THE national government’s budget deficit expanded to P1.117 trillion as of the end of September, but still came in lower than the fiscal program.
by 0.55 percent from the P3.385-trillion revenue goal set by the government.
Expenditures, meanwhile, grew by 5.18 percent to P4.484 trillion from the P4.263 trillion recorded in the third quarter last year. This figure is also lower than
By Samuel P. Medenilla & Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE government plans to build 500,000 new houses by 2028 as part of its nationwide effort to provide affordable homes and reduce the number of squatters or informal settlers, the National Housing Authority (NHA) said.
More than 100,000 units have already been completed, with ongoing projects including low-rise and mid-rise buildings in major cities and provinces.
The target forms part of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the Marcos administration flagship housing initiative.
“For this term, our target is to
build at least 500,000 housing units. We’ve already completed more than a hundred thousand, and construction is ongoing,” NHA general manager Joeben Tai said in a mix of English and Filipino on the sidelines of the National Housing Expo 2025 on Thursday in Pasay City.
With the government’s expanded housing program, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said even lowincome earners will now be able to afford to buy homes through the financial support from the Home Development Mutual Fund also known as Pag-IBIG Fund.
The initiative is expected to help reduce the country’s number of informal settlers, which the National Housing Authority (NHA) said is at 1.5 million.
“Through the Pag-IBIG Fund, affordable housing loans can now be obtained, including the offer of a three percent interest rate per year for our low-income countrymen,”
the chief executive said in Filipino in his speech during the National Housing Expo 2025.
The Housing Expo is the first to be sponsored by the government to promote the joint initiatives of the government, private sector, and stakeholders to address the country’s housing shortage.
A total of 51 contractors participated in the event, held during the ongoing celebration of National Shelter Month.
Tai said the agency is focusing its programs on Filipinos who cannot qualify for Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund loans,
particularly those earning below P15,000 a month. The government estimates that around 1.5 million families still live as squatters nationwide. The Pag-IBIG Fund, which organized the two-day expo, said more than 30,000 potential homebuyers registered for the event. It featured more than 50 private developers offering over 100,000 brand-new homes under Pag-IBIG’s housing loan program and 30,000 acquired assets at discounts of up to 40 percent.
Alongside the NHA, other key shelter agencies showcased their respective programs, such as the Social Housing Finance Corporation’s Enhanced Community Mortgage Program and the National
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
SALES of vehicles powered by fuel slightly declined in the January to September 2025 period amid “evolving market dynamics” as electric vehicles continued their upward momentum, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI).
A joint report by Campi and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed that 343,410 units of vehicles were sold in the nine-month period, a 0.3-percent contraction from
the 344,307 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.
In a statement on Thursday, CAMPI President Rommel R. Gutierrez said “The September results reflect the industry’s adaptability and commitment to innovation.”
“As we continue to embrace electrification and expand commercial mobility solutions, we remain optimistic about closing the year on a high note,” added Gutierrez.
For September 2025 alone, the CAMPI-TMA report indicated that vehicle sales plunged by 3.8 percent to 38,029, compared
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE government should allocate P3 billion from the competitiveness enhancement measures fund (CEMF) to bankroll programs for the local coffee sector in 2026, according to industry leaders.
Sources, however, called for the revision of the coffee industry roadmap set to end this year, since it would serve as a “basis for funding.”
Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) President Danilo Fausto said the current balance of CEMF at the end of last year stood at P5.16 billion.
“We need to access that money
because 60 percent of that money is collected from the tariffs of coffee that should be flown back to the industry,” Fausto told reporters on the sidelines of the 1st Philippine Coffee Sustainability Congress organized by the Philippine Coffee Board (PCB) in Makati City on Thursday.
“But the fund can only be accessed if it is included in the GAA [General Appropriations Act],” he added. Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the CEMF was allocated only P25 million, or a tenth of the P250 million allotted in the previous NEP. In the 2025 GAA, the fund is at P1.25 billion.
warehouses.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said letters will be sent to four Metro Manila markets where elevated rice prices have been reported.
“We will conduct site visits to assess compliance and determine what actions may be taken if imported rice is being sold above the MSRP,” she said.
Aside from market inspections, Guevarra noted that AMAS will also monitor warehouses to assess current rice supply levels.
PHL economic momentum to weaken in 2026, says BMI
THEin 2024, it the list of top 20 non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries.
“It is a guide and a roadmap for welcoming the world with respect, warmth, and understanding. Through the travelogue, visitors will discover historic sites that celebrate our shared heritage, culinary experiences that celebrate our halal and Muslimfriendly offerings and destinations designed to promote comfort, safety, and hospitality for all,” she added.
Those who attended the travelogue’s launch at the DOT Central Office were Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Malik Melvin Castelino, Brunei Ambassador Megawati Manan, and representatives from the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as those from New Perspective Media.
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
Philippines’s economic momentum is at risk of further weakening next year, as waning consumption, softening remittances and fading investment appetite add up to global trade uncertainty.
In a commentary, BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company, said it has revised its economic growth forecast for next year downward from 6.2 percent to 5.2 percent.
This is lower than the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) growth target of 6 percent to 7 percent for 2026.
“Headwinds to growth are mounting,” it said, citing expectations of a slump in remittances due to tighter US immigration policy coupled with a 1-percent remittance tax on transfers starting in 2026.
“A slowdown in remittances will weigh on domestic consumption, which will have an outsized impact on growth given the domestically driven economy,” BMI said.
The trade deal between the Philippines and the United States, which maintains 19 percent tariffs on Philippine goods while granting American products tariff-free access, will dampen the country’s trade balance in 2026, it added.
Investment sentiment is also likely to remain weak next year, as “erratic” US trade policies are expected to sour global investors and limit foreign direct investment inflows.
Moreover, if the ongoing probe on flood control also uncovers corruption across other infrastructure projects, BMI said this could push actual spending below what the government planned and potentially hurt the economy.
Infrastructure spending has al-
ready begun to decline, as adverse weather conditions and tighter oversight have pushed back project implementation.
Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed infrastructure expenditure and other capital outlays dropped by 21.8 percent year-on-year to P84.9 billion in August from P108.6 billion.
Even Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said that the government could miss its growth target of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent this year due to slower government spending.
“The good news is, moving forward, all of that is on the upside because we are solving the problem [on infrastructure projects]. So moving forward, you will realize your full potential for growth,” Recto said earlier.
For 2025, BMI kept its growth forecast at 5.4 percent, after robust domestic consumption and frontloading activity supported
the first half of the year.
However, growth is expected to moderate in the second half due to weak infrastructure spending and subdued investment activity, given the uncertain global environment.
“The probe into alleged corruption has also worsened investment sentiment, with the Philippine Stock Exchange index [PSEi] closing at a near six-month low as of 30 September 2025,” BMI added.
On the production side, the manufacturing sector contracted in September for the first time in six months, pulling the aggregated quarterly Purchasing Managers’ Index to its lowest since the third quarter of 2021. Exports also posted a sharp month-onmonth slowdown in August.
BMI forecasts the GDP growth to reach 6.2 percent in 2027 and 6.3 percent in 2028. These are within the DBCC’s growth target of 6 to 7 percent for the years 2026 to 2028.
Govt plans to build .5M houses by 2028
Home Mortgage Finance Corporation’s online housing fair.
In July, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, the National Real Estate Association, the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association committed to build around 250,000 housing units in support of the government’s flagship housing program.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has since reduced the national housing target to about 300,000 units by 2028, according to the midterm update of the Philippine Development Plan.
Pag-IBIG’s offerings
UNDER Pag-IBIG’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program or 4PH Program, its 17 million active members or those who made contributions in the last six months may avail themselves of loans for the payment of both vertical and horizontal socialized housing units.
“Beneficiaries and graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino or 4Ps program can also apply [for housing units] with the help of our Expanded 4PH [program],” Marcos said.
The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is the flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which provides conditional cash transfer to poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education.
Through the assistance of PagIBIG, Marcos said 57,000 members
of the government-owned and-controlled corporation (GOCC) were able to acquire their own homes or to repair their existing ones.
Of these, three million have accessed P75 billion in cash loans.
Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said even minimum wage earners can secure a housing loan through the co-borrowing arrangement.
“They can have a maximum of three people under co-borrowing,” she told reporters in an interview at the sidelines of the Housing Expo.
Since Pag-IBIG initiated reforms in its programs, Acosta said the percentage of delinquents from its list of borrowers was pegged at 5 percent.
“We can’t make it just 2 percent otherwise we will be strict on foreclosures,” she said.
Unlike other financial institutions, which immediately foreclosed properties in case of loan default, Pag-IBIG Fund provides a 9-month grace period to its borrowers.
She urged Pag-IBIG borrowers to promptly settle their loans since the funds, which they used, came from all of the GOCC’s members.
Pag-IBIG Fund is currently auctioning off 30,000 foreclosed properties at the Housing Expo 2025. The common reasons for the default were the displacement of a worker and non-remittance of loan payments.
Despite the defaults, Acosta assured the public that the P1.17trillion Pag-IBIG fund remained secure.
the government’s spending target of P4.641 trillion during the period by 3.39 percent.
‘Narrower fiscal deficit in 2025’ ACCORDING to BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company, the Philippines could see its fiscal deficit to slightly shrink to 5.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). This is on the back of the government bringing in more revenues and lower spending due to the election spending ban and weak infrastructure disbursements.
“Although we expect the spending shortfall to narrow, expenditure will probably end up undershooting the 2025 budget,” BMI said, citing Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman’s warning that government spending may slow as investigations into alleged corruption intensify. For 2026, BMI said fiscal consolidation—the government’s effort to reduce its deficit—will remain slow, with only a slight narrowing of the deficit to 5.4 percent of GDP With next year’s national budget set at P6.793 trillion, BMI said tax revenue collections “will not keep up with spending” since plans to expand the tax base are “feeble at best” so far.
“Furthermore, the US-Philippines trade deal is expected to further reduce import duties collected from US exports,” it added, citing the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) projection of P30 billion in foregone tax revenues. The narrower deficit projected for 2026 will be partly due to one-time revenues from the sale of state assets, which could yield 0.3 percent of GDP.
“We think that this is fiscally unfeasible over the long run. The Philippines’ public finances remain fragile,” BMI said.
With the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio increasing to 60 percent from the prepandemic level of 40 percent, BMI said this puts the Philippines among “regional laggards in fiscal recovery.”
“Elevated borrowing costs and a narrow revenue base further limit Manila’s ability to deliver large-scale fiscal support without compromising debt sustainability,” it added.
Sept budget gap
IN September alone, the budget gap narrowed by 9.22 percent year-onyear to P248.1 billion from P273.3 billion.
The government generated P281.7 billion in revenues, lower by 5.99 percent from P299.7 billion last year. Tax revenues raised by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and BOC rose to P265.9 billion, up by 4.91 percent from P253.4 billion in the previous year.
However, non-tax revenues plunged by 65.78 percent year-onyear to P15.8 billion from P46.2 billion due to the base effect of extraordinary non-recurring remittances from last year.
Expenditures also dropped by 7.53 percent to P529.8 billion from P572.9 billion in the same month a year ago.
BTr attributed the decrease to the lower spending performance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), following the agency’s ongoing validation of the status of completed projects and strict verification of progress billings and payments claims.
However, the contraction was slightly offset by the sizable increases in interest payments and allotment to local government units due to the higher National Tax Allotment shares for 2025.
“While some DPWH projects faced implementation challenges, the government has in place catch-up measures to keep overall spending aligned with the government’s priorities and ensure that expenditures continue to drive economic growth,” the BTr added.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
More than 100k workers in typhoon-hit areas get emergency employment
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
OVER 100,000 workers affected by the recent typhoons have received short-term employment assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged-Displaced Workers (Tupa) program, the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) said on Thursday.
Data from Dole’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns showed that 101,302 affected workers from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol, and Eastern Visayas have so far benefited from P494.7 million in emergency employment assistance.
Tupad provides displaced or informal workers temporary jobs lasting 10 to 90 days, allowing them to participate in cleanup, rehabilitation, and community restoration activities while earning minimum wage-level pay. Among the regions, Eastern Visayas recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 75,598 workers receiving P359 million in wages.
Bicol Region followed with 8,511 beneficiaries worth P41.6 million, while Mimaropa recorded 7,014 workers who received P34.7 million.
In the Ilocos Region, 5,312 workers received P27.2 million, followed by Cclabarzon with P22 million for 3,177 workers, and Cagayan Valley with P9.9 million for 1,690 beneficiaries.
Dole said the emergency employment assistance aims to help affected workers recover while supporting ongoing cleanup and repair efforts in communities devastated by Typhoons Mirasol, Nando, Opong, and Paolo.
“Through Tupad, the Department remains committed to continuously assisting disaster-affected workers toward recovery, livelihood restoration, and their continued progress,” the agency added.
The labor department earlier said it is reviewing the current work duration under Tupad, with plans to extend the maximum period of employment beyond 90 days.
Patents, profits now within reach of Filipino inventors
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
FILIPINO inventors stand to gain more support in patenting and marketing their innovations under new initiatives announced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications and Commercialization
Napoleon Juanillo Jr. said the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) remains the agency’s main arm in helping innovators, scientists, and engineers secure patents and link with potential investors.
“The DOST is aggressive in protecting intellectual property,” Juanillo said in Filipino at a media forum on Tuesday. “TAPI’s mandate is to help our innovators secure protection for their work.”
The agency, he added, works closely with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) through what he described as a “superhighway” for patents.
This is a faster process for filing and registering intellectual property, which he called vital in an era when “intellectual property is the new oil.”
Juanillo highlighted these efforts as part of Inno.Venta 2025, an upcoming showcase organized with Batangas State University to connect scientists and inventors with capitalists,
venture builders, and banks.
The forum, he said, is meant to open conversations on what makes innovations attractive to investors and how research outputs can meet market demand.
“These panels are a learning opportunity,” he said. “Researchers need to see what the market demands, what investors look for, and how to size up opportunities.”
“Innovation doesn’t only happen in the academe,” he added.
“A retired engineer or a young alumnus with a brilliant idea can just as well contribute to national development.”
The DOST also works with universities through its Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Parks, with Batangas State University serving as the first governmentdesignated KIST ecozone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
Juanillo described the parks as “high-tech marketplaces” where new technologies can be displayed, tested, and linked to industries.
He said these initiatives form part of the department’s push to
build a “culture of entrepreneurship” among Filipino scientists.
“Research shouldn’t stop in laboratories or remain on library shelves,” he said. “As Secretary Solidum reminds us, science should be felt.”
Juanillo said the DOST is steering researchers toward fields identified in the country’s Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), such as electronics and advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, renewable energy, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and food processing.
“Science, technology, and innovation should drive our industrial transformation,” he said. “We’re showing our researchers where the future growth sectors lie.” At a separate briefing during the 8th National Research and Development Conference, DOST Undersecretary Leah Buendia said only around 10 to 20 percent of government-funded research and development (R&D) projects have so far reached commercialization, noting that the path from research to market remains a long and complex process.
Friday, October 24, 2025
DENR aligning mining policies for modern fiscal regime
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
TLotilla, who introduced President Marcos during the opening of Mining Philippines 2025 Conference and Exhibition at the Grand Hyatt Manila, said Marcos’ leadership and clear direction in
Rescuers retrieve missing couple from rubble of zigzag road landslide
DAVAO CITY—The bodies of the missing couple were finally found on Thursday morning underneath the soil debris of a landslide on Saturday night.
The landslide chopped three lanes of the zigzag mountain highway outside the town of Quezon, Bukidnon.
The local government identified the fatalities as Thelma and Ely Ubatay, both around 60, who were last seen on the concrete highway in sitio Kipolot, barangay Palacapao, some 70 kilometers south of población Quezon.
The bodies were found a few meters away and deeper than the “bao-bao” tricycle that they used to go to población Quezon. They were the only known casualties in the landslide.
The local government said it tapped 400 responders and security personnel, including sniffer dogs and a scanner for the search and rescue.
The landslide covered almost 100 meters long of the four-lane highway that dropped to more than 100 meters of the ravine. Manuel T. Cayon
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
SPEAKER Faustino Dy III has vowed to prioritize the passage of a longoverdue Magna Carta for Barangays, a landmark measure that will finally grant barangay officials the recognition, dignity, and compensation they rightfully deserve as fullfledged government employees—not mere volunteers.
Addressing more than two thousand local leaders during the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National Congress, Dy said the proposed Magna Carta is among the eight legislative priorities of the House of Representatives and a key part of his commitment to strengthen the foundations of grassroots governance.
“To this day, we cannot clearly define your true status in government,” he said. “Are you genuine government workers, or are your efforts still considered
. .
Continued from A3
advancing the responsible development of the country’s mineral resources is an effort that links economic transformation, energy security, sustainability, and climate resilience under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.
The signing into law of the enhanced fiscal regime for largescale metallic mining has also answered decades-old calls for a fair, transparent, and efficient system, streamlining the disbursement of local government unit (LGU) shares from national wealth while strengthening accountability and revenue use, he said.
The DENR chief said a climate and ecosystem-based lens in evaluating mining projects has been adopted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
“We are recognizing that every
intervention on the landscape affects water, biodiversity, and communities. This approach is strengthened by the development of the national natural geospatial database, which feeds into our Natural Capital Accounting System that was recently prescribed by Congress, and the establishment of the Water Resources Management Office within the DENR, ensuring that mining operations are aligned with the watershed protection and long-term climate adaptation goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the DENR is also streamlining permitting processes and modernizing the mineral resource data system, launching a government-led mineral mapping and inventory beginning in 2026, aligning the social development and management plan of mining
PCC, DPWH sign agreement to level playing field in public infra projects
By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have signed an agreement to “safeguard” competition in public infrastructure.
Signed on October 23, PCC noted the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) “formalizes” cooperation between the PCC and DPWH in detecting and addressing anti-competitive behavior in public works projects, including bid-rigging and abuse of dominance.
“The agreement establishes mechanisms for case referrals, joint investigations, policy coordination, and capacity-building programs,” the country’s competition watchdog said.
The PCC said entities found to have engaged in anti-competitive agreements such as bid-rigging may face administrative fines
HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aligning its policies with the Marcos administration’s call for a modern fiscal and investment framework that attracts responsible capital while ensuring environmental protection and social equity, Secretary Raphael Lotilla said. Labor Secretary Bienvenido E.
under the Philippine Competition Act (PCA).
For the first offense, a fine of up to P110 million may be imposed. For the second offense, the fine ranges from P110 million to P275 million. For the third and succeeding offenses, the fine increases to a range of P165 million to P275 million.
Under the agreement, both agencies commit to “timely notification of relevant concerns, proactive monitoring of market conduct, and collaborative review of DPWH policies to ensure alignment with the PCA, the National Competition Policy, and other applicable laws.”
PCC said the MOA also enables the formation of joint task forces and logistical support for investigations, including access to procurement data and field coordination.
PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo explained that the agreement between PCC and DPWH represents a “shared commitment” to make the country’s
public infrastructure not only strong and resilient but also fair, transparent, and competitive.
“This MOA is about more than policy coordination. It is about nation-building through fair competition. It is about ensuring that our roads and bridges are built not just with concrete and steel, but with integrity and trust,” added the PCC chief.
In addition, the country’s competition watchdog noted the MOA outlines protocols for information sharing, including access to bid documents, procurement reports, and market assessments, subject to confidentiality and data privacy safeguards.
“It provides for joint capacitybuilding activities such as trainings, roadshows, and the development of educational materials for procurement officers and contractors,” added PCC.
The MOA was signed by PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon.
Dy pushes passage of Magna Carta for Barangays
voluntary?”
Dy described the proposed Magna Carta as a long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices and indispensable contributions of barangay leaders.
Under Dy’s HB 3533, the Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Treasurer will be recognized as regular government employees entitled to fixed salaries, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and other privileges.
The proposed salary structure pegs the Punong Barangay’s pay at the same level as a Sangguniang Bayan member of the town or city; Sangguniang Barangay members will receive 80 percent of that rate; and the Barangay Secretary and Treasurer, 75 percent. Cities and towns will have six months from the law’s enactment to identify funding sources and pass ordinances implementing the new salary scheme.
and
The bill also seeks to ensure basic services in every barangay by requiring the construction or maintenance of at least one deep well for every 1,000 residents to guarantee clean, safe drinking water and mandating daily public transportation access so that no community is left isolated.
To strengthen fiscal independence, the Magna Carta mandates the automatic release of each barangay’s share of national taxes, the direct transfer of road and bridge maintenance funds to the barangay’s general fund, and a 25 percent share of all real property taxes collected within its jurisdiction. It also allocates 10 percent of all other local taxes, fees, and charges collected from residents and businesses to the barangay.
The measure further promotes human capital and economic empowerment. Each barangay will be required to sponsor at least one college scholar every year, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Barangay residents will also be given priority in employment for government construction and development projects in their communities.
To promote economic selfreliance, the bill encourages the establishment of barangay-based cooperatives, with local governments directed to provide full assistance and support.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be tasked to craft the implementing rules and submit to Congress the necessary budget estimates for salaries, benefits, and other provisions.
If enacted, the Magna Carta for Barangays will mark the most comprehensive reform in local governance since the 1991 Local Government Code—a historic measure ensuring that barangay officials are no longer seen as volunteers but as vital pillars of public service.
companies with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG), strengthening indigenous people’s participation in equitable benefit-sharing, and expanding the use of space-based monitoring to enhance mining and environmental compliance and transparency.
“At the same time, the [Mines and] Geosciences Bureau Geohazard Mapping continues to provide timely guidance to both national and local government units and communities in safeguarding lives and property from climate and disaster-related risks,” he added.
These reforms, he said, signal a new phase for Philippine mining where minerals are no longer viewed merely as commodities to extract, but as strategic assets for a clean energy future and inclusive
progress.
“As the world accelerates towards decarbonization, the demand for critical minerals will shape the next global economy. The Philippines must be ready not just to supply but to lead with responsibility and science-based governance,” he said.
Lotilla said that under Marcos’ leadership, the country is now building the foundation of the future where the stewardship of natural wealth becomes a defining pillar of national strength and unity.
Finally, addressing conference participants, he urged the industry to join the government to reaffirm a shared commitment that mining in the Philippines will be responsible, resilient, and responsive to both people and planet.
PNP cyber units to help secure ‘Undas’ holidays
By Rex Anthony Naval
THE acting National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Thursday said that the cyber units of the agency will help secure the coming “Undas” holidays.
Nartatez said that the police cyber units will operate in tandem with regional monitoring hubs to watch over social-media chatter and digital incident reports that could indicate emerging threats or misinformation.
“Security today is no longer confined to physical spaces. We are also monitoring digital spaces where misinformation or scams can spread quickly, especially when millions of Filipinos are travelling and staying connected through their phones,” Nartatez said.
