THE House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading the proposed P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for fiscal year 2026. Proponents described it as transparent, clean, and sufficient to ensure fiscal stability, with programs that will benefit every Filipino, but other lawmakers denounced it as a continuation of the “corrupt pork barrel system” and unprogrammed funds.
With 287 votes in favor, 12 against, and 2 abstentions, lawmakers passed House Bill 4058, or the 2026 GAB, which will fund key
government programs and projects aimed at sustaining economic growth, improving public services, and addressing inflationary and climate-related challenges.
The 2026 GAB now heads to the Senate, which will conduct its own deliberations before convening with the House in a bicameral conference committee to finalize the spending plan in time for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing before the year’s end.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mikaela Suansing said the 2026 national budget is “truly responsive to the needs of the Filipino people” and “a budget that Congress can be proud of.”
The total education budget for
2026 will reach a historic P1.28 trillion—the first time the Philippines exceeds the 4 percent of GDP benchmark for education, reaching 4.1 percent. The health sector will receive a total of P411.2 billion, while the agriculture budget totals P292.9 billion.
Suansing emphasized reforms to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of unprogrammed appropriations. Infrastructure projects such as flood control, bridges, and roads are no longer eligible under the renamed “Strengthening Assistance for Government Social Programs,” which now only covers social programs in education, health, and social protection. Only
Foreign-Assisted Projects (FAPs) remain eligible due to international agreements.
House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos said the passage of the national budget would be carried out with accountability and efficiency.
“We’ve been making sure every peso goes to the exact agency it’s supposed to,” Marcos said. “Given that the House is prioritizing the budget, the committee will address other pending measures, such as House Joint Resolution No. 2, once we have more time. We want to make sure that both chambers are in agreement on transparency in the budget process.”
EXPORTERS TO AMERICA
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
has neither earmarked funds nor rolled out initiatives to assist exporters who will be affected by the higher tariffs slapped on goods bound for the United States, its long-time top export destination.
At a Senate hearing on Monday, Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said: “Of course, on our part, we want to fast-track the negotiations [with the US] but when we had our last round of negotiations about three weeks ago, they told
us [that] they’re also facing a lot of negotiations with other countries.”
He added, “Right now, based on our discussion with our counterpart, it will be very difficult to
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
THE country’s key policy rate could still be lowered by the Monetary Board in its final rate-setting meeting for this year and through 2026, according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company.
In its latest commentary, BMI forecasts a further 25-basis points rate cut in December and 50-basis points more next year.
The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reduced the key policy
rate by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent, defying market expectations of a pause.
BMI said the BSP’s dovish tone signaled that it was poised to “frontload easing” to support the economy, projecting another 25-basis-point cut in December that would bring the policy rate to 4.50 percent by end-2025.
The central bank said in its press release after it delivered a rate cut that it sees a “scope for a more accommodative monetary policy stance” and the “favorable inflation outlook and moderating domestic demand
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
of the government that it still has a sufficient budget to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of concerned government agencies, which is used for their disaster response, for now.
In a press briefing in Malacañang
on Monday, Palace Press Officer
Claire Castro said the chief executive is confident he will face no security risk from Davaoeños since he was bringing them disaster relief.
“Our President will not be afraid to go to any region of our country because he is the President and he will help all our countrymen in need,” she said.
Marcos is currently at odds with the Dutertes after the government turned over former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in March.
The former chief executive is currently detained at the Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the deaths
of at least 6,000 suspects from the Duterte administration’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and other crimes.
In a recent statement, Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte, the son of the former President, said he will make those responsible for the arrest of his father “pay for their crimes.”
Castro decried the threat, which she said has no place in a “civilized society,” which is governed by the rule of law.
Financial support ON Monday, Marcos went to the municipalities of Manay and Tarragona in Davao Oriental, where he announced the allocation of P298 million in financial aid from the Office of the President to the quake-hit areas. “It’s up to the LGU [local government units] how they will use it,” President Marcos said during the situation briefing he presided over outside the Tarragona Municipal Hall in Davao Oriental. Davao Oriental and Caraga were rocked by separate earthquakes with magnitudes 7.4 and 6.8 on 10 October 2025.
In its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the earthquakes killed at least 8 people and injured 403 others. Both natural disasters have affected 520,185 people and damaged 2,102 houses and 548 infrastructures as of 6 am of 13 October 2025.
WORTH
IT-BPM firms, DOLE clear air on abuse of workers
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THEcountry’s industry association for IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) said its dialogue with the IT-BPM firms organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led to a “constructive” outcome which will help protect the integrity of the industry.
“The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines [IBPAP] welcomes the positive and constructive outcome of the dialogue with the IT-BPM companies organized by the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] in Cebu last Friday, October 10, 2025,” IBPAP said in a statement Monday night.
The industry group said the meeting with DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Regional Director Roy Buenafe, and BPO companies in the region “affirmed one clear truth: our industry and government are united in safeguarding the welfare of Fili-
pino workers and the integrity of the IT-BPM sector.”
IBPAP said DOLE clarified the circumstances regarding the earlier release of company names, which the industry group sees as “a step we consider essential in restoring confidence and protecting the reputations of responsible employers.”
This developed after IBPAP denounced the “irresponsible declaration” made by DOLE in Region 7 which “prematurely” identified several IT-BPM firms that have been ordered to halt operations for alleged labor rights violations.
In its earlier statement, the industry group said none of the accounts of its four member companies named by the BPO Industry Employee Network (BIEN) confirmed that employees were prevented from leaving the production area despite the earthquake, particularly regarding the blocking of exits, and forced to return to their workstations without safety clearance.(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/10/09/ibpap-reckless-declarationmay-jeopardizebpo-industry/)
IBPAP underscored that this collaboration with the government “matters deeply” because the Philippines is “home to nearly 1.9 million Digital Filipino Workers, whose dedication powers an industry that contributes close to USD 40 billion annually to the economy.”
“Their safety, welfare, and livelihoods must never be put at risk by misinformation. Our workforce deserves nothing less than certainty, fairness, and respect,” added the industry group.
IBPAP said its members “uphold the highest standards, guided by laws that require full compliance with Philippine laws and regulations.”
Beyond membership, the industry group said every IT-BPM company operating in the country has the re -
sponsibility to uphold the same standards of compliance, safety, and integrity.
“Worker welfare and business continuity must never be compromised, and we stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure these principles are upheld,” IBPAP said.
“Together with the government and our members, we will continue to strengthen safety standards, safeguard jobs, and reinforce the Philippines’ position as a trusted global hub for IT-BPM for the benefit of every worker, every family, and the future of our nation,” it also noted.
Rate cut before year-end…
provide room to further support economic activity.”
BMI said the “downbeat assessment” of the economy and BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr., alluding to weakening business sentiment due to “governance concerns over public infrastructure spending,” suggests the BSP is coming round to its view of a further rate cut.
BMI added that there are also signs of a slowdown abound, with the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) recently closing at a near six-month low and slow merchandise export growth.
Moreover, BMI projects inflation to average at 3.5 percent, slightly higher than the BSP’s forecast of 3.1 percent in 2026.
BMI also noted a counterargument that the peso’s recent weakness could prompt the BSP to pause further easing in December, as the currency closed nearly 1 percent lower at P58.44 per US dollar after the BSP’s decision.
BSP’s gross international reserves, at an 11-month high of $108.8 billion, would also provide a sufficient buffer to defend the currency.
Further, BMI pointed out that the US Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate cut in October will widen the interest rate differential between the Philippines and the United States to 75 basis points, before narrowing again in December.
As for 2026, BMI said it maint ains expectations of a 50-basis point rate cut, bringing the policy rate down to 4 percent.
“For one, the US-Philippines trade deal, which leaves 19 percent tariffs on Philippine goods in exchange for none on American ones, will weigh on the trade balance in 2026,” BMI said.
“For another, business confidence is likely to remain weak amid graft concerns and unpredictable US trade policy,” it added.
While further monetary easing could help stimulate demand, BMI said the BSP may ease at a “more measured pace” to allow the effects of earlier cuts to feed through.
Risks to the outlook, BMII added, are tilted toward more rate cuts in 2026 should the corruption scandal spread to other infrastructure projects, dampening business sentiment and widening the output gap.
“With inflation expectations remaining well anchored, the BSP could prioritize the economy and deliver more policy rate cuts in 2026,” BMI said.
The resolution seeks to institutionalize transparency during the bicameral conference committee deliberations that reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget.
In his speech before the House of Representatives adjourned for a month-long break, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the P6.793-trillion national budget approved on third and final reading reflects a government united in purpose and focused on delivering tangible results for the Filipino people.
“Under this budget, we have responded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to strengthen the key sectors of our society, particularly education, health, and social welfare,” the Speaker said.
“Each project has been carefully reviewed to ensure that it reaches the areas and sectors that need it the most,” Dy added.
He described the 2026 spending plan as the result of efforts to make the budget process more transparent, “isang budget na ginawa sa liwanag, hindi sa dilim; na pinagtuunan ng sapat na oras, at nangibabaw ang puso at isip—hindi ang pansariling interes [a budget crafted in the light, not in darkness; for which enough time was devoted, and for which heart and soul, not personal interest, prevails.”
The House has adjourned and is set to reconvene on November 10.
‘No votes’
THE Makabayan bloc voted no to the proposed P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB), denouncing it as a continuation of the “corrupt pork barrel system” despite the ongoing trillion-peso flood control scandal.
In a statement, the progressive lawmakers said the measure “brazenly perpetuates a system of plunder” that has siphoned off billions of pesos from public coffers through more than 9,000 flood control projects implemented since 2022.
The Makabayan bloc is composed of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co.
According to lawmakers, the “presidential pork” alone amounts to P281 billion, including P243 billion in Unprogrammed Appropriations— a funding mechanism that ballooned in previous years and allegedly became a major source of funds for ghost and overpriced projects.
They added that the P10.9-billion Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) remain “grotesquely inflated,” with the Office of the President keeping the largest share at P4.5 billion, while the NTF-ELCAC’s P8.08-billion Barangay Development Fund also remains intact.
Makabayan also alleged that P415 billion constitutes “legislative pork,” coursed mainly through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other agencies.
The bloc said that through the DPWH’s district offices, P174.6 billion will be distributed as “allocables,” roughly P230 million per congressional district and P3.2 billion per senator.
Other allocations allegedly open to congressional discretion include P32.6 billion for farm-to-market roads, P35.1 billion for school buildings, P20.2 billion for health facilities, and P9.6 billion for irrigation projects.
On top of this, lawmakers also supposedly have access to P130.4 billion in “ayuda” funds, such as medical assistance, scholarships, and livelihood programs—resources that, according to Makabayan, are used to “build political machinery and buy loyalty.”
Although serving as vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste voted against the 2026 GAB, citing ongoing corruption risks within the DPWH.
In explaining his no vote, Leviste acknowledged the committee’s reallocation of P255 billion from DPWH projects toward critical sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. However, he warned that the remaining P624 billion in DPWH funds remains vulnerable to misuse.
“Almost 100 percent of DPWH biddings across the country are subject to corruption,” Leviste said, quoting
former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. He stressed that unless reforms are implemented, overpricing and kickbacks will continue. Leviste urged the House to reduce DPWH project costs by 25 percent, potentially cutting P150 billion in possible kickbacks. “Even if a congressman does not receive a kickback from DPWH projects in his district, DPWH personnel can still benefit from inflated project costs,” he explained.
Highlighting the budgetary inequity, Leviste also pointed out that Region 4A—which includes Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal— accounts for nearly 15 percent of the country’s population and GDP but receives only 10 percent of DPWH funds. He advocated for a larger allocation for these districts in the next budget iteration.
While giving credit to the Committee on Appropriations for improvements over previous budgets, Leviste said more must be done to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in public works funding.
Before SC CALOOCAN Rep. Edgar R. Erice vowed to question the constitutionality of unprogrammed funds (UF) in the budget, if Congress approves the budget containing such allocations. “Unprogrammed funds violate the Constitution and mislead the public with false promises of funding,” Erice said in a statement. Section 22, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution requires that the President submit a Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) to Congress and that the GAA be based on it. He argued that UFs lack a definite source of financing, making their inclusion in the national budget unconstitutional.
Erice also criticized UFs as lumpsum allocations that delegate Congress’ exclusive power of the purse to the Executive, citing Article VI, Section 25(6) of the Constitution, which prohibits transferring appropriations without proper authorization. He described UFs as creating false hopes for agencies and the public, pointing to past abuses in the 2023–2025 budgets where funds were allegedly diverted into pet projects or ghost projects.
Removing UFs from the 2026 GAA, Erice said, is a matter of constitutional fidelity and moral responsibility.
House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Leila M. de Lima also voted against the 2026 budget, citing the same constitutional and accountability concerns regarding Unprogrammed Appropriations.
Lack of prioritization THE Akbayan Reform Bloc on Monday voted against the proposed budget, citing the continued presence of unprogrammed funds and the lack of prioritization for social services and marginalized sectors. The bloc said the budget fails to embody transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said the bloc’s decision was guided by three fundamental questions: “Our decision came down to three simple questions: Does the 2026 budget support the future of our youth? Does it uplift the lives of our people? And does it end the culture of corruption?” he said.
Diokno said the inclusion of massive unprogrammed appropriations undermines congressional oversight.
“There are still Unprogrammed Appropriations—P243 billion left at the discretion of the executive, even though it’s unclear how it will be used or where it will go. It seems we are abandoning our duty to safeguard the people’s money when, in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, the door to corruption remains wide open.” Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña also raised concerns about possible backroom deals once the budget reaches the bicameral conference committee. “What’s the use of livestreamed debates and civil society participation during committee and plenary sessions if there are still miracles happening behind closed doors and shameless insertions during the bicam?” he asked. He added that true transparency goes beyond public performances.
“If we are truly sincere in rebuilding public trust, the House leadership must take action—issue a directive for an Open Bicameral Conference Committee so that the budget process becomes fully transparent.”
More earthquakes rock Bogo City
By Jonathan L. Mayuga, Andrea San Juan & Manuel Cayon
VARIOUS government agencies are stepping up efforts to provide food, shelter, and other relief to the victims of the successive earthquakes that struck Cebu and parts of Mindanao amid threats of more earthquakes and aftershocks. Still reeling from the devastating earthquake last September 30, a series of earthquakes struck Bogo City, Cebu, anew at dawn on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
The strongest of the latest wave of earthquakes that hit this coastal city in Cebu struck at exactly 1:06 a.m. Phivolcs said the 5.8 magnitude earthquake generated Intensity V tremors in Bogo, Daanbantayan, Madellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, and Tabuelan, all in Cebu. The same intensity was recorded in Villaba, Leyte, and Escalanta City in Negros Occidental.
It also shook the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Danao, Talisay, Toledo, and the towns of Asurias, Balamban, Bantayan, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Liloan, Pinamugalajan, Sogod, and Tuburan in Cebu; Iloilo City, Roxas, and Pontovedra in Capiz; Ormoc City, Albuera, Capoocan, Calubian, Isabela, Kananga, Lete, Merida, Palompon, and San Isidro in Leyte Province.
Damage, aftershocks expected
A SECOND earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 was recorded at 1:24 a.m., followed by a 3.9 magnitude earthquake at 1:31 a.m. A fourth earthquake was recorded at 2:24 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.4.
As of 11 a.m., Phivolcs said the Magnitude 6.9 Northern Cebu Earthquake recorded 11,835 aftershocks, of which 2,068 were plotted and 46 felt in the immediate vicinity of Bogo City.
The 6.9 Northern Cebu Earthquake has resulted in the death of 74 people and the injury to 559 others. It also affected 201,245 families or 722,919 persons.
The NDRRMC said that a total of 774 public and private infrastructure were damaged, while a total of 79,959 houses were damaged as a result of the earthquake and successive aftershocks that continue to grip Cebu.
Modular shelters
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it has sent modular shelter units (MSUs) for the quake victims in the three hardest-hit areas in Cebu.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said that the MSUs will serve as temporary shelters for families who were displaced by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu last September 30, or “those who are still frightened to return to their homes due to aftershocks.”
According to DHSUD, the MSUs were allocated for the towns of Daanbantayan, San Remigio, and Medellin, which are among the areas hardest hit by the powerful quake.
The MSUs will be set up at the “Bayanihan Villages” that were ordered to be established by President Marcos to provide shelter for the earthquake victims.
As of Sunday, several MSUs have been installed in the locl government-identified area for the Bayanihan Village in San Remigio town, DHSUD noted.
The delivery of the MSUs was made after the DHSUD conducted a ground assessment, in close coordination with other government agencies and LGUs.
“Alinsunod po sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos ay agarang nagpadala ang DHSUD ng mga MSUs para sa mga biktima ng lindol na nawalan ng tahanan o kaya naman ay patuloy na nangangambang bumalik sa kani-kanilang tirahan,” said Aliling.
“We hope that these MSUs will somehow ease the burden of the quake victims. Kahit papaano ay komportable at ligtas sila dito,” he added. Days after the earthquake, Aliling sent Housing Undersecretaries Ed Robles and Ramon Quintin Allado and Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. to Cebu to inspect the ground situation to determine what immediate response is needed from DHSUD.
“Based on their assessment, ang agarang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ay ligtas at maayos na masisilungan. Kaya mabilis natin dineploy ang mga MSUs,” Aliling said.
“Asahan po ninyo na patuloy na ang DHSUD ay aktibong lalahok sa whole-of-nation response na iniutos ni Pangulong Marcos upang mabilis na makabangon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa epekto ng lindol,” he added.
Housing loan amortization
APART from sending MSUs, the DHSUD chief ordered the Pag-IBIG Fund, the Social Housing Finance Corporation, the National Housing Authority, and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation to suspend housing amortization in Cebu and in the Bicol Region that was battered by typhoons Nando and Opong.
The National Housing Authority (NHA) distributed P12.37 million worth of cash aid to 1,085 families in San Remigio, Cebu, who were affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit the province recently.
Of the total number of beneficiaries, 76 families whose houses were totally damaged received P30,000 each, which amounted to P2.28 million; while 1,009 families whose houses were partially damaged received P10,000, which amounted to P10.09 million, respectively.
In a statement issued over the weekend, NHA said the cash aid was distributed under NHA’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program (Ehap), which provides financial assistance to families affected by disasters such as typhoons, fires, earthquakes, and floods, intending to help beneficiaries start anew.
Another set of Ehap distribution will be conducted in the following weeks for other victims of recent earthquakes and typhoons, NHA also noted.
In addition to the Ehap distribution, the NHA said it is also currently implementing a one-month moratorium on the amortization of housing loans and lease payments this October for the provinces of Cebu and Masbate, to alleviate the financial burden caused by recent calamities.
Under the guidance of NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai, NHA Assistant General Manager Alvin S. Feliciano led the distribution ceremony, accompanied by Region 7 Regional Manager Hermes Jude D. Juntilo.
Speaking on behalf of GM Tai, Feliciano expressed hope that the financial assistance would help improve the living conditions of the beneficiaries.
Quick assessment
IN response to the 7.4 and 6.8 magnitude doublet earthquakes near Manay, Davao Oriental, concerned government agencies are moving to conduct a quick assessment of all government infrastructures, school buildings, and medical facilities.
The assessment aims to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure facilities in preparation for the smooth return to normal operation.
Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon said the initial assessment of bridges found minor issues and were cleared for use.
The main roads have been cleared in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte while clearing was going on in provincial, town, and barangay roads.
The Manay District Hospital, though, has been declared condemned, as Dizon said the assessment found that “none of the seven buildings were cleared for use.”
“In all likelihood, the hospital needs complete reconstruction.”
Discayas’ statements not enough to make them state witnesses
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Department of Justice
(DOJ) on Monday said the evidence and testimonies provided so far by contractorcouple Pacifico and Sarah Discaya are still not sufficient for them to be considered as state witnesses in the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-billion anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects of the government.
At a press briefing, DOJ officer-in-charge Undersecretary Fredderick Vida said the Discayas have yet to formally submit their supposed “tell-all” affidavits which would allegedly implicate the architects of the flood control projects scam.
“As of now, the status is that their presentation is ongoing, but of course in the past and even up to now, we are not yet at a point where the department is satisfied,” Vida said.
Discayas’ camp earlier vowed to provide “tell-all” testimonies before the DOJ and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in connection with the anomalous flood control projects in the country.
Vida said the DOJ would have to still verify whether the evidence that the Discayas have so far provided are truthful or were just intended to mislead the investigators.
“About this so-called tell-all, what needs to be carefully studied is whether it is being done in good faith, if everything is being revealed or if they are just being selective in naming names,” Vida pointed out.
He stressed that the DOJ would start filing charges in the coming weeks even without state witnesses.
“The timeline is already set. The people are impatient. If we don’t find something satisfactory, we will file the cases, with or without state witnesses,” Vida said.
“We will build the cases based on the evidence we have. What we can assure the Filipino people is that we will only file strong cases,” he added.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon also echoed Vida’s position, saying that the justice department will not entirely depend on the affidavits submitted by supposed witnesses in filing the necessary charges.
Fadullon said the investigation
and recommendations of the National Bureau of Investigation and the National Police (PNP) will also be considered by the DOJ.
“We will look at the whole picture before making any statements or deciding what cases to be filed…It’s not necessary to wait until they are ready to give their statement, or for what their lawyer refers to as ‘tell-all,’” Fadullon explained.
Meanwhile, the ICI said at least 15 criminal cases are now being readied for filing in the next two to three weeks as a result of its ongoing investigation into suspected 421 ghost flood control projects for the period 2018-2024.
Upon the filing of the cases, the ICI is also expected to move for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (Ilbo) against those who will be named as respondents. The cases will also be referred to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for parallel actions.
Retired PNP chief Azurin on Monday took his oath as the President’s new appointee to the ICI. Azurin will serve as the new special adviser, replacing Baguio
Marcos open to shorter prison terms for government men who return loot
By Samuel Medenilla @sam_medenilla
MALACAÑANG said President Ferdinand Marcos is open to imposing shorter prison sentences to government officials, who will return all or some of their kickbacks from flood control and other public works projects.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement, saying that the said measure was proposed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson to boost the chances of the administration from collecting government funds, which were lost from kickbacks.
“But for now, the President and the administration are open to all good suggestions so that we can recover the allegedly stolen public funds and hold
those who should be held accountable,” she said in Filipino in a press briefing on Monday.
She said the President has the power to grant clemency and pardon to those who are qualified.
