BANK accounts of private contractors and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) currently under investigation for suspected anomalies in government flood control projects are now frozen, following a petition filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
In a press briefing on Tuesday, AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David said the Court of Appeals (CA) has granted a freeze order on 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies of individuals and corporations allegedly involved in the irregular flood
control projects.
The order was granted on September 16, after the AMLC filed a petition on September 15, in line with the country’s anti-money laundering law.
AMLC’s petition cited corruption-related offenses, such as violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation, according to David.
Under the freeze order, banks will now look into their systems and determine the amounts stored in the bank accounts, which will then be reported to the AMLC, David said.
Moreover, the freeze order is a step toward the filing of appropriate civil and criminal cases, in-
cluding the retrieval of any funds moved before the freeze, against those found to have laundered illicit proceeds, David added.
The freeze order will only be lifted if the owners of the bank accounts will file a motion to lift the effects of the freeze order over their accounts or assets.
The Supreme Court will then determine if it is related to unlawful activity, corruption or violation of the Anti-Graft and Corruption Act.
David said preliminary findings of the AMLC point to a possible money laundering scheme involving public funds intended to fund flood control initiatives.
“Following the issuance of the
freeze order, the AMLC will still intensify its investigation to determine the full extent of the laundering activities and identify all parties involved in these flood control projects,” David said. In letter addressed to AMLC, DPWH Secretary Vince B. Dixon requested for the application of freeze orders to 20 DPWH officials and six private contractors. The 20 DPWH officials are: 1. Henry C. Alcantara, former Officer-in-Charge (OIC)—Assistant Regional Directo 2. Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, former OIC-District Engineer (DE 3. Jaypee D. Mendoza, former OIC—Assistant DE
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
Private health spending was revised slightly lower to 7.5 percent CAGR over the same period. Out-of-pocket payments, it added, will continue to account for a large share of medical costs.
The Philippines enacted its UHC law in 2019 to ensure affordable and accessible care, but reform momentum slowed as the Covid-19 pandemic exposed gaps in the system. The sector has since faced further strain from the exodus of nurses and
first increase in health budget allocation for four years, indicating the growing priority for healthcare in the Philippines even within the context of limited fiscal resources,” BMI said. Total health spending rose more than 17 percent last year, equivalent to 5.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) is seeking P320 billion, with emphasis on strengthening universal health care (UHC). Despite these gains, BMI maintained its 2024-2029 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast for overall health expenditure at 7.6 percent.
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary
Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro will represent the Philippines at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. canceled his attendance to focus on urgent domestic concerns.
Lazaro will lead the Philippine delegation during the UNGA HighLevel Week from September 21 to 27, where she is expected to affirm the country’s commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order amid growing calls for UN reform and geopolitical realignment.
She is expected to deliver the speech during the UNGA on the
afternoon of September 25 (New York time).
The DFA said the Philippines will also intensify its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027–2028, while advancing national priorities on climate financing, artificial intelligence governance, migration, biodiversity, and maritime security.
The 80th UNGA session— dubbed “UN80”—comes at a pivotal moment for the global body.
Member states are set to debate Secretary-General António Guterres’s sweeping reform plan, which aims to streamline UN operations and boost its relevance in maintaining peace and security. While some countries back the initiative, others have criticized it as rushed and overly focused on cost-
cutting.
Lazaro is expected to join highlevel meetings on climate action, AI governance, and global migration, alongside foreign ministers, and heads of state from over 180 countries.
Among the notable speakers are US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Macron, Starmer and Carney are among world leaders which signified intention recognize Palestine as a state during UNGA.
The week also features key summits and commemorations, includ-
ing:
• A UN climate summit on September 24
• A high-level meeting on nuclear disarmament on September 26
A conference on antimicrobial resistance strategies
A September 30 session on the plight of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar Lazaro is expected to hold bilateral meetings to rally support for the Philippines’ Security Council bid and reinforce its positions on regional stability and sustainable development.
This year’s theme, “Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights,” underscores the urgency of collective action as the UN faces mounting pressure to evolve.
market source, arrivals for the period fell 32.5 percent to 877,690 in 2025 from nearly 1.3 million in 2019.
Top 12 markets FROM January to August 2025, arrivals from South Korea slipped to 877,690 (down 18.6 percent from the same period in 2024); followed by the US at 689,981 (up 8.2 percent); Japan at 309,067 (+18.52 percent; Australia at 195,461 (+17.44 percent); and China at 182,228 (-24.4 percent).
Other markets that were key sources of tourists were: Canada at 172,358 (+18.92 percent from 2024); Taiwan at 137,267 (-11.5 percent); the United Kingdom at 117,163 (+7.92 percent); Singapore at 102,439 (-0.77 percent); and Malaysia at 62,709 (-2.66 percent).
Tourists from India, which the Philippines is trying to attract with a visa-free policy, grew by 4.97 percent to 58,612 in the first eight months of 2025, yearon-year. This was, however, 36-percent lower than the 91,698 who arrived in the same period in 2019, when there was still a tourist-visa requirement.
Phishing cases involving National ID growing–PSA
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio
THEPhilippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has raised concern over a growing number of phishing scams tied to the rollout of the National ID system, with fraudsters posing as agency personnel to trick registrants into giving away money or personal information.
The agency said the schemes, which have been reported in increasing frequency, involve text messages, calls, emails and even video conferencing platforms.
Per reports, scammers often claim
Health…
Germany, which the Philippines often markets to by attending the annual ITB Berlin travel trade event, sent 55,264 tourists in January-August 2025, up 3 percent from the same period last year. This year’s arrivals from Germany were 19.5 percent from the 68,691 in the January-August 2019. The DOT has yet to release its new arrivals targets from 2025 to 2028, after it missed its 7.7-million goal last year. Only 5.95 million international travelers visited the Philippines in 2024. 4.
doctors seeking better opportunities abroad. A World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank report placed the country’s UHC Service Cov-
to offer help on National ID-related matters such as card delivery or updating of records. Some have also gone house-to-house, offering cash in exchange for photographing a person’s ID card.
erage Index at 58, below the global average of 68. WHO data also showed only 7.92 physicians per 10,000 people as of 2021, falling short of the recommended 10-per-10,000 benchmark. Meanwhile, the nursing shortfall has been estimated at more than 127,000, particularly in private hospitals.
According to BMI, the 2026 budget contains measures aimed at improving hospital and public
National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the PSA “condemns any fraudulent activities that attempt to undermine the integrity of the National ID system,” adding that steps are being taken with authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.
Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista urged vigilance, saying the public should report such incidents only through official PSA hotlines, emails, or registration centers, where Fraud Incident Officers have been designated.
Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, imposes penalties of six to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines of P3 million to P5 million for unauthorized collection or use of data linked to the
health infrastructure. Allocations for hospitals in Metro Manila are set to rise 20.2 percent, while regional hospitals will see a 26.1 percent increase.
Funding includes P99.5 billion for facilities outside the capital, with Southern Philippines Medical Center receiving the largest share. The Philippine General Hospital will also see expanded bed capacity and an additional 1,224 staff.
Beyond hospital upgrades, funds have been earmarked for drug rehabilitation centers, the national health laboratory network, and ambulatory service hubs such as the planned Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Centers, which will receive P1.1 billion.
“As the population ages and demand for medical care and surgical procedures increases, the government will elevate its investment in ambulatory service centers,” BMI said.
National ID system. Those proven to have profited from the schemes face additional penalties equivalent to twice the financial gain.
The PSA stressed that legitimate concerns on National ID registration, updates, and card delivery should be coursed through its verified channels. The advisory came as the agency readies the resumption of card printing and distribution this month, following delays from its terminated contract with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Mapa earlier told this newspaper in April that 12 million cards are already banked, a new provider has been tapped and extra funding is being sought to cover the remaining 30 to 35 million shortfall.
Education, health links
PART of the government’s education budget is also expected to complement healthcare initiatives, BMI said. At P1.224 trillion, the education allocation remains nearly four times larger than the proposed health budget.
This includes provisions for 10,000 schoolbased mental health professionals and P11.8 billion for child nutrition programs covering both students and early childhood services.
“These investments in education settings can support the healthcare service, allowing for early interventions in mental health and malnutrition helping young people to thrive,” BMI said.
“However, for these programs to be successful and cost-saving for the Philippines, primary healthcare systems will need to be developed in parallel to allow for efficient referrals out of education and into the health service when needed,” it added.
ings during the preceding year as dividends to the national government.
Last year, the DOF ordered an increase in GOCCs’ remittance to 75 percent to maximize non-tax revenue collections.
the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas with P18.9 billion and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (P12.7 billion).
The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) also remitted P10.1 billion in dividends, followed by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation with P9 billion, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (5.3 billion), the Philippine Ports Authority (P5.2 billion), the Manila International Airport Authority (P3.3 billion), the Clark Development Corporation (P2.5 billion) and the Philippine National Oil Company (P2.4 billion).
Dividends from state-run firms serve as a major source of non-tax revenues for the government to fund its priority programs without imposing new taxes on the public.
The government aims to raise P4.520 trillion in revenues this year, of which P301.5 billion will come from non-tax revenues.
“Because of your cooperation, the government continues to improve public services without asking ordinary Filipinos to carry the burden of new taxes,” Recto said in his speech for GOCC Day.
Republic Act No. 7656, or the Dividend Law, requires GOCCs to remit at least 50 percent of their net earn-
“When we set a higher bar for dividend remittances, you not only responded, but many of you even exceeded expectations. And you did so not merely because the law required you to, but because you remain true to the very reason you exist: to serve the Filipino people,” Recto said.
The DOF, through its Corporate Sector and Strategic Infrastructure Group (CSSIG), monitors the financial performance of GOCCs to ensure that correct and proper dividends are remitted to the national government.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his speech that the government’s job is to ensure that dividends will redound to better services. “We need to spend these funds with utmost transparency and accountability. Public trust is our most valuable currency.”
“We thank the President for his courage in standing firm for transparency, accountability, and good governance. Kami sa DOF, maaasahan niyo po ang aming mahigpit na pagbabantay sa kaban ng bayan [You can trust us in DOF to keep a tight watch on the national coffers]. Every peso will be put to its rightful use—growing the economy and uplifting the lives of our people,” Recto said.
A. Roque, Budget Unit
Benedict J. Matawaran, Procurement Unit
Christina Mae D. Pineda, Cashier II
Paul Jayson F. Duya, Project Engineer
Merg Jaron C. Laus, Project Engineer
Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Project Engineer
Arjay S. Domasig, Project Engineer
John Carlo C. Rivera, Project Engineer
John Benex S. Francisco, Project Engineer
Jolo Mari V. Tayao, Project Engineer II
Meanwhile, the six private contractors are: 1. Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, St. Timothy Construction Corporation 2. Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya, St. Timothy Construction Corporation 3. Pacifico Discaya II, St. Timothy Construction Corporation
4. Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager of Wawao Builders
5. Sally N. Santos, Owner and Manager of SYMS Construction Trading 6. Robert T. Imperio, Owner and Manager of IM Construction Corporation
BSP uses Afasa
MEANWHILE, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is also conducting its own inquiry into the frozen bank accounts powered by the newly-enacted Anti Financial Account Scamming Act (Afasa). The investigation will focus on money muling activities, particularly using a financial account to obtain, receive, deposit, transfer or withdraw proceeds that are known to be derived from crimes.
BSP Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services General Counsel Atty. Roberto L. Figueroa said that under Afasa, banks are required and duty-bound to temporarily hold the accounts for at least 30 days.
“Failure to do so, on the part of the bank, will expose the bank to liability under Afasa,” Figueroa said. Under the Afasa, the provisions of laws on secrecy of deposits and data privacy shall not apply to financial accounts subject of the BSP’s investigation. Material information obtained by the BSP from the bank accounts can be used for prosecution or investigation of Afasa-related offenses.
Penalties for money muling activities under Section 4(a) include imprisonment of six to eight years and/ or a fine of P100,000 to P500,000. A conviction also carries civil liabilities, which may include restitution for damage done or unwarranted benefit. All properties and/or any other nonliquid assets used for the commission of the prohibited acts shall also be subject to civil forfeiture, in accordance with Supreme Court rules.
“We now have, the BSP, the authority to, on its own, investigate and inquire into their bank accounts. Because what we don’t want to happen is they’re using the banking and financial system to transfer funds and therefore, to fund illegal activity,” Figueroa said.
down to 4.5 percent by early 2026, though faster inflation in August may delay the next cut until December. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/09/faster-august-inflation-may-delay-rate-cut/)
“By ensuring that borrowing is both responsible and empowering, we can help turn openness into meaningful action that benefits households and the economy alike,” Faulhaber said.
John Michael E. Ramos, Chief of the Construction Section 5. Ernesto C. Galang, Planning and Design Section
Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan, OICChief, Maintenance Section
Norberto L. Santos, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Section
Jaime R. Hernandez, Maintenance Section
Floralyn Y. Simbulan, Administrative Section
Juanito C. Mendoza, Finance Section
Roberto
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
GOCC personnel get higher salaries, medical allowance
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
Fsalaries of GOCC employees,” Marcos said during the 2025 GOCC’s Day in Malacañang on Tuesday.
The pay increase will depend on the “tier” of the GOCC officials and personnel.
Marcos said the increases for GOCCs which already implemented CPCS I will retroactively take effect to 01 January 2025, upon receipt of their Authority to Implement from the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).
The last CPCS increase for GOCC workers took effect in 2021 through Executive Order 150.
Marcos also granted them a tiered medical allowance depending on the capacity of their GOCC.
Finance reported the dividends from existing 53 GOCCs reached around P117 billion.
Govt’s ₧20/kg rice to reach teachers by October 15
The P20 rollout kicked off in
TThe Chief Executive said the additional benefits aim to boost the morale of the GOCC officials and personnel for their significant contribution in the country’s economic growth.
“And in support of the hardworking men and women who make this possible, I have approved the Compensation and Position Classification System [CPCS] II that will increase the
The GOCCs dividends reached P137 billion last year, which was significantly higher compared to the P99.98 billion in 2023 and P68.34 billion in 2022. As of September, the Department of
PBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
ERMANENT cable repairs located near the Caticlan Airport in Aklan province are expected to be finished in a week, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said on Tuesday.
While power in Boracay has been restored on Monday afternoon, Garin said in a radio interview that the repairs done were temporary.
“We hope that within a week,
we can sort this out. It’s temporary because it’s close to the airport,” she said.
Power was restored in Boracay on Monday, two days after the power outage hit the Island and nearby towns owing to the tripping of the 69-kiloVolt (kV) Nabas-Unidos link. This resulted in power supply interruption to the Unidos-Caticlan-Malay and Unidos-Boracay lines, which effectively isolated Boracay, Malay, and Busanga from the grid. Garin said the installation of
an 800-meter cable line by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is ongoing.
“The permanent solution is to fix the broken one, which is the subterranean cable. It should be done in a week because what if there’s a storm and what’d done now is not a sturdy solution yet.”
“We really need to fix...have a permanent solution quickly,” she said.
Those involved in the permanent repairs are the NGCP and Aklan Electric Cooperative
“Behind these numbers are changed lives [and] reignited hopes. They represent children learning in safer schools; patients receiving care in improved facilities; communities shielded from floods and disasters; and families given a fairer chance at a better life,” Marcos said.
“So, today, we recognize the institutions that have exemplified the very best of public service,” he added.
Marcos attributed the said dividends achievements of the said GOCCs to overcome their challenges through their “discipline, with good governance.”
He urged GOCCs to further improve their services by investing in modern technology, simplifying their processes, and cutting down their red tape.
Power cable repairs near Caticlan airport completed this week–DOE
(Akelco). “I assure you that the DOE, together with NEA [National Electrification Administration], Akelco, and NGCP that this is a top priority for us.”
Alongside the permanent repair is the completion of the NabasCaticlan-Boracay transmission project of the NGCP this year. Together with planned upgrades, these works will strengthen Boracay’s power infrastructure and support the island’s growing demand as a premier tourism and economic hub.
Brazil, 3 other countries get poultry regionalization agreements with PHL
ASIDE from Brazil, three more countries secured a regionalization agreement with the Philippines to maintain exports of poultry shipments amid bird flu outbreaks.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued a series of memorandum orders (MOs) granting bilateral recognition for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) to Brazil, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Poland. MOs 49 to 52 said that the Philippines sought several documentary requirements from the veterinary authorities of the said countries to assess the public health control measures applied and implemented against bird flu.
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) conducted a review and evaluation of the application for bilateral recognition of
regionalization for HPAI of the said countries.
The BAI concluded that Brazil, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Poland “maintain sufficient veterinary oversight and have established necessary control and mitigating measures against HPAI, ensuring that there is low risk of importing live poultry, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from identified proposed zones for recognition.”
With this, the DA issued the MOs to recognize the regionalization for HPAI on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen originating from bilaterally recognized free zones in Brazil, Russia, and Poland.
However, the agency noted that only poultry meat shipments from the Czech Republic are exempted from the regionalization
agreement.
The MOs noted that the respective chief veterinary officers of Brazil, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Poland, together with the Philippines, agreed on the import terms and conditions for the bilateral regionalization for HPAI on August 8, August 19, August 27, and August 12, respectively.
As such, the DA said all poultry import transactions of the mentioned commodities should be in accordance with the bilaterally agreed import terms and conditions on regionalization and the current rules.
Meanwhile, the approved regionalization agreement with Russia also coincided with the lifting of the four-year poultry ban on the European nation, as stipulated in MO 51.
Last May, the DA issued a circular, which outlined the requirements for accredited countries
OLLOWING the record-breaking dividends of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC), which breached the P137 billion mark, last year, President Marcos approved a new round of wage hike and medical allowances for the said firms. See “Nuke,” A7
that wish to secure bilateral recognition of areas free of animal diseases like bird flu.
Under the regionalization agreement, the Philippines will restrict shipments of live birds and their products only from certain areas with confirmed avian flu cases instead of imposing a country-wide ban.
The Philippines has an existing HPAI regionalization agreement with the US and the United Kingdom.
For the US, a state-wide ban should only be imposed if there are three or more counties affected by bird flu.
“The occurrence of HPAI from exporting countries and the imposition of a whole country temporary ban limits the sources of day-old chicks, parent stocks, and poultry meat, which in turn affects the prices,” the circular read. Ada Pelonia
PH to host another forum on nuke energy
THE Philippines is expected to forge partnerships with global nuclear energy leaders during this year’s Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF), a move that will help the country advance its nuclear energy goals.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday this year’s participating countries include Argentina, China, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates, United States—all recognized for their extensive experience in nuclear technology, infrastructure and regulation. With the theme “Building a Strategic, Adaptive, Future-Ready and Empowered Philippine Nuclear Supply Chain for Sustainable Industrial Growth,” PINSCF 2025 aims to deepen international collaboration in developing resilient supply chains, ensuring nuclear safety,
and supporting the Philippines’ roadmap to integrate nuclear power into its energy mix by 2032.
“Last year’s forum laid the groundwork for meaningful engagement between the Philippines and the international nuclear community. This year’s edition will advance those conversations into concrete partnerships and strategies to strengthen nuclear supply chains,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a statement.
The Philippines targets to have 4,800 megawatts (MW) of nuclear in the power generation mix through 2040 under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2023-2050.
The push for nuclear power stems from the country’s need for stable electricity while
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE government’s P20 rice program will be available to teachers by October 15, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the announcement during the P20 per kilo rice program launch for transport workers on Tuesday.
“The next sector will likely be those in our school system [in partnership] with the Department of Education,” Laurel told reporters on the sidelines of the event.
Despite this, he said the agency is still “sorting out the details” and “finalizing the list” on who in the education sector would be included in the subsidized rice program.
“There are so many schools in the Philippines. So, it’s not that easy [...] We’ll try to do it as soon as possible, but please give us a little time, since it’s a bit more complicated,” Laurel said.
He said transport workers were easier to identify since local governments have a list of theirTricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (Toda).
“Our transport workers are organized, they are many, and they are among the most financially challenged, yet they form one of the backbones of our economy.”
Initially, this would cover 57,000 beneficiaries, which is expected to increase depending on data from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the DA chief said.
“Every week, we will expand to new areas and groups, so that by 2026, we’re fully ready,” he added, citing the target to reach 15 million households or around 60 million Filipinos by the end of 2026. Laurel also said that the National Food Authority (NFA) has sufficient inventory to support the program, which also aims to guarantee fair farmgate prices for local palay producers.
However, the DA chief stressed that there are ample rice stocks in NFA warehouses that should be freed up to allow the grains agency to procure more palay amid the peak harvest season.
With this, Laurel said the agency targets to sell 1,000 metric tons (MT) of rice daily under the P20 program by October, rising to 2,000 MT in November, and 3,000 MT by December. The subsidized rice program could reach 3.6 million households by year-end, according to the agency.
Inaec attends AsiaPac aviation safety summit
LOPEZ-LED Inaec Aviation Corporation participated in the Third Annual Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety held recently in Singapore.
Anchored on the theme “Future-Proofing Aviation Safety: Adapt, Innovate, Excel,” the summit gathered more than 500 participants representing regulatory authorities, original equipment manufacturers, aviation experts, and industry leaders across the region.
The agenda centered on pressing and emerging safety challenges—policy frameworks and multilateral cooperation among regulatory bodies; the development of a skilled workforce; the integration of technological advances into aviation operations; enhanced data-sharing; and evolving safety management systems capable of addressing both current and future risks.
Inaec President Benjamin “Jay” Lopez joined as a panelist in the session on the topic of safety management systems (SMS). In his presentation, “SMS: The Journey Ahead,” Lopez emphasized the human dimension of safety, highlighting that sustained improvement depends on trust and respect across all levels of an organization.
“We know that trust is essential to safety, and we build trust through leadership that listens, responds, and shows up. Safety needs to be part of the organizational culture. So we have to stay vigilant, guard against complacency, take pride in doing things right, and remember that what we do each day protects lives – our own, our colleagues’, their families, and all those we come into contact with,” Lopez said.
Inaec has demonstrated its commitment to global best practices by being the only Philippine operator to achieve Stage 3 certification under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) and Stage 2 certification under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH). IS-BAO and IS-BAH are international benchmarks covering safety practices for business aviation operations and ground handling. Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council (Ibac), affirmed Inaec’s credibility and leadership.
“The SMS concept has moved into new operational domains. Being both IS-BAO and IS-BAH-accredited, Inaec can credibly speak on these themes, and I was pleased that INAEC could share its SMS experience at this important aviation conference. It highlights not only the IBAC programs but also shows INAEC’s commitment to safety excellence and its leadership in this space,” Edwards said.
Representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) were also present at the event. Caap Director General Raul del Rosario emphasized the importance of the gathering.