“Technology gives us an added layer of situational awareness. It helps us deploy personnel more
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned the killing of broadcaster Noel Bellen Samar in Albay, calling it another reminder of the persistent culture of impunity that continues to endanger members of the press.
The group said Samar’s death brings to eight the number of journalists killed since President Marcos assumed office in June 2022. Of these, two have been confirmed as work-related, while six others remain under investigation.
NUJP warned that these attacks continue to erode press freedom and create a “chilling effect” among journalists, campus writers, and communication students.
“While the motive remains unclear and the investigation is still ongoing, NUJP urges authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the Samar case and whether it links to his journalistic work,” the group said in a statement on late Wednesday.
Samar, 54, was on his motorcycle on Maharlika Highway, Guinobatan town, when he was shot four times by a still unidentified gunman on October 20.
He was rushed to a hospital but died the following day.
efficiently and detect possible problems before they escalate,” he explained.
Nartatez also tasked the AntiCybercrime Group to flag fake advisories, phishing messages, or online scams pretending to offer travel assistance or cemetery services. He said crowd behavior analytics drawn from CCTV (closedcircuit television) networks, drone footage, and mobile app data will also help estimate real-time movement in transport terminals and major cemeteries.
So far, police have not monitored any threats in anticipation of the All Saints/Souls commemoration.
On the ground, some 25,300 policemen and 22,000 force multipliers will be deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of the public. Assistance desks, patrol teams, and traffic management units will also be stationed in cemeteries, bus terminals, seaports, and airports.
is
Police said they are investigating the possibility that he had been followed before the shooting.
Known to his listeners as “Mr. Bull’s Eye,” Samar hosted a radio program aired on 92.3 dwIZ News
FM Legazpi and 95.7 dwBC FM Libon. He also managed Kadunong Internet TV.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) has begun monitoring the case, which NUJP urged to pursue.
NUJP noted that despite government pronouncements, cases of media killings and harassment continue to rise in the regions, where journalists often work without institutional protection or legal support.
The group said that in many areas, reporters and broadcasters face intimidation when covering corruption, criminality, or local rivalries.
“No journalists should face death by simply performing their duty in reporting the truth. The threats and other forms of attacks will not persist if the Marcos administration is serious about ending impunity,” it added.
In a statement on Thursday, Legazpi (Albay) Bishop Joel Z. Baylon also condemned the killing of Samar. Baylon said the attack was a “senseless act of violence” that must not be justified under any circumstance.
Baylon urged the public to defend life and truth, saying Samar’s death should strengthen efforts to seek peace founded on justice and compassion.
“Nothing can ever justify murder—not personal disputes, not political differences, not even appeals to public order or national security,” he said. NUJP assails killing of
Gintong Parangal
Friday, October 24, 2025
Legislator wants wage standards based on industry
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALAWMAKER on Thursday filed a proposal aimed at establishing industry-based wage standards to eliminate unfair pay gaps among workers performing the same jobs in different regions.
Party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando of Kamanggagawa filed House Bill 5678, or the Fair Industry Wages bill, to complement the National Minimum Wage bill (HB 94)—
both designed to uphold living wages and wage justice.
“Workers’ livelihoods should not depend on where they were born or where they live,” San Fernando said. “Same work, same pay—not different wages just because of a zip code. Through industry-based wages, we align pay with the value of work, not location.”
San Fernando explained that both the Fair Industry Wages bill and the earlier-filed National Minimum Wage bill (HB 94) build on Kamanggagawa’s campaign for living
Cebu Pacific expands Clark hub
CLARK FREEPORT—Cebu Pacific expanded its operations at Clark International Airport with two new routes and increased capacity.
This was announced by the carrier in a news conference here.
Cebu Pacific will launch direct flights between Clark and Naga City starting on October 26, operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flights between Clark and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro will begin on October 28, flying every
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The new routes bring Cebu Pacific’s total destinations from Clark to 16 including 12 domestic and four international flights which gives the airline the widest network among carriers at the hub.
Candic Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, said the launch of two new routes will increase its Clark hub capacity to 1.7 million seats by the
See “Clark,” A8
wages and wage justice and are designed to complement one another.
“While the National Minimum Wage bill sets the minimum rate, the Fair Industry Wages bill ensures that every industry builds upward from that floor: fairly, transparently, and based on real economic value. The existing regional wage mechanism locks provincial workers in low-wage cycles while prices and profits continue to soar. These bills seek to fix that,” he said.
Under HB 5678, wage-setting authority will shift from regional wage boards to
Industrial Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (ITWPBs) organized per industry. Each board will be composed of representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), employers, and workers’ organizations within the same industry, ensuring a balanced and participatory approach to wage determination.
These boards will be tasked to formulate industry-specific minimum wage standards based on productivity, enterprise classification, and cost of living; recommend productivity-based incentive schemes to
encourage fair wage progression; conduct periodic industry wage reviews to reflect inflation, sectoral growth, and profit trends; and ensure that no worker earns below the statutory national minimum wage, as set under HB 94.
The bill also mandates Dole, in consultation with Department of Planning, Economy and Development (DEPDev) and the Philippine Statistics Authority, to develop a National Wage and Productivity Index that serves as a data-driven basis for industry-level wage adjustments.
San Fernando said the measure will “create a fairer and more rational wage structure” that rewards skill, productivity, and contribution, instead of being arbitrarily determined by location or political influence. San Fernando also called for a national shift in how the country values labor: “The time has come to rebuild the economy around the dignity of work—not cheap labor, but just wages. True progress is not measured by stock
Science-led roadmap aims to hike tilapia yields by ’28
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The government’s science agency is keeping its sights on raising tilapia production and survival rates through a research-driven industry roadmap set to run until 2028.
Cynthia Almazan, senior science research specialist at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcaarrd), said the agency’s Updated Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda aims
to improve survival rates and expand fish farming beyond freshwater areas.
“Our ultimate goal is to increase the survival of our [tilapia] fry and fingerlings, and raise overall production,” Almazan said.
“We also hope to expand into brackish or saline environments.”
The roadmap, which covers 2022 to 2028, gathers together a portfolio of technologies currently undergoing pilot and field testing. Pcaarrd expects these to be ready for transfer to local producers and
private investors before the plan concludes.
“By the end of this roadmap, we hope our technologies are already ready for rollout and commercialization,” she said. Almazan said that researchers have been collaborating closely with the private sector from the early stages of project development to ensure that proposed technologies respond to actual needs on the ground.
“We involve them right from proposal packaging,” she said. “That way, we already
know what they need and how we can help.”
She noted that tilapia farming communities, particularly in Pampanga and Bulacan, are already benefiting from early-stage innovations, with support from local farmers, academic institutions, and researchers.
In addition, Almazan said the industry’s biggest challenges remain the quality of broodstock and the cost and efficiency of
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end of 2025, up 25 percent from 1.4 million seats last year. Iyog said they also expect to operate more than 11,000 flights from CRK in 2025, compared with about 7,000 last year. “With Cebu Pacific’s expanded network, increased capacity, and more affordable fares, Clark is fast becoming one of the most exciting jump-off points for air travel,” said Iyog. “This growth strengthens Clark’s role as a vital tourism, economic, and transportation hub, creating more opportunities for communities in the region and beyond.”
The expansion supports the government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila and develop Clark as a major aviation and logistics center in the north. It boosts economic activity and tourism in Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, and neighboring provinces, as well as the Bicol and Mimaropa regions connected through the new routes.
Cebu Pacific also operates 37 domestic and 26 international routes across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Cebu Pacific will also offer a P99 seat sale until October 31 with one-way base fares (exclusive of fees and surcharges) for domestic destinations. The promo is valid for travel through March 31, 2026. Ashley J. Manabat
BCDA rehabilitates mangroves in Zambales
FOR the third consecutive year, volunteers from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) went hands-on for an impactful mangrove planting activity in Binictican, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.
Held in celebration of the 47th Anniversary of the Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA) and the 13th Anniversary of the Samahan ng Mamamahayag ng Subic Bay Freeport (SMSF) on October 9, 2025, the initiative brought together volunteers from BCDA, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and Subic Bay locators who planted 200 native mangrove saplings.
With BCDA’s participation since 2023, this effort reflects its commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation as a vital part of building future-ready cities and resilient communities.
“BCDA’s participation in projects like this reflects our longterm commitment to developing green cities that work in harmony with nature. Protecting mangrove
ecosystems is essential to climate resilience and community well-being,” said BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang. “Through collective action, we can ensure that the next generation inherits thriving environments and sustainable growth centers.”
Beyond serving as natural shields for our coastlines, mangrove forests help maintain ma -
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño, the Subic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Aboitiz Power, Eco Protect, Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., and members of CLMA and SMSF.
rine species and preserve their habitat. Above the water, they filter pollutants, improve water quality, and act as carbon sinks.
Mangroves also provide a natural cooling effect, supporting bird and wildlife habitats.
BCDA Officer-in-Charge Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Mark Torres led the BCDA team, along with
“For BCDA, this activity is part of our promise to build not only smart cities, but sustainable and livable communities. As we continue our projects across the island of Luzon, we know that true progress is only possible when we also take care of the environment that sustains us. This is our way of giving back — to nature and to future generations,” Torres said. Torres invited CLMA and SBMA to join BCDA’s future tree planting activities in Morong Discovery Park in the nearby Bataan, and New Clark City.
This initiative also reinforces BCDA’s vision of building green, sustainable, and resilient communities in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
MARK P. TORRES, who is in charge of the the Office of the Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Engr. (leftmost) of
EU adds to US sanctions against Russia to push Putin into Ukraine peace talks
By Lorne Cook The Associated Press
BRUSSELS—The European Union on Thursday heaped more economic sanctions on Russia, adding to US President Donald Trump’s new punitive measures the previous day against the Russian oil industry.
It is a broadened effort to choke off the revenue that funds Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and to force President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war.
The steps are a triumph for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has long campaigned for the international community to punish Russia more comprehensively for attacking his country.
“We waited for this. God bless, it will work. And this is very important,” the Ukrainian leader said in Brussels,
where EU countries attending a summit announced the latest round of Russia sanctions. Despite US-led peace efforts in recent months, the war shows no sign of ending after more than three years of fighting, and European leaders are increasingly concerned about the threat from Russia.
Ukrainian forces have largely held Russia’s bigger army at bay in a slow and ruinous war of attrition along a roughly 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line that snakes along eastern
and southern Ukraine. Almost daily Russian long-range strikes have taken aim at Ukraine’s power grid ahead of the bitter winter, while Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian oil refineries and manufacturing plants.
Energy revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
The EU measures target Russian oil and gas, the Russian shadow fleet of hundreds of aging tankers that are dodging sanctions, and Russia’s financial sector. Also, a new system for limiting the movement of Russian diplomats within the 27-nation EU will be introduced.
Zelenskyy urged more nations to punish Russia. “This is a good signal to other countries in the world to join the sanctions,” he told reporters in Brussels.
Senior officials in Europe and the United States have debated for months over how best to crank up pressure on the Kremlin.
The new EU measures took almost a month to decide. The 27-nation bloc has already slapped 18 packages of sanctions against Russia over the war, but getting final agreement on whom and what to target can take weeks. Moscow has also proved adept at sidestepping sanctions.
The US sanctions against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil came after Trump said that his plan for a swift meeting with Putin was on hold because he didn’t want it to be a “waste of time,” in the latest twist in Trump’s hot-and-cold efforts to end the war as Putin refuses to budge from his demands.
In what appeared to be a public reminder of Russian atomic arsenals, Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces.
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s strongest European backers who form part of the “coalition of the willing” said they opposed any push to make Ukraine surrender land captured by Russian forces in return for peace, as Trump most recently has suggested.
The UK will host a meeting of the members of that coalition of more than 30 countries on Friday.
On the EU side, leaders intend to push forward with plans to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine’s war efforts, despite some misgivings about the consequences of such a step.
The biggest tranche of frozen assets—some $225 billion worth—are held in Belgium, and the Belgian government has been reluctant to take any risks on using the money without firm guarantees from its European partners.
Ukraine’s budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around $153 billion.
The EU leaders are also likely to sign off on a new “road map” to prepare Europe to defend itself against a Russian attack by the end of the decade. Top officials believe that Russian could be ready to take aim at another European country within 3-5 years.
Belgium
warns EU partners to share its risk if they want to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine
By Lorne Cook The Associated Press
BRUSSELS—Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insisted on Thursday that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets that are held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in coming years.
Ukraine’s budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around $153 billion, and the European Union’s executive branch has been developing a plan to use Russia’s frozen assets as collateral to drum up funds.
The biggest tranche of those assets—some $225 billion worth—are held in Belgium, and the Belgian government is wary of using the money without firm guarantees from other EU countries.
“If we want to give them to Ukraine, we have to do it all together,” De Wever told reporters as he arrived for a summit with his EU counterparts in Brussels. “If not, Russian retaliation might only hit Belgium. That’s not very reasonable.”
“We are a small country, and retaliation can be very hard. They might confiscate all kinds of monies of Western banks in Russia, confiscate the European owned companies in Russia,” he warned.
The European Commission has described the plan as a “reparation loan.”
In essence, EU countries would guarantee a loan to Ukraine of around $165 billion of European money—not taken from the assets themselves. Kyiv would only refund the EU once Russia pays significant war reparations to Ukraine for the massive destruction it has caused.
Should Moscow refuse, its assets would remain frozen.
Russia has warned against the move. Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the EU’s intentions “amount to plans to illegally confiscate Russian property—in Russian, we call it theft.” However, commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted that “we are not confiscating the assets, but we are taking the cash balances for a loan to Ukraine.” She said that “Ukraine has to pay back this loan if Russia pays reparations.”
“Russia is the perpetrator. It has caused the damage, and it has to be held accountable,” von der Leyen said. She added that she thinks her team has found “a sound legal way to do this” and to get reluctant member countries onside.
De Wever insisted on Thursday on seeing what that amounts to.
“I haven’t even seen the legal basis for the decision yet,” he said. “This seems to me the first step, if you want to take an important decision. This has never been done. Even during the Second World War, we didn’t do this, so it’s not a detail.”
Oil prices surge as Trump sanctions Russia’s major producers, urges ceasefire in Ukraine
By Rob Verdonck & Rong Wei Neo
OIL surged after the US announced sanctions on Russia’s biggest producers, as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on his counterpart Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Brent advanced as much as 3% to trade above $64 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate rallied to near $60 after the US blacklisted state-run giant Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, citing Moscow’s lack of commitment to peace in Ukraine. Russian crude flows to major Indian processors are expected to fall near zero following the penalties, according to senior refinery executives. The sanctions mark a U-turn for Trump, who had announced last week he would meet Putin in the coming weeks and said repeatedly he believed Russia wanted to end the war. But on Tuesday, he said he didn’t want a wasted meeting. The penalties “mark a shift in President Trump’s approach to Rus -
sia and open the door for tougher sanctions down the road, which could ultimately impact Russian oil flows,” said Warren Patterson, the head of commodities strategy for ING Groep NV in Singapore. “The uncertainty is how effective these sanctions will be and what impact they actually have” on exports, he added. Following the measures, Trump said he planned to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the nation’s buying of Russian oil at a planned meeting next week in South Korea. On Tuesday, the US leader said India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that the country would wind down its purchases. The two nations became the biggest buyers of Russian oil following the war in Ukraine as other countries shunned Moscow for its invasion. Trump hit India with crushing tariffs for the trade, but has spared China from any action. Last week, the UK slapped sanctions on two Chinese energy firms that handle Russian energy, along with penalties on Rosneft and Lukoil.
“This is definitely one of the more
meaningful measures the US has taken, but I think it will be blunted by the widespread use of illicit financial networks,” said Rachel Ziemba, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. China and India will likely buy a bit less, but there’s not going to be sudden stop of Russian oil, she added.
Rosneft, headed by Putin’s close ally Igor Sechin, and privately held Lukoil are the two largest Russian oil producers, jointly accounting for nearly a half of the nation’s total exports, according to Bloomberg estimates. Taxes from the oil and gas industries account for about a quarter of the federal budget.
The US measures are a radical change of policy, where previous ef -
forts included a Group-of-Seven price cap on Russian oil that sought to limit revenue for the Kremlin without disrupting supply and causing a spike in global prices.
“The market will take time to digest exactly what this means,” said Vandana Hari, the founder of market analysis firm Vanda Insights, adding that it’s likely to be “a major cause of concern for the refiners in India and China.”
Separately, European Union countries have reached an agreement on a new package of Russian sanctions that are expected to be adopted on Thursday. The measures will target 45 entities that have helped the Opec+ producer evade penalties, including 12 companies in China and Hong Kong,
according to a statement from Denmark, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.
Brent has bounced back from a fivemonth low reached on Monday, but remains on track for a third monthly loss due to indications an expected
EUROPEAN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, and European Council
President Antonio Costa wait for the start of the Tripartite Social Summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. AP PHOTO/VIRGINIA MAYO
Putin orders nuclear drills amidst delayed summit with Trump on Ukraine conflict
MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country’s strategic nuclear forces that featured practice missile launches, an exercise that came as his planned summit on Ukraine with US President Donald Trump was put on hold.
The Kremlin said that as part of the maneuvers involving all parts of Moscow’s nuclear triad, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was testfired from the Plesetsk launch facility in northwestern Russia, and a Sineva ICBM was launched by a submarine in the Barents Sea. The drills also involved Tu-95 strategic bombers firing long-range cruise missiles.
The exercise tested the skills of military command structures, the Kremlin said in a statement.
The chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov,
reported to Putin via video link that the drills were intended to “practice procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.” Putin, sitting alone at a round white table, faced big screens showing Gerasimov and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. All three men would be involved in launching nuclear weapons in case of conflict.
While Putin emphasized that the maneuvers had been planned in advance, they came hours after President Donald Trump said Tuesday his plan for a swift meeting with Putin in Bu -
Rubio will travel to Israel after Vance’s visit to ensure Gaza ceasefire holds
By Renata Brito & Matthew Lee
The Associated Press
ERUSALEM—As US Vice Presi -
Jdent JD Vance’s visit to Israel
comes to a close, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would be traveling to the country to keep the momentum on the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Earlier this week, Vance announced the opening of a civilian military coordination center in southern Israel where some 200 US troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries planning the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza.
Rubio told journalists at Joint Base Andrews late Wednesday that he plans to visit the center and appoint a Foreign Service official to work alongside the top US military commander in the Middle East, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper.
The US is seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf nations, to create an international stabilization force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force.
“We’d like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped,” he said.
Rubio also criticized efforts by far-right politicians in the Israeli parliament who on Wednesday took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill that would give Israel authority to annex the occupied West Bank—a move the US opposes.
President Donald Trump “has made clear that’s not something we’d be sup -
portive of right now, and we think it’s potentially threatening to the peace deal,” he said.
The bill passed in a 25-24 vote. It is unclear whether the bill has support to win a majority in the 120-seat parliament, and Netanyahu has tools to delay or defeat it.
Vance visits Holy Sepulcher
MEANWHILE , Vance visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the sprawling 12th century basilica where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, in Jerusalem’s Old City.
He is then expected to meet Israel’s Defense Minister, Israeli military leaders and other officials at the army’s headquarters in Tel Aviv.
On Wednesday, Vance sought to ease concerns that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.
“We don’t want in Israel a vassal state, and that’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership, we want an ally,” Vance said, speaking beside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to a reporter’s question about whether Israel was becoming a “protectorate” of the US.
Netanyahu, who will meet with Rubio on Friday, expressed similar sentiments while acknowledging differences of opinion as they push forward the US-proposed ceasefire agreement. Israeli media referred to the nonstop parade of American officials visiting to ensure Israel holds up its side of the fragile ceasefire as “Bibi-sitting.”
The term, utilizing Netanyahu’s nickname of Bibi, refers to an old campaign ad when Netanyahu positioned himself as the “Bibi-sitter” whom voters could trust with their kids.
dapest was on hold because he didn’t want it to be a “waste of time.” The decision about the meeting in Budapest, Hungary, which Trump had announced last week, was made following a call Monday between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov made clear in comments Tuesday
Palestinians in Gaza in dire need of medical care
IN the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, the head of the World Health Organization said Thursday they had evacuated 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of the Gaza strip.
In a statement posted to X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on nations to show solidarity and help some 15,000 patients who are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.
On Wednesday, an official with the UN Population Fund described the “sheer devastation” that he witnessed on his most recent travel to Gaza, saying that there is no such thing as a “normal birth in Gaza now.”
Andrew Saberton, an executive director at UNFPA, told reporters how difficult the agency’s work has become due to the lack of functioning or even standing health care facilities.
“I was not fully prepared for what I saw. One can’t be. The sheer extent of the devastation looked like the set of a dystopian film. Unfortunately, it is not fiction,” he said.
Saberton added that Palestinian women cannot get access to a hospital.
“They often don’t even have access to a private space in a tent. We have stories of women giving birth actually in the rubble, beside the road,” he said.
Court hearing on journalists’ access to Gaza
SEPARATELY on Thursday, Israel’s Supreme Court held a hearing into whether to open the Gaza Strip to the international media and gave the state 30 days to present a new position in light of the new situation under the ceasefire.
Israel has blocked reporters from entering Gaza since the war erupted on Oct 7, 2023.
The Foreign Press Association, which represents dozens of international news organizations including The Associated Press, had asked the court to order the government to open the border.
In a statement after Thursday’s decision, the FPA expressed its “disappointment” and called the Israeli government’s position to deny journalists access “unacceptable.”
Lee reported from Washington. Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report.
Top UN court says Israel must allow UN relief agency to supply aid to Gaza
TBy Molly Quell The Associated Press
HE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Court of Justice said on Wednesday that Israel must allow the UN aid agency in Gaza, known as UNRWA, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territory.
The Hague-based court was asked late last year by the UN General Assembly to determine Israel’s legal obligations after the country passed laws effectively banning the agency, the main provider of aid to Gaza, from operating there.
Israel “is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said.
Israel has not allowed UNRWA to bring in its supplies since March. But the agency continues to operate in Gaza, running health centers, mobile medical teams, sanitation services and school classes for children. It says it has 6,000 trucks of supplies waiting to get in.
The commissioner-general of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a message on X that he welcomed “the unambiguous ruling by the International Court of Justice today.”
“With huge amounts of food & other lifesaving supplies on standby in Egypt & Jordan, UNRWA has the resources & expertise to immediately scale up the humanitarian response in Gaza & help alleviate the suffering of the civilian population,” he added.
Ceasefire to consider
THE advisory opinion from the World Court comes as a fragile US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Oct. 10, continues to hold.
Israel has denied it has violated international law, saying the court’s proceedings are biased, and the country didn’t attend hearings in April. However, Israel provided a 38-page written submission for the court to consider.
