HE Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) are fully committed to adopt the energy trilemma despite the challenges of balancing three interconnected goals—security, sustainability, and affordability.
During the EJAP Energy Forum, ERC chairperson Francis Satunino Juan said his office is not only responsible for setting the electricity rates, but also ensuring fair competition, protecting consumer interests, and fostering an environment that allows the energy sector to grow responsibly.
The ERC regulates an industry worth P4.13 trillion spanning generation, transmission, distribution, and supply sectors. The number could grow to P31 trillion worth of energy investments under the DOE’s clean energy scenarios.
“This shows both the opportunity and the responsibility before us. Which brings me to our theme today, balancing the energy trilemma, or balancing three equally critical but often competing objectives, which include energy security, or having reliable and sufficient supply so Filipinos can count on electricity being there when they need it.
“Energy equity, or ensuring that
energy is affordable and accessible to all, not just to a privileged few. And environmental sustainability, or reducing emissions and protecting the planet for future generations. Each of these elements holds its own significance, yet together they create a delicate balancing act,” said Juan.
Coal, which makes up 62 percent of the country’s power generation mix in 2024, is a baseload energy source which reinforces energy security but, at the same time, could undermine environmental objectives, the ERC chief noted. Juan also pointed out that while the country is aiming for an aggressive renewable energy (RE) push—35-percent share in the
mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040—this “may increase costs if not carefully managed.”
“This encapsulates the essence of the trilemma, a challenge we must all confront collectively. To address this, we have assured our stakeholders and consumers of a new ERC that is committed to meeting their expectations,” Juan said.
Juan, a veteran energy lawyer who returned to ERC as the new chairperson last July 8, said the “new ERC” will become “more responsive, forward-thinking, and decisive” in fulfilling its mandate.
“Our primary responsibility is to ensure that electricity rates are
‘FLOOD-CONTROL MESS DENTS ECONOMIC GAINS’
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE
controversy surrounding billions worth of flood control projects is bad news for the national government which has struggled to meet its economic growth targets for the past three years.
See “Flood-control,” A14
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
RESIDENT Ferdinand
PMarcos Jr. has significantly expanded the coverage of the independent commission in his Executive Order (EO) No. 94 so it will now cover anomalous flood-control projects even from the previous administration He issued the new six-page EO last Thursday, when he was supposed to announce the composition of the three-man Commission.
As of press time, Marcos has
yet to name the members of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). However, several high profile personalities were reported to be part of the Commission, including former Senior Associate justices Antonio Carpio and Estela Perla-Bernabe, and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Under the six-page EO No. 94, Marcos named the new factfinding body as the ICI, which he tasked to conduct a probe and recommend the filling of charges related to anomalous flood control projects and other public
See “Independent,” A2
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Philippines assured potential Japanese investors that the country is the “right” and “trusted” partner for expanding their businesses.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the Philippine delegation, led by Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto, engaged in a high-level courtesy meeting and roundtable discussion with the Kankeiren Executive Committee on September 11, in Osaka, Japan.
The Philippine delegation is in Japan to secure financing support for the Philippines’ big-ticket infrastructure projects and to attract additional investments into the country to drive economic growth.
“In the Philippines, you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right partners, and the right opportunities to win big,” Recto said
during the meeting.
The Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), led by Chairman Masayoshi Matsumoto, represents about 1,300 members, including conglomerates, multinational corporations and small and medium enterprises in Japan, spanning advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy, infrastructure, finance and digital innovation.
During the meeting, Recto told Japanese investors that the Philippine government has implemented sweeping reforms to make the country one of the most attractive destinations for foreign investments in Asia.
The Create More Act was passed into law last year, providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, as well as resolving a long-standing concern of Japanese exporters by exempting exportoriented enterprises from value-added tax.
Meanwhile, Recto addressed Japan as one of the Philippines’ “longest and strongest partners in growth,” citing the country’s two “A-”
investment-grade ratings from Japanese credit rating agencies.
“This is your vote of confidence in our fiscal management, our investment climate, and our growth trajectory—and we intend to keep earning it,” the Finance chief said.
Aside from the Philippines being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, it is also Asean’s fastest-growing digital economy, Recto said.
The Philippines ranks as the second-largest global hub for services delivery and among the top shipbuilding nations globally.
“We make great ships that carry economies forward,” Recto said. Moreover, Recto highlighted the Philippines’s “demographic sweet spot,” with a median age of 25 years old. “Paired with Japan’s median age of 49, together we can form a powerful demographic partnership: your capital and technology, our talent and market.”
The Philippine delegation is currently in Osaka,
Japan, to convene the Philippines-Japan HighLevel Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation. The progress on big-ticket infrastructure projects financed by Japan will also be reviewed by the delegation and their Japanese counterparts, led by Dr. Mori Masafumi, to ensure the projects’ timely delivery. They are also set to engage with Japan’s top investors through high-level one-on-one meetings and during the Philippine Economic Briefing. The Philippine team is
Does Duterte have dementia? ICC defense seeks trial halt
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
IS former President Rodrigo Duterte suffering from dementia or a similarly severe neurocognitive disorder? That’s the question now facing the International Criminal Court (ICC), as his Defense team formally requests an indefinite adjournment of all proceedings, citing irreversible cognitive decline.
In a filing to Pre-Trial Chamber I, Counsel Nicholas Kaufman argues Duterte is “not fit to stand trial” due to “cognitive impairment in multiple domains”—a condition he claims is permanent and prevents the former Philippine strongman from meaningfully participating in his own defense.
The symptoms described—impaired memory, disorientation, and diminished executive function— point toward a serious neurological or degenerative illness.
The Defense cites medical find-
Estrella…
ings from two of its own experts and a neuropsychologist appointed by the ICC Detention Centre’s Medical Officer.
All three reportedly diagnosed Duterte with “significant cognitive deficiencies” affecting memory, reasoning, spatial awareness, and orientation.
The exact medical condition was redacted in the filing, but the Defense draws parallels to the case of Ms. Ieng Thirith, a former Khmer Rouge official found unfit to stand trial due to “moderately severe dementing illness, most likely Alzheimer’s disease.”
Thirith’s symptoms—disorientation, memory loss, and inability to follow instructions—closely resemble those now attributed to Duterte.
In a confidential report submitted to the Court, the ICC-appointed neuropsychologist concluded: “Mr. D. is currently unable to meaningfully participate in the legal pro -
yeol, pressured MOEF officials to reconsider the rejected loan, reportedly suggesting that support for the bridge project could help secure nick-
ceedings against him.”
The expert added that Duterte “lacks the capacity to remember, assimilate and apply information to be able to give his lawyers effective instructions,” and “will not be able to fluently recall information from the period relevant to the case such as to be able to testify.”
The report ends with a clear determination: “Mr. D. will not be able to meaningfully engage with the legal process and is unfit to stand trial.”
Medical timeline, registry disputes
DUTERTE was surrendered to ICC custody on 12 March 2025 and hospitalized immediately.
His initial appearance on 14 March proceeded, with the Court’s doctor then declaring him “fully mentally aware and fit.”
Kaufman then presented results from a CT scan on May 16 and an MRI on July 21 which reportedly showed abnormalities—details of
el mining rights in the Philippines for Korean firms. Despite MOEF’s formal refusal in April 2024, the bank later approved a reduced-scope
which were also redacted.
The Defense argues that Duterte’s condition undermines his procedural rights under Article 67(1) of the Rome Statute, which guarantees a suspect’s ability to understand proceedings and instruct counsel. They assert that his cognitive decline is progressive and untreatable, rendering him incapable of grasping the essentials of the trial.
“Obliging an individual to participate in a legal proceeding when he lacks the capacity to engage effectively therein would entail prejudice that could amount to a miscarriage of justice,” the Defense wrote.
Kaufman requested a status conference should the Prosecution challenge the medical findings.
Pre-Trial Chamber I—composed of Judges Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Reine Adélaïde Sophie AlapiniGansou, and María del Socorro Flores Liera—is now reviewing the request.
feasibility study for just 70 bridges, under continued political pressure.
Estrella emphasized that the DAR is now in the final stages of
works within the last 10 years.
When Marcos first ordered the investigation of the substandard and non-existent flood control projects last month, it initially only covered the 9,855 flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways from July 2022 to May 2025.
The ICI will be led by a Chairperson with two members, with the power to conduct hearings, investigations and gather pieces of evidence related to possible graft and corruption in infrastructure projects.
The members of the ICI will be supported by technical and administrative personnel headed by an Executive Director with the rank, emoluments and privileges of an undersecretary and to be appointed by the President.
It can recommend the designation of public officials and/or private individuals of “recognized competence, integrity, with established knowledge and expertise in governance, transparency, accountability,” as Special Advisers to help with the probe.
It will submit its findings to the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, and the Civil Service Commission for the filing of cases and
negotiations with a French state bank to finance the bridge program, which remains a priority for rural infrastructure development.
imposition of sanctions against the erring contractors as well as government officials and personnel.
Aside from conducting the probe, the ICI was also given subpoena powers for attendance of witnesses and production of documents necessary for its fact-finding and investigation activities. Government officials and personnel who delay or refuse without adequate cause to comply with the subpoena shall be subject to administrative disciplinary actions. The ICI can also recommend to or request from the appropriate authorities or the proper courts the issuance of a hold departure order or other remedies to monitor or prohibit the travel abroad as well as freezing or seizure of assets, funds, deposits and properties connected to anomalous infrastructures. Also part of the extensive powers of the ICI is to recommend preventive suspension of any public official or employee to prevent tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses during its investigation and recommend to the Department of Justice the admission of a person as a state witness. The ICI will submit regular reports to the Office of the President on the updates of its probe.
Upon accomplishment of its purposes or if dissolved sooner by the President, the fact-finding body will be rendered functus officio.
“This project is moving forward—with partners who understand the scope and technical realities,” he said.
Lawmaker demands resignation of COA exec
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALAWMAKER on Thursday demanded the immediate resignation of Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana, citing a “clear constitutional violation” involving over P505.13 million worth of government contracts awarded to his wife’s company.
During the COA budget briefing, House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio said Lipana, appointed to COA by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022, was linked to nine ongoing flood control and farm-tomarket road projects in Bulacan worth P326.6 million this year, awarded to Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines, headed by his wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana.
In addition, Tinio, the nominee of the party-list group ACT Teachers, said the company had previously completed two flood control projects valued at P178.52 million.
“This is a clear-cut violation of Article 9, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that no member of a constitutional commission shall be financially interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the government,” Tinio said.
COA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba admitted under questioning that there appeared to be a constitutional breach, saying, “In my view, there seems to be one.” He also acknowledged a “potential conflict of interest” in Lipana’s case.
Tinio stressed that the issue goes beyond conflict of interest, pointing out that while Lipana was on medical leave in
Singapore, his wife’s company was profiting from government projects.
“This is not just a conflict of interest— it is a mockery of our Constitution,” he said.
According to Tinio, five of the nine ongoing projects had already received partial payments. Tinio also noted that the contracts were not publicly disclosed, further undermining COA’s credibility.
“Many are dismayed with COA, as if our countrymen are asking, Where are you?
Natutulog ba kayo sa pansitan? Or worse, some even suspect you might be complicit. And now, we have a commissioner with a clear financial interest in flood control contracts, which is prohibited by the Constitution,” he added.
“For the integrity of COA, should this commissioner not resign?” Tinio demanded, echoing his question during the hearing. “How can the Commission on Audit maintain its integrity when one of its commissioners is constitutionally disqualified from serving?”
The lawmaker reminded that commissioners are required to declare family business interests in their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
“This should have been disclosed and addressed long ago,” he added.
“This is not about the quality of flood control projects. This is about the fundamental principle that constitutional commissioners cannot profit from government contracts,” Tinio clarified after the briefing.
“The Constitution is clear, the COA Chairman’s admission is clear, and the solution must be equally clear: Commissioner Lipana must resign immediately,” the lawmaker said.
Group asks Court to compel govt to act on flood problem
ABy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
GROUP of taxpayers on Thursday filed a petition before the Supreme Court for the issuance of a writ of kalikasan to compel President Marcos, several government agencies and private contractors to immediately adopt various measures to address the perennial flood problems in various parts of the country. In a 22-page petition, the petitioners asked the Court to order Marcos to exercise his control over various government agencies for the conduct of a massive clean-up of the environment.
They added that the President should also be tasked to disclose or design the master plan for flood control in the country.
Likewise, the petitioners asked the Court to direct the Department of the Interior and Local Government and local governments (LGU) to conduct a comprehensive cleanup, clearing and de-clogging of silted rivers and streams, canals and embankments, drainage systems and other ways that contribute to the flooding problem.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), on the other hand, should be tasked to complete the rehabilitation of these waterways, according to the
petitioners.
“The havoc or mayhem created by either malfeasance, mis-feasance and non-feasance, as well as the absolute negligence and deliberate corruption of those who are supposed to dispense, enforce and implement projects and programs funded by taxpayers money are unconscionable and shocking to the senses of the global humanity,” the petitioners said.
TBy Rex Anthony Naval
HE entry into force of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan on September 11 showcases the growing security and strategic ties between the two nations, the Department of National Defensesaid.
In a statement on Thursday, the department said this (entry into force of RAA) “carries forward our robust Strategic Partnership, validating the strength [of]
our people-to-people ties, shared values and international principles, and common purpose for the security and stability of the region.”
It also expressed its gratitude to the leadership of President Marcos, Jr., the Senate, and the Government of Japan for their support in ensuring that the RAA comes into being.
The RAA, the DND said, lays down the foundation for closer collaboration between the Armed Forces (AFP) and the
WITH the world facing environmental challenges, every small step we take matters. Even when we’re on the move, we can choose habits and essentials that help protect the planet. Traveling does not have to mean leaving a heavy footprint behind. With the right mindset—and the right travel must-haves—you can enjoy your adventures while caring for the Earth.
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From Bamboo Dining Utensils in a Flask to the handy Bamboo Stainless Utensils in a Cacha Pouch, these reusables help cut down single-use waste while supporting local craftsmanship. Over at Surplus Shop, you’ll find Green Finds perfect for your next road trip, hike, or camping getaway. Rechargeable fans with LED lights are energysaving companions outdoors, while their retro-style radio with LED light makes a nostalgic yet practical travel buddy, especially in emergencies. Don’t forget a
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The petitioners also sought to prosecute groups and individuals who took advantage of the country’s flawed flood control systems for their own benefits.
Furthermore the petitioners also asked the Court to direct Congress to pass the National Land Use Act, which remains pending before the House of Representatives.
“The whole country must be rehabilitated, drainage systems de-clogged and retrofitted, rivers, creeks and canals must be cleaned up of trash and garbage, informal settlement in urban centers and the fringes of riverine systems must be demolished and transferred, dredging of heavily silted rivers including canals and creeks must be implemented in order to save the entire county from total destruction,” they added.
RAA highlights growing security, strategic ties between RP, Japan
Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
“The RAA supports the efforts of the DND to build and enhance the country’s deterrence and provide the much-needed leverage for the advancement of our national interests,” it added.
The agreement was signed in Manila on July 8, 2024, approved by President Marcos on November 5, 2024, and ratified by the Senate on December 16, 2024.
The Japanese Diet approved the RAA on June 6, 2025.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines. The RAA facilitates greater military cooperation between the two nations by streamlining procedures for the deployment of forces in each other’s territory for joint training and disaster response operations.
The DND statement reiterated that the RAA will support its efforts to provide the much-needed leverage for the advancement of the Philippines’ national interests.
Travel Green: Explore the World Sustainably with SM Green Finds
Friday, September 12, 2025
Economy
Groups back Climate Accountability bill
LBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
AWMAKERS refiled on Monday the Climate Accountability bill, which mandates major climate-polluting companies to compensate communities for losses and damage related to climate change, environmental group Greenpeace Philippines, which is backing the measure, said.
Greenpeace Philippines at the same time, calledfor the enactment of the landmark Climate Accountability (Clima) Act, or House Bill 4420.
The measure was first filed in November 2023 and was approved by the House Committee on Climate Change in the 19th Congress.
It was refiled in the 20th Congress by Reps. Anna Tuazon, Jose Manuel Alba, Javier Benitez, Percival Vilar Cendaña, Kaka Bag-ao, and House Committee on Climate Change Chairman Aniela Tolentino.
Clima bill is the first measure of its kind in the Global South.
“Now that the bill is filed, Congress must treat the Clima bill as a priority. Once passed, this law can deliver climate justice for communities, as well as change corporate behavior so that businesses align with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” Virginia Benosa-Llorin, senior climate campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines, said in a statement.
“The leadership of the 20th Congress should show that this Congress has what it takes to hold
polluters accountable for the damage they have caused, compensate communities for their climaterelated losses and damages, and uphold the rights of Filipinos to thrive,” she added.
Benitez, who delivered a privileged speech before the bill’s filing, drew links between corruption in flood-control projects and the broader climate crisis, calling on the government to take further action and hold the oil and gas giants accountable.
“Greed in all forms is our enemy,” he said. “It is our duty to fight it. It is high time we ensure that those who have profited from the destruction of our climate are held accountable. And as legislators, I urge all of you to support the passage of the Climate
Accountability Act or the Clima Act.”
The International Court of Justice released an advisory opinion in July on the obligations of states with respect to climate change that can pave the way for Filipino communities to seek reparations from the world’s biggest climate polluters.
The World Court’s decision obligates states to regulate businesses on the harm caused by their emissions, regardless of where the harm takes place. In passing the Climate Accountability Bill, Congress would align the Philippines with the World Court’s ruling, while setting an example for other nations.
“Across the world, climate litigation is gaining momentum.
DOST sets digital governance goal for Western Visayas
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
ROXAS CITY—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has identified digital governance as a priority for Western Visayas, with plans to scale up smart community projects in partnership with local governments under its Smart and Sustainable Communities program.
DOST Region 6 Director Rowen
Gelonga said on Wednesday that the initiative seeks to help cities and municipalities integrate technology into basic services and governance systems, making local government operations more efficient and accessible.
“We’re really pushing for the digital transformation of our local governments [LGU], as well as other government agencies,” Gelonga told the BusinessMirror on the
sidelines of the Western Visayas’ Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week.
Among the cited ongoing projects within the region are Safe Roxas, Project Lungsod and Innovate Iloilo, all of which aim to enhance city services and innovation-driven development.
The Smart and Sustainable Communities program is also aligned with Western Visayas’ tar -
get to become one of the country’s most artificial intelligence (AI)driven and economically competitive regions by 2030.
So far, DOST has committed to funding research and development in AI as part of its regional priorities.
Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that Western Visayas recorded a 7.2 percent regional growth rate as of the fourth quarter of 2022.
Homegrown experts
THE science regional office is also tapping expertise from the Balik Scientist Program to support innovation in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and packaging development.
Since the program’s establishment in 1975, 674 scientists have returned to the Philippines, with Western Visayas accounting for 40 of them—the highest outside Luzon.
Data from the 10th Annual Balik Scientist Program showed that most returning experts came from North America, followed by Asia and Europe, with engagements ranging from short-term collaborations to emerging medium-term partnerships.
“These petitioners decry the non-passage of the National Land Use Plan for the entire country, where geohazards areas should have been mapped and identified,” the petitioners said.
Among the petitioners were lawyers Edna Selloriquez, Joseph Ferdinand Dechaves, Antonio Enrile Inton Jr., Cesar Manuel, Noel Vario, Euney Mata-Perez and Gerald Mosquerra.
Aside from Marcos, named as respondents were the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate, DPWH, DILG, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), River Basin Control Office (RCBO), all LGUs and all flood control project contractors.
A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy available to a natural or juridical person, entity authorized by law, people’s organization, non-governmental organization (NGO), or any public interest group, on behalf of persons whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated or threatened.
International negotiations secure voluntary commitments from world leaders, but climate accountability will force carbonintensive industries to do their share to curb their emissions.
CLIMA also ushers in a robust due diligence framework, which gives companies concrete steps to address the climate crisis,” said lawyer Mai Taqueban, executive director of the Legal Rights And Natural Resources Center (LRC).
For years, communities have been demanding justice as they face multiple disasters supercharged by climate change. According to Ryan de Vera, a community leader from Brgy. Tumana, Marikina—a city that has been under constant threat of
dangerous floods for decades—a law that holds corporations accountable is long overdue.
“Filipinos have little to do with causing climate change; however, we are the ones suffering the most,” de Vera said.
“We know that it is the global north that has been polluting the climate for centuries, these rich nations and the giant oil corporations they protect.”
Grassroots and civil society groups, as well as the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)Victims of Disasters and Calamities Sectoral Council (VDC-SC) and the NCR Regional Basic Sectors Coordinating Council (RBSCC) have likewise thrown their support behind the bill.
Online agri-fishery database up in 2016
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
AN online database comprising agri-fishery resources will be developed in the first quarter of 2026 to encourage innovation and improve farmers’ productivity, according to a regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Zarlina Cuello, who is in charge of the DA Western Visayas’ Office of the Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, said the online database would consist of an agri-fishery pool of experts, resources, and facilities for research and extension. Cuello, who is also the Vice Chairperson of Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Research, and Extension for Development Network (AFRREDN), noted that such an initiative would establish a “vibrant and collaborative” research, development, and extension (RDE) ecosystem for the agrifishery industry.
“It’s currently ongoing, but we’re dependent on member agencies because it’s interdisciplinary. But in terms of completion, it’s [almost finished],” she told the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Roxas City, Capiz, on Thursday. Cuello said the database would involve various agencies for each commodity, such as the National Mango Research and Development Center (NDRMC) in Guimaras and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), among others.
Part of the AFRREDN’s aim is to offer a new operation mechanism for transforming the agriculture and fisheries sector in the region, aimed at improving the living conditions of
farmers and fisherfolk.
“We believe that we can [...] develop the mindset that farming is a dynamic, modernized, and meaningful path with science and innovation,” Cuello said.