“International forums like this enable the Caap to benchmark our safety regulations against regional and global standards. They allow us to learn from fellow regulators and validate our current practices,” del Rosario said. “In support of Icao’s [International Civil Aviation Organization] goal of ‘zero fatalities in commercial operations by 2030 and beyond,’ we must stay informed of safety trends and challenges and continue developing ways to contribute to this vision.”
Quezon City, Navotas City, Cebu City, Tagum City, and Angeles City, Pampanga.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
No threat on President’s life–Palace
AMID rumors of a destabilization plot against Presi -
dent Marcos, Malacañang said there is no threat to the life of the Chief Executive, who is focused on addressing anomalous public works and bringing down the prices of basic goods.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement in a press briefing on Tuesday when asked if such threats prompted Marcos to cancel his trip to the United States to participate in the 80th United Nations General Assembly next week.
Based on the reports from the National Security Council (NSC), she said there was no such destabilization plot after Vice President Sara Duterte threatened to have the President and his family members assassinated last year.
“There is no longer a direct threat to the President’s life, but they (NSC) will not be complacent in ensuring and providing security for the President’s life,” Castro said in Filipino.
On Monday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Marcos will no longer push through with his fifth trip to the US from September 21 to 25 to participate in the UNGA to focus on local issues.
Castro said the President decided to stay in the country to monitor the progress of the three-man Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which became operational on Monday with the appointment
of its chairman, retired Supreme Court Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr.
The ICI was tasked to investigate substandard and non-existent flood control projects and other public works in the last 10 years and recommend the filing of charges against those involved in such anomalies.
Castro said the President is also focused on keeping the prices of basic commodities stable.
Castro also denied that the cancelled trip was because of the scheduled protest marches in Metro Manila on September 21 for the commemoration of the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and against anomalous public works as well as rumors that there were calls in the military and police to withdraw their support from the president due to flood control projects mess.
She reiterated that the President supports the efforts of the demonstrators against corrupt practices in public works.
As for members of the Armed Forces and the National Police, Castro urged them not to use the said protest action to initiate a destabilization attempt, which she said is illegal.
“The President respects the voice of the people. Whatever their grievances are, the President hears and feels them. Just don’t mix them with other intentions to destroy the government—that is against the law,” Castro said.
Samuel P. Medenilla
Sara talks to dad on phone, says ‘he’s okay’
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
VICE President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said her father, detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, is “okay” after talking to him on the telephone, in effect disputing the claims of his lawyers that he is suffering from cognitive disorder and thus can not stand trial at the International Criminal Court.
“He’s okay,” she said, noting that they discussed politics, flood control, “and even his love life.”
Her remark came days after the former President’s lawyers told the ICC that he was unfit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity, claiming he could no longer recognize family and friends.
“We talked about politics, we talked about flood control, and we
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated at least P21 million to defray the expenses needed for personnel and other needs of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as it started investigating an anomalous flood control project this week.
The fact-finding panel, whose membership was finally completed on
talked about his love life,” Duterte added.
At the same time, invoking inter-parliamentary courtesy, the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday approved the proposed P902.8-million budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2026.
Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee Co of Kabataan pressed Duterte on issues surrounding confidential funds and travel expenses.
Tinio cited a Commission on Audit (COA) notice of disallowance involving P73 million in OVP confidential funds used in 2023.
But Duterte said that the matter was already addressed with COA, noting that her office had submitted all required documents. She declined to discuss the OVP’s defense strategy in the impeachment
Monday, will initially be funded by the Office of the President.
“We discussed with Executive Secretary [Lucas] Bersamin that if their budget allows, they will provide this. But if they can no longer do so, the ICI will request from us,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in Filipino in an interview with Palace reporters.
DBM explained the budget for the maintenance and other operating expenses
proceedings against her, where allegations of misuse of confidential funds are included in the charges.
The Senate earlier archived Duterte’s impeachment trial on August 6 after the Supreme Court ruled the Articles of Impeachment “unconstitutional.” In response,
House prosecutors have filed a motion for reconsideration at the SC.
Co, meanwhile, questioned Duterte on her foreign travels and whether OVP funds were used.
Duterte clarified that she personally paid for her trips abroad, while government funds covered only the expenses of her security detail and aides. She said P7.473 million from the OVP budget was allocated for these official personnel.
Duterte said Vice Presidents and Presidents do not take personal leave. She said she secured
and capital outlay of the ICI will come from contingent funds of the OP, while the budget for its personal services will come from miscellaneous personnel benefits fund (MPBF).
Under Executive Order 94, which created the ICI, members of the panel will be entitled per diems and allowances.
During the implementation of EO 94 this year, DBM will identify the funding
travel authority from the Office of the President for all her trips.
“This implies that all these trips were approved by the Office of the President,” Duterte said. Duterte also stressed that no OVP funds were spent on her tickets, per diems, or representation expenses. She enumerated her official travels since July 2024, which included visits to Germany, Denmark, Japan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Qatar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, Kuwait, and France, among others.
Co, meanwhile, criticized Duterte, accusing her of resorting to “squid tactics” and troll-like behavior instead of addressing corruption allegations hounding her office.
sources for ICI, but starting next year the budget of the fact-finding panel will be included in the budget proposal of the Executive Branch.
“We will create the [ICI] positions accordingly. I’m just waiting for the announcement of the Executive Director. We will sit with them. We already have a draft and several options already and once the positions are created we will charge it to the MPBF,” Pangandaman said.
See “Sara,” A7
Court stops BARMM redistricting
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE Supreme Court (SC) has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) from implementing Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 77 or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025.
See “BARMM,” A7
PNP to monitor, secure 3-day transport strike
By Rex Anthony Naval
THE National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said that it will closely monitor the three-day transport strike that will be conducted by some transport groups in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to ensure that there will be no harassment against drivers who have opted not to join the activity.
In a statement, the National Police acting Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the force’s monitoring is aimed at ensuring that peace and order is observed, especially over past reports of harassment against drivers who do not join transport strikes.
“We fully respect the concerns being raised by our friends in the transport sector. But we need to balance their right to conduct a transport strike and the right of other [jeepney] drivers to go out and earn a living along with the rights of the commuters not to be inconvenienced,” he added.
Nartatez also said that the PNP does its best to ensure that the rights of everyone concerned are protected.
In line with this, police commanders in areas where the transport strike will be held from September 17 to 19, were directed to ensure peace and order through police visibility in places of convergence of protesting drivers and operators.
He said police commanders were also tasked to coordinate with the local government units for the deployment of police mobility assets in cases of stranded commuters.
“The PNP treats all disruption in the normal daily routine of our kababayan as a matter of concern, including transport strikes,” Nartatez said.
“We dealt with this kind of public transportation disruption several times in the past and our territorial forces know what to do, including the aspect of monitoring and immediate response for any eventuality,” he added.
Teodoro
tells Army special operators to prepare for emerging threats, challenges
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told Army special operators that they should be prepared to adapt quickly to the demands of modern warfare and national security challenges.
In a visit to the Army’s Special Operations Command (Socom), where he received a detailed briefing on the updated mission roles of its units amid the country’s shifting security landscape, Teodoro conveyed the directives of President Marcos in support of Socom’s development plan.
“Our mission roles are expanding, while some are being phased out in areas that are not our core capabilities,” Teodoro explained.
He, however, emphasized that Socom remains vital for supporting national government efforts, especially in humanitarian aid and disaster response, as it can reach remote and affected communities.
Teodoro also condemned the continued use of unlawful tactics by communist rebels, particularly the use of anti-personnel mines, in reference to a recent encounter that left six soldiers wounded.
“We do not resort to illegal acts against our enemies, yet they continue to violate laws without regard for human life or the welfare of the Filipino people,” he said.
Highlighting the fast pace of technological advancements in warfare, Teodoro urged Socom troops to stay proactive and prepared for emerging threats.
“Change happens daily. Our adversaries use artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies without discrimination. That is why we must remain ready, continue training, and anticipate the needs of future warfare,” he added. Meanwhile, Teodoro reaffirmed the Department of National Defense’s support for the Armed Forces and praised the dedication of Socom personnel.
“We stand with the AFP and with the Filipino people—not only to keep them safe from harm, but to uphold the honor of our nation and its sovereignty,” he said. PNA
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
BARMM. . .
Continued from A6
The TRO, which was issued following the Court’s special en banc session held on Tuesday, is to take effect immediately pending the final resolution of the petitions seeking to scrap the BAA 77 passed by the BTA on August 19, 2025. BAA 77 reorganizes parliamentary districts within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to reallocate the seven parliamentary seats initially assigned to the province of Sulu following the 2024 SC decision which declared that the Province of Sulu is not part of the BARMM after the province rejected the law’s ratification.
The 2024 decision declared as unconstitutional the interpretation of the provision in the law directing the provinces and cities of BARMM to vote as one geographical unit including provinces that did not vote to be included.
The said provision, according to the SC, violates Article X, Section 18 of the Constitution, which states that only provinces, cities, and geographic areas voting favorably in the plebiscite shall be included in the autonomous region.
Following the enactment of BA 77, two separate petitions were filed before the Court seeking its nullification for violating the Voter’s Registration Act by altering precincts during the election period, among others.
They also argued that the BAA 77 violates the provisions on ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections during the election period.
Both petitions asked the Court to issue a TRO or a status quo ante seeking to stop the implementation of BAA 77.
Aside from the TRO, the Court also ordered the respondents BTA and the Comelec and the Comelec to file their comment to the petitions within a non-extendible period of five days from notice.
It also ordered the consolidation of the two petitions.
The BTA was created under Republic Act 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to serve as the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during its transition period.
Under Republic Act 12123, the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM are scheduled on October 13, 2025, with the COMELEC setting the election period to begin on August 14, 2025.
Continued from A4
supporting its carbon reduction initiatives and climate commitments.
“By convening global leaders in the nuclear supply chain, the Philippines is signaling its readiness to engage at the highest level and ensure that its path to nuclear energy development is guided by world-class expertise and safe, sustainable practices,” Garin added. PINSCF 2025 will feature plenary sessions, technical presentations, and networking opportunities with international suppliers, regulators, and Philippine stakeholders.
The PINSCF 2025 will take place on October 2 and 3 at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
The first PINSCF, held in November 2024, successfully brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the diplomatic community. Participants showcased advanced technologies and best practices in nuclear construction, operations and regulation.
Sara. . .
Continued from A5
The clash stemmed from Duterte’s remarks during the House budget hearing, where she questioned Co about her supposed relation to Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
“And you—what’s your relation to Mary Grace Piattos? It’s been three years and you still haven’t explained where the P125 million in confidential funds went. Classic squid tactics—just stirring up intrigue. You may have attended the hearing, but your behavior is pure trolling,” Co retorted.
The youth lawmaker further criticized Duterte’s leadership, saying public funds should be redirected to state universities and essential public services instead of being used for what she described as the Vice President’s “unlirevenge travel.” According to Co, Duterte’s refusal to answer pressing questions reflects a pattern of evasion.
Continued from A5
The DBM chief said they anticipate the personnel service of the ICI will include its three members, executive director and other staff members.
The executive director will head the secretariat of the ICI and manage the fact-finding panel’s day-to-day operations.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said they expect the executive director will be appointed by the ICI within the week.
When asked if President Marcos will certify as urgent the proposed bills in both houses of Congress that institutionalize the ICI, Castro said the Chief Executive will study those measures.
One of the bills, House Bill 4453 seeks to provide contempt powers for the ICI to provide it with more authority.
Marcos earlier said he did not give contempt powers to the ICI since it will just refer its findings to the Ombudsman, Department Justice, and the Civil Service Commission, which will file the charges against the erring contractors as well as government officials and personnel.
“The President said, this is a fact-finding commission. So, it is not really necessary to have the power to punish those who do not attend. But if that is given to an independent commission by the legislators, that is a good suggestion and that is very welcome to the President,” Castro said in Filipino. Samuel P. Medenilla
A8 Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Heavy strikes hit Gaza City as Israel intensifies offensive amid mounting international pressure
By Melanie Lidman, Jon Gambrell, & Samy Magdy The Associated Press
JERUSALEM—The
Israeli military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun and warned residents to move south.
It said its intensified operation “to destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” has started. Israel’s Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adree announced the expansion of Israel’s operation on X on Tuesday morning, after a night of heavy strikes against northern Gaza that killed at least 20 people.
Israel has been warning Gaza City residents to evacuate for the past month ahead of a Gaza City operation, but many have said they are unable to evacuate due to overcrowding in Gaza’s south and the high price of transport.
Israel’s defense minister said Tuesday that “Gaza is burning” after heavy strikes overnight targeted famine-stricken Gaza City and as America’s top diplomat signaled an intensive operation targeting the territory’s biggest city may be underway.
Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to travel to Qatar, where he planned to meet with officials there still incensed over Israel’s strike last week that killed five Hamas members and a
local security official.
While Arab and Muslim nations denounced the strike at a summit Monday, they stopped short of any major action targeting Israel, highlighting the challenge of diplomatically pressuring any change in Israel’s conduct in the grinding Israel-Hamas war.
Rubio, speaking to journalists as he was about to leave Israel for Qatar, suggested the offensive on Gaza City had begun.
“The Israelis have begun to take operations there. So, we think we have a very short window of time in which a deal can happen,” Rubio said. “We don’t have months anymore, and we probably have days and maybe a few weeks so it’s a key moment— an important moment.”
“Our preference, our No. 1 choice, is that this ends through a negotiated settlement,” he added, while acknowledging the dangers an intensified military campaign posed to Gaza.
“The only thing worse than a war is a protracted one that goes on forever and ever,” Rubio said.
“At some point, this has to end. At some point, Hamas has to be defanged, and we hope it can happen through a negotiation. But I think time, unfortunately, is running out.”
Intensity of strikes in Gaza City grows AFTER weeks of threatening an expansion of the Israeli military operation in Gaza City, Katz signaled it had begun.
“The Israel military is striking with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and soldiers are fighting heroically to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. We will not relent and we will not go back—until the completion of the mission,” he said early on Tuesday morning.
The United Nations estimated on Monday that over 220,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza over the past month, after the Israeli military warned that all residents should leave Gaza City ahead of the operation. An estimated 1 million Palestinians were living in the region around Gaza City before the evacuation warnings.
At least 20 Palestinians killed in Gaza City PALESTINIAN residents reported heavy strikes across Gaza City on Tuesday morning.
The city’s Shifa Hospital said it received the bodies of 20 people killed in a strike that hit multiple
houses in a western neighborhood, with another 90 wounded arriving at the facility in recent hours.
“A very tough night in Gaza,”
Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, director of Shifa Hospital, told The Associated Press
“The bombing did not stop for a single moment,” he said. “There are still bodies under the rubble.”
The Israeli military did not respond to immediate requests for comment on the strikes but in the past has accused Hamas of building military infrastructure inside civilian areas, especially in Gaza City.
Families of hostages beg Netanyahu to halt the operation OVERNIGHT , families of the
hostages still being held in Gaza gathered outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, pleading with him to stop the Gaza City operation.
Some pitched tents and slept outside his home in protest.
“I have one interest—for this country to wake up and bring back my child along with 47 other hostages, both living and deceased, and to bring our soldiers home,” Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held in Gaza, shouted outside Netanyahu’s residence.
“If he stops at nothing and sends our precious, brave, heroic soldiers to fight while our hostages are being used as human shields—he is not a worthy prime minister,” Zangauker.
Israel believes around 20 of the 48 hostages still held by the militants in Gaza, including Matan, are alive.
Both Netanyahu and Rubio said on Monday that the only way to end the conflict in Gaza is through the elimination of Hamas and the release of the hostages, setting aside calls for an interim ceasefire in favor of an immediate end to the conflict.
Hamas has said it will only free remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Most of the hostages have since been released in ceasefires brokered in part by Qatar or other deals.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,871 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many were civilians or combatants. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, says women and children make up around half the dead.
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Munich, Germany, contributed to this report.
Human rights experts join rising chorus that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza
GBy Jamey Keaten The Associated Press
ENEVA—A team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, issuing a report Tuesday that calls on the international community to end the genocide and take steps to punish those responsible for it.
The deeply-documented findings by the three-member team are the latest accusations of genocide against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government by rights advocates as Israeli carries on with its war against Hamas in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of people. Israel rejected what it called a “distorted and false” report.
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian
Territory and Israel, which was created four years ago, has repeatedly documented alleged human rights abuses and violations both in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel led by Hamas, and other Palestinian areas.
While neither the commission nor the 47-member-country council that it works for within the UN system can take action against a country, the findings could be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court or the UN’s International Court of Justice.
The report also amounts to a final message from the team headed by former UN rights chief Navi Pillay. All three of its members announced in July that they would resign, citing personal reasons and a need for change.
See “Gaza,” A12
DISPLACED
UN
report cites huge govt corruption in South Sudan as food crisis worsens
By Joseph Falzetta
The Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya—Billions of dollars in public funds in South Sudan have been stolen over the past decade in massive government corruption while the vast majority of the country suffers food insecurity, a UN commission said Tuesday.
The report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan details several schemes allegedly used by political officials to divert huge chunks of public revenues since achieving independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war.
Meanwhile, the impoverished country’s food crisis has deepened, and last year the government postponed for the second time what would have been the first-ever national elections, citing lack of funds.
“While a small group of powerful actors pillage and loot the country’s wealth and resources, enriching themselves, the state has effectively abdicated its sovereign responsibilities to its population, outsourcing critical services—such as the provision of food, healthcare, and education to international donors,” the report states.
“Corruption is killing South Sudanese.”
In a written statement, the government called many of the allegations “absurd,” and said the report contained “methodological errors” and overstepped the commission’s mandate. It also said it had not been given sufficient time to respond to the findings.
The UN report alleges that the government’s oil-for-roads program funneled oil revenue to companies associated with Benjamin Bol Mel, a businessman close to President Salva Kiir who was appointed to one of five vice presidency positions this year.
The oil-for-roads program is the government’s keystone infrastructure development initiative and the largest since recipient in recent years of oil revenue, which is the cornerstone of the country’s economy.
The report says that $1.7 billion of the $2.2 billion dedicated to the roads program is unaccounted for, while 95% of roads required by the initiative have not been completed.
The government rejected the commission’s findings on the diversion of oil-for-roads funds, which it said were “meant to smear the good image of the people of South Sudan and its leadership.”
Bol Mel, who many speculate is being groomed to succeed the president, is currently under US sanctions, as are several of his companies.
The report alleges that in another scheme the “politically connected” Crawford Capital Ltd. captured tens of millions of dollars through “irregular government e-services,” such as the processing of electronic visas and petroleum import and export licenses, and electronic collection of taxes.
Most development and quality of life indicators rank South Sudan among the lowest in the world. Approximately one in ten children die in child birth, and secondary school enrollment is just 5%.
Food security analysts say that 76 of the country’s 79 counties are in the throes of severe food insecurity. Yet only a tiny fraction of government funds are allocated to public services, the report says. Between 2020 and 2024, less than 1% of the federal budget was allocated to ministries responsible for supporting food security.
During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, public funds spent on the President’s personal medical unit surpassed those spent on nationwide healthcare.
The government has pointed to international sanctions and declining oil production as obstacles to spending on public services.
South Sudan has long been plagued by corruption and theft of public funds, multiple investigations have found. A 2021 report by the UN uncovered tens of millions of dollars in unaccounted for government revenue, in what it said amounted to “a tiny fraction of the overall pattern of theft” in the country.
‘Zapad 2025’ exercise simulates nuclear strike, rattling NATO’s eastern members
By The Associated Press
A
SWARM of Russian drones flies into Poland in what officials there regard as a deliberate provocation.
NATO responds by bolstering the alliance’s air defenses on its eastern flank.
Moscow showcases its conventional and nuclear military might in long-planned exercises with Belarus, as it warns the West against sending foreign troops into Ukraine.
These events—all taking place in the month since the US-Russia summit meeting in Alaska failed to bring peace to Ukraine—have only heightened tensions in eastern Europe.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it came days after joint maneuvers with Belarus. The latest sweeping drills, dubbed “Zapad 2025”—or “West 2025”—have worried NATO members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania that border Belarus to the west.
The maneuvers include nuclear-capable bomber and warships, thousands of troops and hundreds of combat vehicles simulating a joint response to an enemy attack—including what officials said was planning for nuclear weapons use and options involving Russia’s new intermediate range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte referenced Moscow’s hypersonic missiles, noting that they shatter the notion that Spain or Britain are any safer than Russia’s neighbors of Estonia or Lithuania.
“Let’s agree that within this alliance of 32 countries, we all live
on the eastern flank,” he said in Brussels.
The anniversary of Russia’s nuclear weapons policy
ONE year ago this month, Putin outlined a revision of Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, noting that any nation’s conventional attack on Russia that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. That threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons and appears to significantly lower the threshold for the possible use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
That doctrine also places Belarus under the Russian nuclear umbrella. Russia, which says it has deployed battlefield nuclear weapons to Belarus, plans to station Oreshnik missiles there as well later this year.
The Zapad 2025 exercise comes as Russia’s 3½-year-old war in Ukraine has dragged on despite President Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal and his Aug. 15 meeting with Putin in Alaska.
On September 10, two days before the maneuvers started, about 20 Russian drones flew into Poland’s airspace. While Moscow denied targeting Poland and officials in Belarus alleged that the drones veered off course after being jammed by Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was a “provocation” that “brings us all closer to open conflict, closer than ever since World War II.”
Rutte branded Moscow’s action as “reckless” as he announced a new “Eastern Sentry” initiative to bolster the alliance’s air defenses in the area. He also noted that in addition to Poland, “drones violate our airspace in Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.”
Putin’s Oreshnik threat WHEN Russia first used the Oreshnik against Ukraine in November 2024, Putin warned the West it could use it next against allies of Kyiv that allowed it to strike inside Russia with their longerrange missiles.
Putin has bragged that Oreshnik’s multiple warheads plunge at speeds of up to Mach 10 and can’t be intercepted, and that several of them used in a conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Russian state media boasted that it would take Oreshnik only 11 minutes to reach an air base in Poland and 17 minutes to reach NATO headquarters in Brussels. There’s no way to know whether it’s carrying a nuclear or a conventional warhead before it hits the target.
Russia has begun Oreshnik production, Putin said last month, reaffirming plans to deploy it to Belarus later this year. Before this month’s drills, Belarus’ Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said they would involve “planning the use of” nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik missiles. It wasn’t immediately clear if any Oreshniks
were actually deployed in the war games.
Russia’s Defense Ministry released video of nuclear-capable bombers on training missions as part of the drills that spread from Belarus, which borders NATO members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, to the Arctic, where its naval assets practiced launches of nuclear-capable missiles, including the hypersonic Zircon missile.
Rebuilding the Soviet-era ‘nuclear fortress’
BELARUS President Alexander Lukashenko said in December that his country has several dozen Russian tactical nuclear weapons. Unlike nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can obliterate entire cities, lesspowerful tactical weapons have a short range for use against troops on the battlefield.
