BusinessMirror September 27, 2025

LOCAL BUSINESS SHOWS LOWER CONFIDENCE IN Q3

By Cai U. Ordinario

Tthe third quarter, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Based on the Business Expectations Survey (BES), overall business confidence index (CI) declined to 23.2 percent in the third quarter from 28.8 percent in the second quarter of 2025.

Business confidence strengthened for the next quarter, with CI at 49.5 percent, while the outlook for the next 12 months softened to 48.1 percent.

“Their dampened confidence was primarily attributed to the slack in demand during the ‘ghost month’ and the onset of the rainy and typhoon season,” BSP said.

“Global headwinds, such as higher US tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and weaker foreign demand, also weighed on business confidence,” it added.

In terms of inflation, the yearahead inflation forecast of businesses remained within the National

Marcos orders rice import ban extended beyond Nov 2

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the extension of the rice import ban, which covers the period from September 1 to November 2, to support Filipino farmers and stabilize rice prices.

Bilang suporta sa ating mga magsasaka, mas mahabang rice import ban isinusulong ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a Palace press briefing on Friday.

“Under the President’s directive, the two-month import suspension that should end on November 2 will be extended,” Castro added.

Government’s 2 to 4 percent target range for four consecutive quarters since the last quarter of 2024. BSP said businesses expect inflation to average at 2.1 percent, 2.3 percent, and 2.4 percent in the third quarter 2025, fourth quarter 2025, and in the next 12 months, respectively.

“Firms also expect inflation over the next 12 months to remain within the National Government’s target range, indicating firmly an-

chored business inflation expectations. Within-target inflation supports investments and job creation,” BSP said.

Consumers less pessimistic MEANWHILE , results of the latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showed the overall consumer confidence index (CI) remained negative but showed improvement compared to last quarter.

BSP said the CI turned less negative to -9.8 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from -14 percent in the second quarter. A negative CI means more respondents are pessimistic than optimistic.

The Central Bank said this improvement in the CI compared to last quarter stemmed from expectations of new income sources, higher earnings, and more working family members.

BOI eyeing completion of SIPP before yearend

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE Board of Investments (BOI) is looking to finalize the 2025-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) before the year ends.

During the Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum 2025 on Friday, Board of Investments (BOI) Director for Industry Development Evariste Cagatan unveiled the draft 2025-2028 SIPP.

The SIPP, led by the DTI-BOI, is a three-year “rolling plan” that identifies priority investment activities for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives aligned with the CREATE MORE law.

“Under Tier 1, we see industries that address modern basic needs. It also covers sustainabilitydriven industries, export activities, and those covered by special laws,” Cagatan said.

She told reporters on the sidelines of the forum: “The target is to release [the SIPP] to OP [Office of the President] by Q4.”

The proposed 2025-2028 SIPP Plan presented by the BOI official during the forum showed that in the “Modern Basic Needs” under Tier 1, projects that may qualify for incentives are those from these sectors: Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry; Manufacturing; Halal, Kosher and Organic Related Ac-

Do your own spot checks, tourism roads may be next ghost projects, DOT told

Meanwhile, Cagatan said Tier 2 includes goods and services not locally produced and import-substituting activities, while Tier 3 covers “highly strategic and innovation-driven” activities.

The proposed 2025-2028 SIPP showed that projects related to the following will qualify for incentives: Defense-Related Activities; Industrial Value Chain Gaps and Food Security-Related Activities.

Continued on A2

ASENIOR lawmaker has expressed concern that the tourism roads being built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may have gone the way of the anomalous flood-control projects.

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance (Subcommittee H) on Thursday, Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT), told Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco not to rely on DPWH reports on the tourism roads that it is constructing, and instead ask DOT regional officials to actually check on such roads.

“Having learned our lesson, everyone relies on reports, even if there’s no COA [Commission on Audit] funding, we have to be very careful. How would you know whether it’s been done? Maybe your regional provincial offices can look, spot check or have the DPWH put on their website and yours, or submit to the committee the detailed status of these roads leading to tourist destinations…. That’s also for your own protection,” said the lawmaker.

To which Frasco said she has seen “many of these tourism roads” up close, but agreed on “the need to audit the DPWH’s report.” As per the DPWH’s report to the DOT, 882.28 kilometers of tourism roads were completed from 2022 to 2024, under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP). Per data from the Department of Budget and Management, over P46 billion was spent for the continuing construction of these roads.

New roads budget to DPWH?

SHE also reiterated, as she did in the House of Representatives, that there were no funds allocated to construct new roads. (See, “Lawmaker pushes restoration of P6-B tourism roads budget,” in the BusinessMirror, Sept. 8, 2025.)

Still, Frasco said the DOT did not support the suggestion that the tourism roads budget be lodged with the agency instead of the DPWH, unless these are for new roads. DPWH’s proposed budget for TRIP next year is P3.55 billion, down from this year’s P6.1 billion allocation.

“Year after year, we make recommendations based on data and based on demand from our regional offices, and year after year the funding for new roads is very small or zero, that is what prompted us to take a position that perhaps, it would be better that it will be lodged under DOT so that we are assured that [new] tourism roads are given priority,” she said in response to a suggestion from Finance Committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

She said, however, that while the budget for new tourism roads could be lodged with the DOT, the DPWH will still construct them.

Arrivals target for 2026

AS this developed, Frasco said only 6.7 million international travelers are projected to arrive in 2026, considerably less than the 9.3 million the DOT originally targeted under its National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028. “Considering the limitations in our funding, as far as promotions are concerned, we have been constrained to

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

A LONG and winding road cuts through the green hills of Busuanga Island in Coron, Palawan, in this aerial view file photo. MIKHAIL DAVIDOVICH DREAMSTIME.COM

BOOSTING INVESTOR CONFIDENCE Panelists Andrew Jeffries of the Asian Development Bank, Gonzalo Varela of the World Bank, DOF Assistant Secretary Nina Asuncion, ARTA Director Marbida Marbida, and Ricky Carandang of First Philippine Industrial Park, with Atty. Elaine Collado of Vriens & Partners as moderator, discuss reforms to strengthen the Philippine investment climate and ease of doing business

GROCERY shoppers line up at the checkout in Antipolo City in this file photo. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported improved consumer confidence in the third quarter of 2025, citing expectations of new income sources and easing food prices, with inflation forecasts remaining within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target. JUNPINZON DREAMSTIME.COM

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. attends the inauguration and turnover of a rice processing system in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, on July 19, 2024. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Trump plans 100% tariff on branded pharma imports, offers US manufacturing exemption

By Lauren Dezenski, Madison Muller & Jennifer A. Dlouhy Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump announced a fresh round of tariffs, including a 100% duty on branded or patented pharmaceuticals starting Oct. 1, unless a company is building a manufacturing plant in America.

No levies will be applied to pharmaceutical imports if companies have broken ground on a US manufacturing plant, or if such a plant is under construction, Trump posted on social media Thursday.

“Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America,” Trump wrote. “There will, therefore, be no Tariff on these Pharmaceutical Products if construction has started.”

Trump’s announcement was one of several about new industryfocused tariffs set to begin next Wednesday. Imported heavy trucks will be subject to a 25% duty, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities will be hit with a 50% charge, and upholstered furniture imports are to be taxed at 30%.

Taken together, the moves amount to a rapid expansion of

Trump’s tariff regime, which he started to erect shortly after taking office. It comes at a time when the president has flexed his executive powers like none of his modern predecessors; just as Trump made the levies public, former FBI Director James Comey — a longtime Trump political enemy — was indicted on perjury charges under heavy pressure from the president.

Asian stocks fell on news of the tariffs. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index declined 0.5% after the S&P 500 dropped for a third session, the longest slide in a month. Asian pharmaceutical stocks slumped. “Trump is never going to be done with tariffs,” Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at Hinrich Foundation, said on Bloomberg Television. “This is an incredible breathtaking expansion of tariff coverage that will affect everyone including those countries that thought that they have a deal in place under those reciprocal tariffs

that are not covered by these sector-specific new applications.”

The posts offered no further details. The pharmaceuticals plan, as described by the president, could allow for wide exemptions for companies with presences in the US. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for more specifics.

The levy on branded pharmaceuticals could raise the average US tariff rate by up to 3.3 percentage points, according to Bloomberg Economics, though the impact may be offset by the exemption for companies building local manufacturing facilities. Singapore and Switzerland are the countries most exposed to the move.

Major drugmakers, including Merck & Co., AstraZeneca PLC and Johnson & Johnson, have announced billions of dollars in planned US manufacturing investments in the months since Trump’s inauguration, following the president’s repeated threats to impose levies on drugs imported from overseas.

“The actual comment from the President is direct but its impact may be somewhere between nebulous and negligible,” Mizuho Securities health-care specialist Jared Holz said in a note. “All major players have some production presence domestically and almost all have announced increased investment directly tied towards local manufacturing.”

Still, some could be left vul-

nerable. Multinational drugmakers have said they primarily rely on plants in the US to supply the domestic market, but not all of them have broken ground on their promised expansions.

“The countries most exposed to the move are Singapore and Switzerland. The UK also has some important pharmaceuticals exports to the US—its trade agreement with the US mentioned that special rates would be considered in the event of new Section 232 tariff, but no formal rate was agreed. A similar approach seems also to be in place for Japan,” said Bloomberg economists Nicole Gorton-Caratelli and Maeva Cousin.

Several of America’s bestselling drugs are still largely produced abroad. The main ingredient in Novo Nordisk A/S’s diabetes and weight-loss juggernauts Ozempic and Wegovy is made in Denmark, while a critical first step in the production of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly & Co.’s rival GLP-1, happens in Ireland.

Johnson & Johnson’s immunedisease therapy Stelara and cancer drug Darzalex are manufactured in Switzerland and Denmark, respectively. Opdivo, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’ blockbuster cancer immunotherapy, relies heavily on production in Ireland and Switzerland. Novartis AG’s Cosentyx and Entresto also originate in Swiss facilities.

Unless those companies can show they’ve broken ground on US sites that will take on production, their biggest sellers could face tariffs that would instantly double import costs. Novo Nordisk, for example, is building a new 1.4 million square foot manufacturing plant in North Carolina, while Eli Lilly earlier this year announced plans for four new US manufacturing sites.

Some Japanese pharmaceutical companies also make drugs for rare and serious conditions that might be subject to the new tariff. Hemlibra, used to help clot blood in hemophilia patients, is made by Japanese drugmaker Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, while Enhertu, used to deliver chemotherapy directly to breast cancer cells without damag-

ing healthy ones, is made by Daiichi Sankyo Co. Trump is imposing productbases levies using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the administration to impose tariffs without congressional action if imports are deemed a national security threat. The approach has already been used to impose levies on automobile, copper, steel and aluminum imports. Other duties on critical imports, including semiconductors and critical minerals, are expected in the coming weeks. His administration has also launched investigations into imports of robotics, industrial machinery and medical devices that could have wide-ranging effects for domestic manufacturers.

