ensure that the shipping charges are based on international best practices, reasonable and, subject to taxes, as these are charged at a local level.

PPA and CAAP Charter Amendment to decouple the regulatory oversight and developmental functions of the Philippine Ports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The developmental functions be given to a private entity that will be responsible for the development and commercial functions of ports, allowing PPA and CAAP to focus on their core function of regulatory oversight.

National Quality Infrastructure Act that will facilitate the access of our local products to global markets by ensuring that these meet international quality benchmarks/standards.

Rationalization of the Mining Fiscal Regime to finally have clarity and predictability in tax policies and enable long-term decisions in mining, where exploration to production can take five to 10 years.

“These are some of our wishes that hopefully, this new Congress will consider enacting. These reform measures are essential if we want to build a better and progressive economy,” Mangio said.

The PCCI president also emphasized the importance of electing legislators who can champion policies that foster economic stability and growth and promote a conducive environment for business.

“At the most basic, leaders with integrity and good governance, are accessible and have constructive engagement with business, or at least have pro-business legislative track record that support reducing red tape and promote competition and SME growth,” she added.

Pickleball Court – Embrace one of the world’s fastest-growing sports in an engaging, communitydriven setting. DOJO – A specialized area for martial arts training with a focus on discipline, technique, and personal development.

Recovery Area – Recharge with a full suite of wellness amenities, including steam and sauna rooms, cold plunge, compression therapy, Theragun massage, and blading therapy.

Co-Working Lounge – A stylish workspace featuring meeting pods, perfect for those balancing productivity with personal wellness.

Combat Strike Arena – A high-intensity zone dedicated to martial arts and combat sports training.

Zest Apparel Corner – Launching the premiere collection of Zest, Surge’s exclusive line of performance activewear.

Surge PRO & Surge ULTRA Equipment – Elevate your training with next-generation fitness technology engineered for optimal results.

Billiards and Ping Pong Areas – Enjoy recreational spaces designed for connection, relaxation, and fun. Complemented by expertly led group classes,

She said that the country needs leaders who not only value good governance but also understand how laws impact the economy.

“Ideally, with good economic and financial literacy and understand global trade and investment because understanding how legislation affects the economy is crucial for drafting policies that encourage business development, job creation, and foreign investment,” Mangio added.

PCCI also highlighted key legislative achievements from previous Congress that have positively impacted the business climate, including the Ease of Doing Business Act, Public Service Act Amendments, and the TRAIN, CREATE, and CREATE MORE laws.

personalized coaching, and community-focused events, Surge Gateway Club embodies the brand’s mission to support every member’s unique fitness journey.

“At Surge, we believe that community is at the heart of every successful transformation,” said Raymond delos Santos, CEO of Surge Fitness + Lifestyle. “The opening of Gateway Club marks more than just our physical expansion—it’s a celebration of collective energy, shared goals, and the power of connection.”

New members who sign up by March 16, 2025, can enjoy 50 percent off the starter kit fee and zero pro-rata charges—an exclusive offer to jumpstart their transformation at the most opportune time.

Experience the next evolution of fitness. Visit Surge Gateway Club at Gateway Mall 2, Cubao, Quezon City, and discover how wellness, innovation, and community come together under one roof.

For more updates and announcements, follow Surge Fitness + Lifestyle on their official social media platforms.

Sun Life Investment exec recognized among Citywire Asia’s Top 25 ASEAN Selectors

SUN Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation recently announced that Michael Adrian “Mikko” Vergara, the company’s Head of Equities and Global Funds, has been named one of Citywire Asia’s Top 25 ASEAN Selectors for 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights Vergara’s influence and expertise in the local and global financial markets.

Vergara is among the eight Filipino investment professionals who have been recognized out of the 25 awardees across the ASEAN region. This achievement underscores the Philippines’ growing prominence in the global investment community.

Citywire Asia, a global media company covering the global wealth community, honors the most influential product gatekeepers and investment professionals in the ASEAN region annually through its Top 25 ASEAN Selectors list. The selection process employs a blend of quantitative and qualitative criteria to identify individuals who are at the forefront of investment and product conversations throughout ASEAN. These selectors play a crucial role in shaping investment decisions and driving industry trends.

“We at Sun Life Investment Management

are incredibly proud of Mikko for this well-deserved recognition,” said Michael Enriquez, President of Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corporation. “Mikko’s inclusion in this esteemed list is a testament to his deep understanding of the markets and his commitment to delivering value to our clients.”

To learn more about Sun Life Investment Management’s products and services, visit www.sunlife.co/SLIMTC.

Okada Manila Reintroduces The Coral Lounge in the heart of the gaming floor

OKADA MANILA —celebrated for earning six consecutive Forbes 5-Star ratings—unveils The Coral Lounge, its reimagined entertainment venue located at the heart of the gaming floor. Blending elegance with electric energy, The Coral Lounge sets a new benchmark for nightly entertainment in the metro.

The Coral Lounge promises to be the ultimate destination for world-class performances, exquisite indulgence, and unforgettable experiences—with operational hours from 7 pm to 3 am, while nightly entertainment runs from 8 pm to 2 am.

The Coral Lounge offers an immersive ambiance with cutting-edge lighting, a stateof-the-art sound system, and dynamic visual displays that create a sensory-rich backdrop for the electrifying entertainment lineup.

Each night features a different theme, ensuring a fresh and exciting experience with every visit:

OPM Mondays: Celebrate Original Pilipino Music with soulful performances Acoustic Tuesdays: Enjoy stripped-down renditions of timeless hits Ladies’ Night Wednesdays: A special night of music and entertainment for the ladies Dance-Off Thursdays: Move to the rhythm with DJ sets and live dance acts LOL Fridays: Laugh the night away with hilarious sets from top comedians

Celebrity Saturdays: Witness live performances by celebrity performers like Ogie Alcasid, Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, and more. Select shows are open to the public. Karaoke Sundays: Sing your heart out and take center stage in a fun-filled karaoke night

The Coral Lounge is also home to signature shows presented by the incredible Okada Manila Entertainment Group. Expect breathtaking dances, stunning costumes, and captivating music creating an unforgettable spectacle.

Guests can also indulge in a curated menu of delectable dishes and expertly crafted beverages, prepared with the finest ingredients and designed to tantalize the palate. Happy hour deals are available at P888.

The Coral Lounge also offers exclusive events for Reward Circle members where they can enjoy special access to special performances, vibrant parties, and bespoke experiences.

The Coral Lounge is poised to immerse every guest in an unparalleled atmosphere of entertainment, artistry, and sophistication. Discover the magic today only at Okada Manila, the Philippines’ true Forbes 5-star integrated resort!

For more information about The Coral Lounge, visit https://okadamanila.com/dine/ the-coral-lounge/

Winford Manila Foundation Inc., Champions Education in Manila

ON May 6, 2025, Winford Resort & Casino Manila (WRCM), through its corporate social responsibility arm Winford Manila Foundation Inc., held a ceremonial awarding of its P4 million pledge to Caritas Manila in full support of the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP).

This event marked the formal turnover of the entire pledged amount, with the first P1 million tranche already released on April 28, 2025. The remaining amount will be disbursed annually, ensuring continuous and structured support for the scholars under the program.

The ceremony was led by Jeff Evora, WRCM President and COO, and the pledge was personally received by Fr. Antonio Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila.

This renewed partnership is focused on supporting YSLEP’s mission of transforming the lives of underprivileged Filipino youth through access to quality

education and servant leadership development.

“At Winford Manila, we believe that education is the great equalizer—one that can break the cycle of poverty and open doors for those born with limited means,” Evora said.

“We see education as a game-changer—not just for individuals, but for families, communities, and entire generations. Supporting programs like YSLEP is our way of helping bridge the gap between privilege and potential. It’s not just about giving; it’s about believing in the power of the Filipino youth to lead, to uplift others, and to transform our nation from the ground up.” Pascual echoed the transformative power of partnerships like this one, stating: “Support from organizations like Winford Manila Foundation Inc., is vital to building a more compassionate and empowered society. When companies invest in programs like YSLEP, they’re not just

helping scholars finish school—they’re uplifting families and revitalizing communities, especially here in Manila, where access to quality education can change lives across generations.”

YSLEP is the flagship educational initiative of Caritas Manila. Since 2019, it has supported over 13,000 youth scholars—many of whom are now professionals giving back to their communities. In academic year 2023–2024 alone, YSLEP supported 4,240 scholars, with 1,589 graduates, including two summa cum laude and 29 magna cum laude honorees. The partnership is part of a broader mission by Winford Manila Foundation Inc., led by Darwin Cusi, WRCM’s Vice President for Gaming Operations. Also present at the event in support were WRCM Executives Sab San Pedro, Director for Marketing, and John Rocky Leona, Assistant Director for Finance.

