THE government has sufficient funds to return the P60 billion in reserve funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) taken last year, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
“We have cash available,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told BusinessMirror Recto said the fund may be returned to PhilHealth by including it in the 2026 National
Expenditure Program, unless a legal authority is found to release it earlier.
The P60-billion fund can be inserted during the period of amendments, where lawmakers may still introduce changes to the national budget through committee amendments or via individual amendments before the General Appropriations Bill is approved on second reading.
On Saturday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the P60 billion remitted by PhilHealth to the Bureau of the Treasury
last year will be returned to the state health insurer. This comes after government agencies, mainly the Department of Public Works and Highways, generated savings, which can be reallocated to fund the expansion of PhilHealth’s services, Marcos said.
The DOF issued a statement after the Palace move, welcoming Marcos’ decision to restore PhilHealth’s funds.
“The DOF confirms that it had communicated to the President a solicited opinion that
since PhilHealth had
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo
registering non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders” of 29 countries, according to the European Union’s Travel Europe website. Separately, the region will also be implementing the European Travel Information and
ROTESTS staged against corruption nationwide on Sunday may have shortterm adverse economic impacts but economists believe this may have long-term upside effects, particularly with regard to the country’s goal of becoming an Upper Middle Income Country (UMIC).
Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo Lanzona Jr. told BusinessMirror that the protests may create short-term disruptions, particularly in terms of attracting investments and economic growth. However, Lanzona said long-term conse -
quences could be in order, especially if this will lead to greater accountability and transparency, not only with regard to flood control projects but also contribute to an improvement in good governance efforts.
“This process can be long and excruciating, but we need to have this social transformation if we intend to reach upper middle income level. To be clear, the main objective should be to ferret out the truth,” Lanzona told this newspaper on Sunday.
“If we can achieve this, the unity that we hope
To plug security…
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subscribers in the Philippines, only about 6 million to 7 million—or less than 10 percent— still rely on 2G or 3G services.
To cushion the impact, the NTC, through a memorandum circular, required telcos to “implement subsidy schemes or installment plans” for consumers using 3G only devices, “prioritizing” low-income subscribers, persons with disabilities (PWD), and senior citizens.
They are also mandated to offer free SIM upgrades, deploy toll-free migration helplines and walk-in centers, and maintain a portal for logging issues.
Public information campaigns will also be mounted nationwide to prepare consumers for the shift.
Apart from legacy mobile technologies, the DICT is also pushing for the retirement of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4), which has long been the global standard but carries well-documented security gaps. Unlike IPv6, which is designed with stronger security features and virtually unlimited addresses, IPv4 is more vulnerable to spoofing, hijacking, and denial-of-service attacks.
While Dito and Globe have migrated to IPv6, PLDT is working to speed up its transition, given its large customer base—including government agencies—still dependent on IPv4.
“In security, you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and that’s 2G, 3G, and IPv4,” Aguda said.
Paired with its partnerships with social networking and e-commerce platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Shopee, and others, Aguda said the government hopes to provide a safer, more secure cyberspace by the end of 2025.
“Everybody’s cooperating,” he said. “By Christmas, you can transact without fear on the internet because we’re cleaning it up.”
Lorenz Marasigan
Facial recognition tech eyed to ID Manila violence starters
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THE Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will subject video footage of the Sunday disturbance at Ayala Bridge to facial recognition technology in order to identify individuals who disrupted what was intended to be a peaceful rally against corruption.
CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato Paraiso said the agency is asking the media and those who were able to capture photos and videos of the incident to share unedited materials.
“We will be subjecting the video to facial recognition to identify those who disrupted the peaceful rallies against corruption,” Paraiso said in a press conference on Sunday.
He noted that while some participants had their faces covered, others revealed their identities, making the exercise viable.
Paraiso said the move falls under the valid exercise of police power, explaining that under the Data Privacy Act, personal data protection can be “superseded” if necessary to maintain public order.
“We have the capability to do facial recognition. That’s why we are asking for the raw data from our friends in the media. This would be a valid exercise of police power,” Paraiso said.
Govt websites defaced AS this developed, hackers defaced 19 government websites—six from the national government and 13 from local government units.
These are the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), De -
Rallies have short term hit…
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to get will be forthcoming. Out of this unity should emerge the kind of institutions we need for our development, not one based on random economic growth and investment surges,” he explained. The country’s former Chief Economist, Dante B.
Canlas, told BusinessMirror that protests in general create uncertainties for the economy. This is a risk that is usually monitored by investors.
Given this, Canlas said it is crucial for the national government to act swiftly and decisively. He
partment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Bureau of the Treasury, Bureau of Customs, Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and several local government units in Tarlac, Cavite, and Laguna.
The National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) is monitoring the incidents, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Paraiso also flagged the involvement of a group calling itself the Blackmask Movement, which allegedly participated both in the protests and in online attacks.
According to him, the movement is a loose collective of hackers and artists—prominently hip-hop performers and rappers—that has recently been
said the President must cancel contracts and recover ill-gotten wealth by all those found guilty of corruption.
“The Chief Executive cannot delay taking action asap; he should cancel contracts, rescind and claw back the ill-gotten money of those who are evidently guilty at this point. There’s the Discayas among contractors for starters,” Canlas told BusinessMirror
Unionbank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion thinks the controversy, if addressed properly, could even strengthen investor confidence. This will pave the way for sustainable economic growth.
“While the protests add uncertainty, they also highlight the public’s demand for accountability,” Asuncion said.
Freeze orders
AS of Friday, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has received freeze orders from the Court of Appeals (CA) for a total of 727 bank accounts and 30 insurance policies allegedly tied to
Continued from A1
Authorization Systems (ETIAS) for non-EU nationals from visaexempt countries, which will require them to pay for a visa waiver instead.
The European Commission defines a “non-EU national” as a traveler who is not a national of any EU country or that of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. “Short stay” means the travel will be up to “90 days within any 180-day period. This period is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES.”
Register in advance
UNDER the EES, passport control officers will save the non-EU national’s biometric data as a digital file. “This process can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance...by using the self-service available at you border crossing point, and/or a mobile application if made available by the country of arrival or departure,” as per Travel Europe. (For more details https:// tinyurl.com/bx5f8ehn)
Data from the Department of Tourism showed 249,795 Filipinos traveled to the EU last year.
From January to July 2025, close to 163,000 Filipinos visited the region, with the top 10 destinations as: Italy at 34,733; Spain 25,471; Germany 24,147; the Netherlands 19,635; France 17,811; Greece 11,530; Denmark 7,169; Ireland 5,920; Belgium 5,721; and Hungary 5,508. Overall, 4.34 million Filipinos traveled abroad in the seven-month period this year. (See, “HK is top draw for Filipino travelers in January-July 2025,” in the BusinessMirror, Aug. 26, 2025.)
The EU said the EES will speed up the border checks, so visitors
linked with other hacker groups.
Paraiso said investigators documented the presence of the group’s flags and insignia—the Guy Fawkes mask—during the rally near Mendiola.
The Guy Fawkes mask with its pointed beard, upturned mustache, and sly smile, has become a global emblem of protest and dissent, popularized by V for Vendetta and later adopted by the Anonymous collective.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda aired an appeal for groups “not to deface government websites because these websites are for the service of the people,” noting that the government will strengthen its relationship with the Philippine cybersecurity community to help prevent a repeat of website defacements.
anomalous flood control projects. This includes the 592 bank accounts and three insurance policies covered by the Freeze Order issued by the CA on Friday and 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies of individuals and corporations covered by the Freeze Order issued last September 16.
The Freeze Order issued by the CA on Friday also covered 73 motor vehicles and 18 real properties belonging to other individuals and contractors linked to the irregular flood control projects. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/20/freeze-order-forassets-tied-to-anomalous-flood-controlprojects-secured-by-amlc-anew).
AMLC Executive Director Atty. Matthew M. David said that 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. (See: https:// businessmirror.com.ph/2025/09/16/ accounts-of-contractors-dpwh-execs-frozen/#%23%23). Cai U. Ordinario
will spend less time at the border, “and help staff work more efficiently.” As the EES will use biometrics—fingerprints and facial data—it will “stop people from overstaying, using fake identities or misusing visa-free travel.” As such, the new entry/exit system will help border control officers and law enforcement agencies “to spot security risks and support the fight against serious crimes and terrorism” as they will now have easy access to traveler information.
Which borders are covered THE EES data collection will be implemented at the border crossing of 25 EU members and four non-EU countries included in the Schengen area. These are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. While Cyprus and Ireland are EU member-nations, they are not part of the Schengen region. As such both countries will still manually process the entry and exit of travelers and continue to stamp passports.
In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Ritchie Tuaño, general manager of Asiareps Travel Services Inc., an outbound travel agency, said in spite of the EES’s implementation this October, Filipinos will still have to apply for a Schengen visa if they are traveling to the EU. “So far, there are no changes in the visa process and requirements. As far as I know, [the EES] has no impact on Filipinos applying for Schengen visas,” he stressed.
He noted though it “is a good thing for frequent travelers,” that their passports will no longer be physically stamped.
largely due to the continued trade in goods deficit,” BSP said in a statement.
“This was partly offset by the sustained net inflows from personal remittances from overseas Filipinos, foreign borrowings by the national government [NG], foreign direct and portfolio investments, and trade in services,” it added.
Given this, BSP said this mirrored the increase in the gross international reserves (GIR), which rose to $107.1 billion as of end-August 2025 from $105.4 billion as of end-July 2025.
BSP said the GIR remains an adequate external liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 7.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. The central bank added that the GIR covered 3.7 times the country’s shortterm external debt based on residual maturity.
“GIR are made up of foreign-denominated securities, foreign exchange, and other assets including gold. GIR help a country finance its imports and foreign debt obligations, stabilize its currency, and provide a buffer against external economic shocks,” it added.
Rizal Commercial Bank Corporation
economist Michael L. Ricafort said BOP data could improve due to the national government’s foreign currencydenominated borrowings/debt from commercial sources. He noted that the national government has $3.5 billion in commercial borrowings programmed for 2025. Of this amount, Ricafort said $3.3 billion has already been raised in the latter part of January 2025, but it is lower than the $4.5 billion in 2024. There are also additional borrowings through official development assistance (ODA) and other multilateral sources for the rest of 2025, he added.
“Any improvement in BOP data and in GIR data for the coming months could still help provide greater cushion/support/buffer for the peso exchange rate vs. the US dollar especially vs. any speculative attacks,” Ricafort said.
“[This will also] help strengthen the country’s external position that, in turn, also supports the relatively favorable credit ratings of 1-3 notches above the minimum investment grade that have been so far sustained despite the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020,” he added.
Earlier, a former government official said that despite the threat posed by US tariffs, exports rose by 13.9 percent to $48.62 billion in the January to July 2025 period. According to former Tariff Commission George B. Manzano, this could be traced to the Philippines’ frontloading and diversification of its shipments to Japan and Hong Kong markets.
Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the Philippines’ revenues from outbound shipments amounted to $48.62 billion in the first seven months of 2025.
This is 13.9 percent higher than the $42.69-billion export receipts in the same period in 2024. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/08/29/despite-tariffthreat-phl-exports-rise-13-9/).
Atienza said the agency and the central bank were working together to bring back abaca in the Philippine banknotes, currently in circulation made through polymer.
He noted that initial talks with the BSP involved the process of liquefying the Manila hemp, which the PhilFida is capable of.
“What’s initially discussed was to liquify abaca so it could be combined with polymer, and luckily PhilFida has the capacity to do it,” Atienza said in a previous radio interview.
“To be fair to BSP, they’re very interested. In fact, they [told me]: if we can liquify abaca, we will introduce it to the polymer. It will be combined.” Ada Pelonia
Nando intensifies into super typhoon, Pagasa raises Signal 3 in some areas
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
@jonlmayuga, Rex Anthony Naval & Bless Aubrey Ogerio
SUPER Typhoon Nando maintained its strength moving west northwest over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said in its 5:00 p.m. cyclone bulletin on Sunday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of heavy rainfall owing to Nando and the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Signal 3 is hoisted over the southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang), Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).
Signal 2 is hoisted over the rest of Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Ma -
Palace gives Executive branch workers Monday afternoon off
MALACAÑANG has shortened the work hours in state offices and departments on Monday to allow government employees to participate in the annual observance of the 33rd Family Week and the “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga” Day.
Work in government offices under the Executive Branch will be suspended starting at 1:00 p.m. on September 22, according to Memorandum Circular (MC) 96, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday.
However, government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, or other vital functions will continue operations and provide the services they are tasked to deliver.
“This Office also encourages all government workers in the Executive Branch to fully support the programs and activities relative to the observance of Family Week, as organized by the National Committee on the Filipino Family,” MC 96 read.
The suspension of work in other branches of government, independent commissions or bodies, and private sector are encouraged “to afford all Filipino families the full
See “Palace,” A4
ria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Quirino, Mallig, Roxas, Gamu), Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Santa Maria).
Signal 1 is hoisted over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Iba, Palauig, Cabangan, Botolan), Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, the northern portion of Pampanga ( Mabalacat City, Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Angeles City, Porac, Mexico, Santa Ana, San Luis, City of San Fernando, Bacolor), the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Ildefonso,
San Miguel, San Rafael), and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands.
The center of the eye of Nando was located at 450 kilomegers east of Aparri, Cagayan. It is moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.
“On the forecast track, the center of Nando may pass close or may make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands by Monday afternoon or evening. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday early morning,” Pagasa said.
Pre-emptive evacuation ON Sunday morning, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the preemptive evacuation of families in the path of Tropical Cyclone Nando as it continued to intensify and develop into a super typhoon as well as induce
rain, aggravating the prevailing southwest monsoon.
The DILG directed local governments in the affected area to implement preemptive evacuation of families on the path of the super typhoon.
The Office of the Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has been under red alert since September 19 as it anticipates the threat posed by Nando.
“With Nando now stronger, LGUs must waste no time in moving families out of danger zones,” Interior and Local Government
Secretary Juan Victor Remulla said in a statement.
Remulla said LGUs must carry out the order “swiftly and without delay.”
Various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continue to prepare the distribution of food packs and emergency kits.
In a press briefing on Sunday
Customs intercepts ₧55-M ‘kush’
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has intercepted an attempt to smuggle highgrade marijuana, also known as “kush,” concealed in balikbayan boxes from Long Beach, California. In a statement released on Saturday, the BOC reported that Customs officials seized 75 sealed packs of kush with an estimated street value of P55.055 million. The contraband weighed about 39.325 kilograms
The illegal drugs were found in a 40-foot container that was transporting consolidated balikbayan boxes from Long Beach, California, after a non-intrusive
search and a 100 percent physical assessment.
Two balikbayan boxes were flagged for further verification, following the detection of irregularities during the screening process.
Upon unsealing the boxes, authorities found 75 sealed packs of “kush” hidden under sacks of rice inside the shipment.
The operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) and other law enforcement agencies.
The BOC said the seizure follows a similar interception earlier this month, involving P476 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from the
morning, the Office of Civil Defense said P88 million worth of medical and other supplies are also ready for distribution.
At the same time, the OCD said evacuation centers are also prepared for families needing temporary shelters.
There is a high risk of lifethreatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters within the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur,” Pagasa said.
DSHUD activates shelter clusters
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated government shelter clusters in Luzon in anticipation of the Southwest Monsoon and tropical cyclones “Mirasol” and “Nando.”
On Saturday, September 20, DHSUD issued a memorandum directing regional offices in Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan
same consolidated shipment. These were also concealed in balikbayan boxes found in a courier warehouse in Tondo, Manila. The boxes also came from Long Beach, California.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno lauded the coordinated efforts of enforcement agencies.
“The BOC will not allow our balikbayan boxes, symbols of love and care from Filipinos abroad, to be used as channels for illegal drugs,” Nepomuceno was quoted in the statement as saying.
The BOC added that it remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard the nation’s borders and support the government’s all-out campaign against illegal drugs.
Protesters in Angeles denounce corruption
By Ashley J. Manabat
ANGELES CITY—This citysaw two separate but simultaneous protests on Sunday, amplifying the nationwide calls for accountability and justice as the country marked the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law. The demonstrations were led by Kilusan Kontra Kurakot - Pampanga (KKK-Pampanga) and Bayan Central Luzon. Both groups stated their protest action at 4:00 p.m. st two different points in the city. KKK-Pampanga gathered at Nepo Quad and held their main rally and program along Heritage Street in Sto. Entierro with their call focused on issues of corruption and the urgent need for reforms at both local and national levels. The group is largely composed of fraternities, sororities, youth and community organizations from Pampanga and nearby provinces.
“Isa itong spontaneous na pagkilos ng iba’t ibang organisasyong masa. Kung titignan ninyo walang cause-oriented movement dito. Itong mga fraternities, organizations na nakapaloob sa KKKPampang ay nangako na itutuloy namin ito sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, propaganda sa mga pamantasan at komunidad,” Gerry Naguit, lead convener of KKK-Pampanga said.
Bayan Central Luzon marched from Holy Family Academy in Sto. Rosario to Plaza Miranda and linked the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship to present day human-rights concerns, disinformation, and systemic injustice. The group composed of various activist organizations in Central Luzon, peasant advocates, and human rights defenders.
Despite taking different routes and specific advocacies, both protests shared a common call for truth, accountability, and active
resistance against corruption and historical distortion.
The coordinated action followed a pre-protest meeting on September 18 at San Fernando Cathedral, which served as a lead-up to the September 21 mobilizations.
“Papanagutin ang lahat ng corrupt government officials pati na yung kasabwat nilang contractors . Ang gusto sana natin managot sila ngayon na, kagyatang pagpapakulong sa mga alam naman nating may kasalanan sa taumbayan. Ayaw natin ng moromorong sarswelang ginagawa nila sa Senado, sa Kongreso,” Liza Pulido, KKK-Pampanga co-convenor said.
Protesters carried placards, chanted slogans, and engaged the crowd with speeches to emphasize the protests were not simply about the past, but a rallying cry against the ongoing failures of governance and democracy.
Both protests ended peacefully with no major incidents reported.
Seniors commission now under DSWD supervision
PRESIDENT Marcos has placed the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a bid to strengthen policies and programs for the elderly. Executive Order (EO) 96, signed by Marcos on September 18, and which takes effect immediately, mandates the transfer of the NCSC to the DSWD from the Office of the President (OP) for purposes of policy and program coordination.
“Pursuant to the Administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda, which includes improving bureaucratic efficiency, a strong organizational link between the NCSC and DSWD must be established to further strengthen policies and programs for senior citizens, with the goal of enhancing delivery of social services and promoting the overall well-being and protection of the elderly,” the order read. According to the EO, the DSWD
will remain in charge of implementing the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program and may work with the NCSC to help ensure its success.
The NCSC was established by Republic Act 11350 in 2019 to ensure full implementation of laws, policies, and programs for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens.
Under RA 11350, all DSWD functions, programs, projects, and activities for the poor, vulnerable,
and disadvantaged senior citizens shall be transferred to the NCSC, which was then attached to the OP.
On the other hand, the SPISC was established through RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 to provide monetary grant to eligible senior citizens to support their daily subsistence and medical needs.
RA 11916, signed into law in 2022, increases the monthly social pension of indigent senior citizens from P500 to P1,000. PNA with Samuel P. Medenilla
Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol Region (Region 5), and the Cordillera Administrative Region to activate their respective shelter clusters.
The directive follows the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Memorandum 247.
“DHSUD is ready to extend emergency response and humanitarian assistance as needed. Our goal is swift action to help those who may be impacted by these weather disturbances,” housing czar Jose Ramon Aliling said. The agency has the Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program (IDSAP), which provides unconditional cash aid to households with destroyed or damaged homes, as well as Housing Materials and Essentials (HOMEs). Under NDRRMC guidelines, DHSUD leads the national government’s Shelter Cluster, coordinating assistance for families affected by natural disasters.
PRC mobilizes volunteers, staff for nationwide rallies
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
THE Philippine Red Cross mobilized its volunteers, staff members, and life-saving assets in all cities that rallies were held.
In Metro Manila alone, PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said 130 personnel supported by a wide range of humanitarian equipment were deployed to ensure public safety and rapid emergency response.
To reinforce these ground teams, PRC also deployed 14 ambulances strategically positioned across Metro Manila chapters, two fire trucks, two food trucks, a water tanker, a VERV (Volunteer Emergency Response Vehicle), a truck, and eight scooter units.
Gordon said that these resources will provide mobility, logistical support, and immediate medical evacuation whenever necessary.
PRC teams were stationed on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, Luneta Park, and Mendiola Street, with services available from first aid to welfare and emergency response.
Leave
A GROUP that joined the “Trillion Peso March” in Luneta Park, called on senators and congressmen implicated in the alleged multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal to go on voluntary leave of absence to ensure an impartial investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
In a statement the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) stressed that lawmakers and public officials accused of benefiting from anomalous projects should not sit in the ongoing legislative inquiries.
“Named senators and congressmen should not only refrain from joining the investigation. [They] should all voluntarily take a leave of absence,” PTGWO National President Arnel Dolendo said.
During a Senate investigation, contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya implicated 19 lawmakers in alleged flood control anomalies.
Dolendo argued that ordinary workers facing administrative cases are often placed
under preventive suspension to avoid influencing investigations. The same principle, Dolendo noted, should apply to high-ranking lawmakers.
The PTGWO also urged Congress to stop its parallel investigations and instead allow the newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure to take the lead.
President Marcos recently established the ICI to review infrastructure projects implemented from 2016 onwards, naming former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. as chair, with former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and audit expert Rossana Fajardo as members.
Green advocates join protest rallies
ENVIRONMENTAL advocates led by the watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition joined the non-violent protest assemblies in Rizal Park and People Power Monument against what it calls “despicable corruption” on Sunday, and called on the government to protect the climate and environmental fund against corrupt individuals. The EcoWaste Coalition stressed that billions of pesos lost to anomalous flood control projects could have funded critical climate adaptation, ecological protection, and pollution prevention programs.
In a statement, the group denounced the large-scale misuse of public funds for climatetagged and flood control projects, saying corruption strips communities of much-needed protection from disasters and undermines the country’s response to the escalating climate crisis.
“Every peso lost to corruption is a peso stolen from Filipinos whose lives and livelihoods are on the frontline of climate impacts,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition. “Corruption is not only a betrayal of public trust, but a death sentence for the present and future generations. Instead of strengthening resilience and ecological protection, corruption aggravates people’s vulnerability to floods, pollution, and other environmental risks.”
Monday, September 22, 2025
DOH welcomes return of ₧60-B PhilHealth funds
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
THE
Department of Health
(DOH) on Sunday said that the decision of President Marcos to return P60 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is a crucial move for the Universal Health Care (UHC).
Marcos: Students can now get 50% discount beep cards easily
PRESIDENT Marcos on Saturday led the launching of the 50 percent discount Beep card for students that can be used for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3.
“Napuno iyong ating istasyon ng mga estudyante dahil ngayong araw na ito ni-launch na natin, inilunsad na natin ang ating bagong sistema para magkaroon ng Beep card,” President Marcos said at the LRT-2 Legarda Station in Manila.
“Iyong Beep card a y para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga estudyante na sumakay ng tren na 50 percent ang discount. Kalahati lang sa pamasahe ang binabayaran,” the President added.
