Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the government’s gross borrowings for August surged by 192.19 percent to P508.526 billion from last year’s P174.034 billion.
Broken down, domestic borrowings soared by 198.25 percent to P498.213 billion in August from P167.045 billion in the same month a year ago.
The significant uptick was due to the government’s issuance of RTBs last August 5, which helped raise P425.613 billion in new money. The state also borrowed P60 billion and P12.6 billion, respective -
ly, through the sale of fixed-rate treasury bonds (T-bonds) and net Treasury bills (T-bills) during the month.
Meanwhile, the government tapped foreign sources—mainly project loans—to generate P10.314 billion in August. External borrowings for the month grew by 47.57 percent year-onyear from P6.989 billion.
BTr data further showed that from January to August this year, gross borrowings rose by 17.22 percent to P2.266 trillion from P1.933 trillion in the same period in 2024.
TBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) report-
ed last week that 49.62 percent or 131 of all the power generation companies (gencos) in the country have yet to comply with the public offering rule under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira).
These power firms have a combined capacity of about 13,595,227 megawatts (MW).
Under Epira, power generation companies (gencos) and distribu-
tion utilities (DUs) must offer or sell to the public at least 15 percent of their common shares not later than five years from the issuance of their certificate of compliance (COC).
Based on the latest ERC data, 15.15 percent or only 40 gencos, with a combined capacity of 13,595,227 MW, are compliant. There are also 60 gencos, with a combined capacity of almost 5,000MW, that are not yet covered by the regulation as their COCs are fairly new.
“The Commission took note of the low compliance rate of gen-
eration companies with the POR [public offering requirement] Guidelines, which are intended to foster transparency and widen public participation through share offerings,” it said during its eighth open commission meeting.
The commission will continue to review existing guidelines to help both gencos and DUs meet their regulatory obligations, streamline processes for stakeholders and preserve safeguards that protect the public interest.
“Through these deliberations, the ERC reaffirms its commitment to transparent decision-making
and to keeping the public informed on key regulatory matters that impact the energy sector,” it said. In August, ERC chairman Francis Saturnino Juan urged the commission to revisit its POR guidelines. While this requirement under section 43 (t) of the Epira has not been repealed, the ERC has the discretion to rationalize its implementation or altogether defer it, as part of its delegated authority.
“Developments and successes in Epira implementation over the
BSP data showed the median price for all types of housing nationwide is lower than the median price for condominium units (P3.81 million) but higher than the median price for houses (P3.14 million) in the second quarter.
“NCR [National Capital Region] houses recorded the highest median price at P7.01 million, significantly surpassing all other [areas],” BSP said. The median price of housing in NCR amounts to P4.61 million and the median price of condominiums reached P4.28 million. It can be noted that it is only in NCR where prices of houses reached more than P5 million.
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up efforts to deliver aid to farmers and fisherfolk as agricultural damage from the recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon breached P1 billion. In its latest report, the DA noted that the losses incurred by 55,595 farmers and fishers have reached P1.38 billion, with the volume of production damage across nine regions pegged at 109,997 metric tons (MT).
Rice sustained the bulk of the damage caused by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon
and typhoons Mirasol, Nando, and Opong at 88,118 MT. Corn, highvalue crops, and cassava also sustained damage at 16,431 MT, 5,439 MT, and 9 MT, respectively.
The report said the production losses are equivalent to P959.19 million for rice, P213.19 million for corn, P195.26 million for highvalue crops, P4.66 million for livestock and poultry, and P237,000 for cassava.
Irrigation facilities also sustained damages worth P3.24 million, agri infrastructure at P3.85 million, and machinery and equipment at P133,000.
With this, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the agency’s regional offices and the
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to fast-track damage verification and loss assessments to allow the immediate rollout of assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk. Laurel, who also chairs the National Food Authority (NFA), also ordered the swift release of rice stocks in areas urgently in need of support for ongoing disaster relief operations.
The DA said it has prepared the following assistance, such as the distribution of 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 90,320 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kilos of vegetable seeds, and 1.65 million fingerlings of tilapia, bangus, and carp. Also included were drugs and
biologics for livestock and poultry, the immediate provision of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loans of up to P25,000 under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, payable in three years at zero interest, and crop insurance indemnification through PCIC. Meanwhile, the agency noted that it continues to gather field reports from areas affected by severe tropical storm Opong, which recently swept through key agricultural zones in central Philippines, including the islands of Mindoro and Masbate. For his part, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said 2.4 million sacks of rice have been earmarked
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
STORM SURGE OF URGENCY Philippine Army troopers and Coast Guard personnel rescue residents from floods, fallen power lines, and storm surges in Eastern Samar, Romblon, and Leyte on Friday, September 26, 2025, as Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi—locally named “Opong”—battered parts of the country. The storm unleashed heavy rains, fierce winds, and coastal flooding that forced evacuations across low-lying communities. In the wake of the devastation, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano renewed his call for
Emergency Response Department to unify disaster management efforts, citing climate change and the recurring cycle of destructive typhoons as urgent reasons for reform. PHILIPPINE ARMY AND PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD VIA AP
tourism stuck at 1% of arrivals…
because it’s land-locked,” meaning that its numbers are boosted by visitors from neighboring countries, who can just travel by land.
SG is top destination
ACCORDING to the ICCA global ranking report for 2024, Singapore topped the list of MICE destinations in Southeast Asia in terms of in-person meetings at 152 events, and was 21st worldwide. This was followed by Thailand at 143 meetings (26th), Malaysia at 104 meetings (33rd), Indonesia at 68 meetings (40th), and the Philippines at 58 meetings (42nd).
Based on limited data sources compiled by ChatGPT, the top MICE destinations in terms of the number of international delegates were Singapore at 950,000; followed by Thailand at 810,000 (FY2023); Indonesia at 250,000; and Da Nang at 45,344.
Nograles said the top five MICE areas in the Philippines are the National Capital Region, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, and Clark. She added that a MICE delegate spends P6,000 daily in the country and stays an additional 11 days after attending two days of the convention.
PHL, UN agencies crafting ‘fair, ethical’ migration rules
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
THEDepartment of Migrant Workers (DMW) and two United Nations (UN) organizations are now developing new “fair and ethical” recruitment guidelines, which is expected to be adopted during the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit next year.
The potential regional migration instrument was among the highlights of the DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac’s meeting with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy E. Pope in New York at the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly last week. The DWM chief stressed the importance of IOM’s technical inputs as part of the Philippines’s preparations for the Asean Summit.
“We look forward to IOM’s active presence as we shape a forward-looking migration framework that centers on the dignity and rights of migrant
workers,” he said.
Aside from IOM, the International Labor Organization is also assisting DMW in developing the checklist on fair and ethical recruitment.
“This initiative is a cornerstone of a potential regional migration instrument to be adopted by ASEAN member states during the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026,” DMW said in a statement.
For her part, Pope invited DMW to participate in the 2026 review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) after it made significant achievements in
terms of “migration policies and dedication to ethical labor mobility” this year.
“The increasing global demand for Filipino workers not only shows their skills and professionalism but also demonstrates how well the Philippines handles labor migration and protects workers’ rights,” Pope said. During their talk, Cacdac oriented Pope on their newly launched reform package aimed at improving the working conditions of domestic workers, which includes efforts to incentivize employers to raise their minimum wage to $500 per month, upskilling and reskilling programs, career mobility pathways, the mandatory Know Your Employer protocol, and digital welfare monitoring mechanisms.
He also discussed how DMW is using its Agarang Kalinga sa mga OFW (overseas Filipino workers)
na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund to address the legal, medical, and welfare needs of their clients.
Based on its latest data, DMW reported its AKSYON Fund has already benefitted 253,582 OFWs this year.
The agency was also able to provide legal counsel to address 1,106 OFWs cases abroad from January to August this year. Of which, 37 have resulted in acquittals.
The said assistance from DMW also includes providing employment opportunities to aspiring OFWs as well as those whose contracts have already ended.
Last Sunday, DMW held a Mega Job Fair, Medical Mission and Wellness for Seafarers at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila for the 30th National Seafarers’ Day.
Over 2,300 job vacancies from 21 manning agencies became available to applicants during the event.
demnification payments based on claims filed by roughly 25,800 farmers across eight regions affected by the recent weather events.
for disaster response, which accounts for around 27 percent of the grains agency’s total stockpile of 8.9 million bags in rice equivalent. This volume is enough to meet national consumption needs for nine days.
The DA, through the PCIC, has also allocated P236 million in in-
years have dramatically changed the power industry landscape, calling for a reexamination of whether the POR remains relevant and valid,” the ERC noted. The mandatory five-year timeline applies only to existing gencos as of the effectivity
Of this, it added that P206 million is earmarked for rice-related losses, while around 17,600 insured farmers are from Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.
“Early next week, we will submit our impact assessment for Opong,” PCIC President Jovy Bernabe said.
of the Epira and that the same timeline does not apply to or bind gencos that came into being after Epira, as an offshoot of restructuring and privatization, the ERC noted.
“The period until when the POR should be in force can be revisited by the ERC, considering that the power industry has already transitioned during these past two decades into a fully competitive market in generation,” it added.
prices of housing units in Metro Mindanao was at P3.18 million. Condominiums cost P3.33 million while houses are also cheaper a P3.03 million.
BSP said the median price of all housing units in in Areas Outside NCR (AONCR) was at P3.2 million. Driving up the prices are condominiums that have a median price pf P3.45 million and houses, P3.03 million.
The median price of housing units in the Balance Greater Manila Area; Metro Cebu; and Metro Mindanao remain below P4 million. This includes both condominiums and houses.
In Balance GMA, the median price is at P3.25 million in the second quarter of 2025. Condominiums cost P3.44 million while houses are cheaper at P3.12 million.
In Metro Cebu, the BSP data showed the median price of housing units was at P3.45 million while houses cost more at P3.5 million in the second quarter of the year.
Metro Mindanao THE data showed the median
This makes up 87.15 percent of the government’s P2.6-trillion borrowing program for this year. Figures indicate that 81.2 percent of the government’s borrowings consisted of gross domestic borrowings, while 18.80 percent were from foreign entities.
Borrowings sourced locally amounted to P1.840 trillion as of end-August, higher by 11.51 percent from P1.650 trillion in the same period last year.
Bulk of the gross domestic borrowings during the eight-month period are fixed-rate treasury bonds worth P941.837 billion, followed by retail treasury bonds amounting to P425.613 billion. There were also P300 billion in fixed-rate treasury notes issued last April and P172.450 billion in net Tbills.
As for external gross borrowings, the government secured P426.232 billion as of end-August, up by 50.89 percent from P282.464 billion in the same period a year ago. Of the total, P191.965 billion was incurred through multi-tranche US dollar bonds and euro-denominated bonds, while P171.307 billion came from program loans.
The remaining amount was borrowed through project loans amounting to P62.960 billion.
According to Leonardo A. Lanzona, economist at the Ateneo de Manila University, the government’s borrowings are expected to taper off and that the prospects of achieving its target of growing Philippine economy by 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent are getting “dimmer.”
“As the year ends and as infrastructure spending slows due to the flood control scandal, borrowings are likely to decrease,” Lanzona told BusinessMirror Lanzona said that in the past, growth has depended on borrowings and remittances and has translated to increased government expenditures and consumption.
“This means that the country will now have to rely on private consumption to maintain its growth,” he added.
“As the government continues to deal with the scandals and continued storms, we only have consumption left,” Lanzona said. “This means that the country will now have to rely on private consumption to maintain its growth.”
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is also anticipating infrastructure spending to temporarily slowdown in the second half of the year as the Department of Public Works and Highways evaluates and validates the status of completed projects in the country, as well as enforces stricter verification of progress billings and other payment claims.
This year, the government will borrow P2.111 trillion and P488.174 billion from domestic and external sources, respectively.
BTr data showed that outstanding debt of the government soared to P17.27 trillion as of end-June, 11.5 percent higher year-on-year from P15.48 trillion.
Overall, Philippine housing prices rose by 7.5 percent y-o-y in the second quarter, lower than the 7.6 percent increase recorded in the first quarter of 2025. Despite the slight deceleration in annual growth, prices accelerated quarter on quarter, rising to 4.2 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 2.6 percent in first quarter 2025.
BSP said housing prices in AONCR maintained its upward trajectory, with year-on-year growth accelerating to 11.5 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 3 percent in the previous quarter.
In terms of price growth in the National Capital Region (NCR), BSP said this slowed to 2.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 13.9 percent in the first quarter 2025.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, AONCR residential property prices grew by 10.5 percent, while NCR prices declined by 3.6 percent.
He pointed out that a lot of this starts with the national budget. Hence, he noted: “We are monitoring the deliberations on the national budget. We are making sure that they’re not making last-minute insertions for discretionary infrastructure spending, that’s pork-barrel. Translated, that means pork-barrel.” “That was what happened with the 2025 budget. So, we’re trying to make sure that we don’t get it in the 2026 budget. And this is very tedious work, but somebody has to do it. And we, the civil society groups, and Makati Business Club, and the Philippine Budget Coalition, we’re doing it,” he added.
San Lorenzo Ruiz: A Life Offered, An Eternal Promise
“Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer.”
FAITH isn’t just a quiet feeling or a private prayer. It echoes through time, seeking a heart willing to listen, and when it finds one, it transforms legacy into a living testament. For the Cabangon Family and The Eternal Group, inspired by San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, their response is a symphony of devotion cast in bronze and built on a promise.
Before he was a saint, he was an ordinary man—a husband, a father of three, an altar boy from Binondo. His deep faith in God was his constant guide. Falsely accused of a crime, he sought refuge on a ship bound for Japan, where unimaginable suffering awaited, paving the path to his ultimate glory and sainthood.
In 17th-century Japan, professing the Christian faith meant embracing the certainty of death. Lorenzo and his companions were seized and subjected to unspeakable tortures, each designed to crush their bodies and extinguish their spirits. Yet what their persecutors could not comprehend was that Lorenzo’s spirit was not his own to yield—it belonged to
God. Amidst the agony, his faith did not waver; it was purified and made steadfast. His final words were not an admission of defeat, but a solemn proclamation of victory: “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these I would offer to Him.”
In that moment, a martyr was born. But his story did not end with his death; it was only the beginning.
A Sacred Encounter, A Mission Bestowed CENTURIES later, in 1981, that same triumphant faith echoed across the world and found a home in the heart of one man: the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. Witnessing the beat-
ification of San Lorenzo Ruiz by Pope John Paul II in Manila was not just a historical event for the Ambassador; it was a profound, personal encounter with the divine. He saw in Lorenzo not just a figure of history, but a reflection of the Filipino soul—resilient and capable of supreme sacrifice for what is held most dear.
This, what he considered a spiritual awakening, was deepened by a sacred trust bestowed upon him by his dear friend, the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. The Cardinal entrusted Amb. ALC with a vital mission: to propagate the devotion to then-Beato Lorenzo, to make his story known so that the entire nation could rally in prayer for his canonization.
The Ambassador embraced this mission with the full force of his being. In his zeal, he discovered a sorrowful void: there were no statues to honor the first Filipino to be raised to the altars. How could one be inspired by a face that could not be seen? He believed this Filipino hero of faith deserved to be immortalized by Filipino hands. Thus, he commissioned the renowned sculptor Florante “Boy” Caedo. From this vision rose the Eternal Group’s first statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz, unveiled on September 26, 1981, at Eternal Gardens–Baesa in Caloocan City, just months after the day of beatification.
The Ambassador also commissioned smaller versions of the statue
to be donated to churches and communities across the nation, each serving as a vessel of faith and a bearer of stories that needed to be told. In 2023, one of the three-foot bronze statues, originally gifted by the Ambassador to Cardinal Sin and later entrusted to the Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz Movement in America, was permanently enthroned at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York—a proud moment for the Filipino Catholic faithful.
The Cabangon Family and the Eternal Group: Keepers of a Lasting Legacy
THIS profound devotion was not sim-
ply a project; it became the spiritual cornerstone of the Cabangon family. It is a legacy not of inheritance, but of shared spirit. Today, led by the Amb. ALC’s son, D. Edgard A. Cabangon, Chairman of the ALC Group, carries the torch of this sacred duty.
He continues his father’s work with the same quiet conviction, ensuring that the saint’s story is not relegated to the past.
By donating statues, such as the one given to the Knights of Columbus Council in Binondo last 2024—the very parish where San Lorenzo once served—he reaffirms a promise made across generations: that the Cabangon
family would forever be custodians of the saint’s legacy.
Continuing this devotion, The Eternal Group unveiled on February 18, 2025, coinciding with the anniversary of the saint’s beatification, a three-storey columbarium named in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz. It is the first of its kind in the company’s portfolio and a landmark in dignified memorial care.
Today, Eternal Gardens memorial parks in
have each built a plaza in his honor, some complemented by beautifully designed columbaria.
Each year, his feast day is observed not as a corporate obligation but as a family’s heartfelt renewal of their pledge, marked by Mass and prayer that strengthen their enduring commitment. The continuous devotion of the Cabangon family and The Eternal Group has created a strong and lasting impact. It is meant to be shared, built upon, and given a home where it can comfort and inspire others. From a martyr’s defiant cry in a foreign land to the quiet prayer of a family in a serene memorial park, the message remains the same: a life given to God is never lost. It is transformed, it inspires, and like the gardens that bear its name, it becomes eternal.