“The network presents itself as a platform where farmers and fisherfolk can feel the impact of research, development, and extension efforts.”
Commodity boards
EARLIER, the DA created councils for agricultural commodities to bolster local and international trade and enhance farm productivity.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 45, which will establish 43 industry commodity boards, including cacao, coffee, coconut, and Hass avocado, among others.
“The Philippines is an agricultural country with a variety of crops that play a key role in its economy and livelihoods. The diversity of crops across the country highlights the country’s agricultural potential,” the DA said.
“However, each crop faces distinct challenges that affect productivity. These include issues such as pests and diseases, fluctuating market prices, limited access to modern technology, and poor infrastructure.”
The agency noted that the industry commodity boards would strengthen collaboration and dialogue between industry leaders, government agencies, and other stakeholders, which will foster “a deeper understanding” of the challenges that beset farmers on the ground.
“We can better organize and address the specific needs of each crop sector, leading to higher agricultural productivity.”
DA declares CamSur bird-flu free
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) declared Camarines Sur as bird flufree five months after the province detected the first case of the H5N9 strain in the Philippines.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Circular 27, which recognized Camarines Sur as an avian influenza (AI) free province, following a confirmed case of bird flu’s H5N9 strain at a backyard duck farm in the town of Camaligan last April.
“Subtype H5N9, while highly pathogenic in birds, poses low risk to humans based on current global assessments,” the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said in a previous statement.
Upon confirmation, the provincial and municipal governments, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (RFO) V and the BAI, implemented containment measures under the AI Protection Program.
Such measures included disease investigation, immediate depopulation of affected poultry, cleaning and disinfection, movement restrictions, and active surveillance.
In addition, the DA noted that subsequent monitoring within one-kilometer and seven-kilometer zones around the infected area yielded negative test results for the influenza type A virus.
Laurel stressed that the declaration is in accordance with guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), which allows an area to regain bird flu-free status 28 days after a successful stampingout operation, followed by disinfection and the absence of new cases during postoutbreak surveillance.
The DA chief warned, however, that the bird flu-free status could be immediately revoked if a new confirmed case were to arise. With this, the agency stated that it remains committed to vigilance and a rapid response to prevent any recurrence of AI in the province. Despite the clearance, the DA said Camarines Sur is not among the country’s top 10 producers of chicken or duck.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the agency said national chicken production rose by 6.8 percent in 2024 to 2.08 million metric tons (MMT),
DFA denounces establishment of China ‘nature reserve’ at Bajo de Masinloc
THE Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) on Thursday condemned China’s recent move to establish the “Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve” in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, calling it an unlawful encroachment on Philippine sovereignty.
Bajo de Masinloc, which is a part of Zambales province, has been used as a shelter by Filipino fishermen and was grabbed by China in 2012 following a standoff between the Chinese Navy and the Philippine Navy.
Last month, a Chinese navy ship and a Chinese Coast Guard vessel collided while trying to harm a Phippine Coast Guard ship. At least three Chinese coast guard personnel
reportedly died in the incident.
Since that incident, China has escalated aggressive action on the shoad to save face.
DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the Philippines “strongly protests” the approval by China’s State Council, asserting that the shoal is a “longstanding and integral part of the Philippines” over which the country exercises full sovereignty and jurisdiction.
The department said it will issue a formal diplomatic protest against China on the matter.
On Thursday, the DFA in a statement emphasized that the Philippines also has
the exclusive authority to establish environmental protection areas over its territory and relevant maritime zones.
“The Philippines strongly protests the recent approval by the State Council of China of the establishment of the so-called ‘Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve.’ Bajo de Masinloc is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the DFA said.
The DFA also urged China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc and comply with its obligations under international law.
“The Philippines urges China to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines
over Bajo de Masinloc, refrain from enforcing and immediately withdraw its State Council issuance, and comply with its obligations under international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea [Unclos], the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea [DOC],” it added.
Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc is located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, being 240 kilometers or 150 miles west of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese
Ex-Bulacan public works exec seeks return to Camp Crame
FBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
ORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Bulacan First District Assistant
Engineer Brice Hernandez on Tuesday filed a petition for the issuance of a writ of amparo before the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City seeking his immediate return to the custodial facility of the National Police (PNP) in Camp Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City from the Pasay City Jail. Hernandez filed the petition through his lawyer Ernest Levanza who also sought his immediately inclusion in the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) following his testimony before the three-panel House Infrastructure
Committee (Infracomm) claiming that Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were among those who benefitted anomalous flood control projects.
“In view of the revelations of petitioner Hernandez....petitioner Hernandez most respectfully moved that he be referred to the Department of Justice and be admitted to the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program, at the soonest possible time,” Levanza said.
Levanza also claimed that there is an actual threat to Hernandez’s safety, which would warrant his transfer from the Pasay City Jail to the PNP Custodial Center or to the DOJ’s jurisdiction.
“After the revelations we have made during Congress hearing, we can’t deny that there is really a threat. And at the same
time, Congress actually affirms this threat by refusing Brice Hernandez to be returned to the Senate. So this is not speculative, this is real,” Levanza told reporters.
The Writ of Amparo is a legal remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or of a private individual or entity.
Hernandez is among those charged by Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon with graft and malversation of public funds for allegedly pocketing taxpayers’ money intended for flood control projects.
He also testified before the Senate blue-ribbon committee on Monday during its investigation into the multi-billion
anomalous flood control projects, where he was cited in contempt after he refused to admit owning a fake driver’s license under the name of “Marvin Santos de Guzman,” which he allegedly used to gamble in casinos.
The blue-ribbon committee ordered his detention at the Senate but was allowed to appear before the House InfraComm the next day.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he granted Speaker Martin Romualdez’s request to place Hernandez in PNP custody following his testimony against Estrada and Villanueva.
Several senators belonging to the minority bloc, however, questioned Sotto’s move which eventually led to Hernandez’s transfer to the Pasay City Jail.
Army eyes drone use for external defense
THE Army (PA) is looking to integrate drones as part of its efforts to beef up its external defense capabilities.
In a statement on Thursday, the Army commander, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, said this initiative is part of their efforts to further modernize the service.
He added that integrating “drone technology into the force structure as part of the shift towards external security operations.”
Nafarrete, in an earlier interview, said efforts are underway to develop the PA’s drone capabilities but declined to comment due to security reasons.
Drones in the PA inventory are currently being used for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The military use of drones was highlighted following the continued use of the platforms in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War by both sides, in varying effects. In relation to this,
Nafarrete said the PA is strengthening its force projection capabilities to effectively defend the country’s territory and its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in close coordination with the Navy and the PAir Force.
“The Army will also continue to equip its force through innovative training programs anchored in human capital development to ensure a stronger workforce,” he added.
As this developed, the PA chief reaffirmed the service’s support to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Operations (Cado) by beefing up its capabilities as a reliable and responsive primary force provider to the Armed Forces (AFP) Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) and Western Command (Wescom) during his visit to the Naval Detachment on Mavulis Island in Batanes on Wednesday. “As part of Cado, we are conducting large-scale training exercises such as the annual Combined Arms Training Exercise Katihan,” Nafarrete said. PNA
DTI sets Sept. 30 deadline to get Trustmark
By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is giving online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, and digital platforms until September 30 to register for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark).
Under Department Administrative Order 25-12, Series of 2025, issued on September 4, online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, or digital platforms are mandated to register for a Trustmark. They are allowed to use the internet for conducting e-commerce in the Philippines
with a Trustmark, a digital badge, pursuant to Section 11 and Section 8(c), in relation to Section 12 of Republic Act 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.
The mandatory registration is a “direct response” to the surge in consumer concerns, with DTI recording over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions from January to August 2025.
In a statement on Thursday, DTI revealed that as of September 8, it has already issued the digital badge to several major companies, signaling “early industry compliance.”
Among those registered are Shopee Philippines Inc. (Shopee), Bytedance Philippines Inc. (Tiktok Shop), Lalamove
Philippines Inc. (Lalamove), and LG Electronics Philippines Inc. (LG). Also on the list are Asahi Electrical Manufacturing Corporation (Asahi), Cherenz Global Mfg., Inc. (TOUGHMAMA), Concepcion Midea, Inc. (Midea), Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Company (Carrier), First Digital Finance Corporation (Billease), Mailtag Ortigas Corporation (DHL Express), Pan-Eurasia Sales Marketing Corporation (Dowell, Edamama and Tefal), QuadX Inc. (Gogo Xpress and ShippingCart), and Tosot Philippines Corporation (Tosot).
To earn and maintain a Trustmark, DTI said: “Businesses must meet key regulatory standards, including full
PNP-HPG launches info management system against carjacking, road crimes
THE National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Thursday launched an Information Management System (IMS) designed to strengthen its campaign against carjacking and other road-related crimes.
Col. Hansel Marantan, HPG acting commander, said the system would streamline the processing of the units clearances, provide a unified nationwide database, and allow for real-time verification of alarmed vehicles.
It will also give HPG personnel the tools to quickly identify suspicious or stolen vehicles, while giving the public
a faster and more transparent service.
“The launching of our HPG Information Management System reflects the ever-evolving role of technology in transforming public service,” Marantan said during the launch at the HPG headquarters at Camp Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City.
The IMS is expected to give the HPG better data integration and coordination with law enforcement partners, boosting the agency’s ability to track down stolen vehicles and identify criminal groups operating on national roads.
“This innovation will be a vital tool in
enhancing our operation, allowing us to deliver faster, more efficient, and more reliable service, while strengthening our capacity to suppress and neutralize carnapping and other crimes that end in danger to our communities,” Marantan said, adding that the HPG is preparing for its nationwide deployment.
The PNP-HPG also inaugurated its Mobility Service Bay for motorcycles, which will serve as a dedicated maintenance hub for the group’s patrol fleet.
“Iyong nakita ninyo kanina [The one y ou saw earlier] is a vital step in ensuring that our motorcycles, the very backbone
business disclosure, protection of consumer data, and the establishment of an internal redress mechanism to address consumer complaints.”
The Trade department also noted that online businesses may apply for the badge by completing the application form and submitting the required documents, such as their business name registration, business registration documents from SEC and CDA, BIR Certificate of Registration (BIR Form 2303), a valid Philippine governmentissued ID of the applicant, and other necessary licenses/permits. Application can be filed through the official portal at https://www.trustmark.dti.gov.ph.
of our mobility, and the quick response on the road are always in the best condition, ready to serve the public,” Marantan said. He emphasized that these milestones go beyond infrastructure upgrades, as he underscored their role in the government’s broader push for modernization.
“This innovation stands as enduring symbols of our commitment to the PNP vision, Bagong Pilipinas, and to our pledges, safer highways for the welfare of our road users,” he said.
“As Acting Director, I have issued marching orders for the HPG to restore order and discipline on the nation’s highways, in line with the call of President Marcos to remove ‘pain points’ in government service. Our focus areas include intensified operations against carjacking, reckless driving, and the unauthorized use of sirens and blinkers.” PNA
The World
Editor: Angel R. Calso
BusinessMirror
Friday, September 12, 2025 A9
Qatar’s PM says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ of hostage release with Hamas strike in Doha
By Jon Gambrell, Abdel Kareem Hana & Wafaa Shurafa
The Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar—Qatar’s prime minister said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “killed any hope” of releasing hostages still held in the Gaza Strip after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Doha.
The comments from Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ahead of appearing at the United Nations on Thursday, underscored the wider anger among Gulf Arab countries over Israel’s strike that killed at least six people.
“I was meeting one of the hostages’ families the morning of the attack,” Sheikh Mohammed told CNN in an interview aired late Wednesday. “They are counting on this (ceasefire) mediation. They have no other hope for that.”
Sheikh Mohammed added: “I think that what Netanyahu has done yesterday, he just killed any hope for those hostages.”
His remarks came as thousands of Palestinians continued to flee Gaza City ahead of Israel’s impending offensive there. The numbers leaving the city have grown in recent days, though many have refused because they say they no longer have the strength or money to relocate.
The Israeli military’s plans for the next phases of its operation in what it calls Hamas’ last remaining stronghold are aimed at taking over the largest Palestinian city that’s already devastated from earlier raids and experiencing famine.
The plans have drawn widespread condemnation and add to Israel’s already unprecedented global isolation, which intensified further this week following the strike on Qatar.
Qatar’s diplomatic push
THE attack on the territory of a US ally alarmed countries in the Mideast and beyond. It also marked a dramatic escalation in the region and risked upending talks aimed at ending the war and freeing hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed was expected to attend a U.N. Security Council meeting later Thursday, part of a diplomatic push by Qatar after the strike, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was set to visit Doha to underscore Pakistan’s support for Qatar’s security and sovereignty. Qatar also said it was
organizing an Arab-Islamic summit next week in Doha to discuss the attack.
Hamas said Tuesday that its top leaders survived the strike but that five lower-level members were killed, including the son of Khalil al-Hayya—Hamas’ leader for Gaza and its top negotiator—as well as three bodyguards and the head of al-Hayya’s office.
Hamas, which has sometimes only confirmed the assassination of its leaders months later, offered no immediate proof that al-Hayya and other senior figures had survived.
Qatar and Egypt have been key mediators to try and reach a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Qatar has hosted Hamas’ political leadership for years in Doha, in part over a request by the US to encourage negotiations between the militant group and Israel.
There was no immediate reaction to Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks from Netanyahu, whose government has engaged in wars across the region since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel.
However, Netanyahu has continued to defend the strikes and threatened further action against Qatar a day after US President Donald Trump had sought to ease tensions between the US allies, including by assuring the Gulf nation that there would be no more such strikes on its soil.
“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice,” Netanyahu said. “Because if you don’t, we will.”
In what appeared to be the first move by a Gulf Arab state over the strike, the United Arab Emirates blocked Israeli firms from participating in the Dubai Air Show in November, Israeli media reported. The Israeli Defense Ministry told
As fighting escalates, kidnappings of aid workers surge in South Sudan
By Joseph Falzetta The Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya—The number of aid workers kidnapped in South Sudan has more than doubled this year, according to two senior humanitarian officials working for international groups.
Aid agencies are concerned about the well-being of their staff and the disruption of their life-saving services in a region suffering one of the most severe humanitarian crises.
Several of those kidnapped have been released after ransom payments, said three people with knowledge of the negotiations, but one aid worker died in captivity earlier this month, according to several sources familiar with the incident, including Edmund Yakani, a prominent civil rights activist in the country.
The United Nations has long designated South Sudan as one of the most dangerous places for aid workers. However, analysts say that the spike in kidnapping for ransom is a new and worrying trend.
“The biggest fear is that this could become a countrywide issue,” said Daniel Akech, a South Sudan expert with the International Crisis Group.
More aid workers kidnapped in 2025
OVER 30 South Sudanese aid workers have
been kidnapped this year, according to the two humanitarian officials. That is more than double the number of aid workers abducted in all of 2024, according to both officials.
Aid officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss security matters and feared reprisals against their staff, jeopardizing their organizations’ access in the country.
Fighting in South Sudan between the national army and opposition factions has surged this year, marking some of the worst violence since a 2018 peace deal ended a civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people and formed a fragile unity government. Some analysts say the clashes are linked to a struggle over President Salva Kiir’s successor, as speculation about his declining health spikes.
“Some abductions for political reasons, like forced recruitment (of civilians into military conscription), have been done for years, but the abductions for ransom are new,” said Ferenc Marko, an expert on South Sudan. “It is frankly a worrisome new trend that could make humanitarian work impossible” in the country’s states of Central and Western Equatoria, he said.
A kidnapped aid worker dies in captivity JAMES UNGUBA, a South Sudanese aid
The Associated Press on Thursday that it had received “the notification from the exhibition organizers to the industries.”
The air show’s organizers and authorities in the Emirates did not respond to requests for comment. However, the move would carry significant diplomatic importance, particularly as the UAE only diplomatically recognized Israel five years ago.
Displaced Palestinians forced to live on the streets
AN estimated 1 million Palestinians—around half of Gaza’s overall population—live in the area of north Gaza around Gaza City, according to the Israeli military and the United Nations. On Wednesday, dozens of vehicles, motorbikes, and donkey carts loaded with belongings lined the city’s coastal road as they tried to leave.
Amal Sobh, displaced from Beit Lahia with 30 relatives—including 13 orphans—said the three-wheel vehicle carrying their belongings broke down and they had no fuel, leaving the family stranded.
After one of her boys came down with a fever, the only food or medicine they were able to get was bread that a passerby gave to them.
“I have 13 orphans. The one who is in my lap, his temperature is high like fire,” she told The Associated Press. “I don’t have money to buy medicine for him.”
Umm Mohamed al-Boghdady said her family lost their tents and belongings in an Israeli strike.
Hana reported from Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip, and Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations and Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
worker, was kidnapped last month in the county of Tambura, in Western Equatoria state and died in captivity on Sept. 3, according to three people with knowledge of his death who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The three said Unguba, who worked for a local aid organization, was abducted by men dressed in national military uniforms. The exact circumstances surrounding his death weren’t immediately clear.
A spokesman for South Sudan’s military told the AP he had no information about his death and declined to answer questions.
Playing havoc with crucial aid
THE kidnappings have hampered lifesaving services for hundreds of thousands of people in remote areas along South Sudan’s southern borders with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, aid agencies say.
In July, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders, better known by its French acronym, MSF, suspended operations in two South Sudanese counties after one of its staff members was taken at gunpoint while traveling in a clearly marked convoy in the county of Yei, in Central Equatoria state. This came just four days after the kidnapping of another health worker traveling in an MSF ambulance.
“While we are deeply committed to providing care to those in need, we cannot keep our staff working in an unsafe environment,” Doctor Ferdinand Atte, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan, said in a statement.
THIS satellite image from Planet Labs PBC taken on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, shows damage after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas’ political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday. PLANET LABS PBC VIA AP
Israeli airstrikes on Yemen kill at least 35, Houthi officials say
By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy & Lorne Cook The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip—Israel launched another round of heavy airstrikes in Yemen on Wednesday, kill -
ing dozens just days after Houthi rebels carried out a drone attack that struck an Israeli airport. The Israeli strikes killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 130 others, the Houthi-run health ministry said. Search crews were continuing to
dig through the rubble. Most of those killed were in Sanaa, the capital, where a military headquarters and a fuel station were hit, the health ministry said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, meanwhile, said
she would seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip. The move adds to Israel’s already unprecedented global isolation as it grapples with the fallout from its strike targeting Hamas leaders in US-allied Qatar on Tuesday.
Al-Masirah, a Houthi-controlled satellite news channel, said one of the strikes on Yemen hit a military headquarters building in central Sanaa. Neighboring houses were also damaged, it reported.
See “Israeli,” A12
Israeli...
Continued from A10
Israel has previously launched waves of airstrikes in response to the Houthis’ firing missiles and drones at Israel. The Iran-backed Houthis say they are supporting Hamas and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and on Sunday, sent a drone that breached Israel’s multilayered air defenses and slammed into a southern airport.
‘No safe zone’
ISRAEL reiterated its calls for some 1 million people to evacuate Gaza City, where it has been bombing high-rises and ramping up a new offensive aimed at taking over the largest Palestinian city, already devastated from earlier raids and experiencing famine.
The Israeli military said Wednesday it soon will increase the pace of targeted strikes near Gaza City as it readies for the next phases of its operation in what it calls Hamas’ last remaining stronghold.
Palestinians have been ordered to head south to a designated safe zone where hundreds of thousands already live in squalid tent camps and where Israel regularly strikes what it says are militant targets. Many have refused to leave Gaza City, saying they no longer have the strength or money to relocate.
“There is no safe zone in the Gaza Strip,” Fawzi Muftah said as people walked alongside a line of vehicles loaded with mattresses, carpets and other belongings. “Danger is everywhere.”
Amal Sobh, displaced with 30 relatives—including 13 orphans—said a three-wheel vehicle carrying their belongings broke down and they have no fuel, leaving them stranded.
“We don’t have good blankets or good beddings, and winter is coming, what do we do for our children? We don’t even have a proper tent to shelter us,” said Sobh, whose husband was arrested during the war.
Airstrikes on Yemen ISRAEL’S strikes in Yemen followed earlier attacks that killed the Houthi prime minister and other top officials in a major escalation of the nearly 2-year-old conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group.
The strikes on Wednesday hit a station that provides fuel to hospitals in the capital, Essam al-Mutawakel, spokesman for rebel-run Yemen Petroleum Company, told the Al-Masirah news channel. Residents said they heard violent explosions in multiple areas of the city, with fire and smoke in the skies.
The Houthi media office said Israel also hit a government facility in the strategic city of Hazm, the capital of northern Jawf province. Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said rebels fired surface-to-air missiles at the Israeli fighter jets. Houthi-backed President Mahdi alMashat vowed on Wednesday to continue the attacks, warning Israelis to “stay alarmed since the response is coming without fail.”
Magdy reported from Cairo and Cook from Brussels.
Visa concerns cloud US-South Korea investment plans after factory raid
By Kim Tong-Hyung & Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea’s president said Thursday that Korean companies will likely hesitate to make further investments in the United States unless Washington improves its visa system for their employees, as US authorities released hundreds of workers who were detained from a Georgia factory site last week.
In a news conference marking 100 days in office, Lee Jae Myung called for improvements in the US visa system as he spoke about the Sept. 4 immigration raid that resulted in the arrest of more than 300 South Korean workers at a battery factory under construction at Hyundai’s sprawling auto plant west of Savannah.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed that US authorities have released the 330 detainees—316 of them Koreans—and that they were being transported by buses to Atlanta’s HartsfieldJackson airport where they will board a charter flight scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Friday afternoon. The group also includes 10 Chinese nationals, three Japanese nationals and one Indonesian.
