HE national government is eyeing a return to the Japanese debt market, with a possible samurai bond issuance next year, according to Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto.
Recto told the BusinessMirror on Friday that the Philippines could issue samurai bonds “most probably next year.”
The Finance chief is in Osaka, Japan, leading the Philippine delegation, with other government officials for the Philippine Economic Briefing and high-level one-on-one meetings with Japanese investors.
During the briefing on September 12, Recto said in his presentation that Japanese investors have been vital partners in the Philippines’ fundraising activities.
“We will continue tapping the Samurai market, giving you a bigger role and bigger returns in the Philippines’ growth story,” Recto said. Last year, officials from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
With Sara absent, House panel defers budget briefing of OVP
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
THE House Committee on Appropriations on Friday deferred the budget briefing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) after Vice President Sara Duterte failed to attend. Appropriations panel vice chairperson Jose Alvarez said the OVP had sent a letter designating Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio to defend the proposed budget. However, consistent with House tradition, Alvarez noted that either the head of the agency or at least an undersecretary-level official should be present during budget deliberations.
“I advised them in the morning not to come here because it’s the same if the VP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez is not here,” Alvarez explained, adding that he was assured before noon that Duterte herself would attend the deliberations next Tuesday.
Coca-Cola to put up largest manufacturing plant in Luzon
By Manuel T. Cayon
DAVAO CITY—Coca-Cola will construct its largest manufacturing plant, a sprawling 42-hectare facility, in a bold assertion by the conglomerate formed by the world’s leading soft drinks and beverage company and the Aboitiz Group.
The Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV), a portfolio manager of the Aboitiz Group and a 40-percent shareholder in Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), said the latter will construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Tarlac City.
Executives of both corporations attended the groundbreaking of the manufacturing plant inside the TARI Estate in Tarlac City, the industrial enclave developed by the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates.
The Aboitiz Group said the project is expected to generate hundreds of local jobs and support regional economic growth.
It also said the project “underscores AEV’s commitment to shaping the future as the Philippines’ first “techglomerate” leveraging
its life-essential businesses and technology-driven investments to advance growth, innovation, and community development across the country.”
The facility will be one of CCEP’s largest manufacturing sites globally and among its most significant infrastructure investments to date, and AEV emphasized that “this landmark project will bring substantial benefits to the region and the country, drawing in complementary industries, and contributing to the Philippines’ GDP growth.”
“This new development cements our solid partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. It’s
a strategic move: we need to protect and grow Coke’s market share while driving development in local economies. It signals to the market that Central Luzon is ready—ready to lead the next wave of industrial growth in the Philippines,” said Sabin M. Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of AEV.
“Coca-Cola is everywhere. It’s the most popular brand in the world, sold in more than 200 countries and enjoyed about 2.2 billion times every single day. The brand appears in over 33 million outlets and claims more than half of the global beverage market,” he added.
A GLOBAL MOSAIC
Elizabeth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Desiree Bouchat, an Aon employee and survivor of the South Tower. Hillman and Bouchat, whose voices, one institutional and one personal, braided together the larger story: why the memorial exists, and why its memory must remain alive. Hillman reminded the audience that this is no ordinary museum. “9/11 was an event of immense global impact. More than 90 countries lost citizens that day, and the International Press Corps played a critical role in covering the events, with global media networks reporting in real time the tragic events that killed nearly 3,000 people. Billions of people around the world watched as it unfolded. From Japan to Brazil to Germany, the images and impact of 9/11 transcended borders. This was not only an American tragedy, it was a moment of shared global experience, and it’s one that we remember every year here on this hallowed ground.”
The Philippine government will not just be “transparent and guided by good governance, but is decisive and unafraid to act and address corruption.”—Finance
DESIREE BOUCHAT
ELIZABETH HILLMAN
9/11 Memorial leader and survivor share the story of remembrance
Continued from A1
Her words carried the audience back to that morning. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 enroute from Boston to Los Angeles, crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center between the 93rd and 99th floors. Seventeen minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 175, also bound for Los Angeles, tore into the South Tower between the 77th and 85th floors. At 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon. At 9:59 a.m., after burning for just 56 minutes, the South Tower collapsed in 10 seconds, sending a cloud of debris and terror over Lower Manhattan. At 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought back, preventing its hijackers from reaching Washington. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed, 102 minutes after being struck.
The losses remain staggering. A total of 2,977 victims were killed, excluding the 19 hijackers. At the World Trade Center and its surrounding area, 2,753 lives were lost, among them 343 firefighters, 71 law enforcement officers, and 8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics, making it the deadliest day for first responders in US history. At the Pentagon, 125 people were killed. Across the four hijacked planes, 265 passengers and crew members perished. Including the hijackers, the total fatalities reached 2,996. The victims represented a global
cross-section of humanity. Among the dead were 372 foreign nationals from 102 countries, ranging from Argentina to Zimbabwe. Japan suffered the greatest loss of foreign citizens, with 24 nationals killed. From the Philippines and its diaspora community in New York and New Jersey, at least 16 people of Filipino descent perished.
Hillman explained that the memorial staff takes care to honor this global mosaic of loss. “Since the dedication of the Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the attacks and the opening of the museum in 2014, we’ve been privileged to welcome 90 million visitors from more than 175 countries. Today, half of our visitors come from outside the United States. No matter where they come from, we’re committed to making sure that every visitor feels included in this space of remembrance.” She noted that the museum now offers multilingual audio guides and translates correspondence to families who participate in the annual name reading, including into Japanese to support the relatives of the 24 Japanese citizens who were killed. The museum itself is a growing archive of collective memory. Dedicated on September 11, 2011, and officially opened to the public in May 2014, it now houses more than 12,500 objects, 500 hours of video, 23,000 photographs, and 2,000 oral histories. Its twin reflecting pools, each nearly an acre in size, sit in the footprints of the
fallen towers, their bronze panels inscribed with every name. The 99 flags displayed in the atrium underscore the global nature of the loss, echoing the flags that once adorned the Twin Towers’ lobbies.
Her remarks gave way to one of those names brought to life, Desiree Bouchat.
“I was at my desk on the 101st floor of the South Tower,” she began, her voice measured, carrying the gravity of memory. “It was such a beautiful day. Pilots actually have a phrase for it, they call it ‘severe clear.’
At 8:46, I heard a boom from the North Tower, saw paper floating past my windows, and phoned my mother, who urged me to leave. I packed my PATH train ticket, my Hoboken transfer, and even my book for the commute home. On the 78th floor sky lobby, I encountered hundreds of colleagues waiting for elevators, joking, unaware of the danger. Because at 9:03 is when United 175 entered our building, entering at the 77th to 85th floors, and I had just left colleagues up on the 78th floor sky lobby. Approximately only 20 people found that one stairwell that was not compromised and made it out of that building above the impact zone.”
Bouchat survived, exiting near Zuccotti Park with three colleagues, but the trauma of those minutes has never left her. “As Beth said, almost 3,000 people died here that day, from more than 90 countries. This was not just a New York event. It wasn’t even just a US event. It was a worldwide
event … and it’s one of the reasons I do this and why I’m here as a docent at the memorial. I don’t want them to be forgotten.”
Her testimony also reflected the scale of loss borne by Aon, her employer. The firm occupied floors 92 and 98 through 105 of the South Tower and lost 176 colleagues after Flight 175 struck between floors 77 and 85. Survivors like Bouchat made it out, but others, including Vice President Kevin Cosgrove and executive Eric Eisenberg, perished above the impact zone. In response, Aon established the Memorial Education Fund in 2002, which has since provided more than $6.5 million in scholarships to 126 children of those killed, while also contributing $1 million to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Each year, Aon employees return to Ground Zero to lay yellow roses beside the names of their colleagues, reaffirming both personal memory and the museum’s mission to ensure that the human cost of 9/11 is never abstracted or forgotten.
It was within this continuum of personal survival, corporate remembrance, and global commemoration that Hillman turned the discussion to the lingering toll, the unseen costs carried in bodies, families, and generations shaped by that day. “Many more people have died since 9/11 from the health effects of 9/11 than were killed that day. Just for the firefighters alone, 343 were killed that day. More than 400 have died now of 9/11-related health effects.” The World Trade Center Health Program estimates
400,000 people were exposed to toxins in Lower Manhattan, fewer than half are enrolled in the program. “Every cancer has been tied to exposure to the toxins after 9/11.”
Technology, too, plays a role in sustaining memory. This year, the New York City Medical Examiner identified three additional victims through DNA analysis, nearly a quarter-century after the attacks. “That is a global effort,” Hillman said, underscoring how families from many nations still await closure. She emphasized that remembrance is not simply about preserving history but also about teaching: “There are 100 million Americans too young to remember 9/11. Many of them visit the memorial. Many of them also access our educational programs. By the time we reach the 25th anniversary, we’ll reach 20 million students.”
Her words circled back to where she had begun. “This is no ordinary museum,” Hillman told the press. The Memorial & Museum is, in her view, both a sanctuary for grief and a classroom for the future, a place where names carved in bronze are joined with stories told aloud, where survivors like Bouchat, companies like Aon, and nations across the world are bound together by a single day that changed history. In its waterfalls, its galleries, its rituals of roses and remembrance, the museum seeks to ensure that September 11 remains not just a date but a living lesson, about loss, resilience, and the enduring human need to remember.
PHL eyeing return to Japanese debt market
2022, raising a total of ¥70.1 billion through its first-ever sustainability samurai bonds.
The multi-tranche issuance covered 5-, 7-, 10- and 20-year tenors, with coupons ranging from 0.76 percent to 1.83 percent.
Recto has said that the government is looking to tap the Japanese, United States and European bond markets as part of its offshore borrowing program for this year.
In February this year, the Philippines raised a total $3.3 billion from its issuance of multi-tranche dollar- and euro-denominated bonds.
However, National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza said earlier that the government will no longer tap the offshore bond market, having frontloaded its foreign borrowings earlier this year.
The government plans to borrow this year a total of P2.6 trillion: P2.111 trillion from domestic and P488.174 billion from external sources. So far, it has raised P1.757 trillion as of end-July.
Meanwhile, Recto underscored to Japanese investors the Philippines’ investment grade of “A-” given by credit rating agencies Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd. and Rating and Investment Information Inc.
“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.
Moreover, Recto vowed that the Philippine government will not just be “transparent and guided by good governance, but is decisive and unafraid to act and address corruption.”
“We will continuously earn your trust and confidence by protecting your investments and delivering on our promises,” Recto added.
The Philippine Economic Briefing in Osaka gathered more than 280 Japanese investors and guests, where the government spotlighted the country’s economic outlook and investment opportunities to foreign investors.
The Philippine team was composed of Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque; Department of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin; Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez; and senior officials from the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The OVP is scheduled for a Senate hearing on Monday, which prompted Duterte to commit to appearing before the House on Tuesday instead.
The invitation to the budget hearing was formally addressed to Duterte, with attention to her chief of staff, Undersecretary Lopez, requesting her or a duly authorized representative and senior OVP officials to appear.
During the proceedings, Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice of the minority bloc moved to defer the deliberations, saying parliamentary courtesy should be extended to the OVP.
Davao Rep. Isidro Ungab welcomed the gesture, describing parliamentary courtesy as a longstanding tradition of the chamber.
However, ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio opposed the move, saying not all members of the Minority bloc supported extending parliamentary courtesy.
“Especially now, there is no time for parliamentary courtesy,” Tinio said. “The President himself said we should all be ashamed when we are in government—including the President and the Vice President. It means everyone should be prepared to defend the budget when facing Congress.”
With the deferment, the OVP’s P902.8-million proposed budget for 2026—20 percent higher than this year’s P744 million—will instead be tackled once Duterte or her chief of staff appears before the committee on Tuesday.
Gareth McGeown, president and CEO of CCEP, said this investment and expansion of its operations “reflect Coca-Cola’s deep commitment to serving our millions of customers every single day.” He added, “We are eager to continue working hand in hand with TARI Estate, as we support the local government of Tarlac and its people and economy.”
The AEV said the plant is also marked as one of the largest singlelocator commitments to date for TARI Estate. It said its Phase 1A of TARI Estate is already 90 complete, as it positioned the estate “as the next frontier for industrial growth north of Metro Manila.” The estate is located at the convergence of TPLEX, CLLEX, and SCTEX and offers connectivity to Clark International Airport, Manila and Subic seaports, and the northern provinces.
The AEV, a leading conglomerate in the Philippines with over 100 years of business history, has major investments in power, banking and financial services, food and beverage, infrastructure, land, and data science and artificial intelligence.
US commits $250M in new health aid package to PHL
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE United States government has announced a sweeping $250-million assistance package to the Philippines aimed at tackling urgent public health challenges, including tuberculosis, maternal health, and emerging disease threats.
The announcement was made by US State Secretary Marco Rubio, who emphasized
Prime Energy hosts chromite gas execs at Malampaya
EXECS PRIME Energy Resources Development B.V. (Prime Energy) welcomed top executives from Chromite Gas Holdings, Inc. (CGHI) to the Shallow Water Platform (SWP) of Malampaya, the country’s lone indigenous gas field, as the company reinforces the country’s energy transition.
Donnabel Kuizon Cruz, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Malampaya operator Prime Energy, hosted CGHI’s leadership team, led by Danel Aboitiz, President and CEO of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and Dominador Camu, COO of LNGPH at the SWP on September 5.
During the visit, the executives exchanged best practices in safety, reliability, and operational excellence. The visit facilitated dialogue among industry leaders, advancing collective efforts towards a more resilient and sustainable
See “Malampaya,” A15
the strategic importance of the partnership under the Trump Administration’s recalibrated foreign aid policy.
