House’s major political parties on Wednesday called for the return of the proposed P6.793-trillion
National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), citing “serious and systemic anomalies” in its preparation across multiple agencies.
In a news briefing, Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno, chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP), said the decision was made at a party leaders’ meeting and that they would recommend that House Speaker Martin Romualdez send the document back.
The major political parties in the House are Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Nacionalista Party (NP), and the NUP.
“We have decided as a group to recommend the return of the 2026 national budget to the DBM because we do not know how to deal with it,” Puno said.
“We don’t want it to appear that we are not accepting the rightful recommendations of the DBM. And on the other hand, we do not want to be accused of replacing or amending by [budget] errata a huge portion of the national expenditure program that they have submitted to us,” he added.
House party leaders urged their colleagues to skip scheduled budget briefings until the identified anomalies are resolved, even as Romualdez
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THE Department of Pub
Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered an
freeze on all bidding for locally funded projects, with Secretary Vince Dizon saying the two-week suspension is meant to install safeguards and curb corruption within the agency.
THE Philippines on Tuesday unveiled the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being, a landmark non-binding framework that seeks to elevate global protections for maritime workers amid rising geopolitical, environmental, and industry risks.
The Declaration, launched at the close of a two-day international conference in Manila, outlines a rights-based agenda for seafarers— recognizing them as “key workers” in global supply chains and calling for urgent reforms across crisis response, gender equity, labor conditions, and industry transition.
Ambassador Carlos D. Soretta, the Philippines’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, said the initiative responds to the “sad state” of seafarers caught in conflict zones or abandoned during emergencies.
“We need a broader human rights lens— one that inspires states to act not just through maritime law, but through shared moral responsibility,” Soretta said.
The Manila Declaration sets out 10 core principles, including: Universal human rights at sea and ashore, aligned with global treaties
• Protection for seafarers in conflict and crisis zones, with no abandonment
Gender equality and inclusion, addressing
the 5-percent female workforce
Just transition in shipping, preparing workers for decarbonization and digitalization
• Stakeholder cooperation, from governments to industry and civil society
Full enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Emergency preparedness, especially in pandemics and disasters
Freedom to earn a living through freely chosen work
Corporate responsibility, mainstreaming human rights in maritime operations
• Technical cooperation and capacity-building in maritime education Second Officer Maribel Singian welcomed
the Declaration as an overdue recognition. “It’s a celebration—finally, seafarers are being seen for their hardship and their work,” she said. Captain Jasmine Labarda, who shared her experience of abuse and neglect, praised the government’s commitment: “This is a government that works for the people and thinks about its best.”
Filipino seafarers at the helm of global shipping OF the estimated 1.9 million seafarers worldwide, nearly 30 percent hail from the Philippines—making the country the single largest source of maritime
whether national, regional, or district, I am ordering a pause today,” Dizon said during the turnover ceremony at the Department of Transportation.
“The President does not want any more money of the government, of the DPWH, thrown into the river.”
The freeze does not cover foreign-assisted projects funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) and lending institutions,
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
FINANCE Secretary Ralph G. Recto has shrugged off US President Donald Trump’s threat to slap additional tariffs on countries imposing digital taxes, saying he would not give much weight to the remark at this point.
“I don’t give it much importance as of now,” Recto told reporters on Tuesday when asked if he sees Trump’s assertion as an empty threat.
Last week, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social
that he will impose “substantial” additional tariffs on countries exporting to the United States if they enforce digital taxes or adopt legislation and regulations “designed to harm or discriminate against American technology.”
The United States has slapped a 19-percent reciprocal tariff on Philippine exports effective on August 7, while the Philippines committed to removing its tariffs on US-made cars and other goods.
Recto clarified, however, that there is no agreement between the United States yet on the implementation of zero tariffs on US imports.
“Nothing has been agreed upon. There’s no contract. There’s nothing signed,” Recto said.
The Philippines began taxing digital services on June 2, 2025, following the signing of Republic Act No. 12023 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on October 2, 2024.
The law seeks to level the playing field between local and foreign digital service providers (DSPs) by mandating a 12-percent value-added tax on all digital services consumed in the Philippines. Currently, only local DSPs are required to pay the 12-percent value-
added tax. Digital services include online search engines, such as Google; marketplaces, including Shopee and Lazada; cloud services; streaming sites, such as Netflix and Disney Plus; social media platforms, including Facebook and X; online advertising; and digital goods. BMI, a Fitch Solutions Company, said in its latest commentary that the Philippines may well have to water down its 12-percent digital VAT by exempting US firms. “Otherwise, higher tariffs would weigh further still on the economy
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
Samuel P. Medenilla
PHILIPPINE Ambassador to London and IMO Permanent Representative Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (center) raises the hands of Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Carlos D. Soretta (left) and MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan (right) at the close of the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being in Manila. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARINA
that short-lived but high-intensity storms will continue to pose risks.
“Unfortunately, we can also expect short-lived but very intense thunderstorms…that is why this should be the center of our preparedness,” she said.
Pagasa records showed that thunderstorm advisories had been issued ahead of last weekend’s rains, but dissemination gaps may have contributed to the perception of a lack of warnings.
Maganda rin na banggitin na ang pagbaha po sa [It is also worth noting that the flooding in] Metro Manila is really a confluence of so many things—we are not only looking at the meteorological condition, but also iyong landscape changes,” Pagulayan said.
Asked how the public and local governments can help reduce the impact of worsening weather events, Pagasa said that disaster management is everyone’s concern, in which everyone has to do their share.
“Number one is to be vigilant, listen, and understand the information that Pagasa issues. And, of course, our canals—if there is a lot of garbage or sediments, that makes flooding worse. So let’s just keep it clean,” Pagulayan said.
The state weather bureau also urged Filipinos to monitor official weather bulletins.
As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Depression Kiko was moving northward toward southern Japan and was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by afternoon.
DOTr eyes 95% acquisition of subway ROW by end-’25
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THEDepartment of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to complete 95 percent of right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) by end-2025, and to secure the remaining parcels by the second quarter of 2026.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency has so far acquired around 75 percent of the ROW covering both underground alignments and station sites.
“Based on the chart by our right-ofway people, there’s really a big possibility we could hit 95 percent by end of the year. And by the second quarter of next year, 100 percent na natin [we would hit 100 percent],” Lopez told reporters in an ambush interview at the DOTr’s turnover ceremony. He noted that the balance consists of small but critical lots, including areas around Metro Walk and sections under Contract Package 105.
Lopez added the remaining civil works packages—CP105, CP108, and CP109—are already under contract negotiations with prospective builders. These cover the Bonifacio Global City and Kalayaan stations (CP105), Lawton and Senate–DepEd stations (CP108), and the Naia Terminal 3 spur line and station (CP109).
“They are already in contract negotiations. I think we can award it hopefully sometime by October or November. Because the process there is, you still have to send it to JICA [Japan International Cooperation Agency] for their concurrence. So there’s a bu-
reaucratic process to observe,” he said, partly in Filipino.
The transportation chief expressed optimism that groundbreaking for these packages can be held within the year.
“Hopefully we can groundbreak it by November. Once awarded, once there’s a contract, a notice to proceed, I think there’s no reason not to groundbreak,” he said.
The P488.5-billion subway has faced repeated delays due to ROW bottlenecks and procurement challenges brought about by the pandemic. Nonetheless, it aims to complete the whole line
by 2032 with as many as three stations—Valenzuela, Quirino, and North Avenue—hoped to be ready for partial operations by 2028.
The subway, spanning 33 kilometers from Valenzuela to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and FTI, is backed by Japanese financing and implemented through multiple contract packages.
Once completed, it is envisioned to cut travel time between Quezon City and Taguig to about 35 minutes and serve over half a million passengers daily.
change expenditures will surge past P1 trillion in 2025 before slightly easing to P983.82 billion in 2026. For SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, food security initiatives will be provided P31.80 billion in 2026. Similarly, environment and ecosystem stability programs tagged under SDG 15: Life on Land will receive P6.87 billion by 2026.
Meanwhile, peace- and governance-related programs also form part of the allocations. The Revised AFP Modernization Program under SDG 16 will receive P40 billion in 2026. The judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations is allotted P5.16 billion in 2026, while the Department of Justice’s law enforcement programs will receive P8.36 billion in 2026.
Finally, under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Revenue Information Systems Development and Infrastructure Support is allocated P4.20 billion in 2026 to enhance domestic resource mobilization.
The DBM emphasized that all SDG-aligned programs will undergo the same budget review process as other government projects, following existing budgeting and accounting rules.
Filipino seafarers are widely recognized for their skill, resilience, and professionalism, yet many continue to face systemic challenges at sea, from unsafe working conditions to prolonged isolation and legal vulnerability.
In his closing remarks, Philippine Ambassador to London and IMO Permanent Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr. invoked the words of Joseph Conrad, the PolishBritish novelist and former merchant mariner whose sea-bound narratives shaped modern literature. Conrad once wrote: “The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness.”
Locsin urged delegates to transform that restlessness into progress. “Let us be the guardians of those whose dignified service is the brave seas and sacrifice on our behalf,” he said, adding that the conference must move “from the walls of conference rooms to the decks of ships at sea.”
Global uptake and next steps AS of September 2, the Declaration has drawn support from a diverse group of maritime
nations. Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom each play distinct roles in global shipping—from labor deployment and port logistics to green shipbuilding, maritime finance, and Arctic navigation. Three organizations—the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO)—have also endorsed the Declaration.
The Philippines is expected to push for further resolutions within the IMO and ILO, building on the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 56/18 adopted by consensus in mid-2024, which formally recognized seafarers’ human rights and called for stronger global cooperation.
Soretta described HRC Resolution 56/18 as a “weathervane” for global momentum, while Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Sonia Malaluan called it the “glue” that could align ILO and IMO mandates on legal representation and communication rights for detained or criminally suspected seafarers.
During a hearing of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the funding priorities were based on submissions by government agencies as of February 28, 2025.
The PSA also presented data on the country’s SDG progress, showing that 12 out of the 17 goals had sufficient indicators—meaning at least 50 percent of the required data was available.
Of these 12, the Philippines showed advancements in 10 goals since 2015, including Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 15 (Life on Land).
Despite these gains, the country met the expected pace of progress in only two goals—Goal 12 and Goal 14—in 2024. Meeting this benchmark is crucial to ensure the country stays on track to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
which Dizon said will proceed as planned because they undergo rigorous vetting and oversight by both local agencies and international funders.
According to Dizon, the DPWH’s new leadership team will use the two-week pause to review existing processes and put in place safeguards to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We need to study and put in place safeguards in these processes,” he said, noting that the review and the placement of guardrails will all be done within two weeks.
Projects that have already been auctioned off and awarded will continue but will be strictly monitored to prevent substandard or ghost works, Dizon noted.
“Those that have already been bid out and awarded—we will watch closely, and we will not allow ghost projects or substandard work,” Dizon stressed. “But for those that are only in the bidding stage, we must already keep close watch there.”
Dizon ordered the bidding suspension amid the flood control corruption mess.
The data further revealed setbacks in Goal 3 (Good Health and WellBeing) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), both of which showed regression compared to 2015 levels. The PSA stressed the need to intensify government efforts in these areas to get back on track. Meanwhile, five goals were flagged for having insufficient indicators: Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The committee said aligning the 2026 budget with the SDGs is a step toward addressing these gaps and ensuring that the Philippines fulfills its commitment to the UN’s 2030 development agenda.
landfall in the country’s regions. It also noted that the country is forecast to brace for 7 to 15 tropical cyclones from September 2025 to February 2026.
Packworks is a startup company that provides a business-to-business (B2B) platform that is easy to use, has low bandwidth, and has a light footprint that will allow sari-sari store owners to become more efficient in managing their business.
Lawmaker seeks deputy ombudsman for DepEd
ALEGISLATOR on Wednesday urged the creation of a deputy ombudsman specifically tasked to address corruption in the Department of Education (DepEd) and other social service agencies, warning that graft in these sectors causes the gravest harm to society.
Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno of Akbayan made the proposal during the DepEd’s budget briefing before the House Committee on Appropriations.
“Of all the kinds of corruption in government, the worst is when it comes to education and social services,” Diokno said. “Those should be no-touch areas. Unfortunately, I don’t see much initiative in that respect.”
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara agreed with Diokno’s concerns, though he noted that such a proposal would require amending the Ombudsman Law.
“I totally agree... That’s the worst kind, because you’re stealing money meant for the poorest members of our society,” Angara said.
Diokno also pressed DepEd to strengthen student representation in school boards and other organizations promoting learner welfare. He welcomed Angara’s support for the initiative, which the secretary described as “a very progressive step in the right direction.”
Angara said student participation in local school boards would give policymakers valuable insight
from the youth themselves. “As we know in progressive cities, local school boards are a powerful tool for advancing education reform,” he added.
Diokno is one of the principal authors of House Bill 767, or the Students’ Rights and Welfare (Straw) Act, which seeks to institutionalize student council representation in the highest policymaking bodies of schools. The bill is also backed by Party-list Reps. Perci Cendana and Dadah Ismula of Akbayan, as well, as Liberal Party Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Island.
“Through this measure, we will ensure that students are not only protected in their rights but also active participants in decisionmaking within their schools,” Diokno said earlier. “They should not be prevented from expressing themselves, organizing, and taking part in actions on policies that affect them.”
Under the proposed law, a National Straw Commission would be created under DepEd, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and the National Youth Commission, with representatives from student groups, civil society, and school administrators. Schools would also be required to establish Students’ Rights and Welfare Desks to monitor compliance, handle grievances, and submit annual reports to the commission. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Quiboloy situation prompts House panel to review extradition law
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House of Representives Committee on Justice has opened a motu proprio inquiry to review and amend Presidential Decree 1069, or the Philippine Extradition Law of 1977, in response to the growing challenges of cross-border crimes and recent high-profile cases.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, committee chairwoman, said the move aims to modernize the nearly five-decade-old law, which she described as vital in ensuring fugitives cannot escape accountability.
“Extradition is an indispensable tool in the global fight against impunity. It ensures that our country will never be a haven for fugitives or an obstacle to justice sought by our treaty partners,” Luistro said.
She stressed, however, that reforms must strike a balance between efficiency and the protection of individual rights.
“We must also make sure that our processes safeguard due process, protect constitutional rights, and uphold our obligations under international law,” she added.
The inquiry comes as the Philippines faces the looming extradition request for televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing criminal cases in the country and was indicted in California for sex trafficking, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling.
The Department of Justice has said that Quiboloy’s local cases must first be resolved before the extradition proceedings can proceed, exposing gaps in the current law.
Lawmakers said the case highlights the urgency of aligning the country’s extradition framework with international standards while maintaining national sovereignty.
Luistro said the agency will look into procedural bottlenecks, clarify the roles of agencies such as the DOJ, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), and strengthen institutional capacity to handle complex extradition requests.
“Our goal is to craft legislative measures that will streamline procedures, clarify the roles of government agencies, strengthen institutional capacity, and reinforce our commitments under bilateral and multilateral treaties,” she said.
The committee was authorized to conduct the inquiry by the House Committee on Rules in a letter dated August 27. Resource persons invited include representatives from the DOJ, DFA, Anti-Money Laundering Council, OSG, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and the National Security Council.
Luistro said the committee will also look into how best practices from other jurisdictions can be incorporated into Philippine law to improve efficiency and fairness.
“We must send a clear message that the Philippines is committed to justice and accountability, both within our borders and in the community of nations,” Luistro said.
DPWH execs, contractors in flood-control mess now on Immigration lookout order
JUSTICEBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
Secretary Jesus Crispin
Remulla on Wednesday afternoon said he has granted the request of Department of Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against more than 20 public works officials and contractors believed to be involved in anomalous and ghost flood-control projects.
Out before close of office hours REMULLA assured that the Ilbo against DPWH officials and contractors will be issued on Wednesday before the close of office hours.
The Ilbo will cover DPWH OIC
Assistant Regional Director Henry Alcantara, OIC District Engineer
Brice Ericson Hernandez, OIC Assistant District Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Planning and Design Section Engineer Ernesto Galang, Construction Section Engineer John Michael Ramos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section Engineer Norberto Santos, Maintenance Section Engineer Jaime Hernandez, Benedict Matawaran of the Procurement Unit, and Floralyn Simbulan and Juanito Mendoza of the DPWH Finance and Administration Section.
The private individuals are Alex Abelido, president of Legacy Construction Corporation; Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya, her husband Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, of Alpha and Omega General Contractor; Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, owner-manager of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; Allan Quirante, owner-
proprietor of QM Builders; Erni Baggao, owner-proprietor of EGB Construction Corp.; Eumir Villanueva, president ofTopnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.; Lawrence Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.; Aderma Angelie Salazar, president and chief executive officer of Sunwest Inc.; Edgar Acosta, president of Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.; Wilfredo Natividad, owner and general manager of Triple 8 Construction & Supply Inc.; Romeo Miranda, president of Royal Crown Monarch Construction Supplies Corp.; Mark Allan Arevalo, general manager of Wawao Builders; Marjorie Samidan, authorized managing officer of MG Samidan Construction; Luisito Tiqui, president L.R.Tique Builders Inc.; and Ryan Willie Uy, proprietor of Road Edge Trading & Development Services. While it would not prevent the respondents from leaving the country, an Ilbo is a directive issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for its personnel to alert authorities about any attempt of the subject individuals to leave the
Anti-communist
THE government task force on communist insurgency on Wednesday called for a united action against “corruption of the mind,” which it described as the “most insidious form of corruption.”
“Corruption manifests in many ways: the theft of public resources is a grave betrayal, but so too is the corruption of values that normalizes violence as a tool for change and dismisses dialogue as weakness,” Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the National Task
country, the purpose of the travel and the destination.
Ilbo issuance necessary IN his letter to Remulla, Dizon said the issuance of an Ilbo is necessary to prevent any delay in the ongoing investigation of several DPWH officials and key officers of construction companies involved in anomalous flood-control projects.
Meanwhile, Remulla said he has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to form a group that will assist in the ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood-control projects.
All of those included on the Ilbo were linked to questionable supply contracts or to the alleged layering of firms that allowed the same operators to win multiple projects through fronts and recycled licenses.
“We just want to make sure. It’s a request for a look out, there’s no basis for a departure order or any of that sort. More than making sure that they are not leaving the country, what the President wants to show here is he is sending a very clear and strong message that we are serious about this,” Dizon said.
The DPWH also asked the Bureau of Immigration to immediately alert the department and law enforcement agencies should any of those named attempt to leave the country.
The flood control corruption scandal erupted after President Marcos uncovered alleged “ghost” and substandard projects worth billions of pesos under the DPWH, even mentioning this during his State of the Nation Address in July.
So far, Senate and House hearings revealed practices such as license rentals, subcontracting, and the use of dummy corporations that allowed unqualified contractors to corner lucrative flood control deals.
The controversy has already led to the resignation of Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and the appointment of Dizon to spearhead reforms. In addition, Marcos has moved to create an independent commission tasked to investigate the anomalies. Dizon’s first order of business was to purge the agency, ordering the courtesy resignation of officials.
“This is all part of the President’s directives to hold people into account and to make sure that the department is cleansed from these people who have unfortunately did not take care of the people’s money,” Dizon said. This developed as a source from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol, who headed the House appropriations committee in the 19th Congress has left the country. The source said Co left last August 8 but would not reveal his country of destination. Co along with House Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other lawmakers, are facing a complaint for graft and falsification of legislative documents before the Ombudsman.
The complaint was filed by Citizens Crime Watch over the alleged P241 billion worth of “insertions” in the 2025 national budget, which has been tagged as the most corrupt budget enacted in the country’s history.
A petition is also pending before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to declare as unconstitutional the 2025 budget.
L ikewise, Sunwest Inc., one of the 15 contractors that cornered huge contracts for flood control projects nationwide since 2022, is being linked to Co and his brother Christopher, the former nominee of the party-list group. With Lorenz S. Marasigan
task force wants action vs ‘corruption of mind’
Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac), said in a statement.
“Both erode the foundations of our nation.”
Torres issued the statement as the country celebrates September as National Peace Consciousness Month.
“This Peace Month, the NTFElcac calls for united action,” Torres said.
He said schools, universities, and community spaces must remain sanctuaries of debate and civic engagement, and not staging
grounds for violent extremism. He cited recent incidents in Mindoro where claims of “militarization” were used to exploit student advocates, and the disruption of a student council assembly at the University of the Philippines by groups with agenda unrelated to student welfare.
These, Torres said, exemplify “‘corruption of the mind’ in action.”
“[Corruption of the mind] hijacks the passion for justice and redirects it towards destruction,” he added.
Torres said NTF-Elcan’s efforts to hold terrorist recruiters accountable must not be misconstrued as an attack on activism.
“We support constructive activism and critical thinking. These are pillars of our democracy. What we oppose is the deliberate manipulation of our youth and communities to embrace violence,” he said. This position, Torres added, aligns with international commitments, including the United Nations protocols against the recruitment of children by armed groups. PNA
House bloc pushes lowering of minimum age for top elected government officials
AGROUP of lawmakers on Wednesday filed a resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution to lower the minimum age requirement for top elected officials, opening the way for younger Filipinos to aspire to national leadership.
Collectively known as the chamber’s “Young Guns,” the lawmakers want to reduce the minimum age for the president and vice president from 40 to 35 and for senators from 35 to 30.
Filed on Wednesday, Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 2— introduced by Deputy Speakers
Paolo Ortega V and Jay Khonghun, Deputy Majority Leaders
Ernix Dionisio Jr. of Manila, Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur, Rodge Gutierrez of 1-Rider, and Eduardo Rama of Cebu, and House Committee on Public Information
Chairman Lordan Suan of Cagayan de Oro City—proposes the convening of a constitutional convention (Con-Con).
“Thirty-eight years since the ratification of the Constitution, the Philippines has undergone major demographic and social shifts, with more than 52 percent of the population under the age of 30, reflecting a vibrant, dynamic, and increasingly educated youth sector,” the resolution said.
The authors argued that young Filipinos have shown themselves to be globally competitive, socially aware, and capable of national leadership. However, the current rules require them to wait until age 40 before they can seek the presidency or vice presidency—an obstacle that sidelines potential leaders despite their readiness to serve.
By aligning with countries such as the United States, where the minimum age for the presidency is 35, the lawmakers said the reform would “strengthen youth representation, promote intergenerational leadership, and embody inclusivity, renewal, and empowerment of the next generation of leaders.”
Lawmakers said it is time for the voice of the new generation to be heard, stressing that leadership should be defined not by age but by vision, compassion, and the willingness to serve. They added that lowering the age requirement to allow leaders as young as 35 to hold the nation’s highest offices would give Filipinos the chance to be led by the energy and creativity of the youth, who are ready to move the country forward. They emphasized that the
amendment would empower, not constrain, the nation’s best and brightest, especially as pressing challenges such as digital transformation and climate change require leaders more attuned to the realities of younger generations.