The massive roundup and US authorities’ release of video showing some workers being chained and taken away, sparked widespread anger and a sense of betrayal in South Korea. The raid came
less than two weeks after a summit between US President Donald Trump and Lee, and just weeks after the countries reached a July agreement that spared South Korea from the Trump administration’s highest tariffs—but only after Seoul pledged $350 billion in new US investments, against the backdrop of a decaying job market at home.
Lawmakers from both Lee’s liberal Democratic Party and the conservative opposition decried the detentions as outrageous and heavy-handed, while South Korea’s biggest newspaper compared the raid to a “rabbit hunt” executed by US immigration authorities in a zeal to meet an alleged White House goal of 3,000 arrests a day.
During the news conference, Lee said South Korean and US officials are discussing a possible improvement to the US visa system, adding that under the current system South Korean companies “can’t help hesitating a lot” about making direct investments in the US.
Lee: ‘It’s not like these are long-term workers’ US authorities said some of the detained workers had illegally crossed the US border, while others entered legally but had expired visas or entered on visa waivers that prohibited them from working.
But South Korean officials expressed frustration that Washington has yet to act on Seoul’s yearslong demand to ensure a visa system to accommodate skilled
Korean workers, though it has been pressing South Korea to expand US industrial investments.
South Korean companies have been mostly relying on short-term visitor visas or Electronic System for Travel Authorization to send workers who are needed to launch manufacturing sites and handle other setup tasks, a practice that had been largely tolerated for years.
Lee said that whether Washington establishes a visa system allowing South Korean companies to send skilled workers to industrial sites will have a “major impact” on future South Korean investments in America. “It’s not like these are longterm workers. When you build a factory or install equipment at a factory, you need technicians, but the United States doesn’t have that workforce and yet they won’t issue visas to let our people stay and do the work,” he said.
“If that’s not possible, then establishing a local factory in the United States will either come with severe disadvantages or become very difficult for our companies. They will wonder whether they should even do it,” Lee added. Lee said the raid showed a “cultural difference” between the two countries in how they handle immigration issues.
“In South Korea, we see Americans coming on tourist visas to teach English at private cram schools—they do it all the time, and we don’t think much of it, it’s just something you accept,” Lee said.
“But the United States clearly doesn’t see things that way. On top of that, US immigration authorities pledge to strictly forbid illegal immigration and employment and carry out deportations in various aggressive ways, and our people happened to be caught in one of those cases,” he added.
South Korea, US agree on working group to settle visa issues Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that US officials have agreed to allow the workers detained in Georgia to later return to finish their work at the site. He added that the countries agreed to set up a joint working group for discussions on creating a new visa category to make it easier for South Korean companies to send their staff to work in the United States. Before leaving for the US on Monday, Cho said more South Korean workers in the US could be vulnerable to future crackdowns if the visa issue isn’t resolved, but said Seoul does not yet have an estimate of how many might be at risk. The Georgia battery plant is one of more than 20 major industrial sites that South Korean companies are currently building in the United States. They include other battery factories in Georgia and several other states, a semiconductor plant in Texas, and a shipbuilding project in Philadelphia, a sector Trump has frequently highlighted in relation to South Korea.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk assassinated at Utah college event
By Hannah Schoenbaum, Alanna Durkin Richer, Mark Sherman & Eric Tucker
The Associated Press
OREM, Utah—Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who played an influential role in rallying young Republican voters, was shot and killed at a Utah college event in what the governor called a political assassination.
Authorities say Kirk was killed with a single shot from a rooftop on Wednesday. Whoever fired the gun then slipped away amid the chaos of screams and students fleeing the Utah Valley University campus. Federal, state and local authorities were still searching for an unidentified shooter early Thursday and working what they called “multiple active crime scenes.”
“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.”
Two people were detained Wednesday but neither was determined to be connected to the shooting and both were released, Utah public safety officials said.
Authorities did not immediately identify a motive, but the circumstances of the shooting drew renewed attention to an escalating threat of political violence in the United States that in the last several years has cut across the ideological spectrum. The assassination drew bipartisan condemnation, but a national reckoning over ways to prevent political grievances from manifesting as deadly violence seemed elusive.
Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.” A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping
and screaming before people start to run away.
Kirk was taking questions about gun violence
KIRK was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political youth organization, Arizona-based Turning Point USA, at the Sorensen Center courtyard on campus. Immediately before the shooting, Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” the person asked. Kirk responded, “Too many.”
The questioner followed up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk asked.
Then a single shot rang out.
The shooter, who Cox pledged would be held accountable in a state with the death penalty, wore dark clothing and fired from a building roof some distance away.
Madison Lattin was watching only a few dozen feet from Kirk’s left when she said she heard the bullet hit Kirk.
“Blood is falling and dripping down and you’re just like so scared, not just for him but your own safety,” she said.
She said she saw people drop to the ground in an eerie silence pierced immediately by cries. Lattin ran while others splashed through decorative pools to get away. Some fell and were trampled in the stampede. People lost their shoes, backpacks, folding chairs and water bottles in the frenzy.
When Lattin later learned that Kirk had died, she said she wept, describing him as a role model who had showed her how to be determined and fight for the truth.
Trump calls Kirk ‘martyr for truth’
SOME 3,000 people were in attendance, according to a statement from the Utah Department of Public Safety. The university police department had
six officers working the event, along with Kirk’s own security detail, authorities said.
Trump announced the death on social media and praised the 31-yearold Kirk who was co-founder and CEO of Turning Point as “Great, and even Legendary.” Later Wednesday, he released a recorded video from the White House in which he called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed the rhetoric of the “radical left” for the killing.
Utah Valley University said the campus was immediately evacuated after the shooting, with officers escorting people to safety. It will be closed until Monday.
Meanwhile, armed officers walked around the neighborhood bordering the campus, knocking on doors and asking for any information residents might have on the shooting. Helicop -
ters buzzed overhead.
Wednesday’s event, billed as the first stop on Kirk’s “The American Comeback Tour,” had generated a polarizing campus reaction. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”
Last week, Kirk posted on X images of news clips showing his visit was sparking controversy. He wrote, “What’s going on in Utah?”
Condemnation from across the political spectrum
THE shooting drew swift condemnation across the political aisle as Democratic officials joined Trump, who
ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation, and Republican allies of Kirk in decrying the violence.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who last March hosted Kirk on his podcast, posted on X.
“The murder of Charlie Kirk breaks my heart. My deepest sympathies are with his wife, two young children, and friends,” said Gabrielle Giffords, the former Democratic congresswoman who was wounded in a 2011 shooting in her Arizona district.
The shooting appeared poised to become part of a spike of political violence that has touched a range of ideologies and representatives of both major parties. The attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish, in April. The most notorious of these events is the shooting of Trump during a campaign rally last year.
Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at Wednesday’s event, told the Fox News Channel that he didn’t believe Kirk had enough security.
“Utah is one of the safest places on the planet,” he said. “And so we just don’t have these types of things.” Turning Point was founded in suburban Chicago in 2012 by Kirk, then 18, and William Montgomery, a tea party activist, to proselytize on college campuses for low taxes and limited government. It was not an immediate success.
But Kirk’s zeal for confronting liberals in academia eventually won over an influential set of conservative financiers.
Despite early misgivings, Turning Point enthusiastically backed Trump after he clinched the GOP nomination in 2016. Kirk served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, during the general election campaign.
Soon, Kirk was a regular presence on cable TV, where he leaned into the culture wars and heaped praise on the then-president. Trump and his son were equally effusive and often spoke at Turning Point conferences.
Richer and Sherman reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver; Michael Biesecker, Brian Slodysko, Lindsay Whitehurst and Michelle L. Price in Washington; Jesse Bedayn in Orem, Utah; and Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.
CHARLIE KIRK speaks before he is shot during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. TESS CROWLEY/THE DESERET NEWS VIA AP
A14 Friday, September 12, 2025
The World
www.businessmirror.com.ph
As Nepal’s army tries to restore order, capital’s residents ask what’s next
By Binaj Gurubacharya
KThe Associated Press
ATHMANDU,
Nepal—Resi -
dents of Nepal’s capital rushed to buy groceries Thursday morning when the army briefly lifted a curfew it imposed to quell violent protests that toppled the country’s government, as confusion set in about who would govern the Himalayan nation.
Nepal army, which took control of the capital Tuesday night after two days of protests that burned government buildings and businesses, lifted the curfew for four hours Thursday morning. People rushed to buy rice, vegetables and meat, while others took the opportunity to pray at Hindu temples.
Armed soldiers were guarding the streets, checking vehicles and offering assistance to those in need.
Flood-control. . .
Continued from A1 needs to lift millions from poverty.
“Corruption of this magnitude is not merely a moral failing; it is an impediment to growth. Infrastructure is among the most powerful multipliers of public investment, reducing transaction costs, integrating markets, and enhancing productivity,” Guinigundo said.
“When infrastructure spending is hollowed out by corruption, the multiplier
It remained unclear who would take control of the government as the search for an interim leader continued.
Nepalis wonder who’s in charge WHEN the protests prompted Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli to resign Tuesday, the country’s ceremonial President Ram Chandra Poudel asked him to lead a transitional government until a new one could be put in place. But Oli fled from his official residence, and his whereabouts were not clear.
Residents of the capital wondered who was in charge. “I feel there should be an election soonest and new leaders who are able to work for the country should be elected,” said Sanu Bohara, a shop owner. “After all this what we need is peace. I feel there should not have been so much destruction, but that has already happed.”
runs in reverse: resources are destroyed rather than created,” he also said.
Guinigundo said the corruption in lifesaving flood control projects weakens the country’s resilience to disasters as well as renders Filipino firms and households vulnerable to economic losses.
On Wednesday, economists and even the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said typhoons and the floods that ensued as a consequence led to an increase in the number of jobless Filipinos to 2.59 million in July 2025.
Anup Keshar Thapa, a retired government officer who was looking at the charred official residences of ministers, said it was not clear who would lead the country and if people would actually listen to them. “If the protests had gone in an organized way, it would be clear who was leading,” he said.
Representatives of the protesters met with military officials at the army headquarters in Kathmandu on Wednesday to discuss a transitional leader, with some of them pushing for Sushila Karki, a popular former chief justice.
Rehan Raj Dangal, a representative of the protesters, said his group has proposed to military leaders that Karki head an interim government. Karki, the only woman to serve as chief justice of Nepal’s Supreme Court, was a popular figure when she served in the post in 2016 and 2017.
According to Guinigundo, the opportunity cost in this leakage “is immense,” saying that every peso leaked to corruption is a peso made unavailable for projects that would benefit the education and health sectors which suffered huge setbacks during the pandemic.
Guinigundo noted that the money lost could have also financed digital infrastructure needs to narrow the digital divide and address the country’s energy
crowd gathered outside the army headquarters opposed Karki.
Anger at social media ban triggered protests
DEMONSTRATIONS by thousands of protesters were sparked Monday by a short-lived government ban on social media. platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, which the government said had failed to register and submit to oversight.
The protests drew a police crackdown in which officers opened fire, and escalated Tuesday with attacks on government buildings.
The social media ban was lifted on Tuesday, but the demonstrations continued, fueled by rage over the deaths of protesters, which protesters blamed on police.
The protests spiraled to reflect broader discontent. Many young
problems such as in power generation.
“Over three years, at least P1 trillion could have been mobilized for human capital and connectivity; instead, it has financed luxury watches, helicopters, and imported SUVs for a small elite,” Guinigundo said.
“Corruption corrodes trust, both domestic and foreign. Citizens lose confidence in the state’s ability to govern fairly, while investors are deterred by the unpredictability and inefficiency of public works,” he also said.
Available data indicate, Guinigundo said, that between 2011 and 2025, nearly P1.9 trillion were allocated to flood-control projects, with over P1 trillion spent in just the last three years.
Despite this, flooding worsened. Guinigundo said this cannot be blamed
people are angry about “nepo kids” of political leaders who seem to enjoy luxury lifestyles and numerous advantages while most youth struggle to find work.
With youth unemployment running at about 20% last year, according to the World Bank, the government estimates that more than 2,000 young people leave the country every day to seek work in the Middle East or Southeast Asia.
Protesters set fires at the parliament building, the presidential residence, the central secretariat that houses the offices of the prime minister and key ministries, and the prime minister’s official residence.
Smoke was still rising from those buildings on Wednesday.
The building of Kantipur publication, Nepal’s biggest media outlet, also was torched and damaged. Car showrooms were also torched and burned-
on climate change alone, given that failed flood control projects also contributed to this, especially in flood-prone areas in need of a lifeline from floods.
Economists earlier noted that the shock brought by the recent flash floods in various parts of Quezon City, Metro Manila’s largest, may not have an immediate impact on economic performance, but will certainly have a long-term effect on GDP growth and inflation. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/09/01/flash-floods-tohave-cumulative-damage)
“The Philippines cannot hope to accelerate growth, much less achieve inclusive development without addressing this leakage,” Guinigundo said.
To illustrate the huge rise in the fortunes of those who profited from flood-control projects, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin,
out vehicles dotted the streets.
The military takes control THE military is rarely mobilized in Nepal, and soldiers initially stayed in their barracks as police lost control of the situation. Late Tuesday, the security forces started to mobilize, saying they were committed to preserving law and order. The overall death toll in the violence has reached 30, the Health Ministry said Wednesday, with 1,033 people injured. The death and injuries were rising as reports were trickling in from other parts of the country about the casualties.
On Wednesday, soldiers quelled a jailbreak in the heart of Kathmandu. Inmates at the main jail had overpowered guards, set fire to buildings and tried to escape. Soldiers fired into the air, apprehended the escaping inmates and transferred them to other jails. No injuries were reported.
at a recent hearing of the House Infra Committee, questioned contractor Pacifico Discaya over the “extraordinary rise” in revenues of his construction companies. Garin said the sudden financial windfall of the Discaya group of companies undermines the couple’s credibility, particularly after they implicated lawmakers in alleged anomalies during a Senate investigation. Citing financial statements submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Garin noted that Discaya-linked companies reported zero revenues in 2014 and 2015 and only P99.25 million in 2016. BY 2017, revenues surged to P1.034 billion, a 942-percent increase from the previous year, said Garin. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/10/ discayas-revenues-from-0-to-billionsstarting-2016)
NATO scrambles jets to shoot down Russian drones in Poland, raising fears of war spillover
By Claudia Ciobanu, Illia Novikov & Rafal Niedzielski
The Associated Press
WOHYN, Poland—Multiple Russian drones crossed into Poland in what European officials described Wednesday as a deliberate provocation, causing NATO to send fighter jets to shoot them down. A NATO spokesman said it was the first time the alliance confronted a potential threat in its airspace.
The incursion, which occurred during a wave of strikes by the Kremlin on Ukraine, and the NATO response swiftly raised fears that the war could spill over—a fear that has been growing in Europe as Russia steps up its attacks and peace efforts go nowhere.
Poland requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the drone incursion. South Korea’s UN Mission, which holds the council presidency this month, said the time was being discussed.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it did not target Poland, while Belarus, a close ally
Govt. . .
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of Moscow, said it tracked some drones that “lost their course” because they were jammed.
However, several European leaders said they believed the incursion amounted to an intentional expansion of Russia’s assault against Ukraine.
“Russia’s war is escalating, not ending,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels. “What (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants to do is to test us. What happened in Poland is a game changer,” and it should result in stronger sanctions.
Polish airspace has been violated many times since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but never on this scale in Poland or anywhere else in NATO territory.
Poland said some of the drones came from Belarus, where Russian and Belarusian troops have begun gathering for war games scheduled to start Friday.
It was not immediately clear how many drones were involved. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told parliament 19 violations were recorded over seven hours, but he said information was still being gathered. Polish authorities said nine crash sites were found,
fair, reasonable, and accurately reflect actual costs...Our mission is to serve the people. To effectively address the energy trilemma, we must foster a regulatory environment that actively encourages investments in generation, transmission, and distribution capacities to meet our ever-growing demand.
“This effort requires not only predictability and stability in our regulatory policies and decisions, but also urgency in our decision-making processes. We need to look beyond individual cases and focus on the bigger and broader picture, addressing investor concerns, managing regulatory risks, and helping to reduce costs. If we succeed, we will build a stronger, more competitive sector that ultimately benefits every Filipino household and business,” Juan said.
Energy Development Corp. (EDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen Corp., said during the forum that while solar, wind, hydro, and other renewables each play important roles, geothermal energy stands out as the most reliable renewable resource in addressing all three dimensions simultaneously.
“The energy trilemma requires solutions that do not compromise one goal for another. Geothermal energy uniquely satisfies this challenge by providing secure,
with some of them hundreds of kilometers from the border.
“There are definitely no grounds to suspect that this was a course correction mistake or the like,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told parliament. “These drones were very clearly put on this course deliberately.”
Dutch fighter jets came to Poland’s aid and intercepted some drones. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski later thanked the Dutch government “for the magnificent performance of Dutch pilots in neutralizing” the drones.
NATO met to discuss the incident, which came three days after Russia’s largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began.
Poland says some drones came from Belarus
Tusk told parliament that the first violation came at approximately 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and the last around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. Earlier, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X that more than 10 objects crossed into Polish airspace.
“What is new, in the worst sense of the word, is the direction from which the drones
affordable, and sustainable and resilience for energy systems. It empowers communities with equitable access and long-term benefits, while safeguarding the environment through low emissions and resource stewardship. For these reasons, geothermal is not just an option but a cornerstone in building a decarbonized, resilient, and inclusive energy future,” said EDC Assistant Vice President Allan Barcena during a panel discussion on “The State of Philippine Energy: Balancing the Energy Trilemma.”
For the DOE’s part, Energy Undersecretary Mylene Capongcol said all renewable energy sources, including geothermal, are suited to the energy trilemma.
“Of course, all renewable energy because the energy trilemma talks about sustainability and affordability. Geothermal is good compared with solar and wind. It’s really a baseload. They can run 24x7 so the energy contribution is better compared with other variable renewable energy,” she said.
Unlike intermittent sources such as solar and wind, Barcena said geothermal energy provides stable and predictable baseload power 24/7, regardless of weather or time of day. This reliability reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, making it a powerful grid stabilizer that integrates large shares of variable renewables, and ensures that supply consistently meets demand.
The challenge with geothermal, however, is it’s high
came. This is the first time in this war that they did not come from Ukraine as a result of errors or minor Russian provocations. For the first time, a significant portion of the drones came directly from Belarus,” Tusk said in parliament.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its overnight strikes targeted Ukraine’s militaryindustrial complex in the western regions of the country—which border Poland—with no planned targets on Polish territory.
In an unusual message of outreach, the ministry said it was ready to hold consultations with Poland’s Defense Ministry.
Belarusian Maj. Gen. Pavel Muraveiko, the chief of the country’s general staff and first deputy defense minister, appeared to try to put some distance between his country and the incursion.
In an online statement, he said that as Russia and Ukraine traded drone strikes overnight, Belarusian air defense forces tracked “drones that lost their course” after they were jammed, adding that Belarusian forces warned their Polish and Lithuanian counterparts about “unidentified aircraft” approaching their territory.
A house was hit in the village of Wyryki
upfront costs. “The cost is high. It’s expensive,” said Capongcol.
The DOE official said there is an untapped 400MW of geothermal capacity based on latest resource assessment. “It’s a bit small. It’s not that much but we’re derisking.”
However, Barcena said that once geothermal energy is successfully extracted and developed, it generates electricity at stable and competitive prices for decades.
“Industry cost studies show geothermal’s levelized cost of electricity is competitive with other firm low-carbon options when system-integration and firming value are considered— delivering predictable bills and shielding consumers from fossil-fuel price shocks,” the EDC official said.
in the Lublin region near the Ukrainian border, Mayor Bernard Blaszczuk told the TVP Info television news channel. The roof was severely damaged, but no one was hurt.
Rattled NATO members vow support NATO air defenses supported Poland in what
spokesman Col. Martin O’Donnell called “the first time NATO planes have engaged potential threats in Allied airspace.” That included the Dutch F-35 fighter jets that intercepted drones, according to Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
See “Nato,” A16
A16 Friday, September 12, 2025
Americans reflect on 24 years since 9/11 terror attacks with ceremonies, service, and somber remembrance
By Philip Marcelo
The Associated Press
NEW YORK—Americans are marking 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks with solemn ceremonies, volunteer work and other tributes honoring the victims.
Many loved ones of the nearly 3,000 people killed will join dignitaries and politicians at commemorations Thursday in New York, at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Others choose to mark the day at more intimate gatherings.
James Lynch, who lost his father, Robert Lynch, during the World Trade Center attack, said he and his family will attend a ceremony near their hometown in New Jersey before spending the day at the beach.
“It’s one of those things where any kind of grief, don’t think it ever goes away,” Lynch said as he, his partner and his mother joined thousands of volunteers preparing meals for the needy at a 9/11 charity event in Manhattan the day before the anniversary.
“Finding the joy in that grief, think, has been a huge part of my growth with this,” he said.
DPWH. . .
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The remembrances are being held during a time of increased political tensions. The 9/11 anniversary, often promoted as a day of national unity, comes a day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah.
The reading of names and moments of silence
KIRK’S killing is expected to prompt additional security measures around the 9/11 anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York, authorities said.
At ground zero in lower Manhattan, the names of the attack victims will be read aloud by family and loved ones in a ceremony attended by Vice President JD Vance and his wife, second lady Usha Vance. Moments of silence will mark the exact times when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center’s iconic twin towers, as well as when the skyscrapers fell. At the Pentagon in Virginia, the 184 service members and civilians killed when hijackers steered a jetliner into the headquarters of the US military will be honored. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend the service
involved in the anomalous flood control projects, but Dizon said, “This is just the beginning. There are still many others who need to be held accountable and must be held accountable in the coming days, the coming weeks, and the coming months.”
before heading to the Bronx for a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers Thursday evening.