In a written statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the opinion and said Israel “fully upholds its obligations under International Law.”
It added, in a reference to UNRWA, that Israel “will not cooperate with an organization that is infested with terror activities.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the ruling “an important decision” and said he hoped that Israel will abide by it. “This decision comes at a moment
in which we are doing everything we can to boost our humanitarian aid in Gaza,” Guterres told The Associated Press in Geneva. “So, the impact of this decision is decisive in order for us to be able to do it to the level that is necessary for the tragic situation in which the people of Gaza still is.”
UNRWA ban
UN RWA has faced criticism from Israe -
li Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, who say the group is deeply infiltrated by Hamas.
The agency rejects that claim, and the ICJ found that Israel hadn’t “substantiated the allegations,” Iwasawa said.
The court also held that the population of the Gaza Strip had been “inadequately supplied,” and that Israel was required to ensure “the basic needs of the local population” are met.
Representatives of the Palestinians applauded the decision. Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Palestinian Ambassador to the Netherlands Ammar Hijazi said it was “clear, unequivocal and conclusive” and left Israel with “no pretext, no context, no excuse” to ban UNRWA.
In its written submission, Israel argued that the court should reject the request from the U.N. General Assembly, because it was too similar to other advisory opinions and the judges lacked the fact-finding abilities to make a determination.
Advisory opinion
IN an advisory opinion last year, the court said that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called on it to end, and for settlement construction to stop immediately. That ruling fueled
moves for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Israel condemned the decision, saying it failed to address the country’s security concerns.
Two decades ago, the court ruled that Israel’s West Bank separation barrier was “contrary to international law.” Israel boycotted those proceedings, saying they were politically motivated.
Advisory opinions carry significant legal weight, but are described as “nonbinding” as there are no direct penalties for ignoring them.
Wednesday opinion is separate from the ongoing proceedings initiated by South Africa, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejects South Africa’s claim and accuses it of providing political cover for Hamas.
Arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Last year, another Hague-based tribunal, the International Criminal Court, issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, alleging that the pair have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians—charges that Israeli officials strongly deny.
The advisory opinion from the ICJ noted that Israel “is not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.”
The opinion provides “strong legal support for the case against Netanyahu” said Tom Dannenbaum, professor of law at Stanford University.
US hits 2 more alleged drug-carrying boats, this time in the Pacific Ocean
By Konstantin Toropin The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The US military on Wednesday launched its ninth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing three people in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, expanding the Trump administration’s campaign against drug trafficking in South America.
It followed another strike Tuesday night, also in the eastern Pacific, that killed two people, Hegseth posted on social media hours earlier. The attacks were departures from the seven previous US strikes that had targeted vessels in the Caribbean Sea. They bring the death toll to at least 37 from attacks that began last month.
The strikes represent an expansion of the military’s targeting area as well as a shift to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled. Hegseth’s social media posts also drew a direct comparison between the war on terrorism that the US declared after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Trump administration’s crackdown.
“Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging
war on our border and our people,” Hegseth said, adding “there will be no refuge or forgiveness — only justice.”
Later Wednesday, he referred to the alleged drug-runners as “the ‘Al Qaeda’ of our hemisphere.”
Republican President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and proclaiming the criminal organizations unlawful combatants, relying on the same legal authority used by President George W. Bush’s administration for the war on terrorism.
Trump says strikes on land could be next ASKED about the latest boat attack, Trump insisted that “we have legal authority. We’re allowed to do that.” He said similar strikes could eventu -
North Korea says its latest missile tests demonstrate a new hypersonic system
By Kim Tong-Hyung
SThe Associated Press
EOUL, South Korea—North Korea said Thursday that its latest missile tests involved a new hypersonic system aimed at strengthening its nuclear war deterrent, as leader Kim Jong Un continues to build up weapons designed to overwhelm South Korea defenses.
The report by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency came a day after South Korea’s military said it detected the North firing multiple missiles from an area south of the capital, Pyongyang, and said they flew about 350 kilometers (217 miles) northeast before falling on land.
The tests came days before world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, are expected to gather in rival South Korea for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
The US Forces Korea said in a statement that it was “fully aware” of North Korea’s ballistic launches and also its “relentless pursuit of long-range missile capabilities.” It urged the North to refrain from “unlawful and destabilizing actions” in violation of UN Security Council sanctions, adding that the US commitment to its alliance with Seoul remains “ironclad”.
KCNA said the launches involved two hypersonic projectiles that accurately struck a land target in the country’s northern region. It described the system as strategic, implying that the missiles were designed to be armed with nuclear warheads.
KCNA didn’t specify the name of the missile system it tested. At a military parade earlier this month, Kim unveiled some of his military’s newest weapons, including what appeared to be a short-range ballistic system fitted with hypersonic glide vehicles.
DEFENSE Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks before a lunch with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. AP PHOTO/ALEX BRANDON
ally come on land.
“We will hit them very hard when they come in by land,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re totally prepared to do that. And we’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land.”
Lawmakers from both political parties have expressed concerns about Trump ordering the military actions without receiving authorization from Congress or providing many details.
Appearing alongside Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended such strikes, saying, “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.”
Trump said the strikes he is ordering are meant to save Americans
and “the only way you can’t feel bad about it ... is that you realize that every time you see that happen, you’re saving 25,000 lives.”
Targeting a boat in a thoroughfare for cocaine smuggling
IN the first brief video Hegseth posted Wednesday, a small boat, half-filled with brown packages, is seen moving along the water. Several seconds into the video, the boat explodes and is seen floating motionless on the water in flames.
The second video shows another boat moving quickly before being struck by an explosion. Video apparently recorded after the explosion shows packages floating in the water.
The US military has built up an
unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, raising speculation that Trump could try to topple Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro faces charges of narcoterrorism in the US.
In his posts on the strikes, Trump has repeatedly argued that illegal narcotics and the drug fentanyl carried by the vessels have been poisoning Americans.
While the bulk of American overdose deaths are from fentanyl, the drug is transported by land from Mexico. Venezuela is a major drug transit zone, but the eastern Pacific Ocean, not the Caribbean, is the primary area for smuggling cocaine.
Colombia and Peru, countries with coastlines on the eastern Pacific, are the world’s top cocaine producers.
Wedged between them is Ecuador, whose world-class ports and myriad maritime shipping containers filled with bananas have become the perfect vehicle for drug traffickers to move their product.
The administration has sidestepped prosecuting any occupants of alleged drug-running vessels after returning two survivors of an earlier strike to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.
Ecuadorian officials later said they released the man who was returned because they had no evidence he committed a crime in their country.
Questions from Congress as strikes continue SOME Republican lawmakers have
asked the White House for more clarification on its legal justification and specifics on how the strikes are conducted, while Democrats insist they are violations of US and international law.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democratic member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was alarmed and angry about a lack of information on the strikes.
“Expanding the geography simply expands the lawlessness and the recklessness in the use of the American military without seeming legal or practical justification,” Blumenthal said.
He said the way to target trafficking would be stopping the boats and interrogating those aboard to find the source of the drugs, “not just destroy the smugglers who are likely to be at the bottom of the smuggling chain.”
The Republican-controlled Senate recently voted down a Democraticsponsored war powers resolution, mostly along party lines, that would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes.
Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he’s met with Rubio.
“He has researched the legal ramifications carefully and he believes we’re on solid ground in attacking these narcoterrorists,” Kennedy said. “I trust his judgment.”
Associated Press writers Will Weissert and Kevin Freking in Washington and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.
Youth who led Madagascar protests hope coup leader will continue to hear them as president
By Mogomotsi Magome & Nqobile Ntshangase
The Associated Press
North Korea in recent years has been testing various missile systems tipped with hypersonic weapons, which are designed to fly at more than five times the speed of sound.
The speed and maneuverability of such weapons are meant to help them evade regional missile defense systems, but experts have questioned whether they have consistently flown at the speeds the North claimed during tests.
Pak Jong Chon, one of Kim’s top military officials who attended Wednesday’s tests, lauded the performance of the “new cutting-edge weapon system” and said the North would continue efforts to bolster its war deterrent and defense capabilities.
During the Oct. 10 parade, Kim also unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile that state media described as the country’s most powerful nuclear asset, adding to his growing collection of weapons with potential range to reach the US mainland. Experts say the North could be preparing to test the missile in the coming weeks, ahead of a major ruling party conference in early 2026, when Kim is expected to announce key policy directions, potentially including his approach toward the United States.
Kim has been sharply accelerating the pace of weapons tests since his high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Trump fell apart in 2019 due to wrangling over the US-led economic sanctions.
Wednesday’s launches were North Korea’s first ballistic missile tests since liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula.
But Kim has so far rejected Lee’s offer for talks and has said he won’t resume diplomacy with the United States unless Washington abandons its goal of denuclearizing the North.
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar—For Donah Falia and the other young people whose weeks of protests paved the way for Madagascar’s military coup last week, the change at the top has brought no immediate relief to their lives.
The 20-year-old accounting student still has to wait in line for hours to get water from a tank in his neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo, because the taps at home generally only work at night, and sometimes not even then. The job market is just as dry.
“For us, personally, there is no answer here yet. I still don’t see any hope for us,” Falia told The Associated Press the day after Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president.
Randrianirina’s ousting of the democratically elected president, Andry Rajoelina, and decision to install himself as the new head of state followed a playbook that Madagascar’s roughly 30 million people have become all too familiar with since the 1960 end of French colonial rule and one that has been used in several other African countries in recent years.
Madagascans largely celebrated the overthrow of the old regime, as they did when Rajoelina first came to power as a transitional leader in a 2009 military coup. But the young protesters, whose anger and sacrifices over Madagascar’s high unemployment, poverty, and utility outages made the conditions ripe for a coup, can now only hope their lives will improve under the new leader and that he’ll eventually make good on his promise to cede power to a civilian government.
A new hope, or more of the same?
THE protests, which began in September and were largely leaderless, brought thousands into the streets in several cities and initially sparked a harsh crackdown by security forces that left 22 people dead and
more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. The government at the time disputed those figures.
When Randrianirina’s politically powerful CAPSAT unit sided with the demonstrators earlier this month, Rajoelina realized he had lost a power struggle and fled the country, declaring the coup illegal.
The protesters, who rallied around images of the same “One Piece” Jolly Roger that has featured in so-called Gen Z protests elsewhere in the world, welcomed the military overthrow, cheering on Randrianirina as he declared he was now in charge. They said getting rid of the old government was their top priority and took heart in how Randrianirina emphasized their importance, telling the nation after being sworn in, “We must take the opinion of the youth to the politicians and all the power groups.”
Tsantsa Fiderana Rakotoarison, a 22-year-old student and protester, said he was hopeful that protesters would continue to be heard.
“Even though the CAPSAT group took responsibility after the whole change, they know that young people are able to speak up again,” he said.
Falia said he was grateful to the military
for helping topple Rajoelina, but that protesters had hoped that with Rajoelina gone, the people would get to choose their new leader.
What can be learned from other coups?
IF successful military coups in five African nations since 2020 are anything to go on, Randrianirina won’t be leaving office anytime soon, even if Madagascar holds elections within two years, as he said would happen.
In all five of those countries—Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Niger—the man who led the overthrow of the government is still in charge.
“This same army unit played a crucial role in regime change in 2009 and now says it is in command of all the armed forces,” Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, a policing and military interventions expert with the human rights think tank the International Commission of Jurists, said in an e-mail. “... It is likely that they will try to remain in place for as long as they can.”
Whether Randrianirina can rule effectively remains to be seen, but RamjathanKeogh said she has doubts.
“Military governments have never been able to govern in a way as to address cor-
ruption and serious social issues. Soldiers do not make good long-term leaders,” she wrote, noting also that the prime minister Randrianirina appointed, businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, hasn’t been wellreceived by the protesters.
“It will be interesting to see if any youth leaders will step up to contest the next election,” she wrote.
Bakary Sambe, who heads the Senegalbased Timbuktu Institute for Peace Studies, said the transition after a military takeover has been a challenge throughout Africa.
“In the Sahel cases (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso), the coups were legitimized by initial popular support, with the military presenting themselves as saviors,” Sambe said, referring to the semidesert southern fringe of the Sahara Desert region.
“Young people and civil society saw the military takeover as a sort of democratization from the bottom-up, but it is unclear how long this will last,” he said.
The political conditions in Madagascar were similar to those in the three Sahel countries before their coups, with a relatively high cost of living and rate of poverty, which the World Bank says affects three-fourths of the population in the sprawling island nation. The youth could ‘rise again’ IN his Anosimahavelona neighborhood, Falia’s situation looks no different than before the coup, with regular cuts to power and water making life a daily grind and no real job prospects.
“Here, people of my age, they almost all don’t work. They are standing here with their hands in their pockets—they have no income,” he said while sitting on an old couch in his one-bedroom home.
Some of the youth protesters—labor unions and civic groups also took part in the demonstrations—have vowed to hold the new government accountable if the situation doesn’t improve soon.
Magome reported from Johannes
DEMONSTRATORS protesting against chronic electricity and water cuts confront riot police in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. AP PHOTO/MAMYRAEL
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Friday, October 24, 2025
Pasig RTC denies Quiboloy’s plea for hospital confinement
TClimate crossroads: EU leaders divided over costs of meeting emissions targets
By Ewa Krukowska, John Ainger & Petra Sorge
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasig City has denied the plea of Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to be placed under hospital arrest due to health reasons.
In a four-page order, Pasig RTC Branch 159 Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said it found no compelling reason to place Quiboloy under hospital arrest either at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) or Medical City, where he proposed to be confined.
The trial court took into consideration the progress report submitted by Pasig City Jail Superintendent Lloyd Gonzaga on September 30, 2025, which
to the 39,542 sold in September 2024.
Month-on-month, however, the 38,029 vehicles sold in September of this year are 5.1 percent more than the 36,174 units sold in August 2025.
In terms of vehicle segments, the number of sold passenger cars continued to plummet, contracting by 23.6 percent, with this segment selling only 69,306 units compared to the 90,765 units sold in the nine-month period in 2024.
Meanwhile, sales of commercial vehicles reached 274,104 units in the nine-month period, up 8.2 percent compared to the 253,329 units sold in the same period last
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier confirmed to the BusinessMirror that the DA had yet to use the fund earmarked for the CEMF in the 2025 GAA.
Because of this, the DA chief said the agency did not request an additional budget for CEMF for next year. He added that the agency is revising the policy that would ease farmers’ access to the fund.
The CEMF is established under Republic Act 8800, wherein
material and manufacturing have reached over P1 billion,
feeds, which are two areas the council is addressing through science and technology interventions.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that while overall fisheries production fell by 2.6 percent in the second quarter, tilapia output grew by 3.1 percent, buoyed by steady demand and adaptive local farming practices.
“The challenge really lies in broodstock quality and feeds,” she said. “If we can fix these through S&T (science and technology)
included the clinical abstract issued by Dr. Romeo Labao, Quiboloy’s attending physician at the Pasig City General Hospital together with the results of Quiboloy’s medical and diagnostic examinations conducted at the PHC. In the clinical abstract, Dr. Labao noted that the religious leader’s vital signs had improved and that he had no complaints with regard to his health since September 24, 2025.
year. Under the commercial vehicle segment, Light Commercial Vehicles continued to occupy the larger chunk sales in the nine-month period with 203,349 units sold or 74.19 percent; followed by Asian Utility Vehicles with 62,235 units or 22.7 percent; Light-Duty Trucks and Buses with 5,092 units or 1.86 percent; Medium-Duty Trucks and Buses with 2,669 units sold or 0.97 percent, and Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses with 759 units sold or 0.28 percent.
Passenger cars accounted for 20.18 percent share of the auto sales pie in the nine-month period while commercial vehicles occupied 79.82 percent of the pie.
Across brands, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. remained the dominant market player, selling 164,797 units of cars in the nine-
50 percent of revenues collected from fees, charges, and safeguard duties on imported goods would be earmarked for this fund.
Industry sources said the CEMF consists mostly of safeguard duties collected from coffee and poultry imports.
With this, Fausto noted that the earmarked fund should be allotted to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), whose mandate was to distribute seeds.
“The problem in every crop in the Philippines is [lack of farmers’ access to] seeds and planting materials. Without these, you have
creating more jobs for Filipinos.
“We are confident that it will grow further,” added the EVAP president.
He said the EV sector is becoming a “significant” contributor to
innovation, we can significantly help our farmers.”
By 2028, Almazan said Pcaarrd expects its research and development programs to deliver ready-for-market technologies that can strengthen the country’s aquaculture sector.
“With the participation of our partners and the private sector, I believe we can contribute meaningfully before this roadmap ends,” she said.
The Department of Agriculture has a separate 2022–2025 Tilapia Industry Roadmap, which targets a 352,000-metricton increase in production by 2025. Bless Aubrey Ogerio
It also noted that Quiboloy had already been cleared for discharge by the pulmonary, cardiology, and nephrology services after recent medical and diagnostic examinations at the PHC, which was approved by the court.
“The records clearly establish that his medical needs are being adequately and consistently attended to while in the custody of the Pasig City Jail, and that he continues to receive appropriate, timely, and sufficient medical care at the Pasig City General Hospital, under the supervision of competent medical professionals,” the trial court said in its order issued on October 8, 2025.
Quiboloy sought hospital detention after experiencing shortness of breath, accompanied by intermittent fever, muscle pain, and cough while in detention.
The 75-year-old KOJC leader also said that he is suffering from several serious medical conditions due to his advanced age such as hypertension, diabetes, chronic
month period or a share of nearly 48 percent; followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation with 65,421 units sold (19.05- percent share; Ford Group Philippines with 16,688 cars sold (4.86 percent); Nissan Philippines, Inc. with 16,621 cars sold (4.84 percent) and Suzuki Philippines, Inc. with 16,390 units sold (4.77 percent).
The Campi-TMA sales report showed that 20,662 units of electric vehicles were sold from January to September 2025. This can be translated to 6.02 percent of the total auto sales pie.
Of total EVs sold in the ninemonth period, 16,335 units are Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV); 3,657 units are Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), and 670 are Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).
Across Hybrid EV brands, Toyota led the sales with 12,878 units
no crops,” Fausto said.
“All we have to do is put the fund in the GAA, give it to the BPI, so that support for seeds and planting materials can be provided.”
‘Lack of coffee trees’ FOR PCB Chairperson Chit Juan, planting materials are critical in the industry, given the lack of coffee trees in the country.
As such, Juan said the new targets outlined in the coffee industry roadmap set to run from 2026 to 2030 should zero in on changes in the supply of seedlings.
“There are not enough accredited
the economy through the rising volume of foreign and local investors, particularly in battery manufacturing facilities.
For one, Araga said the very first lithium battery factory in
DENR. . .
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of extending the 25-year limit of mineral processing permits for long-term investment security.
He said there will be a consultation once the Executive Order is ready.
“For the time frame, I would say the first quarter of 2026. An initial draft has been sent to OP.”
Meanwhile, to boost small-scale mining that will boost the country’s gold production and Bangko Sentral
kidney disease, coronary artery disease, pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia.
The prosecution manifested its opposition to Quiboloy’s plea, insisting that his advanced age and medical condition do not distinguish him from other detainees at the Pasig City Jail who also suffer from serious health issues.
Earlier, the trial court also junked the petitions for bail filed by Quiboloy and his five other accused in connection with the qualified human trafficking charges filed against them.
Qualified human trafficking is a non-bailable offense under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Quiboloy, who lost in the May 2025 senatorial elections, is undergoing facing trial child abuse and exploitation cases.
The KOJC founder has also been indicted by a California court in 2021 for allegedly conspiring to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children.
sold or a 78.84-percent share; followed by Honda Cars Philippines Inc., with 1,439 units (8.81 percent); KP Motors Corp., with 660 units (4.04 percent).
As to the brands leading the sales of Battery EVs, Tesla Motors Philippines, Inc., cornered 55.10 percent or 2,015 units sold; followed by Nissan Philippines, Inc, with 781 units sold or 21.36 percent; Omoda and Jaecoo Motor Philippines, Inc. with 243 units sold or 6.64 percent.
For Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle, United Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (Chery) led with 284 units sold or 42.39 percent; followed by Changan Auto (IC Automotive) with 140 units sold or 20.90 percent share; and SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. (BMW) with 68 units sold or 10.15 percent share.
nurseries, so we need to localize the nurseries and teach farmers how to have their own community nurseries,” she said, noting that they were in talks with the BPI about whether this could be realized.
Juan added that the BPI should have centers around the country that would boost the competitiveness of coffee farmers.
“We want to have centers through the BPI because currently, if a farmer wants to get their soil tested, they have to go all the way to Diliman. They don’t have access to services that will make them more competitive,” she said.
the country was inaugurated in Tarlac in 2024.
“That facility could power up to 18,000 EVs annually when it reaches full capacity by 2030,” he underscored.
gold buys, the DENR-MGB is also working on an Alternative Registration of small-scale miners.
“Majority of small miners are still undocumented or outside the Minahang Bayan areas. We are looking at a tiered registration procedure for, first, as individual groups, the cooperatives, and Minahang Bayan,” he said.
He said registration allows the BSP to transact with small-scale miners.
“Gold produced from illegal or small-scale miners is about 70 percent.”
UROPE is at a crossroads on climate. The road to net zero still stretches ahead, but the journey is getting tougher as countries warn their economies can’t absorb the rising costs of meeting emissions targets. EU leaders arrive in Brussels on Thursday divided over how fast and how far to push the green transition. A key flashpoint is the European Commission’s plan to cut emissions 90% by 2040 from 1990
“It all boils down to the impact of climate measures on the economy,” said Huan Chang, an analyst at BloombergNEF. “There’s a concern that the cost of emissions-reduction regulations could fuel inflation alongside high energy costs that have already been hurting the EU’s industrial competitiveness.” Brussels faces an uncomfortable reality: Europe’s energy transition risks undermining its economic one. With the US and China powering ahead thanks to cheaper energy and heavy state support, European industries are losing ground. The bloc’s higher costs threaten to hollow out its industrial base—even as it leads the world in climate ambition.
Fragmented approach
THE challenge on Thursday will be finding common ground among countries with unequal energy resources, wealth, and industrial muscle. It’s becoming clear that climate is slipping down the list of priorities as governments seek to ramp up defense spending and avoid trade conflicts.
Even if the EU sticks with its overall climate target, member states will want to make sure their national interests are protected. Senior EU diplomats speaking on the condition of anonymity said that conclusions drafted before the summit struck a delicate balance between ambitious countries and more skeptical nations, but cautioned that it could all unravel once leaders enter the room.
At the heart of EU climate policy is the carbon market—the first major cap-and-trade program globally—which imposes limits on polluters that get tighter over time. The system’s remaining allowances are due to vanish over the next 15 years, raising concerns that industry won’t be ready.