Under the Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations, pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, to those convicted by final judgement except those who were impeached.
The Chief Eexecutive may also grant amnesty with the concurrence of the majority of the members of Congress.
Lacson said his proposed “retribution and restitution” formula, which will be implemented through plea bargaining with the accused officials, will help the government to recover at least 80 percent of the said kickbacks.
City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who resigned from the post for lack of mandate to participate in ICI’s investigation.
In his speech, Azurin immediately praised Marcos’ for creating the ICI, which he said was a “step toward accountability and genuine reform” and a “clear testament to the sincerity and determination to build a Better Philippines…” Azurin also acknowledged as “valid” the mounting calls from various sectors for the military and the police to join in the fight against corruption.
“Their call is valid, and their cause is just. Yet we must remember real change cannot be achieved through division, chaos, or violence,” Azurin said.
Thus, Azurin called Armed Forces (AFP), the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take an active role in uncovering the truth behind the anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects in the country.
“Let us expose corruption not with anger, but with justice. Let us work hand in hand to bring the guilty to account and to finally end the suffering of our people,” he stressed.
Another 4 family wars settled–BARMM
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
Expanded investigations
SINCE Marcos announced the government will crack down on anomalous flood control projects during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), concerned government agencies as well as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, initiated investigations on problematic public works.
S everal lawmakers as well as government officials and personnel were linked to said irregularities and are now facing charges.
Castro said Marcos backed the said probes as long as it will lead to airtight cases against the accused.
“The directive [from the President] still continues that a thorough investigation must be conducted and there must be a lot of evidence to be presented so that it will not be wasted if a case is filed [against the accused],” she added.
Reconciliation not an option in ethics complaint against Barzaga–Puno
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House Committee on Ethics and Privileges has created a reconciliation subcommittee that will mediate all cases filed before it, but House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno made it clear on Monday that reconciliation is not an option in the ethics complaint against Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga.
In an interview, Puno said the complaint he and 28 other members of the National Unity Party (NUP) filed against Barzaga was not a personal grievance but a matter that strikes at the integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution.
“We filed this complaint because we want standards of behavior to be established in Congress,” he said. “Is it acceptable to post obscene photos on our website? To insult women? To tell young people to become congressmen to get rich? If that’s considered acceptable, then the Ethics committee should say so. But believe such behavior must be prohibited.”
Puno added that Barzaga’s conduct has caused “significant damage” to the image of the House and that members of Congress should be held to higher ethical standards, particularly during plenary sessions.
Barzaga, for his part, welcomed the opportunity for a hearing before the Ethics panel, saying it would allow both sides to
express their views.
He acknowledged the possible outcomes of the case—including suspension, removal, or even imprisonment—but maintained that he had done nothing wrong.
Puno, however, insisted that Barzaga’s statements and behavior reflected lower standards than the average person, adding that the Ethics Committee must take decisive action to set a clear precedent for acceptable conduct among legislators.
The Ethics committee, which held a closed-door hearing on Monday morning, is expected to deliberate on whether the case will proceed to formal hearings following the creation of its new reconciliation subcommittee.
IBP condemns killing of anti-corruption advocate
THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines
(IBP) Misamis Oriental Chapter has condemned the killing of Niruh Kyle Antatico, a Juris Doctor graduate and anti-corruption advocate, in Patag village, Cagayan de Oro on Friday.
The 40-year-old Antatico was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men which was reportedly captured on dashcam footage but authorities have yet to identify his assailants.
In a statement, the IBP chapter characterized the attack as an assault on democratic principles.
Antatico was a former legal officer for
the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Northern Mindanao who was known for exposing alleged irregularities within the agency.
“The IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter expresses its grave concern over Mr. Antatico’s untimely death and the possibility that his murder may have been connected to his efforts to expose alleged wrongdoing in some government offices,” the statement said.
“Any attack on a person seeking accountability is an attack on the rule of law itself, and we cannot allow fear and impunity to erode the foundations of justice
and public service,” it added.
The lawyers’ group also urged authorities to immediately conduct an impartial investigation of the case and bring the perpetrators before the bar of justice.
“Authorities must pursue every lead, including the potential connection between Mr. Antatico’s exposés and his killing, and ensure that both the perpetrators and any masterminds are held fully accountable, regardless of position or influence,” the IBP said.
The IBP chapter also called on individuals
DAVAO CITY—Four long-standing rido, or clan feuds among Moro communities, were recently settled with the peace pacts sealed in a special ceremony in Aleosan, one of the areas lumped under the territory classification Special Geographical Area, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) said. The conflict settlement added to the list of clan feuds already resolved in the neighboring two Maguindanao provinces and which is expected to help reduce the number of killings in the Bangsamoro region.
An MPOS report said that on October 6, the feuding clans “publicly pledged to maintain peace by signing a Memorandum of Agreement [MOA], reaffirming their commitment to reconciliation and ending the violence that had afflicted their families for years.”
It said “the emotional high point was the kandililaya [forgiveness] ritual, a powerful symbolic act where former adversaries embraced.”
“This marked a meaningful gesture of unity and a visible testament to their collective resolve to build a peaceful future,” the MPOS said.
Rafsan Johnny A. Abdul, division chief of MPOS’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) extended his appreciation to the ceremonry and outlined it with his “4 Ps”: Pasasalamat (Gratitude) for those who forgave, the evident Pagkakasundo (Reconciliation) and Pagkakaisa (Unity), and the final goal of Pag-unlad (Development) for future generations.
“Where peace exists, progress follows,” he said.
He said the settlement was coordinated with government and peacekeeping partners, including Member of Parliament Mohammad Kelie U. Antao, local governments of Aleosan, Tugunan, and Nabalawag, Municipal Police Station, and the 34th, 11th, 40thbattalions of the Sixth Infantry “Kampilan” Division and Task Force Kasanayon of the Armed Forces (AFP). He said other groups helped, like the Office of the Chief Minister–Peace, Security, and Reconciliation Office (OCM-PSRO) and various Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace mechanisms, including the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), and the 105th, 108th, and
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Economy
4Ps program still far from 300K-unit goal by 2028
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
ONLY 63,000 housing units have been constructed under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program since it was launched in 2022, leaving the agency “still far” from the target of 300,000 units by 2028.
Housing Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz said another
268,453 units fall under indirect assistance programs, which include interest subsidies and preferential loan rates from the Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund. The cumulative number combines housing projects that are being built and those supported through financial aid to qualified borrowers.
“We’re still far from the target,”
Consumers’ woe: gas, power rates up
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
CONSUMERS will have to pay more for electricity and gasoline.
The price of gasoline per liter will go up by P0.30, starting Tuesday. Meanwhile, kerosene prices will go down by P0.20 per liter while diesel price remain unchanged.
For power rates, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced an increase of P0.2331 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for October. This brings the overall rate for a typical household to P13.3182 per kWh this month from P13.0851 per kWh.
For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment is equivalent to an additional P47 in their total electricity bill.
Generation charge, which is a major component of an electric bill, went up by P0.1903 per kWh.
Charges from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) increased by P0.3622 and P0.3567 per kWh, respectively, primarily due to the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar, which affected 99 percent and 48 percent of their respective costs.
The increase was tempered by lower charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)
that went down by P2.0688 per kWh owing to a decrease of about 1,000 MW in Luzon’s peak demand. IPPs, PSAs, and WESM accounted for 21 percent, 74 percent, and 5 percent, respectively, of Meralco’s total energy requirement for the period.
Transmission, taxes, and other charges also registered a total increase of P0.0428 per kWh.
Pass-through charges for generation and transmission are paid by Meralco to the power suppliers and the grid operator, respectively, while taxes, universal charges, and Feed-in Tariff Allowance are all remitted to the government.
Meralco reiterates that its distribution charge, on the other hand, has not moved since the P0.0360 per kWh reduction for a typical residential customer beginning August 2022.
Customers also continue to benefit from the ongoing implementation of the distribution-related true-up adjustment, equivalent to a reduction of P0.2024 per kWh for residential customers.
With the recent earthquakes affecting parts of the country, Meralco assured its customers that it continuously safeguards its distribution facilities from potential hazards to ensure the safety of both of its crews and customers.
Marina launches ship inspections nationwide
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
THE Maritime Industry Authority
(Marina) has launched an intensified inspection campaign all over the country to ensure the seaworthiness of passenger vessels ahead of the expected surge in travelers for the All Saints-All Souls Days commemoration, when Filipinos traditionally visit the graves of their departed loved ones.
The simultaneous inspections, which will run until October 17, involve 14 inspection teams deployed from Luzon to Mindanao. As of October 12, the Marina reported that 132 vessels had already undergone compliance checks under the “Intensified Compliance Inspection” program.
Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the initiative is not a routine activity but part of the agency’s broader “Ligtas Biyaheng Dagat” campaign to safeguard passengers and strengthen the culture of maritime safety nationwide.
“The safety of life at sea should never be taken lightly. These inspections ensure that every operating vessel is safe, reliable, and compliant with regulations—not just for the Undas period but throughout the year,” she said.
She noted that ships found with deficiencies during the inspections will be subject to monitoring and follow-up checks.
Malaluan emphasized that the agency will impose punitive actions against vessels or operators that fail to meet safety standards.
Paquiz said in Filipino during a news conference on the first day of the National Developers Convention in Makati City.
“Once SHDA [Subdivision and Housing Developers Association] and other private developers deliver their 250,000unit commitment, we’ll be much closer,” she added, referring to the pledges made in July by major real estate groups to support
the 4PH program.
Paquiz also emphasized the need to address delays in the housing permit and licensing process, saying that lengthy bureaucratic procedures open opportunities for corruption.
“Too much delay creates corruption,” she said. “If there is no certain period for the regulatory body to issue or release the required permits or licenses, you
will be building this connotation of, ‘How much will it take to have it released?’”
She cited instances where developers could not sell housing units because licenses and permits had yet to be released by local governments.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has adopted a “zero corruption tolerance policy” to curb such practices by imposing timebound procedures for every step of the application process, from submission to release of permits and licenses.
Dredging project affects more than 9K fisherfolk in Ilocos Sur–group
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
MILITANT fishermen on Monday slammed an offshore dredging project in Ilocos Sur because of its alleged adverse environmental and economic impact on coastal communities.
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) said the dredging project of Isla Verde Mining and Development Company (IVMDC) has affected 9,538 fisherfolk from the coastal towns of Santa and Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.
Before the dredging started in 2024, small fishermen used to harvest at least 100 cans, equivalent to 17 liters each, of ipon, a species of gobies found in freshwater streams. But
nowadays, they are only able to gather around 30 cans, the group said.
Another report said that fishermen can catch at least 10 kilograms of kapiged or spotted scad on a good day before the operation, and sell it at P160 per kilogram, earning at least P1600 per fishing trip. Today, they catch almost nothing while the dredging barges are operating within the mouth of the Abra River.
“Because of the noise and pollution and the disturbance created by the dredging operation, these dredging vessels are driving the fish away from the mouth of the Abra River. This results in the steep drop in the income of small fishers,” Pamalakaya said in a statement.
WE are all worried whether our jobs are going to be affected by Artificial Intelligence. And that is understandable.
But my focus today is not on employment hazards, but on dignified employment. Allow me to define dignity as a responsibility of leadership, with emphasis on integrity, ethics, respect and honesty. Is that a tall order?
Let’s quantify dignity in four ways and look at the benefits we derive from ‘dignity at work’:
Growth People come to work to apply their talents and their skills. They seek an opportunity to grow and develop as contributors.
Autonomy Employees today want a degree of autonomy and the ability to make their own choices in their work. They also want the ability to determine their carrier path.
Health We cannot work where we don’t feel safe from infection or mental health. For that reason, employers are responsible for ensuring
Continued from A3
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said funds would be allocated for the repair of minor damages to the regional offices and heads of school divisions. This would be taken from the quick response fund of the department.
“For the major repairs, we will coordinate it with Secretary Vince Dizon and ensure a faster coordination process so the works will be done immediately,” he said.
Social Welfare Sec. Rexor Gatchalian assured that food packs have already been prepositioned nationwide “even before this earthquake happened”. The regional DSWD here said 103,614 food packs and non-food items were already prepositioned, and by Friday morning, some 1,050 food packs were already distributed to the earliest local governments that communicated their exact number of families who needed assistance.
The regional office also said more food assistance was being sent to the other areas for the rest of the day.
Eight people were confirmed dead,
safe working conditions.
Dignity creates opportunity. Diversity means bringing people with different background into the workplace. Equity demands equal opportunity as well as equal pay. And inclusion insists upon listening to, learning from, and promoting those individuals. None of this can happen without respect for the people and what they do. That’s dignity in the workplace!
As employers create hybrid workplaces, keeping the notion of dignity front and center creates a workplace where people want to be. It makes a value system where people feel they can contribute significantly. Why? Because they think they belong! Their workplace becomes our workplace.
including the person with a medical condition at the district hospital in Montevista, who succumbed to a likely cardiac arrest in reaction to the earthquake.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Arguelles, the chief of the Davao Regional Police Command, said police have secured the evacuation camps across the three provinces, including those in the coastal village of the town of Taragona, the next town south of Manay.
Taragona coastal residents quickly rushed out of their homes on Thursday night, immediately after a tsunami alert was raised when the second magnitude 6.8 quake occurred at 7:12 pm. The first quake occurred at 9:45 am.
Regular earthquake drills
THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has urged all workplaces nationwide to conduct regular earthquake drills, stressing that preparedness must become a permanent part of the country’s work culture.
In a statement, Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza of TUCP said companies should hold drills at least twice a month to ensure workers instinctively know what to do when disaster strikes.
“Mahigit isang taon na ang perwisyong dalangdredgingoperationsamgaresidente sa tabing-dagat, subalit wala pa ring tugon ang mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na nauna nang nilapitan ng mga apektadong mangingisda,” Fernando Hicap, P amalakaya national chairperson said in a statement.
Pamalakaya urged Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla to look into the ongoing dredging in Ilocos Sur, and order its provincial environment office to inspect the operational site for a “cumulative impact assessment.”
“Kailangang siyasatin ng DENR ang nagaganap na dredging sa Ilocos Sur, para mabigyan ng karampatang aksyon tulad ng agarangkanselasyonngenvironmentpermit ngnaturangproyekto,” Hicap also said.
When this occurs, organizations have a greater chance of fulfilling their mission because they are more engaged, productive, and collaborative.
These are the benefits we derive from creating ‘dignity at work’.
The feeling of connection is so important. Employees deserve a human-centric future, with space for trust. Every single one of us has the right to be treated with dignity. In turn, we all have a responsibility to treat everybody else with dignity.
I started my article with the sentence that we are all concerned that our jobs will be affected by artificial intelligence. Let me briefly go back to that. We need to train our workforce, all levels, for a digital economy. We have to make cybersecurity awareness a basic need. We need to champion AI not just for novelty but for competitiveness. And we need to push business leakers to go beyond delegation—to personally understand and lead technology requirements.
I am excited about these changes, in dignified employment and tech literacy! What about you? Feedback is welcome, please contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail. com.
He warned that treating drills as mere compliance puts lives at risk, especially in a country constantly threatened by earthquakes.
“Beyond seemingly token and ceremonial compliance, we should make preparedness a habit and earthquake readiness a work culture...More and more practice saves lives so that readiness will rightfully be second nature in a country that sits on the Ring of Fire,” Mendoza said.
The labor group said regular drills would also serve as a venue to revisit emergency response plans and remind workers of their right to refuse unsafe work.
TUCP urged employers to include safety discussions in labor-management meetings to strengthen workplace readiness. Mendoza added that no employee should be forced to continue working when conditions pose an immediate threat to life or safety.
Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma welcomed the labor group’s appeal, saying it complements the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health (OSH) compliance in all establishments.
The 4PH program, launched in 2022, aims to bridge the country’s growing housing backlog, offering low-interest financing and mass housing production across key cities and provinces.
118th Base Commands.
He said MPOS was innovating its conflict resolution strategy through the Digital Rido Profiling (DRP) System, which will allow the ministry to settle a greater number of clan feuds effectively. As part of the rollout, 70 field enumerators received orientation on the DRP system between September 21 and October 3 to equip them with the skills to collect precise rido and conflictrelated data, essential for designing a more informed and effective peacebuilding approach.
In 2024, the PSRO said 50 out of the 75 major conflicts registered with the PSRO were settled and added that these conflicts were located in the two Maguindanao provinces and the SGA.
Early this year, Col. Rey C Rico, assistant chief of staff for personnel (G-1) of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division, said the MILF helped government forces stomped the influence of terror organizations among the Moro communities.
“In fairness to the MILF, they were the ones who helped us in operating against these local terror groups, he said. Rico also disclosed that violence caused by insurgents and terrorists are on a tailspin in the central Mindanao portion of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, saying that only as few as 21 armed clashes were monitored in the first quarter. These were clashes with various armed groups, from private armed groups and local terror groups like the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Dawla Islamiya to some units of the MILF.
“While the MILF has already entered into a comprehensive peace settlement with government, involvement of some MILF fighters were mainly due to family and clan feuds, locally called rido,” Rico said.
“Pursuant to the IBP’s mandate to promote the rule of law and uphold the public interest, the Chapter stands ready to assist in efforts to address governance-related concerns,” the group stressed.
“The concern and advocacy for [OSH] is a shared responsibility among the tripartite partners: workers, employers and government. Thus, DOLE welcomes the TUCP call for more drills to make the workers and employers aware of the safety protocols during earthquake and other calamities,” Laguesma said.
The TUCP’s call follows recent incidents in Cebu’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, where workers complained of alleged OSH violations in Cebu during a magnitude 6.9 earthquake last September 30.
According to BPO Industry Employees Network-Cebu, emergency exits of some firms were purposely blocked, preventing workers from leaving the building. Retaliatory actions, including sanctions, loss of incentives and explanation notices were also supposedly issued to employees who refuse to work. z (Related: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/09/ five-more-cebu-bpos-face-doleinvestigation-over-safety-violations/) BIEN said a total of 28 BPO companies may have engaged in such practices and violated safety standards. With Justine Xyrah Garcia who may have knowledge about irregularities in the government to come forward and seek assistance from its office.
Independent film festival posts ₧13.4M in sales, doubling last year’s earnings
By John Eiron R. Francisco
TICKET sales for 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival more than doubled compared to last year’s figures, according to festival officials.
According to Cinemalaya festival director Chris Millado, box office data showed that ticket sales climbed from P5.8 million last year to P13.4 million this year during the festival’s run from October 3 to 12 across Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cinemas.
“This marks more than a 100 percent increase in ticket sales,” he said, noting that audience reach also grew slightly—from 30,000 last year to 32,000 this year.
Millado added that the surge in sales signals the continued expansion of Cinemalaya’s footprint beyond the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) where the festival was originally held.
He noted that if this upward
trend continues, the festival’s revenues could surpass pre-pandemic levels by next year.
“ Patuloy ito sa karampot na budget at sa matinding pagpupunyagi na ikuwento ng ating filmmakers ang buhay, kamatayan, pinagsaluhan, at pinagtagumpayan ng ating buhay-buhay bilang Pilipino, ” Millado said.
[Despite working with limited budgets, our filmmakers continue to persevere in telling stories about the life, death, struggles, and triumphs of the Filipino people.]
He added, “ Habang iningungudngod tayo sa burak ng mga sakim, binabago naman natin ang reputasyon at kamalayang Pilipino sa paraan ng ating patuloy na makasining paglikha, pagkukuwento, at pagdadalumat .”
[While we are being dragged through the mud by the greedy, we are, at the same time, reshaping the Filipino’s reputation and consciousness through our continuous artistic creation, storytelling, and reflection.]
SC junks Duterte Youth’s TRO plea but orders Comelec et al to answer its petition
TComelec starts printing over 92-million ballots for BSKE
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elec -
Ttions (Comelec) on Monday began printing more than 92 million ballots for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled for next year.
In an interview at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said this is the first time the poll body will print such a large volume of ballots.
“Based on our data, around 92 to 93 million ballots will be print -
ed...This is the first time that the Comelec and NPO will print this many ballots,” Garcia said.
Of the total number, about 70 million will be used for the barangay polls, while 23 million will be allotted for the SK elections.
Garcia said the printing and verification process will take around 45 days to two months to ensure that only verified and good-quality ballots are used for the November 2026 polls.
He explained that the Comelec decided to begin printing early to allow enough time to resolve any possible technical or logistical issues before election season.
The commission had also already received the paper stock to be used for the BSKE, prompting them to proceed with printing to avoid discoloration or smudges from long storage.
“We made sure to start printing early so that we are fully prepared by next year,” Garcia added. “Everyone should remember that next year, Comelec will conduct two elections—the Bangsamoro Parliament elections around March and the barangay and SK elections in November.”
Meanwhile, the Comelec will also open a seven-month voter
registration period from October 20 to May 18, 2026 in all regions nationwide, except in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The poll body earlier said it expects the number of registered BSKE voters—currently between 92 and 93 million—to increase by over one million during the registration period. To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12232 in August, extending the term of barangay and SK officials from three to four years and resetting the December 1, 2025 elections to November 2, 2026.
Rice import ban impacts volumes, 3.26 MMT arrive through September
RBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
September.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa earlier clarified that imports of the staple grain could still arrive in the country until September 15, provided that these left their respective countries of origin by the end of August.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Supreme Court (SC) has denied the plea of the Duterte Youth Party-List for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to enjoin the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from cancelling the group’s accreditation.
In a two page resolution dated September 30, the Court en banc also would not issue a status quo ante order that could have restored its previous status prior to the cancellation of its registration.
The Court also denied its motion for a special raffle, which was supposed to address the urgency of its petition.
However, the SC ordered the respondents Comelec, Reeya Beatrice Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan, and Aunell Ross Angcos to comment on the Duterte Youth’s main petition within 10 days from notice.
The four private respondents were the ones who petitioned the Comelec to stop the Duterte Youth’s proclamation last May and questioned their registration as a party-list group.
The Court’s order stemmed from the party-list group’s petition filed last September seeking to nullify the June 18 reso -
lution issued by the poll body’s Second Division which cancelled its registration and the August 29 resolution of the Comelec en banc which affirmed the division’s resolution.
The Duterte Youth landed second in the party-list race with a total of 2,338,564 in the national and local elections held last May, entitling them to three seats in the House.
In its petition, the group accused the Comelec of committing “grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction” in upholding the cancellation of their registration.