The resolution also points out that while the Philippines has one of the youngest populations in the region, its political leadership remains dominated by older generations, creating a disconnect between governance and the aspirations of the youth. Once adopted by both chambers, the resolution will pave the way for a Con-Con where elected delegates can formally propose the amendments, which will then be submitted to a plebiscite for ratification, where the Filipino people will have the final say.
August electricity price increase blamed on power plant outages
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
ELECTRICITY prices on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) went up to P4.59 per kilowatt hour (kWh) last month brought about by tight supply margin in the Visayas and Mindanao, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (Iemop) reported on Wednesday.
For the billing period July 26 to August 25, WESM system-wide average price of power was 15.3 percent higher compared to the previous month’s P3.99 per kWh.
The system-wide average supply dropped by 0.7 percent to 20,611 megawatts (MW), owing to widespread plant outages. Demand rose by 1.7 percent to 14,052 MW, pushing market prices up to P4.59/kWh.
In Luzon, despite higher demand at 9,882MW and higher supply at 14,646MW, prices dropped only slightly at P3.76 per kWh, even with more power exports to the Visayas through HVDC (highvoltage direct current). In the Visayas, prices surged owing to outages of several coal plants and the shutdown of biomass facilities due to end of milling season. These led to a yellow
alert last August 1, August 4, and August 5.
The Visayas’ WESM rate last month shot up by 45.7 percent to P6.40 per kWh from P4.39 per kWh in July. Supply was down by 5 percent to 2,405MW and demand was up by 1.5 percent to 2,027MW.
Power rates in Mindanao ballooned to P6.66 per kWh, 75 percent higher than the P3.80 per kWh reported in July. Supply fell 3.4 percent to 3,561MW while demand increased by two percent to 2,144MW.
“In Mindanao, outages of coal units caused a yellow alert last August 1 and higher prices due to powerplants with costlier fuel clearing the market. Coincident forced and planned outages of cheaper plants during the second week of the August billing period led to overall price increases,” Iemop said.
In terms of system-wide generation mix, renewable energy (RE) contributed 26 percent of total generation. The share of natural gas rose to 22 percent, up from 21 percent in the previous billing period.
Meanwhile, coal and geothermal generation decreased, with
coal dropping from 54.1 percent to 50.6 percent, and geothermal generation from 8.1 percent to 7.8 percent
Solar generation increased from 3.3 percent to 4 percent. Oil-based increased its share from 0.4 percent to 0.9 percent. Hydro generation increased its share from 10.5 percent to 12.6 percent, owing to the rainy season that was characterized by typhoons and the southwest monsoon that was intensified.
Iemop corporate strategy and communications head Isidro Cacho, Jr. said in a virtual briefing that demand for the remaining months of the year may shoot up owing to an anticipated increase in consumer spending.
“For the remaining months of the year we see the demand ramping up. Probably, the manufacturing sector is preparing for Christmas season. So, we will see a high demand. We have not experienced tightness so far. Hopefully, if that goes through the whole year, our price will probably be between P4 to P5 per kWh. Worse case it will hit P5. Hopefully, the price will decrease a little this month in Visayas and Mindanao,” said Cacho.
Lacson eyes stronger digital tracking of national budget
ABy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
SYSTEM that allows for digital tracking of the budget process every step of the way, and prevents its hijacking by any party as the National Expenditure Program transforms into the General Appropriations Act, is the key to achieving a truly transparent, corruption-free money measure.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson stressed this as he aired support for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)’s platform to make the national budget transparent and accessible to the public, even as he offered suggestions to strengthen them.
Lacson particularly asked the DBM if it has the technology to track changes in the crafting of the national budget, including proponents of amendments.
“Is there any current technology available to keep your system transparent yet secure, to enable us in both houses of Congress to track movements of the budget, from what is provided by the National Expenditure Program and going forward, to track who proposed which amendments to the General Appropriations Act?” he said in a mix of English and Filipino at
Tuesday’s briefing of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
He noted that the Senate has set up a system to track changes in the budget, although he is not sure if the House of Representatives has one.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the department presently has the capability to track changes from the NEP to the GAA, but may not be able to see the proponents of amendments unless they are provided minutes of the proceedings.
Pangandaman suggested that the Senate, House and DBM sign an agreement allowing their systems to communicate with each other.
Meanwhile, Lacson also suggested that the DBM expand its digital budget management roadmap including Project Tina (Technical Innovations in the National Expenditure Program Application), which aims to replace the existing NEP generation tool.
Pangandaman had indicated the project, named after the late DBM Undersecretary and officer in charge Tina Canda, aims “to create a unified system to automate the budget process between the Executive and Legislative branches.”
“Project Tina covers only the NEP. Can we expand it to go all the
way?” Lacson asked, to which Pangandaman replied, “we will do it.”
Lacson, likewise, pushed for greater transparency in the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB)’s procurement dashboard. He suggested that it includes geo-tagging for infrastructure projects.
“This is open to the public [although when updating data, it] should be accessible only to the agencies concerned. At least the public should know in their respective areas like the Sumbong sa Pangulo or DPWH websites,” he said.
At the same time, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian urged DBM to reform the preparation of the NEP and tighten its scrutiny of questionable projects. The NEP is the Executive Branch’s spending plan that serves as the basis for the General Appropriations Act.
On the second day of the DBCC briefing on the 2026 budget at the Senate, Gatchalian learned that the DBM skipped thorough scrutiny of Department of Public Works and Highways projects, citing their “special nature.”
“Such special nature is becoming the source of corruption. There isn’t even a feasibility study, and this explains the round numbers in the line items because there is no detailed engineering design; because if there was one, it will give you the exact cost of each project,” Gatchalian said, partly in Filipino.
He cited “red flags” that could have prevented anomalous infrastructure projects had the DBM reviewed the DPWH’s proposals more carefully. These red flags include duplicate projects with identical costs and items from the 2025 budget that resurfaced in the 2026 NEP.
“You are accountable for the NEP. You bring the proposed budget to Congress without without proper vetting and its escapes your scrutiny,” Gatchalian Pangandaman during the briefing.
For her part, Sen. Pia Cayetano urged government’s finance and economic managers to align policy goals with resources that truly improve people’s lives. Drawing from her experience as Vice Chair of Finance for seven years, she pushed for stricter discipline in budgeting and clearer priorities across sectors.
Also at the DBCC briefing, Cayetano stressed the need for consistent standards and stronger absorptive capacity in agencies so projects are actually delivered. She cited, for example, the budget for classroom construction— lodged under the Department of Education but implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways—as well as the attrition of college students given the decrease in the Tertiary Education Subsidy of the Commission on Higher Education.
House panel reviewing VAT decrease proposal
THE House Committee on Ways and Means is now looking into the proposal seeking to cut the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 12 percent to 10 percent in a bid to ease inflationary pressures and give Filipino households much-needed relief.
Under House Bill 4302, or the proposed VAT Reduction Act of 2025, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste said the measure, if enacted, could reduce government VAT revenues by more than P200 billion annually but would translate to an estimated P7,000 in savings per household.
“This bill is about giving ordinary Filipinos a break. The VAT is regressive, hitting the poor and middle class the hardest. Lowering it makes our tax system more progressive,” he said.
DESPITE receiving the lion’s share of the proposed P1.224-trillion education budget for 2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday admitted that addressing the 165,000-classroom shortage remains a daunting challenge.
In a budget briefing of the House Committee on Appropriations, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara told lawmakers that meeting the ideal classroomto-student ratios will require constructing 55,000 classrooms annually until 2028—an unprecedented pace in the country’s history.
Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano pressed Angara on whether the gap could be closed within three years. The education chief acknowledged the difficulty, citing past delays in the school building program. “We can start, but looking at history, we might have a hard time,” he said.
“The shortage is 165,000, so I don’t know if we can afford that,” Angara said during budget deliberations. “If we want to meet that [goal], we’ll have to build 55,000 classrooms a year. And that’s never been done in our history. At best, maybe we can reach 10,000 to 20,000 a year if we push hard.”
Local govts as partners
TO fast-track construction, Angara said DepEd is exploring a major policy shift that would allow local governments (LGUs) to directly build classrooms—marking a departure from the long-standing practice of channeling projects through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Every classroom we add brings hope and opportunity to learners. But delays in construction mean children wait longer than they should. That is why we are looking for ways to build faster and smarter, with partners who are closest to the ground,” he said.
DepEd plans to propose flexibility in the 2026 General Appropriations Act to enable local governments, civil society,
and private partners to participate more actively in classroom construction. An accreditation system may be established to match responsibilities with the readiness of LGUs, while technical assistance and co-financing options will be offered to less capable municipalities. Standardized designs, cost ceilings, and quality benchmarks set by DepEd will continue to apply, while DPWH will remain an option where needed.
Angara said the agency has secured more than P458 million in private sector commitments, funding at least 84 new classrooms and several facility upgrades. He said this momentum shows strong community and business support for solving education bottlenecks.
Budget milestone THE department also lauded President Marcos and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for allocating 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to education for the first time, meeting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) benchmark. Under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program, DepEd will receive P928.52 billion, the largest share of the education budget. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) are set to get P134.99 billion, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) P34 billion, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) P20.24 billion.
“This landmark move is not only an investment in education— it is an investment in the future of our learners, ensuring they receive the highest quality of education possible,” he added. DepEd’s proposed budget reflects an 18.9 percent increase from 2025, with P41.6 billion earmarked for classroom construction and rehabilitation, P115.4 billion for school operations and support programs, and P13.8 billion for digitalization through the DepEd Computerization Program.
‘Maximize digital platforms as bridges of transparency’
ACHAIRMAN of the House Committee on Public Information urged his fellow lawmakers to maximize digital platforms as “bridges of transparency” to strengthen public trust, increase awareness of state-funded programs, and bring government closer to the people.
In a privileged speech, Parañaque Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan said public officials should move away from traditional, often tedious processes and instead embrace digital solutions that make government services simpler, fairer, and more convenient.
In a briefing on Wednesday, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Marikina Rep. Romiro Quimbo welcomed the bill, saying the panel would give it serious consideration.
“What commit to is that the committee will take a good, hard, and long look into any initiative that makes our tax system more progressive. Any measure that eases the tax burden is very welcome,” Quimbo said.
Data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs show VAT collections have ballooned nearly eightfold—from P156.67 billion in 2005, when the rate was raised to 12 percent under the Expanded VAT Law, to P1.20 trillion in 2024.
“In this digital age, information is no longer confined to the halls of government or the pages of textbooks—it flows through the screens and smartphones of every Filipino. And with that flow comes an opportunity: an opportunity to connect, to inform, to empower, and above all, to build trust,” Yamsuan said.
Citing the Philippines’ reputation as the “social media capital of the world” with 97.5 million internet users, Yamsuan stressed that the government can leverage Filipinos’ reliance on online platforms to better inform citizens of its programs and projects.
“The government, and we public servants, are often criticized
for not doing enough to address problems or bridge gaps. But sometimes the issue is not the lack of programs but the lack of awareness,” said Yamsuan. He emphasized that instead of using social media as a tool for division, it should be developed as a “bridge of transparency.”
“Let us harness every platform—not just to broadcast, but to listen; not just to speak, but to engage,” Yamsuan added.
Delivering the right information and services, he said, is key to restoring confidence in government institutions.
He said delivering the “right information and the right services” to Filipinos can help regain public trust and confidence in our institutions because people would be able to see and feel that they have a government they can rely on.
Yamsuan said he has been identifying urgent needs and rebranding programs for easy recall while using online platforms to make registration efficient and accessible.
In Parañaque’s Second District, Yamsuan said he has identified the most urgent needs of his constituents in
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Comelec flags three contractors in Marcos flood projects list for 2022 poll donations
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
AT least three contractors tied to President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ flagship flood control projects contributed to candidates in the 2022 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed on Wednesday.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said three out of 31 possible government contractors matched names on Marcos’ list of 15 firms that cornered P100 billion worth of flood control contracts, or around 20 percent of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) P545.64 billion allocation.
The contractors named by the DPWH are: Legacy Construction Corporation; Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.; St. Timothy Construction Corporation; QM Builders; EGB Construction Corporation; Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.; Centerways Construction and Development Inc.; Sunwest, Inc.; Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.; Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.; Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.; Wawao Builders; MG Samidan Construction; L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.; and Road Edge Trading & Development Services.
“I’ll be very honest. It seems like I saw three contractors. I couldn’t read the full names right away because they were long, but when I first looked, it seemed like there were three immediately,” Garcia said, mostly in Filipino. Under Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code, natural or juridical persons holding government contracts or subcontracts for public works or services are barred from
contributing directly or indirectly to partisan political activity.
Violators face one to six years in prison.
Garcia stressed that the ban applies across the board.
“Whatever the nature of the contract— whether it’s building construction, bridges—if they are contractors of the government, they are covered by the prohibition,” he said.
The Comelec’s Political Finance and Affairs Department (Pfad) is still validating the list with the DPWH, and Garcia said more names could surface.
Confirmed contractors will later be summoned to explain their donations.
During a House hearing on flood control projects on Tuesday, Centerways President Lawrence Lubiano admitted donating P30 million to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s 2022 senatorial bid. Lubiano later said the donation was made “personally” and not through his firm.
The Comelec earlier acknowledged that some business owners may argue that the campaign donations they gave were made in “personal capacity.”
However, Chairman Garcia believes that these contractors should still be held liable.
“I will admit, for me, it is already a violation. If I look at it personally, I see probable cause because he is a natural person. The prohibition still applies regardless if he is friends with the candidate or whatever,” Garcia said during a budget hearing.
Majority of Filipinos believe vote buying influenced May 2025 elections–survey
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
@claudethmc3
WHILE the majority of Filipinos did not directly encounter vote buying, 71 percent of those aware of it believe it influenced the May 2025 elections, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) nationwide survey.
The survey on “Perceptions of Vote Buying as an Influence on Election Outcomes,” released by OCTA Research on September 2, showed that the National Capital Region (NCR) had the “strongest” perceptions that it has influenced the outcome of the election with 86 percent. It was followed by Balance Luzon (81 percent).
Eighty-four percent of Class ABC also shared the same perception that it shaped electoral outcomes versus 70 percent in Class D and 61 percent in Class E.
By age, belief that it has meaningfully shaped the election results, ranged from 61 percent (ages 45–54) to 78 percent (75+), showing broad consensus across generations.
The survey conducted on July 12 to 17, 2025, using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 male and female probability respondents aged 18 and above, has implication: Many Filipinos who encounter vote buying see it as altering election outcomes, posing a direct challenge to the legitimacy of elections and the deepening of democracy.
Neither experienced nor personally knew of vote buying
MEANWHILE , 62 percent of Filipinos reported they neither experienced nor personally knew of vote buying in the May 2025 elections.
“This combination of uneven visibility and widespread perceptions of influence underscores how transactional politics continues to undermine electoral legitimacy in specific regions, socioeconomic classes, and age groups. The persistence of such practices signals a critical test for the Commission on Elections (Comelec), government institutions, and civil society, all of whom must confront vote buying not only as an electoral offense but as a continuing threat to public trust and the deepening of democratic governance in the country,” the survey said.
Regionally, majorities expressed that they did not encounter or know of actual cases of vote buying, except in the Cordillera Administrative Region (13 percent), Negros Island Region (44 percent), and across all regions of Mindanao, where figures ranged from 17 percent to 47 percent.
T hese findings, the survey added, highlight that the perception of vote buying
Subic firm repairs BRP Gregorio del Pilar, two key US Navy ships
By Henry Empeño
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Drydock Corporation (SDC), the primary maintenance provider for Philippine Navy vessel repairs under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, is now undertaking critical repair and maintenance here of the Philippine Navy’s lead offshore patrol vessel, as well as two key naval assets of the United States Navy.
Diana Ross N. Mazo, SDC’s human resources chief and administrative manager, said the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS-15) arrived at the Subic ship repair facility last July 1 for a 90-day continuous maintenance availability (CMAV) works that would include upgrades.
The 115-meter BRP Gregorio del Pilar is a 3,250-ton vessel that formerly served as a Hamilton-class high endurance cutter of
was significantly more widespread in certain areas, pointing to localized vulnerabilities and entrenched patterns of transactional politics that differ from the national trend.
“Addressing these disparities will require the Comelec, government institutions, and civil society to strengthen monitoring, enforcement, and voter education, particularly in areas and sectors where vote buying remains more visible and persistent,” the survey suggested.
“Together, these results reveal a broader challenge for Philippine democracy: the persistence of vote buying, even when not universally visible, undermines public trust in elections and reinforces perceptions of an uneven playing field in certain regions and sectors. The uneven distribution of both exposure and perceptions points to vulnerabilities that weaken the credibility of electoral outcomes and erode confidence in democratic processes.”
Confronting this challenge, the survey noted, requires more than treating vote buying as an isolated electoral offense. Likewise, it demands a coordinated response from the Comelec, government institutions, and civil society to address both its prevalence and its perceived impact.
“Unless directly tackled, vote buying will remain a continuing threat to electoral legitimacy and a barrier to the deepening of democratic governance in the country,” it warned as it shared some key reform priorities:
n Strengthened Monitoring and Enforcement: Improve mechanisms for detecting and swiftly prosecuting vote buying cases, with particular focus on regions where exposure and perceptions are highest.
n Tougher Legal Penalties: Revisit and amend the Omnibus Election Code to increase penalties for both buying and receiving votes—including longer jail terms and the imposition of perpetual disqualification from public office for candidates proven guilty.
n Targeted Voter Education: Implement sustained civic education campaigns in communities most vulnerable to vote buying, emphasizing the long-term costs of transactional politics and the value of clean elections.
n Broader Democratic Safeguards: Mobilize civil society, faith-based groups, and local institutions to build collective resistance to vote buying, linking these efforts with wider initiatives to strengthen electoral integrity, political accountability, and democratic participation.
This survey has a—percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.
the US Coast Guard before it was acquired by the Philippine Navy in 2011.
Mazo said the ongoing maintenance work includes overhauls of the main engine, generator, and turbocharger; repair of auxiliary and electrical systems; as well as structural work and preservation.
CMAV works are undertaken for both sustained readiness and preventive measures: to maintain the ship’s ability to perform its mission and prevent major failures that would require more extensive maintenance that could disrupt operations.
On the other hand, two key US Navy vessels are undergoing voyage repairs (VR’s) here, also to minimize downtime and prevent operational interruptions.
Mazo said time time-critical VR are being done by SDC crews on the USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), a 239-meter Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base,
and the USNS Rappahannock (TAO-204), a 206-meter Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler operated by the US Military Sealift Command.
The works include overhaul and maintenance of deck equipment, insulation and lagging, electrical cable maintenance, structural and piping repairs, ultra-high pressure washing and deck preservation, non-destructive testing, and bridge wing sliding door repairs.
“SDC is also conducting gas-free certification, ship security and access services, elevator inspection, and other general services in full compliance with US Navy standards,” said Mazo.
The ongoing repair works for both the Philippine and American navies underscore the growing portfolio of projects by the Philippine-registered firm and its rising role in the regional maritime industry since
Comelec: No proclamation yet for vacant PL seats
HE Commission on Elections
T(Comelec) on Wednesday said it will not proclaim any replacement for Duterte Youth until the en banc ruling that cancelled the group’s registration becomes final and executory.
Speaking at the Palacio del Gobernador, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body first needs the legal opinion of its law department and supervisory committee on who should take over the three seats Duterte Youth had won.
Garcia noted that the commission may look at the Anwaray v. Comelec case as reference. In that case, the party-list’s registration was revoked and Akbayan was allowed to claim the last seat in the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress.
“I’m not saying this will have the same implication. We want to examine whether the facts of Anwaray and this case are the same, and whether the same ruling applies. Others also argue the seats should go to those with higher vote counts,” he said, mostly in Filipino.
So far, the Comelec has proclaimed 53 out of 54 winning party-lists in the May 12 midterm polls.
Akba yan topped the race with 2.78 million votes, taking the maximum three seats.
D uterte Youth and Tingog also secured three seats each, while 4Ps, ACT-CIS, and Ako Bicol gained two seats apiece.
T he rest took one seat each.
If the list shifts due to the cancellation of Duterte Youth’s registration, Gabriela Women’s Party would be next in line, ranking 55th—just one spot outside the winners’ circle.
G arcia, however, said the commission will not comment on this scenario until its legal team completes its review.
He stressed that Comelec is exercising judicial courtesy by waiting for possible Supreme Court action.
“As long as the decision is not final, the Supreme Court may exercise jurisdiction and grant relief to the party-list. That’s why it’s better to wait,” Garcia said, noting that the en banc decision would only become final and executory 30 days after its publication.
Is it 63 or 64 seats?
APART from the Duterte Youth case, the commission is also studying whether to raise the number of party-list seats in the House to 64.
Currently, only 63 party-list representatives sit in the chamber.
C omputed against the 317 total members of the House, this accounts for just 19.87 percent—short of the 20 percent required by law.
“It cannot fall below 20 percent...That’s why we studied raising the seats to 64. The Commission en banc already approved this, but we held back because we wanted to consult the House first,” Garcia explained.
He added that the House has since affirmed the matter is within Comelec’s discretion, since the former’s duty is only ministerial in accepting certificates of proclamation.
“We also want our law department and supervisory to clarify: aside from the three vacant seats, who should take the 64th if we proceed with the proclamation?” Garcia said.
Comelec said it will wait for resolutions on both issues before naming any new party-lists to fill the vacancies.
Gabriela demands immediate proclamation
MEANWHILE , Alliance of Filipino women’s organizations GABRIELA has urged the Comelec to immediately proclaim the Gabriela Women’s
See “Comelec,” A8
Sen. Go thanks DBM for ₧6.77 billion release for healthcare workers’ claims
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday thanked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for its commitment to release the outstanding P6.77 billion in Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) claims of qualified healthcare workers during the Senate briefing by the Development Budget Coordination Committee on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026
National Expenditure Program.
“Salamat sa DBM. Nagkaroon po ng pag-asa ang ating healthcare workers,” a happy Go said.
Department of Budget and Management
Secretary Amenah Pangandaman confirmed the release of P6.77 billion in HEA claims on September 1 when asked by Sen. Go.
To recall, Senator Go presided over numerous Senate Health Committee hearings, where he asked the DBM and the Department of Health (DOH) to find ways to settle the pending HEA due
to health workers for services rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sulitangpangungulit,”Go said briefly, stressing that these payments are long overdue for services already rendered as mandated by law.
As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized that addressing these unpaid allowances should take precedence over other programs, as they compensate healthcare workers for services they have already rendered.
“S ervices rendered po ito. Pinagpawisan poitongatingmgahealth workers. Pinaghirapan nila,” Go, who consistently pursued the payment of HEA, explained.
The HEA, mandated under RA 11712 or the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act, provides financial compensation to healthcare workers in both public and private sectors who served during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Go, as one of the law’s authors and co-sponsors, has repeatedly pushed for its
proper implementation, ensuring that eligible beneficiaries receive their due benefits.
D espite the official lifting of the public health emergency in 2023, a backlog of claims remained unresolved, affecting thousands of frontliners.