And in a rural field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a similar ceremony marked by moments of silence, the reading of names and the laying of wreaths, will honor the victims of Flight 93, the hijacked plane that crashed after crew members and passengers tried to storm the cockpit. That service will be attended by Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.
Like Lynch, people across the country are also marking the 9/11 anniversary with service projects and charity works as part of a national day of service. Volunteers will be taking part in food and clothing drives, park and neighborhood cleanups, blood banks and other community events.
Reverberations from attacks persist IN all, the attacks by al-Qaida militants killed 2,977 people, including many financial workers at the World Trade Center and firefighters and police officers who had rushed to the burning buildings trying to save lives.
Reform Act.
Dizon said these charges can be easily proven with the evidence now in their possession.
The attacks reverberated globally and altered the course of US policy, both domestically and overseas. It led to the “ Global War on Terrorism “ and the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and related conflicts that killed hundreds of thousands of troops and civilians.
While the hijackers died in the attacks, the US government has struggled to conclude its long-running legal case against the man accused of masterminding the plot, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The former alQaida leader was arrested in Pakistan in 2003 and later taken to a US military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, but has never received a trial.
The anniversary ceremony in New York was taking place at the National Sept. 11 memorial and Museum, where two memorial pools ringed by waterfalls and parapets inscribed with the names of the dead mark the spots where the twin towers once stood.
The Associated Press reporters Michael Hill in Albany, New York, and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this story.
Continued from A15
The alliance “is committed to defending every kilometer of NATO territory, including our airspace,” O’Donnell said.
Tusk told parliament that consultations took place under Article 4 of the NATO treaty—a clause that allows countries to call for urgent discussions with their allies.
The consultations happened Wednesday at a previously planned meeting. They do not automatically lead to any action under Article 5, which is NATO’s collective security guarantee.
Mark Lyall Grant, UK national security adviser from 2015 to 2017, said the incursion was an obvious escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine, but there was not yet enough evidence to say it was an attack on a NATO member.
But many European leaders expressed deep concern, including those in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia that are the NATO members most nervous about Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it an “extremely dangerous precedent for Europe” and called for Russia to “feel the consequences.”
“Moscow always tests the limits of what is possible and, if it does not encounter a strong response, remains at a new level of
escalation,” he said.
By midday in Washington, US President Donald Trump’s only public comments about the incursion was a short post on social media: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones? Here we go!” Trump was set to speak later Wednesday to Polish President Karol Nawrocki, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, said the incident underscored the failure of NATO member states to accurately assess the threat posed by Russia and properly prepare for war.
“NATO states, even front line ones, have clearly not prepared for war of the type that is happening now,” he said in his Substack newsletter.
Poland has complained about Russian objects entering its airspace during attacks on Ukraine before.
Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland. Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Vanessa Gera in Milan, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Danica
in London and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.
construction of pumping station and flood gate in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy; construction of flood control structure in Maycapiz-Talilip River; and construction of reinforced concrete river wall in Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag.
authorized despite incomplete, defective, or unperformed works.
BIR. . .
Continued from A20 we all deserve as Filipinos. The President has assured us of that, and this is proof of that. Within 10 days po, wala pang 10 araw na pumasok tayo sa DPWH, sabi ng Pangulo, ‘bilisan.’ Ito na po, binibilisan na po natin. At una pa lang po ito sa mas marami pang mga kasong parating ,” Dizon said.
The DPWH chief also called on the public to report questionable projects or corrupt officials.
“Channel your anger by helping us catch these people. Just as you once sent me reports of reckless drivers, now send me leads on anomalous projects,” Dizon appealed.
It was the first complaint filed by the government against those
Asked why Discaya’s husband was not among those charged, DIzon explained that it was because Cezarah had been shown before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as being beneficial owner of St. Timothy.
The respondents were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code or Malversation of Public Funds in relation to Articles 171 of the Revised Penal Code; and Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement
“These are non-bailable cases and the punishment for these crimes is life imprisonment,” Dizon explaind at a press briefing following the filing of the complaint.
The DPWH also appealed to the public not to judge all DPWH personnel as corrupt, as many are still honest and hardworking.
Dizon made the appeal as he allowed DPWH personnel to skip wearing their uniforms to avoid harassment from the public.
The subject of the complaint were five flood control-projects in Bulacan such as the construction of slope protection in Barangay Namayan, Malolos; construction of pumping station and flood gate in Barangay Atlag, Malolos;
The complaint said the DPWH’s Internal Audit Service (IAS) inspection conducted from August 13 to August 20, 2025 revealed a “consistent pattern of fraudulent misrepresentation falsification, collusion and blatant disregard” of Commission on Audit regulations across multiple contracts in order to effect the release of payments to the contractors despite non-performance or insufficient performance of the project.
The IAS also found that certifications of project accomplishment were issued and payments were
Likewise, project logbooks and supporting documents were missing or grossly inadequate.
“By their concerted acts, the DPWH officials and the contractors did not merely commit administrative lapses; they orchestrated a deliberate scheme whereby false documents were made to stand in place of genuine performance, thereby triggering unlawful disbursements,” the complaint read.
“They are thus liable as coprincipals for graft, falsification, malversation, and related offenses, and are subject to the same statutory penalties as their public counterparts.” It added.
The complaint said the anomalies formed part of “a broader scheme” involving the respondents.
“We may file cases of tax evasion against them and their participation in future government projects will also be barred. The government may withhold payment for their current projects,” Lumagui said. Aside from that, those found with underpaid or evaded tax payments will not be given an updated tax clearance, which disqualifies them from joining future government procurements. The final settlement of their existing contracts will also be suspended.
Moreover, Lumagui said the BIR has already started its investigation into officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“Our investigation is not limited to contractors but also extends to certain personalities that have come up during the House and Senate hearings. We’ve seen their names surface, involving large amounts of money,” Lumagui said.
Kirka
DAR
seeking ₧17.39-billion budget for ‘26
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
THE Department of Agrarian Reform is seeking a P17.395 billion budget for 2026, an increase of more than P7.5 billion from its current budget of P10.4 billion, to fast-track the distribution of land titles and certificates of condonation.
During the budget hearing of the House committee on appropriations for the DAR, Rep. Ian Paul Dy, committee vice chairperson, said the DAR, as the lead agency tasked with implementing genuine and comprehensive agrarian reform, remains steadfast in advancing the redistribution of land to farmer beneficiaries.
“This mandate is anchored in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and reinforced by landmark measures, such as the new Agrarian Emancipation Act, which has condoned the debts of more than 400,000 ARBs, freeing them from financial burdens and enabling them to cultivate the lands they hold fully,” he said.
He also cited President Ferdinand Marcos’ state-of-thenation address in June this year, where he underscored the DAR’s crucial role in fast-tracking the distribution of land titles and certificates of condonation with the release of mortgages that are designed to secure farmer ownership and provide lasting relief from agrarian debt.
He said this ensures land tenure, delivering vital support services to enhance productivity, and administering swift and equitable agrarian justice.
The proposed FY 2026 P17.93 billion is not only to distribute land but to transform ARBs into empowered, self-reliant, and productive stewards of their communities.
The key locations include ARBs Development and Sustainability Program, P1.87 billion to support training for over 325,000 ARBs, provide credit and microfinance service to more than 140,000 beneficiaries, and extend technical and farm support; Land Tenure Security Program, P3.19 billion for registration and distribution of agricultural land to beneficiaries; and P5.1 billion for SPLIT Program or Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling, to validate nearly 248,000 titles covering 300,000 hectares to over 247,000 beneficiaries.
In his presentation, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said the DAR, under the Marcos administration, has exceeded expectations and expressed his profound thanks to the members of Congress for their support.
He said the increase sought by the agency is driven by inflationary adjustment.
OUTSTANDING agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs), and Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) would take the center stage once more as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced the winners of the 2025 Gawad Agraryo 2025 with the theme: “Repormang Agraryo: Binhi ng Kaunlaran at Tagumpay.” The awarding will take place on September 12 at the Makabagong San Juan National Government Center, Pinaglabanan Road, San Juan City.
In a statement, the DAR said the award underscores the national significance of honoring ARBs who have become beacons of hope and progress under the government’s agrarian reform program.
DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III stated that the awards symbolize the government’s ongoing commitment to agrarian reform and to the people who till the land.
The total appropriations for the proposed budget for FY 2026, of which P38.58 percent goes to Personnel Services, to ensure the stability of the DAR workforce, particularly those who implement agrarian reform. Meanwhile, P10.246 billion goes to Maintenance & Other Operating Expenses, or MOOE, or 58.9 percent of the total. Of the total, only 2.5 percent or 437.7 million goes to Capital Outlay.
In his presentation, the DAR chief said the Marcos administration hit the ground running in 2022, distributing 21,876 land titles, surpassing the previous administration’s record by 124 percent.
“By 2023, the Emancipation Act, RA 11953, 610,000 ARBs were freed from P57.5-B in principal from staggering debts, distributing P69,897 land titles, an increase of 396 percent,” he said.
The passage of RA 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, is one of the major accomplishments of the House of Representatives. ARBs are grateful,” he said.
In 2024, 102,338 titles were distributed, and in 2025, the halfway mark of the administration.
“The target is to distribute 300 to 400 certificates of land ownership and e-titles to 401,001. Originally, our target was only about 200,000 titles to be distributed this year, but when we listened to the President in his speech during SONA, bigo ang ating mga kababayan kaya kailangan dagdagan at bilisan ang serbisyo, and the DAR responded to that call, so we 4raised our target to 300,000 to 400,000 hectares of land,” he said.
As of August, the DAR has already distributed 401,001 condonation certificates with the release of mortgages, and for land titles, 48,772 titles were distributed, covering 76,398 hectares.
“This October, we will be distributing an additional 54,642 land titles covering 82,999 hectares, benefiting 51,924 ARBs. By the end of October, our accomplishment will be 103,414 land titles covering 159,397 hectares, benefiting 97,732 ARBs nationwide,” he said.
Additionally, the DAR chief said they are awaiting approval of survey returns of 39,189 hectares from partner agencies, and 201,176 hectares more are ongoing.
“We are hoping to accomplish more or less 399,762 hectares by the end of the year. This is not impossible because what we are waiting for is already in the pipeline. Some of my former colleagues will be part of the distribution of land titles. In the past, some members of Congress have joined the distribution and they felt the joy of our farmers,” he said.
‘Private sector seen as catalyst in PHL’s push to meet SDGs’
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE Philippines will need to rely heavily on the private sector if it hopes to accelerate progress in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with only five years left before the 2030 deadline, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev).
DepDev Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said government spending accounts for only 15 to 18 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), while the remaining 85 percent is generated by private enterprises.
This makes businesses the main catalyst in driving sustainable and inclusive growth.
“It’s really the private sector that is a catalyst....A lot of innovation is actually coming from the private sector,” Edillon said in a forum hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Makati.
Edillon said private firms must pioneer technologies and business models that can raise productiv -
ity, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
With only a small base of medium-sized firms, she stressed that the challenge lies in enabling micro and small businesses to adopt technology.
“Sure there’s something about education, retraining, reskilling, [but] that has to accompany technology adoption. For first, MSMEs, especially the micro and small, there has to be technology adoption. We need to bridge financing and capacity gaps by leveraging private capital expertise and infrastructure,” Edillon explained.
Edillon also said businesses can generate quality jobs by investing in green industries, reskilling workers, and preparing the labor force for the digital and sustainable economy.
To support this, she said the DepDev will be working with Congress to provide flexible work arrangements for workers and allow them to invest more of their time in learning new skills.
The appeal to the private sector comes as the Philippines faces uneven progress across the 17 SDGs.
Based on the country’s latest review, the Philippines is on track in reaching the 2030 target for responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and life below water (SDG 14).
It has also posted gains in reducing poverty (SDG 1) and providing decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
However, the country continues to struggle in health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13) where indicators have shown regression.
Other areas such as gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequality (SDG 10) also require acceleration to meet the 2030 targets.
The undersecretary said government has adopted a “wholeof-nation-plus” approach that integrates SDGs into national and subnational development plans.
Official development assistance (ODA) also continues to complement government and private sector initiatives.
Recent government data showed that of the 426 active
ODA projects mapped against the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028 objectives and SDG targets, the largest support went to infrastructure (109 projects), human development (83), and climate resilience and disaster risk reduction (60).
But with economic shocks, climate risks, and financing gaps continuing to weigh on the economy, Edillon emphasized that progress will largely depend on how actively the private sector engages in sustainable development.
“We have been...wanting to promote increasing productivity. But you know what? You can only increase productivity if you adopt technology,” she said. Asked if there are plans to recommend a new set of goals should the Philippines fall short of the 2030 deadline, Edillon said this will be taken up at the global level.
“It will have to be addressed at the, of course, multinationals, multilaterals. But with respect to the Philippines, it’s still an ambition,” she said, adding that the country has not given up on its targets.
Senate environment panel vows to move on urgent challenges
TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE country is facing the most daunting environmental and climate challenges, and the Senate is committed to pave the way for urgent action on this, the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change said.
Leading the organizational meeting and initial hearing of the committee on Wednesday, Senator Camille Villar put forward her environmental priorities particularly strengthening climate resilience, curbing plastic pollution brought about by the “sachet economy.” She called on both government and private sectors to work hand in hand in addressing the worsening effects of climate change.
“Flooding has become not just a natural hazard, but a governance challenge that
tests our capacity for urban planning, disaster preparedness, and environmental law enforcement,” Villar emphasized. “We must ensure that our laws, including the Solid Waste Management Act and the Extended Producer Responsibility Law, are effectively implemented to create real impact.” She authored the Expanded Producers Responsibility Act in Congress during her time as a representative of Las Piñas.
She also underscored the urgency of protecting endangered species and ecosystems as well as safeguarding the country’s rich biodiversity. “Protecting wildlife means protecting ecosystems, and protecting ecosystems means securing our own future,” she emphasized.
Villar said the committee will closely examine existing environmental policies, many of which are more than two decades old to make them more relevant in today’s context of stronger typhoons, heavier
flooding, and rising sea levels.
In her opening statement at the hearing, Villar cited data showing that flooding will become a constant threat not just because of climate change that brings more severe typhoons, but also the rising seas and subsidence of many crowded cities.
“Flooding has therefore become not just a natural hazard, but a governance challenge that tests our capacity for urban planning, disaster preparedness, and environmental law enforcement,” she said.
Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she noted, the global average sea level has reached a record high—101.4 millimeters above 1993 levels—and is now rising at more than double the rate of the previous century.
“The United Nations has identified several countries at high risk from rising seas, such as Bangladesh, China, India, Netherlands, and cities such as Jakarta and Bangkok—
ilan po sa kanila ay ating kapitbahay.”
Based on the Climate Tracker Asia study, from 1993 to 2015, sea levels in the Philippine Sea rose at a rate of 5 to 7 millimeters per year—about twice the global average of 2.8 to 3.6 mm per year taken from 1993 to 2010.
“This is very concerning, especially since we are an archipelagic country,” Villar said. She further set the tone for a proactive and collaborative Senate panel: “As the saying goes, we do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Every step we take must be guided by the vision of leaving behind a safer and more sustainable world for the next generation.”
The hearing featured a comprehensive briefing from Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Climate Change Commission Secretary Robert Borje, and other key officials from DENR bureaus and attached agencies, including NAMRIA, NRDC, MWSS, CCC, and PCSD.
FPIP fuels Santo Tomas City’s economy with ₧159M in taxes, thousands of jobs
LBy Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan
OPEZ -led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) and its locators contributed a combined P159 million in taxes, or 17 percent of the city’s P935million income in 2024; and generated the bulk, or 60 percent, of the city’s nearly 12,500 new jobs also in 2024.
Arth Jhun Marasigan, Santo Tomas City mayor, awarded plaques of recognition to FPIP and its locators, as well as to the city’s other big sources of local revenues and employment, during the LGU’s Taxpayers’ Day celebration held last Sept. 1 at FPIP’s Consuelo Park Pavilion, according to FPIP’s statement.
For his part, Ricky Carandang, head of FPIP’s External Affairs and Marketing Department, said in a statement on Thursday: “We are honored to be part of Santo Tomas’ growth.“
“We are happy that our contributions have been helping the local government deliver fast and efficient public services and jobs to Tomasinos,” he added.
According to FPIP, the revenues and new jobs support Marasigan’s 12-point development agenda, which includes quality healthcare and education, stronger job and investment opportunities, a vibrant tourism sector, environmental protection and improved access to public services.
“We deeply value the strong commitment of FPIP and its locators to Santo Tomas. Their contributions have helped us drive economic progress, enabling us to create meaningful opportunities and provide better support to the Tomasinos who call it home,” said Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez.
by Dyson Philippines, were listed among the city’s top 20 RPT contributors. Dyson, a global tech giant known for its cutting-edge vacuum cleaners, hair care devices and other home appliances, ranked first in this list.
Three FPIP locators were listed among the city’s top five sources of new jobs in 2024.
They were Nexem-EMD Technologies (ranked first); Philippine Manufacturing Company of Murata Incorporated (third); and Brother Industry Philippines Incorporated (fifth).
Also among the top sources of RPT last year were FPIP locators Ibiden Philippines, Inc. (ranked fourth), Nippon Premium Bakery Inc. (eighth), YKK Philippines, Inc. (12th), First Batangas Hotel (18th) and Energy Development Corporation (20th). FPIP itself made it to the list as the city’s seventh biggest source of RPT.
PBy Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
Most Outstanding Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs)—honoring individuals who have transformed their lives and communities through perseverance, innovation, and leadership.
Most Progressive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations (ARBOs)— recognizing cooperatives that have empowered their members and advanced rural development.
Most Progressive Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs)—celebrating model communities that embody unity, resilience, and sustainable growth. Jonathan L. Mayuga
“Through the Gawad Agraryo, we are not only giving honor to our outstanding farmers, organizations, and communities, but also reaffirming our pledge to support them. Their success stories prove that when farmers are empowered with land and support services, they become drivers of national progress and rural development,” Estrella said. This year’s awardees, hailing from different provinces across the country, will be recognized for their outstanding contributions in three major categories:
RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday remembered the legacy of his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., including the latter’s advice of striving to be on the “right side of history” by living a life of service and sacrifice.
The Chief Executive made the pronouncement in his speech during the celebration of the 108th birthday of his father in Batac City, Ilocos Norte last Thursday.
“We must also always remember that we must do the right thing—that despite it is—despite the difficulties, we must always find ourselves on the right
Under the real property tax (RPT) category, FPIP and nine of its locators, led
side of history,” he said.
Marcos Sr. stood by these words in his life and presidency, when he demonstrated his love for the Filipinos through “good service,” which focused on good judgement and national interests, and sacrifice, according to the President.
“Whenever we come and commemorate the life of Ferdinand Marcos, whenever we remake—we go back and relive the life—the life of service of Ferdinand Marcos, not only when he was President, but through his entire life, what we always can see and what is always spoken of is the great legacy that he has left us,” he said.
“It is a legacy of service. It is a legacy of sacrifice. It is a legacy wherein he made it very clear to us, that if you are
going to be a good Ilocano, if you are going to be a good Filipino, then you must be willing to sacrifice everything, including your life for the Filipino, for the Philippines,” he added.
As inheritors of the said legacy, Filipinos, should try to follow the example of his father in their own unique way, by using their skills, intelligence, strengths, to “find new ways to be of service to the Filipino,” according to Marcos.
“Only when we have shown that we have met the standard that he set for us when he was alive and he continues to set for us in his memory, that is the only time that we can say, yes, we can continue his legacy,” he said.
Marcos commemorated the 108th birthday of his father with a
Two other FPIP-based companies likewise landed in the list of the city’s top sources of business tax.
“They were pneumatic control equipment manufacturer Shoketsu SMC Corporation [ranked 10th] and logistics company Nippon Express Philippine Corporation [ranked 18th],” FPIP said.
Established as a joint venture between First Philippine Holdings Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, FPIP said it has grown into one of the country’s leading economic zones registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. The 600-hectare ecozone is home to over 150 world-class manufacturers and continues to serve as a platform for creating thousands of high-value jobs for Filipinos.
Amcor Flexible Philippines Corp., another FPIP locator that produces sustainable packaging materials for various products, stood out for making it to both lists of top source of RPT (fourth) and business tax (fifth).
his example
thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac City, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Daytoy ti Bannawag Monument. Marcos Sr. passed away in 1989 as one of the country’s longest-serving presidents after he declared martial law, which lasted from 1972 to 1981, to clamp down on growing antigovernment movement during his administration.
The authoritarian rule of the elder Marcos resulted in human rights violations, as well as violent crackdown against political opposition and the media. It ended after Marcos Sr. was ousted from power during the non-violent 1986 People Power Revolution.
Marcos commemorates father’s 108th birthday in Batac, urges Filipinos to follow
DAR’s Gawad Agraryo to honor outstanding ARBs, ARBOs, ARCs
FDI inflows plummet: Urgent action needed to reverse the trend
THE recent report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealing a 23.8 percent contraction in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows during the first half of 2025 should serve as a serious wake-up call for the country. The decline, with FDI inflows dropping to $3.4 billion, signals potential trouble for our economic growth and long-term stability. While external factors contribute, internal policy gaps demand immediate attention. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Local, regional woes may stymie FDI,” September 11, 2025).
Several factors contribute to this concerning trend. Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co., points to the volatile geopolitical situation and domestic political issues as primary deterrents for foreign investors. Events in Indonesia and Nepal, marked by violent protests and political instability, create an environment of uncertainty that extends to the entire region. Investors become wary of regional risks, impacting investment decisions in the Philippines.
The decline cannot be attributed solely to regional instability. Ravelas notes that US tariffs and weak global trade also play a role, particularly affecting the manufacturing sector. However, he emphasizes the significance of “our own policy gaps.” These gaps likely include logistical inefficiencies, unclear regulations, and an overall lack of investor confidence. Without addressing these issues, the Philippines risks turning this decline into a long-term trend.