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, has signaled it will fight for better protection of its ailing energy-intensive industry. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to call for a slower pace of reductions in the Emissions Trading System in the next decade, a change that would give the industry more time to decarbonize while still meeting targets.
German firms chemical firms including BASF SE and ammonia producer SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH also want additional tweaks to the carbon market to prevent a steep increase in costs. They want to continue receiving free allowances for longer.
“We need decarbonization, but decarbonization must never mean deindustrialization,” Germany’s finance minister and Merz’s coalition partner, Lars Klingbeil said on Oct. 22. “We can only achieve decarbonization with a strong industry.”
France too is looking for more protections for its industry through trade measures. Paris wants the EU to tighten the bloc’s carbon border levy, as well as shield European steel makers from competition from abroad before it will back the 2040 target. While Finland and Sweden are calling for a revision of rules on forestry.
Energy costs and bills
THE EU is making good progress, boosting the share of renewable energy to 24.5% in 2023, a tripling from 2004 levels, according to the latest official data published in December. Wholesale energy prices have eased from record highs in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine and curbed gas supplies to Europe. But costs for industry are still much higher — last year electricity prices in the EU were more than twice those in China and the US, according to calculations by lobby group BusinessEurope.
“We literally need to hang onto their coattails,” said David King, Founder and Chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, talking about how to stay competitive with China. “This is a matter of future proofing Europe along with the rest of the world.”
Thursday’s meeting will test whether leaders can find a way to ease the cost burden of the green transition for companies and consumers while keeping climate ambition intact.
Harder from here
THE next phase of cutting emissions is going to be more difficult as deployment of new technologies, such as carbon capture and storage or hydrogen, is costly and slow.
“The lowest-hanging fruit has already been picked when it comes to reducing emissions and moving to cleaner energy sources,” said Linda Kalcher, executive director of the Strategic Perspective think tank. “European power generators have walked away from coal and are increasingly relying on renewables. That means that in the next decades, we will need to deploy more complex solutions.” The ETS2, will be a second EU carbon market, putting a price on emissions from buildings and road transport. Many politicians fear that an additional levy at the petrol pump could turn citizens against the green transition and leaders are set to clash on the planned rollout on Thursday.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged earlier this week to adjust the cap-and-trade system to ease concerns among member states that a spike in carbon prices could spark public backlash similar to France’s Yellow Vest protests in 2018.
The proposed tweaks—including stronger price controls—may calm some governments, but others, led by Poland, Hungary and Cyprus, are demanding more drastic steps, such as delaying ETS2’s launch, currently scheduled for 2027.
The European Central Bank estimates that the scheme, if implemented as designed, could add as much as 0.4 percentage points to euro-area inflation in 2027. Goldman Sachs economist Katya Vashkinskaya projects a similar effect, forecasting a 0.2 percentage-point boost—the midpoint of the ECB’s range.
Out there alone
EUROPE’S push on climate action is being called into question. President Donald Trump’s second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and his administration’s efforts to derail climate diplomacy—including a recent move to block a shipping emissions levy at the International Maritime Organization—have shaken faith in international cooperation. Climate experts are warning that it could spell trouble for the COP30 climate negotiations in Belem, Brazil next month and give opponents of Europe’s ambitious climate policies ammunition to lobby against fast emissions cuts at home.
“The global environment is not conducive,” said Jos Delbeke, professor at the European University Institute in Florence and former top climate official at the commission. “We’re losing the US—Trump is slowing down investment in renewables at home and delaying progress internationally. And at the same time the EU needs to
What’s
Chiz: People, LGUs must have a say in infra projects
LET the people who know best about what they need decide on what projects should be implemented in their respective areas.
In the forthcoming 2026 General Appropriations Act and beyond, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said this should be the guiding principle in proposing infrastructure projects, and their inclusion in the national budget, and in the release of funds for their implementation.
“With the many problems with government infrastructure projects – including the substandard and ‘ghost’ flood control projects – there’s really a need to arrive at a sound solution so that tax payers’ money is not lost on anomalies,” Escudero explained, partly in Filipino.
The veteran legislator explained that most, if not all, of the abuses committed with regard to the funding of infrastructure projects, are the result of the arbitrary moves of legislators, in connivance with officials in the Executive branch, to introduce items that never passed scrutiny at any point of the budget process.
“This is the very issue being raised with regard to insertions in the budget,” said Escudero, who noted that these projects came out of nowhere and were included in the national budget without anyone really knowing if they were feasible, needed or even real.
An examination of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) before 2025, alongside the examinations conducted by the Commission on Audit, would reveal the presence of ghost projects and other anomalies in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
Escudero has proposed a solution, one that is so simple and obvious that it would seem impossible that it has not been done before.
In the proposed Grassroots Infrastructure Planning and Budgeting Act filed by Escudero, all infrastructure projects must have prior endorsement of the Regional Development Council and either the Provincial Development Council or the City/Municipal Development Council and their respective Sanggunian before these are included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the President to Congress.
“From the NEP [crafting phase] alone, no project that is not needed by the province or the country should be allowed to be included. Only the priority and really essential projects should be in the NEP,” Escudero said, partly in Filipino.
“The endorsement of our local government units is even more important for the projects pursued by lawmakers as an amendment – often included in the GAA or the final budget version that the President signs into law,” he added.
The bill states that the prior endorsement of the RDCs and/or the local governing bodies is a requisite or condition sine qua non (absolutely indispensable) for the inclusion of any infrastructure project in the GAA and for the subsequent release of any allotment for its implementation.
“If there is no endorsement or approval by the RDC, no money should be released by the DBM for any project,” Escudero said. The senator from Bicol urged his colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the approval of this measure as it will address the issues that have been dominating the national conversation and strengthen the reforms that are being introduced with respect to the budget process.
Butch Fernandez
PCA aims to plant 100M coconut palms by ‘28 with new partnerships
THE Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) forged ties with local governments, schools, and stakeholders to boost its massive coconut planting program.
The signing of the memoranda of agreement (MOA) was part of the intensified rollout of MCPP to plant 100 million coconut palms by 2028.
The MOA was signed by Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), farmer groups, alongside the Contract Signing with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
PCA Administrator Dexter Buted said this move marked a shared commitment to restore farms, empower coconut farmers, and sustain livelihoods across generations.
“When [President Marcos] laid down the vision to plant 100 million coconut palms by 2028, he was setting a national vision of revitalized farms, empowered farmers, and a sustainable agricultural economy,” Buted said.
He said the program is a bid to replace senile and damaged trees, expand productive areas, and rejuvenate hope in the industry.
In 2024, Buted reported that the PCA planted 8.6 million coconut seedlings, which will increase to 15.3 million in 2025, and 25.4 million annually from 2026 to 2028. The program will be reinforced by hybridization, enhanced seed production centers, and the propagation of high-yielding, climateresilient coconut varieties.
For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., represented by Undersec -
retary Roger Navarro, affirmed the agency’s support, citing the coconut sector as a critical driver of both food security and national economic growth.
Anchored on a whole-of-the-nation approach, the agreements outline shared responsibilities of PCA and its partner agencies.
LGUs and SUCs will spearhead nurseries and provide technical support, while DAaccredited CSOs will manage the supply, handling, transport, and delivery of quality coconut seedlings to designated drop-off points.
“These agreements institutionalize transparent fund utilization, adherence to agricultural standards, and efficient grassroots implementation,” the PCA said.
Furthermore, partners also signed a Pledge of Commitment affirming unified support for the PCA in executing its national mandate.
MCPP operates alongside the Coconut Fertilization Program (CFP), through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). This targets nutrient-deficient palms to ensure long-term sustainability and productivity for coconut farmers banking on the industry.
“As the ink dried on the agreements, the ceremony stood as a unified national commitment to advance the coconut sector as a key pillar of food security, inclusive growth, and economic resilience.”
PCA noted that MCPP is not set in motion as a strategic force for building a more robust, sustainable, globally competitive coconut industry. Ada Pelonia
ERC approves MPGC’s 600MW coal plant connection to Luzon grid
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE MARIVELES Power Generation
TCorp. (MPGC) was allowed by the regulators to put up a dedicated facility to connect its 1,200 megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant to the Luzon grid via the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) Alas-asin 500 kiloVolt (kV) substation for P1.8 billion.
Ohowever, covers only the connection of MPGC’s 600MW coal power project, which represents phase 1. MPGC may file a similar application for Phase 2, which remains listed under the committed power projects of the Department of Energy (DOE). The 8x150MW coal power plant project In Mariveles, Bataan will be put up in two phases, each will be composed of 4x150MW generating units. This coal power project is not affected by the moratorium policy issued by the DOE. MPGC has engaged the service of Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp. (MIESCOR) for the supply, construction, and installation of the dedicated transmission facility. The ERC order also requires MPGC to pay P13.5 million to the ERC for permit fees and charges.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
MBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday admitted that the 2016 order of dismissal against then CIBAC party-list representative and now Senator Joel Villanueva had been reversed by his predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
Remulla made the clarification after indicating during that the dismissal remains enforceable and that he would write to Senate President Vicente Sotto to immediately implement it. The dismissal order stemmed from the alleged misuse of Villanueva’s 2008 Priority Development
“That should be enforceable immediately by a letter containing the decision given to the Senate President. And the Senate President should be the one to enforce it,” Remulla told ANC in an interview on Thursday morning.
“That is the only way to do it. We will try to enforce it now. We will write a letter to the Senate President,” the Ombudsman added.
Remulla said he would personally deliver the letter to Sotto on Friday during the Senate hearing on the Ombudsman’s 2026 proposed budget.
He added that the implementation of the order would be for the “good of the people.”
“We respect the way that they conduct business. We respect the independence of the Senate. But the design of the government is that the Ombudsman is there to protect the people,” Remulla stressed.
Villanueva’s dismissal order was issued by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio in 2008 during his term as congressional representative of CIBAC partylist after finding him guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.
However, Martires said Villanueva’s dismissal had already been reversed after the senator’s motion for reconsideration was granted in 2019.
Give govt ‘job order’ workers serving for years their permanent appointments–Camille Villar
SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ENATOR Camille Villar has called on the government to fill thousands of unoccupied positions and regularize long-serving job order (JO) and contractual workers to make government service more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to the public.
Her statement comes amid the ongoing Senate budget deliberations for fiscal year 2026, where the Civil Service Commission (CSC) revealed that over 83,000 first-level positions across government remain unfilled and that the qualification standards for many positions are already outdated, having last been reviewed 15 years ago.
“Every unfilled position means slower service, heavier workloads, and wasted taxpayer money,” Villar said. “The best way to make government more efficient is to empower the very people who keep it running, our job order and con -
tractual workers who have been serving the public for years.”
To address these long-standing gaps, Sen. Villar filed the “Regularization of Work Engagement in Government Service Act,” which seeks to grant permanent appointment and civil service eligibility to qualified individuals under casual, contractual, contract-of-service, job order, and similar work arrangements.
Under the proposed measure, individuals who have rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service in national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs), or ten (10) years in local government units (LGUs), will be appointed to permanent plantilla positions within their respective agencies. The bill also directs agencies to request staffing modifications from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to accommodate the regularization process.
Villar’s proposal also aligns with the CSC’s ongoing efforts to modernize qualification standards and update outdated pay scales, which CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap said must be reformed to reflect current skills and responsibilities. The senator emphasized that modernizing government staffing policies must go hand in hand with securing the welfare of workers who have long been part of the system but remain excluded from regular status and benefits.
By converting long-serving contractual and job order workers into permanent employees, the government can cut costs, reduce inefficiency, and strengthen accountability which are key priorities in addressing recurring problems of underspending and slow project execution.
“By filling unfilled positions and recognizing the contributions of those who have long served, we not only build efficiency but we also restore dignity in public service,” Villar said.
DepEd and LGUs join forces to strengthen disaster preparedness, education recovery
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
THE Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) are strengthening efforts to make education recovery faster, more coordinated, and community-driven in the aftermath of disasters, focused on restoring safe learning spaces and ensuring that teachers and learners receive timely psychosocial support and school rehabilitation assistance.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said the LGU cooperation is critical move to ensure the safety of learners and teachers, and learning continuity at the local level, as emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos during his recent visits in calamity-hit areas.
“ Mahalaga sa atin na laging katuwang natin ang ating mga LGU sa paghahatid ng tulong at pag-asa sa ating kababayan. Sa bawat sakuna, kailangang sabay-sabay tayong bumangon —DepEd, LGUs, guro, at mga magulang,” Angara said.
DepEd said that recent earthquakes have affected around 5,000 schools across multiple regions, underscoring the importance of preparedness and
local coordination.
The Department continues to implement awareness campaigns and simulation drills to guide teachers and learners on what to do during emergencies, while improving contingency plans and capacity-building efforts in schools.
To further strengthen school safety, the DepEd-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service introduced the M7X Ready Framework, an earthquake mitigation and preparedness certification program for schools, and announced the release of the Guidebook on Safer Learning Facilities.
In addition, the agency, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and PHIVOLCS, has also developed PlanSmart for Safe Schools, an automated tool for multi-hazard contingency planning. The Department is now exploring the establishment of a Sensor Network to provide real-time data on earthquake intensity and impact. Meanwhile, Angara instructed DepEd regional offices to work closely with LGUs in accelerating repair and rehabilitation of damaged facilities.
In Davao Region, DepEd led the
“To my surprise, when I got to the office, I was confronted with a decision signed by former Ombudsman [Samue] Martires dated July 2019,” Remulla said in an ambush inter with reporters.
“That’s it, it only came out when I said the Ombudsman would do something about it. So, it’s a surprise, a secret decision,” he added.
Remulla noted that Villanueva and Martires were quiet about the reversal of his dismissal.
“[Senator] Joel Villanueva kept quiet all these years. Ombudsman Martires never spoke about it. Isn’t it like a secret decision? Did you even know about that,” Remulla asked reporters.
Bomb threats alarm
4 Davao City schools
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
DAVAO CITY – One school after another fell to the apparent bomb scare from a still unidentified prankster whose bomb threat sent ripples of concern from authorities in the last two days. Four schools spread across the city evacuated their students for several hours as messages of planted bombs in their campuses were supposed to detonate soon after receiving the messages sent online, the police said, citing report from school authorities.
The first to receive the bomb message was the Davao Wisdom Academy along F. Torres in downtown Davao City, which received the message at 10:00 a.m. Monday from its official Facebook account. Police said it found no trace of a bomb and declared the campus safe by 11:44 a.m.
conduct of Psychological First Aid and psychosocial support sessions for affected personnel and deployed teams to assist nine priority schools with clean-up and minor repairs. In Cebu, DepEd has adopted alternative delivery modes to ensure that learning continues even as school buildings undergo structural assessments.
In Metro Manila, the cities of Pasig, Manila, and San Juan, among others, initiated the distribution of emergency Emergency Go Bags for their constituents. In Antique, LGUs partnered with local schools to review and update contingency plans. Meanwhile, in the Zamboanga Peninsula, more than half of the LGUs have adopted the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS), a science-based tool that enhances disaster assessment and response. Angara said DepEd will continue to seek the support of LGUs and partner agencies to reinforce school safety and preparedness nationwide. Kapag handa ang mga paaralan, ligtas ang kinabukasan. At kapag kumilos ang buong komunidad, walang bagyo o lindol ang makakapigil sa pagkatuto,” he said.
At 12:45 p.m., the Mintal Comprehensive Stand Alone Senior High School some 15 kilometers west of downtown received a chat message at its official Facebook account about a planted bomb inside the campus. School and police authorities evacuated the students and faculty. The school was declared safe by 2:10 pm. On Tuesday, the prank continued, this time, an online message was sent to Talomo National High School in Talomo, eight kilometers south of downtown. The message was sent at 7:30 a.m., according teacher Kristopher Glen Ultiano Uy.
Also at the same time, Grade 11 Head Teacher Junard Reyes of F. Bangoy Senior High School, nine kilometers north of downtown reported to police a co-teacher received an earlier message, at 7:08 a.m. on the same date, his co-teacher, Samantha Angela Bandigan Galigao, received a chat message of a planted bomb in the school.
Police deployed drone gadgets in all four incidents to monitor the school and its surroundings. Police cybercrime operatives were yet to determine if only one or several pranksters were operating. The schools reported different account names of the pranksters. The Mintal school said the account sender used the name Kozo Wagner, while the Talomo sender used Dumpiie Dump and the Bangoy sender used Nako Dump. City police spokesman, Captain Hazel Caballero Tuazon, has warned that pranksters and those making bomb jokes face prison terms and a fine of P40,000. Acting City Police Chief, Col. Mannan Muarip, has created an investigation group to identify and arrest them.
A strategic move to recover stolen flood control funds
THE recent pronouncements by Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon signal a longawaited shift from rhetoric to real, enforceable action against the corruption that has plagued the country’s flood control projects. In a scandal that has drained nearly P1.9 trillion from public coffers over the past decade and a half, with over P1 trillion spent in the last three years alone, the people have endured not just financial losses but, more critically, the devastating consequences of failed flood prevention. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Asset recovery ‘soon’ in flood funds theft,” October 21, 2025).
Secretary Dizon’s commitment to employing the civil forfeiture law marks a pragmatic and strategic move. Unlike criminal charges, which require a higher burden of proof and are often bogged down by lengthy court proceedings, civil forfeiture allows the government to seize ill-gotten assets swiftly, even with a lower standard of evidence. This legal tool, rarely used until now, can be a game-changer in restoring stolen funds to the public.
The formation of a united front, comprising 15 government agencies including the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the Solicitor General, and the Land Registration Authority, speaks volumes about the seriousness of this renewed effort. Such inter-agency cooperation is essential to untangle the complex web of corruption that has allowed ghost projects, substandard work, and inflated contracts to flourish unchecked. It is encouraging, as Dizon noted, to see these agencies aligned with the singular goal of restitution.
Equally important is the vocal and united call from the business community—including 34 major groups such as the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Exporters Confederation. Their demand for swift and decisive action highlights the broader societal impact of this scandal. It is a stark reminder that corruption is not just a governmental issue but a national security concern, threatening economic stability, public safety, and trust in institutions.
The scale of the problem, as confirmed by the World Bank’s estimate that over 20 percent of the national budget (approximately P130 billion annually) is lost to corruption, underscores an urgent need for systemic reform. Flood control is a critical infrastructure concern, especially in a country frequently battered by typhoons and rising sea levels. The failure to protect communities is neither merely a matter of climate change nor natural circumstance but a direct result of graft and mismanagement.
The government’s resolve to “run after and restore to the people the stolen funds,” as Secretary Dizon put it, must now translate into sustained, transparent, and effective action. This means not only recovering assets but also strengthening oversight mechanisms, ensuring accountability, and reforming procurement and project management processes to prevent future abuse.
For the sake of millions of Filipinos who depend on reliable flood control systems for their safety and livelihood, this must be a defining moment. The public’s patience has been tested, and their trust eroded. Now is the time for the Marcos administration to prove that corruption can be fought decisively and that the stolen billions can be returned to build a safer, more resilient nation.
Let this be the turning point—where concrete actions bring concrete results, and justice is not just promised but delivered. The people deserve nothing less.
BusinessMirror
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes
D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos
Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
Rolando M. Manangan
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The student-athlete’s quest for UAAP and NCAA medals
TDennis Gorecho
Kuwentong Peyups
HE two premier collegiate sports tournaments—Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)—are now in full swing.
The UAAP is an athletic association of eight Metro Manila universities, composed of the University of the Philippines (UP), Adamson University (AdU), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), Far Eastern University (FEU), National University (NU), University of the East (UE), and University of Santo Tomas (UST).
The NCAA is composed of Arellano University (AU), Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (CSB), Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), José Rizal University (JRU), Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapúa University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College–Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
Established in 1924, NCAA is the oldest collegiate athletic association in the country with its original members AdMU, De La Salle College, Institute of Accounts (now FEU), NU, San Beda, University of Manila, UP and UST.
UAAP was formed in 1938 when FEU, NU, UP, and UST left NCAA and became the original members of UAAP. Adamson and UE joined
in 1952, followed by Ateneo in 1978 and DLSU in 1986.
Each UAAP school has its own moniker: Soaring Falcons for Adamson, Blue Eagles for Ateneo, Green Archers for DLSU, Tamaraws for FEU, Bulldogs for NU, Red Warriors for UE, Fighting Maroons for UP, and Growling Tigers for UST.
The monikers for NCAA schools are: Chiefs for Arellano, Knights for Letran, Blazers for CSB, Generals for EAC, Pirates for Lyceum, Cardinals for Mapua, Red Lions for San Beda, Golden Stags for San Sebastian, and Altas for Perpetual.
UAAP schools compete in 28 events from 15 sports to vie for the overall championship title.
First semester sports that run from August to December include athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, cheer dance, chess, E-sports, football, judo, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.
Second semester sports from January to May include baseball, fencing, softball, street dance, tennis, volleyball, and 3×3 basketball.
The NCAA schools compete in 14 sports: basketball, soccer, poom-
sae, swimming, taekwondo, track and field, chess, tennis (lawn and soft), table tennis, badminton, volleyball, and beach volleyball. The last three sporting events have a women’s division.
The colors of the UAAP members are green and maroon for UP, gold and white for UST, gold and green for FEU, gold and blue for NU, blue and white for Ateneo, green and white for DLSU, blue and white for Adamson, and red and white for UE.
The official colors of NCAA schools are: red, gold and black for Mapúa, blue and red for Letran, red and white for San Beda, blue and red for Arellano, red and gray for Lyceum, blue and yellow for JRU, red and white for EAC, maroon, gold and white for Perpetual, gold and red for San Sebastian, and green and white for CSB.
The theme for UAAP Season 88 is “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action,” with UST as host, while NCAA Season 101 is “Building Greatness,” with Mapúa as host.
The UAAP Season 88 logo features two interlocking number eights forming a flame at the center that represents passion, strength, and teamwork. The shared strokes between the two figures symbolize the unity among UAAP schools, while the flame captures the collective pursuit of excellence.
UAAP is hosted by UST for this Season 88, to be followed by FEU for next season, NU, Ateneo, DLSU, Adamson, UE and back again to Season 87 host UP.
UP used to be a founding member of the NCAA from 1924 until it withdrew in 1930 and later became a
founding member of UAAP in 1938.
UP hosted UAAP 13 times for seasons 12 (1949–50), 16 (1953–54), 20 (1957–58), 26 (1963–64), 31 (1968–69), 36 (1973–74), 42 (1979–80), 46 (1983–84), 54 (1991–92), 62 (1999–2000), 71 (2008–09) 78 (2015–16) and 87 (2024-25).
UP teams that emerged champions for Season 87 are basketball and athletics in the men’s division, and badminton for women’s division, as well as street dance.