T he lawmaker added that the HEA is a small amount compared to the sacrifices and services of our healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Maliitnahalagaitokumparasasakripisyo at serbisyo ng ating mga healthcare workers during the pandemic. Tinutukan natin ito noong nakaraang Kongreso at in fact, nagkaroon tayo ng 14 hearings para kalampaginangang DOH at DBM,” Go said. Go vowed to prioritize the provisions of equitable benefits for all healthcare workers. The legislator is one of the authors and co-sponsors of the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) last Congress and vowed he will continue to advocate for the passage of the said bill to upgrade the compensation of the BHWs.
locating in Subic in 2006, SDC officials said.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Cabras Marine Corp. based in Guam, the SDC takes pride in its ability to complete complex, concurrent projects under tight deadlines, while maintaining strict quality, safety, and compliance standards, said Mazo. The firm operates two of the biggest floating drydocks in the country, including a 142.1-meter behemoth with an 8,700-ton lifting capacity.
“Beyond operational excellence, the SDC continues to invest in infrastructure and workforce development,” Mazo also pointed out.
She said that the firm has been conducting workers’ training and certification programs, labor pipeline development, and maritime trade awareness campaigns in collaboration with the Labor Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
New book out: Documenting the empowerment of urban poor women through community action
WE often hear so many stories of women’s oppression and victimization. Now it is time to listen to urban poor women’s success over life’s adversities caused by their gender roles and poverty. These women are now claiming power over their lives through their participation in Gender Responsive Barangay Development Planning. The book WRAAPing Up: Community Women’s Journeys to Empowerment Through Gender Responsive Barangay Development Planning stories tells stories of urban poor women in their own words—a former prostituted woman who learned about Gender Responsiveness and is now a leader of their Community Women’s Collective, a former drug dealer who became aware of her human rights and now conducts advocacy and training on women’s rights, and other empowered women in the urban poor communities of Navotas, Malabon and Manila.
See “book,” A8
Over 8,000 vacancies in govt up for grabs
MORE than 8,000 government jobs will be opened to the public in a nationwide job fair this week, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced late Tuesday. The CSC said 8,032 plantilla and nonplantilla positions across 254 agencies will be made available from September 2 to 5 in 15 regional venues, with an additional run on September 9 in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap noted that the figure exceeded their original target of 6,300 vacancies, marking the largest number of vacancies offered since the commission began holding recruitment events. The fair covers openings in national agencies, local governments, governmentowned and -controlled corporations, and
See “CSC,” A8
A6 Thursday, September 4, 2025
The World
Israel widens Gaza offensive amid domestic opposition and international condemnation
By Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz & Fatma Khaled
The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—
Israel began mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists and repeated evacuation warnings on Tuesday as part of its plan to widen its offensive in Gaza City, which has sparked opposition domestically and condemnation abroad.
The call-up, which was announced last month, comes as ground and air forces press forward and pursue more targets in northern and central Gaza, striking parts of Zeitoun and Shijaiyah—two western Gaza City neighborhoods that Israeli forces have repeatedly invaded during the nearly two-year war against Hamas militants.
Zeitoun, once Gaza City’s largest neighborhood with markets, schools and clinics, has been transformed over the past month, with streets being emptied and buildings reduced to rubble as it becomes what Israel’s military last week called a “ dangerous combat zone.”
Israel says Gaza City is still a Hamas stronghold where the militants have a
vast tunnel network, despite multiple incursions throughout the war. It’s also one of the last refuges in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are sheltering, facing the twin threats of combat and famine.
Some reservists are refusing to serve again, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political purposes instead of reaching a hostage deal with Hamas. Netanyahu has said that the war will continue until all the hostages are returned and Hamas surrenders.
“We are facing the decisive stage,” Netanyahu said in a video statement addressed to the troops. “With God’s help, together we will win.”
Deadly strikes in Gaza City ISRAEL on Tuesday repeated earlier warnings to Palestinians who have remained in Gaza City, unconvinced that another displacement will keep them safe.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned that combat operations would soon be expanding, and that services would be made available in Muwasi, a makeshift tent camp south of Gaza City.
At least 47 people have been killed across the Gaza Strip since dawn on Tuesday, according to hospitals.
A strike on a residential building in Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood killed 15 people, including at least three children, according to Shifa Hospital.
Rescue workers pulled a bloodied infant alive from beneath rubble, and then placed the dead under white sheets—a scene that captured the dangers facing Gaza City’s exhausted residents, uprooted time and again and uncertain if any place is secure.
“We were sleeping safe and sound in our home, and then we suddenly woke up to the sound of banging and rising smoke,” Sana Drimli, a resident of the building, told The Associated Press. “We woke up to see what happened to us and check in on our children and discovered that everyone around us is dead,” she said.
Further south, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said that they received 22 casualties killed by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire near distribution sites and in a corridor frequented by UNconvoys.
In recent months, more than 2,300 aid seekers have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The toll includes Palestinians who have sought aid in areas where UNconvoys have been overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds, and where people have been fatally shot while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, an Israeli-backed American contractor.
Israel’s military didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. GHF said that there were no such incidents linked to its sites or on dedicated routes leading to them.
Reservists protest in Tel Aviv
AT least 60,000 reservists will be gradually called up, Israel’s military said last month. It will also extend the service of an additional 20,000 reservists already serving.
In Israel, with a population of less than 10 million, most Jewish men complete compulsory military service and remain in the reserves for at least a decade.
But criticism over the war in Gaza is growing. A number of movements are organizing to encourage reservists
not to serve, though it’s unclear how many will refuse the latest call-up.
A recently formed group called Soldiers for the Hostages said that it includes more than 365 soldiers who served earlier in the war, but won’t report for duty if called up again.
“Netanyahu’s ongoing war of aggression needlessly puts our own hostages in danger and has wreaked havoc on the fabric of Israeli society, while at the same time killing, maiming and starving an entire population of Gazan civilians,” Max Kresch, a member of the group, told reporters.
Refusing to show up for reserve duty is an offense that can merit prison time, though only a handful of reserve soldiers who have refused to serve have been put in military imprisonment over the course of the war.
Malnutrition and combat tolls grow SINCE the world’s leading authority on food crises declared last month that Gaza City was experiencing famine, malnutrition-related deaths have mounted. Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that a total of 185 people died of malnutrition in August—
marking the highest count in months. A total of 63,633 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the ministry, which says another 160,914 people have been wounded as of Tuesday. The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but says women and children make up around half of the dead.
The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government but staffed by medical professionals. UNagencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of war casualties. Israel disputes them, but hasn’t provided its own toll.
The war started when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 people hostage. Forty-eight hostages are still inside Gaza, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.
Sam Metz reported from Jerusalem. Fatma Khaled in Cairo, and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem, contributed to this report
China displays military strength in parade on 80th anniversary of the end of WWII
By Ken Moritsugu & Huizhong Wu The Associated Press
EIJING —Chinese leader Xi
BJinping said humanity must choose between peace and war and dialogue and confrontation in a speech Wednesday before a major military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Xi started a brief address by remembering the Chinese veterans of the war and called for the eradication of the roots of war to prevent history from repeating itself. But his main message was forward looking: Today, China is strong, fears no one and is ready to take a leading role in the world.
“The Chinese people are a people that are not afraid of violence and are self-reliant and strong,” he said. At the same time, he added, “We will adhere to the path of peaceful development and work hand in hand with people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.”
A limousine ride and modern military hardware
THE parade, which lasted about 90 minutes, showcased missiles, fighter jets and other military hardware—some of it displayed publicly for the first time.
It began with troops marching in rhythmic lockstep, their boots
echoing off the pavement, to be reviewed by Xi, who heads China’s military as chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi rode by the entire length of their formations along Beijing’s central Chang’an Avenue in a classic black limousine. He stood up through the vehicle’s sunroof with four microphones lined in front of him and greeted flanks of personnel as he passed them and rows of armaments and military vehicles. They shouted back mottos in unison such as “We serve the people.”
Drone submarines and hypersonic missiles
HIGHLIGHTS of the weaponry in the parade included:
Before Xi spoke, the ceremony began with an 80-gun artillery salute, followed by the national anthem, the “March of the Volunteers,” a song composed in 1935 during the early years of resistance against invading Japanese forces.
Putin and Kim were among Xi’s prominent guests ABOUT two dozen foreign leaders watched the parade from high up on the historic Tiananmen Gate, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Putin and Kim flanked Xi as they made their way to the platform overlooking Tiananmen Square. They paused to shake hands with five WWII veterans, some older than 100.
1. Hypersonic missiles designed to take out ships at sea. They are of particular concern to the US Navy, which patrols the western Pacific from its 7th Fleet headquarters in Japan.
2. Underwater drones including the AJX002, a long, black tubeshaped craft that looks like a narrow submarine with a rear propeller.
3. A new intercontinental ballistic missile, the DF-61, which could carry nuclear warheads to distant targets.
Fighter jets and bombers flew across the sky, some painting rows of different-colored exhaust in unison. Helicopters flew in formation, one group of 26 spelling out the number “80” for the 80th war anniversary.
As the parade got underway, US President Donald Trump said on social media that the big question is whether Xi will recognize the contributions of Americans who fought in the war.
He added: “Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.”
The US eyed the gathering of the three leaders warily, as well as a 10-nation summit meeting in China on Monday that brought together Xi, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Xi, in his remarks, did not mention America by name but expressed his gratitude to foreign countries that helped China resist the Japanese invasion.
A display of military strength for its own people
DOMESTICALLY, the commemoration of the anniversary is a way to show how far China has come.
China was a major front in the war, and millions died in Japan’s invasion before and during the conflict.
The military parade was also a show of strength to boost support for the Communist Party and its leader, Xi, domestically and a way to portray itself as a global alternative to the American-dominated postwar era.
“The Chinese people’s rejuvenation cannot be blocked, and the noble goal of the peaceful development of human civilization must triumph,” Xi said at the end of his speech.
The marching formations from the People’s Liberation Army ranged from traditional army and navy units to new ones such as a cyberspace unit that is in charge of information security.
Xi said the PLA was a heroic military “the people and the Party can trust and rely on completely.” He also said the PLA’s task was to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and unification, a reference to China’s claim over the self-ruled island of Taiwan.
The Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report
CHINESE President Xi Jinping inspects the troops ahead of a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Wednesday, September 3, 2025. AP PHOTO/ANDY WONG
Wall Street falls as bond market pressure weighs on stocks; tech giants lead decline
By Stan Choe AP Business Writer
EW YORK—Wall Street
Nsank on Tuesday as rising pressure from the bond market pulled US stocks further from their records.
The S&P 500 fell 0.7% for its worst day in a month after paring a loss that earlier reached 1.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.8%. All three are still relatively close to their recently set all-time highs. Big Tech companies led the market lower. They’ve been soaring for years on expectations that they’ll continue to dominate the economy, but they have also shot so high that critics say their prices have become too expensive.
Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into artificial-intelligence technology,
fell 2% and was the single strongest force pulling the S&P 500 downward. Amazon sank 1.6%, and Apple dropped 1%.
The overall stock market felt pressure from rising yields in the bond market, where the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.27% from 4.23% late Friday. When bonds are paying more in interest, investors are less willing to pay high prices for stocks.
Longer-term bond yields are on the rise around the world, in part because of worries about how difficult it will be for governments to repay their growing mountains of debt.
In the United States, longerterm Treasury yields are feeling additional pressure from President Donald Trump’s attacks on the Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates sooner. The fear is that a less independent Fed will be less likely to make the unpopular decisions needed to keep inflation
under control over the long term, such as keeping short-term rates higher than investors would like.
Tuesday was also the first opportunity for trading after a federal appeals court ruled late Friday that Trump overstepped his legal authority when announcing sweeping tariffs on almost every country on Earth, though it left the tariffs in place for now.
Trump’s tariffs have certainly created confusion across the global economy and may have hurt the US job market. But less income from them could also force the US government to borrow more to pay its bills, according to Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
In another signal of increasing worries in financial markets, the price of gold rose to touch another record. The metal has often provided a haven for investors in times of uncertainty.
Treasury yields briefly trimmed
their gains after a report on Tuesday said US manufacturing shrank by more last month than economists expected. Many companies told the Institute for Supply Management that tariffs are continuing to make conditions chaotic.
“Too much uncertainty for us and our customers regarding tariffs and the US/global economy,” one company in the chemical products industry said, while noting that orders across most product lines have weakened.
The worse-than-expected data on manufacturing could give the Federal Reserve more leeway to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a couple of weeks. That’s the widespread expectation among traders, though economic reports coming later this week could change things.
The highlight for the week is coming on Friday, when economists expect a report to show that
Murder of Indonesian diplomat in Peru probed as contract killing
By Franklin Briceño The Associated Press
LIMA, Peru—Peruvian authorities on Tuesday said they are investigating the death of an Indonesian diplomat as a contract killing amid a surge in violent crime in the South American country.
Zetro Leonardo Purba, 40, who worked at the Indonesian Embassy in Peru’s capital, Lima, was shot three times Monday night as he arrived on a bicycle at his apartment building. Authorities said Purba was taken to a hospital but was later declared dead.
Officials didn’t immediately provide a motive for the
and depress collections further,” BMI said, as it projects next year’s fiscal deficit to exceed the government’s target of 5.3 percent by 0.1
has yet to respond to their recommendation.
Earlier, Malacañang announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the NEP’s portion concerning the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which has recently been embroiled in controversies over alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.
In a separate joint press conference with DPWH chief Vince Dizon, DBM’s Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said they will first conduct the two-week review, as
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state universities and colleges.
shooting. But Interior Minister Carlos Malaver told lawmakers the attack was a “qualified homicide in the form of a contract killing.”
Police released footage from two surveillance cameras that show a person wearing a helmet firing twice at the diplomat, who then falls to the ground. The images then show the suspect shooting the diplomat a third time and fleeing on a motorcycle driven by another person.
Malaver added that nothing was stolen from the diplomat, who had arrived in Peru five months ago and was working as a junior officer in the embassy. He had a wife and three children.
percent.
When asked if the Philippines does not have a plan to exempt US tech companies from taxes to avoid paying a higher fine when exporting to their country, Recto said: “We don’t even know how serious they are on any of that.”
instructed by the President, of the list of DPWH projects – after which, she said, they will submit the updated and list of DPWH projects as a form of errata to Congress.
Despite the two-week review, the DBM is confident there will be no delays in the passage of the national budget next year.
“I am looking at the calendar of the session of Congress-the Senate and the House—they have an adjournment on October 4. So I think [we can meet the budget deliberation timeline],” Pangandaman said in Filipino in a joint press briefing with Dizon on Wednesday. She said they may complete the review before the two week period.
“They were waiting for him and the bullets hit him in the head; they wanted to kill him,” Malaver said of the suspects.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, in a statement, called for a “thorough, transparent, and expeditious investigation, as well as the maximum possible protection for diplomatic personnel and Indonesian citizens in Peru.” Sugiono, like many Indonesians, uses a single name.
Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the homicide “will be thoroughly investigated and all necessary assistance and protection will be provided” to Indonesia’s ambassador and embassy staff. Foreign Affairs
The Finance chief said this threat has not been discussed with Washington yet, stressing that the Philippines has received no formal communication from the United States.
“There have been no communications to us, so there’s nothing to
Pangandaman and Dizon announced the two-week review in line with the instructions of President Ferdinand Marcos to review the DPWH budget to make sure it will not contain any irregularities.
Marcos issued the instruction after some lawmakers flagged parts of the DPWH budget in the 2026 NEP, which allegedly included completed infrastructure projects.
“If it [infrastructure project] is already completed, for me in my simple understanding, we will remove it [from the 2026 budget]. If it is also a double entry we will also remove it. But of course it will not be that simple. We have to go through the regions and units of
Minister Elmer Schialer later told reporters that Peru’s main problem is “insecurity” and acknowledged that the diplomat’s slaying is “one more wake-up call” regarding the issue.
The government of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has struggled to respond to a rise in homicides and extortion in Peru.
Official figures show that 6,041 people were killed between January and midAugust, the highest number during the same period since 2017. Meanwhile, extortion complaints totaled 15,989 between January and July, a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
communicate,” Recto added.
Through the VAT on digital services, the government expects to collect P7.25 billion in revenues at 50 percent compliance this year. DOF estimates this would contribute a total of P94.87 billion from 2026 to 2029.
the DPWH. It should go through the proper process,” Dizon said.
Complications if HOR returns NEP AFTER the review, Pangandaman said they will submit the updated list of DPWH projects as a form of errata to Congress.
Pangandaman said they will make use of the errata instead of the proposal of Congress to return the 2026 NEP to the Executive branch to avoid possible “complications.”
“We will send to them [Congress] the new list. We think this will be a simpler process and procedure instead of them sending it [NEP] back, which has never happened before. It might lead to some [irregularities],” she said.
US employers upped their hiring by a bit last month. Last month’s weaker-than-expected jobs report raised worries about the economy and cranked up expectations for coming cuts to rates by the Fed.
On Wall Street, Constellation Brands tumbled 6.6% after the beer, wine and spirits company warned that it’s seen a slowdown in purchases of its high-end beers, particularly among its Hispanic customers. That pushed it to slash its forecast for profit this fiscal year.
Kraft Heinz fell 7% after announcing that it’s splitting into two, a decade after a merger of the brands created one of the biggest food companies on the planet.
One of the companies will include shelf stable meals and include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include the Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables brands. The
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Party (GWP) as a representative in Congress, saying that Filipinos lack representation against corruption and injustice.
“We challenge Comelec to act with urgency and proclaim GWP now. This is not just a matter of procedural justice but a cruicial step n ensuring the voice of the marginalized is heard and represented in a legislature compromised by vested interests,” the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Every day that passes without the proclamation of the GWP is a day where the Filipino people are denied another potent
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These women are now leaders in their Community Women’s Collectives (CWCs), where they studied about gender equality and women’s empowerment, and international and Philippine laws relevant to women. They applied this knowledge to create their Women’s Agenda which they presented to the Barangay Development Councils, thus contributing to the drafting of Gender Responsive Barangay Development Plans.
Representatives of the CWCs are now part of the GAD Focal Point System of Malabon and Navotas. They are closer to participating in the decision-making process for Gender and Development (GAD) projects in their cities. They are active in mobilizations for local and national issues, and there is a big potential for them to influence decisions at the national level too.
The book also provides Guidelines learned from the steps the women are taking towards empowerment. These may be useful to other community women who want to make their own journey toward empowerment.
The narratives in the book depict the
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official names of the two companies will be released later.
Among the stock market’s few gainers was PepsiCo, which rose 1.1% after an investment firm said it sent suggestions to the company’s board to reaccelerate its growth and boost financial performance. The investor, Elliott Investment Management, has a history of buying into companies and pushing for big changes that can lead to better stock performance. All told, the S&P 500 fell 44.72 points to 6,415.54. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 249.07 to 45,295.81, and the Nasdaq composite sank 175.92 to 21,279.63. In stock markets abroad, indexes slumped across Europe, with Germany’s DAX losing 2.3%. That followed a more mixed finish in Asia, where indexes rose 0.9% in Seoul but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
voice against corruption, injustice and the worsening socio-economic crisis.”
GWP secretary general KJ Catequista said that with Congress running with incomplete representation, the party-list’s immediate proclamation would allow its pending measures and initiatives to move forward.
“That is our urgent call, [for Comelec] to act swiftly so that the laws we have long been pushing for can finally advance,” Catequista said in an interview. Once proclaimed, the party-list would prioritize bills on safe spaces, violence against women and children, divorce and a review of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997, she added. Justine Xyrah Garcia and Ma. Alyanna Selda
experiences of women who transformed their lives and became community leaders by engaging in the Women’s Rights Action Advocacy Project (WRAAP) of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). This project was implemented by Samahan ng Mamamayan-Zone One Tondo Organization (SM-ZOTO). Funding was provided by Global Affairs Canada.
SM-ZOTO is an urban poor federation composed of 646 community-based organizations in twenty-eight (28) transition communities and relocation sites in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Manila and nearby provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Pampanga. The organization envisions a community of economically and politically empowered citizens who are accorded their due dignity, who foster gender equality and democracy, in a child- and youth-friendly, healthy and bountiful environment. This coming October 20, 2025, the organization will be having its 55th Year Anniversary Celebration, and the organization is said to be the oldest urban poor federation in the country today. Those who are interested to have a copy of the book may contact SM-ZOTO.
In Metro Manila, 25 agencies are participating, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, Pasig City Government, and the University of the Philippines Diliman.
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T he CSC said the pre-registration for the National Capital Region leg at SM North EDSA has already reached maximum capacity.
Other regions are also expected to draw strong participation, with Region VII hosting the most number of agencies at 28, followed by Region XII with 23 and Region II with 15. Among the agencies joining ar e the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Department of Agriculture (DA).
The CSC said applicants—including fresh graduates, career shifters, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community— may apply onsite by inquiring about vacancies, submitting requirements, and coordinating directly with agencies.
The job fair is part of the commission’s celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. Justine Xyrah Garcia
the Department of Finance and the Development Budget Coordination Committee, to temporarily revert the rate to 12 percent if the government’s fiscal deficit exceeds targets. Economic analysts note that inflation has consistently ranked as the top concern among Filipinos in recent surveys. In July 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported inflation at 4.1 percent, still above the central bank’s target. “Reducing VAT is a direct and efficient way to address inflation. It avoids leakages and cuts administrative costs associated with redistribution,” Leviste explained. Leviste argued that increased consumption and improved tax compliance could offset much of the shortfall. Meanwhile, Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano cautioned that while VAT is regressive, it has built-in exemptions to soften its impact on low-income groups. He explained that the government has placed exemptions on essential goods such as food and agricultural products to ensure that the VAT system does not become overly regressive and, ideally, remains progressive. However, he noted that if the VAT rate is reduced and replaced with revenue measures that neither burden the poor nor curtail public spending, the country’s tax code would become even more progressive.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
A9 Thursday, September 4, 2025
Imported rice hits 2.8 MMT mark
IMPORTED rice arrivals
reached 2.8 million metric
tons (MMT) as of end-August before the government’s scheduled temporary ban took effect on September 1.
Figures from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that 2.83 MMT of rice shipments have entered the country as of August 28.
Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, BPI data showed that 2.23 MMT came from Vietnam, which remains the country’s top supplier. Myanmar trailed behind as it accounted for 330,920.33 MT.
The Philippines also received rice stocks from other countries, such as Thailand (162,788.26 MT), Pakistan (76,290.02 MT), and India (19,637.25 MT).
President Marcos recently issued an Executive Order suspending the imports of regular and wellmilled rice, effective September 1 until October 30, 2025.
Despite this, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said only rice shipments that left their respective countries of origin by the end of August would be allowed entry, citing an order issued by the BPI.
“The BPI will no longer issue an SPSIC [Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance] for shipments on September 1, but for those that left the country of origin before the ban began, they can still enter [until] September 15,” de Mesa said. He added that only four ports, specifically Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu, would cater to rice imports arriving before the cutoff.