“This programming builds on the $63 million in assistance announced during President Marcos’ July official visit to Washington,” Rubio stated. “It was the first announcement of new assistance for any country following President Trump’s review and realignment of foreign assistance.”
The new funding will support joint
efforts between the US and Philippine governments to strengthen disease preparedness, detection and response capabilities.
It also marks a significant expansion of bilateral cooperation in health, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s landmark trip to Washington earlier this year.
The new funding follows the February closure of USAID, which folded its longstanding global health and development programs into a smaller embassy unit,
creating temporary gaps in tuberculosis and maternal health projects. Philippine officials had warned that the dissolution of USAID risked reversing decades of progress in disease control and care access.
Rubio described the initiative as a reflection of the “comprehensive bond” between the two nations, noting that it aligns with the Trump Administration’s “America First” approach to foreign aid—characterized by targeted, time-limited programming
Several NCR hotels boost security before Sept rallies
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
SEVERAL hotels in Metro Manila have tightened their security measures due to possible political unrest brought on by the ongoing legislative hearings into alleged anomalies in government’s floodcontrol projects.
Sources in several hotels who requested anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak on the matter, confirmed the extra security measures, including the deployment of K9 units, or coordinating with local police districts for the assignment of some personnel to their establishments.
Some high-profile personalities involved in the current hearings in the House of Representatives and the Senate are supposed to have checked into some posh hotels in the metropolis, further calling for stricter security measures among accommodation establishments, the same sources intimated.
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), however, denied tighter security measures among its members. PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said, “We have the usual security protocols. Nothing extraordinary.” BusinessMirror sources which
confirmed their establishments’ increased security measures include PHOA memberhotels.
Guest safety prioritized
FOR her part, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts
Managing Director Cleofe Albiso stressed, “The safety and security of our guests and staff are always our utmost priority. As part of our standard operating procedure, we continuously monitor the local and national environment to ensure our security protocols are appropriate for the current situation.”
She added, “We are working in close coordination with local law enforcement agencies to stay informed and to ensure a swift and effective response to any potential situation. For the security and privacy of all our guests, particularly those who are highprofile, we employ discreet, layered security measures. Our standard practice is to conduct regular risk assessments and to adjust our security posture as needed to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.”
Lastly, she said, “It is our prayer that the current situation due to flood control hearings will not escalate to a level that will threaten national security as this will greatly affect our industry in particular, and our economy
as a whole.”
Security protocols have been increased in many establishments including wealthy enclaves in village since calls were aired for civil society rallies and other protest actions against the corrupt acts of private companies and government officials.
In Forbes Park, for instance, Bilyonaryo reported that residents have urged their homeowners association and barangay officials to implement stricter security measures in anticipation of an anti-corruption rally and march on September 13 at the Edsa Shrine, which may branch out to the exclusive village.
SM Malls are prepared IT added that the Manila Polo Club has also notified residents of its townhomes to be “vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity to the security office.”
Meanwhile, Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls said their establishments are always prepared for any eventuality.
“Whenever there are news like these [protest actions] whether it pushes through or not, we always stay vigilant and are on high alert. We
See “NCR,” A15
Baguio court acquits CJHDevCo’s Sobrepeña, Jimenez of ‘deceit’ raps
By Mauricio Victa
THE Municipal Trial Court of Baguio
City-Branch 5 has dismissed criminal charges against CJH Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) Chairman Robert Sobrepeña and Fil-
Estate Management Inc. executive Ramon Jimenez, citing the prosecution’s failure to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case, originally filed as syndicated estafa under Presidential Decree No. 1689, was downgraded by the Office of the City
Prosecutor to a minor offense of “Other Deceits” under Article 318 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). The downgrade followed a resolution dated 22 August 2025, which found no evidence of organized fraud or criminal intent.
During their arraignment on September
11, 2025, both Sobrepeña and Jimenez entered a plea of not guilty. The court subsequently ruled in favor of dismissal, affirming that the prosecution failed to prove the crime charged.
See “CJHDevCo’s,” A15
focused on mutual benefit and homeland protection.
The announcement comes amid growing global concern over infectious disease outbreaks and maternal health disparities, particularly in developing nations.
The State Department has yet to provide details on how the $250-million package will be rolled out.
Past USAID programs on health were implemented in multi-year timelines, with implementation partners from government agencies or local nongovernment organizations.
“Today’s announcement is yet another demonstration of the comprehensive bond between the United States and the Philippines. It also demonstrates the efficient, time-limited, and narrowly targeted approach of this new era of America First foreign assistance,” Rubio said in a statement from Washington D.C.
House urged: Allocate funds for SUCs’ free educ’n scheme gaps
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
ALAWMAKER has called on the House of Representatives to allocate additional funds in next year’s budget to address the multibillionpeso deficit in the government’s free higher education program for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
At the budget briefing of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio revealed that administrators from various SUCs have raised concerns over the unpaid obligations of CHED to cover tuition costs under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931).
“As an example, in the PUP [Polytechnic University of the Philippines], the funding deficiency from the school year 2022 to 2025 has already reached P1.18 billion,” Tinio said. “Why is there a deficiency? Why are these institutions not being fully paid?”
CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis confirmed the existence of the funding shortfall, which she said began in 2022 and has since accumulated to nearly P6 billion. For 2024 alone, Agrupis noted an unpaid obligation of P2.128 billion.
To address the problem, she said CHED has created a technical working group composed of representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Pasuc), and CHED itself. Agrupis said the commission has already allocated P1 billion this year to help cover the shortfall.
However, she explained that under
the General Appropriations Act of 2024, the remaining balance is expected to be sourced from the internally generated income of SUCs, with the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) covering what is left. Pasuc, she said, has expressed reservation about using school-generated income for this purpose. Tinio, however, insisted that Congress must address the issue squarely by providing the necessary funds in the 2026 budget. “I am moving that we allocate an additional P6 billion to finally settle these obligations. Students should not be made to suffer because of unpaid government commitments,” he said. Currently, more than 2.3 million students are enrolled under the free higher education program, while another 713,000 receive government subsidies to support their studies, according to CHED. Out of the 179 local universities and colleges nationwide, only 101 qualify for free tuition after passing CHED’s quality assurance standards. For 2026, the government has allocated P134.9 billion to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
Reduce unit costs TO help this fund deficit, the House Committee on Appropriations is now studying the proposal to reduce unit costs of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects and allocate the savings to scholarships of the government. Committee Vice Chairman Leandro
BusinessMirror
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE delivers �lagship features and a more premium AI experience
THE Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is the second time in the Galaxy S lineup’s history that an FE model has launched with newer software than the main models. The first time was in 2022 with the Galaxy S21 FE.
Samsung now offers seven generations of Android and One UI updates for its flagship phones so the S25 FE ends up with an additional major OS update compared to the S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, and S25 Edge.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is slimmer, lighter, and faster than its predecessor (the Galaxy S24 FE) and has a bigger battery and offers quicker charging.
The Galaxy S25 FE weighs in at 190g from the Galaxy S24 FE’s 213g. It’s also slightly thinner at 7.4mm from 8mm. The materials used, such as armored aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+, are the same as the rest of the Galaxy S25 family. It also has IP68 protection.
The S25 FE launches with Android 16 and One UI 8. This means that while the Galaxy S25 FE is the gateway to the Galaxy series, it has features such as Now Bar (live lock screen hub with notifications, music, and routines), Now Brief (daily traffic, calendar and fitness summaries), Circle to Search integration, and Gemini Live + 6 months Google AI Pro plan.
The camera is essentially the same as that of the Galaxy S24 FE but the selfie camera has been upgraded from 10 megapixels to 12. Still, the Galaxy S25 FE delivers a premium camera experience thanks to the ProVisual Engine’s latest AI-powered features. Galaxy’s popular Nightography feature is also improved. Low noise mode boosts the quality
lifelike colors and contrast in every frame. Galaxy AI is also present with Photo Assist on-device editing with precision, while Generative Edit automatically detects passersby in the background of photos and recommends what to remove.
Meanwhile, Portrait Studio lets users create personalized avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions.
Instant Slow-mo transforms any clip into slow motion with just a single tap, while Audio Eraser offers a convenient way to clean up noise in videos by isolating specific audio elements such as voices, music,
interference. Auto Trim on Galaxy S25 FE streamlines the video editing process by automatically selecting the best moments from available footage. AI processing is expected to run smoothly due to a more than 10 percent larger vapor chamber for efficient thermal management.
Despite the phone’s smaller size, the battery capacity is at 4,900mAh and charges faster, with 45W wired charging.
With a price range of P39,990 to P53,990, the Samsung Galaxy S25FE is an affordable entry into Samsung’s flagship platform.
PLDT, Smart expand asset protection program nationwide
BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES
PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) are expanding their barangay-based asset protection initiative nationwide, reaching more communities across the Philippines.
The pilot run was conducted in Makati City and now has been rolled out in Pangasinan, Davao and Cebu, with more areas to follow soon.
PLDT Group’s Asset Protection and Security Risk Governance (APSRG) Group partnered with local government units and police to push further the telco’s response to persistent theft and vandalism targeting its network. In 2024 alone, nearly 1,000 loss incidents were recorded, mostly involving copper cables which made up 91% of the total cost of material losses. In certain areas in Manila, theft occurs as often as every three days.
Moreover, the situation was exacerbated when such attacks also affected customers by disrupting services, leading to complaints and revenue loss. As such, the program aims to not just deter theft and vandalism, but also empower residents with tools and knowledge to protect their communities, both physically and digitally.
“Protecting telco infrastructure is not just about keeping the network running, it’s about enabling progress,” said Butch G. Jimenez, PLDT chief operating officer. “When we secure our infrastructure, we help keep schools connected, livelihoods moving, and
local economies growing. This initiative is part of our larger commitment to digital inclusion and nationbuilding.”
Leo A. Gonzales, vice president and head of property, facilities, and asset resiliency management at PLDT and Smart, underscored the importance of working with barangays for this endeavor:
“Nationwide grassroots collaboration plays a critical role in jointly protecting our network assets. By working closely with barangays across the nation, we are reinforcing our ability to safeguard the network on the ground and ensure service continuity for the communities we serve.”
“Local partnerships are vital in enhancing our on-the-ground response to threats against our towers, network equipment and fiber lines, to name a few. These collaborations not only deter theft and vandalism but also empower communities to take an active role in protecting the services they rely on every day,” said Col. Wilfredo F. Gonio, head of PLDT and Smart’s Security Central Command and Administration Center, APSRG. “We look forward to working with more barangays to achieve this common goal.”
In Dagupan City, the rollout was led by APSRG North Luzon Asset Protection Division (LAPD), through its head Jose Rainier Mendoza, in coordination with Brgy. Mayombo barangay captain Arsenio “Armie” Curameng and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Dagupan. Meanwhile, in Davao City, the initiative was rolled
out in Barangay Baliok, led by Jose Carlos G. Oliver, head of the Asset Protection Operations Center (APOC), and Nepthali S. Cabanos, head of Mindanao Asset Protection, alongside teams from Mindanao Relations, PLDT Home Sales, and Smart Device Partners.
In Cebu, over 100 people joined the campaign led by Nicomedes Juezan Jr., APSRG Visayas head, in cooperation with Brgy. San Vicente, Liloan barangay captain Victor Comendador. Participants—barangay officials, security personnel, and residents—were given information on how to report incidents via PLDT Security Hotline 164, the basics of the Anti-Fencing Law, and digital safety through PLDT and Smart’s #BeCyberSmart campaign. Real-life scam cases and online threat scenarios were shared to help them better protect themselves, their families, and their communities. PLDT and Smart also turned over security kits containing flashlights, batons, raincoats, reflective gear, and Smart prepaid cards to support barangay patrol units. Company representatives were on-site to assist residents with connectivity and service-related concerns. Aside from infrastructure protection, the initiative aligns with the PLDT Group’s broader push for inclusive progress through technology. Ongoing investments in connectivity, digital services, and innovation improve Filipinos’ quality of life by enabling meaningful interactions, wider access to information, and greater digital participation nationwide.
OPPO PARTNERS WITH MSL PHILIPPINES TO POWER CAMPUS ESPORTS NATIONWIDE
OPPO and MSL Philippines have entered into a long-term partnership to expand campus esports nationwide, empowering Filipino students with access to OPPO’s cutting-edge gaming technology.
“Filipino students are shaping the future of esports. Our role is to equip them with reliable, high-performance tools so they can play and create at their best,” said Joanarc Sales, associate marketing director, OPPO Philippines. “Through this partnership with MSL Philippines, we will bring hands-on experiences to campuses and help more young gamers unlock their potential.”
“MSL Philippines exists to develop student talent and build inclusive esports communities,” said Ken Ryan Lee, community manager of MSL Philippines. “This partnership allows us to bring competitive esports opportunities to more schools and inspire the next generation of Filipino gamers.”
To kick off the partnership, OPPO and MSL Philippines will launch a nationwide university roadshow featuring esports tournaments and exclusive first-hand experience of the new OPPO Reno14 Series 5G.
The device boasts of gaming features built for students: AI HyperBoost 2.0—keeps games running smoothly with stable frame rates and smart cooling, even during extended matches; AI LinkBoost 3.0—ensures stronger, uninterrupted connectivity, perfect for crowded campus networks; and AI Nano Dual-Drive Cooling System—prevents overheating, letting students play longer without performance drops.
Together, OPPO and MSL Philippines aim to nurture the next generation of esports champions while fostering inclusive, tech-driven communities across campuses nationwide.