Three UP women athletes were awarded Most Valuable Players (MVP): Anthea Marie Gonzales for badminton, Nickole dela Cruz for softball, and Jufe Anne Cocoy for tennis.
Shan Clar was MVP for men’s badminton.
Three athletes from the UP Integrated School (UPIS) were also awarded MVP: Justine Hallare for boys’ basketball, Liv Abegail Florendo for girls’ swimming, and Rom Ivan Eguia for boys’ table tennis. Season 87 is UP’s fourth championship title in Men’s Basketball, with their first title all the way back in 1939 (Season 2), then followed it up 47 years later in 1986 (Season 49), then 36 years later in 2022 (Season 84).
After the first round in UAAP Mens’ Basketball division, as of October 19, 2025, NU is on the top with 6 wins 1 loss, followed by UST (5 wins, 2 losses), UP (4 wins, 3 losses), DLSU (4-3), ADMU (4-3), AdU (3-4), FEU (2-5) and UE (0-7).
Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@ sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808
The demographic dividend, youth education, and youth employment
TEAGLE
HE demographic dividend is the idea that a country will be able to experience a period of rapid growth when its population becomes dominated by a higher share of working age individuals compared to dependents.
This normally occurs after a country transitions from a high fertility and high mortality state to a low fertility and low mortality state.
The Philippines is now in a demographic dividend era with the working age (defined as 15-64) share in the population already exceeding the share of the dependent age (below 15 and above 65), according to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund.
The mechanism through which the demographic dividend is transmitted is straightforward. With fewer children, families and the state
will be able to invest more in the human capital (education and health) of children. Children with more human capital can be expected to be more productive workers. More productive and a larger share of workers in the population would result in higher savings for the country, leading to more domestic investments. All of these translate to higher economic output per capita for the country. The state plays a vital role through policies that promote human capital build up and by investing in education and training and fostering a conducive environment for employ-
The mechanism through which the demographic dividend is transmitted is straightforward. With fewer children, families and the state will be able to invest more in the human capital (education and health) of children.
ment creation.
The past decade or so has, in fact, seen some major state policies targeting human capital build up among the youth. Perhaps the most important of these are the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (RA 10533) and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 (RA 10931).
RA 10533 included the adoption of the senior high school (SHS) curriculum, which added two years to secondary education (with the very first Grade 11 students entering in school year 2016-2017). RA 10931 provided free tuition in public universities and colleges, and expanded the number of local universities and colleges.
These policies have had substantial impact on access to education
among the youth. Analysis of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Labor Force Surveys for October 2014 (before the implementation of the SHS curriculum) and October 2024 (most recent micro data available), show that the enrollment rate among the youth most likely to be affected by the policies (16-20 years of age) increased from 55 percent in 2014 to 81 percent in 2024. In a decade’s time, the share of the youth (defined as 16-20 years old) not enrolled declined from close to half to less than a fifth. While not all the change can be attributed to the policies, there are strong indications that they account for a big share of the achievement.
Both males and females benefitted. Enrollment increased from 51 percent to 77 percent rate for the male youth and from 58 percent to 85 percent for the female youth. Of course, while access has improved over that period, there is no evidence that the quality of education has also improved during the period. The Philippines
WATCH
Dr. Geoffrey Ducanes
Cancer patients receiving Covid mRNA shots show dramatically longer survival
By Jason Gale
THE same Nobel-winning mRNA technology that helped curb the Covid-19 pandemic may be poised to transform cancer care.
Patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who didn’t, researchers at the University of Florida and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported in a study in the journal Nature.
Their review of more than 1,000 medical records at MD Anderson in Houston found that vaccinated patients with non-small cell lung cancer survived a median of 37 months, almost twice as long as unvaccinated peers.
Among people with metastatic melanoma, median survival rose to as much as 40 months from 27 months, and some were still alive when the data were analyzed. No such benefit was seen from flu or pneumonia shots, underscoring the distinctive properties of the mRNA platform.
The findings hint that vaccines developed to stop a virus may also bolster the immune system to fight cancer. If confirmed, the results could add new muscle to immunecheckpoint inhibitors such as Merck & Co.’s Keytruda—drugs that have already turned melanoma from a near-certain killer into a treatable disease—and open a multibilliondollar frontier in cancer immunotherapy.
“The implications are extraordinary—this could revolutionize the entire field,” Elias Sayour, one of the study’s authors and a pediatric oncologist with University of Florida Health, said in an e-mailed statement. “We could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilize and reset the immune response in a way that could essentially be a universal, off-the-shelf cancer vaccine.”
Sayour’s team has spent years studying how messenger RNA can rouse the immune system against tumors. In lab experiments, pairing an mRNA vaccine with immune-checkpoint inhibitors turned previously unresponsive cancers into responsive ones, shrinking tumors in mice.
Scientists say the effect likely stems from the mRNA vaccine’s ability to trigger the body’s early immune defenses.
Carmen Camacho, the Mabuhay Singers and the Rise of the Regions
Interferon boost
ESSENTIALLY, the Covid vaccines activate an immune molecule called interferon, which is involved in defense against pathogens, like viruses,” said Seth Cheetham, an associate professor at the University of Queensland who wasn’t involved in the research. “That response seems to synergize with existing immunotherapy drugs.”
These treatments, sold under names such as Keytruda and Opdivo, “take the brakes off” immune cells called T cells, said Cheetham, who is working on similar research. “So you’ve got the two mechanisms working together. The results are extremely promising.”
Researchers now plan to test the effect in a large, randomized trial.
The findings come as the future of mRNA research faces fresh political headwinds in the US. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in August cancelled 22 federal grants worth almost $500 million for mRNA vaccine projects, saying “the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu.”
Hobbling science
RESEARCHERS denounced the move as unscientific, warning it would slow progress on mRNA-based therapies that could save lives.
“Those of us in cancer research are actually quite optimistic about the role they will play in the treatment of human cancer,” said Tyler Jacks, president of the philanthropic group Break Through Cancer and a professor of biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Covid data reported in Nature “is surprising,” Jacks said, “but likely teaching us something very important—that broad immunostimulation can be beneficial. If you can ramp up the immune response and in different ways, it actually can be beneficial in a cancer control context.”
The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis is also used as a treatment for certain types of cancer of the bladder, where it helps “turn on” the immune system cells there, which then attack the tumor cells. Bloomberg
ams overall, although performance differed significantly by public and private status. The PISA targeted to 15-year-olds, however, and would exclude those impacted by the SHS curriculum.
In terms of employment, the labor force participation of the youth declined, as to be expected because more of them are schooling. The labor force participation declined from 36 percent in 2014 to only 20 percent in 2024. This decline is not a bad thing if the youth are accumulating human capital.
Among the youth who decided to participate in the labor force, the unemployment rate was lower at 11 percent in 2024 compared to 14 percent in 2014. The underemployment rate—the share of the employed who want more hours of work, which is an indication of the quality of jobs they have—was also lower at 11 percent in 2024 compared to 18 percent in 2014. The declines in unemployment and underemployment occurred for both the male and female youth, with the gains slightly greater for the male youth.
There are thus indications that there is some improved employment creation for the youth who decide to
join the labor force. The demographic dividend window has just opened for the Philippines. The experience of other countries is that this window, if accompanied by a continuous decline in fertility rate and a decline in the population, is soon followed by a challenging period when there could be an actual decline in the working age population, which would put a strain on government tax revenues and the sustainability of government programs and social security system.
This is more reason to take advantage of the window. There is need for greater focus on raising the quality of education not just access and this should be reflected in its budget allocation. This might require some difficult decision involving putting a cap on free tertiary education in order to invest more on raising the quality of educational institutions.
Improved quality of education will create more flexible and adaptable workers, which will allow them to get good quality jobs in an environment where technology, especially artificial intelligence, threaten many of the traditional jobs the youth depend on.
CANNOTATIONS
ARMEN CAMACHO is gone. She passed away on October 19, 2025. To the Bikolanos who were around in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Carmen Camacho was the voice over the radio behind the Bikol songs that were being played over and over. By this time, the so-called Tagalog songs were being overrun by the more commercial and popular songs in English. The golden age of kundiman was practically gone. The age of Ruben Tagalog, Cenon Lagman, Sylvia la Torre and many other excellent singers were on the wane. The concert halls were the ones that kept the kundiman, danza, balitaw and other forms.
It would take another decade, a miraculous upswing of musical tradition that would bring back what felt like a renaissance of Tagalog and other songs in the vernacular. It was around this time, when Carmen Camacho’s voice began to dominate the airlane in Naga radio stations—DZRB, DZDR, DZEB— that reached across the six provinces of the Bikol region. For many years in the late ’40s and ’50s, several generations of Bikolanos and Filipino listeners grew up with the themes of love lost and love regained and, yes, lost again to the ether of sorrow and forgetfulness.
Carmen Camacho was there with the Tres Rosas by themselves—the dulcet trio forever sweet in despair and in love; at times, they were paired with the Lovers Trio in a splendid combination out to produce love songs that teased, seduced, and celebrated harmonies as melodious, languid, and variably rhythmic. Singly,
they were all great and able soloists; altogether, they need not look at each other to be able to sing as one. It was as if they knew in their veins a timing and phrasing that was impeccable.
Back in the region, we were rediscovering our old songs. Already embedded in books and school programs, the songs that were being sung for the first time over the radio were like treasures burnished, polished remarkably and inspected for the first time. It was as if we were legitimizing music that was forgotten.
It did not matter if Carmen Camacho had a piquant accent, after all she was from Catanduanes and sometimes her vowels grated, creating a glottal stop where the mainland Bikol perhaps softened them. She was singing our song and her vibrant, warm, velvet contralto had enough tears in
the phrasing. She was singing all of them—from old warhorse of a love anthem by Potenciano Gregorio of Santo Domingo, Albay to the morbid cautionary lines of “Si Nanay, Si Tatay,” For in Carmen Camacho’s version, who can endure these lines; “Ay Nanay, ay Tatay, kun ako maraot
My Mother, My Father, if I am not ideal
Pugutan nin payo, ibuntug sa lawud
Feel free to cut my head and leave it deep in the sea Kun maheling mo man na nag anud-anod
And if ever you see it floating by Ay Nanay, Ay Tatay, sapuda man tulos
Take it with your hands gently.
Carmen Camacho will not be forgotten by the Bikolanos because it is her voice that has provided lyrics— piquant and radical images—to the Pantomina, the social dance that appears in various forms all over the
region. For a long, long time—even before Sorsogon transformed Pantomina, a dance performed during weddings, into a street dance—it
was merely music, a composite of two melodies. There is one for the paso or the long walk and the “engano” or the waltzing movement. Interestingly, Carmen Camacho was not alone in singing the songs from the region; she was with the other singers. Raye Lucero, Nora Hermosa, later, Cely Bautista. They were singing songs in Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bikolano. Carmen herself was singing many songs in other languages. We learned about these other songs from other places because these singers went out of their way to sing them. They sang them either as a chorus or as soloists, imbuing them with the soul as if they owned these melodies.
I had the privilege to be with Carmen Camacho and Raye Lucero together with Mike Coroza in their last visit to Naga City. Carmen and Raye proved to be generous individuals with their memories. They regaled me with stories from their long historic career. In the city plaza, they performed that night and they sang like there was no tomorrow.
Carmen is gone now. Cely Bautista passed on way ahead of her. It still remains a mystery for me that they—the Mabuhay Singers—have gone on unheralded. We have learned about the music of the many regions of this archipelago through them. If ever our hearts quicken when we remember a song, it could be because these wonderful beings sang them at one point—translating for us some lines, or embedding them in our consciousness the spirit of the nation.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
US sanctions on Russian oil giants send shockwaves across China
US sanctions on Russia’s energy giants are sending shockwaves deep into the heart of China’s oil industry, where both state and private refiners face heightened pressure to keep up supplies while steering clear of penalties.
As much as 20 percent of China’s crude imports—about 2 million barrels a day in the first nine months of this year—come from Russia, making it one of the country’s leading sources of oil for processing into products such as diesel, gasoline and plastics.
The Trump administration’s blacklisting of Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC is the latest in a series of measures rolled out by the US, the European Union and the UK targeting buyers of Russian crude, and the contribution they make to Moscow’s coffers and its war efforts in Ukraine.
Transactions involving the two firms need to be wound down by November 21, according to the US government.
The risk for China as well as In-
dia, Russia’s biggest customers, lies in their dealings with sanctioned entities, which can leave companies exposed to crippling secondary penalties. These include being cut off from western banking systems and access to dollars, or frozen out by the western producers, traders, shippers and insurers that form the backbone of global commodities markets.
Of particular concern is the role western firms play as investors and operators across major oil-producing regions such as the Middle East and Africa, traders say. Chinese and Indian companies that opt to continue working with sanctioned firms risk being sidelined or cut off from large numbers of projects.
If they choose to comply with the sanctions, they’ll lose access to deeply discounted supplies of oil that have helped keep energy costs low for industry and consumers. Additionally, buyers outside China and India are grappling with the impact on Lukoil, which is involved in Iraq’s Basrah project and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in Central Asia.
The UK’s moves last week to blacklist Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as China’s Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co. for its Russian imports, had already put traders on edge. Western companies have since become wary of supplying the privately-owned refiner. Other recent US sanctions have targeted major Chinese ports including Rizhao and Dongjiakou, key conduits for both Russian and Iranian oil.
Central to the mammoth trade between Russia and China is the long-term contract between Rosneft
and state-owned China National Petroleum Corp., which involves purchases of ESPO crude via pipelines to landlocked refineries in the northern Daqing region. The plants there rely predominantly on Russian feedstock, according to traders, making them particularly vulnerable to any disruptions.
It’s unclear, however, if these pipeline flows—about 800,000 barrels a day—will be affected by the sanctions due to the government-to-government nature of the project. CNPC didn’t immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Phone calls to the company also went unanswered. Rosneft and Lukoil are also among the firms exporting ESPO from Russia’s eastern port of Kozmino to the private refiners clustered in Shandong province and along the coast. Together, the two firms supplied about one quarter of Russia’s oil exports to China last year, according to data analytics firm Kpler. Bloomberg
Warsaw Stock Exchange eyes upgrade to developed-market status
By Konrad Krasuski
THE Warsaw Stock Exchange eyes ditching its emerging-market status and an upgrade to developed markets within three to five years, according to Chief Executive Officer Tomasz Bardzilowski.
His prospective timeframe for the reclassification by index provider MSCI Inc. gives Poland time to revive public interest in stocks and bring more companies to the region’s biggest capital hub, the CEO said in an interview.
The desired move would be the first among stock exchanges in formerly communist eastern Europe, opening over 400 Warsaw-listed firms to more investors, including funds tracking developed-market indexes. The comments come amid a rally in Polish shares, with the benchmark WIG20 gauge up 50 percent in dollar terms this year.
“We are quite aware that in the
emerging market universe we are a much bigger fish than we would be in MSCI’s developed basket,” he said. “We need to work to avoid staying below the radar screens of the vast majority of investors.”
Bardzilowski has an ally in trying to lure people back to equity investing. Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski, a former stock fund manager, in August unveiled tax incentives based on a Swedish model, seeking to rekindle an “equities culture” that thrived in past decades.
Seven years ago, Poland was upgraded to a developing market by another index provider, FTSE Russell, which granted Warsaw-listed
stocks a weighting of 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, the nation’s shares currently account for 1.1 percent of the MSCI emerging-market stock index.
Nearly zero
A POTENTIAL weight close to zero could cause make it difficult for meaningful flows to reach Polish equities, according to Pawel Wieprzowski, a stock-fund manager at PKO TFI SA, the country’s largest mutual fund.
Assets under management by exchange-traded funds that use MSCI developed-market indexes are roughly three times as large as those that track emerging-market gauges, according to data from the company.
The market value of stocks with primary listings in Warsaw tops 1.05 trillion zloty ($287 billion). That’s more than the firms traded in Prague, Budapest and Bucharest combined and twice as big as in Vienna. Liquidity is still low but it’s increasing, espe-
cially during this year’s rally. In its latest review in June, MSCI pointed to the lack of English-language information from Polish issuers, the scarcity of stock lending and short selling as well as inadequate rules regarding the registry representation for foreign owned shares. ThebiggerproblemforBardzilowski, who’s been at the helm of the Warsaw stock exchange since March 2024, is enticing companies to list in Warsaw. Appetite for selling state assets has faded, with politicians from across the spectrum talking up the merits of state ownership. Bardzilowski is betting on the government’s tax plan to widen the domestic investor base, which will make the stock exchange more resilient to global flows. This in turn will lure more companies to float in Warsaw and boost the market’s capitalization beyond roughly a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product. With assistance from Piotr Bujnicki / Bloomberg
Tito Genova Valiente
Friday, October 24, 2025
MSRP FOR RICE STILL TENABLE DESPITE IMPORT BAN, SAYS DA
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
THE Department of Agri-
culture (DA) said imported rice stocks remain ample to carry out the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for rice despite the temporary ban slapped on the staple grain.
This, after the supposed cap on premium rice recently posted an increase to P55 per kilo, exceeding the MSRP at P43 per kilo.
As such, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered stricter market monitoring to ensure that the MSRP on foreign shipments is enforced.
“Teams from AMAS [the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service] will visit markets where price increases on imported rice have been reported. If the complaints are validated, retailers will be issued show-cause orders,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA chief earlier revealed that the country ended 2024 with an excess rice import volume of around 1.2 million metric tons (MMT), as traders took advantage of lower global rice prices and tariffs. There was also an extra 800,000 metric tons (MT) during the first nine months of this year, he added.
Tiu Laurel recognized the growing demand for high-quality imported rice which led to tighter supply due to the import freeze.
Despite this, the DA chief maintained that prices should remain within the P43 MSRP for 5-percent broken rice.
“There are still imported and local rice varieties selling for as low as P33 to P38 per kilo. Consumers just need to be more discerning in choosing where they buy,” Tiu Laurel added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier issued an Executive Order (EO) suspending the imports of regular and well-milled rice from September 1 to October 30, 2025.
The move was part of the government’s move to prop up palay farmgate prices, which had plunged to as low as P8 per kilo in some areas due to oversupply, high production, and weatherrelated crop damage.
Marcos will reportedly extend the two-month import suspension through December.
Meanwhile, the DA said lower-income households could purchase cheaper rice through its programs Rice-for-All and the P20 per kilo rice program through Kadiwa sites and select National Food Authority (NFA)
BusinessMirror
With new rules, DENR will unlock natural mining assets
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
THEDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is eyeing to unlock the country’s untapped mineral resources through new regulatory policies to be issued in the next few months.
Speaking at a plenary session at the Mining Philippines 2025 Conference and Exhibition at the Grand Hyatt Manila on Wednesday, DENR Undersecretary for Integrated Science Carlos Primo David said that through the new regulations, DENR is looking to increase mining’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from .5 to about 2 percent.
In an interview at the sidelines of the event, he said such a contribution to GDP is minuscule compared to what other companies have achieved, which range from 15 to 20 percent.
At the plenary, he told participants that regulations which the DENR is set to unleash are part of the overall strategy to unlock the natural resources of the country.
These key policies for the mineral sector come in the form of an Executive Order and Administrative Orders.
“A draft Executive Order on the critical minerals framework is like the little sister of the fiscal regime, which, as I see it, is to correct and clarify some of the regulations in the 1995 Mining Act,” David, a licensed geologist and expert in environmental science, said.
David said the DENR Mines and Geosciences Bureau will also start strictly implementing the “Use it or Lose It Policy for Mining Tenements” to boost production.
Meanwhile, to accelerate the privatization of government-held mining assets, he said the process for their
‘Half of cars on roads by ’40 to be e-vehicles’
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Philippine Electric Ve -
hicle industry is targeting to make electric vehicles account for at least 50 percent of all vehicles plying the country’s roads by 2040. “The bold target is to make EVs account for at least 50 percent of all vehicles on our roads by the year 2040,” Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund A. Araga said in his speech at the 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit (PEVS) 2025 on Thursday. Araga said this target could be translated to a volume target of at
least 2.5 million electric vehicles by 2040.
“I am confident, as I have always been, that this goal is easily achievable, especially as we actually see that each year, we are breaking our own records,” he asserted. Citing data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Araga said registrations of EVs “skyrocketed” to 29,715 from January to July of this year.
He said that figure has “overwhelmingly surpassed” the number in 2024, adding that this represents about 5 percent of new vehicle registrations or thrice compared to the number two years ago. In achieving the bold target for 2040, the EVAP chief said the elec-
tric vehicle sector is hoping that the “attractive incentives and perks offered to our motorists to shift to electric will further go full swing.”
Currently, some of the incentives and perks offered to the country’s motorists include: zero import tariffs; priority registration at the LTO, exemption from number coding, and free public EV charging stations in a growing number of malls and other commercial and public establishments.
As to the state of growth of EV charging stations, Araga shared that the Comprehensive Roadmap for the EV Industry in the country targets deploying 7,300 EVCS nationwide by 2028 and 20,400 by 2040, pointing out that this is the
local industry’s “new challenge.”
“We continue to persuade and encourage the public and private sectors to work double time to speed up the growth of EVCS in the Philippines,” added the head of the EV industry group.
Araga pointed out that it is just “logical” that as the number of EVs “consistently” jump every year, the figure for EVCS “must match that spike” so as to convince more Filipinos to switch to EV and realize the economic and environmental benefits of turning to electric mobility.
On the investments that the EV sector is attracting, Araga said it is estimated that total investments in local EV assembly and battery
disposal is now being finalized, with the hope of completing or finishing it within the year.
At least 50 mining assets are being eyed for disposal. Pressed for details by reporters, he said every mining asset could generate between tens of thousands to millions of pesos in government revenues.
He added that 12 abandoned mines are also being eyed for disposal.
“This will spur even more development when these mineral assets that are there but not used,” he said.
“Last month, as part of the draft EO even before that EO comes out, we are already planning how to dispose of mineral assets that are not moving. There is a list of cancelled and expired EPs, MPAs, and FTAAs, and they shall be offered through a competitive selection process, like a sort of bidding process, where we will look at the capabilities of bidders,” he said.