The party-list group argued that the assailed resolutions barring them from taking a seat in the 20th Congress were “contrary to law and jurisprudence” and effectively disenfranchised more than 2.3 million Filipinos who voted for them in the last elections.
The petition also invoked the doctrine of laches, contending that the challenges raised against the group’s registration were filed too late and should have been barred.
The Comelec has proclaimed Abono, Ang Probinsyano, and Murang Kuryente party-lists to replace the Duterte Youth’s three seats in the House of Representatives.
Bong Go lauds Super Health Center turnover in Del Carmen, reaffirms commitment to accessible healthcare
NOTWITHSTANDING series of strong earthquakes that hit Mindanao this lately, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s Malasakit Team represented him during the turnover of the Super Health Center in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, on Friday, October 10. Supporting the turnover of the Super Health Center were local officials, led by Mayor Alfredo Coro II, Vice Mayor Renato Dulguime, and Sangguniang Bayan members Walthon Calayag, Pablo Abulo Jr, Jenjen Petallo, Wellman Coro, Jesus Comon, Bobie Paitan, Arlinda Donoso, and Shyra Jucay. Also in the venue were PhilHealth Vice President for Mindanao Jibson Hernandez, Department of Health representative Janos Andanar, and Municipal Health Officer Maryjoy Visconde. Wala akong ibang iniisip kundi magtrabaho. Agahan ko ay trabaho,
pananghalian rin ay trabaho, hapunan trabaho pa rin hanggang sa panaginip trabaho pa rin. Magseserbisyo ako sa abot ng aking makakaya para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” Go said in a message. Indeed, Sen. Go worked very hard to push for Super Health Centers nationwide to improve health services in the grassroots. To date, over 700 Super Health Centers have been funded nationwide, including the Super Health Centers in Surigao del Norte, namely, Bacuag Super Health Center, Burgos Super Health Center, San Isidro Super Health Center, and Sta. Monica Super Health Center. The Super Health Centers serve as a middle ground between a polyclinic and a rural health unit. They offer a range of services, including laboratory testing, birthing facilities, outpatient care, dental services, and a pharmacy, among others.
ICE arrivals through September declined slightly to 3.26 million metric tons (MMT) despite the temporary ban slapped on shipments of the staple grain.
Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that rice imports slid by 0.94 percent in the January to September period from the 3.3 MMT recorded last year.
President Marcos had earlier issued an Executive Order (EO) suspending the imports of regular and well-milled rice from September 1 to October 30, 2025.
However, BPI data indicated that 330,826.10 metric tons (MT) of rice shipments entered the country in
“Shipments that left the country beyond August 31 wouldn’t be allowed entry and therefore returned to the country of origin.” De Mesa said.
Under the EO, the BPI would no longer issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) starting September 1.
Specialty rice varieties, such as Japonica, glutinous, and basmati rice, are exempt from the ban, according to agriculture officials.
The import freeze was imposed
to prop up farmgate prices of palay, with industry sources citing the unabated entry of cheaper rice shipments as the reason behind the slump in prices of unmilled rice to as low as P8 per kilo.
Meanwhile, BPI data showed that as of October 9, 2.65 MMT of rice arrivals came from Vietnam, which maintains its spot as the country’s top supplier. Myanmar followed at 343,910.33 MT.
The Philippines also purchased rice stocks from other countries, such as Thailand (176,270.26 MT), Pakistan (76,394.02 MT), and India (20,170.22 MT).
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel announced that the government will extend the import ban until the end of 2025.
He said this move aims to pro -
tect shield farmers from further losses, as farmgate prices of paddy rice remain under pressure due to oversupply and poor grain quality from successive rains.
Tiu Laurel also revealed that Marcos is considering restoring the 35 percent rice tariff, which was slashed to 15 percent in July 2024 to bring down retail prices. According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the tariff cut resulted in an estimated P20 billion in foregone revenues over 12 months.
“If the tariff hike is approved, well and good,” Tiu Laurel said. “But if not, our fallback plan— already supported by the President—is to allow importation only in January, and suspend it again from February to April to protect the next harvest.”
OLLOWING the suspension of classes in the National Capital Region (NCR) from October 13-14, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in the country is eight percent lower as compared to the cases recorded the same period in 2024.
Health Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Albert Domingo brushed aside worries when asked for reaction by the media after the increasing cases of ILI was mentioned as one of the one of the reasons, prompting DepEd to implement preventive class suspensions.
TBy Rex Anthony Naval
HE Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that its C-130 and NC-212i transport aircraft on Sunday airlifted relief items for communities still reeling from the effects of two powerful earthquakes in Davao Oriental last Oct. 10.
In a statement Monday, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Castillo said this airlift mission is in support of the government’s ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations for quake-affected communities in Davao Oriental.
She added that these military aircraft took off from Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and landed with their cargo in Mati Airport, Davao Oriental.
“At the national level, the number of influenza-like illnesses is lower than last year thus far,” Domingo said, citing that a total of 121,716 ILI cases were recorded across the country from January 1 to September 27, lower as compared to the 132,538 cases registered during the same period in 2024.
He reiterated that the move of DepEd is a sound precaution for local and institutional health authorities to practice preventive measures to keep the numbers down.
When asked if there is nothing to be alarmed of after the DepEd -NCR implemented class preventive suspension, Domingo responded,“ Opo, ito po ay normal
mats, and kitchen sets.
Personnel from the Tactical Operations Group 11, 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, 11th Aviation Security Unit of the Philippine National Police, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Davao, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Davao Oriental, Bureau of Fire Protection-Region 11, and Philippine Red Cross- Davao Oriental Chapter assisted in the unloading and transport of goods.
“These sustained efforts highlight the PAF’s steadfast commitment to provide rapid airlift support and ensure the timely delivery of life-saving aid to disaster-stricken communities, in close coordination with partner agencies and humanitarian organizations,” Basco said.
lamang na pag-iingat at base na rin sa kanilang anunsyo, sinabay nila sa earthquake preparedness para sa Big One.”
Ensuring safe learning spaces
THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday reminded that Regional Office and Schools Division Office (SDOs) can implement preventive class suspensions to ensure the safety of the learners, teachers, and other agency personal after natural disasters such as earthquakes or typhoons.
Ipinaaabot ng Department of Education [DepEd] sa publiko na ang mga preventive class suspensions o pansamantalang pagtigil ng klase ay bahagi ng mga hakbang upang matiyak
Regions 7, 11, and the Caraga, areas affected by a series of earthquakes for the past few days, to immediately conduct thorough inspections and structural evaluations of affected buildings, infrastructure, and homes to safeguard lives and prevent further casualties.
In its advisory, the agency emphasized that LGUs must undertake rapid structural assessments led by Building Officials, Municipal and City Engineers, and other technical personnel.
Priority should be given to structures in heavily affected barangays and those reported to have visible cracks, partial collapse, or foundation damage.
ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral, guro, at kawani habang isinasagawa ang mga gawain para sa kahandaan sa sakuna,” said Dennis E. Legaspi, DepEd Chief Media Relations Officer. Legaspi said that preventive class suspensions is also a measure to stop the spread of infectious diseases and ensure safe learning spaces. “Sa panahon ng preventive suspension, ipinatutupad ang mga alternatibong paraan ng pag-aaral upang tuloy pa rin ang edukasyon habang prayoridad ang kaligtasan ng lahat,” he added.
The DepEd also appealing for cooperation of the parents, teachers, and local government units to ensure the safety of students during various natural hazards.
It also urged all LGUs, through their Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (RDRRM) Councils, to work closely with DPWH District Engineering Offices, Local DRRM Offices, and Barangay Officials in conducting joint inspections and sharing findings. All efforts must adhere to existing government issuances and protocols on post-earthquake structural evaluation. The DILG stressed that immediate safety actions must be implemented for structures declared unsafe, including the prompt evacuation and relocation of affected families to temporary shelters in coordination with Local DRRM Councils and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs). LGUs are also reminded to expedite the processing and issuance of permits for repair or reconstruction works necessary to rectify earthquake-related damage, ensuring compliance with national safety and engineering standards. PAF transport planes airlift
Basco said the relief goods, carried by the PAF aircraft, were provided by the Philippine Red Cross and consists of 147 portable tents, 10 family tents, and assorted relief items including mosquito nets, blankets, plastic
LGUs in quake-hit regions directed to inspect all structures
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday has instructed local government units (LGUs) in
The DILG also directed these LGUs to immediately inspect tilted or displaced buildings and structures affected by ground fissures, sediment venting, and subsidence before allowing reoccupation. Residential structures must also be properly assessed to determine the extent of damage and ensure the safety of occupants.
A6 Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Living hostages and Palestinian prisoners are released as part of ceasefire in Gaza
By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy & Melanie Lidman
The Associated Press
EIR AL-BALAH, Gaza
DStrip—Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, while Israel began releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the territory, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and had left scores of captives in militant hands.
The hostages, all men, arrived back in Israel, where they will reunite with their families and undergo medical checks. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal, although the exact timing remained unclear.
Buses carrying dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah and in the Gaza Strip, as Israel began releasing more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees as part of the ceasefire deal.
Cheering crowds met the buses arriving in Ramallah from Ofer prison, in the Israel-occupied West Bank. At least one bus also crossed into the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said.
While major questions remain about the future of Hamas and Gaza, the exchange of hostages and prisoners raised hopes for ending the deadliest war ever between Israel and the militant group.
The ceasefire is also expected to be accompanied by a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, parts of which are experiencing famine.
US President Donald Trump arrived in the region, where he plans to discuss the US-proposed deal and postwar plans with other leaders.
The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 251 taken hostage.
In Israel’s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which
doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the dead were women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the UN and many independent experts con -
sider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
The toll is expected to grow as bodies are pulled from rubble previously made inaccessible by fighting.
pale but less gaunt than some of the hostages freed in January. Earlier, while Palestinians awaited the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel, an armored vehicle flying an Israeli flag fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a crowd. As drones buzzed overhead, the group scattered. The tear gas followed the circulation of a flier warning that anyone supporting what it called “terrorist organizations” risked arrest. Israel’s military did not respond to questions about the flier, which The Associated Press obtained on site.
The prisoners being released include 250 people serving life sentences for convictions in attacks on Israelis, in addition to 1,700 seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge. They will be returned to the West Bank or Gaza or sent into exile.
The war has destroyed large swaths of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its some 2 million residents. It has also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparked worldwide protests and led to allegations of genocide that Israel denies.
“Much of Gaza is a wasteland,” UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told the AP on Sunday.
Hostages freed IN Tel Aviv, families and friends of the hostages who gathered in a square broke into wild cheers as Israeli television channels announced that the first group of hostages was in the hands of the Red Cross. Tens of thousands of Israelis watched the transfers at public screenings across the country.
Israel released the first photos of the freed hostages, including one showing 28-year-old twins Gali and Ziv Berman embracing as they were reunited. Hostages previously released had said the twins from Kfar Aza were held separately.
The photos of the first seven hostages showed them looking
A painful chapter THE hostages’ return caps a painful chapter for Israel. Since they were captured in the attack that ignited the war, newscasts have marked their days in captivity and Israelis have worn yellow pins and ribbons in solidarity. Tens of thousands have joined their families in weekly demonstrations calling for their release.
As the war dragged on, demonstrators accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging his feet for political purposes, even as he accused Hamas of intransigence. Last week, under heavy international pressure and increasing isolation for Israel, the bitter enemies agreed to the ceasefire. It remains unclear when the remains of 28 dead hostages will be returned. An international task force will work to locate deceased hostages who are not returned within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.
PEOPLE react as they gather to watch a live broadcast of Israeli hostages released from Gaza at a plaza known as hostages square in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. AP/ODED BALILTY
World leaders throw their weight behind the Gaza ceasefire deal
By Fay Abulgasim The Associated Press
SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt—The
US and Egyptian presidents are chairing a gathering of world leaders dubbed “the Summit for Peace” to support ending the two-year war in Gaza after a breakthrough ceasefire deal.
Israel and Hamas have no direct contacts and are not expected to attend Monday’s summit. Israel has rejected any role in Gaza for the internationally backed Palestinian Authority, whose leader is coming.
Leaders from Turkey, Jordan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, the United Nations and European Union also have all said they will attend.
The summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh comes on the same day that Hamas is to release its 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and Israel is to free hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons, crucial steps after a ceasefire began on Friday.
But major questions remain unanswered over what happens next, raising the risk of slide back into war.
So why are the world leaders meeting?
A new page
THE two sides came under pressure from the United States, Arab countries and Turkey to agree on the ceasefire’s first phase.
Israel and Hamas need international and regional technical and financial support to get through many complex issues.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s office said the summit aims to “end the war” in Gaza and “usher in a new page of peace and regional stability” in line with US President Donald Trump’s vision.
In March, Egypt proposed a postwar plan for Gaza that would allow its 2.3 million people to remain. At the time, that was a counterproposal to a Trump plan to depopulate the territory.
The two leaders co-chairing the international summit signals that they are working together on a path forward. Directly tackling the remaining issues in depth is unlikely at the gathering, expected to last about two hours. El-Sissi and Trump are expected to issue a joint statement after it ends.
Under the first phase, Israeli troops pulled back from some parts of Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza to return home from areas they were forced to evacuate. Aid groups are preparing to bring in large quantities of aid kept out of the territory for months.
Hostage and prisoner exchange: Logistical challenge
THE negotiations will have to tackle the issues of disarming Hamas, creating a post-war government for Gaza and the extent of Israel’s withdrawal from the territory. Trump’s plan also stipulates that regional and international partners will work to develop the core of a new Palestinian security force.
Another major issue is raising funds for rebuilding Gaza. The World Bank, and Egypt’s postwar plan, estimate reconstruction and recovery needs in Gaza at $53 billion. Egypt plans to host a future reconstruction conference.
Who is missing?
ISRAEL and Hamas.
The two primary parties to the conflict—staunch enemies who have little trust in each other and a number of failed negotiations behind them—are not attending. Negotiations in Doha and in previous rounds were indirect, with Egypt and Qatar as meditators. Iran, a main backer of Hamas, is not attending either. Iran finds itself at one of its weakest moments since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian officials portrayed the ceasefire deal as a victory for Hamas but it underlined Iran’s waning influence in the region and revived concerns over possible renewed conflict with Israel as it still struggles to recover from the 12-day war in June.
A state function
THE conference is likely to see world leaders praise Trump’s push for the ceasefire. For his part, El-Sissi is almost certainly relieved that Egypt has warded off plans to depopulate the Gaza Strip.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend. Turkey, which hosted Hamas political leaders for years, played a key role in bringing about the ceasefire agreement. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are also expected.
King Abdullah of Jordan is among the expected
attendees. His country, alongside Egypt, will train the new Palestinian security force. Germany, one of Israel’s strongest international backers and top suppliers of
military equipment, plans to be represented by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He has expressed concern over Israel’s conduct of the war and its plan for a military takeover of Gaza. He plans on
co-hosting the reconstruction of Gaza conference with Egypt.
See “Ceasefire,” A9
Trump threatens to deploy Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russia fails to settle conflict soon
By Darlene Superville & Will Weissert
The Associated Press
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE—
President Donald Trump on Sunday warned Russia that he may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow doesn’t settle its war there soon—suggesting that he could be ready to increase the pressure on Vladimir Putin’s government using a key weapons system.
“I might say, ‘Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,”
Trump told reporters aboard Air
Force One as he flew to Israel.
“The Tomahawk is an incredible weapon, very offensive weapon. And honestly, Russia does not
need that.”
Trump also said, “I might tell them that if the war is not settled—that we may very well.”
He added, “We may not, but we may do it. I think it’s appropriate to bring up.”
His comments came after Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Trump said he mentioned possibly sending Tomahawks during that conversation.
“Do they want to have Tomahawks going in that direction? I don’t think so,” Trump said of Russia. “I think I might speak to Russia about that.” He added that “Tomahawks are a new step of aggression.”
His suggestions followed Russia having attacked Ukraine’s power grid overnight, part of an ongoing campaign to cripple Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter. Moscow also
expressed “extreme concern” over the US potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.
Putin himself has previously suggested that the United States supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine will seriously damage relations between Moscow and Washington.
For his part, Zelenskyy described his latest call with Trump as “very productive,” and said the pair had discussed strengthening Ukraine’s “air defense, resilience, and longrange capabilities,” along with “details related to the energy sector.”
In an interview with Fox News Channel’s “The Sunday Briefing” after his call with Trump, Zelenskyy was asked whether Trump had approved the Tomahawks and said, “we work on it.”
“I’m waiting for president to yes,” Zelenskyy said. “Of course, we count on such decisions, but
we will see. We will see.”
The Ukrainian president said Friday that he was in talks with US officials about the possible provision of various long-range precision strike weapons, including Tomahawks and more ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in remarks published Sunday that “the topic of Tomahawks is of extreme concern.”
Trump, who has been frustrated by Russia in his efforts to end the war, said last week that he has “sort of made a decision” on whether to send Tomahawks to Ukraine, without elaborating.
A senior Ukrainian delegation is set to visit the US this week.
The US president in recent weeks has taken a notably tougher tact with Putin, after the Russian leader has declined to engage in direct talks with Zelenskyy about easing fighting.
Last month, Trump announced that he now believes Ukraine could win back all the territory lost to Russia—a dramatic shift from the Republican’s repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
But Trump, at least so far, has resisted Zelenskyy’s calls for Tomahawks. They would allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory and put the sort of pressure on Putin that Zelenskyy argues is needed to get the Russians to seriously engage in peace talks.
Trump said aboard Air Force One of the war: “I really think Putin would look great if he got this settled” and that “It’s not going to be good for him” if not.
Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.
Madagascar’s president claims coup is underway as soldiers join protests
By Sarah Tetaud & Gerald Imray
The Associated Press
ANTANANARIVO, Mad -
agascar—Madagascar’s president said Sunday that an attempted coup was underway in the Indian Ocean country, just a day after members of an elite army unit joined youth-led protests against the government and called for the president to step down.
President Andry Rajoelina’s office offered no details on who was behind the attempt and no signs of violence were immediately visible on the streets on Sunday, although there was a large military presence.
A commander of the elite CAP -
Continued from A1
The Office of the President (OP) has allocated financial assistance to the following affected LGUs: P50 million to Davao Oriental; P15 million each to the municipalities of Manay, Banaybanay and Lupon; P10 million each to Mati City and the municipalities of Tarragona, Baganga, Boston, and Cateel; P5 million each to the municipalities of Caraga and San Isidro; and P3 million to the municipality of Governor Generoso.
For the Caraga region, the government distributed cash aid to the following areas: P20 million to Agusan del Sur province; P15 million to the provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte and Davao Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, and Davao City.
DBM also released the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) of the quake-affected provinces.
Sufficient fund
CASTRO said DBM also clarified that it has a contingent fund, which it can tap to replenish the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund this year.
“We spoke directly with the DBM leadership and according to DBM, even if the NDRRM funds are depleted, we still have 12.005 billion [pesos] in the contingent
SAT unit, Col. Michael Randrianirina, denied any coup had taken place, but the unit claimed to have taken control of all of Madagascar’s armed forces and said it had installed a new leader of the military, Gen. Demosthene Pikulas.
“We responded to the people’s call,” Randrianirina told reporters. Pikulas, who spoke alongside Randrianirina, declined to say if they had asked Rajoelina to resign, but the CAPSAT army unit appeared to be in a position of authority.
Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of the most significant unrest in years in the nation. The protests were led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar,” and the United Nations says the dem -
fund; and even if the contingent fund is depleted because of the calamities happening one after another in our country, we can expect that if there is excess revenue, we will get it from unprogrammed appropriations from SAGIP [Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs],” Castro explained.
During a hearing in the House of Representatives last week, DBM explained that SAGIP, which was used to finance infrastructure projects, will no longer be used for such public works upon the proposal of lawmakers.
Infrastructure projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways, particularly flood control projects, are currently facing investigation from Congress and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) due to possible irregularities.
Last week, Marcos said he will ask Congress for assistance in replenishing the Quick Response Funds (QRF) of concerned government agencies, which he said is now nearing depletion due to the series of typhoons and earthquakes, which hit the country in previous weeks.
“So far, we have not heard anything about the President’s talks with Congress. I have not been given an update on that,” Castro said.
Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the government has allocated P7.73 billion for the QRF, which is included in the NDRRM Fund or also known as Calamity Fund.
onstrations have left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. The government has disputed this number.
The whereabouts of the president were not immediately known on Sunday. His office said he “wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force” has been “initiated.”
“In view of the extreme gravity of this situation,” the president’s office “strongly condemns this attempt at destabilization and calls upon all forces of the nation to unite in defense of constitutional order and national sovereignty,” it said.
CAPSAT is the same army unit that was pivotal in a 2009
military-backed coup that first brought Rajoelina to power as the head of a transitional government.
A turning point in these protests came Saturday when soldiers from CAPSAT joined weekslong anti-government demonstrations and called for Rajoelina and government officials to step down.
Saturday’s protests were among the largest since the unrest began on Sept. 25 and Randrianirina said his troops had exchanged fire with security forces who were attempting to quell the protests and that one of his soldiers had been killed.
Speaking to crowds from an armored vehicle, Randrianirina said Saturday that Rajoelina, his
new prime minister, the minister of the gendarmerie and the commander of the gendarmerie “must leave power. That’s all.”
“Do we call this a coup? I don’t know yet,” Randrianirina had said.
Madagascar, a large island of 31 million people off the east coast of Africa, has had several leaders removed in coups and has a history of political crises since it gained independence from France in 1960.
The 51-year-old Rajoelina first came to prominence as the leader of a transitional government following a 2009 coup that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to flee the country and lose power. Rajoelina was elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023
in a vote boycotted by opposition parties.
As the news of Rajoelina’s statement broke, the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar advised American citizens to shelter-in-place due to a “highly volatile and unpredictable” situation. The African Union urged all parties, “both civilian and military, to exercise calm and restraint.”
The youth-led protests first erupted last month over electricity and water outages but have snowballed into larger dissatisfaction with the government and the leadership of Rajoelina.
Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.
Continued from A1
conclude the same within the year, given the number of negotiations being handled by USTR.”
He said the DTI projects conclusion of the negotiation will end “by next year.”
Meanwhile, Trade officials, including Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque were pressed by Senator Imee Marcos on what are the agency’s planned “immediate solutions” for affected exporters.
For his part, Gepty explained that the country’s strategy to navigate through the tariff headwinds is to “Of course, to continue the negotiation with the US.”
Another strategy, he noted, is to request the exemption of key Philippine products, adding, “That’s why we’re negotiating on that.”