Marcos said the government expedited the processing of these Beep cards, also referred to as “white” Beep cards, which are urgently needed by students.
“Alam naman natin students are on a very, very tight budget. That’s why we are very happy to be able to launch this new system to give the Beep card to our students. Unang-una, ang processing talagang pinabilis na natin nang mabuti,” said the President.
“Dati ang Beep card, seven to 10 days ang processing. Ngayon , three minutes na lang.”
“Basta’t maipakita nila na
ENGINEERED structures built along shorelines to guard against erosion, storm surges and wave action emerged as the strongest driver of the country’s ocean economy in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.
PSA data showed that the coastal engineering projects logged the highest growth rate among oceanbased activities at 61.3 percent, outpacing other subsectors such as coastal accommodation and food services (34.8 percent) and marine education (13.9 percent).
Overall, the ocean economy was valued at P1.01 trillion last year, expanding 4.7 percent from P962.49 billion in 2023. Its gross value added accounted for 3.8 percent of gross domestic product at current prices.
Fishing contributed the largest
talagang student sila, na they are attending school, dadalhin ngayon doon mag-imprenta sila ng Beep card, load- an lang nila,” the Chief Executive said.
A P30 fee is required to avail of the discount Beep cards, while payment and loading could be made in cash or through digital means like GCash or PayPal.
During the launch, Marcos was accompanied by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Hernando Cabrera.
Upon arrival, Marcos interacted with the students who were in line to buy the Beep cards.
The President also inspected the processing of the Beep cards in one area of the station.
“Kaya ito na po. Congratulations sa mga nagbuo ng sistemang ito. And we look forward to the advantages that it will bring to our students— our young people, our most important asset,” the President said.
Last June 19, 2025, Marcos ordered a 50 percent discount for students taking LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.
On July 16, 2025, Marcos launched the 50 percent discount for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) using the LRT and MRT trains.
share at 24.5 percent, followed by the manufacture of ocean-based products (20.8 percent), sea-based transportation and storage (15.8 percent) and coastal accommodation and food services (12.8 percent).
Employment in ocean-related industries stood at 2.39 million in 2024, a slight dip from 2.42 million the previous year.
This represented 4.9 percent of total employment, with fishing accounting for the largest share at 35.6 percent, trailed by sea-based transportation and storage (24.2 percent) and coastal accommodation and food services (22.6 percent).
The PSA publishes the Philippine Ocean Economy Satellite Account annually to measure the sector’s performance and track trends in ocean-based activities.
Bless Aubrey Ogerio
The funds were earlier turned over by the state health insurer as unused funds in 2024.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that money will boost ongoing efforts to expand health benefits and services that the DOH offers.
“This new allocation of P60 billion to PhilHealth aligns with the DOH’s objective to increase the government’s share in current health expenditures, from around 40 percent to 70 percent, which
will significantly reduce out-ofpocket costs of Filipino patients.”
Herbosa said that the P60 billion, was given back by PhilHealth to the national treasury in accordance with the provisions of the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Herbosa said that it paid for Health Emergency Allowances amounting to P27.45 billion, Medical Assistance to Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (P10 billion), medical
equipment (P4.1 billion), health facilities enhancement including three DOH health facilities (P5.06 billion), and government counterpart financing for foreign-assisted projects that also deal with the social determinants of health (P13 billion).
As its supervising agency, Herbosa said that the DOH will continue supporting PhilHealth in its role to pay the health benefits of all Filipinos.
“Right now, Zero Balance Bill -
ing happens at DOH hospitals because DOH pays more than PhilHealth. Over time, PhilHealth should be paying most, if not all, of the hospital bill,” he said as he thanked the President for recognizing the tireless work of the health-care workers.
“They are dedicated to making essential health services more accessible to every Filipino family. We are with you in building a Bagong Pilipinas, kung saan Bawat Buhay Mahalaga,” Herbosa said.
Calabarzon minimum wage earners to get up to ₧100 pay hike
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
MININUM wage earners in Region IV-A or Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) can soon expect a daily pay increase of up to P100, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
The new wage order, released on Friday, raises minimum pay rates in varying amounts depending on the geographic classification of the area and sector.
Those working in extended metropolitan area will get a P40
increase in the non-agriculture sector and P25 in agriculture, while those in component cities will receive P60 for non-agriculture and P25 for agriculture.
In first-class municipalities, the increase is set at P30 for nonagriculture and P25 for agriculture, except in Rosario, Cavite, where non-agriculture workers will receive a P60 adjustment alongside a P25 hike for those in agriculture.
Meanwhile, municipalities reclassified as first class under Department of Finance Order 0742024 will receive the adjustment in two tranches: P60 in the first
and P40 in the second for both non-agriculture and agriculture sectors.
In second- to fifth-class municipalities, workers will see a P60 increase in the first tranche followed by P15 in the second for non-agriculture, and P60 in the first tranche and P23 in the second for agriculture.
Retail and service establishments with 10 or fewer workers across the region will also implement a two-tranche increase: P60 in the first and P23 in the second.
The NWPC said the new wage order will cover all minimum wage
earners in the private sector in Calabarzon, regardless of their job title, employment status, or how they are paid.
Exemptions may be granted to small retail and service firms with 10 or fewer workers, as well as to establishments that have been severely affected by natural calamities or human-induced disasters. With the new order, minimum daily pay in the region will now range between P508 and P600, depending on the sector and location. The prescribed increases will be fully implemented starting October 5.
PHL sustains momentum as premier investment hub at China trade fairs
BEIJING—The Philippines showcased its growing economic momentum with back-to-back participation in two of China’s premier international trade fairs this month: the China International Fair for Trade in Services (Ciftis) in Beijing and the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (Cifit) in Xiamen.
Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz, speaking during the recent Philippine country forum and opening of the Philippine pavilion at the Ciftis, enticed Chinese investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to choose the Philippines as an ideal destination for future ventures.
“The Philippines is a highly resilient, globally competitive hub for services in Asia.”
“We are open for business and we welcome China, our largest trading partner, to partner with us in high-growth services and industries,” FlorCruz said.
Ciftis is an all-inclusive international exhibition and trade platform dedicated to trade in services, and co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. Ciftis ran from September 10 to 14.
The Philippine pavilion highlighted the nation’s strengths in tourism and hospitality, digital
services, health and wellness services, creative industries, and education and professional services. The country’s promotion initiative is being pushed by the Philippine Department of Tourism-Beijing and Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Beijing.
Carrying the theme “Thrive Together: Where Paradise Fuels Progress,” the Philippine Pavillion positioned the country as a onestop hub for profitable ventures and partnerships.
FlorCruz noted that a number of Chinese enterprises have succeeded, and are succeeding, in the Philippines.
“We invite Chinese entrepreneurs to visit our Philippine Pavilion and explore future collaboration—combining China’s advanced technology with our service expertise. Together, we can grow inclusively, just as China has shown by transforming the historic Shougang Steel site through innovation and creativity,” he said.
At the country forum, FiberHome Philippines Chief Executive Officer Johnny Jiang spoke of the company’s experience in the Philippines, and of his company’s contribution to the national telecom infrastructure.
Jiang noted that FiberHome, with 121 service offices, provides access to high-speed and dependable digital services. At its peak,
CDC showcases Clark’s MICE potential
CLARK FREEPORT—Clark Development Corporation (CDC) showcased Clark’s growing potential as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination during the 8th Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC 2025) held on September 17–18 at Marriott Manila.
CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera said the agency remains committed to promoting Clark as a strategic hub for tourism and hospitality development.
CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Noelle Mina Meneses joined the panel discussion on hotel ownership models, including direct investment and management contracts, during the first day of the summit.
Organized by Hospitality Asia Media, HPC 2025 gathered over 500 delegates, 100 speakers, and 300 companies. With the theme “Redefining Hospitality: Beyond Boundaries,” the conference explored innovations in guest experience, cultural diversity, investment strategies, digital transformation, and government support for tourism recovery and growth.
the company had over 15,000 employees, 98 percent of them are Filipinos
“FiberHome remains committed to an open, partnership-driven approach—working with local suppliers, telecom operators, technology integrators, and communities to co-create solutions that serve the nation’s needs and aspirations,” he said.
Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda said there are many areas to further expand trade and investment relations with China in services and in enhancing the digital infrastructure.
“The Philippines offers a young, creative, and tech-savvy workforce—an invaluable asset for driving growth in services, particularly in the IT sector,” said Peñaranda.
Tourism Attaché Ireneo Reyes noted that as the Philippines offers some of the world’s most awarded destinations, these provide opportunities for resorts, leisure facilities, and sustainable tourism ventures where “fun” and “profit” meet.
“We are one of the world’s best island destinations, celebrated for its unique blend of East and West— Spanish, American, and Chinese heritage. With long-standing ties, it is the perfect setting for deeper cultural exchange, ESL development, and showcasing world-class
Palace. . .
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opportunity to celebrate the 33rd National Family Week.”
MC 96, a copy of which was posted on the Presidential Communications Office’s official website on Friday night, takes effect “immediately.”
The nation annually observes National Family Week during the last week of September, in accordance with Proclamation 60 issued in 1992, which declares this period as a time to celebrate and strengthen the Filipino family.
Complementing the weeklong celebration is the Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, observed every fourth Monday of September, as declared by Proclamation 326 issued in 2012.
English proficiency to Chinese friends,” Reyes said. Visitors were treated to Philippine coffee and local fruits, enjoyed traditional cultural performances, and joined interactive trivia games. The Pavillion underscored the country as a world-class tourism destination and a strategic hub for global services.
Earlier in the week in Xiamen for Cifit, the Philippines took the opportunity to highlight manufacturing prospects through the establishment of enterprises and industrial hubs in Philippine ecozones.
At the Philippine booth, matchmaking meetings were held between Philippine and Chinese enterprises eager to explore investment partnerships, underscoring the country’s openness to long-term, mutually beneficial collaboration.
Cifit, China’s flagship platform for global investment promotion, was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the Fujian Provincial People’s Government and held in Xiamen earlier this month.
FlorCruz said the Philippines’ strong showing in both trade fairs demonstrates consistency and resolve in the government’s push for the Philippines as a premier destination for trade and investment from China.
The Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day emphasizes the importance of families sharing meals together, reinforcing the Filipino tradition of mealtime as a vital opportunity for connection and communication.
The week-long commemoration aims to promote unity, solidarity, and the stability of the Filipino family, recognized as the fundamental unit of society.
Leading the national observance is the National Committee on the Filipino Family, the body mandated to uphold and promote the family as the cornerstone of the nation’s development and well-being.
The observance underscores the critical role that Filipino families play in nation-building, especially in shaping values and nurturing future generations. PNA
Editor: Angel R, Calso
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee only for new applicants, White House says after backlash
By Barbara Ortutay, Seung
Kim & Aamer Madhani Associated Press
WASHINGTON—President
Donald Trump’s latest plan to overhaul the American immigration system has left some immigrant workers confused, forcing the White House on Saturday to scramble to clarify that a new $100,000 fee on visas for skilled tech workers only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders.
The president on Friday, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick by his side, signed a proclamation that will require the new fee for what are known as H-1B visas— meant for high-skilled jobs that tech companies find hard to fill.
“Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country right now will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a posting on X. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders.”
The fee takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday. It is scheduled to expire after a year. But it could be extended if the government determines that is in the interest of the United States to keep it.
The White House in a social media post also sought to make clear the new rule “does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to/from the US.”
But immigration attorneys said that the White House move threatened to upend the lives of many skilled workers and has far-reaching impact on American business.
Kathleen Campbell Walker, an immigration attorney with Dickinson Wright based in El Paso, Texas, said in a posting on LinkedIn that the White House move “inserts total chaos in existing H-1B process with basically a day’s notice.”
Lutnick on Friday told reporters that the fee would be an annual cost for companies.
But a White House official said Saturday that it’s a “one-time fee.”
Asked if Lutnick’s comments sowed confusion, the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the new fee “currently does not apply to renewals but that policy is under discussion.”
Meanwhile, India’s government
expressed concern Saturday that the Trump administration move would dramatically raise the fee for visas that bring tech workers from there and other countries to the United States.
Trump also rolled out a $1 million “gold card” visa for wealthy individuals. The moves face near-certain legal challenges amid widespread criticism he is sidestepping Congress.
To be certain, if the moves survive legal muster, they will deliver staggering price increases. The visa fee for skilled workers would jump from $215.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday that Trump’s plan “was being studied by all concerned, including by Indian industry.” The ministry warned that “this measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of the disruption caused for families. Government hopes that these disruptions can be addressed suitably by the US authorities.”
More than 70% of H-1B visa holders are from India.
Critics say the H-1B visas undercut American workers H-1B visas, which require at least a bachelor’s degree, are meant for highskilled jobs that tech companies find difficult to fill. Critics say the program undercuts American workers, luring people from overseas who are often willing to work for as little as $60,000 annually. That is well below the $100,000-plus salaries typically paid to US technology workers.
Trump on Friday insisted that the tech industry would not oppose the move. Lutnick, meanwhile, claimed “all big companies” are on board. Representatives for the biggest tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta, did not immediately respond to messages for comment. Microsoft declined to comment.
“We’re concerned about the impact on employees, their families
Chinese savers have $23 trillion and few options beyond stocks
By Bloomberg News
CHINESE households are tiptoeing back into equities, driven in part by a stark reality: Almost nothing else looks worth buying.
The CSI 300 Index has surged more than 25% since its April lows, fueled by enthusiasm over artificial intelligence and Donald Trump’s softer rhetoric on China. But other asset classes — from wealth management products to money-market funds — remain stuck in a yearslong slump.
That’s reviving an old bull market mantra: there is no alternative to stocks. The idea that China’s small investors will shift a chunk of their $23 trillion savings pile to the stock market is a tantalizing one for global firms, who are showing signs of returning after years on the sidelines.
“The pressure to save is fading,” said William Bratton, head of cash equity research in Asia Pacific at BNP Paribas Exane. The huge savings pool is one reason his firm is “structurally positive” on China’s stock market, he said.
So far, retail investors haven’t driven the rally — local institutions and foreign inflows have, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. But small investors are central to the bull case. JPMorgan Chase & Co. sees about $350 billion of additional savings flowing into stocks by the end of 2026. Here are some of the other places
Chinese investors could put their money—and why they probably won’t want to.
Cash CASH is still king for China’s nation of savers, but the crown has lost its shine. The nation’s four biggest banks offer returns of around 1.3% for five-year savings accounts, down from around 2.75% in 2020, according to state media reports. Demand deposits, which savers can withdraw at any time, pay just 0.05% per year. Returns on money-market funds have also crumbled. The giant Tianhong Yu’E Bao fund, which manages around $110 billion of assets, returns around 1.1%. That is less than half what the fund’s investors earned at the start of 2024.
Bonds BONDS aren’t
debt have faced more monthly losses than gains this year so far, according to a Bloomberg gauge of total returns. Falling bond prices are accompanied by higher yields, which should ultimately make bonds more attractive to investors. But a resumption of tax collection on interest paid by the government or financial institutions has given investors yet another reason to put their money elsewhere. The yields available also remain unappealing in historical terms, even after the recent rise. Benchmark 10year government bond yields now hover around 1.80%, well below the five-year average of 2.58%.
Property PROPERTY was for years the default option for Chinese investors looking to generate investment returns, but after a four-year downturn there are few signs of buyers returning.
Many families already own more
than one home, reducing potential demand. President Xi Jinping’s repeated mantra that “houses are for living, not for speculation” has served as a warning to would-be investors. Property developers, struggling to finish previously sold homes, have also dented confidence.
Roughly 58% of the country’s household wealth is in real estate, down from 74% in 2021, according to research from China International Corporation Corp. Stocks and other high-risk financial assets account for 15% after jumping six percentage points over the same period, the firm estimates.
Wealth management
WEALTH management products have long been a popular investment for investors. But average annualized returns for both pure fixed-income and mixed strategy wealth management products are now under 3%, according to data tracker PYStandard, which analyzed returns from recent quarters. That cements a more than two-year downturn in what investors can earn from WMPs.
Insurance LIFE insurance products, a popular form of investment in China, have gone in the same direction: The annualized rate of return on some of Ping An Insurance Co.’s universal policies has slumped to 2.5% from 4.3% before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to its own data.(With assistance from Wenjin Lv / Bloomberg)
and American employers,” the US Chamber of Commerce said. “We’re working with the Administration and our members to understand the full implications and the best path forward.”
Lutnick said the change will likely result in far fewer H-1B visas than the 85,000 annual cap allows because “it’s just not economic anymore.”
“If you’re going to train people, you’re going to train Americans,” Lutnick said on a conference call with reporters. “If you have a very sophisticated engineer and you want to bring them in ... then you can pay $100,000 a year for your H-1B visa.”
Trump also announced he will start selling a “gold card” visa with a path to US citizenship for $1 million after vetting. For companies, it will cost $2 million to sponsor an employee.
Trump offers ‘Platinum Card’ THE “Trump Platinum Card” will be available for $5 million and allows foreigners to spend up to 270 days in the US without being subject to US taxes on non-US income. Trump announced a $5 million gold card in February to replace an existing investor visa—this is now the platinum card.
Lutnick said the gold and platinum cards would replace employment-based visas that offer paths to citizenship, including for professors, scientists, artists and athletes.
Critics of H-1Bs visas who say they are used to replace American workers applauded the move. US Tech Workers, an advocacy group, called it “the next best thing” to abolishing the visas altogether.
Doug Rand, a senior official at US Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Biden administration, said the proposed fee
increase was “ludicrously lawless.”
“This isn’t real policy—it’s fan service for immigration restrictionists,” Rand said. “Trump gets his headlines, and inflicts a jolt of panic, and doesn’t care whether this survives first contact with the courts.”
Lutnick said the H-1B fees and gold card could be introduced by the president but the platinum card needs congressional approval.
Visas doled out by lottery
HISTORICALLY, H-1B visas have been doled out through lottery. This year, Amazon was by far the top recipient of H-1B visas with more than 10,000 awarded, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple and Google. Geographically, California has the highest number of H-1B workers.
Critics say H-1B spots often go to entry-level jobs, rather than senior positions with unique skill requirements. And while the program isn’t supposed to undercut US wages or displace US workers, critics say companies can pay less by classifying jobs at the lowest skill levels, even if the specific workers hired have more experience.
As a result, many US companies find it cheaper to contract out help desks, programming and other basic tasks to consulting companies such as Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies and Tata in India and IBM and Cognizant in the US. These consulting companies hire foreign workers, often from India, and contract them out to US employers looking to save money. (Ortutay reported from Oakland, Calif. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Elliot Spagat in San Diego and Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report.)
Tech companies warn H-1B visa holders to avoid foreign travel
By Georgia Hall & María Paula Mijares Torres
THE tech sector and other companies rushed to warn employees with H-1B visas against foreign travel as they responded to the chaos created by President Donald Trump’s move to slap a $100,000 application fee on the widely used program.
Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and other tech companies sent messages to affected employees telling them to return to the US on Saturday and cancel any plans to depart the country after the White House said Friday that the new rules would go into effect on Sunday.
A White House official clarified Saturday that the fee only affects new visas—not renewals or current visa holders—and will be applied in the upcoming lottery cycle. Later Saturday afternoon, a
White House account on X posted a message saying that Trump’s announcement doesn’t apply to current visa holders. It added, “The Proclamation does not impact the ability of any current visa holder to travel to/from the US.” Even so, the uncertainties surrounding how the change will be applied and enforced caused confusion and consternation across corporate America and is prompting companies and immigration lawyers to urge current visa holders to be careful.
Microsoft updated guidance to its employees that clarifications by the White House “should ensure the ability to return home to the US for our colleagues who are currently traveling internationally for important life events” and for those with upcoming travel plans to proceed. It added there remains a possibility of “some confusion over the next few days at ports of entry.”
Min
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, September 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP PHOTO/ALEX BRANDON)
Modi fends off succession talk in India despite many setbacks
By Dan Strumpf, Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Ruchi Bhatia & Swati Gupta
JUST over a year ago, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reeled from the worst election setback of his career, speculation mounted that the nation’s most dominant politician in a generation was at risk of losing power.
Opposition groups and commentators openly discussed whether Modi might finally step aside after his party was forced into a coalition government for the first time since coming to power a decade earlier. Fanning the speculation was the fact that Modi would soon turn 75—his party’s unofficial retirement age, and a milestone when other Indian leaders in his party had ceded power.
That chatter picked up last month after US President Donald Trump slapped India with 50% tariffs and called its economy “dead.”
Although the two leaders have since moved to mend ties, exchanging positive words in a call Tuesday, Trump’s abrupt U-turn had amounted to an embarrassment for Modi, who invested personally in the relationship and had shifted India closer to the US.
siders and allies, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.
“The parlor discussions about Modi’s successor are merely that— idle talk,” said Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “Right now, there are no clear power centers in the BJP outside of the PM. This is, in part, due to Modi’s ability to remake the party in his own image.”
Modi’s firm grip on Indian politics has held despite enduring a torrent of crises that alone would have threatened any leader’s grip on power. They began with last year’s election blow—when his Bharatiya Janata Party failed to secure an outright majority in Parliament—and continued through this year, with a four-day armed conflict with Pakistan in May.
tire at age 75, setting off a frenzy of speculation about the prime minister’s future.
Despite that, Modi’s control over the BJP remains strong and there is no question of replacing him, one senior politician from a coalition party said. When the BJP lost its parliamentary majority last year, opposition politicians and analysts questioned whether Modi was suited to sharing power in a coalition government.
But he has managed to keep his allies on side, offering them cabinet posts and financial allocations for key projects like a new capital city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, governed by coalition partner N. Chandrababu Naidu. Earlier this month, a top official from another coalition party reaffirmed its support for Modi and the BJP alliance.
At the same time, the prime minister has prioritized economic policies in his third term over hardline Hindu-nationalist agenda items that dominated prior terms. He cut income taxes in February and followed up with major consumption tax easing in August to cushion the impact of the US’s 50% tariffs.
back Modi but policy missteps and an increase in economic problems would reduce support for the prime minister, people aware of the matter said. There are no clear successors to Modi, the person said. The RSS won’t oppose Modi publicly because it could fuel political instability and benefit the opposition, they said, but the organization will keep asserting itself where possible.
Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS leader who hinted at the retirement age for leaders in July, has since walked back his comments.
“The RSS has greatly benefited from Modi being in power,” said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, who wrote a biography of the prime minister. “He’s never deviated from the RSS objectives.”
The RSS didn’t respond to a request for comment. A senior official from the group said new leadership at the BJP would come when there is a need. Despite speculation, there is no discussion about a successor to Modi, the person said, asking not to be identified in order to discuss internal matters.
Women turn away from Labour as they lose faith in UK economy
By Irina Anghel
WOMEN are losing faith that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer can turn their fortunes around, a problem that threatens both the Labour government and its ambitions to boost the economy.
GfK consumer-sentiment data show that Britons lost confidence in both the country’s and their own finances in the run-up to the October 2024 budget. But while men’s assessments of their own finances have since bounced back, women are still gloomier than they were before fiscal fears kicked in.
That matters for both politics and growth. From food prices and utility bills to childcare and diversity policies, women say the issues they care most about have worsened since Labour came into power last summer. Many also work part-time, in roles most exposed to the government’s payroll cost increases, so they’ve felt little benefit from the “green shoots” government ministers point to, such as rising real incomes, a US trade deal, and the fastest private-sector growth in a year.
ing parents are also now eligible to receive up to 30 hours a week of government-funded child care for children older than 9 months.