In photo are, from left, Winford Manila’s

PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio

Sans tariff war, PHL would still be struggling–DepDev

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

EVENif the tariff war ends and opportunities become ripe for the country’s taking, the Philippines would be hard-pressed to take advantage of them, according to the country’s chief economist.

Department of Economic Planning and Development (DepDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan told reporters the country needs to conduct an “internal housekeeping” to make the Philippines ready for new opportunities.

According to him, while the world grapples with the uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariffs, the Philippines should take advantage of this time to deepen structural and policy reforms.

“If you are able to address those issues, low productivity, inclusivity, connectivity, all that stuff, then when those opportunities open up, we’ll be ready,” Balisacan said. “As of now, you know, even if the world opens up a big market for us, what do you have?

Your capacity is not there.” Balisacan lamented that should opportunities open for the Philippines in car manufacturing or in agricultural products at present, the country may not have the capacity nor the level of productivity needed to attract these investments.

“We haven’t invested enough to expand capacities here and improve productivity. That’s what I meant. You need to address those, whether or not you’re facing these problems because it benefits us in the longer term,” he said. Balisacan said in the last three years of the Marcos administration, the government needs to work on areas of the economy that have been raised as concerns of investors.

IBy Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

NDIAN businesses see stronger trade relations with the Philippine businesses in the IT-BPM space, particularly on Agritech and Fintech, according to the Indian ambassador to the Philippines.

“As our two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, today’s Tech Summit exemplifies our deeprooted ties and shared vision for a bright future,” Shri Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, said during the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc.’s (FICCI) Tech Summit 2025 in Makati City on Thursday.

The Indian ambassador noted “numerous opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as agri tech, fintech and more; and there is an immense potential for synergy as the two countries work together to harness tech and digital transformation for sustainable economic growth.”

The tech industry in the Philippines, he said, has witnessed “dynamic growth” as he noted that over 1.8 million persons have been employed in the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry alone in 2024, adding that the sector generated revenues of US$38 million in the previous year.

The ambassador to the Philippines said major Indian IT companies are present in the IT-BPM industry in the Philippines, “and are contributing positively to the shaping of the technology and landscape and economic development.”

For his part, FICCI President Mahesh P. Mirpuri revealed that this is the chamber’s first-ever Tech Summit in the country.

India and the Philippines must build on their strong ties “not just through policy or partnership but through service and technology as well,” according to Mirpuri.

“As business owners and decision makers, we must reimagine how we operate, how we manage, how we market, how we grow and protect our companies in an increasingly digital world, the tools are here. The experts are in this room. The opportunity is here,” added the head of

the Filipino-Indian business community.

In an interview with the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the Tech Summit, Mirpuri explained that this Summit aims to help the members of the Filipino-Indian business community “learn about different technologies that can help their businesses grow.”

“We have to adapt to different changes, different things that can help us and to help and use in our businesses like in HR,” he told this paper. For one, he said: “We looked at Rewards program. Imagine if I had to build that entire rewards program in my own office, it would take me forever. What if I could just outsource it to someone else? I can do that in a week.”

As to services, he said there are also companies that aim to streamline the needs of customers. “There’s one company in there that...We all have plumbing problems. We all have aircon problems.”

“What if instead of having to call so many different people, you called only one and they took care of everything? It makes your life easier, right?” the FICCI president said. On embracing Artificial Intelligence, he expressed confidence that the Philippines, being “one of the biggest BPO countries in the world today,” is prepared to ride the AI wave.

“I think tech is already here. I think Filipinos are easy adapters. We have very smart people. And I think it will be fairly easy to learn and use it to grow,” Mirpuri told this paper.

The FICCI president underscored that it’s “very possible” for the Philippines to adapt and grow with the technological advancements.” He noted that people just have to be resourceful.

“We all learn online. If people want to improve their skills, there is more than one way to do it,” added Mirpuri.

In contrast, he emphasized the need for the country to address some of the pain points in embracing modern technology, which includes early childhood development.

Foremost of these, Balisacan said, is improving the ease of doing business that could raise the country’s global and regional competitiveness.

The country’s chief economist also said the Philippines needs to continue infrastructure projects, particularly those that address digital connectivity gaps. He said the gnawing digital divide needs to be addressed as this hinders innovation in areas like education.

Balisacan also stressed the importance of crafting a national budget that is responsive in addressing low productivity, fostering inclusive growth, fast tracking poverty reduction, and improving the quality of employment.

This means, he said, undertaking a fiscal consolidation program that aims to pare down the Philippines’s fiscal deficit and reduce the country’s debt to GDP ratio.

“That creates positive signals. That brings some greater confidence in the economy and that will result in better market rates for our finances. So that the cost of financing, not just by government, but more importantly by the private sector, by businesses, will be lower,” Balisacan said.

“That’s what I call an economic fundamental. Low inflation, sus-

tainable and manageable deficit and debt, and investment spending that prioritizes education, innovation, and connectivity,” he added.

Earlier, business leaders said they want the new set of lawmakers to prioritize the consolidation of the country’s laws to make the Philippines more competitive and business-friendly.

Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (Ecop), told BusinessMirror that lawmakers should prioritize crafting quality legislation.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman George T. Barcelon agreed with Ortiz-Luis, saying the country needs government officials who will enable a “business-friendly” environment to make the country more competitive.

Apart from promoting a businessfriendly environment to entice more investors, Ortiz-Luis hopes the new lawmakers will adopt a “balanced approach” amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions due to the US-led tariff war.

(See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/05/13/make-phl-businessfriendly-groups-tell-new-lawmakers/).

BINI LEADS PINAYS IN FORBES MAGAZINE ‘30 UNDER 30 LIST’

FBy VG Cabuag

ILIPINO women under 30 years old, led by octet pop sensation BINI, have flexed their muscle in Forbes magazine’s 30 under 30 Asia list, which features 300 young entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region, all under the age of 30, with a bold vision for the future.

Leading the way were BINI, the eight-girl pop sensation now touring the world for their 15city tour.

BINI is composed of Gweneth Apuli (Gwen), 21; Maraiah Queen Arceta (Aiah), 23; Sheena Mae Catacutan, 20; Mikhaela Janna Lim (Mikha), 21; Mary Loi Yues Ricalde (Maloi), 22; Jhoanna Christine Robles, 20; Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja, 21; and Nicolette Vergara (Colet), 23.

The group, inspired by the global popularity of South Korean girl groups, selected members in 2019 from 250 aspirants following a nationwide talent search by ABS-CBN Corp.

In March, Billboard Philippines named the eight members its Women of the Year as their top songs surpassed a billion streams on Spotify.

Also on the list was Raya Buensuceso, managing director of Kaya Founders, which invests

in early-stage startups in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. With over 50 investments, Kaya Founders says it has $29 million in total assets under management. Since its launch in 2021, Buensuceso says she has been involved in every aspect of Kaya’s operations, including research, marketing, strategy and investments. She graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Also listed was Ysabel Chua. She is vice president at Singaporebased venture capital firm Forge Ventures, which has a portfolio of 16 companies. She joined in 2022 as an associate and was the firm’s first employee. Since then, Chua has overseen five investments, including in Indonesian supply chain startup Baskit and food startup Prefer. Chua was previously chief of staff at Philippine fintech startup PayMongo, and a senior product manager at Southeast Asian e-commerce giant Shopee. Visual artist Renren Galeno is also on the list. She illustrated the 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist in illustrated reporting and commentary, “Searching for Maura,” for the Washington Post, which recounted an incident of injustice

THE Philippines should keep pace with its Asian neighbors in passing key reforms aimed at enticing more multinational firms, particularly to extend foreign investors’ land leases to 99 years, according to the Filipino-Chinese business community.

“This is not a mere policy change— it is a major strategic leap to position the Philippines as an exemplar of stability and innovation in Asean and Asia, an ideal investment haven. We urge Congress to act swiftly; our economic future hinges on this

decision. It will be good for foreign investments,” Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said in a statement on Wednesday.

To better compete globally, the Philippines “must mirror Asia’s proven success stories,” said the group of Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs.

FFCCCII cited the case of Singapore, which it noted offers 99-year leases, attracting multinationals and fueling its rise as an international financial hub.