More information about the partnership between OPPO and MSL Philippines is available at www.oppo.com.ph or OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page.
and circadian night display—ensuring that both productivity and entertainment remain easy on the eyes. Complementing the visuals is an eight-speaker audio system with Honor Spatial Audio, delivering surround sound with clear highs and deep bass for an immersive media experience. Under the hood, the MagicPad 3
productivity, Honor equips the MagicPad 3 with AI-powered writing and meeting tools, smart text recognition, AI voiceprint noise cancellation, realtime transcription with translation, and AI meeting minutes. It’s priced at P49,999, available in Gray and comes bundled with a free Honor Magic Keyboard and Honor Magic Pencil.
A6 Saturday, September 13, 2025 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Globe introduces Flagship Forever for hassle-free yearly device upgrades
GLOBE introduces Flagship Forever, a new program under its Postpaid and Platinum Plans that gives qualified customers the power to upgrade to the latest flagship smartphone every year easily and worryfree.
Flagship Forever addresses common pain points in device ownership, such as long contract lock-ups, high cashouts, and uncertainty around protection. Customers are exploring alternative ways in getting a device with the ease of flexibility, access to innovation, and a seamless upgrade experience without the financial and emotional friction of traditional ownership.
It offers a simpler and more rewarding way for customers to stay updated with the latest technology through the following features:
■ Early upgrade eligibility. Upgrade to the latest flagship device as early as the 12th month of an existing plan, with no need to complete a 24-month contract.
■ Ease in payment, greater value. Payment is limited to monthly installments and is charged to bill. No need to pay upfront.
■ Built-in protection. Each plan includes Gadget Xchange or Device Protection, covering the device against loss, damage, or theft for added peace of mind.
■ Priority access to new devices. Receive early access to the latest flagship releases without the stress of trade-ins or long-term commitments.
“This program is built for those who do not settle for less. It frees our customers from the worry of being tied down by contracts and timings, ensuring they enjoy continuous access to the latest devices,” said Mark Gil Pasaylo, head of Globe Mobile Platinum. Flagship Forever is available without charge under the All-New Platinum GPlan 4999 and 7999, along with premium features such as true unlimited data, unlimited all-network calls and texts, landline access, and a complimentary DragonPass voucher for international airport lounge access.
The subscription program may also be added to SIM-only Postpaid Plans 1299 to 3799 and Device Plans 1799 to 3799 for P999 per month.
To qualify, customers must be out of contract and due for recontracting. Currently, they may choose either the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 or Fold7 when upgrading under a renewed plan. Applications are open at tinyurl.com/3sj6jepu.
FORTINET EXPANDS FORTICLOUD WITH NEW SERVICES TO POWER MODERN ENTERPRISE THE global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, Fortinet announced recently a major expansion of FortiCloud, its global cloud infrastructure. The latest release introduces FortiIdentity, designed for cloud-delivered identity management for hybrid teams; and two new beta services, FortiDrive and FortiConnect, to provide enterprise-grade secure storage and protected communications. Each service is tightly integrated into the Fortinet Security Fabric, giving organizations security-native alternatives to point products often dependent on bolt-on security.
“FortiIdentity, FortiDrive, and FortiConnect are key milestones in our vision to build a unified global cloud network that brings enterprise-grade security directly into the way teams manage access, store, share and communicate. These new services extend the power of the Fortinet Security Fabric into everyday productivity and access control, reinforcing our strategy to simplify security operations, reduce vendor sprawl, and empower hybrid work at scale,” said Michael Xie, founder, president, and chief technology officer at Fortinet. The announcement builds on Fortinet’s continued investment in its global hybrid-cloud infrastructure, including company-owned data centers in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Plano, Frankfurt, Sydney, and Torija (Spain). These facilities are strategically designed to deliver low-latency services and support regional demand, combining compute, storage and recovery, and security capabilities. Fortinet also addresses growing data sovereignty requirements by enabling organizations to keep data local through its globally distributed infrastructure. Complementing these investments, Fortinet leverages over 160 points of presence (POPs) through providers like Google Cloud, AWS, and Digital Realty to ensure secure, highperformance delivery of edge services. Fortinet also delivers a broad range of services made available across cloud marketplaces that include AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, enabling organizations to benefit from greater service resiliency, geographic flexibility, and seamless access to Fortinet’s cloud-delivered security offerings wherever they operate.
Honor Magic V5: Folded and hung
HONOR Philippines has just pulled the wraps off its newest flagship foldable, the Honor Magic V5—and, as expected, the launch wasn’t complete without a viral stunt.
The brand has built a reputation for turning product reveals into headline moments, swapping dry spec-sheet presentations for jaw-dropping demonstrations that show off its engineering in ways guaranteed to get people talking.
Honor’s tradition of headline-grabbing demonstrations dates back to 2016, when the Honor 8 lived up to the brand’s former tagline, “For the Brave.”
The device was strapped to a weather balloon and livestreamed its ascent nearly 19,000 meters into the stratosphere, earning Honor a Guinness World Record for the highest smartphone livestream.
Earlier this year, the company added another Guinness World Record for “The Most People Performing a Mobile Phone Drop Test Simultaneously,” as 264 participants dropped the Honor X9c at the same time. This milestone was the culmination of the X9c’s widely publicized durability trials, which had already included a dramatic helicopter drop test and repeated boiling water (and even hotpot) submersions. For the Magic 7 Pro, Honor ran a bold campaign against digital deception by staging a prank call to showcase its deepfake detection AI—a publicity move that blurred the line between tech demo and social experiment.
So, when the Magic V5, billed as the world’s thinnest inward-folding smartphone, took the stage, I was eagerly anticipating what Stephen Cheng, Honor Philippines Vice President, and his team were going to do. They didn’t disappoint. There it was: a full-sized sofa hanging by the Honor Magic V5—to prove a point: thin doesn’t mean fragile.
Honor put the Super Steel Hinge to the ultimate stress tests, strapping the Magic V5 to heavy weights and letting gravity do the rest. In one demo, the hinge supported a 35-kg dumbbell without buckling. And as mentioned, a full-sized sofa weighing about 75 kg was suspended by the device, earning Honor another Guinness World Record for the heaviest sofa supported by a foldable phone hinge. What didn’t give? The hinge obviously, which is made from a 2,300 MPa tensile strength Super Steel alloy and is certified for 500,000 folds, equivalent to more than a decade of use. Reinforcement comes from
a Carbon Fiber Inner Display Panel, an Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield protecting the outer screen, and a 380GPa carbon fiber buffer layer that adds shock resistance. Together, these innovations ensure smooth folding action and long-term durability. But it doesn’t end there. For everyday protection, the device carries IP58 and IP59 ratings for dust and water resistance, adding certified ingress protection to its already headline durability story.
BREAKTHROUGH BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
ANOTHER highlight of the Magic V5 is its siliconcarbon battery technology, an industry first. The top-tier 1TB model carries a 6,100 mAh silicon-carbon battery with 25 percent silicon content and an energy density of 901 Wh/L, setting a new benchmark for smartphone batteries. The standard version is equipped with a 5,820 mAh dual-cell battery, only 2.3 mm thick and occupying just 26 percent of the internal volume.
Both versions are paired with Honor’s E2 Power Enhanced Chip and a SoC voltage regulator to improve efficiency, manage heat, and ensure safety. Charging options include 66W wired Honor SuperCharge and 50W wireless Honor SuperCharge, giving users fast and flexible charging solutions. Foldables are all about display and the Magic V5 features two LTPO OLED panels: a 7.95-inch inner display and a 6.43-inch cover display. Both support a peak brightness of 5000 nits, HDR and Dolby Vision, plus 4,320 Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. The inner screen provides a large, immersive space for multitasking and entertainment, while the outer screen is designed for convenient one-handed use. Both displays are compatible with a stylus, enabling note-taking, sketching, and productivity on the go.
AI FALCON CAMERA ADVANTAGE
THE Magic V5 is equipped with Honor AI Falcon Camera System with a triple-lens array designed to cover every shooting scenario. At the center is a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), which allows users to capture crisp images even at long zoom ranges. The periscope design bends light through a prism, enabling higher levels of optical magnification without increasing the phone’s thickness. This means distant subjects can be photographed in sharp detail without relying solely on digital zoom. Supporting it is a 50MP wide-angle main camera, which serves as the primary lens for everyday shots. With its large sensor and wide aperture, this camera is tuned to capture more light, ensuring high-resolution images with strong color accuracy. It is complemented by a 50MP ultrawide camera, perfect for sweeping landscapes, architecture, or crowded group photos where a broader field of view is essential.
All three cameras are further enhanced with AI-driven image processing. The system uses algorithms to fine-tune clarity, reduce noise, and balance dynamic range, resulting in photos that
retain detail across highlights and shadows. It also employs multi-frame fusion technology, which layers multiple exposures together to improve performance in low-light conditions, giving night shots better sharpness and contrast. For videos, the Magic V5 supports 4K recording with electronic and optical stabilization, producing smooth, shake-free footage even when the user is on the move. The combination of high-resolution sensors and stabilization ensures that video quality remains consistent across different lenses, whether you’re zooming in on a subject or panning across a scene.
Under the hood, the Magic V5 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), paired with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. To optimize performance, Honor integrates the E2 power management chip and a dedicated voltage regulator to boost efficiency and thermal management. The device ships with MagicOS 9.0.1, based on Android 15. At the center is Honor’s YOYO AI agent, designed to act as a smart digital assistant. YOYO supports functions such as creating PPT presentations, assisting with coding, booking rides, sharing files, running live camera feeds, and enabling screen sharing.
Connectivity-wise, the Magic V5 supports the widest range of 5G bands among foldables, ensuring compatibility and faster speeds across regions.
YOUR FIRST FOLDABLE?
FOLDABLES have often been criticized as bulky, fragile, or impractical. The Magic V5 challenges those perceptions directly. For those planning to get their first foldable, the Magic V5 presents itself as a balanced option: pocketable when closed, expansive when unfolded, and powered by a battery system built for endurance. Add in its durability, professionalgrade camera system, high-brightness displays, AI-driven multitasking, and the same price tag as its predecessor (P89,999), the Magic V5 places itself easily among the top options. The Honor Magic V5 comes in two stunning colorways—Dawn Gold and Reddish Brown—and will be available via the All-new GPlan PLUS 1799, get it for as low as P2,813 per month for 24 months with a free Honor Pad X8a worth P7,999. Launched alongside the Honor Magic V5 is the MagicPad3, a sleek and ultra-portable tablet, measuring just 5.79 mm thin and weighing 595 g. It’s built from a unibody aluminum alloy with subtle curved edges that feel natural in the hand, and it comes with a smooth, shimmer-finish design that resists smudges. At the heart of the device is a massive 12,450 mAh Honor silicon-carbon battery paired with the Power Enhanced Chip E2 and AI power management, enabling all-day use with efficient energy control. Front and center is its 13.3-inch Honor
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Manila’s new Cath Lab offers free heart procedures to all ‘S
A Maynila, pahabaan ng buhay, iyon ang gusto ko.” With these words, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso inaugurated the country’s first LGU-run Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) at Ospital ng Maynila on Monday. He stated that the primary aim of this new public health facility is to not only extend the lives of the city’s elderly residents but also to assist patients from outside Manila.
Domagoso emphasized that the state-of-the-art facility designed to provide life-saving heart procedures will not be exclusive to city residents but will serve everyone, regardless of their residence.
“Under the Universal health care law, all Filipinos, not only in Manila, anyone who will go to our government facility must be accommodated. We will try to accommodate as many as we can,” he said.
Already, around 50 patients have lined up to avail themselves of the services, which the mayor noted will help families save on costly medical expenses. He also called on the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth to continue supporting the city’s new facility.
Domagoso recognized the skill of Manila’s doctors, noting that limited equipment and medicines have often been a key barrier to delivering qual-
ity health care.
“As long as we can, we will continue to deliver free medical care in Manila,” Domagoso added, reaffirming health care as a top priority alongside jobs, housing, and education.
The specialized facility, licensed by the Department of Health on January 7, houses advanced imaging equipment to diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases without surgery.
Angiograms in private hospitals cost at least P58,000, while angioplasty can reach over P300,000. In Manila’s new facility, these procedures will be gradually rolled out at no cost to patients.
“Today is the start of a long journey, because we are going to deliver angiogram, and hopefully later on, we will also have angioplasty,” Domagoso said.
He added that the laboratory is
part of a larger vision that includes converting the old Ospital ng Maynila into the new Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Academic Building for Health Sciences.
“From producing 300 to 500 graduates, we will now produce 5,000 medical professionals. That’s our contribution and participation to nation-building,” he said.
The mayor also lamented that the lab had remained idle after being built in his previous term.
“If somebody did their job, we could’ve saved one person last week. Nakaramdam siya ng paninikip ng dib-
The ‘nano-preneurs’ of Danville St.
DANVILLE St. is the short narrow strip where we live.
In five minutes you can walk through it from end to end.
Last July during an intense and continuous downpour of “habagat” (monsoon rains) our street was knee-deep in dirty flood waters for almost one week. No motor vehicle dared pass through it. Food delivery riders turned us down, after finding out our address.
But one morning, I heard the sound of someone slushing through the flood waters, and then a familiar voice crying out repeatedly loud and clear—“taho... tokwa!”
It was CJ, our “suki” ambulant “taho” vendor. No flood waters could stop him from earning his daily living. But warm “taho” on a plastic cup was just what we needed on that cold gray morning. As every Pinoy knows, “taho” is a sweet Filipino street snack made of soft, silken tofu, a brown sugar syrup called “arnibal,” and chewy sago pearls (tapioca balls).
Ordinarily, I would just order 2 or 3 plastic cups of taho. But that day, I bought 5 big plastic cups of it. Not only because I was hungry, anyway, but also because it was my way of rewarding him for doing his job well beyond expectations. He told me I was the first to buy from
him in our subdivision.