In April, the Commerce Department began investigating the impact of all drug imports — both finished generic and branded medicines as well as the ingredients used to make them—on US national security.

Trump has previewed his move on pharmaceutical tariffs for months, albeit in haphazard fashion. In early July, Trump said he intended to give drug companies some leeway to bring their operations to the US before slapping tariffs of as much as 200% on their products. Then, on July 15, the president said he was likely to begin imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals by the end of the month. If the new tariffs don’t stack on top of existing country deals, their impact will be limited as several major foreign production economies have reached trade deals with the White House. For example, in late July, the US and EU reached a broad trade agreement that includes 15% tariffs on pharmaceutical products.

The industry-based tariffs offer potentially more durability than the country-level levies Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court has agreed to consider a challenge to those tariffs, after two lower courts have already declared them illegal.

Do your own spot checks...

recalibrate our targets…the projection is around 6.7 million, considering all factors to be the same,” i.e., branding campaign budget is still P500 million, and that stringent visa requirements remain for mainland China.

Chinese tourists reached some 1.7 million in 2019, which helped push prepandemic arrivals to 8.3 million, despite visa requirements for the Philippines. The DOT chief pointed out that many Southeast Asian countries have already eased the entry rules for Chinese tourists, thus attracting this specific market.

Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026, the DOT is seeking a P3.72-billion budget, of which P3.2 billion will be for the DOT-Office of the Secretary, P159 million to National Parks Development Committee, P320

million to the Intramuros Administration, and P44.9 million to the Philippine Commission on Sport Scuba Diving. Of the total, some P1.1 billion will fund the agency’s market and development program, which includes a P500-million branding campaign, documents on the National Expenditure Program 2026 from the Department of Budget and Management show. (See, “DOT, attached agencies to defend lower ’26 budget,” in the BusinessMirror, Aug. 20, 2025.)

Some 3.96 million international travelers visited the Philippines from January to August this year, 1.56-percent less than the arrivals in the same period in 2024. This year’s eight-month arrivals were also close to a 28-percent decrease from the 5.49 million who visited the country in January to August 2019.

Local business…

The data showed consumers’ yearahead inflation forecast declined to 2.6 percent in the third quarter 2025 from 3.7 percent in the second quarter of 2025 survey. BSP said this is consistent with the recent easing of food inflation, particularly for rice. This, BSP said, also marked the third consecutive quarter that the inflation forecast has remained within the National Government’s 2 to 4 percent range, indicating a sustained anchoring of household inflation expectations.

“Consumers also expect inflation over the next 12 months to stay within the National Government’s target range, indicating well-anchored household inflation expectations. Within-target inflation supports investments and job creation,” BSP said.

The third quarter 2025 BES was conducted during the period 4 July-17 August 2025. There were 1,523 firms surveyed nationwide, consisting of 580 companies in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 943 firms in Areas Outside NCR (AONCR), covering all 17 regions nationwide.

Samples were drawn through stratified random sampling from the Bureau van Dijk (BvD) database of Top 7,000 Corporations based on total assets in 2017. The nationwide survey response rate for the third quarter 2025 was slightly lower at 61 percent from 61.2 percent in the second quarter 2025.

The response rate was marginally lower for both the NCR at 60.3 percent from 60.5 percent and AONCR at 61.4 percent from 61.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the third quarter 2025 CES was conducted from 1-12 July 2025. In the third quarter 2025 CES, 5,493 households were identified as eligible, with 2,475 at 45.1 percent from the NCR and 3,018 at 54.9 percent from AONCR. BSP said out of the identified sample size, 5,416 households participated in the survey, equivalent to a response rate of 98.6 percent from 98.3 percent in the second quarter 2025 survey. Respondents included 2,427 households in the NCR with a 98.1 percent response rate and 2,989 households in AONCR with a 99 percent response rate. The high-income group comprised the largest percentage of respondents at 41 percent, followed by the middleincome group at 36.8 percent and the low-income group at 22.2 percent.

According to the Palace Press Officer, the President’s order aims to promote the welfare of farmers who continue to work to provide food for every Filipino family.

“This is also meant to stabilize the price of palay in the market and support farmers at harvest time,” Castro said, speaking in Filipino.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier announced that the President has directed the DA to prepare the necessary orders to extend the import freeze, which started on September 1 and is scheduled to end on November 2. The extension of the two-month rice import suspension and raising tariffs on imported rice were aimed at stabilizing palay prices and protecting Filipino farmers during the peak of the harvest season, the DA said. The import suspension was imposed to help farmers recover from falling palay prices triggered by a surge in cheaper imported rice.

According to the DA, palay prices briefly rose from a low of P8 a kilo to around P14 per kilo before dropping again due to the onset of the main harvest and the impact on palay quality of the heavy rains. Samuel P. Medenilla

economic activities that

Tier 3: Science, Technology and InnovationRelated Activities and Science, Technology, and Innovation Support facilities. Early this year, BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the

dated SIPP will include projects with

impact for

value creation, to innovation, upgrading, moving up the value chain and providing essential support to sectors critical to industrial development. Rodolfo earlier said the investment promotion agency is focusing on the review on the manufacturing sector.

Marcos to issue EO setting floor price for unmilled rice

By Samuel P. Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the setting of a floor price for unmilled rice or palay to discourage traders from quoting prices for the crop during harvest season.

Marcos met with agriculture stakeholders and lawmakers in Malacañan Palace last Thursday to discuss possible large-scale reforms in the agriculture sector, including the establishment of a floor price and the amendment of Republic Act (RA) 12078 or the Agricultural Tariffication Law.

He directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to coordinate with the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) and the Office of Senator Francis N. Pangilinan to draft an executive order mandating the floor price.

In June, nongovernment organization Bantay Bigas urged the government to set the floor price at P21 per kilo.

During a meeting at Malacañan Palace to address challenges in the agricultural sector, President Marcos directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to coordinate with the Office of the Executive

With ₧36B shifted from DPWH budget, 4Ps coverage seen wider

MORE people are expected to be covered by programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after President Ferdinand Marcos announced on Friday the agency will receive the P36 billion which was initially allocated for flood control projects next year.

The fund comes from the P255.5million budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for new locally-funded flood control projects next year, which Marcos ordered to be scrapped as the agency undergoes reorganization amid the ongoing government crackdown against anomalous public works.

The President wants the P36 billion to be used for DSWD programs, including its flagship 4Ps initiative, which provides conditional cash transfer to qualified poor households for a period of seven years to improve the health, nutrition, and education of their children.

“We want to increase the number of families who have sufficient resources to support their lives, which is why we continue to strengthen 4Ps,” Marcos said in Filipino during the “Kumustahan Kasama ang Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya” event in Malacañang on Friday.

The President said the program, launched in 2008 and institutionalized in 2019, has benefited thousands of Filipinos who experienced poverty.  He said they are now studying amendments to Republic Act (RA) No. 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act of 2019 to ensure families, who graduate from the program will still get government support.

“I am also aware of the fear of many families that the support provided by 4Ps will suddenly end without them being given sufficient capacity. That is why we are studying the amendment of the 4Ps Act to better address the situation of our beneficiaries,” he said.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disclosed the proposed amendment will remove the seven-year limit for 4Ps beneficiaries.

She said other changes which are being considered in RA 11310 are

Secretary (OES) and the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan to draft an executive order establishing the palay buying floor price.

The chief executive also approved the creation of the Congressional Commission on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security (Agricom)—a commission, which will prepare the comprehensive reforms in agriculture and fisheries and will be modelled after the Congressional Commission on Education—which was proposed by Pangilinan.

He also looked into the proposed amendments on some provisions of RA 12078, which was passed into law just last December, to enhance the protection of locally produced rice.

Last month, the DA disclosed in a Senate hearing its proposed rice tariff-related amendments.

The proposal includes restoring

calibrated state intervention in the market, integrating the budgets for Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and the National Rice Program, rebuilding a nationwide extension support system, balancing consumer welfare with farmer protection, sustaining domestic production and planting intentions, modernizing and rebuilding the National Food Authority (NFA), and providing meaningful incentives to all players in the rice value chain.

The President backed the recommendation to restore NFA’s original mandate of “stabilizing prices and not rely on importation.”

Also discussed during the meeting was the implementation RA No.11321 or the Sagip Saka Act, which aims to institutionalize farmers and fisherfolks enterprise development programs.

“Among the measures is the ex-

pansion of the extension services of the DA and CDA [Cooperative Development Authority]. The DA aims to send 6,000 of its staff to the regions to assist farmers with modern technology and services and other extension services,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

It noted the President’s dialogue with lawmakers is part of his administration’s initiatives to ensure every Filipino will have access to affordable food.

Among those who participated in the meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, Pangilinan, Representative Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang (Lone District, Apayao), and Representative Mark M. Enverga (First District, Quezon).

CS Capital invests in CSBank

CITYSTATE Savings Bank Inc. (CSBank) announced on Friday that CS Capital Investment Pte. Ltd. (CS Capital) is the bank’s new investor.  In a statement it shared with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), CSBank said CS Capital purchased 43,362,400 shares equivalent to 26.30 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the bank.

“The Bank welcomes the entry of CS Capital as a shareholder. The Bank believes that it will benefit from the global experience, market reach, and technological resources of CS Capital through its parent company, CSC Holdings Limited (CSC), a listed company based in Hong Kong, a world-class finan -

cial center, with mature and diversified financial services and products and talents,” it said. In its disclosure to the PSE on Friday, CSBank said it received a notice from its various stockholders that they have signed Deeds of Absolute Sale with CS Capital for the sale of 43,362,400 shares for P6.9888 apiece.

The bank said the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approved the transaction.

CSBank said it also welcomes the election of Dr. Or Ching Fai and Chow Man Wai, Tony, both of whom are veterans in the finance industry and possess very rich compliance and risk management experience which can be transferred to their new roles as directors of the bank.

Given ultimatum to return, Co says allegations are false

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III has given Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co until Monday to return to the country and face the allegations against him, warning him that failure to comply “shall be construed as a refusal to subject yourself to the lawful processes of the House and will result in the initiation of appropriate disciplinary and legal actions.”

The Speaker issued the ultimatum in a letter on Friday in response to Co’s reply to the revocation of his travel clearance.

Dy said Co’s communication has been referred to the House Committee on Ethics, where a complaint is already pending.

The Speaker assured Co that “should you choose to return home, the House will coordinate with the proper authorities to secure your safety and that of your family.”

He pointed out that the cancellation of Co’s travel clearance is “a necessary opportunity to answer

the allegations against you directly and in the proper forum.”

The Speaker stressed that “coming home will allow you to respond to this complaint, as well as to fully present and elaborate on the defenses you outlined in your letter.”