The chief trade negotiator also said the Philippines is currently expanding its market access to other countries.
This was echoed by Roque: “We’re going to, we are actually looking for other markets already, for, actually, all the products of the
Continued from A12 No ready. . .
the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent earthquakes due to its complex network of geological faults.
He urged the public to rely on verified information from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), rather than unverified online claims, to ensure accurate understanding and preparedness.
Philippines, especially those that will be affected.”
However, Marcos pointed out that the Philippines is among the countries with “very, very few [Free Trade Agreements] FTAs.”
“That market access takes time to develop, it’s not gonna happen overnight. In the meantime, exporters are reeling. You can see that many are already losing their jobs. What’s to be done about that?” the lawmaker said, partly in Filipino. She noted that there are no subsidies in place to assist affected exporters.
To which, Roque quickly replied: “We are strengthening also the local market this is also what’s attractive to foreign investments thaht are coming in, aside from strengthening the foreign trade service corps in the DTI offices all over the world.”
Senator Marcos emphasized that market development is a “medium to long-term process,” further pressing the trade officials: “What is the immediate solution because the problem is really urgent as thousands are losing their jobs?”
Roque, however, pointed out that Philippine exporters already know what to do despite the headwinds.
“Sanay na po sila mag-export so we
Preparing for ‘The Big One’ SOLIDUM also took the opportunity to remind Filipinos about the importance of earthquake preparedness, clarifying misconceptions about ‘The Big One.’
“Earthquake scenarios are not predictions,” he said in Filipino. “They are estimates of the possible damage or loss of life if we do nothing, based on the state of our homes, buildings and preparedness.”
‘The Big One’ refers to a hypothetical large-magnitude earthquake that could occur along the
just have to find other markets like Europe,” Roque said. She also noted that for long-time exporters, “It’s actually easy for you to penetrate other markets.”
The senator described the budget of the country’s Trade department as “business as usual.”
“Konting konti lang ang pinagkaiba nung last year at ngayon. Ano ang gagawin natin? Ang problema ngayon nasaan yung planokapagnangyariito [There’s hardly any difference between last year and this year. The problem is, where’s the plan when the worst happens]?” Marcos said.
No subsidies in budget
AS for the subsidies that DTI will provide for exporters, particularly electronics exporters, Gepty said: “If you’re referring to funds that will be extended by the government, I’m not aware of that, if there’s any line item.”
In an interview with the BusinessMirror in August, Roque said: “No, we don’t have that budget for the industries. But what we have is we’ll be able to do major B2B, major trade missions for them to sell in other countries
West Valley Fault, which runs through the eastern portion of Metro Manila. Historical records show that the fault experiences major movements every 400 to 600 years.
The science chief, however, clarified that ‘The Big One’ concept applies differently across regions.
“Every place in the Philippines—region, province, town, or city—has its own ‘big one. The scenario is different in Davao Oriental, different in Cebu, different in Metro
all over the world. Because we have to bear in mind that the US is not the only market. The world is the market.”
As to the measures that the government will roll out to protect industries that may be affected by the tariffs, Roque told this newspaper: “Nothing, because nothing is final yet. Everything is still under negotiation. Everything is like a new update. It’s also hard to rely on these things until we find something that’s really final.” (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/08/28/ no-funds-yet-for-business-sectors-hitby-tariffs/) Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data indicated that in August 2025, or during the month when the 19-percent reciprocal tariff imposed by Washington took effect for the Philippines, exports to the United States contracted 11.2 percent to $1.09 billion from the $1.22 billion recorded in August 2024. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ shipments bound for Hong Kong soared by 26.4 percent to $1.19 billion in August 2025 from the $942.56 million in August 2024. For August 2025 alone, this means that Hong Kong is now the Philippines’ top export destination.
Manila, different in Iloilo,” he explained. Further, there is a need for continuous preparedness measures, including structural assessments, community drills, and public education, to minimize casualties and damage in future seismic events, he said. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continues to issue bulletins and monitor the country’s major faults and trenches through its seismic stations and early warning systems.
Remulla to unveil new rules for public access to officials’ SALNs amid calls for transparency
By Joel R. San Juan
@jrsanjuan1573
Samuel P. Medenilla
@sam_medenilla
OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin
Remulla is set to release today (Tuesday) the rules that would give the public access to the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of public officials subject to certain conditions.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla said he will allow the “conditional” release of the SALNs to the media.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President will comply with the decision of the Ombudsman, which has the authority over SALN releases.
The said compliance to the Ombudsman, she said, will not only extend to the President, but also other officials of the Executive branch.
“Whatever is appropriate, whatever the law says, and whatever is best for fighting corruption, everyone in the executive department will obey,” said in Filipino in a press briefing last Monday.
of their members to be included in its files.
Remulla said copies of SALNs will be made available to requesting parties provided that they would sign an undertaking to prevent it from being weaponized.
“As far as the rules of the SALNs are concerned, we will come up with it by tomorrow. By tomorrow you will get a handle on these rules and we will really make it available, that’s the best and we will start from the President down,” Remulla said.
“Our only request is for requesting parties to have an undertaking so all will be responsible from the information we get,” the Ombudsman said.
restricted through his Memorandum Circular No. 1.
Under the memo, SALNs were only to be released if the request was made by the government official concerned, or his or her representative; if it was legally ordered by the court in relation to a pending case; and if it was made through the Office of the Ombudsman’s field investigation office for the purpose of a fact-finding probe.
Earlier, former Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Remulla should allow the public to have access to government officials’ SALN.
restore the public’s trust in government in light of various anomalies involving flood control projects. Remulla, the former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, said he may allow the release of the SALNs to media entities, which conduct investigative reports and enter into data sharing arrangements with the Office of the Ombudsman. When asked if a new DOJ chief was already appointed, Castro said she still has no information on the matter.
President Ferdinand Marcos is ready to release his SALN to the public if it will be allowed by the Ombudsman, according to Malacañang.
This, after newly installed
Remulla also said he would ask the Senate and the House of Representatives to also provide the Ombudsman copies of the SALNs
During the term of his predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, public’s access to SALNs of elected officials was
DOLE allocates Tupad aid to 5K people in Davao Region
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
DAVAO CITY—The Department of Labor and Employment will allow emergency employment to selected persons in the areas heavily affected by the October 10 doublet earthquakes, as the Davao Oriental reported as many as 70,142 families were affected in the province alone.
The DOLE said it will implement the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program for 5,450 beneficiaries, mostly in the most affected towns of Davao Oriental.
Of the allocated slots, 4,950 beneficiaries will come from Davao Oriental, while the remaining 500 beneficiaries will be distributed across Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental.
The program will mainly be done through emergency employment and to be concentrated
Trump in Israel and Egypt
TRUMP arrived Monday in Israel, where he was to speak at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Vice President JD Vance said Trump was likely to meet with newly freed hostages.
“The war is over,” Trump told to reporters as he departed— even though his ceasefire deal leaves many unanswered questions about the future of Hamas and Gaza.
Among the thorniest is Israel’s insistence that a weakened Hamas disarm. Hamas refuses to do that and wants to ensure Israel pulls its troops completely out of Gaza.
in the Municipality of Manay, the hardest hit by the recent tremors.
Beneficiaries will engage in debris segregation, materials recovery, stockpiling, clearing operations, and waste management activities in affected areas, DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy said. The emergency employment program will run for ten days beginning Monday.
He said the TUPAD, will help workers rebuild their lives by providing temporary income. The DOLE is allocating P28,067,500. Only P2,575,000 will be distributed in other parts of the region.
The allocated amount is inclusive of micro-insurance coverage for all beneficiaries to ensure their safety and protection while performing rehabilitation-related tasks.
Tarragona town mayor, Art Benjie C. Bulaong told reporters on Monday that of the 70,142 families affected across the province,
his town has 10,160 of them, or approximately 40,100 individuals. He said the scarce resource has accommodated only 2,252 families in the temporary evacuation camp at the municipal capitol grounds and some 7,000 others were scattered elsewhere.
His town is the next town south of Manay and next to the provincial capital of Mati City.
He said he cannot order the evacuees to return home until the ground tremors will stop “because these people are scared, they are traumatized.” He said the evacuees could not use the provincial and municipal evacuation centers because they were placed under Code Red, a category that placed structures in danger.
He said even the municipal government was holding office in other places and open spaces because the municipal capitol building was placed under Code Yellow, which placed structures under limited use and should need further assessment to their integrity and safety.
Bulaong said the town’s disaster fund was supposed to be P7 million but said it has been depleted as the year is about to end. The town’s quick respond fund is only P3 million.
In Davao City, the city building officials has tagged the Code Red to Malayan (Mapua) Colleges Mindanao administrative and school buildings, the Velvet Suites and Hote/Oroderm City, the Toledo Building 3 of Magallanes Residences and the part of SM Annex building where the Teleperformance Davao outsourcing firm was holding office and operation center.
The Office of the City Building Official also tagged a Code Yellow to the three buildings of Felcris Centrale, the parking building of Gaisano Mall of Davao-Bajada, the Vivaldi Residences Davao and the Mesatierra Garden Residences.
The OCBO conducted the assessment of structures with the Davao City chapter of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.
He suggested that private information like residence, the name of children and other details that do not pertain to assets or liabilities be redacted.
Carpio said this move would
Currently, DOJ Undersecretary Frederick A. Vida was designated as the officer-in-charge of the agency. She assured the President will pick a person of integrity, who is reliable, impartial and fair as his new DOJ chief.
First private research park launched at Biñan, Laguna
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE country’s first Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Ecozone within a private university was inaugurated on October 8, marking a milestone in the government’s effort to link research and industry toward inclusive economic growth.
De La Salle University (DLSU) opened its Innovation Hub at the DLSU Laguna Campus in Biñan City, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
The facility is the first KIST Park led by a private higher education institution (HEI).
academia, industry, and the community in driving innovation-based growth.
For her part, PEZA group manager Rowena Naguit said the project aligns with the government’s broader goal of linking education and enterprise.
“Education has always been the bedrock of national progress,” Naguit said. “Through this KIST Park, we are strengthening that bridge between academia and industry, between research and real-world application, between knowledge and nation-building.”
So far, the Israeli military has withdrawn from much of Gaza City, the southern city of Khan Younis and other areas. Troops remain in most of the southern city of Rafah, towns of Gaza’s far north, and the wide strip along the length of Gaza’s border with Israel. The future governance of Gaza also remains unclear. Under the US plan, an international body will govern the territory, overseeing Palestinian technocrats running day-to-day affairs. Hamas has said Gaza’s government should be worked out among Palestinians.
Continued from A7
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is among the leaders who plans to attend. He has said will pledge 20 million British pounds (27 million dollars) to help provide water and sanitation for Gaza and said Britain will host a three-day conference to coordinate plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and recovery.
Later Monday, Trump will head to Egypt, where he and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will lead a summit with leaders from more than 20 countries on the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East.
Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, will attend, according to a judge and adviser to Abbas, Mahmoud al-Habbash.
Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu would attend as well, but the Israel leader’s office later said he would not because due to a Jewish holiday.
The plan envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority—something Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to undergo a sweeping reform program that could take years.
The plan also calls for an Arabled international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian po -
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have also said they will be attending.
The venue SHARM EL-SHEIKH, the Red Sea resort at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, has been host to many peace negotiations in the past decades.
lice trained by Egypt and Jordan. It said Israeli forces would leave areas as those forces deploy. About 200 US troops are now in Israel to monitor the ceasefire.
The plan also mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, another nonstarter for Netanyahu.
Magdy reported from Cairo and Lidman from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Truro, Massachusetts; Bassem Mroue in Beirut; Jalal Bwaitel in Ramallah, West Bank, and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report.
It joins Batangas State University’s KIST Park, established in 2020 under Presidential Proclamation 947, as the second KIST Ecozone in Calabarzon and the second in the country overall.
“These Ecozones are not just physical spaces but centers of convergence, where science and technology meet entrepreneurship,” Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said during the launch.
“Bold ideas are transformed into opportunities that create jobs, foster businesses, and stimulate inclusive economic growth,” he added.
Solidum said the expansion of the KIST model to private universities will strengthen the country’s capacity to commercialize research and development (R&D) outputs.
The DLSU KIST Ecozone will specialize in advanced biotech systems and engineering, particularly biomedical technologies, genomics, bioinstrumentation and translational health sciences. The launch comes as the Philippines entered the world’s 50 most innovative economies for the first time, ranking 50th out of 139 economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII). It also surpassed the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) target of 52nd place for the year.
The facility will also complement DOST’s Propel program, which accelerates innovation and technology commercialization among Filipino researchers and startups.
As of 2025, DOST said more than 30 KIST applications are under review, including one from another private HEI.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Union President António Costa and Italian
Sharm el-Sheikh was briefly occupied by Israel for a year in 1956. After Israel withdrew, a United Nations peacekeeping force was stationed there until 1967, when Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser ordered the peacekeepers to leave, a move
that precipitated the Six-Day War that year.
Sharm el-Sheikh and the rest of the Sinai Peninsula were returned to Egypt in 1982, following a 1979 peace treaty with Israel.
The town—now known for a luxury beach resort, dive sites and desert tours—also hosted many peace summits and rounds of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians under President Hosni Mubarak, ousted in 2011.
Under El-Sissi, the city has also hosted many international conferences, and Monday’s is its first peace summit under him. Ceasefire. . .
“De La Salle has a lot of research and development results that can be commercialized, and they have companies that they can grow,” the science chief said.
Located within the DLSU Science and Technology Complex, the Innovation Hub is envisioned as an ecosystem for interdisciplinary research, innovation, and social impact.
It adopts the “quadruple helix” framework that connects government,
In August 2023, DOST signed an agreement with PEZA and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) to expand the establishment of KIST Parks and Ecozones nationwide. Under the KIST framework, universities are designated as ecozones where research facilities coexist with technologybased enterprises. These zones are intended to attract investors, generate highskill employment and drive regional innovation-led growth.
Ghost roads: How corruption impacts PHL agriculture and food security
FARM-TO-MARKET roads (FMRs) are the lifelines of rural agriculture in the country. They are more than mere stretches of pavement—they represent the crucial link between our farmers and the markets that sustain their livelihoods. Efficient FMRs reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, minimize post-harvest losses, and enable farmers to fetch better prices for their produce. Beyond individual benefits, these roads stimulate rural economies, invite investment, and strengthen the nation’s food security. In short, the state of farm-to-market roads mirrors the health of the country’s agricultural sector.
Yet, a troubling reality has surfaced: funds intended for these vital roads have been hijacked by corrupt lawmakers, resulting in “ghost roads” in political strongholds rather than in the nation’s key rice granaries. Even more disheartening is the admission from Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. that billions are being spent by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on FMR projects without the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) involvement—effectively sidelining the very agency tasked with supporting farmers.
This scandal reveals a deep systemic problem: the disconnect and lack of coordination between agencies, compounded by corruption and inefficiency. The fallout is clear—farmers remain underserved, infrastructure rots unused, and valuable public funds are squandered.
In light of this, the DA’s commitment to take direct control of farmto-market road projects should be welcomed as a decisive step forward. Secretary Tiu Laurel’s acceptance of the Senate’s challenge is a courageous move that signals accountability and renewed focus on the real beneficiaries—our farmers. With his private sector experience and the agency’s plan to collaborate closely with local government units, farmers’ groups, and citizen auditors, there is hope that transparency will improve and costs will be curtailed. (Read the BusinessMirror story—“Challenge accepted: Department of Agriculture to take over from DPWH on farmto-market roads,” October 12, 2025).
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Francis Pangilinan’s support underscores the urgent need for reform. The staggering overpricing uncovered—up to 96 percent above benchmark costs—calls for rigorous audit and oversight mechanisms, which the DA’s citizen participatory audit promises to provide. This model of inclusive governance could set a precedent for other sectors plagued by corruption.
However, the DA’s undertaking is no small feat. The magnitude of farm-tomarket road projects demands not only technical expertise but also political will, community engagement, and unwavering integrity. The success of this initiative hinges on genuine collaboration across government layers and civil society, as Secretary Tiu Laurel rightly emphasized.
Ultimately, the plight of Filipino farmers and the future of Philippine agriculture depend on the government’s ability to restore faith in public infrastructure programs. Every peso allocated to farm-to-market roads must translate into tangible roads that farmers can use. Anything less is a betrayal of the Filipino people’s trust and a missed opportunity to uplift rural communities.
The challenge is evident, and the stakes are high. Now is the time for the DA and all stakeholders to step up, take back the farm-to-market road program, and create a pathway to a more prosperous and food-secure Philippines. The future of our farmers and the nation’s food security relies on this action.
Opinion
FOUTSIDE THE BOX
ROM the earliest city-states of Mesopotamia to the global conflicts of the 21st century, organized violence between political entities has been a recurring feature of civilization. Virtually every society that endured long enough to develop a state structure has, at some point, lost a war, suffering a decisive defeat resulting in surrender, territorial loss, or subjugation by an external power.
Yet a few countries and civilizations stand out for never having clearly lost a war by that definition.
Some owe their unbroken records to geography—mountain isolation in Bhutan and Nepal; others to diplomacy—balancing rival empires as Siam (Thailand) did; and a few to overwhelming military strength, such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Today, the balance of power looks nothing like it once did. In 2025, the world’s tiniest technology shapes a large geopolitical tension and flashpoint. Taiwan, especially TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), produces over 90 percent of the world’s most advanced logic chips, the components that drive everything from smartphones and AI systems to missile guidance and supercomputers.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Taiwan’s fabrication plants— “fabs”—for advanced semiconductor chips might be a more effective deterrent against war than half the naval fleets in the Pacific. Peace now depends not on firepower, but on the “fragility of dependence.”
These chips are so vital that their uninterrupted production acts as a deterrent stronger than any fleet. Analysts call this dynamic Taiwan’s “Silicon Shield”—the idea that any Chinese attack would wreck the global tech supply chain, triggering economic chaos instead of victory. As long as the world needs Taiwan’s chips, everyone has a reason to keep the island safe.
In practice, the shield is beginning to look less like armor and more like a bargaining chip that is showing cracks. The United States, alarmed
that nearly all advanced chip production sits 9,000 miles away and within range of Chinese missiles, is racing to rebuild capacity at home. Washington’s CHIPS and Science Act pledged $52 billion in subsidies, and TSMC committed around $100 billion to new fabs in Arizona.
Yet recreating Taiwan’s Hsinchu ecosystem—built over decades with thousands of suppliers—is far slower. Some analysts’ optimistic estimates suggest that the US can cover only 30 to 50 percent of domestic demand by 2030, while the crown jewels—the 2 and 3 nanometer lines—stay in Taiwan, which has no intention of moving them. To Taiwan’s leaders, exporting its most advanced production is not diversification—it is disarmament. President Tsai Ing-wen calls for “democracy chips” jointly produced with allies but insists Taiwan must remain the heart of production.
Beijing dismisses all of this as a smokescreen. Despite billions poured into its own chipmakers, China still trails several generations behind. Even Huawei, the symbol of Chinese tech pride, relies on limited or smuggled equipment to stay afloat.
Business leaders hope economic logic will hold Beijing back. But wars rarely obey economics. Once fighting begins, rational calculations give way to emotion and survival. Taiwan has quietly planned for targeted sabotage—damaging key lithography tools to render its fabs useless if seized.
Chinese exports surge, giving Xi stronger hand in trade fight
CHINESE shipments overseas grew at the fastest in six months, far exceeding forecasts in a sign of resilience that’s giving Beijing a stronger hand in the latest trade war with the US.
The Philippines watches uneasily. Electronics make up over half its exports—about $40 billion in 2023—and much of that depends on inputs from Taiwan. A single disruption to TSMC would not just rattle Silicon Valley; it would reverberate through every Southeast Asian factory plugged into the same chain. Manila dreams of building its own semiconductor base, but replacing Taiwan’s ecosystem is nearly impossible. Whether they like it or not, the Philippines and much of Asia are bound to Taiwan’s Silicon Shield. The US will keep pushing for diversification; China will keep threatening reunification; Taiwan will cling to the leverage that keeps it safe. For Manila, the lesson is clear: diversify, align with allies, but never let one foreign industry define national security. Taiwan can gamble on its shield because the world needs it. The Philippines cannot. Its future lies in balance—part partner, part observer, always aware that when giants fight, the small are first to be crushed.
For now, the Silicon Shield still holds. But shields crack and if this one breaks, the shock will not stop at the Taiwan Strait. It will ripple from Silicon Valley to Cavite.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo
Exports rose 8.3 percent in September from a year earlier to $328.6 billion, the biggest monthly total so far in 2025, according to data from the General Administration of Customs on Monday. That was faster than the 6.6 percent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists and shows there’s no slowdown yet in the record-breaking flood of goods leaving China’s shores.
Shipments to the US plunged 27percent—the sixth month of double-digit declines—a slump more than offset by strong growth in sales to regions like the European Union. In total, exports to non-US destinations grew 14.8 percent, the fastest since March 2023.
“China’s exports have remained resilient despite US tariffs, thanks to a diversified export market and strong competitiveness,” said Mi-
chelle Lam, Greater China economist at Societe Generale SA. “The limited impact from US tariffs on overall trade so far has likely emboldened China to take a tougher stance in US-China trade negotiations.”
The strength of demand from markets other than the US means that Chinese firms should be less affected by the further increase in tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. Higher sales overseas are also providing a boost to a domestic economy in deflation and still struggling to reverse a decline in housing demand and prices.
China is set to announce thirdquarter data for economic activity on October 20, with most analysts predicting a slowdown from the first half of the year. Still, a strong showing in the first two quarters
put China on track to reach the official growth target of around 5 percent.
“China’s faster export growth in September shows shipments to markets outside the US are countering the deep slump in US-bound exports under higher tariffs. That probably reflects both increased expansion into non-US markets and transshipments via third countries to take advantage of their relatively lower tariffs,” said Bloomberg economist Eric Zhu.
Companies have responded to higher US tariffs by trying to seek out alternative markets or routing goods indirectly to the world’s biggest economy. Shipments to Africa surged 56 percent last month—the fastest since February 2021—with exports to Latin America rebounding 15.2 percent from declines in June and August.
Exports to the EU rose by more than 14 percent, the most in over three years, and those to the 10-nation Southeast Asian trading bloc grew almost 16 percent.