But until the Employment Rights Bill comes into force from next year, women are feeling the impact of Labour’s £26 billion increase in national insurance contributions.
While many women benefited from April’s higher minimum wage, large employers such as retailers passed on some of the extra costs. Food manufacturers now warn that policies could push food inflation to 6% by December.
Boston Consulting Group research found that women’s views of their own finances are more tightly linked with how they feel about the economy. “If women think the economy isn’t going well and they feel the impact of inflation, then they worry about their finances more,” said Francesca Fraser, analysis manager at BCG’s UK Centre for Growth.
“That is less present for men.” Such perceptions help explain weak economic growth over the last year. Real wages grew but households put more of that money into savings accounts, fearing job losses and tax rises. Now those pay gains are slowly evaporating, with consumers spending more on essentials. Women, who earn less on average, are more exposed to cost— of-living shocks.
But as Modi celebrates his 75th birthday on Wednesday, his grip on India appears more secure than ever. Modi has managed to bolster support among key allies, positioning himself to see out his third term and there’s no bar on him contesting elections in 2029 at the age of 79, according to party in-
The economy is also under pressure, with growth this year expected to be at its weakest pace in five years even before the damage from the US tariffs is factored in. The rupee is trading near record lows against the dollar and Indian equities have significantly trailed emergingmarket peers in the past year, also due to weak earnings growth and stretched valuations.
Modi’s office and the BJP didn’t respond to emailed requests for comment.
In July, the head of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Hindu right-wing group that propelled Modi’s rise to power, floated the idea that Indian leaders should re -
As allies fell in line, Modi’s grip over lawmakers, bureaucracy and government apparatus has held. And even though there are concerns internally about his foreign policy missteps and growing economic pressures, Modi has a small group of trusted advisers and is largely unchallenged by his ministers, a top official in New Delhi said.
“Modi’s position is markedly weaker after the 2024 election, but he has done an excellent job of projecting an image of invincibility,” said Ian Hall, professor of international relations at Griffith University in Australia. “I don’t think he will retire at this point.”
The relationship with the RSS, the Hindu-nationalist group that gave rise to the BJP, is complicated. The prime minister got his political start as an RSS foot soldier in his home state of Gujarat, and rose through the ranks of the BJP with strong backing from the group. While he frequently consulted with the RSS during his first term, the group was increasingly edged out from the inner circle of decisionmaking, according to RSS officials. There is concern within the group that Modi’s solid grip on power has left him isolated and resistant to consultation.
One result of this rift has been a yearslong delay in selecting the next president of the BJP, according to people familiar with the matter. Current BJP President JP Nadda was set to step down in 2023, but his term has been extended several times since, a sign that the two sides aren’t in sync over his successor.
Even so, the RSS sees the BJP as a vehicle to carry out its longerterm ideological plans. The Hindu nationalist group will continue to
Among the population, Modi’s support remains high. An August opinion poll showed 58% of respondents rated his performance as “good,” roughly the same level as a year ago and down only slightly from 62% in February.
While the spat with Trump may have dented India’s standing in the White House, within India it has strengthened his image as a leader who stands up to outside powers, several associates said.
Already there are signs that the US and India are seeking to mend the rift. Indian negotiators met with US trade officials on Tuesday. Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said during a confirmation hearing last week that the two sides are close to a trade deal.
“In spite of this little hiccup that we have had over tariffs, our relationship is much stronger,” Gor said. “It’s built on many more decades.”
There is also concern in some circles that the prime minister’s grip on power is so complete that there are no clear heirs or successors, despite his age and his almost 12 years as India’s leader. India has no term limits, and some officials say they expect Modi to run for a fourth term in 2029 if he remains in good health.
Modi himself hasn’t committed to running for another term, though earlier this year he said it was “just the third term” for his coalition. He’s also set a long-term vision to make India into a developed country by 2047. If and when he steps aside, a tough fight will ensue for whoever is next in line to lead the party, said Mukhopadhyay.
“For the BJP, Modi poses a kind of existential crisis,” he said.
“I don’t see Modi, in good health, ceding space to someone else.” (With assistance from Shruti Srivastava, Anup Roy and Ravil Shirodkar / Bloomberg)
In recent months, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has focused on immigration to counter Reform’s rhetoric rallying British men. But polling suggests that the other half of the electorate is becoming a bigger risk. Already, the government has lost nearly half of the female voters who helped it win power just a year ago, according to More in Common, a political strategy and communications consultancy. That’s compared with just under 40% of men.
The stakes are high for Britain’s economy, too. Reeves wants to fix public services without further direct tax rises on workers in November’s budget. But as consumers drive around two-thirds of activity, their increasing push toward saving is dampening the growth outlook. That’s bad news for supermarket bosses, the Treasury and the Bank of England.
“I can understand why women still feel downbeat. They’re not feeling like this government is addressing the root causes of their problems,” said Sara Reis, head of research and policy at the Women’s Budget Group, a nonprofit that promotes a gender-equal economy.
Price rises often feel personal. Women still tend to handle the weekly shop, so they’re the first to feel the pinch from higher grocery, water and transport bills—the main drivers pushing UK inflation to its highest since early 2024.
Food inflation accelerated to 4.8% in August, climbing for a fifth month, due to increases seen across a range of vegetables, cheese and fish products. Families were also hit with a £600 increase in basic costs when prices for regulated services—from water bills to council tax, went up in April.
That helps explain why women are less likely to trust Labour with the cost-of-living crisis than men, according to More in Common. An overwhelming majority are unsure the crisis will ever end. Reeves has made lowering inflation a key goal of her Nov. 26 budget. Women also stand to gain from the government’s upcoming overhaul of labor rights, including stronger protections against pregnancy discrimination and more benefits for low-paid workers. Most work-
The UK’s gender pay gap has also narrowed only slightly, with women in top—paying sectors like finance still earning about a fifth less than men. On top of that, the US-led pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion has created career anxiety; more than 60% of female workers in the UK see such rhetoric as a barrier to leadership progression, according to a recent Pipeline survey. Over the last year, the government shifted its public focus from inflation to immigration as Nigel Farage’s Reform surged to the top of opinion polls. Starmer unleashed a barrage of measures, from tightening family visa rules to a returns deal with France, to prove Labour is serious about cutting immigration numbers. But many women felt left behind. While immigration is the top concern for men, paying the bills is the No. 1 priority for women, GfK data show.
“Doing stuff about immigration is not going to make women more positive,” said Neil Bellamy, consumer insights director at GfK. “You are alienating another group of people entirely because you’re not thinking about more general, dayto-day things.”
That includes public services such as the NHS. Labour has prioritized the NHS but experts cast doubt that the decline in waiting lists is being felt. And despite more funded hours, childcare is still out of reach for many, according to the National Day Nurseries Association, due to a shortage of nursery places.
“We are at a point where, after years of austerity, there have been severe cuts to many public services,” Reis said. “When these services are not there or they’re failing, women tend to be the ones who make up for it as supporters of last resort. They are not feeling any improvements yet — and they’re not very confident that the changes that this government is implementing will make a difference.” Bloomberg
NARENDRA Modi with Donald Trump at the White House in February 2025. (PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREW HARNIK/GETTY IMAGES)
The World
Amid Gaza offensive, several nations move to recognize Palestinian state
By Samy Magdy The Associated Press
CAIRO—Scores of Palestinians, many pushing carts of belongings or carrying their possessions on their backs, fled Gaza City on Saturday as Israel ramped up its offensive, including with strikes that health officials said killed at least 14 people overnight.
Later in Israel, thousands joined the families of hostages still being held by Hamas to demand that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate an end to the war. There were protests in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv, where a large black banner was unfurled imploring US President Donald Trump to help end the war, with “SAVE THEM!” in yellow letters.
The latest military strikes come as some prominent Western countries prepare to recognize Palestinian statehood at the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly next week. They include the U.K., France, Canada, Australia, Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg.
In a statement Friday, Portugal’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said it will recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday. The Iberian country had previously announced its plans to do so but now set an official date.
The latest Israeli operation, which began this week, further escalates a
conflict that has roiled the Middle East and likely pushes any ceasefire further out of reach. The Israeli military, which says it wants to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” and urged Palestinians to leave, hasn’t given a timeline for the offensive, but there were indications it could take months.
Israeli bombardment over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas of the strip, displaced around 90% of the population and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine.
Hospital director’s relatives among the dead DR . Rami Mhanna, the managing director of Shifa Hospital, where some of the bodies were brought, said the dead included six people from the same family after a strike hit their home early Saturday morning. They were relatives of the hospital’s director, Dr. Mohamed Abu
Trillion Peso March draws…
Continued from A12
their faces. So definitely because their faces are covered, these are evil elements,” Castro said.
“Definitely, they are criminals and may be arrested,” she added.
Despite the violence near the Palace, Castro said, the President was still in Manila and closely monitoring developments.
‘God keeps a record’
AT Edsa, Bishop Ayuban cited ghost infrastructure projects, overpriced floodcontrol programs, and substandard public works as examples of systemic greed that continue to victimize the poor.
From flooded roads and broken bridges to the lack of classrooms and hospital care, he said corruption robs those with the least.
He also reminded the faithful that no abuse escapes God’s judgment.
“Kahit takpan at pagtakpan ng mga makapangyarihan, kahit ibaon ng mga investigasyon, kahit guluhin ng fake news at disinformation, God keeps a record. God remembers,” Ayuban said.
“For every child who goes hungry, every worker cheated of wages, every family left to drown in poverty because of corruption, Christ Himself is the one being oppressed.”
In Luneta, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza also called on the public to hold accountable those who exploit public office for personal gain, warning that dynasties that “steal the people’s money” cannot be allowed to rule indefinitely.
Manindigan tayo para sa mga dukha sapagkat sila ang pinakabiktima ng pandarambong na ito [Let’s stand up for the poor because they are the biggest victims of this plunder],” he said, adding that righteous anger against corruption is a sign of true love for God and neighbor.
For his part, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David reiterated the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) call for unity in demanding accountability from those who plunder public funds.
Selmiya, he said.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said five others were killed in another strike close to Shawa Square.
Israel’s military said it couldn’t comment on the specific strikes without more information, but that it was “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities” and “takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm.”
Palestinians flee again ISRAEL has been urging hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City to move south to what it calls a humanitarian zone and opened another corridor south of Gaza City for two days this week to allow more people to evacuate.
Palestinians were streaming out of Gaza City by car and on foot,
Beyond the simultaneous protest actions held nationwide on September 21, David urged Filipinos to sustain vigilance, reject patronage politics, and continue pursuing cases against corrupt officials.
The cardinal warned against political compromises that allow such abuses to be forgotten.
Tama na! Sobra na! Huwag na nating hayaang mamatay na lang ang usaping ito gaya ng mga nauna na nauwi lang sa political accommodations at compromises,” he said.
Church can’t be blind, deaf
AT the Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen Peace-EDSA Shrine, Fr. Jerome Secillano rejected the notion that the Church should remain silent in the face of wrongdoing, saying it is “morally and duty bound” to confront those who commit evil.
“The church cannot be blind, or mute; it cannot stay uninvolved, especially if the issue is thievery or murder,” Secillano said, speaking partly in Filipino in his homily.
He noted the lack of remorse from those under investigation for corruption, warning that silence from the Church would only make it complicit.
Secillano stressed that Filipinos are not thieves or corrupt by nature, but a people seeking justice.
“But we are not thieves. We are not corrupt people. We are a nation who just simply wants that corruption and evil be weeded out in our society,” he said.
The rain eventually fell over the Edsa People Power Monument on Sunday, Sept. 21, but it did little to scatter the crowd that had gathered to protest alleged corruption in the government’s flood-control projects.
Church leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations led the “Trillion Peso March,” accusing officials and contractors of siphoning off funds from infrastructure projects meant to safeguard communities from floods.
Earlier, it was reported that President Marcos, concerned over the growing pub -
though many in the famine-stricken city are unwilling to be uprooted again, too weak to leave or unable to afford the cost of moving.
Along the coastal Wadi Gaza route, those too exhausted to continue stopped to catch their breath and give their children a muchneeded break from the difficult journey.
“No water, electricity, or Internet. People are forced to leave with nothing,” said Seif Abu Oomsan. “They target us with things you wouldn’t imagine, like science fiction. They target us with missiles that we have never heard of.”
“We are headed toward the unknown. Nobody knows where they are going,” said Faris Swafiri.
Aid groups have warned that forcing thousands of people to evacuate
lic outrage against corruption in public works and the commemoration of the 53rd anniversary declaration of Martial Law, was closely monitoring the sentiments and demands of the thousands of protesters, who participated in the “1 Trillion March.”
Based on preliminary police reports, the protest rally drew about 49,000 demonstrators at the Rizal Park in Manila on Sunday morning. Similar activities were also held in other parts of Metro Manila including the EDSA People Power Monument.
“Right now, the President is definitely monitoring because peace and order are also needed, and the protests also need to be peaceful. So you can expect the President to be here,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
“That’s why he didn’t continue his trip so that he could also know and hear what the real grievances of the people are,” she added.
Last week, Malacañang announced Marcos cancelled his scheduled fifth trip to the United States from September 21 to 25 to participate in the United Nations General Assembly to focus on “local issues,” which includes the ongoing probe on anomalous flood control projects as well as bringing down the price of basic commodities.
Castro reiterated that Marcos does not oppose demonstrations against corruption in public works as long as it will be held peacefully.
She said even government employees can join the rallies as long their demands are “not against the goals of the government.”
“So the President just [does not] want [them] to not violate the law. And whatever they do in protesting, I hope it is in accordance with the law,” she said.
The Philippine National Police deployed 50,000 personnel to help secure the venues where the demonstrations were held.
Castro said law enforcers were mobilized to make sure the demonstrations on “legitimate concerns” will not be taken advantage of by “personal agenda.”
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan F. Ponce Enrile cautioned that some people may be fanning public outrage against corruption in public works to bring down the current administration.
will exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis. They are appealing for a ceasefire so aid can reach those who need it.
Families of hostages speak out FAMILIES of hostages still held by Hamas accused Netanyahu of condemning their loved ones to death by continuing to fight rather than negotiate an end to the war.
“The blood of our loved ones is, for him, nothing more than a political tool to cling to power,” they said in a statement read outside Netanyahu’s residence. “As long as there is war, Netanyahu has a government.” Hanna Cohen, whose niece Inbar Hayman was kidnapped and killed in captivity and whose remains are still in Gaza, said: “It’s hard to believe another Rosh Hashanah (Jewish new year) is coming and our Inbar isn’t with us.
“There is no greater pain than parents who lose a child in such a cruel way and don’t even have a grave to visit.”
Speaking at the Jerusalem protest, freed hostage Iair Horn asked: “What kind of country will we be if we abandon our own? What happens to our nation if we’re willing to sacrifice the hostages?”
Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to still be alive. Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 others.
Meanwhile, an Israeli-American held hostage in Gaza for 584 days before being released in May said he will return to Israeli military ser-
vice next month. Edan Alexander, 21, was kidnapped by Hamas from a base near the Gaza border and was the last living Israeli hostage freed from captivity.
“We cannot forget them,” he said Friday. “We cannot stop until they are all home.”
UNICEF trucks robbed ON Friday, UNICEF said lifesaving therapeutic food meant for thousands of children in Gaza was stolen from four of its trucks. The statement said armed people approached the trucks outside their compound in Gaza City and held the drivers at gunpoint while the food was taken.
“They were intended to treat malnourished children in Gaza City where famine is declared…it was a life-saving shipment amid the severe restrictions on aid delivery to Gaza City,” said Ammar Ammar, a spokesperson for UNICEF. In a statement Friday, Israel’s army blamed Hamas for stealing the food. Israel accuses Hamas of siphoning off aid and using it to fund its military activities, without providing evidence. The U.N. says there are mechanisms in place that prevent any significant diversion of aid.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death count in Gaza has surpassed 65,100 since the attack by Hamas that triggered the war. The ministry, part of a Hamas government, does not say how many of the dead were civilians or militants. Its figures are seen as a reliable estimate by the U.N. and many independent experts.
Associated Press writer Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain contributed to this report.
Estonia seeks NATO consultation after Russian jets violate airspace
By Emma Burrows AP European Security Correspondent
TALLINN, Estonia—Russian pilots ignored signals from Italian jets responding from NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission when they violated Estonian airspace, a senior Estonian military official said Saturday.
The 12-minute incursion was the latest test of the alliance’s ability to respond to Russian airborne threats after around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on Sept. 10.
Russia’s Defense Ministry on Saturday denied its aircraft flew into Estonia’s airspace, after Tallinn reported three fighter jets crossed into its territory on Friday without permission.
Estonian officials dismissed the denial, saying the violation was confirmed by radar and visual contact and suggested it could be a tactic to draw Western resources away from Ukraine.
The Russian MIG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace between 9:58 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. local time Friday in the area of Vaindloo, a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, the Estonian military said. A ministry statement said it was the fourth airspace violation by Russia this year.
It still “needs to be confirmed,” if the border violation was deliberate or not, Col. Ants Kiviselg, the commander of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Center, told The Associated Press. Regardless, he said, the Russian jets “must have known that they are in (Estonian) airspace.”
The Russian pilots didn’t pose a “military threat,” Kiviselg said.
But although they acknowledged communication from the Italian pilots flying F-35 fighter jets, they apparently ignored it and “didn’t actually follow the signs,” which is partly why they were in Estonian airspace for so long, he added.
“Why they didn’t do it, that’s a question for the Russian pilots,” Kiviselg said.
‘It could be big trouble’
THE Russian jets came from an airfield near the city of Petrozavodsk, in northwestern Russia, and were heading to Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea sandwiched between Lithuania and Poland. They were tracked by two Finnish fighter jets before being escorted by the two Italian jets, which took off from Estonia’s Ämari Air Base and followed them into international skies, Kiviselg said.
US President Donald Trump responded Friday by telling reporters he will be briefed by aides on the incursion. “I don’t love it,” he said, adding: “I don’t like when that happens. It could be big trouble, but I’ll let you know later.” Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister, told AP the incident was “a very serious violation of NATO airspace.” The last
time Estonian airspace was violated for so long was in 2003, he said, “just before Estonia joined NATO.” Estonia’s government responded by saying it would request consultations under Article 4 of NATO’s treaty which allows a member to formally consult with allies whenever their territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened. Poland also used the mechanism after its airspace was violated by Russian drones and, after that, NATO launched its Eastern Sentry mission to boost defenses along its eastern flank.
Posting on X, Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė suggested NATO member “Turkey set an example” of how to respond to such incidents in 2015 when it shot down a Russian fighter jet which violated its airspace for around 17 seconds. But that situation was “totally different,” Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s defense minister said, adding that the “Russians actually killed Turks,” when Moscow used fighter jets to target what they said were militant groups near the Syrian border with Turkey.
During Friday’s incident, Estonia and its allies observed the Russian jets’ route, communication and reaction from the pilots as well as the weapons systems they were carrying and were “very confident that there is no need to shoot them down,” Pevkur said.
Czech President Petr Pavel said Saturday that NATO must respond adequately to Russian violations, including potentially by shooting down Russian jets, the Czech News Agency reported. “Russia will realize very quickly that they have made a mistake and crossed the acceptable boundaries. Unfortunately, this is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option,” Pavel said.
Estonian officials maintained Saturday that there was no need to trigger Article 5, NATO’s collective defense clause, despite the repeated violations by Russian jets and drones as well as allegations from Western officials that Moscow is waging a hybrid war against the West including a sabotage campaign, cyberattacks and influence operations.
Radars and visual identification IN an online statement published
Cyberattack causes air traffic chaos and delays across Europe
By Pan Pylas and Jamey Keaten The Associated Press
LONDON—Acyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems disrupted air traffic and caused delays at several of Europe’s major airports on Saturday.
While the impact on travelers appeared to be limited, experts said the intrusion exposed vulnerabilities in security systems.
The disruptions to electronic systems initially reported at Brussels, Berlin’s Brandenburg and London’s Heathrow airports meant that only manual check-in and boarding was possible. Many other European airports said their operations were unaffected.
“There was a cyberattack on Friday night 19 September against the service provider for the checkin and boarding systems affecting several European airports including Brussels Airport,” said Brussels Airport in a statement, initially reporting a “large impact” on flight schedules.
Airports said the issue centered around a provider of check-in and boarding systems—not airlines or the airports themselves.
Collins Aerospace, whose systems help passengers check themselves in, print boarding passes and bag tags and dispatch their luggage from a kiosk, cited a “cyber-related disruption” to its MUSE (Multi-User System Environment) software at “select airports.”
‘A very clever cyberattack’ IT was not immediately clear who might be behind the cyberattack, but experts said it could turn out to be hackers, criminal organizations, or state actors.
Travel analyst Paul Charles said he was “surprised and shocked” by the attack that has affected one of
the world’s top aviation and defense companies.
He said “it’s deeply worrying that a company of that stature who normally have such resilient systems in place have been affected.”
“This is a very clever cyberattack indeed because it’s affected a number of airlines and airports at the same time—not just one airport or one airline, but they’ve got into the core system that enables airlines to effectively check in many of their passengers at different desks at different airports around Europe,” he told Sky News.
As the day wore on, the fallout appeared to be contained.
Brussels Airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli told broadcaster VTM that by mid-morning, nine flights had been canceled, four were redirected to another airport and 15 faced delays of an hour or more. She said it wasn’t immediately clear how long the disruptions might last.
Axel Schmidt, head of communications at the Brandenburg airport, said that by late morning, “we don’t have any flights canceled due to this specific reason, but that could change.” The Berlin airport said operators had cut off connections to affected systems.
Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, said the disruption has been “minimal” with no flight cancellations directly linked to the problems afflicting Collins. A spokesperson would not provide details as to how many flights have been delayed as a result of the cyberattack.
The airports advised travelers to check their flight status and apologized for any inconvenience.
Frustration at the counters SOME passengers voiced annoyance at the lack of staff. With many, if not most, checking in individually, airlines have reduced the number of people operating at the traditional check-in counters.
Maria Casey, who was on her way to a two-week backpacking holiday in Thailand with Etihad Airways, said she had to spend three hours at baggage check-in at Heathrow’s Terminal 4.
“They had to write our baggage tabs by hand,” she said. “Only two desks were staffed, which is why we were cheesed off.”
Collins, an aviation and defense technology company that is a subsidiary of RTX Corp., formerly Raytheon Technologies, said it was “actively working to resolve the issue and restore full functionality to our customers as quickly as possible.”
“The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations,” it said in a statement.
‘Stakes are high’
Airline industry is vulnerable through the use of third-party platforms
STILL , experts said the attack pointed to vulnerabilities—ones that hackers are increasingly trying to exploit.
Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at cybersecurity firm Check Point, said the aviation industry has become an “increasingly attractive target” for cybercriminals because of its heavy reliance on shared digital systems.
“These attacks often strike through the supply chain, exploiting third-party platforms that are used by multiple airlines and airports at once,” she said. “When one vendor is compromised, the ripple effect can be immediate and farreaching, causing widespread disruption across borders.”
Experts said it was too early to tell who might be behind the attack, and were trying to read some clues.