“Malaysia and Indonesia provide

99- and 95-year terms, respectively, drawing major advanced manufacturing and green energy projects,” said FFCCCII. Meanwhile, the group said Hong Kong “thrives on renewable 50-year leases, while China’s Shenzhen City and other urban centers used similar policies to become tech and industrial titans.” Adopting 99-year leases aligns the Philippines with “progressive” regional leaders and signals “long-term

Navigating the risks: PHL economy and the looming US recession

THE looming specter of a recession in the United States, as highlighted by recent economic forecasts and the Asian Development Bank’s assessments, presents a sobering challenge for the Philippines. With nearly 17 percent of Philippine exports directed to the US, and a significant trade surplus enjoyed by the country, any downturn in America’s economy inevitably sends ripples across the archipelago’s economic waters. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Recession in U.S. to hit PHL hard—Economists,” May 12, 2025).

The US economy’s contraction by 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025, lower than expected, underscores the fragility of the current global economic landscape. The International Monetary Fund’s projection of a 38 to 40 percent probability of a US recession is not just a statistical warning but a call to action for our policymakers and business leaders.

There’s no question that a recession in the US would directly affect the Philippine economy. Reduced American consumer demand would mean fewer orders for our exports, threatening the livelihoods of countless Filipino workers and enterprises that rely on this vital trade link. Economists like ADB Chief Economist Albert Park rightly emphasize that a recession in the US is “not good news” for the Philippines, given the country’s significant export exposure.

However, there is a nuanced perspective offered by ADB’s Macroeconomics Research Division Director Abdul Abiad. The current drag on US GDP growth stems largely from imports, while domestic consumption and investment remain relatively robust. This suggests some resilience in the US economy, which could moderate the severity of any potential recession. Moreover, the Philippines benefits from diversified trade partnerships within Asia and other regions, which could cushion the blow if US demand weakens.

Yet, this optimism should not blind us to the risks posed by ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially the trade war between the US and China. As former Tariff Commissioner George Manzano warns, a prolonged and intensified trade conflict could exacerbate economic strains in the US, deepening the likelihood of a recession and, by extension, harming the Philippine economy. Quick resolution of such disputes would be in the best interest of all trading partners involved.

The Philippines must also confront its own economic realities. The 5.4 percent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025, while positive, falls short of the government’s 6 to 8 percent target. Global uncertainties, sluggish production, and pre-election spending have contributed to this slower growth, highlighting vulnerabilities that need to be addressed internally.

In light of these challenges, the Philippines should adopt a dual strategy: strengthening domestic economic resilience and deepening trade diversification. Investments in local industries, infrastructure, and innovation can reduce overdependence on any single market, while expanding ties with other regional economies could open new avenues for growth. At the same time, policymakers must remain vigilant and prepared to mitigate the fallout from global shocks, including a possible US recession.

While the prospect of a US recession is a clear cause for concern, it also serves as a timely reminder of the interconnectedness of today’s global economy. For the Philippines, the key lies in prudent economic management, strategic diversification, and fostering resilience to weather external storms. Only then can the country sustain its growth momentum and safeguard the welfare of its people amidst global uncertainties.

China’s investors signal trade truce is no panacea for markets

By John Cheng & Iris Ouyang

THE trade truce is not enough to ignite a rush into Chinese financial assets amid expectations of reduced policy stimulus and lingering uncertainty on a final deal.

While Chinese stocks have rallied following the agreement, recouping their losses since the April 2 volley of tariff announcements, global investors appear to be staying on the sidelines. Market expectations on further government support have been tempered given the betterthan-expected outcome of tariff negotiations last weekend.

“The upside appears limited unless we see further policy support or a clear improvement in earnings, as much of the recent good news is already reflected in prices,” said Eva Lee, head of Greater China equities at UBS Global Wealth Management. “Major headwinds would be the negotiation takes longer than expected while China didn’t offer effective stimulus measures to stabilize the economy.”

Strategists expect the yuan to rise at a measured pace against the greenback while bond yields could edge lower as deflationary pressure persists.

Here’s a look at what investors are saying about Chinese assets after the tariff reprieve:

Stocks

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

STOCK traders have cheered the Sino-US trade de-escalation, with the MSCI China Index rising more than 4 percent this week, extending a rally earlier in the year driven by the nation’s technological advancement. Still, it may take a while to reach a

final deal: in the first Trump tradewar episode in 2018, Chinese stocks went on a bumpy ride before a trade pact was finalized.

The impact of higher tariffs will trickle down to consumer demand and corporate profits, and that’s likely to cast a shadow over China’s nascent earnings recovery, analysts say. As it’s still uncertain what tariff rates the two countries will settle for eventually, money managers are sticking to defensive and domestically oriented sectors to protect the downside.

The sentiment-driven market mood means “further volatility ahead with fundamentals taking a backseat,” said Elizabeth Kwik, investment director of Asian equities at Aberdeen Investments. “We continue to favor companies with predominantly domestic exposure and where we have higher earnings visibility.”

Currency

THE yuan jumped to a six-month high this week in both onshore and offshore markets after the trade truce, with strategists turning more optimistic on the currency’s outlook amid exporters’ rising interest in repatriating their dollar earnings. Some are expecting the currency to appreciate toward 7 per dollar, from the current level around 7.2.

Still, Chinese authorities are expected to carefully manage the yu-

While Chinese stocks have rallied following the agreement, recouping their losses since the April 2 volley of tariff announcements, global investors appear to be staying on the sidelines. Market expectations on further government support have been tempered given the better-thanexpected outcome of tariff negotiations last weekend.

an’s upward trend to avoid massive inflows. The People’s Bank of China set the daily reference rate at a level weaker than the average forecast in a Bloomberg survey of analysts and traders on Wednesday, for the first time since November.

“While the US has softened the tariff war due to a lack of immediate near-term alternatives, the medium-term decoupling with China on the supply chain and tech fronts is ongoing,” said Ju Wang, head of Greater China FX and rates strategy at BNP Paribas SA. “It is difficult to envision China allowing significant yuan appreciation, especially given that the local property market remains weak.”

Bonds

GOVERNMENT bond yields rose as the truce dampened demand for haven assets. The benchmark 10-year yield has climbed around five basis points in May, though last month it posted the biggest monthly decline since December on Beijing’s monetary easing and escalated trade tensions.

Bond traders have become more cautious now compared to when the

US-Saudi $142 billion defense deal sparks questions, few answers

By Courtney McBride

THE Trump administration called its $142 billion defense deal with Saudi Arabia “the largest defense sales agreement in history.” Critics aren’t so sure.

The deal, announced as part of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week, appeared ambitious and sweeping, touting purchases linked to the air force and space, missile defense, coastal security and various other upgrades. But like the broader $600 billion economic deal that it was a part of, the defense agreement lacked any specifics. And skeptics of the ad-

ministration immediately pointed to questions around the numbers.

One is that Saudi Arabia’s entire defense budget this year is $78 billion, estimated Bruce Riedel, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

“It’s great publicity—makes it look like this trip was spectacularly successful,” said Riedel, a former senior US intelligence and national

If deals do eventually emerge from the White House and Saudi Arabia, experts will start sorting through what was new and what was old. Already, there are more than $129 billion in active military sales to Saudi Arabia from the US, according to the State Department fact sheet.

reciprocal tariffs spooked investors in April and spurred a flight to safety. Still, yields may dip again, according to market watchers, as investors bet on more monetary easing to stimulate the already-sluggish domestic demand even without tariffs.

“There is still room for Chinese bond yields to head lower, given that deflationary pressure will persist with tariffs imposed on China,” said Cary Yeung, head of greater China fixed income at Pictet Asset Management. “The 30 percent tariff in place will continue to slow China’s growth. Therefore, we expect accommodative monetary policy to persist, which is beneficial to bond yields.”

Commodities

OIL rebounded this week on the truce. This may be a short-term relief as the trade war already appears to be reducing the volume of goods arriving in the US. Industrial metals also rose but the trade thaw may give only marginal support to aluminum, which is expected to decline this quarter amid headwinds from exports to non-US countries, according to Citigroup Inc.

“Commodities are rebounding to price in the trade war truce between China and the US,” said Xuezhi Li, head of Chaos Ternary Futures Co.’s Research Institute. Still, “tariffs between the two countries surely won’t stay at the current low levels. There will be back-and-forth and cause blows to demand,” bringing industrial metals prices lower. Gold, a haven which has risen to records amid the uncertainty, fell. With assistance from Winnie Zhu, Abhishek Vishnoi and Qizi Sun /Bloomberg

tems the kingdom would purchase, terms of the prospective contract and delivery time lines. The State Department referred questions to the White House.