The revamped Russian nuclear doctrine says Moscow could use nuclear weapons “in the event of aggression” against Russia and Belarus with conventional weapons that threaten “their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity.”
Russian and Belarusian officials have made contradictory statements about who controls the weapons. When their deployment was first announced, Lukashenko said Belarus will be in charge, but the Russian military emphasized that it will retain control.
While signing a security pact with Lukashenko in December, Putin said that even with Russia controlling the Oreshniks, Moscow would allow Minsk to select the targets. He noted that if the missiles are used against targets closer to Belarus, they could carry a significantly heavier payload.
Deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus would allow Russian aircraft and missiles to reach potential targets in Ukraine more easily and quickly if Moscow decides to use them. It also extends Russia’s capability to target several NATO allies in eastern and central Europe.
“The weapons’ deployment closer to the borders with the West sends a signal even if there are no plans to use it,” said Andrey Baklitskiy, senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
Alexander Alesin, a Minskbased military analyst, said the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus has turned it into a “balcony looming over the West” that threatens the Baltics and Poland, as well as Ukraine.
The planned Oreshnik deployment will threaten all of Europe in a return to a Cold War-era scenario when Belarus was a forward base for Soviet nuclear weapons aimed at Europe, he said.
Zelenskyy calls for European air defense system as Russian strike wounds 13 in Ukrainian city
By Illia Novikov The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—Russian forces bombarded the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia with rockets overnight, wounding 13 people, including two children, officials said Tuesday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged European leaders to make the continent safe by building an ambitious air defense umbrella.
With the war grinding on since Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor more than 3½ years ago, there has been no let-up in Russian strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine and its army’s push on the roughly 1,000-kilometer
(620-mile) front line. A peace settlement appears to be no closer despite months of US-led peace efforts. US President Donald Trump’s ultimatums and deadlines for Putin to engage with proposals to
stop the fighting have passed without obvious consequences.
Just over the past two weeks, Zelenskyy said on Telegram, Russia has launched more than 3,500 drones, more than 2,500 powerful glide bombs and almost 200 missiles at targets inside Ukraine.
Russian glide bombs, usually dropped by jets at high altitude and far behind the front line, and drone swarms are a major challenge for Ukrainian defenses. Glide bombs aren’t very accurate, but they leave big craters, and Ukraine has no effective countermeasure against them.
Russian drones also recently landed on Polish soil, prompting NATO to beef up the alliance’s European air defenses as tensions with Moscow mounted.
“Now is the time to implement the joint protection of our European skies with a multilayered air defense system. All the
technologies for this are available,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram. “We need investments, we need strong actions and decisions from all our partners.”
Haitians yearn for home as gangs welcome them and police warn it’s too dangerous
By Evens Sanon & Dánica Coto
The Associated Press
ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—
PNaika and Erica Lafleur
stared at a pile of rubble where their house once stood in Haiti’s capital and began to cry. Their mother had instructed the two sisters, ages 10 and 13, to visit the home they fled last year and report back on its condition after powerful gangs raided their community in November.
“I was hoping to have a place to come back to,” Erica Lafleur said.
“There’s nothing to see.”
The sisters lived in Solino, home to one of Haiti’s most powerful vigilante groups that proudly fended off gangs for years until their leader was killed and gunmen invaded.
Gangs seized control of the area for almost a year only to abruptly leave in recent weeks as they en -
couraged residents to return. Many Haitians are anxious to flee crowded and dangerous shelters and want to either rebuild their shattered communities or recover what’s left of their home and belongings.
Police have told Haitians that it’s not safe to do so, but hundreds of people are ignoring the warnings. Being able to return home is a rare opportunity in a capital nearly entirely controlled by gangs.
‘Nothing left to save’ THE sound of shovels scraping against asphalt echoed in western Port-au-Prince this month as hundreds of people cleaned their communities and shuffled their feet or ran their hands through mounds of ashes that once were books, clothes, photo albums and furniture.
Neighborhoods like Solino, Nazon and Delmas 30 became ghost
towns after gangs razed them in November, forcing thousands to flee.
“There is nothing left to save,” said Samuel Alexis, 40, who asked the government to help Haitians return home. “I did not lose any family, but I lost everything I worked for.”
As he mulled whether to return to Solino, gunfire erupted nearby. He flinched.
In August, Jimmy Chérizier, a leader of a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm that was blamed for last year’s attacks, stressed that it was safe to return home.
Few people believed him at first, but then small groups began tentatively entering their old neighborhoods.
“I’m just now visiting my home,” said Ronald Amboise, a 42-year-old tile setter. “What I saw, I can’t explain. It’s like a bomb went off.”
He moved to Solino after the devastating 2010 earthquake and remained there until gangs invaded his neighborhood in November. He yearns to return because he, his partner and their two children, ages 6 and 13, are staying at a cramped and dirty shelter. But he’s undecided.
“Police have a radio announcement telling people not to return. Gangs are saying it’s safe to return. I don’t know which one to trust
yet,” he said.
Amboise doesn’t make enough money to properly feed his family, who lives under a plastic tarp and gets soaked when it rains.
“I don’t know if your notebook can hold everything I’ve endured for the past nine months,” he told an Associated Press reporter.
Picking up the pieces
ONE recent Sunday, Gerald Jean fished for 50 cents in his pants— the only money he had that day— and bought a small bag of corn chips. It was his breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Once the proud owner of a funeral home, a hardware store, a botanica and eight homes in Solino, he now is homeless and without a job. Gangs set fire to his buildings in mid-November, forcing him and his family to flee.
“I was left with one pair of pants and sandals,” he said. “I worked all my life and lost everything.”
Jean fled to Delmas 30 after the attack, but gangs stormed that neighborhood three months later, forcing him to find shelter at a friend’s house in Delmas 75.
He doesn’t know if he’ll live again in Delmas 30, but he recently returned to shovel debris into a pile in front of the ransacked funeral home bearing his name.
See “Haitians,” A12
In Zaporizhzhia, the Russian barrage struck more than 20 apartment buildings, starting fires, regional head Ivan Fedorov said on national television.
“We hadn’t yet recovered from enemy strikes on August 30. We are currently repairing those buildings, those windows, but now the enemy has added more work for our municipal workers,” Fedorov said. In response, Ukraine has developed its own long-range drones that have hit deep inside Russia, damaging installations vital for Russia’s war effort.
Recent strikes have included oil refineries, depots and terminals. Russia remains the world’s second-largest oil exporter, but a seasonal rise in demand and sustained Ukrainian drone strikes have caused gasoline shortages in recent weeks.
Ukraine’s General Staff said Tuesday that the armed forces struck an oil refinery in the Saratov region of western Russia during the night. Explosions and a fire were reported at the facility, the General Staff said on its Facebook page.
US designates Colombia as failing to cooperate in the drug war for first time in nearly 30 years
By Joshua Goodman & Astrid Suarez The Associated Press
MIAMI—The Trump administration on Monday added Colombia to a list of nations failing to cooperate in the drug war for the first time in almost 30 years, a stinging rebuke to a traditional US ally that reflects a recent surge in cocaine production and fraying ties between the White House and the country’s leftist president.
Even as it determined that Colombia had failed to comply with its international counternarcotics obligations, the Trump administration issued a waiver of sanctions that would have triggered major aid cuts, citing vital US national interests.
Nonetheless, it is a major step against one of the United States’ staunchest allies in Latin America, which analysts said could hurt the economy and further hamper efforts to restore security in the countryside.
President Gustavo Petro, who has said on several occasions that whisky kills more people than cocaine, lamented Trump’s decision during a televised cabinet meeting Monday, saying Colombia was penalized after sacrificing the lives of “dozens of policemen, soldiers and regular citizens, trying to stop cocaine” from reaching the United States.
“What we have been doing is not really relevant to the Colombian people,” he said of the nation’s antidrug efforts. “It’s to stop North American society from smearing its noses” in cocaine.
The US last added Colombia to the list, through a process known as decertification, in 1997 when the country’s cartels— through threats of violence and money—
had poisoned much of the nation’s institutions.
“Decertification is a blunt tool and a huge irritant in bilateral relations that goes well beyond drug issues and makes cooperation far harder in any number of areas,” said Adam Isacson, a security researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America. “That’s why it’s so rarely used.” The president at the time, Ernesto Samper, was facing credible accusations of receiving illicit campaign contributions from the now-defunct Cali cartel and a plane he was set to use for a trip to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly session was found carrying 4 kilograms of heroin.
A remarkable turnaround began once Samper left office. Successive US administrations—both Republican and Democrats—sent billions in foreign assistance to Colombia to eradicate illegal coca crops, strengthen its armed forces in the fight against drug-fueled rebels and provide economic alternatives to poor farmers who are on the lowest rungs of the cocaine industry.
Cocaine production surges THAT cooperation, a rare US foreign policy success in Latin America, started to unravel following the suspension a decade ago of aerial eradication of coca fields with glyphosate. It followed a Colombia high court ruling that determined the US-funded program was potentially harmful to the environment and farmers.
A 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the nation’s largest rebel group known as FARC, also committed Colombia to rolling
See “Colombia,” A11
IN this photo provided by the Zaporizhzhia regional military administration on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, rescuers work on a site of a house destroyed by a Russian strike on a residential neighborhood in Zaporizhzhia,
Australia gifts Papua New Guinea Parliament expansion on 50th independence anniversary
By Rod Mcguirk
The Associated Press
ELBOURNE, Australia — Australia
Moffered to gift Papua New Guinea an extension to its Parliament House as the South Pacific island nation celebrated 50 years of independence on Tuesday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among government leaders who gathered at Independence Hill in the Papua New Guinea capital of Port Moresby for a flag-raising ceremony.
Albanese said Australia will support the construction of a new ministerial wing for Papua New Guinea’s National Parliament.
“Our support for the expansion of Parliament House is an investment in Papua New Guinea’s democracy and sovereignty that will benefit future generations,” Albanese said.
Australia is emphasizing the democratic principles it shares with its former colony as China increases its influence in the region.
The United States was represented at the celebration by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Prince Edward represented his brother King Charles III, who is Papua New Guinea’s head of state. Charles had attended the first independence ceremony in 1975 representing his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister
James Marape reminded the gathering of the words of his country’s first GovernorGeneral John Guise, the monarch’s representative, who said in 1975, “We are lowering the Australian flag and not tearing it down.”
Marape said Guise had captured the dignity of Papua New Guineans’ decision to become an independent state and the goodwill of Australians.
“Independence was not born out of anger, but out of respect, humility and faith in the future prospects of Papua New Guinea,” Marape said.
Australia is underscoring its respect for Papua New Guinea sovereignty, which some local lawmakers fear could be undermined by a proposed bilateral defense treaty.
Several Pacific island nations including Papua New Guinea avoid taking sides in the growing strategic competition between China and US allies such as Australia.
Some Papua New Guinea lawmakers fear the bilateral treaty with Australia would jeopardize its foreign policy of “friend to all, enemy to none.”
Colombia. . .
Continued from A10
back punitive policies likened to the US spraying of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War in favor of state building, rural development and voluntary crop substitution. Since then, cocaine production has skyrocketed. The amount of land dedicated to cultivating coca, the base ingredient of cocaine, has almost tripled in the past decade to a record 253,000 hectares in 2023, according to the latest report available from the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. That is almost triple the size of New York City.
Trump flies in for a UK state visit where trade and tech talks mix with royal pomp
By Jill Lawless & Michelle L. Price
The Associated Press
LONDON—US President Donald
Trump arrives in the United Kingdom on Tuesday for a state visit during which the British government hopes a multibilliondollar technology deal will show the transatlantic bond remains strong despite differences over Ukraine, the Middle East and the future of the Western alliance.
State visits in Britain blend 21st-century diplomacy with royal pageantry. Trump’s two-day trip comes complete with horse-drawn carriages, military honor guards and a glittering banquet inside a 1,000-year-old castle—all tailored to a president with a fondness for gilded splendor.
King Charles III will host Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday before talks the next day with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the British leader’s rural retreat.
Starmer’s office said the visit will demonstrate that “the UKUS relationship is the strongest in the world, built on 250 years of history”—after that awkward rupture in 1776—and bound by shared values of “belief in the rule of law and open markets.” There was no mention of Trump’s market-crimping fondness for sweeping tariffs.
The White House expects the two countries will strengthen their relationship during the trip as well as celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, according to a senior White House official who was not authorized to speak
Along with production, drug seizures also have soared to 654 metric tons so far this year. Colombia seized a record 884 metric tons last year.
But unlike past governments, manual eradication of coca crops under Petro’s leadership has slowed, to barely 5,048 hectares this year—far less than the 68,000 hectares uprooted in the final year of his conservative predecessor’s term and well below the government’s own goal of 30,000 hectares.
A critic of US policy PETRO, a former rebel himself, also has angered senior US officials by denying American extradition requests as well as
publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. It was not clear how the UK was planning to mark that chapter in their shared history.
“The trip to the UK is going to be incredible,” Trump told reporters Sunday. He said Windsor Castle is “supposed to be amazing” and added: “It’s going to be very exciting.”
Trump’s second state visit TRUMP is the first US president to get a second state visit to the UK
The unprecedented nature of the invitation, along with the expectation of lavish pomp and pageantry, holds dual appeal to Trump. The president has glowingly praised the king’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and spoken about how his own Scotland-born mother loved the queen and the monarchy.
The president is also royally flattered by exceptional attention and has embraced the grandeur of his office in his second term.
He has adorned the normally more austere Oval Office with gold accents, is constructing an expansive ballroom at the White House and has sought to refurbish other Washington buildings to his liking.
criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and its efforts to combat drug trafficking in neighboring Venezuela.
“Under my administration, Colombia does not collaborate in assassinations,” Petro said on Sept. 5 after the US military carried out a deadly strike on a small Venezuelan vessel in the Caribbean that the Trump administration said was transporting cocaine bound for the US.
“The failure of Colombia to meet its drug control obligations over the past year rests solely with its political leadership,” Trump said in a presidential memo submitted to Congress. “I will consider changing this designation if Colombia’s
Foreign officials have shown they’re attuned to his tastes. During a visit to the Middle East this year, leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar didn’t just roll out a red carpet but dispatched fighter jets to escort Trump’s plane.
Starmer has already shown he’s adept at charming Trump. Visiting Washington in February, he noted the president’s Oval Office decorating choices and decision to display a bust of Winston Churchill.
During Trump’s private trip to Scotland in July, Starmer visited and praised Trump’s golf courses.
Efforts to woo the president make some members of Starmer’s Labour Party uneasy, and Trump will not address Parliament during his visit, like French President Emmanuel Macron did in July. Lawmakers will be on their annual autumn recess, sparing the government an awkward decision.
The itinerary in Windsor and at Chequers, both well outside London, also keeps Trump away from a planned mass protest against his visit.
“This visit is really important to Keir Starmer to show that he’s a statesman,” said Leslie Vinjamuri, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. “But it’s such a double-edged sword, because he’s going to be a statesman alongside a US president that is not popular
government takes more aggressive action to eradicate coca and reduce cocaine production and trafficking, as well as hold those producing, trafficking, and benefiting from the production of cocaine responsible, including through improved cooperation with the United States to bring the leaders of Colombian criminal organizations to justice.”
Under US law, the president annually must identify countries that have failed to meet their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements during the previous 12 months.
In addition to Colombia, the Trump administration listed four other countries—Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma
in Europe.”
Troubles for Starmer
PREPARATIONS for the visit have been ruffled by political turmoil in Starmer’s center-left government.
Last week, Starmer sacked Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, over his past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson had good relations with the Trump administration and played a key role in securing a UK-US trade agreement in May.
His firing has put Epstein back in British headlines as Trump tries to swerve questions about his own relationship with the disgraced financier.
Mandelson’s exit came just a week after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner quit over a tax error on a home purchase. A senior Starmer aide, Paul Ovenden quit Monday over tasteless text messages he sent years ago. Fourteen months after winning a landslide election victory, Starmer’s position at the helm of the Labour Party is fragile and his poll ratings are in the dumps.
But he has found a somewhat unexpected supporter in Trump, who has said Starmer is a friend, despite being “slightly more liberal than I am.”
Starmer’s government has cul -
and Venezuela—as among 23 major drug transit or drug-production countries that have failed to meet their international obligations. With the exception of Afghanistan, the White House determined that US assistance to those countries was vital to national interests and therefore they would be spared any potential sanctions.
tivated that warmth and tried to use it to get favorable trade terms with the US, the UK’s largest single economic partner, accounting for 18% of total British trade.
The May trade agreement reduces US tariffs on Britain’s key auto and aerospace industries. But a final deal has not been reached over other sectors, including pharmaceuticals, steel and aluminum.
Labour lawmaker Liam Byrne, who heads the House of Commons’ Business and Trade Committee, said it’s vital “to turn paper promises into a binding bargain that ends the tariff tempest that is battering British exporters and investors.”
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are expected to be among the business leaders in the US delegation. Trump and Starmer are set to sign a technology partnership—which Mandelson was key to striking—accompanied by major investments in nuclear power, life sciences and Artificial Intelligence data centers. The leaders are also expected to sign nuclear energy deals, expand cooperation on defense technology and explore ways to bolster ties between their financial hubs, according to the White House official. Ukraine on the agenda STARMER has also tried to use his influence to maintain US support for Ukraine, with limited results. Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has not made good on threats to impose new sanctions on Russia for shunning peace negotiations.
Last week’s Russian drone incursion into NATO member Poland drew strong condemnation from European NATO allies, and pledges of more planes and troops for the bloc’s eastern flank. Trump played down the incident’s severity, musing that it “ could have been a mistake. “
The redesignation of Venezuela as a country that has failed to adequately fight narcotics smuggled from neighboring Colombia comes against the backdrop of a major US military buildup in the Caribbean that has already led to two deadly strikes on small Venezuelan vessels that the Trump administration said were transporting cocaine bound for the US.
“In Venezuela, the criminal regime of indicted drug trafficker Nicolás Maduro leads one of the largest cocaine trafficking networks in the world, and the United States will continue to seek to bring Maduro and other members of his complicit regime to justice for their crimes,” Trump’s designation said. “We will also target Venezuelan foreign terrorist organizations such as Tren de Aragua and purge them from our country.” Suarez reported from Bogota, Colombia. AP writer Manuel Rueda contributed to this report from Bogota.
US President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prince Charles toast, during the Return Dinner in
Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America to the UK, in Regent’s Park, part of the president’s state visit to the UK, in London, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL PHOTO VIA AP
A12 Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The World
Black unemployment rising rapidly under Trump, challenging his economic promises
By Jarrell Dillard, Amara Omeokwe & Catarina Saraiva
IN his first term, President Donald Trump frequently touted record-low Black unemployment. Now, it’s rising at the fastest clip since 2020.
The unemployment rate for Black Americans has shot up by 1.5 percentage points over the last three months, a rare development outside of recessions. At 7.5%, it’s once again twice the rate for White Americans, erasing the progress made in narrowing the gap over the last three years.
Two factors have combined to create such an outcome, researchers say: First, a slowdown in the broader labor market is playing out in the usual fashion, disadvantaging Black workers who tend to be first to lose their jobs when things go south. Second is Trump’s targeted efforts to shrink the federal workforce, where Black workers are overrepresented.
“There are a number of ways the administration’s policies are slowing down the economy and hurting Black people in America, I would say, disproportionately hard,” said Algernon Austin, director of race and economic justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. “Black America is, I think, being hit first by the downturn.”
The latest data is testing Trump’s pitch from the 2024 campaign trail, when he advertised himself as “the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln.” The Black unemployment rate fell to a record-low 5.3% during his first term in 2019 before shooting up to 16.9% when the pandemic hit in 2020 and then reaching a new low of 4.8% during President Joe Biden’s term.
By the time Trump returned to office in January, it had risen to 6.2%, mirroring a gradual rise in the overall unemployment rate. The difference this year is the speed at which it’s continued to increase and the gap that has opened up between Black and White unemployment. Hiring more broadly has slowed sharply in 2025 as the adminis -
In the Cold War, Belarus hosted more than a half of the Soviet arsenal of intermediate-range missiles under the cover of its deep forests.
The team was commissioned by the Human Rights Council, the UN’s top human rights body, but it does not speak for the United Nations.
Israel has refused to cooperate with the commission and has accused it and the HRC of anti-Israel bias. Earlier this year, the Trump administration, a key Israeli ally, pulled the United States out of the council.
After a painstaking legal analysis, the commission said Israel had committed four of the five “genocidal acts” defined under an international convention adopted in 1948 known colloquially as the “Genocide Convention,” three years after the end of World War II and the Holocaust.
“The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza,” said Pillay, the commission chair. “It is clear that there is an intent to
tration’s tariffs and immigration crackdown have clouded the economic outlook. Employers added an average of just 29,000 jobs per month in the three months through August, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics figures published on Sept. 5, down from 209,000 on average in the final three months of 2024.
The White House says tax cuts passed in July will boost employment for Black Americans, as will its campaign of mass deportations.
“President Trump is implementing the same America First economic agenda that delivered historic job and wage growth—including record-low Black unemployment rates—in his first term,” said Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman. “The passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts will unleash economic growth through tax reform, deregulation, and incentives for job creation in the private sector that will benefit all Americans.”
Austin said the recent data, and academic research more generally, don’t support the White House’s claims about immigration.
“The Black unemployment rate has been increasing steadily over the past three months, so there are no positive signs from deportations there,” he said. “Immigrant workers generally do not replace native-born workers. They help expand the economy and increase the number of jobs.”
Hiring slowdown
MICHELLE Holder, an economist who studies labor-market outcomes for Black Americans, sees the latest data following patterns that have been well established in academic research.
Job growth “is slowing down almost, at least for the last three months, to a crawl,” said Holder, an associate professor of economics at John Jay College, City University of New York. “When that begins to happen, there are tried-andtrue, specific groups that begin to be affected by that, including Black workers.”
This time around, however, Trump’s move to quickly reduce the size of the federal workforce
Such land-based weapons that can reach between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles) were banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty that was terminated in 2019.
“Belarus served as a nuclear fortress during the Soviet times,”
destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”
Pillay, a former UN human rights chief, said “responsibility for the atrocity crimes lies with Israeli authorities at the highest echelons” over the nearly two-year war.
Her commission concluded that Netanyahu, as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, had incited the commission of genocide. It hasn’t assessed whether other Israeli leaders had done so too.
Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has adamantly rejected genocide allegations against it as an antisemitic “blood libel.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued an angry response Tuesday, saying it “categorically rejects this distorted and false report.”
“Three individuals serving as Hamas proxies, notorious for their openly antisemitic positions—and
is supercharging the effect.
Roughly half of the Department of Education staff has been cut as the Trump administration has moved to dismantle the agency, which had the greatest share of Black federal employees among executive departments as of 2022. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, another agency that employs a large share of Black federal workers, has also lost a significant number of employees.