Vietnam was among major trade partners seeing the biggest increases, with China’s exports there jumping almost 25 percent even as growth moderated. Capital Economics called Vietnam “the top rerouting hub” and said the latest figures suggested “rerouting remains a key offset against US tariffs.”
Imports grew 7.4 percent in September, far more than forecast, as China increased purchases from
John Mangun
Opinion
Macron appoints French cabinet in new bid to quell crisis
By William Horobin & Nayla Razzouk
PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron announced a new cabinet Sunday as pressure builds for him and his reappointed prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, to head off France’s growing political crisis and pass a budget.
Lecornu, who resigned as premier a week ago before being renamed Friday, will need to tamp down defections from the political groups that propped up Macron’s centrist alliance to avoid another government collapse. The cabinet will meet for the first time Tuesday, which is when the prime minister is expected to propose the budget. Macron’s declining approval has left his coalition with a weak minority in France’s parliament, putting Lecornu at risk of losing his job yet again. Opposition and allied parties alike have expressed anger at Macron for failing to accept his tenuous position and retract his more maximalist policies.
Lecornu wrote on social media after the announcement that he will try to pass a budget before the end of the year. Earlier in the weekend, he told reporters: “either the political forces help me and we work together to make it happen, or they don’t.” French bond futures fell from the start of Monday’s trade and the euro edged lower versus the dollar following the announcement.
The new government must strike a delicate balance between bickering opposition parties if it is to survive no-confidence votes to come later this week at the National Assembly. With the far right and far left vowing to support motions to topple Lecornu whatever policies he proposes, the premier needs to convince both the Socialists and the Republicans to abstain in the coming votes.
The National Rally’s Marine Le Pen said in a social media post that her party would file a no-confidence motion on Monday and again called on Macron to dissolve parliament.
Olivier Faure, the Socialist leader, said in La Tribune Dimanche over the weekend that the most likely scenario was that Lecornu’s latest efforts would fail. Both of the premier’s predecessors—Michel Barnier and Francois Bayrou—were forced to resign following no-confidence votes related to the budget.
The Socialist Party is demanding wholesale reversals of Macron’s economic agenda, including suspending a controversial pension reform that raised the retirement age, hiking taxes on the wealthy and allowing more deficit spending. Centrists and the center right oppose such radical steps, although it is not clear whether they would go as far as to vote against the government.
Another government collapse would likely spark more selloffs on French markets. The spread between the 10-year yield of French and German bonds—a key gauge of risk—has already risen to more than 80 basis points from as low as 65
countries like Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands and Taiwan. That brought China’s overall trade surplus to $90.5 billion—an almost 11 percent rise from the same month in 2024.
And as China holds back from buying American goods like soybeans, its trade surplus with the US actu-
Proposed General Tax Amnesty Law
AThe new government must strike a delicate balance between bickering opposition parties if it is to survive no-confidence votes to come later this week at the National Assembly. With the far right and far left vowing to support motions to topple Lecornu whatever policies he proposes, the premier needs to convince both the Socialists and the Republicans to abstain in the coming votes.
in August and 43 before Macron called the snap elections last year that fractured parliament into acrimonious minority blocs.
Macron will travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday to attend the signing ceremony of the peace plan for Gaza.
Macron and Lecornu chose to reappoint several key ministers, including Roland Lescure as finance minister, Amelie de Montchalin as budget minister, and Jean-Noel Barrot at Foreign Affairs. However, Laurent Nunez replaced Bruno Retailleau at the interior ministry after the latter led a pushback against Lecornu’s last attempt to form a government.
Retailleau’s party, the Republicans, said in a statement that the ministers who remained in Lecornu’s second government will no longer be part of the party.
Macron’s office said the new cabinet had eight people from civil society, including former chief of rail company SNCF, Jean-Pierre Farandou, as labor minister.
Lecornu earlier warned that failure to adopt a budget would push the deficit to around 6 percent of economic output in 2026, from an expected 5.4 percent this year.
For the budget bill, the premier must compromise with demands for less belt-tightening from the lawmakers he depends on to remain in power. Socialists voted to topple former premier Francois Bayrou over his plan to narrow the deficit to 4.6 percent of economic output next year, while Lecornu has warned France’s credibility with markets is at stake and the target must not be wider than 5 percent.
Faure, the Socialist leader, said on Sunday ahead of the cabinet announcement that the political maneuvering was “a form of political madness.” But he repeated what his party needed so it wouldn’t vote to topple Lecornu’s government.
“I am obviously ready not to censure a prime minister who would agree, first, to roll back the pension reform, and then to govern without” bypassing parliament to pass a budget, he said on BFM TV. Bloomberg
ally widened slightly from August to near $23 billion in September. China’s exports to the EU exceeded its imports by almost $23 billion, resulting in the smallest trade surplus with the bloc since March.
“The current external environment remains grim and complex,” Wang Jun, deputy head of the customs authority, told reporters in Beijing. “Foreign trade faces rising uncertainty and difficulties. Taking into consideration a high base
Atty. Rodel C. Unciano
TAX LAW FOR BUSINESS
S you may be aware, the Tax Amnesty Act of 2019 was signed into law in February 2019, however, then President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the provisions on general tax amnesty allowing only the estate tax amnesty provisions to proceed.
Now, in an attempt to revive the stalled general tax amnesty during the past administration, Senator Win Gatchalian has recently introduced Senate Bill No. 60 aimed at giving delinquent taxpayers a fresh start by giving them an opportunity to settle their unpaid and outstanding tax liabilities amicably.
Under the proposal, the tax amnesty shall cover all unpaid national internal revenue taxes such as but not limited to income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, donor’s tax, value-added tax, other percentage taxes, excise tax and documentary stamp tax administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), including value-added tax and excise taxes being administered by the Bureau of Customs for taxable year 2024 and prior years. Taxpayers can avail themselves the tax amnesty, with or without assessments duly issued therefor.
The amnesty shall not cover: a) withholding tax agents who withheld taxes but failed to remit the same to the BIR; b) taxpayers with pending court cases involving graft and corrupt practices, anti-money launder-
ing, tax evasion, illegal exactions, malversation of public funds and property, etc; c) tax cases that have become final and executory; and d) delinquencies and assessments that have become final and executory. It shall not also cover estate tax.
Similar with other tax amnesties in the past, the grant of tax amnesty under the proposed bill is not free at all. The availing taxpayer will have to pay an amount equivalent to, at the option of the taxpayer, either: 1) two percent of the taxpayer’s total assets as of December 31, 2024; or 2) the higher between an amount fixed in the bill (ranging from P100,000 to P1,300,000), or five percent of the taxpayer’s total net worth as of December 31, 2024. If the taxpayer opts to pay the amnesty tax based on total net worth and the computed net worth is negative, the taxpayer may still avail himself of the benefits of tax amnesty and pay the minimum amnesty tax.
Those who avail themselves of the tax amnesty and fully comply with all the conditions set forth in the bill and upon payment of the amnesty tax shall be, with respect
Under the proposal, the tax amnesty shall cover all unpaid national internal revenue taxes such as but not limited to income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, donor’s tax, value-added tax, other percentage taxes, excise tax and documentary stamp tax administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, including value-added tax and excise taxes being administered by the Bureau of Customs for taxable year 2024 and prior years.
to the years covered by the tax amnesty, immune from the payment of taxes and from all appurtenant civil, criminal, and administrative cases and penalties and from other investigations or suits insofar as they relate to the assets, liabilities, net worth, and internal revenue taxes that are subject of the tax amnesty.
Also, any information or data contained in, derived from or provided by a taxpayer in the Tax Amnesty Return, Statement of Total Assets or Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth, as the case may be, shall be confidential in nature and shall not be used in any investigation or prosecution before any judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies. However, the taxpayer may use this as a defense, whenever appropriate, in cases brought against the taxpayer. The availment of the amnesty does not imply any admission of criminal, civil or administrative liability of the availing taxpayer.
The books of accounts and other records of the taxpayer for the years
Malaysia’s 2026 budget to give markets a boost,
By Bernadette Toh
MALAYSIA’S spending plan for 2026 will be mildly positive for local assets given the absence of negative surprises, according to analysts.
A boost in cash handouts will benefit consumer firms, while allocations to strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, and digital transformation will help develop businesses across value chains. Analysts are also optimistic over the government’s plan to narrow the fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product from 3.8 percent in 2025.
The stock benchmark fell as much as 1.3 percent on Monday before paring losses, amid broad declines in the region following the prospect of renewed trade tensions. The gauge has declined 1.7 percent so far this year, while the ringgit has gained 5.9 percent against the dollar.
Here’s what analysts are saying about next year’s budget:
Maybank Investment Bank
(Suhaimi Ilias and Lim Sue Lin)
SECTORS positively impacted are consumer, construction, healthcare and renewable energy which we see as sustained themes going into next year, and also dovetails nicely with our domestic-centric investment thesis.”
The only clear loser from Budget 2026 are the consumer “sin”-related sectors (tobacco & alcohol), which suggests minimal impact to the market. “While the Budget initiatives for tech are positive, we view them as neutral to the sector in the near term, given the still on-going uncertainties as Malaysian tech companies adjust to the tariff situation.”
from last year, we need hard work to stabilize trade development in the fourth quarter.”
China unveiled wide-ranging global export controls on products containing even traces of certain rare earths last week, prompting Trump to fire back by threatening to cancel a planned in-person meeting with President Xi Jinping—their first in six years. The US leader also announced plans to put an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods,
MBSB Research
“WE opine that the government seems to be more fiscally disciplined in light of the expectation of continued global uncertainty.”
Construction, consumer, and utilities sectors are identified as key beneficiaries.
“Budget 2026 did not offer much of a surprise to us. We are reassured by the fact there are no major unexpected tax announced which may have impacted corporate earnings. However, we are keeping a close eye on the carbon tax slated to come into effect next year.”
TA Securities (analysts including Kaladher Govindan)
“CONSTRUCTION, utilities, consumer, industrials, technology, property, and healthcare sectors benefit from targeted policy support, infrastructure spending, energy transition, and social initiatives driving inclusive economic and social development.”
Gamuda, Malakoff, Samaiden, Telekom Malaysia, and Fraser & Neave are top five budget beneficiaries.
Maintains end-2025 FBMKLCI target of 1,660, which is based on an undemanding CY26 price-earnings ratio of 14.5 times versus its 5-year average of 16.6 times.
CIMB Securities (analysts including Ivy Ng)
“WE expect the equity market’s re -
along with sweeping curbs on “any and all critical software.”
The Trump administration later signaled openness to a deal with China to quell fresh trade tensions while also warning that recent export controls announced by Beijing were a major barrier to talks.
Last month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides would hold another round of talks in Frankfurt, Germany, before the Nov. 10 expiration date for the tariff
covered by the tax amnesty availed of shall not be examined by the BIR but the Commissioner of Internal Revenue may authorize in writing the examination of the said books of accounts and other records to verify the validity or correctness of a claim for any tax refund, tax credit (other than refund or credit of taxes withheld on wages), tax incentives, and/ or exemptions under existing laws. Upon full compliance with all the conditions set forth in the proposed law and payment of the corresponding general amnesty tax, the tax amnesty granted shall become final and irrevocable. I hope this proposal will be passed into law. We already have estate tax amnesty, availment of which had just ended. We also have currently in effect the amnesty on unpaid real property tax pursuant to Republic Act 12001, or the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act. Perhaps, now is also the right time to grant tax amnesty on unpaid local business taxes to give taxpayers as well the opportunity to reset their business relations with the local government units and have a fresh start as a good and law-abiding taxpayer moving forward.
The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law) (www.bdblaw. com.ph).
The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal, or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported, therefore, by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 380.
analysts say
A boost in cash handouts will benefit consumer firms, while allocations to strategic sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, and digital transformation will help develop businesses across value chains. Analysts are also optimistic over the government’s plan to narrow the fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product from 3.8 percent in 2025.
action to Budget 2026 to be mildly positive, given the absence of negative surprises or new tax measures that could raise business costs in 2026.”
Overall, Budget 2026 is positive for the construction, technology, and consumer sectors. We maintain our KLCI target of 1,605 points. Among our Overweight sectors, the construction and consumer sectors are expected to benefit the most, while the property, brewers, and tobacco sectors may see mild negatives.
Citigroup Inc. (analysts including Megat Fais)
“WE see the Budget 2026 as neutral/ slight +ve for the equity market. However, the recent rally could cap upside, especially with tariff risk reescalating recently.” Relative winners include tourism and the renewables sector, with relevant stocks including that of airlines, Genting Malaysia and hospitality-centric REITs. Relative losers include tobacco/beverages given an increase in excise tax which could results in higher prices and hamper demand. The introduction of carbon tax will see higher costs for carbon intensive sectors.
trade truce.
Bloomberg Economics estimates that a 100 percent US tariff hike would lift effective rates on Chinese goods to around 140 percent— a level that shuts down trade. While the current rate is 25 percentage points above the world average, China’s dominance of manufacturing has kept its exports flowing.
But the limited exposure to the US of China’s fastest-growing exports—ranging from lithium
UOB Group (Julia Goh and Loke Siew Ting)
BUDGET 2026 is viewed as a responsible and well-calibrated fiscal plan, with macro projections generally more conservative than market expectations.” The growth outlook continues to be anchored by resilient domestic demand, supported by wage-related initiatives, ongoing cash handouts, capital expenditures particularly in high-growth and high-impact strategic sectors such as semiconductor, renewable energy and data centers, and robust tourism activities. Services, manufacturing and construction sectors remain key growth engines in 2026. Key infrastructure and utilities projects, such as the ASEAN Power Grid, are expected to drive investment momentum.
Fitch Ratings (Kathleen Chen)
“ THE latest budget reaffirms a commitment towards gradual fiscal consolidation, targeting a deficit of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2026—slightly below our previous forecast of 3.6 percent.” Government debt is gradually coming down but is still above the median for Fitch-rated ‘BBB’ category sovereigns of 58 percent in 2025.
CIMB Bank (strategists including Michelle Chia)
NET borrowings will decline slightly in 2026 on the back of further fiscal consolidation.” Due to heavier bond maturities next year, gross issuances is forecast to be between 173 to 178 billion ringgit relative to the estimated gross supply of 170.5 billion ringgit this year. With assistance from Eduard Gismatullin and Marcus Wong/ Bloomberg)
batteries to ships and electric vehicles—should make it easier for Beijing to contain any further disruption in trade, according to Lynn Song, chief Greater China economist at ING Bank NV. “So far this year, China has shown that while it does not wish for a trade war, it is willing to retaliate to escalations as needed,” he said. “The export resilience will likely strengthen confidence in this approach ahead of the talks later this month.” Bloomberg
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
2nd Front
BusinessMirror
DOST: NO MAN-MADE CAUSE BEHIND RECENT EARTHQUAKES
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
@blessogerio
THE recent series of earthquakes recorded across the Philippines was not caused by man-made activity or foreign research programs, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) clarified.
Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said no human-made technology exists that can release the same level of energy produced by an earthquake, addressing circulating claims that the tremors were linked to the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) in Alaska.
“There is no human-made thing that can match the energy released when an earthquake occurs,” Solidum said in Filipino during a media forum on Monday.
“The earthquakes are very deep, originating kilometers away...so it’s difficult to speculate that the earthquakes that occurred in the Philippines are manmade,” he added.
He explained that a magnitude 6 earthquake releases energy equivalent to that of a Hiroshima atomic bomb, making it scientifically implausible for any existing human technology to trigger such events.
The HAARP facility, often cit-
ed in online rumors, is a scientific research center in Alaska that studies the ionosphere—an area of the Earth’s upper atmosphere that is exposed to cosmic and solar radiation—and its effects on radio communications. Solidum emphasized that it cannot cause seismic activity.
“For example, the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Davao Oriental was located about 20 kilometers below the surface,” he said. “It is impossible for any instrument to influence such a deep portion of the Earth’s crust.”
The statement followed consecutive earthquakes that shook various parts of the country recently.
On October 10, twin quakes struck Davao Oriental, recording magnitudes of 7.3 and 6.8 near Manay town. The following day, tremors were also reported in Isabela, Zambales and Surigao del Sur.
A separate quake occurred in La Union on October 9, while a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit off Bogo City in Cebu on September 30.
Solidum reiterated that these events were the result of tectonic activity along active faults and trenches that run across the Philippine archipelago.
The country, located within
See “DOST,” A8
Halting circulation of ₧1K bill to do more harm—Remolona
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
DEMONETIZING
high-value
banknotes to stave off corrupt practices would do more harm than good by inconveniencing ordinary Filipinos, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr.
In a chat with reporters on Monday, Remolona said the proposal to demonetize, or to officially halt the circulation of banknotes, such as the P500 and P1,000 bills, is “tantalizing” but is not so simple.
“To me, it’s like, you know the saying: ‘you cut off your nose just to spite your face’? You’re doing more damage than [provide benefits],” Remolona said.
Citing his global experience, particularly working for the New York Federal Reserve, where officials debated removing the $100 bill, Remolona said the idea, while motivated by anti-corruption concerns, would not effectively deter illicit activities.
The central bank governor said while the C-note is the preferred denomination by drug dealers to move money around, it’s also often used by
regular citizens.
“Just to slow down a little bit what drug dealers do, you’re going to make it very difficult for many Americans. So it’s not that easy, the issue [of demonetization],” Remolona said, adding that the plan was eventually abandoned. He said that in the Philippines, the P1,000 bill is heavily used in daily transactions.
“For a small inconvenience for...corrupt contractors, you’re going to make life hard for many people.”
Meanwhile, Remolona noted that the BSP’s latest directive to financial institutions to limit large cash withdrawals to P500,000 per day has been “very effective so far.”
According to that directive, withdrawals of more than P500,000 must be made through check payment,
Repairing quake-damaged schools to cost
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
AS the Department of Educa-
tion (DepEd) detailed its continuing response to restore learning in the most affected areas, the agency on Monday reported that the estimated total cost of repair and reconstruction stood at P4 billion for a total of 1,140 schools that sustained damage from recent earthquakes across eight regions.
On Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on led national officials in Davao Oriental to assess the aftermath of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
Based on the October 13, 12am report from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), a total of 1,140 schools sustained damage across eight regions, with 7,575 classrooms affected. Of these, 1,297 were totally damaged, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage.
The hardest hit was Region XI (Davao Region), accounting for 764 damaged schools and over 5,350 totally damaged classrooms. Marcos and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara joined the situation briefing in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, following their visit to Manay National High School, one of the severely affected schools.
The school faces an estimated P73.3 million worth of repairs and replacements for damaged classrooms and laboratories.
Angara assured the public that the Department is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for structural integrity assessments and with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for possible Quick Response Fund (QRF) replenishment.
“We will work with [Public Works and Highways] Sec. Vince [Dizon] on the QRF and also on new classrooms. If we can build bigger ones—so it’s anticipatory—it’s like build back better,” Angara said.
DepEd has activated alternative learning modes, including modular distance learning and Edukahon, to ensure that learning continues even in damaged schools.
Temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms are being deployed in coordination with local governments and partner agencies.
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads national officials, including Secretaries Sonny Angara of DepEd and Vince Dizon of DPWH, in Davao Oriental on Monday, October 13, 2025, to assess the aftermath of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao. According to the Department of Education’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), 1,140 schools across eight regions sustained damage, affecting 7,575 classrooms. Of these, 1,297 were totally destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage. The DepEd estimates that repairs and reconstruction will cost around P4 billion.
fund transfer, direct credit to deposit accounts, and/or other forms using the digital payment platform of a bank or financial institution.
“There are complaints and we’re listening to those complaints. But for now, I think it’s a good measure,” Remolona said.
Moreover, the circular mandates banks to submit Covered Transaction Reports (CTRs) for cash or non-cash dealings worth P500,000 or more, and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) for cases that appear inconsistent with a person’s income or usual activity.
“It’s easier for us to connect the dots. Essentially, you use that to connect one bank account, many bank accounts to one, or one bank account to many,” Remolona said.
Banks have welcomed the new withdrawal limit, as it allows them to justify stricter screening measures for clients.
“They love it,” the BSP chief told reporters. “They’ve always been suspicious of some transactions, but couldn’t refuse them before. Now they can say, ‘BSP yan eh,’ and it makes their life easier.”
Moreover, Remolona said the central bank is working with the AntiMoney Laundering Council to analyze millions of STRs through a combination of human expertise and artificial intelligence (AI).
“We’re looking for the right AI and data scientists to make full use of the STRs,” he said noting that the number of suspicious transactions is “more overwhelming” now compared to the “Bangladesh bank heist.” The “overwhelming” challenge tacks on factors that have truncated hopes for the local economy. The BSP now projects the country’s economic growth will likely be at the low end of the government’s targets at 5.5 percent this year and 6 percent next year and in 2027.
Remolona said this growth outlook was affected by governance concerns surrounding public infrastructure spending, which has weighed on business sentiment.
The BSP’s decision to reduce the key policy rate by 25-basis point to 4.75 percent came amid allegations of widespread misuse of flood-control funds that have fueled public anger and rattled markets. The BSP’s move, which came as a surprise, was seen as an effort to cushion the economy from the potential slowdown in government spending as authorities scrutinize infrastructure projects.
Remolona noted that there were days when both the stock market declined and the peso depreciated at the same time, which signified that investors were leaving.
₧4B Poll: Wages can’t keep pace with rising costs
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
MOST Filipinos believe current wages are no longer enough to meet the rising cost of living, with eight in 10 supporting a P200 daily pay hike, according to a new survey conducted by research firm WR Numero.
Findings from its August 2025 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor showed that 83 percent of adult Filipinos favor the proposed across-the-board P200 wage increase bill pending in the 20th Congress.
Only 9 percent oppose the measure, while 8 percent are undecided. Support was strongest in South Luzon and Metro Manila at 87 percent each, followed by the Visayas at 86 percent, Mindanao at 79 percent, and North-Central Luzon at 77 percent.
The Department is also coordinating the replacement of damaged learning materials and ICT equipment, as well as the provision of psychosocial support for affected teachers and students. Meanwhile, 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected, with 57 reported injuries,
Approval was also broad across income groups, with 84 percent each from Classes ABC and D, and 83 percent from Class E expressing support.
Larger households were more likely to back the increase, with 87 percent of those with six or more members agreeing to the proposed hike.
The same survey found that most Filipinos believe the P50 wage increase in Metro Manila last July is not enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier announced the P50 increase for all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the National Capital Region—the biggest single wage adjustment granted by its regional board to date. (Related: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/07/01/dole-orders-P50-wage-hike-for-ncrworkers/).