“So, if shipments left the country beyond August 31, they won’t be allowed to enter. If they ever arrive [beyond the allowable period], these will be returned to the country of origin,” de Mesa said.
The BPI approved and issued 210 SPSICs as of August 27 for the purchase of 419,102.43 MT of imported rice. Of this, 196 SPSICs were used, translating to 264,099.81 MT rice arrivals.
The government’s decision to impose a temporary ban comes as farmgate prices of palay plunged to as low as P8 per kilo in some areas. Industry sources cited the unabated entry of imported rice as the reason behind this decline.
Meanwhile, an international agency recently said the increase in the country’s rice output in the first half may not be enough to fill the anticipated demand during the Philippines’ 60-day import ban.
Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that palay output in January to June grew by 6.41 percent to a record 9.077 MMT from the 8.53 MMT posted in the same period last year.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the Philippines imported over 750,000 MT of rice from mid-September to mid-November in the last two years and that import demand during the import ban is pegged at the same level this year.
“While domestic rice production in the first half of 2025 increased by over 6 percent compared to last year, this growth may not fully offset the anticipated demand during the import ban,” the USDA said.
DA approves importation of 55K MT of fish products
THE Philippines will import fish and aquatic products to ensure stable supply amid the successive typhoons and the upcoming closed fishing season.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday signed Memorandum Order 47, which stipulated the guidelines on the implementation of the certificate of necessity to import (CNI) 55,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish for wet markets covering the period of October to December.
An initial minimum import volume (MIV) of 112 MT will be allocated to commercial importers, while the initial MIV for fisheries associations and cooperatives will be 56 MT.
Additional import volume for the commercial fishing sector will be determined based on their respective percentage share in the total volume of fish landings.
The remaining balance for fisheries cooperatives would be distributed proportionately based on their percentage share from the total arrivals of imported fish under FAO 259 by association or cooperatives from the immediately preceding importation period.
In addition, 2,000 MT will be allocated to accredited importers recognized under the Kadiwa system.
Only registered importers under Fisheries Administrative Order 259 can participate in the importation program under CNI 55,000 MT.
The order noted that the issuance of import clearances will begin on September 15 to ensure the timely arrival of shipments at the start of the
Senator laments govt’s failure to jail agri products smugglers
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
SEN. Francis Pangilinan, Senate agriculture committee chairman, has raised a critical concern over the continued absence of convictions and imprisonment of individuals involved in large-scale agricultural smuggling, despite mounting evidence and repeated anti-smuggling operations.
Pangilinan expressed deep frustration over the failure of authorities to bring smugglers to justice, emphasizing the detrimental impact of smuggling on farmers and local food producers.
Maawa naman kayo sa mga magsasaka, umaasa sa ating lahat na gawin ang trabaho natin.
At syempre ang ating mga mamimili [Have pity on the farmers,
closed fishing season.
In a separate document, Laurel also issued MO 46, authorizing the importation of 22,000 MT of various frozen seafood. The CNI covers the period September to December.
Such an import order followed the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) recommendation to “provide a wider range of choices of affordable fish” and “cater to the market demand.”
Overall, the importation allows the entry of 56 fish products of various species.
The approved fish species to be imported under the CNI are alaskan pollock, anchovies, barramundi, capelin, chilean seabass, cobia cod-black cod, whiting, croaker, crustaceans, dolphin fish, eel, emperor, fish meat, flounder, fusilier, gindara, gourami, and grouper.
Also allowed to be imported are gunard, haddock, hairtail, hake, halibut, hamachi, hoki, largesnout goby, mackerels, marlin, mollusks, pangasius, plaice, moonfish, mullet, nile perch, octopus, oilfish, and pomfrets.
The DA also approved the importation of ponyfish, rabbitfish, red snapper, red bream, salmon, sardines, sea bream, sillago, smelt, squid, sweetlips, swordfish, threadfin bream, torpedo scad, trout, trevally, tuna, and yellowtail sole.
Those who can participate in the importation under CNI 22,000 MT should be accredited for at least one year before the issuance of the order, or registered importers under FAO 259 who participated in any previous CNI. Ada Pelonia
who depend on us to do our jobs right. And have pity as well on the consumers],” he said at the recent second public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform joint with the Committees on Ways and Means and on Finance.
The three recent anti-smuggling operations in Subic, Paco, and Talisay City, Cebu, Pang -
ilinan said, should serve as a “litmus test” for the full implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which makes smuggling of agricultural products above P10 million nonbailable.
“ Uulit-ulitin ko dahil nandiyan na iyong [pinuslit na kalakal], nakumpiska na, nandiyan na iyong produkto, nandiyan na ang halaga, nandito na ang mga pangalan ng mga brokers, ng mga consignees, iyong mga importer, iyong mga may-ari ng warehouse, iyongmgamay-aring cold storage [I repeat: the seized products are there, the estimated value is known, the names of brokers, consignees, importers, warehouse owners and owners of cold storage are there], Pangilinan said, adding “You have all the information necessary to file cases of anti-economic sabotage. Bakitwalangnangyayariohindi pa nangyayari [How come nothing has happened]?” He raised concerns that most of the individuals behind these smuggling organizations could
have already escaped the country by now because they are aware that smuggling more than P10 million worth of agricultural products is a non-bailable offense.
“They will all quickly escape, so our tossing documents to each other is useless if we don’t act fast enough. I hope you understand. The reality is, that’s nonbailable so if we don’t move fast, and they know they’re under investigation and flee, what happens to our efforts?” he asked.
Pangilinan assured the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and all relevant agencies that handle anti-smuggling operations that the Senate can be a venue for them to seek interventions to equip them better to run after smugglers.
“We want you to succeed. You have our full backing if you want to pursue your mandate under the anti-agriculture smuggling law,” he said.
SRA sees 2 MMT sugar production in next crop year
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) projects raw sugar output will settle at around two million metric tons (MMT) in crop year 2025-2026.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona told the BusinessMirror that their initial outlook is yet to take into account the potential damage of red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI) on yield.
Azcona said the agency is currently working on a Brix and theoretical sugar content comparison to determine the effect on infected canes as studies suggest that RSSI could slash sugar content by up to 50 percent.
“We’re testing infected and
non-infected sugarcane plants on the same field where infestation is partial,” Azcona told this newspaper on the sidelines of a Senate hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform.
“We started this around two weeks ago. Once we have the data [and] if there’s a decrease [in content], we’ll use it in our crop estimate for this year,” he added.
Despite this, the SRA chief assured the public that RSSI’s damage on sugar yield would be minimal.
“Based on available data, the infected fields in Negros are at less than 2 percent, and even in the worst-case scenario of 4 percent, [the effect is] not that significant,” Azcona said.
The RSSI has affected over 3,200 hectares in Negros Island and Panay, based on latest SRA data. This figure is larger than the 87 hectares recorded on May 22 when the agency first declared an infestation.
Figures from the SRA showed that the country’s sugar output reached 2.085 MMT as of August 17, despite earlier concerns that the aftermath of El Niño from 2024 would trickle into the production of the sweetener this year.
Historical data from the agency indicated that the latest raw sugar output is the highest since the 2.14 MMT recorded in crop year 2020-2021.
Earlier, the SRA chief announced that sugar produced in the upcoming crop year 2025-
School fest promotes agriculture courses
EGAZPI CITY—Bicol
LUniversity’s campus in Guinobatan, Albay is promoting taking agriculture courses to the youth through a festival showcasing local products of farmers’ groups, students, and other producers on Wednesday.
Roscefe Dy, campus dean, said the event aims to honor the
enduring spirit of agriculture and forestry as the lifeblood of communities in Bicol.
Aside from promoting livelihood opportunities, Dy said the university wanted to reshape the youth’s perception of agriculture, which is often regarded as an unrewarding career path.
“Our career guidance
approach is different. We don’t just present our courses; we include testimonials from our graduated staff. Our goal is to show that there is a real future in agriculture,” she said in her speech.
2026, which will start on October 1, will be classified as “B” or domestic sugar. Azcona said the agency did not allot sugar for export in the upcoming crop year that will fulfill the allocation it received from the United States under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) scheme.
However, the SRA said the agency has been classifying sugar output as “B” since 2022 because the country’s production is still below the requirement of the domestic market.
“The US quota is not yet coming into play now. Among reasons why US quota was implemented then was apart from respecting trade agreements, we sometimes need to unload raw sugar when milling peaks in [January to March].”
“We are here to sow seeds of knowledge through seminars and workshops, cultivate new ventures through partnerships, and nurture resilience in our communities through shared learning.”
Dy said the event demonstrates how the university’s research outputs and innovations can create lasting impact in the community and the environment.
The university’s Guinobatan campus offers nine courses focused on agriculture and forestry.
Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco expressed her gratitude about having an agricultural state university campus in the town, noting that the local government will reciprocate the benefits since the locals will be the first to benefit from these projects.
“Guinobatan is lucky because it has a state university campus for agriculture. This will bring a lot of benefits, so one thing the local government will do is reciprocate. The number one beneficiaries will be the local farmers.” Ongjoco said. PNA
Investing in the future: CSOs push for human capital development in the 2026 budget
AS our lawmakers deliberate on the 2026 national budget, civil society organizations (CSOs) are sounding the alarm on the need to prioritize human capital development. The warning is clear: failure to invest in research, education, and healthcare will leave Filipinos unprepared for the challenges of the future. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Hike investments in human capital, groups tell Congress,” August 29, 2025).
The People’s Budget Review, led by the House CSO Task Force, has brought to the forefront the pressing concerns of various sectors. The Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Good Governance’s Director Francisco Magno emphasized the importance of boosting the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) funding for research. Given the modest budget increase from P28.77 billion in 2025 to P30.4 billion in 2026, it is crucial to allocate additional resources to research universities to address urgent issues like climate resilience, public health, and education equity.
The education sector, slated to receive P1.224 trillion next year, also requires a rethink in allocations. Multiply-Ed Philippines’ John Lloyd Elsisura pointed out the severe shortage of classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and digital tools, which can be addressed by redirecting funds from confidential and failed projects. For instance, the P4.56 billion confidential fund of the Office of the President could have built 2,280 classrooms, particularly in indigenous and geographically isolated communities.
The healthcare sector is another area that demands attention. Democracy Watch Philippines Convenor Lloyd Zaragoza stressed the need to improve hospital facilities nationwide, particularly outside Metro Manila. The Department of Health’s 2026 budget, which does not earmark funds for mental health and adolescent health programs, is also a cause for concern. Mark Daniel Alcazar of the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking emphasized that a future-ready generation requires a futureready budget and process.
The concerns raised by CSOs are not just about increasing funding but also about ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. It is imperative that lawmakers take these concerns seriously and prioritize human capital development in the 2026 budget.
Investing in human capital is not a luxury but a necessity. A well-educated, healthy, and skilled population is the backbone of a thriving economy and a resilient society. By channeling more resources into research, education, and healthcare, the government can equip Filipinos with the tools they need to face the challenges of the future.
The upcoming open forum by the CSO Task Force provides an opportunity for further discussion and engagement on these critical issues. It is hoped that lawmakers will take the concerns of CSOs into consideration and make informed decisions that will shape the future of the country.
It would do well for our lawmakers to remember that investing in human capital development is a crucial step towards building a future-ready Philippines. This requires a commitment to prioritizing research, education, and healthcare, and ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. The stakes are high, but with the collective efforts of lawmakers, CSOs, and the Filipino people, it is possible to create a brighter future for all.
PSE: Dead cat, no bounce
IJohn Mangun
OUTSIDE THE BOX
NVESTORS in the Philippine Stock Exchange know a truth they rarely shout: Manila’s market is a “dilis” in Asean’s shark-infested investment waters. Jakarta, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur trade in billions daily. The PSE limps along with less than US$150 million. Liquidity is a trickle, depth is a shallow puddle, and speculation is a daydream. This is not bad luck—it is a structural flop. Until Manila acts, the market mumbles while neighbors roar.
The issue is not a lack of potential. It is a lack of execution.
The PSE lists 280 companies. Indonesia and Thailand each have around 800. Malaysia has over 900. This is not new. The Securities and Exchange Commission has flagged the gap since the early 2000s. Yet the PSE treats it as almost statistical footnote, not a full blown crisis. A market with so few listings is like a restaurant with a one-page menu— limited options, limited appeal.
It is a market dominated by a handful of blue-chip names that cannot hope for stable liquidity. When one or two listed conglomerates go quiet—and they tend to move in synch—overall trading slows, exposing the fragility of a market narrow by design. This is unlike Thailand’s broader sectoral spread, from tech to tourism, which cushions shocks.
Many local investors, therefore, find themselves limited in choices,
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often trading only familiar names rather than exploring smaller but promising companies. Turnover has stagnated over the past five years, showing little improvement despite GDP growth, and this narrow roster means the market can seize or falter based on the whims of just a few corporations and stockbrokers.
Investor composition makes it worse. Of 2.86 million accounts in 2024, 99 percent are retail, but they drive only 16 percent of turnover. Institutional players—just 1.1 percent of accounts—control 84 percent.
Paradoxically, a handful of big players dominate while retail barely moves the dial. The PSE is highly dependent on these investors/traders, making it vulnerable to inconsistent price discovery. Small investors are left chasing the same tired names, unable to tap into the broader potential of Philippine enterprise. And when locals have so little weight, foreign
The Philippines has strong demographics, steady growth, and world-class firms and the stock market should reflect that fact. But I have been saying that since my first PSE trade in 1989.
funds see even less reason to engage. Foreigners now account for only 20 to 25 percent of trading, compared with 35 to 40 percent in Thailand. To fund managers in Singapore or New York, the PSE is a curiosity, not a destination. Without broad institutional participation, prices jump and stall without momentum.
Growth does not guarantee market health. The peso remains less liquid and more volatile than the baht or ringgit—a poison for global portfolio managers seeking stability. Currency risk might be tolerable if hedging tools were available. But they are not—and the absence of advanced investment instruments is glaring.
Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia have established derivatives markets, from index and single-stock futures to ETFs. The Philippines has one ETF that trades on average an insignificant US$20,000 per day. Short-selling exists in theory. In practice, it is labeled “Not Currently Operational.” Investors have one mode and one strategy: long, and hope.
Without hedging tools, the PSE is not a market—it is a gamble. Deeppocket capital stays away. Liquidity dries up faster than a brief summer shower.
Policymakers speak of modern-
Trump says not considering lowering tariffs on India imports
By Lauren Dezenski & Hadriana Lowenkron
PRESIDENT Donald Trump says he’s not looking at lowering tariffs on India, one week after the US doubled levies on the country’s imports to 50 percent as punishment for its Russian oil imports.
Trump responded “no” when asked by a reporter whether he is considering taking away some of the tariffs imposed on India.
“We get along with India very well,” Trump added Tuesday at a White House event, but criticized what he said was an imbalanced trade relationship with New Delhi because of high Indian levies.
“India has, you have to understand, for many years, it was a onesided relationship,” he said. “India was charging us tremendous tariffs, about the highest in the world.”
The US tariffs on India came despite months of negotiations between New Delhi and Washington and stunned officials in the Asian nation. India’s high tariffs and pro -
tectionist policies have exasperated US trade negotiators.
Trump set a 25 percent duty on Indian exports but doubled that level to 50 percent last week as punishment for purchases of Russian oil. Those levies hit more than 55 percent of goods shipped to the US, which is India’s biggest market.
Trump has expressed frustration over India’s continued purchases of Russian energy, which New Delhi has justified as necessary to keep its oil prices low. Critics say such energy buys by India and China help keep Russia’s economy afloat and undercut sanctions against Moscow aimed at reining in the country’s military machine and bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
Trump set a 25 percent duty on Indian exports but doubled that level to 50 percent last week as punishment for purchases of Russian oil. Those levies hit more than 55 percent of goods shipped to the US, which is India’s biggest market.
India’s government has decried the tariffs as unfair, saying it will continue purchasing Russian oil as long as it remains financially advantageous. On Tuesday, the South Asian nation also challenged US duties on certain copper products at the World Trade Organization, arguing that the high levies constitute trade restrictions that hurt its exporters. These copper tariffs are separate from the 50 percent duties.
The US president said he was “watching very closely” to see how Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed efforts to set up a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart
ization. The PSE issued a strategic roadmap in 2023—promising derivatives, digital access, better disclosure. Two years later, it gathers dust. Reforms are not delayed. They are discussed into oblivion. Manila remains in committee purgatory. The recent Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act with its reduced Stock Transaction Tax was touted to increase trading volume. “New capital markets law to boost stock market liquidity analysts say and will help entice more investors.” When the headline reads “analysts say,” it is code for: “We are still hoping.”
Meanwhile, capital flows to Hanoi, Bangkok, and Jakarta—where rules are clear and households invest in equities, not just malls. A narrow roster, shaky currency, and timid base make Manila’s exchange less a hub of opportunity than a wake for investment capital. The Philippines has strong demographics, steady growth, and worldclass firms and the stock market should reflect that fact. But I have been saying that since my first PSE trade in 1989. Until certain restrictions ease, derivatives launch, and real incentives attract both institutions and average investors, the PSE will remain a regional outlier. Foreigners will watch. Locals will wait. And the trading floor in Bonifacio Global City will echo with silence.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
and insinuated he was considering additional measures if talks did not progress.
Trump on Monday said that India had offered to cut its tariffs “to nothing” in a social media post, without saying when that offer was made or whether the White House plans to reopen trade talks with India.
“It’s getting late. They should have done so years ago,” Trump said on Monday. Still, analysts say there are signs both sides are keeping the door open to resolving tensions. On Tuesday, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said he hopes to finalize a trade deal with the US by November.
“We’ve had a little bit of a geopolitical issue overtaking trade issues in our negotiations with the US,” he said during a virtual address at an investor conference. “I do hope things will get back on track soon and will conclude a bilateral trade agreement by fall.” With assistance from Shruti Srivastava and Diksha Madhok/Bloomberg
Trump accuses Xi of ‘conspiring against US’ with Putin and Kim
PRESIDENT Donald Trump took aim at Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he hosted foreign leaders at a major military parade in Beijing, a reminder of the lingering tensions between the two sides over trade, tech and other issues.
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump said on his Truth Social site, referring to the leaders of Russia and North Korea, without elaborating.
Trump also questioned whether Xi would credit the US in a speech on Wednesday before the parade for the “massive amount of support” it provided to China during World War II. Trump added: “Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory.”
The Asian nation’s top leader ultimately didn’t directly mention the US, though he offered his gratitude toward unspecified nations that helped Beijing.
China’s Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
Xi is using the military display along with a summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders earlier this week to assert his nation’s presence on the world stage. Xi hopes to use that sway to erode American influence, especially in Asia, where China and the US face a potential military conflict over Taiwan—the self-ruled island Beijing considers its own territory.
When asked if the parade posed a challenge to US power, Trump earlier dismissed such claims. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi, as you know,” Trump told reporters
in the Oval Office hours before the event. “But China needs us much more than we need them.”
Separately, Trump expressed confidence that Beijing would not aim its defense assets at the US in the future.
“We have the strongest military in the world,” Trump said in a radio interview with Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator. “They would never use their military on us—believe me, that would be the worst thing they could ever do.”
While Trump has embraced Putin since returning to office in a bid to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, ties between the two men have frayed as Russia continues to attack its neighbor.
In the Oval Office earlier, Trump said he had recently “learned things that will be very interesting” about Putin, adding that he was “watching very closely” to see if the Russian leader would relent and schedule a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We’ll see if anything comes out of it. If it doesn’t, we’ll take a different stance,” Trump said.
China is using the parade to mark 80 years since Japan’s defeat in World War II. The highly choreographed spectacle was attended by dozens of heads of state and government, including those from Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Belarus, Iran, Serbia and Slovakia. With assistance from Michelle Jamrisko and Jing Li/Bloomberg
Japan’s PM Ishiba backed into corner ahead of party vote
By Sakura Murakami & Mari Kiyohara
EMBATTLED Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to quell calls for his resignation after a ruling party finalized a report on its recent election setback, leaving his fate with 150 or so lawmakers and regional representatives currently undecided on whether to effectively support his ousting.
The Liberal Democratic Party report largely focused blame for the recent election result on the party and its inflation counter measures rather than Ishiba himself, a conclusion that mirrors a recent favorable bump in opinion poll support for the prime minister. But the calls within the LDP for his resignation are continuing.
The next key date is Monday when a vote on whether to bring forward a leadership election is expected to take place. That leaves Ishiba just a handful of days to convince party members to stick with him, though he is short of allies amid a flurry of resignation offers from senior party members.
The state of limbo in the leadership of the ruling party leaves investors with little choice but to latch on to a global slump in long-term bonds. Regardless of whether Ishiba stays or goes, the ruling party is likely to offer some kind of stimulus to placate dissatisfied voters.
“There’s a clear gap between public sentiment and the internal mood within the LDP,” said Masayuki Koguchi, executive chief fund manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management. “Polls show rising cabinet approval, yet within the party, speculation about bringing forward the leadership race persists.”
Tuesday appeared to offer Ishiba a chance to shore up his leadership. The ruling party didn’t single him out as the reason for the recent dismal election result, and the prime minister took a more humble approach, insisting he wasn’t just clinging to
US pulls TSMC’s waiver for China shipments of chip supplies
By Mackenzie Hawkins & Heesu Lee
THE US has revoked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s authorization to freely ship essential gear to its main Chinese chipmaking base, potentially curtailing its production capabilities at that older-generation facility.
American officials recently informed TSMC of their decision to end the Taiwanese chipmaker’s socalled validated end user, or VEU, status for its Nanjing site. The action mirrors steps the US took to revoke VEU designations for China facilities owned by Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. The waivers are set to expire in about four months.
Washington’s move means that TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix’s suppliers will have to apply for individual approvals when they want to ship semiconductor equipment and other gear covered by US export controls to the affected China facilities, instead of the blanket authorization those suppliers currently have because of the plants’ VEU status.
TSMC’s shares slid as much as 1.3 percent in Taipei, while suppliers including Tokyo Electron Ltd. fell about 2 percent.
“TSMC has received notification from the US government that our VEU authorization for TSMC Nanjing will be revoked effective Dec. 31, 2025,” the company said in a statement. “While we are evaluating the situation and taking appropriate measures, including communicating with the US government, we remain fully committed to ensuring the uninterrupted operation of TSMC Nanjing.”
The revocation adds new hurdles to the China operations of some of the most important companies in the semiconductor sector, hailing from two chipmaking powerhouses
power for the sake of it.
His key support broker in the party, LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama, offered to resign along with other officials wanting to take responsibility for the result. That would normally provide a convenient fall guy and open up the way for Ishiba to freshen up his team in a bid to shore up his leadership. But with a lack of suitable candidates willing to back Ishiba and replace Moriyama, the prime minister has yet to accept any of the resignations, an indication that his back is against the wall.