“The only proper way to address these matters is not through correspondence from abroad, but by returning, appearing at the proper forum, and answering the charges directly.”

Return

MEANWHILE ,  Co declared that

he is determined to return to the Philippines to answer and disprove “false and baseless accusations” against him, stressing that he has nothing to hide and will face his critics in the proper forum.

In a September 25 letter to Speaker, Co said he was saddened by the revocation of his approved travel clearance while he was abroad for scheduled medical treatment.

“I received news of your revocation of my travel clearance with both sadness and grave concern. I am saddened that ny colleagues in the House of Representatives would deprive me of the time needed for medical care that I have long previously scheduled and gravely concerned that the decision to revoke my travel clearance was borne by pressure, rather than adherence to facts and procedure,” Co said.

“I have every intention of returning to the Philippines. I am also intent on belying the false claims made against me before the proper forum,” he added.

Co is facing allegations that he inserted provisions into the Bicameral Report and the 2025 General Appropriations Act. He flatly denied the charge.

“The insinuation that, on my own, I had made insertions is untrue,” he wrote. “The Bicameral Report and 2025 GAA were approved by both Houses at plenary sessions and followed the proper process.”

‘Surprise witness’ Guteza now subject to full record, background check–Lacson

By Butch Fernandez

‘SURPRISE witness” Orly

Regala Guteza, who was presented without earlier notice to the Senate Blue Ribbon by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, will be subject of a  full record check and background investigation (RCBI) following a lawyer’s complaint that her supposed “notarization” of his affidavit was fake.

The RCBI is needed due to the gravity of his testimony at Thursday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, according to Senate President Pro Tempore and Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.

Lacson noted on Friday that Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, was presented before the committee

on Thursday without even the courtesy of notice.

On Thursday night, hours after media outlets uploaded screenshots of Guteza’s affidavit, the lawyer whose signature and notarial details appeared in Guteza’s affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document. She demanded it be taken down for being fraudulent.

The notarial mess complicates an already convoluted series of plot twists and turns after Guteza—following  the testimony of former Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo—was presented by Marcoleta and proceeded to make allegations of frequent, multimillion-peso “deliveries” of “basura” [the code, he said, for money] to the homes of former Speaker Martin Romualdez and

Govt using ‘all’ legal means

THE government has taken

“legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian” steps, including filing an appeal in its bid to protect the rights and dignity of a Filipina domestic worker who was sentenced to death by a Kuwaiti court after she was accused

of murdering the two-year old son of her employer, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“A lawyer is handling the case and is using all legal processes under Kuwaiti law, including filing an appeal,” the DMW said in

former House Appropriations committee chairman Zaldy Co. Romualdez strongly denied the allegations. Co is abroad, claiming medical treatment, but vows to return to clear his name.

On Friday, Lacson said in a post on X: “Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday.”

During Thursday’s hearing, Marcoleta presented Guteza to the hearing and said he was referred to him by ex-Rep. Michael Defensor.

Later, lawyer Petchie Rose Espera denied notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of Guteza’s affidavit, saying the

Filipino in a statement.

The agency said the Philippine government did everything it could to ensure the accused will have a fair court trial.

“Since the incident came to light, DMW immediately provided legal and consular assistance together with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait,” it said.

DMW said it respects the ruling of the Kuwaiti court on the case, but it maintained that the government is still doing everything it could to ensure the welfare of its accused citizen.

It noted the Philippine embassy continues to monitor the status of the domestic worker.

Her family is currently being assisted by DMW to ensure her

Still, the lawmaker said he is apprehensive about what awaits him upon his return, citing the wave of public opinion turned against him. “I am very much apprehensive about what awaits me should I return, given that the public and your good office have prejudged me,” Co told the Speaker.

He also rejected other accusations—including claims that his family owns an aircraft allegedly used to fly former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, that he sought fish import allocations for “ZC Victory Fishing Corporation,” and that he received Department of Public Works and Highways funds. “These are false, baseless, and politically charged,” he stressed.

He lamented that the false, baseless and politically-charged statements recently made before the Senate, the House of Representatives and media “have condemned me in the court of public opinion and have stirred public hatred against my family and me. This has caused the public to condemn and prejudge me even though no complaint before the proper fora has been filed against me.”

Despite the revocation order, Co reiterated his call for fairness and due process. “I hope that, when I return, I would be afforded due process and that you would ensure the safety of my family and me,” he said.

signature and notarial details attributed to her were “falsified and unauthorized.”

Lacson: Co can appear at BRC MEANWHILE , Lacson sees no issue for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to have Co appear in its investigation into the corruption behind anomalous flood control projects.

Lacson said Co may choose to voluntarily appear, adding that interparliamentary courtesy is not accorded to individual members of the House but to the institution that those members represent.

“[The interparliamentary courtesy] tradition is not accorded not to individual members of either house, it is accorded to the institution,” he said.

When asked during Thursday’s hearing if they can invite Co when he gets back to the country, Lacson maintained that “there is no issue there.” He added that Sunwest and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson would be invited to the next hearing.

children are not affected by these painful events.

“We feel the sadness and emotional weight of this case. We simply ask for understanding and trust as we carefully and firmly help our countrymen deal with this case,” DMW said.

It expressed its sympathy for the Kuwaiti family, who was involved in the case for their loss, as well as the family of the detained Filipino worker.

DMW  stressed that the case involving the Filipino domestic worker was an isolated case and does not reflect the character and ethics of millions of other overseas Filipino workers, who are known worldwide for their hard work and professionalism. Samuel P. Medenilla

‘Opong’

affects 8 NGCP transmission lines, cancels flights; farms monitored

TRANSMISSION lines affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) have reached eight as of late Friday afternoon, according to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Simultaneous restoration activities are being conducted on areas already accessible, the NGCP said.

Based on the 5 p.m. advisory, the affected lines were the Calbayog-Allen 69kV (kilovolt) Line that serves the Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Norsamelco) and the Samar 1 Electric Cooperative (Samelco I); Paranas-Quinapondan 69kV Line that supplies the Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative Inc. (Esamelco);Calbayog-Bliss 69kV Line that serves Samelco I; NabasSapian 69kV Line that provides Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Akelco); and Batangas-Mabini 69kV Line that caters to the Batangas II Electric Cooperative Inc. II (Batelec II).

Also, the Amlan-San Carlos 69kV Line that caters to the Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (Noreco II), Nabas-Malay 69kV Line that supplies the Antique Electric Cooperative (Anteco), and the Nabas-Culasi-Bugasong 69kV Line that serves the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Akelco) were affected by Opong.

NGCP said it “has mobilized its line crews and is currently conducting patrols to inspect and assess the impact of the severe tropical storm to its operations and facilities.”

Naia’s stranded RELATEDLY temporary sleeping quarters were set up across all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) for passengers who may be affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

Several beds were placed inside the terminals to ensure stranded passengers are comfortable while waiting, airport operator New Naia Infra Corp. told the Philippine News

Agency on Friday.

Also on Friday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) recorded 134 canceled flights, mostly domestic, due to the effects of Opong.

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific announced that an additional 46 domestic flights were canceled during the day.

Farms monitored THE Department of Agriculture (DA) intensified monitoring of possible agricultural losses due to Opong.

In a phone interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said Opong poses a broader scope of potential damage compared to recent weather disturbances.

“We are really closely watching. We released multiple advisories before Opong’s landfall to ensure that mature crops that can be harvested are secured ahead of time,” he said. De Mesa said the storm may cause production losses in palay (unhusked rice), corn, and high-value crops across various regions.

“ Opong can affect more areas, from Eastern Visayas to Central Luzon. So, it poses a wider potential impact,” he added. Other areas that may be affected are Bicol, Central and Western Visayas, and Southern Tagalog.

Despite the threat, De Mesa assured that rice prices are unlikely to spike, citing sufficient supply from a strong palay harvest in the first semester, adequate rice imports prior to the 60-day import ban, and the ongoing peak harvest during the wet season.

“Our concern is vegetables because Nando hit the northern parts of the country, and Opong may affect vegetables in Bicol, Southern Tagalog, and Central Luzon,” De Mesa said. Although the movement of agricultural goods remains unhampered, the DA official said a 10 to 15 percent price increase in vegetables is still possible due to supply disruption. PNA

Destab plot reports just a ‘falsehood’–DND

THE Department of National Defense (DND) on Thursday night called as “falsehood” reports of a brewing destabilization plot against the government.

In a statement, DND Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said these allegations are part of an “attempt to propagate falsehood and sow discord among our people.”

“The latest lie of a destabilization/coup plot is outrightly preposterous and achieves nothing other than create confusion and pander to the adversarial narratives against the national government,” he added.

Reports earlier claimed that a large Christian-denomination sect met with a “top Army commander” days before the Sept. 21 anti-corruption rallies to convince the latter to move against the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the government.

The report did not identify the personalities involved.

“Even as these malevolent efforts

persist and seek to distract us from our mandates and mission, the DND and AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] remain faithful to the country, our Constitution, and our democratic institutions,” Andolong stressed.

“At this time when our focus and resources must be devoted to improving the lives of our people, addressing threats to our very sovereignty, and advancing our national interests, those spreading such rumors must be asked — who benefits and who suffers?” he pointed out. Andolong said the DND along with the AFP is one with the Filipino people in the pursuit of truth, justice, and good governance.

“Let us all remain vigilant against disinformation and malign influence perpetrated by foreign and local entities who seek to divide rather than unite us for the good of our nation,” he added. Rex Anthony Naval

COA scored for not detecting fraud in flood-control projects

THE Commission on Audit (COA), one of whose commissioners is being probed for allegedly soliciting project lists from the Department of Public Works and Highways for his contractorwife, is now in the crosshairs of Sen. Win Gatchalian. He wants the agency, an independent constitutional commission, reassessed as well for its failing to detect fraud in anomalous flood control projects that turned out to be either non-existent or substandard.

Gatchalian pointed to red flags that the COA should have spotted, such as a flood control project marked 89 percent complete just 15 days after the notice to proceed, and fully completed in only 34 days. Another project was reported 46 percent complete in just 2 days, and 89 percent complete after 86 days. He noted that similar photos were being used as proof of progress in various stages of the project’s

supposed development.

Gatchalian emphasized that a tabletop review of the documents should have been enough for COA to detect fraud in those flood control projects.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian also urged the COA to investigate the possible involvement of its resident auditor assigned to the DPWH in the ghost flood control projects.

“Hindiakonaniniwalanamakakalampas itosaCOAkunghindisiyakasalisamodus [I do not believe that this can escape and auditor’s scrutiny if he were not part of te modus],” he said, referring to the resident auditor. “Ang gusto natin, maibalik ang tiwala sa COA [We want public trust to be restored in COA],” he added.