Other federal funding cuts Trump has pursued are taking a toll as well. Ashley Purnell, 37, has been job hunting since April— when she was first furloughed from a large nonprofit that relied heavily on government grants— but hasn’t had much luck.
Purnell, who lives in an Atlanta suburb and was officially laid off last month, says she’s submitted applications for around 70 roles. She heard back from just three of them—all rejections. She’s also finding that most jobs she’s looking at would pay her about 20% less than she was making in her prior role.
“There’s so many people out here applying. Even if you do happen to know someone at the company, there’s no guarantee that they can even get you forward for an interview,” Purnell said. “For me, my entire career so far has been working under nonprofits and doing community-based work. If they’re cutting all the funding, where do I go?”
Those who have been able to find new jobs after being laid off say that the current environment, where so many others are in the same predicament and often in the same part of the country, makes it even harder. Jessica JacksonBanks, 33, received a job offer last week after weeks of rejections and nonresponses. She said the Trump administration’s steep cuts to the federal workforce loomed large over her search.
“I feel like the market is super saturated with individuals who are in the same boat as me,” she said. “Black women who have the same story as me who are looking for roles and are stressed out and
Alesin said.
The USSR built about 100 heavily reinforced storage sites for nuclear weapons in Belarus, some of which have been revamped for holding Russian nuclear weapons, he said.
“If they restored several doz -
whose horrific statements about Jews have been condemned worldwide—released today another fake ‘report’ about Gaza,” it said. Genocide accusations are especially sensitive in Israel, which was founded as a haven for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust and where memories of the Holocaust still play an important role in the country’s national identity.
In coming to its conclusion of genocide, the commission said it pored over the conduct of Israeli security forces and “explicit statements” by Israeli civilian and military authorities, among other criteria.
In particular, the experts cited as factors the death toll, Israel’s “total siege” of Gaza and blockade of humanitarian aid that has led to starvation, a policy of “systematically destroying” the health care system, and direct targeting of children.
The commission urged other countries to halt weapons transfers to Israel and block individuals or companies from actions
anxious at the lack of responses.”
Although Black voters overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in 2024, Trump made inroads with them compared to his previous campaigns. He won 15% of Black voters last year, up from 8% in 2020, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.
But if Black voters are turned off by Trump’s policies and show up to vote against Republicans in greater shares in the 2026 midterm election, that could jeopardize the GOP’s chances of winning some key congressional battleground elections.
Tariff impact
MEANWHILE Trump’s other signature economic policy—tariffs— is raising concerns even among many who do have jobs. Last month, workers put the probability of finding a new job if they lost theirs at less than 45%, the lowest on record in data going back to 2013, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of New York consumer survey.
The labor force participation rate for Black Americans also jumped last month, contributing to a rise in unemployment as more people looked for work in what’s been described as a low-hiring, low-firing labor market.
Allena Harrington, of Wendell, North Carolina, said her manufacturing employer has cut back on headcount over the last few months as tariffs have come into effect. Though she is still employed, she has been searching for a new job for over the last six months due to worries about job security.
Harrington, 56, has searched for other positions within the field, but is also looking in other industries such as health care, where she believes she will have more stability. She says she’s submitted about 30 applications and has mostly received automated rejections or no response.
“You kind of see the red flags,” Harrington said. “That gives me pause and makes me think that I need to look at other options at this point.” Bloomberg News
en storage sites and are actually keeping nuclear warheads in just two or three, the potential enemy will have to guess where they are,” Alesin added.
Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.
that could contribute to genocide in Gaza.
“The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” said Pillay, who is a South African jurist. “When clear signs and evidence of genocide emerge, the absence of action to stop it amounts to complicity.”
The current UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, has decried Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza and spoken out forcefully against alleged crimes, but has not accused Israel of carrying out genocide.
His office, alluding to international law, has argued that only an international court can make a final, formal determination of genocide. Critics counter that could take years and insist that thousands of people, many of them civilians, are being systematically killed in Gaza in the meantime.
The International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel.
Illegal gold mining is fueling a ‘mercury boom’ in Mexico, poisoning people and environment
By Megan Janetsky & Teresa De Miguel
The Associated Press
SAN JOAQUIN, Mexico—A drill echoes through narrow tunnels deep within the mountain where miner Hugo Flores bores into rock in search of one of Earth’s most toxic elements.
Buried in red stripes of minerals illuminated by his headlamp is mercury.
Here in the pine-covered mountains known as the Sierra Gorda—one of the most biodiverse stretches of Mexico—a “mercury boom” is underway.
Soaring international gold prices are driving up the price of mercury, a toxic metal key in illegal gold mining, to all-time highs.
While the demand triggers a mining rush in central Mexico, sustaining thousands of miners and their families, it also exposes them and the fragile environment to mercury poisoning.
At the same time, this Mexican mercury is fueling illegal gold mining in the Amazon, contaminating large areas and harming both people and the environment.
Global efforts to ban mercury mining have only made mercury from these centuries-old artisanal mines even more sought after.
“It’s a way of life here,” Flores said.
In towns like San Joaquin in the northcentral state of Queretaro, the price of mercury has skyrocketed more than tenfold over the past 15 years, jumping from $20 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) in 2011 to between $240 and $350.
“For the first time in their lives, mercury is worth something, and the miners are saying: ‘It’s worth poisoning myself if I’m going to earn something,’” said Fernando Díaz-Barriga, a medical researcher who has long studied mercury mines in central Mexico.
Mercury ‘coyotes’ MINERS follow veins of cinnabar—the ore holding mercury—like ants through narrow tunnels zig-zagging deep below the mountain. They carve into the rock and lug bags of stones strapped to their backs to the surface.
The rock is shoveled into wood-fired brick ovens where the mercury heats into a gas and
Nearby, Marie-Marthe Vernet, 68, shuffled through a thick rug of ashes inside her home. She had not returned since gunmen shot her in the back last year as she fled.
“There is no way I will return to live here. I am not going to live with Viv Ansanm,” she said. “If you have a young girl, they’re going to take her without your consent. If you have a young man, they will ask him to hold a gun.”
‘Months and months of humiliation’
THE fall of Solino, Nazon, Delmas 30 and other nearby communities was a blow to Haiti’s psyche and a triumph for Viv Ansanm, a gang coalition that the US designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Seizing control of that area meant gangs now had an easier path to places of power including the offices of the prime minister and the transitional presidential council, said Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.
“Everybody used to say that if Solino fell, the entire capital would fall,” he said.
It’s still not clear why Viv Ansanm pulled out of those neighborhoods, but it’s possible gangs needed their manpower and firepower elsewhere, or they want to form an alliance with vigilante groups to overthrow the government, Da Rin said. Either way, the arrival of explosive drones manned by armed forces likely interrupted the gangs’ plans, he said.
“Whatever their real motive may be to withdraw from these zones, they are using this to have
separates from other minerals. The gas then cools into droplets of silver liquid that slowly drip down a pipe to be collected in small plastic Coca-Cola bottles, each of which sells for around $1,800. It takes a ton of rock to produce a kilo of mercury.
Mexico is the world’s second-largest mercury producer after China, yielding 200 tons a year, according to estimates by the United Nations.
Buyers come from around the world to scoop up mercury for cheap from artisanal miners.
“They come and buy mercury for 500 pesos, and then sell it in Peru for 5,000,” said Carlos Martínez, a leader of one of San Joaquin’s mines. “The coyotes, as we call them, they’re the ones that make money at the expense of others.”
Illegal gold mining
MERCURY mining in towns dotting Mexico’s Sierra Gorda region dates back centuries. The metal was used in everything from thermometers to cosmetics and legally shipped to South America up until a few years ago, when many countries around the world banned its use. Today, the vast majority of Mexican mercury is trafficked to Colombia, Bolivia and Peru and distributed throughout the Amazon basin.
In the Amazon the metal is used to extract gold from river soil in illegal gold mining operations increasingly controlled by criminal groups. The mining has tainted the rivers that bring life to the region.
In July, Peruvian authorities seized a record-breaking shipment of four tons— worth about half a million dollars—of mercury hidden inside bags of gravel headed from Mexico to Bolivia.
A July report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, a nonprofit watchdog that investigates environmental crime, said the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel has entered some mercury mining operations in Mexico. But miners, researchers and local officials say there’s no cartel involvement, and suggesting otherwise has criminalized vulnerable workers.
“What we’re doing isn’t a crime,” Martínez, 44, said. “We’re just working.”
a modicum of credibility with the Haitian people, saying that their conflict is not directed at civilians,” Da Rin said.
But gang violence already has displaced a record 1.3 million people, with many living in dilapidated shelters.
“It’s desperate, it’s completely desperate,” said Tom Fletcher, the U.N.’s under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. He recently visited a shelter packed with thousands of people.
“Almost everyone said to me, ‘We want to go home, we want to rebuild our lives, but we’re really, really terrified,’” he said. “Women and girls bear the brunt of this violence.”
Last year, the number of grave violations against children soared by 500% compared with 2023, while there was a 700% increase in the first quarter of this year in the recruitment of children by armed groups, he said. There also was a 1,000% increase in cases of sexual violence against children last year, and a 54% increase in verified killings and executions of children in the first quarter of this year.
“These stats are just unconscionable,” Fletcher said. Undeterred, Haitians continue to return to communities like Solino.
“It’s hard staying in a camp,” said Stephanie Saint-Fleure, a 39-year-old mother who planned to move back. “It’s been months and months of humiliation. Can you imagine having three kids staying in a camp that smells, and you can’t sleep at night because you’re awake all the time protecting your kids from evil?”
Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cardinal Advincula condemns ghost flood control corruption as ‘concrete evil,’ backs peaceful protests
By Ma. Alyanna Selda
AS calls for transparency in flood control projects grow among sectors and civil society, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula urged religious communities to conduct peaceful and non-violent actions against the “cancer” of corruption, saying that true holiness involves working to uphold justice.
Advincula on Monday said that the organized rallies that demand accountability and transparency from the government are not just an act of political resistance, but are also manifestations of the people’s collective moral conviction. He added that it was a moral duty for citizens to resist and prevent the spread of wrongdoing in society. “As Christians, we are Godcentered, therefore patriotic. A truly God-centered person is patriotic, because holiness leads to heroism; and genuine holiness includes serving in the cause of justice,” he said. The statement came after several groups and individuals ex -
Meta declines to face Senate probers, gets book thrown at it by Sen. Erwin Tulfo
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
THE Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, led by Senator Erwin Tulfo, on Tuesday ordered the issuance of a show-cause order to MetaFacebook Philippines executive for skipping the continuation of the inquiry on online gambling. In a letter to Tulfo, Facebook Philippines Representative Genixon David informed the committee that their experts won’t be able attend the public hearing on Tuesday. Instead, they proposed a meeting with the senator in a time suitable to both parties.
This did not sit well with the chairman of the panel, who stressed the importance of discussing this issue with Facebook representatives following the shift of some online betting and gambling sites from e-wallet applications to various social media platforms.
“No. Why are they dictating this committee, kung kelan sila [as to when they will] attend? If there’s a need to subpoena them, we will subpoena their country representative. That’s not an excuse [that they will do it] in their own time,” a disappointed Tulfo said.
Inalis na nga natin dito sa mga e-wallets, doon na napunta sa kanila And then may mga links sila doon na pwede ka magsuga l [We removed the gambling links from e-wallets, it has migrated to them. And then they have links that allow for gambling], and then they don’t want to attend?“ he went on.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros agreed
with Tulfo and formally moved for the issuance of a show-cause order against the representatives of Meta—which owns and operates social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads.
“That’s what we’re going to do, to issue a show-cause order why they should not be subpoenaed for not attending and for not complying with our request to attend,” Tulfo said.
“This is a hearing. We have a problem here and this is a national problem. This isn’t only a problem in Metro Manila. Imagine, there’s like 65 percent of Filipinos who are hooked on online gambling and that’s what we’re trying to find a solution for right now,” he added, partly in Filipino.
During the hearing, Ronald Gustilo, national campaigner of Digital Pinoys civic group, revealed before the committee that there are back-up links of illegal online gambling sites being posted on Facebook groups and other messaging applications like Telegram and Signal.
“ Yan na nga ang sinasabi ko. Inimbitahan ko ‘yung Meta, ayaw sumipot dito. Ito ang pinakakolokoy yata sa lahat tapos ayaw pa sumipot dito. Kita mo nagmamatigas at gusto niya at his own terms. Kailangan kausapin siya mag-isa ,” Tulfo ended.
[That’s what I’ved been saying. I invited Meta, but they don’t want to come here. I think this is the most problematic yet it doesn’t want to face us. See, they’re playing hard and want to deal with us on his own terms].-
pressed their outrage over the reported irregularities in flood control projects involving public officials and government contractors.
In August, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that of the P545.64 billion worth of flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025, nearly P100 billion were awarded to just 15 contractors, two of which are linked to the Discaya family, while others were allegedly tied to their known proxies.
The President and Public Works Secretary have also recently flagged several “ghost” or incomplete flood control projects in Bulacan amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos, including those in Calumpit, Baliwag, and Plaridel that were found either unfinished or non existent despite being fully paid for.
Advincula said such acts of corruption go beyond mere greed, calling them a “concrete form of evil” that can no longer be ignored. He warned that if left unchecked,
corruption would erode human dignity, which he describes as the core of society.
“In a healthy democracy, the people’s fiscalizing participation in governance is not confined to the election season. Rather, it continues between elections, holding leaders accountable through acts of vigilance, discernment and –when necessary – protest,” he said.
Not a partisan concern
ADVINCULA said the Church must help ensure that corruption is not dismissed as a partisan or purely political issue, noting the political debates that have followed recent probes into flood control projects.
“She (Church) must ensure that the political squabbles resulting from this mess will not make corruption merely another political and partisan concern. There should be impartiality and objectivity in understanding these issues, coupled with our duty to promote the common good.”
Bishop Jose Colin Mendoza
Bagaforo of Kidapawan echoed the sentiment, urging participants of the upcoming protests to abandon political colors as previous rallies often became platforms for party politics.
He also pointed out that aside from partisan groups, other causeoriented organizations, including those affiliated with leftist and rightist movements, often use rallies to advance their own agenda.
“At this time, there are many political colors. There are, I would say, pro-Duterte groups, pro-BBM groups, and others with political agendas for their own vested interests, for their political careers. We don’t want that anymore,” Bagaforo told the BusinessMirror in a press briefing on Monday.
Several civil society groups have announced a series of peaceful demonstrations nationwide starting this weekend, including the “A Trillion Peso March” in EDSA and the “Baha Sa Luneta” in Luneta, both on Sept. 21. The rallies aim to press for an independent inves -
tigation into the projects and demand government accountability.
Bagaforo is among the several church leaders and organizations set to join other groups in the “Trillion Peso March” protest. The bishop also said that organizers have prepared for potential risks, in case groups of individuals attempt to use the protest to further their own political interests.
Committees responsible for security and crowd management have been established to ensure the protests remain peaceful and orderly, while contingency plans are in place to prevent any attempts by partisan groups to unduly influence the demonstration, he said.
“That is one of the risks that could happen on Sept. 21. We discussed it with the security committee and those we put in charge of crowd control. If such groups appear, they have measures in place to contain or prevent it,” Bagaforo said.
Palace backs DOTr commute order for officials, urges rights protection
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
MALACAÑANG is open to the policy of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which will require its senior officials to ride public transportation once a week.
However, Palace Press Office Claire Castro said DOTr should ensure that the scheme does not
violate the rights of the affected officials.
“Whatever the policy of any department, if it is reasonable and does not violate human rights, the President will not block it,” Castro said in Filipino in a press briefing last Tuesday.
“And the goal of this will be good, so that our public officials can truly experience what ordinary commuters experience,” she added.
Last Monday, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez ordered transportation officials to commute once a week so they will experience the challenges faced by commuters.
The said officials are then required to submit weekly accomplishment reports indicating their observations and recommendations on how to improve the experience of commuters.
The order will cover officials from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Light Rail Transit Authority, Philippine National Railways and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3). To set an example to other transportation officials, Lopez rode a bus and boarded the Metro Manila Rail Transit Line 3 earlier this week.
ees’ unions of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) urged school management to respect students’ right to free speech, as collective bargaining negotiations remain at a standstill.
In a joint statement released after their latest conciliation session at the Department of Labor and Employment–National Conciliation and Mediation Board (DOLE-NCMB), the UA&P Faculty Members Union (UA&PUFM) and the UA&P Union of Allied Employees (UA&PUAE) stressed the need to safeguard student expression on campus.
“We urge UA&P management to respect the right of students to free speech,” the unions said, citing a Supreme Court ruling that bars universities from penalizing students for exercising their constitutional rights to peaceable assembly and expression.
They added that a university must foster dialogue and civic engagement, warning that cur -
tailing open discussion runs counter to its role as an academic institution.
“Any attempts to curtail open dialogue would be antithetical to the essence of a university. We would have fallen short as an institution compared to the heightened civic engagement encouraged by other universities in the Philippines,” the workers said.
An employee of the university, who asked not to be named, told the BusinessMirror that several students had been warned by administrators after expressing support for the unions.
“We received information from some students that they can face disciplinary sanctions for their statement of support. But the students were asked to keep the meeting confidential and they were asked to explain their statement during that meeting,” the employee said.
During the September 12 mediation, workers and management once again failed to reach an agreement, with the latter offering what unions described as “very marginal counteroffers” to
their latest proposal.
The unions earlier pushed for seven priority provisions covering salaries and benefits, promotion structure, HMO coverage for dependents, medicine reimbursement, educational allowance, food allowance, and a union signing bonus.
As a concession, both UA&PUFM and UA&PUAE scaled down their demands and offered the management a four-year implementation period.
A copy of the unions’ counteroffer obtained by this newspaper showed that the new proposal included a 4 percent salary hike in the first year, together with security of tenure for union members, followed by inflationary and performance-based increases in succeeding years.
It also sought the gradual implementation of their proposed promotion structure until full rates are reached by the fifth year.
Other provisions included the phased addition of up to three dependents in the HMO plan within three years—with the unions involved in selecting the provider—
alongside a P2,000 monthly food allowance, P12,000 annual medical reimbursement for health and related expenses, P6,000 annual educational allowance for dependents, and a P10,000 signing bonus for each union member upon ratification of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The unions said they will wait for management’s formal response to their revised proposal.
“In the meantime, both UA&PUFM and UA&PUAE will evaluate legal remedies available to both unions, especially given that the 30-day cooling-off period provided under the Labor Code has already expired last September 8,” they said.
Following the expiration of the cooling off period, under the Labor Code, unions that did not arrive at a settlement may now conduct a strike vote that must be approved by majority of their members.
This will be then followed by a report to the NCMB and the observance of a mandatory sevenday strike ban period before any actual strike may take place.
Philippine Bar sets new record with the highest number of finishers
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE 2025 Bar has made history as it recorded the largest number of examinees who finished the three-day grueling tests which concluded last September 14.
In a statement, the Supreme Court said a total of 11,425 examinees completed the three-day exams out of the 11,437 who appeared on
the first day of the examinations. The three-day tests were held in 14 local testing centers nationwide on September 7, 10 and 14 exams as part of its continued commitment to a regionalized, digitalized, and inclusive Bar Exams.
The SC also ensured that persons with disabilities had equal access to take the tests. SC Associate Justice Amy C. LazaroJavier, Chairperson of the 2025
Bar Examinations, described the conduct of the exams as “smooth, without accidents or other untoward incidents.”
“There was no violence or harm to anyone,” she said. She acknowledged the support of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and other members of the Court, as well as the local testing centers and government agencies, for their contributions to the exams’ success.
The responsibility of administering the next Bar Examinations was formally handed over to Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan.
During the turnover ceremony held at the UST’s Frassati Building, Justice Lazaro-Javier highlighted a distinctive feature of this year’s exams, having the socalled “magical question.”
Justice Lazaro-Javier was referring to Question #20 which
focused on the SC’s long-term reform program, the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 20222027 (SPJI), and was consistently assigned across all subjects.
“It is more than just a test item—it is a tribute, a nod to the SPJI. Its goal is to raise awareness among our new lawyers. New lawyers must align their actions with the four guiding principles and expected outcomes of the SPJI.” SPJI is the Court’s
five-year blueprint for judicial reform under Chief Justice Gesmundo. Justice Lazaro-Javier stressed that new lawyers should not be passive observers but active partners in the Judiciary’s efforts toward innovation, accessibility, efficiency, and justice. The SPJI is a gift from the Supreme Court. It must be nurtured by this generation and passed on to the next,” she said.
PHL secures major US sugar quota despite production challenges
DESPITE its failure to fill the sugar quota granted by the United States in the last three years, the Philippines continued to get a large allocation for US fiscal year 2026, which will kick off on October 1. (See, “PHL still one of the top recipients of US sugar quota,” in the BusinessMirror, August 18, 2025). Based on the announcement of the US Trade Representative, the Philippines was the third-largest recipient of sugar quota under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) scheme of Washington. The TRQ program allows exporters like the Philippines to ship sugar to the US at a relatively low tariff.
The largest allocation was given to the Dominican Republic at 189,343 metric tons raw value. Brazil and the Philippines followed with 155,993 MTRV and 145,235 MTRV, respectively. In a statement on August 15, USTR said the TRQs were allocated based on historical trade volumes.
The US is a preferred market for Philippine sugar producers because the commodity is bought at a premium by American end-users. Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines has been able to fill all the entire quota it secured from Washington. There were even years when local producers delivered more sugar to the US as the Philippines received additional allocations.
In recent years, however, the Philippines has struggled to fill its TRQ allocation as local output could barely keep with demand. The last time exports to the US breached the 100,000-MT mark was in crop year (CY) 2020-2021, when the Philippines shipped 112,000 MT of raw sugar to the US. Data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) showed that the Philippines did not deliver sugar to the US in two years—crop years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. In the previous crop year, which ended on August 31, the Philippines delivered less than half of its allocation to the US.
The country, which used to export its sugar surplus, has been buying the sweetener from foreign producers to beef up domestic supply and stabilize retail prices. Retail prices rose as raw sugar production fell below the 2-MMT mark until crop year 2023-2024. Even as output rose to the highest level since CY 2020-2021, the Philippines will import 424,000 metric tons of refined sugar to prevent price spikes following the end of the milling season. (See, “Sugar imports to prevent price spikes–SRA,” in the BusinessMirror , July 9, 2025).
Sustaining the production level seen in CY 2024-2025 will require double effort on the part of the private sector as well as adequate support from the state. The Philippine sugar sector should not just aspire to replicate this feat, but overshoot its previous year’s performance. This can happen particularly if the national government will extend more financial support to the sector and help farmers fight the scourge that is red-striped soft scale insects and the threat posed by smuggling.