To be sure, Democratic and Republican administrations alike have a long history of re-purposing previous deals into sweeping, headline-grabbing agreements for presidents to sign during trips. Trump did it before, during his first-term trip to Saudi Arabia in 2017, when he announced the Saudis would spend $110 billion on US weapons to modernize the kingdom’s

South Africa’s Ramaphosa heads to US to ease tensions with Trump

By S’thembile Cele

SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to hold talks with his US counterpart Donald Trump in Washington on May 21 and hopes to ease a simmering diplomatic row between the two nations.

Ramaphosa, who will embark on a working visit to the US from May 19-22, will meet Trump at the White House “to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” South Africa’s Presidency said in a statement Wednesday. His “visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,” it said.

Since starting his second term in January, Trump has accused South Africa of orchestrating a genocide against White Afrikaner farmers and seizing their land, allegations echoed by his Pretoria-born billionaire backer Elon Musk. Washington has frozen most aid to the nation, imposed tariffs on its exports and expelled its ambassador, while offering members of all minority groups refugee status, with a first group arriving in the US on a charter flight this week.

There have been no official land seizures in South Africa since apartheid ended in 1994, while police statistics show young Black men bear the brunt of violent crime. Ramaphosa has repeatedly denied that any group is being persecuted and insisted that property can only be taken in the public interest and within the confines of the constitution.

The US is South Africa’s largest trading partner after China, and more than 600 American companies do business in Africa’s most industrialized economy. With the nation’s preferential access to US markets under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act effectively terminated, officials in Pretoria have been working

. continued from A30

That package included deals negotiated under the Obama administration and others that were in the initial stages of a lengthy process requiring congressional approval and negotiations between the buyer and defense contractors. To date, the 2017 deal has yielded more than $30 billion in implemented foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, according to a State Department fact sheet in January.

Another potential hurdle is Saudi Arabia’s ability to afford massive defense purchases amid declining oil prices and considerable obligations at home. The country has been forced to borrow more, with debt jumping by about $30 billion to the most on record in the first quarter. If deals do eventually emerge from the White House and Saudi Arabia, experts will start sorting through what was new and what was old. Already, there are more than $129 billion in active military sales to Saudi Arabia from the US, according to the State Department fact sheet. While the numbers may be fuzzy, they also may not really matter. What the agreement also does, experts said, is highlight the depth of the US-Saudi partnership. That’s something Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will gladly take after several years of uncertainty. Former President Joe Biden, after all, called him a “pariah” over the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and suspended weapons sales to the kingdom.

“A lot of this is about the optics, but the optics matter,” said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. “It’s an attempt to send a message of reassurance after several years of uncertainty in the US-Saudi bilateral relationship on defense cooperation.”

Educating without tears and hysteria

ARamaphosa, who will embark on a working visit to the US from May 19-22, will meet Trump at the White House “to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest,” South Africa’s Presidency said in a statement Wednesday. His “visit to the US provides a platform to reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,” it said.

to put together a new trade deal to present to Trump.

Relations between the two nations have also soured because of Pretoria’s decision to file a case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel, a close American ally, of committing a genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and its close ties with Iran.

The standoff has cast a shadow over South Africa’s presidency of the Group of 20, with Trump shunning meetings of the bloc and rejecting calls for it to focus on addressing issues such as reducing developing nations’ debt and climate change.

The South African government’s initial intention was for Ramaphosa to hold bilateral talks with Trump on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting that is scheduled to take place in Canada on June 15, but the gathering was fast-tracked, according to people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to comment. The two men have spoken by phone twice since Trump won reelection. Bloomberg

The agreement is likely to yield real gains, particularly in the realm of missile defense, where the US has much to offer and Saudi Arabia has significant needs, said Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute focusing on defense strategy and budgeting.

At a time when some of the US’s traditional allies in Europe may be reluctant to purchase weapons from Washington, Saudi Arabia’s willingness to do so is especially welcome, he said.

Even without specifics, some analysts said the scale and complexity of weapons purchases contemplated by Saudi Arabia could risk compromising Israel’s “qualitative military edge” in the region, which US presidents for decades have committed to maintain.

But Dana Stroul, director of research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that the categories outlined by the White House have long been part of Saudi Arabia’s military modernization plans. Absent more detail about particular weapon systems, they don’t raise alarms about qualitative military edge, said Stroul, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

The Saudis are committed to pursuing a formal mutual-defense agreement with the US, as well as a civil nuclear program, “because they don’t trust the US a hundred percent,” said Yoel Guzansky, head of the Gulf Program at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University.

Faced with a number of threats and with long-standing doubts about US reliability, the Saudis “will continue to hedge” by de-escalating with Iran and engaging with China and Russia, even as they pursue prizes like the F-35, said Guzansky, a former Israeli national security council official. With assistance from Sam Dagher/ Bloomberg

Tito Genova Valiente ANNOTATIONS

Part three

T the onset of this discussion about the state of Philippine education, I was clear about my position: this literacy problem shall be critiqued, analyzed without hysteria and ill judgment. And I prayed that the majority will follow this proposed trajectory.

The barely completed electoral process has yielded a new term: “bobotante.” It is a term that plays with the word “bobo,” a word that denotes dumbness and idiocy. It is at best a view from a privileged position, of persons who have all the data at hand, and, given the lack of survival problem, are detached from the greater social realities of the country. At the extreme end of the economic spectrum are those who, looking at the results of the election, vow to leave the country because this “land of ours” has no hope.

Those who easily condemn the system have lost their right to read any portents on the wall. Only those who care to know the basics in education and are keen to learn what we can still do about it have the honor to look into the structure in which learning operates. In other words, one has to embrace this question about education because while it addresses the literacy or lack of it of others, we are all implicated in it.

I had the privilege of attending a forum many years ago where Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, the former Provincial of the Jesuit and president of Ateneo de Manila. In that forum, he talked about how a nation could only move as fast as its slowest member. This is the same quote that I summon now and wish would also be the spirit in other people’s inquiry when they pursue the question. It should not be what is wrong with Philippine education but what we can do with it.

And the EDCOM Report, how-

ever imperfect or incomplete, remains a viable starting point for investigation. What does it say about basic education? Very basic perhaps, but the document raises one obvious element: the quality of education. It talks about proficiency in selected

subjects but let us not talk about that; rather, let us focus on what it purports to address: the availability of textbooks in public schools. It reports: “Since 2012, only 27 textbooks have been procured for Grade 1 to Grade 10, despite substantial budget allocations. DepEd’s budget utilization data show that from 2018 to 2022 alone, a total of P12.6 billion has been allocated to textbooks and other instructional materials, but only P4.5 billion (35.3 percent) has been obligated and P952 million (7.5 percent) has been disbursed.”

Linked to the said concern are two factors: the assessment system and the review of recent policy reforms in curriculum and instruction. It appears that there is a gap in the planning being done under this process.

Reading the EDCOM Report has given me the impression that the Department of Education has many

programs, which the general public may never be aware of. There is, for example, the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP), which “aims to address the learning gaps caused by the pandemic.” Its key components cover a learning camp from July to August 2023 for K-12 learners in public schools. This was described as “voluntary.” The other component has to do with the adoption of the NLRP by DedEd in order to enhance learning outcomes and support teachers.

The EDCOM calls the NLRP a step in the right direction but the report states that its components remain unclear and have no implementing guidelines. In particular, it cites a learning camp that is part of the remediation program, where the finding shows how “learners who were most in need of remediation were often those who did not participate.”

Trade chiefs jostle for time with Greer at APEC meeting in Korea

By Yoshiaki Nohara & Soo-Hyang Choi

TRADE chiefs from some of the world’s biggest economies are competing for access to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as they seek to advance negotiations with Washington at a conference in South Korea.

Greer arrived at the resort island of Jeju to join his counterparts at the meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Partnership members on Thursday and Friday, less than a week after he helped the US and China agree on a temporary cut in tariffs.

Representatives from member states will likely swap views on how to operate in a global trade environment shaken up by President Donald Trump’s barrage of tariffs. Many of them will also seek talks with Greer to try to blunt the impact of Trump’s trade policies. Those bilateral meetings will contrast with APEC’s longstanding objectives of furthering free trade through multilateral cooperation.

“For many trade ministers, securing a one-on-one meeting with USTR Greer will be their main goal,” said David Boling, Director of Japan Trade at the Eurasia Group and a former trade negotiator at the Office of the US Trade Representative. “They want a meeting with Greer, even if it is brief, to discuss the tariffs affecting their own economy. He will be the busiest trade minister there, and his schedule will be jampacked.”

The US and China are the biggest economies among the group’s 21 members, which APEC says account for around half of global trade and about 60 percent of global gross domestic product. In the past APEC

summit meetings have sometimes provided a venue for US presidents and their Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet and exchange views.