“It looks almost more like vandalism than extortion, based on the information we have,” said James Davenport, a professor of information technology at the University of Bath in England. “I think significant new details would have to emerge to change this view.”
Keaten reported from Lyon, France
Trump’s policies draw criticism as black Americans face economic hardship under his administration
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—At one of his final rallies before the 2024 election, then-candidate Donald Trump warned that Black Americans were losing their jobs in droves and that things would get even worse if he did not return to the White House.
“You should demand that they give you the numbers of how many Black people are going to lose their job,” Trump said. “The African American population, they’re getting fired at numbers that we have never seen before.”
But with Trump back in office since January, an already fragile financial situation for Black Americans has worsened. Upset by inflation and affordability issues, Black voters had shifted modestly toward the Republican last year on the promise that he could boost the economy by stopping border crossings and challenging foreign factories with tariffs. Yet a recent spate of economic data instead shows a widening racial wealth gap.
Black unemployment has climbed from 6.2% to 7.5% so far in 2025, the highest level since October 2021. Black homeownership has fallen to the lowest level since 2021, according to an analysis by the real estate brokerage Redfin. Earlier this month, the Census Bureau said the median Black household income fell 3.3% last year to $56,020, which is roughly $36,000 less than what a white household earns and evidence of a bad situation becoming worse.
That creates a major political risk for the president as well as an economic danger for the nation because job losses for Black Americans have historically foreshadowed a wider set of layoffs across other groups.
“Black Americans are often the canary in the coal mine,” said Angela Hanks, a former official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Labor Department who is now at The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank.
The Trump White House stressed that some of these downward trends, such as a relative decline in Black wealth, began under Democratic President Joe Biden. It emphasized that the “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies pushed by Democrats failed to deliver economic gains.
“Despite his lunatic obsession with DEI, Joe Biden’s disastrous economic agenda reduced the Black share of household wealth by nearly 25%,” said White House spokesman Kush Desai.
“His inflationary policies caused interest rate hikes that froze Americans out of homeownership, and his open borders policies flooded the country with tens of millions of illegals who drove down wages.”
the damage could soon spread beyond.
Black leaders see Trump’s policies as discriminatory based on race THE federal layoffs appear to have disproportionately hit Black Americans because they make up a meaningful share of the government workforce. The administration maintains that its income tax cuts, tariffs and deportations of immigrants who are in the United States illegally will help Black Americans, but there is little evidence so far in the data of that. At the same time, Trump has said that he would like to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore and Memphis, Tennessee—cities led by Black mayors. The president has called for redrawing congressional districts to favor Republicans, which could dilute the ability of Black voters to shape elections. He has sought to diminish the legacy of slavery and segregation from the Smithsonian museums.
“The message that they are sending is very clear: In these places, these people are incapable of governing themselves,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. “They are incapable of helping to solve their own issues. And make no mistake about it, it’s partly due to how we look.”
The Democrat warned that the mounting economic challenges could contribute to crime in the future, reversing progress that cities have made in recent years to lower homicide rates. Trump might not be able to afford alienating Black voters BLACK Americans are the dominant core of the Democratic base, though Trump has improved his standing with them. In 2024, Trump won 16% of Black voters, doubling his 2020 share, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. One of the key differences appeared to be frustration over inflation and affordability. Roughly one-third of Black voters (36%) in the 2024 presidential election said the economy and jobs was the most important issue facing the country, up from 11% in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was the top issue. In a July poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of Black adults (52%) said the amount of money they get paid was a “major” source of stress in their life right now, slightly higher than for U.S. adults overall (43%) and significantly higher than for white adults (37%).
Now, however, the gap between promise and outcome was exposed. About billions had been poured into projects, yet widespread flooding continued to cripple communities.
“As the President, you have command responsibility. If you don’t know anything about these things and you are the President, then I think there’s a problem,” he said. “It’s impossible that you don’t know any of these things.” Senate inquiry estimates indicate that up to P1.029 trillion of government climate-tagged expenditures may have been lost to corruption since 2023, including P560 billion in 2025 alone.
“So I think the most they can do right now is to prevent an eventual return to power of the Dutertes,” Calilung said, adding that it remains unclear whether or not the administration will side with liberals or progressives to achieve such a goal.
In an interview with BusinessMirror, UST political science instructor Jazztin Jaiurum Manalo said the timing of the probe may be part of the administration’s efforts to secure a “good legacy” as Marcos reaches the midpoint of his term.
“He has to make sure that he will leave at least a ‘good’ legacy with which this inquiry about the flood control projects may be put into action,” Manalo said.
The calls for investigation, Manalo said, could benefit the President as involved individuals would be exposed and held accountable under his term.
“This is very much timely and should have been done years back; the country has been consistently experiencing severe floods due to low-quality flood control projects.”
Additionally, data from the National Integrated Climate Change Database and Information Exchange System showed that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) manages the bulk of these projects, controlling P800 billion, or roughly 90 percent, of the 26,874 climate-tagged initiatives. Calilung said the administration has yet to produce a “legacy project” that could define Marcos’ presidency beyond his term.
FOR President Marcos, the political stakes are high.
Calilung called the controversy “the single biggest corruption fiasco in our history,” warning that it threatens not only the President’s credibility but also the chances of his family or allies in the 2028 elections.
“Clearly, there is no future for the Marcos dynasty, there is no future for them in national politics after this,” he said.
While the probe could expose even relatives and close allies, Marcos himself faces risks. Neglect of duty, he noted, could be as damaging as direct involvement.
“It’s not right to say that sin is only by commission… It can also be a sin of omission. When you did nothing and chose not to know,” he said. “For systemic corruption to take place, it must be concerted and…synchronized from bottom up.”
He added that if evidence ties the President directly to the scandal, lawmakers could pursue an impeachment complaint.
For Borja, the political landscape by the end of Marcos’ term will hinge on how legislative inquiries and social movements unfold.
On August 4, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed that 67 lawmakers in 2022 acted as contractors for their own flood control projects. This was followed by an announcement from the President on August 11 that 15 contractors received P100 billion worth of flood control projects since 2022. Many projects, he said, were in areas not prone to flooding.
A day later, Sen. Chiz Escudero admitted to receiving a P30-million donation from a government contractor in 2022 but denied any wrongdoing regarding project allocations.
Government data also showed that Sunwest, Inc.—founded by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and former Rep. Christopher Co.—was the administration’s top contractor. Companies owned by Sara and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, both facing scrutiny, were likewise among the biggest recipients of flood control contracts. Borja stressed that much depends on whether Marcos will allow accountability to extend to allies. “It also depends on whether the president is serious enough that he will not allow any of his allies from being spared,” he added.
Some Black voters see Trump’s policies as doing more to hurt than help SOME Black voters who stayed on the sidelines in 2024 feel they need to be more engaged politically.
Josh Garrett, a 30-year-old salesperson in Florida, said he could not find a candidate last year with whom he agreed. He is frustrated by Trump’s layoffs of federal workers and sees a government more geared toward billionaires than the middle class.
“I don’t understand how you could be for the American people and have Americans lose their jobs when they have families, have bills,” Garrett said.
While the financial outlook for Black Americans is deteriorating, the net worth of white households is largely holding steady or increasing, largely due to stock market performance. Hanks notes that the “chaotic effects” of Trump’s tariffs and spending cuts are hitting more vulnerable populations right now but that
When it comes to incomes, some associated with the conservative movement suggest that Black households are more vulnerable because fewer of them are in married families, which generally tend to have higher incomes. Delano Squires, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said the “connection between family structure and financial stability is one that is fairly consistent across time.”
The immediate political reality is that Trump had a mandate to improve the economy for the middle class, including Black voters. But many of those voters now see an administration more focused on deporting immigrants and expanding its own grip on power, possibly threatening Republicans’ chances of holding onto the House and key Senate seats in next year’s elections.
“We’re in a new era,” said Alexsis Rodgers, political director at the Black to the Future Action Fund. “There are people who obviously believed his promises, that Trump was going to do something about the cost of eggs, the cost of housing. They’ve seen the focus instead is on ICE raids and downsizing the government.”
He suggested the “root cause” for the air violations, hybrid war and cyberattacks was to distract Western attention from Ukraine. Moscow, Pevkur said, may be trying to provoke NATO nations into sending additional air
defense assets to Estonia in the hope that Kyiv’s allies do more “about our own defense,” and less to support Kyiv.
Associated Press journalist Kostya Manenkov in Tallinn, Estonia contributed to this report.
AN airport employee points at a departure board after a cyberattack caused delays at Brussels International Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. AP PHOTO/HARRY NAKOS
‘PHL to import more pork despite output hike’
for 2025 and 2026.”
DBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
ESPITE the projected recovery in production next year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the Philippines’ pork imports will rise in 2026 as demand will continue to outstrip domestic output.
The international agency expects local pork output to inch up by 2 percent to 980,000 metric tons (MT) in 2026, from its revised 2025 estimate of 960,000 MT, owing to the rollout of the African swine fever (ASF) vaccine and improved biosecurity measures.
implemented by swine industry, and adoption of better swine genetics among commercial farms,” the USDA said in its latest report.
“Lower feed costs, particularly local corn and imported soybean meal, are expected to provide cost relief and enhance profitability.”
Despite the expected rebound in pork output in 2026, the USDA said the country’s pork imports could reach 750,000 MT next year. This is 7 percent higher than the estimated shipments in 2025 at 700,000 MT.
“Local production challenges, driven by an animal disease outbreak, combined with growing population demand, are expected to support increased importation,” the agency said.
In the first half of 2025, the USDA said Brazil accounted for more than half of the country’s pork imports.
Prior to system accreditation, the agency noted that only specific Brazilian meat establishments were authorized to export certain commodities to the Philippines.
With Brazil’s pork export prices being consistently lower than those of other Philippine major trading partners, the USDA expects shipments from the South American country to grow.
“Contributing to the forecast production growth are expanded coverage of the governmentcontrolled ASF vaccine rollout, heightened biosecurity measures
However, its latest forecast is still lower than its initial estimate of 1 million metric tons, as it took into account the impact of ASF’s resurgence in the second half of 2024.
Coffee slides on report American lawmakers to seek tariff exemption
COFFEE futures retreated in New York and London on an improving supply outlook and as traders keep a close eye on tariff impacts.
Futures for the premium arabica coffee variety fell as much as 6.5 percent in New York as the Washington Post reported that US lawmakers plan to introduce a bill to exempt coffee-product imports from tariffs. The robusta coffee type, most used in instant drinks, also fell as much as 8.9 percent in London on estimates of growing supplies from top exporter Vietnam.
An exemption from tariffs could reignite trade between the US and top arabica supplier Brazil, said Hedgepoint analyst Laleska Moda. “If approved, the bill would ease pressure on US domestic and certified stockpiles,” she added.
The exemption would apply to roasted and decaffeinated coffee, as well as coffee husks, skins and other products containing coffee, the newspaper reported. The legislation would still need President Donald Trump’s sign-off even if it were to succeed in the House and Senate, the paper said.
Meanwhile, Vietnam is expected to harvest its biggest coffee crop in four years following good rainfall, according to traders, producers, exporters and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. The country is the world’s largest producer of robusta.
Coffee prices have recently undergone big swings, with arabica nearing an all-time high earlier this week, partly due to supply uncertainty. Trump’s tariffs on imports from Brazil — the world’s top coffee grower — has been a big factor in price volatility. Many American coffee buyers avoiding new deals from the South American nation after the levy took effect last month, Bloomberg has reported.
While not an official exemption, the bill points toward potential relief from current trade disruptions, Rabobank analyst Oran van Dort said. A return to normal flows could see Brazilian farmers selling stockpiles, which in turn would ease current market tightness and lead to lower prices, he said.
Weather has also driven supply concerns. Rainfall at the end of September and in early October will be critical for flowering in Brazil, Van Dort said. Adequate showers would support the 2026-27 arabica crop, set for harvesting in the middle of next year, he said.
Bumper crop
VIETNAM is expected to harvest its biggest coffee crop in four years following good rainfall, which may
help to alleviate tight supply and put downward pressure on global prices.
Output is set to increase to 1.76 million tons for the 2025-26 season, according to the median estimate of seven traders, producers, exporters and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. That would be 6 percent higher than last year, and equivalent to about 29.4 million 60-kilogram bags.
“The coffee trees are currently in good condition, with the harvest set to begin next month,” said Trinh Duc Minh, the chairman of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association in Dak Lak province, Vietnam’s biggest growing region. “The weather has been favorable for the crop, with abundant rainfall.”
Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of robusta, the variety often used in instant coffee and espressos. A bigger flow of beans into the market could help plug global shortages following poorerthan-expected crops the previous two seasons, and help to soften prices that skyrocketed 42 percent last month.
Coffee prices have seen further swings this week. Concerns over tight Brazilian supplies, US tariffs and profit-taking sent futures for the arabica variety in New York near a record, before whipping back, driving volatility to a four-year high. Robusta also climbed sharply in London at the start of the week before sliding.
“Although market concerns have now shifted toward a potential shortage of arabica, increased robusta availability in Vietnam and Brazil offers roasters a more affordable and accessible alternative,” said Laleska Moda, an analyst at Hedgepoint Global Markets. “We’re also observing a notable shift in demand toward robusta this year.”
A harvest of 29.4 million 60-kilogram bags this season would make it Vietnam’s biggest since 2021-22, according to the US Department of Agriculture, which forecasts 31 million bags for 2025-26. The survey estimates ranged from 1.62 million tons to 1.9 million tons, or 27 million to 32 million bags.
Vietnamese farmers have invested more in crop management due to higher prices, and are now preparing for the final round of fertilization ahead of the harvest. Some have even expanded their cultivation area, or switched to coffee from durian, according to EaPok Coffee JSC, a small Dak Lak-based producer, which expects its output to climb by 30 percent from a year ago.
Still, ongoing weather conditions remain crucial to the overall crop. Bloomberg News
The USDA also noted that it revised upward its 2025 pork imports outlook by 17 percent from 596,000 MT, owing to higher imports from Brazil, the
country’s top supplier of the protein source.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) granted Brazil system accreditation to export pork,
beef, and poultry meat into the country last year, which expanded their access to the Philippine market, “supporting the forecast increase in imports
“As a low-cost supplier, Brazil’s pork shipments to the Philippines are expected to increase,” the USDA said. “Industry contacts within the domestic food processing sector have acknowledged that Brazil’s pricing advantage will continue to drive demand for its pork products.”
Exclude sugar from FTA with Chile, planters tell govt
LOCAL producers are pushing for the exclusion of sugar from the coverage of a free trade agreement (FTA) the Philippines is seeking to forge with Chile.
The Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) and the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (Confed) made this pitch during a Tariff Commission (TC) hearing on the country’s participation in the Philippines-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (PH-CL CEPA) negotiations.
PSMA Executive Director Jesus Barrera said costly freight rates due to logistics concerns will make local sugar “hardly competitive” in Chile, which imports most of its requirements from its neighbors and leading cane growers Argentina, Colombia, and Guatemala.
“For the Philippines, for PSMA, we don’t have any export interest to Chile. The distance is too far
and the freight cost would be too high to make our sugar competitive there, even with the CEPA,” Barrera said.
He also said Chile’s price band system, which serves as a safeguard measure to protect its domestic industries and consumers, will make it more challenging to sell sugar to Chileans.
The price band system is a tariff adjustment mechanism for certain farm goods, including sugar, that enables Chile to automatically raise or lower import duties of products depending on world market prices, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“Since the CEPA agreement focuses on market access, and I think it does not cover NTMs [non-tariff measures], any exports we may have, which we have none, will be subject to this,” Barrera said.
“That being considered, it is the position of the [PSMA] to
request DTI, Tariff Commission, and our negotiators in the Department of Agriculture to exclude sugar from the FTA.”
Such a move was seconded by Rosemarie Gumera, a former Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) official and representative of Confed, who said there was no mutual interest between the Philippines and Chile regarding market access for sugar.
Despite this, Gumera noted that technical cooperation and research and development (R&D) on sugar could be hammered out between the Philippines and Chile under the planned CEPA.
“Technology varies among countries, and who knows [perhaps] there are specific technologies for sugarcane, like varietal exchange or technology exchange with Chile, which is also beneficial for the sugar sector,” she said.
“So, for market access, we
want to request exclusion. But hopefully, we would be part of the research and development and technology cooperation with Chile. That’s very important for us, especially for variety exchange.”
Currently, the Philippines slaps a 50-percent tariff on sugar imports for volumes that fall within the minimum access volume (MAV) and a 65-percent tariff for those outside the MAV. The SRA regulates the country’s sugar importation, with shipments being allowed entry following approval from the agency’s board and only for a specific period.
Earlier, the SRA announced that the entire sugar output in the upcoming crop year 2025-2026 will be classified as “B” or domestic sugar, without an allocation for exports, as the country’s production struggles to meet overall local demand. Ada Pelonia
DA devising strategy to expand local veggie supply
THE Department of Agricul -
ture (DA) is planning to establish new food corridors aimed at ensuring a stable supply of vegetables and high-value crops.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he would focus on a demand-driven, market-enabled strategy to feed the growing population, complementing conventional farming with protected cultivation systems (PCS).
Aside from being located closer to urban markets, the new food corridors will feature greenhouses, refrigerated storage, and improved postharvest systems, allowing farmers to grow crops regardless of climate conditions, extend crops’ shelf
life, and minimize spoilage.
The DA said such efforts aim to reduce price volatility and ease inflationary pressures linked to food supply disruptions.
Connected to strategically located food hubs and efficient logistics, the plan would also “leverage best management practices, adopt appropriate technologies, and strengthen social networks to ensure sustainability and scalability.”
Such an initiative would be dubbed White Revolution, inspired by the white plastic films used in greenhouses, mulch, and tunnels. These technologies transformed vegetable farming in South Korea between the
1970s and 1990s, the DA said.
The DA noted that climate change prompted this shift as successive storms and floods last month led to major output losses and disrupted vegetable supply chains, pushing up prices.
“We cannot afford to rely on good weather anymore. Protected cultivation is no longer optional— it’s a necessity,” the agriculture chief said.
In 2024, the Philippines imported $461.8 million worth of processed vegetables, fruits, nuts and other plant parts.
Despite a slight drop from the previous year, the country remains a net food importer with an ag -
ricultural trade deficit of $11.71 billion.
Slashing even 10 percent of that deficit could redirect at least P60 billion back into local producers, the DA said.
The agency said Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Caballero has ordered a full inventory of all existing greenhouses under past DA programs to identify which facilities can be rehabilitated to provide the strategic initiative a head start.
The DA said it expects procurement for infrastructure and equipment to begin by late 2025, with the first food corridors up and running by the second half of next year. Ada Pelonia
DAR turns over farm-to-market roads to Isabela farmers
TBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
HE Department of Agrarian Reform
(DAR) said it has turned over three newly completed farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P47 million to the local government unit (LGU) of Ilagan, Isabela.
“The FMRs are opening greater opportunities for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries [ARBs] in Barangay Sta. Isabel Sur, City of Ilagan,” DAR said.
The newly inaugurated roads include the P15-million Sitio Lunac–Sinalugan FMR, the P19.5-million Bannawag–Macanalo FMR with bridge component, and the P12.5million Benguet FMR.
DAR Cagayan Valley Regional Director Primo C. Lara said the projects were built “to make life easier” for farmers by improving access to markets, reducing transportation costs, and ensuring faster delivery of goods.
“These roads will not only make travel faster and safer for our farmers but will also connect them to bigger markets, improve their income, and uplift the socio-economic conditions of entire agrarian reform communities,” Lara said.
More than just roads, Lara said the projects are “a pathway to progress” in Ilagan town, as they will improve market access, enabling farmers to deliver produce more efficiently and sell at better
prices; reduce post-harvest losses by making transport of crops quicker and safer, especially during rainy seasons; and strengthen local economy through improved connectivity, which encourages trade and investment in rural communities.
The turnover was held during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” caravan celebrating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s birthday and the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act 11953), which has condoned unpaid amortizations, loans, and estate taxes for ARBs. Marcos, in a livestreamed message, said infrastructure and support services are crucial in empowering farmers and achieving food security. During the turnover ceremony, DAR also signed a Memorandum of Agreement under the Abogado Ti Mannalon program, ensuring free legal assistance for farmers and ARBs and distributed farm
AN EMPLOYEE removes internal organs from a pig at a Smithfield Foods Inc. pork processing facility in Milan, Missouri, United States, on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. PHOTOGRAPHER: DANIEL ACKER/BLOOMBERG
A story of resilience: PHL re-enters top 50 most innovative economies in 2025
THE recent announcement that the Philippines has re-entered the world’s 50 most innovative economies, landing at 50th place in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), is a commendable achievement. This marks a notable recovery from previous years, reflecting both resilience and potential in a landscape that often challenges developing nations. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “PHL breaks into top 50 of Global Innovation Index,” September 17, 2025).
Improving from 53rd place in 2024 and recovering from a dip to 59th in 2022, this upward trajectory is a testament to the hard work of policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators alike. The fact that the country surpassed its own Philippine Development Plan target of 52nd place is particularly encouraging. It demonstrates that with focused effort and the right strategies in place, the nation can achieve its ambitions.
Yet, while this ranking is a cause for celebration, it also underscores the complexities and challenges that remain. The country’s 59th ranking in innovation inputs highlights the ongoing need for investment in resources, institutions, and infrastructures that foster innovation. Conversely, the country performed better in innovation outputs, coming in at 49th, which indicates that the innovations produced are increasingly impactful relative to the inputs used. This is a crucial distinction; it suggests that the Philippines can generate significant value even with limited resources.
The gains seen in eight indicators, coupled with a decline in only two, signal a promising shift in the innovation landscape. High-technology exports ranking first worldwide as a share of total trade underscores the nation’s strengths in sectors that can drive future growth. However, the slip in human capital and research, alongside a significant decline in infrastructure, cannot be overlooked. These areas are essential for ongoing innovation and economic growth.
The mixed results across various pillars of the GII offer a complex perspective. While the Philippines outperforms many lower middle-income nations, the drop in scores for institutions and market sophistication is concerning. These indicators are critical for creating an environment conducive to innovation. A robust institutional framework and a sophisticated market structure are essential for fostering a culture that encourages creativity and supports entrepreneurs.
Looking ahead, the Philippine Development Plan’s goals of climbing to 49th in 2026 and 43rd by 2028 are ambitious but achievable. To realize these aims, the government must prioritize investments in education, research, and infrastructure. Enhancing human capital is particularly vital; skilled individuals are the backbone of any innovative economy.
Furthermore, as the country strives for higher rankings, it must also focus on creating an inclusive innovation ecosystem that benefits all segments of society. This means supporting small and medium enterprises, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring equitable access to technology and education.
While the Philippines’ re-entry into the top 50 most innovative economies is a positive development, it should not be viewed as the final destination, but rather as a stepping stone toward greater aspirations. The journey ahead will require dedication, collaboration, and a commitment to nurturing the very foundations of innovation.
Opinion BusinessMirror
Filipinos demand real change
MRISING SUN
ORE than 30,000 Filipinos are flooding the streets of Manila and cities nationwide today, holding aloft banners and hopes that history need not endlessly repeat its mistakes.
As the September 21 “Trillion Peso March” blooms at Luneta Park and the Edsa People Power Monument, the air is filled not just with outrage but with a swelling chorus for visible, lasting change. Beneath placards demanding justice for the staggering P1.9 trillion ($33 billion) lost over decades to flood control corruption, one clear message rises above the noise: the whole nation clamors for real reform.