According to WR Numero, seven in 10 respondents (73 percent) said the P50 increase is insufficient, while 21 percent believe it was acceptable if implemented nationwide, and 6 percent found it adequate for now.
In a text message to BusinessMirror, WR Numero said the strong public backing for the P200 wage hike reflects Filipinos’ continued focus on “gut issues”—or everyday economic concerns such as food prices, basic needs, and living costs.
“Even when presented many issues, these “gut issues” affecting daily life really matter to ordinary Filipinos, and it explains why support for raising wages is so strong. This is evident even across all income classes and regions,” the research firm said.
WR Numero added that this sentiment also explains why raising workers’ wages (39 percent) ranked among Filipinos’ top policy priorities—next only to lowering food and essential prices (42 percent), and ahead of addressing illegal drugs and crime (29 percent).
The survey likewise showed that Filipinos continue to view poverty reduction (29 percent), job creation and livelihood opportunities (28 percent), and corruption (23 percent) as other major issues that require government attention. The survey was conducted from July 29 to August 6, 2025, among 1,418 adult respondents nationwide, with a margin of error of ±2.6 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Several bills seeking a legislated nationwide wage hike are now pending in the 20th Congress, including proposals filed by Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros. In the previous Congress, both chambers pushed separate measures to raise the minimum wage but failed to pass a unified version.
The House of Representatives approved a P200 across-the-board increase in June 2025, while the Senate earlier passed a P100 hike in February 2024. However, the two chambers failed to convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the measures before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die.
Disagreement was highest in Metro Manila (88 percent), followed by the Visayas (72 percent), South Luzon (71 percent), North-Central Luzon (70 percent), and Mindanao (70 percent).
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE removal of foreign ownership restrictions on renewable energy (RE) projects in the Philippines has attracted 75 projects with 20 gigawatts (GW) of capacity since 2022.
As of August, the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded to foreign firms 13 solar power contracts with a total capacity of 1,297.52 megawatts (MW), nine offshore wind (OSW) contracts with 5,510 MW, and 53 onshore wind contracts with 13,183.95 MW.
“We recognize that private sector investment is central in achieving our targets. Hence, we are creating an enabling business environment to make RE more appealing to investors.
In 2022, liberalized foreign ownership rule is a clear signal to the world that the Philippines is open for clean energy business.
To date, it has already attracted 75 projects, totaling 20 GW capacity, awarded to fully foreign entities,” said DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara during the 2nd Philippines Future Energy & Grid Summit.
The policy, backed by a legal opinion from the Justice department, allows up to 100-percent foreign ownership in the exploration, development, and utilization of indigenous RE sources.
The 100-percent foreign ownership in RE projects, which facilitated faster entry of RE investments, is among the renewable policies that accelerated RE development in the country.
‘Easing of foreign ownership cap boosts local RE supply’ Vivant unit supplies power to Paleco
THE Palawan Electric Cooperative (Paleco) and Delta P Inc. (DPI) have started implementing last October 4 their 15-year power supply agreement (PSA).
Under their PSA, Paleco is assured of 40 megawatts (MW) of power supply from DPI, a subsidiary of Vivant Energy Corp. (Vivant Energy).
This milestone underscores Paleco’s commitment to address the long-standing
Other efforts include the simplified RE service contracts under the revised omnibus guidelines, energy virtual one-stop shop (EVOSS) system, expanded roof-mounted solar program (ERSP), net-metering program, green energy option program, renewable energy portfolio standards, and green energy auctions.
Overall, there are 1,371 RE contracts, with an installed capacity of 7.7 GW, awarded as of August this year. The potential capacity of these projects stands at 145.8GW.
Of which, 561 are solar contracts, 414 are hydro, 286 are wind, 72 are biomass, and 29 are geothermal.
The DOE is targeting a 35-percent RE share in the power generation mix by 2030, 50 percent by 2040, and over 50 percent by 2050.
Under the Philippine Energy Plan 20232050, there are six energy transition strategies cried by the DOE. The list include acceleration of RE development, with focus on OSW; smart and green transmission system to accommodate more RE capacity that will come online from 2024 to 2040; build port infrastructure to support OSW; voluntary early decommissioning or repurposing of existing coal power plants; decarbonize the transport sector through
challenges in mainland Palawan by ensuring a reliable power supply and reducing electricity costs for its member-consumerowners (MCO) in partnership with Vivant Energy, according to a statement from both firms released Monday.
Prior to the start of the PSA, both were implementing a transition power supply agreement (TSPA). The PSA now paves the way for a more reliable power in the province and a lower power generation charge
SEC bags award for wellbeing, diversity
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday said it secured awards for wellbeing and diversity by the Investors in People (IiP) Philippines, The SEC was named the winner for the award for Wellbeing and runner-up for the award for Diversity and during the IiP Awards 2025.
“At the SEC, we’ve always believed that our greatest strength lies in our people. They are at the heart of our progress, the trust we’ve earned, and the reforms we’ve led,” SEC Commissioner Javey Paul D. Francisco said during the awards ceremony.
“Integrity, service, and accountability live through them every day. And because they are also the future of the SEC and of the capital markets we are building, we are committed to helping them grow and realize their full potential.”
Held under the theme “Inspire to Excel,” the IiP Awards gathered leaders from the IiP community to showcase people-centered practices and how the IiP standard-setting framework continues to shape organizational growth.
“Once a year, we gather together as a community with guests to be able to celebrate excellence. That’s the reason why we have adopted the theme for tonight, the phrase ‘Inspire to Excel’,” IiP Philippines CEO Gerry A. Plana said. The SEC has been consistently recognized by the IiP Philippines for “employing best practices in promoting the welfare of its employees through engagement, communication, and organizational culture.”
In 2023, the SEC received the Standard Accreditation, making it the first agency in the government financial sector and the third national government agency to receive the international recognition for people management.
electric vehicles; and energy efficiency and conservation.
“The challenges we face in meeting our nation’s energy demands are significant, but so is our resolve. The Philippines has long depended on imported fossil fuels, exposing us to volatile costs and climate risks.
That is our commitment to the Filipino people, and it is the driving force behind the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2023-2050-our updated roadmap for transition,” said Guevara.
The transition roadmap, she added, presents three scenarios. Reference (REF) Scenario, which targets a 35-percent RE share by 2030 and 50 percent from 2040 to 2050; Clean Energy Scenario (CES) 1 which has high RE with low OSW + nuclear + coal repurposing; and CES 2 which has high RE with high OSW + nuclear + coal repurposing.
“These targets are not just numbers; they represent a fundamental shift in our national policy and a decisive step toward a sustainable future. This is a whole-of-government commitment. Our six energy transition strategies begin with the most urgent: accelerating renewable energy development,” said the DOE official.
She noted, however, that the country’s energy mix paints a different story. In 2008, renewables made up 35 percent. Today, it is only at 22 percent.
“This is not failure—it is a call to action. Our goals are clear: 35 percent by 2030, 50 percent by 2040, and beyond 50 percent by 2050. So, how have we begun this journey?
Our approach has been multi-pronged, with the landmark Renewable Energy Act of 2008 which truly catalyzed the RE sectors: biomass, geothermal, solar, hydropower, ocean, and wind—collectively: BIG SHOW,” said Guevara.
for consumers as DPI will only recover the Subsidized Approved Generation Rate (SAGR) from Paleco.
Also, Paleco’s MCOs will receive refunds from its implementation, along with significantly lower electricity bills through the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME), further easing the burden of the consumers who previously had to pay unsubsidized generation rates. Lenie Lectura
Banking&Finance
T-bills yields dip again as BSP stays dovish
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
YIELDS of Treasury bills (T-bills) dipped again for the 14th time in the last 15 weeks as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) focuses on governance issues negatively impacting the economy and investor sentiment.
Last Monday the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) auction committee awarded the full P22 billion shortdated debt papers up for sale. Demand for T-bills was as much as 4.4 times oversubscribed, attracting P97.185 billion in total bids, as investors displayed strong demand for government securities. According to Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), investors are locking in yields before they drop further in the coming months amid
dovish signals by the central bank.
Broken down, the government generated P7 billion by fully awarding the 91-day T-bills, with demand amounting to P25.210 billion.
The 91-day debt papers fetched an average rate of 4.880 percent, down by 16.7 basis points (bps) from the previous auction’s 5.047 percent. Rates ranged from a low of 4.870 percent to a high of 4.893 percent.
The 182-day T-bills capped at a 5.072 percent average rate, lower by 5.6 basis points from 5.128 percent in the last auction.
Posted bids for the government IOUs reached P36.760 billion, of which P7.5 billion was fully awarded.
As for the 364-day instruments, the average rate dropped by 10.9 basis points, settling at 5.119 percent from 5.228 percent a week ago.
The government awarded the full
How personality shapes the way we budget
MANY people start a budget with the best intentions. They download an app, create a spreadsheet or write down every peso they spend. For a few days, it feels empowering, but then the excitement fades. Tracking becomes exhausting, the numbers stop matching reality, and the budget quietly disappears.
Others avoid budgeting altogether. They say it makes them feel deprived, or that money ends up controlling them instead of the other way around. Some try one method, give up, and then blame themselves for lacking discipline.
If budgeting is so important, why does it work for some and fail for others?
More than just math
TRADITIONAL advice tells us to track expenses, follow formulas like the “50/30/20” rule, or use systems such as zero-based budgeting. These methods can work, but they often overlook one truth: budgeting is not only about math. It is also about personality, habits, and mindset.
Financial knowledge alone is not enough. Even the best system will fail if it clashes with how a person naturally thinks, feels, and behaves with money.
Personality differences in budgeting
SOME people thrive on structure. They enjoy spreadsheets, itemized categories, and the sense of control that comes from knowing exactly where every peso goes. For them, zero-based budgeting or detailed tracking works well.
Others find that level of detail overwhelming. They prefer simple systems such as percentage-based budgeting, the envelope method, or automatic transfers to savings. Too much complexity drains their motivation, so a lighter approach keeps them consistent.
Our personalities shape the way we handle money:
Detail-oriented vs. Big-picture thinkers. Some like to see every peso, others just want a broad overview.
Impulse-driven vs. Cautious personalities. Impulsive spenders may need stricter boundaries, while cautious savers might thrive with more flexibility.
Structured vs. Flexible types. Some follow rules easily, while others feel trapped and rebel against strict limits.
Behavioral tendencies also play a role. Present bias pushes us to prioritize immediate gratification over future security. Loss aversion makes us feel the “pain” of cutting back more than the benefit of saving. These tendencies influence how
P7.5 billion as bids for the T-bills amounted to P35.215 billion.
Ricafort pointed to the “October 9 surprise,” wherein monetary authorities cut key policy rates by 25bps and hinted at a possible rate cut in December.
The Monetary Board lowered the policy rates to 4.75 percent, the lowest policy rate recorded by the country since September 2022. That was the time when rates were raised by 50bps to 4.25 percent. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/10/09/ bsp-cuts-rates-to-4-75-lowestsince-september-2022/)
BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairman Eli M. Remolona Jr. has said there may be room for monetary authorities to further reduce rates in the near future.
The dovishness of MB members may have been influenced by a weak
likely we are to stick with a budget.
Other influences beyond personality IT is not just personality that matters. Our past experiences and environment also shape how we manage money.
Upbringing and money scripts. If someone grew up in a home where every expense was tracked tightly, they might see budgeting as restrictive. Others who experienced financial instability may either become very cautious or spend freely as a way of rebelling.
Cultural expectations. In the Philippines, family obligations often take priority. A person may carefully plan a budget, only to divert funds to help relatives. Environment and stress. A demanding job, irregular income, or frequent emergencies can make detailed budgeting difficult to sustain.
These influences show why no single method works for everyone.
Why budgets fail
WHEN budgets fail, it is rarely because people are careless. More often, the system they tried did not match their personality or situation.
Feeling deprived. If the budget is too strict and leaves no room for enjoyment, it is hard to sustain.
Feeling overwhelmed. If the system requires too much time and effort, people eventually give up.
Lack of emotional connection. If budgeting feels like a punishment instead of a tool, motivation disappears.
Copying others. A friend’s method may work for them, but feel impossible for someone else.
The psychology of finding what works
THE truth is, there is no one-size-fitsall budget. The best budget is the one you can actually stick to.
If you hate tracking every peso, try a percentage method like 50/30/20 or set up automatic transfers to savings. If you
love detail, spreadsheets and zero-based budgeting may give you confidence. If you tend to overspend on wants, cash envelopes or e-wallet limits can help you stay in control.
The system does not need to be perfect. What matters is that it matches your personality, values, and lifestyle.
Practical tips for creating your own budget style START simple. Begin with one or two categories (such as savings and expenses) before adding more detail.
Allow flexibility. Give yourself room for small joys to prevent splurges later.
Automate good habits. Set up savings or bill payments so they happen without effort.
Reflect on past habits. Think about which systems motivated you and which ones drained you.
Treat budgeting as an experiment. Test, adjust, and refine. A failed method does not mean you failed. It just means you have not found the right fit yet.
Budgeting is often seen as a rigid exercise in discipline, but it is really about self-awareness. Understanding your personality, habits, and influences makes it easier to design a system that works for you. The goal is not control for control’s sake. It is freedom, peace of mind, and the ability to align your money with your values.
Budgets do not fail because people are weak. They fail because the wrong system was forced on the wrong person. When you find the budget that fits your personality, you stop fighting against yourself and start moving toward a financial life that feels sustainable and empowering.
Janice Sabitsana is a Registered Financial Planner of RFP Philippines. For tips and resources, visit www. thepinayinvestor.com. To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 113th RFP program this September 2025. E-mail info@rfp.ph or visit rfp.ph to learn more about the program.
outlook on the growth of the domestic economy, a stance Remolona linked to governance concerns surrounding public infrastructure spending, which has also weighed on business sentiment.
The central bank governor added that the stock market has declined with fewer and fewer companies pushing through with planned expansion. Remolona also noted there were days when the stock market and the peso declined at the same time, signifying that investors are leaving the country.
Nonetheless, the MB sees scope for a “more accommodative” monetary policy stance, as the favorable inflation outlook and moderating domestic demand provide room to further support economic activity.
Hence, Ricafort sees a possible 25-basis points rate cut on December
11, matching the total 50-bps additional cuts the US Federal Reserve is expected to undertake before the year ends.
“[This will] maintain healthy interest rate differentials as well, provided inflation remains relatively benign and the US dollar/ peso exchange rate remains relatively stable,” added the RCBC executive.
For this month, the Treasury will borrow a total of P88 billion by issuing T-bills of various tenors.
The government is also set to borrow this year a total of P2.6 trillion, of which around P2.112 trillion is expected to come from domestic sources and the remaining from foreign financiers.
As of end-August this year, the government’s outstanding debt reached P17.468 trillion.
Trading losses yank down BSP income
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) saw its net income fall by double digits in the first seven months of the year, weighed down by higher trading losses that offset modest gains in interest income.
Latest data from the BSP’s “Statement of Income and Expense,” the central bank’s net income after tax and capital reserves dropped by 16.80 percent from January to July this year compared to a year ago.
BSP’s net income amounted to P79.2 billion as of end-July this year from P95.2 billion in the same period last year.
Revenues of the central bank dipped by 14.1 percent yearon-year to P163.8 billion from P190.6 billion.
The central bank’s interest income inched up by 1.13 percent to P142 billion as of end-July this year from P140.4 billion in endJuly a year ago.
Despite the slight growth in earnings from interest, the BSP’s miscellaneous income plunged by 56.77 percent to P21.7 billion as of end-July from the P50.2 billion recorded in the previous year. The BSP’s miscellaneous income includes trading gains, fees, penalties and other operating income, among others.
On the other hand, the BSP posted a 3.4-percent decline in its expenses, which stood at P121.5 billion as of end-July this year from a year ago’s P98.4 billion.
The BSP’s interest expenses went down by 17.07 percent to P81.6 billion in the first seven months of the year from P98.4 billion last year. Other expenses, which include net trading losses, expanded by 45.62 percent to P39.9 billion in the Januaryto-July period this year from P27.4 billion in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the central bank’s
net income before net gain on foreign exchange rate fluctuations, income tax expense, and capital reserves was at P42.3 billion as of the end of July. That figure represents realized gains or losses from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates arising from foreign currencydenominated transactions of the BSP, according to the central bank. The operating profit was a 34.82-percent contraction from the P64.9 billion the BSP recorded in the same period last year. Moreover, the BSP’s net gain on foreign exchange rates fluctuation rose by 21.71 percent to P37 billion in January to July this year from P30.4 billion in the same period a year ago. The figure represents realized gains or losses from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates arising from foreign currency-denominated transactions of the BSP. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Malayan Insurance cites growth drivers
By VG Cabuag @villygc
MALAYAN Insurance Co. credited its “synergy” within the Yuchengco Group of Co., advanced analytics tools and strong underwriting capabilities as the drivers of its “consistent” top performance over the past two years.
As of December last year, Malayan’s net premiums written increased to P5.36 billion from the previous year’s P4.78 billion. While gross premiums written slightly dipped to P15.07 billion from P15.4 billion, the company retains its high ranking for two years in a row.
Malayan Insurance Chief Underwriting Officer Adelo A. Abeleda said last Monday that the company’s sustainable growth is “shaped by internal strengths and external market dynamics.”
“Internally, Malayan benefits from strong underwriting and distribution capabilities, enhanced by its affiliation and synergy with YGC. With YGC’s deep market relationships, financial strength, and strategic guidance, Malayan is well-positioned to seize growth opportunities while
managing risks effectively—a combination that has strengthened its standing in a competitive industry,” Abeleda said.
“Externally, Malayan benefits from the overall growth of the Philippine insurance industry and the country’s economic expansion, which drives demand for new insurance products,” he added.
Malayan’s key performance indicators reflect sustained business growth in a highly competitive market.
“The company’s rising NPW highlights its financial strength and ability to meet obligations. This growth suggests that the company is actively engaged in the market through proper selection and has the financial capability to manage a larger volume of policies, reinforcing its reliability and capacity to serve,” Abeleda said.
The bottom line, Abeleda said the numbers aren’t just about size; it’s about stability.
“And in an unpredictable world, that’s exactly what you want from your insurer.”
He said Malayan has been improving its underwriting profitability and risk evaluation by
utilizing modern risk modeling platforms and risk assessment tools available in the market, including the innovative Moody’s RMS Risk Modeler which enables risk analysis of potential disasters.
Rising concerns over economic uncertainty, climate change and cybersecurity will continue to drive the demand for non-life insurance. On the other hand, tighter regulatory requirements and the need for advanced risk modeling tools will keep the market competitive.
“For Malayan, the competitive edge will likely keep evolving around three pillars: data-driven underwriting, disciplined risk selection, and the strength of its partnerships. With continued investments in advanced analytics, technology, and talent, the company is well positioned to offer more tailored solutions, respond faster to client needs, and maintain a solid balance sheet—all of which are crucial in a rapidly changing environment,” Abeleda said.
Founded in 1930, Malayan Insurance is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year.
Cryptocurrencies recover from record wipeout on easing trade fears
MOST major cryptocurrencies rebounded from steep losses suffered over a brutal weekend selloff, as President Donald Trump sought to quell concerns over trade between the US and China. The combined market value of all cryptocurrencies rose more than 6 percent to top $4 trillion on Monday, according to CoinGecko data. Bitcoin was trading at about $115,000 on Monday morning in London, after
sliding below $105,000 on Friday in the US. Smaller tokens also regained some ground, with Ether back to about $4,100 after falling to less than $3,500. The gains coincided with Sunday statements from Trump and Vice President JD Vance signaling openness to a deal with China that eased trade tensions. A record $19 billion in crypto bets were erased and crypto prices tumbled after severe new China tariffs announced by Trump
on Friday. Leverage, automatically triggered sales and low liquidity at odd hours for global trading compounded losses for traders.
“The rebound is driven by a conciliatory message from Trump,” said Richard Galvin, co-founder of hedge fund DACM. Most so-called altcoins—shorthand for smaller tokens—are still trading well below where they were on October 9, Galvin added. “Looking forward, headline
risk, like throughout 2025, remains high and the market is exposed to any further trade escalation pronouncements or any other left-tail risks.”
The selloff’s impact was wideranging. Ethena USDe, the thirdlargest stablecoin, briefly lost its dollar peg. Binance, the biggest digitalassets exchange, experienced technical glitches. More than 1.6 million traders were liquidated, according to data tracker Coinglass.
Executives head into the week wondering who bore the brunt of the losses. So far, they haven’t uncovered any evidence of a blowup—a nagging fear in crypto markets after previous collapses, such as that of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX, sparked daisy-chains of failures.
Funding rates—the interest paid by bullish traders to take on leverage for futures bets—have plunged to their lowest levels since around the time of FTX’s implosion in 2022, among “the most severe leverage resets in crypto history,” Coinglass said in a research note. Caladan, a crypto market maker, said in a research note that the crash caused open interest in Bitcoin and Ether options to halve to $33 billion and $19 billion, respectively. That reset will “place a surer footing under pricing over the medium term,” Galvin said. Bloomberg News
Art
ManilART 2025 goes across forms, beyond borders
THE country’s longest-running annual visual arts fair, ManilART returns tomorrow for its 17th year, featuring an expansion into and intersection between various art forms.
This year’s fair carries the theme Across Forms, Beyond Borders. Set to run from October 15 to 19 at the SMX Aura Convention Center, Taguig City, ManilART 2025 highlights how creativity transcends categories, from fashion to functional design, from digital media to cuisine. The theme also “reflects the way ideas evolve and resurface, reinterpreted across time and form, weaving connections between the visual arts and other creative expressions.”
“ManilART 2025 celebrates the cyclical nature of inspiration, and how creative themes across disciplines and generations constantly reinterpret themselves in new forms,” said Amy Loste, ManilART founder president, during last week’s press conference. “[The fair] becomes not only a showcase of art but also a dialogue between forms where every piece, medium, and discipline reflects a shared, everevolving cultural story in the Philippines.”
ManilART 2025 presents several notable collaborations with prominent practitioners in other artistic fields. The fair’s project with Coco Kusina Philippine Coconut Kitchen, for instance, explores the interplay between visual art and heritage cuisine, featuring local and artisanal flavors and ingredients. The partnership showcases how culture itself is a shared canvas, with food, art and tradition enriching the Filipino experience.