The APEC summit meeting comes in the autumn.

During this week’s event, Greer may get another opportunity to meet Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang, who negotiated with him in Geneva. Li landed on Jeju on Wednesday.

Among other members, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Australia and Vietnam are all caught in Trump’s cross hairs over trade.

“It is meaningful for the ministers to gather together for the first time since the Trump administration slapped massive tariffs around the world and discuss a way forward for the global trading system,” said Yeo Han-koo, a former South Korean trade minister who is now a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. He described this week’s meeting as a building block for the APEC summit in November.

South Korea hosts APEC this year with a central theme of “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow” and aims to make progress in realizing the Putrajaya Vision 2040 for which leaders including Trump in 2020 agreed “to work together to deliver, a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transpar-

Representatives from member states will likely swap views on how to operate in a global trade environment shaken up by President Donald Trump’s barrage of tariffs. Many of them will also seek talks with Greer to try to blunt the impact of Trump’s trade policies. Those bilateral meetings will contrast with APEC’s longstanding objectives of furthering free trade through multilateral cooperation.

ent and predictable trade and investment environment.”

“Given the many challenges facing the multilateral trading system, the very existence and role of APEC has become increasingly evident,”

South Korean Trade Minister Cheong Inkyo said in a text of his prepared opening remarks for the meeting. “Indeed, I believe the outcomes of our discussions will resonate the world over.”

Beyond APEC’s loftier goals, participants in Jeju will be keen on knowing more about the US-China tariff truce, in which China’s use of retaliation appears to have paid off, and how the outcome may affect other nation’s negotiations with Washington.

The report also mentions a common problem, which is documentation: baseline and end-line assessments were administered but these were, however, unavailable, therefore making it difficult to assess the learners and their progress.

A glance at one of the items in the report mentions how Reading be “ramped up,” as in developed more. It particularly asks that focus be on Key Stage 1, referring to Kindergarten to Grade 1 but not forgetting to look at the other grade levels, “majority of whom…are not equipped with these foundational competencies.”

Are we not also interested in how we can track the K to 10 curriculum? Does it address the Filipino student? The report mentions that DepEd has decongested the curriculum and is piloting this new approach. But it asks if there is adequate support given to the teachers. It mentions, for example, challenges in implementation that include time constraints, incomplete teaching and learning facilities.

The revised K to 10 curriculum guides can enhance learning outcomes. EDCOM II recommends that DepEd address these issues for effective curriculum delivery.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

“The US can use this opportunity to continue ongoing trade talks with China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and most of member countries,” said Yeo at the Peterson Institute. “It was vindicated that China doesn’t have to rush for a deal. China may use this momentum to strengthen its narratives that China is a leader in regional trade integration at the APEC.”

South Korea and Japan, which rely on the US for security, have avoided any hint of retaliation. While the two US allies were among the first to start talks with the US, political uncertainty ahead of a presidential election is putting the brakes on Seoul’s efforts to reach a deal. South Korea’s Industry Minister Ahn Dukgeun is set to meet Greer on Friday. Japan is likely to miss a bilateral talk with Greer after sending only lower ranking officials to APEC, a possible indication that Tokyo prefers to take more time to get a better deal.

With all the focus on individual bilateral deals, the ultimate goal of APEC may be falling by the wayside for now.

“Though some APEC trade ministers may try to shore up support for the multilateral trading system at these meetings, they will be swimming against the tide,” Eurasia Group’s Boling said. With assistance from Fran Wang and James Mayge /Bloomberg

They also gather amid renewed chatter over currency talks with the US. Bloomberg reported that South Korea and US officials discussed exchange rate policies at a May 5 meeting in Milan and will keep doing so. US officials are not working to include currency policy pledges in trade agreements, according to a person familiar with the matter.  Meanwhile, Greer’s presence may also keep in check China’s efforts to build support among other nations feeling the pressure from Trump’s policies.

Thai stance on gypsum tariffs for review–DTI

By Andrea San Juan

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be reviewing Thailand’s request to reevaluate the Philippines’s imposition of preliminary anti-dumping duties on gypsum board imports, according to a Trade official.

Sherylyn D. Aquia, director of the Trade department’s Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR), revealed this was after Thai officials questioned Manila’s move during the meeting of World Trade Organization’s Committee on AntiDumping. The latter reviews its Members’ semi-annual report on anti-dumping actions.

“At this meeting, Thailand sought clarification on the Philippines’ imposition on preliminary AD duties on gypsum board imports from their country, indicating that Thai imports did not contribute to injury to the Philippine domestic industry,” Aquia told the BusinessMirror.

“We will be reviewing their comments together with our investigating authority, the DTI’s Bureau of Import Services,” she added.

According to Aquia, the Committee on Anti-Dumping holds regular meetings twice a year, around April and October. The review of Members’ semi-annual report on anti-dumping actions, she added, “is a standing agenda.”

The ones reviewed during this meeting was for the period covering July to December 2024.

According to Aquia, the review allows Members to comment and submit questions on anti-dumping actions taken by other Members “to better understand the reasons for taking such measures.”

Moreover, she said, the review helps the WTO Secretariat collect data on the anti-dumping actions taken and on what products, since measures are imposed on “allegedly unfairly traded goods.”

A statement issued by the WTO revealed that delegates’ questions and discussed actions are contained in the semi-annual reports submitted by countries that include the Philip-

pines and the US, as well as the European Union. Aside from the report, the WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement requires members to submit without delay—on an ad hoc basis— notifications of all preliminary and final anti-dumping actions taken.

At a recent hearing before the Tariff Commission, an exporter threatened to pull out its gypsum board shipments from the Philippines if it finds out that it will no longer be “financially viable” to export the same to Manila due to anti-dumping duties that may be slapped.

At the Commission’s hearing early April, Saint-Gobain (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Chief Financial Officer Matthias Alber said its exports of gypsum board to the Philippines has “significantly slowed down” after the DTI imposed provisional anti-dumping duties.

“We will have to assess the situation very carefully, but for sure it’s a very heavy financial burden that the customers in the Philippines have to carry,” Alber said. “If we find out that financially it’s not viable to export, we will stop. The period is very short since the provisional duty has been imposed.”

At the same hearing, Knauf Gypsum Philippines Inc. Managing Director Mark Sergio said that the country’s local gypsum board manufacturing sector sees continuing threat of gypsum boards imported from Thailand as the Philippines remains to be the top export market of Thailand for the said manufactured building material.

“We have reason to believe that the threat will continue. We have reason to believe that it will continuously cause material injury into the domestic industry,” Sergio said. He added that Thailand also saw an impact in terms of their utilization capacity last year.

“And the Philippines is one of the major destinations, or, I think, major markets, where Thailand exports gypsum boards to,” during the public hearing before the Tariff Commission. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/04/02/ thai-gypsum-supplier-threatensto-pull-out/)

Bankers to keep workers stay ‘ahead of the curve’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) announced it has entered into an agreement with the Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL) to keep the banking industry’s workforce “ahead of the curve.” Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the groups will conduct “capacity-building” sessions for the benefit of BAP member-banks’ employees and management.

BAP President Jose Teodoro K. Limcaoco said the everchanging landscape of the banking industry requires bank employees to improve their skills and increase their knowledge through training.

“As the banking industry continues to evolve due to changes in the operating environment, there is a need for the industry’s workforce to develop their capabilities to stay ahead,” Limcaoco said.

“The MOU with BAIPHIL serves to achieve this objective by ensuring each individual in the industry can maximize their potential in their respective lines of work,” he added. The sessions will touch on industry-specific topics such as banking laws, rules and regulations; good corporate governance; compliance; risk management; treasury operations; investment banking; trust bank-

DBM OKs release of ₧63.7B for govt employees’ bonus

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

GOVERNMENT employees are set to receive their mid-year bonuses beginning May 15, after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) greenlighted the release of the P63.7-billion allocated fund.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman confirmed last Thursday that government employees, including military and uniformed personnel, may start getting their mid-year bonuses equivalent to their basic pay for one month.

According to the DBM, the total budget allotted for this year’s midyear bonus amounts to P63.695 billion.

Broken down, P47.587 billion will be extended to civilian personnel, while P16.108 billion will be provided to military/uniformed personnel. The mid-year bonus shall be

Department of National Defense, as well as uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Public Safety College, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology under the Department of the Interior and Local Government are also entitled to the mid-year bonus.

who have rendered service for at least a total or an aggregate of four months from July 1 of the immediately preceding year to May 15 of the current year.

ing; cybersecurity and financial fraud; and sustainable finance.