The LDP will accept written requests to bring forward a leadership race currently scheduled for 2027. The party will be compelled to hold an early contest if over half of 342 party lawmakers and regional representatives seek one by Monday. Lawmakers who are not firmly in the anti-Ishiba camp are wavering over whether to cross that line and risk the ire of the prime minister by seeking an early leadership contest.
The LDP has said the vote will not be anonymous, which some within the party have criticized as raising the bar for taking a strong stand against Ishiba, according to local media reports. Only those who want an early contest are required to cast their vote—others do not need to take any action.
Surveys by the Yomiuri newspaper and broadcaster NHK show that about 100 people are set to seek an early contest, while 50 have decided against it. Ishiba’s fate hangs on the remaining half of eligible electors who are undecided and could be influenced by the party’s review of the election and Ishiba’s every word.
“Prime Minister Ishiba himself said that he will make the appropriate decision when the time is right, and I think that makes sense. I don’t think we need to be pushing to hold a leadership contest immediately,” LDP lawmaker Minoru Terada said on Tuesday after attending a plenary meeting on the election results. Bloomberg
that are also US allies. While US officials have said they intend to issue licenses needed to keep those facilities operational, the shift introduces some uncertainty about wait times to actually secure those permits. In a statement, Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said that revocation of the US waiver would impact the predictability of the Nanjing plant’s operations.
Officials are currently working on solutions to ease the bureaucratic burden, people familiar with the matter said, particularly given a significant volume of existing license requests. Revoking Samsung and SK Hynix’s VEU status, for example, will require US officials to process an additional 1,000 permits annually, according to a federal notice.
Compared with Samsung and SK Hynix, which house a sizable share of their production in China, TSMC’s manufacturing footprint in the world’s second-largest economy is relatively small. The company’s Nanjing site began production in 2018 and contributed a small fraction of TSMC’s total revenue last year—and roughly 3 percent of the company’s overall production capacity, according to the Taiwanese ministry.
The US move will not affect the competitiveness of Taiwan’s chip industry, the ministry said. The campus in question houses technology as advanced as the 16-nanometer process, which first became commercially available more than a decade ago.
Washington’s move means that TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix’s suppliers will have to apply for individual approvals when they want to ship semiconductor equipment and other gear covered by US export controls to the affected China facilities, instead of the blanket authorization those suppliers currently have because of the plants’ VEU status.
The situation highlights the extent of Washington’s influence in, and control over, the supply chain for electronic components that power everything from microwaves to phones to data centers training artificial intelligence algorithms—even when the plants in question are operated by three non-American companies in a foreign country.
The US has broadly limited China’s access to materials and equipment that could be used to make advanced chips, part of a suite of controls designed to limit the Asian nation’s AI prowess. The export curbs affect sales not just to Chinese companies, but any facilities that are physically within the country— including Samsung, SK Hynix and TSMC’s plants.
Under President Joe Biden’s administration, the trio of companies secured an indefinite waiver to continue making shipments to their China facilities, so long as they comply with security requirements and disclose certain information to the US government. That VEU designation—which US officials announced for Samsung and SK Hynix, and which TSMC publicized in an annual report—was a top priority for the chipmakers and foreign govern-
Putin’s energy wins in China deal a blow to Trump’s export push
ON his first day in office, President Donald Trump vowed he would establish US energy dominance over the globe. Seven months on, that goal is under threat as the world’s largest importer flexes its economic and geopolitical muscle.
This week, after years of pushing back against Russia’s ambitions for a massive new gas pipeline to significantly expand eastbound exports, China has brought Power of Siberia 2 a step closer to becoming reality. It appears to have agreed to expanded capacity on other routes, too. Days earlier, Beijing made another important concession at Washington’s expense, turning a blind eye to a USsanctioned Arctic LNG cargo for the first time.
Much of the detail here is unclear. The pipeline agreement, described by Russia’s Gazprom PJSC as a binding deal, has not been confirmed by China, which has used broader language around energy agreements in its official pronouncements. So far only one liquefied natural gas shipment has arrived in Beihai port. Also, China is unlikely to have departed from its eagerness to keep a range of potential suppliers.
But the ties binding Russia to its most important consumer have undoubtedly tightened.
“The geopolitical message is significant,” said Michal Meidan, who leads China research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. “Russia needs buyers for its gas and has long talked up the pivot east, this is a significant outlet for its gas. China is hedging against its exposure to US LNG and to US financial trading architecture.”
An apparent deal around Power of Siberia 2 is perhaps the splashiest outcome of Vladimir Putin’s four-day visit to China. The pipeline is vital to efforts to secure new buyers in Asia after flows to Europe—once Russia’s biggest customer—all but dried up after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Add in the expansion of existing
pipelines, also agreed in Beijing, and it is the equivalent of more than 40 million tons per year of LNG that China may no longer require—over half of the nation’s total imports of the super-chilled fuel last year, according to BloombergNEF.
While Gazprom, which will supply the gas through the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, didn’t say when the link would come online, BNEF says that it is possible it could start after 2030.
“Given that China is the largest importer of LNG, this would turn the LNG market on its head,” Bernstein analysts including Neil Beveridge said in a note. “For LNG projects that are still being contemplated, this would be a big negative.”
The timing of Beijing’s change of heart is no coincidence. A decision to take more Russian gas—or at least to allow for that option—comes after Trump applied sweeping tariffs and Xi retaliated, including with levies on US LNG, and as tensions mount around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for LNG shipments. Persistently high prices, a lingering consequence of the war in Ukraine, haven’t helped.
Chinese buyers have not taken imports of US gas for over six months. That’s the longest streak since the previous trade war, during Trump’s prior stint in office.
For Beijing, Power of Siberia 2 could be vital to that continued ability to pick and choose, depending on the flexibility built into any final agreement with Moscow. The pipeline will be the single largest conduit for gas imports into China, all the more crucial as the European Union seeks to ban Russian imports of the fuel by end-2027.
To get the deal over the line, Rus-
ment officials, given that semiconductor plants require regular imports of everything from spare parts to chemicals.
Losing the waivers introduces some uncertainty for top suppliers to TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix— including machinery companies like Applied Materials Inc., ASML Holding NV, Tokyo Electron and KLA Corp. ASML declined to comment, while Applied Materials had no immediate comment. KLA and Tokyo Electron didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Shares of Applied Materials and KLA fell in New York trading on Tuesday, as did depositary receipts for ASML, with losses outpacing declines in the broader market.
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, which oversees semiconductor export controls, announced its VEU decision for the two South Korean companies last week, saying that the US was closing “export control loopholes” that put American companies “at a competitive disadvantage.”
The agency also formally rescinded Samsung and SK Hynix’s VEU status in the federal register, a public account of US regulations—and they did the same for a VEU designation given to Intel Corp., for a facility in Dalian, China, that SK Hynix has since acquired. BIS did not respond to a request for comment about TSMC’s waiver being revoked.
Because TSMC’s VEU status was never published in the federal register in the first place, there was not a public regulation for BIS to amend in the same way as for the other affected companies. All told, though, the net effect on TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix’s waivers is the same. With assistance from Debby Wu and Dina Bass/ Bloomberg
This week, after years of pushing back against Russia’s ambitions for a massive new gas pipeline to significantly expand eastbound exports, China has brought Power of Siberia 2 a step closer to becoming reality. It appears to have agreed to expanded capacity on other routes, too. Days earlier, Beijing made another important concession at Washington’s expense, turning a blind eye to a US-sanctioned Arctic LNG cargo for the first time.
sia will likely need to accept very low prices near domestic Chinese levels, together with weak purchasing commitments that increase the risk of the pipeline being underutilized, according to Tatiana Mitrova, a veteran of Russian oil and gas markets now at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. “That means profitability is questionable, but for Moscow, showing it still has a large, long-term export outlet matters more than margins.”
All of this means that Russian gas could make up 20 percent of China’s needs by early-2030s, from about 10 percent today, according to Bernstein.
Still, the point is to show that China doesn’t need additional US LNG to meet its future demand. And that prospect will rattle the White House and American LNG developers.
“It signals Beijing’s intent to hedge against reliance on US LNG, especially in the context of worsening US–China relations,” Mitrova said. The message of resilience sent by Russia’s own LNG industry this week has been just as loud, with a maiden cargo from the US-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 export project docking in China—testing the Trump administration’s appetite for enforcement. Seaborne shipments are a vital
lever in Moscow’s efforts to find new markets. But Novatek PJSC, leading the Arctic operation, has struggled to find a buyer for its shipments since the project was blacklisted in late 2023, even after beginning to use dark-fleet vessels, whose owners and movements are harder to track.
That’s also despite a concerted effort to woo Chinese clients, who, according to people familiar with the matter, were told Trump could ease sanctions on the project in order to advance peace talks in Ukraine.
China’s hesitation only began to fade following Putin’s mid-August meeting with Trump in Alaska, where the Russian leader appeared, diplomatically, to be brought in from the cold. While sanctions on Arctic LNG 2 were not specifically discussed, the leaders did briefly speak about cooperation with Novatek on gas projects in the Arctic, the people said, asking not to be named as the matter is sensitive.
Just hours after those talks, shipments from Arctic LNG 2 began moving. Several vessels loaded with fuel from the facility set a course toward China, as Novatek again pitched the deliveries as something Washington wouldn’t immediately touch. The breakthrough was confirmed late last week, when the Arctic Mulan tanker unloaded LNG in China just days ahead of Putin’s visit. The shipment was received by a stateowned entity, according to the people. It docked in Beihai, in southern China—a relatively minor port in the grand scheme of the country’s gas infrastructure, minimizing risk in the event of retaliation.
N ovatek and Beihai operator PipeChina didn’t respond to requests for comment. The US Treasury declined to comment. The Trump administration hasn’t yet publicly responded to the recent gas developments. With assistance from Ruth Liao, Anna Shiryaevskaya, Daniel Flatley and Dan Murtaugh/Bloomberg
BusinessMirror
DBM cites key items in ’26 budget to fast-track SDGs
THEBy Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Department
of Budget and Management (DBM) has identified key government programs and projects in the proposed 2026 national budget that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in a bid to fast-track the Philippines commitments to the 2030 global agenda.
The expenditure program, which was presented in the DBM, highlighted priority interventions across social protection, food security, climate action, and peace and justice initiatives.
(DOH) hospitals in Metro Manila and other regional facilities, while the National Health Insurance Program will receive P53.26 billion in 2026.
For SDG 4: Quality Education, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education program will be allotted P58.61 billion, while Education Assistance and Subsidies will get P43.43 billion next year.
For SDG 5: Gender Equality, the Magna Carta for Women mandates all government departments and agencies to allocate at least 5 percent of their annual budget for gender-related programs, projects, and activities.
lion, the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) will get P4.34 billion, and the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program will receive P1.65 billion.
For SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the government has earmarked P1.5 trillion for infrastructure outlays. In addition, the Exports and Investments Development Program will receive P960 million, while the Innovation Fund under NEDA will be allotted P100 million.
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
TFor SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the DSWD’s Supplementary Feeding Program and Food Stamp Program will have a combined allocation of over P8 billion by 2026, sustaining support for nutrition and food access.
For SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, the government has allocated P127.22 billion for the operation of Department of Health
Under SDG 1: No Poverty, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) remains the biggest social protection measure, with allocations reaching P64.19 billion in 2025 and P113 billion in 2026. Protective services for vulnerable families under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will likewise receive P27.03 billion in 2026.
Sari-sari stores’ sales spike in typhoon season
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
SARI-SARI stores see sales spikes after a “record-breaking” typhoon season in the Philippines in 2024, according to a study conducted by Filipino tech startup Packworks.
Data from Packworks revealed that sari-sari stores in Batangas, Cagayan, Isabela, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes saw an overall 27-percent increase in average daily gross merchandise value (GMV) and a 50-percent rise in transactions a month after six typhoons hit between October 23 and November 18.
According to Packworks’ study, the year 2024 holds the record for the “most decommissioned names” in a single season since the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Adminsitration (Pagasa) began the current naming scheme in 2001, with eight typhoon names due to the significant damage and destruction they caused.
The local tech startup noted that these sales trends were driven mainly by the provinces located in the Bicol region, which saw a combined 50-percent spike during a typhoon and a further 26-percent increase in average daily GMV after a typhoon hit.
Packworks explained that as the Bicol region is located on the southeastern part of Luzon, it is one of the first major land masses to be hit by typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and often bears the brunt of a typhoon’s strength.
This, it noted, creates an “urgent need” for supplies and drives increased demand for essential goods from sari-sari stores.
The study noted that Camarines Norte saw a 105-percent increase in the average GMV after a typhoon hit.
Packworks Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel said: “These data findings challenge the common belief that micro businesses are less resilient during bad weather conditions.”
“Through presence and grit, our store owners have figured out how
to persevere and even positively thrive amid natural calamities, creating real business value and opportunities while aiding in the community’s recovery,” added Montiel.
Meanwhile, Packworks also looked into buying habits in sari-sari stores during typhoons compared to before they hit in the analyzed areas. Its findings revealed that cigarettes and gin were the top-selling items during typhoons, suggesting a continued demand for these “discretionary goods” even in times of crisis.
“Gin saw the highest GMV percentage change, with a median increase of 14 percent among seven affected provinces, while cigarettes followed with a 12-percent median increase among six provinces,” Packworks noted.
The local tech startup said easyto-eat items were also top purchases, with powdered coffee recording a midpoint GMV increase of 10 percent in six provinces and biscuits a 2-percent GMV median increase in seven provinces.
As to the shifts in the buying trends after a typhoon hit and when communities began their recovery, the Packworks study revealed that detergent became one of the topselling items across five provinces with a 7-percent GMV share, causing a “temporary spike” in demand for cleaning supplies for typhoonstricken households.
With this, Packworks Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap said with the uncertainty of climate change: “Our data analytics asserts the stable role of sari-sari stores as a reliable, responsive, and vital part of the grassroots retail ecosystem during a crisis.”
“True to the idiom: ‘when it rains it pours’—understanding these just-in-time, on-the-ground realities is key to informing businesses and policymakers with a prepared plan and help realize a more agile supply chain logistics to better serve communities when they need it most,” added Yap.
Citing Pagasa, the local tech startup said an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter PAR each year, with eight to nine typhoons making
For SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, the government has set aside P288.93 billion for water sufficiency initiatives.
For SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, P411.29 billion has been earmarked for sustainable energy programs, while the Renewable Energy Development Program under the Department of Energy (DOE) will receive P200 million.
For SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of Tesda will be allocated P1.62 bil-
On SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program will be funded with P760 million in 2025 and P700 million in 2026. Meanwhile, medical assistance for indigent patients through the Department of Health (DOH) is set at P41.16 billion in 2025 and P24.24 billion in 2026.
Investments for sustainable cities and climate resilience also take a significant share. Programs under SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, including climate-smart industries and services, will be funded with P225.88 billion in 2026. Under SDG 13: Climate Action, climate
HE National Electrification Administration (NEA) needs P61 billion to hit 100-percent electrification by 2028. “For us to achieve 100-percent electrification on franchise area of electric cooperatives [ECs], we are in need of around P69 billion and we’ve already been given more or less P7.5 billion since 2023, so that leaves us P61 billion to raise,” said NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda during a House budget hearing. For 2026, P5 billion was allotted to NEA to bankroll its sitio electrification program. Almeda also said that his office proposed a budget of P1.88 billion for NEA’s Barangay Line
Enhancement program, but it was trimmed to P245 million. NEA is in charge of overseeing the rural electrification program and supervises all 121 ECs. In 2024, electrification rate stood at 94 percent. Almeda said provinces in Mindanao remain at the top of NEA’s priorities. “NEA is prioritizing the island of Mindanao, since it has a low electrification rate. We are just pushing and working [on] whatever is given to us. We’re committed to deliver 100-percent electrification,” the NEA chief assured. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin said her office will find ways to help NEA achieve its electrification goal. “I think there will be ways to fund that eventually. I think the concentration will be more on Mindanao,” she said.
Climate change, thunderstorms: No
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio
THE country can expect stronger tropical cyclones as global warming intensifies, but the link between climate change and recent severe thunderstorms has yet to be established, the state weather bureau said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Tuesday explained that thun-
derstorms of varying severity are common in the Philippines due to its geographic location and convective activity.
“We could expect stronger tropical cyclones because of global warming, but there is still no direct relationship between climate change and thunderstorm activities,” said Rosalie Pagulayan, Pagasa senior weather specialist and hydrologist, partly in Filipino, in a media forum. She noted that the recent heavy downpour in Quezon City, for instance, was consistent with
and
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Alternergy eyes investment to fund future RE projects
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
ALTERNERGY Holdings Corp.
(PSE: Alter) is seeking new investments to fund its renewable energy (RE) journey from 2026 onwards.
The public-listed power firm announced last Wednesday it secured approval from a special stockholders meeting for the reclassification of 500 million common shares into new series of perpetual preferred shares in anticipation of its next round of capital raising.
The reclassified 500 million pre -
By VG Cabuag @villygc
ferred shares are subdivided into non-voting perpetual preferred shares 2, series D, E, F, G and H, with a par value of P0.10 per share, and broken down into 100 million shares per series, with features identical to the existing perpetual preferred shares 2 Series A, B and C. “The reclassification of Alter’s
new series of perpetual preferred shares is in anticipation of our next capital raising exercise to fund our next round of renewable projects,”
Alternergy President Gerry P. Magbanua said.
“Our ‘Green Perpetual Preferred Shares’ program will allow Alternergy to access a wider base of both retail and institutional investors to broaden our sources of capital,” Magbanua added.
Alternergy has undertaken back-to-back construction of four renewables projects in wind, solar and run-of-river hydro as part of its Triple Play Portfolio.
In the last twelve months ending June 2025, Alternergy has raised P9 billion to accelerate construction of its 4.6 megawatts
(MW) Dupinga hydro, 28 MW Solana Balsik solar, 64 MW Alabat wind and 128 MW Tanay Rizal wind projects. These four projects are expected to commence operations by the end of 2025 and early 2026, on target to Alter’s Road to 500 MW by 2026.
Alternergy, which was founded by former energy secretary Vincent Perez, is engaged in the development of various RE projects, including wind, run-of-river hydro, solar farm and commercial rooftop, battery storage and offshore wind projects.
It aims to develop up to 500MW of additional wind, solar, and run of river hydro projects by next of next year and further expand this to one gigawatt by 2030.
Fortune Life, Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa de Lima ink partnership
FORTUNE Life Insurance Co. and the Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa de Lima officially entered into a strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on August 7, 2025, in Paniqui, Tarlac. Through this collaboration, Fortune Life will provide inclusive insurance coverage to bank borrowers through its Credit Group Life Insurance (CGLI) Plan, ensuring their financial security and reinforcing the Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa de Lima’s commitment to responsible lending practices.
Representing Fortune Life Insur-
First Potato Corner store up in Taiwan
POTATO Corner, a brand of Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ven -
tures Inc. (Spavi) that mainly sells French fries, announced last Wednesday it opened its first store in Taiwan.
Taiwan marks the 16th overseas market for the flavored French fries brand. Located in Xinyi District’s Uni-President Department Store Taipei, the inaugural Taiwan store places the brand at the center of Taipei’s retail and dining scene, positioned near major transit hubs including the MRT and bus terminals.
Since being acquired by Spavi in 2022, Potato Corner owner Cinco Corp. has scaled its presence in key international markets, now at 2,345 global stores.
Its Taiwan entry also signals the beginning of Cinco’s partnership with Fujin Tree Group, a lifestyle and food and beverage operator with over a decade of international experience.
Fujin Tree operates 15 brands, including a Michelin-star restaurant within its globally acclaimed portfolio of franchises. “Since our inception, we have been committed to enriching consumer lifestyle with exceptional dining experiences. We are honored to introduce Potato Corner, a beloved global brand, to Taiwan and we look forward to adding more stores by the end of the year. Our goal is for Potato Corner to become the preferred spot for everyday gatherings and joyful moments,” Jay Wu, founder of Fujin Tree Group, said.
ance Company at the MOA signing was Assistant Vice President for Group Sales Carlos Frederic Lago. He was joined by Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa de Lima Vice President Fanny Salon, and Mr. John Patrick Cervantes, who represented the bank’s leadership in affirming their commitment to this strategic partnership.
Together, the two institutions aim to build a more financially resilient community, where every loan comes with the assurance of protection.
Fortune Life is part of the ALC Group of Companies founded by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.
ASC holds summit on fair ads
THE Ad Standards Council (ASC) announced recently it staged “another landmark” as the group celebrates the second year towards the 50th anniversary of advertising self-regulation.
“Patas na Patalastas 2025,” the national summit on fair and progressive advertising self-regulation, is a milestone industry event that marks five decades of commitment to truth, fairness, decency, and lawfulness in the advertising industry, read the statement the ASC issued on August 27.
“At the summit, the industry reflects on its half century history of a commitment to ethical standards and responsible advertising with a shared vision of integrity and progress,” the statement read. “This year’s Patas na Patalastas builds on past discussions, setting a high bar for accountability in shaping the landscape of Philippine advertising, committing to remain responsive to evolving societal needs.”
“We continue with the same purpose from last year. As communicators who reach the Filipino public, we must keep our ear to the ground. Every day, we need to remain vigilant to fulfill our mandate in protecting consumers. Today, we shall learn and exchange ideas that we will bring back to our business for the betterment of the people,” Oversight Committee Chairman Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr. was quoted in the statement as saying.
Integrity, innovation
DURING Martial Law in 1974, lead-
ers from both the private and public sectors came together to establish a self-regulatory body for Philippine advertising, read the group’s statement.
“With courage and foresight, they built a system grounded in truth, fairness, and responsibility—an act of faith on what the industry could become,” it added. “Their legacy is not only a safeguard for consumers but a living testament to integrity in communication.”
Today, 50 years later, that same spirit continues to inspire us to raise the bar, adapt with the times, and champions advertising that serves both people and progress.
“The truth is, both the Philippine advertising self-regulation model supported by the ASC, as well as its Code of Ethics, have since become a global benchmark. We are what we practice. The ASC is known to continuously strive to adapt to shifts in consumer behavior, economic conditions, and technological advancements. We are here to learn,”
ASC Executive Director Roberto A. Aligada was quoted in the statement as saying.
The rise of digital media has transformed marketing communications, presenting new challenges such asthe spread of misinformation and the need for vigilant truthfulness. Entrants to the industry include content creators, influencers, eCommerce marketeers, and online producers and channels.
“In a time when misinformation spreads fast, when children are exposed to content without filters, and
when economic and social vulnerabilities can be exploited, the role of responsible advertising has neverbeen more critical. We are not just selling products—we are shaping culture, behavior, and national identity. This summit aims to keep the discussions going to enable us to serve better,” Over-all Summit Chairman Robert Barreiro was quoted in the statement as saying.
New frontiers
ACCORDING to the ASC, the summit gathered industry leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders to explore “crucial” topics in modern advertising.
These topics include the following: “truth-telling and truthselling” (tackling the challenges of upholding honesty amid disinformation overload); “fame, follows and fairness” (using influencers effectively and responsibly within advertising parameters); “control + AI + delete” (asking the defining boundaries of ethical, and bindings of legal considerations of AI in advertising); and, “marketing with care” (responding to concerns calling to reshape healthy choices for the next generations).