CJ is actually just one in a parade of ambulant peddlers who ply through our street regularly. There is also Mila, the hawker of “puto at kutsinta,” Roger, the seller of buko (coconut) juice, Bert, the mobile vendor of fish and vegetables. I’m not even including the food and package delivery riders whose loud comings and goings seem to have increased in frequency nowadays.
I have, however, a special fondness for CJ because he is a “taho” vendor. Our kids grew up on “taho” in the late ’70s and early ’80s when we used to live in an old apartment in Cubao.
The “taho” vendor is the quintessential portrait of Pinoy hustle and grind. Every morning before dawn, CJ has to line up at the “taho” factory to buy his two tin drums worth of taho, weighing 50 kilos or 110 pounds each.
The “taho” vendor of old would have to carry the two tin drums, balanced on his shoulders by a bamboo pole. Nowadays, “taho” vendors like CJ no longer have to carry the tin buckets on their shoulders. The drums are on an umbrella-covered cab, which is attached to a bicycle. Every day, CJ shells out around P250 for his supply of “taho”. He has to sell around 40 to 50 cups of taho at P20 and P40 per cup while the soy is still hot. On a good day, he brings home a gross profit of P800.
dib, gusto niya magpa-check-up, hindi siya naka-avail. Inatake nga sa puso,” he recounted.
Domagoso also took the opportunity to defend the city’s health workers, saying it was unfair to blame them for the previous administration’s system failures.
“ Kahit pa sa Harvard nag-aral ang mga doktor natin, hindi rin tayo magagamot kung kulang ang makina o gamot ,” he said.
“Rest assured, despite lack of resources, we will continue to support our doctors and nurses with the facilities they need.”
P50,000, they can’t even be categorize under “micro enterprises”. It’s not easy to be a solopreneur. To go keep his “taho” enterprise going, CJ sometimes is compelled to take out loans, mostly from usurers, on a 5-6 arrangement. His income is mostly spent on everyday family needs, which is why he cannot save enough capital.
Like all the other ambulant peddlers who ply our street, CJ represents the “unseen” drivers of our local economy. The term for them is underground economy because their business activities are unrecorded and not taxed by the government. Just so you know, there are around 8 million of these self-employed individuals in the country, far outnumbering Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs).
Yet, they represent 40 percent of our GDP. That roughly translates to P7.38 trillion of the GDP, a whopping amount!
It is only recently that I found out there’s a new technocratic term for these invisible players in our underground or informal economy— “nanopreneurs” or “solopreneurs.”
Why nano? Because they’re so small, with a capitalization of less than
Iligan City releases ₧2.5-M cash gifts to elderly residents
By Nef Luczon
THE Iligan City government on Tuesday released more than P2.5 million cash gifts to its elderly beneficiaries.
In a statement, Mayor Frederick Siao said the Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs successfully distributed P10,000 each to 245 elderly beneficiaries, aged 80 to 95. A centenarian, on the other hand, received P100,000 as mandated by law.
Siao noted that the city govern-
ment fully supports the program initiated by the National Commission of Senior Citizens, as he pledged to adopt national policies within the local government unit’s implementation.
“We, at the city government, always talk about programs for senior citizens, especially regarding the Senior Citizens Community Care Center (SC3C),” he said. Siao said the SC3C is an elderly care facility that would provide community-driven wellness initiatives. PNA
Makati honors new centenarian
MAKATI Mayor Nancy Binay shares a nice and cheerful moment with new centenarian “Lola Flora” Mallorca at the latter’s home in Brgy. Kasilawan. Binay personally handed her a P100,000 check as cash gift from the city on Wednesday. City Ordinance No. 2012-099 entitles Makati senior citizens who are Blu Card holders to a one-time P100,000 cash gift upon reaching 100 years old, as a tribute to their significant contributions in the progress and development of
Australian retirees need $455,000 of savings to live comfortably
CJ is in his 30s. He has three children to support, two of which are going to school. So, he can’t afford to lose a day without a little income from peddling his “taho.”
But are these nanopreneurs really untaxed? No, they too pay taxes by way of E-vat in the cost of food, clothes they buy, in the trains they ride on, the movies they watch with their children, and so on.
So, it turns out that if our economy has been growing faster than most of those around us, at 6 percent so far this year, we also have to “thank” the army of nano-preneurs for that. No wonder in one of his columns, respected economist Ciel Habito called them the “great underground”.
Instead of crafting legislation to tax them, the government needs to find ways to support them.
As for me, I’ve never looked at them as lowly peddlers. I’ve always held them in high regard for their hustle and grind. I consider them part of the continuing story of human survival. They provide me the daily protein and minerals and the electrolytes my body needs to stay healthy. In turn, I help CJ and other nameless nanopreneurs of Danville St. earn an income to support their struggling families.
By Amy Bainbridge
AUSTRALIANS will need as much as A$690,000 ($455,000) of pension savings to retire comfortably, according to a new report that highlights how rising living costs are stretching household budgets even under the country’s globally admired pensions system.
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia estimates couples need to save A$690,000 and singles A$595,000 by age 67, assuming retirees also receive a part government pension. The quarterly guidance also shows day-to-day costs climbing: a couple who owns their own home needs A$75,319 a year for a comfortable life—up almost A$1,500 in three months.
“We’re seeing heightened price
pressures on some essential goods and services,” ASFA Chief Executive Officer Mary Delahunty said in a statement. “This quarter brought above-inflation increases in private health insurance, electricity and fresh food.” Australia’s A$4.3 trillion superannuation system—where employers are required to make compulsory contributions to workers’ pension savings—is often championed as an ideal global model, but concerns about retirement adequacy persist. A separate report from Natixis Investment Managers this week found almost half of about 7,000 people surveyed worldwide believe it would take a “miracle” to retire securely. In Australia, 80 percent said they are saving less as they struggle with soaring costs for medicine, utilities and groceries. Bloomberg
the city. Binay was accompanied by City Councilors Ferdinand Eusebio (in photo), Marie Alethea Casal-Uy, and Dino Imperial.
GAPS in teacher training, issues in school leadership, and the slow integration of sustainability into higher education curricula are persistent challenges that need to be addressed to improve the country’s education system.
In the recent 10th Socioeconomic Research Portal for the Philippines Knowledge Sharing Forum organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies or PIDS and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines or PUP, several speakers cited regional disparities in teacher training and the limited capacity of school-based management as pressing concerns.
Further, they urged tighter oversight, stronger leadership development, and new models like “Advocacy Hubs” for sustainability to help produce competent teachers, responsive school heads, and graduates who contribute to national and global development goals.
In his presentation “Mapping Excellence in Teacher Education: The Role of Centers of Excellence in Teacher Quality,” Project Technical Specialist (PTS) Jenard Berroya of PIDS noted that most
EDUCATORS SPEAK
Centers of Excellence (COEs) and Centers of Development (CODs) remain concentrated in Luzon, leaving the Visayas and Mindanao with fewer opportunities for quality training.
“As of 2023, there are about 36 COEs and 38 CODs in the Philippines specific to teacher education,” Berroya shared, with Luzon hosting 25 COEs and 18 CODs, compared to just 5 COEs and 9 CODs in the Visayas, and 6 COEs and 11 CODs in Mindanao.”
COEs and CODs—designations granted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)—recognize institutions with strong performance in instruction, research, and extension. They are intended to set benchmarks in attracting top students and faculty and uplift other schools.
Berroya recommended tighter CHED monitoring, closer followups with struggling institutions,
and partnerships between highand lower-performing schools. He also suggested providing more incentives for students to enroll in such centers, while enhancing CHED regional oversight.
“Strengthening COEs and CODs is not just about prestige,” the PTS said. “It’s about raising teacher quality nationwide.”
Leadership, community as key elements IN his study “Learning-Focused and Future-Oriented SchoolBased Management (SBM),” Dr. Diosdado M. San Antonio who is the manager of INNOTECH’s Educational Research and Innovation Office underscored that effective school leadership is vital to student outcomes.
SBM is a decentralization approach that gives schools more authority and accountability to address local needs and improve student learning. It often involves principals, teachers, parents, and communities, making schools more responsive to local contexts and encouraging innovation.
However, findings revealed that overlapping activities, time constraints, and resource limitations continue to challenge its implementation.
“There is a need to supplement existing competency frameworks for school heads and education leaders [so they can] be more proactive, results-oriented, and empowering,” San Antonio said. He called for leadership de -
Why lifelong learning is the ultimate superpower in a changing world
By Dr. Angeline Tan Head of School, Hope Christian High School (HCHS)
THE recent passage of the Lifelong Learning Devel
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opment Framework (LLDF) Bill signifies a pivotal shift of the Philippines’ view on education. The bill recognizes that education extends beyond formal schooling to include nonformal and informal experiences, empowering all Filipinos to become active contributors to their communities through continuous learning.
This resonates deeply with me—not just as an educator and school administrator, but as someone who believes passionately in the transformative power of lifelong learning. There’s timeless wisdom in the Chinese proverb: “Only he who has traveled the road knows where the holes are deep.”
The more we learn, the more we realize how much further we have to go. Lifelong learning is more than a concept; it’s a lifestyle and a mindset that transforms how we engage with the world. It fosters curiosity, adaptability, and resilience. In today’s fast-changing world, adopting this approach is no longer optional—rather, it’s the cornerstone of personal growth and societal progress.
Staying ahead in a world that won’t wait THE world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. From global economic shifts to rapid technological advancements, the skills we once relied on are quickly becoming obsolete. The World Economic Forum projects that artificial intelligence
and automation will displace 85 million jobs by 2025, while creating 97 million new roles (according to weforum.org ). This underscores the urgency of acquiring new, diverse skill sets, particularly in areas like digitalization and AI. Gone are the days when mastering a single trade guaranteed lifelong employment. Many young people now juggle multiple jobs or careers, moving beyond the traditional model of work
I often remind teachers and parents that we must keep learning, as students are learning faster than we ever did. The pace at which young people absorb and apply new knowledge is a constant reminder that staying stagnant is not an option.
To thrive in this dynamic environment, we must embrace lifelong learning. This also means unlearning outdated methods, relearning relevant skills, and preparing to adapt to future challenges.
Closing the education gap one learner at a time IN the Philippines, nearly 19 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are not functionally literate, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Alarmingly, this includes 6.45 million junior high-school graduates, highlighting a significant gap in comprehension and technical skills.
Lifelong learning provides a solution to address literacy gaps by offering flexible educational pathways for those who may not have access or have difficulty thriving in traditional settings. The LLDF Bill promotes community involvement through the development of “Learning Cities” and “Learning
Municipalities.” Schools can collaborate with local government units to offer alternative learning experiences that address local needs such as community workshops, vocational training, and online courses, making learning more accessible and inclusive. Educational frameworks, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and Career-related Programmes, empower communities by fostering skills that are directly applicable to local economies, thereby having the potential to reduce unemployment and improve socioeconomic conditions. For example, vocational training in agriculture or technology equips individuals with practical expertise, while workshops on entrepreneurship encourage innovation. By prioritizing lifelong learning, we build stronger, more resilient communities that thrive together.
Think smarter, not harder: The power of critical thinking ADOPTING lifelong learning as a
velopment programs, stronger resource support, and stronger communities of practice that allow education leaders to share solutions.
Tackling tourism learning issues MEANWHILE, the Tourism and Hospitality Education Summit was slated on September 10 as a platform of discussion on key issues and the future of the country’s tourism industry. It will also gather government leaders, representatives from various industry sectors, educators, and students at a crucial time.
To address challenges discovered in the second year report of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM II, the summit will feature intensive discussions on bridging the gap between academic training and enterprise needs. Key sessions will tackle the future of work, integration of artificial intelligence or AI, the growing value of microcredentials, and strategies to prepare a new generation of professionals for an Industry 5.0 environment.
The event will feature insights from leaders of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA, along with major industry associations such as the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers Inc., as well as the Association of Administrators in Hospitality, Hotel and Restaurant Management Educational Institutions.
lifestyle encourages inquiry, analysis, and problem-solving, empowering individuals to connect learning to real-world challenges. Making these connections is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life and staying ahead of the curve. Industries increasingly demand critical thinkers who can innovate and adapt.
At our school, which is the first Chinese-Filipino Christian school to have the International Baccalaureate curriculum in the Philippines, we have long championed lifelong learning as a core principle. We challenge students to not only do well in exams, but in life. The curriculum is designed to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate learners who actively engage with the world. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, ethical decision-making, and community involvement— skills that align with the principles of lifelong learning.
By embedding lifelong learning in education from an early age, we can equip students with the tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world while inspiring them to make a difference in the communities they serve.
The time to embrace lifelong learning is now
THE passage of the LLDF Bill is a call to action—a reminder that learning doesn’t end with a diploma or degree; rather, it’s a lifestyle that anyone can embrace. Whether picking up a new skill, exploring a fresh perspective, or simply staying curious, the pursuit of knowledge serves individuals well beyond their years in the classroom. Let us seize this opportunity to embrace lifelong learning as a lifestyle—a superpower that empowers us to thrive in an everchanging world, for ourselves, for our communities, and for generations to come. Together, we can build a brighter future—one where curiosity, adaptability, and continuous growth are embedded in our way of life.
AN interdisciplinary study by scholars from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) has shed light on cuttingedge science and Catholic ethics coming together that offers hope for Filipino families battling rare genetic diseases. Published in the Journal of Religion and Health , a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal by Springer Nature, the paper “Theological and Ethical Perspectives on Gene Editing and the Sanctity of Life” explores the promise of gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9—a tool used to make precise changes in DNA sequences—in treating genetic conditions such as Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type I, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Hunter Syndrome, all of which are present in the Philippines.