Baesa, Caloocan City; Biñan City, Laguna; Balagtas, Batangas City; Lipa City; and Dagupan City
THE statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, stands tall at Eternal Gardens–Baesa, Caloocan City.
Monday, September 29, 2025
‘Almost all’
senators in 19th Congress had insertions in ’25 GAA–Lacson
ABy Butch Fernandez
@butchfBM
T least P100 billion worth of items were inserted by “almost all” senators in the 19th Congress in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo M. Lacson bared on Sunday.
Lacson, who acts as concurrent BlueRibbon committee chairman, leads the Senate inquiry into the anomaly-ridden use of flood control funds, cited documents he gathered indicating that these were individual insertions, although they were eventually held for later release (FLR).
“For the Senate, the insertions amounted to at least P100 billion. I was surprised because these are individual insertions although they were held ‘for later release’,” he said, partly in Filipino, in a interview at the weekend.
“It was humongous. I have never seen such amounts. Before the Priority Development Assistance Fund was declared unconstitutional in 2013, ‘pork’ amounted to hundreds of millions. Now it’s at least P100 billion total for 24 senators alone,” he added.
He said he has yet to scrutinize the list of House members, but noted that the list of congressmen who made similar insertions is long.
Lacson said he may ask the agencies concerned during the upcoming budget deliberations why such insertions were allowed.
“At the budget deliberation, I can ask why these insertions were allowed. In
scrutinizing the budget especially in the plenary, I want to know how much of the insertions were released and how they were implemented,” he said, adding he is concerned about the release of unprogrammed appropriations.
While insertions or amendments per se are not necessarily illegal, Lacson explained that they are questionable especially if individual insertions amount to P5 billion or even P9 billion.
Such insertions, he added, could threaten the economy because the withheld or diverted funds could have gone to infrastructure programs that were planned and vetted at the barangay, city and regional levels.
Lacson reiterated his call to fellow lawmakers to practice self-restraint in inserting appropriations for locally funded infrastructure projects not just in the Department of Public Works and Highways but in other agencies like the Department of Education and Department of Transportation, whose budgets include infrastructure projects.
He appealed to fellow lawmakers not to avail of the so-called “leadership fund” in the DPWH that allows lawmakers to insert projects at the level of the National Expenditure Program (NEP). He learned of such “leadership fund” when resigned Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonuan testified at the Blue Ribbon committee.
‘Original Sin’
EARLIER, Lacson had asserted that it was Congress that committed the “original sin” of corruption exposed in the flood control
project scandal. Moving forward, it must now start on the path to redemption by ensuring a transparent and pork-free 2026 budget.
Lacson said the Senate cannot deny that it now faces a crisis after some incumbent and former members were linked to alleged kickbacks in anomalous flood control projects.
“We must start the process of reform with the preparations for the 2026 budget. The timing is right because the budget bill is now under deliberation,” he said in an interview on radio station dwIZ on Saturday.
Lacson said a meeting was set for last Friday between the Senate and House leaderships but was postponed due to bad weather. The Senate contingent would have included Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Lacson, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Finance committee chairman Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. The House contingent would have been led by Speaker Faustino Dy III.
“Had the meeting pushed through, I would have made a call for self-restraint, especially involving funds for local infrastructure projects under the authority of the District Engineering Office. It would have been a remedial or corrective measure,” he said.
Systematic corruption A NATIONAL federation of fisherfolk said diverting the flood control funds to other government agencies will not address the systematic corruption in the government unless accountability and justice is served.
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Ma -
mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) issued the statement in reaction to President Marcos’s pronouncement that P365 billion for flood control will be reallocated to the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“President Marcos’ directive to transfer the fund for flood control to other programs will be useless unless accountability of all those involved in the plunder of government funds is enforced. It is like Marcos merely admitted that he can’t do anything against the widespread corruption in his administration, but to take away the funds from the corrupt,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya National Chairman, said in a statement.
“It is not what the victims of destructive natural calamities that were aggravated by crimes of negligence and greed of government officials,” Hicap, a former Anakpawis party-list congressman, added.
Until now, the group said the Marcos administration has no clear steps on how to hold those involved in anomalous flood-control projects accountable. Even the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has lost its credibility,” Hicap added.
The fishers’ group said that “the longer President Marcos keeps the plunderers unaccountable, the more he deepens his accountability to the public”.
The group said President Ferdinand Marcos’ accountability to the public is growing because of the delay in holding the erring officials of the government and government contractors accountable.
With Jonathan L. Mayuga
Group calls for Concon amid corruption scandals
ABy Ashley J. Manabat
NGELES
CITY, Pampanga—Alle -
gations of massive corruption in flood control projects across the country have reignited calls for constitutional reform with some civil society groups and political observers urging the government to consider convening a Constitutional Convention (ConCon).
Despite over P1.47 trillion spent on flood control efforts over the last 15 years, infrastructure meant to mitigate the worsening flooding in the country has repeatedly failed. Many projects remain unfinished, substandard, or reportedly exist only on paper which has fueled public outrage and a new wave of protest.
On September 21, protests across the country were spearheaded by civil society organizations, Church organizations, militant groups, students and youth organizations, and grassroots coalitions demanding accountability and systemic change. Their call on the recurring misuse of public funds pointed to deeper structural flaws.
One of the most glaring cases is in barangay Candating, Arayat in this province.
A flood-control project originally estimat -
TBy Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
HE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday reported that the death
ed at P91 million in 2018 ballooned to P295 million after it failed in 2024, four years after its completion. The contractor behind the project is Eddmari Construction, owned by Edgar Sagum, brother-in-law of Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, who represents the Fourth District.
During an inspection in September, Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon publicly confronted Sagum and said that the project was designed to fail for profit.
A month prior, Gov. Lilia Pineda had also called for dredging and reconstruction as 387 families remain at risk from the damaged dike.
The controversy extends to Congress.
A complaint filed by a barangay official alleged that flood control contracts worth P612 million were awarded to a firm linked to the family of former Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., a civil engineer and long-time Pampanga lawmaker. The case was dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2024 but local groups have continued to question the influence of political clans over infrastructure funding.
Ruperto Cruz, chairman of the Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement, said it is time to “seriously discuss” ConCon as piecemeal
toll from typhoons Mirasol, Nando and Opong, as well as the southwest monsoon of habagat has risen to 26,. NDRRMC said that of the total count, 22 are for validation, while four have been confirmed.
reforms are no longer enough. He added that the party-list system and the Sangguniang Kabataan should be abolished and proposed that the funds intended for these political bodies be redirected to support a constitutional convention.
“They won’t pass the Anti-Dynasty bill. They will just scrap that,” Cruz said. “The Senate and Congress are biased. We have too many laws. The law is their job. So they should not hold the money, even up to the fourth degree of their family.”
“Not all are corrupt,” Cruz clarified. “But the system pushes us towards mendicancy. Unlimited greed is what they have.”
Cruz, a businessman, emphasized that a Con-Con is necessary to address recurring issues such as budget insertions by legislators, nepotism and political dynasties, and regulatory capture of casinos and entities such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the ongoing erosion of accountability and ethical governance
Cruz argued that reforms alone are insufficient. Public education, he said, should be reoriented to strengthen political literacy:
“I believe in the students. The young ones must stand. When it’s their turn
The three tropical cyclones that recently hit the country also left 33 people injured and 14 others missing.
NDRRMC added that a total of 738,714 families, or 2,797,706 people were affected by the weather disturbances in the past two weeks.
A total of 46,611 families, or 163,317 individuals, were sheltered in 2,680 evacuation centers, the agency also said.
In addition, NDRMMC reported a total of 8,916 damaged houses in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordilleras, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Region.
More than P1 million in agricultural losses were also reported.
Masbate was the most devastated by Typhoon Opong, with houses, airport, and other infrastructure damaged.
A state of calamity was declared in Masbate owing to the damage wrought by Opong. Typhoon Opong left the Philippine
‘Quis
custodiet
ipsos custodes?’ —Pangilinan on govt auditors
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ALARMED by several “red flags” that surfaced from the Senate blue-ribbon commmittee testimony of dismissed Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, Sen. Francis Pangilinan prodded the Commission on Audit (COA) to do a thorough housecleaning and “audit the auditors” to restore the integrity of the constitutional body.
In his testimony. Alcantara claimed he was contacted and visited three times by Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, who requested a list of projects. The wife of Lipana, according to both Alcantara and former Public works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo—who also testified at the Senate—is a contractor, and the COA official’s act of soliciting project lists was apparently intended to help her business.
In a statement at the weekend, Pangilinan recalled that Alcantara had revealed that Lipana allegedly received kickbacks from 2023 to 2025. It was further disclosed that Lipana’s wife, Marilou, is an active government contractor who secured several projects—raising even more suspicion, especially since both hail from Bulacan.
In a radio interview on September 25, Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said he intends to look deeper into the matter after hearing the disgraced ex-DPWH officials’ alegations. “Ano ba ito komisyon? O audit? Ganoon ba iyon? Kapag hindi ka nagbigay ng komisyon ay i -aaudit ka, kapag may komisyon ay wala nang audit. Iyon ang conflict of interest. Lalo na misis niya ang contractor [What is this, a commission? Or audit. Is that it? If you don’t give a commission there’s no audit? That’s conflict of interest. Especially since his wife is a contractor],” Pangilinan said.
He underscored how problematic it would be if it were proven that Marilou Lipana was involved in substandard or ghost projects. He
to work, they will pay the debts of this government,” said Cruz.
Critics may view talk of constitutional reform as a distraction from prosecuting those involved in corruption. However, Cruz said, the Senate and Congress have become highly politicized as even individuals with pending cases can still run for office.
The Philippines has a long history of high profile corruption scandals involving public funds, yet few officials have faced serious legal consequences. Convictions are rare and even those who were found guilty often avoid serious jail time.
For many young Filipinos, the frustration is also mounting.
For Michelle, 23, and Janine, 24, both newly employed, the September 21 protest was personal. They said they are fed up with what they called “a broken and corrupt system.”
“That is also our money. We joined the protest as individuals. We are not affiliated with any of the organizations here,” Janine said.
“Even though we just started working, we can’t believe the fact that we are already working hard for politicians and nepo babies’ vacations, sports cars, expensive watches,” Michelle added.
Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning.
The National Police (PNP) deployed humanitarian assistance teams to provide needed support to Masbate and other areas devastated by Opong.
Masbate was the hardest hit by the onslaught of Opong, according to the Office of Civil Defense. The province was placed under a state of calamity on Saturday.
In a statement on Sunday, the PNP acting Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said Police Regional Offices in the affected regions, in coordination with local governments, will conduct mobilizations for post-disaster response.
“I have already directed the RDs [Regional Directors] of the affected regions to mobilize humanitarian teams that will assist in post-disaster response to help our affected kababayan [fellow Filipinos] to get back on their feet,” Nartatez said.
“From clearing debris to rebuilding communities, your PNP will be there to assist and be a strong partner in rebuilding the lives of those severely affected by the typhoon.” With PNA
noted that this would suggest the wife of the COA commissioner was not subjected to proper auditing, which could amount to an impeachable offense for Commissioner Lipana.
“These are valid questions that Commissioner Lipana must explain,” Pangilinan said. Meanwhile, the senator said the COA must also investigate all districts with controversial flood control projects.
“The auditors of the regions and districts with flood control controversies—Mindoro, Tarlac, Pampanga—and other places mentioned in exposés—must explain,” he added.
Nonetheless, Pangilinan reminded the public and authorities to be prudent in weighing the evidence, stressing that some testimonies could be fabricated or misleading.
“There’s also evidence that’s just made up, so they must be examined. There’s evidence that’s half truth and not whole truth We have to weigh his testimony carefully,” he added.
Despite the overwhelming information and testimonies, the senator emphasized his focus on uncovering the truth—echoing the sentiments of millions of Filipinos.
Pangilinan stressed that the fight against corruption ultimately rests on the strength of the justice system. The lawyer-senator noted that if the judiciary had imposed harsher penalties instead of acquitting those in past plunder cases, such as the Napoles scandal, millions of Filipinos might not have been robbed in what is now considered the country’s biggest corruption scandal involving flood control projects. He is concerned at the deepening cynicism of ordinary Filipinos about the capacity of the justice system to redress wrongdoing. If no serious, sustained reforms are carried out soon, “ Rebolusyon na ang magiging resulta. Aaklas na kapag nakita nila na hindi nagreresponde ang [Revolution might be the end result. People will rise up if they don’t see any good response from the] justice system,” Pangilinan said.
TBy Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered two of its senior officials in the Davao region to explain why they should not be held liable over the unfinished P96.5-million Culaman Bridge Flood Control Project in San Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental—despite the project having been declared completed and fully paid for as early as 2022.
Public Works Secretary Vivenceio Dizon issued separate show-cause orders to Regional Director Juby B. Cordon of DPWH Region XI and District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete of the Davao Occidental District Engineering Office (DEO), citing findings from an on-site inspection on September 25.
Dizon personally led the inspection together with then Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Special Adviser Benjamin Magalong.
Magalong, a former senior police officer who is now mayor of Baguio City, has since resigned from the ICI.
The inspection revealed that the project,
TBy Joel R. San Juan
HE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday castigated controversial contractor
Cezarah Discaya for flashing a heart sign and for her remarks given to reporters who were waiting to interview her on Saturday in connection with the agency’s ongoing investigation into the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.
In a statement, DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV said Discaya’s actions would be taken into consideration in the assessment of persons involved in the anomalies.
The DOJ earlier placed Discaya and her husband Pacifico or “Curlee” under provisional acceptance into the Witness Protection, Security and benefit Program (WPP) and are now considered “protected witnesses.”
The Discayas earlier admitted conspiring with erring officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to bag billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects since 2016.
awarded to St. Timothy Construction Co. of the Discayas, had only commenced construction two to three weeks prior to the visit—years after it was supposedly completed.
According to Dizon, local residents and the barangay chairman confirmed that no work had been undertaken in the area until recently, even though the company had already received full payment. Cordon was directed to explain why she should not be held administratively liable given her supervisory authority over the Davao Occidental DEO. Larete, meanwhile, was asked to respond to allegations that he may have committed grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, serious dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
Both officials were given five days to submit their explanations under oath. Failure to respond within the period will be treated as a waiver of their right to explain, with the DPWH resolving the matter based on available evidence.
The case in Davao Occidental adds to a growing list of flood control projects flagged by the DPWH and the ICI.
Dizon to Davao DPWH engineers: Explain unfinished but paid project Heart
They also admitted that several lawmakers received millions of pesos as kickbacks in exchange for securing public works contracts.
The Discayas went to the DOJ on Saturday to submit additional evidence for the case buildup against lawmakers they tagged in the anomalous flood control projects. When reporters asked Discaya how she was doing when she entered the DOJ premises, she merely flashed a finger heart to reporters.
When she stepped out of the building after several hours, Discaya was asked by mediamen to share what happened during the meeting and responded by saying: “Gandahan ninyo iyong memes ko [Make my memes look good].
“The heart sign and the remarks of Ms. Sarah Discaya are all taken into account in the assessment and evaluation of the persons involved. It is a sign of insincerity and complacency,” Clavano said. “We urge all persons of interest in this case to behave accordingly,” he added.
Industry leaders see rebound in coconut production in 2026
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
INSUTRY leaders expressed confidence that local coconut production will recover next year and boost the supply of coconut oil for biodiesel.
United Coconut Association of the Philippines (Ucap) Vice Chairman Dean Lao Jr. said the expected rebound in output next year would create an ideal environment to raise the biodiesel blend to 4 percent (B4).
“[The government should increase the blend to B4] once our supply normalizes,” Lao told reporters on the sidelines of the World Coconut Congress in Pasay.
“We expect that to happen next year because of beneficial rains this year, and also because the trees have rested. They should come back with higher productivity next year.”
Ucap said its outlook stemmed from the “cycle” of coconut productivity, which is currently in its recovery period after getting struck by weather-related shocks like El Niño that led to a supply crunch and pushed up prices of the tropical oil to a record high. Coconut oil quotations have recently skyrocketed to a historic $2,771 per metric ton (MT) in the international market, based on World Bank data.
For Ucap Chairman Marco Reyes, the mandated biodiesel blend could corner local demand and reduce the domestic industry’s dependence on t he export market for coconut oil whose prices remain at the mercy of the global market.
“We do not have control [over prices] because we are hostaged by international prices. We’re the number one exporter yet it goes against us because we are depen-
dent on them. We don’t have a local captive demand for our coconut,” Reyes said.
“The 3 percent blend [...] is something which we have to be happy about because now we are able to lessen our dependence on the export market.”
With the price of coconut oil in a downtrend, Reyes said the demand for coconut oil from the biodiesel industry could present an upside risk.
“Now, the price is going down again, and that’s where this benefit of having a local captive demand for biodiesel comes in,” he said.
“Our farmers are complaining about the decline in prices, but because we have a local demand [for biodiesel], then it can go there. So, we’re happy with the 3 percent blend, and later on 4 percent and 5 percent.”