The BSP data offers a more detailed view. The slowdown in FDI net inflows reflects a shift in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital, resulting in outflows. While increased reinvestment of earnings and net investments in debt instruments partially offset this, the overall impact remains negative. Equity capital placements primarily came from Japan, the United States, and South Korea, targeting manufacturing, real estate, and wholesale and retail trade. This indicates specific sectors are still attracting investment, but the overall decline suggests a broader hesitancy.
To reverse this trend, the Philippines must take decisive action. Streamlining logistics, clarifying regulations, and building investor confidence are crucial steps. The government should prioritize creating a stable and predictable environment that encourages long-term investment. This includes addressing policy gaps, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and ensuring the safety and security of foreign investments.
The Philippines is in competition with other nations in the region for FDI. Data indicates that in 2024, FDI inflows to Asean reached an estimated $225 billion, highlighting the attractiveness of Southeast Asia as an investment destination. While the Philippines saw $8.9 billion in FDI net inflows in 2024, slightly below the BSP’s forecast, there is potential for growth if the right measures are taken. Countries like Singapore, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia are currently leading in attracting FDI in Asia. We need to learn from their successes and implement policies that make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination.
The challenges are formidable, but they are not insurmountable. By focusing on stability, transparency, and infrastructure growth, the Philippines can recover from the current drop in FDI and establish itself as a key player in Southeast Asia’s economic arena.
The drop in FDI is a serious issue that demands immediate and comprehensive action. By addressing policy gaps, building investor confidence, and promoting stability, the Philippines can reverse this trend and secure its economic future. But we have to act now, before this becomes a long-term detriment to the country’s economic growth.
BusinessMirror
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos
Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace
Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo
Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes
D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
M. Manangan
Patent infringement in 2025 Bar Exam
AAmicus Curiae
PATENT infringement case involving “doctrine of equivalents” is the first question on Commercial and Taxation laws in the 2025 bar examinations.
XYZ Corp. filed an administrative complaint for patent infringement against ABC Company.
XYZ Corp. was the patentee of Philippine Patent No. I-12345, which boasts of the innovative step of curing ham by exposing it to a filtered smoke cooled in a cooling unit between 10° and 12°C while retaining ingredients exerting highly preservative and sterilizing effects.
ABC Company employs a similar method, the only difference being that it cools down its filtered smoke between 20°C and 24°C instead of 10°C and 12°C.
ABC Company maintained that it is not guilty of infringing Patent
No. I-12345 because its process is not exactly the same as XYZ Corp.’s. XYZ Corp. countered, however, that infringement was committed because ABC Company’s process performs substantially the same function and achieves substantially the same result as its own.
The bar exam question was lifted from the case of Philips Seafood Phil. Corp. v. Tuna Processors Inc. (TPI) (GR 214148. February 6, 2023) that involves a patent of “smoking” as a traditional process of treating fish.
The Supreme Court stressed that exercise of the intellectual property rights of patent holders is limited to the claims of their patent
The Good Samaritan
TWATCH
HE Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most wellknown parables in the Bible and is often cited as a powerful lesson about loving others without prejudice. As the story goes, a Jewish man is traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho along a dangerous road. He gets attacked by robbers who strip him of his clothes, beat him, and leave him for dead.
Three people happen to pass by the same road. First, there is a priest who sees the man but crosses to the other side of the road without helping. Next, there is a Levite (another religious figure) who also sees the man but avoids him. Last, a Samaritan, who is considered an outsider or even an enemy to the Jews at the time, stops when he sees the injured man. Moved with compassion, the Samaritan tends to the Jewish man’s wounds, puts him on a donkey, brings him to an inn, and pays for his care.
Jesus Christ tells this story in response to a lawyer who asks, “Who is my neighbor?” The lesson here is that a “neighbor” is not just someone
from one’s own group, religion, or background. Anyone who is in need is a neighbor. Loving one’s neighbor means showing him mercy and taking action.
In today’s context, there is a socalled Good Samaritan law, which is a legal rule designed to protect people who voluntarily help others in emergency situations. It encourages bystanders to assist someone who is injured, sick, or in danger—without fear of being sued or prosecuted if something goes wrong while they are trying to help.
Of course, like any law, a Good Samaritan law comes with both incentives and disincentives. On the one hand, it promotes imme -
under the Doctrine of Equivalents.
In resolving the case, the Supreme Court utilized the doctrine of equivalents test or whether the elements in the allegedly-infringing product or process are equivalent to the elements expressed in the patent’s claims.
There is patent infringement if the allegedly-infringing product or process appropriates the innovative concept of the patent, and despite the modifications introduced in the infringing product or process, it still performs substantially the same functions, in the same way.
The Court dismissed TPI’s case on the ground that the simultaneous cooling of the smoke and the meat is not equivalent to Patent l-31138’s pre-cooling of the filtered smoke.
The Court pointed out that the last two elements of Patent I-31138 are not equivalent to the simultaneous cooling of the ambient temperature filtered smoke and tuna meat.
The Court noted that TPI failed to present evidence that the simultaneous cooling of the filtered smoke and tuna meat will cure tuna meat in substantially the same way as the pre-cooled filtered smoke. The eventual cooling of the filtered smoke in
diate action during emergencies (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation, stopping bleeding), which can make a huge difference in survival chances. Such a law also builds a culture where helping others is seen as a civic and moral duty. It clarifies legal responsibility by offering clear guidelines for when and how people are protected under the law. It supports volunteerism by helping protect medical professionals and trained responders who offer aid outside of work.
On the other hand, there is a risk of building a false sense of immunity where people might assume that they are protected in all situations, even if their actions go beyond what is reasonable. They might intervene recklessly, and the inexperienced among them could even make things worse accidentally (e.g., improper cardiopulmonary resuscitation, moving an injured person incorrectly). There are also legal gray areas, as the definitions of “good faith” and “gross negligence” can be vague and lead to disputes or court cases. In some jurisdictions, even with a Good Samaritan law, people can still face lawsuits if they act beyond their level of training.
Here in the Philippines, there is still no explicit national Good
Phillips’ process does not ipso facto indicate similarities in the effect of the smoke on tuna meat.
It noted that TPI’s evidence is insufficient to establish that the eventual cooling of ambient temperature filtered smoke cools down to between 0°C and 5°C before the chemical reaction takes place, and it retains the ingredients that exert the same highly preservative and sterilizing effects.
The Court explained that the changes introduced in the patented process or device have to be substantial to remove the allegedlyinfringing process or device from the scope of patent protection. The Court also added that there is no evidence proving that the ambient temperature filtered smoke cures the tuna meat in the same way as when the tuna meat is exposed to a filtered smoke already cooled to between 0°C and 5°C. The Bar Examinations are scheduled for September 7, 10, and 14 across 14 local testing centers nationwide, with the University of Santo Tomas serving as the national headquarters.
See “Gorecho,” A19
Samaritan law that grants blanket immunity to individuals assisting during emergencies. However, there are legal and ethical safeguards that may apply in emergency situations. Articles 2167 and 2168 of the Civil Code, for example, recognize that actions taken in an emergency may be justified, especially if done in good faith and without gross negligence. Courts may consider the humanitarian intent behind rescue efforts when evaluating liability. Also, the Revised Penal Code includes Article 275 (“Abandonment of Person in Danger”), which requires persons to render assistance if they can do so without risk to themselves. Failure to help might lead to criminal liability. There is also Republic Act No. 6615, which mandates that all licensed government and private hospitals must provide immediate medical assistance in emergency cases. Refusal to do so without valid reason can result in both criminal penalties and administrative consequences.
There have been initiatives to formalize a Good Samaritan law. One, there is House Bill No. 1949 (“Good Samaritan Act of 2022”), which aims to shield volunteers from legal liability as long as they act in good faith, without gross negligence,
Dennis Gorecho
Ghost projects, real theft: Corruption’s assault on public trust
‘AWhy hasn’t the trumpet sounded yet
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza
MAKE SENSE
N evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes.” This insightful quote, attributed to Sun Tzu, perfectly reflects the situation in the Philippines. While corrupt politicians indulge in riches taken from taxpayers, the citizens endure the harsh realities of poverty.
The connection between those in power and the people they serve is rooted in trust, a fundamental element of effective governance. Currently, in our country, this trust is severely shaken by the alarming revelations of billion-peso ghost flood control projects. When corruption infiltrates government agencies and politicians turn a blind eye to the needs of their constituents, the fallout is devastating, fostering a cycle of disillusionment and despair.
As citizens feel their voices go unheard, trust in government erodes, threatening the very foundations of democracy. When people lose faith in their political leaders, the potential for social unrest and instability grows, undermining the principles of accountability and representation essential for a healthy society.
As frustration festers, public discontent often erupts into protests and civil unrest. History has shown that when people feel exploited and unheard, they demand change. These movements can be potent, reflecting a society on the brink. While initially driven by a quest for accountability, such upheaval can lead to further instability, complicating the political landscape.
Corruption extends its malign influence beyond politics, resulting in dire economic repercussions. The diversion of funds from essential services drives away foreign investors, who seek stability and predictability. This stagnation intensifies poverty and inequality, placing the heaviest burdens on the most vulnerable. The misallocation of resources creates a cycle of economic decline that is hard to break.
Institutions are vital to effective governance. Corruption undermines them, resulting in poor governance and a disregard for the rule of law. When laws are selectively enforced or ignored, the principles that uphold society are compromised. This erosion of trust leads citizens to lose faith in the very systems designed to check power.
Another consequence of corruption is the emigration of skilled professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. This brain drain strips the nation of its human capital, stifling economic growth and innovation. As talented individuals leave, the Philippines faces a dual crisis: a loss of potential leaders and thinkers who could drive reform, coupled with rising underemployment and stagnation.
Corruption fosters an environment where organized crime can thrive. A compromised law enforcement system leaves citizens feeling unsafe and unprotected. The absence of effective policing emboldens criminals and cultivates a culture of
. continued from A18
The Philippines is fortunate in one respect. If President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had not revealed the corruption in the ghost flood control projects during his recent State of the Nation Address, stating, “Mahiya naman kayo!,” the extensive corruption and systemic plunder involving DPWH officials, certain lawmakers, and contractors might have gone unnoticed. Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing this significant corruption to light. We at the Federation of Philippine Industries stand with you.
impunity, where the powerful evade justice while the vulnerable suffer.
Countries entrenched in corruption often face international sanctions or reduced foreign aid. This isolation exacerbates economic challenges and curtails development opportunities. In a globally interconnected world, the ramifications of domestic corruption can resonate far beyond national borders, impacting trade, diplomacy, and international relations.
Perhaps the most insidious effect of corruption is its impact on longterm development. Misappropriated funds intended for public services and infrastructure stall progress and perpetuate cycles of poverty. Without a commitment to transparency and accountability, the Philippines struggles to meet sustainable development goals, leaving future generations to face the consequences.
The pervasive corruption among some politicians, highlighted by the ghost flood control projects, demands urgent systemic reforms, accountability, and civic engagement. Collective action is crucial to restore trust, rebuild institutions, and create a more equitable future.
The Philippines is fortunate in one respect. If President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had not revealed the corruption in the ghost flood control projects during his recent State of the Nation Address, stating, “Mahiya naman kayo!,” the extensive corruption and systemic plunder involving DPWH officials, certain lawmakers, and contractors might have gone unnoticed. Thank you, Mr. President, for bringing this significant corruption to light. We at the Federation of Philippine Industries stand with you.
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.
help because of legal uncertainty. In summary, a Good Samaritan law, if enacted, can perhaps be most effective when it is combined with public education about the scope and limits of the law, first aid training, and clear legal language to reduce confusion.
Dr.
have publicly called for Good Samaritan legislation, as they have expressed concerns that potential rescuers often hesitate to
IANNOTATIONS
N Peter Worseley’s account, the impossible has an explanation. Among the oppressed and downtrodden natives of Melanesia, to include West Papua and New Guinea, there was a nativistic movement called the “cargo cults.” Derived from the local pidgin’ English term for the goods or cargos that the natives identify with prosperity, the movement is described in Worseley’s The Trumpet Shall Sound. There in that book, he talks of “a movement where a prophet announces the imminence of the end of the world in a cataclysm which will destroy everything. Then the ancestors will return, or God, or some other liberating power, will appear, bringing all the goods the people desire, and ushering in a reign of eternal bliss.”
Put simply, it is a form of protest organized by the oppressed; in this case, there is the overwhelming historical element of colonization as the framework both of conquest and cultural erasure. The return of the cargoes is a promise of happiness, freedom, and material wealth. To achieve liberation, however, is to indulge in what the outsider—that who is educated in the Western sense of the word—sees as irrational acts of ecstatic dancing or rituals that border on madness, a disruption no less of the perceived and/or instituted social order. Think of the missionaries and their teachings; imagine the efforts of the White Man perceived as having tamed the wild man of the forest.
The movement thus is like giving to people a way of understanding his society very much like the analytical instruments developed by Marx where moments are not mere lapses but contributing to profit.
Which brings us to the related questions for movements—the events that are rocking in particular, Indonesia and Nepal.
There appear to be two levels of perceptions occurring in the two
nation-states. In both countries, the government at the upper level—the ruling class—has been dictating the valuation of life in the two countries.
of the lowly taxpayers. It has always been like that—a condition the people have accepted because that was how they were raised in that system.
No one was complaining because while it hurt people still could endure the difficulties. That was how the lessons of life were being taught by their education and by the structure of the society. But, following Rumi, “greed makes man blind and foolish, and makes him an easy prey for death.” We are seeing what reaping the whirlwind means.
The finance minister of Nepal is stripped of his clothes and thrown into the river. In another footage, we see two men getting into the murky stream and one man trying to clamber back to the shore but people were waiting in ambush, ready to skin him alive. He proceeds to wade back to the deeper part of the river. In the presidential palace, the First Lady of the land is burned alive.
There are more dramatic scenes of
In tourism brochures, Indonesians and Nepalese like other Asians are lumped into other “gentle groups of people” and yet we are seeing a new aggression, a violence we never thought we will see in our lifetime.
The online universe has made us aware of our neighbors and, quietly, we are anticipating to be the next state to rise up in arms and smite the mighty.
Below the government are the common people of both countries who share in the difficult life, their wages and cost of living at the mercy of the officials who shamelessly for years have been comfortable at the expense
a government official being chased till he was forced to jump a high parapet, down into the grassy knoll. Limping, he is seen falling down either in exhaustion or because he sprained himself from a bad fall.
But we have not. It is wise to return to the literature of consciousness. In the old paper of geographer Benedict Kerkvliet, he goes back to his old fieldsite, in Tarlac and inquires about the fire of the revolution, which he does not find in that town. Known to be the origin of the modern-day revolution of the masses, Kerkvliet posits the theory that the reason why the people are not rising up in arms is because they do not see the real roots of their oppression. They see other factors, like fate or destiny, or they blame themselves for their lot. They do not see the wealthy as having accumulated their material prosperity at their expense. Interestingly enough, the Nepalese fighters are attributing to the Filipinos their newfound awareness of the so-called “nepo babies.” They did not stop with their mere knowledge; they hound these nepo babies and they hunt the parents of these spoiled brats while we have remained cool with our critique with such a pathetic detachment. Perhaps, there is truth to false consciousness, or we could be waiting for an event more catastrophic that would urge us to push our politicians down real cliffs into their real and not metaphorical deaths.
E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com
When billions become a burden: The Lauren Sánchez problem
WHO doesn’t want money? Out of 8 billion people, only a rare few—monks, mystics, nuns—truly reject it. For the rest of us, money is essential to survival, comfort, and pleasure.
It motivates parents to provide for their children, workers to climb the career ladder, and dreamers to pursue a better life. People earn degrees hoping for financial stability, promotions, and a shot at comfort.
But what happens when you suddenly have access to seemingly endless wealth?
For Lauren Sánchez, the answer became clear when she began dating—and this year, married—the world’s second-richest man, Jeff Bezos, whose fortune is estimated at $240 billion.
The impact was immediate, at least from the perspective of those of us watching from the sidelines. And while extreme wealth can create a “glow-up,” in Sánchez’s case it manifested in a different
There are 13,193 examinees admitted this year to take the bar.
Female examinees outnumbered males this year, with 6,673 women compared to 4,764 men. There are 5,215 first-time tak-
way: overindulgence in cosmetic surgery.
History shows us that immense wealth often breeds excess. We’ve seen it with celebrities like Nicholas Cage and Michael Jackson—easy access to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and yes, cosmetic procedures. It’s the same thing with Sánchez.
Dating Bezos meant being under public scrutiny all the time and constant comparisons to his ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott. The pressure to look younger (she and MacKenzie are the same age), fresher, more daring and exciting must be immense. And so came the surgeries—swollen lips from fillers, unnaturally lifted features, cheek implants, and augmented breasts unusual for any 55-year-
ers, 4,239 repeat takers, and 1,984 refresher examinees.
There are 206 senior citizens, 241 persons with disabilities, 41 pregnant women, and 139 examinees with medical conditions.
To keep Bezos’s attention, Sánchez seems to lean further into performance. Daring, often risqué fashion choices. Flirtatious behavior designed to inflate his ego. A persona crafted to prove she’s the most exciting woman in the room that she was able to ensnare one of the world’s richest men. But in the process, she risks shedding more and more of her own identity.
old mother of three.
Sánchez was once an Emmy-nominated anchor and correspondent. Today, her public persona is reduced to Bezos’s tart—often photographed in revealing lace outfits or corsets better suited to clubwear than presidential inauguration.
Even Megyn Kelly bluntly remarked that Sánchez’s wardrobe choices make her look more like a “hooker” than a billionaire’s wife. It’s a sad transformation for someone who had the brains and presence to thrive in broadcast journalism.
If you didn’t know her history, you might assume she’s simply an aging sex worker, not a former respected broadcaster. Why choose that look when elegance—or even basic polish—would be more effortless and more dignified? Perhaps it’s the cost of being Mrs. Bezos. The contrast with MacKenzie Scott is glaring. Where Scott is private, restrained, and scholarly, Sán-
chez seems determined to embody the opposite: bold, provocative, exciting and hyper-visible. And while Bezos may have grown bored after 25 years of quiet stability with Scott, Sánchez appears intent on exaggerating their differences with devastating effects on her image. To keep Bezos’s attention, Sánchez seems to lean further into performance. Daring, often risqué fashion choices. Flirtatious behavior designed to inflate his ego. A persona crafted to prove she’s the most exciting woman in the room that she was able to ensnare one of the world’s richest men. But in the process, she risks shedding more and more of her own identity.
Sánchez and Bezos also exemplify another side effect of unimaginable wealth: tone-deafness. Their US$55 million wedding in Venice was not only tacky but also insensitive. Extreme wealth was on full display, though all in poor taste: the multimillion dollar yacht, the helicopters, and the parade of celebrities in attendance. Then there are their leisure choices. Recreating the infamous Jenny From the Block yacht scene—where Ben Affleck playfully spanked Jennifer Lopez’s bottom—might have been cheeky at 33. But Sánchez reprising the moment at 55, with Bezos as co-star, is not only trashy but laughable. But when you’re awash in billions, perhaps you stop caring what the world thinks. It’s Lauren’s burden that she doesn’t mind carrying.
The subjects on the first day (September 7) are Political and Public International Law (15 percent) and Commercial and Taxation (20 percent). On the second day (September 10), the subjects are Civil (20 percent) and Labor Law and Social Legislations (10 percent), while on the third day (September 14) the subjects are Criminal (10 percent) and Remedial, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises (25 percent). With a passing rate of 37.84 percent, a total of 3,962 candidates passed the 2024 Bar exams after the justices decided to lower the passing score from 75 to 74 percent. This marks an increase from 2023’s tally of 3,812.
Dennis R.
Tito Genova Valiente
Friday, September 12, 2025
BusinessMirror
DPWH sues ‘BGC Boys’, other parties in flood-control mess
By Lorenz S. Marasigan and Joel R. San Juan
THEDepartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has filed criminal complaints against 20 officials and employees of its Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, along with four contractors allegedly linked to anomalous projects.
Many of those charged were prominently mentioned by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo M. Lacson in his second privilege speech on flood-control program corruption, notably officials tagged “the BGC” boys—for Bulacan Group of Contractors.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon personally brought the complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, accusing the respondents of violating the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds, falsification of documents, and the Government Procurement Reform Act.
He described this as the “first sal-
vo” of the agency’s anti-corruption drive.
“This is what the President has repeatedly instructed: to hold everyone accountable—whether they are allies, friends, or acquaintances. This is only the beginning while the independent commission is still being organized,” Dizon said.
Among those implicated are former Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara and former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, the top two officials of the district office when the questioned projects were implemented.
They were charged alongside sec-
COA, DPWH to require strictly geotagging for govt infra projects
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
HE Commission on Audit
T(COA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will reintroduce geotagging for government projects in a renewed bid to stamp out “ghost projects” and strengthen oversight of public funds.
The move follows COA’s disclosure during the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing that it had issued 1,985 notices of disallowance against the DPWH over the past decade, involving P5.795 billion in questionable expenditures.
COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba revealed that the commission also issued 8,294 notices of suspension amounting to P303.68 billion and 54 notices of charge totaling P8.8 million across all regions within the same period. According to COA, a disallowance is the disapproval of a transaction, either in whole or in part. By contrast, a suspension refers to transactions that appear irregular or improper but are not yet fully disallowed, while a notice of charge requires an agency to explain discrepancies in the handling of public funds.
Amid controversies surrounding flood control projects, COA Commissioner Douglas Michael Mallillin said the COA is working with DPWH to ensure the strict implementation of geo-tagging—a system requiring photographs with GPS coordinates before, during, and after project implementation, and before any payment is released.
“Geo-tagging is a very good control measure if implemented properly. Its main purpose is to prevent ghost projects,” Mallillin said. He admitted, however, that the control was not consistently enforced since its introduction in 2017.