The study was authored by Assoc. Prof. Mary Anne Chiong MD, MSc, FPPS of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and UST Hospital, together with Assoc. Prof. Allan Basas, SThD, of the Institute of Religion. They began their discussion with a scientific overview of gene editing techniques and their potential to treat rare diseases. They spotlight specific genetic conditions affecting Filipinos as models to explore real-world applications.
Beyond the science, the paper delves into the ethical and theological dimensions of gene
editing. Emphasizing the doctrine of Imago Dei (the image of God), the authors argue that any intervention in human genetics must uphold human dignity and moral responsibility. The paper contrasts somatic gene editing, which treats disease in individuals, with germline editing, which alters inheritable DNA and raises ethical concerns.
Using the See-Judge-Act framework inspired by Catholic social teaching, the authors evaluate gene editing in light of Church teachings on human dignity, offering practical insights for responsibly applying these technologies. The study ultimately encourages the pursuit of healing while safeguarding life’s sacredness.
The study highlights that gene editing presents not just medical hope, but a profound ethical responsibility. Its authors emphasize that rooted in faith, science must always serve the person and the common good.
In a country where healthcare inequalities persist and faith plays a central role, the study urges collaboration among policymakers, medical professionals, and faith communities. Strengthening the implementation of the Rare Disease Act and investing in ethically guided gene therapy could transform care for the most vulnerable.
Nickel Asia & DLSU forge ties for internship program
LISTED natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC) has signed a memorandum of agreement with De La Salle University (DLSU) to launch the NAC START Internship Program—a program designed to provide immersive learning experiences for future professionals in the natural resources sector.
The NAC START Internship Program is envisioned to serve as a platform for students to gain firsthand industry exposure while deepening their understanding of sustainability and inclusive development.
“This partnership is a good opportunity for up-and-coming professionals to see how the industry contributes to sustainability,” said Vice President for Human Resources Ma. Fatima Mijares of NAC. “It’s very important for young people not just to see the operational aspect of a company’s operations, but also the social relevance of what we do.”
“I am excited about the partnership because of the values. I think DLSU has the same values as NAC because we both advocate for the environment and sustainability,” said DLSU Student Success Center Director Dr. Ron R. Resurrecion.
“I am also happy to hear that the company is an advocate for inclusion not just in terms of gender, but also indigenous people. I believe DLSU is also going that direction: toward sustainability and inclusion.”
Set to roll out in 2026, NAC START reflects the company’s commitment to shaping future leaders by combining academic learning with hands-on training, environmental engagement, and values-driven development. The initiative is also aligned with its advocacy of sustainability and nation-building, as well as recognition as a certified “Great Place to Work.”
The partnership marks NAC’s first formal collaboration with a university, and the first time DLSU has partnered with a natural resources development company.
DR. TAN
NICKEL ASIA CORPORATION and De La Salle University sign a memorandum of agreement for the NAC START Internship Program.
PARIS TO THE MOON In search of something in the City of Light
Story & photos by Joshua Berida
FROM Audrey Hepburn to Humphrey Bogart to Ernest Hemingway to some other artist or celebrity, most if not all wax poetic about the sights, sounds, and experiences in Paris.
However, I have mixed feelings about Paris. I’ve read and heard romantic descriptions about the City of Light. They would sing praises about its cafes, streets lined with beautiful architecture and buildings, museums, art galleries, the Louvre, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. The history, the art, and the weight of its culture will enthrall visitors in some way.
But behind its allure is homelessness, petty theft, pickpockets, garbage, dirty canals, and places where you don’t want to be walking alone at night. All these are prevalent in big cities, Paris is no exception. These contrast with the romantic veil of the city. I was in the City of Light for a few days. I planned to visit places that weren’t part of my itinerary the first time I went. Like many Pinoys I checked out the Galeries Lafayette, a famous mall in Paris. Its history
dates to the late 19th century when it started as one store. I was only there to window shop and not actually buy anything. Millions of people visit each year not just to shop but to admire the beautiful dome and its elaborate interior design. My impression was it looked more like a part of a palace than any usual mall. I made a beeline to the topmost floor (like many others), I’ve heard it was one of the best places to get overlooking views of the city with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. I wasn’t disappointed, it was exactly as I thought the views would be with the Eiffel Tower dominating the cityscape. Not too far from Galeries Lafayette was the Palais Garnier. I didn’t have the time to visit it before but during this brief interlude in Paris, I made sure I got inside. Charles Garnier designed this architectural wonder. It took more than a decade to finish construction. When you enter, you’ll immediately experience the grandeur of the opera with the Grand Escalier greeting you. This marble staircase takes you back to the time of the imperial court and lavish parties. For me, the most spectacular section of the opera is the Grand Foyer. The lat -
Cappadocia down under
perience for both locals and tourists. We spent two days in this region, staying overnight at Solem Cave
MANY people say Cappadocia (a 1.5-hour flight from Istanbul) in Turkey is best viewed from a hot air balloon. Experiencing it myself, I’d have to agree as nothing will prepare you as the balloon drifts over the surreal, otherworldly landscape of rolling hills and towering rock formations, which are more popularly known there as “fairy chimneys.”
However, if heights aren’t your thing, underneath all of these, there is so much more waiting to be discovered as Cappadocia has plenty of underground cities, all steeped in history and brimming with natural beauty, that deserve equal attention.
For hundreds of years, cave homes have been around in Cappadocia and many of these have been repurposed into hotels (there are over 30), restaurants, and even wine cellars, offering a unique ex-
Suites whose rooms were carved into the soft rock formations, offering a blend of historical charm and modern luxury.
On our first day, we toured the fabulous Goreme Open-Air Museum which presents unique examples of rock hewn architecture and fresco technique. Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has the most painted churches, as well as hermitages and monasteries, in Cappadocia. Showcasing a complex of the finest of the ancient cut churches and monasteries cut into volcanic rock caves during the Middle Ages (many of these churches date back to as early as the 4th century AD), they are decorated with beautiful Byzantine frescoes, their colors still retaining all their original freshness, that speak of its monastic history under the leadership of the Kayseri Bishop of St. Basil.
We then had lunch at Evranos, a cave restaurant, were we sampled the traditional Cappadocian
ter reminded me of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. The Grand Foyer’s elaborate ceiling painting, chandeliers, and gold-tinged hall were works of art in themselves within the bigger context of the Palais Garnier. It seemed like everywhere I looked was beautiful. The Fondation Louis Vuitton was on my list for this return trip to Paris. The Frank Gehry designed building intrigued me when I saw it online. It resembles a giant iceberg with its glass body and curved shape. According to Bernard Arnault he wanted “a new space that opens up a dialogue with a wide public and offers artists and intellectuals a platform for debate and reflection”. Various artists have exhibited their works in the Fondation, names such as Yayoi Kusama, Henri Matisse, and several others from around the world. During my visit, David Hockney’s works were on display.
I found myself wandering around familiar landmarks and streets along with droves of other tourists taking photos and selfies in various poses with the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. As I stood outside the Louvre, I remembered my first trip to Paris a few years ago. A model stood in one corner of the museum. She wore
testi (meaning “jug” in Turkish), a kebab placed in a single-serve clay pot and served with Turkish rice. After lunch, we dropped by the well-known, familyowned and operated Alaaddin Ceramic Family Art Gallery in Avanos. Specifically known for its gallery showcasing traditional Cappadocian ceramic art, they offer a wide range of ceramic pieces, from decorative items to functional art. We also observed an artisan at work, witnessing the creation process of Avranos pottery, from the potter’s wheel to the finished product, admiring the unique blend of ancient techniques and modern designs.
We then proceeded to Goreme’s well-known fairy chimneys or hoodoos (locally called peribacalar), eroded rock formations, many of which were hollowed out in the Middle Ages to create Christian churches, houses and underground cities. One of them even houses a Jandarma (police) post. After our exploration of the fairy chimneys, we made a short stopover at the beautiful and enchanting Devrent Valley (locally known as Imaginary Valley), renowned for its surreal and otherworldly landscape (which has earned Devrent Valley the nickname “Lunar Landscape” or “Moonscape”) of unique, thickly clustered rock formations that sparks the imagination
a blue flowing dress while her photographer took photos of her best angles. I went inside the Louvre. Crowds of people went in and out of the halls with pamphlets or audio guides. I looked for the most famous painting in the museum, the Mona Lisa.
I found the painting after seeing a huge crowd gathering in front of an exhibit. I stood in line for a few minutes waiting for the people taking pictures and selfies with the Mona Lisa. It was like waiting for a turn to get an autograph from a celebrity. I got the chance to get a good look at the most famous portrait in the world. A mysterious woman smiled directly at me. Many experts have called the Mona Lisa a masterpiece, but to my untrained eye, I saw a simple painting in a small frame. The other works in the Louvre seemed more grand and majestic.
However, the details of the hair, the clothes, the face, and the landscape behind the subject made something so simple, so beautiful. The mystery surrounding the identity of the woman added to its mystique. Was she the wife of a merchant from Florence, Lisa del Giocondo (the traditional and widely accepted theory)? Was she da Vinci’s mother, Caterina? Was she
and transports you to a realm of wonder, offering a unique experience like no other.
The next day, after our hot air balloon ride and lunch at Kebab & Mezes Restaurant in Goreme, we proceeded to explore, on foot, Love Valley (also known as the Ihlara Valley), one of Cappadocia’s best tourist attractions. This stunning canyon formed by volcanic activity and erosion over thousands of years, stretches about 10 kilometers. with a depth of 100 meters. Serving as a rocky settlement for monasteries from the 4th to 13th centuries, its unique rock formations have earned it the nickname “Love Valley,” as it features phallic-shaped geological formations that add an element of humor to the natural beauty. We also explored Kaymakli (originally named Enegup in ancient times) Underground City in Nevsehir. The most well-known (and one of the largest) among Capadoccia’s underground cities, it is believed to have been created by early Christians to hide from persecution. Four floors are accessible to visitors and, to explore the area, we had to go through steep stairs, narrow tunnels, and winding passages leading to makeshift places of worship, burial chambers, social gathering areas, kitchens, ventilation shafts, and even a spot dedicated to making wine. A massive
da Vinci disguising as a woman? Inconclusive debates and speculations continue to this day. I entertained the idea that the painting might be a representation of Paris, the allure, the mystique, the riddle. Despite the noise, hype, glitz and glamor, romanticism, colonial past, pickpockets, art, bad neighborhoods, and everything in between, you’ll want to see it anyway (again and again if you can).
I felt tired after walking from the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. I settled for a nearby restaurant on my way to the metro station. I chose it because of the many customers dining, so the food might at least be good enough. I ate my unremarkable food (a stomach filler would be an apt description) and watched the crowds hurrying by. This might be a eureka moment where I realize that if you can’t find inspiration where you’re from, you’re not going to find it here. I’m not really an art connoisseur, but there’s something about Paris that drew me to its creative spaces. Maybe it’s that inner search for beauty or something close to it. Maybe it’s the city’s openness to everything and anything. Its unabashed acceptance of its flaws. Maybe.
circular stone door that can only be opened from one side protects the underground city from invaders. The tour took us around an hour. Prior to returning to our hotel, we made a short stopover at the Pigeon Valley Viewpoint. The valley has many pigeon-houses which were carved, over the course of the years, into the soft tuff rock on the sides of the
Kalesi) perched on top of a rocky pinnacle. One of the most prominent landmarks in Cappadocia, this 60-meter (200-foot) high ancient fortress is regarded as the tallest fairy chimney in the area. The viewpoint is also home to cafes;
Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug
PROBABLY the most famous landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.
ONE of many centuries old and beautiful churches you’ll see in Paris.
THE iceberg-like design of the Fondation Louis Vuitton. EXPLORE Paris on foot.
SPECTACULAR and grandiose are just some of the words I’d describe Palais Garnier with.
THE Grand Escalier
INSIDE the Palais Garnier
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Senate flood-fund probe continues even with independent commission
SBy Butch Fernandez
ENATE President Pro Tempore Panfilo
“Ping” M. Lacson said on Friday the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe of corruption behind anomalous flood control projects will continue even though Malacanang has created an independent probe commission, saying their work would complement each other.
He vowed to maintain a “blindfold mentality” in presiding over the inquiry—with the third hearing set on September 18. This mentality, which has always guided his investigations, means the committee will base its findings on evidence, and will spare no one—not even legislators or employees. The panel’s next hearing.
He added that the P355-million insertion in the 2025 budget, a key focus of the investigation, has brought to light the need to identify the proponents of amendments or insertions in crafting the budget. This transparency is one of the budget reforms Lacson has repeatedly fought for.
“Let me emphasize that the committee’s ongoing inquiry is in aid of legislation and does not intend to target any senator or congressman, particularly Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. But in pushing for crafting legislation for full transparency in the entire
budget process, the P355-million insertion brought to light the necessity of identifying proponents of amendments or insertions in the crafting of the annual General Appropriations Act,” Lacson said. “I have always adopted a blindfold mentality. It is not right to be partial, much less to cover up for someone, because that will disrupt the investigation,” he said in Filipino in a radio interview. “Because if you investigate, you exclude no one and you don’t become selective. If you do, then what is the investigation for?” he added. Lacson, who took over the Blue Ribbon just last Sept. 8, rejected suggestions to stop the Senate inquiry now that the independent commission has been created. “The Senate Blue Ribbon probe and the work of the independent commission are complementary. They won’t compete with each other,” he said in a separate interview.
“The independent commission has a separate task but it will complement the Senate Blue Ribbon. We must coordinate closely. We can provide it with the evidence it needs to prosecute those involved. But we can also ask it for the records we need in our legislative work,” he added.