While the export market is attractive as buyers are willing to pay for premium sugar, the domestic market is increasingly requiring more of the sweetener. Aside from manufacturers, sugar is considered a basic commodity by Filipinos. Stable domestic supply means affordable sugar and manufactured food items particularly for minimum wage earners.
Investments and jobs
TMark Villar
THE BUILDER
HE Philippines is making major strides to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) and fuel economic growth, with recent government initiatives signaling a strong commitment to improving the business environment.
Attracting foreign capital is essential for the Philippines as it aims to become an upper-middleincome country. Recent data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show sustained net inflows of foreign direct investments (FDI) in the first half of the year.
A key development to attract foreign businessmen here is the expansion of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) One Day Submission and Electronic Registration of Companies (OneSEC) facility.
The program, which previously streamlined the registration process for local companies, now allows corporations with foreign equity to register in as fast as one day.
This does not only improve the ease of doing business, but also sends a clear message to the international community that the
Philippines is open for investment.
As SEC Chairperson Francisco Lim pointed out, it is a vital component in making the country an attractive destination. The initiative follows a notable increase in foreign corporation registrations, with the SEC registering 145 in the first half of 2025 alone. With this faster process, that number is expected to climb even higher.
The OneSEC facility is a part of the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC), which uses pre-filled application forms to speed up processing. It allows applicants to complete registration in as fast as one minute and 14 seconds.
Net FDI inflows in June 2025, meanwhile, amounted to $376 million, although this represents a slight dip from $457 million in
By Dave Sebastian & Julia Fioretti
HONG Kong bankers have ended the summer lull with a bang, closing billions of dollars of capital market deals as China’s corporate giants rush to raise cash.
So frenetic is the pace that three Hong Kong-listed companies sought to raise $6.2 billion within just 12 hours last week.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. issued $3.2 billion in a blockbuster sale of convertible bonds, a type of debt that can turn into stock.
China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co. raised $2 billion from its own convertible notes. Electric-vehicle maker Nio Inc. nabbed $1 billion through a share sale. Bankers say there is plenty more to come. After a brief slowdown during the summer months, equity capital markets insiders are bracing themselves for a raft of billion-dollar deals. Initial public offerings, secondary share sales and equity-linked transactions
are all poised for a boom period.
The top sources of equity capital placements in June 2025, per the BSP, were Japan, the United States and South Korea, with investments primarily flowing into the manufacturing, real estate and wholesale and retail trade sectors. Overall, net FDI inflows amounted to $3.4 billion in the first half of 2025, compared with $4.5 billion the previous year.
June 2024. The slowdown was traced to a shift in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital, which saw an outflow of $57 million. However, this was partially offset by a 36.7-percent increase in reinvestment of earnings.
The top sources of equity capital placements in June 2025, per the BSP, were Japan, the United States and South Korea, with investments primarily flowing into the manufacturing, real estate and wholesale and retail trade sectors. Overall, net FDI inflows amounted to $3.4 billion in the first half of 2025, compared with $4.5 billion the previous year.
While attracting capital is essential, a country’s long-term economic health depends on its ability to support and sustain that growth with a resilient workforce. This is a critical point, especially given recent labor market trends.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) has rightly underscored the need to enhance climate resilience and workforce agility.
Recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that unemployment rose in July 2025, largely due to a series of storms that severely disrupted the agriculture and fishing sectors. The numbers underscore a clear challenge: adverse weather conditions can quickly undermine economic activity and lead to job losses.
Per the latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) by the PSA, unemployment rose to 5.3 percent in July 2025 from 4.7 percent in July 2024. The underemployment rate also increased to 14.8 percent from 12.1 percent in the same period. Job losses were particularly notable in the agriculture and forestry, fishing and aquaculture and wholesale and retail sectors. These declines are linked to adverse weather conditions, which halted economic activity and business operations across the country, especially in Luzon in the first half of 2025.
I agree with DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan that government policies should focus on boosting productivity and resilience. This includes modernizing
“Villar,” A15
Chinese companies are leading the charge, and are likely to push Asia’s equity-linked bond issuance to multi-year highs as they raise cash for overseas expansion or bets on artificial intelligence. These bonds can offer much cheaper funding than traditional debt—Alibaba and China Pacific’s recent convertible notes came with zero coupons—and they also benefit when stocks are moving quickly.
“It’s been a pretty hectic couple of weeks, and I suspect that it’s only going to continue,” said John Huang, head of equity capital markets for Asia at HSBC Holdings Plc. The latest supply will add to what has already been a blistering pace of dealmaking in the city this year. Hong Kong share sales—including initial public offerings, placements and block trades—have raised $51 billion since January 1, putting them on track to close the year at a fouryear high, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Sales of bonds that can be exchanged for stock by Chinese companies have raised more than $33 billion globally so far in 2025, eclipsing annual proceeds in each of the past two years. The pace of issuance still isn’t enough to meet demand. Fund managers, finally enjoying a period of optimism for Hong Kong’s long beleaguered stock market, are rushing to place orders for share sales and convertible bonds. The scale of demand means many investors are left disappointed once these deals are allocated.
“Some of these high-quality deals, no matter how big the size, we get peanuts,” said Victoria Mio, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors who oversees Chinese equities, adding that her fund has been participating in more deals this year.
Convertible bonds CHINESE companies are leading the charge, and are likely to push Asia’s equity-linked bond issuance to multi-year highs as they raise cash for overseas expansion or bets on artificial intelligence. These bonds can offer much cheaper funding than traditional debt— Alibaba and China Pacific’s recent convertible notes came with zero coupons—and they also benefit when stocks are moving quickly. Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index is up more than 30 percent this year, despite a plunge in April that wiped out most of its earlier gains. Chinese
Lack of successor keeps Starmer safe as Labour mulls over his ouster
By Alex Wickham
TALK of replacing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party has spilled into the open, but the lack of a plausible replacement may keep the rebels at bay for now.
Plots against Starmer have dominated the headlines in Britain following the messy departures of his deputy prime minister, ambassador to the US and, on Monday, his strategy chief. The resignations and sackings have marred the prime minister’s efforts to launch “phase two” of his government after a dramatic reshuffle earlier this month aimed at focusing on the delivering change that voters expected when they catapulted Labour into power 14 months ago.
That’s emboldened Starmer’s long-time critics within Labour, with Member of Parliament Richard Burgon telling broadcasters on Monday that it was “inevitable” the premier would be forced out if he didn’t change course. The problem with such predictions, Starmer’s allies say, is that the dissents currently lack a viable successor.
“If there is anyone out there who thinks they could do the incredibly difficult job of being a Labour PM better than Keir, they really ought to put up or shut up,” MP Luke Akehurst said. “I suspect the reality is that people are undermining him for the sake of undermining him and they don’t actually have a credible alternative.”
Labour MPs said 10 Downing St. spent the weekend trying to shore up support among ministers and backbenchers, after the twin departures of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and ex-Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. Over recent days, the premier has contended with near daily reports of plots to remove him, speculation that stirs memories of the turbulence under previous Conservative administrations.
Several Labour MPs who spoke to Bloomberg said that talk of replacing Starmer was premature, although they acknowledged that some in the party’s left and so-called soft left were trying to speed the downfall of a leader who has pushed a more centrist agenda. All argued there was no obvious candidate to succeed him and that Labour’s leadership rules meant it was extremely difficult to remove the incumbent.
“The focus here should be about delivering for the British people who sent us here,” said Chris Curtis, a Labour MP who is chair of the pro-Starmer Labour Growth Group. “All this back and forth about who has the top job risks repeating the navel gazing that led the Tories into a spiral of endless chaos.”
In the immediate term, there is no obvious successor. While Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s name has been floated in the newspapers, he’s not an MP and several lawmakers said privately that there wasn’t an easy route for him to return to Westminster. It also wasn’t clear he’d have the backing of the parliamentary party, they said.
Another oft-mentioned replacement, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is seen as vulnerable to a fracturing of the left-leaning vote in his Ilford North constituency. That means he may have to relocate to put himself in a position to lead the party through a general election.
Although Rayner was seen as Starmer’s main rival from the left, the recent tax scandal that forced her to resign has thrown her political future into doubt.
A call for strong leadership: Senator Lacson’s role in combating corruption and supporting PHL industries
Labour MPs said 10 Downing St. spent the weekend trying to shore up support among ministers and backbenchers, after the twin departures of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and ex-Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson. Over recent days, the premier has contended with near daily reports of plots to remove him, speculation that stirs memories of the turbulence under previous Conservative administrations.
Louise Haigh, another possible candidate from the left, had her own personal scandal last year.
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband, another name speculated in the media, will have to overcome his previous election failure in 2015. Cabinet member Lisa Nandy was seen a rising star in the past, but since failed to reach the top of politics. Others such as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remain unproven at a senior level.
Still, Starmer’s supporters in the party concede that he can illafford any further setbacks that could prompt critics to coalesce around a successor. One said it was a statement of the obvious to say Starmer needed to turn things around before a set of local elections next May, including votes for control of the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.
Another said that Starmer must ramp up his engagement with Labour MPs. They warned that any new blow-up in the coming weeks on the scale of the Mandelson departure would put his position in jeopardy—something that will be concerning No. 10 with President Donald Trump jetting in on Tuesday for a threeday visit.
Another ally suggested he would unveil some policy offerings in the coming weeks, including at Labour’s annual convention in Liverpool at the end of the month, that could win back some support on areas such as lifting restrictions on child benefits and boosting rail projects in the north of England. That was where Labour’s focus should be, they added, warning that talk of regicide would only serve to put right-wing populist leader Nigel Farage in Downing Street as he could argue any successor to Starmer didn’t have an electoral mandate.
Starmer has time, but he needs to materially improve his performance to win back his party and then the public, another backer said. Several lawmakers told Bloomberg that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget in November was the pivotal moment. If it lands well, then the government’s fortunes could improve, one said, but could just the same put Starmer’s future in doubt if it goes poorly.
“We are now into at least the fourth year of this new trend, where the solution to deep flaws with getting things done in the British system is to reach for a shiny new leader,” said James Johnson of the pollster JL Partners. The lesson Labour should learn from their Tory predecessors’ changes of prime minister is that the new leader “invariably disappoints further,” Johnson said. Bloomberg
IMAKE SENSE
N my column on May 21, 2025, I congratulated Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on his victory in the midterm elections. Filipino voters recognize him as a dedicated public servant. I said the Federation of Philippine Industries now has an additional ally in the Senate to support our efforts against smuggling and all forms of illicit trade.
For decades, we at FPI have long been combating smuggling and illicit trade due to their devastating impact on our nation. I call it the triple-whammy effect: Smuggling deprives the government of crucial revenue, undermines local businesses that lead to downsizing and/or closures, and can even destroy entire industries. Additionally, it disrupts employment, pushing more Filipinos into poverty.
I’ve been highlighting for years that smuggling is detrimental to Philippine industries. Take the tire industry, for instance; we once had six manufacturers, but now we’re down to just one due to smuggling. Similarly, the textile sector used to operate with 1.5 million spindles, but now only has 100,000. Here’s the striking fact: each spindle provides jobs for 35 people around the clock. Just think about how many Filipinos have lost their jobs in this single industry alone.
Another significant issue in the country is the proliferation of substandard products. Throughout my 83 years, I have dedicated much of my life to combating smuggling and various forms of illicit trade, especially the smuggling of low-quality steel and other construction materials. These substandard materials can jeopardize the structural integrity of our buildings, putting the lives of Filipinos at risk.
Industry leaders are saying we have to follow mandatory standards, which is fine. However, it’s important to note that the agency responsible for establishing quality standards is the Bureau of Product Standards under the Department of Trade and Industry. For years, we’ve seen issues with substandard products persist, if not worsen. This raises questions about the qualifications of those who determine product quality. How are they selected? We must critically evaluate the criteria used to choose the individuals overseeing product
Hong
Kong . . . continued from A14
have been even more volatile: Alibaba’s shares jumped 15 percent last week alone, while shares of battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. soared as much as 10 percent on Monday after being upgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Continued volatility “has urged more issuers to accelerate their capital-expenditure plans to ensure they take some money off the table while the market remains very supportive,” said Brian Chau, co-head of Asia equity-linked deals at UBS Group AG.
Investor appetite for these deals was clear when Alibaba and China Pacific came to the market. Both deals were subscribed multiple times despite having excluded
Villar . . . continued from A14
production methods, implementing climate-smart practices and improving rural infrastructure and digital connectivity.
The government’s new “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan,” a 10-year labor market masterplan, is a step in the right direction. Its success
standards. Implementing mandatory standards is futile unless the inspectors are qualified. It’s essential for policymakers and regulatory bodies to take decisive action to address this issue to protect our citizens.
Amid the ongoing corruption revelations from Malacañang and Congress, the role of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) has been largely overlooked. As an implementing body under the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines and affiliated with the DTI, the PCAB is responsible for issuing licenses to contractors for public and private construction projects, ensuring that only qualified and competent contractors are permitted to operate. However, investigations reveal that even contractors with established violations face no repercussions and are able to renew their licenses without issue.
The situation surrounding contractor accreditation raises suspicions similar to those seen in product standards enforcement. Authorities can create difficulties for honest contractors, who may find themselves unable to progress if their renewal applications are delayed. Some have even been reported to partner with these authorities just to have an easy time renewing their licenses.
How can we address these corrupt practices? I suggest incorporating private sector representatives into these agencies, especially for implementing product standards and accrediting contractors. There are numerous qualified experts in the private sector who can assist these agencies in carrying out their responsibilities effectively and transparently.
With President Marcos exposing the corruption involving flood control contractors, I think it’s time to thoroughly examine the role of accreditation agencies and those enforcing product standards in the pervasive graft within the govern-
sales to certain US onshore investors under their so-called Regulation S format, according to people familiar with the matter.
The arrangement, which exempts some US regulatory filing obligations and so makes execution faster, was also used by CATL for its $5.2 billion listing this year. More companies are looking to tap the equity-linked market for the first time as their peers have raised funds that way, said Rob Chan, Citigroup Inc.’s head of Asia equity capital markets syndicate. That is encouraging more executives to grasp the technicalities of a convertible-bond deal, which typically involves a hedging mechanism, Chan added.
Still, there are some hurdles for equity-linked supply. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates on Wednesday, and recent data has fueled bets on
hinges on enabling investments in high-value sectors, aligning training programs with industry demands and promoting flexible yet secure work arrangements. These measures will help ensure our workforce is prepared for a rapidly evolving economic environment.
The government remains committed to addressing job-skills mismatch and ensuring the work-
We aim to prevent the Philippines from being known as the most corrupt country in the world. With President Marcos’ initiative to expose widespread corruption, now is the perfect time to examine all potential sources of corruption within the government. We should scrutinize all government agencies, including those responsible for product standards and contractor accreditation. Let’s not let those opposed to this review hinder sound decision-making; they are like debris resisting the force of a flash flood, destined to be swept away by the current.
ment. Senator Lacson’s Blue Ribbon committee should consider including these issues in their investigations.
That’s why FPI needs allies in Congress like Senator Lacson, to craft laws that will help Philippine industries prosper. The good senator can help prioritize the passage of laws that support local industries to foster economic growth, create jobs, and enhance national competitiveness. By crafting measures that provide financial incentives, tax breaks, and infrastructure support, Congress can stimulate investment in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. This not only empowers local businesses to thrive but also promotes innovation and sustainability, ultimately leading to a more resilient economy. The resulting economic prosperity will benefit the Filipino people through increased employment opportunities, higher wages, and improved living standards, thereby reducing poverty and enhancing overall quality of life in the country.
Senator Lacson is actively supporting our efforts against smuggling and illicit trade. Additionally, he has initiated a campaign in the Senate to address pervasive graft and corruption related to ghost flood control projects.
Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s revelation about the misuse of funds in these projects, Senator Lacson presented a comprehensive exposé on the ghost flood control initiatives occurring nationwide.
Senator Lacson delivered his inaugural privilege speech in the Senate, referencing a saying: “A leaky roof today leads to a ruined home tomorrow.” He expressed gratitude that President Bongbong Marcos has
several more cuts to follow. Lower interest rates make conventional debt cheaper for companies, eroding the appeal of convertible bonds.
“If long-term rates come down quicker than expected, then some potential issuers may consider straight bonds more seriously,” said Akshay Sawhney, co-head of Asia-Pacific equity capital markets at Bank of America Corp.
First timers BUT bankers aren’t just relying on convertible bonds. While big firsttime share sales in Hong Kong so far this year have mostly come from companies whose stock already trades in mainland China, the pipeline is building for Chinese companies looking to go public for the first time.
Leading the pack is the gold business of Zijin Mining Group Co., which this week began gaug -
taken strong measures to address these issues, following his impactful rebuke and moral appeal, famously urging, “Mahiya naman kayo!” From 2011 to 2025, over P1.9 trillion were allocated to flood control management programs within the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget. Given such significant funding, one would expect our streets and low-lying areas to remain flood-free during heavy rains. Unfortunately, these funds have largely gone to ghost projects, or as President Marcos put it, “guni-guni.” Senator Lacson said “corruption has been so pervasive and systemic that doing so is like a piece of cake.” In the second part of his privilege speech addressing the widespread corruption in government flood control projects, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson revealed the so-called “Bulacan Group of Contractors” (BGC) on Tuesday, September 9. Referencing documents collected by his office, Lacson stated that the five contractors linked to the BGC within the Department of Public Works and Highways incurred P950 million in gross losses while gambling in 13 casinos in Metro Manila, Cebu and Pampanga.
We aim to prevent the Philippines from being known as the most corrupt country in the world. With President Marcos’ initiative to expose widespread corruption, now is the perfect time to examine all potential sources of corruption within the government. We should scrutinize all government agencies, including those responsible for product standards and contractor accreditation. Let’s not let those opposed to this review hinder sound decision-making; they are like debris resisting the force of a flash flood, destined to be swept away by the current. We need strong leaders in Congress, such as Senator Lacson who has actively called out corruption in various government agencies, to develop the legislation necessary to institutionalize our efforts against graft and corruption. Over the years, I have come to know Senator Lacson personally, and if I were asked today who would make an ideal leader to succeed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I would say it is Senator Lacson.
Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the Chairman Emeritus of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.
ing investor interest for a Hong Kong IPO that could fetch more than $3 billion, while automaker Chery Automobile Co.’s IPO may raise about $1.5 billion. These deals will be buttressed by more listings from companies already trading in China, providing they get approval from the onshore regulator. Hong Kong listing proceeds could more than double to a four-year high of $26 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence, which raised its estimates this month.
There has also been a flurry of funding in the conventional bond market. Chinese technology and mobile gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd. has named banks for its first such offering in four years, with a plan to sell offshore yuan bonds. That followed a recent 4.4 billion yuan ($618 million) deal from Baidu Inc., another tech giant. Bloomberg
force is prepared for a rapidly evolving economic environment. It is also ramping up efforts to maintain a sufficient supply and affordable prices of key commodities despite recent weather disturbances, per Secretary Balisacan. I believe that the Philippines’ ability to sustain economic growth and create quality jobs depends on its capacity to attract foreign investment and build a resilient and skilled workforce. By continuing to reduce red tape, investing in infrastructure and implementing forward-looking labor market policies, the government can create a more stable and prosperous future for all Filipinos.
For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@gmail.com or visit our web site: https:// markvillar.com.ph
(Philexport),the country’s umbrella organization of exporters, is hoping the government will focus on coming up with a “strategic system” anchored on five core drivers amid supply chain volatility and “erosion of predictability” in global trade.
In his speech on Tuesday at Philexport’s General Membership Meeting (GMM) held in Parañaque city, Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. underscored that there is no “single decisive strategy” that can drive export growth in today’s complex world.
However, he said: “The single bullet we’re looking for is a strategic system built on five core drivers.”
These are: product competitiveness, market intelligence, digital enablement, trade facilitation and public-private collaboration.
On product competitiveness, the Philexport chief underscored that the country should compete on quality, not price.
To make export products competitive, he said these initiatives must be looked into: ISO certification support programs, export-quality compliance grants for SMEs, and industry-
specific Research and Development (R&D) tax incentives.
For instance, Ortiz-Luis said Vietnam’s electronics exports surged from $4 billion in 2001 to over $100 billion by 2022, “largely due to its shift from low-value assembly to high-quality, integrated manufacturing driven by foreign direct investment, upskilling, and quality control.”
He also cited a 2021 World Trade Organization (WTO) report showing that firms meeting international quality standards were 70 percent more likely to export successfully than those that did not.
Another core driver, Ortiz-Luis said, is market intelligence. He emphasized that one in five small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use structured market research before choosing export destinations, according to the International Trade Centre.
“Using AI-powered tools like Trademap or Market Access Map, companies can identify not only demand volumes but also competitor presence, tariff barriers and sanitary/phytosanitary restrictions,” said Ortiz-Luis.
With this, he stressed the importance of coming up with real-time trade dashboards with customs and demand data, export-readiness ana-
Palawan high on Conde Nast winter escape list
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
WANT to escape the winter blues? A popular international travel publication has bookmarked Palawan among the “sun-kissed spots” to visit in January 2026.
In piece by Conde Nast Traveller entitled “17 sunny destinations that are still hot in January,” writer Laura Chub said: “Picture the Maldives, add soaring limestone karsts, and you’ve arrived at the islands of Palawan. The Philippines’ most sparsely populated region has lately become the whispered-about tropical Shangri-La, and was the original inspiration for Alex Garland’s The Beach—the sneakster just didn’t want anyone to find it, so set the story in Thailand instead.” She recommended readers to stay at Amanpulo on Pamalican Island, with the “world’s best bar. You must swim out to Kawayan, a thatched, floating bamboo raft that bobs lazily just offshore, and where the bartender mixes a mean Elderflower Gin Fizz.” She also suggested a stay at El Nido Resorts Miniloc, “with traditional overwater nipa huts, thatched roofs, woven-bamboo walls, and its own lagoon.” (The complete list in https://tinyurl. com/yxrzue8e)
Amanpulo, a white-sand beach playground long popular among Hollywood celebrities demanding privacy, is owned by Seven Seas Resorts and Leisure Corp. The company is majority-owned by the Soriano family’s A. Soriano Corp., with Aman Resorts as manager. El Nido Resorts is owned and operated by Ten Knots Development Corp., a unit of the Zobel-led
Ayala Land Inc.
Arrivals barely make 4M THIS developed as 3.96 million international travelers visited the Philippines from January to August this year, 1.56-percent less than the arrivals in the same period in 2024. This year’s eight-month arrivals were also close to a 28-percent decrease from the 5.49 million who visited the country in January to August 2019, data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) indicated. Comparing the two periods in 2019 and 2025 reveals a significant shift in the composition and volume of visitor arrivals to the Philippines. The same countries make up the top 10 list for both periods, although their rankings have shifted.
Of the total arrivals in 2025, foreign tourists fell by 35.3 percent to 3.6 million from 5.6 million in the same period in 2019, while overseas Filipinos registered a seven-fold increase to 361,456 from 48,161 in 2019.