“On top of these are areas that are mineralized but still untenured. Therefore, we will offer this parcel of land for bidding for you to apply for exploration. If you wish to know how many of these idle assets we are targeting, around 50 assets, and if we do our work, this will be an administrative order. A draft has been crafted,
and it now goes to Sec. Lotilla for approval,” he said. Hopefully, the regulation for the process will be finalized within this year. According to the official, the disposal of these mining assets will be transparent, with the DENR-MGB publicly announcing the bidding process, unlike past schemes wherein a first-come, first-served basis is followed. The official said the DENR-MGB is also looking at strengthening the protection of mining investments from unilateral adverse policy shifts, such as retroactive amendments to local ordinances, including zoning restrictions, bans on certain mining methods, or arbitrary changes to fiscal regimes, and is looking at standardizing a transparent valuation methodology for FPIC negotiations while respecting indigenous people’s agreements. He explained that the provision of royalty for IPs is open-ended, which means they can be from 1 percent to 99 percent. This, he said, needs to be clarified and a regulation on how negotiations will work should be issued. The official said that currently, the DENRMGB is also reviewing with the hope
Despite halal-friendly push, fewer Muslim tourists visited the PHL
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
ARRIVALS of Muslim travelers in the Philippines slipped by 7.5 percent this year, despite government marketing strategies and a campaign to encourage more hotels to offer halal-friendly services.
Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed there were close to 170,000 Muslim nationalities who arrived from January to September 2025, compared to the 183,615 in the same period last year.
The data refers to nationalities of Gulf of Cooperation Countries (GCC) and Muslim-majority countries in Asia. These exclude overseas Filipinos working or living in these countries.
Still, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco claimed an “upward trajectory of 10 percent [in Muslim arrivals] this year, and it shows that our strategies to attract Muslim travelers are working.” She noted that Malaysia was among the top 10 source markets for tourists in the Philippines, along with Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, “and countries that have Muslim expats.”
While she failed to reveal any hard targets for Muslim arrivals, she said the agency’s strategies in terms of developing halal-friendly products and marketing will “hopefully…communicate that the Philippines is open and ready for Muslim travelers.”
Frasco added that several hotels, such as Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Corp. and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, have already been implementing halal-friendly practices in a bid to boost their Muslim arrivals. (See, “Megaworld seeks to increase Muslim guests on its properties,” in the BusinessMirror, May 7, 2024.)
Malaysians are top tourists
THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enteprise Zone Authority is also constructing Tourist Rest Areas in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, in Mindanao.
The DOT data showed that from GCC countries, Muslim tourists
slipped by 7.89 percent to 26,111 in the nine months to September this year, with the top nationalities as Saudi Arabian at 13,978 (-3.1 percent); Kuwaiti 3,261 (-15.25 percent); Emirati 2,928 (-9.55 percent); Omani 2,580 (-10.1 percent); Bahraini 2,551 (-14.22 percent); and Qatari 813 (-18.31 percent).
From Asia, Muslim arrivals reached 143,676, a 7.47-percent drop from January to September 2024. Of these tourists, the top nationalities were: Malaysian at 75,206 (-3.03 percent); Indonesian 34,655 (-23.8 percent); Turkish 10,479 (-8.89 percent); Bangladeshi 6,877 (+99.49 percent); and Pakistani 4,779 (+6.5 percent).
While the DOT officials could not say why there seemed to be a sizeable increase in Bangladeshi tourists, the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2022 noted the improvement of trade and economic ties between Manila and Dhaka. Specifically, Bangladesh investment in the Philippines reached P36 million in 2022, mainly in the wholesale and retail sectors. Bilateral trade was recorded at US$142.86 million in favor of Bangladesh.
Travel publication launched THIS developed as the DOT on Tuesday unveiled a Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines, a three-volume publication that provides a practical guide for domestic and international visitors to experience the Philippines “in ways that honor faith and culture, reflecting the DOT’s mission to make tourism inclusive, respectful, and authentically Filipino,” said Frasco. The travelogue was developed in partnership with the New Perspective Media Group, a UAE-based marketing and PR communications group, which also publishes The Filipino Times. Frasco said the publication reinforces the growing recognition of the Philippines as one of the rising Muslim-friendly destinations in the world. In this year’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) of Mastercard and CrescentRating, the Philippines climbed to eighth place, from 12th
BUKIDON
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
SEC wants registered firms to reveal beneficial owners
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is pushing for greater transparency in the beneficial ownership of corporations by requiring the disclosure of varying controls that owners exercise and by expanding access to such information.
The SEC on October 10 issued for public comment the draft memorandum circular on the Revised Guidelines on Beneficial Ownership Disclosure and Transparency.
The draft guidelines aim to consolidate all the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC per -
taining to the identification, declaration and submission of accurate beneficial ownership information by all corporations registered with the commission.
Developed in collaboration with Open Ownership and the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime, the policy aligns with the multi - pronged approach of the Financial Action Task Force to beneficial ownership disclosure. It prohibits bearer shares, mandates disclosure of nominee arrangements, and imposes proportionate sanctions for non - compliance and false declarations.
“By strengthening beneficial ownership information disclosure, we are addressing critical gaps that enable corruption and financial crime in the country, complementing broader government efforts to combat corruption and illicit financial activities,” SEC Chairman Francis E. Lim said.
“This policy underscores our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in the corporate sector, aligning the Philippines with global standards in combating money laundering and
countering the financing of terrorism,” he said.
The proposed rules will apply to all entities under the jurisdiction of the SEC, including domestic stock and non-stock corporations, partnerships, foreign corporations, one-person corporations and incorporators, directors, trustees, officers, and shareholders or members of corporations, among others.
All beneficial owners of the covered entities shall be disclosed, with their respective categories reported. There are nine categories of beneficial owners under the draft, categorized from A to I, namely: Ownership, Contractual Control, Board Election Power, Dominant Influence, Direction of Board, Property Stewardship, Nominee Arrangements, Other Control Mechanisms, and Senior Management.
PLP taps consortium to build plant
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
SINGAPORE-BASE d Pacific Light Power Pte. Ltd. (PLP), a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), has awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to Mitsubishi Power and Jurong Engineering Limited (JEL) to develop the largest, high-efficiency combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) facility in Singapore.
Located on Jurong Island, the 670-megawatt (MW) facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2029. It will be the first CCGT unit in Singapore integrated with a largescale battery energy storage system (BESS). It will have the ability to operate on 30 percent hydrogen and will be capable of shifting to run entirely
BEC unit teams up with Ayala
BASIC Energy Renewable Corp. (BERC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Basic Energy Corp. (BEC), and ACMobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility platform, have partnered for the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs).
The partnership, dubbed Basic RePower-ACMobility charging facilities, will debut at the Total stations along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX Northbound) in Sta Rosa, Laguna; Total North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Apalit, Pampanga; and Ecooil EDSA in Mandaluyong. This pilot site will serve as a model for future installations across the country, demonstrating how partnerships among key energy and mobility players can accelerate the Philippines’ shift toward electrified transport.
The partnership also includes a development of a platform called Evro that allows drivers can easily locate, monitor, and pay for their charging sessions.
“This partnership with ACMobility signifies Basic Energy’s strong commitment to advancing clean energy and sustainable transport,” said Basic Energy CEO Oscar de Venecia, Jr., adding that the partnership will boost BEC’s Green Energy E-Transport Program and related e-charging facilities. Lenie Lectura
WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. has started its initial public ofering (IPO) on Thursday after the company secured a permit to sell from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The offer period will run through October 29.
Maynilad’s IPO would be the country’s second largest at P34 billion in terms of proceeds, and only the second maiden offering for the year.
Trust Corp., Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company-Trust
on hydrogen in future.
The new CCGT power plant will deploy Mitsubishi Power’s state-ofthe-art M701JAC gas turbine with hydrogen co-firing potential, as the power sector works towards net zero carbon emissions. This gas turbine is recognized as the world’s most efficient large-frame gas turbine model, with more than 64 percent combined cycle efficiency and proven reliability through three million operational hours.
“This project represents a significant leap forward in PacificLight’s decarbonization journey and our commitment to powering Singapore with cleaner, more resilient energy. By investing in large-scale energy storage and hydrogen-ready technology, we are future-proofing our infrastructure to meet future energy
demands. We are proud to partner Mitsubishi Power and Jurong Engineering in advancing Singapore’s sustainable future for generations to come,” said PLP CEO Yu Tat Ming.
Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., said its hydrogen-ready gas turbines, along with the innovative integration of BESS, contribute to future-proof infrastructure crucial to Singapore’s decarbonization goals.
“Mitsubishi Power is honored to partner with JEL to build PLP’s monumental project that would support Singapore’s growing electricity needs and broader energy transition goals. We are committed to working alongside our partners to support this large-scale development that is making history in Singapore’s energy
sector,” said Mitsubishi Power Executive Vice President Daichi Nakajima. PLP currently owns and operates an 830MW CCGT facility and a 100MW Fast Start Ancillary Services facility on Jurong Island. The 830MW CCGT facility is one of the most efficient and reliable combined cycle power plants currently operating in Singapore.
Mitsubishi Power has maintained a longstanding presence in Singapore, supporting the nation’s energy infrastructure by providing advanced power generation systems for CCGT power plants since the early 2000s.
Together with JEL, the consortium will have delivered two M701F gas turbines and a total of three M701JAC gas turbines, including those supplied for this latest project.
Homebuyers shift to longer, flexible payment terms—RLC Residences
By John Eiron R. Francisco
HOMEBUYERS are shifting toward longer and more flexible payment terms as high interest rates and more stringent bank requirements reshape post-pandemic financing preferences, according to residential property executives.
RLC Residences Associate Business Development director Aileen Carlos said Thursday during the company’s exclusive media event that more buyers are now requesting affordable payment options. In response, the developer has introduced flexible payment schemes that can stretch up to 10 years.
“There is also a demand for the lowest monthly amortization, which we give them a more lengthy or more number of months,” Carlos added, noting that some schemes allow payments, for instance, over, 78 months, or roughly six and half years.
“We heard every customer’s request, so we adapted to that, formulating the scheme we offer.”
Meanwhile, Katrina Tordilla, Assistant Vice President and Head of Business Development, said the company recently introduced a new financing program called Pre-Selling 120, designed to eliminate the need for bank financing.
“For buyers who want to avoid
the uncertainty and high interest rates that come with bank loans, this scheme allows them to pay the total contract price directly to the developer for up to 120 months,” Tordilla said. “It gives buyers greater flexibility and control over their finances.”
She said the scheme provides buyers with more financial control and stability, particularly at a time when interest rates and bank approval processes remain unpredictable.
As of this writing, RLC Residences said during its pre-selling phase, three of its residential projects have
recorded varying sales performances. Sierra Valley Gardens in Cainta, Rizal—positioned for young and independent individuals—has sold about 40 percent of its units.
Mira in Quezon City, designed for families starting their next chapter, has sold around 65 percent, while Le Pont Residences in Bridgetowne, Pasig City, which targets established professionals and investors, has achieved roughly 60 percent in sales.
“Hopefully, this pre-selling campaign will continue to drive those numbers upward,” Tordilla said.
Maynilad, whose offer price is P15 per share, is expected to list its shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange on November 7,under the trading symbol MYNLD. BPI Capital Corp. serves as the domestic lead Underwriter for the IPO, while The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte. and UBS AG, Singapore Branch act as the international underwriters.
The International Finance Corp. and Asian Development Bank are the lead cornerstone investors of the IPO. The domestic and international cornerstone investors that have confirmed their participation include BDO Capital, BPI Asset Management and
Maynilad hopes to sell 1.66 bil
lion common shares to the public, and to 24.9 million primary shares to First Pacific Co. Ltd., with an overallotment option of up to 249.04 million primary common shares and subject to the exercise of an upsize option of up to 354.7 million secondary common shares to be offered by shareholder, Maynilad Water Holdings Co. Inc. (MHWCI).
Proceeds from the offer will be used to fund Maynilad’s capital expenditures requirements and for general corporate purposes. Maynilad will not receive any proceeds from the sale of MWHCI’s shares in the event that the upsize option is exercised. VG Cabuag
FROM left: Aileen Carlos, Associate Business Development Director; Katrina Tordilla, Assistant Vice President and Head of Business Development; Dan Carlo Torres, Head of Brand Management and Operations; and Carissa Denise Lao, Vice President and Head of Sales of RLC Residences, during the exclusive event for the company’s pre-selling properties held Thursday at Robinsons Galleria, Quezon City. PHOTO BY JOHN EIRON R. FRANCISCO
PHOTO FROM WWW.MAYNILADWATER.COM.PH
Hedge fund assets hit $5T, most inflows since 2007
ASSETS in the global hedge fund industry have surged to a record $5 trillion as investors poured money into alternatives and funds posted solid gains.
Hedge funds saw net inflows of nearly $34 billion in the three months through September, according to data from Hedge Fund Research Inc. released Thursday. That’s the most in any quarter since 2007, before the global financial crisis.
The surge in assets also came from investment performance, with total returns across all strategies averaging 5.4 percent over the quarter. Equity and macro hedge fund strategies led gains over the period.
Investors are increasingly looking to hedge funds to provide uncorrelated returns after geopolitical tensions and President Donald Trump’s actions on a range of issues spurred choppy markets this year. Hedge funds have been buoyed by rising US stocks and tariff-fueled volatility in bond and currency markets.
“We’re looking for things that will diversify markets right now,
will not get too excited by the hype around different parts of the economic environment, and will generate alpha in ways which are uncorrelated if things are fine, but particularly, uncorrelated if things are not fine,” Adam Singleton, chief investment officer of External Alpha at Man Group Plc, said on a panel at Bloomberg’s Hedge Fund Forum in London on Wednesday.
Once again, the industry’s largest firms commanded the lion’s share of net new cash in the third quarter, HFR said, with almost all of it allocated to managers with over $5 billion assets under management.
Cryptocurrency hedge funds also posted solid double-digit gains in the third quarter, recovering from sharp losses in early 2025 to bring year-to-date performance to 6.7 percent, HFR said. The firm pointed to accelerating dealmaking, cryptocurrency investment, falling geopolitical risk, bets on lower interest rates, and an unprecedented surge in AI investment and infrastructure, as drivers of the hedge fund industry’s recent growth. Bloomberg
Oil price volatility, weak peso may sap fuel marking’s might
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE government’s fuel marking program continued to yield higher marked volumes and tax collections as of end-September, but volatile oil prices and a weaker peso could sap revenue performance.
Latest data obtained by BusinessMirror showed the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected a total of P185.284 billion in import duties and other taxes under the fuel marking program from January to September this year.
The amount is up by 1.84 percent from the P181.921 billion raised during the same period a year ago.
Diesel contributed the largest share at P93.592 billion as it re -
mained the most marked fuel at 8.984 billion liters. The revenue collected, however, was down by 0.33 percent despite the increased marked fuel during the nine-month period from P93.908 billion a year ago.
Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla told the BusinessMirror that stricter antismuggling measures resulted in the growth in revenue collections. With legitimate fuel companies
Asia’s stock exchanges push back vs crypto hoarders
By Alice French, Richard Henderson, Kiuyan Wong & Yasutaka Tamura Bloomberg
THREE of Asia Pacific’s biggest stock exchanges are pushing back against crypto hoarding vehicles masquerading as listed companies.
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. has challenged the plans of at least five firms seeking to pivot to digital-asset treasury strategies as their core business in recent months, citing rules that prohibit large liquid holdings, according to people familiar with the plans, who asked not to be identified as the applications are confidential. As yet, none of those firms have been given the green light. So-called DATs have met with similar opposition in India and Australia. The resistance comes with both cryptocurrencies and the listed vehicles focused on accumulating them under growing pressure, putting at risk a digital-assets rally that has prevailed for most of 2025.
Bitcoin hit a record of $126,251 on October 6 and is up 18 percent yearto-date, a surge fueled in large part by an explosion of companies dedicated to stockpiling the token. The model pioneered by Michael Saylor’s $70 billion Bitcoin giant Strategy Inc. has given rise to hundreds of imitators globally. They have mostly boasted valuations greater than that of their crypto holdings, underscoring strong
investor demand. More recently, DATs’ purchases have slowed and their share prices have sagged, coinciding with a sharp selloff in wider crypto markets. Retail investors have lost an estimated $17 billion piling into DAT trades, according to a recent report from Singapore-based 10X Research.
In Asia-Pacific markets, exchange operators’ reservations threaten to grind the plans of crypto hoarders to a halt entirely.
Shares of Boyaa Interactive International Ltd., one of Hong Kong’s largest Bitcoin treasury firms, fell as much as 3.9 percent on Wednesday, underperforming the Hang Seng benchmark. Other crypto-linked firms such as DL Holdings Group Ltd. and Ourgame International Holdings Ltd. also fell.
“Listing regulations directly shape how fast and how cleanly a digital-asset treasury model can operate,” said Rick Maeda, a Tokyobased crypto analyst at Presto Research. Rules that are “predictable and accommodative” attract capital and boost investor confidence, while harsher environments hinder DATs’ execution speed, he added. Cash companies
IN Hong Kong, if a publicly traded firm’s assets are made up primarily of cash or short-term investments, it will be considered a “cash company” and may have its shares suspended, according to the exchange’s rules.
The goal is to deter shell companies from effectively bartering their listed status for money.
For would-be crypto accumulators, success in getting approval depends on whether they can “demonstrate that acquiring crypto assets is part and parcel of their operating business,” said Simon Hawkins, a partner at law firm Latham & Watkins.
Transitioning into a pure-play crypto accumulator is currently forbidden for listed firms in the former British territory, said the people familiar with the matter.
An HKEX spokesperson declined to comment on the individual firms whose plans it has challenged, but said its framework “ensures that the businesses and operations of all applicants seeking to list, as well as those already listed, are viable and sustainable, and of substance.”
In a similar episode, the Bombay Stock Exchange last month rejected an application from Jetking Infotrain to list shares from a preferential allotment. The company had said it would invest some of the proceeds in crypto. It’s appealing the decision, a filing shows. The BSE and Jetking didn’t respond to requests for comment.
In Australia, ASX Ltd. bars listed firms from holding 50 percent or more of their balance sheets in cash or cash-like assets. The clause makes it “essentially impossible” to adopt a crypto treasury model, said Locate Technologies Ltd. Chief
Executive Officer Steve Orenstein.
The software firm-turned-Bitcoin buyer is currently in the process of shifting its listing from Australia to New Zealand, whose NZX Ltd. is open to hosting DATs, according to a spokesperson.
ASX-listed firms that pivot to investing in Bitcoin or Ether “are encouraged to consider structuring their offering as an exchange traded fund,” a spokesperson for the bourse said. Otherwise, they are “unlikely to be considered suitable for admission to the official list.”
ASX doesn’t prohibit crypto treasury strategies, they said, while warning that conflicts with listing rules must be carefully managed.
Japan’s hoarders JAPAN is a significant outlier in the Asia-Pacific region. There, it’s commonplace for public companies to sit on large piles of cash, and listing rules allow DATs a relatively free rein.
“Once a company is listed, if it makes appropriate disclosures—for example, disclosing that it is purchasing Bitcoin—it would be quite difficult to immediately conclude that such actions are unacceptable,” said Hiromi Yamaji, chief executive officer at Japan Exchange Group, at a press conference on September 26. A JPX spokesperson said it takes action to “protect shareholders and investors when concerns arise” related to listed firms, including those adopting crypto treasury strategies.
Ex-Citi banker jailed longest in SG laundering case
AFORMER wealth banker at Citigroup Inc. got the longest sentence in Singapore’s biggest money laundering case for his role in aiding the movement of illicit funds and obstructing justice. Wang Qiming, a former relationship manager at Citibank Singapore, was sentenced to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to four out of 10 charges on Thursday. That’s a harsher jail term than the punishments meted out to the 10 convicted money launderers in the S$3 billion ($2.3 billion) scandal.
Wang is the first banker to be sentenced in the case, which has raised questions about the risks of Singapore’s ambition to attract some of the world’s richest and the city’s safeguards against dirty money flows. Former Julius Baer Group Ltd. banker Liu Kai, 36, faces one charge and is scheduled to plead guilty on Friday. The two men are the only financial professionals charged in connection with the laundering case. Deputy public prosecutor Louis Ngia argued for a sentence of as long as 30 months for Wang. Defense lawyer Vinit Chhabra sought up to 11 months and indicated Wang plans to appeal the sentence. Ngia argued that Wang, 28, actively forged supporting documents and “flagrantly breached” his duties. Chhabra said Wang did not personally benefit from the laundered funds and that Citibank suffered no direct loss.
Still, the lender suffered reputation harm from Wang’s actions, District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt said. “This was not the case of an accused simply looking away or failing to ask the right questions,” the judge said. Wang “proactively and deliberately distorted and disguised the source of funds.”
Citigroup declined to comment.
Liu’s lawyers couldn’t be reached for comment. “This is a third-party matter and the individual named left the bank in 2022,” according to a spokesperson for Julius Baer.
Singapore convicted and sentenced 10 individuals originally from the southern Chinese province of Fujian to jail terms ranging from 13 months to 17 months for their roles in the money laundering case. They were deported after serving time. The case dominated headlines for the billions of dollars parked in real estate, luxury goods, cash and cryptocurrency, derived from illgotten gains in illegal gambling and unlicensed money lending in China. “Today’s sentencing should not
be seen as signifying that money launderers are treated by the law as being less culpable than those who facilitate such crimes,” said Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University. “In the money launderers’ case, there was a plea bargain of sorts: pleading guilty and disgorging their proceeds of crime as a quid pro quo for a shorter jail sentence.”
‘Difficulty going anywhere’
WANG, also known as Jimmy, was accusedofforgingtransactiondocuments to cheat Citibank in deposits totaling more than S$8.5 million and benefited financially. He also allegedly obstructed justice by deleting the Whatsapp messaging app from his phone.
His lawyer said Wang only received a “small commission” of between S$700 to S$800 each for transactions, which were typically investments. Wang helped Citibank open about 108 accounts, with only a handful implicated in the charges, Chhabra argued. Bloomberg
coordinating with the BOC and sharing intel on suspected abusers, Maronilla said importers were forced to declare correct volumes and pay the proper taxes.
However, oil price fluctuations have a “big impact” on its tax collections since 35 percent of the BOC’s revenue share comes from oil importations.
The sudden depreciation of the peso also affects the bureau’s collections, as duties are influenced by foreign exchange valuations upon fuel importation, Maronilla added.
“So, if the exchange rate is lower when the payment comes here, our collection will also go down,” the Customs official told the BusinessMirror
To enhance integrity in the marking system, Maronilla said the BOC will be revising the program next year by engaging a new service provider.
He added that improvements will focus on more consistent, sciencebased testing, particularly address-
ing homogeneity concerns when marked fuels mix with additives.
“We’re looking into improving our collection efficiency and maybe, towards the end of the year, we’ll see the volumes increase,” Maronilla added.
The fuel marking program was implemented on September 4, 2019, as part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law, aimed at ensuring oil products available in the market comply with tax regulations.
Based on the law, petroleum products that are refined, manufactured, or imported to the Philippines, such as unleaded premium gasoline, kerosene and diesel, must be marked by an official marking agent after taxes and duties have been paid. A unique chemical marker is used in marking fuel that can be embedded at a molecular level in petroleum products—gasoline, diesel and kerosene—enabling authorities to test, identify and distinguish petroleum products with paid excise taxes.