The numbers at the heart of this movement are staggering, almost unimaginable: up to P1.9 trillion allocated across 15 years for flood prevention, with as much as half— nearly P950 billion—allegedly lost to ghost projects, collusion, and substandard works. Public frustration has led to resignations at the highest
levels and galvanized a movement that brings together more than 200 organizations: church groups, students, civil society, and everyday citizens uniting beyond party lines. Protesters, organizers, and concerned Filipinos alike insist they are not gathered to depose leaders or attack any political bloc. Instead,
their rallying cry is for honest service, truth, transparency, and real accountability across all administrations.
What distinguishes today’s movement is its commitment to detailed, actionable reform rather than mere protest. The public is now demanding the full disclosure of government officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), urging the lifting of bank secrecy for those in public office to allow true public scrutiny. There is a powerful call for genuinely independent investigations, ones that operate beyond the reach of politics or patronage, so that both guilt and innocence are determined by evidence, not hearsay. Support is building behind the passage and strict enforcement of landmark anti-corruption laws, such as the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009), which now requires recording beneficial ownership of contracts, digitizing public procurement, and imposing heavier penalties for non-disclosure and collusion.
From outrage to audit: Mobilizing citizens to recover stolen wealth
WT. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo
Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes
D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan
BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines. Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025. (Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807. (Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.businessmirror.com.ph Printed by BROWN MADONNA Press,
Meanwhile, the acceleration of digital governance—enabling public access to contracts, payments, and performance data—has also turned heads globally. In fact, the Philippines was recently ranked first in Asia for budget transparency, marking a quiet but significant victory for advocates of open government.
These aspirations embody a hope not anchored to the rise or fall of individual leaders, but to the painstaking process of building institutions anchored on truth. Calls for the recovery of stolen wealth and judicial prosecution are viewed not as acts of vengeance, but as fundamental elements of national healing and trust-building.
As Filipinos link hands on the anniversary of martial law’s declaration, the message is crystal clear: democracy survives only when citizens believe in its promise enough to sustain vigilance—not by waiting for saviors, but by demanding and supporting reform, law, and transparency as public birthrights.
LITO GAGNI
HEN the chants have faded and the placards lie damp on the grass of Luneta, when the Trillion Peso March disperses under the solemn shadow of the Edsa monument, the question we must ask is no longer what happened yesterday but what must happen now.
September 21 was meant to commemorate a dark chapter, a yearly rite of memory. Instead, it became a fever chart of the nation’s boiling point. Rage was audible, palpable, searing. And yet, rage that is not harnessed becomes mere smoke— leaving us with empty hands and flooded streets.
In last Friday’s Nego-Show episode on AliwTV, financial strategist Den Somera charted a way forward: turn outrage into an engine of recovery by rewarding citizens who help recover stolen public funds. Imagine transmuting the nation’s anger into a nationwide treasure hunt for truth—turning ordinary people into auditors, whistleblowers, forensic sleuths of the Republic. Somera drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, reminding us that “violence is never the answer to violence.” Justice cannot spring from chaos; it must be grounded in clarity, courage, and con-
sequence. A finders-fee mechanism fulfills that moral equation: it does not unleash mob justice but invites disciplined civic participation.
I have seen this idea work before. As a young reporter covering the Bureau of Customs, I learned of a system where citizens—and even bureau insiders—could report “misdeclared” goods. When their tips led to higher duties and taxes being assessed, the informant received 10 percent of the recovered amount. The process was old-school, complete with thumb marks on affidavits to prevent fraud, but it worked—it gave ordinary Filipinos a stake in guarding the treasury. We see its modern cousin in the US False Claims Act, where whistleblowers can receive up to 30 percent of funds recovered from fraud. Why not here? Why not a “Ghostbuster Reward Act,” where a citizen who unmasks P10 million worth of padded contracts earns P500,000? Picture
the number of patriots who would dig, document, and deliver leads if there were a lawful, transparent, and safe system that made truth-telling worthwhile.
This, I believe, is where September 21 can find its redemptive meaning: not merely as a memorial of martial rule nor as a one-day parade of placards, but as a reset button for the nation’s moral compass. We have learned from the Congress hearings how DPWH district engineers came up with ghost projects with naked grab for the peoples’ tax payments that funded their ostentatious display of wealth with their signature watches enough to fund the schooling of a poor family’s six children.
The naked display of crafting ghost projects for the benefit of even senators of the realm has engulfed the nation’s consciousness on how easy the national treasury can be stolen by just imagining projects from thin air. Why, even an official of the Commission on Audit has been named in the Congress hearings for helping his spouse, a contractor, a clear sign of conflict. Now, the Palace has the people’s attention. Harness it. Announce a citizen-bounty program that turns rage into recovery. Build a secure platform for whistleblowers—anonymous, protected, and rewarded. Publish every ghost project recovered, every peso returned, every contractor made to pay back the people. Let citizens taste what accountability feels like when it finally bears fruit.
To those who marched: the real march begins today. It must continue
into budget hearings, COA reports, barangay halls, and town plazas. Rage is a fuel—but only if it is converted into the light of reform. September 21, 2025 may yet be remembered as the day the nation shouted “Enough!” But history will not forgive us if those shouts fade into a shrug. For it is not the storm that erodes the soul of a nation, but the quiet surrender—the look-away, the settling for less.
This nation’s soul is fractured, yes— fractured by ghost projects and phantom contracts, by roads unbuilt and rivers still flooded though “completed” on paper. The deluge we endure is not just water but betrayal, drowning trust in institutions meant to serve.
As Pope Leo XIII wrote, peace is never born of revenge but of justice rightly rendered. And justice today calls us to turn rage into recovery, grief into guardianship, and memory into movement.
Kaya’t kung alam mo kung saan itinago ang salapi ng bayan, huwag kang manahimik. Dokumentuhan. I-ulat. Ibalik sa bayan. Silence is consent; truth-telling is nation-building. If the Palace dares to take this step, let this column be its trumpet blast. Mobilize the citizenry, reward those who uncover the money trail, and let the nation see that justice has a price—and that it is worth paying. And perhaps, when the books are balanced and the floodwaters finally recede, we will discover that the fractured soul of this country can heal—one truth, one recovered peso, one act of courage at a time.
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II
One recipe, one kitchen: Coordinating flood control probes
TJoel L. Tan-Torres
DEBIT CREDIT
First of a series
HE flood control scandal has unleashed a torrent not only of outrage but also of investigations. Like a kitchen suddenly crowded with chefs and cooks, the country’s governance system is now teeming with agencies, committees, commissions, and watchdogs, each claiming a slice of jurisdiction in the investigation and pursuit of accountability in the flood control anomalies.
At the helm of this flurry are the Office of the President, which instigated the drive to uncover the anomalies. While several stakeholders question the intent of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in raising the “Mahiya naman kayo” challenge, this pronouncement of the President has started the avalanche of investigative activities and public rallies, outcries of indignation, and demands for swift justice and recovery of the stolen funds.
This resulted in the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) with the issuance of Executive Order No. 94 signed by the President on September 11, 2025.
The ICI is envisioned as the central coordinating body to prevent overlapping efforts and wasted resources and efforts in the flood control investigation.
The ICI’s challenge is formidable: how to turn a deluge of parallel probes into a coordinated stream of justice. The flood control scandal has not only exposed massive weaknesses in procurement and project execution but has also summoned a diverse army of investigators. To understand the complexity, I group the players and resources into categories—each with distinct roles, mandates, and limitations. These include the following groups of investigators and interest groups: Congressional oversight committees, Infrastructure and Oversight Agencies, Financial Watchdogs, Enforcement and Investigative Offices, Professional and Industry Gatekeepers, Lifestyle Check Data Sources, and Civil Society.
Congressional Oversight: Congress, often implicated in the flood control mess, ironically plays a key role in investigating the very system it inhabits. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has been holding hearings on the scandal, flexing its mandate of inquiry in aid of legislation. The House Infrastructure Committee has this role in the lower chamber. The Ethics Committees of both houses are supposed to discipline legislators who benefit from “commission scams,” though history suggests these bodies are rarely aggressive towards indicting their fellow legislators. Infrastructure and Oversight Agencies: At the frontlines are the agencies that plan, build, and monitor the flood control projects. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sits at the center as the chief implementing agency, responsible for contracts and project rollouts. The Philippine Construction Accreditation Board (PCAB) licenses and accredits public works contractors. However, the PCAB has been implicated in conflict of interest and “for sale of accreditation ratings” issues and accusations.
The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is the single, centralized electronic portal that serves as the primary source of information on government procurement and where government contract bidders should register with. The DBM controls the release of
IThe ICI’s challenge is formidable: how to turn a deluge of parallel probes into a coordinated stream of justice. The flood control scandal has not only exposed massive weaknesses in procurement and project execution but has also summoned a diverse army of investigators.
project funds through Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) and Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) and is conducting investigations if there are irregularities in the fund approval and release processes and where efficiencies and improvements can be made.
The Commission on Audit (COA) plays the after-the-fact role of auditor or post-audit checks, issuing observations and red flags on ghost or substandard works.
The Local Government Units (LGUs) provide permits, rights-ofway, and local monitoring of government projects, but their involvement also exposes them to collusion. On the other hand, it has been ascertained in the various investigations that there have been many instances when LGUs are not even notified or are aware of construction projects in their localities.
The Civil Service Commission will also be involved in the investigative process when administrative cases proceed against officials accused of irregular practices and hiding illicit wealth. The CSC is the depository of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of all officials and employees of the national government offices. I expect that investigations of several government inspectors will involve the verification of SALNs of suspected government officials and employees.
The cooking of the flood control anomalies and conspiracy began years ago, simmering quietly in the dark shadows of budget insertions, ghost projects, padded contracts and conspiracies by a network of individuals. This time, however, the challenge is not merely to expose the recipe of corruption but to prepare a new one—a recipe for justice, recovery, and reform. Government leaders and the citizenry must stand as one, united in ensuring that this new round of “cooking”—the investigations—will finally produce a meal worth serving: a feast of truth, accountability, and meaningful reform.
Let us prove that the kitchen of governance will yield nourishment for the nation, not rot for the few. And let us avoid once and for all the old adage: “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”
To be continued
Joel L. Tan-Torres was a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He has also held various positions, including Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Business, Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co., and SyCipGorres and Velayo & Co., and director of various corporate boards. He is a Certified
Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.
THE PATRIOT
N his best-selling book, “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” author Malcolm Gladwell posited the Law of the Few where changes can be made in any organization when a handful of people band together to cause sociological events to reach a threshold where systems are “tipped.” Once tipped, events take place like an epidemic that can be attributed to certain individuals and behavior, no matter how few.
Basically, Gladwell postulates that most trends, styles, and phenomena are actually started by only a few people, referred to as Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen.
Amid the corruption that continues to haunt our country, I consider both Mayors Vico Sotto and Benjamin Magalong as Connectors by Gladwell’s definition. A Connector is a person in the community who has a special gift of bringing people together. Due to his network, the Connector is a person who can be likened to a “virus” as he has the extraordinary ability to jumpstart an epidemic.
In 2010, when President NoyNoy Aquino (PNoy) declared a “No Wang Wang” policy in his first SONA, the wanton use of sirens on our roads was drastically reduced. I consider his as a Super Connector given his significant influence among all government officials.
Fast forward to today, I see Presi-
A better epidemic Dialogue, prudence, and partnership: Insights from the 14th Manila Forum
Tdent Bongbong Marcos (BBM) making use of his presidential power in exposing the anomalies in flood control projects and other infrastructure projects of the Department of Works and Public Highways (DPWH). Mayor Magalong has been exposing several anomalies in DPWH but hardly anyone listened two years ago. But, after a few days of BBM’s expose, several local government officials, including Mayor Joy Belmonte, followed the same playbook. Call on the people to report any kind of public disservice as part of a shame campaign that should hopefully lead to prosecution and eventual eradication of corruption.
With these gestures, Super Connectors like PNoy and BBM can very much “infect” all those in government with the “virus mindset” that public service is more of responsibility rather than power. In the context of Gladwell’s Law of the Few, mavens are those people who can start “word-
By Henry Go
HE 14th Manila Forum on Philippines-China Friendly Relations, held on September 17, 2025, offered a special forum for both countries to reflect on security, diplomacy, and the future of their relationship. Central to the discussion was a critical question: how can the Philippines defend its rights without closing doors to cooperation with China?
China’s call for regional solutions
CHINESE Ambassador Huang Xilian underscored Beijing’s vision for a cooperative Asia. He introduced the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) put forward by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting held recently in Tianjin, calling for all countries to jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system. The Initiative champions five core concepts; namely, adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by the international rule of law, upholding multilateralism, advocating for a people-centered approach, and focusing on real results. According to Ambassador Huang, it can provide an effective framework to resolve bilateral differences without the need for other major powers to meddle.
He warned against bringing “bloc confrontation” into the region, declaring the concept of an “Asia-Pacific Nato” would be very destabilizing. His message was clear: regional peace must be maintained within through diplomatic dialogue, without the involvement of outside players.
Firm but measured action FROM the Philippine side, former national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. emphasized at the forum that the country is committed to defending its territories. Based on his experience in heading the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, he firmly believes in the 2016 arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration that overwhelmingly rejected the broad claims of China in SCS.
But Esperon did not call for escalation. Instead, he spoke of “assertive restraint,” which is to stand firm in defending sovereignty but avoid actions that could trigger
of-mouth” epidemics due to their knowledge, social skills, and ability to communicate. They may not have positions of influence or power, but they can still “contaminate” others due to their character and credibility.
I see Professor Kiko Aquino-Dee, the grandson of the late President Cory Aquino and the nephew of the PNoy, as one maven who has served as the de facto face of protests among the youth. He has the eloquence of PNoy, the patience of Cory, and perhaps the audacity of his grandfather, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino, in rallying the millennials to be more vocal and participate in peaceful protests against corruption. Through sheer determination, Professor Kiko has convinced others within and outside his group Tindig Pilipinas to fearlessly voice out their grievances against government ineptitude if not outright incompetence. His maven skills will be tested as Kiko is one of the louder voices in a September 21 event, dubbed the “Trillion Peso March.”
This nationwide protest, the success or failure of which will be known by the time this article gets published, will have other mavens in the clergy, in the student sector, and even in the retired uniformed service. I hope after September 21, an “epidemic against corruption” will sweep the nation! For any change to last, there must be change in the culture, in the way things are done in the country. It cannot be done overnight and has to be sustained not only by the socalled connectors and mavens. For change to spread and stick, the coun-
open conflict. He used Indonesia and Malaysia coordination as an example of how countries handled maritime issues without hostility. For Esperon, true national security also depends on internal strength: inclusive growth, civic engagement, and structural resiliency.
Development and restraint as foundations
SUPPORTING Ambassador Huang’s call for an Asian solution, Victor Gao, deputy chairman of the Center for China and Globalization, urged the Philippines to avoid excessive dependence on external power. Excessive reliance, he warned, would limit Manila’s ability to act independently.
Gao opined that the Philippines must focus on sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the fact that majority of the Asean neighbors have progressed very rapidly in infrastructure as well as in connectivity, but the Philippines still remains behind. Growth, according to him, would allow the Filipinos to address regional challenges from a position of strength.
On the SCS conflicts, Gao reiterated China’s protests against the 2016 arbitral award but acted with restraint. As much as there remain differences, these should never be permitted to escalate into war. Incidents at sea may happen but these should always remain contained. His words were firm but carried a reminder that peace is in everyone’s interest.
Walking along the line between cooperation and defense
THE forum highlighted a common concern: although there are outstanding sovereignty issues and claims being fiercely contested, all parties share an apprehension of unmanaged conflicts. Huang insisted on cooperation, Esperon called for
The 14th Manila Forum underscored that maintaining stability in the region entails dialogue, managed firmness, and coordination. The discussions showed that the Philippines can defend its sovereignty, engage constructively with China, and enhance relations with Asean neighbors to address common issues such as maritime security, piracy, and smuggling.
managed firmness, and Gao urged development and restraint.
The Philippines, however, faces a delicate situation. Being overly reliant on external major powers like the United States may guarantee security but may also stifle the country’s ability to make independent decision based on national interest. On the other hand, without partnering with other major powers will expose the country to pressure and threats from China. The real challenge is how to strike a balance —collaborating with traditional allies while keeping national interests as priorities.
The Asean option ONE potential course of action is for the Philippines to strengthen collaboration with Asean members. In solidarity with Asean on shared challenges such as piracy, smuggling, and maritime safety, Manila could gain more credibility and respect. This approach also provides leverage when negotiating with China on sensitive issues such as the South China Sea, allowing the Philippines to protect its interests without dependency on other external powers.
Constructive historical context DECADES of trade and cultural exchange between China and the Philippines already demonstrate how the two nations can be best friends and benefit from harmony. No nation is perfect, in fact, there are numerous criticisms against China, but there is something unique about China: unlike some other countries, it never colonized the Philippines.
try needs Salesmen, who, according to Gladwell, are persons gifted with the ability of influencing the actions of others.
An effective Salesman goes beyond what he says (seller’s talk) and does what he says to makes others want to follow, not because the buyer believes the seller but because the buyer believes in the product. Ricky Rivera is one Salesman I know who has fervently fought against corruption way back during his activist days in the University of the Philippines. Today, he and a group of other Salesmen, launched a citizens-based group against corruption called Artikulo Onse. Echoing what BBM has started, Ricky is asking all Filipinos to report all kinds of activities that can be considered as violative of Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, which states, among others, that “Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”
This watchdog group has other prominent Salesmen such as former congressmen Lorenzo Erin Tanada III and Atty. JV Bautista as well as former senatorial candidates Ka Leody de Guzman and Atty. Luke Espiritu. This group needs more Salesmen (a few good men and women) who can help spread this epidemic against corruption. Sales people need not be many; they just have to be dedicated and driven.
To be continued
By nature, the Chinese prefer harmony and focus on trade for sustainable growth to achieve prosperity, which essentially discourages aggression and disruption. Such an extended history of peaceful contacts despite contrasts of political philosophy gives a solid foundation for positive discourse and collaboration on critical issues.
Closing reflections
THE 14th Manila Forum underscored that maintaining stability in the region entails dialogue, managed firmness, and coordination. The discussions showed that the Philippines can defend its sovereignty, engage constructively with China, and enhance relations with Asean neighbors to address common issues such as maritime security, piracy, and smuggling.
Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, in a speech on March 3, 2025 highlighted Singapore’s need to base foreign policy on a realistic assessment of national interests amid a volatile global environment, warning that small countries risk losing credibility if they become pawns of larger powers. While his statement specifically addressed Singapore, it resonates with the Manila Forum’s message: the Philippines, too, must chart its own course, standing firm on its rights while acting with strategy and prudence.
There is no perfect country, and as with any superpower, China faces its share of criticisms. But one interesting fact is that China never colon ized the Philippines, in contrast to some countries which used to colonize the Philippines. By their nature, the Chinese are more interested in doing business to create wealth, which naturally rule-out conflict. This extensive past of peaceful coexistence, despite political ideological differences, lays the solid foundation for positive discourse and cooperation on various bilateral issues, such as the South China Sea. By combining sovereignty with restraint, and partnership with independence, Manila can transform the South China Sea from a theater of confrontation into a platform for peace and cooperation. Monday, September 22,
Monday, September 22, 2025
BusinessMirror
Trillion Peso March draws thousands in NCR, key cities
By Samuel P. Medenilla and Justine Xyrah Garcia
RALLIESagainst corruption, including the Trillion Peso March at the EDSA People Power Monument and in key cities, proceeded on Sunday, but the mass action in Manila turned violent after unidentified, blackclad protesters set fire to a trailer truck, and hurled rocks and Molotov bombs at police, injuring several of them.
At least 36 persons were arrested by police, and Palace Press Office Claire Castro said the violent demonstrators who stormed the perimeter of Malacañang will be held accountable.
She made the assurance in a television interview after some of the “demonstrators” attempted to penetrate the tightened security at the Ayala Bridge and in Mendiola near the Palace on Sunday. Over at the EDSA People Power
Monument, meanwhile, church leaders on Sunday urged Filipinos to confront corruption head-on and break their silence, warning that indifference only emboldens those who plunder public funds at the expense of the poor.
Speaking during the Trillion Peso March, Cubao Bishop Elias L. Ayuban stressed that silence in the face of injustice makes citizens complicit.
“We are not called to be bystand-
ers, we are called to take part in this advocacy, in this crying for liberation. To see poverty and look away is to silently participate in oppression,” he said, urging the faithful to reclaim their prophetic voice and speak out.
Peaceful anti-corruption protests were also held in Baguio, Olongapo, Angeles City and Davao. Related stories in A3 Nation.
The protesters in Manila—or suspected infiltrators of the otherwise peaceful mass action—set on fire the tires of a trailer truck and a motorcycle near the Ayala Bridge. At Mendiola, the demonstrators were even more violent, throwing rocks against the police, and successfully breaching their first line of defense and damaging a backhoe parked in the area.
The police were able to arrest 17 individuals from the Ayala Bridge incident and 19 others from the clash in Mendiola.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is now considering filing charges against the arrested demonstrators including alarms and scandals and physical injury.
Castro said the demonstrators may also face sedition charges.
“The way I see it, they want to overthrow [the government]. It can be in
other places, why did they do it in Malacañang? What is their purpose? To destroy the government? What is their purpose using violence,” she said.
The Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said the police guarding the perimeter of Malacañang were ordered to exercise maximum tolerance except when faced with direct assault.
“What happened [in Mendiola] was direct assault, that is why the police started to move,” she said.
Unlike those who held demonstrations at the Rizal Park and at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City, the protesters, who engaged in violent protests near Malacañang were “criminals,” Castro said.
They cannot be deemed legitimate protesters since they did not have any placards containing any of their advocacies or demands, hid their faces with masks, and also destroyed private properties.
“So these, they are masked. If they are brave, they will show
See “Trillion,” A7
PHL abaca on French banknotes? Talks are
up
THE Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida) is in talks with French officials to discuss the prospect of using the country’s abaca in their banknotes.
The PhilFida recently met with the Banque de France and the French Embassy to explore such an initiative, which aims to provide a spotlight for abaca as a sustainable fiber that embodies both economic and cultural significance.
“By exploring its application in currency production, PhilFida aims to strengthen international recognition of abaca, elevate the livelihood of local farmers, and align with worldwide sustainability efforts to reduce plastic use.”
“The initiative to position abaca as a sustainable alternative for banknote manufacturing reflects the administration’s vision of boosting agricultural competitiveness while upholding the country’s identity and pride in its natural resources.”
Abaca, widely known as Manila hemp, is a biodegradable, renewable, and highly durable fiber.
The agency noted that the Philippines supplies about 85 percent of the world’s abaca, making it a crucial contributor to the global market.
PhilFida stressed its commitment to promoting the Philippine fiber industry on the global stage through continuous collaboration with international partners.
The discussion was led by PhilFida Executive Director Arnold Atienza, along with key representatives from France, including Pierre-Yves Boissinot of the Banque de France, Michael Barret, a Research and Development Manager, and Matisse Gauthier from the French Embassy.
Last May, PhilFida said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is keen on incorporating the abaca fiber in the country’s banknotes anew. (See: https://businessmirror.com.