The most notable change is China’s drop from second place in 2019, to just fifth in 2025. Arrivals from China for the eight-month period decreased to just over 182,000 from more than 1.2 million in 2019. A dispute over the West Philippines has raised the temperature on relations between Manila and Beijing.
The United States still kept its second place in the eight months to August this year, but saw its total arrivals drop to 689,981 from 735,540 in the same period in 2019. There was also a significant drop in tourists from many Asian markets. While South Korea remains the top
lytics tools, and market entry reports tailored to priority sectors.
Citing a study by World Bank in 2022, the Philexport chief said firms using data-driven market selection are 32 percent more likely to sustain exports beyond three years.
On “digital enablement,” OrtizLuis underscored the importance of having national e-export platforms for SME onboarding, digital trade finance solutions, paperless customs and digital certificates of origin.
A study he cited by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), released in 2023, had noted that digitally enabled exporters are growing five times faster than traditional ones.
“Yet, in many countries, less than 30 percent of SMEs have digital storefronts, and only 10 percent engage in cross-border e-commerce,” added the Philexport chief.
Another important factor that can drive the country’s outbound shipments is trade facilitation, which aims to cut costs and accelerate market access.
Under trade facilitation, OrtizLuis cited the need to put in place electronic single window systems, risk-based customs inspections and regional harmonization of standards
and processes.
Meanwhile, he stressed the importance of Public-Private Collaboration to build an export ecosystem.
“We had been seeing that export growth isn’t just about logistics and markets, it’s about ecosystem orchestration,” said Ortiz-Luis.
Citing the case of Germany’s export success, he said the country’s feat on outbound shipments is one that rests on a “tight-knit” network of Chambers of Commerce, Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), and publicprivate export promotion bodies.
In 2022, the Philexport chief said Germany exported goods worth over $1.6 trillion, ranking third globally.
The Philippines, he said, must come up with export mentorship programs pairing SMEs with large exports; national export councils including government, industry, and academia; and targeted export financing tools like pre-shipment guarantees.
Beyond the direct trade effects of tariffs, the Philexport chief pointed out: “The broader economic outlook of developing countries can be clouded by persistent and wide-ranging US tariff actions. The main concerns include supply chain volatility, investment deterrence and erosion of predictability in global trade norms.”
IF SPEAKER TAKES LEAVE, CAN HE APPOINT HOUSE CARETAKER?
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
SPECULATION swirled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday over reports that Speaker Martin Romualdez is set to take a leave of absence from his post.
Deputy Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy has been floated as the possible acting speaker.
Unconfirmed reports claimed Romualdez went to Malacañang to discuss a possible change in House leadership.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, however, stressed that the Speaker cannot appoint his own caretaker.
“House rules don’t specifically mention ‘leave.’ What is provided is a ‘temporary vacancy.’
In that case, the Speaker cannot designate who takes over. The deputy speakers must vote among themselves to choose the acting speaker,” Tiangco explained.
Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Benitez echoed this, saying an acting speaker may be chosen either by a vote among deputy speakers or, if no consensus is reached, by drawing lots.
Meanwhile, Tiangco denied having any interest in replacing Romualdez. He admitted, however, that he frequently speaks with Benitez and Cebu Rep.
Duke Frasco about restoring public trust in the House.
“We cannot change just for the sake of changing. Our conclusion, in my humble opinion, is that if there will be changes, it should not only be in the speakership,” Tiangco said. He added that reforms should also involve some deputy speakers and certain sensitive committees, though not all committee chairs, to avoid further disruption.
“The reality is, the most important number is not in the House. We should accept that the most important vote is outside—out of respect for Malacañang. That’s what everyone is waiting for,” he said. Earlier, a majority of lawmakers had already issued statements of support for Romualdez’s continued leadership. The House of Representatives suspended its session on Tuesday following reports of moves to change the leadership.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong moved to suspend the session until 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The plenary approved the motion without objections at 3:29 p.m.— just 29 minutes after the day’s session began.
As of Monday afternoon, the House leadership had yet to issue any official statement on the reported leadership shake-up.
Poll: Pinoys warm to formal credit—but wary
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
FILIPINO consumers are showing greater openness to formal borrowing, though concerns over high interest rates and fraud continue to temper full adoption, according to global information and insights firm TransUnion.
Data from TransUnion showed that credit demand in the Philippines, measured by credit inquiries, surged by 49 percent in the first half of 2025. Growth was led by personal loans, which rose 75 percent year-on-year, and credit cards, up 50 percent.
Card balances have also expanded as cardholder activity has remained steady, while delinquency
rates stayed stable, which indicates that borrowers are largely keeping up with payments.
In addition, the survey showed that preference for traditional banks climbed 15 percentage points, while intent to use virtual banks and credit cards rose nine and five points, respectively.
“We are seeing a growing willingness among Filipinos to embrace credit as a tool for progress, but they want to know they can do so with confidence,” TransUnion Philippines president and chief executive officer Peter Faulhaber said.
Supporting this trend, TransUnion’s Credit Perception Index (CPI) placed Filipino consumers at 73 out of 100, down slightly by one point from 2024.
The firm said the figure indicates stability in overall credit sentiment, with growing trust in credit products offsetting other concerns.
Despite the increased openness, consumers flagged high interest rates (59 percent) and fraud risks (52 percent) as barriers to borrowing.
“While trust is improving, hesitations remain—stronger assurances through safer and more supportive credit environments are required to translate openness to real actions,” the American consumer credit reporting agency said.
Macroeconomic conditions
THE country’s credit market is set for faster growth, supported by sustained economic expansion and
softer inflation in the second quarter of 2025, TransUnion said. The economy expanded 5.5 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, supported by household spending, agriculture growth and easing inflation. Inflation, meanwhile, averaged 1.5 percent in August, higher than July’s 0.9 percent but still below the
PARK AND ORDER From left: Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, San
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1
September 17, 2025
Grab seals deal with PCC for review of driver perks
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
GRAB Philippines said it has signed a fresh undertaking with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to allow the agency to complete its regulatory review of the ride-hailing company’s driver incentive program—an arrangement that dates back to Grab’s 2018 acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia operations.
The agreement was signed Tuesday and is the third such arrangement between the two parties.
“Grab has always been committed to complying with gov -
ernment regulations as part of our responsibility to commuters and to the Philippine transport sector,” Sherielysse Bonifacio, chief corporate affairs officer of Grab, said.
While Grab’s voluntary commitments expired in November 2023, the PCC has yet to finish reviewing reports from previous monitoring periods. To close this gap, Grab agreed to extend the review period for another year.
Under the new undertaking, the PCC will scrutinize GrabCar driver incentives for the 15th monitoring quarter covering May to July 2023 and the 16th quarter covering August to October 2023.
The arrangement also requires the appointment of an independent monitoring trustee who will verify Grab’s compliance with non-exclusivity commitments tied to driver incentives.
The agreement further lays down remedies in case of violations, such as corrective measures and financial penalties if warranted.
Grab’s merger with Uber in March 2018 transferred the lat -
ter’s ride-hailing and food delivery operations in Southeast Asia to Grab, in exchange for Uber taking a 27.5 percent stake in the Singapore-based super app.
“We believe that working closely with the government helps strengthen the industry and allows us to better serve our kababayan who rely on our platform every day,” Bonifacio said.
Grab announced in March 2018 that it acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations, which it considered “the largest-ever of its kind” in the region. It integrated Uber’s ridesharing and food delivery business in the region into its existing multi-modal transportation and fintech platform.
The company took over Uber’s operations and assets in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
‘Stable policy to hasten OSW projects’
TBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE Department of Energy
(DOE) wants to ensure longterm certainty for both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind (OSW) power projects in the Philippines.
Speaking before the APAC Wind Energy Summit 2025, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara joined leaders from Australia, Vietnam, and GOWA to discuss how regional collaboration can unlock Asia-Pacific’s vast wind energy potential.
“To unlock Asia-Pacific’s vast wind potential, we must recognize that no single country can succeed in isolation. Regional collaboration is most urgent in four key areas,” said Guevara. These are the grid, permitting, supply chain, and workforce.
In the Philippines, OSW developers have raised concerns on the lack of transmission line assets and modernization of port infrastructure, saying these are critical in determining their final investment decision.
Guevara said OSW will only succeed if grids are ready, interconnected, and resilient.
For the permitting processes, the DOE official said the country can learn from neighbors like Taiwan and Japan that streamlined
approvals early. Also, aligning localization policies and using regional trade agreements can reduce costs in the capital-intensive OSW projects and likewise build resilience.
“Equally important is stable, predictable policy and community engagement, which build investor confidence and public support. By working together in these areas, Asia-Pacific can accelerate wind deployment and deliver a cleaner, more resilient, and more inclusive energy future,” said Guevara.
The DOE official recognized the bottlenecks—permitting, ports, grids, and financing—that may hinder the growth of wind power projects.
“Across Asia-Pacific, the momentum for offshore wind is strong, but there are clear bottlenecks that could slow deployment. These cut across regulation, infrastructure, and financing…By tackling these bottlenecks, we can provide investors with certainty and accelerate offshore wind deployment across Asia-Pacific.”
Most Philippine ports were not designed for OSW projects, which is why the government is prioritizing upgrades of Ports in Sta. Clara, Batangas, Currimao, Ilocos Norte, and Pambujan, Camarines Norte with support from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
However, even when projects are ready, bottlenecks occur if the grid is not prepared. As such, Guevara said the Philippines is coordinating with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure transmission capacity is built into the Transmission Development Plan.
“Offshore wind is capital-intensive, and emerging markets face higher financing costs due to perceived risks like typhoons. To address this, the Philippines is engaging with multilateral banks and exploring mechanisms to lower the cost of capital, while also considering lessons from regional peers on blended finance and risk-sharing instruments.”
She said the DOE is working closely with developers, financiers, NGCP, and the PPA to align these timelines.
“By requiring solid wind data, streamlining permitting, and ensuring grid and port readiness, we are laying the foundation for GEA5 [fifth green energy auction] to move efficiently from auction to construction—and ultimately to deliver the Philippines’ first offshore wind kilowatt-hour by 2028.”
Under GEA-5, the DOE is poised to offer 3,300 megawatts (MW) OSW. The DOE said there are 16 OSW “frontrunner” projects, with a total potential capacity of 16GW
DigiPlus set to begin operations in Brazil
ONLINE gaming firm DigiPlus Interactive Corp. on Tuesday said it will start its Brazil operations next week, which will be its first major international expansion.
The company said it is ready to thrive in Brazil, a regulated market that generated $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenues in the first half of the year.
DigiPlus said it sees the country’s strict compliance framework as an opportunity to differentiate itself by prioritizing transparency and player welfare.
“We are incredibly excited to launch our first brand in Brazil this September,” DigiPlus chairman Eusebio H. Tanco said.
“Our entry into this dynamic market is the culmination of a
SEC agrees to share corporate data with DOF for govt-led EITI
Tglobal-first mindset, strong collaboration between our teams, and an unwavering commitment to responsible gaming operations. We are not just bringing a platform to Brazil; we are bringing a new standard of safe digital entertainment.”
The company will soft-launch its Brazil operations with GamePlus, its first international brand, on September 22.
DigiPlus entry into Latin America’s fastest-growing online gaming market is a significant step in its global expansion strategy, it said.
“GamePlus is designed to deliver simple, fun entertainment to the Brazilian market, filling a key strategic vertical for DigiPlus,” DigiPlus Brazil Country Manager Graham Tidey said.
GamePlus will launch with a catalogue featuring over 150 of Brazil’s top games—both in free-to-play and real-money versions—and will soon add exclusive content inspired by local folklore, casual games and sports, ensuring a culturally resonant experience, he said.
Tanco said the company’s teams have worked hard to create a secure platform, which is also “culturally resonant.”
“We are committed to fostering a strong local talent base and ensuring our offerings are perfectly tailored for Brazilian players, from our exclusive games to our player protection measures.”
DigiPlus said it is targeting to launch BingoPlus as its second platform in Brazil in 2026. VG Cabuag
or 16,000 MW that are expected to start construction at the latest by 2027 and to inject the first kilowatt hour by 2028.
Data availability, streamlined permitting, grid readiness, and port and logistics upgrades have been identified by the DOE as its next key steps for GEA5.
By VG Cabuag @villygc
HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Tuesday said it signed a data sharing agreement (DSA) on beneficial ownership information with the Department of Finance (DOF) for the governmentled initiative tasked to uphold international standards for the sound management of natural resources.
SEC said the agreement strengthens cooperation in support of the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and its mandate to promote open and accountable governance in the extractive sector.
Created under Executive Order No. 147, series of 2013, PHEITI operates under the DOF and serves as the Philippines’s implementing body of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The EITI sets international standards for transparency and accountability in the management of oil, gas, and mineral resources, ensuring that natural resource wealth is harnessed responsibly for national development.
Among the core requirements under the initiative is the full disclosure of beneficial ownership information for all corporations that hold extractive license or contract.
Under the DSA, the SEC will
provide PH-EITI with enhanced access to corporate data, including beneficial ownership information, of registered companies, in line with efforts to combat corruption, illicit financial flows, tax evasion and undue influence in the extractive industry.
“This agreement paves the way for the seamless, secure, and lawful exchange of beneficial ownership data, thereby reinforcing the Government’s commitment to strictly adhere to the Financial Action Task Force’s international standards,” SEC Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo said. The signing of the data sharing deal jumps off from the country’s exit from the grey list of global watchdog FATF, an international body that sets standards to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, last February.
Beneficial owners, which should be distinguished from legal owners, are natural persons who own or exercise ultimate effective control over a corporation as they may directly or indirectly have voting powers or influence on transaction decisions.
Banking&Finance
NG to lose ₧30B due to zero tariffs—BOC
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE Philippines is looking to tap the US dollar, euro and yen debt markets in 2026, betting that a spot in the JP Morgan bond index will help reduce borrowing costs and strengthen the country’s credit profile.
On the sidelines of the GOCC Day 2025 in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told reporters that the government is eyeing the US dollars, Japanese yen and possibly, euro bond markets next year.
“It depends on the market appetite,” Recto said, adding that next year’s borrowing program will be a ratio of 77:23, in favor of domestic sources. The government will borrow a total of P2.682 trillion next year to plug its projected budget deficit of P1.646 trillion. About P2.065 trillion of next year’s borrowings will be raised from local lenders, while the remaining P681.50 billion will come from foreign financiers.
“What is important is that we may be included in the JP Morgan Index. That will reduce rates as well so we’re very excited with that... [that’s also] good for our credit rating,” Recto said.
The Philippine peso-denominated government bonds (RPGBs) were recently placed in JP Morgan’s positive watchlist, nearing the country’s inclusion to the Government Bond Index for Emerging Markets (GBI-EM). (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/15/phlnears-inclusion-in-jp-morgansem-bond-index/)
JP Morgan said that if the Philippines were included, it would have a weight of about 1 percent of the GBIEM Global Diversified Index.
National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza said that if the Philippines were included in the index, this could add P100 billion in foreign inflows to the country.
Almanza said that in August, foreign participation rose to 6 percent from 5 percent, translating to an additional P100 billion in inflows, brought in by retail treasury bonds and the secondary market.
“Actually, even if we haven’t been included, we felt it already,” said the National Treasurer.
Almanza added that the government is focusing on the consolidation of benchmark tenors and the implementation of a primary dealer system to address concerns over secondary market liquidity raised by JP Morgan.
On tax hurdles, she said the government is promoting the tax treaty implementation since the country has double taxation agreements with over 43 countries, and that investors only need to go through the enrollment process and submit the necessary documents.
Rate cut
MEANWHILE, as a member of the Monetary Board, Recto said he is eyeing “at least one more rate cut” this year. However, this depends on the move of the US Federal Reserve and the country’s inflation data, Recto added.
Inflation averaged 1.5 percent in August, faster than the 0.9 percent posted in July. However, this remained below the 3.3 percent posted in August 2024 (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/05/ food-transportation-push-up-inflation-to-1-5-in-august/).
This is within the expectations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of 1.0 percent to 1.8 percent for August.
“But clearly, I think we can reduce the policy rate by another 25 basis points,” the Finance chief said. “I don’t think we’re in the final stretch [of the easing cycle.]” The BSP reduced the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate by 25 basis points to 5 percent on August 28. The MB, the country’s highest monetary policy-making body, has two more rate-setting meetings left in its calendar this year: on October 9 and on December 11. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE chief of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) warned last Tuesday that the Philippine government could lose up to P30 billion in revenues following the implementation of zero tariffs on certain commodities imported from the United States.
Speaking before the House Committee on Ways and Means, BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the reduction of tariffs on certain US goods would significantly impact government collections.
“With regard to the reduction of tariffs from our US imports—because this will impact our collections—an estimate of P27 billion to P30 billion will be considered as foregone revenues,” Nepomuceno
told lawmakers, citing automobiles, wheat, soy, and pharmaceutical products as among the affected imports. He added that while the BOC is prepared to comply with the trade arrangement, the projected revenue shortfall was not included in his agency’s official report and, thus, deserves the committee’s attention.
Earlier, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the government has not yet earmarked a budget or rolled out measures to cushion local industries that may be affected by Washington’s tariff impositions, as negotiations are still underway.
Roque said that since the US is not the Philippines’s only market, exporters should also tap opportunities locally and globally. She also expressed hope that the 19 percent reciprocal tariff imposed by Washington could still be reduced.
Investors re-park funds in long-term bonds
SRevenue
CUSTOMS Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla, meanwhile, reported a total of P543.951 billion in collections from January to July 2025, achieving 99.7 percent of its P545.811-billion target for the seven-month period.
Maronilla considered the shortfall as “slight” and attributed its behavior to the volatility of global oil prices, which directly affected revenues from petroleum imports—a major contributor to government collections.
Despite this challenge, he said the agency still posted a 1.5 percent revenue growth compared to the same period last year, underscoring steady performance in non-oil imports such as manufactured goods, vehicles, and agricultural products.
Maronilla said the country’s
value-added tax (VAT) continues to serve as the primary and most reliable driver of government revenues, the tax agency reported, underscoring its role as a stabilizing force in public finance despite policy changes that have affected other collections. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that external policy decisions, such as tariff adjustments, have created visible impacts on specific tax lines. The reduction of rice tariffs in 2025 directly contributed to a decline in customs duties, highlighting how trade and tariff policies can influence overall revenue performance, he added. The officials vowed the BOC would intensify collection efforts and anti-smuggling operations to ensure that annual targets are met, while also implementing reforms to improve trade facilitation.
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
TRONG demand drove yields of 10-year Treasury bonds (Tbonds) lower on Tuesday’s auction, as traders reinvest their funds in long-term government securities.
The reissued 10-year T-bonds’ average yield fell to 5.907 percent, down by 9 basis points from the 5.997 percent posted in the previous auction for the same tenor last August 19. This is also 4.9 basis points lower than the secondary market rate of 5.956 percent, based on the Philippine Bloomberg Valuation Service reference rate for the 10-year tenor. Similarly, it is lower by 1.4 basis points compared to the BVAL rate for the security itself, at 5.921 percent.
Yields of the long-term government IOUs ranged from a low of 5.898 percent to a high of 5.915 percent. It fetched a coupon rate of 6.375 percent.
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) saw its auction for the securities being oversubscribed by 3.1 times than its programmed amount, with total bids reaching P77.174 billion.
The strong demand provided the auction committee with sufficient
By Mary Jade Gale Jadormio
THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), together with the Ad Standards Council (ASC), has proposed a new “responsible gaming” tagline as warning to online gambling players.
ASC Executive Editor Roberto A. Aligada said during a Senate hearing last Tuesday that the Pagcor would use the new catchphrase “Gambling is addicting, know when to stop.”
This statement will replace the previous phrase “Game responsibly, keep it fun” that, according to Aligada “doesn’t mean anything.”
He added ASC members are currently reviewing provisions in the council’s existing code of ethics to further align with the global standard
THE non-life insurer Intrastrata Assurance Corp. was placed under conservatorship by the Insurance Commission (IC) and was ordered to stop engaging in any business transactions.
In a notice to the public, Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado said the IC issued a ceaseand-desist order against Intrastrata due to its inability to comply with the requirements under Republic Act (RA) 10607 or the Amended Insurance Code.
In line with this, the IC also suspended the certificate of authority of Intra Strata.
elbow room to fully award the offers with favorable yields for the national government. The T-bonds have a remaining term of 9 years and 7 months and will mature on April 28, 2035.
According to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort, traders reinvesting their funds in long-term debt papers pushed demands higher and yields lower.
About P288.659-billion worth of T-bonds matured last September 9, which could have increased the demand for government securities, such as Treasury bills (T-bills) and T-bonds, and reinvested at still much higher yields, Ricafort said.
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 remaining borrowing requirement worth P843 billion out of the P2.6 trillion full-year program will be sourced from the domestic debt market, through the regular T-bills and T-bonds auctions, Almanza has said.
Moreover, Ricafort said that the 10-year T-bond yields declined amid recent gains in the local bond market
of responsible gaming.
Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo pointed out that the suggested tagline could be sharper in warning online gamblers.
“Why not issue warnings as direct as those on cigarette packs? [Like] ‘Gambling can break your family apart, take away your livelihood, or even drive you to end your life,’” Tulfo said mostly in Filipino.
Aligada agreed to revisit the proposed catchphrase in accordance with the lawmaker’s suggestions.
Meanwhile, Pagcor Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs Jessa Mariz R. Fernandez said they plan to set aside a percentage of licensees’ gross gaming revenue to small infrastructure projects or community projects.
A part of the fund will also be directed to rehabilitation centers for
due to higher demand as the market expects a possible inclusion of Philippine sovereign bonds in the JPMorgan Global Emerging Market Bond Index.
On external factors, he said the comparable 10-year US Treasury bond yield dipped to 4.04 percent amid increased market expectations of a possible 25-basis point rate cut by the US Federal Reserve on September 17.
The markets also priced in about three Fed rate cuts for the rest of this year after weaker US labor and other economic data that further increased the odds of future Fed rate cuts, Ricafort added.
Next Tuesday, the Treasury will sell T-bonds with tenors of three and 20 years to raise a total of P35 billion.
This is part of the Treasury’s P120billion borrowing program for T-bonds this September, and this year’s fullyear target of P2.6 trillion.
The government is running a budget deficit of P784.4 billion as of the end of July this year, which will be largely covered by local borrowings.
Outstanding debt of the national government ballooned to P17.563 trillion as of end-July, 11.9 percent higher from P15.689 trillion in the same period a year ago.
players who are having mental health problems linked to online gambling, Fernandez said during the same hearing.
“We also have tie ups with nongovernment organizations, like the Seagulls Flock Organization, which help us strengthen our projects,” the lawyer added.
She said that Pagcor would also launch an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to easily track down illegal online gambling sites within seconds.