The topics will also include financial services; information technology; technology management; human resource management; accounting and auditing; reporting and records keeping; and physical security.

“With this MOU, we are aligning our learning and development initiatives with the real and emerging needs of the industry. It is grounded in resilience, digital fluency, and ethical leadership,” BAP Education Committee Chairman Jerry Ngo said.

“This is not just about skills training. It is about shaping a generation of professionals who can lead with clarity and purpose in an increasingly complex world,” Ngo added.

Further, the BAP and BAIPHIL will collaborate to conduct research on banking, finance and economic-related matters. They will also collaborate on projects related to mutually held advocacies such as digital finance, financial literacy, financial inclusion, and sustainable finance.

“The need to upskill one’s capabilities is greater than before, given the ongoing trend of further disruption that would take place in the banking industry.

It is likely that the industry five to ten years from now may be entirely different from what it is today,” BAIPHIL President Iñigo L. Regalado III said.

granted to all civilian personnel, regardless of employment status, such as regular, casual, contractual, appointive, elective, full-time or parttime, across all branches of the government, including the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.

This also covers personnel in Constitutional commissions and offices, state universities and colleges, government-owned or -controlled corporations under the “Compensation and Position Classification System,” and local government units.

Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the

BIR updates list of traders to curb illicit tobacco trade

AS the government ramps up its efforts in curbing illicit tobacco trade, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has updated the list of registered manufacturers, importers and exporters of the commodity.

Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. issued Revenue Memorandum Circular 051-2025 to “intensify the campaign of the BIR against illicit tobacco products.”

The circular stated that tobacco and vapor products must comply with the requirements of displaying graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and affixing the BIR tax stamps, except for novel tobacco products, cigars and chewing tobacco products.

The circular identified eight manufacturers of locally-produced cigarettes in the Philippines, which include: Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corp.; JT International Philippines Inc.; PMFTC Inc.; Rolyo Cigarette Inc.; Telengtan Brothers and Sons Inc.; Vidda Resources Inc.; and, Yosimite Oriental Supersystem Inc. There is also an entity named as “MPE Tobacco Trading.”

Only PMFTC Inc. and Telengtan Brothers and Sons Inc. are recognized as export manufacturers of locally-produced cigarettes.

Meanwhile, cigarette manufacturers registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority include the following: Baisisen Global Corp.; Fourthstripe Manufacturing Corp.; Gold Tree Tobacco Manufacturing Corp.; Golden Leaf Manufacturing International Inc.; Hongcim Int’l Corp.; JT International Asia Manufacturing Corp.; Magnum Tobacco Manufacturing Corp.; Noble Leaf Manufacturing Inc.; One Subic Premier Manufacturing Corp.; Pan Subic Brothers Manufacturing Corp.; Prudence Development and Management Corp.; Thaitian Cigarette and Tobacco Corp.; and, TM8 Enterprises Inc.

As for importers of cigarettes, the BIR identified: 20 S Inc.; 3M’s and Ara Distribution Corp.; Duty Free Philippines Corp.; Goldtree Import and Export Inc.; Indigo Distribution Corp.; JT International Philippines; Kenstand Philippines Inc.; Phil-One Extreme Corp.; Pixel Export, OPC; PMFTC Inc.; Realway International Phil. Corp.; Stable East Tobacco Trading Corp.; Sunshine Bay Philippines Inc.; Tobmas Tobacco Trading Corp.; Vidda Resources Inc.; Winning Touch International Marketing Inc.; and, Zhongdingtong International Trade Philippines Corp.

The BIR has also named 37 manufacturers and 64 importers of vapor products, as well as 16 importers of heated tobacco products, two manufacturers of novel tobacco products, three importers of novel tobacco products, three manufacturers of cigars, 13 importers of cigars, 18 manufacturers of chewing tobacco and four importers of chewing tobacco.

The BIR said the manufacturers, importers and exporters of cigarettes, heated tobacco products, vapor products, novel tobacco products, cigars and chewing tobacco products must comply with the requisite registration of brands and variants thereof within six months from the release of the circular to avoid penalties for noncompliance.

Newly-registered manufacturers and importers of such products after April 29, 2025, shall be included in the updated list on the BIR website.

The rampant illicit trade of cigarettes and vape products in the country not just threatens public health and enables the youth wider access to cheaper products, but also deprives the government of billions in tax revenues, according to experts and consumer groups.

“Cheap illicit cigarettes undermine government strategies like sin taxes, which were designed to curb smoking. If smokers can still access low-cost alternatives, the public health objective is lost,” Adolph Ilas, chairman of Consumer Choice Philippines, said in a statement.

The availability of cheaper and illegal tobacco products in the market has led to an increase in adult smoking prevalence to just 18.5 percent in 2021 to 23.2 percent in 2023, after nearly a decade of stagnation. While Philippine laws prohibit the sale of tobacco to minors, the illicit trade dodges these regulations by selling the commodity in the streets and through online platforms.

Experts have pointed out that illicit trade deprives the government of billions in much-needed revenues but also worsens the public health crisis by exposing consumers to cheaper products that are highly toxic and unregulated.

The BIR collected P134 billion in excise tax on tobacco products in 2024.

This is lower by 27.68 percent than the P185.3 billion target collection for the year, a shortfall of P51.3 billion.

Lumagui said before that this is due to higher tax rates expected to generate higher revenues for the government, but only resulted in diminished returns.

Shifting consumer preferences were also cited as a reason for the shortfall in cigarette excise taxes.

“Kapag po tumataas [ang tax rate], mas nagiging lucrative din po sa iba to engage in illicit trade [when tax rate increases, people are more lucrative to engage in illicit trade],” Lumagui said.

Apart from last year’s tobacco excise tax collection shortfall, Lumagui said P34.9 billion was also lost in 2023 and P49.3 billion in 2022.

“Illicit tobacco products are far more dangerous than legal ones because they are not manufactured under any form of safety oversight. Filipinos are being exposed to unknown and potentially deadly substances,” Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of health advocacy group Quit for Good, added. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

The benefit also extends to personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard under the Department of Transportation, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“The funds for the mid-year bonus were comprehensively released by the DBM to the implementing agencies as early as January, which is why we are respectfully calling on our colleagues and heads of government agencies and LGUs to release the mid-year bonus to their employees as soon as possible,” Pangandaman was quoted in the statement as saying.

According to DBM Budget Circular 2017-2, the mid-year bonus must be given to government personnel

The personnel shall also remain in government service as of May 15 of the current year and have obtained at least a satisfactory performance rating in the immediately preceding rating period, or the applicable performance appraisal period.

Pangandaman said that the “timely or immediate release of the mid-year bonus for our employees is only right, as a way of recognizing their sacrifices, hard work and tireless service to our fellow Filipinos.”

The Budget chief also urged government workers to be wise and careful in spending their mid-year bonuses.

“Let’s avoid being wasteful and instead budget it properly and according to our needs,” Pangandaman said. “Let’s not live by the mindset of ‘spend now, cry later.’ Instead, let it be ‘budget now, enjoy savings later.’ More importantly, save for emergencies and save for your future.”

Purpose under pressure

AT its core, purpose refers to the enduring reason why an association exists. This foundational core guides decision making, inspires member engagement and fosters trust and legitimacy in the eyes of both members and the public.

The term “purpose under press ure” refers to the tension and challenges that arise when an association’s foundational purpose is tested by external forces or even internal conflicts. It is when an association’s ability to stay true to its “why” is strained by immediate demands or competing priorities.

It is in this context that the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) participated in a global association research initiative which produced the report, “Purpose under Pressure: Global Association Trends in 2025,” published by Belinda Moore, director at Strategic Membership Solutions based in Australia.

The report draws on insights from 586 professionals across 30 countries, highlighting, among others, five major imperatives that associations must steer through in 2025 and beyond:

1. Navigating an uncertain environment. Associations are treading across geopolitical instability, economic volatility, rapid digital and artificial intelligence (AI) evolution and workforce and skills disruption. Internally, the pressure is landing squarely on their people, the same individuals tasked with delivering value, innovation and connection are doing so under mounting strain. With these, associations should consider clarifying and communicating their organization’s purpose, strengthening scenario planning and operational resilience strategies, building flexibility into governance, staffing models and service delivery and centering member value proposition around trusted leadership, real-time responsiveness and a sense of calm in chaos.

2. Building strategic infrastructure. Many associations still operate on structures designed for a stable world. To be future-ready, associations should consider prioritizing strategic integration over tool accumulation, i.e., developing a technology roadmap tightly aligned to member value, operational resilience and strategic priorities, embedding AI literacy and ethical frameworks across staff and members, investing in people, focusing on upskilling, role clarity

and burnout prevention, shifting strategy execution from annual planning to agile rhythms and treating change management as a core competency.