“This celebration is more than a tribute to our past—it’s a renewal of our purpose,” ASC Chairman Golda A. Roldan was quoted in the statement as saying. “In this digital age, we must be more vigilant, more responsible, and more united than ever before in championing advertising that truly serves the public good.”
THE Asiabest Group International Inc., which is transforming itself into an infrastructure company, announced it is offering shares worth up to P24.66 billion.
The company is also acquiring the infrastructure and real estate companies of its chairman Francis Lloyd Chua, for P15 billion.
In its disclosure, the company is increasing its authorized capital stock to 3 billion common shares at a par value of P1 per share from 600 million common shares.
The new shares that will be created will be used to acquire Chua’s Concrete Stone Corp., Industry Movers Corp. and Kabalayan Housing Corp., as well as other real properties or assets, worth a total of P15 billion.
In exchange for the assets, Chua’s Industry Holdings and Development Corp. and Premium Lands Corp. will subscribe to up to 600 million new Asiabest common shares at an issue price of P25 per share.
The capital increase will also allow Asiabest to undertake its planned follow-on offering of 300 million up to 620 million primary common shares. The capital hike is still subject to approval by stockholders and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Asiabest will also subscribe
to 10 million primary common shares of Concrete Stone at a discounted price of P15 per shares to provide working capital to Concrete Stone and in line with the company’s plan to fold the company as its subsidiary, subject to definitive documentation and applicable regulatory approvals.
Asiabest shares closed Wednesday at P26.80 apiece.
The Philippine Stock Exchange has lifted its suspension of Asiabest’s shares on August 8 after Chua acquired 66.67 percent of the company from Tiger Resorts Asia Limited in December last year.
Asiabest earlier said it will pivot its focus toward mass housing and infrastructure development, which are key drivers in nationbuilding. The company aims to contribute meaningfully to addressing the country’s housing backlog while also creating sustainable, integrated communities that foster economic growth.
“This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for ABG,” Chua said earlier.
“Our vision is to transform ABG into a dynamic player in industries that are part and parcel of our nation’s success: from real estate and mass housing to infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development. Through this listing, we gain a stronger platform to help improve the quality of life for more Filipino families,” he said.
HK probes alleged insider trading
HONG Kong is probing allegations of insider dealing that involve at least two individuals at the stock exchange and the city’s financial regulator as well as brokers and social media influencers, according to people familiar with the matter.
Authorities are investigating if regulatory staff at Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd. and the Securities and Futures Commission tipped off traders and others to upcoming announcements involving dozens of listed companies over several years, the people said, asking not to be named because they aren’t authorized to divulge the details.
The probes have been ongoing for months, the people said. Such investigations can take years and may not always result in charges.
Some of the announcements that were allegedly leaked involve privatizations, which flourished over the past few years, the people said. The companies themselves aren’t necessarily connected to the probe, the people said.
Unexplained price spikes have long been a source of concern in Hong Kong. The city has previously been rocked by insider scandals and pump and dump probes with colorful names such as the “Nefarious Network.” A 2024 study by Bayes Business School in London showed about 10.26% of deals in Hong Kong were leaked in 2023, making it the third worst market globally, behind South Korea and the US.
An SFC spokesperson said: “It is our policy not to comment on investigations, if any.” The Hong Kong exchange declined to comment.
Over the past few years some privatization deals in Hong Kong have shown mysterious price moves. In 2023, shares of IMAX China Holdings Inc. surged the most in more than two years just two days before a take-private deal was announced. NWS Holdings Ltd. shares posted their biggest gain in a year, before news of a buyout offer emerged four days later. There is no indication that these moves are part of the probe. In a recent speech, SFC Chairman Kelvin Wong vowed a “multipronged and uncompromising” enforcement approach and an “unyielding fight to uphold the sanctity of our markets.”
For the local securities regulator, insider dealing accounted for 7% of all investigations as of the third quarter of 2024. It’s now pursuing several high-profile cases on alleged insider dealings against a star hedge fund, a local wealthy family and a famous film director. Both the HKEX and the SFC have previous experience of employee malfeasance. The Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2024 pressed charges against one SFC manager who allegedly made HK$11 million by divulging information on a rights issue.
Another SFC associate director was this year charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice by allegedly providing advice on how to deal with a market manipulation investigation.
Previously, a former co-head of the IPO vetting team at HKEX was acquitted of bribery charges. Bloomberg News
Banking&Finance
DOF proposes amnesty for delinquent taxpayers
DELINQUENT taxpayers may settle their liabilities at either 2 percent of their total assets or 5 percent of their net worth under a new proposal by the Department of Finance to grant a general tax amnesty.
In a presentation to the House Committee on Ways and Means last Wednesday, DOF Revenue Operations Group Director IV Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion said the rates for the general tax amnesty would be of two kinds.
These could be a 2-percent levy based on their total assets as of December 31, 2024, or a 5 percent levy on net worth, subject to minimum amounts depending on taxpayer type. For individual taxpayers, the amnesty tax could be 5 percent or P75,000, whichever is higher. Corporations would be subject to rates ranging from P100,000 for those with subscribed capital below P5 million to P1 million for those with capital exceeding P50 million. Other juridical entities would also face P75,000.
The DOF said earlier that the amnesty may cover tax liabilities between 2007 and 2024.
Asuncion said the DOF will also allow discounts depending on when taxpayers settle their delinquencies.
Taxpayers who settle within the first three months from the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) will get a 20 percent discount, 15 percent if paid within six months and 10 percent if paid within nine months.
The amnesty would also grant immunity for taxpayers from taxes, penalties and legal cases for 2024 and prior years, as well as confidentiality of all information disclosed in the amnesty application.
In addition, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) would be barred from examining books for the covered years, except in limited cases. However, privileges would be forfeited if the amnesty return is not
filed or if assets are understated by 30 percent or more.
The proposed amnesty would cover income tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, donor’s tax, valueadded tax (VAT), other percentage taxes, excise tax, and documentary stamp tax imposed by the BIR.
It also includes VAT and excise taxes on importation, with or without assessments duly issued, collected by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
Taxpayers with pending court cases involving the Presidential Commission on Good Government, unexplained wealth, anti-graft and money laundering, tax evasion and certain criminal offenses under the Tax Code and Revised Penal Code would be excluded from the amnesty. Estate tax amnesty extension
THE DOF is also seeking to extend the estate tax amnesty until June 30, 2028, after its expiration on June 14, 2025.
Asuncion said the rate will be kept at 6 percent and cover estates of decedents who died on or before May 31, 2024.
The amnesty will apply to estates with unpaid taxes, whether or not a tax assessment has been issued.
The lawyer noted that certain cases specified under Section 9 of Republic Act 11213 or the Tax Amnesty Act will remain excluded.
Further, estates availing of the amnesty would be granted immunity from estate taxes, penalties, and related cases under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 for deaths on or before May 31, 2024.
Data from the BIR showed collections on estate tax amnesty amounted to P503.23 million from January to March 2025, availed by 14,758
This contributed 40.31 percent to the P1.248-billion in total estate tax collections in the first quarter of this year.
Since January to June this year, a total of 92,066 availed of the amnesty. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
DOF wants multinational firms to pay additional taxes
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Department of Finance (DOF) is pushing for a domestic top-up tax on large multinational enterprises (MNEs) to capture foregone revenues that will otherwise be collected by other countries.
In a presentation to the House Committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday, Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano said the DOF is considering a domestic topup tax to align the Philippines with the framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The latter contends that MNEs with revenues of at least €750 million for two of the past four years must pay a 15-percent global minimum tax.
The Philippines became a member of the “OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework” on November 8, 2023, and, since then, it has not yet implemented OECD’s Pillar II or Global AntiBase Erosion (Globe) Rules, imposing a 15 percent top-up tax for MNEs. Adriano explained that the domestic top-up tax would require MNEs paying below the 15 percent minimum rate to settle the balance in the Philippines. He cited as example a multi -
national entity with global revenues of more than €750 million would be subject to the top-up tax if it pays below 15 percent in the Philippines.
Since the Philippines has no domestic top-up tax in place yet, Adriano said the country is effectively foregoing potential tax revenues, which is instead collected by other jurisdictions.
“So, literally, in our point of view, it’s foregone revenues because they will pay anyway. The question is, are they going to pay the balance here in the Philippines, or are they going to pay in another jurisdiction?” Adriano said.
He explained that some MNEs in the Philippines enjoy fiscal incentives under Republic Act 12066 (Create More law), which lowers their effective tax rate to as little as 5 percent. Without a domestic top-up tax, the Philippines will not be able to collect the remaining 10 percent and would instead go to other jurisdictions.
Had the Globe rules under Pillar II been implemented from 2021 to 2023, Adriano said the Philippines could have raised an additional P54.3 billion every year on average from its imposition of a 15 percent domestic top-up tax. He added that the Philippines could have raised about P48.3 billion in 2021, P60.5 billion in 2022 and P54.1 billion in 2023 if the domestic top-up tax were put in place.
Based on the DOF’s study, most of the MNEs operating in the Philippines that fall under the scope of the global minimum tax are Japanese firms, followed by those from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France and other countries. These MNEs will have an effective tax rate below 15 percent if they have fiscal incentives, Adriano told legislators. “Now, they’re going to pay the balance anyway. So, might as well collect here since we’re the ones providing them with fiscal incentives,” he added.
San Miguel seeks $1.5 billion in largest loan of 2025
TBy Chien Mi Wong Bloomberg
HE Philippines’s powerto-ports conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is in talks with banks for a loan of around $1.5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
The syndicated loan, which could have a tenor of five years, is set to launch in the fourth quarter, the peo-
ple said, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters. Proceeds to be raised are for general corporate purposes, they added. Discussions are ongoing and details haven’t been finalized, the people said.
“We are in talks with the banks,” San Miguel Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang said by phone when asked on the loan plan.
San Miguel’s facility marks a rare instance of a deal coming to
the offshore loan market from the Philippines this year. Peso funding has remained significantly more attractive than US dollar financing following the central bank’s multiple interest-rate cuts.
Dollar-denominated loans from t he Philippines, including bilateral deals, have declined 26% to $2 billion so far this year compared to the same period in 2024 and mark a twoyear low, according to Bloomberg-
compiled data. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has delivered 150 basis points in rate cuts since last year in a bid to shore up the economy’s defenses against the global trade war.
Earlier this year, San Miguel raised a maiden ¥61.6 billion ($415 million) dual-tranche loan from a dozen lenders, Bloomberg News reported. In 2024, the borrower also signed a $2-billion 5-year facility that drew 35 banks.
BOC says all 12 cars of Discayas seized, well-guarded
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has secured all 12 luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family on Tuesday night, following a courtordered search operation at the headquarters of the Saint Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp. in Pasig City.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the BOC said it obtained the remaining 10 luxury vehicles owned by the Discayas, who are contractors of the government’s anomalous flood control projects.
Earlier in the day, the BOC’s Intelligence and Enforcement units seized two luxury vehicles, a Toyota LC300 3.3 V6 ZX AT SUV 2024 and a Maserati Levante Modena 2022, covered by a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 18.
The BOC, however, initially reported that 10 more vehicles listed in the warrant were unaccounted for.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno warned the Discaya family that the agency would exhaust all measures to locate the vehicles and hold accountable anyone concealing them.
Excessive desire and greed for money
MONEY can be used to do good and bad things; to help or exploit other people. We know that excessive desire and greed for money leads to unethical practices, actions and many of the societal problems such as corruption, terrorism, trafficking, financial crimes such as theft, fraud, money laundering, and many others. With all the noise right now surrounding alleged anomalies in flood control projects, with accusations of malversation and diversion of funds to hefty kickbacks and commissions, clearly there’s massive corruption across multiple levels and layers to steal public funds intended for social services and infrastructure development. For bribery and corruption to prosper, a collusion needs to take place and be able to circumvent mechanisms of authorities and carry out bid rigging in procurement or in contract selection and awarding.
The Anti-Money Laundering
Council (AMLC) is now looking into suspicious transactions linked to these flood control projects, a basic function which it usually does, and as part of its mandate to protect and preserve the integrity of the financial system.
Money laundering enables illegal or ‘dirty money’ to appear legitimate through three core stages: placement, layering and integration. Oftentimes money disguised as ‘clean money’ is hard to detect because money launderers break large sums of money to avoid detection and scrutiny. They operate legal businesses or ‘wash’ dirty money through a front business or shell company in cash heavy industries like real estate, gambling and construction, and deposit funds into the business’s bank account. Remember, money laundering can only be successful if dirty funds enter the financial system.
Financial institutions are crucial in fighting financial crimes and preventing their integration into the
Nepomuceno said that any discrepancies uncovered will lead to the full collection of duties and taxes, and that “those hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
By evening, the BOC confirmed that seven of
financial system by identifying and reporting suspicious transactions, implementing “know your customer” and “customer due diligence” processes, and fostering industry-wide collaboration.
Banks act as the first line of defense – implement effective customer due diligence, robust transaction monitoring systems, work with regulators and government agencies, and ensure that their employees are equipped with knowledge to detect
and prevent financial crime.
Suspicious transaction reports and covered transactions reports are submitted to the AMLC within a specified period for suspicious cash activities, unusual transactions that deviate from a customer’s usual patterns, large cash deposits without adequate explanation, discrepancies in provided documentation or client information, etc.
Banks have zero tolerance policy for financial crimes and should con-
the remaining luxury cars had been surrendered to the BOC.
These vehicles include Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Benz G-500, Mercedes-AMG G 63 AMG, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia and Cadillac Escalade.
The additional three vehicles, a GMC Yukon Denali and two Lincoln Navigators, were found to be undergoing repair at authorized service centers. Nepomuceno noted that these units will also be turned over to the BOC once service work is completed. All 12 vehicles have since been formally sealed by BOC personnel and are under round-theclock guard in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The BOC said it is verifying the importation records of the luxury vehicles to determine compliance with customs laws.
Should discrepancies be established, appropriate enforcement and legal actions will be undertaken pursuant to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the BOC added.
Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
tinue building stronger, more sophisticated defences—compliance and controls, effective monitoring, detection, transparency, strong governance, robust sanctions and culture to combat financial crimes.
Failure to report and arrest financial crimes can lead to severe sanctions, significant financial loss, reputational damage, legal consequences and enforcement actions such as suspension or revocation of license to operate and even business closure.
My source from the AMLC said that “industry vigilance and cooperation are foundations for a robust anti-money laundering framework. Industry cooperation through effective sharing of intelligence and vigilance through immediate reporting of suspicious transactions help prevent money laundering to proceed, and result in potential threats being neutralized prior to causing systemic harm.”
The Bank Marketing Association
of the Philippines (BMAP) and its member banks are at the center of this and play an active part in amplifying the efforts of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the AMLC and the industry in increasing public awareness and education on financial crime. I echo what Elizabeth Lee, chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries said in an interview recently: “Never underestimate the value of integrity… it’s not just concrete that cracks—it’s public trust, industry stability, and the safety of our communities.”
Mai Gacilo Sangalang is
THIS undated photo courtesy of the Bureau of Customs shows one of a dozen vehicles the BOC said it seized from the Discaya family. CREDIT: BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BOC)
CLIMATE TALK This Wednesday, August 20, 2025, photo courtesy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shows BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. (right) and Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate Action Ravi Menon (left) during the leadership insights session at the BSP Head Office in Manila. Menon, the keynote speaker for the session, drew from both his current role and tenure as managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (2011-2023). He emphasized that climate risks are now central to financial central banking mandates and underscored the role of financial regulators in managing these risks. CREDIT: BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
Envoys&Expats
New envoys of Australia, Israel, Maldives and Nepal present credentials to PBBM; pay tribute to Rizal
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro welcomed four newly appointed ambassadors at Malacañan Palace.
The ambassadors who formally presented their credentials on August 19 were Marc Innes-Brown (Commonwealth of Australia), Dana Kursh (State of Israel), Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed (Republic of Maldives, non-resident) and Netra Prasad Timsina (Nepal, non-resident).
The presentation of credentials marked the official start of their diplomatic tenure as representatives of their respective governments to the Republic of the Philippines, underscoring the country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and fostering international cooperation.
Following the ceremony, the ambassadors proceeded to the Rizal
Monument in Manila for a wreathlaying ceremony in honor of the Philippine hero.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Office of Protocol headed by Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda, provided protocol assistance for both the presentation of credentials and wreath-laying ceremonies.
These were coordinated with the Office of Presidential Protocol led by Chief of Presidential Protocol Reichel P. Quiñones, the National Parks Development Committee, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Help desks launched to protect Korean nationals
THE Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, has officially launched Korean Help Desks in areas with large Korean communities across the country.
In recent months, serious crimes such as kidnappings, armed robberies, and deadly assaults against Korean nationals have been increasingly reported. In response, the Korean Embassy has strongly urged the Philippine government to adopt fundamental and institutional measures to ensure the safety of the Korean community.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has also directed the Philippine National Police to establish a special task force dedicated to the protection of Koreans. Against this backdrop, the launch of the Korean Help Desks is seen as a symbolic demonstration of the Philippine government’s strong commitment
to safeguarding the Korean nationals residing in the country.
The initiative is also noteworthy, as it marks the first time in the Philippines that a dedicated response
unit has been established within local police stations for nationals of a specific country.
A total of eight Korean Help Desks will be established across five key cities with large Korean populations: Manila, Angeles, Olongapo, Tarlac and Cebu. Located within local police stations, these desks will provide swift response and support in cases of crimes or incidents involving Korean nationals.
Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa emphasized that “this initiative serves as a concrete measure to enhance the safety of our community members and visitors, while also marking an important milestone in further strengthening the trust and cooperation between our two countries, which were elevated to a strategic partnership last year.”
Japan film fest to captivate cinephiles this September
THE Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) has announced the return of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) to Philippine theaters this September 2025.
From Metro Manila and Baguio, to Cebu, Angeles, and Davao, JFF is back with a curated selection of 12 films featuring beloved classics alongside critically acclaimed new releases. Admission is free for all screenings.
Since its inception in 1997, JFF has grown into one of the most anticipated film festivals in the country, attracting around 40,000 viewers every year, and has become the largest Japanese film festival in the world. This year’s lineup offers something for everyone; timeless romances, laugh-out-loud comedies, and monumental blockbusters.
The theme for this year's festival is “Bridg(e)ing.” It will screen films that serve as metaphorical bridges connecting the past with the future, humans with technology, body with
spirit, and individual stories with community experiences. JFM hopes that this year’s lineup will inspire people to build bridges rather than walls and connect with each other.
Opening the festival is the 4K remaster of Love Letter (1995), Shunji Iwai’s acclaimed directorial debut and a timeless masterpiece of romance. Screened in over 20 countries since its release, the film is celebrated for its breathtaking snowy landscapes and the unforgettable line: Ogenki desu ka? (“How are you?”). Its influence and homage can be clearly felt in 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days (2024): a Taiwan-Japan co-production directed by Michihito Fujii. Audiences can also look forward to a selection of masterpieces spanning genres and generations, including Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1956), the animated cult classic Ghost in the Shell (1995), Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001), A Samurai in Time (2024),
the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work! (2024), and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM (2024), among others.
JFF 2025 kicks off in Manila at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema starting September 18 and will continue into the regions. The regional
On its 34th independence day, Ukraine eyes stronger ties with PHL
DESPITE numerous domestic challenges, the Republic of Ukraine marked its 34th Independence Day in Manila, seeking to broaden its partnership with the Philippines, and called on the international community to stand firm in defending sovereignty and building lasting peace.
During the celebration, Ambassador Yuliia Fediv said Kyiv seeks to expand its trade, defense, and cultural ties with Manila.
Fediv recalled last year’s visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the country, as she described it not only as a milestone, but also as a message to the world that “Kyiv and Manila are ready to build a new era of cooperation, as both sides have demonstrated clear intent and political will to bring its bilateral ties to a strategic level.”
“Ukraine seeks peace—a peace that is just, lasting, and never purchased at the cost of submission,” the ambassador said. “As we continue our resistance against aggression, we know that diplomacy is a vital front. It is in this spirit that we anticipate the launch of political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers.” She said the dialogue between Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro last July reaffirmed the readiness of both nations to institutionalize foreign policy engagement.
As Ukraine expressed gratitude to the Philippines for its support on multilateral platforms, as well as Ukraine’s candidacy to the Executive Board of the United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO and to the United Nations Economic and Social Council for 2026 to 2028, Fediv said that Ukraine will extend its full support to the Philippine candidacy for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027 to 2028.
Meanwhile, she confirmed that both governments are preparing to launch deputy foreign minister-level consultations to institutionalize foreign policy dialogue.
On the economic front, the ambassador shared that the trade relationship between the Philippines and Ukraine reveals an opportunity to grow.
Fediv disclosed that in 2024, total trade in goods between the two countries stood at almost $70 million, with Ukrainian exports amounting to $12 million and imports from the Philippines totaling almost $57 million.
“In the first half of 2025, the figures remain consistent with this trend,” the envoy confirmed.
“Our principal exports wheat, dairy products and pharmaceuticals meet core needs of the Philippine market, while Ukraine imports high-value electronics and industrial components.”
“We believe the Philippine market could become a vital entry point for Ukrainian goods into Southeast Asia,” she furthered. “Ukrainian producers see growth potential here, particularly in grain, dairy, sunflower oil, honey, and confectionery goods, as well as pharmaceutical products with long shelf lives."
Beyond diplomacy, she outlined concrete areas of cooperation: draft agreements on agriculture, cyber defense, trade, and defense cooperation which Ukraine submitted to the Philippine side, calling them “gateways to structured collaboration.”
Undersecretary Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who represented the Philippine government at the event, reaffirmed Manila’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and expressed hope that bilateral relations will “take a new level” through cooperation in trade, agriculture, technology, and innovation.
Jose said peace in Kyiv is “crucial to global security.”
“We remain committed to supporting all efforts to establish a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine,” the DFA official said. Marita Moaje/PNA
WITH the support of the Embassy of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Intersex Philippines recently launched the groundbreaking national advocacy project I.N.T.E.R.S.E.X.: Informing the Nation, Transforming Engagement, and Raising Support for Equality and eXistence.
run begins on September 26 in SM City Baguio, followed by screenings in SM City Cebu, SM City Davao, and SM City Clark. The festival then returns to Manila for screenings at the UP Film Institute, and concludes at SM City Manila.
This year, the festival is expanding its reach by bringing films directly to university campuses. JFF Special Screenings @ Universities will take place in November at selected institutions across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates, and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. For full schedules, ticketing guidelines and venue details, visit the official JFF 2025 website (http:// www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph) or follow @jfmanila on Facebook and Instagram.
As the only intersex-led organization in the Philippines, Intersex Philippines is leading the charge to raise public awareness, enhance national advocacy, and build institutional support for intersex rights and visibility. A core part of the initiative includes engagement with legislators, national government agencies and media stakeholders to foster inclusive policies and respectful public discourse around intersex experiences.