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Dexter Buted earlier said the government will lift the suspension on the implementation of a higher biodiesel blend in 2026 owing to a projected increase in coconut output.
This, after the Department of Energy (DOE) issued an advisory last July that suspended the hike in coconut methyl ester (CME) blend to B4 and B5, scheduled for October 1, 2025, and October 1, 2026, respectively.
The National Biofuels Board (NBB) had recommended to postpone the mandated increase in biodiesel blend due to the surge in copra quotations, which could put pressure on pump prices. PCA is a member of the NBB.
Under the Biofuels Act of 2006 or Republic Act 9367, all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the country should be blended with biofuels.
First Balfour launches AI-powered construction management system
FIRST Balfour Inc., the Lopez Group’s construction and engineering arm, has adopted an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered construction management system (CMS) that integrates into a single platform the planning, execution and monitoring of its projects for faster and more efficient management.
In acquiring the CMS software, First Balfour reached a new milestone by becoming the first construction company in the Philippines to harness the capabilities of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) with AI-powered cost management and advanced analytics dashboards.
“In the past, it took days or even weeks to gather project information. Now, with this platform, everyone can be online in just minutes,” said Rey G. Villar, First Balfour managing director for construction operations. “The launch of the CMS stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to driving excellence, advancing innovation, and shaping the future of construction.”
First Balfour announced its adoption of the CMS on September 16, following its agreement with CIM Technologies Inc. for First Balfour’s use of the ACC. CIM Technologies, a leading Philippine provider of design automation technology solutions, is authorized to offer the ACC.
Anthony L. Fernandez, First Balfour vice chairman and chief executive officer, explained that the launch of the CMS, along with First Balfour’s partnership with Autodesk and CIM Technologies, represents the company’s “first
DOTr sets 1H 2026 auctions for MRT-3, LRT-2 privatization
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to launch the auctions for the privatization of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) by the first half of 2026.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the government is adopting a “dual track” strategy for the MRT 3.
A solicited proposal, being prepared with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is targeted for launch by early next year. At the same time, he said, the DOTr is keeping the door open for private companies to submit unsolicited proposals.
“ May nag -signify but wala pang submission. Usual suspects, hu -
wag muna natin pangalanan ,” Batan told reporters, adding that the DOTr would carefully weigh the merits of any unsolicited offer once formally submitted.
Previously, groups like the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan and the joint venture of Comm Builders & Technology Philippines and German partner Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik submitted unsolicited proposals for the redevelopment of the
train line as early as 2011 and 2015.
“We hope to receive the unsolicited proposal very soon and we’ll see. We’ll look at it and we’ll compare and go with the best one,” Batan said.
He likened the process to the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), where the government evaluated both solicited and unsolicited tracks before awarding the contract.
“Until we receive it, we actually don’t know what it looks like. If solicited, [the bid launch will be] by early next year,” Batan said.
For the LRT 2, Batan confirmed that the project is on a firmer timeline, with the DOTr preparing to submit the proposal to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) “very soon.”
He said the rail line’s privatization package is expected to be rolled out within the first half of 2026, roughly alongside the MRT
Davao City resorts, tourism sector upbeat
By Manuel T. Cayon
DAVAO CITY—The accommodation and resorts sector of tourism said interest in coming to this city has improved significantly in the middle of the long-running political storm that appeared to tighten the noose on this city being the hometown of the Duterte political family.
“We are receiving more visitors here and inquiry from outsiders are coming in more frequently,” said Gracie Plata, head of Davao City Tourism Operations Office said.
major step in adopting cuttingedge technologies designed to enhance project management and operational efficiency.”
According to John F. Peralta, First Balfour’s overall CMS project champion, the CMS “brings all the aspects of our projects together in one place—from tender, planning, and scheduling, to cost tracking, document management, and collaboration.”
“It will not only improve coordination, but also significantly boost project productivity across all our projects,” Peralta stressed.
Dennis Lim, Autodesk construction account executive, for his part remarked: “Because of this collective effort, we’ll be seeing meaningful results: improved coordination across disciplines, data-driven cost control, higher quality and safety outcomes, and a future-ready foundation with open integrations.”
The CMS is built on the foundation of First Balfour’s 2024 initiative, called Project Unlad (Unleashing Next-Level Automation and Digitalization). According to Fernandez, Project UNLAD marked the “beginning of a bigger digital journey.”
A subsidiary of Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corporation, First Balfour has participated in constructing some of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects since it was organized in 1969. These projects included Manila Water Company’s water service improvement project, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, the North Luzon Expressway, and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension, to name a few.
Plata and tourism and resort marketing officers were asked on the upside of the political bickerings, which centered previously on prosecuting the Dutertes on the killings of illegal drug pushers and peddlers and spending of confidential funds that later morphed into top-level investigations on ghost infrastructure projects.
“We do not feel we are being singled out in the crowd during national conferences and meet-
ings among our peers,” said Jeline G. Galagar, marketing manager of Eden Nature Park and Resort nestled in the southeastern foothills of Mount Apo.
So was Ivanne Villevicencio, sales and marketing manager of Lanang Suites, who said it was business as usual.
Director Tanya Rabat-Tan of the regional Department of Tourism said the tourism sector in the Davao Region remained upbeat amid what was happening in the national political scene. “Visitors’ arrival in the region has perked up instead in the 2023-2024 period and kept increasing going into this year,” she said. In fact, she emphasized, “we just had the national meeting of the Philippine Councilors’ League last week.”
Plata said she could not sense overt pressure on the tourism sector here and expressed surprised when informed that business leaders and local government chief executives told the BusinessMirror last year that Malacañang has been disallowing the holding of regional
and national meetings in Davao City. A long time business chamber official also said he already advised business leaders to adapt self-reliance after he was also informed by counterpart in national business chambers in Manila that major corporations were also asked to skirt Davao City in their promotions and corporate meetings.
A local hotel here confided to the BusinessMirror that a regional government entity has also diverted its meetings and conferences to General Santos City since last year after being a patron of the hotel here. That regional government entity has been a regular client of posh hotels here until last year.
The atmosphere appeared to have eased up also especially with the recent visits here of Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon who assured the city that Malacañang has already ordered the resumption of funding for the city’s bus transport system. He also announced the fielding of 16 Love Bus units to provide free commuter rides during rush hours.
DA rushes help for farmers, fishermen
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is ramping up efforts to aid farmers and fisherfolk as farm damage from recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon breached P1 billion.
In its latest report, the DA noted that the losses incurred by 55,595 farmers and fishers have reached P1.38 billion, with the volume of production damage across nine regions pegged at 109,997 metric tons (MT).
Rice sustained the most of the damage caused by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and typhoons Mirasol, Nando, and Opong at 88,118 MT. Corn, highvalue crops, and cassava also sustained damage at 16,431 MT, 5,439 MT, and 9 MT, respectively.
The report said the production losses are equivalent to P959.19 million for rice, P213.19 million for corn, P195.26 million for high-value crops, P4.66 million for livestock and poultry, and P237,000 for cassava.
Irrigation facilities also sustained damages worth P3.24 mil-
lion, agri infrastructure at P3.85 million, and machinery and equipment at P133,000.
With this, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. directed the agency’s regional offices and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to fast-track damage verification and loss assessments to allow the immediate rollout of assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk.
Laurel, who also chairs the National Food Authority (NFA), also ordered the swift release of rice stocks in areas urgently in need of support for ongoing disaster relief operations.
The DA said it has prepared the following assistance, such as the distribution of 142,219 bags of palay seeds, 90,320 bags of corn seeds, 40,518 kilos of vegetable seeds, and 1.65 million fingerlings of tilapia, bangus, and carp.
Also included were drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, the immediate provision of Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loans of up to P25,000 under the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, payable in three years at zero interest, and crop insurance indemnification
through PCIC. Meanwhile, the agency noted that it continues to gather field reports from areas affected by severe tropical storm Opong, which recently swept through key agricultural zones in central Philippines, including the islands of Mindoro and Masbate.
For his part, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said 2.4 million sacks of rice have been earmarked for disaster response, which accounts for around 27 percent of the grains agency’s total stockpile of 8.9 million bags in rice equivalent. This volume is enough to meet national consumption needs for nine days.
The DA, through the PCIC, has also allocated P236 million in indemnification payments based on claims filed by roughly 25,800 farmers across eight regions affected by the recent weather events. Of this, it added that P206 million is earmarked for rice-related losses, while around 17,600 insured farmers are from Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.
“Early next week, we will submit our impact assessment for Opong,” PCIC President Jovy Bernabe said.
3’s solicited bid.
The MRT 3 runs along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, the national capital’s busiest thoroughfare, stretching 16.9 kilometers from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. Since opening in 1999, the line has been plagued by maintenance and reliability issues, with overcrowding and frequent service interruptions becoming synonymous with its name.
A Japanese-funded rehabilitation program led by SumitomoMitsubishi Heavy Industries has restored much of the system’s capacity in recent years, but the government is now looking to hand over long-term operations and maintenance to the private sector to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
The LRT 2, on the other hand, serves the east-west corridor of Metro Manila, running 13.8 kilometers from Claro M. Recto Avenue in Manila to Antipolo in Rizal province.
SHFC close to October housing loan target
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has reached 76 percent of its October target for housing loan approvals under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), with more than 3,800 families nationwide now eligible for financing.
As of late September, the agency has cleared 22 ECMP projects across the country, paving the way for homeownership opportunities for organized communities from both the formal and informal sectors.
The SHFC is aiming to assist at least 5,000 families by next month through lot awards and project approvals. Among the latest approvals are the loan applications of Plaridel Village CMP Homeowners’ Association, Inc. in Santiago, Isabela; Ibay’s CMP HOAI in Solana, Cagayan; and Maria Navarro HOAI in Zamboanga City. The committee also granted an additional loan for the site upgrading of Pinag-isang Magkakapitbahay ng Miranda Compound HOAI Phases I to III in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The other approved ECMP projects include CMP HOAI in Isabela; Seattohills Neighborhood Association Inc. and Pagkakaisang Maralita ng Antipolo HOAI Phase 2 in Rizal; Msgr. Eddie L. Eleazar Village HOAI in Quezon; Don Vicente Villas HOAI Phase 8 in Laguna; Zone 5 San Juan Bautista HOAI and San Roque Block 7 Resettlement HOAI in Tarlac; Mirasol Village HOAI in Iloilo City and Ylagan Ville HOAI Phase 1 in Oriental Mindoro. Also approved were Centennial Sunrise HOAI, Villa Soledad HOAI, and Megaville 2 HOAI in Pasig City; Wawangpulo HOAI Phase 1 in Valenzuela City; and several Bicol projects such as Pagkamoot Village 1 and 2 HOAI, Goldenspringville HOAI and Ilaw Village HOAI.
The ECMP allows organized communities to collectively secure financing for land acquisition, site development and housing construction.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development earlier noted that budget constraints and limited developer capacity have tempered the government’s overall housing target, with around 300,000 units projected for completion by 2028.
Airstrikes and gunfire kill 59 people in Gaza as pressure grows for ceasefire, hostage deal
By Wafaa Shurafa & Samy Magdy The Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip— Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 59 people across Gaza, health officials said Saturday, as international pressure grows for a ceasefire and hostage return deal while Israel’s leader remained defiant about continuing the war.
Among the dead were those hit by two strikes in the Nuseirat refugee camp—nine from the same family in a house and, later, 15 in the same camp, including women and children, according to staff at al-Awda Hospital, where the bodies were brought.
Five others were killed when a strike hit a tent for the displaced, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the dead.
Israel’s army said it was not aware of anyone being killed by gunfire Saturday in southern Gaza, nor of a strike in the Nuseirat area during the time and at the location provided by the hospital.
The director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City told The Associated Press that medical teams there were concerned about Israeli “tanks approaching the vicinity of the hospital,” restricting access to the facility where 159 patients are being treated.
“The bombardment has not stopped for a single moment,” Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya said. He added that 14 premature babies were treated in incubators in Helou
Hospital, though the head of neonatal intensive care there, Dr. Nasser Bulbul, has said that facility’s main gate was closed because of drones flying over the building.
Netanyahu and Trump scheduled to meet as pressure grows THE attacks came after a defiant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told fellow world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Friday that his nation “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza. Forty-eight hostages are still held captive there, around 20 of them believed by Israel to be alive.
Netanyahu’s words began after dozens of delegates from multiple nations walked out of the UN General Assembly Hall en masse Friday morning as he began speaking.
“You were like the last of the lepers. Netanyahu, we promise you that if you don’t bring a comprehensive agreement and end the war, you will forever be a leper,” said Itzik Horn, the father of Eitan Horn, one of the hostages held in Gaza since the
Hamas attack that started the war. He was referencing the UN speech and Israel’s isolation.
“My son Eitan sleeps sick and starving on the floor of a tunnel in Gaza or, worse, is used as a human shield against IDF fighters. What will you save him with?” Horn added Saturday evening.
International pressure on Israel to end the war is increasing, with a growing list of countries deciding recently to recognize Palestinian statehood, which Israel rejects.
Countries have been lobbying US President Donald Trump to press Israel for a ceasefire. Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet Monday. At a weekly protest in Tel Aviv Saturday night, a hostage who had been held in Gaza for 471 days begged Trump to give the remaining captives the same chance to return home.
“Mr. President, as you meet Prime
Minister Netanyahu, please make the hostages your top priority,” Doron Steinbrecher, 32, said. “Families remain torn apart, their loved ones trapped in darkness, some waiting for a chance to return to life and freedom, others waiting to be buried with dignity.”
Among those whose bodies are held in Gaza is Inbar Haiman. Her uncle asked Saturday at a protest in Jerusalem that Trump help facilitate the return. “We want her back home as if she were alive,” Eli Cohen said.
On Friday, Trump told reporters he believes the US is close to achieving a deal on easing fighting in Gaza that “will get the hostages back” and “end the war.”
Yet, Israel is pressing ahead with another major ground operation in Gaza City, which experts say is experiencing famine. More than 300,000 people have fled, but up to 700,000
Ukraine nuclear plant enters fifth day on emergency power as Zelenskyy announces $90 billion arms deal
By Illia Novikov & Volodymyr Yurchuk
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant entered its fifth day running on emergency generators Saturday, prompting mounting safety concerns.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, announced a $90 billion arms agreement with the United States and criticized Hungary for carrying out “dangerous” intelligence-gathering drone activities over Ukraine.
External power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, has been cut for more than four days in a record outage at the six-reactor facility on the front line of the war, Greenpeace Ukraine warned Saturday.
Emergency diesel generators are being used to power cooling and safety systems after the final power line was severed on Tuesday, according to the UN nuclear watchdog. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, but the external power supply was not restored.
The reactor core and used nuclear fuel must be cooled to prevent them
overheating and triggering dangerous meltdowns like the ones that occurred in 2011, when an earthquake and tsunami hit the Fukushima plant in Japan. The UN atomic watchdog has repeatedly warned of the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, about 480 kilometers (300 miles) to the northwest, where a reactor exploded in 1986.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the severity of the situation. Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrynchuk told The Associated Press that “the plant remains in blackout mode, which is a significant violation of the conditions for its normal operation,” marking the 10th such incident since Russia’s fullscale invasion in February 2022. The cause, she said, was another shelling by the Russians, which damaged the only power transmission line supplying the plant from the Ukrainian energy system.
The Russian-controlled Telegram channel for the plant said Saturday that “sufficient diesel fuel reserves are available on-site to ensure longterm autonomous operation of the generators.”
A radiation and nuclear energy specialist at Greenpeace Ukraine, Jan Vande Putte, said “emergency diesel
generators are considered the last line of defense, used only in extreme circumstances.”
“These are undoubtedly the most serious and important events since the beginning of the occupation of the ZNPP by Russia in March 2022,” he said.
Images suggest Russia may be trying to restart one reactor PUTTE said that it was Russia’s “deliberate actions” that led to the plant’s disconnection from the external power grid of Ukraine. He warned that the development advanced Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom’s “long-standing goal” to “connect to the illegally occupied power grid in Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions and restart the nuclear reactor.”
New satellite analysis by Greenpeace Ukraine suggests that Russia may be positioning to restart at least one reactor despite high-risk wartime conditions. The environmental group said Russian engineers are building 125 miles (201 kilometers) of power lines connecting substations in the occupied cities of Melitopol and Mariupol, with construction beginning in December 2024.
According to Greenpeace’s analysis, Russia has also completed construction of a new water supply system for the plant’s cooling pond and deliberately damaged a 750-kilovolt power line that had connected the facility to Ukraine’s electrical grid.
The Associated Press could not independently verify Greenpeace Ukraine’s analysis.
The plant has been held by Russia since Moscow’s invasion in 2022. Its six reactors remain fueled with uranium though they are in a so-called cold shutdown—meaning nuclear reactions have stopped. However, the plant relies on external electric -
ity to keep its reactor cool and power other safety systems. That external power has been cut multiple times in the war, forcing the plant to rely on diesel generators on site.
The city of Zaporizhzhia, about 440 kilometers (275 miles) southeast of Kyiv, is held by Ukraine and attacks have occurred around the plant as the front line is close. The IAEA rotates staff through the facility to check the plant’s safety and offer its expertise.