Earlier, Senate Blue Ribbon probers heard former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo

BusinessMirror

The Catholic saint is called ‘God’s in�luencer’

CARLOS ACUTIS has been called “God’s influencer,” “The Sneaker Saint,” and the “first millennial saint,” among other things. But in this context, his most significant title is “Patron Saint of the Internet.”

Acutis was born in 1991 and that would have made him 34 this year so, yes, he’d be a millennial if he were alive. But he passed when he was 15 of leukemia in 2006.

He was born in London to wealthy Italian parents. His parents, in fact, worked in the United Kingdom and Germany even before he was born until they settled in Milan.

Even at a young age, the boy who would be St. Carlos Acutis showed a love for the internet and was said to have liked playing video games too.

St. Carlos Acutis was canonized by Pope Leo XIV in his first canonization ceremony as a pope, alongside Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian who also died young.  Acutis would have been canonized earlier by Pope Francis who, however, died. It was Pope Francis who was a strong advocate for Acutis’ canonization because he believed he would have attracted young Catholics to become more active members of the Church.

I honestly had not heard of Carlos Acutis prior to his canonization but I think it is a good move on the Church’s part to make him a saint because so many young people these days are baptized Catholics but do not really subscribe to the faith.

St. Carlos’ canonization was believed to have been “fast-tracked” by Pope Francis. In a document he wrote in 2019, the late pope said, “Carlo was well aware that the whole apparatus of communications, advertising and social networking can be used to lull us, to make us addicted to consumerism and buying the latest thing on the market, obsessed with our free

SOME of life’s most meaningful moments unfold at a distance, and the OPPO Reno14 Series 5G helps you frame them beautifully even from afar, whether you are shooting a concert, a celebration, or a breathtaking view.

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At the heart of the telephoto system in both the Reno14 Pro 5G and Reno14 5G is precision optical engineering that reduces distortion and preserves sharpness across focal lengths.

With 3.5x optical zoom and AI-

time, caught up in negativity. Yet he knew how to use the new communications technology to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty.”

“Carlo didn’t fall into the trap. He saw that many young people, wanting to be different, really end up being like everyone else, running after whatever the powerful set before them with the mechanisms of consumerism and distraction. In this way they do not bring forth the gifts the Lord has given them; they do not offer the world those unique personal talents that God has given to each of them. As a result, Carlo said, ‘Everyone is born as an original, but many people end up dying as photocopies,’” said Pope Francis in Christus vivit, a post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

Still, two miracles attributed  to Acutis had to take place before his canonization.

In a broad sense, Acutis has made it cool for teenagers and other young people to be close to the

supported enhancements such as AI Flash Photography and AI Editor 2.0, these devices capture portraits and landscapes with remarkable clarity.

The telephoto zoom is more than a technical upgrade. It is also a storytelling tool. Paired with its AI-powered image processing, the telephoto camera also supports 4K recording, including underwater 4K on supported models, so your memories are preserved with ultra-highdefinition detail and cinematic impact.

Find the OPPO Reno14 Pro 5G and OPPO Reno14 5G in all authorized OPPO Brand Stores and official OPPO online stores in Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. More information can be found at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Church again. Even before Acutis’ canonization, young pilgrims and devotees have been flocking to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, Italy, where his body was in view, taking selfies and touching the glass encasing his human remains. He was buried in Assisi at his request.

Acutis’ smiling image in a red polo shirt and carrying a backpack is a familiar sight in souvenir shops in Assisi.

In his short life, Acutis showed a devotion to the faith and to the poor, giving up the comforts of life that normally young people of his age would want. Instead of buying him a pair of shoes, he asked his parents to donate to the poor. He also wanted to teach catechism.

Acutis was very tech savvy. In elementary school,

THREAT ACTORS WEAPONIZING GENAI AGAINST PHL ORGANIZATIONS

BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES

PHILIPPINE organizations are in a tough situation as they are facing adversaries that know how to exploit any weakness, and are increasingly weaponizing GenAI to scale their operations and accelerate their attacks, according to a top official of a major cybersecurity technology company.

“Organizations are now firmly in an arms race with adversaries for AI superiority and must adopt agentic security capabilities to maintain a defensive advantage. These capabilities are best delivered through a single-agent, unified security platform, where modules share data and insights to power advanced AI that correlates platform-wide activity and provides machine-speed detection and response,” Fabio Fratucello, Field CTO World Wide, CrowdStrike, told BUSINESSMIRRO� in an e-mail interview.

Citing the CrowdStrike 2025 Threat Hunting Report (THR),  Fratucello pointed out that adversaries are weaponizing AI and targeting autonomous AI agents that organizations increasingly rely on. He added that CrowdStrike has observed adversaries like Famous Chollima integrating GenAI into their sophisticated insider operations, from creating fake resumes and LinkedIn profiles to deepfake interviews, and automating coding tasks across multiple jobs.

Over the past year alone, Fratucello said that CrowdStrike tracked over 320 cases of Famous Chollima operatives frequently working as remote IT workers—a gargantuan 220 percent year-on-year increase. At the same time, lower-tier eCrime actors are using GenAI to generate scripts, solve technical problems, and build functional malware.

Moreover, he said that Crowdstrike also discovered how threat actors are targeting tools used to build AI agents, gaining access, stealing credentials, and deploying malware—a clear sign that autonomous systems and machine identities have become a core part of the enterprise attack surface.

“The AI era has redefined how businesses operate, and how adversaries attack. We’re seeing threat actors use GenAI to scale social engineering, accelerate operations, and lower the barrier to entry for handson keyboard intrusions,” said Adam Meyers, head of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike.

“At the same time, adversaries are targeting the very AI systems organizations are deploying. Every AI agent is a superhuman identity: autonomous, fast and deeply integrated, making them high-value targets,” Meyers noted.

He added that adversaries are treating these agents like infrastructure, attacking them the same way they target SaaS platforms, cloud consoles, and privileged accounts. Securing the AI that powers business is where the cyber battleground is evolving.

AI antenna switching for stronger reception across scenarios, while Offline Communication enables direct device-to-device calls up to 1.9 kilometers without a mobile or Wi-Fi network. Out of the box, it runs HyperOS 2, with an upgrade to HyperOS 3 scheduled for November, complete with Android 16. Xiaomi has committed to five years of OS updates and six years of security patches.

OPPO engineered the Reno14 Pro 5G and Reno14 5G’s telephoto systems to stand out. By combining a high-resolution sensor, an intelligent zoom algorithm, and a unique telephoto flash, the devices expand creative possibilities for users who want professional-grade results from a smartphone. This integration of hardware and AI proves that powerful imaging does not require bulky equipment.

FINAL WORD: The Xiaomi 15T Pro is the moment the T Series fully embraces its Leica DNA. With the debut of the 5x Periscope telephoto lens, the power of the Light Fusion 900 main sensor, and the versatility of the ultra-wide, it sets a new benchmark for the series. From pulling distant subjects closer than ever before to balancing extremes of light or experimenting with Leica’s portrait modes, the results feel premium, reliable and unmistakably flagship. Yet this is not only a camera story. The Dimensity 9400+ keeps creative workloads fluid, the 6.83-inch display honors every frame with faithful color, and the 5500 mAh battery with 90-watt charging gives it the stamina to match its ambition.

Meyers said agentic AI has emerged as the new attack surface.  Threat actors are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in tools used to build AI agents, gaining unauthenticated access, establishing persistence, harvesting credentials, and deploying malware and ransomware. These attacks demonstrate how agentic AI is reshaping the enterprise attack surface—turning autonomous workflows and nonhuman identities into the next frontier of adversary exploitation.

He said China-nexus adversaries drive continued surge in cloud attacks.

“Cloud intrusions rose 136 percent, with China-linked adversaries responsible for 40 percent of increased activity,” Meyers said.

The report said Genesis Panda and Murky Panda, two China-linked cyberthreat actors, evaded detection through cloud misconfigurations and trusted access. They conduct high-volume operations and target various sectors including financial services, media, telecommunications and technology. It aims to acquire initial access to networks to facilitate future intelligence collection, according to the magazine Infosecurity

Meyers warned that adversaries are weaponizing AI on a higher scale, transforming traditional insider threats into scalable, persistent operations, creating fake resumes, conducting deepfake interviews, and performing technical tasks under false identities.

If you measure a flagship by its cameras, the Xiaomi 15T Pro is a masterpiece. If you measure it by the sum of its parts, it proves that Xiaomi’s T Series is no longer chasing flagships—it is one.

“These attacks demonstrate how agentic AI is reshaping the enterprise attack surface—turning autonomous workflows and non-human identities into the next frontier of adversary exploitation,” he warned.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

LET’S be real: Money these days feels like it disappears the second it hits your account. Prices keep climbing, bills never take a break, and that dream trip? Always just a little out of reach. If you’re already grinding this hard for every peso, it’s only fair your money hustles just as hard for you.

That’s where Maya (www.maya.ph, www.mayabank. ph), touted as the No. 1 digital bank in the Philippines, changes the game. Unlike the small returns you get from other banks, Maya Savings gives you one of the highest rates with up to 15 percent per annum. You only need to use Maya for your daily transactions. That’s your money multiplying faster than your weekend plans stack up. You can even get extra intentional with your finances by setting up to five Maya Personal Goals accounts. Each one earns 4 percent p.a. from the get-go, and the rate grows every time you add ₱20,000—going up to 8 percent p.a. on deposits up to ₱100,000. Whether it’s for travel, concert, or a rainy-day fund, every peso you tuck away is clocking in overtime. And if guaranteed returns are more your style, Maya Time Deposit Plus has you covered. You can lock in your money for 3, 6, 12 months with rates as high as 6 percent p.a. on deposits of up to ₱1 million per Time Deposit Plus account, and with up to 5 accounts, that’s as much as ₱5 million in total interestearning deposits. The best part? Unlike traditional time deposits, you can keep adding funds anytime, even after reaching your target amount. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” way to grow your money with peace of mind. And here’s the plot twist: growing your money doesn’t stop when you save, it happens when you spend too. With the Maya Black Credit Card, every swipe earns you Maya Miles. Your morning latte, that spontaneous online checkout, even your flights themselves all turn into future travel, dining and shopping wins.

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he taught himself to code using a university computer science textbook. Later on, he learned how to edit videos and create animation. He created a website to catalog miracles and managed websites for some local Catholic organizations. Acutis also put up an online exhibit showing miracles where the bread and wine became flesh and blood throughout the centuries.

The website www.miracolieucaristici.org was designed by Acutis to help adults and children to convert and become Catholic and allow them to “witness” miracles through technology.

As a Catholic, I hope that St. Carlos’ canonization will help Catholics rediscover and reconnect with their faith. I seldom talk or write about religion but the “Patron Saint of the Internet” is certainly a worthy addition to God’s roster of saints.

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: A masterpiece up close

IGREW up hearing about the legendary San Miguel Oktoberfest—stories of endless beer, powerhouse bands, and music that stretched from noon until long past midnight. I’ve never been much of a beer drinker, so I never really had a reason to go—until now.