See “Flood-fund,” A12
BusinessMirror
Not just contractors: Probe of poll donors expanded
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
HE Commission on Elections
T(Comelec) will no longer limit its scrutiny to contractors of government public works projects as it expands its investigation of campaign donors from the 2022 and 2025 elections.
The poll body said it will now also look into donations from mining corporations and companies holding government franchises, which are among those explicitly prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said their Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) has already flagged donations made by these entities to several
national and local candidates.
“Under our law, mining corporations and those with government franchises are prohibited from making donations or contributions. We also want to look into that because this is clearly covered by Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code,” Garcia told reporters in a recent interview.
Section 95 of the Code states that no contribution for partisan political activity shall be made, directly or indirectly, by a wide range of entities.
These include financial institutions except for legitimate loans, utilities and natural resource extractors, contractors and suppliers of government, companies with government franchises or concessions,
recipients of recent large government loans, publicly funded schools, civil service officials and members of the armed forces, and all foreigners and foreign corporations.
Garcia said he has already instructed the PFAD to go beyond its current focus on construction firms.
“We said maybe it’s time to broaden the review of the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures [SOCEs]. By Monday, they should already be moving to the 2025 SOCEs. They just prioritized the 2022 SOCEs first. We also told them to check if there are still prohibited donors in the 2022 records,” he added.
Comelec earlier revealed that 52 contractors made donations to the 2022 campaigns of 26 national and local candidates. These included seven who ran for national posts, 15 political parties, two governors, and two vice governors. The poll body has since sought the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to verify which of the contractors that made contributions currently hold government contracts. Confirmed contractors will be summoned to explain their donations. Garcia said both the donor and the candidate who accepted the contribution could be held liable if the prohibition is proven. The penalty under the Omnibus Election Code ranges from one to six years of imprisonment.
DMW recalls labor official tied to flood-control works
By Samuel P. Medenilla
LABOR
Attaché Macy Monique
Maglanque was recalled from her current assignment in Los Angeles, United States to face investigation on her alleged link to controversial flood control projects, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
On Friday, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cac -
dac announced he ordered Maglanque to return so she can formally explain her side after Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed she has involvement in the flood control projects of MBB Global Properties.
The Legislative and the Executive branches of the government are currently conducting parallel investigations on the substandard and non-existent flood control
projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“There will be no sanction, which will be issued against her [on her return], but it is important for her to personally face questions—not only from DMW, but in other needed investigations,” Cacdac said in Filipino in a statement.
“She will just face [an] investigation. This is part of our commitment to integrity and accountability to public service,” he added. He noted that DMW is mandated to comply with the process set by President Ferdinand Marcos to hold accountable officials, who are accused of wrongdoing and corruption. The DMW said “it will continue to enforce strict measures to safeguard
See “DMW,” A12
DMW inks new landmark pact with Qatar for OFWs
TO provide better protection to Filipino household service workers in Qatar, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has forged a new landmark agreement with the Middle East country for the adoption of a standard employment contract.
“This means only one contract is needed by both sides to lay down the clear terms and conditions for the humane treatment of our domestic workers,” DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said in Filipino in a statement.
The DMW said the agreement “marks a significant step toward strengthening labor protection for Filipino household service workers.”
The unified contract aims to prevent contract substitution for HSWs in Qatar by standardizing employment terms, fair wages, rest days, leave benefits, and dispute settling mechanisms, which are recognized on both sides.
Cacdac signed the new agreement during his meeting with Qatar’s Labor Minister this week.
It was in compliance with the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos to enhance conditions of Filipino domestic workers abroad through bilateral agreements.
In its latest data, DMW said there are currently 250,000 Filipinos in Qatar, most of whom are domestic workers.
Samuel P. Medenilla
Continued from A11
Invited to the hearing
LACSON said one of those to be summoned to the hearing is Mina Jose, a supposed representative of WJ Construction who, based on Senate security camera footage, entered the Senate building last Aug. 19 and visited an office on the third floor.
WJ Construction was linked to the mess after it allegedly made a “delivery of obligation” (a.k.a. bribe) after being awarded a project by ex-Bulacan first District Engineering Office head Henry Alcantara.
“I am having the Senate logbook checked. Visitors to the Senate have to sign a
Zambales cancels ₧1.4-B projects by firms in ‘flood control’ probe
By Henry Empeño
IBA, Zambales—The Zambales provincial government has terminated the contracts of three major infrastructure projects worth close to P1.4 billion that were awarded to companies now under investigation for alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
Engr. Domingo Mariano, consultant for engineering and infrastructure development at the Zambales Capitol here, said the cancelled projects are the P499.6-milion new capitol building, P499-million sports complex track and football stadium, and the P399.7million provincial hospital annex.
The capitol and sports complex projects were previously awarded to the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp. while the hospital project was awarded to Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., one of the 15 contractors flagged by President Marcos in the flood control projects mess.
“Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. immediately ordered the termination of contracts right after the PCAB [Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board] revoked the license of St. Gerrard on September 2,” Mariano told the media in a briefing Friday morning.
logbook indicating who they want to visit. I am checking who Mina visited,” Lacson said. He earlier cited initial information showing the name WJ stands for the initials of the owner, Warren Jose. The panel will also summon representatives of WJ Construction to get to the bottom of the allegation of ex-engineer Brice Hernandez regarding a “delivery of obligation” or supposed bribe to Senator Estrada, who stronglydenied the allegation. Lacson noted the screenshots presented by Hernandez dated back to 2022. Also, Lacson said Beng Ramos, a Blue Ribbon panel member linked to the supposed delivery of “obligation” by WJ Construction, has been transferred to the Senate’s motor pool section.
“As to Hi-Tone Construction, we also cancelled its contract because it’s being investigated for the alleged anomalous flood control projects,” he added.
Mariano said, however, that the construction work that St. Gerrard and Hi-Tone had accomplished so far were aboveboard.
The new capitol building, designed for five floors, including the roof deck, was started in October 2023 and is scheduled for completion in 2027. The hospital annex, with four floors and a bed capacity of 165, is also set to be finished in 2027.
The sports complex, meanwhile, is targeted to be ready by next year, as Zambales is hoping to host the Palarong Pambansa in 2027, Mariano said.
“As of now, we have positive slippage here,” Mariano said, pointing out that the three projects are ahead of schedule. “Wala naman kaming problema sa kanila. Nadamay lang sa ibang problema nila [We didn’t have any problem with their jobs here. They only had other problems elsewhere],” he said.
He added that both companies worked in accordance with project plans and specifications. “There’s nothing substandard about their job. As you can see, the physical appearance of the projects look alright,” he
Lacson said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral will be summoned to the next hearing, to explain her Viber message inviting a staff of now-Senate President Vicente Sotto III to propose early insertions to the 2026 budget. To be called to the hearing as well are the DPWH’s BGC Boys, or officials who gambled away hundreds of millions of pesos in taxpayers’ money in casinos.
Also to be summoned are the Discaya couple, Cezarah and Pacifico III. He noted the Discayas gave different testimonies in the hearings of the Senate (Sept. 8) and House of Representatives (Sept. 9). “I want to see if their testimonies were tell-all or tell-half,” he said.
Lacson said he will invite representa -
said as he toured the media at the three project sites.
Mariano said the cancelled projects will either be bid out anew or be taken over by the provincial government and completed by administration. The projects are currently being evaluated by a technical committee to determine actual accomplishments, and that this will be the baseline for the succeeding work to be done by the new contractors, he added.
A new bidding will only take place once the Commission on Audit (COA) has reviewed the technical report, he also said.
According to Mariano, 70 percent of the contract price has already been paid for the capitol building project, but St. Gerrard had already completed 78.89 percent of the workload.
As to the sports complex project, the same company has completed 48 percent of the project, or more than 2 percent ahead of the project plan.
Mariano said that despite the termination of the contract, the provincial government is obligated to pay for all the finished work.
“COA will assess how much is yet to be paid,” Mariano said. “Hindi naman p’wedeng takasan natin ang obligasyon natin [We cannot evade our obligation to pay].”
tives of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to shed light on the insertion of P355 million for Bulacan projects. He said their initial finding showed the insertion was made either in the Senate version of the budget bill, or in the bicameral conference committee, and that seven projects in Bulacan were awarded based on the P355 million—five in May 2025 and two in July 2025.
“I will ask the DBM to put on record how the P355 million was distributed,” Lacson said.
“I am not saying it is illegal but it is improper. Under our rules, only the disagreeing provisions should be taken up in the bicameral conference committee,” he added.
Tiangco’s call for House ‘overhaul’ just ‘frustration’
THE new Chief Communications Officer of the Office of the Speaker, Robert Ace Barbers, on Friday brushed aside Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco’s call for a “total overhaul” of the House of Representatives, saying it was nothing more than political frustration.
“Rep. Tiangco’s statements are nothing more than the voice of frustration. Let us recall that he failed to secure either the Speakership or the powerful Appropriations chairmanship at the start of the 20th Congress,” Barbers said in a statement.
Barbers pointed out that party leaders remain solidly behind the supermajority coalition led by Speaker Romualdez, which has been responsible for record-breaking legislative productivity.
“The truth is clear: all party leaders remain firmly committed to the supermajority coalition under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez,” Barbers pointed out. He said the trust of lawmakers in Romualdez remains strong despite attempts to drag
him and other House members into allegations over flood control projects.
Barbers added the House remains focused on its work and will not be distracted by political intrigue.
“The House of Representatives stands solid and united. We will not be distracted by intrigues or political sour grapes. Our mission is clear: to continue delivering meaningful legislation and oversight that will benefit every Filipino family,” Barbers said.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega assured the public that the leadership of the House of Representatives remains strong and united, dismissing as mere speculation the rumors of a leadership shake-up similar to what recently transpired in the Senate.
Ortega said party leaders in chamber have agreed to focus on their legislative direction, particularly the passage of the proposed national budget and priority measures of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
Pampanga folk gear up for protests against corruption
WHEN citizens pray with their feet, democracy breathes again. This is the spirit driving two major protest actions in Pampanga, led by newly formed multi-sectoral coalitions the Concerned Citizens of Pampanga (CCP) and Kilusan Kontra Kurakot (KKK-Pampanga).
The two groups, composed of church leaders, workers and professionals, educators, students and youth, and civil society organizations, have come together to protest widespread corruption and in defense of accountability, justice, and good governance.
Pampanga is one of the hardest hit provinces by the worsening floods, which have devastated wider areas for much longer periods, as seen in the serial typhoons compounded by habagat rains in August.
The CCP will take to the streets with a noise barrage on September 17 followed by a peaceful rally and mass at the San Fernando Cathedral on September 18.
On September 21, KKK-Pampanga will hold its own protest along Santo Entierro Street in Angeles City to echo the same call for truth, transparency, and reform. The date coincides with the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, a deliberate and meaningful choice, according to the organizers.
“The timing of the rally was no coincidence,” said Gerry Naguit of KKK-Pampanga.
“We agreed to act immediately, without tying it to any specific date at first, because the urgency was clear. It just so happens that the protest falls on September 21, which also carries historical weight as a turning point in the Filipino people’s struggle against a corrupt and tyrannical dictatorship,” Naguit added.
CCP co-convenor Alex Cauguiran, in a press
Continued from A11
integrity within its ranks and protect the trust and welfare of overseas Filipino workers [OFWs].”
conference, said these actions are not just symbolic but a direct response to the growing public frustration over billions of pesos allegedly lost to substandard or ghost flood control projects.
“This is not just about missing funds, it’s about the betrayal of public trust, the endangerment of communities, and the erosion of democratic institutions,” Cauguiran said. “This is a moral crisis that demands collective action.”
The Benedictine Sisters and the academic community of St. Scholastica’s Academy San Fernando also issued a strong statement condemning the misuse of public funds meant for flood control.
St. Scholastica Academy San Fernando directress and activist Sr. Mary John Mananzan described the corruption as not only a legal violation but a moral and ecological offense, a betrayal of the poor and a desecration of resources meant to protect life and the environment.
“I’m ashamed that many of those stealing from the people are also Christians, Catholics even. Some likely studied in Catholic schools. What did they learn? They go to Mass on Sunday, then steal from Monday to Saturday. What kind of faith is that?” Mananzan said.
Both coalitions condemn corruption as a form of social violence. CCP said they will support independent and impartial investigations, the prosecution of all those responsible regardless of rank or political ties, and the dismantling of entrenched systems that perpetuate impunity.
Beyond legal accountability, the groups are also calling for a deeper moral renewal and cultural transformation to remind Filipinos that the fight against corruption also demands social and moral justice. Ashley Manabat
On Thursday, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 94 creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate flood control projects, which were flagged anomalous in the last 10 years. As of press time, Malacañang has yet to announce the members of the fact-finding panel, which was tasked to submit its findings to the Department of Justice, Ombudsman, and the Civil Service Commission for the filing of possible charges on those who will be proven to be involved in graft and corruption in flood control projects.
Rising defiance: Israeli soldiers and their mothers reject call-up for Gaza invasion
By Sam Mednick The Associated Press
TEL AVIV, Israel—As Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for its invasion of Gaza City, a growing number of soldiers—and their mothers—are saying no.
There are no official figures, but newly formed groups are broadcasting their refusal to serve despite the risk of imprisonment. It’s a new phenomenon in the nearly two-year war sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, though so far it has had no apparent effect on military operations.
The defiance is emerging as Israelis have joined mass protests accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political purposes instead of reaching a deal with Hamas to bring back
the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Many opponents, including former senior security officials, fear that the latest offensive will achieve little and put the hostages at risk. Israel also faces heavy international criticism over the humanitarian catastrophe unleashed by the war and its blockade.