3. Strengthening financial sustainability. Many associations are testing new income streams. However, the bulk of revenue still comes from familiar sources: membership, events and sponsorship. These core channels are under strain. Associations should consider strengthening their core revenue first, increasing sales capability, streamlining operations and diversifying strategically by experimenting with new income streams using clear decision-making frameworks that balance risk with strategic value.

4. Delivering meaningful value. In an environment where choice is abundant and attention scarce, member loyalty is no longer assumed: it must be earned consistently, personally and visibly. Associations should consider mapping the full member journey, investing in smart segmentation, personalizing communication and offerings, creating authentic communities, not just membership lists and focusing on visible wins early.

5. Leading with purpose. Thriving in 2025 and beyond isn’t about clinging to familiar models or incremental tweaks. It’s about standing for something clear, moving with boldness and partnering with others who share the ambition to build stronger, smarter communities. Associations should consider reconnecting their organizations to their core purpose, communicating purpose consistently and boldly, treating collaboration as a strategic capability, championing experimentation and calculated risk taking and developing leadership teams that are purpose-anchored and future-focused.

Octavio Peralta

A ssociation World

Motoring

LEXUS DANGLES ZERO PERCENT INTEREST; 900 SUV

MY main man today is Joaquin Guevara, one of the trusted drumbeaters of Jade SisonMendoza, the petite, super-talented assistant vice president of Lexus.

Joaquin waxed poetic a bit. Here:

“AS the summer sun rises, Lexus invites you to explore new horizons in comfort and style. Whether it’s a weekend out-oftown or a quiet-city escape, Lexus has the perfect model to match your pace.

“Enjoy up to 50% down payment with 0% interest for up to 48 months on select Lexus models. Choose your destination— and let Lexus take care of the journey.

“The Lexus LBX (P2,558,000) is a compact crossover that packs both style and utility into a small footprint. Designed for guests who need an easy-driving, cityfriendly vehicle, the LBX stands out with its sharp exterior, flexible interior space, and user-friendly tech. It’s a practical choice for daily drives that doesn’t compromise on Lexus quality or design.

“For tight city streets and relaxed cruising, the Lexus UX (P2,938,000) brings hybrid and electric efficiency and confident handling to the compact SUV category. It’s ideal for those who want a sustainable yet stylish option for urban life. The UX offers intuitive tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With smart storage, a quiet cabin, and seamless connectivity, it’s your ideal partner for navigating traffic or unwinding during late-night city drives.

“For power and flexibility, the Lexus NX (P3,158,000) offers a dynamic driving experience and a wide range of drive modes. Inside, the NX boasts of a large touchscreen interface, wireless charging

and a sleek interior designed for both comfort and function. With ample rearseat space and thoughtful cabin storage, it works just as well for everyday commutes as it does for weekend getaways.

“For weekend getaways with family or friends, the Lexus RX (P4,838,000) delivers a smooth and quiet hybrid ride paired with the utility of a midsize SUV. With features like a power-folding rear seat, panoramic view monitor, and wireless smartphone integration, the RX is designed to take the stress out of long-distance travel. Its wide interior space and adaptive suspension provide added comfort for passengers on the road, while its sleek, coupe-inspired profile ensures you stand out wherever you go.

“For those who value space and privacy, the Lexus LM (P7,158,000) transforms the idea of travel into a full-suite experience. Designed with business leaders and executives in mind, the LM features ottoman-style captain’s seats, a partitioned cabin with a large display, and rear-seat controls that adjust everything from climate to lighting. Whether used for rest, work, or extended road travel, the LM provides the convenience of a mobile lounge—crafted with the same attention to detail and quietness that define every Lexus.

“For first-class cruising on highways, the Lexus LS (P10,508,000) offers the smooth performance of a twin-turbo V6 engine. Its interior features include 28-way power front seats, massage functions, softclose doors, and a Mark Levinson premium sound system. The cabin is finished in hand-pleated trim and open-pore wood accents, highlighting Lexus’s dedication to detail. Ideal for long drives or formal arrivals, the LS makes every journey feel like a destination in itself.

“To arrange a test drive, visit the Lexus Test Drive page at https://www.lexus.com. ph/en/discover/test-drive.html

“You may also download the MyLEXUS

READY, SET, TOUGH: THE NEW RANGER SPORT SPECIAL EDITION IS NOW IN THE PHILIPPINES

FORD Philippines is taking functionality and capability to the

on 18-inch alloy wheels ensure your stopping power will always be ready and more than you need. Inside, the spacious cabin carries forward the same driver-focused cockpit found across the entire Ranger family, including an 8-inch digital instrument cluster that befits the modern road warrior. This includes a 10-inch touchscreen panel with smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

“The Ranger portfolio continues to grow with the Ranger Sport Special Edition—perfect for pickup

App available on both Android and iOS users to receive live updates and access other premium services.”

40k orders for 900 SUV

FROM Chino Subido of Lynk & Co: The future of premium, executive SUVs was recently unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, where Lynk & Co officially launched its highly anticipated 900 luxury hybrid SUV.

“United Asia Automotive Group, Inc.

(UAAGI), the official distributor of Lynk & Co in the Philippines, brought a select group of the country’s top motoring media, leading bank partners and Lynk & Co dealer principals to witness this global debut.

“ The Lynk & Co 900 is a plug-in hybrid, luxury SUV meticulously crafted for families who seek a premium driving experience without compromising on versatility, spaciousness and cutting-edge technology.

“As a new energy vehicle (NEV), the

When the Road Gets Rough, You Get Even Tougher ASIDE from the functional accessories, the Ranger Sport Special Edition features the tried-and-tested solid engineering found in every Ford Ranger. A 2.0L Single Turbo Diesel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission delivers a dependable 170 PS and 405Nm output every time and everywhere. Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, the Ranger Sport Special Edition ensures one is ready to take on the rough-and-tumble conditions of any terrain. In addition, the Ranger Sport Special Edition’s front suspension double wishbone chassis and rear suspension

900 aligns with the global shift towards sustainable mobility,

in Shanghai underscores the strong commitment of Lynk & Co Philippines to keep abreast with the

a

return to the

affair. Luigi Bautista of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) says this will mark the second weekend event of the TGR Philippine Cup set on May 24-25 at South of Manila, Villar City. As usual, admission is free.

Season 5

By Patrick Villanueva

COMING back to host the Philippines’ emoji-powered gameshow Emojination in its Season 5 return is Her Emojisty Maja Salvador, bringing a new kind of charm to viewers.

Still, she revealed that it took her some time to recover from her pregnancy before she was ready to be fully committed to returning to the show.

Tinanong nila ako kaagad if I’m ready to work na. So, siyempre humingi muna ako ng palugit...kasi gusto mo naman sa comeback mo, gusto mo naman fresh ka, ’di ba?” Maja jokingly said at the media conference.

Joining her on the show are Emojination Season 1 winner Chad Kinis and previous sidekick Chamy Aguedan, both of whom are excited for the new season. “Sobrang excited kasi magbabalik po kami after ng aming long break and at last...ito na po ulit kami sa Emojination Season 5,” Chamy said.

Chad, on the other hand, felt happy with his new experience of joining Emojination because “dati kasi player lang ako ng Emojination. Tapos, ngayon, as host na...co-host, of course, with Maj and Chamy. So I’m so happy, new experience talaga.” During the media conference, the trio’s synergy was unmatched, so audiences can expect great chemistry throughout the whole series.

When asked about how they maintain their synergy, Maja said their secret ingredient is their goal na magbigay-saya, magbigay pa-premyo, ’di ba? Parang kung positive lang lagi, ’yun ’yung makikita ng lahat. Chamy praised Chad as a new co-host, gleefully saying, “Si Chad, parang ’di na kailangang mag-adjust o mag-adapt sa amin. Parang kami nga minsan ang sumusunod sa kanya...parang ang energy niya ang taastaas.” As for the new segments of Emojination, Maja revealed that some of their previous ideas were gradually added as the new seasons progressed. For this one, they added a randomizer mechanic where players will get a random challenge unprompted.

“Pero ’yun ang sinisigurado namin—bawat new season, may bago kayong aabangan,” Maja said.

Emojination Season 5 will premiere this May 17, 5:30 pm, on TV5, while the same-day catch-up will air on BuKo Channel at 8 pm.