Last Saturday at Okada Manila, I finally understood why it’s become so iconic. It wasn’t just about the beer or the bands, but the camaraderie, the shared energy, and the sheer joy of being part of it all.

This year’s staging was held at the Crystal Pavilion, a massive, air-conditioned corridor that wraps around the Okada Fountain, and it kept everyone safe from the heavy downpour outside. The only things overflowing were the beer (in 14 variants), the music, the laughter rolling through the crowd, and the “pulutan” that disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.

By 6 pm, Autotelic, Brownman Revival, and Sean Archer were onstage warming up the crowd before Rico Blanco, The Juans, and Arthur Nery took over.

Four decades on, Oktoberfest has become a tradition and cultural phenomenon—and for me, the perfect testing ground for the Xiaomi 15T Pro.

Documenting the performances and the festival gave me the chance to push its cameras in one of the most chaotic, colorful environments imaginable. With the Leica 5x Periscope telephoto zoom, I managed close-ups of Rico Blanco without fighting for the front row. The Summilux main camera kept every scene balanced, from glowing lights to foamtopped mugs, while its pro-grade video tools turned the crowd’s frenzy into pure cinema. Oktoberfest gave me the night, but the Xiaomi 15T Pro made sure I could relive it long after the hangover was gone.

CAPTURING MASTERPIECES CLOSER

XIAOMI’S T Series has long carried the reputation of being a “flagship killer,” delivering top-tier performance at more accessible prices. That reputation changed course with the Xiaomi 13T, which elevated the lineup through a partnership with Leica that placed imaging at the heart of the series. The Xiaomi 15T Pro continues this evolution, with the theme “Masterpieces Far Closer” brought to life by the introduction of its first 5x Leica periscope lens. The triple-camera system headlined by a 50MP Leica periscope is complemented by a 50MP Light Fusion 900 main sensor, and a 12MP ultra-wide. Together they form a package that is truly designed for content creators. The Leica 5x Periscope lens,

built on Samsung’s JN5 sensor, delivers a crisp 115-millimeter focal length with optical image stabilization. It offers 5x optical zoom, 10x lossless zoom, and up to 100x Ultra Zoom 2.0 enhanced by AI reconstruction.

In practice, this meant I was able to capture Rico Blanco as if I were in front of the stage even though I was planted in the middle of the crowd. Expressions, instruments, and textures held detail surprisingly well, even at longer zoom ranges. At 10x, it almost felt like I was standing right beside him, with even his perspiration clearly visible. Unlike most telephoto lenses that only excel at distance, this one can also get intimate thanks to its 30-centimeter minimum focusing distance, effectively doubling as a tele-macro lens for capturing food, fabric, or creative close-ups.

The main 50MP Light Fusion 900 sensor paired with a Leica Summilux f/1.62 lens is tuned for challenging lighting. Thanks to Dual ISO Fusion Max, it extends dynamic range so bright highlights do not blow out and shadowed corners retain depth. At the concert, this translated into faces staying visible without stage glare overwhelming the shot. Away from the stage, it is the kind of sensor you want for restaurants, late-night street food, or backlit sunsets where contrast usually ruins the photo. Instead of extremes, the Xiaomi 15T Pro delivers a balanced, natural frame.

The 12MP ultra-wide camera at a 15-millimeter equivalent pulled in the sheer scale of the Oktoberfest crowd. It handled both the glowing stage lights and darker corners of the Crystal Pavilion in one balanced frame. For travel, interiors, and wide landscapes, this lens adds valuable context without losing clarity.

Portrait photography is something I’ve always wanted to get better at, and with Leica’s influence on the Xiaomi 15T Pro, the results genuinely impressed me. Subject separation feels clean and natural, and the ability to refocus after the shot—something that isn’t possible with other brands. Five focal lengths—23, 35, 46, 75, and 115 millimeters—mirror Leica’s classic perspectives, giving each portrait its own character. Bokeh can be adjusted for depth and intensity, while Leica-style lens simulations bring distinctive moods.

Swirly Bokeh creates a vintage, dreamlike blur; Soft Focus adds a cinematic glow flattering to skin tones; Wide keeps group portraits sharp while still showing depth; and Bubbles introduces playful circular highlights reminiscent of Leica’s heritage glass. Combined with Leica’s Authentic and Vibrant looks plus Xiaomi’s Master Portrait style, the Xiaomi 15T Pro turns portraits into storytelling tools rather than mere subject-background separations.

Video is equally ambitious. The Xiaomi 15T Pro supports 8K recording at 30 frames per second, 4K at up to 120 frames for dramatic slow-motion, and 10-bit Log recording for advanced grading. HDR10+ ensures playback looks polished straight out of the camera. During Oktoberfest, I used 4K HDR to capture shifting lights and moving crowds without crushed shadows or blown highlights. Audio clarity was just as impressive, with the three-microphone array cutting through ambient noise. Even the 32MP front camera records in 4K HDR, giving vloggers consistency

between front and rear setups.

Behind every frame is Xiaomi’s AISP 2.0 pipeline, which refines output in real time. PortraitLM 2.0 sharpens separation and keeps tricky details like hair strands intact, ColorLM 2.0 maintains lifelike hues, ToneLM 2.0 ensures flattering yet realistic skin, and FusionLM 2.0 blends exposures for richer HDR. The result is reliability—point, shoot, and expect a polished photo. Editing tools like reflection removal, object cleanup, and background expansion sit in the gallery, but the truth is you rarely need them. The raw output is strong enough on its own.

A MASTERPIECE ALL

AROUND

BUT the Xiaomi 15T Pro isn’t just about its cameras as it feels every bit a flagship. It is built around a 6M13 aluminum alloy frame, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, and finished with a glass-fiber back that is lighter yet durable. It is IP68-rated for dust and water resistant up to three meters.

At 162.7 by 77.9 by 7.96 millimeters and 210 grams, it carries its size comfortably. It is available in Black, Gray, and Mocha Gold, the latter tying into Xiaomi’s Gold Collection for a unified premium design language. The flat panel, flat back, and softened corners give it a clean, modern silhouette that feels ergonomic in daily use.

The display is the largest in the T Series yet, a 6.83-inch AMOLED with 1.5K resolution, 144-hertz refresh rate, and 2560-hertz touch sampling. Factory calibration ensures color accuracy with ΔE around 0.37 and JNCD around 0.25, supporting 12-bit color and the full P3 gamut. It delivers up to 3200 nits peak brightness on partial areas and 1800 nits across the whole panel, making it usable under harsh sunlight. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ ensure it handles video and creative work with cinematic accuracy, while TÜV Rheinland certifications and DC dimming reduce eye strain during long sessions.

Running the show is the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, built on the three-nanometer process. Its allbig-core CPU, Immortalis-G925 GPU with hardware ray tracing, and NPU 890 for on-device AI combine with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage to keep multitasking and creative workloads seamless. The Xiaomi 3D IceLoop cooling system maintains stability with a larger vapor chamber and dual circulation paths, ensuring sustained power during extended 8K recording or gaming. Power comes from a 5500 mAh battery, also the largest in the T Series. Efficiency from the chipset and HyperOS optimization pushes up to 15 hours of active use. The 90-watt wired HyperCharge fills the phone in about 36 minutes, while 50-watt wireless charging does so in under an hour. It’s slower than its predecessor but Xiaomi’s Surge P3 and G1 battery chips ensure safety, longevity, and reliable performance, even in extreme conditions, and thankfully the wall charger makes a welcome return. The Xiaomi 15T Pro also supports dual-SIM with eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. Xiaomi Astral Communication introduces the Surge T1S tuner and

2025 Natl Teachers’ Month highlights early childhood care & development

THE 17th National Teachers’ Month (NTM) officially kicks off this September with a special focus on Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD).

The celebration is spearheaded by the NTM Coordinating Council (NTMCC) composed of more than 60 partner organizations under the leadership of Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

During the NTMCC meeting last March, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara emphasized that true educational reform must begin with the child-development stage: “In other countries, it [Kindergarten] is where they send their best teachers. So now, we are making that shift.”

This year’s ECCD focus highlights sustained efforts to provide primary school teachers with play-based, age-appropriate digital tools, carried out with the support of NTM partners such as the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. and

Town4kids Pte. Ltd.

Celebrating teachers nationwide

ONE of the high points of this year’s celebration is RMN Foundation’s “Idol Ko si Titser”—an NTMCC-led initiative that honors the important role of teachers, particularly child development educators and workers in local communities. Filipinos nationwide are encouraged to share stories of their teachers who made impact in their lives by commenting on RMN Foundation’s Facebook contest post, or sending a private message using the hashtag #IdolKoSiTitser.

Meanwhile, major NTM events will bring the celebration to key cities across the country. The kick-off ceremony took place on September 7 at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal, South Cotabato. The mid-month celebration followed on September 21 at the

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Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex in Dumaguete City. The festivities culminate with the grand National Teachers’ Day celebration on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Partner-led initiatives

AS lead convenor, MBFI continues to champion teachers through the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program, which has been honoring exemplary educators for four decades now. It will also host an exclusive exhibition tour for select teachers at The M in BGC, Taguig, featuring the winning artworks of the 2025 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Competition. It aims to inspire educators with fresh ways of bringing creativity and art appreciation into their classrooms. Other NTM partners are set to enrich the celebration through workshops and training sessions on diverse topics such as innovative teaching strategies, artificial intelligence tools, financial wellness, health and well-being, and disaster preparedness. Others are making available exciting perks: from exclusive discounts and freebies to special gifts and coupons. Still, others are honoring teachers through recognition activities, heartfelt tributes, and

UE marks 79th anniversary, offers free college entrance exams for SY 2026-2027

Hmedia campaigns.

Join the movement

IN their meeting last March, NTMCC Chairperson-MBFI Trustee and Executive Committee Member Aniceto M. Sobrepeña called on members to sustain their commitment to teachers: “Let’s turn our gratitude into action and our action into social currency that will allow us to push for concrete social outcomes. At the end of the day, behind every person in this room is a teacher who once nurtured our dreams. And if teachers can change the lives of so many, then we must do our part in changing theirs for the better.”

For the complete list of exclusive offers for teachers, visit: www.facebook.com/NTMPhils. Interested organizations or individuals who wish to become NTM partners may also send a message through this page.

From its beginnings as the “My Teacher, My Hero” campaign of MBFI in 2009, NTM has grown into a national movement institutionalized thru Presidential Proclamation 242 (2011), declaring September 5 to October 5 as “National Teachers’ Month,” and Republic Act 10743 (2016), designating October 5 as National Teachers’ Day.

Nordic Noir genre is back with gripping new titles

THE Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila brought new Nordic Noir titles to Philippine bookshelves at the 2025 edition of the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.