Zelenskyy addresses arms deal and regional tensions
ZELENSKYY detailed Saturday at a press briefing in Kyiv what he called a “mega deal” for weapons purchases from the United States, with technical meetings beginning in late September. The $90 billion package includes both the major arms agreement and a separate “drone deal” for Ukrainian-made drones that the US will purchase directly.
“We discussed and agreed on the main points with the President (Trump). Now we are moving on to practical implementation,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine had provided detailed specifications of its military needs to the US, including requests for long-range weapons systems.
Zelenskyy also criticized Hungarian drone activity over Ukraine, saying Ukrainian intelligence tracked of at least one drone. “I believe they are doing very dangerous things—very dangerous things, first and foremost for themselves,” Zelenskyy said.
He said that intelligence services had documented the drone’s movement with photos and electronic tracking, though he did not elaborate on what “Hungarian intelligence is studying on the territory of Ukraine.”
are still there, many because they can’t afford to relocate.
Hospitals are short on supplies and targeted by airstrikes
THE strikes Saturday morning demolished a house in Gaza City’s Tufah neighborhood, killing at least 11 people, more than half of them women and children, according to AlAhly Hospital, where the bodies were brought. Four other people were killed when an airstrike hit their homes in the Shati refugee camp, according to Shifa Hospital. Six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while seeking aid in southern and central Gaza, according to the Nasser and Al Awda hospitals.
Hospitals and health clinics in Gaza City are on the brink of collapse.
Nearly two weeks into the offensive, two clinics have been destroyed by airstrikes, two hospitals shut down after being damaged and others struggling with medicine, equipment, food and fuel in short supply, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Many patients and staff have been forced to flee hospitals, leaving behind only a few doctors and nurses to tend to children in incubators or other patients too ill to move.
On Friday, aid group Doctors Without Borders said it was forced to suspend activities in Gaza City. The group said Israeli tanks were less than a kilometer (half a mile) from its facilities, creating an “unacceptable level of risk” for its staff.
Meanwhile, the food situation in t he north has also worsened, as Israel has halted aid deliveries through its crossing into northern Gaza since Sept. 12 and has increasingly rejected
UN requests to bring supplies from southern Gaza into the north, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
COGAT, the Israeli military agency in charge of transferring aid to the territory, said Saturday that humanitarian aid to the northern Gaza Strip “continues on an ongoing basis,” and that it has increased significantly over recent weeks at a crossing into central Gaza.
“Food is scarce and expensive and water is not safe to drink,” said Amal al-Aas, who lives with her husband, three children and her father in western Gaza City.
People who are fleeing Gaza City for the south said food remains too expensive, and runs out at crammed charity kitchens offering staples like lentil soup and rice.
“Sometimes the food runs out before we get some. We go home empty-handed,” said Fatima Al-Daghma, who was displaced from eastern Khan Younis, on Saturday.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,900 people and wounded more than 167,000 others, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. It doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants, but says women and children make up around half the fatalities. The ministry is part of the Hamasrun government, but UN agencies and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
Israel’s campaign was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage.
Magdy reported from Cairo.
BERLIN—Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the German capital on Saturday in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The demonstrators called for a conclusion to the Israel-Hamas war, shouting slogans like “free, free Palestine,” and they demanded an end to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Around 50,000 people took part in the march through Berlin’s downtown area, according to police. About 1,800 law enforcement officers were deployed to monitor the demonstrators.
The protesters also called for a halt to German arms exports to Israel and demanded European Union sanctions against Israel, German news agency dpa reported.
Last month, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Germany wouldn’t authorize any exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.” The country has balked at supporting sanctions against Israel.
Germany has been seen as one of Israel’s strongest supporters. It has maintained a strongly pro-Israel stance for decades, largely because of
its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, which has shaped its postwar foreign policy around ensuring Israel’s security and combating antisemitism. In a separate protest, about 100 people rallied in favor of Israel and “against all forms of antisemitism,” German public broadcaster RBB reported, adding that there were isolated scuffles, when the two protest groups met. It wasn’t immediately clear if the scuffles were between the different protesters or with police trying to separate them.
Several thousand people also protested in the western German city of Düsseldorf under the slogan “we will not forget Gaza—freedom for Palestine and all oppressed peoples.” In Geneva, about 6,000 people demonstrated for an end to the war in Gaza, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.
Other European cities have also seen Gaza protests in recent weeks. The war in Gaza was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. In the attack, militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. There are still 48 hostages remaining in Gaza, of whom Israel believes 20 are still alive. AP
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Russia tells UN: No intent to attack Europe, but aggression will get a ‘decisive response’
By Jennifer Peltz & Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS—As new tensions rise between Russia and NATO powers, Moscow’s top diplomat insisted to world leaders Saturday that his nation doesn’t intend to attack Europe but will mount a “decisive response” to any aggression.
At the same time, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took a notably measured tone toward the United States in the wake of last month’s summit between the countries’ leaders.
Though they left without a deal to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, Lavrov said Moscow had “some hopes” to keep talking with Washington, and he suggested his country sees US President Donald Trump’s administration as a practical-minded counterpart.
Lavrov spoke at the UN General Assembly after weeks in which unauthorized flights into NATO’s airspace—intrusions the alliance blames on Russia—have raised alarm around Europe, particularly after NATO jets downed drones over Poland and Estonia said Russian fighter jets flew into its territory and lingered for 12 minutes.
Russia has denied that its planes entered Estonian airspace and has said the drones didn’t target Poland. But European leaders see the incidents as intentional, provocative moves meant to rattle NATO and to assess its response. The alliance warned Russia this week that NATO would use all means to defend against any further breaches of its airspace.
At the UN, Lavrov maintained it’s Russia that’s facing threats. “Russia has never had and does not have any such intentions” of attacking European or NATO countries, he said. “However, any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response. There should be no doubt about this among those in NATO and the EU.”
Speaking three years into the Ukraine war WITH Russia’s war in Ukraine in its fourth year, US President Donald Trump said this week that he believed Kyiv can win back all the territory it has lost. It was a notable tone shift from a US leader who had previously suggested Ukraine would need to make some concessions and could never reclaim all the areas Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and launching a full-scale invasion in 2022.
At a news conference Saturday after his speech, Lavrov said Moscow appreciates Trump’s proposal that has rekindled dialogue between the two countries. When US and Russian interests don’t coincide, he said, “the most important thing is not to let it result in confrontation or collision, especially a hot confrontation, and we’re united in this position, in diplomacy.”
He said some unnamed European countries have turned diplomacy “into kissing up to their friends from Washington,” so he believes the US will continue to support Ukraine and substitute diplomacy with sanctions.
“This is a path without any promise. It won’t succeed,” Lavrov said.
“However, frank dialogue on any matters—well, we’ll see that the US is prepared for that, and we’re also prepared to conduct it.”
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country and the US had a “mutual understanding” and that Trump’s administration “is listening to us.” Notwithstanding Trump’s remarks this week that Rus -
Trump’s moves to consolidate power, punish enemies draw comparisons to places where democracy faded
By Nicholas Riccardi The Associated Press
IRUSSIA’S Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at UN headquarters. AP PHOTO/PAMELA SMITH
sia’s failure to prevail made it “look bad,” Lavrov sounded an open note toward Washington from the U.N. microphone, which he often has used to lambaste the West.
“In the approaches of the current US administration, we see a desire not only to contribute to ways to realistically resolve the Ukrainian crisis, but also a desire to develop pragmatic cooperation without adopting an ideological stance,” the diplomat said.
To be sure, Lavrov still had sharp words for NATO, an alliance that includes the US, and for the West in general and the European Union.
Trump’s emerging view of Ukraine is part of the equation TRUMP’S new view of Ukraine’s prospects came after he met with its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the assembly sidelines Tuesday—seven months after a televised blow-up between the two in the Oval Office.
This time, the doors were closed, and the tenor was evidently different—“a good meeting,” as Zelenskyy described it in his assembly speech the next day.
For the fourth year in a row, Zelenskyy appealed to the gathering of presidents, prime ministers and other top officials to get Russia out of his country—and warned that inaction would put other countries at risk.
“Ukraine is only the first,” he said.
Russia has offered various explanations for the Ukraine war, among them ensuring Russia’s own security after NATO expanded eastward over the years and drew closer with Ukraine
after Russia’s move into Crimea. Russia also has said its offensive was meant to protect Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine and the West have denounced Russia’s invasion as an unprovoked act of aggression.
Addressing the devastating war in Gaza, Lavrov condemned Hamas militants’ surprise attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, but said “there is no justification” for Israel’s killing of Palestinian civilians, including children. Nor, he added, is there is a basis for any potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank, which Palestinians consider a key part of their future state, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem.
Between the Gaza war and the situation in the West Bank, “we are essentially dealing with an attempt at a kind of coup d’etat aimed at burying UN decisions on the creation of a Palestinian state,” Lavrov said.
The Hamas attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel; 251 were taken hostage. Israel’s sweeping offensive has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It does not give a breakdown of civilian and combatant deaths but says around half of those killed were women and children.
The international community has long embraced a “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But Netanyahu rejects the idea of a Palestinian state, saying it would reward Hamas—a position he reiterated Friday at the General Assembly.
Seoul asks Trump to play ‘peacemaker’ to reduce Korean Peninsula tensions
By Edith M. Lederer
The Associated Press
NITED NATIONS—South
UKorea’s president has asked President Donald Trump to become “a peacemaker” and use his leadership to get North Korea to talks to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the South’s top diplomat said Friday.
Trump “welcomed” the request from President Lee Jae Myung and “he expressed his willingness to be engaged with North Korea again,” Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said in an interview with The Associated Press. There was no immediate word from the White House.
Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met three times as North Korea was building a nuclear weapons stockpile, which Kim views as key to the country’s security and his continued rule of the northeast Asian nation. There were two summits in Singapore in June 2018, and in Vietnam in February 2019, where Trump and Kim disagreed about US-led sanctions against the North. A third meeting that year at the border between the two Koreas failed to salvage their nuclear talks and Kim has since shunned any diplomacy with the US and South Korea.
“It would be fantastic if they met with each other in the near future,” Cho said. “And President Lee Jae Myung made it clear to President Trump that he will not be sitting in the driver’s seat. He asked president
Trump to become a peacemaker, and he relegated himself to become a pacemaker,” the foreign minister said. “We don’t mind. On the contrary, we want president Trump (to) exercise his leadership to pull North Korea to dialogue table.”
Can a meeting happen?
SINCE Trump returned to power in January, he has repeatedly expressed hope of restarting talks with Kim. The North Korean leader said Monday he still has “good memories” of Trump but urged the United States to drop its demand that the North surrender its nuclear arms as a precondition for resuming long-stalled diplomacy.
Trump is expected to visit South Korea next month to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which has prompted media speculation that he might meet Kim again at the border. Trump is also expected to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during that meeting.
The foreign minister said Lee asked Trump to take the lead because the world has changed and become “much more precarious” since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“Accordingly, we are equally worried about any possible military skirmish on the Korean Peninsula,” Cho said. “So, we are compelled to explore dialogues with North Korea to reduce the military tension, and at least we want to have a hotline.”
He stressed that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula “is the imperative – we cannot let it go.”
Tensions between the Koreas continue apace
EARLY Friday, South Korea’s military said it fired warning shots to drive away a North Korean merchant ship that briefly crossed the disputed western sea boundary between the two countries, amid continuing high tensions.
“I’m not surprised at all,” Cho said, “but this incident justifies the policy of the new government that we need to have a hotline between the militaries, reduce the military tension and build confidence between the two parties.”
Lee, who headed the left-leaning Democratic Party, won a snap election in June following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December. Cho, a career diplomat and former U.N. ambassador, took office as foreign minister on July 19. In Lee’s speech to the annual meeting of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, he said South Korea has come back to the international community as a normal state after the domestic turmoil and has demonstrated its commitment to democracy. Cho said he felt “a bit uncomfortable” talking about the previous government compared to the current government, since Yoon was elected. But Cho recalled that when Yoon, who h ad been a prosecutor, was elected, he was convinced “he would become an aberration.”
Peace is the priority, the diplomat says SINCE becoming foreign minister,
Cho said he has been explaining to neighboring countries, including during visits to Japan and China, that the new government “is determined to seek peace on the Korean Peninsula and also in northeast Asia.”
He said the government wants to engage China and he had a “very good constructive meeting” with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, “but I made it clear that there are certain things we cannot accept.”
Cho referred to China’s installation of “something” in the Yellow Sea that infringes on South Korea’s sovereignty. “So, we made it clear that it be removed. Otherwise, we would think about taking proper measures,” he said.
Cho flew to Washington immediately after a massive raid by US immigration officers at a Hyundai plant in southeast Georgia detained 475 people, the majority of them South Koreans. It became a major diplomatic issue between the two countries.
The minister said Trump intervened and wanted them to remain, but they were chained and handcuffed and his primary objective was to get them back home.
Cho said his talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio ended up having “a silver lining” because obtaining visas for South Korean workers has been a longstanding problem and “we were able to address this issue squarely and we will be able to sort out the problem.”
Edith M. Lederer has covered international affairs for The Associated Press for more than a half century.
N 2007, eight years after becoming Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez revoked the license of the country’s oldest private television station. Eight months into his second term, President Donald Trump suggested revoking the licenses of US television stations he believes are overly critical of him. Since he returned to office in January, Trump’s remaking of the federal government into an instrument of his personal will has drawn comparisons to elected strongmen in other countries who used the levers of government to consolidate power, punish their enemies and stifle dissent.
But those familiar with other countries where that has happened, including Hungary and Turkey, say there is one striking difference: Trump appears to be moving more rapidly, and more overtly, than others did.
“The only difference is the speed with which it is happening,” said David Smilde, who lived in Venezuela during Chavez’s rise and is now a professor at Tulane University.
Political enemies of the president become targets THE US is a long way from Venezuela or other authoritarian governments. It still has robust opposition to Trump, judges who often check his initiatives and a system that diffuses power across 50 states, including elections, making it hard for a president to dominate the country. Some of Trump’s most controversial pledges, such as revoking television licenses, remain just threats.
Trump has both scoffed and winked at the allegation that he’s an authoritarian.
During last year’s campaign, he said he wouldn’t be a “dictator”—except, he added, “on day one” over the border. Last month, Trump told reporters: “A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator.’ I don’t like a dictator. I’m not a dictator.”
Even so, he has moved quickly to consolidate authority under the presidency, steer federal law enforcement to prioritize a campaign of retribution and purge the government of those not considered sufficiently loyal.
In a recent social media post, Trump complained to his attorney general, Pam Bondi, about a lack of prosecution of his foes, saying “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
Days later, the Department of Justice secured a felony indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump has blamed for the Russian collusion investigation that dogged his first term.
The same day, Trump ordered a sweeping crackdown targeting groups he alleges fund political violence. The examples he gave of victims were exclusively Republicans and his possible targets were those who have funded Democratic candidates and liberal causes. The week before, Trump’s Federal Communications Commission chairman, Brendan Carr, threatened ABC after a comment about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk by late night host Jimmy Kimmel angered Republicans.
ABC suspended Kimmel for five days, but Trump threatened consequences for the network after it returned his show to the airwaves: “I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do,” the president said on his social media site.
Trump has said he is repaying Democrats for what he says is political persecution of him and his supporters. The White House said its mission was accountability.
“The Trump administration will continue to deliver the truth to the American people, restore integrity to our justice system, and take action to stop radical left-wing violence that is plaguing American communities.” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Saturday in response to a question about comparisons between Trump and authoritarian leaders.
US unprepared for attacks on democracy from within TRUMP opened his second term pardoning more than 1,500 people convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, an attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss. He has threatened judges who ruled against him, targeted law firms and universities he believes opposed him, and is attempting to reshape the nation’s cultural institutions.
On Saturday, the president said he was going to send troops to Portland, Oregon, “authorizing Full Force” if necessary. It would be his latest deployment of troops to cities run by Democrats.
Steven Levitsky, a Harvard political scientist and co-author of the book
“How Democracies Die,” said he is constantly asked by foreign journalists how the US can let Trump take such actions.
“If you talk to Brazilians, South Koreans, Germans, they have better antennae for authoritarians,” he said.
“They experienced, or were taught by their parents, or the schools, the danger of losing a democracy.” Of the United States, he said: “This is not a society that is prepared for authoritarianism.”
‘America has become little Turkey’ ALPER COSKUN presumed the US wouldn’t go the way of his native Turkey, where he served in the government, including as the country’s director general of international security affairs. He left as that country’s president, Recep Erdogan, consolidated power.
Coskun now laughs bitterly at the quip his countrymen make: Turkey wanted to become little America, but now America has become little Turkey.
“It’s a very similar playbook,” said Coskun, now at the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace. The difference, he said, is that Erdogan, first elected in 2002, had to move slowly to avoid running afoul of Turkey’s thenindependent military and business community.
Trump, in contrast, has more “brazenly” broken democratic norms, Coskun said. Erdogan, who met with Trump this past week, has had 23 years in office to increase his authority and has now jailed writers, journalists and a potential political rival, Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
“Trump is emulating Erdogan much faster than I expected,” said Henri Barkey, a Turkish professor and expert at the Council on Foreign Relations who lives in the US and has been accused by Erdogan of complicity in an attempted 2016 coup, an allegation Barkey denies.