BINI, GAT MEMBERS TAKE

ACCOUNTABILITY OVER VIRAL VIDEO

RECENTLY, a 10-second private video went viral on social media where GAT Shawn and Ethan, and BINI Jhoanna (on camera), Colet and Stacey (off camera) were joking around. However, the joke was sexual in nature, wherein one GAT member was performing crude motions while laughing at another GAT member, while the other girls were seen as spectators. To add, the words “13 years old” were uttered, putting off netizens.

GAT Shawn clarified following the blowback that “no minor, or anyone, was hurt physically, mentally, sexually, or in any manner. The short video was taken out of context. We do not promote those actions in any manner.”

He continued to apologize, saying they got too comfortable joking with one another. “Hindi po magandang biro ‘yun, especially sa kung paano siya nakita sa nasabing video.” GAT member Ethan, on the other hand, said, “I want to begin by saying I take full responsibility for my actions and I sincerely apologize for the unnecessary gestures I made. I understand how offensive my actions appeared, and as a person who wants to show only the best of myself, I let everyone down.”

“I promise to take the time to educate myself about my behavior and further reflect on my character,” he added.

BINI released a statement taking accountability, saying, “We know that the past couple of days have been triggering and disappointing for all of you.... We offer no excuse for our actions, reactions, and choice of words. We take full accountability. Nagkamali kami.”

“We humbly ask for a chance to reflect on and learn from our mistakes and continue to work on becoming better versions of ourselves,” the statement added.

As idols who are looked up to by everyone, this writer hopes this can serve as a learning moment that they would be held responsible for their actions, even privately, as they are more than just public figures.

However, as a fan, this shouldn’t serve as the definition of who they are as people. While inexcusable, people are more complex than a 10-second video to judge them fully. And netizens should refrain from grave threats or hasty, hurtful words without a full understanding of the situation.

PATRICK VILLANUEVA

Show BusinessMirror

‘Jin’: Taxing imagination and fate:

JIN MINAKATA is a surgeon in present-day Tokyo. In a few minutes, he finds himself surrounded in a wooded area by “samurai” soldiers out on a warpath. He is, following the Japanese, in a “time-slip”—time warp or space travel to you and me.

Jin is saved by Kyotaro Tachibana, a young samurai, from being killed but the latter gets wounded. Jin brings back Kyotaro to his home and, much to the shock of the young man’s mother and sister, performs an operation on the young man. While Saki, the young man’s sister, is more open to the procedure (she has apparently an interest in medicine and is in fact aware of the Western medicine traditions), the mother possessing a strong warrior’s ethos is suspicious of this “strange” man with his head unshaved—a reference to the bushi or samurai.

What begins as an incipient rom-com with its threatening schmaltz turns into a promising tale around the Japanese notion of “unmei” or destiny. How does a neurosurgeon navigate disease and death in a land and time when the science of medicine has not yet found the name and cure for certain afflictions?

But how did Jin travel back in time?

Everything begins with a man who figures in an accident and again, there is the need to perform a brain surgery on him. Jin is the surgeon asked to do that, even if he has difficulty agreeing to the procedure. The reason for this becomes obvious: he is traumatized by what happened to Saki where he blames himself for the botched procedure. As he cannot refuse his duty as a doctor, the operation is continued. This is where our imagination is ultimately necessary. The tumor is located and it is in the form of a fetus.

Does it really happen medical-wise?

One night, this comatose patient disappears from his bed. They search for him. Jin finds him on a stairwell and he has with him the bottle containing the fetus-tumor in formaldehyde. Jin tries to bring back the bandaged patient to his room but he would not want that. It is at this point that Jin, in that favored image of time travel, falls through a sort of hole.

In the forest where he first encounters the young samurai, Jin wonders if he has stumbled upon a shoot in a wonderful movie set. This is understandable

knowing how authentic Japanese sets are when it comes to depicting medieval Japan. Jin asks himself if what he is seeing is a “jidaigeki,” a genre of theater, film, television referring to period dramas, specifically those tales occurring before the Meiji Restoration of 1868 in Japan. It is interesting to note that jidai is supposed to have inspired George Lucas to come up with the term “Jedi.”

Stepping out for the first time from the Tachibana house, Jin’s charming question is: Are we in the Edo period? The question is strange because while the place is Edo, the old name of Tokyo, that name points to a place and not to a historical period. In Edo, he encounters individuals who are historical figures he has known only in books. He meets an influential samurai named Kaishu Katsu. For the Japanese history buff, he is a Japanese statesman during the Edo Period and considered to be a master naval strategist and a pro-Shogun. Somewhere down the series, we would also meet a more famous samurai, Saigo Takamori. He was one of the leaders of the Meiji Restoration, but later led the Satsuma Rebellion against the Meiji government. He is known as the “last samurai.”

And yet nothing beats the experience of this handsome neurosurgeon when a roguish samurai, rugged and unconventional, introduces himself to Jin: Sakamoto Ryoma. Reputedly Japan’s most beloved historical figures, Sakamoto led in the overthrow of feudalism during the Edo period, which led to the establishment of the modern Meiji government. Jin knows through textbook as all educated Japanese that Sakamoto would be assassinated. Would he tell him about that? And would this change

history?

This is not the only crisis in the life of Jin. In Edo, he soon sees a courtesan. She is Nozake and she looks exactly like Miki, his fiancée. Nozake is about to be married off to a feudal lord. But Sakamoto is beginning to love her. What’s the chance that this lovely woman would fall for a rugged warrior? Unless something about her charm gets diminished? Aha, she has breast cancer. Would Jin operate on her? The scenario being that, now with her market value down and the marriage off, would the samurai have hope?

Photographed with the splendor of a thousand and one “ukiyo-e” (woodblock print), Jin, the series, glories in the ephemeral—things are beautiful because they do not last. Jin, who carries with him a photograph of himself and Miki, constantly worries about not being able to return to a future that he has already lived. He helps Nozake so that she will live on and the “Miki,” that to Jin’s mind has descended from the famous courtesan, can be born.

What about Saki? Played by Haruka Ayase, who at one time was declared the most beautiful Japanese actress, she is a joy to behold, her face straight out of the memories of those “Bijin-ga,” literally pictures of beautiful women popular during the Edo period and the turn of the century. She is unforgettable when she reneges on her engagement, flinging open the “shoji” or sliding door to reveal herself in a multi-layered peach kimono. She is thrown out of the house by her brother who pretends to condemn her and, as she runs away, she strips her long coat leaving them muddied on the ground.

But it is the exit of Nozake who gives us the visual coup-de-grâce: she asks Jin to approach her closely, whereupon she kisses the doctor on the lips. Is Jin kissing Miki or Nozake? As the courtesan walks away, tiny snowflakes fall down; she casts a final look at Jin, Saki and Sakamoto, and steps out of the ground, the gray wooden door shutting like a fadeout in story.

The two-season series stars Takao Osawa as Jin Minakata, Masaaki Uchino as Ryoma Sakamoto. Miki Nakatani is Miki/Nozake.

The series is based on the manga created by Motoka Murakami. Directing the series are Yuichiro Hirakawa, Daisuke Yamamuro and Ryutaro Kawashima. Jin streams on Netflix. n

‘MAGPAKAILANMAN’ SHOWCASES KELVIN, ARRA, LIEZEL AND THEA IN TWISTED LOVE SQUARE

THE award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman brings together some of Sparkle’s brightest stars for a light, entertaining and heartwarming episode this May 17. Titled “3 Sisters, 1 Lover,” the episode stars Kelvin Miranda as George, alongside Arra San Agustin as Chicha, Liezel Lopez as Rhea, and Thea Tolentino as Lelet. Also appearing in the episode is veteran actor Leandro Baldemor. The story follows George, a man who unknowingly falls in love with three different women at various points in his life—women who, unbeknownst to him, are estranged sisters separated by past family conflicts.

Chicha, the eldest, is George’s youthful flame. Their relationship

was intense but short-lived due to their clashing personalities and his immaturity.

Rhea, the middle sister, is his first serious partner. They lived together but their relationship crumbled under George’s irresponsibility and obsession with billiards.

Lelet, the youngest, is believed to be his true love. Their bond is deep and mutual—until the truth unravels.

When the sisters discover they’ve all been romantically involved with the same man, long-buried secrets, resentments and protective instincts come to light. The elder sisters, hurt by their pasts with George, are determined to shield Lelet from experiencing the same heartbreak.

Is it fate or just a tangled mistake

when three sisters fall in love with one man? In this emotionally charged love square, what will prevail—sisterhood and loyalty, or the pursuit of true love?

Ello, and researched by Stanley

Magpakailanman airs every Saturday at 8:15 pm on GMA. Global Pinoys can

B7 Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Pabilona.