Highlighting Canada’s continued commitment to inclusive and rights-based development, the Embassy of Canada emphasized that “in the Philippines, CFLI has been supporting dozens of initiatives since it started in the country almost 40 years ago—from advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights to promoting women’s participation in peace processes. Over time, it has evolved into a key tool
to reflect Canada’s centerpiece policies—from its feminist international assistance policy to the Indo-Pacific Strategy— supporting efforts that are inclusive, sustainable and rights-based.” Central to the embassy’s support is the refiling of the Cagandahan Bill, which seeks to uphold the rights, dignity, and bodily autonomy of intersex individuals. The initiative also advocates for the strengthening of intersex-inclusive provisions under existing laws such as the Rare Diseases Act and the Universal Health Care Law. A media conference on August 18 officially kicked off the campaign, which brought together representatives from the Embassy of Canada, as well as champions from the Senate and House of Representatives and relevant government agencies that support the intersex rights agenda.
“We are at a critical moment where visibility must translate into protection and policy change,” said Intersex Philippines cofounder and executive director Jeff Cagandahan. “Through this project, we aim to ensure that intersex Filipinos are no longer invisible in national conversations about equality, health, and human rights.”
AMBASSADOR Yuliia Fediv MARITA MOAJE
AMBASSADOR Lee Sang-hwa (left) at the Korean Help Desk in Angeles City
THE President welcomes Ambassador Dana Kursh of Israel (third from left). PCO/DFA
MARCOS JR. greets Dr. Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed who is the non-resident ambassador of Maldives. PCO/PNA
NON-RESIDENT ambassador Netra Prasad Timsina of Nepal (second from right) presents his credentials. PCO
AMBASSADOR Marc Innes-Brown (second from right) stands as the rendition of the Australian anthem “Advance Australia Fair” is played during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal National Monument. PHILIPPINE NAVY/DFA
Health&Fitness
Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
Empowering women through family planning
By Candy P. Dalizon | Contributor
FAMILY planning provides numerous and profound benefits for Filipinos at the individual, family, and national levels.
As a key component of the country’s public health and development agenda, as enshrined in the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RA 10354), it improves maternal and child health, allows for better financial management, and empowers women to control their reproductive lives.
“Empowering women to plan their future starts with giving them real choices through access, education, and support,” said Carole Lopez, Organon External Affairs and Communications Lead.
“Family planning isn’t just a medical service;
it’s a foundational right that enables women to take charge of their lives,” she added.
For Organon, a global health care company that is focused on women’s health, family planning deserves attention far beyond its annual observances. Even after August’s Family Planning Month, Organon continues to drive its mission: empowering every woman, regardless of circumstance, to protect her health and shape her life with confidence.
Organon is taking action to help address one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges: the high rate of unplanned
pregnancies, particularly among teenagers.
Empowerment through choice
E MPOWERING women to plan if and when they have children is at the core of Organon’s work. This belief is founded on the understanding that reproductive autonomy enables women to pursue education, participate in the workforce, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Family planning offers a crucial solution to a public health issue that goes beyond physical well-being. By giving women the power to make informed reproductive choices, it directly addresses some of the underlying socio-economic and societal pressures that contribute to poor mental health.
Studies show that anxiety and depression are prevalent among Filipino women, often driven by factors like financial hardship, a lack of social support, and gender-based expectations. Family planning provides a pathway to greater control, stability, and peace of mind, helping to reduce these pressures and empower women to better care for their mental health.
“Women’s mental health is shaped not only by biological factors but also by the economic
realities and cultural expectations they face.
Helping women make thoughtful decisions about the timing and size of their families can reduce stress and promote mental well-being,” said Dr. Yolanda E. Oliveros, former Deputy Health Director at USAID Philippines.
“When women are supported in planning their families according to their needs and circumstances, they can better care for themselves and those they love,” added Dr. Oliveros.
Teenage pregnancy
TEENAGE pregnancy remains a significant concern in the Philippines, with over 150,000 adolescent girls becoming pregnant or giving birth in 2022 alone, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom). These early pregnancies often derail girls’ aspirations and deepen cycles of poverty and inequality.
Organon believes that prevention begins with education and access. Through programs like “Her Plan is Her Power” and “Nanay’s Day Out,” the company promotes awareness of reproductive health while working alongside local governments to provide age-appropriate, youth-friendly family planning services.
TBy Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor
YPHOONS , disasters, conflicts, and other forms of natural calamities wreak havoc on expectant mothers because they lose their homes, livelihoods, and access to basic health services.
To address their urgent needs, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), with the support of the UN Central Emergency Fund (CERF), launched a Cash for Health Assistance program for pregnant and postpartum women affected by typhoons.
To protect the health and welfare of expectant mothers and lactating moms, the p rogram provides cash assistance that allows them to access essential health services, pay for transportation and clinic costs, ensuring the continuity of maternal care even in crisis.
Various modes of cash assistance, such as for dignity and protection, were also initiated to empower women and adolescent girls. So far, 1,408 individuals have received cash assistance through on-the-ground collaboration with ADRA Philippines and ACCORD Ph ilippines.
Big difference
IN a post by independent writer Shirin Bhandari in the UNFPA website, 27-year-old April A nn Santiago said the financial assistance made a big difference as she was able to pay for her prenatal check-up and medicines, buy
Sensitive
By Rory Visco Contributor
SENSITIVE skin is way more complex than most people think. It is not just a simple rash, occasional dryness or a tinge of redness; it’s actually a whole issue triggered by the stress, pollution, personal lifestyles and yes, even climate change. When it comes to sensitive skin, most people think they’ve got it figured out, but then they’ll soon realize that they don’t.
This year, the National Healthy Skin Mission (NHSM) by skin-care company Cetaphil is back for its sixth year together with Watsons. The campaign, with the theme “There’s More to Your Sensitive Skin,” seeks to debunk the myth that sensitive skin is merely a type rather than a real condition, emphasizing that sensitivity can manifest in several ways like redness, irritation, rough patches, and even dark spots after breakouts, while educating Filipinos on the diverse faces of skin sensitivity.
“The Philippines is number one in ranking in terms of sensitive skin in Southeast Asia, and number six globally,” says Louie Roxas, General Manager at Galderma Philippines.
“With this partnership with Watsons, our vision is for every Filipino to have healthy skin.”
Frank Patricio, Controller, Skincare, Cosmetics and Fragrances - Beauty Business Unit for Watsons, adds, “This partnership marks a
the things needed for her baby, and the food for her family as they recovered from Typhoon Kristine. The cash assistance even covered the partial costs at the lying-in clinic after she gave birth.
By providing cash assistance, Santiago and her fellow mothers are empowered with the resources to take care of their health and prioritize their well-being amid the strain and d isruption caused by a typhoon. By placing the resources in the hands of women, UNFPA’s cash assistance is giving them the power to restore dignity and unlock resilience at a time when they are most vulnerable.
Across Asia and the Pacific, women and girls are facing growing crises, from intensifying climate disasters to armed conflict, s everely limiting their access to essential health and protection services, according to the UNFPA.
The UNFPA said the most vulnerable groups are the adolescent girls, transgender individuals, and persons with disabilities, who often have nowhere to turn.
Transformative results
THE UNFPA said it is committed to achieve three transformative results by 2030: zero unmet need for contraception, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based v iolence and harmful practices. It pointed out that cash and voucher assistance (CVA), when integrated into Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence
significant milestone in providing topnotch dermatological skincare solutions and expert advice to Filipinos, to help them understand that the way to healing sensitive skin is more than just knowing you have sensitive skin but also having the knowledge on how to improve your skin’s health.”
A secret weapon
SO , what’s the secret weapon? Cetaphil presents its new Soothing and Comforting Range. It’s not just a quick fix but is designed to calm redness and protect the skin’s barrier for up to 24 hours. The magic lies in Cetaphil’s Power Trio Blend: Centella Asiatica (the ultimate calming ingredient), Allantoin (for soothing relief), and Pentavitin (for long-lasting hydration).
What sets this range apart is its dual-action approach that soothes visible redness and strengthens the skin barrier to prevent future flare-ups, an essential upgrade for those who’ve outgrown short-term fixes.
Even celebrities deal with this, and Anne Curtis, Cetaphil’s brand ambassador, gets it. “As someone who’s always on the go, I’ve learned how stress, pollution, and even constant makeup can trigger sensitivity. It’s not just about products anymore but about understanding what your skin really needs,” she shares. “After giving birth, I noticed I was more prone to hyper-pigmentation. I didn’t know this meant
(GBV) programming, will play a vital role in achieving these commitments, giving women and girls the means to access life-saving services when they need them most.
B y pursuing anticipatory action, emergency response, and nexus programming, U NFPA’s CVA ensures that women, girls, and others at greatest risk, including individuals with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), persons who sell or exchange sex, older persons, and persons with disabilities, can access menstrual health products, contraception, HIV treatment, and other essential SRH and GBV services without resorting t o harmful coping mechanisms. “CVA shifts power to recipients, enabling them to make their own decisions regarding their health and well-being,” said the UNFPA.
UNFPA’s CVA is always part of a broader, compendious response, complementing GBV case management, medical staff support and health systems strengthening. Further, the CVA plugs the critical gaps in humanitarian assistance that multi-purpose cash or assistance from other actors do not cover, ensuring that women and girls can access essential S RH and GBV services.
Unlike cash or “cash plus” models where cash remains the primary focus, UNFPA’s CVA is not a standalone intervention; it is fully integrated into SRH and GBV programming, making it a targeted and life-saving tool w ithin a broader support system.
I had sensitive skin too.”
Her personal journey mirrors the campaign’s message: sensitivity is deeper than it appears, and it deserves expert-level care.
Experts say that sensitive skin can be a challenging condition to manage, but understanding its triggers and adopting a gentle skincare routine can make a significant difference. Filipinos are advised to look for products with minimal ingredients, avoid harsh chemicals, and always patch-test new products to prevent adverse reactions.
Look beyond the surface
FOR Mark Sarmiento, Business Unit Head at Cetaphil, many Filipinos think sensitive skin is just one thing, but there’s more to it than that.
Whether dealing with flare-ups, flakiness, or unexplained redness, he said Cetaphil’s message this year is clear: it’s time to look beyond the surface. “When the average person thinks they have sensitive skin, they assume that is the only problem. But our learnings from skin experts and Cetaphil Science is that there are different types of sensitive skin: sensitive skin that is redness-prone, hyperpigmentationprone, even for babies.”
With dermatologist-developed solutions and a deeper understanding of sensitive skin, Cetaphil will help Filipinos understand, treat, and protect it with targeted solutions, no matter what kind of sensitive skin it may be.
“We cannot talk about women’s empowerment without addressing the realities that young girls face. Teenage pregnancy is not just a health issue; it’s a social issue. We are committed to being part of the solution by making sure that girls are informed, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive,” said Lopez.
Building an ecosystem
ORGANON’S vision for family planning goes beyond products, focusing instead on creating an ecosystem that puts women’s health at the forefront. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and policymakers, the company is helping to make family planning a standard of care—not a privilege. This approach is rooted in stronger policies, data-driven solutions, and the representation of women’s voices in health decision-making, ultimately promoting both physical and mental well-being.
“Every woman deserves the right to make informed choices about her body and her future. At Organon, we see ourselves not just as providers of health solutions, but as partners in her journey toward empowerment,” said Lopez.
Eight’s Bang Muay
By Patrick Villanueva
WHILE most Filipinos find indoor cycling, pickleball, yoga, gyms, mountain climbing, and many others as their fitness routine, many forget that martial arts is part of it too. And that’s what Art of Eight brings on this trend of exploring group activities with their new program.
Art of Eight, a training community under Bang Muay Thai Philippines Inc., kicked off its first Bang Muay Thai program in Asia at Rockwell Atletica, giving opportunities to Filipinos to learn martial arts alongside other students.
Bang Muay Thai (BMT) is a program that combines learning Traditional Muay Thai, Dutch Kickboxing, and Boxing through a community-based structure instead of the usual one-on-one sessions. BMT is based on UFC-proven techniques developed by legendary coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig.
Challenging classes
BEGINNERS make up most of the participants, so new joiners don’t have to feel intimidated by the lessons. However, it was revealed that
IN a landmark effort to address the growing mental health challenges Filipinos confront, PhilCare, one of the leading HMOs in the country, has formed a partnership with top-tier medical institution University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UPPGH) to make expert-backed mental wellness programs accessible to everyone, especially students and the younger generation.
The partnership comes at a critical time when, according to a recent study, an estimated 7 million to 12.5 million Filipinos have been diagnosed with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. The number of reported cases, already growing by two percent every year, does not even capture the entire picture, as many cases are still unreported or remain undiagnosed. The study states that a big part of this rise comes from the youth sector, especially those aged 15 to 19.
“We firmly believe that mental wellness is a fundamental human right, not a luxury reserved for a few,” PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger Tanco said. “This partnership is a monumental step in making that belief a reality. We are bringing the country’s leading mental health experts to people who need them most, no matter where they are. Our goal is to help Filipinos take charge of their mental health journey and remind them that they are not alone.”
The partnership is a testament to the shared commitment of both organizations to public service. UP-PGH, a leader in medical education and patient care, provides the clinical knowledge and expert guidance that powers the program. PhilCare, a member of the Philippines First Insurance Group, integrates the hospital’s mental health expertise into its tech-
those with intermediate and advanced martial arts backgrounds can still find the classes challenging.
“We are building something special at Art of Eight,” said Mikko Banaag, General Manager of Art of Eight. “Martial arts should be for everyone, and with Bang Muay Thai’s structured system, people can experience real progress and confidence, whether it is their first day or their hundredth class.”
BMT is a curriculum-based program, with focus on the step-by-step progress to be made by the students. It focuses on fitness, technique, and structured progression to help beginners build their foundation in martial arts.
Being a community-based program, Art of Eight promotes BMT as a “no-ego” environment that lets students support and learn from each other. As such, BMT became popular with professionals and beginners alike. Classes transpire at Rockwell Atletica in Makati. If interested, visit https://www.artofeight.co/packages to check their classes and https://www.artofeight.co/schedule to check their schedules. Those curious can check out their Instagram @artofeightph
enabled platforms Mindscapes and
Over 80 Las Piñas Families Secure Land Ownership via SHFC’s CMP
More than 80 families from a community in Las Piñas City have officially secured legal ownership of the land where their houses are built. This milestone came after the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) awarded Transfer Certificates of Title to member-beneficiaries of the Johnmary Ville Homeowners’ Association, Phase 1 in Barangay Pulang Lupa 2.
Johnmary Ville Phase 1 is a housing project of SHFC under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), which forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, being implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development under Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and Las Piñas Mayor April Aguilar led the awarding of titles, which symbolizes not only the beneficiaries’ dream of land ownership but also the agency’s commitment to providing security of tenure and improved living conditions for Filipino families, especially the poorest of the poor.
“Ang mga titulong inyong natanggap ay katunayan ng pag mamay-ari ninyo sa inyong mga lupa
at bilang katiyakan sa inyong karapatan sa mga lupang kinatatayuan ng inyong mga tahanan [The titles you received are proof of ownership of the land and an assurance of your rights to the land on which you built your homes.],” Laxa said.
“Ang lupa ay kayamanan na nagbibigay sa inyo ng kapangyarihan sa pangkabuhayan. Mahalaga itong tuntungan sa umpisa ng inyong pag unlad at pagyaman [This piece of land gives you economic power. It will jumpstart your road to prosperity.],” he added.
He shared that SHFC has revitalized the CMP by introducing innovations through the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), which aims to transform informal settlements into thriving, organized, and resilient communities.
To date, SHFC has approved 10 ECMP projects located in various parts of the country, benefiting about 2,000 families. The agency is poised to approve more projects in the coming weeks, in line with Aliling’s directive to award the lots for the
CASH is warning the public against the misuse of fake or illegal payment accounts, particularly those exploited by illegal gambling operators and other illicit entities.
The fintech leader reaffirmed its Zero Tolerance policy against any form of unlawful activity and reminded customers that GCash has no links to illegal gambling operators. Any site or group claiming otherwise is either misrepresenting GCash or illegally using the platform.
“Illegal online gambling undermines financial integrity and public welfare. GCash has no links to illegal gambling operators, anyone connecting our brand to these sites is either misrepresenting us or illegally using our platform,” said Oscar Enrico A. Reyes, Jr., President and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI).
“We are working hand-in-hand with regulators and law enforcement to shut down illicit activity and protect our users.”
How to Stay Protected and Spot Fake or Illegal Accounts: QR scans sent via random links, chat apps, or social media posts
“Too-good-to-be-true” offers such as gaming credits or quick-cash schemes
Codes that don’t display an official merchant name or logo
Transactions showing a personal name instead of a verified merchant
What Customers Should Do: Only scan QR codes from trusted merchants and billers
Pueblo de Oro wins Best Housing Architectural Design for Courtyards Lipa
Pinitial list of ECMP projects by October this year.
Laxa thanked the city government led by Aguilar, for the support it has extended to the community, including infrastructure improvements and other forms of assistance. For her part, Aguilar expressed her gratitude to SHFC for helping her constituents achieve their long-time dream of land ownership.
Meanwhile, Connie Lenon, the association’s president and one of the new title holders, cherished the occasion as a life-changing moment for their community. “Titulado na kami [We now own our homes.],” she said. “Sa wakas natupad na ang matagal naming pangarap [Our dream has finally come true.].”
SHFC is marking the 37th anniversary of the CMP this month, carrying the theme “Kaagapay ng Komunidad: Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon.” Headquartered in Makati, SHFC is an attached agency under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development headed by Aliling.
Double-check payment details before confirming transactions
Report suspicious activity through the GCash Help Center in-app, via hotline 2882, or through BSP Consumer Protection channels
Customers may also report directly to the PNP AntiCybercrime Group via hotline (02) 8414-1560 / 0998-5988116 or email messagecenter.acg@pnp.gov.ph
As part of its Zero Tolerance commitment, GCash:
Immediately blocks and suspends accounts linked to illegal transactions.
Prohibits the misuse of payment QR codes for unlawful payments.
Works closely with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and law enforcement agencies to detect, report, and shut down illicit activities.
Since 2023, GCash has already: Taken down over 57,000 phishing sites; and Reported 916 illegal online gaming sites to authorities.
These efforts reinforce GCash’s aggressive crackdown on illicit operators and its commitment to building a safer digital financial ecosystem.
“GCash is committed to ensuring that Filipinos can transact with confidence and peace of mind. We will continue to strengthen our security systems and work closely with regulators and law enforcement to keep our platform safe,” the company said.
UEBLO de Oro Development Corporation was honored with the Best Housing Architectural Design award for its Courtyards Lipa project at the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, held at Shangri-La The Fort. The recognition affirms the developer’s commitment to thoughtful master planning and community-focused design, distinguishing it among this year’s most forward-thinking residential projects. The 2025 edition of the awards spotlighted innovation, sustainability, and regional excellence across 69 competitive categories, reflecting the evolving priorities of Filipino homeowners and investors. With new distinctions introduced for ESG leadership, multigenerational living, and township planning, the event underscored the growing diversity of Philippine developments.
Speaking after the ceremony, Pueblo de Oro President and COO Prim Nolido shared insights into the design philosophy behind Courtyards Lipa. “We take pride in coming up with unique designs for our communities. That’s why we get the best architects and the best planners for all our developments,” he said.
He described the project’s signature layout, where
homes are arranged around a central garden. He highlighted that, “It’s a unique concept wherein all the houses face a courtyard. It allows for safety and security because you immediately see who is coming into your neighborhood. Your kids and the whole family can play in the streets without worrying about cars passing by.” Nolido also expressed his appreciation for the honor, noting the significance of the recognition. “PropertyGuru sets a high standard in the industry, and we’re proud to be recognized by them. It’s a meaningful affirmation of our commitment to thoughtful, well-planned communities,” he said.
Courtyards Lipa is part of Pueblo de Oro’s growing portfolio of suburban communities designed to balance livability, safety, and environmental stewardship. The award marks a milestone in the company’s continued push to elevate residential design standards in regional growth centers.
Pueblo de Oro also received two Highly Commended distinctions at the awards ceremony: Best Boutique Developer and Best Waterfront Housing Development for its Park Place II project in Cebu.
Rex Education, UP honor outstanding UP College of Education Graduates
EARNING the distinction of summa cum laude is no small feat. It demands years of discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—not just in academics, but in personal growth and service to others. For students in the College of Education, the journey is especially challenging. It means mastering one’s field of specialization while also honing the patience, empathy, and communication skills that the teaching profession requires. Many balance these demands alongside community involvement, part-time work, or family responsibilities, making their success even more remarkable.
Understanding the importance of recognizing this hard work, Rex Education, in partnership with the University of the Philippines College of Education, presented the REX Edukampyon–UP College of Education Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence to nine members of the 2025 graduating class. The award recognizes students who graduated summa cum laude and highlights their academic achievement and readiness to enter the teaching profession.
The 2025 award recipients are the following:
• Jacob Renz R. Ambrocio—Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Biology Education
• Carla Denise M. Borlongan—Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in Special Education
• Sean Mikkail Nolasco D. Capili—Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Biology Education
• Jana Mykah G. Diaz—Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in Early Education
• Leni Noelle L. Garcia—Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in Special Education
• Alyssa Anne M. Liao—Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in Special Education
• Jeneva Rose S. Narrido—Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English Language Education; minor in Filipino Language Education
• Yuji L. Santos—Bachelor of Elementary Education,
reckless dives, no wasted moves—just measured overtakes, corner by corner. By the checkered flag, Ayrton had secured fifth with a 53.398, another consistent finish that kept his championship hopes alive and his confidence building. Then came the final. Ayrton lined up fourth on the grid, and in that moment he realized he had a genuine shot. Ten laps. Enough, he thought, to turn this race into his. When the lights went out, Matteo Caceres of C&C Motorsports rocketed off the line, snatching the lead from Vincent Ardina of DRQ Motorsports. Ayrton wasted no time—lunging past Antonio Racelis to steal third in the opening corners. The rookie was immediately in the mix. By lap six, the fight at the front turned fierce. Caceres and Ardina tangled for position, and Ayrton seized the opening, diving into the lead. But the real threat was still to come. In his mirrors now loomed Antonio Racelis of Bracing Team and Jayden Javier of JGM Racing—two hardened rivals, both with more laps, more experience, and more to prove. What followed was pure grit. Ayrton defended like a veteran, shutting every door, covering every inside line, forcing his rivals to try the long way around. Corner by corner, lap by lap, the rookie absorbed the pressure and refused to crack. This wasn’t just speed anymore—it was resilience, strategy, and sheer will to win. When the flag dropped, it wasn’t just Ayrton’s arms raised in victory—it was a message to the entire paddock. His winning time of 10:29.553, with a fastest lap of 1:01.643, sealed more than a
major in Special Education
• Varon D. Tabajonda—Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Special Education
The REX Edukampyon–UP College of Education Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence is part of REX’s enduring mission to strengthen the education sector by celebrating outstanding graduates who have shown steadfast dedication to their studies and to the calling of teaching. It carries with it the hope that they will be inspired and encouraged to continue their teaching journey, sharing their talents with schools and contributing to the
At the awards ceremony are, from left, Pueblo de Oro VP for Sales & Marketing John Vincent Rapiz, ICCP Group AVP for Corporate Communications Apple Barretto, Pueblo de Oro President & COO Prim Nolido, and Carlo Cordaro, President & CEO of Atelier A and member of the judging panel at the 13th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards.