“What happened was that from 2017 until now, when we reviewed it, the main reason was that the requirement for geotagging and the data did not seem to have been implemented. So with those con-
trols breaking down, we are now coordinating with the new DPWH secretary [Vince Dizon]. They will reimplement geotagging in a different manner,” Mallillin said.
“The COA will accompany the DPWH so that geotagging—which is really a very good control if implemented properly—will balance the warm bodies [auditors] that are really required to sit down before any payments are made,” Mallillin said.
DPWH first introduced geo-tagging in 2016 to align with President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-corruption directive.
But its effectiveness has since been questioned. Former DPWH secretary and now Sen. Mark Villar, chair of the Senate public works committee, recently urged accountability for contractors who allegedly submitted fake geo-tagging photographs to secure payments.
Digitalization
MALLILLIN, meanwhile, pushed for full digitalization of auditing processes to improve efficiency and transparency.
“Traditional audits wait for paper submissions, which delay our review. With digitalization, COA can form quick-response teams, track transactions in real time, and provide greater transparency to the public,” Mallillin told lawmakers.
He added that digitalization would allow COA to shift from post-audit to pre-audit in some agencies, enabling auditors to review projects and payments before funds are released.
However, he stressed that this would require additional manpower and resources.
“We will just balance it because COA also needs additional personnel and equipment. So we will do a cost-benefit analysis to make sure that once the pre-audit is implemented, it becomes effective. But if we can add more controls on the side of the implementing agency, it will greatly help us safeguard public funds,” Mallillin said.
The COA has proposed a P15 billion budget to boost its operations, including digitalization and stricter monitoring measures.
tion chiefs and rank-and-file staff handling critical project components: Jaypee D. Mendoza and John Michael E. Ramos of the construction section; Ernesto C. Galang of planning and design; Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan and Jaime R. Hernandez of maintenance; Norberto L. Santos of quality assurance; and Floralyn Y. Simbulan of administration.
Charges were also filed against the following: Juanito C. Mendoza of finance; Roberto A. Roque of budget; Benedict J. Matawaran of procurement; cashier Christina Mae D. Pineda; and project engineers Paul Jayson F. Duya, Merg Jaron C. Laus, Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Arjay S. Domasig, John Carlo C. Rivera, John Benex S. Francisco, and Jolo Mari V. Tayao.
On the private sector side, also sued before the Ombudsman were Sally N. Santos of SYMS Construction Trading; Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders; and Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando; together with beneficial owner Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corp.—the same firm repeatedly mentioned in the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings as one of the “license-for-rent” companies.
Also charged was Robert T. Imperio of IM Construction Corp., which likewise secured flood-control contracts under scrutiny.
Dizon said the charges stem from findings that Bulacan flood-control contracts exhibited suspicious patterns: consecutive bidding, issuance of notice to proceed, and payment approvals occurring within days.
Separately, the Senate and the House of Representatives are investigating these irregularities. Hernandez and Discaya have so far linked several government officials to the flood control corruption mess, amid warnings they may simply be tagging certain persons as squid tactics.
Aside from Bulacan, Dizon said the agency has received complaints about ghost and substandard flood control projects from other parts of the country. The most recent discovery involved three non-existent flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro—funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) but with no trace of construction along the Panggalan, Tubig, and Catuiran rivers.
“We will all get the justice that
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) could broaden its tax audit by including more government contractors besides the 15 firms with the most flood control projects earlier flagged by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Malaki ang pag-asa na madadagdagan pa ang mga isasailalim sa tax fraud audit dahil again, itong unang kinse na ito ay pauna lang ito [It is very likely that more will be subjected to a tax fraud audit, because this first batch of 15 is just the beginning],” Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumgui Jr. said in a televised news program on Thursday. Last week, the BIR issued letters of authority (LOAs) to the top 15 contractors identified by the President to conduct their own parallel tax investigations into the alleged irregularities in the government’s flood control projects. The LOAs were served under the BIR’s Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program, which enables the bureau’s examiners to scrutinize the financial records and tax compliance of the contractors.
Lumagui said the BIR will continue supporting the investigations of the President, the
Senate, and the House of Representatives. “As the hearings go by, we are discovering more names.”
The BIR is currently investigating the top 15 contractors with the most flood control projects, including Legacy Construction Corporation, Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corporation, QM Builders, EGB Construction Corporation, Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. and 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 are also under probe.
“Also, in the course of our audit, if we find entities that entered into joint ventures with these 15 corporations and other related parties, we will also investigate them,” Lumagui added. Contractors found without updated tax returns and clearances, and with established tax liabilities, particularly those linked to poorly implemented projects, could face tax evasion charges.
Estrella:
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III has denied any formal loan agreement with South Korea for the construction of 350 modular bridges in agrarian reform communities, saying the project never progressed beyond exploratory talks—and that the Philippines is now being unfairly dragged into Korea’s domestic political storm.
“There is no loan agreement between KEXIM Bank and us… We weren’t even aware they had approved funding for a pre-feasibility study,” Estrella told BusinessMirror, referring to the Export-Import Bank of Korea.
His remarks come amid a diplomatic stir triggered by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s
public announcement that he had “immediately ordered the suspension of procedures for a project determined to be a faulty undertaking with potential for corruption.”
The project in question—the P4.5-billion to P5.5-billion PBBM Rural Modular Bridge Project— was a Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) flagship initiative aimed at building 350 prefabricated bridges by 2028 to improve farm-to-market access.
The suspension followed an exposé by Korean news magazine Hankyoreh21, which revealed that South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) had initially rejected the loan request under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), citing low feasibility, corruption risks, and the poor track record of a local consult-
ing firm involved in similar projects.
The report also alleged that Philippine officials had submitted the loan application unilaterally in November 2023, and that Estrella had met with Korean officials in Seoul in 2024 alongside former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.
Estrella confirmed the Seoul visit but clarified that his main agenda was to explore agricultural technologies. The meeting with KEXIM Bank officials, he said, happened only at Singson’s request. “Gov. Chavit just said, ‘Try talking to them,’” Estrella recalled.
From the outset, both sides had already recognized a mismatch in priorities, Estrella said.
KEXIM Bank preferred to fund a single, consolidated infrastructure project, while the DAR’s bridge pro -
gram required a multisite rollout across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“After the first meeting, I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. I felt I had wasted my time,” Estrella said. He also questioned the framing of Korean media reports, which implied that Philippine corruption played a role in the loan’s suspension.
“I don’t know what corruption they’re referring to. Maybe it’s on their side of the fence,” he said, noting that any loan would have been “tied”—with South Korea controlling procurement and contractor selection. The Hankyoreh21 report further alleged that South
Korean lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, a close ally of former President Yoon Suk-
CONCRETE STEPS AGAINST CORRUPTION Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon personally files charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on Thursday, September 11, 2025, against 20 officials and employees of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four contractors allegedly linked to anomalous flood control projects. The respondents face complaints for graft, malversation, falsification of public documents, and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act—described by Dizon as the “first salvo” in the agency’s anti-corruption drive. NONOY LACZA
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1
September 12, 2025
Holidays will deliver gains to PSEi by yearend—exec
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) may grow by only 3 percent to 5 percent by the end of the year from its current level of 6,100 points, according to Eduardo Francisco, president of BDO Capital and Investment Corp.
Francisco said at the sidelines of the Energy Forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines that lackluster trade may persist in the coming months due to the lack of catalysts.
“Why would they invest in us if the money will only be lost (to corruption)?”
The PSEi closed higher on Thursday by 6.80 points to close at 6,126.89 points.
He said the strength of the market may only come from the yearend holiday rush, due to high remittances from overseas Filipino workers that will drive consumption.
loans are growing by as much as 11 percent.
“Why are they taking on debt? I’m sure it is not to gamble it away. They took debt for business, especially the SMEs [small, medium enterprises].”
AYALA Corp., Security Bank Corp. and SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) were the top companies from the Philippines in this year’s Time magazine and Statista’s World’s Best Companies.
included in Time’s Asia-Pacific Best Companies 2025, building on its recognition in the 2024 World’s Best Companies list.
The ranking measures employee satisfaction, revenue growth and sustainability transparency.
“Unless major heads roll; I think that will attract investors. We should seek for a ‘new fire’ and not focus on the negative.”
“But is that enough to compensate or offset the negative use in the Senate? The equity market is not moving. But the PSEi does not represent the real economy. The economy is strong.”
He said the ongoing legislative hearings on allegations of corruption in flood control projects turned off foreign investors.
Loan growth, he said, is a good indicator of economic activity. He said BDO Unibank Inc.’s loan growth showed strength in the previous months—consumer, housing, auto and credit card business. Corporate
The big three banks—Metrobank, BDO and Bank of the Philippine Islands—are all growing faster at 13 percent compared to the 12 percent of the entire banking sector.
“Usually, loan growth is a multiple of GDP. I forget if it’s 1.5 or 1.6 times… that’s your GDP. And that’s the historical trend. So, it’s really showing that there’s really growth,” he said.
“Many of us (Filipinos) are in the underground economy. But it’s really the underground economy (that’s increasing). We are stronger than we are today.”
WCC backs Cambodia aviation school
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Philippines’s WCC Aeronautical and Technological College has inked a deal with Cambodia’s Overseas Cambodian Investment Corp. (OCIC) to establish the WCC AeroTech University in Phnom Penh, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
DTI said the partnership is aimed at allowing the export of Filipino educational expertise to meet the region’s increasing demand for aviation professionals.
It said the new campus will offer degree programs in aircraft maintenance technology, avionics, airline operations management, aeronautical engineering, and a certificate
Vivant unit acquires stake in SSREC
VIVANT Energy Corp. (Vivant Energy) has acquired a 40-percent stake in Samal Solar Renewable Energy Corp. (SSREC), boosting the former’s renewable energy (RE) footprint in Luzon. The acquisition is valued at around P395 million.
SSREC operates the 53.14-megawatt peak (MWp) Samal Solar Power Project in Bataan. The solar facility, which began commercial operations in August 2025 and was developed by Tigon Power Corp. (Tigon Power) and operated under SSREC, supplies 52 MW of clean power to Corenergy Inc., Vivant Energy’s retail electricity arm.
The investment reinforces Vivant Energy’s commitment to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) call for stronger public-private partnerships that ensure the benefits of the energy transition are realized through local development and capacity building. This also underscores the conglomerate’s commitment to clean energy aligned with its goal to increase its renewable energy mix to 30 percent by 2030. Lenie Lectura
flight attendant program. Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque said this partnership “reinforces” the country’s role as a provider of knowledge-based services, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of “advancing” Filipino talent globally.
“When our schools and professionals bring their knowledge to international markets, they raise the profile of the Philippines as a hub for skills and innovation,” she said in a statement.
This partnership with Cambodia, Roque said, means more demand for Filipino educators, engineers, and service providers. She added that this will not only boost jobs but would also “inspire pride in our people’s capabilities.”
WCC President Raymond Patrick Guico called the agreement a “milestone” for Philippine higher education.
He said the institution would leverage its experience from training thousands of professionals in the Philippines to extend the same “world-class” aviation education to Cambodia.
Meanwhile, OCIC Vice President Thierry Tea said the deal is in line with Cambodia’s vision to build human capital.
“Working with WCC allows us to open doors for Cambodian youth to access top-quality aviation training while connecting with Filipino professionals who have a proven track record in the industry,” said Tea.
According to DTI, this partner-
ship reflects the Marcos administration’s strategy to “leverage Filipino workforce to drive growth beyond borders, secure transformative investments, and promote local competence internationally.”
DTI said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between WCC and OCIC to establish the educational institution in Phnom Penh was the “highlight” of the president’s state visit to Cambodia from September 7 to 8.
The Philippines has secured four other business agreements with Cambodia which cover key sectors like logistics, food and beverage, and institutional cooperation. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/09/ marcos-strengthens-ties-with-cambodiathrough-five-key-business-agreementsduring-state-visit/).
Fortune Life holds sales caravan in Pangasinan
FORTUNE Life held a Sales Caravan in Pangasinan, through a motorcade from its Dagupan Branch to San Carlos City Schools Division Office, on August 15, 2025. In line with this, Fortune Life, in coordination with Marylindbert International, conducted a School Visit Intervention featuring a life coaching session led by resource speaker Dr. Noemi Bellosillo. The program also included a financial literacy discussion facilitated by Sr. Manager for Special Projects and Business De-
velopment Celso Carlos Magcalas. Following the Life Coaching and Financial Literacy Program, Fortune Life donated Big Books to the Schools Division of San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The turnover ceremony was led by EVP & Chief Operating Officer Emma Abad and the School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) Chief, Dr. Marlon Ecol.
Together with Dagupan Branch Manager Francisco Taguines, our Marketing and Sales team, and
our dedicated agents, Fortune Life marked another milestone in strengthening partnerships and promoting the financial empowerment of teachers in Pangasinan.
We hope that the Big Books, workbooks, and other learning resources we turned over will serve as valuable tools in nurturing values formation and supporting the holistic growth of learners.
Fortune Life is part of the ALC Group of Companies founded by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.
Ayala, ranked 210th, was the top Philippine company for the third straight year. Its world ranking rose from 273rd in 2024 and 309th in 2023.
The index includes companies that generated over $100 million in revenues in 2023 or 2024 and recorded growth over the last three years.
“This recognition inspires us to be an even better Ayala as we journey to our 200th year. We share this with our employees and partners, whose hard work and support helped Ayala earn this honor,” Ayala President and CEO Cezar P. Consing, said.
Ayala has been ranked the top Philippine company every year in the Time World’s Best Companies list since it debuted in 2023.
SMIC, meanwhile, was its second consecutive year on the list, and was ranked at 407th.
“This recognition inspires us to keep strengthening our efforts in creating value for our stakeholders and contributing positively to our communities,” SMIC President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio said.
“It also reflects our balanced approach to growth, delivering strong results for shareholders while also fostering long-term value and resilience for employees, partners, and communities.”
Earlier this year, SMIC was also
TBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE Filinvest Group has enrolled more of its facilities in the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) of the government.
Both GEOP and RAP are initiatives under the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program, established under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).
GEOP empowers customers with an average monthly demand of at least 100 kilowatts (kW) to directly source their power requirements from renewable energy suppliers. This enables businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while exercising greater choice and control over their electricity supply.
Meanwhile, RAP enables smaller consumers, whose individual demand may not meet the threshold, to combine their energy requirements and collectively contract power from a licensed Retail Electricity Supplier (RES). This makes renewable energy more accessible to small and mediumsized enterprises, leveling the playing field and expanding the reach of competitive retail electricity markets.
The group, through its licensed RES, FDC Retail Electricity Sales Corp. (FDC RES), said on Thursday that a total of 11 facilities-seven under GEOP and four
China Banking Corp., one of SM’s bank affiliates, was also recognized and was ranked 882nd, while Security Bank, the second Philippine firm on the list, was ranked at 369th. Jollibee Foods Corp. was the fourth local firm and was ranked 685th, Union Bank of the Philippines was at 764th, International Container Terminal Services Inc. was 828th. Gokongwei firms JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. were also both on the list, at 949th and 962nd, respectively, while the Gotianuns’ Filinvest Development Corp. was at 995th.
The evaluation process involved a three-stage screening. Companies first needed to have generated at least $100 million in revenue in the last fiscal year. They were then assessed on revenue growth over the past three years, followed by extensive employer surveys measuring employee satisfaction. Sustainability performance and transparency were factored into the final score.
“Many companies ranked high on the list have benefitted from that enthusiasm for AI (artificial intelligence),” Time said.
NVIDIA Corp. topped the list, followed by Microsoft Corp. and JP Morgan Chase at third.
“Apple—which topped the World’s Best Companies list in 2024—is notably absent this year due to a decline in revenue from 2022 to 2024.” VG Cabuag
under RAP--are now powered by renewable energy.
These properties, comprising office buildings, commercial spaces, and co-living spaces, owned and managed by various Filinvest entities, underscore the Group’s commitment to providing businesses with access to cleaner, more cost-efficient, and reliable energy sources.
“Under the RAP, we have onboarded four facilities aggregating over 1,000 kW of demand, enabling them to unlock the benefits of market-based electricity rates. This is Filinvest’s first switch under the expanded RAP,” said FDC RES President Roderick Z. Fernandez.
Meanwhile, under GEOP, FDC RES switched seven facilities with a total contracted demand of 2,000 kW.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which has been actively promoting the implementation of GEOP and RAP, recognized the efforts of Filinvest.
“I congratulate FDC RES for being at the forefront of all these innovations in our power industry in our quest to make the lives of our [customers] better by making available to them the supply that they would require at an affordable price,” said ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan.
“By pushing for these mechanisms, the ERC ensures that both large and small consumers have viable pathways to access clean energy.”
FORTUNE Life Sales Caravan in Pangasinan from Dagupan Branch to San Carlos City Schools Division Office with EVP & COO Emma Abad (third from left), Dagupan Branch Manager Francisco Taguines (second from left) and other officers, staff and agents.
Banks’
assets grew 6.97% as total loan portfolio up
THE assets of Philippine banks grew 6.97 percent in July 2025, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Bank assets reached P27.74 trillion in the period ending July. This was higher than last year’s P25.93 trillion but was a 1.66-percent contraction from the P28.21 trillion posted in the period ending June 2025.
The growth of bank assets were driven by net total loan portfolio (TLP), which posted a double-digit growth of 11.15 percent to P15.26 trillion as of July 2025 from the P13.73 trillion posted in the period ending July 2024. Another driver was investments, which grew 7.19 percent to P8.24 trillion as of July this year from P7.69 trillion in the same period last year.
Other assets posted double-digit growth of 12.31 percent to P2.19 trillion as of July 2025 from the P1.95 trillion recorded in July 2024. The data showed that real and other properties acquired (Ropa) surged 17.83 percent to P129.73 billion as of July 2025 from P110.11 billion in July 2024.
THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry had Dr. Donald Patrick Lim, president and chief operations officer of DCME Holdings Inc., as keynote speaker in its recent general membership meeting in Cebu City. Lim spoke on four key shifts that are within our midst today and I thought I’d share and relate these to associations.
Today’s operating environment is no longer defined by incremental change but by seismic shifts that reshape how organizations function, engage, and create value. For associations, whose mission is to serve members, professions, and industries, understanding and adapting to these changes is vital for continued relevance and impact.
The following four key shifts stand out as particularly transformative.
1. Technology shift. Technology is no longer just a tool; it is the very foundation of modern organizational life. Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are redefining trust, decision making, and operational efficiency.
AI provides associations and other membership organizations like chambers with unprecedented opportunities for personalization, predictive analytics, and member engagement at scale, while blockchain promises transparency in transactions, credentialing, and governance. On the frontlines are the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and 3D printing, innovations that are reshaping industries and, by extension, professional communities. Underpinning it all are cloud computing and cybersecurity, which act as the fortress for data integrity and organizational resilience.
For associations and chambers, this means moving beyond traditional digital tools and harnessing them not only for efficiency but also for creating member-centric solutions.
2. Power shift. Global power dynamics are also evolving. Influence is steadily moving from West to East, reflecting demographic, economic, and cultural momentum.
Within societies, power is shifting from institutions to individuals, where a single voice amplified through social media can rival traditional authority. Moreover, the world is becoming more fragmented rather than consolidated, with diverse perspectives competing for attention.
For associations, this means moving beyond hierarchical models and embracing more distrib -
Earlier, economists said the growth of bank assets could moderate in the coming months as the BSP continues its easing cycle.
Banking&Finance Bank lending to MSMEs up 9.05% in Q2, BSP data bares
The BSP is, however, expected to pause monetary policy easing in October given the recent increase in headline inflation to 1.5 percent and core inflation at 2.7 percent in August. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/08/06/ july-core-inflation-worries-analysts).
According to Citibank N.A. Manila Branch, faster inflation in August may prompt the monetary authorities to push back any policy rate cut to December, the last meeting for the year of the Monetary Board. The lender added it believes the central bank remains on track to reduce policy rates to 4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from the current 5 percent. In August, the country’s inflation rate jumped to 1.5 percent from the 0.9 percent posted in July on the back of higher food, utilities, and transportation costs. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/09/ faster-august-inflation-may-delay-rate-cut). Cai U. Ordinario
Four shifts associations must understand today
uted, network-based approaches to leadership and advocacy. Ass ociations that can connect and empower individuals across fragmented landscapes will be better positioned to thrive.
3. Boundary shift. The line between work and home, professional and personal, is dissolving. Hybrid work arrangements have blurred traditional boundaries, while digital connectivity has altered behaviors and expectations.
Associations must recognize this fluidity. Members now seek experiences and services that seamlessly fit into their multifaceted lives. At the organizational level, firms are increasingly multidimensional, spanning industries and functions rather than being neatly categorized. Associations, therefore, need to adapt by offering more flexible membership models, cross-sector collaborations, and innovative approaches to professional development that acknowledge these blurred realities.
4. Mind shift. Associations must grapple with a profound mind shift. Workforces are no longer defined by a single generation but by multiple ones coexisting, each with distinct values and expectations. Millennials and the Gen Z bring a different perspective on careers, prioritizing flexibility, purpose, and impact. The rise of the gig economy further challenges traditional notions of employment and professional identity. Meanwhile, sustainability and values are no longer peripheral, but central to organizational strategy and individual decision making. For associations, this calls for a stronger emphasis on purposedriven missions, inclusive engagement strategies, and programs that highlight societal impact alongside professional development.
Octavio Peralta is founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations.” The PCAAE will hold its 13th Annual Associations Summit on November 6, 2025 at the Clark Freeport Zone. The views he expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the B usiness M irror E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org.
FBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
INANCIAL support extended by Philippine banks to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) increased 9.05 percent in the second quarter of 2025.
Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed bank lending for small businesses increased to P11.78 trillion as of June 2025 from the P10.8 trillion posted in June 2024.