Following last year’s visit by Jørn Lier Horst, the embassy continues its campaign to promote Nordic Noir in the Philippines— this time featuring Norwegian American author Alex Dahl who is a prominent figure in global crime fiction.

Based in London, UK and Sandefjord, Norway, Dahl is bringing six of her titles to Manila: After She'd Gone, Cabin Fever, Girl Friends, Boy at the Door, Heart Keeper, and Playdate.

“Norwegians have a deep-rooted connection to crime novels.

‘Påskekrim,’ or Easter crime, has long been a tradition in Norway, paving the way for one of the country’s most popular literary genres: Nordic Noir,” said Ambassador Christian Lyster of Norway. Nordic Noir has captivated audiences worldwide, with its gripping storylines of crime and mystery, while using a melancholic and

slow-paced storytelling. The genre often unfolds a captivating storytelling that is more psychological in nature, which effectively delivers a more haunting atmosphere of the narrative.

As part of the Nordic Noir campaign, acclaimed Norwegian author Alex Dahl visited De La Salle University Manila for an inspiring

forum with creative writing students. Organized by the university’s Department of Literature, the event was held at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall and featured an engaging Q&A session where students had the opportunity to interact directly with the author. During the forum, Dahl offered a compelling look into her creative

process and approach to crime fiction. She shared that her writing often delves into the psychological depths of her characters, allowing readers to understand the motivations behind their actions.

“I give readers a glimpse into the inner psyche of my characters,” she explained, “so they can grasp why they do what they do.”

Dahl also encouraged students to embrace the discipline of writing, emphasizing that creativity is nurtured through consistent effort rather than inspiration alone: “Writing isn’t just about waiting for motivation... It’s about showing up, putting in the work, and continuously refining your craft.”

When asked what inspired her to pursue crime fiction, Dahl shared that her stories are often rooted in personal experiences. She emphasized the power of imagination in transforming memory into narrative: “The mind is a powerful tool. We can revisit and reimagine narratives through creative exploration.”

Her visit inspired the students—many of whom expressed renewed enthusiasm for pursuing their own literary ambitions.

IGHLIGHTING its unwavering pursuit for academic excellence, the University of the East (UE) marks its 79th founding anniversary with the theme, “Discover the UEverse,” and announces that for school year 2026-27, it will allow graduating Grade 12 students to take the UE college entrance examinations for free.

“We are proud to celebrate nearly eight decades of service to our beloved country, providing the Filipino youth affordable, quality education, and contributing our share to nationbuilding through quality education, medical care, and cultural and sports excellence,” said UE president and chief academic officer Dr. Zosimo M. Battad.

“Further, to welcome future college freshmen to our UE Manila and Caloocan campuses, we will offer free college entrance tests, career talks and open-house tours, on October 9 and 10, 2025, for all current Grade 12 students of public and private schools, and other prospective first-year college students for School Year 20262027,” added Dr. Battad.

The traditional anniversary week celebration which started on September 25, featured a variety of university- and campus-wide activities— including thanksgiving masses, a research forum, the recognition ceremony for its latest service awardees and model employees, and a university convocation which featured UP Diliman professor and former Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Dina Ocampo.

"We vow to continuously provide generations of Filipino youth the opportunity to develop their academic faculties, hone their physical skills and talents, [as well as] achieve their dreams for a better future—for themselves, for their families, for their respective communities, and for our beloved Philippines,” said Dr. Battad. UE was founded on September 25, 1946 and obtained university status on July 3, 1950. It was acquired in 1990 by business tycoon and philanthropist Dr. Lucio Tan, who recognized the need to invest in education to help forge a better future for Filipinos.

EducationUSA to host 10th university fair

THE United States Embassy in the Philippines invites students and parents to attend the 10th EducationUSA University Fair in Manila on September 28, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at One Ayala Mall in Makati City. Twenty-eight colleges, universities and partner organizations are joining this year’s event, providing Filipino students, professionals, parents, and educators direct access to information about study abroad opportunities in the US.

The following higher learning institutions and organizations will participate in the 2025 fair: California State University-Chico, Calvin University, College of Central Florida, College of Saint Scholastica, Foothill College, Georgia State University, Green River Community College, Hawai‘i Pacific University, Highline College, Hope College, Johns Hopkins University; Kapi'olani Community College, Lewis University, Middle Tennessee State University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Minerva University, Moraine Valley Community College, Ohio Northern University, Pearson (PTE Academic), Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Savannah College of Art and Design, Shoreline Community College, University of Bridgeport, University of Rochester, University of San Francisco, University of the Incarnate Word, Xavier University, and York College of Pennsylvania.

Admission to the EducationUSA University Fair is free and open to the public. Please pre-register online at educationusa.ph/Fair2025.

“Filipinos should look to the United States for exciting higher education opportunities,” said US Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Y. Robert Ewing. “Wel -

coming over 4,000 Filipino students last year was an incredible achievement, and we are excited to see even more students unlock their potential, pursue their passions, and experience the unparalleled opportunities of a world-class US education.” In 2024, the annual Open Doors report recorded 4,100 Filipino students studying in the US—the highest number in 15 years. The EducationUSA University Fair builds on this momentum, creating new opportunities for Filipinos to explore world-class academic programs and scholarship opportunities.

EducationUSA is the US government’s official source of information on US higher education, offering free advising services to students across the Philippines. With almost 4,000 accredited US colleges and universities, students have access to a wide array of programs, top-notch research opportunities, and flexible academic pathways. For more information, visit educationusa.ph/Fair2025Info

Editor: Mike Policarpio

AUTHOR Alex Dahl (right) at De La Salle University

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

LAGUNA’S UPLAND SECRET

Sta. Maria maps out agritourism trails

Story & photos by John Eiron R. Francisco

STA. MARIA, LAGUNA—Long known as the province’s rice granary, this upland town is quietly reinventing itself as an agritourism destination, with hidden farms, winding trails, and lush mountains emerging as key attractions for visitors from Manila and beyond.

Mayor Ma. Rocelle Carolino said the transformation has been unfolding over the past three years. While the town of about 48,000 residents remains rooted in its provincial charm, it has started opening its doors to a steady flow of visitors and investors, many of them drawn to camping, riding, and the cool landscapes of its upland barangays.

Much of the weekend traffic centers on the Marilaque Highway—the mountain corridor connecting Marikina, Rizal, Laguna, and Quezon—which cuts through parts of Sta. Maria. The route has made the town a familiar stopover for motorcycle riders and road-trippers. Yet beyond these familiar routes, the recently elevated second-class municipality, one of Laguna’s largest in land area, reveals vast stretches of farms, trails, and scenic mountains ripe for exploration.

While it does not host large-scale industries, Sta. Maria thrives on agriculture, boasting abundant rice fields, vegetable farms, fruit orchards, poultry, and piggery operations.

This self-sufficiency has earned it the moniker “food basket of Laguna,” ensuring residents and visitors enjoy a steady supply of fresh produce—even during the pandemic.

Plans are underway to introduce a “pick and pay” scheme at the town’s two accredited farms, allowing tourists to engage directly with local produce and experience farm life firsthand.

To further unlock its potential, the local government has grouped tourism-related establishments into a cooperative network, promoting collaboration and the creation of tourism circuits. The goal is to encourage visitors to move beyond single-stop visits and explore more of what Sta. Maria has to offer.

“We’re working on the circuit—a network for all our local sites so that they are grouped together and can support one another,” Carolino explained. “Even if you are competitors, there should still be interconnectivity to help each other.”

‘Sta. Maria’s secret ridge’ CAROLINO cited Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort (SRMR), managed by Approche Hospitality Management, as a key partner in linking with the local government to put the once-quiet municipality on the map as an emerging destination.

“We are really thankful to them,” Carolino said, noting that the resort has been helping the town build a more cohesive tourism network.

Accredited by the Department of Tourism, SRMR opened in March 2022 on a 3.2-hectare property in the eastern part of the province, with about two hectares currently developed and accessible to guests.

General manager and owner Vinia Abragan said the mountain-forest resort—currently the only one of its kind in Sta. Maria—goes beyond camping by offering glamping in exclusive domes, a swimming area surrounded

by trees and peaks, bonfire nights, a zipline and other outdoor activities.

Its signature ATV trail allows visitors to explore Sta. Maria’s sweeping landscapes up to the famed “Three Falls” at the town’s edge, complete with a trekking experience.

“Beyond the serenity and scenic beauty here, we also provide activities that guests won’t regret or find boring,” Abragan said.

Adding to its charm, the property was already home to 16 varieties of fruit trees even before the resort was established. Today, this natural bounty forms the backbone of SRMR’s

innovative farm-to-table dining, with seasonal produce inspiring a curated menu that captures the flavors of the local highlands.

Carolino acknowledged that the resort played a significant role in Sta. Maria’s recent reclassification, noting that SRMR is among the town’s major establishments, with 80 percent of its workforce drawn from the local community.

“We are optimistic that as more businesses set up here, we can retain our local workforce and attract even more tourists. We’re really happy with them,” the town’s chief said.

With Clark Airport, flying need not be an unpleasant experience

MY first airplane ride happened not from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), but at what was then called the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark during the mid-2000s. At the time, DMIA had only a small terminal; a single building set on a vast former American military base, yet the government had already envisioned it to someday serve 10 million passengers annually under the Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992.

That first plane trip of mine, a short flight to Kuala Lumpur, was memorable more for the newness of being airborne than for the airport itself. A few other departures followed in the years after, but I did not return once it was renamed Clark International Airport in 2014 and began its long cycle of expansion.

Only this year, with the new terminal fully operational, did I find myself flying again from Clark, this time to Basco in Batanes and to Siargao, both aboard Philippine Airlines. The experience, defined by natural light, generous space, and a smooth check-in process that required no rush and created zero anxieties, felt like stepping into the very future the airport’s planners had imagined two decades ago.

A Better Departure Point

MY recent trips flying via Philippine Airlines to Batanes and Siargao, made me realize the many advantages of Clark Airport. The new terminal is not only spacious but also designed with travelers in mind, namely, ample seating, numerous corners to linger, and a growing mix of cafés and restaurants that hint at the airport’s ambitions to be more than just a gateway but also a co-working space for

travelers who work on their laptops every chance they got.

I even told my friend that I wouldn’t mind arriving five or six hours before my flight, since being at the airport feels much like spending time in a mall where I can dine, have coffee, and get some work done before boarding. On our Philippine Airlines Clark-to-Siargao trip, we stopped for coffee and pastries at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, conveniently located along the hallway leading to the boarding gates. Traveling with a small media group, some of us even managed to submit a story before the boarding call. Beyond the check-in counters, Clark Airport offers an array of choices to stop by for a bite or a cup of coffee. In the main hall, travelers can find everything from Subway sandwiches and Belgian waffles to local fare at Suzie’s Cuisine and Fruitas. Nearby, chains like Wendy’s, Gong Cha, Ka Tunying’s and PeriPeri add to the mix, along with Bluesmith Coffee and a scattering of lounges. At the international boarding gates, the selection widens further: Goldilocks and Mary Grace for comfort food, Barcino for a glass of wine with a sunset view, and cafés such as Tom N Toms and Baker J. Retail options include clothing outlets, duty-free shops and, for those landing late, a Starbucks at the arrivals area Several more shops are set to open in the coming months, further making your flight’s waiting time more convenient.