He said Trump is following in Erdogan’s path in prosecuting enemies, but said he has yet to use the Justice Department to neutralize opponents running for office.
“We have to see if Trump is going to go to that next step,” Barkey said. Eroding democratic norms took longer in other countries HUNGARIAN Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has often been cited as a model for Trump. Orbán has become an icon to some US conservatives for cracking down on immigration and LGBTQ rights. Like Trump, he lost an election and spent his years out of office planning his return.
When voters returned Orbán to power in 2010, he moved as quickly as Trump, said Kim Scheppele, who was an adviser to Hungary’s constitutional court and now is a sociologist at Princeton. But there was one difference. To avoid resistance, Scheppele said, “Orbán had a ‘don’t scare the horses’ philosophy.” She said he spent much of his first year back working on legal reforms and changes to Hungary’s constitution that set him up to consolidate power.
UN reimposes sanctions on Iran; economy and regional tensions expected to worsen
By Jon Gambrell & Amir Vahdat | The Associated Press
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran early Sunday over its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic as its people increasingly find themselves priced out of the food they need to survive and worried about their futures.
The sanctions will again freeze Iranian assets abroad, halt arms deals with Tehran, and penalize any development of Iran’s ballistic missile program, among other measures. It came via a mechanism known as “snapback,” included in Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, and comes as Iran’s economy already is reeling.
Iran’s rial currency sits at a record low, increasing pressure on food prices and making daily life that much more challenging. That includes meat, rice and other staples of the Iranian dinner table.
Meanwhile, people worry about a new round of fighting between Iran and Israel—as well as potentially the United States—as missile sites struck during the 12-day war in June now appear to be being rebuilt.
Activists fear a rising wave of repression within the Islamic Republic, which already has reportedly executed more people this year than over the past three decades.
Sina, the father of a 12-year-old boy
who spoke on condition that only his first name be used for fear of repercussions, said the country has never faced such a challenging time, even during the deprivations of the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the decades of sanctions that came later.
“For as long as I can remember, we’ve been struggling with economic hardship, and every year it’s worse than the last,” Sina told The Associated Press. “For my generation, it’s always either too late or too early—our dreams are slipping away.”
Iran sanctions set to ‘snapback’ SNAPBACK was designed to be vetoproof at the UN Security Council, meaning China and Russia could not stop it alone, as they have other proposed actions against Tehran in the past. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called them a “trap” for Iran on Saturday. France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered snapback over Iran 30 days ago for its further restricting monitoring of its nuclear
A DOMESTICALLY-BUILT
program and the deadlock over its negotiations with the US. Iran further withdrew from the International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring after Israel’s war with the country in June, which also saw the US strike nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, the country still maintains a stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity—a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent—that is largely enough to make several atomic bombs, should Tehran choose to rush toward weaponization.
Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, though the West and IAEA say Tehran had an organized weapons program up until 2003.
Comey indicted for false statement; case revives contentious Russia investigation
By Byron Tau
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON—The indictment of former FBI Director James Comey is only two pages and alleges he falsely testified to Congress in 2020 about authorizing someone to be an anonymous source in news stories.
That brevity belies a convoluted and contentious backstory. The events at the heart of the disputed testimony are among the most heavily scrutinized in the bureau’s history, generating internal and congressional investigations that have produced thousands of pages of records and transcripts. Those investigations were focused on how Comey and his agents conducted high-stakes inquiries into whether Russia was helping Republican Donald Trump’s campaign during the 2016 presidential race against Democrat Hillary Clinton and her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.
Here are some things to know about that period and how they fit into Comey’s indictment:
What are the allegations?
THE indictment alleges that Comey made a false statement in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The single quote from the indictment appears to be from an interaction with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Prosecutors contend Comey lied when he denied having authorized anyone at the FBI to be an anonymous source to the media. In fact, prosecutors allege, he had done that very thing by telling someone—identified as “Person 3” in the indictment—to speak to reporters.
“It’s such a bare-bones indictment,’ said Solomon Wisenberg, a former federal prosecutor and now a defense attorney in private practice. “We do not know what the evidence is going to be” at trial. What did Comey say to Congress?
WISENBERG said the testimony in question appears to have come when Cruz was pressing Comey over the role that his deputy director, Andy McCabe, played in authorizing a leak to The Wall Street Journal for a story examining how the FBI handled an investi -
gation into Clinton’s use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. Cruz’s question was complicated, but it boiled down to pitting Comey against McCabe. The senator noted that Comey told Congress in 2017 that he had not authorized anyone to speak to reporters. But Cruz asserted that McCabe had “publicly and repeatedly said he leaked information to The Wall Street Journal and that you were directly aware of it and that you directly authorized it.”
“Who’s telling the truth?” Cruz asked. Comey answered: “I stand by the testimony you summarized that gave in May of 2017.”
At that time, Comey had been put on the spot by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. Comey was asked whether he had “ever authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports about the Trump investigation or the Clinton investigation.”
Comey answered, “No.” The indictment says Comey falsely stated that he had not “authorized someone else at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports,” but Comey appears not to have used that exact phrasing during the 2020 hearing at issue, potentially complicating efforts to establish that he made a false statement.
What may have sparked the questions?
“PERSON 3” is not identified in the indictment. That person appears to have been discussing an investigation related to Clinton, based on a clearer reference in a felony charge that grand jurors rejected. Comey figured in several inquiries into alleged leaks in the Clinton investigation.
One involved McCabe, who told the Justice Department’s inspector general that as deputy FBI director he had authorized a subordinate to talk to a Journal reporter. He told investigators he had informed Comey about that interaction after the fact.
It’s unlikely the indictment is focused on that episode because McCabe never told investigators that Comey had authorized him to talk to the media, only that the FBI director was aware that McCabe had done so.
Two other leak investigations involved a friend of Comey’s who served for a time
as a paid government adviser to the director. That adviser, Daniel Richman, has told investigators he spoke to the media to help shape perceptions of the embattled FBI chief.
Richman, a law professor at Columbia University, was interviewed by FBI agents in 2019 about leaks to the media that concerned the bureau’s investigation into Clinton. Richman said Comey had never authorized him to speak to the media about the Clinton investigation but he acknowledged Comey was aware that he sometimes engaged with reporters.
Comey has acknowledged using Richman as a conduit to the media in another matter. After Comey was fired by Trump in 2017, he gave Richman a memo that detailed his interactions with the president. Comey later testified to Congress that he had authorized Richman to disclose the contents of the memo to journalists with the hopes of spurring the appointment of a special counsel who might investigate Trump.
How did we get here?
TRUMP and Comey have been engaged in a long-running feud. Trump blames Comey for having started an investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 campaign that led to the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller spent the better part of two years investigating whether Trump’s campaign colluded with the Kremlin to help him win the White House.
In the end, Mueller uncovered no evidence that Trump or his associates criminally colluded with Russia, but found that they had welcomed Moscow’s assistance.
Trump has long vented about the “Russia hoax,” which shadowed and defined the early years of his first term.
Trump has spent the ensuing years bashing Comey and saying he was worthy of being charged with treason.
Just days before the indictment, Trump publicly urged his attorney general, Pam Bondi, to act against Comey and two other perceived Trump enemies: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump posted on social media last week. “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW.”
Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
The three European nations on Sunday said they “continuously made every effort to avoid triggering snapback.” But Iran “has not authorized IAEA inspectors to regain access to Iran’s nuclear sites, nor has it produced and transmitted to the IAEA a report accounting for its stockpile of high-enriched uranium.”
Tehran has further argued that the three European nations shouldn’t be allowed to implement snapback, pointing in part to America’s unilateral withdrawal from the accord in 2018, during the first term of President Donald Trump’s administration.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the three European nations for “an act of decisive global leadership”
for imposing the sanctions on Iran and said “diplomacy is still an option.”
“For that to happen, Iran must accept direct talks,” Rubio said.
However, it remains unclear how Tehran will respond Sunday.
“The Trump administration appears to think it has a stronger hand post-strikes, and it can wait for Iran to come back to the table,” said Kelsey Davenport, a nuclear expert at the Washington-based Arms Control Association. “Given the knowledge Iran has, given the materials that remain in Iran, that’s a very dangerous assumption.”
Risks also remain for Iran as well, she added: “In the short term, kicking out the IAEA increases the risk of miscalculation. The US or Israel could use the lack of inspections as a pretext for further strikes.”
Hunger and anxiety grow in Iran
THE aftermath of the June war drove up food prices in Iran, putting already expensive meat out of reach for poorer families.
Iran’s government put overall annual inflation at 34.5 percent in June, and its Statistical Center reported that the cost of essential food items rose over 50 percent over the same period. But even that doesn’t reflect what people see at shops. Pinto beans tripled in price in a year, while butter nearly doubled. Rice, a staple, rose more than 80percent on average, hitting 100 percent for premium varieties. Whole chicken is up 26 percent, while beer and lamb are up 9 percent.
“Every day I see new higher prices for cheese, milk and butter,” said
Sima Taghavi, a mother of two, at a Tehran grocery. “I cannot omit them like fruits and meat from my grocery list because my kids are too young to be deprived.”
The pressure over food and fears about the war resuming have seen more patients heading to psychologists since June, local media in Iran have reported.
“The psychological pressure from the 12-day war on the one hand, and runaway inflation and price hikes on the other, has left society exhausted and unmotivated,” Dr. Sima Ferdowsi, a clinical psychologist and professor at Shahid Beheshti University, told the Hamshahri newspaper in an interview published in July.
Executions surge in 2025 IRAN has faced multiple nationwide protests in recent years, fueled by anger over the economy, demands for women’s rights and calls for the country’s theocracy to change. In response to those protests and the June war, Iran has been putting prisoners to death at a pace unseen since 1988, when it executed thousands at the end of the Iran-Iraq war. The Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights and the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran put the number of people executed in 2025 at over 1,000, noting the number could be higher as Iran does not report on each execution.
Vahdat reported from Tehran, Iran. Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran contributed to this report.
Large Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv kills 4 and wounds at least 10
By Derek Gatopoulos, Illia Novikov, & Elise Morton
The Associated Press
KYIV, Ukraine—At least four people were killed when Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight into Sunday, with the capital city of Kyiv suffering the heaviest assault.
This is the first major bombardment since an air attack on Kyiv killed at least 21 people last month.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration, confirmed Sunday’s casualties via Telegram, and said 10 others were wounded in the attack that targeted civilian areas across the city. A 12-year-old girl was among the dead. Thick black smoke could be seen rising from a blast near the city center.
“The Russians have restarted the child death counter,” Tkachenko wrote on Telegram.
Russia fired a total of 595 exploding drones and decoys and 48 missiles, Ukraine’s air force said Sunday. Of those, air defenses shot down or jammed 566 drones and 45 missiles.
Besides Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the bombardment targeted the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa. According to Zelenskyy, who wrote on X, at least 40 people were wounded across the country.
Zaporizhzhia’s regional head, Ivan Fedorov, said three children were among the 27 wounded in the region, adding that over two dozen buildings were damaged in the region’s capital that bears the same name.
“This vile attack came virtually (at) the close of UN General Assembly week, and this is exactly how Russia declares its true position. Moscow wants to keep fighting and killing, and it deserves the toughest pressure from the world,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov insisted to world leaders Saturday that his nation doesn’t intend to attack Europe but will mount a “decisive response” to any aggression.
The strikes that began overnight and continued after dawn on Sunday also targeted residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility and a kindergarten, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who also said damage was reported at more than 20 locations across the capital.
At Kyiv’s central train station, passengers arrived to the crackle of antiaircraft gunfire and the low buzz of attack drones. Mostly women, they waited quietly in a platform underpass until the air raid alert ended. Parents checked the news on their phones while children played online games.
“The sky has turned black again,” said one woman at the station, who gave only her first name, Erika. “It’s happening a lot.”
At a multi-story residential building heavily damaged by a drone attack, a large section of the upper floors was gutted and windows blown out. Emergency services personnel, including firefighters with an extended ladder truck, used power saws to clear the debris. Piles of glass littered nearby sidewalks as building residents, some looking shaken, sat on benches.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the scope of the assault as involving “hundreds of drones and missiles.” “We must maximise the cost of further escalation for Russia,” Sybiha said, writing on X.
Russian officials did not immedi -
ately comment on the attacks. The assault also triggered military responses in neighboring Poland, where fighter jets were deployed early Sunday morning as Russia struck targets in western Ukraine, according to the Polish armed forces. Polish military officials characterized these defensive measures as “preventative.” International concerns have mounted recently that the fighting could spread beyond Ukraine’s borders as European countries rebuked Russia for what they said were provocations. The incidents have included Russian drones landing on Polish soil and Russian fighter aircraft entering Estonian airspace.
Russia denied its planes entered Estonian airspace and said none of its drones targeted Poland. The latest bombardment follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement Saturday of what he called a “mega deal” for weapons purchases from the United States. The $90 billion package includes both the major arms agreement and a separate “drone deal” for Ukrainian-made drones that the US will purchase directly.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight into Sunday. Morton reported from London.
SALEMI
Nestlé to govt: Simplify rules for CEMF access
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
NESTLÉ
Philippines has proposed changes to the guidelines for accessing a fund that seeks to boost crops production and improve the competitiveness of farmers.
The food and beverage giant said it has submitted to the Department of Agriculture (DA) its recommended changes in the rules for tapping the competitiveness enhancement measures fund (CEMF).
“With the DA revising the CEMF implementation rules, we have submitted recommendations to simplify the process and better enable farmers to access it,” Nestlé Philippines SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs Jose Uy III told the BusinessMirror Industry sources said the CEMF consists mostly of safeguard du-
ties collected from coffee and poultry imports. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA has yet to use the money earmarked for the CEMF in its 2025 budget, which stands at P1.25 billion, due to “complicated rules.” One of Nesté’s recommendations is to allow up to 100 percent in-kind equity for small farmers’ associations, “recognizing that these groups can contribute labor, produce, and existing assets more readily than cash.”
Uy also recommends simplifying supporting documents so that com-
pliance requirements are “practical and farmer-friendly.”
“We propose that grant sizes be based on project viability rather than rigid ceilings, and that infrastructure-related requirements and supplier quotations be prepared
ahead of fund downloading to avoid unnecessary delays,” he said.
“With these provisions, the CEMF can more strongly empower farmers and make our coffee industry more competitive.”
The Nestlé executive noted that
Rethink plan to ban imported molasses, group tells SRA
THE plan of the government to impose temporary ban on molasses imports could put pressure on prices of animal feeds, according to the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI).
PCAFI made the pronouncement after the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said it may impose a temporary ban on molasses imports to stabilize domestic supply given the buildup in local inventories and the recent spike in imports.
Danilo Fausto, PCAFI president, said the sugar sector continues to grapple with challenges like climate change, fragmented land, lack of irrigation, farm mechanization, and poor planting materials.
“Thus, the government should calibrate very well between helping the sugar farmers increase their income via import ban versus the interest of livestock producers and retail consumers,” Fausto told the
Top
IBusinessMirror
Meanwhile, economists said the temporary ban would not cause an uptick in prices of gasoline, which should contain a bioethanol blend.
They cautioned, however, that such a measure should be brief, since a prolonged import freeze could raise pump prices.
Locally produced bioethanol, which is blended into gasoline fuel, mostly uses sugarcane molasses as a feedstock.
University of Asia and the Pacific Center for Food and Agribusiness (CFA) Executive Director Marie Annette Galvez-Dacul said gasoline prices would only increase should the government extend the moratorium on molasses shipments or the domestic stockpile dwindle.
“The planned temporary molasses import ban is unlikely to affect gasoline prices in the short term, unless it is extended or local supplies tighten,” Dacul told this newspaper. “Gasoline prices will still be
driven mainly by global oil costs and the peso.”
This was seconded by Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
“No effect [on gasoline prices], companies just draw down inventory. But it should not last too long, otherwise it could raise price unless imports of ethanol are allowed,” Briones told the BusinessMirror.
Under current rules, the National Biofuels Board (NBB) allows fuel ethanol imports to meet the required 10 percent ethanol blend (E10) and optional E20 blend due to insufficient feedstock.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that ethanol imports jumped by 31 percent in the first semester to 293,039 metric tons (MT) from 224,386 MT in the same period last year.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona told this newspaper that
the agency will release an order on the import freeze before the start of the milling season on September 29 to prevent a supply glut.
He said sugar mills run the risk of losing storage space during the milling season, given their full molasses inventories.
Molasses production rose by 20 percent year-on-year to 1.18 million metric tons (MMT) in the current crop year on the back of an unexpected surge in sugarcane harvest and a drop in yield.
Azcona also floated the possibility of regulating molasses imports to stabilize millsite price, which plunged by 35 percent to P12,000 per metric ton (MT) from P18,449 per MT last year, based on SRA data.
Figures from the SRA indicated that bioethanol prices inched up by 4 percent as it averaged P85.23 per liter last month, from P81.95 per liter in the same period last year.
Ada Pelonia
Indian vegoil buyer sees cheaper soy oil driving palm shift
NDIA , the world’s biggest vegetable oil buyer, is poised to boost soybean oil purchases next year as bumper global crops have made the commodity cheaper than rival palm, according to a top importer.