Family awareness alert:
Early screening for women saves lives
AQUIET but powerful milestone was reached recently when leaders from health, development, local government, and national agencies gathered to highlight the results of the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV DNA Screening (CLAMS) pilot project. This collaboration marks not just a technical success but also a renewed hope toward finally eliminating cervical cancer in the Philippines.
The urgency cannot be overstated. In our country, 68 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer die within just one year. Nearly three out of four are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment is less effective and survival rates are painfully low. These numbers are not abstract statistics—they are wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters whose lives could have been spared with earlier detection.
The CLAMS pilot has shown us a way forward.
Implemented over 18 months from 2023 to 2024 in five cities—Manila, Quezon City, Navotas, Taguig and Muntinlupa—the initiative demonstrated how HPV DNA testing can be integrated into community health services. By using advanced, high-capacity laboratories and strengthening referral linkages, the project proved that screening can be made more accessible, accurate and scalable across the country. Awareness, however, is still the first battle. “Women need to know how early screening can impact their health. Next is accessibility—if testing is available in health centers, women can take it conveniently through self-sampling without burdening our healthcare system,” said Dr. Christia Padolina, Navotas City Administrator. This highlights the double challenge: informing women about their options and ensuring those options are within reach.
High-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) causes almost all cervical cancer cases, yet fewer than 1 percent of Filipino women undergo regular screening. The barriers are all too familiar—lack of awareness,
LOVE the idea and experience of international travel, but can’t stand how it messes up with your sleep—and plans— as soon as you reach your destination?
Take your cue from the people who constantly deal with jet lag yet manage to bring honor and glory (not to mention medals and trophies) to their country and sport: elite athletes. How do they do it?
“Travel, especially to where time zones change, affects our circadian rhythm, that internal clock in our body that tells us when to sleep and be awake,” says Maria Patricia Ann T. Puno, MD from the Neurophysiology and Sleep Disorders Laboratory of top Philippine hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www. makatimed.net.ph). “For athletes who find themselves in one state or country one day, then halfway around the world the next, it takes discipline and a few tweaks to their diet, training, and sleeping habits to not only conquer jet lag but come out on top of their game.”
In his competitive days, tennis legend Roger Federer beat jet lag by simply thinking steps ahead. “I almost forget what time it is in the place I left, and I live
limited health system capacity, cultural stigma, and the everyday struggles of underserved communities. These delays in early detection cost lives.
This is where CLAMS breaks ground. The model empowers women through self-sampling, allowing them to collect cervical samples themselves. These are then transported to central laboratories for HPV DNA testing, using high-throughput PCR technology to process large volumes with precision. With this system, women do not need a full hospital setup to get screened. The model also integrates thermal ablation—a treatment that destroys pre-cancerous lesions at the point of care. It means women can move from diagnosis to treatment quickly, without unnecessary delays.
“Self-sampling is a game changer,” emphasized Dr. Ingrid Magnata, country program manager of Jhpiego Philippines. “It removes barriers of discomfort and stigma, while ensuring accuracy and efficiency. The model is scalable, effective, and easily integrated into local health services—helping more women access life-saving screening.”
The promise of CLAMS does not stop at pilot phase. Phase 2 will expand HPV DNA testing to reach 10,000 women in Cebu, Davao City, and Taguig. It will also strengthen follow-up systems to ensure women
in the new time zone: try to eat at the right time, go to bed at the right time, and try not to cheat at those things,” he shared. According to MakatiMed, these simple hacks work, too:
n Adjust your sleeping hours. Many athletes do this a week prior to their trip, according to Puno. “They wake up 30-60 minutes before they usually do, and go to bed 30 to 60 minutes earlier than usual. The next day, they rise 30 to 60 minutes earlier and turn in 30 to 60 minutes earlier, until their wake-up and bedtime hours are closest to their destination’s schedules.”
n Make your surroundings conducive to sleep. US men’s rugby team member Lucas Lacamp listens to music to relax, wears an eye mask to block off light, and puts on noise-canceling ear plugs for peace and quiet.
“Planes and hotels aren’t always comfortable and ideal for sleep, so you have to do your part,” says Puno.
“Temperature is another way to ensure quality sleep. In your hotel room, set your air-conditioner between 15 C to 19 C.
n Know when to use light. “If
who test positive return for treatment, digitalize health information to build stronger national data, and reinforce provider training and treatment capacity. In short, it aims to build a health ecosystem where no woman slips through the cracks. But beyond technology and systems, this is also a story of women reclaiming their health. Too often, Filipino women put their families first, postponing their own care. Many feel embarrassed, fearful, or simply unaware of the options available to them. The truth is this: by taking time to care for ourselves, we also protect our families. Every mother who gets screened not only safeguards her future but also sets an example of courage and self-respect for her children.
The Philippines has committed to the global vision of eliminating cervical cancer, and CLAMS shows us that this dream is possible. It is a model built not only on science but also on compassion—meeting women where they are, removing barriers, and offering treatment that saves lives before cancer takes hold.
As parents, we know the power of prevention. We hold our children’s hands crossing the street, teach them to wash their hands, remind them to wear helmets. Why not extend the same vigilance to ourselves? Cervical cancer is preventable. With early detection, proper treatment, and collective effort, we can turn the tide on this disease.
To every woman reading this: schedule that checkup, ask about HPV DNA testing, explore self-sampling if available. Talk to your daughters, sisters and friends. Awareness is the first step, but action is what saves lives.
The fight against cervical cancer is not just a medical challenge—it is a movement of love, responsibility, and legacy. Let us work together so that one day, our daughters and granddaughters will grow up in a Philippines free from cervical cancer. That future begins with the choices we make today.
AFP HONORS BENILDE FOR SUPPORTING CHILDREN OF FALLEN HEROES
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the AFP Educational Benefit System Office (AFPEBSO) recently conferred a plaque of distinction to the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) for continuing to grant scholarships to the children of fallen Filipino soldiers since 2009.
Established in 2000, AFPEBSO aims to facilitate scholarship programs and educational assistance to qualified dependents of military personnel who sacrificed their lives in the field or were incapacitated in combat-related operations.
It has helped more than 3,100 grantees within the country and aided over 5,000 graduates in pursuit of higher education. Its partnership with Benilde, which has spanned 16 years, was sealed via the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the term of the college’s former president, Br. Victor Franco, FSC.
During the celebration of the 25th anniversary of AFPEBSO, Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson looked back on the school’s longstanding collaboration.
“The goal was simple yet profound: To open Benilde’s doors to the children and families of military personnel who served—and in many cases, who gave up everything—for our country,” stated Lacson, who accepted the accolade during the recognition ceremony on behalf of Benilde president Br. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC.
In his testimonial speech, Lacson highlighted the vital role of AFPEBSO.
“It is both humbling and joyful to join you in this milestone celebration—25 years of service, sacrifice, and nationbuilding through education,” he noted. “Kung ang AFPEBSO po ay isang tao, graduate na ito ng college—may Latin honors pa! A quarter of a century of proving that real strength is not just measured in arms, but in hearts—hearts that choose to uplift the next generation of heroes.”
The Benilde administrator, likewise, reiterated the college’s mission of providing accessible learning opportunities to individuals from different walks of life.
According to him, the school has dedicated 10 full scholarships each year since 2009 for the benefit of the sons and daughters of AFP personnel, with priority to those whose parents died in action, became casualties of combat, or were discharged with disability.
Capt. Emmanuel Dayaday, a graduate of the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) and a former student of Lacson, likewise graced the event to give his testimonial as one of the AFEBSO scholars. He is currently a captain in the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
“AFPEBSO’s support was the turning point that made all of
you arrive in the daytime, take a walk. Morning sun exposure signals your body to wake up,” the MakatiMed doctor suggests. “At night, avoid the use of smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets. They emit blue light, which affects the natural production of the sleep-regulating
hormone melatonin, thus disrupting your sleep.” Irish artistic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan wears glasses with red lenses, which are effective at blocking 100 percent of blue light.
n Watch what and when you eat and drink. “Heavy meals tend to make you
first few days of your trip,” reminds Puno. n Take naps. While some athletes fight off the urge to nap because it affects their sleep at night, others feel reenergized for a few minutes of slumber.
“In the days leading up to his double gold win in the 2024 Paris
gymnast Carlos Yulo was said to have taken a series of 15-to-20-minute
travel to reduce jet lag. “If possible, book a morning flight so the long trip doesn’t interfere so much with your circadian rhythm. And when in the plane, adjust your watch to the time of your destination,” says Puno. “It conditions your brain to believe you should be awake or asleep, even if you’re still acclimatizing.”
BENILDE-AFPEBSO scholar Capt. Emmanuel Dayaday (left) and Benilde vice chancellor for academics Angelo Marco Lacson
ROOKIE prospects go through the initial phase of the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Rookie Draft as they participate in the two-day Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Applicants are required to attend the traditional event starting on Thursday where players undergo physical, athletic and medical evaluations before scouts, coaches and team managers.
A total of 128 players have applied for this year’s draft set Sunday at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Due to the large number of participants, the players were divided into 12 teams who will undergo measurements and biometrics at the start of the Draft Combine.
An hour-long orientation will then be held to acquaint and familiarize the applicants about the Unified Players’ Contract (UPC).
Shortly after, the different teams will begin playing against each other that carries on until the next day, eventually culminating in a championship match and the naming of an MVP and Mythical Selection.
A three-point shootout is also slated on Friday just before the semifinal games. San Beda’s Yukien Andrada and 6-foot-9 Ladis Lepalan of College of Saint Benilde head Team A-1 (Blackwater), the duo of Tony Ynot (Saint Benilde) and Jason Brickman join forces in Team A-2 (Barangay Ginebra), Emmanuel Codinera–son of PBA great Jerry Codinera—and fellow University of the East Tiger, Filipino-American Geremy Robinson play together with Kyle Tolentino of Letran and Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Ximone Sandagon in a stacked up Team A-3 (Converge), while burly Lorenz Capulong of Arellano University, Letran’s Vince Cuajao and Kascius Small-Martin banner Team B-1 (Magnolia).
Team B-2 (Meralco) features Qatar-based Jacey Kleon Cruz and Adamson University’s Aaron Flowers, Team B-3 (NLEX) will have top prospects Geo Chiu and Will Gozum, Team C-1 (Northport) is led by another possible top pick, Juan Gomez De Liano, and Team C-2 (Phoenix) is boosted by Christopher Koon of Ateneo and King Gurtiza of Emilio Aguinaldo College.
One-time University of the East team captain Jack Cruz-Dumont spearheads Team C-3 (Rain or Shine), De La Salle’s CJ Austria, UST’s Christian Manaytay, and LJay Gonzales of FEU head Team D-1 (San Miguel), former Batang Gilas Harvey Pagsanjan and Ateneo’s John Quiteves carry the fight in Team D-2 (Terrafirma), and Filipino-Italian guard Dalph Panopio and San Beda’s Gabriel Cometa team up to head Team D-3 (TNT).
56TH WNCAA up Saturday
Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) chairperson
Maria Vivian Manila (third from left) of Centro Escolar University announce the league’s opening for its 56th season this Saturday at the Makati Coliseum in a press conference on Wednesday at the Assumption College-San Lorenzo in Makati City. With Manila are (from left) secretary-general Ma. Angelica Dela Cruz, presidents Juanita Alamillo (San Beda-Alabang) and Sister Irene Cecile Torres, RA (Assumption College), Director for Student Affairs Bernadette Abrilla (Assumption College) and Team Leader Health and Physical Education Gerald Ibuna (Assumption College). ROY DOMINGO
Koreans leading field in Bacolod
By Aldrin Quinto
BACOLOD City—Keanu Jahns closed out a tense round in style by firing an eagle-aided 65 for a share of the lead with South Korea’s Ha Taewon in the second round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Bacolod Golf Challenge on Tuesday. Players still didn’t get much rollout on the sunbaked Bacolod Golf and Country Club fairways following a day of intermittent downpours, but the big-hitting Jahns managed to get into position to score and make up for the missed opportunities.
Winner of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Caliraya Springs Championship in Laguna last month, Jahns eagled the par-five No. 15 and birdied the next on the way to an eight-under 132 total.
That was a superb finish after a trying round that saw the 29-year-old Filipino-German shotmaker score three birdies against two bogeys on the front nine, pick up two more shots on Nos. 10 and 11 before suffering bogey on No. 14.
“My driving was a bit better today, which helped a lot. I found more fairways and holed a lot of longer putts,” said Jahns as he put himself in position for a second straight title. “It would be nice to score back-to-back wins, but same game plan—stay in the present.”
Ha shot the round of the day—a bogey-free 64—and also hit eagle on No. 15 to grab a share of the halfway lead.
“I e xpected to score this low. My game feel is the same as yesterday, but my putting and luck were better,” said Ha, who placed out of the top 10 in
Gimme an opening
IF the high-profile halftime show of the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl is almost as important as—if not more important (to some)—than the championship game itself, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines opening ceremonies have a charm of their own too and are remembered well beyond their short, sparkly life span. From very simple, almost “Linggo ng Wika-type opening ceremonies that I witnessed as a new sports writer back in the 70s, today’s UAAP opening ceremonies reflect the hyper-energy and rock-flavor of the times.
Bigger, bolder, more kinetic and music-infused, they are meant to thrill and satisfy the UAAP’s new, younger demographic.
Today let’s take a time-trip as we navigate a full cycle of UAAP opening ceremonies starting with what this season’s league host, University of Santo Tomas (UST), served up when they last hosted in Season 79. “Dare To Dream” was the season theme in 2016. UST broke with tradition and opened the season in their historic campus in an Olympic-style pow-wow at UST’s Plaza Mayor.
Before the main show, the league’s first ballroom formation dance demonstration was held at the then-new Quadricentennial Pavilion. University officials and athletes paraded through the historic Arch of the Centuries to get to the Plaza Mayor, experiencing a unique campus “rite of passage.”
Alas out to unlock full potential nine days ahead of FIVB
By Josef Ramos
INE days before the first serve for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship and Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo and their Alas Pilipinas teammates in the 21-man pool are in the homestretch of their training hoping to unlock their full potential. Alas Pilipinas’s mettle will be tested right on opening day on September 12—at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena—against many-time African champion Tunisia in Pool A. Their other assignments in pool play are Egypt on September 16 and Iran on September 18. ’m excited, but we’re still focused on training so we can bring out the team’s full potential,” said Espejo during the MRT3 Go Live! event on Wednesday to promote the country’s hosting of the 32-nation world championship.
his top shape after a year’s layoff because of a knee injury.
three previous PGT
O vernight co-leader Aidric Chan started on the back nine and looked poised to keep the top spot with three birdies on his homeward nine until a double-bogey on No. 7. The two-time winner on the Asian Development Tour this season went on to submit a 69 that pushed him down to solo third at seven-under 133 in the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and sponsored by ICTSI.
Fidel Concepcion climbed from joint 11th to solo fourth, firing a 66 for a six-under 134. Rising star Josh Jorge quickly recovered from a bogey on No. 2 with birdie in the fourth hole and picked up three more shots on the back nine for a 67 and a 135 total.
T he former jungolf star was joined in fifth place by grizzled pro Marvin Dumandan, who shot a 66.
The camaraderie-filled evening had fair-like vibes, mixed with dance and song.
In Season 80, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws invited everyone to “Go For Great.”
There was a grand parade of UAAP Greats on opening day, made up of outstanding athletes and coaches across generations.
Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez and Enrico Villanueva, National University’s Danny Ildefonso and Ray Parks Jr., University of the Philippines’ Ronnie Magsanoc, Joe Lipa and Pia Cayetano, UST’s Aric del Rosario and Cyrus Baguio, University of the East’s Tisha Abundo, Adamson University’s Queeny Sabobo and De La Salle’s Renren Ritualo joined FEU’s Terrence Romeo, Rachel Anne Daquis and Turo Valenzona in the triumphant parade, inspiring others to be just as great.
In Season 81, National University reminded everyone that “It All Begins Here.”
The crowd was treated to a mind-blowing opening ceremony that featured pop idols James Reid, Sponge Cola, former 2NE1 member Minzy, KPop band Momoland and—hear this— National Basketball Association superstar Stephen Curry in the flesh, leading the athletes’ oath of sportsmanship.
I can still hear the deafening roar of the crowd today.
On September 1, 2019, Ateneo de Manila took the wraps off Season 82 with “All For More.”
The Blue Eagles wowed with the Ateneo Glee Club, Company of Ateneo Dancers and the iconic Blue Babble Battalion who were later joined by popular bands Sponge Cola, Itchy Worms, Autotelic, December Avenue and IV Of Spades. We’re always challenged to do the greater thing,” said then Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ, explaining the theme.
A sian Development Tour winner Carl Corpus had a bogey-free 65 highlighted by eagle on the par-4 No. 5 for a 136.
Defending champion Reymon Jaraula found his rhythm after a tough opener, adding a 65 to his first-round 71 for a share of seventh place with Corpus and Ryan Monsalve, who carded a second-round 69.
O rder of Merit winner Tony Lascuña regained his groove after a quiet start, a 67 highlighted by four consecutive birdies on the front nine putting him in joint 10th at 137.
Kim pads lead to six strokes
KIM SEOYUN suffered two bogeys but hit four birdies for a 68 to carry a sixshot lead into the final round of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s Bacolod Golf Challenge.
The South Korean, who had a bogeyfree opening 66, hopes to hang on and claim a title after six runner-up finishes in three seasons on the Ladies PGT.
Four home bets shared second spot at even-par 140, with Pauline del Rosario coming up with an unblemished round of 67 after a first-round 73.
Florence Yvon Bisera had a 68 with six birdies and four bogeys, while Sarah Ababa joined them after shooting a second consecutive 70.
Lois Kaye Go carded a 68 for solo sixth at 141, while Mafy Singson was alone in seventh after rounds of 73-70.
K ristine Fleetwood shot a 75, sharing eighth at 144 with Pamela Mariano and South Korea’s Tiffany Lee, who scored 73s.
“This is a big tournament, of course, but all of us are ready,” Espejo added. “As a team, we still have a long way to go, but we’ve also come a long way since we started training together, especially during our training camp in Europe.” n electrifying opening ceremony featuring the K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Filipino singer, songwriter and actress Karencitta will follow immediately after the match. Tickets are available via the official web site https:// www.philippineswch2025.com/. Bagunas is raring to regain
“I’m really happy to be back on the court. I wouldn’t say I’m at 100 percent yet, but I’m doing my best to catch up with the team,” Bagunas said. We all know how high the level of competition is now, so I’m pushing myself to keep up with them,” added Bagunas also during the MRT3 Go Live! Event that was attended by members of the Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads.
“ We are at the final stages of preparations and we’re happy to say that we’re all set and ready to serve in this hosting,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation. Suzara and MRT 3 General Manager Michael Capati led players, Local Organizing Committee and PNVF staff and MRT 3 officials in
in attendance on Wednesday were Owa Retamar, Kim
NATIONAL University (NU) faces tough opposition in its title-retention bid against a strong field in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup starting September 20 at the Playtime FilOil Centre.
Sixteen teams—six from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and all 10 from the National Collegiate Athletic Association—will duke it out for the crown in the fourth staging of the league’s centerpiece tournament.
L ast year’s runner-up De La Salle and University of the East are taking a leave of absence from with both squads still in the process of rebuilding their core following some key departures.
“Even though we only have 16 teams, we still have a good lineup of up-and-coming teams with new players on their rosters,” said Dr. Ian Laurel, president and chairman of SSL organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES) during the competition’s press conference on Wednesday at the Shakey’s Buendia branch.
The trophies and other league paraphernalia were revealed to be made from materials sourced from partner communities in Taal, Batangas and Marawi City. (The UAAP lanyards that year were my personal favorite.)
There was no UAAP Season 83, thanks to the pandemic. So when the league reopened in a bubble set-up in 2022, it was a brave effort for a cautious time.
De La Salle University hosted Season 84 with “Fully Alive, Champions For Life”—a reminder that despite the threat of the Covid virus, the league continued to breathe and thrive, even through face masks.
The opening ceremony was a virtual presentation. A new, more dynamic UAAP logo was unveiled.
The year 2023 was “bridge year.” Adamson University hosted Season 85 with ever evolving Covid protocols. From a very limited gate attendance, the season gradually eased into a full gallery by December.
A lso present during the press launch were Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. president and CEO Vic Gregorio, General Manager Oliver Sicam and Marketing Head Regina Asa; PLDT and Smart Communications Head of Sports Jude Turcuato, ACES Director Ariel Paredes and coaches and key players of the participating teams. T he 16 squads are divided into four groups to play in a single-round robin format in the preliminary round. NU, which won the first three editions, is bunched with Emilio Aguinaldo College, San Beda University and Lyceum of the Philippines University in Pool A. Pool B is composed of Far Eastern University, Arellano University, Adamson University and Jose Rizal University; Pool C are University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Mapua University and Letran; and College of Saint Benilde, Ateneo de Manila University, San Sebastian College and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta are in Pool D.
The opening ceremony was pre-recorded likewise, but this season, more liberties were taken to shoot production numbers. Each university’s pep squad had their respective drum performances on the virtual show that was punctuated by inspiring messages from Adamson University president Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim.
The season’s theme “Rise As One” was most appropriate. In Season 86, UE staged a simple but elegant face to face opening ceremony. With the theme “Fueling The Future, the Red Warriors regaled the UAAP community with colorful costumes, kilometric banners and a
Mixing music, dance genres and drones for a multi-textured experience, the event melded symphonic music with indigenous music, KPop, acoustic and a rock collab of Moonstar 88 and Franco, which then erupted into a rock reunion concert by the Eraserheads. Varied,
Malabunga,
Rotter,
Ramirez, Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Josh Ybañez, Peng Taguibolos, Lucca Mamone, Vince Lorenzo, Jack Kalingking and Lloyd Josafat as well as Alas women coach Jorge Souza De Brito, Jia De Guzman, Eya Laure, Maddie Madayag and Cla Loresco and PNVF secretarygeneral Don Caringal.
MEMBERS of Alas Pilipinas Men and Women along with PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, secretary-general Don Caringal and board member Yul Benosa and MRT3 General Manager Michael Capati pose before a fully dressed up MRT 3 train
WITH a six-shot lead, Kim Seo Yun (top) has the luxury to relax for as her fellow South Korean Ha Tae Won (right) has his hands full with co-leader Keanu Jahns. PGT PHOTOS