Closer Than Expected FOR travelers from Bulacan, Pampanga, and the northern suburbs of Manila, Clark also proves surprisingly accessible. From my home in Meycauayan, the drive via the traffic-free North Luzon Expressway can be as quick or even quicker than battling through bottlenecks to reach Ninoy Aquino International Airport. For commuters, the increasing number

of bus terminals serving the Clark route has only widened commuting options, making the idea of skipping NAIA altogether more of a practical choice. The main bus routes are round trips from Clark to NAIA (via SM Clark), Clark to Trinoma and Clark to Baguio.

Learning From Manila’s

Mistakes

SKEPTICS often say, “Wait until the number of passengers increases, and it will become another Terminal 3 in Manila.” While that concern is not without merit, Clark has so far shown signs of learning from NAIA’s missteps. Instead of allowing number of passengers to outstrip capacity, as happened in Manila, the airport’s planners are taking a longer view. Proposals are already on the table for additional phases of terminal development, more gates, and expanded transport links (such as the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) which will have its own Clark International Airport train station expected to be completed before 2028) all meant to stay ahead of passenger growth.

Gradual Ramp-up as Systems Learn to Cope

FLYING out of Clark International Airport feels almost like a new experience for Filipino travelers accustomed to small, crowded terminals. Here, passengers encounter shorter lines, more breathing room, and a sense of ease in a space bathed in bright ambient light, all enhanced by its beautiful architecture (shout out to Populous and Casas+Architects) especially the wave-like roof inspired by the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre and the mountains of Arayat and Pinatubo.

That orderly movement inside the airport, however, is not merely the result of fewer passengers. It reflects a deliberate choice by the airport’s management to expand with cau -

tion. New routes are not launched in a rush but introduced at measured intervals, each one testing the airport’s ability to handle more travelers without disrupting the passenger experience. The strategy stands in sharp contrast to the congestion at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where three terminals have long strained to meet the demands of a travel boom driven by overseas workers, foreign tourists, and a rapidly growing middle class.

Story & photos by Marky Ramone Go

by

GUESTS can stay in exclusive domes at Shepherd’s Ridge Mountain Resort, managed by Approche Hospitality Management.

House to cover SUCs’ ₧12-B gap in free higher education budget

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

THE House of Representa -

tives has committed P12.3 billion to cover the threeyear deficit in the Free Higher Education budget for state universities and colleges (SUCs) in 2026.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno welcomed the move, describing it as a vital step in securing accessible and quality tertiary education for Filipino youth.

“An additional P9.3 billion has also been earmarked for the Tulong Dunong Program and the Tertiary Education Subsidy, which we asked CHED about earlier,” Diokno noted.

The budget debates stretched into the early hours of Friday, but lawmakers stressed that the effort

Continued from A4

confirm allegations that COA

Commissioner Mario Lipana had asked the Bulacan First District Engineering Office for a list of

was worthwhile to guarantee funding for education.

“The budget deliberations ended at around 1 a.m., but the sleepless night was worth it for education,” Diokno said.

Warning

KABATAAN Rep. Renee Co also welcomed the decision of the House of Representatives for additional allocation of P12.3 billion to SUCs but warned that many schools continue to suffer from budget shortfalls and looming cuts.

Co said the funding gap was a result of flawed government computations that excluded rising enrollment and operating expenses of SUCs.

“Under the government’s for -

planned projects. Supposedly, it was to facilitate participation of his wife’s contracting company in biddings for infrastructure projects.

Two senators have described this alleged act, if true, as an “impeachable offense.”  Butch Fernandez

mula, the growing enrollment in SUCs is deliberately left unfunded. This forces many universities either to tighten admissions or to once again collect fees from students just to cover the shortfall. It is a scheme that narrows the beneficiaries of free tuition while pushing public universities to commercialize to survive,” Co said.

The lawmaker stressed that the budget correction was achieved through the collective action of students, faculty, and SUC officials but noted that it was far from a complete victory.

Co also pointed out that while public universities continue to face cuts, confidential funds, questionable infrastructure projects, and other pork allocations are swiftly approved.

Continued from A3

the inclusion of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to its advisory council and expanding the

The Kabataan representative further underscored that despite the Free College Education Law, tertiary education remains neither fully free nor fully funded.

Co vowed to continue pushing for the restoration of P6.4 billion cut from 26 SUCs, correction of the remaining P3.3 billion gap in the Free Higher Education budget, and an additional P20 billion for long-overdue infrastructure and facilities.

Suansing’s assurance

HOUSE Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mika Suansing confirmed that the P12.31 billion budget deficit for SUCs will be funded in the 2026 budget: P7.82 billion from the Higher Education Development Fund of

coverage of children who can be covered by the program, to include those who are zero to two years old.

“Because before, it started when you were three years old until you were 18 years old. So, now [ under the amendments] it also includes zero to two years old,” Castro said

the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and an additional P4.49 billion to be approved by Congress.

The allocation was made after House Committee on Appropriations Leandro Leviste led the PrePlenary Budget Hearing for SUCs, where SUCs urged Congress to fund the implementation of the Free Higher Education Act in the 2026 budget, and sponsored the proposed budget in plenary.

Senate Finance Committee

Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian also confirmed that the Senate will support the increase in the budget for SUCs in 2026 to fund the implementation of the Free Higher Education Act. Senate Higher Education Committee Chairperson Loren Legarda also expressed her

in Filipino.

The reallocated budget will also be used by DSWD for its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) to provide aid to qualified beneficiaries with medical emergencies in purchasing maintenance and other medicines.

support and organized a meeting with SUC presidents and CHED Chair Shirley Agrupis to discuss the next steps before the additional budget allocation for SUCis is taken up in the Senate. According to a presentation by Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) President Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, there is a P12.3 billion funding shortfall for SUCs until 2025, and an estimated additional P3.5 billion will be needed to support the expected increase in student enrollment in 2026. Although the Free Higher Education Act has already helped millions of students, the lack of funding limits the number of slots SUCs can offer, depriving an estimated 200,000 qualified students of the opportunity to study in SUCs.

Some of the funds will also go to DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program and incentives to support  former combatants who are the targeted beneficiaries of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) Program.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Editor: Angel R. Calso

AP and Reuters demand answers from Israel on airstrike that killed journalists last month

By David Bauder Ap Media Writer

NEW YORK—Two major news agencies demanded that Israel explain what happened during a strike on a hospital in Gaza last month that killed five journalists, calling for concrete actions and accountability to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Reuters and The Associated Press— through their top editors, Alessandra Galloni and Julie Pace—urged the Israeli government to “explain the deaths of these journalists and to take every step to protect those who continue to cover this conflict.” Their statement came on the one-month

anniversary of the strike. Killed in the strikes were five journalists, including visual journalist Mariam Dagga, who worked for AP and other news organizations; Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri; and Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist whose work had been published by Reuters. Seventeen others were killed in the strike.

“We renew our demand for a clear account from the Israeli authorities and urge the government to uphold its obligations to ensure press freedom and protection,” the statement from the AP and Reuters said. “We remain devastated and outraged by their deaths.”

The journalists died at the Nasser

World leaders step up efforts behind the scenes at the UN to end the war in Sudan

By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS—Behind the scenes at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations, key countries and regional organizations have been coordinating efforts to try to end the horrific war in Sudan, which has created the most devastating humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world.

Alan Boswell, the International Crisis Group’s project director for the Horn of Africa, said this year’s high-level General Assembly meeting, which ends Monday, could be “make-or-break” for stopping the conflict.

“For the first time since the war broke out more than two years ago, Sudan’s most influential outside powers agreed this month on a roadmap to end the war,” he said in a statement. “Now comes the huge task of trying to convince Sudan’s warring parties to stop fighting.”

Sudan plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its rival military and paramilitary commanders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to western Darfur and much of the rest of the country.

At least 40,000 people have been killed, nearly 13 million displaced and many pushed to

the brink of famine with over 24 million acutely food insecure, UN. agencies say.

Diplomats seek a humanitarian truce and ceasefire

IN a key development after a summer of discussions, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement on Sept. 12 calling for a humanitarian truce for an initial three months to deliver desperately needed aid throughout Sudan followed by a permanent ceasefire.

Then, the four countries said, “an inclusive and transparent transition process should be launched and concluded within nine months to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people towards smoothly establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.”

The group, calling themselves the Quad, met Wednesday on the sidelines of the assembly to discuss implementation of their roadmap.

Another meeting also focused on deescalating the war was convened Wednesday by the African Union, the European Union and the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Representatives of the Quad, a dozen other countries, the Arab League, the United Nations and the east Africa regional group IGAD also attended.

Hospital, which the agencies pointed out is a location protected under international law and “widely known to be crucial for news coverage out of Gaza.”

“An incident of this gravity requires a prompt and clear explanation, followed by accountability and concrete actions to ensure such attacks are never repeated,” the statement said.

The two agencies wrote a joint letter immediately after the attack, but Israel has not responded. The Israeli military said it launched an investigation into the incident.

The Gaza war has been deadly for those covering it. An estimated 239 journalists and media workers have been killed in the region since the attacks by Hamas on Israel

on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed so far in Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to the CPJ.

In August, al-Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif was killed in an Israeli attack on a tent where journalists were staying in Gaza. Al-Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal were killed in the same attack, along with two free-lance journalists.

CPJ has called on the international community to “take immediate action to end the unlawful attacks on journalists, grant international media independent access to Gaza to be able to investigate and

report what is happening without fear of censorship or assassination, and hold Israel accountable.”

The BBC, together with AP, Reuters and Agence France-Presse, this week released a short film advocating for access by international journalists in Gaza. BBC journalist David Dimbleby narrates the film, which uses historical images to highlight the importance of journalism.

The film premiered Wednesday in New York at an event hosted by CPJ, tied to the U.N. General Assembly’s meeting of world leaders this week.

AP reporting on the attack on the hospital raised serious questions about Israel’s rationale for the strikes and the

way they were carried out. The agencies’ statement was issued a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly during its annual leaders’ meeting. Dagga, 33, was among the war’s victims. She and the four other reporters were killed when Israeli forces struck Nasser Hospital in the Gaza town of Khan Younis, along with 17 other people. The Israeli military said it targeted what it believed was a Hamas surveillance camera in the hospital attack, without providing evidence, and that the journalists weren’t the targets. The prime minister called the attack a ‘”mishap.’’