One group calling on soldiers to refuse to serve is comprised of mothers who fear their sons will die in vain.
“I couldn’t stop thinking of how to break his leg, break his
arm, wound him in some way that he won’t be able to go back,” Noorit Felsenthal-Berger said as she wiped tears from her cheeks, terrified her youngest son will be forced to return.
Fatigue and dwindling morale
AVSHALOM ZOHAR SAL , a 28-year-old soldier and medic who served multiple tours in Gaza, said soldiers are exhausted, demoralized and no longer know what they are fighting for.
His doubts first surfaced last year, when he was serving in an area near where six hostages were later killed by their captors as Israeli troops closed in. “I felt this was my fault,” he said.
His skepticism deepened during his most recent tour, in June, when he saw troops returning to the same areas where they had fought earlier in the war. He said some soldiers seemed less focused, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from a vastly diminished but still lethal Hamas.
“Don’t put me in the position that I need to decide if I’m going to risk again my life,” he said, addressing the military.
A group known as Soldiers for Hostages says it represents more than 360 soldiers who refuse to serve. While the number remains small, it is a contrast from the early days of the war, when reservists rushed for duty in the wake of the October 7 attack. Such refusal is punishable by imprisonment, but that has only happened in a handful of cases.
“Netanyahu’s ongoing war of aggression needlessly puts our
own hostages in danger and has wreaked havoc on the fabric of Israeli society, while at the same time killing, maiming and starving an entire population” of civilians in Gaza, Max Kresch, a member of the group, said at a Sept. 2 news conference.
Another group known as Save Our Souls, or SOS, says it represents nearly 1,000 mothers of soldiers. A similar movement was credited with helping to end Israel’s 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000.
“We have to be their voice,” said Felsenthal-Berger, whose two sons have fought in Gaza. The group has held protests around the country, met with government officials and published letters. She says her sons, including one on active duty, are no longer in Gaza. She says they support her efforts but have not officially refused to serve.
Yifat Gadot says her 22-year-old son, who fought in Gaza for nine months at the start of the war, told her that soldiers there felt like sitting ducks. More than 450 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the 2023 ground invasion, according to the army.
“I told him, ‘We the mothers will do everything we can to get you out of Gaza and save you from this political war,’” she said.
Some of the women have encouraged their sons to refuse to report back for action in Gaza, while others say they respect their son’s decisions. All say their message is aimed primarily at the country’s leaders.
Netanyahu’s office declined to comment.
Israelis are fed up, but military service is ‘sacrosanct’
ISRAEL’S call-up of 60,000 reservists is the largest in months, in a country of fewer than 10 million people where military service is mandatory for most Jewish men.
Many have already served multiple tours away from their families and businesses.
The Israeli government’s failure to draft ultra-Orthodox men into the military has added to their anger. Religious men have long avoided military service through exemptions negotiated by their politically powerful leaders, who have been a key component of Netanyahu’s government. That has fueled resentment among the broader public—a sentiment that has grown during nearly two years of war.
The military does not provide figures on absences or refusals and says each case is evaluated on its merits. “The contribution of the reservists is essential to the success of missions and to maintaining the security of the country,” it said.
At least three soldiers associated with the Soldiers for Hostages group have been imprisoned this year for refusing to serve, with some jailed for up to three weeks, the group said.
Support for the war ran high after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.
But sentiment has changed over the course of the war, especially since Israel ended a ceasefire in March that had facilitated the release of hostages. The war has
killed more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The agency doesn’t say how many of the dead were civilians or militants, but says about half the dead were women and children.
A recent poll found that around two-thirds of Israelis, including about 60% of Israeli Jews, think Israel should agree to a deal that includes the release of all the hostages, the cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The poll, conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute in the last week of August, surveyed 600 people in Hebrew and 150 people in Arabic. It has a margin of sampling error of 3.6 percentage points.
Hamas has long said it would accept a deal along those lines, but Netanyahu has refused. He has said the war will end only when all the hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, with Israel maintaining open-ended security control over the territory.
Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, said that pushing soldiers in a deeply divided country to keep fighting could have a lasting impact on Israel’s capabilities.
Many believe that divisions over a planned judicial overhaul in 2023, which generated mass protests and threats from soldiers not to serve, weakened Israel ahead of the Oct. 7 attack.
Still, refusing military service remains a red line for many in Israel. “The military, and serving in it, is still sacrosanct,” Zonszein said.
Israel’s strike on Qatar infuriates Arab leaders; that bodes ill for Trump’s Middle East priorities
By Jon Gambrell The Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar—Just a few months ago, the rulers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar welcomed US President Donald Trump to their palaces with camel parades and pomp. Now, those same leaders are united in anger after Israel’s strike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for “an Arab, Islamic and international response to confront the aggression” and deter Israel’s “criminal practices.”
The UAE’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan flew to Qatar and embraced its ruling emir, a scene that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago, when the UAE and Saudi Arabia led a boycott of the country after accusing it of supporting terrorist groups, something strongly denied by Doha.
Israel’s attack in Qatar violated “all international laws and norms,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The strike has triggered the worst fears of leaders in the oil-rich Gulf: that the US might abandon its decades-old commitment to protect them from regional aggressors in the mold of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein or—it now seems—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Those fears could undermine Trump’s priorities in the region, from ending the war in Gaza and expanding his signature Abraham Accords—which forged ties between Israel and
the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco—to countering Chinese and Russian influence. Netanyahu’s dream of new normalization deals across the Gulf seems further than ever.
Ironclad US support as Israel flouts norms TRUMP seems to have registered the anger of Gulf leaders. He has distanced himself from the strike, saying it “does not advance Israel or America’s goals” and promising Qatar that it would not be repeated.
But his ironclad support for an Israeli government that has increasingly flouted international norms in the wars unleashed by Hamas’ October 7 attack is a source of concern in the Gulf.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, called the strike an act of “state terror” and singled out Netanyahu by name, accusing him of “barbarism.”
He also questioned the future of Qatar’s mediation efforts, saying there was nothing “valid” about the current talks after the strike. Israel targeted Hamas leaders as they were weighing a US ceasefire proposal, killing at least five lower-ranking members and a member of Qatar’s security forces.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has threatened to strike again if Qatar keeps hosting Hamas in its role as a regional mediator—which it has done for years with the full knowledge and support of the US.
“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice,” Netanyahu said Wednesday.
“Because if you don’t, we will.”
Those comments were denounced
Thursday by the UAE’s foreign ministry.
Aggression against any member of the Gulf Cooperation Council—a six-nation bloc that includes the UAE and Qatar—“constitutes an attack on the collective Gulf security framework,” the ministry said in a statement.
Asked about Netanyahu’s comments, a White House official said Trump made clear that he was “not thrilled about the situation” following Tuesday’s strikes.
The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that Trump remains steadfast in his belief that “unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace” is at odds with both Israel and US goals.
Signs of frustration from the UAE
THE UAE was the driving force behind the 2020 Abraham Accords.
It led other Arab nations in normalizing relations with Israel in agreements brokered by Trump that were widely seen as the biggest foreign policy achievement of his first term.
Netanyahu has repeatedly expressed hope of expanding these deals, even after this week’s attack in Qatar.
The Israel-UAE agreement has held through two years of regional wars but could be in danger if Israel stays on its current trajectory.
Last week, the UAE warned Israel that any
move to annex the occupied West Bank would be a “red line,” without specifying what action it might take.
Israel’s decision to pause annexation plans five years ago was billed as a concession to the UAE in the talks leading up to the accords. Now Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners are pressing for it after presiding over a dramatic expansion of Jewish settlements. Trump, in his first term, lent unprecedented support to Israel’s claims to territory seized in war. It’s unclear if he will apply the brakes this time around.
Saudi Arabia drifts further away BOTH Trump and Netanyahu hope to reach a similar normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, a regional powerhouse and custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites. The Biden administration seemed to be on the verge of brokering such a deal on the eve of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack. Since then, it has appeared increasingly unlikely.
Saudi Arabia says it will only normalize ties with Israel if it opens up a path to an independent Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel’s current government and most of its political class were staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood before the war and now say it would reward Hamas.
The Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Wasington contributed to this report.
Trump’s manufacturing revival at risk as Hyundai immigration crackdown alienates foreign investors
By Didi Tang & Paul Wiseman
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—President
Donald Trump’s push to revitalize American manufacturing by luring foreign investment into the US has run smack into one of his other priorities: cracking down on illegal immigration.
Hardly a week after immigration authorities raided a sprawling Hyundai battery plant in Georgia, detained more than 300 South Korean workers and showed video of some of them shackled in chains, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that the country’s other companies may be reluctant to take up Trump’s invitation to pour money into the United States. If the US can’t promptly issue visas to the technicians and other skilled workers needed to launch plants, then “establishing a local factory in the United States will either come with severe disadvantages or become very difficult for our companies,” Lee said Thursday. “They will wonder whether they should even do it.”
The raid and subsequent diplomatic crisis show how the Trump administration’s mass deportation goals are running up against its efforts to bring in money from abroad to drive the US economy and create more jobs. Moves like workplace immigration enforcement and visa restrictions could risk alienating allies that are pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the US to avoid high tariffs.
South Korea is already a big investor in the US TRUMP’S economic agenda is built around using hefty tariffs on imports, including a 15% levy on South Korean products, as a cudgel to force manufacturing to return to the US. He’s repeatedly said foreign companies can escape his tariffs if they produce in America.
South Korea, already a top investor, pledged to invest $350 billion in the US when the two sides announced a trade deal in July.
Nepal holds talks on interim leadership after deadly unrest
NBy Swati Gupta
EPAL’s protest leaders and the army have been holding talks for two days to choose an interim leader and restore order after deadly unrest toppled the Himalayan nation’s senior leadership this week.
CJHDevCo welcomed the decision, stating: “The absence of essential elements led to the dismissal of the syndicated estafa charge, its reclassification to a lesser offense, and ultimately, the absolute dismissal of the complaint.”
CJHDevCo’s longstanding position has been that its transactions were lawful, transparent and conducted in good faith.
Earlier this year, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) regained control of Camp John Hay following a Supreme Court decision that upheld a 2015 arbitral ruling. While the lease agreement with
It made more investments in new construction, such as factories, on previously undeveloped land than any other country in 2022. Last year, it ranked 12th in the world with $93 billion in total American investment—including acquisitions of existing companies, according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.
But the dramatic roundup of South Koreans and others working to set up the battery plant threatens to put a chill on the investment push. Indeed, Trump seems to be trying to undo the damage.
While demanding that foreign investors “LEGALLY bring your very smart people,” Trump also promised to “make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so.”
“President Trump will continue delivering on his promise to make the United States the best place in the world to do business, while also enforcing federal immigration laws,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement Thursday.
For now, the South Koreans are furious and immigration experts are puzzled. It’s been common practice for decades for foreign companies—such as the Japanese and German carmakers that have built factories in the American Midwest and South—to send technical specialists from their home countries to help open plants in the United States. Most of them train US workers, then go home.
“Japanese managers, senior engineers, other technical experts had to come to the United States to set this stuff up,” said Lee Branstetter, a professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University who’s studied Japanese auto plants in the US.
Leviste said the current Tulong Dunong Program only covers selected beneficiaries due to budget constraints. He urged that all qualified students should be automatically included if funds allow.
“This is a very good program, but because of budgetary constraints, only a limited number of students benefit. More
CJHDevCo was rescinded, the Arbitral Tribunal clarified that CJHDevCo retains the right to keep all benefits and monetary interests received—deemed as compensation for BCDA’s use of CJHDevCo’s rental payments over several decades.
The arbitral ruling also recognized the validity of third-party developments within Camp John Hay, allowing them to remain in place until 2047. The Court of Appeals and subsequent Supreme Court decisions did not dispute this provision, thereby preserving the rights of investors and stakeholders.
CJHDevCo said it remains committed to protecting the interests of its partners and stakeholders.
American companies do the same thing, sending US workers overseas temporarily to get operations started.
Some experts call it a baffling, ‘performative’ raid US Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched the roundup last week at a manufacturing site that state officials have touted as Georgia’s largest economic development project.
“It’s really baffling to me why this raid would have occurred,” said Ben Armstrong, executive director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Industrial Performance Center. “The existence of these workers shouldn’t have been a surprise.”
US immigration officials could have audited the workers’ documents without the drama, retired immigration lawyer Dan Kowalski said, adding that “raiding and arresting and putting them in chains and shackles is 100% performative.”
It had to do with “wanting to look tough—arresting as many foreigners as possible for the photo-op,” said Kowalski, who is now a writer and editor.
US work visa categories make it a challenge to bring in foreign workers quickly and easily, said Kevin Miner, an immigration lawyer in Atlanta.
Some run on a highly competitive lottery system, are for seasonal workers and have a cap, or are restricted to managers and executives. Other short-term visas have strict limits on employment.
After meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week in Washington, South Korean For -
students would gain if every qualified student could automatically receive Tulong Dunong, budget permitting,” Leviste said.
CHED Chairperson Agrupis agreed, saying: “If there is a budget, who would say no to helping students in need?”
Leviste suggested that the program’s expansion be financed by cutting around 5
energy future.
CGHI is the joint venture formed by Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen)—a subsidiary of Manila Electric Company, and Therma NatGas Power Inc. (TNGP)—a subsidiary of AboitizPower.
Prime Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prime Infra, operates Malampaya together with its SC 38 Consortium partners Prime Oil & Gas, Inc., UC38 LLC, and state-owned PNOC Exploration Corporation.
The Malampaya Deep Water Gasto-Power Project supplies about 20 percent of the country’s total electricity requirements.