“Indian households are price conscious and flexible in switching to cheaper vegetable oils,” Aashish Acharya, a vice president at Patanjali Foods Ltd., said in an interview on the sidelines of Globoil, a vegetable oil conference. Inbound shipments will rise by about 9 percent next year starting in November from an estimated 5.5 million tons in 2024-25, he said in Mumbai on Thursday.
The shift in buying pattern could reshape India’s edible oil mix and add pressure on top palm oil exporters—Indonesia and Malaysia, which are already grappling with weaker demand. Benchmark palm oil prices have fallen by 4.5 percent in Kuala Lumpur from a fivemonth high in August.
Local buyers ramped up soybean oil imports from Argentina earlier this week, seizing on a temporary suspension of export levies by the South American nation that made the commodity more competitive, Acharya said. Indian traders and processors snapped up 300,000 to 350,000 tons of soybean oil in three days this week from Argentina and China for shipments between October and February, he said.
Landed cost of palm oil in India is currently as much as $40 a ton more than soybean oil, he said. Soy
oil normally commands a premium over palm, but a higher supply outlook and US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have dampened its prices. Palm oil imports by India may fall to about 7.5 million tons in 2025-26, from an estimated 7.9 million tons a year earlier, Acharya said. The country bought about 9 million tons of the tropical commodity in 2023-24, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India.
French farmers junk pact FARMERS staged protests across France, urging the government to block a European Union free-trade deal with South American nations and protect them from what they say will be unfair competition.
Hundreds of tractors rolled into dozens of cities and towns across Europe’s biggest agricultural producer, heeding calls by farming unions for a day of demonstrations against the agreement with the Mercosur bloc. A group of about 20 vehicles parked in front of the gates of the Palace of Versailles, beneath the statue of Louis XIV, France Info said on its website.
Protests by powerful farming unions, which blockaded cities last year over cheap imports, add to France’s mounting political turmoil after three governmental collapses over the past year. New Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has been attempting to draft an austerity budget for several weeks. Arnaud Rousseau, president of the FNSEA union, said in an inter -
the domestic coffee stockpile could not keep up with rising demand as several challenges weigh on the industry’s productivity.
“Philippine consumer demand is steadily growing while coffee production is declining,” he said.
“Our smallholder coffee farmers continue to face major challenges such as limited financing, low yields from poor farming practices, postharvest losses, and weak market access.”
Uy said CEMF would help address these challenges by supporting production, processing, and marketing, and building needed infrastructure.
He said Nestlé has been helping farmer cooperatives in Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon to draft proposals to avail of the CEMF, adding that four farmer associations have so far submitted their proposals with the firm’s participation.
“As the country’s largest coffee manufacturer, we prioritize the local procurement of green coffee beans,” Uy said, noting that its flagship program Nescafé Plan strives
to help Filipino coffee farmers improve productivity, quality, and sustainability.
“We work with our farmers, cooperatives, and government partners to strengthen the coffee industry.”
The CEMF is established under Republic Act (RA) 8800 or the Safeguards Measures Act to boost the competitiveness of domestic industries injured by increased imports through agricultural and fisheries programs.
Under RA 8800, 50 percent of revenues collected from fees, charges, and safeguard duties on imported goods would be earmarked for this fund. The special safeguard (SSG) duty is a trade mechanism that a country can impose on imported products that fall below a trigger price.
Additional duties computed based on the difference between the value of the imported product and the trigger price are slapped on a commodity to protect domestic output against unfair competition.
Corn output to rise as local farmers defeat pest–report
GOOD weather and better pest management will enable the country to increase its corn production to 8.35 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2025/2026, according to an international report.
The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila (USDA-FAS Manila) expects corn production to inch up by 0.2 percent from its projection of 8.33 MMT in the previous MY.
Such an increase would be propelled by more favorable weather conditions, continued government support through the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) National Corn Program, and improved technical knowledge in managing fall armyworm (FAW).
“Farmers have adopted strategies such as planting FAW-resistant corn varieties and diversifying the varieties planted to mitigate the risk of pest and disease outbreaks, which are concentrated on specific varieties,” the USDA-FAS Manila said in its latest report.
It added that wetter weather conditions in the third quarter and limited access to mechanical dryers will moderate corn output in MY 2025/26.
“Similar to rice, farmer contacts report insufficient access to postharvest facilities, such as mechanical dryers, which leaves the industry heav-
view with Le Journal du Dimanche on Sept. 14 that the day of protest was declared mainly to denounce the Mercosur deal, but also against tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, and imports that don’t respect French standards, such as Ukrainian eggs.
The European Commission this month published the final text of its long-sought free-trade pact with Mercosur. It needs approval by the European Parliament and a qualified majority of its 27 member states. The EU has been racing to clinch trade deals with countries around the world to diversify away from an increasingly protectionist US under Trump.
Associations representing France’s meat, poultry, beet, sugar, bioethanol and grains producers said in a joint statement that Paris should refuse to sign the deal and rally other EU countries into a coalition to block its ratification. They fear cheaper imports and want guarantees that their Latin American rivals comply with EU health and environmental standards, including on antibiotics and pesticides.
The farming groups said the safeguard clauses in the final text were “just a smokescreen” because they are too slow and complex to activate, and won’t actually protect them from Mercosur imports.
While Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has welcomed the added safeguard clauses, she said more needed to be done to fully protect French and European farmers.
Bloomberg News
ily reliant on favorable weather to dry corn to the target 13 to 14 percent moisture content for corn.”
Meanwhile, USDA-FAS Manila expects total corn consumption to reach 10 MMT in MY 2025/26. Of this, 5.6 MMT are for feed and residual, while the remaining 4.4 MMT are for food, seed, and industrial (FSI) applications. Despite this, the agency noted that the forecast for feed and residual and FSI are up by 0.9 and 1.2 percent in MY 2025/26, respectively, compared to the previous MY.
“The demand for feed corn is sustained by the broiler, layer, pet food, and aquaculture industries. Additionally, despite growing at a slower pace, the rebound in swine inventory as of July 1, 2025, compared to April 1, 2025, further supports feed corn demand at a moderated rate,” the USDA-FAS Manila said.
“FSI demand continues to grow, particularly for corn-based snacks and other industrial applications, sustaining the need for both locally produced and imported corn.”
The agency also increased the country’s corn imports to 1.75 MMT in MY 2025/26, “given continued demand for feed and corn-based food products amidst marginal increases in corn production.” Ada Pelonia
FAO: More Eastern, SE Asian nations saw abnormally high food prices
THE proportion of countries experiencing moderately to abnormally high food prices in East and Southeast Asia doubled on an annual basis in 2023, returning to the levels observed in 2020, according a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN).
Last week, FAO released a report assessing the world’s progress on 22 indicators under its custodianship spanning six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (life on Land).
“The proportion of countries with moderately to abnormally high food prices saw a modest decline in 2023 compared to the preceding year, but it remains three times higher than the 2015–19 average value—a significant deterioration for the achievement of this target,” the report read.
Globally, the report noted that the proportion of countries facing moderately to abnormally high food prices declined to about 50 percent in 2023 compared to the preceding year. This trend was consistent across most monitored regional groupings, except for Eastern and Southeastern Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
In Eastern and Southeastern Asia, including the Philippines, this change was driven by a jump in the number of countries with abnormally high food prices, according to the report.
“Concerns about weather-related declines in rice production led to a sharp rise in rice prices throughout most of the year, prompting trade restrictions and stockpiling by major rice-producing countries.”
Following the sharp increases in 2022, FAO noted that global food prices mostly declined during the first half of 2023, driven by lower shipping costs and easing prices for fuel and fertilizers. However,
in the latter half of the year, global food prices saw a modest rebound due to heightened uncertainty from multiple factors, including geopolitical tensions from conflicts in the Near East and rising oil prices linked to OPEC+ production cuts.
“Despite the year-on-year improvement and a generally favorable food supply situation, global food prices remained historically high in 2023.” FAO said the world and all SDG regions, except Central Asia and Southern Asia, remain “very far” from achieving Target 2.c, with deteriorating trends since the baseline year underscoring the urgent need for accelerated progress. Target 2.c pertains to
FAO
said the world is close to achieving one-quarter of the relevant targets, while another quarter remains “far or very far” from completion. For the remaining half, countries in general are moderately positioned to meet them. The report benefits from the highest availability of data on the food and agriculture-related
“We need to redouble our efforts to
improved
agriculture, while ensuring the
and
of our
This
on which objectives and which regions have achieved the most progress and which have seen a deterioration, and can therefore serve as a guide for galvanizing efforts on those areas lagging furthest behind,” said Jose Rosero Moncayo, FAO chief statistician.
PHOTO FROM BLOOMBERG
PHOTO FROM BLOOMBERG
Tourism road projects face scrutiny amid ‘ghost project’ fears
THE recent concerns raised by Senator Loren Legarda regarding the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) tourism road projects strike a chord of caution that must be heeded. The fear that these projects may become another case of ghost flood-control initiatives is a serious allegation that warrants immediate and thorough investigation. Taxpayers’ money should translate to tangible benefits, not vanish into the pockets of corruption or be wasted on substandard work. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Do your own spot checks, tourism roads may be next ghost projects, DOT told,” September 27, 2025).
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco’s agreement on the “need to audit the DPWH’s report” is a welcome step. Relying solely on reports, as Senator Legarda pointed out, is a dangerous practice. The Department of Tourism must take a proactive role in verifying the completion and quality of these roads, utilizing its regional offices for on-site inspections. Transparency is key; the detailed status of these projects should be readily available on both the DPWH and DOT websites, as well as submitted to the relevant committees.
The allocation of over P46 billion for tourism roads from 2022 to 2024 demands accountability. While the DPWH reported the completion of 882.28 kilometers of roads under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP), these numbers mean little if the roads are poorly constructed, do not actually lead to tourist destinations, or are simply non-existent.
The debate over where the budget for tourism roads should be lodged —with the DPWH or the DOT—highlights a critical issue: prioritization. Secretary Frasco’s point that the DOT often receives minimal funding for new roads, despite data-driven recommendations, is telling. While the DPWH possesses the expertise for construction, the DOT is better positioned to identify and prioritize projects that will genuinely boost tourism in line with the National Tourism Development Plan. A collaborative approach, where the DOT identifies the needs and the DPWH executes the projects with strict oversight, may be the most effective solution.
The projected shortfall in international tourist arrivals for 2026, down to 6.7 million from the original target of 9.3 million, underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges. Limited funding for promotions, coupled with stringent visa requirements for key markets like mainland China, are hindering the country’s tourism potential. Investing in quality infrastructure, streamlining entry processes, and strategically marketing the Philippines are essential to attracting more visitors and driving economic growth.
The proposed P3.55 billion budget for TRIP in 2026, a decrease from this year’s P6.1 billion allocation, raises concerns about the government’s commitment to tourism development. Moreover, the concentration of funding in Luzon regions, as indicated in the DPWH’s proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2026, suggests a need for a more equitable distribution of resources to ensure that all regions benefit from tourism growth.
Ultimately, tourism roads should be more than just concrete and asphalt. They should be pathways to economic opportunity, cultural exchange, and sustainable development. By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and strategic planning, the Philippines can ensure that its tourism infrastructure truly leads to progress for all.
Healing stories and new science: Ayurveda’s Manila convention
ARISING SUN
YURVEDA’S healing journey is one woven from ancient tales and scientific curiosity. Its harmonious view of wellness—where health blossoms not just in the absence of disease but with the vibrance of balance—finds a huge local stage at AyurvedaCon2025, soon to unfurl at UP Diliman, Metro Manila.
On October 25 and 26, the 10th International Ayurveda, Yoga, and Wellness Convention and Expo will bring together health luminaries from India and the Philippines, creating a mosaic of science, art, and hands-on experience. This two-day gathering at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman is rich in wisdom, demonstrations, and practical guidance tailored for the health-conscious residents of Metro Manila.
The first day opens with ceremonies graced by Dr. Ma. Teresa C. Iñigo of PITAHC, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Harsh Kumar Jain, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Dr. Isidro Sia, and Dr.
Jaime Galvez Tan.
Dr. Sia will outline the role of alternative medicine in the Philippines, while Dr. Galvez Tan will share insights on integrative medicine for overall wellness. Dr. Luis H. Años will narrate Ayurveda’s evolving story in the Philippines, and Ms. Cory Quirino will add beauty and wellness insights, the natural way. Dr. Satheesh Namboodiri will explore lifestyle medicine and stress management, adding modern relevance to this ageless tradition.
Day one continues with a spectrum of presentations and ends with a panel discussion. Prof. Anupam Srivastava, a global figure in
On October 25 and 26, the 10th International Ayurveda, Yoga, and Wellness Convention and Expo will bring together health luminaries from India and the Philippines, creating a mosaic of science, art, and hands-on experience. This two-day gathering at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman is rich in wisdom, demonstrations, and practical guidance tailored for the health-conscious residents of Metro Manila.
Ayurvedic research, will reveal healing miracles observed in Ayurveda, setting a hopeful tone for evidencebased natural medicine. The day also offers wholesome nourishment and a welcoming community of likeminded seekers.
On the second day, the program opens with a deep dive into topics like the globalization of Ayurveda, its practical role in boosting immunity, and its effectiveness within the Philippine context. Evidence takes center stage as both research and personal narratives testify to the gentle efficacy of holistic care.
Panchakarma—famed for detox,
healing, and rejuvenation—will be discussed, and health food preparation is brought closer to home with a cooking demo. The day wraps up with yoga for good health and a closing session that leaves attendees equipped and inspired to integrate these teachings into their fastpaced daily grind. Eminent speakers throughout include Prof. Srivastava, Dr. Niranjan S. BAMS, Dr. Años, Dr. V.G. Uduyakar, Fr. Dr. Jacob Gnalian, and Dr. Chester Andrew Navarro. For Metro Manila residents— busy professionals, students, parents, and retirees—AyurvedaCon2025 opens its doors wide. Free early bird slots and affordable rates promise inclusive access, while every attendee enjoys nourishing food and a certificate of attendance. To register: https://bit.ly/4mZsdpa Beyond medicine, Ayurveda brings hope for a more sustainable way to thrive. Ayurveda calls everyone back to the gentle wisdom of balance and deep connection, offering each participant not just treatment, but inspiration for a lifelong story of wellness. In this two-day gathering, participants will see and experience that it is important to heal not just the body, but our communities, too.
A values-driven workforce: SM Investments responds to the shifting priorities of young employees
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug
Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos
Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo
Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes
D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos
Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
Rolando M. Manangan
BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd
OR today’s young workforce, a paycheck alone no longer seals the deal. A satisfactory work environment and the opportunity for self-development now rank as highly as—and sometimes higher than—the amount written on one’s pay slip. This is the central takeaway from a survey conducted by SM Investments Corporation, prompting the conglomerate to recalibrate its human resources policy with a renewed focus on employee well-being.
According to SM Investments President and CEO Frederic Dy Buncio, the survey gave SM the insight needed to fine-tune its approach to talent management and workplace culture. Across generations, respondents consistently used words like “reliability” and “pride” to describe SM, affirming its reputation for stability and its sense of responsibility to the communities it serves. But SM has seen the tide shift: younger generations expect more than stability—they expect a workplace that respects their time, their health, and
their values.
This insight aligns neatly with the findings of Deloitte’s global survey, which shows that Millennials and Gen Z workers around the world put a premium on work-life balance, in some cases even above salary. Career advancement remains important, but not at the expense of personal growth or mental well-being.
The Deloitte study, spanning over a decade across 44 countries and involving 20,000 respondents, also highlights a crucial dimension: young workers’ career choices are
SM’s decision to prioritize human values in its HR policy is not only a smart business move; it also acknowledges that the future of work—and the nation’s economy—will be shaped by individuals who refuse to compromise their principles for a paycheck.
heavily shaped by sustainability and social impact. They research a company’s environmental record and social responsibility before accepting a job offer.
SM’s own internal survey mirrors these findings. Rather than rely solely on external research, SM canvassed its 142,000-strong workforce—a diverse mix of Millennials (45 percent), Gen Zs (14 percent), Gen Xers (37 percent), and Baby Boomers (4%). Significantly, 64 percent of its employees are women, who hold 58 percent of senior leadership roles. The message from these employees was clear: they value growth opportunities, but they also expect the company to support their lives beyond work.
This is no small matter for the country’s largest conglomerate, with over P1 trillion in assets across re-
tail, banking, and property. Within a decade, Millennials and Gen Zs will dominate its ranks and leadership pipeline. SM recognizes that future success hinges on meeting these generations where they are—enabling them to grow without forcing them to abandon their aspirations for balance and purpose.
SM’s approach, therefore, is to make well-being its guiding principle. This is not merely about perks or token gestures. It is about creating an environment where leaders and workers alike can thrive without burning out. SM sees this as a strategic investment, not a concession—a way to keep its workforce engaged, loyal, and productive. In truth, there is little daylight between the Deloitte findings and SM’s internal survey. One complements the other, reinforcing a single message that companies everywhere must heed: the next generation of leaders will not be swayed by salary alone. They are watching, listening, and choosing to work for companies whose values align with their own. For business leaders, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. A workforce that job-hops every two years is
See “Gagni,”
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II
One recipe, one kitchen: Coordinating flood control probes
IJoel L. Tan-Torres
DEBIT CREDIT
Part two
CONTINUE my series of articles on the various government agencies and private organizations that are engaged in investigation or oversight of the flood control anomalies. Last week, I dwelled on the Office of the President, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, and the Congressional oversight and investigation committees.