What’s more, there are exhibits featuring fashion collections born from paintings, sculptures that echo
textile design, and digital works that reinterpret physical media. This year’s roster of exhibitors includes the Annual Sculpture Review, Araw Gallery, Art Corner PH, Art For Space Gallery PH, Art Toys PH, Artalyer, Artes Orientes, AT Art Gallery, Daloy Likha Art Gallery, Drybrush Gallery, Florentino Gallery, Galleria Nicolas, Galerie Bañez, Galerie Du Soleil, Galerie Jose, Galerie Raphael, Gallery Nine, Historia Art, La Galeria De Maria, Legacy Art Gallery, Life ’n Arts Gallery, M Galerie, NAMI Art Gallery, OMVI Art Gallery, Pugad Ni Art, Renaissance Art Gallery, Rojo Galerie, The Artologist Gallery, VAM International Art Gallery, and Village Art Gallery.
Beyond the exhibitions, ManilART 25 strengthens its commitment to education and cultural discourse through talks, panels and workshops. Features include a discussion with global Filipinos from across cultural sectors, including cuisine, literature, and the visual arts, expanding conversations on how Filipino creativity resonates worldwide.
The five-day fair also coincides with satellite shows across the country, extending its reach to regional audiences. For this year’s edition, ManilART partners with the inaugural San Pablo Art Circuit (SaPAC), an initiative of artistic and cultural venues in and around San Pablo City in Laguna. The showcase will take over 10 venues to feature visual artists and local traditions in a month-long “Artstravaganza” this October. Participants include the Art Barn at Casa San Pablo, Art Corridor, Color Commune at Sining Labuyo, Fule-Malvar Heritage Mansion, the Lake House, Paraiso de Avedad Gallery, Studio 88, Sulyap Cafe Gallery & Museum, Verbena Gallery of Patis Tesoro, and Villa Escudero Museum.
Aside from being the longest-running project of its kind in the Philippines, ManilART is also positioned as the country’s national art fair, being the banner project of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ annual celebration of Museums and Galleries Month every October.
■ For more details and the official activities calendar, visit www.manilartfair.com and follow ManilART on Facebook and Instagram (@manilartfair). ManilART 25 tickets are available at Ticketbooth.ph.
DIANE KEATON, OSCAR-WINNING STAR OF ‘ANNIE HALL’ AND ‘THE GODFATHER,’ DIES AT 79
CONTINUED FROM B5
newly single woman in The First Wives Club, and a divorced playwright who gets involved with Jack Nicholson’s music executive in Something’s Gotta Give. Keaton won an Oscar for Annie Hall and would go on to be nominated three more times, for Reds, playing the journalist and suffragist Louise Bryant, Marvin’s Room, as a caregiver who suddenly needs care herself, and Something’s Gotta Give, as a middle-aged divorcee who is the object of several men’s affections.
In her very Keaton way, upon accepting her Oscar in 1978, she laughed and said, “This is something.” Allen and the late Marshall Brickman gave Keaton one of her most iconic roles in Annie Hall, the infectious woman from Chippewa Falls whom
Allen’s Alvy Singer cannot get over.
The film is considered one of the great romantic comedies of all time, with Keaton’s eccentric, self-deprecating Annie at its heart.
In the New York Times, critic Vincent Canby wrote, “As Annie Hall, Miss Keaton emerges as Woody Allen’s Liv Ullman. His camera finds beauty and emotional resources that somehow escape the notice of other directors. Her Annie Hall is a marvelous nut.”
Not all of Keaton’s roles were home runs, like her foray into action in George Roy Hill’s John le Carré adaptation of Little Drummer Girl
But in 1987 she’d begin another long-standing collaboration with Nancy Meyers, which would result in four beloved films.
Reviews for that first outing, Baby Boom, directed by Charles Shyer,
might have been mixed at the time but Pauline Kael even described Keaton’s as a “glorious comedy performance that rides over many of the inanities.”
In 2003, Meyers would direct her in Something’s Gotta Give, a romantic comedy in which she begins a relationship with a playboy womanizer, played by Jack Nicholson, while also being pursued by a younger doctor, played by Keanu Reeves.
Her character Erica Barry, with her beautiful Hamptons home and ivory outfits was a key inspiration for the recent coastal grandmother fashion trend. It earned her what would be her last Oscar nomination and, later, she’d call it her favorite film.
She also directed occasionally, with works including an episode of Twin Peaks, a Belinda Carlisle music video and the sister dramedy Hanging Up which Nora Eprhon and Delia Ephron
co-wrote, and she starred in alongside Meg Ryan and Lisa Kudrow.
Keaton was celebrated with an AFI Life Achievement Award in 2017, telling the AP at the time that it was a surreal experience.
“I feel like it’s the wedding I never had, or the big gathering I never had, or the retirement party I never had, or all these things that I always avoided— the big bash,” she said. “It’s really a big event for me and I’m really, deeply grateful.”
In 2022, she “cemented” her legacy with a hand and footprint ceremony outside the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, with her children looking on.
“I don’t think about my film legacy,” she said at the event.
“I’m just lucky to have been here at all in any way, shape or form. I’m just fortunate. I don’t see myself anything other than that.”
★★★
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep your opinions to yourself. Someone will use your words and vulnerabilities against you. Focus on personal improvements that boost your appetite for survival and point you in a direction that leads to a wiser, more vibrant version of yourself. Don’t let anger set in when it’s better to spend your energy on becoming who you want to be. ★★★
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Educate yourself. The more you know and understand about what you want to change, the easier it becomes to make the amendments you feel strongly about. Thoughts followed by actions will encourage growth and sustainability. Walk away from unpredictable situations, and build on a solid foundation that suits your needs. ★★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take a chance, put your best foot forward and dazzle whoever you pitch to with your enthusiasm. Paint your vision with color and possibilities, but don’t promise the impossible. Nothing and no one are perfect, but striving to do your best will get you where you want to go.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Select your words wisely. Anger or a pushy attitude will not yield the results you are seeking. Opportunities arise from research, knowledge and connecting with those in a position to help you achieve your goals. Discipline, networking and showcasing your skills and expertise will pave the way to your success.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll move up the ladder emotionally, physically and financially if you trust your instincts, are willing to give back and aren’t afraid to be different. A cash injection is within reach if you are diligent and embrace what you do best. Love, commitment and awareness are on the rise, helping you exceed your expectations. ★★★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Verify your information before passing it along. Protect your reputation and focus on what’s possible. How you bring about change matters, and the results will determine your rank in a competitive world. Protect your reputation by remaining calm and offering facts, figures and good results. ★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put everything you encounter in perspective. Take your time and react accordingly. Jumping to conclusions will end up costing you your time, money or reputation. Observation is in your best interest and will protect you from vulnerability. Focus your energy on self-improvement rather than trying to change others. ★★★
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get creative; embrace life and use your intelligence to turn your attributes into a lucrative endeavor. Trust your intuition, and invest time, money and effort in personal, emotional and financial growth. It’s time to pursue your dream instead of just living in your imagination.
BIRTHDAY BABY: You are courageous, direct and possessive You are trendsetting and influential.
Jericho Rosales, Mon Confiado speak from their hearts
GMA NETWORK CELEBRATES WINNING STREAK WITH TOP-RATING SERIES
GMA Network continues its winning streak, with its afternoon and primetime shows captivating audiences nationwide and dominating the ratings game based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s Urban Philippines data for September 2025 (September 28-30 based on overnight ratings).
The afternoon series My Father’s Wife, starring Gabby Concepcion, Jak Roberto, Kazel Kinouchia and Kylie Padilla, remains the talk of the town as it reveals the true face of fraud in love and life. Airing from Monday to Saturday, My Father’s Wife recorded an average people rating of 7 percent—way ahead of other competing programs.
The emotional family drama Cruz vs Cruz, headlined by Vina Morales, Niel Rose Sese and Gladys Reyes, highlights the power of forgiveness in overcoming family challenges. With the series’ intense scenes and emotional depth, it tallied a strong average people rating of 7.4 percent (Monday to Friday)—leaving its competing programs behind.
Meanwhile, Akusada, led by Andrea Torres, Benjamin Alves and Lianne Valentin, empowers viewers to fight for justice and a better future despite being haunted by the past. The series continues to hook viewers, pulling off an average people rating of 6.8 percent (Monday to Friday)—dominating other programs on the same timeslot.
On primetime, GMA continues to soar as a ratings powerhouse. The highly anticipated Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, featuring the newest generation of gem keepers brought to life by Bianca Umali, Faith Da Silva, Angel Guardian and Kelvin Miranda, maintained its lead over FPJ’s Batang Quiapo (A2Z/TV5/Kapamilya Ch) with a combined (GMA and GTV) average people rating of 13 percent (Monday to Friday).
Delivering good vibes, action and romance, Sanggang Dikit FR, topbilled by Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the police duo solves crimes while finding love. The show recorded an average combined (GMA/GTV) people rating of 8.9 percent, leading against its rival It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (A2Z/TV5/Kapamilya Ch/Jeepney TV).
Beautiful wins also reigned until its thrilling finale week as Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, and Ruffa Gutierrez unraveled more mysteries and power plays in Beauty Empire. The series that aired from Monday to Thursday registered an average combined (GMA/GTV) people rating of 4.2 percent, higher than the average combined (A2Z/TV5/Kapamilya Ch./Jeepney TV) people ratings (corresponding Mondays to Thursdays) of its competition, Sins of the Father, covering the month of September. Moreover, Beauty Empire was the No. 1 most watched series on the VIU streaming platform for 6 consecutive weeks.
Before the year ends, GMA Entertainment Group is set to unveil two more compelling series, Hating Kapatid and Never Say Die, which are sure to captivate audiences once again. More information can be found at www.gmanetwork. com.
ESTEEMED actors Jericho Rosales and Mon
Confiado are both aware how important their new movie is, especially at a time when the country is facing insurmountable challenges and unimaginable damages brought about by unscrupulous public officials, nefarious scoundrels and an almost irreversible, rotten political system.
Quezon is a historical drama about Manuel Quezon, a movie set during the American occupation, years after the Philippine revolution came to pass.
It is the final instalment in the trilogy of films bankrolled by TBA Studios and directed by the lowkey but brilliant filmmaker Jerrold Tarog, which started with Heneral Luna (2015), followed by Goyo: Batang Heneral (2018).
In all these films, highly-touted actor Mon Confiado gives life to the complicated and colorful character of Emilio Aguinaldo, a revolutionary leader who became the very first president of the Philippines.
“With Quezon, I’ve come full circle as Emilio Aguinaldo. Playing the same role in three historical movies, shot in a span of 10 years, can be considered rare and precious for an actor. I am just so honored and grateful for the amazing opportunities that came with the role, and the trust that our director and producers have given me all these years.”
Confiado added, “My research, readings and reflections on my character continue to give me so much learnings not only in terms of what happened in the past but also on how his life and how he dealt with those that surrounded him in different periods of history that affected the major events that helped shape our nation.”
He admitted that he is saddened by what’s currently happening in our country because of corruption.
“We have to admit that the system has become disgusting. People are divided. How politicians can stomach keeping a blind eye to the wrongdoings of the culprits depending on which side they are associated with. Our leaders and their families have become greedy, power hungry and self-serving. People are helpless and many feel hopeless. I hope that in some small way, our film can help make people think and rethink how to love our country and its people more, based on the many learnings from history.”
When asked if he would want to become the leader of a nation like his character, Confiado was quick to reply: “No, thank you,” before bursting into laughter. He continued, “Seriously, I have never been—and will never be—interested in holding public office. I don’t think I am equipped with the knowledge about governance, nor can I put up with being one, especially with the kind of politicians we have around. No way would I want to throw myself into that pit. I am very happy being an actor and I will continue to improve my craft, and master the art of being an actor.”
When the film opens this week nationwide, the audiences will be treated to an intense political rivalry between Confiado’s Aguinaldo character and Quezon, played by Jericho Rosales.
Perhaps the elements of the universe truly conspired to make sure Rosales is the final actor to play Quezon, a role originally reserved for TJ Trinidad, who has since shifted to full-time corporate work after years of being an actor.
Trinidad played Manuel Quezon in the Goyo instalment of the trilogy and was expected to reprise the same role which would’ve elevated him to solo lead status in this new film.
“I guess it’s destiny because even if I said that I was game to do it when they first pitched the project, TBA Studios was very kind to have waited for my schedule to free up so I could also give the film my full focus, energy and attention. And I’m so glad because this is, by far, the best production that I have ever been involved with, with all due respect to the many other productions I was part of before. This movie is very, very special to me!” shared Rosales.
We asked him what’s the ideal take-away of the audience who’d go and see the movie.
“People watch movies for different reasons, and one can’t dictate what the audience would feel
or the realizations they will have after watching a film, moreso a historical drama like Quezon. But if the movie can affect and move and even trigger something inside them, then I guess,it’s worth every hard work we gave into completing the movie. Come to think of it, all we need is to care, like truly, deeply care, because it is something that seemed to have diminished after all these years.”
Rosales added, “When we care enough—for people, for our community, for our country—then we learn to take up space and then we take action, and that is something that we all can do. I mean, for everyone to take responsibility, and actually to understand where we came from and where we are headed to as a people, as a nation. It is important for us to understand what is it that we love about our country, what is it that we are not taking seriously as a nation, so we can restore the pride we have as citizens.”
Both Mon Confiado and Jericho Rosales are confident that the movie Quezon is not only a wonderful work of bold and brilliant creators, artists and storytellers, but it is a timely reminder that history often repeats itself and intertwines with the present in many interesting ways. And that looking back into the past only makes sense if it serves the future.
Diane Keaton, Oscar-winning star of ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Godfather,’ dies at 79
By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press
DIANE KEATON, the Oscar-winning star of Hall, The Godfather films and Father of the Bride, whose quirky, vibrant manner and depth made her one of the most singular actors of a generation, has died. She was 79. A family member told The Associated Press that Keaton died in California with loved ones. People magazine first reported the death on Saturday, noting that her health had suddenly declined. No other details were immediately available and representatives did not respond to request for comment.
The unexpected news was met with shock around the world. Francis Ford Coppola, who cast her in The Godfather wrote on Instagram that, “Words can’t express the wonder and talent of Diane Keaton. Endlessly intelligent, so beautiful... Everything about Diane was creativity personified.”
Bette Midler, who she costarred with Keaton in First Wives Club, wrote, “She was hilarious, a complete
original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star. What you saw was who she was...oh, la, lala!”
Leonardo DiCaprio, who played her nephew in Marvin’s Room when he was 18, wrote on Instagram that she was “one of a kind. Brilliant, funny and unapologetically herself... she will be deeply missed.”
Keaton was the kind of actor who helped make films iconic and timeless, from her “La-dee-da, la-deeda” phrasing as Annie Hall, bedecked in that necktie, bowler hat, vest and khakis, to her heartbreaking turn as Kay Adams, the woman unfortunate enough to join the Corleone family.
Her star-making performances in the 1970s, many of which were in Woody Allen films, were not a flash in the pan either, and she would continue to charm new generations for decades thanks in part to a longstanding collaboration with filmmaker Nancy Meyers. She played a businessperson who unexpectedly inherits an infant in Baby Boom, the mother of the bride in the beloved remake of Father of the Bride, a
JERICHO ROSALES (left) and Mon Confiado
Helping Paw: Volunteer Group of K9 Dogs Joins Cebu’s Search and Rescue
On the evening of September 30, 2025, Cebu was struck by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that claimed lives, caused billions in damage, and left families without homes or food.
Amid the rubble and grief, heroes have emerged in many forms, from first responders and volunteers to the Metro Manila Dogs Association (MMDA) K-9 Corps. These four-legged rescuers and their handlers traveled to Bogo City to lend their strength in the ongoing relief operations, offering not just their skills, but a much-needed “helping paw.”
Among them is Ghost, a German Shepherd who has already been deployed three times in her career. Ghost first served in Batangas City during a landslide, then in Tagaytay, and now in Bogo City alongside her handler, Sheryl Impacis. Together, they embody the quiet yet undeniable impact of service: searching, supporting, and standing beside communities in their darkest hours.
Before making their way to Bogo, the MMDA K9 Corps paused briefly at Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown. As a pet-inclusive hotel, Savoy welcomed the team and their canine partners with care, offering them a safe space to rest and recharge. It was a small act, but one that reinforced a greater cause. Even the quietest forms of support can help prepare those on the frontlines to keep going.
“While our pet policy usually welcomes only small and medium
dogs, we made an exception for Ghost and the MMDA K-9 Corps because of the extraordinary circumstances. It was a small way for us at Savoy Hotel Mactan to be of help, and we are grateful to have been able to provide them with a place to rest before continuing their important work in the community,” Josef Chiongbian, General Manager of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, said. Ghost, along with her handler and fellow volunteers, made their way to ground zero to aid in the search for survivors. Since 2016, the MMDA K-9 Corps has trained
hundreds of dogs to respond in times of crisis, preparing them and their handlers for the toughest of emergencies. Over the years, the group has volunteered in numerous search and rescue operations, standing ready whenever communities need them most.
Now that Cebu’s search and rescue operations have concluded, stories like Ghost’s remind us that courage takes many forms. Sometimes it is seen in the bravery of first responders, sometimes in the resilience of survivors, and sometimes, in the loyalty of a dog’s helping paw.
Wilcon Depot Supports Architects in Building Mindanao’s Future at ARCXPO
Wdesigners, and suppliers from across Mindanao.
With the theme “Nurturing Minds, Building the Future: The Architect’s Role in Mindanao’s Progress,” ARCXPO 2025 became a hub for showcasing expertise, products, and services from local architects and allied professionals. It created a collaborative space where industry leaders could discuss innovations that drive sustainable growth and development in the region.
Wilcon Depot’s booth served as an interactive destination for architects and guests to explore a wide array of building materials, home improvement products, and design solutions. The booth displayed high-quality products from home brands such as Nobizzi, P. Tech, Heim, and others. Engaging with attendees, providing product knowledge, and offering insights into how Wilcon supports professionals in transforming their ideas into beautiful, functional spaces.
Reinforcing Wilcon’s dedication to being the professional’s building partner, the booth also showcased
New SHFC website boosts access and transparency
THE Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), an agency attached to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has officially launched its new website, www.shfc.gov. ph, to enhance transparency and improve public access to the national shelter programs of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. that the agency implements.
The launch follows SHFC’s successful completion of requirements and approval from the Department of Information and Communications Technology for integration under the .gov.ph domain. It also coincides with the celebration of the 2025 National Shelter Month, which carries the theme “Build Homes, Build Happiness.”
By adopting the new domain, SHFC is now formally integrated into the National Government Portal (NGP), the central online gateway designed to unify all government
websites. This move ensures compliance with national standards while enhancing transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in delivering services to the public.
“Through this platform, we are making it easier for Filipinos to access information, programs, and services in support of President Marcos, Jr.’s drive to make government services more accessible and transparent,” said SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa.
The new site features a modern and mobile-friendly interface for easier navigation of SHFC’s programs, services, compliances, and updates. It also supports the full digitalization of services among Key Shelter Agencies by 2028, one of the core pillars of DHSUD’s 8-Point Agenda under Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
SHFC is also working to further enhance its digital services by enabling interested community associations to submit their
PhilHealth Grants Provisional Contracting of Z Benefits for Ortho Implants for Cebu Earthquake Victims
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently announced the granting of provisional contracting for Z Benefits covering selected orthopedic implants, following the devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces on September 30, 2025. This action aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who instructed government agencies to immediately mobilize and extend assistance to the victims of the calamity.
With only one accredited health facility in Cebu currently authorized to provide Z Benefit packages for orthopedic implants, the PhilHealth Board approved and authorized Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado to effect special policy relaxations to ensure wider access to life-saving orthopedic services for injured patients.
Dr. Mercado, an orthopedic surgeon by training, acted with urgency and compassion, rallying the support of the Philippine Orthopedic Association and his fellow professionals to extend critical assistance to victims requiring surgical procedures. “This is not just a matter of policy, but of timely action to save lives and limbs. By easing restrictions, we are ensuring that those injured in this calamity receive the proper treatment without delay or undue cost,” Dr. Mercado emphasized.
the ABCDE+ program, targeting Architects, Builders, Contractors, Designers, and Engineers. Participants in this exclusive program receive perks and discounts when they shop using the My Wilcon Loyalty App at any Wilcon Depot branch nationwide.
With 13 Wilcon branches in Mindanao, the event was not just an opportunity to present the home improvement retailer’s offerings but also a chance to strengthen ties with the architect community and align with their shared vision for building better homes and communities in Mindanao.
Wilcon Depot is honored to have participated in ARCXPO 2025 and looks forward to continuing its dedication to empowering architects, engineers, and homeowners with high-quality products and services.
For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to and connect with them on Viber Community, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Or you may contact Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries.
Under this provisional policy, effective September 30, 2025, until the lifting of the declared state of calamity, the following measures shall apply: Expanded Access: Health care institutions in Cebu are granted provisional accreditation to claim Z Benefit packages for orthopedic implants.
Grupo Agatep
No Co-Pay: Victims with eligible orthopedic injuries requiring implants shall be covered at zero co-payment.
Flexibility for Professionals: Accredited PhilHealth health care professionals may perform surgeries and be compensated even if not affiliated with the contracted health facility.
Exemption from 24-Hour Confinement Rule: Victims needing urgent orthopedic intervention will not be bound by the usual confinement policy.
Extended Claims Window: Claims may be filed within 120 calendar days from discharge, including retroactive coverage for admissions up to 60 days before September 30, 2025.
PhilHealth underscored that existing case rates and benefit packages remain applicable for conditions not related to the earthquake. Additional special privileges may be granted after a further impact assessment.
“This proactive move demonstrates the Corporation’s readiness to respond swiftly in times of national emergency,” Dr. Mercado said. “We are loosening policies not to compromise standards, but to maximize access to care at a time when scarcity of accredited providers could mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability.”
PhilHealth assures the public that it remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of Filipinos, particularly in times of crisis, and will continue to work closely with professional societies and health institutions to deliver quality services where they are most needed.
This policy takes effect retroactively on September 30, 2025.
head talks role of data in crafting compelling brand stories
Pictured above is Grupo Agatep Chairman and CEO
Norman Agatep, APR, who gave a presentation on the role of data in crafting brand narratives at the recently concluded 32nd National PR Congress held by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, where shared a few best practices to help communicators utilize data for storytelling more effectively.