TO PLUG SECURITY GAPS, DICT PUSHES EXIT OF 3G NETWORKS
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is fast-tracking the country’s exit from outdated mobile technologies, saying the move will not only free up precious spectrum for faster internet but also plug major gaps in the nation’s cybersecurity defenses.
ICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the three major telcos—Dito Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecom Inc., and Smart Communications Inc.—have agreed to sunset their 3G networks by the end of September, more than a year ahead of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) original 2026 deadline.
“Why is that important? Because the IMSI [International Mobile Subscriber Identity] catchers—devices that grab your cellphone details and are often used by hackers and financial scammers—will be reduced,” Aguda explained in a press conference.
IMSI catchers are surveillance tools that mimic legitimate cell towers, tricking nearby phones into connecting. Once connected, an IMSI catcher can capture the phone’s unique subscriber identity and, in some cases, intercept calls and text messages. Hackers and financial scammers use these to commit fraud, steal data, or impersonate users.
The DICT and the National Telecom-
munications Commission (NTC) are also in talks with carriers to phase out secondgeneration (2G) networks, which remain in use for certain mobile point-of-sale devices and some government systems. Aguda said the agency will coordinate with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to require banks and payment providers to shift away from 2G.
“2G is not security safe,” he stressed. “Our target is by next year we will phase it out.” Aguda said the decommissioning of legacy networks is crucial in closing vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.
The shutdown of legacy networks will also free up valuable radio spectrum, which can then be reallocated to expand 4G and 5G coverage. These newer technologies deliver higher speeds, lower latency, and more efficient spectrum use.
“It’s [freed up spectrum] quite substantial in a way that they can now deploy more 4G and 5G. 2G and 3G are not efficient for the use of frequencies,” Aguda said. However, phasing out 2G and 3G means that feature phones and older handsets limited to those technologies will no longer be able to make calls, send text messages, or access mobile data once the networks go dark. Out of more than 100 million mobile
Then the dam broke: Analysts explain why flood mess erupted
By Justine Xyrah Garcia, Bless Aubrey Ogerio, and Ma. Alyanna Selda
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sudden emphasis on flood control comes not from long-standing concern, but from heightened public scrutiny after repeated typhoons highlighted the gap between promised funding and outcomes, political analysts said.
On September 21, various church groups, civil society organizations, labor unions and political coalitions staged protests calling out alleged corruption in government flood control projects worth trillions of pesos.
For De La Salle University political analyst Anthony Borja, President Marcos’ attention to flood control reflects a need to prioritize policy issues over lingering factional and partisan disputes.
“Such a need is aligned with his consistent message of putting governance first before politicking,” Borja told BusinessMirror, citing ongoing political tensions following the 2025 fallout of the MarcosDuterte “UniTeam” alliance, which fractured a coalition once dominant in the 2022 elections. Borja noted that the recent floods
in late July, occurring shortly before Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA), offered a timely focus for the administration’s mid-year messaging.
In his fourth SONA on July 28, Marcos expressed frustration toward officials implicated in corruption scandals, particularly those tied to flood control projects, using the phrase “Mahiya naman kayo [Shame on you!].”
“Only now has the link between widespread flooding and corrupt practices [become] firmly established in the political psyche of the Filipinos,” Borja said. “Before, the link was more on floods and resilience, with corruption being more of a vague shadow that looms ahead.”
University of Santo Tomas (UST) political analyst Froilan Calilung told this newspaper that the President had little choice but to highlight flood control, as gaps between promises and results have become increasingly evident. Marcos first touted the program in his 2024 SONA, citing billions in disbursements and more than 5,500 completed flood control projects nationwide in 2023.
BOC FOILS KUSH SMUGGLING IN BALIKBAYAN BOXES The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized 75 sealed packs of high-grade marijuana, or kush, worth an estimated P55.05 million, concealed in balikbayan boxes from Long Beach, California. The contraband, weighing 39.3 kilos, was discovered after non-intrusive screening and a full physical inspection of a 40foot container. Authorities uncovered the drugs
See “Plug,” A2
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Monday, September 22, 2025
MGen keen on Malaysia foray
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
MERALCO PowerGen Corp. (MGen) is exploring the possibility of undertaking a power project in Malaysia to address the increasing energy demands of data centers in the Southeast Asian nation.
According to MGen President Emmanuel Rubio, the company wants to participate in the development of 8,000 megawatts (MW) of new power capacity that Malaysia requires. MGen, he added, will partner with a Malaysian power firm.
“It will really depend on what is the most competitive technology other than coal,” said Rubio when asked about the energy source that MGen and its Malaysian partner may tap.
Malaysia’s growing electricity consumption is driven by demand from data centers. It recently announced it is expected to add up to 8 gigawatts (GW), or 8,000MW, by 2030.
“There are opportunities for green development and there’s new plant that’s brownfield. Brownfield in a way that the site is available. It t used to house a plant but now it’s been decommissioned but there’s a site. We have to have a local part-
ner. I don’t think MGen would go to a different country without a local partner,” added Rubio.
MGen and its potential Malaysian partner may bid anywhere from 1,200 MW to 1,500 MW of new capacity for Malaysia as an ideal size for the planned power investment, with a target completion date of 2028.
“I believe data centers would be the new divide between developed and developing countries,” said Rubio. MGen operates a diverse portfolio of power generation assets equipped with advanced technologies. Its main subsidiaries include Global Business Power (MGen Thermal), MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGen Renewables), and MGen Gas Energy Holdings, Inc. (MGen Natural Gas). Additionally, MGen holds stakes in PacificLight Power (PLP), a liquefied natural gas facility in Singapore and SP New Energy Corp.
Last week, MGen sealed engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreements with two
Chinese firms for the development of a 25MW, or 40-megawatt hour (MWh), battery energy storage system (BESS) in Toledo, Cebu.
MGen unit Toledo Energy Development Corp. has formally signed an EPC contract with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) and SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Co. Ltd.
The total capacity for the planned Toledo BESS project is 49 MW. Construction and installation of the facility under phase 1 are set to commence within the month.
The first phase of the project is targeted to deliver an initial 25 MW by the first quarter of 2026.The remaining capacity is expected to be completed in 2027, subject to regulatory clearances.
“This is our first stand-alone BESS project. This is meant to support the grid and address viability of renewable energy across the Visayas. It can also bring down the cost in the reserve market,” said Rubio.
Toyota may expand Tamaraw production
TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) said it is planning to ramp up the production of its Next Generation Tamaraw vehicles as these vari -
ants are propelling the growth of its commercial vehicle segment. Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque, who met with TMP President Masando Hashi -
moto, told reporters in an interview last Friday that the Tamaraw is performing well. “The good news is ang laki ng growth ng Tamaraw.”
Hope in AFASA Part 2:
FRoque said Toyota discussed its “marketing expansion plans” which will focus on future conversion models and target sectors.
Andrea E. San Juan
STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK
Recto projects that the BSP will follow the Fed’s lead with two 25-basis-point rate cuts in October and December, aiming to ease borrowing costs. This confidence stems from a benign August inflation rate and a tepid-but-still-solid 6.3 percent growth figure in the second quarter.”
Continued on B2
BSP’s Elmore Capule on AFASA: Anti-scam law encourages people to trust the banking system
‘There is life after being scammed,’
By Francine Medina
– BSP Dep Gov Elmore Capule
inancially challenging times call for measures to protect hard-earned funds or at least keep cash safe in the bank. However, times like these also come with unscrupulous entities seeking to exploit people through illegal means. The Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) was enacted to combat fraud and scams.
By Francine Medina
we enter the fourth quarter of the year and as the merry tunes and displays of the season are being heard and seen, 13th-month payments, incentive pays, and cash gifts are surely not far behind. But are scammers ready to pounce on their hapless victims?
It was signed into law as Republic Act No. 12010 on July 28, 2024, to combat the misuse of financial accounts in online scams. The law mandates financial institutions to implement safeguards. Recently, the law’s implementing rules and regulations were finalized, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) playing a significant role in their implementation.
To understand this law, BusinessMirrorBanking and Finance editor Dennis Estopace sat down with BSP Deputy Governor Elmore O. Capule to discuss the features of AFASA.
Capule is a longtime lawyer of BSP. He was head of the Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services in 2013 and became Deputy Governor in 2016. He led the push to have the bill approved. When Estopace asked how the law came about, Capule explained that the move to have an
AFASA began before the Covid-19 pandemic. The original bill, the Financial Accounts Circulation Act, was proposed by the Bankers’ Association of the Philippines.
“Social engineering scams existed at that time, but it wasn’t too rampant then. However, the bankers had the foresight to draft a bill that was subsequently submitted to the BSP for review. We decided that it was important and emerging,” he recalled.
“In the banking world, everything moves fast. It was a minor concern, but we decided it was time to act. Then we had the pandemic.”
was head of the Office of the General Counsel and Legal Services in 2013. He was appointed Deputy Governor in 2016. In the show’s previous episode, he warned the public to avoid major scams like social engineering, money muling, and economic sabotage. These are criminal acts with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment: Road to a cashless economy IN the second part of the discussion, Capule
how big that is?” he observed,
The disruption hastened the digital transformation. Payment apps and online banking became the new normal, he related.
“The level of the magnitude of payments increased. Our electronic payments in retail are 55 percent now. Can you imagine
Along with the growth in electronic transactions, online scams and digital fraud have also increased, he added: “Scammers follow the money. Kung naasan yung pera, nandoon sila. (They are drawn to the money). It is like highway robbery. Where the armored car passes by, the highway robbers are there.”
pointed out that countries like Switzerland and China are already leading the move in increasing their digital payment transactions. The growing shift is part of the quest to reduce the costs of handline cash and to integrate markets into the global economy. The increased digital transactions require advanced technology and refined security measures for consumers and financial institutions.
The BSP advocates online banking and electronic transactions because it promotes inclusion, Capule stated. “But if scams abound, how can we encourage people to go online if they are being scammed?
Capule observed, “It will take time for our economy to go cashless, but we are already going in that direction. Our level of digital payments is now 57 percent. This is why it is important to put a stop to these scams.”
The problem is escalating. So, the original bill evolved into AFASA.”
gathered all these insights at BSP and included them in the proposed bill. That’s how AFASA transformed into what it is now.”
placed on banks and financial institutions:
Adapting to the times
will not be able to get the cash back due to the bank secrecy law. The money has been transferred to that scammer’s account already.”
receives a text message informing them that they won money in a random raffle draw. To receive the cash prize, the victim is required to deposit cash into a disclosed account. The victim is asked to provide personal information such as bank account numbers and PINs.
“Before the victim realizes it, there is no prize and the thieves have accessed the former’s bank funds,” Capule warned.
Money muling. An extension of social engineering schemes, the victim is asked to deposit money in another person’s account. A money mule misleads fraud victims into depositing the money into their accounts.
When he was the BSP General Counsel, Capule convened with all the main Central Bank general counsels in the region. They traded notes about lessons learned and best practices.
“AFASA is a deterrent against scams because acts like money laundering and the like are criminal acts punishable by law. But in Philippine history, prohibiting an activity doesn’t fully stop a crime from being committed. Criminal law by itself will not be sufficient,” he added.
Under the strict AFASA, the BSP recognizes the vital role of banks and financial institutions in preventing scams and fraud. Logically, explained Capule, there is a regulatory burden
“We discussed how they were helping their citizens and what legal tools they were using to combat scams and fraud. We
“When banks sell their products to consumers, there is a logical expectation that their clients will be protected. And that’s why there are policies from AFASA that should be followed.”
Among these mandatory requirements is the Fraud Management System (FMS), which is defined in the AFASA booklet as “a comprehensive set of automated and real-time monitoring and detection systems to identify and block disputed, suspicious, or other online transactions.”
The Philippine bank secrecy law (RA 1405) was enacted in 1955 and is also known as the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law. It stipulates that all bank deposits and certain investments are confidential. It prohibits disclosure or examination by any person or government official except when the depositor provides a written permission or by court order. The law provides penalties for its violation.
Under AFASA, banks are required to install FMS. “It is expensive, but it will assure the security of the banks. With that, there will be more algorithms in place, more alarms, more red flags detected, more notice,” the BSP deputy governor said.
Although it is meant to protect the depositor, the bank secrecy law has its downside, too, observed Capule. “When a person is the victim of scamming and reports the incident to the police, that person is directed to report the matter to their bank.”
“They will be asked at the bank, ‘How did you get scammed?’ ‘I divulged my PIN.’ The complainant
Examples of FMS, according to Capule, include the One-Time Pin (OTP), detecting suspicious high-velocity transactions within a short timeframe, sensing unauthorized access to an account through different devices, or identifying a login from a new or unfamiliar device.
Algorithms, according to Capule, are used as a tool to prevent scams by analyzing massive data and identifying suspicious patterns. Algorithms can detect scams and even block entities from taking over the account.
“You cannot do it just by hiring people to guard the accounts. It is computer-driven; you need tools such as AI to guard against scams and fraud.
As a former BSP lawyer, Capule explained that the law needs to be relevant to the times. He said, “The law is a living organism. It has to grow and adapt to changing circumstances. If a law signed in the 1960s isn’t relevant anymore, why keep it? It should be revised through the proper legislative and judicial channels. Or else, people will lose trust in the banking system. We will be left behind.”
Scams to avoid Capule cites three main scams that AFASA aims to mitigate.
“Before the passage of AFASA, we helped pass the Financial Consumer Protection Act, which aims to protect consumer assets against fraud and misuse. The law asserts the right of the consumer to protect themselves against scams and fraud. It is a complementary law to AFASA,” Capule asserted. “It’s your right as an account holder to be protected by your bank.”
Temporary holding of funds
Committing these scams is a criminal act, and should the accused be convicted, penalties range from fines to imprisonment.
Social engineering. This scheme involves deceiving and manipulating a victim to get control of the person’s personal and financial information. The victim
“A transaction shall be considered disputed if the institution, based on information obtained from another institution, a complaint from an aggrieved party, or a finding under its own FMS, has reasonable ground to believe that such transaction appears to be.” Capule assured, “By merely calling your bank, the bank has to stop the transaction. If your funds are being transferred to another bank, that bank will be notified to stop the transaction. For as long as the funds are within the banking system, the transaction may be frozen for five days.
Economic sabotage. “If the social engineering scheme involves three or more victims, then that is considered economic sabotage and is non-bailable,” Capule clarified.
“The law sounds complicated, but when you study it, it is actually simple. But, of course, we give it some legal wording,” he stated. He also assured the public that the BSP is vigilant about implementing AFASA regulations and has mandated financial institutions to implement advanced fraud prevention measures and risk management systems. Financial institutions that fail to apply requisite risk management systems will be held accountable for fraud losses. By June 2026, SMS, email, and OTPs for high-risk transactions will be phased out to give way to more
“The complainant has to present the proper documents to his or her bank, and if a scam has indeed been confirmed, then the money will be returned to the complainant.” As digital payments continue to grow, Capule advised consumers to be vigilant with their money, “When dealing with digital payments, you really have to be discerning and critical. Technology always comes with risks. You really have to listen to your bank’s advice when
PREVIOUSLY, a scam complainant goes through a tedious process of filing reports to respective government agencies, collecting data as proof, and securing a court order to freeze their accounts before the scam is fully executed. Generally, it’s a race against time to block the criminal. AFASA Section 7 states that banks can temporarily withhold the funds that are the subject of the disputed transaction for a maximum of 30 days, “unless otherwise extended by a court of competent jurisdiction: Provided, that institutions shall promptly notify the BSP whenever it temporarily holds the funds subject to a disputed transaction.
Solon seeks P3B to clear DepEd arrears from GSIS
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
Sherwin T. Gatchal-
ENATOR
Sian eyes the allocation of P3 billion to help clear the arrears of the Department of Education (DepEd) from unremitted Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) contributions, purportedly to help improve teachers and principals’ access to benefits.
“This is one area where we can improve morale: by addressing our teachers’ and principals’ concerns in terms of GSIS and other benefits,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.
In a hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the DepEd, Gatchalian cited a 2024 report by the Commis-
Banking&Finance DBM says unprogrammed appropriations not pork
sion on Audit (COA) showing DepEd’s failure to remit P5.77 billion in mandatory employee deductions to GSIS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, “putting workers’ benefits at risk and exposing them to penalties.”
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara said the DepEd and the GSIS have reconciled their accounts, leaving P3 billion in arrears from government counterpart contributions. The DepEd sought the Senate Finance Committee’s help to settle the decade-old obligations.
Angara also said that the DepEd is struggling to meet GSIS’s threshold of receiving 95 percent of the arrears from employee deductions due to over 2,900 implementing units covering nearly one million members.
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has advised the public against dealing with Quadbit Verse and C’preneur Perfume Trading, both for their their unauthorized solicitation of investments with promise of high monetary rewards or profits.
The SEC said it found Quadbit Verse and C’preneur soliciting investments from the public without registering with the regulator as a corporation or a partnership.
In an advisory, the SEC said Quadbit Verse has been running its own website and using is social media and other online tools to solicit investment from the public as an online subscription platform.
It is allegedly engaged in forex trading, cryptocurrency, affiliate marketing, QV Forex Trading Academy and coal mining. The latter is a recruitment-driven model commonly linked to illegal or unauthorized investment activities that are inherently unsustainable and detrimental to the public, the SEC said.
Meanwhile, in a separate advisory, the SEC found C’preneur to be employing a model that offers the public the option to invest between a “Mobile Stockist Plan” (MSP) worth P100,000 or a start-
briefs
➔ Bankcom says completes upgrade
er package amounting to P2,500.
C’preneur purportedly promises that an investor who availed the MSP is entitled to 40 personal accounts, plus 10 personal accounts, binary commission of between P14,000 to P17,000, and a 20-percent rebate on every package sold.
Under a “Starter Package,” each account is entitled to three bottles of perfume worth P3,000. According to the three-month projection of C’preneur, those who availed this package can expect to earn up to P3.28 million.
“Members are entitled to a binary bonus wherein each member will earn P200.00 for every new member recruited, and the original member will earn each time their ‘downline’ recruits another person,” the SEC said.
C’preneur also offers “7 Ways to Earn,” which include product discount, direct referral/sponsor, binary bonus, national bonus, royalty bonus, executive bonus, and franchising.
“The public is made aware that an investment contract, which is a kind of security, exists when there is an investment or placement of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profits to be derived primarily from the efforts of others which is prominent in the scheme of C’preneur Perfume Trading,” the SEC said.
THE Bank of Commerce (BankCom) announced last week that it has completed the upgrade of its 140 branches and entire ATM network. A statement issued by the San Miguel Corp. affiliate read that the upgrade involved the migration of its legacy systems to its new core banking system that will help the bank provide innovative financial solutions to its customers. “These enhancements are a significant part of our digital transformation, as we continue to innovate to help ensure we’re delivering better banking experiences for our customers,” BankCom President and CEO Michelangelo R. Aguilar was quoted in the statement as saying. Cai U. Ordinario
➔ Maxicare taps Salesforce
SALESFORCE Inc. announced that health maintenance organization Maxicare Healthcare Corp. has deployed the technology firm’s “Agentforce in Service Cloud.” “This initiative underscores Maxicare’s dedication to improving dental care Letter of Authorization processes for its members and partner clinics. It serves as a crucial differentiator, reinforcing Maxicare’s commitment to shaping the Philippine healthcare industry and fulfilling its mission of providing quality healthcare for peace of mind,” read a statement issued by Salesforce. With over 720 dental clinics in its network, Maxicare leverages Agentforce to automate dental LOA requests to reduce manual workload. Partner clinics can self-serve by interacting with an AI agent to request LOAs and are automatically notified once the authorization is generated.
➔ Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa (Laguna) now Salmon Bank (Rural Bank) THE Rural Bank of Sta. Rosa (Laguna) Inc. announced last September 15 the change of its name to Salmon Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. effective on August 5. The name change comes with the authorization of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP Circular Letter CL-2025-039 dated 11 September 2025) and the approval of the bank’s Amended Articles of Incorporation and Amended By-Laws by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The new name reflects the Bank’s rapid transformation into a technology-centric bank following the acquisition of control by Salmon Group Ltd, read the statement.
TBy Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defended the use of unprogrammed appropriations (UAs), chiding those calling the standby funds as a form of pork barrel.
In a social media post, DBM Undersecretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran said those calling UAs as pork barrel and “magic fund” are “completely wrong.”
“Let’s stop using DBM as a scapegoat for political drama,” Libiran posted.
The DBM official explained that unprogrammed funds have a singular purpose and that is to provide standby appropriation authorized by Congress in the General Appropriations Act and may be charged against excess or windfall revenues to fund specific programs and projects.
The UAs may only be used under strict conditions, such as the availability of excess revenues, new revenue measures, or approved loans for foreign-assisted projects, and only
for the specific purposes identified in the law, according to Libiran.
Most UAs are meant for foreignassisted projects with loan agreements still seeking approval or effectiveness. This is why they cannot be included yet in regular agency budgets during budget preparation, Libiran added.
“Let me be very clear: the DBM doesn’t just release UA funds on its own,” Libiran said.
Agencies must first submit formal requests with complete documentation, which the DBM evaluates based on project readiness, fiscal space, alignment with national priorities and absorptive capacity.
“This ensures that every peso sourced from the UA is used respon-
sibly and strategically, in line with government priorities. The UA is therefore not a ‘magic fund’ of the DBM, and it is certainly not pork barrel,” Libiran added.
She explained last year that the UAs were used to support social services such as P15 billion for the “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations” (AICS) and P1.89 billion for food stamps under the “Walang Gutom” program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
For healthcare, Libiran cited the release of P27.45 billion for health emergency allowance of public and private healthcare workers, P9.174 billion for hospital upgrades and P10 billion for the “Medical Assistance for Indigent and FinanciallyIncapacitated Patients” (MAIFIP).
In agriculture, Libiran said P17.6 billion went to the “Rice Farmers Financial Assistance” program and P1.5 billion for a cold storage expansion project, while government personnel benefits received P56.9 billion for salary increases and P8.66 billion for pensions and retirement benefits.
Libiran added that foreign-assisted projects funded through the UA included P129.86 billion in loan proceeds across agencies and P41.04 billion in counterpart funding, while special programs were given P2.3
billion for the “Marawi Siege Compensation” program and P3 billion for solar-powered systems under the rural electrification program of the National Electrification Administration.
“These examples underscore that the UA has definite purposes and built-in safeguards,” Libiran said.
She also cited the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling in Greco Belgica v. Executive Secretary, which affirms the constitutionality of UAs and clarifies that it is not a lump-sum or discretionary fund.
Moreover, Libiran debunked claims that the DBM is behind the “ballooning” of UAs in recent years, saying that the increases were caused by Congress during budget deliberations.
“The final numbers for UA are set by Congress because of its ‘power of the purse.’ DBM only implements what is authorized by law,” Libiran said.
For next year, UAs are proposed at P249.99 billion, 31.21 percent lower than the P363.42 billion under the 2025 General Appropriations Act. Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman is pushing for the passage of the Budget Modernization bill, which will put in place a limit on UAs at 5 percent of the national budget.
Globe’s anti-scam app secures Android users
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
GLOBE Telecom Inc. announced Sunday the roll out of a new security feature that it expects would curb the surge of text-based scams targeting its subscribers, some of whom receive messages allegedly from Globe or GCash.