Fernandez said Pagcor has been working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the National Telecommunications Commission to take down detected illegal sites.
“Integrity, transparency and the fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They have to be taught as fundamental values.”
—Angel Gurría, OECD
Secretary General
THE ghost month featured lots of ghost projects that have been the objects of Senate hearings, have hugged the headlines of broadsheets and have been the objects of social media messages.
A colleague said the amount of corruption could easily bring electricity to the entire country. Another said, with that amount, the country could have addressed housing for the underprivileged and the lack of classrooms for public schools.
Corruption has been in our midst but of late, the public display of wealth, admission of engaging in ‘prohibited’ gambling among public servants, and more, highlighted irresponsible/despicable acts by elected officials, public servants and some business persons. Does our country lack the necessary laws, rules and regulations to address the malaise?
According to an OECD report in 2024, the Philippines has ratified the UN Convention against Corruption and established a legal and policy framework for preventing corruption through various laws, regulations, and policies, which are applicable to infrastructure.
The Philippines’s anti-corruption legal and policy framework is anchored by key legislation, some of which are the following.
1. Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act , which criminalizes corrupt practices by public officials, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713), which sets ethical standards for government personnel.
2. Additionally, the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) promotes transparency and accountability in public procurement.
3. The Securities Regulation Code (RA 8799) and the Code of Corporate Governance explicitly target the private sector and encourage transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct among private corporations.
pines remain high. According to the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, the Philippines ranked 115 out of 180 countries. With a score of 34 out of 100, the country is below the Asean average (Transparency International, 2023). According to Transparency International’s 2020 Global Corruption Barometer on Citizens’ views and experiences on corruption in Asia, 24 percent of surveyed citizens in the Philippines reported that corruption had increased in the past year (Transparency International, 2020).
In 2022, over 3,000 corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organisations had signed a pledge as part of the Integrity Initiative, where signatories commit themselves and their respective organisations not to engage in corruption and other unethical business practices. The Initiative was organised by leading business organisations including the construction-focused Makati Business Club. Its signatories include several major Philippine construction companies involved in infrastructure development.
Similarly, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, a coalition of almost 3,000 international businesses and investors operating in the Philippines, established the Compliance and Integrity Programmes for Business, an initiative in which members pledge not to bribe public officials, to report corruption, and to embed anti-corruption measures in their corporate practices.
“Moreover, the company was ordered to cease and desist from transacting any new insurance business of any kind or character and was simultaneously placed under conservatorship,” the notice read.
The Commission designated Atty. John A. Apatan, division manager of IC’s Conservatorship Receivership and Liquidation (CRL) Division, as Intrastrata’s interim ex-officio conservator.
The IC, under the law, may put an insurer under conservatorship if it determines that the company is in a state of continuing inability or unwillingness to fulfill its obligations to
policyholders.
Concerned policyholders, creditors and interested parties are advised by the IC to address their claims and concerns to Apatan.
Intrastrata is one of the country’s oldest non-life insurance companies, established on September 8, 1959. It was formerly known as Overseas Insurance Co.
Data from the IC showed the insurer booked a net income of P165.429 million in 2024. The company’s total assets reached P1.922 billion, while its net worth amounted to P1.626 billion during the same year.
Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
4. Anti-corruption was also listed as a priority in the previous PDP, which aimed to reduce corruption through education, prevention and enforcement (NEDA, 2017[48]).
The Office of the Ombudsman, along with the Civil Service Commission and other stakeholders, aims to enhance anti-corruption efforts by drawing on lessons from existing programs such as the Integrity Management Program and public integrity campaigns (NEDA, 2022).
Despite these efforts, perceived levels of corruption in the Philip -
The country is not wanting in laws and regulations. Irresponsible conduct motivated by insatiable appetite for illegally gained wealth is the reason behind the “grand theft.” Extra-ordinary state of affairs needs extra-ordinary actions – not only an independent Commission to probe the unprecedented “misappropriation” of people’s money but a special court to expeditiously try and rule on those found guilty. This time, let’s catch some “big fishes;” and, no mercy please! There is hope: May pag-asa!
Conchita L.
Conchita L. Manabat
‘The Pitt,’ ‘Adolescence’ dominate Emmy Awards
By Eugenia Last
SEE “EMMY,” B5
THE MANUNURI LISTS OUTSTANDING SHORT FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES FOR THE 48TH GAWAD URIAN
BY TITO GENOVA VALIENTE
FIVE documentaries for this year made it to the honor roll of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino; five short films culled from a long list of a hundred entries covering regional film festivals, student film concourses, and national competitions were in the final list of nominees by the critics group.
THE DOCUMENTARIES
THESE documentaries share one thing in common—they are all incendiary social commentary, inciting strong and, in some cases, institutional opposition to their screening. Alipato at Muog, on the forcible disappearance of Jonas Burgos attributed to the military, was slapped once with an ‘X’ rating by MTRCB; the other documentary, Lost Sabungeros, on the unexplained vanishing of those engaged in cockfighting, was supposed to have a premiere during the Cinemalaya in August of 2024 but this was cancelled. Its screening would take place later in the QC Film Festival.
And So It Begins chronicles the movement around the 2022 presidential campaign of Leni Robredo. Home of the Brave looks with irony and bravery at the very old and yet highly conflicted Filipino diaspora in the United States of America. Undefended is about the danger of protecting the
environment, which involves not only the degradation of the surrounding but the killing of those who attempt to protect it. Bravery then and creativity mark the career of the documentarian.
■ Alipato at Muog by JL Burgos
■ And So It Begins by Ramona Diaz
■ Home of the Brave by Baby Ruth Villarama
■ Lost Sabungeros by Bryan Kristoffer
■ Undefended: On Asia’s Most Dangerous Place for Environmental Defenders by Jacob Hinanay
THE SHORT FILMS
DEEP in the forest, Kyd Torato locates this anomalous tree of enchantment upon which all the afflictions of the community are thrown but the local formal leaders have come to inform those with disease that the spirits have all but abandoned them. The people were then ordered to evacuate, only for them to find out that the plan is to decimate the site of healing until nothing is left, not even the ashes.
The father in Gilb Baldoza’s gospel talks to God and, in a moment of hopelessness, joy and existential auto-da-fé, discovers that he could shift the shapes of clouds and talk directly with his maker. Imbued with the recklessness of an expressionistic exercise, the short film acts like a prayer in
times when such has become nearly futile.
In Primetime Mother, Sonny Calvento takes us on a romp in a TV program that mocks the very motherhood/ womanhood it purports to celebrate at a time when mothers are supposed to be viewing their idealized images for the world to see. As usual, the male gaze is intent, cruel and misplaced.
In Si Balong at Si Doro, Jenser Recosana has recovered for all of us the very common, replaceable, quotidian marker of agriculture—the lowly carabao. In this recuperation, the animal has become a pet and a symbol of humanity long absent in our memory of distant ricefields and forgotten farms.
Eve Baswell and Gojularaajan Rajendran are the two minds and hearts in this work that blend poetry and politics— where displacement turns into a stillness that is neither here nor there. The question of home and solace and self is tied to a felt violence and uncertainty.
■ Bisan Abo Wala Bilin by Kyd Torato
■ Kinakausap ni Celso ang Diyos by Gilb Baldoza
■ Primetime Mother by Sonny Calvento
■ Si Balong at si Doro by Jenser Recosana
■ Walang Balay by Eve Baswell and Gojularaajan Rajendran
effort to those who are appreciative and seasoned in understanding how best to apply what you have to offer. Implement what you long for most.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Think less and do more. Let your actions speak for you, and you’ll get the highest return. Let go of the past and embrace change; the result will be new beginnings with people who are more in tune with what makes you happy. Make the most of your day, and you’ll surpass your expectations. ★★★★★
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Think, research, bide your time and avoid being bamboozled into putting your efforts behind someone else’s dream. Look for opportunities that align more closely with what you want out of life. Maintain a low profile, keep a watchful eye on what’s happening around you, and develop a solid, affordable plan that benefits you. ★★★
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Gravitate toward what’s new and exciting, but don’t rush into or finalize something before you thoroughly check the possibilities and the ratio for success. Share your likes and dislikes with someone you love, and make plans to develop a partnership that requires trust and compatibility. Reworking your space to suit your needs is favored. ★★★ PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Deal with relationship issues swiftly to avoid situations escalating into something unmanageable.
When life hands you lemons that are too small for lemonade
BREAKING OUT OF THE EXHAUSTING CYCLE OF CYSTIC ACNE
THEY’RE the bane of the awkward teenage years— unsightly, painful pimples that grow in clusters or in obvious spots like your forehead or right smack on the tip of your nose. But the end of adolescence doesn’t mean the end of acne, particularly cystic acne—large, pus-filled pimples forming deep under the skin.
While pimples are a result of hormonal changes that occur in puberty, the pimples of cystic acne are the result of an infection. “When oil and dead skin cells collect and clog the pores, they attract bacteria that can cause infection,” explains Julie Anne Patricia M. Songco, MD, a dermatologist of top Philippine hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph). “To fight potential infection, the body releases white blood cells. This buildup of debris, pus and blood creates large, swollen pimples. Because they develop deep under the skin, they can leave scars once resolved.”
Common among those with oily skin, cystic acne has also been traced to certain medications, sweat and humidity, a family history of the skin condition, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Cystic acne can stay on your skin indefinitely if you leave it be. But if you’ve got an important appointment that requires clear, beautiful skin—a crucial job interview or your wedding day—get the ball rolling with time-tested products and simple life hacks from the MakatiMed doctor. Songco first emphasizes investing in the right creams and cleansers. “Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two known topical anti-acne treatments. The former eases inflammation, fights bacteria, and unclogs pores, while the latter prevents breakouts from getting worse,” shares the dermatologist.
“Retinoid A, another acne-buster, stops dead skin cells from blocking pores,” adds Songco. “For facial washes, avoid those with harsh ingredients or with exfoliating beads that may dry or irritate skin. Pick a gentle cleanser and wash your face once in the morning and just before bedtime.” The dermatologist also underlines the importance of removing your makeup. Sleeping with makeup on (plus the dried sweat and microscopic dust that accumulated on your face throughout the day) only exacerbates cystic acne. “Allow your skin to breathe by cleaning your face thoroughly before bedtime with makeup remover and a mild soap or cleanser,” says Songco. And speaking of makeup, look for the word “non-comedogenic” in the label. “That means it contains ingredients that won’t clog the pores of your skin.”
It’s also best to never pick at your skin, the doctor reminds. “While it’s tempting to pop a pimple, especially when it looks like it’s ready to burst, resist the urge. Popping a pimple with your fingers can risk infection and scarring,” warns Songco.
And if the exhausting cycle of cystic acne never ends, the best recourse is to consult a dermatologist to provide personalized treatment options and get to the root of the problem. “We may also recommend minimally invasive procedures, if necessary, and monitor your progress,” says Songco. “Cystic acne takes time to heal, but the sooner you take steps to address it, especially with expert advice, the faster you can gain the desired results.”
ISAPPOINTMENTS come in all shapes and sizes. Some are milestones and lifechanging while others are so small that they appear almost trivial. Yet, even the little ones have the power to disrupt our mood, drain our patience, or even leave us unsettled. A delayed delivery, a canceled dinner plan, a friend forgetting to call, or an unexpected extra charge on a bill can all be minor setbacks that somehow manage to ruin a perfectly good day. These small disappointments may not be life-altering, but if we do not learn how to process them properly, they can add up until we feel weighed down by irritations that we instead should have let go.
The first step in handling these moments is to allow yourself to feel. Many people dismiss small disappointments because they believe that only big problems deserve attention. However, ignoring the sting of minor setbacks often causes irritation to linger beneath the surface. Think of the frustration you feel when your favorite snack is sold-out at the store or when your morning coffee order comes out wrong. You might try to laugh it off, but if you do not acknowledge your annoyance, it can build up until something small drives you over the edge. Giving yourself permission to say, “I am disappointed but this will pass,” can validate the feeling and prevent it from growing into unnecessary negativity.
Once you have acknowledged your reaction, it helps to step back and change your perspective. A useful question to ask is whether this setback will matter in a week, a month, or a year. More often than not, the answer is no. Your friend’s late reply to a message, the rescheduled meeting, or the long line at the supermarket will soon be forgotten. What tends to last is the memory of how you responded in the moment. Did you let it ruin your mood, or did you find a way to rise above it? A change in perspective shrinks the problem down to its true size and makes it easier to release.
Another practical way is to redirect your energy. Instead of replaying the annoyance in your mind over and over, shift your attention to something that uplifts you. Listen to a favorite song that never fails to cheer you up, organize your workspace for a sense of accomplishment, or send a kind message to someone who might need encouragement. These actions are more than distractions. They are deliberate choices that restore your sense of control. By investing energy into something positive, you reclaim the part of your day that could have been lost to irritation.
Reframing the situation is equally powerful. Disappointments, no matter how small, remind us that life does not always unfold according to our plans. Flexibility in the face of change is a strength worth cultivating. For instance, if your planned walk in the park is spoiled by sudden rain, you might see it as an opportunity to try a new indoor exercise routine, or to enjoy an hour of quiet reading. When you reinterpret a setback as a chance for creativity, the disappointment loses its sting and transforms into a different kind of opportunity.
Your self-talk also matters. A common trap is to convert small disappointments into personal criticism. If you receive minor feedback on a project, it is easy to slip into thoughts like “I am not capable.”
or spilling sauce on your shirt during lunch can certainly be frustrating. But when retold later as a funny story, they add character to the day rather than become unnecessary irritations. Humor connects us with others as well, since everyone has experienced similar minor mishaps. What feels like a setback in the moment often becomes a story that makes people smile.
Lastly, practicing gratitude can bring balance. Even when something small does not go as planned, there are usually other things in your day that are going right. Perhaps the meeting was canceled but you gained unexpected free time. Perhaps the restaurant was closed but you discovered a new place to eat.
Gratitude shifts the focus from what is missing to what is present, and in doing so it restores a sense of abundance.
Small disappointments are inevitable companions in life. They arrive uninvited, but they do not have to stay. By acknowledging feelings, gaining perspective, redirecting energy, reframing situations, speaking kindly to yourself, embracing humor, and practicing gratitude, you can meet these moments with confidence. Life is full of minor setbacks, but it is also full of second chances, small joys, and opportunities to be better. Processing little disappointments gracefully not only lightens your own heart, but also strengthens your ability to handle the bigger challenges that will surely come.
The company that travels together, wins together
IN the ever-evolving world of brand engagement, success isn’t just about delivering breakthrough campaigns—it’s about cultivating the kind of team spirit that fuels them. For Stratworks and affiliate agency ID8, 2025 isn’t just another year—it’s a year where everyone is in a “Game On” mood.
This year’s theme reflects a bold, energized mindset: ready to play, ready to level up, and ready to win together. That spirit was evident in their recent company trip to Tokyo, Japan, a milestone celebration marking Stratworks’ 26th anniversary and a testament to the agencies’ belief that a team that plays together, thrives together. “‘Game On’, our rallying cry for 2025, means showing up with heart, pushing boundaries, and keeping our connections strong. This trip to Japan was a way to recharge, reconnect, and remind ourselves why we play the game—to grow together and win together” said Donna Conda, Stratworks & ID8 president and co-CEO.
For Stratworks and ID8, traveling together is more than a perk—it’s a powerful company tradition, rooted in the Japanese concept of kizuna: the lasting bonds built through shared experiences, trust and mutual purpose. These trips are intentional pauses in the agency’s fast-paced rhythm, designed to create space for reflection, creativity, and deeper human connection.
Over the years, the team has embarked on company trips, from the sun-drenched shores of Boracay , Coron, and El Nido, to the dynamic cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore, and Japan’s Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Each destination becomes a canvas for learning, laughter, and collective inspiration.
“These trips are how we live our culture,” Conda added. “When we travel together, we don’t just take a break—we strengthen the bonds that drive our creativity and collaboration.”
In Tokyo, the team immersed itself in a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation—a perfect metaphor for the agency’s own DNA. As they explored Japan’s neon-lit cities, tranquil shrines, and culinary wonders, team members returned with broadened perspectives—and brimming with ideas.
“When we travel as a team, we step out of routine and into inspiration,” shared Oliver Conda, Stratworks and ID8 co-CEO. “The discoveries we make together—big or small—become powerful sources of creativity. They open our minds to new perspectives and reconnect us to our purpose. The strongest ideas grow where human connections are real and meaningful. That’s the kind of energy no office brainstorm can replicate.”
At Stratworks and ID8, culture isn’t a byproduct of success—it’s what drives it. The recent Japan trip was purposeful in that belief, strengthening team unity in a high-stakes, high-velocity industry.
He then pulled out a resume and an old headshot but realized he only had the one copy. “Harrison Ford, could you get this to Spielberg?” He ran over to Ford, who seemed to promise he would.
TRAMELL TILLMAN CHARMS
TRAMELL TILLMAN made history, but he made it all about his mom.
The Severance star became the first Black actor to win best supporting actor in a drama playing the creepy, unnerving Seth Milchick.
Tillman thanked his first acting coach—his mother, who was also his date.
“You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make for. Do the work. Show up. And most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public,” he said. “My first acting coach was tough, y’all, but all great mothers are.”
Tillman, holding the statuette high, added: “This is for you. I am full, I am humbled, I am honored.”
A FAKE ER WORKER HONORS THE REAL ONES
NOAH WYLE’S narrative was just too powerful to deny. After getting five nominations without a win for ER, the actor came back to don scrubs 30 years later and won his first Emmy for playing another emergency doctor on The Pitt Wyle thanked HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television for allowing “the conditions to exist for lightning to strike in my life twice.”
And then he dedicated his award to those in the health care field.
“To anybody who’s going on shift tonight or coming off shift tonight, thank you for being in that job. This is for you,” Wyle said.
A LITTLE POLITICS
CBS is likely wiping its network forehead that a bitterly divided nation didn’t make the Emmys a divisive place.
Yes, Javier Bardem wore a kaffiyeh in support of Palestinians and Television Academy Chairman Cris Abrego criticized Congress for voting to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. But Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk were never mentioned on the broadcast and even Stephen Colbert—never shy to mock the powerful—stayed apolitical.
The most explosive it got was when Hacks star Hannah Einbinder ended her acceptance speech win with vocal support for the Philadelphia Eagles, an expletive aimed at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and a call to “free Palestine.”
PHOTO BY LAURA CHOUETTE ON UNSPLASH
DBP launches CSR program for education
State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines
(DBP) has launched a P510million corporate social responsibility (CSR) program designed to strategically allocate resources and promote access to quality education in both the basic and tertiary levels, a top official said.
DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said that the DBP Integrated Scholastic Program for Inclusive and Responsive Education (DBP INSPIRE) is a five-year omnibus program that seeks to supplement the National Government’s initiatives for education through collaborative endowment and support projects.
“The DBP INSPIRE program reinforces the Bank’s commitment of fostering support to the education sector and is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision to place education at the forefront of the national development agenda,” de Jesus said.
DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four priority sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.
De Jesus said the DBP INSPIRE program is implemented in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and partner higher education institutions (HEIs) to ensure strategic optimization of the program resources.
He said that for the scholarship component of the program, DBP will set aside P437.5-million to cover the financing of student-beneficiaries’ tuition and matriculation fees, including living allowances for food, lodging, and miscellaneous school expenses along with study materials such as books and
uniforms.
“In the first year of the program’s implementation, at least 350 financially challenged students will benefit especially those enrolled in courses such as Engineering and its related fields, Accountancy, Education, Agriculture and Forestry, Sciences, Maritime, Information Technology, and Technical Vocational courses,” de Jesus said.
DBP has tapped nine HEIs for the program, namely Bulacan State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Saint Dominic College of Asia, Cebu Normal University, University of Cebu, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Misamis Institute Technology, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology.
The program will provide P72.5 million in assistance to DepEd’s Adopt-a-School and Brigada Eskwela programs aimed at improving classroom facilities and
providing essential learning equipment for 150 public schools in the primary and secondary levels.
De Jesus said the DBP INSPIRE program will sustain the gains of the Bank’s previous CSR initiatives for education: the DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP) and the DBP Resources for Inclusive and Sustainable Education (DBP RISE) Program which had a combined budget of P1.5 billion and benefitted more than 5,000 scholars in the past 15 years.
He said the two previous educationrelated CSR initiatives have achieved significant employment rates of 94 percent and 96 percent which is more than the 10year national average of 94.05 percent.
“DBP will continue helping advance quality education in the country through its strong collaboration with the Department of Education and partner schools and universities, and in recognition of the transformative power of education in improving the lives of underprivileged yet hardworking Filipinos,” de Jesus said.
Ford Philippines Shines Spotlight on Proud Owners with #iDriveFord Campaign
AFTER the successful launch of the New Ford Territory Hybrid and All-New Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford Philippines is putting the spotlight on its growing owner community with its #iDriveFord campaign, designed to showcase the passion, pride, and unique experiences of Ford owners across the country. The program highlights how Ford owners embark on their daily drives and weekend adventures powered by their vehicles. Through #iDriveFord, owners are encouraged to share how their Ford vehicles enable their passions, lifestyles, interests, and memorable times with
family, friends, and colleagues.
#iDriveFord aims to capture moments of excitement, adventure, and joy that comes with driving a Ford. Whether for your daily commute to work, hauling equipment for your small business, all the way to unplanned weekend getaways and explorations that push boundaries – Filipinos can rely on their trusty Ford to get the job done. Throughout life’s journeys, Ford believes that every trip tells a story worth sharing, and each of these represent how Ford connects with Filipinos’ mobile lives.
Organized a glamping activity with the kids with the Everest? Took a road trip off the beaten path with the Ranger? Or roamed around the city’s newest food hubs with the Territory? These stories show how Ford complements one’s lifestyle or passion. The #iDriveFord campaign encourages creating and sharing of authentic and unscripted stories that reflect real-world adventures and experiences.
To take part in the campaign, Ford owners simply need to post their photos or videos on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, use the hashtag #iDriveFord, and tag the official Ford Philippines pages. Relatable, fun, and inspiring posts will be featured on Ford’s
social media channels to help showcase the diverse community of owners and what they do with their Ford vehicles.
EJ Francisco, Communications Director for Ford Philippines and Asia Pacific Distributor Markets, noted that the #iDriveFord campaign reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to celebrating its owner community and fostering a sense of belonging.
“With #iDriveFord, we want to celebrate our customers and their stories. Adventures come in many forms, and we recognize that not all journeys involve long roads and challenging terrains. Sometimes, the best experiences come even from a simple trip to the grocery or a short drive to meet longtime friends. Whatever they choose to share, we are proud to amplify our owners’ stories and bring our Ford community even closer together,” says Francisco.
“All proud Ford owners are welcome to share their stories by joining the #iDriveFord campaign. Together, we help show how the Ford experience goes beyond driving. It is about community, adventure, and the pride that comes with every mile,” he added.