GRUPO Agatep Chairman and CEO
Norman Agatep, APR, recently shared his expertise in brand storytelling at the 32nd National PR Congress of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), held last Sept. 11 and 12, 2025 at the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, joining an esteemed lineup of speakers to discuss issues and trends affecting public relations professionals with the theme “Plot Twist: Unraveling Today’s PR Paradox.”
Agatep, who led the 32nd National PR Congress as Chairman and is also currently Vice President-External for PRSP, highlighted the important role that data plays in crafting a compelling brand narrative, citing it as a powerful tool for conveying not only complex information but also proof that will further support the brand’s messaging.
“Data storytelling requires selecting the right data points, drawing correlations, and molding them into a coherent, captivating story.
In other words, the data points themselves are not the story, and your human ability to draw correlations and weave these data points is what’s more crucial,” Agatep said.
Agatep then shared six best practices to help brands make the most of their data when creating data-driven stories and narratives for their audiences.
The first is allowing the data to speak to you and then finding the hidden story in it, because data can only become truly compelling when used for a narrative that it naturally supports. The second is considering the brand’s audience, as tailoring a data-driven story to the audience’s values and interests ensures it resonates and drives engagement.
Choosing data that aligns with your brand message and informs the topics you want to explore, rather than studying all available data, helps to build a single-minded story. Analyzing the data to unearth patterns and relationships also contributes to a more compelling narrative, revealing meaningful truths that elevate the story from informative to insightful.
The fifth is utilizing clear and creative visuals to make complex data digestible and emotionally engaging, enhancing the impact of the story. The last is forging human connections by framing the data around real human experiences, so that it builds trust and empathy, and in turn, transform numbers into narratives.
Knowing how to utilize data for storytelling, Agatep said, allows brands to create meaningful content, enhance consumer engagement, and deliver measurable results. By transforming data into insights and actionable ideas, brands can create richer stories that resonate more, fostering stronger and more lasting connections with audiences.
“All you need is to examine data with a human heart. Don’t be intimidated by the numbers, but instead allow your feelings to motivate you to create a story from the figures and transform logic into magic,” Agatep said. “Because in truth, data is your friend, and if you realize that it can fuel your stories to solve real life problems that you are passionate about, then you should be good.”
Metro Manila Dog Association K9, Ghost, with handler Sheryl Palcis on site during the relief operations in Bogo City.
ILCON Depot proudly joined the 5th Architects Construction Expo (ARCXPO), held on October 3 to 5, 2025, at the Gaisano Mall of Tagum, in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. Organized by the UAP North Davao Chapter, this event brought together architects, builders,
Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar
The Associated Press
MAE SOT, Thailand—
Mohammed Taher
clutched the lifeless body of his 2-year-old son and wept. Ever since his family’s food rations stopped arriving at their internment camp in Myanmar in April, the father had watched helplessly as his once-vibrant baby boy weakened, suffering from diarrhea and begging for food.
On May 21, exactly two weeks after Taher’s little boy died, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat before Congress and declared: “No one has died” because of his government’s decision to gut its foreign aid program. Rubio also insisted: “No children are dying on my watch.”
That, Taher says, “is a lie.”
“I lost my son because of the funding cuts,” he says. “And it is not only me—many more children in other camps have also died helplessly from hunger, malnutrition and no medical treatment.”
Taher’s grief is echoed in families across conflictravaged Myanmar, where the United Nations estimates 40% of the population needs humanitarian assistance and which once counted the US as its largest humanitarian donor. Now, in Asia, it has become the epicenter of the suffering unleashed upon the world’s most vulnerable by President Donald Trump’s dismantling of the US Agency for International Development. And like Taher’s son, Mohammed Hashim, it is Myanmar’s children who have borne the brunt of the fallout.
A study published in The Lancet journal in June said the US funding cuts could result in more than 14 million deaths, including more than 4.5 million children under age 5, by 2030. Taher is one of 145,000 people forced to live inside squalid, prison-like camps in the state of Rakhine by the ruling military. Most, like Taher, are members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya minority, which was attacked by the military in 2017 in what the US declared a genocide.
After their food rations evaporated, Taher’s family meals shrank from three a day to one. Taher, his wife and his five children grew so weak, there were days they could not walk.
Little Hashim faded. The clever, caring toddler, who loved playing football and whose cheerful chirps of “Mama” and “Baba” once filled their shelter, could barely move. Anguished by his son’s sobs, Taher tried to find help. But with soldiers banning residents from leaving the camp to find food, and with no money for a doctor, there was nothing Taher could do.
On May 7, Taher and his wife watched their baby take his final breath. Their other children began to scream.
Neighbor Mohammed Foyas, who visited the family after Hashim died and was present for his burial, confirmed the details to The Associated Press.
Asked who is to blame for the loss of his son, Taher is direct: the United States.
“In the camps, we survive only on rations,” he says. “Without rations, we have nothing—no food, no medicine, no chance to live.”
‘The lowest layer of hell’ THROUGHOUT Myanmar and in the refugee camps along its borders, the cuts in aid have left children screaming and crying for food. The USAID cuts come at a time when other countries have slashed humanitarian aid, in some cases saying they need the funds to shore up defense. Myanmar’s population has also already been weakened by years of war.
Health care services have been hobbled, and, in some places, vanished. The sick and the starving have wasted away, and people must forage for hours in the jungle each day to find food. Violence and stealing have surged, and young people are huffing glue to numb their hunger pains.
This story is based on interviews with 21 refugees, five people trapped inside Myanmar’s internment camps, and 40 aid workers, medics and researchers.
Safehouses that sheltered dissidents have shuttered, leaving people at the mercy of Myanmar’s merciless military, which has killed more than 7,300 civilians and imprisoned nearly 30,000 in its torturerife detention centers since its takeover in 2021.
“For Myanmar, we are in the lowest layer of hell already,” says Victor, who headed an emergency program for the aid group Freedom House that helped hundreds who defied Myanmar’s military regime.
Since the US cuts shut down the program, around 100 civilians have sent Victor frantic messages pleading for help he can no longer give.
“I don’t know what to tell them,” says Victor, who goes by one name.
Though the US only spends around 1% of its budget on foreign aid, Trump declared USAID—once the world’s leading donor of humanitarian assistance—a waste of money and dissolved it.
Kneecapped by aid cutbacks, the U.N.’s World Food Program in April severed assistance to 1 million people across Myanmar. In central Rakhine, the number of families unable to meet basic food needs has jumped to 57% from 33% in December 2024, according to the WFP.
The military has long been accused of blocking aid to parts of Rakhine. The funding cuts have thus made an already critical situation even more dire, says Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organization UK.
“These US cuts to humanitarian aid are assisting the military in their genocidal policy of starvation against the Rohingya,” says Tun Khin.
The cuts have come during Myanmar’s darkest hour. In the aftermath of a massive earthquake that killed more than 3,800 in March, the US sent three aid workers to Myanmar—all of whom received notices of their impending termination from the Trump administration while in the disaster zone.
A statement from the State Department that did not address most of AP’s questions said the US “continues to stand with the people of Burma,” using another name for Myanmar.
“While we continue to provide life-saving aid globally, the United States expects capable
countries to increase their contributions where possible,” read the statement from the department, which has absorbed the few remaining USAID programs.
Michael Dunford, the WFP’s country director for Myanmar, visited Rakhine in April and said some mothers had resorted to making a thin soup out of grass to feed their children.
“The sense of desperation and also the lack of hope for this population was palpable,” Dunford says. “One old gentleman in tears said to me, ‘If WFP doesn’t feed us, and the authorities won’t support us, then please drop a bomb on us— because we can’t continue in this way.’”
For some, the pain caused by the aid cuts has become so intense that death seems like the only escape. So torturous was the sight of his starving family that 40-year-old father of two Mohammed Eliyas took his own life, says his son, Mohammed Amin.
After the food rations disappeared, Amin’s family began subsisting on one meal a day of rice and vegetable leaves.
“My father became restless and hopeless,” Amin says. “The sadness and despair grew so heavy that he began to believe death might be better than continuing to live in such endless hunger and misery.”
One day in June, as the family gathered for a meal, Eliyas began to cry. The family did not realize he’d mixed poison into his rice.
He never said goodbye.
Hungry, hurting and scared
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Mohama squats in the mud, rain battering his rail-thin frame. He plucks worms from the dirt and places them in a ratty plastic cup.
The worms are bait for the fish he hopes to catch for his family. Recently, he says, there hasn’t been enough to eat in his Thailand refugee camp. So, despite the deluge, he grabs his bamboo fishing pole and wades through rushing water as high as his chest.
Many of Myanmar’s children have survived the horrors of war only to now find themselves hungry and hurting because of a political decision they don’t understand.
Mohama escaped to Thailand with his parents, older brother and two little sisters in 2023
after soldiers attacked their village. He remembers huddling in a bomb shelter, and running alongside hordes of others fleeing for their lives.
Mohama’s parents returned to Myanmar to find work, and his sisters eventually joined them. He lives now with his grandparents and teenage brother in a one-bedroom shelter.
After two hours, Mohama holds up his haul: around 10 tiny fish, each less than 3 centimeters (1 inch) long. It’s enough for a few mouthfuls.
Still, this is lucky. Some days, he says, he catches half as much.
Eleven-year-old Soe fights the river’s current on his own hunt for fish, his skinny frame swallowed by his pink T-shirt. Nearby, children haul logs as big as their bodies back to their shelters for their families to sell.
“Sometimes I get enough food,” says Soe. “But mostly, I’m hungry.”
Some days, he must skip breakfast and lunch and goes to school with a growling belly. At least school is still an option for him; Teacher Saung Hnin Wai says 10 students at her primary school have dropped out since the funding cuts because their parents cannot afford the fees and need their help foraging.
Most of the remaining students are struggling with hunger, she says, and the teaching supplies are dwindling. The funds they once received to repair the leaking roof have evaporated, so they must close the school when it rains.
When the rice runs out at 48-year-old Naung Pate’s shelter, panic sets in among her six children. She walls off her own worry and reassures them that she will find them food, though now there is never enough.
“Seeing my children eating nothing but rice with fish paste and leftover vegetables breaks my heart,” she says, her thin shoulders slumped with fatigue. She unpacks her basket of foraged bamboo shoots, which will net her 4 baht (12 cents) a kilogram (2.2 pounds). It generally takes her eight hours of scaling mountains to gather enough shoots for one day’s worth of rice.
“If the US doesn’t resume its support, I am worried about my children’s survival,” she says.
From his perch by the river, Ababa frantically points to his
mouth, signaling his hunger.
Next to him, his 60-year-old mother, Ababa Moe, shakes her head wearily. She has already given him her food for the day. She has no real way of explaining the danger of their situation to her son, who is 17 years old but cognitively closer to a toddler. And as a single mother too weak to forage, she has no real way of ensuring their survival. She also is too old to benefit from a recent policy change the Thai government made in a bid to prevent mass starvation, granting work rights to some of the 107,000 Myanmar refugees who, like her, live in Thailand’s border camps.
Her son never learned to speak, and needs her help with everything from getting dressed to using the toilet. Since the funding cuts, their survival has hinged on the charity of her Christian church, whose members occasionally give her handfuls of their rice.
She suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, and begins to sweat and grow dizzy when her hunger is at its fiercest.
Some days, she eats nothing.
Knowing that everyone in the camp is in the same precarious position is, paradoxically, a grim comfort that staves off the worst of her fears.
“If we are going to starve, everybody will starve,” she says.
“It’s not only me.”
‘There is nothing for us here’
THE grandfather slides a knife into the sodden jungle floor, pries loose a bamboo shoot and places it into a tattered tote bag slung across his bony back. His stomach is empty, his breath ragged and his energy exhausted. But if he stops now, his family could starve.
Mahmud Karmar has been foraging in the jungle along the Thailand-Myanmar border for two hours and has barely collected enough to feed his wife, six children and 6-year-old grandson two meals. He presses his parched lips into the river, muddied by the monsoon rains, and guzzles.
“I am hungry,” Karmar says, panting. “So, I drink the water to get myself full.”
For years, a grant by the US State Department—which saw thousands of its foreign aid awards axed by the Trump administration—provided food and medicine to Karmar and the other Myanmar refugees living in the Thai border camps.
But the ending of that grant on July 31 forced the region’s main aid group, The Border Consortium, to terminate food assistance for 85% of camp residents. The consortium pleaded for donations, but others failed to fill the void left by the US.
On Sept. 30, the State Department signed an agreement for a temporary renewal of the grant, allowing rations to resume through the end of the year, says the consortium’s executive director Léon de Riedmatten. But after that, the funds will run out, and the State Department has made clear there will be no further extensions, he says.
Karmar didn’t just lose his food rations because of the aid cuts—he lost his job with the International Rescue Committee, which the State Department had, until July 31, funded to run health clinics in the camps. He has also lost 16 kilograms (35 pounds), his 54-kilogram (119-pound) frame now so slight that he has become unrecognizable even to close friends.
“We are almost dying,” he says. “There is nothing for us here.”
The 55-year-old sits in the dirt and wipes sweat from his brow. A few days earlier, he says, he fainted while attempting to work in a cornfield in a bid to earn 120 baht (US$3.75)— enough to buy one day’s worth of rice for his family.
Like the others languishing in these camps, this was not a life Karmar chose. He was pushed into it, by soldiers who razed his village and beat his brother to death. The bloodshed forced his family to flee in 2006 to the bamboo shelters on the edge of Thailand.
Life here has never been easy, he says. But since the aid cuts, it has become unbearable.
“The sorrow is so deep, I can’t even cry,” he says numbly. “The entire world has forgotten the refugees and the people of Myanmar.”
The lack of food has driven scores of desperate people to steal, he says. At night, he lies awake on the concrete floor of his leaking shelter, listening to the looting. He and several others recently rounded up 27 thieves in one night and sent them to detention.
Among the thieves was one of his friends. Karmar asked him in despair why he was doing this.
“We have nothing to eat,” his friend replied.
Karmar refuses to steal, and so, on days when he is too sick to forage, he begs other refugees for help. Most days, though, he pushes his battered body up mountains and through rivers in search of anything his family can eat, trade or sell.
“There’s a heaviness in my heart,” he says, his voice breaking. “The children ask me for pocket money and I cannot give it to them, and that kills me.”
And it is with this thought that the tears trapped inside him finally fall. He wipes his eyes.
All he can do now is hope that the people of the United States show mercy on the people of Myanmar.
“We will all die if it continues like this—I am certain of it,” he says. “We can’t do this forever.”
AP Illustration/Dario Lopez-Mills AP, MAPCREATOR, AND TAHER FAMILY VIA AP
Del Monte beckons, homegrowns ready
CLYDE MONDILLA and Reymon Jaraula know it will take far more than familiarity with the course for either of them to again dominate the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship.
The homegrown aces finished 1-2 the last time the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) visited the mountain-top layout in Bukidnon in 2023 and heading into the P3.5 million event, which fires off Tuesday, both are tempering expectations with a blend of caution, confidence and competitive hunger.
“I’m comfortable with the course which I play often, but you can’t underestimate Del Monte,” said Mondilla, who made a thrilling comeback two years ago with a pair of eagles on Day 1 and three closing birdies in the final round to edge Jaraula by one. Now gunning to defend his crown, the former Philippine Open champion knows that course knowledge is only part of the equation.
“Each round would be different, you get to learn everyday,” he said. “So I make sure I’m focused each time and respect the course.”
I f Mondilla is taking it methodically, Jaraula enters with quiet confidence to flip the script.
“I ’m familiar with this course and hopefully use this to my advantage,” said the three-time PGT winner whose local roots remain a strong motivational anchor.
They are eager to put on a show at home especially after contrasting finishes in the previous leg at Marapara—Mondilla rallying late to tie for second and Jaraula settling for a share of 18th place. But even with their intimate knowledge of Del Monte, the field is anything but predictable.
Veteran Frankie Miñoza, a living legend and Del Monte icon, returns to action after a long layoff.
A lthough well-versed in every inch of the course, Miñoza, too, understands that success hinges as much on form and mental fortitude as it does on familiarity.
C hallenging the homegrown talents is a loaded field that includes red-hot contenders, decorated champions, rising stars and a wave of foreign threats.
L eading the charge is Keanu Jahns, who has strung together an impressive PGT run—winning twice and placing runner-up twice in six starts.
Although his three-peat hopes were derailed by Rupert Zaragosa at
TMarapara, the big-hitting FilipinoGerman remains a prime threat. Same as always, take it one shot at a time and stick to my routine,” said Jahns of his game plan. “Del Monte’s tighter layout may favor accuracy more than length, so I’ll adapt accordingly during the practice round.”
Zaragosa, the crafty and confident shotmaker who thrives on tree-lined courses, is another player to watch—he’s fresh off a dominant win at Marapara he sees similarities in Del Monte’s setup, a scenario he hopes to exploit.
“M y game thrives in tree-lined courses,” Zaragosa said. “To win again, I need to stay committed to my process, trust my instincts and the results will follow.”
Veteran campaigners Tony Lascuña and Jhonnel Ababa, both eager to hit their stride before the final two legs of the P10.5 million Mindanao swing in Davao, are poised to strike.
Forest Hills winner Guido van der Valk, Zanieboy Gialon, Michael Bibat, Ira Alido and Nilo Salahog round out a formidable local cast.
Young guns Ryan Monsalve, Russell Bautista, Kristoffer Arevalo, Elee Bisera and John Michael Uy are also looking to make a breakthrough.
FLORENCE BISERA prefers a path she’s always taken in past tournaments as she chases another crown in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship that starts Tuesday.
“I just want to maintain the game that made me win in the past—control my emotions, go pressure-free and enjoy the game,” said Bisera as she shared the mindset that fueled her recent success in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT).
The rising Davaoeña star has quickly emerged as a formidable force, snatching the Negros Occidental crown from Korean standout Kim Seoyun before clinching an overseas breakthrough win in Thailand last month.
Those back-to-back triumphs boosted her confidence and sharpened her focus heading into the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“The wins make my confidence high, but I don’t pressure myself,” she said. “I expect my approach and strategy to put me in a good position in the next three days.”
Bisera’s return to Del Monte carries added intrigue—she placed third the last time the tour visited the tricky par-72 layout in 2023, a tournament won by Daniella Uy.
Championship at The Country Club to her resume.
But a stacked lineup stands in her way.
L eading the charge is Uy herself, along with this season’s LPGT leg winners Mafy Singson (Eagle Ridge) and Chanelle Avaricio (Forest Hills)— veterans Sarah Ababa and Chihiro Ikeda are also coming in battle-ready.
Also under the spotlight is Harmie Constantino, who, despite dominating the LPGT circuit last year with four victories, has yet to regain her groove this season, making her both a contender and a wildcard in this P1 million championship sponsored by ICTSI.
Korean rookie Tiffany Lee, who impressed with a strong pro debut at Splendido Taal in 2024, will also be aiming for redemption after a string of underwhelming finishes.
L ocal hopefuls Pamela Mariano, Velinda Castil and amateur Zero Plete are also determined to defend home turf, while Marvi Monsalve returns to LPGT play seeking a strong showing. Promising young gun Kayla Nocum, meanwhile, is eyeing a breakthrough performance to claim her first professional win.
Despite the field’s depth, all signs still point to Bisera as the player to beat.
HE PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2026 will be held from February 17 to 20 next year, the International Cycling Union—the sport’s international federation known by its acronym UCI, announced on its website recently. The national road championships will again be staged in and around a technical course with Tagaytay City as the main hub and the municipalities of the Eighth District of Cavite and First District in Batangas Province as the other major routes. PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said the 2026 nationals will also showcase the brand new Tagaytay CT Velodrome, which will host the 2026 Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC)—headed by Malaysian Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill—Track Championships from March 25 to 31. This marks the first time in 31 years that the Philippines is hosting the Asian track championships—the last time was in 1995 when the country hosted both the Asian Road and Track Championships at the Amoranto Velodrome—which was demolished to give way to a football pitch—in Quezon City and Subic.
The 2026 nationals will actually begin with the Criterium races on February 16, followed by the Individual Time Trial on February 17 and the Road Races from February 18 to 20. Categories will be in the Elite, Under 23, Juniors and Youth both for men and women. A Masters category will be incorporated in the nationals’ program to determine the country’s representatives to the Asian Road Championships in Saudi Arabia—the ACC has yet to announce the dates. And as usual, the top performers in the Juniors races will be included on the national team to the Asian championships as incentive.
S ince then, she has taken major strides and earned a local breakthrough at South Pacific late last year and added the Match Play
the one that got away last December. PNVF PHOTO
A fter her Thailand win, she flew straight home to Davao to resume training and step up preparations for the three-leg Mindanao swing, which concludes at South Pacific Golf and Residential Estates—her home course.
ENGLAND’S Javier and Joaquin Bello are expected to hit town on Tuesday to again show their elite form in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge that kicks off on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.
The Bello brothers—ranked 19th in the world among the 65 men’s teams in the 25-nation tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF)—are seeking both redemption and glory.
“The Bello brothers are coming,” PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said on Monday. “Just like the rest of the participants, they are here to provide quality beach volleyball competitions.”
After winning the BPT Elite 16 in Rio de Janeiro last November, the duo
would up only with the bronze medal in last December’s BPT Challenge also at Nuvali—they beat Timo Hammarberg and Philipp Wallar of Austria, 2-1.
T hey missed the gold medal match after they lost to the German pair of Paul Henning and Lui Wust, 0-2, in the semifinals.
The English pair are hoping to change their fortune this time in the five-day competition where 2023 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago, Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco are competing for the hosts.
World No. 6 Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson of Sweden are also back to defend their men’s crown.
major obstacle. Each side may accuse the other of negotiating in bad faith or inflating costs/revenue.
O wners are making long-term investments, and disruptions tarnish valuations; for players, missing a season is more immediately painful like income loss and crucial career stage.
The players arguably have more
NCAA Player of the Week award this season—presented by the Philippine Sports Commission—for the period of October 1 to 12. The former Far Eastern University Tamaraw’s highlight in the four-game run was a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds on top of five assists, three blocks and a steal in their 75-65 win over defending champion Mapua University last Wednesday. With the game tied at 65 with four minutes left, Sleat sealed the Altas’ late 10-0 run to claim the victory. Before that, Sleat had 10 points in a 67-54 win against San Sebastian, followed by a nine-point outing against Lyceum of the Philippines University which they won, 73-61.
A fter that win against Mapua, Perpetual Help notched its fourth straight win against Arellano University, 72-67, where Sleat making 12 points, three rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.
BROTHERS Javier and Joaquin Bello are back to clinch