According to the telco, its “SMS Scam Shield,” available on the
GlobeOne app for Android users, is designed to detect and flag phishing attempts that often come through spoofed sender IDs and malicious links.
Globe claims this feature is its “latest push to strengthen customer protection as fraudsters increasingly deploy advanced tactics, including rogue devices like IMSI [International Mobile Subscriber Identity] catchers that mimic cell towers to
intercept user details.”
“SMS Scam Shield is our way of giving customers more control and peace of mind. With this built-in protection, users are alerted via the GlobeOne app when they receive suspicious messages that may contain dangerous links or impersonate Globe-affiliated brands,” Globe Product Experience Vice-President Francis Domingo said.
The feature works by locally scanning SMS messages on the device once activated, ensuring user privacy while spotting potential threats. It can identify fake sender names such as “GLOBE,” “GLOBEREWARD,” or “GCASH,” and immediately notify users if a phishing attempt is suspected. Domingo emphasized that the system does not read or store personal messages, only collecting flagged links to reinforce its antifraud defenses.
Key US inflation metric to ease as focus shifts to jobs market
THE Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of underlying inflation likely grew at a slower pace last month, offering policymakers some breathing room to address weakness in the US labor market.
A report on Friday is forecast to show the personal consumption expenditures price index excluding food and energy rose 0.2 percent in August, compared with 0.3 percent in July. On an annual basis, the socalled core measure is seen holding at a still-elevated 2.9 percent.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell pointed to a cooling labor market to explain why officials lowered interest rates on Wednesday for the first time this year, but he made clear that the central bank remains vigilant on inflation as President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to work through the economy.
“It’s challenging to know what to do,” Powell said. “There are no riskfree paths now.”
Several Fed officials are set to speak at public events in the coming week, including Powell on Tuesday in Rhode Island. New Fed Governor Stephen Miran—on a temporary leave from his role as chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers—as well as Michelle Bowman, Mary Daly and Alberto Musalem are scheduled to offer their thoughts on the economy.
Along with the August price data, Friday’s report is projected to show inflation-adjusted consumer spending rose at a more subdued pace last month. Economists will also look at the personal income data to gauge the ability of consumers to continue spending—a key driver of US growth.
According to Economists Anna
Wong, Stuart Paul, Eliza Winger, Estelle Ou and Chris G. Collins, they see signs that the economy is early in the recovery phase. The also agree with the direction of the median FOMC participant’s growth and unemployment revisions.
One piece of supporting evidence will come from August spending data, which should show consumers are spending briskly even as income growth has been tepid, according to the economists.
Other data in the coming week will include an updated look at economic growth from the past several years. Separate reports will offer insights into the US merchandise trade deficit, weekly applications for unemployment benefits, and consumer confidence.
Turning north, Canadian gross domestic product data by industry for July and a flash estimate for August will shed light on how the third quarter is shaping up after the US
tariff war crushed Canada’s exports and forced a 1.6 percent contraction from April through June.
Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem will speak in Saskatchewan about how trade upheaval is impacting inflation and rates.
Statistics Canada will also release population estimates for the second quarter as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government tries to unwind a post-pandemic immigration spike that’s squeezed the housing supply.
Elsewhere, flash purchasing manager indexes in Asia and Europe will be in focus. Policymakers in Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary are expected to hold rates steady, while Mexico and Nigeria are set to cut.
Asia
ASIA’S week begins with South Korea’s 20-day trade figures, an early gauge of global demand and chip exports. China sets its loan prime
rates the same day, with markets expecting no change. On Tuesday, PMIs from Australia and India will show whether momentum in services is holding up as manufacturing remains under strain. India’s readings will be key given recent resilience in domestic demand.
Singapore and Malaysia both publish inflation figures on Tuesday, while Australia issues its partial gauge of prices on Wednesday that will help shape expectations for the Reserve Bank’s policy outlook. Japan comes into focus at midweek with PMIs, while retail sales will provide a check on household spending on Thursday, and Tokyo inflation the following day will be a key early signal for nationwide prices. It’s also a critical input for the Bank of Japan as it debates policy normalization.
Singapore publishes industrial production on Friday, and South Korea releases business and consumer sentiment surveys. New Zealand reports consumer confidence figures. China on Saturday reports August industrial profits, a test of whether corporate earnings are stabilizing after months of deflationary pressure. The release follows data that showed government spending increased at a slower rate for the second straight month in August. Waning fiscal support contributed to the two weakest months for the country’s economy this year in July and August. Rounding out the calendar are Malaysia’s inflation figures, along with reserve updates from Indonesia and Thailand, a budget balance report from the Philippines, and Pakistan’s GDP data. Bloomberg News
A SHOPPER at a clothing store in downtown Detroit, Michigan. PHOTOGRAPHER: EMILY ELCONIN/BLOOMBERG.
A primer on what the high seas treaty is and how it will work
A GREAT blue shark (Prionace glauca) glides through the Atlantic with a pilot fish in tow. The image highlights what’s at stake as the world’s first high seas treaty takes effect, creating a legal framework to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. Ratified by 60 nations, the pact will allow the establishment of marine protected areas across nearly twothirds of the ocean, addressing threats from overfishing, climate change and deep-sea mining. KLOMSKY DREAMSTIME.COM
By Annika Hammerschlag
The Associated Press
THE approval of a high seas treaty means new protections will be possible in international waters for the first time.
Here’s a rundown of what the treaty is, why it matters and what is still to come.
It’s the first agreement to protect marine diversity
FORMALLY known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond
National Jurisdiction, the treaty is the first legally binding agreement aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. These areas, which lie beyond the jurisdiction of any single country, account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean and near -
ly half of Earth’s surface. Until now, no comprehensive legal framework existed to create marine protected areas or enforce conservation on the high seas.
Climate change and other threats to the seas DESPITE their remoteness, the high seas are under growing pressure from overfishing, climate change and the threat of deep-sea mining. Environmental advocates warn that without proper protections, marine ecosystems in international waters face irreversible harm.
Until now, it has been the wild west on the high seas,” said Megan
Randles, global political lead for oceans at Greenpeace. “Now we have a chance to properly put protections in place.”
The treaty is also essential to achieving what’s known as the global “30x30” target — an international pledge to protect 30% of the planet’s land and sea by 2030.
How the treaty works
THE treaty creates a legal process for countries to establish marine protected areas in the high seas, including rules for potentially destructive activities like deep-sea mining and geoengineering. It also establishes a framework for technology-sharing, funding mecha-
nisms and scientific collaboration among countries.
Crucially, decisions under the treaty will be made multilaterally through what’s called a conference of the parties rather than by individual countries acting alone.
What comes next
RATIFICATION Friday by a 60th nation triggered a 120-day countdown before the treaty enters into force. Countries can already begin planning high seas protected areas, but formal proposals will only move forward once oversight mechanisms and decision-making rules are established.
The first conference of the par-
ties must be held within a year of the treaty taking effect. It will lay the groundwork for implementation, including decisions on governance, financing and the creation of key bodies to evaluate marine protection proposals.
Environmental groups are pushing for even more countries to ratify the treaty and to do so quickly — the more countries that ratify, the stronger and more representative the treaty’s implementation will be. There’s a carrot for countries to do so. Only those that ratify by that first conference will be eligible to vote on critical decisions that determine how the treaty will operate.
China says it wants to protect coral reefs in the South China Sea. Experts are doubtful
By Fu Ting & Ken Moritsugu
CThe Associated Press
HINA’S declaration of a nature reserve in the South China Sea is the latest twist in its yearslong push to establish control over the strategically important waters and sea lane.
The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said last week that the reserve would protect the coral reef ecosystem at Huangyan Island, better known internationally as Scarborough Shoal. But outside experts believe the announcement was driven more by geopolitics than environmental protection. The outcropping — a triangular chain of reef and rock with a fish-rich lagoon in the middle — is a hotly disputed territory that is also claimed by the Philippines and Taiwan.
Nature reserve builds on China’s control CHINA has effectively controlled Scarborough Shoal since a faceoff with the Philippines in 2012, though Philippine ships still try to approach it to stake the country’s claim.
Confrontations have spiked in recent years. In August, two Chinese ships collided while trying to intercept a Philippine ship near the shoal.
B efore announcing the reserve, China earlier had declared the waters around the shoal as its territory and then published geographic coordinates defining what are known as the territory’s baselines.
It falls into a pattern of China trying to establish administrative justifications for things it’s already done with military force,” Greg Poling, an expert on the South China Sea at the Center for Strategic and In-
ternational Studies, said of the reserve.
Giant clam harvesting has damaged the coral SCHOLARS of environmental and marine science say that Chinese harvesting of giant clams, which was banned last year, has caused extensive damage to Scarborough Shoal. The shells have become popular and valuable in the last few decades as a replacement for elephant ivory, which has been increasingly banned.
C hinese ships dragged their propellers through the reefs to dig up the clams until 2016. Then they switched to firing high-pressure water at the reefs. The damage is less visible but equally harmful, said Ray Powell, founder and director of SeaLight, a group at Stanford University that tracks maritime “gray-zone” activity.
C hina is “attempting to
strengthen its claim while diverting scrutiny from the environmental devastation its own fleets inflicted — like an arsonist who torches a property and then appoints himself fire marshal amid the ashes,” Powell said.
China eyes shift from defending to governing the shoal
THE nature reserve has more to do with territorial claims than reef protection, said Bec Strating, a professor of international relations at La Trobe University in Australia. She described the move as “the weaponization of environmental concerns.”
C hina’s state broadcaster CCTV said the establishment of the reserve was not just an act of ecological protection, but also a signal that China is shifting from responding to provocations to long-term maritime governance in the South China Sea.
Marine scientists, including those from China, have been trying to preserve nature, but policymakers are turning conservation into politics, said James Borton, a non-resident senior fellow at Johns Hopkins’ SAIS Foreign Policy Institute.
If you declare just a small section of the reef crest, maybe that’s an area where they can replant some coral and grow a little garden,” Poling said, “But Scarborough shoal is a graveyard ... Everything is dead.”
Experts don’t see China building another island CHINA has come under criticism for island-building in the South China Sea, but experts don’t expect the same at Scarborough Shoal.
“It would be very odd for them to say we’re going to turn it into a nature preserve and then put a
3,000-meter (9,800-foot) concrete runway and four facilities there, right?” Powell said. In 1995, China put up small octagonal huts on stilts at Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, another part of the South China Sea. The move alarmed the Philippines and others that claim the reef. C hina said they were emergency shelters for fishers in bad weather, but in the ensuing years, it added a runway and other facilities that the U.S. has said turned the reef into a militarized island. Building islands in the Spratlys makes more strategic sense, because they are farther from China’s shores than Scarborough Shoal, Poling said.
China certainly doesn’t need an airstrip or another deep-water harbor there.” Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report
The perfumed life of Joel Cruz
WHEN he was 18 years old, Joel Cruz held The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous as the blueprint for success. Lagi kong pinapanood na palabas ay mga filthy rich. So, when I have the chance to talk to my 18-year-old self, I’d say: ambisyoso na gusto mo marating ‘yan proud of them. Ang gaganda ng eroplano. May yate. Pero ngayon, na‘yun, material na bagay lang, na hindi lang pala ‘yun talaga magpapasaya sa tao.”
The high-profile entrepreneur disclosed this deeply personal tidbits during the launch of his book, Business 101: What Worked for Me highlights of the 2025 Manila International Bookfair. It is described by its publisher, Vibal Foundation Inc., as a “compelling new book that offers an authentic and insightful look into the journey of building a successful business from the ground up, providing essential wisdom for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.”
Early on, Cruz’s business acumen was encouraged by his father, who had a trucking business, and his mom, who rented out tables and chairs for parties.
He always heard from his parents: “Joel, finish your education so that you can find a job.” Or “Joel, finish your education so you can start your business.”
“My mom really wanted me to be a doctor. That’s why I took up psychology at UST, pre-med. But, you know, my passion is really into business. I really wanted to earn money as early as when I was, like, in third-year college, I was going to Hong Kong to buy some goods to sell,” said Cruz.
MASTER IN THE ART OF SELLING
HE went into the garments business.
“When I was in Hong Kong, I just budget everything. I never had a chance to be accommodated in a five-star or four-star hotel, just a two-star hotel. I never rode a taxi in Hong Kong. It’s always the MTR, you know, with a big bag, in the night markets. I would buy T-shirts, shorts, belts, wallets, and then sell it to friends and friends’ employees. That’s it,” he recalled his early forays into business.
“I used to sell whatever, and it sells. I have that luck to sell. It also started from very humble beginnings. It started from, like, five sewing machines right after graduation. But it grew from five sewing machines. It’s like a factory after seven years or eight years. One hundred high-speed machines. I was supplying to Rustans, The Landmark, SM, Robinsons. Unfortunately, the Asian Crisis in 1997 happened. Cruz recounted:
“And those department stores, they used to get from China. I said, Oh, no, we cannot compete. They just re-labeled from China. And I had to quit. And I told them exactly, you know, if you continue that, the garment factories in the Philippines will close.
“It was my first formal business, and I failed. I was in my small room. I was really crying. I called up my sister in the States. She said, ‘You have to start another business.’ She gave me strength.
“Because I did all the best, you know, from a very humble beginning to be successful. But it did happen. In a split second, you know. Ninety-five percent of the garment factories, way back in 1997-1998, closed down, shut down.
I HAVE three pairs of Vivaia shoes, two of them the Mary Janes, and they are some of my mostused footwear. I have been wearing sneakers for years because I am flat-footed and sneakers are very comfortable. But I discovered that grounding, meaning wearing flats, can be good, too. My first Vivaia pair was the Square-Toe MaryJane (Margot Mary-Jane) and I have been using it for around six months. It’s been hand washed once, which has not affected how it looks. My friend bought a similar (unbranded) pair from an online shopping
“After all, one of the best qualities of a good entrepreneur is to know when to stop. And when to say no, and when to say I’ll shift to another one.”
SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY
CRUZ went to the US and worked for a time with The Filipino Channel. After a couple of months, he went home and started anew, sharing:
“I came back, and then a good friend of mine introduced me to Aficionado, the perfumery. Humble beginnings also. The very first store was in Ever Gotesco Grand Central. The rent was only like 1,000
pesos per day. So, you must have 30,000 pesos for the whole month.
“And you know how humble it was? How much capital was available at that time? Around P100,000. That was OK to start that little kiosk, and that little office/apartment was really empty. I didn’t even have an office table.
“Fast track. Well, we have more than 500 stores nationwide in the whole Philippines. This is the kiosk and the cart, you know. Oh, some of the franchises are here. And also, distributorship, like groceries, supermarkets. It’s like thousands of supermarkets in
“So, it’s very successful because anywhere you go, there must be an Aficionado. Yeah, even in other countries, you know. We’re distributing in like 19 countries already. Soon, there’s gonna be the 20th, Papua New Guinea. And in all Filipino stores worldwide, Aficionado is present.
“Whatever I learned in business, I learned from my father. Being honest, disciplined. And from my mother, she’s very religious. I put my faith first to Him. And I teach that to all my employees. Before we start our work, we have to pray.
“I believe that I’m only just an instrument of Him for all these blessings. I always receive messages of gratitude from my employees. Then I realized, that’s the purpose. It’s not really just for me alone. It’s to be shared for everyone. Our good Lord is always looking for someone who has a golden heart.
“I’m very, very transparent of all my failures and challenges with this book. I shared all my problems, all the difficulties in my journey in business and life. I shared it here. You can read that I faced all my
“FOR only P460, you should consider what’s in the sana balik-balikan n’yo pa rin. hindi ako nagmamadali magbasa. Minsan inuulit ko kasi hindi ko naintindihan. Babalikan ko ulit. para maintindahan n’yo po And this is a very honest story about my life, my journey for my success in the past 25 years. Sabi ko kanina maraming failures na nangyari along the way for since 2000, and [now in] 2025 we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary.
“Marami talagang problema na hinaharap ko. Pero nashare ko dito. Sa mga young entrepreneurs na nandito, baka mamaya pareho po tayo ng problema. So sana mabasa n’yo rin para hindi kayo mawalan nang gana or hindi na kayo sumuko sa mga hinaharap ninyong problema. At dito ay makakatulong talaga sa inyo pag nabasa n’yo ‘yung book, kung papano tayo aasenso sa buhay
“I hope you get a copy. Unlike others, wala po itong expiration date. Hindi po siya nabubulok. Hindi siya maluluma. Mapapamana n’yo pa sa mga anak n’yo ang book na ito.”
COS returns to New York Fashion Week for fourth consecutive September
AN ode to refined, considered and relevant design, COS returned to September’s New York Fashion Week with its Autumn Winter 2025 collection—a study in contrast, materiality and craftsmanship, captured through an evocative interplay of space and light. The runway unfolded inside the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse along Brooklyn’s waterfront, where a raw, industrial setting was transformed into a spectacle of modernist elegance. Reimagined in pristine white, the cavernous space became an architectural stage for the collection to come to life. As models entered with poise, suspended light boxes shifted from a soft, warm glow to a crisp, illuminating white, amplifying the quiet confidence and effortless ease of 47 distinctive looks—each one refined, yet powerful. In striking juxtaposition to the set, the collection anchors itself in a sophisticated palette of rich, inky darks—black, steel grey and deep navy—complemented by neutral accents. Creative expressions emerge as iconic house codes are retold
through fine materials, texture and finish: pony-effect surfaces, supple leather and shearling are offset by a balance of matte versus sheen, adding visual depth. On the runway, sheer injections introduced moments of delicate transparency, revealing the body in motion, while dynamic, heritage-inspired checks were spotlighted on ready-to-wear pieces, accessories and footwear, forming statement head-to-toe looks. Embodying the brand’s core principles of timelessness, craftsmanship and uncompromising quality, the collection seamlessly blends structure with fluidity.
Womenswear explores cocooning volumes through enveloping scarves, high-neck shapes and sculptural draping. Cinched waists, feminine cuts and open necklines draw references from the 1950s New Look silhouette, while day-to-night versatility is reimagined through signature pieces—notably a softly sculpted silk dress that redefines modern elegance through multiple styling opportunities.
Bags and accessories echoed the garments in fabrication and finish, with
platform and while the resemblance is close, what makes the difference is that after a month of use, the soles of her shoes are nearly worn down. The soles of my Vivaia flats are still good as new after six months. What I like Vivaia Mary Janes is that they are wide feet-friendly. Similar styles from other brands will make it look like your foot is overflowing from the shoe, if you know what I mean. They’re very comfortable (the longest I have walked in them was 7,000+ steps with only slight pinching on my pinky toe, nothing serious) and can be machine-washed over and over. You can choose from a wide variety of patterns and colors, and this is just for the Mary Janes as Vivaia has other styles as well, from sneakers and boots to sandals and heels. The other popular styles are Nelly Mary Janes, Cristina Sneaker Flats, Allday Sneakers, and Addison Slingback Sandals. The Cristina Sneaker Flats are what Bella Hadid wore.
Probably a con for the brand is that the shoes are expensive (the Mary Janes are at around P7,000 a pair) but you get what you pay for. The shoes are durable, washable, comfortable and stylish, plus they are made from recycled materials.
sleek leather loafers and sock boots completing seamless, contemporary silhouettes. In menswear, functional yet inventive tailoring balances utility with innovation. Oversized proportions and sharp shoulders refresh classic cuts, while tonal layering in complementing fabrications modernise the concept of set dressing. Sartorial-inspired details—buttoned epaulette shoulders, functional pocket details and coordinating trousers—infuse looks with contemporary ease.
Textural richness, presented through basketweave knits and chenille surfaces, introduce further warmth and tactility. Footwear grounded the looks with timeless leather boots and trainers in tonal colorways—classic designs with a modern twist.
Select pieces from the COS Autumn Winter 2025 show are available immediately at COS stores and cos.com, with limited numbers continuing to drop throughout the season. In the Philippines, COS can be found at SM AuraPremier in Bonifacio Global City.
Vivaia shoes’ 3D-knitted uppers are made with recycled PET plastic bottles. To create the foundation of its shoes and accessories, Vivaia partnered with certified REPREVE suppliers to transform PET plastic bottles into threads that are then woven into the base fabric. The brand recently opened its third permanent location in the Philippines, with a fourth permanent store to be opened in Makati this year.
Vivaia’s Mall of Asia space features its Conscious Comfort wall, which introduces shoppers to the brand’s commitment to sustainability through an in-depth guide on its sourcing and manufacturing process.
Shoppers can also expect to see new style Jillian Loafers, as well as fresh colorways of crowd favorites, including Azura Bow Flats in Black, Nubia Round-Toe Flats in Black, and Cristina Sneaker Flats in Bordeaux. Vivaia will also be dropping the latest releases from their Autumn-Winter 2025 collection in Philippine stores throughout the next few months. Aside from SM Mall of Asia, Vivaia can be found at Glorietta 4 and SM Megamall.
GSIS allots P 1.9B emergency loan for members in 5 areas
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set aside an additional P1.9 billion in emergency loan for more than 71,000 active members and pensioners in five areas heavily affected by the southwest monsoon (habagat), Intertropical Convergence Zone, and tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong.
“We have relaxed the requirements for granting emergency loans. We now release them once a local sanggunian declares a state of calamity upon the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” said GSIS Officer in Charge President and General Manager Juliet Bautista.
The deadline for filing of applications
is October 5, 2025 in Quintin, Pangasinan; October 7 in the province of Sultan Kudarat; October 10 in Atok, Benguet; October 27 in Parañaque City; and October 29 in Taguig City. Bautista added, “We made the process secure and convenient. Applications may be filed via the GSIS Touch mobile app. So far,
99.79 percent of applications are already submitted online.”
Active members working or residing in the affected areas may apply provided they have no due and demandable GSIS loan, are not on unpaid leave, have paid premiums in the last six months, have no pending administrative or criminal case, and have a net monthly take-home pay of at least P5,000 after deductions. Old-age and disability pensioners may also apply, provided they retain at least 25 percent of their monthly pension after loan deduction.
Qualified borrowers may avail of P20,000, or up to P40,000 if they have an existing emergency loan. The loan is payable in three years with a low interest rate of six percent per annum and no processing fee.
It is also covered by loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in the event of the borrower’s death, provided loan payments are up to date.
For more information, interested parties may visit the GSIS website (www. gsis.gov.ph), follow the official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Viber accounts, call the GSIS Contact Center at (02) 8847-4747, or email gsiscares@gsis. gov.ph.
DigiPlus strengthens player protection with surety bond for BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, GameZone
DIGIPLUS Interactive Corp., the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, announced last September 17, 2025, a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond program for online gaming players, setting a new benchmark in player protection. The program takes effect immediately.
Potato Corner Finally Launches Its Own Drink
AFTER years of serving the world’s most loved flavored fries, Potato Corner is finally introducing its very own drink to complete the ultimate snacking experience. Starting September 15, 2025, in select stores nationwide, guests can enjoy PopCoolers—refreshing new beverages made to perfectly pair with Potato Corner’s iconic flavored snacks.
PopCoolers come in two exciting flavors designed to complement every bite of fries and snacks:
Lemon Passionfruit – A bright tropical mix with tangy lemon and passionfruit flavors for the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Dalandan Pomelo – A sweet pomelo taste with a zesty dalandan kick, delivering a vibrant, citrusy burst of refreshment.