From MICE to Business Events: From just hosting to creating lasting value
ONE of my key takeaways from attending the LEAP Summit recently in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia was clarity on the use of the term “MICE” vis-à-vis “Business Events” as a nomenclature for the industry.
“LEAP” is the acronym for “Legacy Events Advocacy Policy,” a platform that “Business Events Sarawak” (BE Sarawak) initiated to champion advocacy, partnerships and sustainable event policies. The LEAP Summit is part of BE Sarawak’s “Legacy 360: Business Events for a Sustainable Future” framework, which I have wrote about in my previous columns.
The evolving terminology of the industry, from “MICE” (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) to “Business Events,” reflects more than a change in labels. It signifies a broader paradigm shift on how destinations conceptualize and communicate the real value of this dynamic sector.
For decades, MICE has served as the industry’s convenient shorthand, especially in the Philippines and other emerging markets. It came from a tourism-centered mindset, emphasizing event typologies, visitor arrivals and economic indicators such as spending and venue utilization. In its time, it effectively framed the industry as a key contributor to tourism receipts and destination marketing.
However, as the global landscape evolved, so did the understanding of what events can achieve. The term “business events,” now widely used in advanced markets like Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, marks a shift toward a strategic, purpose-driven narrative. It recognizes that events are not merely gatherings, but platforms for knowledge exchange, innovation, collaboration and legacy creation. Here, success is measured, not just in numbers, but in impact on communities, industries and national development goals.
This conceptual evolution aligns with global priorities such as sustainability, education and economic diversification. As governments and industry leaders increasingly emphasize the knowledge economy, “business events” better captures the sector’s role in fostering innovation ecosystems and advancing shared progress.
In this transition, associations play a pivotal role. As conveners of professionals, experts and thought
leaders, associations are often the creators and custodians of business events that drive knowledge and capacity building within industries. Their meetings, congresses and summits go beyond tourism, but also serve as platforms for policy dialogue, professional development and collaboration. Associations thus exemplify how events can generate long-term social, intellectual and economic legacies, embodying the very essence of the business events paradigm.
In the Philippine context, retaining the “MICE” label remains both practical and policy-consistent. The “Philippine MICE Roadmap 2018–2030,” the country’s strategic framework for the sector, uses the term extensively and continues to guide its growth. Yet, local destinations such as Cebu, Iloilo and Boracay, are already incorporating sustainability, inclusivity and legacy-building into their event strategies, signaling an organic shift toward the business events mindset.
A phased, dual-usage approach, referring to the sector as “MICE/ Business Events” could bridge this evolution. It maintains local recognition while aligning with international best practices. Over time, as the industry matures and measures impact beyond attendance and revenue, “business events” may naturally take precedence.
Ultimately, the shift from “MICE” to “Business Events” is more than semantics—it reflects an industry evolving from hosting events to creating value, from counting visitors to building legacies. For destinations like the Philippines, and for associations that bring people together with purpose, embracing this new language means embracing a new vision of impact and sustainability.
Octavio Peralta
A ssociation World
WANG QIMING arrives at the State Courts in Singapore on October 23. PHOTOGRAPHER: ORE HUIYING/BLOOMBERG
BOUTIQUE property developer Keyland Corp. has officially opened Alino New Manila, a four-star, 20-story lifestyle hotel along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in Quezon City.
This is the company’s first foray intO the hospitality industry under its newly established Alino Hotels brand, expanding a portfolio long associated with residential and office projects. These include Vermira townhouses in Lipa City, 110 Benavidez condominium in Makati, Southkey Place in Alabang, along with office and retal spaces like Southkey Hub 1 and 2 in Filinvest City, and Keyland in Makati and Ortigas.
According to Lady Elegado, the hotel’s general manager, Alino” is drawn from Alagang Filipino,” which underscores the brand’s commitment to “genuine, authentic Filipino care.”
At its heart is the value of malasakit, that uniquely Filipino way of caring for others, trying to ease their burden. “By observing this Filipino value in travel and hospitality, we aim to ease the stresses of travel, offer reassurance, and deliver comfort that feels both sincere and personal,” Elegado explained.
The hotel is located across St. Luke’s Medical Center, and within the New Manila district, an area that is popular for being a bridge between heritage and modernity. New Manila, of course, is known for its large post-World War II ancestral estates and film studios. Of late, it has become an emerging growth corridor, which has easy access to to Ortigas, Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and beyond via the Skyway.
“Because of our location, Alino New Manila is able to serve a diverse clientele such as those having procedures done at St. Luke’s, visiting families, young professionals, business travelers, as well as longstaying guests,” Elegado added.
The hotel features 128 rooms across a range ofcategories, including Essential Twin, Deluxe Twin, Deluxe Queen, Premier Queen, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite, and a Premier Suite. Standard in-room provisions include high-speed WiFi, 55-inch TV, coffee
and tea setups, microwave, and electronic safe. There is also a dedicated Healthcare Room with a Hepa Air purifier and hospital-grade cleaning solutions to accommodate families of St. Luke’s patients, who require a more sanitized environment. Additional amenities include a laundrette, outdoor pool, gym, and flexible function rooms.
Elegado, who has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry here and abroad, also showed guests another benefit of staying at Alino— their all-dining restaurant Kutchara, which serves modern takes on classic Filipino dishes. The kitchen is ably overseen by Executive Chef Rexsan Abarquez, who fed us classics, like Kinilaw na Tanigue cured in coconut vinegar and calamansi; Kansi at Baka, that popular Ilonggo beef shank broth soured with the batwan fruit, as well as Inasal na Manok, marinated in calamansi and lemongrass, and grilled to a charred delight.
Beyond its promise to guests, Alino Hotels is also committed to develop and nurture its people as it aims to be a stepping stone for staff to grow their skills and build strong careers in the hospitality industry. “By setting international standards locally,” said Elegado, Alino New Manila gives our team the foundation to excel with the vision of bringing Filipino talent to the global stage.” Which is exactly why Elegado’s appointment was quite inspired; her long experience in many hotels here and abroad and in various capacities has honed her malasakit into skills that will make Alino’s services and staff stand out in the wildly competitive hospitality business.
Alino New Manila signals the start of a broader strategy to diversify into hospitality and lifestyledriven developments. It embodies Keyland’s vision of offering accessible, authentic and thoughtfully designed hospitality which reflects on the brand’s promise of “Care in Every Detail,” while also positioning it within the evolving hotel and lifestyle sector in Metro Manila.
For inquiries and reservations, call Alino New Manila at 8896-1188.
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FILIPINOS have been having a love affair with Japan in recent years that at one point, their embassy in Manila announced that the Philippines was their top source of tourists in Southeast Asia.
It has amazing shopping deals, kind and respectful people, a clean and organized way of life, and, most of all, an absolutely divine cuisine. And no suprise, numerous Japanese restaurants have made their way to Manila, offering anything from sushi and comforting bowls of ramen, to incredibly succulent steaks, and, lately, burgers.
I love Japanese hambagu—that moist delicious wide patty slathered with a smoky, tasty gravy—that I often find myself at Robinsons Magnolia, shopping at the Konbini store to pick up a pack of these treats, along with the rich and sweet Hokkaido butter. I tried making hambagus at home, but I guess I just couldn’t get the right proportions of beef and pork correctly. (Yes, it is the pork that elevates the hambagu, giving it that malinamnam taste.)
Just landed in Makati is Masajiro Burger from Fukuoka. Initially famous for its golden buns, it is now equally famous for its wide array of burger options. The Manila franchisee, however, uses pure wagyu beef for its patties, having been long-time importers of wagyu in the Philippines, under JGyu Corp.
“We thought that this would make the Masajiro Burgers more tasty, charred and adapted to the Filipino taste buds, more umami and premium compared to other established burger joints,” director of operations of Masajiro Burgers Philippines Claudine Joson-Coron tells me as I scarfed down my tasty burger.
I had the Classic, with a smoky patty, and served with fresh tomatoes and lettuce in that golden slightly-crisp-on-the-outside-but-pillowy-soft-onthe-inside bun. At P390, the burger was sizeable (and value-for-money considering its all wagyu), I couldn’t even finish it...a first! I savored it with a creamy vanilla milkshake and fries—the perfect combination for any burger meal. (Try the matcha milkshake, too— it doesn’t have that bitter tea taste that sometimes turn off Pinoys from it.)
And this being the Philippines, there are meals with rice featuring its burgers (with a fried egg underneath) and crispy fried chicken, which diners can smother in gravy (be sure to order some extra of that lovely). And, yes, they use fluffy, tasty Japanese rice for these meals.
I must admit, after having such a generous burger meal along with two milkshakes (burp!), I was so stuffed that I had to slowly waddle around Glorietta to get some steps in before my tummy lightened up enough for me to go home.
Claudine discloses that they had already been offered a space in a Quezon City mall (hurrah!) but they still want to give the original branch a go for about six months to make sure their current popularity isn’t a one-off. At the rate their Makati branch has been performing, with lines through the door especially during mealtimes, I’m pretty sure I’ll be having those luscious burgers again soon—but in my neck of the woods. I can’t wait!
Masajiro Burger is on the second floor of Glorietta 2, and may also be ordered via FoodPanda.
By Eugenia Last
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Tread carefully. Socializing or networking can lead to arguments and emotional conversations that trigger old wounds. Put your energy into nurturing and protecting meaningful relationships. Overreacting or promising and not delivering will put a wedge between you and someone important. ★★
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Erratic behavior will come back to haunt you. Consider your choices, and be mindful of what others expect from you. Be frank about what you are willing and able to do before you agree. Refuse to let emotions rob you of something you are counting on or need to excel. ★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pampering will ease stress and encourage you to rethink your plans, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of running yourself ragged or compromising your reputation. Sticking to the facts, what’s feasible and a timetable you can work with will protect you from criticism and stressful situations. Selfimprovement, personal growth and making time for someone you love are necessary. ★★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Plan a social outing that fulfills your needs. Whether you enjoy creating something new or getting together with friends, the more you engage in things you enjoy doing, the bigger the growth spurt you’ll encounter. Trust your instincts and follow your heart. ★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An emotional plea will serve you well. Offer facts that help others understand your actions. A change is apparent, but it’s up to you to believe and trust in yourself to ensure your initiatives come to fruition. Present a vision that’s easy for others to understand, and you’ll receive the support necessary to achieve your goal. ★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Protect your reputation and well-being. Refuse to let anyone put you in a compromising position. Focus on finishing what you start, and you’ll gain respect and opportunities. Your dedication and loyalty will be telltale signs of who you attract and what they are willing to do for you. ★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Listen carefully, and you’ll detect nuances that indicate what others are willing to do for you. Charm may help you get things off the ground, but be aware that you’ll have to carry the bulk of
In praise
shadows and
performance of Nakano Arisaka a�ter Junichiro Tanizaki
Was it ushers us quietly, tacitly, into the heart and mind of a young Japanese woman. This is unexpected; this is most unusual. Where this narrative could have been, once more, an attempt to understand the Filipino diaspora or at least the effect when migration causes relations to be formed across cultures; after all, the conflict between siblings are always at the core of melodrama easier to access, and lovelier to exploit. But something happens along the way—the Filipina anthropologist travels for the funeral of her Japanese father and from hereon time slows down, space becomes the temporal equivalent of emptiness or silence, and we are given the treasure of life longing for its own life. Or banishment.
It’s an interesting trick, a literary situate the focus of the tale not on the Filipina, the perspective that we understand naturally better, but on this young woman whose ego is not only obscure to us but rather unknown, i.e., foreign. But here lies the excitement of this strategy of telling, for now we are not only not keen to understand her more but we are poised to know her more, to find out how she is in this moment of grieving.
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES
rivers were running through the room, collecting little pools here and there, lacquers a pattern on the surface of the night itself.”
The scene in front of the mirror takes a long gratuitous time.
Early on, we know more or less how Ella feels. But we don’t know how Reina is responding to the loss. What the film does is merciless: it immediately gives us the daughter as she stands there in front of the mirror, fragile and yet towering, vulnerable and yet solid. It is a brief moment before the shoji—the latticed screen door—opens and the mother enters to tell Reina they are “arriving.”
Nakano Arisa the actor stands there, the head bent to the side, the quintessential face of a Nihonga in perfect, languid repose. Here is the face that has no expression not because there is nothing to say but because the body has drained its face of commitment and commentary. This is, of course, rare, hitherto not achieved or aimed at on the Philippine cinematic screen.
To make sense of this, we can be referential.
Junichiro Tanizaki in his classic essay In Praise of Shadows has written how “lacquerware decorated in gold is not something to be seen in a brilliant light, to be taken in at a single glance; it should be left in the dark, a part here and a part there picked up by a faint light. Its florid patterns recede into the darkness, conjuring in their stead an inexpressible aura of depth and mystery, of overtones but partly suggested.”
He continues writing how “the sheen of the lacquer, set out in the night, reflects the wavering candlelight, announcing the drafts that find their way from time to time into the quiet room, luring one into a state of reverie. If the lacquer is taken away, much of the spell disappears from the dream world built by that strange light of candle and lamp, that wavering light beating the pulse of the night. Indeed the thin, impalpable, faltering light, picked up as though little
Then the character of Ella arrives, unsure of how she appears. The camera catches her from afar; the Filipina aunt with her. She reminds Ella to be more poised, circumspect. We are gaijin in a foreign land, she seems to remind Ella. She stands before the door, the gestures tentative and even the language uncertain; in fact, there is the query about whether languages being spoken are understood. In a beautiful conceit for the camera, Ella is left to walk alone on the rohka or hall until she makes the turn, to find herself in the middle of the living room, where the ososhiki or funerary ritual is to take place.
At this point, Ella as played by Gabby Padilla is now standing in front of her half-sister. All throughout, Ella seems oblivious of Reina, the psychology being that she had traveled a long way and she is navigating the difficult manner of mourning in the Japanese way. Reina on the one hand remains in the background, the eyes downcast, terribly self-effacing and yet in the process declaring herself present in great sadness.
Consistent is the narrative even up to this point— we are on the more exacting life of the Japanese girl. We have journeyed across the globe to know the fragility of the loss, or the strength in what this village has discovered about itself. We are here for what lessons this place—kono basho—has for us. There is much to know from this village, grand teachings even from the Ippon matsu or the fact that a single tree has been memorialized, the one that has survived the great waves.
Like the focus of the tale, Kono Basho, in its cinematography and production design, unerringly pays tribute to our perceived Japaneseness of the
Horror films free screening for Halloween
A RICH collection of thrillers and fright movies will be screened for free for Halloween at the Benilde Design + Arts Campus.
Organized by the Film Department of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of New Media Arts (SNMA), Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival Vol. 2 promises a selection that is “scarier than ever” with a lineup which showcases the original works of young talents from the college and beyond.
The initiative was founded in line with the mission of the institution’s Film Program to encourage the students to expand their knowledge and explore diverse genres. In Lagim!, the budding creatives are given a platform to exhibit their creativity and skills in blending narratives and cinematic techniques to evoke fear and suspense among
viewers. “Since its inception, Lagim!’s goal has always been to create a community of filmmakers to explore genre filmmaking along with our
social universe. Without fear of exoticising the landscape, one feels an overwhelming ephemerality immediate and present, and here is that age-old mono-no-aware—things are beautiful because they do not last. And when the two sisters stand together in front of the aged temple, you know the words between them shall not matter anymore. Something older, something mythical, a greater story will bind them to this place.
Like the black mofuku or mourning kimono, the essay of Tanizaki summons the image of “lacquerware decorated in gold is not something to be seen in a brilliant light, to be taken in at a single glance; it should be left in the dark, a part here and a part there picked up by a faint light. Its florid patterns recede into the darkness, conjuring in their stead an inexpressible aura of depth and mystery, of overtones but partly suggested.”
Toward the end, the audience can best summarize the film Kono Basho in all its wistfulness as a tale of forgiveness and healing. But let us not forget how cinema is about the art of artifice, and once more a tradition as old as the Japanese art can be a wellspring of inspiration and wisdom. Again, the old essay of Tanizaki whispers to us: “And so it has come to be that the beauty of a Japanese room depends on the variation of shadows, heavy shadows against light shadows—it has nothing else.”
It is for this and more that the Gawad Urian for Best Actress was given this year to Nakano Arisaka in a performance that was nothing else and nothing more for adding things or “luster here would destroy the soft fragile beauty of the feeble light.”
Kono Basho was directed by Jaime Pacena II. The film also won the Gawad Urian for Best Cinematography for Dan Villegas. Production design is by Eero Yves Francisco.
Translation of Junichiro Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows is from Leete’s Island Books 1977.
other microfestivals Ligaw! and Lantad!” shared Benilde Film Program OIC chairman Alec Tash Berame.
Ligaw! is the program’s Valentine’s special screening every February, whereas Lantad! is scheduled every June for Pride Month.
“This year, we kept the focus on quality and storytelling above all,” he added. “The films continue to push the boundaries of the horror genre, and it will make us reflect on the things we fear the most.”
Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival Vol. 2 will run for two days with a total of 14 short films on view.
Set A includes Nomadiko by Gabriel Mercado, Pater Noster by Ivan Bustos, The Allegory of Jack & Jill by Dylan Cerio, Handaan by Gab Tolarbas, Lulan by Carlo Manere, Pintig by Apollo Ravelo, and Leng Leng by Mark Andrew Lim.
Set A is slated for October 28, 2025.
Set B comprises Batib/t by Carlo Gula, Roleta by Tristian Yaranon, Mangan Tamu by Ilythea De Los Reyes, Façade by Louie Canieso and Allistair Bersaluna, Pater Noster by BJ Domantay, ang embalsamador, baliw, at bangkay by Jasper Tan, and Natitira by Chester Dizor. Set B is lined up for October 29, 2025. Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival is free and open to the public. It will run from 5 pm to 8 pm on the scheduled dates. Each set will be followed by a talkback session with the filmmakers. The event will be held at the 12th Floor Screening Room of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. Interested participants may register at tinyurl.com/LagimVOL2. An e-mail will be sent to confirm seat availability. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/BenildeFilm.
NOBODY talks about the dubious political affiliations of these two A-listers. One is an actor who endorsed the political party of politician now considered a fugitive of sorts. The actor is well-liked in the business because he acts well and is nice to people. His girlfriend is someone who is known for having a strong sense of right and wrong. Meanwhile, the second A-lister is an actress who has appeared at political rallies and events connected to politicians who are not known for having integrity and credibility. Even now that the elections are over, the actress is still into these activities. People say it is because she needs money as she has had no big projects or endorsements and this is possible.
STARLET’S WOES
DID the starlet leave an event after people started doing political chants? Why was she not in the after-event photo of their group of friends. Apparently, she had another engagement and was not scared of the politically-charged atnosphere at the event. Another of their friends with the same political affiliation as the starlet was also there but she stayed through the chanting. The extent of the loss is not yet known but for sure, a magazine cover was not released and a whitening product has put her endorsement on hold. The starlet, it appears, has not yet learned her lesson. She continues to make snide remarks about her bashers when most of these people bash her simply because of her political
CATFIGHT
IT looks like it was not just two people in her friend group who unfollowed a starlet because of rumors and innuendoes. This is not the first time that the starlet lost friends but this time, her frenemy made public certain chats that really implicate her. The starlet recently had a falling-out with a person who worked with her, and also a relative for reasons still unclear. But this time, the starlet was said to have tried to engage troll farms to discredit another starlet who she felt was encroaching on her territory. You’d think people would have better things to do with their time but it seems that they don’t.
NO EVENTS FOR NOW
SPEAKING of lost endorsements, the celebrity still has not lost any but the brands she endorses have put on hold any activities or events that involve her. She is also not being featured on their social media pages. The celebrity is busy engaging troll farms to block people on social media, even those who don’t name her. She has separate troll farms for blocking her bashers, praising in comment sections, and bashing her perceived rivals. She is also busy with photo shoots to show people on social media that she’s still very much in-demand when even the beauty brands that loyally seed products to her are staying away. She continues to blame others for her misfortune. One favorite target is the rival she hates the most.
GMA NETWORK, ABS-CBN STUDIOS UNVEIL NEW SEASON OF ‘PINOY BIG BROTHER’ ON OCTOBER 25 THE collaboration continues as GMA Network and ABS-CBN Studios launch the newest season of Pinoy Big Brother—PBB Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, premiering on October 25, 2025 on GMA.
As part of PBB’s 20th anniversary, this milestone builds on the phenomenal success of the first batch of celebrities, which sparked nonstop buzz among wider audiences and opened countless opportunities across TV, online, movies, and even endorsements. With deeper connections and bolder group dynamics, PBB Collab returns to redefine reality TV all over again with a mix of “Gen Z Kabataang Pinoy” featuring Sparkle GMA Artist Center and Star Magic artists.
This season, Pinoy Big Brother welcomes a fresh batch of celebrity housemates—all born in 2005, the same year the show first aired. Two decades later, they will live inside the iconic “Bahay ni Kuya” to build meaningful connections through active social interactions while discovering themselves alongside peers their own age, igniting a strong sense of belonging.
Completing the experience, Pamilya ni Kuya—Bianca Gonzales, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Gabbi Garcia, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Enchong Dee, Alexa Ilacad, and Mavy Legaspi—are ready to guide, connect and celebrate another vibrant season. Pinoy Big Brother will also welcome back one of its original hosts, bringing nostalgia and star power to the newest season. Who will it be? Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 will premiere on GMA Network this October 25. Catch the
Online Live, and iWantTFC. More information can be found at www.gmanetwork.com.
RITTEN by a Filipino (Jaime Pacena II), Kono Basho
NAKANO ARISAKA in Kono Basho
mWell, DICT Sign MOU to Advance Universal Healthcare
Changing the landscape of Philippine healthcare, mWell, the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to explore the integration of healthcare services into the government’s eGov PH App. This landmark collaboration aims to create the country’s first national digital health integration within a government platform, enabling millions of Filipinos to gain direct access to doctors, health records, and essential services.
“This partnership will be foundational in providing every Filipino their right to quality care,” said mWell Chairman and MPIC Chairman, President, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan. “Healthcare is always among the top concerns of our countrymen. Together with government, we will close the healthcare gap and uplift quality of life in every community, and across every generation.”
DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “This partnership with mWell is a critical step in building a digitally connected nation where every Filipino has access to quality healthcare. By integrating these essential services into our eGov PH App, we are not only advancing the government’s Digital Philippines agenda but also making good on our promise to bring health services directly to our people, no matter where they are.”