The bulk of these financing were extended by universal and commercial banks (UKBs) amounting to P10.74 trillion as of June 2025.
Based on the data, this represented an 8.32 percent growth from the P9.91 trillion posted in the second quarter of last year.
The rest of the financing were extended to MSMEs in the second quarter of the year by thrift banks (TBs) amounting to P846.58 billion; rural and cooperative banks
(RCBs), P163.06 billion; and, digital banks (DGBs), P34.74 billion. Among the banks, DGBs posted the fastest growth in financing for MSMEs which nearly doubled at 95.28 percent from the P17.79 billion posted in the second quarter last year.
The data also showed that financing extended by RCBs to MSMEs contracted 24.19 percent from the P215.08 billion financing it extended to small firms in the second quarter of 2024.
Under Section 18 of the amended Magna Carta, MSMEs are entitled to be given mandatory allocation in the credit resources of all lending institutions as defined under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas rules.
These institutions, the Magna Carta stated, shall set aside at least eight percent of their total loan portfolio for micro and small enterprises. This will be based on their balance sheet as of the end of the previous quarter.
Earlier, in the first quarter, the BSP reported that MSME lending increased 9.54 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Lending for small businesses increased to P11.82 trillion as of March 2025 from the P10.79 trillion posted in March 2024. The bulk of these financing were extended by UKBs amounting to P10.81 trillion as of March 2025. The release of the data is in accordance with the Magna Carta for MSMEs or Republic Act (RA) 9501, which amended RA 6977 and RA 8289, and took effect in June 2008.
PDIC to create system to assess deposit insurance risks
THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) and the World Bank Group, through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), will develop a risk-based assessment system, or “RBAS,” for deposit insurance.
A statement issued by the PDIC last Thursday read that the RBAS is a framework to determine the premiums that banks pay for deposit insurance based on each institution’s risk profile. The system aims to align the cost of insurance with the level of risk each bank poses to the PDIC Deposit Insurance Fund.
According to the PDIC, the RBAS will promote financial stability, reduce moral hazard, and incentivize prudent risk management among banks.
PDIC President and CEO Ro -
berto B. Tan was quoted in the statement as saying that the RBAS “will help the PDIC better foresee and address potential problems as new challenges emerge from a more complex banking environment.”
“With the global expertise of World Bank-IBRD and our commitment to see this Project through, we are paving the way for an enhanced deposit insurance system in the country,” Tan added.
The PDIC considered its partnership with the IBRD as a “landmark agreement.” It added that it sees the RBAS as a first step “to align bank assessment with global standards.”
Under the agreement, the IBRD will conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the need, feasibility, and design of a risk-based premium system tai -
Pag-Ibig banks on loans to generate higher yields
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Home Development Mu-
tual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG Fund, is betting on its various loan programs to deliver returns to its members.
In a news briefing last Thursday, Pag-IBIG Vice President for Public and Member Relations Group and Strategic Marketing Group Domingo C. Jacinto, Jr. said Pag-IBIG will push its housing loan programs and multipurpose loan programs to generate higher yields.
“What we would like certainly to push are our housing loan programs and our multi-purpose loan programs because these are the loans that would benefit our members directly,” Jacinto said.
Under its current terms, Pag-IBIG Fund offers housing loans at interest rates as low as 5.75 percent per annum for a one-year repricing period, and 6.25 percent for a three-year repricing period.
Qualified low-income members may avail of special rates under the agency’s Affordable Housing Program to purchase socialized housing units at just 3 percent per annum.
Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG’s multi-purpose loan offers a monthly interest rate of 1.4583 percent. By law, Pag-IBIG is mandated to invest not less than 70 percent of its investible funds in housing.
But aside from housing, Jacinto said Pag-IBIG is also prioritizing investing in government securities despite yields going down after the local key policy rate was reduced to
5 percent.
“We fully support the government. So that is why we always look at government securities as our priority,” Jacinto said. All of the money in the fund not needed to meet current administrative and operational requirements should also be invested “with due and prudent regard for its safety, growth, and liquidity needs.”
Moreover, Pag-IBIG is allowed to “invest, own or otherwise participate in equity in any establishment, firm or entity; to form, organize, invest in or establish and maintain a subsidiary or subsidiaries in relation to any of its purposes,” by law.
As of the first half of this year, the Pag-IBIG Fund’s total assets reached P1.14 trillion.
Of the amount, P869.50 billion is in housing-related assets, P82.70 billion in short-term loans and P168.44 billion in income-generating investments.
The remaining P21.16 billion consists of other assets, including property and equipment, cash and intangible assets.
The Pag-IBIG Fund earned P4.27 billion from its investments in the first half of this year, higher by 51.79 percent from the same period a year ago.
The increase in investment income also pushed up the agency’s net income to P28.04 billion as of end-June, also a 15.25-percent yearon-year increase.
Pag-IBIG’s gross investment portfolio reached P168.47 billion, higher by 24.48 percent from the end of 2024.
lored to the Philippine context. According to the PDIC, this will be consistent with the provision of the amended PDIC Charter which require the conduct of a study on the need to establish a risk-based assessment system.
This approach, the state deposit insurer said, will improve PDIC’s surveillance of banks through the implementation of an enhanced assessment system that is customized based on a member bank’s individual risk profile.
“Having a sound risk-based assessment framework is not only essential but critical,” Tan was quoted in the statement as saying.
World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines Zafer Mustafaoglu highlighted the role of a welldesigned risk-based assessment
THE HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc. (DBA Home Credit PHL) expects the size of its loan portfolio would grow to P100 billion within the year as the holiday season draws near.
In a media event last Thursday, Home Credit PHL Chief Marketing Officer Sheila Paul told reporters that the company is hoping to hit the P100-billion mark for its loan portfolio within the year.
Home Credit PHL Chief Business Development Officer Zdenek Jankovsky said the loan portfolio is expected to grow as more people borrow to fund their purchases in the upcoming holiday season.
This optimism comes after the company’s loan portfolio grew by P11 billion from January to June this year—starting with P74 billion as of end-2024 to P85 billion as of end-June this year.
The P11-billion growth, Jankovsky said, “eclipses” the 2024 combined loan portfolios of three non-bank lending players.
“We know that everyone has dreams, people want to buy things, but not everything can be afforded. So, we are here to help Filipinos to be able to afford things that they cannot save for at home but, over time, they can pay for installments for what they are looking for,” he added.
In the same event, Puneet Suneja, the company’s chief sales officer, said the Home Credit PHL has served more than 12 million customers, helping them access
system in promoting sound risk management and strengthening public confidence in the financial safety net. Mustafaoglu said the agreement will support financial sector reforms that are timely, data-driven, and aligned with international benchmarks. The PDIC said the partnership is seen as a welcome development as the state deposit insurer pursues a more consequential role in promoting financial stability by way of key legislative reforms.
These reforms aim to amend the deposit insurance law, particularly to enhance the mandate of the PDIC, expand its authorities, and modernize its operations, for a more responsive, resilient and future-ready deposit insurance system. Cai U. Ordinario
essential products and services. Suneja said the company has released loans for purchase of 2.5 million smartphones since the start of 2024, with an average of 5,000 devices per day by August this year.
iPhones also remain the top choice for the company’s customers, as financing for these smartphones reached P10 billion in 2024 and is seen to double to P20 billion by the end of 2025, according to Suneja.
Meanwhile, the company released loans for purchase of 700 refrigerators, 1,400 televisions and 1,100 air conditioners per day for Filipino households during peak season.
Since the start of 2024, the company has also backed close to 70,000 units of motorcycles and e-bikes, amounting to P4.5 billion, providing customers with mobility.
The company also sells insurance for accidents, life and illness. The latter also covers hospital cash, installment waiver and unlimited online consultations. Home Credit PHL also sells insurance for devices, which covers against accidental liquid damage and includes extended warranty, door-to-door repair or replacement and like-for-like device replacement. The company said it has approved and released over P1.75 billion in claims under this insurance, with nearly 70,000 devices repaired or replaced. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Octavio Peralta
A ssociation World
Slow food, rich roots: PHL to host Terra Madre
BACOLOD City will be ground zero for the largest gathering of food producers and communities, chefs, policymakers and slow food advocates as it hosts the first-ever Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 on November 19 to 23. The landmark event, patterned after Slow Food International’s immensely popular Terra Madre Salon del Gusto in Turin, will be an opportunity for delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange knowledge, celebrate food diversity, and push forward the global call for a more sustainable food future.
TMAP 2025 was launched on September 9 at the North Forbes Pavilion in Makati, with several speakers from the political arena and key government agencies extolling the event’s significance and its importance in helping put the Philippines on the map of the global Slow Food movement and gastronomy tourism.
In the Philippines, where many of its food ingredients are imported (agricultural imports amounted to US$19.5 billion in 2024)—rice, cereals, wheat, garlic, meat and livestock, dairy products, seafood, fruits and vegetables, corn, coffee, among others—Slow Food takes on a more significant meaning.
The movement’s emphasis on local production for local consumption can serve as a framework for revitalizing the Philippines’ agricultural sector, one that values self-reliance over dependency, and sustainability over short-term gains. Having covered the agriculture beat in my cub reporter days, and then briefly working for the Department of Agriculture, I have witnessed up close the struggles of our farmers and fisherfolk to produce food for our tables.
Farmers deal with high costs of fertilizers and pesticides and till small plots of land that don’t yield enough produce to give them the economies of scale they need to actually earn them the adequate income for their families to survive. Many of them still have little access to post-harvest and processing facilities,
along with storage units that could help them hold on to their produce a bit longer, instead of being forced to sell them at cost, even when there is enough supply of their produce in the market.
They rely on middlemen and traders who pay them the barest minimum farmgate prices to bring their produce to the buyers. But we should not blame the middlemen for our agricultural sector’s issues either; without them, no one would lend to our producers without collateral.
Despite improvements in the so-called AgriAgra Law, only 2.6 percent—or P307.63 billion—in loans went to agriculture, out of the P11.76-trillion in outstanding loans to residents for production and economic activities in 2024, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The biggest irony of all: food insecurity also exists in many rural areas, where most of our food producers reside. Slow Food offers a framework for localized food production and distribution, promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture and improving access to diverse, healthy foods. It will help empower communities through community gardens, food hubs, and farmer cooperatives.
With Slow Food’s emphasis on culinary traditions, there is a pressing need to document and revive endangered indigenous recipes and ways of preparing food. This will strengthen our cultural identity through food, and promote food education, especially among the youth so they can reconnect with their roots.
Thankfully, we have started doing this. Through the efforts of our local Slow Food communities, which now number 35, according to Ramon “Chin-Chin” Uy Jr., who chairs the TMAP 2025 executive committee,
many of our local endangered ingredients are now included in the Ark of Taste.
The catalogue of extraordinary heritage fruits, vegetables, animal breeds, cheeses, breads, sweets and cured meats, now includes 119 unique and endangered Philippine products, like Diwal (Angel Wings Clams), Asin Tibuok (unbroken salt), Batwan, Blue Swimming Crab (alimasag), Visayan warty pig, Tubâ (coconut wine), to name a few. (tinyurl.com/y3hcacd7) Slow Food also promotes environmentally responsible practices to counteract the effects of deforestation, soil degradation, and overfishing. It supports organic farming, integrated pest management, and permaculture, and encourages climate resilience—vital for vulnerable countries like the Philippines. But as in many problems so common in the Philippines—whether it be agricultural production or flood control projects—the challenges our food producers face lie in inadequate government policies or their poor implementation.
For one, land conversion from agriculture to commercial use must slow down. Agricultural policies must favor small local producers instead of commercial farming and export crops.
Consumers, too, should be encouraged to support local organic produce, which may currently be pricey due to scarcity, compared to cheaper, chemical-laden, imported processed food.
Finally, government must invest in adequate infrastructure and improve market access for small producers so they can sell at sustainable prices that support their families and livelihoods.
It’s a long road ahead for the country’s small
Eugenia Last
you follow your heart, you’ll find your people and the pastimes that make you sparkle. Shape your future by satisfying your needs, and your best traits will emerge, attracting positive results. ★★★★★
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put a to-do list in place and resolve all issues and updates. Be open to suggestions, but be careful who you trust. If you act in haste, you will likely find yourself having to backtrack. Sticking to a budget and paying attention to detail are mandatory if you intend to reach your objective. ★★★
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Get moving. Exercise, fitness, a healthy diet and a positive lifestyle, along with strong relationships with others, are the keys to personal happiness. Participating in events or joining organizations that foster socialization and connection with like-minded individuals who contribute to your well-being can help you gain confidence and attract engaging and supportive friendships. ★★★
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your intentions are good and your ideas unique, but your timing is off. Refrain from jumping into something without facts and figures in place. Take a break and give yourself a chance to digest information and rethink how you proceed. Your emotions will surface and cost you if you let them infiltrate your decisions. ★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Use your experience, time and energy to bring about positive change. Socializing will prove valuable and encourage you to get out and meet interesting people. What you discover through discussions you engage in will help you make better financial and health choices. ★★★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A change won’t be as it appears. Take a moment to analyze what’s unfolding before you, and then beef up your commentary to let others know what you are thinking and feeling. Focus your efforts on preserving your relationships with others, rather than blaming or criticizing those you love.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Sit tight, watch what’s happening around you and look for a practical approach that will satisfy your needs. Keep your plans to yourself and channel your energy into tidying up unfinished business. Conversations will lead to emotional encounters that require restraint, thoughtfulness and compromise. ★★
BIRTHDAY BABY: You are knowledgeable, helpful and
Show
RED FLAG
THEIR relationship seemed solid but it seems that the nepo baby and her handsome boyfriend have called it quits. The handsome guy seemed to be the nepo baby’s first serious boyfriend but his recent behavior has shown many red flags. It’s actually surprising that she fell in love with him because aside from being handsome, he does not have much going for him. He is known to have an attitude problem while the nepo baby is nice and friendly. Recently, the public has noticed that the nepo baby has been reposting stuff connected to betrayal and cheating, and people assumed it is about her boyfriend. Did he cheat or did she just leave him? Only they can answer these questions.
QUESTIONABLE INFLUENCERS
THE sources of funds of many influencers have long been an open secret in the industry. These two influencers, for instance, were known as children of a government official but no one talked about it. They even have an address where PR people could send their gifts because, allegedly, they didn’t want people to see where they actually lived. Some PR companies are actually at fault for helping these influencers, whose family members are connected to the government, become more popular. Even when there were talks about certain influencers getting the things they flaunt from questionable sources, these PR companies and brands continued to support them.
NO LONGER A SWEETHEART
SHE used to be everyone’s sweetheart but ever since she married a government official, people have noticed the change in the showbiz personality. She seems to be more brand-conscious and materialistic than she was before. Instead of being an asset to her husband, she seems to be one of the reasons why people are questioning his integrity. People are now wondering if her lavish lifestyle is funded by their taxes, or is it because of her hard work.
Feasting on the fantastic: The Bakunawa Fest
TIT’S OVER
HOW true is the rumor that the engagement of a TV host and his non-showbiz girlfriend is now over?
There are many rumors swirling around. There are rumors that the guy grew tried of supporting the girl and her family. But a reliable source said the reason behind the break-up is more complicated than that. The guy allegedly cheated on his fiance with someone he met through work. The guy does not look like he would do that so perhaps there’s another story behind the split.
O call the ‘Bakunawa’ a monster is to fall under the spell of colonization, where any object or event that could not be subjugated was demonized or declared evil. The belief of our ancestors in a powerful being that ruled the cosmos was one of these victims of conversion. In riverine settlements or places located near bodies of water, these mythical creatures took on the form of giant serpents—the ‘naga’ in Southeast Asian pantheon of divinities.
Known by many other appellations, the Bakunawa became the moon-eater, the cause of eclipses, the reason for the flooding, the harbinger of both fortune and calamity. When propitiated, the Serpent ruled the seasons and lives of men and women, dictated the propriety of rituals.
But as recently as the 1900 till the turn of the millenium, the Bakunawa was still current as part of Filipino geomancy—the relation of earth and its magic. In the Bicol peninsula, the once popular “Kalendaryong Bikol,” a type of almanac, carried the Bakunawa, the Tandayag, a serpent noted for a crown on its head. It is said the conduct of human affairs should conform to the position of the Bakunawa, which up to this day remains hidden beneath the earth.
It is thus a great work of cultural recuperation to employ the Bakunawa as the primal inspiration for staging a festival of films that deals with the fantastic, the unknown, and the inscrutable. Aptly named the “Bakunawa Fest,” the event, spearheaded by the multi-
awarded artist and filmmaker Elvert Bañares, and co-founded by Tanya Lopez, occupies a special niche among festivals of films.
It is a surplus of imagination this edition of the Bakunawa, which like the previous editions came from various international works. To call the pieces submitted as “experimentation” is to muddle the numerous evolution of the film arts as blurring classification. One forgets genre when viewing the entries to Bakunawa; like the unpredictability of the Serpent, one should merely allow the creative spirit to bring you to wherever the narrative or its lack of plot leads the viewer to.
Allow me to talk about some of the films in competition.
One category bears the title “Image as Phantasm,” stating how “phantasms inhabit the space between apparition and memory. They can be conjured in a dream, trapped in an image; shaped by grief and longing.” The curatorial notes continue as it states how the image as a phantasm “moves through that liminal territory where reality is porous, allowing perception to slip toward the uncanny.”
A film from Estonia is called The Shadow of Dawn, a 15-minute folkloric fantasy where a young girl rejects the amorous advances of a lumberjack and in the process encounters a being with a crow’s head. Her shadow seems to seek its own adventure in a forest of symbols and violence and offers her hope. Olga Stalev directs this fairy tale.
In Capturing the Ghost, a Portuguese film exploring women’s memories as ghostly, ephemeral, creating in the process this commentary of women as being unseen. They do not matter because even in memories they remain in the level of the ether, prone to easy dissolution. Davi Melo directs the film.
From Mexico comes The Yarn Man, a tale of a lonely old woman who spins out of yarn warm clothing for a young girl. Directed by Cremance, the film is classified as fantasy/experimental and has no dialogue. In the end, the weaver covers a human entirely in yarn, assuring a creature not only warmth but also cruel, inhuman control.
The second category is articulated by the title “Image as Travesty and Jocularity.” The notes explain how “humor and horror have always shared a border,” and in this collection the works, according to the curator, gleefully cross the said line. The notes further detail how “often they crisscross as filmmakers challenge the genres, sometimes to remind us that laughter can sharpen fear and that the joke may be on you.”
The animation Dagon from Italy by Paulo Gaudio is a stop-motion animation short film freely adapted from H.P. Lovecraft mythologizing infused with the expressionism we lovingly attribute to German cinema. The face of fear is suffused in the imagining as the past and the present rush altogether, time lost in the angst and terror.
Leave it to the Japanese to craft a poetry of alienation in this work by Masuyama Toru called Parking Area. The filmmaker has only the spare grid and lines of brutalist architecture to delineate a world where humans are not even cogs in the massive machine but indeterminate dots lost in a mean, meandering city of parking lots.
Vivid from the Philippines’ Buboy Gandeza clearly benefits from the lack of justice in this country as the film is preoccupied with infusing a law practice with dark, black magic.
Compare this with Vivir or Believe from the United States where a vampire offers another woman the chance of a lifetime—to paint the portrait of a being from the underworld. If this is not amusing enough, there is Bath Bomb, where the other half of a gay couple plants a bubble soap that doubles as an incendiary bomb for infidelity.
The Bakunawa Fest opened in the newly built Sentro Turismo, the former Church of San Ignacio in old Intramuros. It was sublime to screen these subversive films in a stately museum setting while Jesuit saints looked over the arts and the young artists. I shared the honor of the jury with Jeffrey Jeturian. The festival also had simultaneous screening in the Hundred Islands Film Festival in Alaminos and showed the films in Bacolod, as well.
‘SANG’GRE,’ ‘BEAUTY EMPIRE’ STARS, PBB KAPUSO HOUSEMATES SHINE BRIGHT IN EVENTS
farmers and fisherfolk. But with the grassroots Slow Food movement, advocates may be able to push harder for reforms and win more policymakers over to the idea of growing, preparing, and protecting food differently.
“The first edition of Terra Madre Asia & Pacific marks an exciting new chapter for the global Slow Food movement,” said Paolo Di Croce, General Director of Slow Food International, who graced the event’s launch. This gathering celebrates the shared products and traditions that unite Asian and Pacific communities, while showing how food can connect people, pass on knowledge, inspire solutions, and help safeguard the planet for future generations.”
With shots of lambanog passed among guests, Slow Food Negros President Reena Gamboa led the toast to the upcoming TMAP 2025, which will be a historic feat indeed for Bacolod and the Philippines. We wish the organizers good fortune and a smooth landing as the country puts its best foo(d) forward for this event.
n Delegate applications for Terra Madre Asia & Pacific 2025 can be directed to nichole@slowfoodnegros.com while partnership and sponsorship inquiries can be sent to frauline@slowfoodnegros.com
NON-STOP fun and excitement poured in the rainy month of August as GMA Network, through its regional arm GMA Regional TV, brought the network’s brightest stars to the grandest festivals and celebrations in various regions across the country. The festive month kicked off with a spectacular event in Davao City for the vibrant celebration of the Kadayawan Festival. The stars of Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre (Faith da Silva, Angel Guardian, Kelvin Miranda, and Bianca Umali) brought good vibes and entertainment to their fans through the Kapuso Mall Show at Gaisano Grand Citygate Mall on August 17. Meanwhile, bringing sunshine to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, on August 26
were Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition ex-housemates Josh Ford, Vince Maristela, AZ Martinez and Charlie Fleming. The Sparkle artists radiated their youthful energy in the exciting
Kapuso Spotlight at Isulan for the colorful celebration of the Hamungaya Festival. Fans were, likewise, treated to an unforgettable evening at the Higalaay Vibe Fest 2025 in Cagayan de Oro City on August 28. The Clash Season 4 Grand
Winner Mariane Osabel and Sparkle artist Charlie Fleming captivated the crowd and brought a heartwarming experience at SM CDO Downtown Premier via the Kapuso Spotlight. The August festivities culminated in Cebu with a fun-filled Kapuso Mall
Show at Robinsons Galleria Cebu on August 30. The cast of Beauty Empire (Aaron Maniego, Chai Fonacier, Sam Concepcion, and Barbie Forteza) charmed the crowd, leaving fans with a one-of-a-kind experience.