The SC 38 Consortium is investing USD 893 million in the ongoing Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) drilling campaign, the largest upstream investment in the Philippines in over a decade, to bolster the country’s indigenous energy supply, with first gas targeted by 2026.
The investment is aligned with the
eign Minister Cho Hyun said they 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.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also plans to visit Seoul this weekend.
Calls for fixes to the US visa system
HYUNDAI’S “desire to get this thing up and running as quickly as possible ran head-on into the often-time-consuming processes that the US government requires in order to issue business visas,” said Branstetter of Carnegie Mellon.
US authorities say those detained were “unlawfully working” at the plant. Charles Kuck, a lawyer representing several of the detained South Koreans, said the “vast majority” of the workers from South Korea were doing work authorized under a visa program.
Julia Gelatt, associate director of the US immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, said work visas—like nearly all other aspects of the US immigration system—need reform.
“Our visa system does not envision this kind of scenario,” Gelatt said, of bringing in skilled foreign workers needed for the initial setup of factories. The US has a few country-specific visa categories that make it easier to bring in certain foreign workers, like those from Mexico, Australia or Singapore.
“The goal,” said MIT’s Armstrong, “should be to make foreign direct investment as streamlined as possible.”
percent from DPWH’s proposed 2026 budget. Using Batangas’ 1st District as an example, he explained that reducing the unit cost of DPWH road projects by 15 percent—without cutting the total kilometers of roads to be built—could generate enough savings to provide every eligible college student in the district with educational assistance.
national policy direction under Republic Act (RA) 12120 or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act that directed the exploration, development, and utilization of domestic gas resources to lessen the dependence on volatile global markets and ensure stable energy supply.
The prioritization was further institutionalized after the Department of Energy issued a circular formalizing the gas policy, mandating all natural gas users to prioritize available indigenous sources before imports.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki has emerged as a top candidate for the post, the Press Trust of India reported Friday. If chosen, she would become the country’s first female prime minister. Indian media has also speculated that Kulman Ghising, managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, could be the next interim leader. His experience in power trade and distribution could prove valuable for Nepal, which holds vast hydropower potential.
If either candidate is chosen, it would mark a break from the traditional political establishment, signaling an effort to placate young protesters demanding an end to entrenched corruption.
Nepal is facing its most serious political crisis in decades, as Gen Z protesters— mostly teenagers and young adults— flooded the streets this week following the government’s abrupt ban on popular social media platforms. A rushed reversal of the ban failed to calm the unrest, which escalated into violent demonstrations that left hundreds injured and several government buildings
set ablaze. At least 51 people were killed, news agency AFP reported Friday, citing the local police.
More than 12,500 inmates—including Indian nationals—remain on the run after breaking out of prisons across Nepal, according to AFP.
Following Oli’s resignation on Tuesday, the Nepali Army deployed troops across Kathmandu to contain the unrest. While tensions remain high, some signs of normalcy are beginning to return to the streets.
The Himalayan nation is the latest in the South Asian region to be shaken by violent anti-government street protests, driven largely by young people. Last year, demonstrations in Bangladesh culminated in the ouster of longtime leader Sheikh Hasina, while in 2022 Sri Lanka’s government also fell amid mass unrest.
While Nepal’s protests were sparked by the restrictions on social media platforms, they also reflect frustrations among Nepal’s youth over joblessness and inequality. Terms like “nepo kids” have been trending widely on social media posts related to the protests— used to derisively describe the trend of children of elites flaunting their wealth.
More than 20% of the country’s 30 million people live in poverty, according to the World Bank, while the most recent official figures estimate youth unemployment at 22%. With assistance from Eltaf Najafizada/Bloomberg
also coordinate with local government units and the Philippine National Police to ensure our shoppers are always safe and protected.”
SM Megamall, for one, is the nearest mall along the path of protest marches from the south going to the Edsa Shrine at the corner of Edsa and Ortigas Ave. or the Edsa People Power Monument at the corner of Edsa and White Plains Ave. In the past, participants in these rallies disperse to either Robinsons Galleria and Megamall, although no untoward incidents were reported then.
Ongoing grassroots demonstrations in
Jakarta against corruption, calls for higher wages, protests versus police brutality have led to the vandalizing and looting of residences of lawmakers’ houses—which some Filipinos fear may also happen in Manila. Protestors recently threw eggs and splashed paint on the Pasig residence of the Discaya couple tagged in the alleged anomalous transactions with lawmakers in flood-control projects. A rally at the Edsa Shrine by Tindig Pilipinas on Thursday ended peacefully with a Mass. Aside from a march on September 13, another demonstration is planned for September 21, the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in
Legarda Leviste, at the CHED budget hearing, proposed that scholarships or educational assistance for all college students in 2026 be funded through savings from the DPWH.
PROTESTERS stage a rally against the detention of South Korean workers during an immigration raid in Georgia, near the US Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The signs read “A tariff bomb and workers confinement.” AP/AHN YOUNG-JOON
A PROTESTER throws a photograph of Nepal Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli into a fire at Singha Durbar, the seat of various government ministries and offices, during a protest against social media ban and corruption in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, September 9, 2025. AP/NIRANJAN
RUPERT ZARAGOSA utilized his pinpoint iron game and deft putting touch to the hilt to dominate the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Negros Occidental Classic on Friday.
Zaragosa posted a final-round 66 to for a 14-under 266 and a two-shot triumph over long-hitters Keanu Jahns, Aidric Chan and Clyde Mondilla.
“This one is more memorable—first, it was a four-day tournament and it was the first time my mom and my sister Precious were there to witness me win on Tour,” said Zaragosa while comparing this win to his weather-shortened victory last year.
Zaragosa, who pocketed the top purse of P354,000, immediately set the tone with a crisp 12-foot birdie putt on the opening hole—one that Chan matched, but Jahns failed to convert from closer range.
While both challengers mounted occasional surges, they couldn’t shake off Zaragosa, who consistently neutralized their power with clinical iron shots that left him within makable birdie range.
Even a bogey on the 18th couldn’t derail his title run as Zaragosa strode up the par-5 final hole with a commanding three-shot lead—secured by an insurance birdie on the par-three 16th. He admitted feeling the nerves even with a three-shot lead heading to the final hole.
“I don’t know why, but I felt the most pressure when I stepped onto the 18th tee.”
Despite being outhit and outdriven by his rivals, he stayed focused on his own strategy.
After missing his approach in the rain and chipping well past the pin on the 18th, he two-putted for a 6, but the damage was minimal.
His victory—his first after a six-shot win last year that drew skepticism due to the event being shortened to 36 holes— was now beyond doubt.
His victory also punctured Jahns’ growing momentum, which had been fueled by consecutive four-shot wins at Caliraya Springs and Binitin. Chan and Jahns kept the pressure on from the start but couldn’t stir Zaragosa’s calm and confidence, rooted in a third-round 64 that propelled him to the top.
Zaragosa also credited his iron play for a final-round charge that included six birdies and two bogeys—the first from a failed up-and-down on the par-three No. 8, which came right after he drained a monster birdie putt on the seventh to gain a two-shot cushion over Jahns. Jahns stumbled with a costly bogey on the 13th. He rebounded with a birdie on the 15th and closed with a 67, tying Chan, who shot a bogey-free 66, at 268.
In the group ahead, Mondilla pitched in an eagle on the par-4 14th and capped his round with a birdie on the 18th for a 66, joining Jahns and Chan in second place. Each earned P155,333. Russell Bautista carded a 68 to finish solo fifth at 272, while Collin Wheeler rallied with a 65 to tie Nilo Salahog and Angelo Que, who carded 66 and 67, respectively, at 273.
Zanieboy Gialon also fired a 66 to earn a share of ninth place at 274 with Fidel Concepcion and Sean Ramos, who closed out with 67 and 69, respectively.
“The layout of the course really suits my game. Most of my second shots were just wedges,” Zaragosa said.
Dreamers to contenders Sports
A16 | SAturdAy, September 13, 2025 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
By Aldrin Quinto
ABALANCE of experience and youth, Alas Pilipinas headed by well-traveled
Bryan Bagunas and Marck
Espejo and backstopped by young guns led by Jade Disquitado and Leo Ordiales represents the country on volleyball’s grandest stage.
Thirty-two countries vie for honors in the expanded FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, and the Philippines
AYL GONZAGA and Krelz
Gecosala emerged top performers among more than 200 participants in the MJFC Araw ng Digos City National Juniors Tennis Championships held recently at the Digos City courts in Davao del Sur. Gonzaga, fresh off a title win at the Mayor Arcillas Cup in Laguna, clinched the girls’ 16-and-under singles crown with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Mariam Mokalam.
Fil-Chi veterans out to defend 70-above crown in Indonesia
The 14-year-old Olongapo native survived a tough semifinal challenge from Princess Placa, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, before stamping her class in the finals. However, Gonzaga fell short of a potential double-title finish after bowing to Francine Wong of Cagayan de Oro in the 14-andunder finals, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Gecosala dominated the boys’ 14-and-under division, dropping just seven games across four matches—he capped his run with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win over Kresthan Belacas of Mlang, Cotabato. But Gecosala’s bid for a second title was halted by fellow Midsayap, North Cotabato native Shaun Globasa, who took the 16-and-under title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 triumph. Their twin finals appearances earned
FILIPINO-CHINESE Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) players leave for Tangerang in Indonesia on Monday to defend their 70-and-above division title in the 34th
the Philippines becomes the beating heart of the sport for 17 electrifying days, with matches set at the MOA Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The crowd darling Josh Ybanez, Peng Taguibolos, Owa Retamar, Vince Lorenzo, Eco Adajar, Kim Malabunga, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, Jack Kalingking and Buds Buddin now wear the national colors along with the best from across the globe—etched forever as the first to represent the country in this global showdown. How did they get there?
Gonzaga and Gecosala co-MVP honors in the week-long Group 2 tournament, held in conjunction with the Araw ng Digos City founding anniversary and hosted by Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas.
The tournament, part of the nationwide junior tennis circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro, continues to be a platform for identifying and nurturing the country’s future tennis stars.
Other winners were Stephen Fuertes (Digos City), who upset top seed Raphael Duay of South Cotabato, 6-0, 6-1, in the boys’ 18-and-under finals; Belacas, who rebounded in the boys’ 12-and-under division, edging Francis Florida, 7-6(1), 6-4; Storm Tozer (Davao City), who prevailed over KC Rabino in a tightly contested 10-and-U unisex duel, 5-4(5), 4-2; Mariam Mokalam (Pikit, Cotabato), who took the girls’ 18-and-U crown via walkover against Dhea Cua; and Leanne Barrido (Antipolo City), who topped the girls’ 12-and-U division with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Daneea Sinsuat. Gonzaga later teamed up with Barrido as they edged Sinsuat and Place, 8-7(6) in the 14-and-U doubles finals, while AJ Rabino and Carl Eduarte took the title in the boys’ side
officially named host of the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship—a seismic moment for a nation long hungry for global volleyball recognition.
The Philippines’ aces were soon officially named Alas Pilipinas.
Work shifted to full gear right there, and the dreams of grizzled Filipino players and rising stars were ignited.
For Marck Espejo, the world championship stint is not only a dream come true for himself, but a chance to pave the way for younger Filipino volleyball spikers.
“Men’s volleyball needs this lift, and I’m glad to be part of it,” Espejo said.
“It’s fulfilling to know that I can motivate others, and I’m glad men’s volleyball is experiencing this boom,” he added.
How did we get there?
“It’s talent of course, it starts there. Guys like Bryan and Marck have made a mark in top-level overseas leagues, they have shown the Philippines has talented volleyball players,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
“We have that. So we work to get them to the big stage. We started small and now we’re here.”
Mission to reality
THE Philippines in March last year was
8-5
and Sheldrick
Buddin, meanwhile, embraces his spot on the depth chart, determined to deliver when his number is csalled.
“I’m used to just waiting. Waiting for my time,” Buddin said. “I’m okay with that kind of job.”
“I just have to be always ready to contribute.… And I’m very happy to be part of this national team.”
Talented pool
FUELED by ambition, Bagunas and the Filipino spikers started the march,
becoming perennial podium contenders in the Southeast Asian V. League. Bagunas, however, suffered a huge setback—an untimely injury during the run to the bronze in the SEAVL, just as Espejo was also sidelined. For a year, Bagunas watched from the shadows.
Coached by Angiolino Frigoni of Italy, Alas Pilipinas pressed on and showed the world its deep pool, with Ordiales and Buddin, among others, grabbing a share of the spotlight.
The Filipinos trained with and competed against some of the best in Asia and Europe.
Now they share a venue with world No. 1 and Volleyball Nations League titlist Poland and FIVB World Championship, and world No. 2 and defending champion Italy head the field, with world No. 5 Japan and No. 13 Iran heading the Asian challenge.
“It’s always there, even if it’s not the World Championship. There’s always pressure. So I just embrace it and focus on loving what I do,” Ybanez said.
“It’s an honor for us to represent the Philippines for the first time at the World Championship, and as they say, this is history. I’m happy, and for sure, I’m going to learn so much from our opponents and from the tournament itself.”
Quezon commit support to PSC campaign
AYL GONZAGA (second from left) and Krelz Gecosala (second from right) with Digos City Tennis Club
president Reuben Paden (left) and Digos City Sports Program consultant Rey Loyola.
PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman
Patrick Gregorio (left) with Quezon Governot Helen Tan (center) and Atty. Donn Kapunan. PSC PHOTO
RUPERT ZARAGOSA: A memorable victory. PGT PHOTO PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. makes the ceremonial first serve with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio (left) and Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara as the K-Pop group BOYNEXTDOOR draw wild cheers during the opening ceremony. NONIE REYES