For more information on the #iDriveFord campaign, visit Ford Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
Experience the Vibrant, Colorful Culture, Commerce of Cagayan Valley at the 19th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair
NOW on its 19th year, Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair is back in the Metro! This yearly showcase of Cagayan Valley’s best of the best will be held on September 19 to 25, 2025 at the Upper Ground Floor, Carousel Court and East Hall, Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Visitors to the trade fair can expect a wide, dazzling array of products, showing the finest tradition culture and creativity at the heart of the metropolis.
More than 100 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya will showcase their products from fresh fruits and vegetables to processed foods, aquatic and fishery products, native delicacies (kakanin), rice and corn-based goods, plants, furniture, and furnishings, and innovative new products.
Aside from promoting products, the trade fair will also offer unique opportunities and experiences highlighting tourism and investment opportunities in the region. Featuring the Provincial Pavilions of Batanes and Isabela, mallgoers can explore the one-of-a-kind culture of Batanes, and the abundance of agricultural products of Isabela. Buyers from Manila can also look forward to a special pavilion by the City of Ilagan, showcasing the heart and pride of Isabela’s capital city. Padday na Lima will bring fresh energy this year with their festival passport where buyers can collect stamps after every purchase or booth interaction to unlock access to games, activities, and a chance to win exciting prizes. Fun activities will also include
THE Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has approved two new projects under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), bringing the total number of beneficiary families to more than 2,500 across the country. The ECMP forms part of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, being implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development led by Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
The lot acquisition for the Pagkakaisang Maralita ng Antipolo (PAMANA) Phase II Homeowners Association, Inc. in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal received the` greenlight from President and CEO Federico Laxa, together with members of the Credit Committee, during a session on September 4, 2025 at the agency’s head office in Makati. Also approved was Msgr. Eddie L. Eleazar Village HOA in Tagkawayan, Quezon Province.
PAMANA will benefit 93 member-beneficiaries from both the formal and informal sectors, including nurses, clerks, construction workers, delivery riders, vendors, and online sellers. Msgr. Eddie L. Eleazar Village, on other hand, is composed of 210 families, with members working as office personnel, govt employees, OFWs, teachers, farmers, and fisherfolks.
Laxa emphasized the significance of each project approval in advancing SHFC’s mission. “Our swift approval of new ECMP matters, not just as numbers, but as real opportunities for Filipino families to finally achieve safe, dignified, and sustainable communities,” he said. “Every project we approve brings us closer to realizing the vision of President Marcos that no one is left behind in housing.”
To date, 14 ECMP projects have been approved over the past month. More projects are expected to be rolled out in the
coming weeks, in line with the directive of Secretary Aliling to award the lots to the initial batch of ECMP beneficiaries by October this year.
The other approved ECMP projects are Amianan CMP HOAI in Cordon, Isabela; Seattohills Neighborhood Association, Inc. in Tanay, Rizal; Centennial Sunrise HOAI and Megaville 2 HOAI in Pasig City; and Pinag-isang Magkapitbahay ng Miranda Compound HOA, Inc. Phases 1 and 2 in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Also included are Pagkamoot
In the photo are, from left, DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus, DBP Chairman Philip G. Lo, Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, and Department of Education Assistant Secretary Cilette Liboro Co during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the DBP INSPIRE program.
Editor: Tet Andolong
Boutique developer bullish on its Cypress Place project
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio
AFTER achieving stellar performances with two 5-star awards for Multiple Residences and Architecture at the prestigious International Property Awards 2025 for Cypress Place, boutique developer Livingsprings Communities Realty and Development Corp.(LCRDC) is bullish on its award winning first venture into subdivision and horizontal development project located in Silang, Cavite designed for new-generation homeowners and savvy investors.
“We’re optimistic about Cypress Place as it marks our first venture into subdivision and horizontal development, building on the success of our residential projects 10 Acacia Place and Tres Palmas,” said architect Monique Albert-Lopez managing director, Livingsprings Communities Realty and Development Corp. (LCRDC) in an email interview with the BusinessMirror Albert-Lopez adds it does not only excite the company but also reaffirms their confidence in the quality and vision behind Cypress Place. She also points out that LCRDC will offer future homeowners an exceptional lifestyle, one that blends modern design, naturefocused living, and the comfort of a well-connected location that brings to life the charm of modern cabin living— cooler mountain air, thoughtfully designed spaces, and a climate-conscious community, setting a new benchmark for nature-inspired, sustainable living just outside the metro.
A good investment CYPRESS Place offers strong rental and Airbnb potential because of its proximity to Tagaytay, cool climate, and easy access via Aguinaldo Highway and CaviteLaguna Expressway (CALAX), according to Albert-Lopez.
She says Cypress Place has a resortstyle appeal paired with staycationready units featuring open layouts, fiber internet, and thoughtful design. In response to sustainability, these homes have been designed to be energy efficient and climate-adaptive, blending comfort with sustainability. “We tell our future home owners to imagine working from home in sweater weather, sipping a cup of their favourite drink on their very own balcony,” Albert-Lopez emphasized.
Cypress Place brings a modern take on subdivision houses with minimalist design. As a woodland community, it aims to connect people with nature, providing residents with a calm and
unique experience through its distinctive two-storey and clustered-house architecture.
Albert-Lopez described the design of Cypress Place offering the quiet luxury of modern cabin living—cool breezes, natural surroundings, and the comfort of a space crafted for overall wellness and the modern way of life, including a work from home setup. “Every detail reflects
Favorable interest rate environment to boost property
THE Monetary Board of the Philippine central bank reduced repurchase
ed
ready for occupancy (RFO) condominium units. Over the past couple of months developers have become aggressive in offering discounts and innovative rent-toown terms. The 35 percent reduction in preselling condominium back outs QoQ proves that these promos are bearing fruit. In the near to medium term, lower mortgage rates should complement these attractive Metro Manila RFO terms offered by property firms. Previously, we highlighted that the central bank’s interest rate cuts have yet to materialize across the Philippines. These cuts have yet to result in lower mortgage rates which we believe will be very instrumental in stoking Metro Manila condominium demand. What has been offsetting the lukewarm take up in Metro Manila is the strong demand for landed properties in major growth regions. Colliers remains optimistic with the robust interest we are seeing outside of the capital region, and this should be facilitated by an improving road network and sustained regional economic expansion.
Improving office
by steady demand from traditional and outsourcing firms through expansions and new setups. Vacated spaces declined further, particularly among non-POGO occupiers, reflecting stronger tenant retention and improved market sentiment.
Outside of Metro Manila, key localities such as Cebu, Pampanga, Iloilo, and Davao remain as bright spots while recording increased activity and growing interest in underserved locations. Colliers sees an uptick in vacancies in these cities and provinces but this also presents opportunities for landlord representation.
To capture evolving demand, Colliers encourages landlords to offer flexible space options, invest in refurbishing aging office buildings to stay competitive, and explore asset repurposing. We urge office developers to tap into emerging hubs outside Metro Manila where tenant interest continues to grow despite limited available supply. Case in point here is Davao.
Luxury dominates and proliferates METRO Manila’s residential market continues
to see dampened take-up for mid-income condominium projects (P3.2 million to P12 million per unit). This has resulted in major property developers aggressively offering attractive and innovative ready for occupancy (RFO) promos to lure more buyers to acquire units in the country’s capital region.
The hefty discounts offered for spot cash payments, extended terms, free appliances, and other concessions are indeed luring more investors to buy vertical units. The promos appear to be working, with Colliers recording improved take-up practically across all condominium price segments in Metro Manila.
At present, we see a more pronounced influx of luxe—high-end property developments dominating supply thru new launches and demand as represented by positive net take-up for luxury (starting at P20 million) to ultra luxury units (at least P100 million a unit).
Property firms have become more prudent with their launches within and outside Metro Manila, taking advantage of a consumer base awash with cash and proactively taking advantage of capital value appreciation opportunities even outside Metro Manila.
Overall, Colliers expects tempered launches in Metro Manila and more aggressive developments outside of the capital region. Property developers should be quick in cashing in on these opportunities. The launch of more masterplanned communities in the high growth regions (central Luzon, south Luzon, central Visayas, western Visayas, Davao region, and northern Mindanao) continues but a more proactive stance should be assumed by property firms in differentiating their masterplanned developments.
the perfect balance of lifestyle and sustainability. Receiving two 5-star awards for Architecture and Multiple Residences reinforces our vision that thoughtful design can truly transform everyday living.”
Further, LCRDC’s competitive pricing, award-winning architecture, and Cavite’s rising property values makes Cypress Place a smart long-term investment for future in -
vestors. Now considered one of the most sensibly-priced homes in the Forbes of Cavite, Cypress Place offers today’s generation of homeowners—young families, overseas Filipino worker (OFW) retirees, and vacation home buyers a “staycation in your very own home,” with modern cabin-inspired architecture designed to complement the cool climate of Silang. Beyond natural-
THE traditional 9-to-5 is rapidly evolving, with more Filipino professionals now preferring remote or hybrid work arrangements. According to a recent study by JobStreet by SEEK, almost seven out of ten Filipino employees now favor flexible or remote setups over traditional office environments—a shift driven by the desire to boost productivity, spark creativity, and achieve better work-life balance.
At the same time, high rental costs make it difficult for startups and small businesses to maintain their dedicated office spaces, driving greater demand for co-working spaces or environments. Responding to this shift is AXS Aseana—a newly launched, fully serviced coworking space in Aseana City, designated to meet the modern workforce’s growing need for flexibility, productivity, and collaboration.
“The rise of Filipino professionals looking for a remote work, decentralized teams, and a place where they can develop their creativity and productivity are the things we considered in launching Aseana City’s newest and redefined co-working space, the AXS Aseana,” said Buds Wenceslao, Chief Executive Officer of DMWAI. “We built this to provide not just desks, but a community and a space where people can collaborate, innovate, and grow even more in a shared environment.”
According to Colliers International Philippines, Metro Manila’s office space market is showing signs of recovery in the start of 2025. AXS Aseana enters the scene at a timely moment. As the anticipated disruptions from the upcoming EDSA rehabilitation project are expected to impact daily commutes, different companies are prompted to decentralize their operations.
AXS Aseana features flexible workspace options, from dedicated
look finishes, expansive balconies, and open layouts that embrace light and airflow, the community layout prioritizes walkability, integration with greenery, and biophilic design to support residents’ connection with nature.
Cypress offers a total of 304 houses and lots spread in 4 phases, and buyers have the option to combine adjacent lots to create larger premium single-detached homes.
There are six house types in total, with five available in the first phase of the development ranging from single-attached to three variations of clustered homes.
In terms of prices, it ranges from P5.5 million to P12 more or less.
Nestled in 5.8 hectares of cool, pine-fringed countryside, Cypress Place is a reflection of Livingsprings’ ongoing advocacy for green architecture and mindful development in response to the evolving lifestyles of Filipinos seeking accessible, safe, and eco-forward spaces to call home.
Cypress Place’s amenities include a safe and gated community with 24-hour security, well-lit, treelined roads for jogging and strolling, clean and serene picnic areas, pet-friendly zones, and amenities tailored to modern demands such as remote working, including meditation pods and a clubhouse with a coworking space.
Cypress Place is located at Silang Cavite by the gateway of Tagaytay, with quick access via CALAX East, CBTX, and the CAVITEX link. It is conveniently near key landmarks such as Bonifacio Global City and Alabang Town Center, both approximately one hour away, and just 30 minutes from Nuvali.
desks to private offices and conference rooms—along with the essential amenities such as high-speed internet, meeting facilities, and pan -
and collaborative engage
ments,
an environment that adapts to different workstyles and business needs. Strategically located in Aseana
AXS Aseana offers a timely
MONIQUE ALBERT-LOPEZ managing director, Livingsprings Communities Realty and Development Corp. (LCRDC)
First of Two Parts
Thy will be done... Alas on top of the world
By Aldrin Quinto
ALAS PILIPINAS showcased its true potential with a world-class display, staking its claim among the volleyball’s elite.
ABy Josef Ramos
RGENTINA advanced to the round of 16 and Ukraine got its first victory in pool action on Tuesday of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pablo Kukartsev unleashed 21 points on 16 attacks, three blocks and two service aces in world No. 9 Argentina’s 25-22, 2225, 25-21, 25-18 victory over No. 27 South Korea to go 2-0 won-lost in Pool C. Luciano Vicentin added 14 attacks, five blocks and an ace for 20 points, followed by Agustin Bruno Loser’s 12 points on eight attacks, two blocks and two service points and Luciano Palonsky’s 11 points for Argentina.
“I think Korea played really good defense,” Argentina team captain Palonsky said. “They put a lot of pressure in us in the first two sets, we made a little bit mistake in the beginning, so we go fast and forward with result, but I think there is no easy matches in this tournament, so it is normal.”
Heo Subong led South Korea with 17 points. Ukraine, on the other hand, kept its flickering hope alive by beating Algeria, 25-17, 25-12, 15-11, for its first win after two matches.
The world No. 16 Ukrainians used everything in their disposal to outplay the Algerians, ranked 89th in the world, and finally barged at the win-column in Pool F.
“It’s a very important game for Ukraine because in our last five matches, we won by only one. It is very important for me, for my country,” team captain and middle blocker Yurii Semeniuk said. “Our mentality might be better after the win. Not good mentality, but I think after this win we will be better.”
Ukraine’s outside hitter
Dymytro Yanchuk had 13 kills, two blocks and three service aces for 18 points while Vasyl Tupchii added 12 points on eight kills, two blocks and two aces.
Semeniuk got 11 points on seven attacks and three blocks also for Ukraine. Argentina faces two-time Olympic champion France in their last match of the pool phase, while South Korea seeks its first win against Finland on Thursday. Ukraine has a tough for ahead— defending champion and world No. 2 Italy (1-0)—on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Their victory against Algeria somehow boosted their confidence looking forward after their opening defeat to Belgium, 1625, 17-25, 22-25, last Sunday. Algeria, winless in two matches after losing to Italy, 13-25, 22-25, 17-25, is out of the running and will close its campaign against Belgium at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
I t’s far from a trophy run—yet—but the Philippines carved out a historic moment with its first-ever win in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s Championship, stunning world No. 21 Egypt, 29-27, 2325, 25-21, 25-21, in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The team with the second-longest odds to advance in the 32-team field, Alas Pilipinas earned the thunderous roar of approval from the appreciative crowd as if they’d won it all.
A s always, the “Bazooka” Bryan Bagunas stood at the forefront.
But this time, it was a full ensemble effort, and the Philippines, ranked 88th in the world before the Egypt match, put its first-ever win in the world volleyball meet into the books. Marck Espejo blended brute force with finesse, while veteran middle blocker Kim Malabunga manned the net with timely attacks and steady defense.
L eo Ordiales, dubbed the team’s rising star, proved his mettle by delivering the same explosive hits he is known for
in regional play—this time on world volleyball’s grandest stage—including the winning ace in the opening set. T he energy was so infectious that even setter Owa Retamar soared boldly for an attack point, igniting the crowd and proving that when all cylinders fire, Alas Pilipinas can stand toe to toe with the heavyweights. The historic victory, which comes four days after a straight-sets loss to Tunisia, puts the Philippines in contention for a spot in the Round of 16.
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go favored the creation of a Sports Department during the first public hearing of the Senate Committee on Sports of the 20th Congress on Monday.
“If you look at the budget, sports gets a minimal share, but with a Department of Sports, the budget would be bigger,” Go said. Go a dded that given the meager sports budget, it is high time this was done.
“I t’s about time and the time is now,” he said.
For 2024, only about P200 million was approved by the Department of Budget and Management for sports.
“ K aya naman nagdagdag tayo ng budget para maging P1.2 billion ang budget ng Philippine Sports Commission [PSC] noong 2024,” Go pointed out.
“That’s why my committee added P1.2 billion for the Philippine Sports Commission in 2024,” he said. Similarly, the senator fought for the increased budget of the PSC to P1.3
Alas Pilipinas, Iran, Tunisia and Egypt have 1-1 win-loss records. Bagunas scored seven in the opening set on 63 percent attack rate in the 35-minute first set, and wound up with a match-leading 25 points, 23 on attacks. Ordiales had 21 points on 19 attacks and two aces, while MacEspejo scored 13 on nine points, three blocks and an ace. Malabunga scored seven on five attacks and two blocks, while Lloyd Josafat added five points.
DENISE MENDOZA reinforced her status as the player to beat in the girls’ 7-10 division, while Ethan Lago pulled through in the boys’ side in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Negros Occidental Junior Philippine Golf Tournament Inc. Championship on Tuesday.
The Cebuana standout Mendoza never looked back from an opening round 72 to complete the wire-to-wire triumph in the 36-hole tournament with a 70 for a 142 total at the par-70-Marapara course. She widened her 16-shot overnight lead to 27 strokes at the turn, eventually
TWe found the opposite today that was playing very bad in the last match.
I’m happy,” said Alas Pilipinas coach Angiolino Frigoni. “ They make mistakes, but they are very young and without experience. We have to limit these mistakes and do better.”
Seif Abed led Egypt with 15 points, 14 coming from attacks, while Mohamed Osman Elhaddad scored 14 on nine attacks and five blocks.
Iran wins without hitting full stride
IRAN coach Roberto Piazza expressed frustration over his players’ mindset in the four-set win against Tunisia, an issue that could be crucial in the match against the Philippines at the end of pool play.
sealing a 33-shot victory over Ana Marie Aguilar (87-175), with Faith Reosura (99-189) rounding out the podium.
The win, worth 15 points, hiked Mendoza’s total to 45, enough to unseat erstwhile series leader Soleil Molde (42) atop the rankings.
With her third win following earlier victories in Mactan and Apo, Mendoza is now firmly qualified for the Elite Junior Finals scheduled for September 30 to October 3 at The Country Club.
“My putting was much better today—I felt more confident,” said 10-year-old Mendoza. “Considering how
RIPLE Crown winner Morally overcame gate trouble and a poor start to beat Tiz the Moon in the third leg of the Prince Cup race at the Metro Manila Turf Club Inc. (MMTCI) Malvar track Sunday. S tar jockey Mark Alvarez expertly handled Morally—Motown-Street Rally by Street Sense and owned by GR Gaerlan and trained by Ernesto Roxas—in the 1,600-meter race they dominated in one minutes and 38.40 seconds on quarters of 24’22’24’ 27’.
S econd leg winner Varatti (Into MischiefArtemis by Empire Maker) extended his winning ways by stalking first leg winner Sherbet fountain
explained his unwavering commitment to pushing for an increased investment in sports and greater support for Filipino athletes. T he increased sports budget’s goal is two-pronged: First, to significantly improve the Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage; second, to launch effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.
“ We expect our athletes to perform in international competitions and whatever honor they reap is an honor for the entire country,” he said. Government support advocated by Go and fellow legislators paid off. We are now reaping the result of the investments in sports,” he said. “We now have three gold medals in the Olympics.” S ince assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, Go has overseen a historic era for Philippine athletics. Under his tenure, the Philippines clinched its first-ever gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and a groundbreaking double gold victory in Paris last year.
The Iranians were far from top form against Tunisia, and Piazza lamented their lack of killer instinct in the match, which lasted about two hours.
When you check the world rankings, Iran is in front, Tunisia is back, they have nothing to lose like every time. This cannot be one that can disturb us,” said Piazza.
Iran won, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 2516, for a 1-1 win-loss record in Pool A, but Piazza was far from satisfied.
The Italian coach, no stranger to the Philippines, having handled the Netherlands in the Volleyball Nation’s League, rued his players’ “stupid mistakes and gifts to the opponent.” Tunisia scored 27 from Iran’s errors, while the latter had 24 points. We missed totally our confidence… the mindset was not good against Tunisia—they are good players they are playing really well.”
“Then we were not able to show out best, we were showing our worst. In the second set something changed.
A li Hajipour had 14 points, while Mohammad Valizadeh added 12 points for Iran, the highest-ranked Asian team left at No.14 after seventhranked Japan’s exit. Tunisia, which defeated Alas Pilipinas in the opener last week, got 14 points each from Oussama Ben Romdhane and Ali Bongui.
A136-STRONG Team Philippines will vie in 16 of the 23 sports on the Third Asian Youth Games 2025 program that Bahrain is hosting from October 22 to 31 in Manama. Promising boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido and young volleyball star Harlyn Serneche will be the team’s flag bearers in the parade of countries during the opening ceremony at the Exhibition World Bahrain, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
I played yesterday, I’m satisfied with how I performed today.”
Still, she emphasized the importance of improving her consistency.
“I think I just need to keep working on consistency so I can perform well in every tournament,” added the rising star from Cebu, who rated her game this week an 8 out of 10. “There are definitely areas where I could’ve done better.”
In the boys’ youngest category, Lago capped off an impressive campaign with a nine-stroke triumph over fellow Davaoeño Lucas Revilleza despite a 76 as he pooled a 146.
to capture the third leg and the P7 million prize in the King’s Gold Cup.
O wned by James Rabano and trained by Ramon Nartea, Varatti, patiently ridden by Jockey Jeff Zarate, took the lead at the far turn and finished with a fast time of 1:36 (24 22’ 23 26’) in the mile race. Also held were the inaugural memorial races for the late MMTCI founder Dr. Norberto Quisumbing won by Caloocan Zap (JD Flores) over Modern Stroke and California King.
A ce of Diamonds of JM Estorque won the second trophy race over Brichton and Blue Mind Theory.
We’ll field a compact team of promising athletes who are all potentially our future Olympic, world and regional champions,” said Tolentino, adding that the target is to match or surpass the two gold medals won by taekwondo’s Pauline Lopez and golfer Mia Legaspi and three silver medals the country clinched in the Nanjing 2013 Youth Games. We believe somebody from our 136 athletes will rise to the occasion to make a name for himself or herself,” Tolentino said. “Opportunities are always there for us, and we believe our athletes will do whatever it takes to win.” The Asian Youth Games are for athletes aged 14 to 17 years old. Lobrido, who’ll be 16 on October 10, won gold in the boys’ 46-48 kgs division of the fourth Greater Bay Area Youth Boxing Challenge last December in Shenzhen City in China, while Serneche plays for Nazareth High School of National University. The Filipino athletes will see action in volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, Muay Thai, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, aquatics, and jiu-jitsu. Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation, is the chef de mission to the Bahrain games. A total of 4,000 athletes from 45 Asian nations are expected to participate in 223 events.
DLTBCO Vice President for Marketing Piccolo Kim Morales receives the Prince Cup on behalf of the connections of Triple Crown winner Morally with jockey Mark Alvarez and trainrt Ernesto Roxas. MMTCI PHOTO
ONE-TWO punch Bryan Bagunas (left) and Marck Espejo and their teammates play with tremendous movitation from the rabid crowd. PHILIPPINESWCH2025.COM