Chaye Cabal-Revilla, President and CEO of mWell and Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of MPIC, underscored the transformational opportunity. “The future of healthcare is now. This partnership brings together the country’s greatest minds and the biggest hearts committed to make the Philippines a global leader in digital health. By working closely with the DICT, we are creating a digital healthcare network where government, providers, and patients are united by technology and compassion. It means a mother in a remote barangay can consult a doctor without leaving her community. It means young people can seek mind health support with dignity and privacy. It means families can keep their medical history safe
Lobby Lounge at Okada Manila: Where Authentic Flavors Meet Everyday Refinement
SET within the Pearl Lobby, the Lobby Lounge has become one of Okada Manila’s most inviting all-day destinations.
Open from 8 am to 12 am daily, it welcomes guests to unwind over comforting Filipino breakfasts, indulge in authentic French pastries, and linger late into the night with hearty international dishes, wines, and cocktails. It’s a place where every visit feels less like a stopover and more like a moment to relax and reconnect.
“Every dish and pastry we serve is rooted in authenticity and made with heart,” said Chef de Cuisine Roy Juarez. “Our goal is to make every dining experience extraordinary—a gastronomical journey that celebrates flavors from morning to night.”
Each visit to the Lobby Lounge is a journey through taste and time.
Mornings bring the comfort of Filipino classics— smoky longganisa, tender daing na bangus, and tapa seared to perfection—served with garlic rice, eggs, and tangy house-made pickles.
Afternoons
for after-work relaxation or casual conversations with friends and colleagues. All day long, there are refined pairings to enjoy— artisan coffee with a pastry, loose-leaf tea with a delicate entremet, or a fresh fruit smoothie with a slice of cake. Each combination transforms simple indulgences into memorable moments.
With plush seating, warm lighting, and an easygoing atmosphere, the Lobby Lounge offers the perfect setting for both quiet downtime and informal gatherings. Business travelers often find it a comfortable spot for small meetings over coffee or light meals, while groups of friends come to enjoy its cozy ambience and diverse menu.
for a lifetime. This is the promise of digital health that provides accessible, affordable, and inclusive care for all.”
The ceremonial signing was held at the mWell Primary Care Facility (PCF), the country’s first AI-powered clinic and mWell’s experience center for digital health. Powered by mWell’s Clinic Management System (CMS), PCF integrates mWell’s technologies, including the Health ID and AI-powered Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Aside from serving patients, PCF demonstrates how mWell’s solutions can empower both public and private health providers in support of Universal Health Care.
The recent launch of the Philippines’ first digital Health ID through mWell goes beyond digitization. It establishes interoperable healthcare infrastructure that supports Universal Health Care goals and aligns with the government’s Digital Philippines agenda, including health programs such as the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP).
As part of the partnership, mWell and DICT are working towards integrating the mWell Health ID into the eGov PH App, which already has 18 million registered users. This planned integration positions mWell as the health engine behind DICT’s eGov platform, advancing a shared mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all Filipinos.
Through this collaboration, eGov PH users are envisioned to gain access to thousands of primary care doctors and specialists as well as mind health experts. mWell’s digital Health ID secures lifetime personal health records for individuals and families, while
SUZUKI Philippines celebrated its golden milestone with flair as it officially launched its much-awaited scooter The New Suzuki Access on October 4 to 5, 2025,
with a contemporary flair and timeless design, the 125cc Suzuki Access wowed the audience with its eye-catching curves, sleek lines and rider-friendly features. Built for comfort and convenience, the scooter stood out as a practical yet stylish commuting solution for both the young generation and the young at heart. Attendees witnessed firsthand why the Access has become a favorite across Europe, Japan and now in the Philippines - thanks to its impressive fuel-efficiency and overall impressive engine performance, making it the ultimate choice to Commute Smart. Suzuki President Koichiro Hirao opened the program highlighting this move of the Japanese giant’s understanding of the Philippine market’s need for more options in the 125cc scooter category. The new Suzuki Access is the new choice to commute smart with a very enticing price point that the market will surely love.
one-tap booking makes consultations more convenient.
Gerb Inajada, Chief Technology Officer of mWell said, “Our goal is simple: to remove the friction between patients, doctors, and government by making healthcare services seamlessly accessible through a single, trusted digital gateway. This integration ensures that every Filipino, wherever they are, can have access to care without borders.”
With the acquisition and integration of KonsultaMD, mWell has become the Philippines’ leading digital health platform. Through the mWell app, patients can consult virtually with doctors 24/7, receive e-prescriptions and lab referrals, and share their records with healthcare providers as needed.
Since the beginning of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos’ Lab for All initiative, mWell has been providing telemedicine services to various communities nationwide. At the same time, mWell has been working with DICT to reach geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, deploying the mWell OnTheGo Clinic-In-A-Bag to remote barangays, bedridden patients, Indigenous Peoples, and soldiers in conflict zones.
To complement these services, mWell introduced drone medicine delivery to isolated islands and launched BangkaHealth, which brings telemedicine to houses on stilts in Sulu via small boats. The collaboration aims to bring healthcare services to more communities and build a truly connected nation, ensuring that digital health reaches an even broader population.
Market!
Joey Salavarria, Motorcycle Sales and Marketing Division set-off the reveal program with Suzuki Philippines’ Executives and Management Team – Finance and Admin General Manager Catherine Magtibay, Director for Manufacturing & Engineering Division Shinya Shinya Sano, General Manager for After Sales Service & Marine Division Yukio Sato, General Manager for Manufacturing & Engineering Division Noli Silvestre, Assistant to the Division Head for MC Sales & Marketing and MC Marketing Manager, Daigo Morikawa and National Sales Manager for Motorcycles Erick Fernandez.
Hosted by renowned vlogger and Suzuki motorcycle and car owner himself, Show Suzuki, the launch program converted the Market! Market! Activity Center to a preppy pop city matching the Suzuki Access vibe. To fit the lively spirit of the launch, Suzuki stationed three display booths across the Market! Market! – the Access Hub located at the Main Activity Center for the grand launch and stage programs, the Access Pavilion situated at the Central Pavilion serving as the Games/Activity Center and the Access Smart Experience where everyone had the chance to Test Ride the new Suzuki bike.
All feature very enticing display emanating the energetic character of the All New Suzuki Access. Guests enjoyed exclusive Access collectibles, interactive stage programs, and fun activities capped with a concert by OPM star Maki, making the event a truly memorable celebration. Fans also had the chance to meet their favorite motovloggers and get up close with Suzuki’s full product line-up, adding to the event’s festive atmosphere.
The brand also announced the upcoming Suzuki Motorcycle Experience, a nationwide activity which will bring the new Access and other Suzuki motorcycles closer to Filipinos with test rides, great deals and fun activities. With more new models set to launch within the year, Suzuki remains dedicated to make every Filipino ride smarter, easier, and more exciting. Wherever the road takes them, Filipino riders can count on Suzuki to always be By Your Side.
CDHI; Engr. Andrei Castillo, AVP- Construction, SMLRR. Hamilo Coast reaps recognition at two prestigious real estate award-giving bodies
HAMILO Coast’s leisure residential properties Pico Terraces and M Village at Marina Estates recently scored major wins at the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, the region’s biggest and most respected real estate awards program.
In the milestone event held on August 15, 2025 at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, Pico Terraces was named the Best Condominium Development in Luzon while M Village at Marina Estates garnered commendation in the Best Subdivision Development category.
Pico Terraces also received the award for Best Resort Condominium Development at the 2025 DOT Property Awards, an event that celebrates developers, projects, and agencies that stand out in the region’s property landscape. Hosted by the Dot Property Group, the 2025 DOT Property Awards was held on September 11, 2025 at Okada Manila Hotel. Shirley Ong, EVP and Business Unit Head of SM Leisure Resort Residences accepted the DOT Property Awards at the ceremony. “Pico Terraces is where life unfolds—a community
a duly recognized company under SM Prime, the multi-awarded Pico Terraces inspires awe with its play of heights in its condominium
THE Procurement and Supply Chain Institute of Asia (PASIA) proudly announces the return of PASIAWORLD 2025, Asia’s premier integrated conference on supply chain, procurement, and logistics, set for November 13 to 14, 2025, at the Manila Marriott Hotel.
The two-day conference will gather the region’s most influential leaders, experts, and decision-makers to exchange insights, share best practices, and explore fastevolving trends in the global supply chain and procurement landscape. Delegates can expect plenary sessions, panel discussions, interactive roundtables, exhibits, and valuable networking opportunities that foster learning, collaboration, and innovation.
With the theme “Leading Supply Chain, Procurement & Logistics Innovations Amidst Volatility and Disruptions,” PASIAWORLD 2025 focuses on engaging more CEOs, CXOs, and professionals with the knowledge and foresight to navigate today’s complex, rapidly
changing environment. It will spotlight agile, strategic, and tech-savvy leadership in supply chain management.
Key topics include strategic sourcing, category management, artificial intelligence in procurement intelligence, supplier performance, and decision-making. The program will also address global supply chain disruptions and strategies to improve visibility, resilience, and adaptability. ESG and sustainability will be highlighted as organizations face growing pressure to align with environmental, social, and governance goals.
A key highlight is the Ethics and Integrity Program Re-launch, where CEOs and procurement leaders from both public and private sectors will reaffirm their commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Register now and be part of PASIAWORLD 2025 — where integrity meets innovation in shaping the future of supply chain and procurement.
Gabby Concepcion, mWell Wellness Champion; Chaye Cabal-Revilla, mWell President and CEO and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer; Manny V. Pangilinan, mWell Chairman and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chairman, President, and CEO; Henry Aguda, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary; Migui Planas, DICT Assistant Secretary; Joy Barcoma, Miss Philippines Earth 2025; and Bently D. Roxas, Department of Health Director IV, Knowledge Management and Information Technology Services, during the mWell x DICT partnership signing at the mWell Primary Care Facility.
Suzuki Goes All Access to Commute Smart During the Product Launch at Market!
Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph
Motoring
LEADING mobility company
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has introduced the All-New Toyota ATIV, its latest offering in the subcompact sedan category. This latest subcompact sedan line includes TMP’s most affordable electrified model to date.
TMP complements the brand’s long-time player in the segment – the Toyota Vios. According to the company, the All-New Toyota Ativ is positioned to provide an “elevATIVe” passenger car experience, especially with the inclusion of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) variant, TMP’s lowest priced electrified model to date.
TMP further claims that the All-New ATIV is designed to meet the evolving needs of Filipinos, catering to practical professionals and young families seeking their first or additional vehicle. The ATIV delivers elevated comfort, modern technology, and everyday practicality, reinforced with Toyota’s signature quality, durability, and reliability. The AllNew Toyota ATIV is packed with
features that truly matter for daily drivers: fuel efficiency, ease of maneuverability, modern safety features, and intelligent technology.
“The All-New Toyota ATIV is another statement of Toyota’s continued mission to bring electrified mobility within reach of more Filipinos,” shared
Elijah Sue Marcial, Toyota Motor Philippines’ first vice president for Vehicle Sales Operations.
“We know choosing your first car, and an electrified model at that, can be a bold decision, so the ATIV makes it simple and easy by delivering modern HEV features, while providing peace of
THE Japan Mobility Show (JMS) is set to blast off on October 30, lasting up to November 10 at the famed Big Sight in Ariake/Koto-ku area. First held on April 20, 1954, at Hibiya Park, Tokyo, it was first known as the AllJapan Motor Show. Organized by the Japan Motor Industrial Federation, the predecessor of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), its objective was to promote Japan’s auto industry recovery efforts after World War II.
OK, you want more history?
THE 1954 inaugurals had 267 vehicles during the 10-day event, attracting 547,000 visitors to watch displays of trucks, buses and motorcycles. Only 17
charger (HEV variant), and a camera with a panoramic view monitor (HEV and G CVT Variants).
Safety features WITH Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), the Toyota ATIV offers a
mind with reliability, safety, ease of ownership, and joy of use,” she added.
Now comes the HEV powertrain
THE new Toyota ATIV lineup features both hybrid and gasoline engine options. Leading the pack is the top-spec 1.5-liter HEV CVT variant, equipped with a fourcylinder, in-line hybrid electric engine, delivering a combined system output of 109 hp. Available drive modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and EV.
On the other hand, the nonHEV G and E variants are equipped with 1.5-liter and 1.3-liter gasoline engines, producing 104 hp/138 Nm of torque and 97 hp/122 Nm of torque, respectively. Both variants are available with either CVT or manual transmission options.
Latest sedan looks with modern cabin features EXTERIOR-WISE , the Ativ features the latest Toyota sedan fascia look, particularly the Camry-like pronounced grill and sleek LED headlamps. It complements the vehicle’s bold fastback silhouette design.
Other exterior elements are rear sequential turn signals (HEV variant), exclusive design 16-inch alloys with 195/60 R16 series tires (HEV), 17-inch alloys with 205/50 R17 tires (G CVT), and 16-inch alloys with 195/60 R16 (E
CVT/MT). The newest five-seater subcompact sedan measures 4,425 mm in length, 1,740 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 2,620 mm wheelbase. Inside, the cabin boasts elevated touches, including leather seats (HEV) / Fabric Seats (G CVT, E CVT, and E M/T). The vehicle features a seven-inch digital multiinformation display, as well as a 10.1-inch Display Audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (available on the HEV variant). Other cabin features include an electronic parking brake with brake hold (HEV variant), push-start, smart entry, wireless
passenger cars were exhibited as Japan prioritized commercial vehicles. The car show moved to a bigger venue in Harumi, Tokyo, in 1960, before being renamed the Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) in 1973.
Top 3 IT grew by leaps and bounds that from 1980 to 1990s, the event became one of the world’s Top 3 auto shows alongside Detroit in the USA and in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2007, with a much bigger field of participants, the TMS relocated to Makuhari Messe (Chiba Prefecture). Before that, I had my baptism of fire as, 14 years earlier, I covered my first Tokyo Motor Show—in 1993 to be exact. It was the late, eminent Mel Dizon, who gave me my first break in the biennial show. Mel then was one of the top guns at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. was then the motoring editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Super host MEL was a super host. He was with his
doctor-wife in the trip, but he never missed a beat as he took care of me like was his own little brother. We became dear friends after that, spending time together drinking whiskey in swanky bars when our schedules aligned. May his soul rest in peace.
Nissan would be my next inviter in 1995, courtesy of Teresa Guanzon. Teresa was more than a gracious host, too, ensuring I’d keep tab on our itinerary every step of the way, ringing me up in my hotel room way in advance for reminders. What I won’t forget long after the event’s conclusion was when she suddenly appeared at the burial of my mother—months after the 1995 Show. Touching. Last I heard, she was based in Singapore. Prayers for you, Teresa, wherever you are.
It was Honda’s turn to play host, with the amiable Arnel Doria as the lead man in the 1997 TMS.
Egg at Mt. Fuji
WILL never forget our side trip with Arnel at the foot of scenic Mt. Fuji, a virtual twin of our very own Mayon
Volcano.
There’s a place there where you could boil an egg just by placing the egg on a patch of a smoking surface.
I spoke with a Japanese tourist in Tagalog as he was eating his boiled egg, offering him salt while we were both seated. Although he couldn’t understand a word, he just kept nodding and smiling—while the celebrated broadcaster Ron delos Reyes kept laughing.
Up to this day, Ron and I would burst to laughter each time we reminisce on it.
First Toyota stint
IT was in the next edition in 1999 that I first joined Toyota to the TMS, thanks to Vince Socco, the inimitable bigwig of Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP). Amazingly from that year on, I’d be in every Toyota delegation in the next 12 shows ending 2023. (There was no TMS in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Thus, on my next stint with Toyota to the JMS this year, Jing Atienza extended the invitation as early as last year— during the first Weekend Race of the TGR
Philippine Cup at Clark. Actually, Jing also invited Vernon Sarne of Visor that night while the three of us were having dinner.
Vernon and I have this policy of accepting an invitation to attend the JMS from the first car company that does it.
And how can we say no to the executive vice president—Jing being the second highest official of TMP?
2025 JMS theme
THIS year’s JMS theme is, “Exploring mobility’s future.” It’s a continuation from 2019’s thrust of highlighting electric vehicles (EVs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Our Toyota entourage, very large as usual as TMP always endeavors to gather the country’s cream of the crop from the motoring beat, will have the first crack at this year’s event on October 29-30 even as the JMS actually opens officially on October 30 at 8:30 a.m. Toyota has a dedicated section at
narrative, showing the evolution from past inventions to future mobility. Toyota will unveil a Corolla concept meant to feature its 13th-generation Corolla and a hint of a more electrified future.
Sashimi & sushi LEXUS will introduce an LS concept that departs from traditional sedan format, described as a six-wheeled luxury van or space
Story & photo by Randy S. Peregrino
By Aldrin Quinto
MANAMA, Bahrain— Poomsae and teqball
girls delivered on a busy Thursday afternoon to make up for the Philippine Team’s morning shortcomings in the Asian Youth Games.
Kristen Ambriel Aguila earned the silver medal in the girls’ individual recognized poomsae, getting nipped in the gold medal showdown by Iran’s Zeinab Shahriari, 8.86-8.60, at the Exhibition World Bahrain.
The girls’ doubles team of Crystal Cariño and Nicole Tabucol added to the Philippines’ medal haul by beating Bahrain’s Rawan Abdulaziz and Fatima Albanna, 10-12, 12-10, 14-12, in the bronze medal match at the convention center in Sakhir in the southern region of the kingdom.
The young girls’ performances raised the Philippines’ total to one gold, a silver and a bronze in the 45-nation sports conclave for rising sports stars—Kram Airam Carpio put the Philippines in the winners’ circle on Tuesday with a gold medal in Pencak Silat and has returned to a hero’s welcome in Manila on Thursday. The Philippines is looking to surpass the two gold and three silver medals earned in the
Aguila, Cariño, Tabucol
add to AYG medal haul
of two gold medals in the World Taekwondo Grand Slam Youth League in China last year, earlier defeated
Avaricio holds fort this time in Apo golfest
Cdespite carding a 73 in the final round on Thursday.
“It feels great,” said Avaricio, visibly exhaling a sigh of relief after bouncing back from a confidencetesting setback just a week ago at Del Monte. “Last week, I really fought but came up short. But I’m happy that I did well enough to win this one.” Avaricio finished with a three-under 213 and pocketed the top purse of P117,000 to erase the stigma of that crushing defeat at Del Monte where she faltered down the stretch and lost to Sarah Ababa in sudden death.
“This win means a lot, the same as all my other wins in the past. It feels great,” she said, smiling as she reflected on her consistent drive to improve. With an opening-round 72 that gave her a narrow one-shot edge over Singson, Avaricio shifted into high gear in Round 2 with a clinical 68 to widen her lead to eight strokes over Princess Superal.
Singson, who stumbled with a second-round 79 that left her 10 strokes behind, mounted an early charge in the final round with two birdies in the first three holes to pose a strong threat, but this time, Avaricio held sway. Avaricio extended her lead with a birdie on the sixth but faltered with bogeys on Nos. 9, 11 and 12, while Singson failed to capitalize on her hot start and settled for 12 straight pars before rediscovering her touch with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 to card a solid 68.
Mhar Lobrido and volleybelle
Datkaiym Aibekova of Kyrgyzstan in the quarterfinals after defeating Suha Rayefa Syeed of Bangladesh in the round-of-16. It was not all celebration for the Philippine taekwondo team as Caleb Angelo Calde bowed to Iran’s Behdad Naghiee in the quarterfinals of the boys’ individual recognised poomsae.
Alfonzo Gabriel Tormon and Angel Lyn Yvainne Dacanay fell at the quarterfinal stage of the mixed pair, with Thailand’s Suchanang Injang and Nitikon Yimprasert advancing
with a hairline 8.5000-8.4300 win.
Tecball girls make presence felt CRYSTAL CARIÑO and Nicole Tabucol of Pangasinan earned recognition on the international stage in teqball—which combines elements of football and table tennis, among others—after so-so performances as sepak takraw players.
Carino and Tabucol, who had never made it past regionals in sepak takraw, found their place in teqball and quickly made the country proud.
Added to the national squad only in a few months ago, the Filipinas from Ranao National High School in Bani, Pangasinan, proved their worth and fought back from a set down to complete the win. Although inexperience showed as they seemed to chuck away early leads, including a three-point cushion in the first, Carino and Tabucol managed to hold on in the next two, limiting their errors by relying on safer shots than bold powerful strikes.
Yulo eyes men’s floor exercise gold in Jakarta
CBy Josef Ramos
ARLOS YULO
attempts to further cement his status as one of the world’s elite athletes as he shoots for the men’s floor exercise gold medal in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Friday. Yulo and the rest of the finalists in his pet event where he already won a world title, will be coming off a four-day rest from the qualifiers.
“Of course rest and recovery of course is really important. That is non-negotiable, especially at this really high intensity level,” said the Paris Olympic double gold medalist, whose stint here and the rest of the national team is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. The final is set at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. in Manila).
“It also helps me to calm down. To compose my mental state and allows me to get focused once again in the competition when it is needed,” added
a personal best, in the 2019 edition held in Stuttgart, Germany.
“Carlos is ready to go and he has prepared very well for the floor exercise. We made some improvement to his routine, and, if all goes well, we might land another gold medal at the world championships,” said Australian coach
Concepcion displays nerves, game of steel
FIDEL CONCEPCION stood his ground and delivered a steely performance that brought him within striking distance of a long-awaited breakthrough on the Philippine Golf Tour. In searing heat and on the unforgiving fairways of the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao, Concepcion produced the day’s lone under-par card—a gritty 71—to seize the solo lead at four-under 212 to move three shots clear of veteran Elmer Salvador.
“Tomorrow [Friday], I’ll have a chance to do something I’ve never done before, and it’s a pretty good
opportunity to keep proving to myself that eventually, it will happen,” said Concepcion, who admitted that the pressure came more from within than from the local contenders.
“There’s a lot more pressure coming from myself than from handling the locals,” he said. “But as long as I can manage that internal pressure, I should be okay.”
To finally break through in the P3.5 million championship, Concepcion said his focus would be simple: “keep the ball in play.”
“If you hit the wrong side of the fairways or the greens, it’s pretty tough to make pars,” he explained as he readied
himself to close in on his first title that will be worth P630,000.
Tied with James Ryan Lam after
with the main competition expected to come from Armenian Arthur Davtyan. He will be the third athlete to perform while Davtyan, second to the Filipino with an output of 14.566 points in the qualifiers and was likewise the Paris Olympic silver medalist in the event, will be the eighth and last gymnast to compete.
Davao standouts Salvador, Tony Lascuña, Elee Bisera and Zanieboy Gialon and Lam faded one after another, Concepcion remained composed and focused, carding pars over the last five holes to secure a commanding threestroke lead over Salvador.
Harlyn Serneche carry the Philippine flag ahead of chef de mission Ramon “Tats” Suzara and his deputy Ricky Lim during the opening ceremony on Wednesday night as Kristen Ambriel Aguila clinches silver in women’s poomsae