I continue my discussion this time focusing on the financial watchdogs.
The scandal has also drawn in the country’s financial regulators and tax authorities. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently capped daily cash withdrawals at P500,000, signaling its intent to prevent illicit cash movements linked to illegal or irregular payments, including construction payoffs and kickbacks. Using its new powers under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Republic Act 12010), enacted in July 2024. The AFASA aims to criminalize and deter financial account fraud and social engineering schemes, like phishing and vishing. It also empowers the BSP to investigate such activities and hold bank accounts of perpetrators of these crimes for a period of time. The law introduces new penalties for money muling, social engineering, and economic sabotage, and mandates financial institutions to implement fraud management systems and hold disputed funds, providing enhanced protection for the financial system and its users. ( https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/97690).
The Anti-Money Laundering Council has the authority to investigate money laundering and terrorism financing. Under the Anti-Money Laundering Law or RA 9160, the AMLC can issue an ex parte freeze order with the Court of Appeals’ approval against bank deposits, investments, and properties suspected to be linked to illicit funds. The AMLC can file petitions for the forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth linked to anomalous flood control projects. The AMLC may impose sanctions on covered institutions (banks, remittance centers) if they fail to report
Gagni.
. .
Continued from A10
costly to retain—but also represents a reservoir of insight about what makes a workplace truly competitive. Millennials and Gen Zs are rewriting the rules of work. They still care about career progression, but they will walk away from a promotion if it costs them their peace of mind.
This is a stark contrast to the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, who were raised to equate long tenure, rising salaries, and job security with success. The younger generation is telling us that meaning matters just as much as
suspicious transactions involving the perpetrators. It is quite clear that some bank officials may be irregularly conniving with those involved in the flood control mess by allowing massive cash withdrawals amounting to billions of pesos in a day or several days. They should be included in the investigations.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is also a financial watchdog that should be involved in the investigations. It plays an important role in tracing the corporate layers of corporations of individuals involved in the flood control scandal. Through its mandate to monitor beneficial ownership and stockholdings, the SEC can pierce the veil of corporations to identify the individuals controlling contractor firms and related companies. By requiring disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners, the SEC ensures that shell companies and dummies used to hide ill-gotten wealth are unmasked and held accountable. This will be a difficult process since some of the flood control perpetrators have not been reporting their beneficial ownership information or have structured their various corporations in a complex web of dummy and foreignbased ownership.
To be continued
Joel L. Tan-Torres was a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He has also held various positions, including Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Business, Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co., and SyCipGorres and Velayo & Co., and director of various corporate boards. He is a Certified Public Accountant who ranked No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He has his own tax and consultancy practice in JL2T Consulting and can be contacted at joeltantorres@yahoo.com.
money. After all, with meaning comes purpose and that clarity of purpose, not the clink of the coins, is what the younger generation aspires for. As we hurtle deeper into a technology-driven future, perhaps these young workers are pulling us back to what novelist William Faulkner once called “the old verities”—the timeless truths that make life worth living: love, honor, compassion, sacrifice. SM’s decision to prioritize human values in its HR policy is not only a smart business move; it also acknowledges that the future of work—and the nation’s economy—will be shaped by individuals who refuse to compromise their principles for a paycheck.
September 21: The good, the bad, and the ugly
TSiegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.
THE PATRIOT
HE Good: There was anger, mostly controlled. The multitude of Filipinos who showed up represented a good cross section of society. Some came in buses, others in bicycles. Most of those who used private cars responsibly parked them for everyone’s convenience. Of course, aside from the very vocal youth, I also noticed a good number of the affluent people and working professionals who took part in this call to action. The good speakers in several venues (Manila and People Power Monument) managed to rile up the crowd. I like the way the tandem of the brilliant minds of Cielo Magno and Heidi Mendoza explained specific steps to be taken, post September 21. It would be great to have a people’s initiative, which I hope can get traction even months after this One Trillion March.
Among the celebrities, I admired how Iza Calzado passionately reached out to the crowd as a mother, a woman, and a taxpayer. There were good entertainers too, my favorite of course was Noel Cabangon who sang, among others, “Ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino” a song that evoked patriotism and good citizenship, without inciting violence. I also noticed how the crowd and the police interacted with respect, at least in the vicinity of the People Power monument. The Bad: There was anger, some unnecessarily. Anger to be righteous must be channeled correctly. Vice Ganda gave a powerful and explosive delivery filled with repeated invectives, which received the loudest roar from the crowd in the People Power Monument. Vice Ganda wanted the crowd to remain angry and to fight fire with fire. After all, those who stole taxpayers’ money deserve no mercy, even from the resilient Filipino, according to Vice Ganda. While some
could agree to use the same short-cut methods as those thieves in government, believers know that defeating evil with good under the premises of love and mercy can be more effective. Vengeance is mine, says the Lord (Romans 12:19). Some of those in Manila, from protesters they became rioters; from rallyists, they became looters, unfortunately. Violence against the police who were simply doing what they were told is inexcusable. Antagonism between anti- and pro-Duterte rallyists was expected but could have been managed better by their respective organizers. After all, corruption and those against it are colorblind.
The Ugly: There was anger, and some went out of control. While generally peaceful, the protest in Manila escalated, resulting in injuries on both sides—police and protesters. The uglier part was how the protesters were immediately labeled as “for hire” although some of them were visibly seen as without any motive
I am not a fan of PBBM, but I still hope and pray that he can truly and courageously turn things around by doing the right thing —hold everyone accountable, including himself or his family, if need be. Yes, the Filipino is angry, yet he remains prayerful. I implore the aid of our Almighty God as a Filipino and as a believer for our leaders to lead with good intentions that can lead to less bad deeds to remove the ugliness within us.
except to incite violence. We need to understand we all have different ways to express dissent and anger. Some can sit in silent protest; others can shout at the top of their voices. Some can be more active with their hands than with their tongues.
Policemen tried their best to exercise maximum tolerance, but for them to individually run after rioters appears contrary to such general guideline. Those who joined the protest action against corruption were booed by most. Much as the police were advised to tolerate others, the crowd should do the same when it comes to the subtle colors of the protesters.
Good comes out whenever people are aware of the roots of their problems and understand the core issues behind them. Each issue can never be taken in isolation since for every problem (whether electoral fraud, political dynasty, or corruption) comes with a different perspective.
Filipinos should not only embrace our commonalities in terms of our quest for truth and just but also respect our differences when it comes to reaction and proposed solutions.
Some pushed for the resignation
of BBM, others did not since they do not want VP Sara Duterte to take over. After all, VP Sara still has some skeletons in her closet more known as confidential funds. Respect for the Constitution is essential, as we remain a democracy governed by the rule of law, despite the incompetence and sheer evil of the greedy ones in government. The recent floods are not only a reflection of how people with evil motives have become involved in a system of corruption within government agencies. It is good to see how angry people can rise up and demand accountability; it is bad to judge others and keep everything political when it should not; it can be ugly when the bad in people remain unaccounted and the syndicates remain unpunished. I am not a fan of PBBM, but I still hope and pray that he can truly and courageously turn things around by doing the right thing—hold everyone accountable, including himself or his family, if need be. Yes, the Filipino is angry, yet he remains prayerful. I implore the aid of our Almighty God as a Filipino and as a believer for our leaders to lead with good intentions that can lead to less bad deeds to remove the ugliness within us.
Siegfred has a diversified set of education and experiences which has made him a game changer and a servant leader in organizations such as the Philippine Army, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, a US based software development company called Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Airlines and SM Prime Holdings. His professional degrees came from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. He has delivered leadership and management talks in government agencies. Siegfred is a former soldier and a lawyer by profession, a teacher by passion, and a writer with a mission.
Shaping the living wage agenda: Asia-Pacific’s call to action
By Kaori Nakamura-Osaka
ASIA and the Pacific is home to the world’s largest workforce. In recent years, the region has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with real wages (inflation-adjusted pay) continuing to rise even as they declined in many other parts of the world.
But this only tells part of the story. Different countries have very different wage dynamics, and within the region there are still 1.3 billion vulnerable workers—including women, migrants, workers with disabilities and those in informal jobs—struggling with low pay, poor working conditions and rising costs of living. An increase in average wages does not automatically translate into higher purchasing power for these workers and, even when it does, it may still fall short of ensuring a decent standard of living.
Minimum wages, which are legally binding wage floors, are designed to protect workers against unduly low pay. They are adjusted from time to time but often do not automatically guarantee a minimum standard of living or provide remuneration sufficient to meet the needs of workers and their families. This is where the concept of a living wage becomes transformative, shifting the focus to whether workers earn enough to afford a decent standard of living for themselves and their families. It is rooted in the International Labor Organization (ILO) Constitution
and consistent with the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A living wage can be achieved through inclusive wage-setting processes based on social dialogue between government, employers and workers, and collective bargaining, while also addressing the root causes of low pay.
In recent years, living wage initiatives have gained visibility and momentum. While these initiatives have helped raise awareness and encouraged progress in some areas, they often operate in a fragmented manner and do not always align with national wage-setting mechanisms, and adequately consider local economic realities, or ensure full and effective participation of workers’ and employers’ representatives.
The latest Global Wage Report, 2024-25 highlights persistent challenges in wage growth and wage inequality. Since the turn of the century, wage inequality has narrowed in the majority of countries, but this is not universal, and inequality remains unacceptably high. Over 90 percent of low-wage workers in the region are in informal employment.
The Philippines stakes its claim at UNGA80
NBy Troi Santos
EW York City, September 28, 2025—Every September, the United Nations General Assembly becomes a proving ground for nations. Speeches here are not only ceremonial, they are auditions for relevance. At UNGA80, the Philippines made its case.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro began with history, invoking General Carlos P. Romulo, who in 1945 framed the UN Charter as both shield and liberation. It was a
deliberate opening, placing the Philippines in continuity with its founding role at the UN. The message, we are not a guest in this house, we are among its architects. General Carlos P. Romulo remains one of the Philippines’ most enduring diplomatic figures. A journalist turned soldier and statesman, he led the Philippine delegation to the 1945 San Francisco Conference and is documented in UN archives as signing the UN Charter on the Philippines’ behalf. In 1949, he was elected President of the Fourth Ses -
sion of the UN General Assembly, the first Asian to hold the post. His speeches against colonialism and racial discrimination made him a moral voice in the UN’s formative years. By invoking him at UNGA80, Lazaro tied the Philippines’ founding legacy to its current ambition to sit once more on the Security Council.
The tone sharpened quickly. Lazaro called for ceasefires in Gaza, humanitarian access without restrictions, and protection of children in conflict. Her citation of 40,000 vio -
Women and migrants continue to be heavily concentrated among the low-paid.
Recognizing these challenges, the ILO took a historic step in March 2024, when its Governing Body endorsed an agreement on living wages. One month later, the ILO launched its first-ever global program on living wages, focusing on two major goals: supporting the production of reliable living wage estimates and a “wage data hub” as well as operationalizing living wages by strengthening wage-setting systems so that living wages can become a reality.
Now, it is Asia-Pacific’s turn to lead. On September 23, 2025, ILO and the government of Sri Lanka hosted the first Regional Living Wage Dialogue under the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, the private sector, and international partners gathered in Colombo to exchange ideas and shape solutions.
A major highlight was the launch of the Asia-Pacific Digital Repository for Minimum Wages—a pioneering online platform that consolidates official minimum wage data and related indicators to support transparent, consistent, and informed approaches of evidence-based social dialogue for setting adequate and balanced wages.
To make real progress, the region must focus on five priorities: first, strengthen wage-setting institutions to ensure genuine tripartite
lations against children, the highest in three decades, was more than a statistic, it was an indictment. On Ukraine, she insisted sovereignty and territorial integrity remain the only basis for peace. Manila’s alignment with international law was clear, consistent, and uncompromising. Then came the announcement that reframed the address, the Philippines is running for a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027–2028. The Council is the UN’s most powerful
dialogue between government, employers and workers, and collective bargaining; second, striking a balance between fairness and sustainability, by ensuring wages meet the needs of workers and their families while reflecting economic realities; third, leverage data to guide informed and effective decisions; fourth, align living wage initiatives so that private and civil society efforts connect with ILO principles and national frameworks; and fifth, tackle inequality and the root causes of low pay by reducing informality, promoting decent jobs and boosting productivity growth, while ensuring that all workers receive a fair share of the fruits of economic progress. Asia and the Pacific stand at a turning point. With its vast workforce and role as a global economic engine, the region has the opportunity to demonstrate that living wages are not just aspirational, but achievable through a systematic approach grounded in social dialogue. If Asia-Pacific succeeds, the impact will extend far beyond the region. It will set a global example, showing that living wages are the foundation of sustainable growth, decent work, poverty and inequality reduction and upholding social justice and dignity for every worker.
Kaori Nakamura-Osaka is the ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
body, authorizing peacekeeping, imposing sanctions, and at times approving force. It has 15 members, five permanent with veto power and 10 non-permanent elected for two year terms. Manila has already held a non-permanent seat four times, 1957, 1963, 1980–1981, and 2004–2005. Winning again would let the Philippines bring its priorities, peacekeeping, climate security, maritime rights, from the sidelines to the center.
To be continued
Monday, September 29, 2025
BusinessMirror
MICE tourism stuck at 1% of arrivals, still no action plan
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
SEVEN years after the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) Roadmap 2030 was launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT), international delegates only account for 1 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the Philippines.
It was a figure that visibly shocked Senator Loren Legarda during the DOT budget presentation before the Committee on Finance (Subcomittee H) on September 25, as she read from the agency’s budget documents. “For business and professionals, it’s 7.89 [percent of total arrivals]. Under convention and conference, one percent lang? Haaa? ” she asked, incredulous.
the poor MICE numbers, Nograles said: “Our biggest challenge is our safety and our security, but you know they love the Philippines.” To which Legarda replied this was beyond the DOT and TPB’s scope of responsibilities and is a problem that even a huge promotion budget alone can fix.
However, the lawmaker underscored that MICE is “a low-hanging fruit,” implying there should be no reason the Philippines should not be a attracting bigger number of delegates.
gress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) global ranking.
Still no action plan
‘TOP INFRA FIRMS DON’T HAVE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS’
By Andrea E. San Juan
AMID the flood control mess, an official of a local business group has observed that top construction firms are not building flood control facilities despite having the capacity to take on these projects.
rectly involved in flood control projects.
However, he underscored that corruption has always been the top concern of the business group.
Makati Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Rafael Alfonso Salvador Garcia Ongpin shared this observation in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Arangkada Philippines Investment Forum 2025 last Friday.
In 2024, just 5.95 million international travelers visited the Philippines, according to DOT data. Using Legarda’s cited breakdown, business travelers only accounted for 469,455, while those attending MICE events here, were barely 60,000. To which Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayo Nograles said, “I agree, Ma’am. We can really do way better in MICE. That is really a program we are looking to grow.” The TPB is the marketing arm of the DOT.
The TPB executive, however, could not provide comparative data of MICE arrivals, prepandemic. “It’s been a challenge to gather MICE data, but that is something we have to prioritize next year, MICE studies, just so we know our baseline, from where to jump,” she underscored.
SOURCES among the MICE industry who asked not to be named, fearing possible backlash from tourism officials, told the BusinessMirror that no action plan has been presented to them to this day. “They [DOT and TPB] have only launched a MICE slogan so far,” said one venue official. (See, “New MICE branding unreels sans updated MICE roadmap,” in the BusinessMirror, July 15, 2024.)
“We’re just continuing to do our work on our own,” said an event organizer, adding “We can’t wait for them forever.”
‘Safety is a concern’ ASKED about the reason behind
In 2018, the DOT launched a MICE Roadmap 2030, but it has yet to finalize a Strategic Action Plan. Among the targets in the roadmap include the expansion of usable space for exhibitions to at least 100,000 square meters by 2030, from 70,895 sqm in 2017. By 2030, the Philippines should be among the top 10 in the International Con-
Another industry source averred, “They hired a group to do baseline [data gathering], but they’re probably the cheapest [proponent]. The representative was asking from me a list of accredited tour operators who do MICE. I told her, ‘Isn’t that your job? Ask the DOT.’”
Asked to compare the Philippines with the rest of Southeast Asia, Nograles said Malaysia topped the MICE list, “but also
“Why is it that all of these huge billion-peso projects went to these ‘fly-by-night firms’? I mean, this is a rhetorical question. Why is it that DMCI, EEI, Megawide, why are these top infrastructure firms not bidding? Obviously, because the process is corrupt,” Ongpin said. “It’s been corrupted beyond the law. So there’s no amount of profit level that would convince these firms to enter that field.”
“And I’m saying, that is a failure of government,” the MBC chief said, adding, “Because these are the firms that should be bidding for these projects... not these ‘fly-by-night [groups]’.” Ongpin said members of MBC are neither directly nor indi-
“And this evolved into ‘ease of doing business’ over the years… which is…ease of doing business is just a code word for anticorruption, by the way, it’s also anti-bureaucracy, not just corruption.”