For only P35, any Potato Corner snack can be upgraded into the ultimate fries + drink combo, making every order more satisfying and refreshing.
PopCoolers are now available in select Potato Corner stores nationwide. For more details and updates, follow @potatocornerph on social media.
For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected. Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to P1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.
“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco. “We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded.” How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?
Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.
Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to P1 million per player.
Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone.
This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.
With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards – delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security, and peace of mind for its customers.
Dr. Mario Capanzana (fourth from right), Executive Director of the
Pre-packaged Foods: The Overlooked Ally in the Philippines’
IFight for Food Security
N the Philippines, where climate disruptions, price volatility, and malnutrition continue to threaten food stability, pre-packaged food (PPF) is stepping into an unexpected role: from a convenience item to a critical part of the national food security strategy. Far from being mere “instant” options, well-designed PPF products are becoming vehicles for fortified nutrition, supply chain resilience, and disaster preparedness.
PPF, defined by Codex and WHO as food sealed in packaging before sale and ready to consume without further preparation, brings a lot to the table. It minimizes contamination through reduced handling, provides transparency through labeling and traceability, extends shelf life during storage and distribution, and reduces food waste through portion control. In urban centers, it offers affordable access to nutrition; in remote or disaster-hit areas, it can be the difference between hunger and sustenance.
Experts such as Dr. Mario V. Capanzana of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI) emphasize the need for a “dual framing” of PPF, balancing strict regulatory compliance with a focus on health outcomes. This integration, he argues, is essential for food policy that supports innovation without compromising public health.
The Department of Science and Technology–Food
and Nutrition Research Institute is already demonstrating what that looks like in practice. Fortified staples such as Iron Fortified Rice, iodine-rich “Tubig Talino,” and the vegetable-supplemented New Enhanced Nutribun are not only improving nutritional access for children and vulnerable communities but also showcasing how local innovation can address deep seated health challenges. However, there are policy pitfalls to avoid. The NOVA classification system, which categorizes foods by degree of processing, risks unfairly labeling nutrient-rich PPF products as unhealthy if applied without local context. This could restrict their use in school feeding programs or disaster relief, despite their proven role in combating malnutrition. Reformulation to lower sugar, sodium, and preservatives also remains a complex task in a market where taste, affordability, and accessibility heavily influence choices.
The opportunity is here: scale up fortified PPF production, localize tools like NOVA to Philippine realities, incentivize reformulation, and invest in consumer education. Industry, government, and public health stakeholders must align to move pre-packaged food beyond its “instant” image and position it as a strategic lever for ensuring safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all Filipinos, especially in the face of climate disruptions, natural disasters, and persistent malnutrition.
Immerse in a Rich Cultural Tapestry with the ‘Of Art and Wine’ Series
CONRAD Manila presents the 37th edition of its esteemed “Of Art and Wine” Series with a compelling group exhibition titled “Her Hands: A Loom of Stories,” running until November 15, 2025, in collaboration with Space_Alt Contemporary.
Showcasing 34 works of seven female contemporary artists, namely: Kristine de Jesus, Anita del Rosario, Jane Ebarle, Mia Go, Katrina Raimann, Anina Rubio, and Maria Salvador, this new collection at the hotel’s Gallery C celebrates the artistry of weaving, through textile art, sculpture, and mixed media.
“Her Hands: A Loom of Stories” emphasizes weaving, not only as a craft, but also as a vessel of memory, identity, and connection. Historically, this form of art is a profound expression of creativity and cultural identity, intricately linked to the role of women. Women have long been the custodians of this tradition, passing down techniques and stories through generations, preserving heritage and fostering community bonds.
Each thread woven into fabric carries not just color and texture but also the weight of history, emotion, and purpose. These threads transcend aesthetics, symbolizing resilience, unity, and the intricate connections between individuals and their cultures. By honoring the artistry of weaving and the pivotal role women play in this tradition, guests are invited to explore the deeper narratives embedded in each piece—celebrating both craftsmanship and enduring cultural legacies.
The exhibit opening at Gallery C, located on the hotel’s third level, was led by Elizabeth Sy, President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Cathy Nepomuceno, Senior Vice President for Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Mia Villanueva, President of the Philippine
Textile Council; Adelaida Lim, President Emeritus of the Philippine Textile Council; Kaye Tinga, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Lucky Ou, Conrad Manila’s General Manager, and four featured artists, including Kristine de Jesus, Anita del Rosario, Jane Ebarle, and Maria Salvador.
“Her Hands: A Loom of Stories” invites guests to immerse themselves in an enriching cultural experience until November 15, 2025. Through these intricate works, the artists share personal narratives and celebrate the Philippines’ thriving tradition of weaving. All artworks are available for sale. For inquiries and more information, guests and art enthusiasts may contact +632 8833 9999 or email Conrad.Manila.info@ conradhotels.com.
Conrad Manila invites guests to indulge in a new afternoon tea experience at C Lounge, inspired by the featured art collection. Available until November 15, 2025, this delightful culinary journey that celebrates both art and culture celebrates both art and culture through a selection of exquisite bites and sips. The artfully curated set includes baked gillardeau oysters, pan-seared lamb chops, U.S. choice beef tenderloin, pan-seared lapulapu, signature C Lounge burger, eton mess – signature, raspberry cheesecake, vanilla panna cotta with passion fruit and coconut sorbet, roasted coconut semifreddo with mango popsicle, and more– each dish echoing the intricacy and cultural richness of the artworks on exhibit at Gallery C. Guests may savor the inspired afternoon tea experience at C Lounge, complemented with welcome drinks or a pot of tea or coffee, good for two persons. For reservations and inquiries, contact Conrad Manila at +632 8833 9999 or email MNLMB.FB@ ConradHotels.com.
Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. spoke about the important role of pre-packaged products to the food supply chain in the Philippines during a learning session at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines office
In the photo are, from left, Cathy Nepomuceno, Senior Vice President for Operations of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Adelaida Lim, President Emeritus of the Philippine Textile Council; Kaye Tinga, President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines; Elizabeth Sy, President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Kristine de Jesus, one of the featured artists; and Mia Villanueva, President of the Philippine Textile Council.
In the photo are, from left, Jasper Vicencio, President, AB Leisure Exponent, Inc.; Eusebio Tanco, Chairman, DigiPlus Interactive Corp.; and Ana Evasco, Chief Operations Officer, PhilFirst.
Plot twists and paradoxes: the new normal in PR
By Abigail L. Ho-Torres
FOR public relations practitioners, no two days are ever exactly the same. One day you are writing a press release for a product launch, the next day you are putting out fires after a client’s social media post goes viral for the wrong reasons. We are no strangers to change and we are usually very quick to adapt.
Plot twist: more changes are coming, many at breakneck speed. Are we agile and flexible enough to keep up? Are the things that we learned and have served us for years no longer applicable—is our knowledge obsolete?
In celebration of PR month, the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the biggest homegrown organization of PR practitioners in the country, sought to answer these questions and more at the 32nd National Public Relations Congress last September 11 and 12.
As co-chair and program head of this year’s PR Congress, it was a huge challenge to come up with topics that were relevant to communication practitioners; topics that, when properly fleshed out, could significantly expand our knowledge and make a positive difference in the way we did our job. Finding the right speakers to discuss those topics was an equally challenging task.
PR Congress Chair Norman Agatep came up with the theme “Plot twist: Unraveling today’s PR paradox.”
And what a fitting theme that was, considering all the changes that we have seen in the span of several months, as well as the twists and turns that we have to maneuver every day so we can do our jobs well.
“Our profession as communicators is brimming with plot twists. We were once storytellers behind the scenes, drafting our press releases and befriending members of media. Today, we are expected to be data analysts, digital strategists, community builders, and crisis fighters all in one,” he said in his opening speech.
“We live in a paradoxical world
GAIN THEORY RECOGNIZED IN IAB AUSTRALIA’S 2025 MARKET MIX MODELLING LANDSCAPE REPORT
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—Gain Theory, the global marketing effectiveness and foresight consultancy, has been recognized as a featured vendor in the latest IAB Australia Market Mix Modelling Landscape Report. Produced by IAB Australia’s Ad Effectiveness Council, the report profiles twelve active vendors in the Australian market, serving as an essential guide for marketers
reputation and relationships, defending PR investments to the top brass, and understanding mass reach versus personalization.
“Tricky Technology” aimed to demystify new technology and find ways to harness the power of data to come up with meaningful and effective narratives and campaigns.
Among the topics discussed under this were the humans behind big data, authenticity in the age of artificial intelligence, the intersection of humanity and technology, and the use of seemingly intimidating numbers to guide communication strategies.
Closing the conference is the “People Principle” content bucket, which focused on the future of work amid shifts in technology and society, as well as on how to align PR education with industry needs.
More strategic approach
THE keynote speaker, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, set the tone very well for the conference. He highlighted the importance of the work being done by PR professionals, while also emphasizing the need to adapt to changes in consumer behavior, technologies, and society in general.
where truth spreads slower than lies, where authenticity must be crafted, and where silence can speak louder than words or actions. Sometimes we think trust is high, but, often, skepticism is higher. The Internet provides so many ways to connect, and yet audiences feel more distant. We chase virality, but long for lasting impact. And everyone today has a voice, yet real conversations are getting rare,” he further said.
Unpacking PR paradoxes
THE two-day conference, attended by more than 400 communication practitioners, revolved around five broad topics that were fleshed out through insightful presentations, case studies, and panel discussions by a broad range of experts from PR, marketing, advertising, creatives, market research, government, and the academe.
“Shaping Stories” aimed to resolve the conflicts PR professionals faced in narrative building, including pulling off effective campaigns with small budgets, maintaining integrity amid doing paid engagements with influencers, maintaining a consistent internal and external brand, and communicating purpose with authenticity.
“Consumer Conundrum” sought to decipher today’s elusive consumers, with the goal of being able to connect with them in ways they most prefer—through visuals and short-form content—so they can be turned into advocates. It also delved into the power of community and the shift in the power balance from brands to consumers.
“Meaningful Metrics” tackled issues that came with measuring impact: assigning a value to
navigating the complexities of Market Mix Modelling (MMM). The report underscores the growing adoption of MMM among Australian businesses, driven by media fragmentation, evolving privacy legislation, and the increasing demand for outcomebased measurement. By directly linking media performance to business growth metrics, MMM provides marketers with a framework for more accountable, impact-driven investment. As advertisers and agencies contend with reduced data signals and shifting consumer behavior,
He urged PR practitioners to be more strategic thinkers, to be even quicker and more agile in adapting to changes in the environment and in consumer behaviors, to leverage technology without getting consumed by it, to build and harness communities, and to constantly measure impact and return on investment.
“In this age, PR practitioners are called upon to be more strategic, tech-savvy, and resilient than ever before. Adapting to the new environment is anchored on balancing technology with human insights, ethical practices, and continuous learning. By doing so, PR practitioners can turn challenges into opportunities and competitive advantages,” he said in his keynote.
“But our duty as communicators extends beyond our principals. We have a bigger duty to the public—to make sure that they are properly, correctly, and constantly informed. Because in the end, truth and facts are what matter most,” he added.
For her part, PRSP President Ma. Luisa Sebastian encouraged PR professionals to use their skills for the greater good, and to not be content with old ways of working.
There is no better time than now, amid all the societal ills that had come to the surface in the past weeks, to help shape narratives that could spur positive change.
“We invite you to reflect on our role as communicators and what more we can do at this crucial juncture in our profession’s history. Let us dare ask questions that need to be answered. Let us engage in conversations that will chart our path forward. And most importantly, let us harness our collective intelligence to bring about real and lasting change not only in our practice but for our society as a whole,” she said.
(To be continued)
MMM has emerged as a strategic solution that not only accounts for external influences but also generates actionable insights for smarter marketing decisions.
Gain Theory’s inclusion highlights its standing as a trusted global MMM provider. Its comprehensive offering combines advanced analytics, proprietary technology, and deep industry expertise. Powered by its proprietary platform, ROVA, Gain Theory applies machine learning to help clients unlock growth opportunities and optimize both marketing and broader business
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is the Chief Marketing Officer of Ikigai Philippines and an independent consultant and trainer, with more than two decades of experience in media, public relations, marketing, and customer experience.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@ gmail.com.
investments.
“Measurement has evolved from a historical record to a strategic steering function. Gain Theory empowers brands to use MMM to proactively guide marketing investments, ensuring alignment with C-suite objectives and delivering tangible business results,” said Justin Nel, New Business Client Engagement Director, Australia at Gain Theory. The report further spotlights Gain Theory’s advanced MMM extensions: Integrated Marketing Response for full-funnel analysis, Unobserved Component Modeling
for long-term impact, Gain Theory AdModel for seamless media planning, and Sensor for granular tactical insights—all designed with privacy compliance at the core. Together, these capabilities enable measurement and optimization across short, medium, and longterm horizons.
Serving as a structured guide for Australian marketers, the IAB report provides a practical checklist for MMM implementation, covering critical areas such as strategic foundations, data readiness, stakeholder alignment, and vendor selection.
(First of two parts)
PRSP President Louie Sebastian officially opens the 32nd National PR Congress
32nd PR Congress Norman Agatep provides an overview of the two-day event
PCO Secretary Dave Gomez urges PR professionals to be more strategic, tech-savvy, and resilient
Italy reignites world title defense
Obiena flashes elite winning form right before Filipino fans
By Josef Ramos
ERYK OMANDAM and Natasha
Doromal-Lim stamped their class in style in the inaugural Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon in the Island Garden City of Samal on Sunday. The duo conquered the challenging Olympic-distance course—1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run—with Omandam, 20 and a Human Resource Management junior at University of Mindanao, clinching the men’s title in two hours, 20 minutes and 24 seconds (20:20 swim, 1:12:12 bike and 44:04 run).
“ The bike was manageable but tough because you never know what’s coming,” said Omandam, who also ruled the 20-24 age category of the event organized by Sunrise Events Inc. which drew 1,110 athletes from across the Philippines and other countries. Omandam, fresh from a fourthplace age group finish in Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu, outpaced Arthur Abogado (2:22:26), who dominated the 45-49 division, and Jonard Saim (2:26:21), who settled for third overall.
In th e women’s race, Lim delivered a breakthrough performance after five previous 5150 starts as she clocked 2:47:33 (26:01 swim, 1:18:50 bike, 58:11 run).
“I’ve been preparing for two years now,” said the 32-year-old Lim, who also captured the 30-34 age group title. “The swim was tricky because of the current, and the bike route was really challenging. But the run was almost perfect—shaded and flat.”
RNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA didn’t disappoint in the very event he dreamt of since gaining world elite status by bagging the gold medal in the World Pole Vault Challenge on Sunday afternoon at the Ayala Triangle Garden in Makati City.
“I’m thankful, it wasn’t an easy day for me,” said the Asian champion and record holder who cleared 5.80 meters and won via countback over fellow Paris Olympian Thibaut Collet in the event where the 28-yearold flashed before an enthusiastic crowd what worldclass pole vaulting is all about.
“I was at the mercy of Thibaut [Collet], and everybody had a good season,” he said. “I’m so happy with this win, a fairy tale finish I guess.” he Netherlands’ Menoo Vloon and Filipino Hokett Delos Santos had no mark (NM) and Belgium’s Ben Broeders did not start because of back pain.
oland’s No. 1 Piotr Lisek took the bronze medal with 5.60 meters, followed by Türkiye’s Ersu Sasma with 5.45m and American Matt Ludwig with 5.45m.
ermany’s Oleg Zernikel was sixth place with 5.30m, pushing via countback the US’s Austin Miller to seventh place.
Obiena cleared 5.45m in his first attempt followed by 5.60m but needed two tries at 5.70m and then 5.80m— the same season-best height he first toppled in winning gold at the Orlen Copernicus Cup last February and silver at the Meeting de Madrid last July.
Obiena and Collet went for 5.90m but missed.
Up next for Obiena, silver medalist in the 2023 world championships behind Armand Duplantis, silver medalist, are the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
By Aldrin Quinto
ASTRAIGHT-SETS win
on paper, but a battle throughout.
Italy coach Ferdinando De Giorgi lauded his wards for their composure and execution under pressure in a gritty 25-23, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of Argentina on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, punching their ticket to the quarterfinals of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Defending champion Italy reignited its title defense, after a less-than-ideal preliminary round where it went 2-1 and advanced from Pool F as the No. 2 seed.
De Giorgi was pleased as Italy rediscovered its championship form, showing poise and resilience in the face of Argentina’s relentless challenge.
We played a solid match. On serve, on block, every opportunity,” De Giorgi said.
“ We did well but so did Argentina. It was 3-0 but it’s not real. Because Argentina did very well.”
Alessandro Michieletto, 23, continued his stellar run in the tournament, firing 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks for Gli Azzurri.
Yuri Romano, 28, added 14 points built on nine attacks, four service aces, and a block, while Mattia Bottolo, 25, chipped in 13 points, 12 of which came from attacks.
Italy quickly recovered from Argentina’s early surge but never fully pulled away, as the South Americans kept the pressure on with tough defense and aggressive play.
“It was a really tough game. Argentina never gave up and played very well in the pool. I think we performed consistently from start to finish with the right mentality, so I’m very happy,” said Romano. Argentina had entered the knockout stage riding high after
“ We are very happy for this, now we get a little bit rest then focus immediately on the next opponent, we still don’t know who,” De Giorgi said. Italy will face either Belgium or Finland in the quarterfinals on September 24. Romano’s three consecutive service aces brought Italy to match point at 24-20, but Vicentin and Gallego saved two before Bottolo sealed the win with a thunderous kill.
Simone Giannelli, MVP and Best Setter in the 2022 FIVB World Championship, came up with 34 excellent sets and had three points, including attacks that sealed the first two frames. Ukrainians never give up UKRAINE wrapped up its campaign in the world championship, but the fight is far from over. With their home country having been in conflict with Russia for the past several years, Ukraine is fighting for something bigger than sports. Despite facing stronger, more experienced teams in the worlds, team captain Yurii Semeniuk remained hopeful
SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano lauded Alas Pilipinas for breaking into 19th place in the ongoing FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025, calling it a historic moment for Philippine men’s volleyball.
e national squad climbed to 19th in the 32-team worlds for a gritty run that also boosted the country’s world ranking from 88th to 77th—a big leap for the Philippines in men’s volleyball.
las Pilipinas sits just behind France (18th) and ahead of traditional contenders Cuba (20th) and Germany (21st). ually if the host country is ranked way down, they compete for the experience and honor, but Alas Pilipinas surprised us all—Pusong Pinoy,” said Cayetano in his September 19 Facebook livestream as he recalled how the team battled adversity and made the nation proud.
ARELLANO University quelled a scary uprising by Jose Rizal University (JRU) for a 25-19, 25-18, 2325, 16-25, 15-10 escape in Pool B of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. The Lady Chiefs responded from a meltdown that erased their two-set advantage with a strong 4-0 start in the deciding frame before holding off the Lady Bombers the rest of the way.
A rellano University joined
Cayetano, co-chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, praised Alas Pilipinas for delivering the country’s first-ever world championship victory with a stunning win over Egypt, followed by a nail-biting five-set duel against Asian powerhouse Iran where the Filipinos held six match points before bowing out.
“The Lord really bless our players and coaching staff,” he said. He also cited the achievements of several players who ranked among the best in the tournament—Bryan Bagunas (No. 3 in Scoring with 70 points), No. 3 in Attacking (61 points) and No. 7 in Blocking (6 points); Joshua Retamar (No. 4 in Setting with 111 successful points); Steven Ybanez (No. 7 in Digging with 21 digs): No. 5 in Receiving (23 successful points); Marck Espejo (No. 4 in Receiving 24 successful points and No. 7 in Blocking (6 points).
Far Eastern University, which swept JRU on Saturday, on the opening day winner’s list of the league. R ookie Cassey Florida piled up 19 points from 17 kills and two aces to lead the Lady Chiefs, whose fire diminished after dominating the first two sets before recovering their bearing in the decider.
The Lady Chiefs raced to a four-point advantage, punctuated by back-to-back aces by Ishy Lacsina to open the fifth set.
Arellano University answered JRU’s rally to close within one with a 6-1 run for a comfortable 12-6 cushion. The Lady Bombers cut their deficit to 13-10, but Leoranne Santiago fired back with consecutive kills to seal the two-hour, 12-minute encounter.
FOURTEEN men and eight ladies take on the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City starting on Tuesday for the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Intercollegiate Tour (ITT) finals.
In the team competition, seven schools in both divisions will clash under a three-to-play format, emphasizing not just individual skill but also team chemistry and strategic depth.
Among the standouts in the men’s individual competition are Sean Granada of College of Saint Benilde-1, who won at Splendido Taal, and Zachary Castro of De La Salle-1, the Pradera Verde leg champion. They will be challenged by a formidable field including Rans Balay-odao (University of the Cordilleras), Emilio Carpio (University of the Philippines-1)
and Emilio Curran (Ateneo-1).
On the women’s side, a three-way battle is expected among leg winners Julia Lua (La Salle-1), Addie Manhit (UP-1), and Shane Tan (Ateneo-2). But
a film starring Robert Redford and it was my first time to see the actor on the big screen.
T he film has several key changes to Malamud’s book. The biggest was instead of Redford’s character of Roy Hobbs striking out in the book to end the fictional New York Knight’s season, in the film, he blasts a three-run home run to send the team into the World Series.
And while Hobb’s baseball career is done, the ending is brighter and more optimistic as he reunites with his old girlfriend Iris Gaines (Iris Lemon in the book) and their teenage son.
The film version of The Natural is considered one of the best baseball films ever. Just like the film adaptation of Michael Lewis’ book, Moneyball, that starred Brad Pitt. Pitt, in my opinion, is one of those All-American actors with a storied filmography just like Redford.
with equally capable challengers such as Katrisse Datoc (UP-1), Natasha Bantug (CSB-1), Stacey Chan (La Salle-1) and Tatiana Ong (Ateneo-2).
Launched in June and co-developed by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and the Philippine Golf Foundation, the IIT was created with a bold vision to elevate golf as a legitimate varsity sport, on par with basketball, volleyball and athletics in the collegiate scene.
B y integrating World Amateur Golf Ranking points into the competition, the ITT has aligned with global standards.
O ver the last two months, the Tour held four action-packed legs at premier courses including Royal Northwoods, Splendido Taal, Caliraya Springs, Pradera Verde, Beverly Place and Eastridge.
Both actors figured in acclaimed crime thrillers (The Sting for Redford and Seven for Pitt), romance (the former’s Out of Africa to the latter’s Meet Joe Black), war films (Redford’s A Bridge Too Far and Pitt’s Fury), crime (The Sting and Ocean’s Eleven), spy thrillers (Three Days of the Condor to Spy Game that starred both actors), and worked on superhero films (Redford starred in Captain America Civil War and Avengers Endgame while Pitt produced the two Kick Ass films). W hile I enjoy both men’s filmography and describe myself as a fan,
ITALY’S Yuri Romano deftly moves the ball past Argentina’s Luciano Vicentin and Joaquin Gallego. NONIE REYES
SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano: Alas Pilipinas surprised us all and they showed what “Pusong Pinoy” is all about. PNVF PHOTO
ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA repeats season best to win gold in the World Pole Vault Challenge. ROY DOMINGO
SHANE TAN of Ateneo-2 is one of the players to watch in the tour finals. ITT PHOTO