“GMA Regional TV’s mission is and will always be rooted in our deep commitment to our Kapuso audiences across the country. Our participation in these festivals not only gives fans a chance to connect with their favorite Kapuso stars, but also reinforces the strong bond we share, fueled by their unwavering support of all our programs and initiatives. We’re excited to announce that there is more to look forward to as GMA Regional TV rolls out its lineup of activities until the end of the year,” says senior vice president and head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
FROM left: The cast of Beauty Empire— Sam Concepcion, Chai Fonacier, Barbie Forteza and Aaron Maniego— charmed the crowd in the Kapuso Mall Show at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.
B6 Friday, September 12, 2025
Motoring
Rolling luxury space and tech hub
Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino
LI Auto Philippines opened its first flagship showroom in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, last summer, spotlighting its luxury lineup: the Li L7 five-seater SUV, Li L9 six-seater SUV, and Li Mega MPV. The L7 and L9 offer Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) technology, while the Li Mega is fully electric. The brand claims a unique approach to intelligent electric vehicles. Recently, the local distributor organized an experiential event for the full Li Auto lineup. Due to limited test units, we each experienced one model. Our group drove the P5.490-million top-spec Li L9 Ultra to Nawa Wellness Resort in Calatagan, Batangas, with stops along the way for other participants to ride different models.
Ultra-version
THE Black Metallic Li L9 Ultra assigned to us denotes that minimalist luxury design approach. European design cues clearly inspire the overall look with curvy silhouettes and minimal sharp profiles. Virtually identical to its smaller sibling, Li L7, the only difference aside from dimension and interior theme is the C-pillar. The front end features an upper long daytime running light strip, aligned with the curved bonnet. The only grill vent is below the bumper where the LED headlamps are installed in both corners. Meanwhile, the rear features the same long red LED light strip, unified with the taillights. The full-sized family SUV rolls on 21-inch Black and Grey alloy wheels, wrapped in 265/45 series tires.
Motivation comes from a plug-in hybrid setup featuring dual electric traction motors, generating a combined power rating of 443 hp and 620 Nm of torque. On the other hand, the 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine functions as a generator to charge the standard 52.3-kWh largecapacity battery. The total range is up to 1,400 kilometers in hybrid mode and up to 280 kilometers in pure electric mode. Dimension-wise, the SUV measures 5,218 mm in length, 1,800 mm in height,
1,998 mm in width, and features a 3,105 mm wheelbase.
Chauffeured experience
UNLIKE the usual drive event, they assigned a company driver and product specialist to each model. That means no drive time, only a passenger experience, at least for the next 49 kilometers going to Coffee Builders in Silang, Cavite. Boarding inside, the retractable power footboards and door handles are a plus. The light-colored cabin is a refreshing contrast as all seats feature comfortable 3D sponge and perforated Nappa leather materials. This three-row family SUV is
certainly generous in space, making it passenger-centric. Seated in the middle row’s right side, the ventilated “queen seat” with a foldable table provides that perfect wraparound fit and feel. With the multi-way electronic control, it has become even easier to find that perfect, comfortable setting. Of course, we immediately explored the spa-grade 10-point massage, which features a 4D vibration effect and 256-color dynamic ambient lighting, all controlled via the large, ceiling-mounted touchscreen.
Unique to Li Auto models is the identical cockpit layout and the Magic Carpet driver seat. Additionally, the steering features a
AMAJOR move saw Jacob Ang assume the presidency of BMW Philippines recently in place of the retiring Spencer Yu.
Ang is the son of billionairephilanthropist Ramon S. Ang, the president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation. At 24, Jacob becomes the youngest top gun in any major car outfit in the country. Before his stint as BMW president, Spencer played a key role in the upward surge of Lexus in the luxury sector as the Lexus sales director.
Here is the statement on Jacob Ang’s appointment:
“SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (SMCACD), the exclusive distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, has appointed Jacob Ang as its new president, effective September 1, 2025.
“He takes over from Spencer Yu, who has led BMW Philippines as president for seven years.
“Ang steps into the role at a time when demand for premium vehicles in the Philippines is growing, alongside rising interest in electrified mobility.
“Having been actively involved in the company’s efforts to modernize operations and enhance the customer experience, he is well-prepared to lead the brand into its next chapter of growth.
“‘Jacob’s leadership and fresh perspective will help us further strengthen BMW’s presence in the Philippines,’” said Ramon S. Ang, Chairman of SMCACD. “‘We have built a strong foundation over the years, and with his energy and vision, I am confident he will take the brand further and create
even more value for our customers.’”
“‘This is an exciting time for our industry and for BMW in the Philippines,’” said Jacob Ang. “‘My priority is to build on what we do best—drive innovation in how we serve our customers, and strengthen BMW’s position as the leader in premium mobility in the country.’”
Honda Civic HONDA Civic Type R is signing off. Listen to Andie Vitug:
“For generations, the Honda model has ignited the passion of Filipino automotive enthusiasts. Honda Cars’image of performance and a symbol of Honda’s pursuit of engineering excellence, the Type R has made its mark on the Philippine motoring landscape, treating drivers to its exhilarating power, precise handling and distinctive design.
“From the legendary EK9 to the latest FL5, each iteration of the Civic Type R has pushed boundaries and set new benchmarks for what a front-wheel-drive performance
in real-time via the front center display. The system has a wider, more precise, and more detailed view, capable of detecting objects both during the day and at night. So, when the driver turned the signals, the system enabled the vehicle to change lanes safely, while hands-free on the steering. Moreover, the system can further perform autonomous overtaking, enter/ exit ramps, pass intersections in response to traffic lights, enter/exit roundabouts, and avoid/detour around roadwork obstacles. Arriving at the coffee shop marked the end of our passenger experience. But there, the specialist demonstrated the autonomous parking feature. Using the same system, the vehicle moved back and forth to park itself automatically. All the cameras and radar even detected the surrounding crowd filming the demonstration, which caused the vehicle to hesitate before moving to avoid us. The following day, we boarded the same model, and it was time to demonstrate further the air suspension functions. Impressively, the “Magic Carpet” air suspension system has five adjustable heights. The
small screen panel in the center, replacing the usual instrument cluster display. But there are dual 15.6-inch infotainment screens. The center one is for the control user interface, while the second display is closer to the front passenger for pure entertainment, much like a tablet. Interestingly, we found out that owners can install popular smartphone applications, such as YouTube, Spotify, Waze, and Google Maps, via a laptop’s wired connectivity. The center console has a sunken compartment and two air-cooled wireless charging pads. In contrast, the second row features an OLED touchscreen control for rear air conditioning, seat ventilation, two Type-C charging ports, two 12-volt sockets, and a 220-volt power interface.
From the BGC dealership, we hit the road and took the C-5, SLEX, CALAX, and Aguinaldo highway route. On the road, it was the NVH level of suppression that struck us instantly. Indeed, the doublelayered noise-insulating glass and silent electric suction doors were in full effect. Even the double-chamber air spring and air suspension setup had us wondering where all the usual bounces had gone. We also felt the system working hard to eliminate those floor vibrations. However, the usual tire rebounds from uneven cracks were still there due to the tire’s low series setup.
The best part was when we asked the specialist to enable the audio system, featuring a panoramic sound layout with Dolby Atmos support. It was like a 360-degree immersive acoustic feast.
Did we mention that there is an 8.8-liter
capacity warmer/refrigerator with precise temperature settings? Simply pull the rear panel of the center console.
After a brief stop at the gas station in SLEX to refuel, we hit the freeway in hybrid mode. This time, the specialist demonstrated the vehicle’s autonomous driving capabilities. According to Li Auto, their self-developed full-stack Li AD Pilot Assistance combines over 20 sensing hardware components on the vehicle.
Together with the system’s intelligent driving sensor, comprising 10 highdefinition intelligent driving cameras and a 128-line LiDAR radar system, it enables a 3D digital driving experience, displayed
car can achieve.
“Locally, the Honda Civic Type R’s Fifth Generation FK8 was first previewed at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).
“An initial 100 units were made available for the Philippine market, all of which were spoken for within 48 hours upon the announcement of availability.
“This was followed by a refresh in 2021, where it was now equipped with Honda SENSING, improved brakes, and new colors. Finally, the Sixth Generation FL5 was launched in January 2023. Its presence on Philippine roads has fostered a dedicated community that appreciates its rich heritage and uncompromising spirit.
“As Honda moves forward with upcoming models and innovations, the current generation Civic Type R will soon conclude its official run in the Philippines.
“‘We are extremely grateful for how well our customers have received the Civic Type R and shown their appreciation for this model over the past eight years. We
are confident that this model’s legacy will inspire us as our model range continues to evolve, especially our current and upcoming models that will always give our customers the familiar, fun-to-drive spirit of Honda,’” said Honda president Rie Miyake.
“For other details, visit https://www. hondaphil.com/dealer-finder and learn more about the Civic Type R at Civic Type R.” Mitsubishi honored MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) was recently honored by the City Government of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna at the GREEN Awards 2025. Here’s Faye Alexis Marcelino’s report:
“The GREEN Awards (Gearing towards Robust, Engaging, and Eco-friendly Neighborhoods) recognize organizations and institutions that demonstrate leadership in sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community partnership.
“The distinctions are testaments to Mitsubishi’s sustained efforts in
implementing programs that advance Santa Rosa’s sustainability agenda, promote environmental responsibility, and strengthen collaboration with the local government and community stakeholders.
“‘This honor from the City of Santa Rosa affirms our shared commitment to sustainability. We remain dedicated to pursuing initiatives that help protect the environment and create long-term value for the community we serve,’ ” said MMPC Safety, Health & Environment Vice President Marfel Ancheta.
“The ceremony was led by Mayor Arlene Arcillas of Santa Rosa and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).” PEE STOP Happy birthday to Ramon Uy (September 14).
Bogey-free 64 puts Zaragosa on top by one
RUPERT ZARAGOSA was steady despite the heavy rain to secure a one-shot lead over Keanu Jahns in a thrilling third round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Negros Occidental Challenge on Thursday.
Z aragosa rose above a pair of the Philippine Golf Tour’s biggest hitters— Jahns and Clyde Mondilla—to wrest control at 10-under 200 with a 64 at the Marapara course.
The final group endured a 40-minute weather delay after a heavy downpour struck just after their second shots on the par-five 18th. With soaked fairways and an unpredictable green, conditions were far from ideal when play resumed, but Zaragosa remained composed under pressure and closed out with a tap-in par to cap a bogey-free six-under for the lead.
Z aragosa nearly rolled in a long birdie putt that hit the pin before settling inches from the hole, setting up the easy par and clinching the solo lead. In contrast, Jahns, who came in with back-to-back wins at Caliraya Springs and Binitin, stumbled after misjudging his third shot, sailing past the green.
H is chip came up short of the intended landing area and he needed two putts to finish, resulting in a closing bogey and an otherwise stellar 66. He slipped to solo second at 201. Mondilla made a late push with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 before settling for a routine par on the last hole for a 67, slipping to joint third with Aidric Chan at 202.
C han also mounted a charge with a 64 to keep his breakthrough bid alive in the P2 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.
“ My putting was more consistent today compared with the first two days and I felt good on how I read the greens,” Zaragosa said.
But the defending champion admitted he’s feeling the pressure to retain the title he won in abbreviated fashion last year.
“ There’s pressure. I will draw up my game plan later,” he said.
Jahns took a costly miscue in stride after his final-hole slip.
I took a relief from a casual water lie. But for some reason, my 8-iron from 160 yards flew 20 yards past the green,” Jahns said. “It happens, but I’m not too upset about it.”
L ike Zaragosa, the Tour’s hottest player believes the outcome will be decided on the greens and who putts better on the final day.
I’ll just play steady and hopefully, the putter stays hot again,” Jahns said. The turning point came on the par-4 ninth, where Zaragosa, outdriven by 80 yards, played a precise 56-degree wedge shot from 96 yards to within six feet and drained the putt for birdie.
Bisera sparkles in wild, stormy finish in Negros
FLORENCE BISERA gets the traditional douse of
FLORENCE BISERA got her rhythm going when it mattered most and carded a 67 to run away with the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Negros Occidental Classic at the rain-lashed Marapara Golf and Country Club on Thursday.
T he Davaoeña was barely on the radar—trailing by six strokes and seemingly destined for a respectable, but forgettable, finish—until she maneuvered a late-round brilliance to stymie Seo Yun Kim (72) and Princess Superal (74).
“ I didn’t expect to win because I was six shots behind after two rounds,” said Bisera after clinching her third career victory on a 54-hole 209 total, nearly a year after her win at the Match Play Championship at The Country Club.
I just told myself that I wanted to shoot under par on the final day–that was my only goal. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,” she added.
Bisera credited her putting for the
TBy Josef Ramos
win that mirrored Pauline del Rosario’s victory over Kim at Binitin last week.
A lthough she missed several birdie opportunities, Bisera’s putter came alive when it mattered most—she made five birdies on a day when sinking putts was more the exception than the rule.
“ When play resumed on No. 15, my only goal was to hit the fairway and reach the green because I knew how tough the course conditions were,” she said. “But the putt dropped, and on No. 17, my approach shot landed close enough for me to convert another birdie.”
The final day began under sweltering heat and ended in outright mix-up as what seemed like a two-woman duel between Superal and Kim turned into a free-for-all as weather disruptions and pressure-packed missteps cracked open the leaderboard at the finish.
K im, chasing her elusive first win after seven excruciating runner-up finishes, surged ahead by three strokes at the turn after birdies on Nos. 4 and 5 and seemed in full control, especially with Superal stumbling early with a
double bogey on No. 4 and another dropped shot on the sixth.
B ut as has happened before, the ghosts of squandered chances returned to haunt Kim.
S truggling with club control and shaken confidence, the Korean wobbled on the back nine—faltering with three bogeys and no birdies in a costly meltdown.
H er miscues on Nos. 16 and 17 proved decisive, inviting challengers back into contention just as the rain came pouring down and momentum shifted once again.
A head of them, Bisera quietly but effectively went on with her business.
P laying one flight ahead of the leaders, she ignited her charge early with birdies on Nos. 2, 3 and 6—her bogeys on Nos. 9 and 11 threatened to stall her momentum, but she regrouped.
Despite the punishing conditions and the immense pressure of a tightly packed leaderboard, Bisera birdied two of her last four holes—including a
critical one on the par-five 15th.
A s play resumed after a rain delay, Bisera was already in the clubhouse with a superb 67—the round of the day—and one-under overall total. Then she waited.
Superal, needing a birdie on the final hole to tie, missed from afar and Kim overshot the green on the 18th, salvaged par from a greenside bunker, but that, too, wasn’t enough. Both settled for a share of second at 210—Kim carding a two-over card and Superal fading with a four-over round and halved the combined purse of P147,000.
L ois Kaye Go, also in strong contention, faltered late with three bogeys in her last five holes, ending her bid with a 72 and solo fourth at 212.
Tiffany Lee made a late charge with a 69 to finish fifth at 215, while Chanelle Avaricio (71-217), Daniella Uy (74218), Sarah Ababa (70-220) and Kayla Nocum (73-221) and Gretchen Villacencio (74-221) rounded up the Top 10, sometimes, the player who finishes early is the one who finishes best.
at the Panamerican Tennis Center in the city of Zapopan in Mexico.
Tenorio among four coaches debuting in PBA 50th season
T5.75 meters. I t was one warmup that Obiena didn’t savor. It was third, a bronze...and ugly,” he said. A fter Tokyo, Obiena will fly home for his pet program—the Ayala Pole Vault Challenge—in Makati City on September 20 and 21. A sian champion Brown, meanwhile, will be competing in the women’s 400-meter hurdles starting on Monday. A t otal of 2000 athletes from 200 counries are seeing action in the world championships.
WO-TIME Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and Filipino-American Robyn Brown target remarkable performances in the 2025 World Athletics Championships that start Saturday at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Any color [medal] will be fine and okay,” Obiena told BusinessMirror . “I will just do my best to compete and win. So far, the goal for now is to qualify in the final round.” “ Everything is good at me. I feel a lot better,” said the 29-year-old Obiena, the Asian champion and record holder. Obiena and his team trained in Beijing for the world championships where he aims to duplicate the silver medal he clinched behind world and Olympic gold medalist and record holder Armand Duplantis in the 2023 edition in Budapest. He’s coming off a bronze medal finish at the World Athletics Continental Tour in Beijing with a 5.65-meter performance behind China’s Tao Zhong and the US’s Cole Walsh, who both
HE milestone 50th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) that opens in October will feature four new head coaches—former players LA Tenorio for Magnolia, Ronald Tubid for Terrafirma and Willy Wilson for Phoenix Super LPG and Delta Pineda for Converge. Tenorio last played for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel under Tim Cone and one of his first task as head coach was picking 6-foot-5 mobile big man Yukien Andrada in last Sunday’s rookie draft. He also got Paolo
water from her fellow competitions in the Negros Occidental Classic. LPGT PHOTO
RUPERT ZARAGOSA nails four birdies on the front nine and two on the back. PGT
THIRD seed Alexandra Eala waltzes on the hardcourt. FB PAGE
TENORIO
Editor: Jun Lomibao
Pinoy pride. Global spotlight.
Alas Pilipinas’ Fierce 14 all geared up for FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship
By Aldrin Quinto
AN impressive mix of grizzled spikers and fearless young guns, Alas Pilipinas’ Fierce 14 storms into battle in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, ready to ignite fireworks on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Philippines proudly stands as the epicenter of volleyball for over two weeks, with skipper Bryan Bagunas and emotional leader Marck Espejo bannering the home squad as 32 elite teams from across the globe battle for honors.
World No. 1 and Volleyball Nations League titlist Poland heads the field along with No. 2 and defending world champion Italy, while Alas Pilipinas looks to seize a share of the limelight. E xpect Owa Retamar and Eco Adajar to command the court and control the tempo, with Bagunas and Espejo getting support from Leo Ordiales, Jade Disquitado, Louie Ramirez, Vince Lorenzo and Buds Buddin.
A t the heart of net play are middle blockers Peng Taguibolos, Kim Malabunga and Lloyd Josafat.
The charismatic Josh Ybanez, meanwhile, anchors the floor defense with fellow libero Jack Kalingking, looking to turn defense into offense with second-chance points.
The Philippines faces Tunisia at 7 p.m. at the MOA Arena, following an explosive opening show featuring Korean pop group and Cebuana singer Karencitta that starts promptly at 4:30 p.m. Italian minds, world playbook EXPECT an interesting mix of power and finesse, balanced scoring and resilient defense with 32 of the best volleyball nations showcasing their brand of volleyball in 15 days of action.
It will be a tactical masterclass, with Italian DNA embedded in about a third of the field.
Ten Italian coaches are calling the shots, including Ferdinando de Giorgi of defending champion Italy, and Andrea Giani for the Paris Olympics gold medalist and world No. 4 France.
A las Pilipinas has been under the tutelage of Angiolino Frigoni for over a year, and it will be a showdown of strategists from Italy in Pool A.
The Philippines’ opening-day rival Tunisia is coached by Camilo Placi, who had coached Bulgaria and was an assistant on the Russian squad that earned Olympic bronze in 2008.
A las Pilipinas battles Egypt, under Marco Bonitta, on September 16.
World No. 13 and second-highest-ranked Asian team Iran, coached by Roberto Piazza, tests the mettle of Alas Pilipinas on September 18.
Tickets are available via the official web site https://www.philippineswch2025.com/
S lovenia, fourth place in the Volleyball Nations League, plays under coach Fabio Soli.
O ther national teams coached by Italians are Belgium under Emanuele Zanini, Bulgaria with Gianlorenzo Blengini and Colombia under Paolo Montagnani.
Four Argentines are also in charge of teams in the world meet, with Marcelo Rodolfo Mendez handling La Seleccion, while the Chilean team is under Daniel Nejamkin, Camilo Andres Soto calls the plays for Qatar and Ukraine has coach Raul Lucio Lozano.
S ix Asian countries are seeing action in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Powerhouse Europe has nearly half of the field with 15 in the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, Office of the President, and Philippine Olympic Committee and also backed by Rebisco, SM, PLDT, SMART, Metro Pacific Investment, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, LRT Line 2, officially sanctioned by the FIVB, partnered with Volleyball World, Mikasa, the official ball, Mizuno, Gerflor and Senoh Corp.
Big guns at the Big Dome
THE so-called Group of Death is set to duke it out at the Araneta Coliseum, with defending champion Italy heading the cast.
W ith VNL Best Setter Simone Gianelli and Best Outside Hitter Alessandro Michieletto, Italy looks to advance through Pool F. No. 14 Ukraine is expected to provide fierce competition, as will 17th-ranked Belgium.
A lgeria, despite its ranking of No. 88, is an unpredictable squad looking to make its mark in its first world championship appearance since 1998. Poland also sees action at the Araneta Coliseum, heading Pool B featuring the Netherlands, Qatar and Romania. Olympic champion France, spearheaded by Paris Games MVP Earvin Ngapeth, headlines Pool C with ninth-ranked Argentina, No. 18 Finland and 26th-ranked South Korea.
Volleyball tourism in spotlight as PHL hosts worlds
By Josef T. Ramos
B8
Editor:
BRYAN BAGUNAS and Alas Pilipinas look to make their mark on the world stage. ROY DOMINGO