South Korea fires warning shots to repel North’s vessel breaching sea boundary

SEOUL, South Korea—South Korea’s military said it fired warning shots early Friday to drive away a North Korean merchant ship that briefly crossed the disputed western sea boundary between the rival neighbors.

The ship crossed the Northern Limit Line near the South Korean border island of Baengnyeong around 5 a.m. but retreated after South Korea’s military issued an audio warning and fired warning shots, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

There were no immediate reports that North Korean forces returned fire or responded with force.

The response was carried out in accordance with operational procedures and the military remains in a heightened state of readiness to firmly safeguard territorial waters, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

South Korea’s military frequently has fired warning shots to repel North Korean patrol or commercial vessels breaching its waters. The poorly marked western sea boundary between the Koreas has been the scene of past skirmishes and attacks, including the North’s 2010 shelling of a South Korean island and its alleged torpedoing of a South Korean navy ship,

which together killed 50 South Koreans.

During a fiery speech in January 2024, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country does not recognize the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, which was drawn by the US-led U.N. Command at the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War. North Korea insists on a boundary encroaching deeply into South Korea-controlled waters.

The Koreas exchanged warning shots in 2022 after the South’s navy fired at a North Korean merchant ship that crossed the western sea boundary.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high as North Korea continues to

dismiss Seoul’s calls to resume diplomacy. Relations have soured in recent years as Kim accelerated his weapons program and deepened alignment with Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. AP

Poland vs Italy: Grudge match

Sports BusinessMirror

A12 SAturdAy, September 27, 2025

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

Veteran Christenson lauds young Moni for sparking Bulgaria’s surge

AMERICAN setter Micah Christenson shared a moment with brothers Moni and Aleksandar Nikolov after Bulgaria ended Team USA’s hopes with a come-frombehind 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 1513 victory in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship quarterfinal on Thursday evening before 10,747 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Despite the heartbreaking quarterfinal exit, Christenson lauded 18-year-old Moni, who stayed composed all game long to anchor Bulgaria’s comeback, and Aleksandar, who erupted for 29 points.

“It’s fun to see him on the world stage doing well. It’s really cool that the brothers are playing together, obviously growing up together, and now representing their country on the same team,” Christenson said.

“It’s really cool, reflecting as a father.

I’ve got two sons, so I’m sure their parents are really proud of them. It’s just special to see both of them playing together at a high level on the world stage. I’m sure it’s a dream for many parents, so their parents must be very proud,” he said.

“I don’t think Aleksandar needs to blossom anymore, right? Because

By Aldrin Quinto

he’s already an amazing player. This tournament, he’s really taken over. I think he’s probably the leading point scorer, so I’m just giving credit where credit is due. He’s been carrying this team quite a bit, and even in that fifth set, he killed every single ball that was given to him,” he added. Moni, meanwhile, had 48 sets and scored five points against Team USA and Christenson, who tallied 55 sets, as Bulgaria secured its first World Championship Final Four appearance since 2006, when their father Vladimir helped the team win bronze.

“You can learn so much from this guy. He’s, if not the best, definitely one of the best setters out there,” Moni said. “I’ve had the opportunity to play against him twice in friendlies, and I was analyzing his game—it was super, super good—and I hope one day I can reach his level. Even just beating him is something that I will never forget.”

Making his World Championship debut, Moni was relieved that Bulgaria didn’t give up despite falling into a twoset hole. They now brace for Czechia in Saturday’s semifinal, hoping to reach the finals for the first time since their silver medal finish in 1970. www.philippineswch2025.com

PGT’s Mindanao swing offers P10.5M pot over three events

WORLD No. 1 Poland collides with defending champion Italy in a long-awaited grudge match, while surging No. 9 Bulgaria aims to stretch its fairytale run against No. 17 Czechia in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship semifinals on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The showdown will be a rematch of the 2022 World Championship final in Katowice, where Italy stunned host nation Poland in straight sets to reclaim the crown and deny the Poles a third consecutive title. The match will serve as the second semifinal at 6:30 p.m.

This time, however, Poland has Wilfredo Leon back in the fold after the Cuban-born star missed the last edition due to a knee injury, adding another layer of firepower to a squad hungry for redemption.

“[They’re] one of the biggest opponents that we always have. Every team wants to play against Italy. This is something that will give you more emotions. It’s always a pleasure for the Polish team to play against Italy because both teams are very high level, and in the rankings, we are first and second,” said Leon.

Leon will be backed by a crack supporting cast composed of team captain Bartosz Kurek, reigning VNL MVP Jakub Kochanowski, and Kamil Semeniuk, who was named Best Outside Hitter in the edition of the meet.

Italy remains just as formidable behind reigning World Championship MVP and Best Setter Simone Giannelli, with rising star Alessandro Michieletto leading the charge on the wing alongside Mattia Bottolo and Yuri Romano.

Earlier at 2:30 p.m., Bulgaria and Czechia will open the semifinal doubleheader in a clash of surprise contenders both chasing history.

The Bulgarians, anchored by brothers Aleks and Moni Nikolov, are eyeing their first World Championship final since 1970, while the Czechs aim to break through to the title match for the first time since 1966.

Aleks admitted they entered the 32-nation tilt without much expectation, but now find themselves just a step away from the gold medal match—and vowed that Bulgaria is willing to do whatever it takes to keep their dream run alive.

“We came here with not much expectation. But now we have a shot at playing the final, which is our dream. So we’re going to fight for our dream to the last point,” said the elder Nikolov.

On the other side, Czechia’s Jan Galabov is determined to carve out more success, hoping their unlikely surge can shine a brighter light on the sport in a country where ice hockey has long reigned supreme, and for the small but passionate community of volleyball fans back home.

“Honestly, volleyball isn’t really a popular sport in the Czech Republic. There’s not a huge fan base. But I really hope that with the historic successes we’re bringing home, more people will start following volleyball. I really wish for that to happen,” Galabov said. Though not considered among the favorites in their group—having been placed alongside powerhouse Brazil— Czechia has surprised many with their surge into the tournament’s late stages. Now just two wins away from the championship, head coach Jiri Novak reflected on the team’s journey.

“I don’t really know [what makes this team unique]. I knew that in this team, I had players with big, big potential. I saw a lot of positive things during practices,” he said after their 22-25, 27-25, 25-20, 2521 win over Iran in the quarterfinals.

Bulgaria rose from the ashes to stun crowd darling and world No. 4 USA in a scintillating reverse sweep, 21-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-13, to secure a spot in the Final Four of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Thursday before a packed Mall of Asia Arena.

Ranked No. 11 in the world, the Bulgarians started slowly but gradually found their rhythm, particularly in the decisive set, where they raced to a 6-3 lead to set the tone for a thrilling finale. Middle blocker Iliya Petkov punctuated the comeback before a roaring crowd of 10,474.

Tenorio on roster as coach, player

SBy Josef Ramos

O you thought you’ve seen the last of spitfire point guard LA Tenorio orchestrating plays on the court?

Tenorio revealed to reporters on Friday that he’s officially listed as coach and player for the Magnolia Chicken Timplados for the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50th season next month.

“I’m part of the lineup,” said Tenorio during the PBA Media Day at

the Eton Centris Quezon City. We’ll see and it depends—if there’s a chance for me play, but my priority is to coach the team.” If he plays, the 41-year-old joins a short list of playing coaches in the league—the most prominent of whom is Robert Jaworski for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Tenorio’s last team as a player in the PBA.

Allan Caidic (1999 to 2000, Ginebra) and Ramon Fernandez (1988 Purefoods) had stints as

playing coach in the league.

Tenorio, meanwhile, confirmed that Mark Barroca, Jerom Lastimosa, Peter Alfaro and Paul Lee would form the core of his system.

He recruited from the draft Javi Gomez de Liaño and Gab Gomez and, along with Paolo Taha, are expected to provide energy to the team that also has Ian Sangalang, Aris Dionisio, Zav Lucero, James Laput and Russel Escoto.

Tenorio is hoping to give Magnolia its first title since the 2018 Governor’s

Reyes proves clutch in Gilas U-16 victory

TIFFANY REYES showed up to prove she deserves to be in a Gilas Pilipinas jersey. And what a way to play heroine right on her 15th birdie.

Reyes gave the Philippines a glimpse of hope after nailing the game-winning clutch jumper to defeat South Korea, 77-75, for first victory in the 2025 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U-16 Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday night at Seremban, Malaysia. Reyes got the minutes in crunch time and didn’t disappoint despite South Korea’s rally from 60-69 to seize the lead at 75-74 before.

But Reyes took charge with that jumper to put her team in the win column in Group A after three games.

“Our team struggled a lot in the first two games and even today [Wednesday],” Reyes said. “But I’m thankful to my teammates and to coach Pat [Aquino] that he gave me the confidence to knockdown that shot for the win,” Reyes said. Aquino is the women’s basketball program director for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“We must be consistent and hope to sustain the charge,” she said. The 5-foot-11 daughter of former Philippine Basketball Association big man Jay-R Reyes, finished the game with 16 points laced with four triples, three rebounds and four blocks—a marked improvement her 12-point production in their 48-74 loss to Chinese-Taipei last week.

Reyes is running fourth in threepoint shooting with 16 behind China’s Yuanshan Li with 38 points, South Korea’s Seun Lim with 31 points and Australia’s Sophie Richardson with 17 points in three games.

The Philippines battled China Friday evening.

“My priority is to help my team if I am inside the court,” she said. “I must be ready all the time. We will do our best in our next game.”

Reyes attended training camp in Cincinnati, USA, a few months ago to enhance her mental toughness and physical game despite her lanky frame under renowned trainer and coach Dante Harlan—trainer of Kai Sotto, Jack Animam and Sage Tolentino. She trains under Paolo Gorospe everytime she’s back home. Josef Ramos

country.

Cup—they lost to San Miguel Beer twice in the 2019 and 2023 Philippine Cup Finals and to TNT Tropang Giga in the 2021 Philippine Cup. In other development, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said that Pureblends would officially take over NorthPort’s franchise

Superfan picks autograph over watching match

EIn 2023, Clyde Mondilla edged Reymon Jaraula by one in a thriller at Del Monte, while Justin Quiban outdueled Marvin Dumandan in a four-hole playoff at South Pacific. In last year’s Apo Classic, Jhonnel Ababa delighted the home crowd with a sudden-death win over van der Valk.

Intercollegiate champs Sean Granada of College of St. Benilde-1 (second from left) and Julia Lua of De La Salle-1 (second from right) display their individual champions’ trophies from the inaugural International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Intercollegiate Tour at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club on Thursday. Joining them are Summit Point general manager Vic de Guzman (left) and ICTSI Global Corporate PR Manager Bambi Marfil. IIT PHOTO

MICAH CHRISTENSON of the US rues missed chances but lauds the Nikolov brothers Aleksandar and Moni for fueling the Bulgaria charge.

TIFFANY