For MBC’s part, Ongpin said the members of the business group are among those pushing for accountability and punishment.
“[MBC] has been advocating this from the very beginning. So, we released a statement saying we support the rallies, we support the aim of the rallies,” Ongpin told reporters.
However, just like what the other business groups said, there is a need to translate the movement into something “systemic.”
“But let’s not just be emotional about it. If we’re going to fight corruption, which is systemic, we have to be systematic about it. We have to systematically fight corruption. And or role is to do the difficult and tedious work of monitoring,” said Ongpin.
The Credibility Advantage: UPMG’s 3rd General Membership Meeting Affirms Print’s Power in the Digital Age
son holds a newspaper or a magazine in their hands, they are holding a tangible commitment to journalism.”
She underscored that credibility remains the industry’s strongest currency: “This is why, even in the digital age, our role is more critical than ever. The future is a credible hybrid where print and digital can work together to build a complete, trustworthy media ecosystem.” Her remarks set a purposeful tone for the day, earning nods and quiet applause from a ballroom filled with veteran publishers and media practitioners.
Keynote Spotlight: Trust and Relevance in the Age of AI
The morning’s keynote came from Lucien C. Dy Tioco, Executive Vice President of the Philstar Media Group, titled “Trust and Relevance in the Age of AI.” Dy Tioco traced the arc of media transformation, recalling how the once “traditional” press now competes with algorithmdriven feeds.
immediate attention to the heart of the event.
Motomal acknowledged the swift rise of digital media but reminded everyone of print’s enduring role: “In this chaos, what does the reader yearn for? They yearn for an anchor. A source they can trust. When a per-
“Fast forward to the present time, we now live entirely different from how we were 15 years ago,” he observed, noting how people scroll for headlines, binge shows, and check influencers for tips without a second thought. But with these conveniences came serious conse-
quences. “Technology has brought a more toxic conversation on social media, strong political biases that breed divisiveness, bigger and bolder online scams, and worse of all, fake news to help distort public opinion,” he warned.
Generative AI, he added, is the next disruptor: “In just over a year, AI technology is quickly being applied in almost everything… We need to fight for our place NOW.”
Dy Tioco reaffirmed the value of print: “We write news with a journalistic edge. We curate news according to national importance. We create content to foster objectivity and calm. That is what the world needs right now. We need to exist because we fight for the truth.”
He highlighted the Philstar Media Group’s own multi-platform initiatives Nakakalocal: Love Local, Grow Global, Project KaLIKHAsan, She Slays, and READiscover, as proof that legacy media can innovate while preserving the integrity of the printed word.
Panel Dialogue: Building Credibility in the Age of Misinformation
The keynote flowed into a lively panel moderated by Angel Guerrero, Vice President of UPMG and Publisher of Adobo Magazine, with Lucien C. Dy Tioco and Jack Jacinto, Vice President for
Public and Member Relations Group of the Pag-IBIG Fund. Their discussion tackled the industry’s most urgent challenge: sustaining trust amid a flood of misinformation.
Jacinto underscored the public sector’s reliance on credible outlets: “Our organization knows this and values credibility, which is why we support print.” The panel highlighted the meticulous processes behind print; fact-checking, rigorous editorial process, and context-rich reporting, as essential safeguards against fake news. They urged publishers to present a united front to policymakers, emphasizing that print’s permanence and credibility remain irreplaceable even as technology reshapes distribution.
Audience members engaged with thoughtful questions on integrating AI verification tools and expanding media-literacy programs, reinforcing a shared understanding: technology may change delivery, but the need for trustworthy content is timeless.
Afternoon Insights: Data, Narrative, and the Digital Battlefield
After a lively networking lunch and a lighthearted musical performance, the spotlight shifted to the science of narrative. Von Cruz and Bernz Soriano from The Nerve, a Manila-based narrative
intelligence and data-forensics firm, demonstrated how their technology goes beyond social listening to trace how both authentic stories and misinformation move through digital ecosystems. Their investigative platform maps influence networks and identifies the sources of viral falsehoods, insights that help newsrooms and advocacy groups respond swiftly and accurately. By showing how narrative forensics can complement traditional reporting, The Nerve’s presentation perfectly aligned with the day’s theme: combining datadriven innovation with journalism’s timeless commitment to credibility.
Recognizing
Growth and Community
UPMG also celebrated its own progress. Vivienne Motomal presented the annual report, spotlighting new partnerships and achievements that strengthened the organization’s
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Monday, September 29, 2025
MGen open to backdoor listing JLL
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE possible backdoor listing of a unit of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) via SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) remains an option that may push through in the second half of next year, a company official said.
“Maybe middle of next year or third quarter of 2026, if ever, because we also need to know where we’re going to use the funds,” MGen President Emmanuel V. Rubio said.
For now, MGen is still early stages of the proposed plan to list MGen Renewables. The company has tapped advisors to help them finalize which assets will be consolidated or needs infusion.
“What we’re doing now is we’re just beefing up MGEN Renewables with more land. In fact, Nueva Ecija alone, we’re able to purchase more than 400-plus hectares. The right timing, we fell, is when we deliver the first phase of TerraSolar, then investors, the public will know that we’re capable of delivering on our promise,” Rubio said.
(competitive selection process) for mid-merit that big? I think it’s only Meralco but it has no schedule for such at the moment.
says aided
Vikings Group’s lot purchase
By VG Cabuag @villygc
Poblador, JLL’s representative, said.
JONES Lang LaSalle Inc. an -
nounced having brokered the Vikings Group’s acquisition of a prime commercial lot in Magallanes in Makati.
The project is being developed on a 3,500-hectare site spanning the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Once completed, is expected to deliver 3,500 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar PV capacity, equipped with 4,500 megawatt hours (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS).
Meanwhile, Phase 2 is targeted for 2027.
“For now, Terra Solar is funded, the lands are funded…MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan) already talked
The first phase of the P200billion MTerra Solar is on track for completion by early 2026. As of end-June this year, it has reached a progress rate of 54 percent. With Phase 1 on track for completion, MGen is set to exceed its 1,500 megawatts (MW) attributable renewable energy capacity goal by 2027 – three years ahead of its original 2030 timeline.
about possible Terra Solar 2. And we are looking at land for Terra Solar 2. If that’s about 450 hectares that we bought in Nueva Ecija will form part of Terra Solar 2, then let it be,” said Rubio.
The location of the second phase has yet to be determined. Initial details shared by Rubio include the project’s planned capacity of at least 1,500 megawatt alternating current (MWac) and 2,200 hectares of land “to make it really viable.”
“The thing is, I don’t think Terra Solar 2 has to be in one location. It has to provide mid-merit. But it can be in multiple locations as long as it’s providing that profile of mid-merit that will meet the requirement of any DU (distribution utility) or EC (electric cooperative),” he said.
Terra Solar Phase 2 will also include BESS. However, the details have yet to be considered since MGen would have to take into account the possible offtakers for the project. “We still don’t have a target. Who is going to issue a CSP
“I don’t think Meralco will come up with a 100-megawatt mid-merit; possibly at least 300 to 400 megawatts that will require at least 1,500 megawatts of PVs and a battery of probably 800 to 900 MWh. It will probably be smaller because the aim is also smaller at 300 to 400[MW],” said Rubio.
MGen recently merged all its RE assets under MGen Renewables, formerly MGreen.
“It’s going to be a lot more credible in terms of capacity and in terms of capability compared to where we are today. We want to really make it big,” Rubio said adding that the company is also studying to be involved in real estate investment trust (REIT).
“It’s one of the options but probably once the Terra Solar is up and running,” he said.
Through a possible backdoor listing, MGen Renewables could skip the traditional initial public offering process by acquiring or merging with an already listed company such as SPNEC.
The Pangilinan-led group assumed control of SPNEC from Solar Philippines, which was founded by Leandro Antonio L. Leviste.
Vikings has acquired a commercial lot located in Santiago corner San Antonio in Paseo de Magallanes. The property, about 900 square meters, is an empty lot near a parking exit.
The recently completed transaction positions Vikings Group, a restaurant firm popular for its buffets, to establish its new office headquarters in one of Metro Manila’s most coveted business locations.
JLL served as broker and consultant throughout the strategic transaction, leveraging its deep market expertise to facilitate this significant corporate real estate acquisition.
The Magallanes commercial property represents a key strategic asset for Vikings Group as the company expands its presence in the Philippines’ central business district.
“This transaction exemplifies JLL’s deep understanding of Manila’s commercial real estate market and our ability to match clients with properties that align perfectly with their strategic objectives,” Miguel
“Makati continues to be the premier choice for corporate headquarters, offering unparalleled connectivity, infrastructure, and business ecosystem advantages. This acquisition positions Vikings Group in the heart of the country’s financial center, providing tremendous value for their operations and growth plans,” he said. The deal underscores the continued strong demand for quality commercial properties in Makati’s central business district, where multinational corporations and growing enterprises seek strategic locations that offer accessibility, prestige, and long-term value appreciation. JLL’s role in facilitating this transaction demonstrates the firm’s commitment to helping corporate clients make informed real estate decisions that drive business success, it said.
JLL helps firms buy, build, occupy and invest in various assets, including industrial, commercial, retail, residential, and hotel real estate. The company’s comprehensive market knowledge and advisory capabilities enable clients across industries—from tech startups to global enterprises—to navigate complex real estate transactions with confidence.
Café K Chef Carlos Lanzona: ‘Flexible dieting is healthier than restricted eating’
By Francine Medina
Dining out often means giving in to cravings and forgetting about dieting. This new café in Makati City serves flavorful and healthy meals to keep customers on their healthy eating path. A certified nutritionist and dietitian are available to suggest what dishes to order or how to eat healthily.
Cafè K by the Kinetix group, the same company that owns Kinetix Lab, Kinetix+, and Kinetix Kids, offers a full menu to encourage diners to enjoy conscious eating while feeling satisfied and not deprived after a meal.
In the latest episode of “Freshly Brewed,” BusinessMirror’s digital show, Multimedia Content Producer John Eiron Francisco interviewed Café K Chef Carlos Lanzona to talk about flexible dieting, mindful eating, and meal prepping.
Lanzona worked for five-star hotels and top restaurants, such as the stylish Sala Bistro in Makati City. With regards to healthy eating, Lanzona likewise has the unique point of view of being an athlete, having been a three-time Philippines’ Strongest Man winner.
Organized by the Strongman Federation of the Philippines, the annual competition gathers strongman athletes to engage in challenges such as pulling a truck or
an airplane, lifting Atlas boulders, carrying sandbags, and other extreme activities that test the participants’ strength and endurance. Imagine Lanzona’s powerful strength and the kind of meals he needs to eat to sustain his stamina, especially when he is competing. Lanzona’s strongman journey began in 2016 when he joined competitions and represented his sponsor, Kinetix Lab.
One of the gym owners approached him and discussed the idea of setting up a health brand that focused on the concept of flexible dieting. It should be sustainable as a lifestyle. Lanzona agreed with the idea, and that was how his partnership with the food business began.
Then, in 2023, the fitness company launched Kinetix Plus, a specialty gym facility that mainly focuses on strength training. There was a space for a small café that Lanzona set up with the owners. The idea was to prepare healthy meals
that calculated the macronutrients.
Also referred to as macros, these are the essential nutrients the body requires for efficient energy and body structure: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The macros were counted according to client goals: weight loss, weight gain, increasing muscle mass, or managing illnesses.
“I was prepping dishes in my house, and I only had one chef working with me. He was also our nutritionist,” he said.
“The irony was, I started going to the gym because I no longer wanted to cook. After a decade, I got burned out, but I realized that it helped me revive my groove in the kitchen. From something that I was managing, the café scaled up from two people to a whole team backing us up,” the chef added.
The “counting macros” idea became a hit among patrons. The café’s nutritionist began receiving positive feedback from clients about how they lost weight, gained muscle mass, or how they were able to control their blood sugar.
“We became part of the client journey. We were changing people’s lives in that manner. We made it a point to communicate that we do not just give you the food and expect you to lose weight. It’s more like,
let’s take five minutes of your time learning why the meals work.”
Evidence-based philosophy
Lanzona explained that they didn’t want to cut corners and conducted a market study before they started the business. “Being part of the Kinetix group of companies, which is known for being evidence-based and technically proficient (in its training approach), we brought that value to the café. If you are going to do something, do it right.”
But because the company and Lanzona were new to the business, the chef revealed that they had underestimated the scale of the operations. Eventually, the café’s chillers no longer had the space to keep the ingredients. Diners were crowding the place, and more staff members were needed.
“There was also the challenge of getting a pool of talent who understood macros. But it all boils down to training and time,” Lanzona explained.
Many restaurants have included macro information in their menu even before Lanzona’s team opened their establishment. Café K aims to encourage flexible dieting where diners are empowered to enjoy the food they want to eat and be unafraid to ask the resident nutritionist for advice.
“That’s one way of educating people more easily. We’re not preachy. We’re not fans of very restrictive dieting. If it’s a macro salad, for instance, they don’t have to avoid ingredients,” Lanzona emphasized. “It’s hard when a person is dieting alone and is at the end of the spectrum, that is, extreme dieting. The person develops an eating disorder.
“We want to be on the opposite side of that lifestyle choice. Flexible dieting is knowing the basics. It’s not realistic that you can have the best version of your day every day and all the time.”
Engaging the customer journey
Spacious with a cozy atmosphere, the newly opened Café K on H.V. Dela Costa Street in busy Salcedo Village is a welcome option for the area’s on-thego office workers. Aside from à la carte selections, there are Pick and Choose items that can be mixed and matched to their liking. For protein, for instance, choose from a selection of chicken, beef, pork, or tuna. Next, pick the sides and sauces. Various grains such as rice, quinoa, and adlai are available. Each Pick and Choose item on the menu has a macronutrient breakdown to help diners stay within their daily calorie requirements.
“But, it does not just stop there. Our nutritionist will approach diners and ask if they would like to discuss their choices and concerns,” he said. The dishes are guaranteed to satisfy and keep diners returning for more. Among its bestsellers so far are the Burnt Basque Protein Cheesecake, Pat’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Power Tuna Bowl, Roast beef Cheesesteak Fajitas, Beef Don, and Mushroom Chicharon with Sisig Dressing, and Eggplant and Tofu Sisig. Dessert includes Tiramisu, while coffee, such as Americano and its popular Balikucha Latte, is also served.
Sustainable lifestyle
The road to getting healthy isn’t easy, admitted Lanzona, who also goes through lapses in his diet.
“Sometimes it’s hard to get back on the saddle because of all the things happening. I think one thing that challenges the modern-day Filipino is that life comes in phases. But if I break my diet, it doesn’t mean that the next day, I’m going to eat everything.”
“If you fall off the wagon, you just get up. The next day, you start again,” he explained. Through Café K, Lanzona and his team want to encourage more people to practice mindful eating.
“We advocate conscious dieting and having informed choices. We want to empower every Filipino to understand what goes on their plate and why it is healthy for them.”
“Knowledge is empowering, and we want to share the information with our community. With flexible dieting, you can eat without feeling guilty and without developing a bad relationship with food.”
Café
PDIC eyes revisions in rules for denied deposit claims
TBy Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
HE Philippine Deposit In -
surance Corp. (PDIC) is proposing revisions to the rules governing requests for consideration regarding denied deposit claims.
The PDIC said the deadline for submitting comments on the proposed rules is on October 15. The comments will be used to revise Regulatory Issuance (RI) 2011-03 or the Rules Governing Requests for Reconsideration of Denied Deposit Insurance Claims.
“The revisions are primarily focused on the coverage, the manner of filing of the RFRs (requests for reconsideration), the period within which to resolve them, and the prescribed form of the RFR to comply with data privacy laws,” according to the PDIC.
Under the exposed draft of the new RI, a depositor may seek reconsideration of a demand claim by filing a request 60 calendar days from receipt of the notice of denial of claim.
The draft stated that the PDIC will no longer accept requests for reconsideration after the 60-calendar day period has lapsed.
These requests, according to the PDIC, should be in writing using a prescribed form; verified under oath; and should be accompanied by the original or certified true copies of the documents which have not been submitted at the time of the filing of claim.
The PDIC said these documents may include negotiated checks; copies of validated deposit slips for deposits made in the closed bank or those directly made to its depository bank; and official receipts, among others.
This request must also be accompanied by an express waiver of the Bank Secrecy law, the Foreign Currency Deposit Act, the General Banking Law of 2000 and the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
“With a statement authorizing the PDIC and its officers, employees or agents to examine, inspect or in-
quire into any or all of bank deposit records in any bank relative to the claim for deposit insurance in order to check the authenticity and veracity of documents submitted and allegations made in support of the request,” the proposed RI stated. The requests for reconsideration and its supporting documents should be submitted personally to the PDIC Public Assistance Center; sent via registered mail; sent by courier service; or transmitted by electronic mail.
The PDIC may either grant, dismiss, or deny the request for reconsideration. This is after evaluation of the request for reconsideration.
If the request for reconsideration is deemed insufficient in form and substance, the PDIC may dismiss the request for reconsideration or call for a clarificatory meeting.
A depositor whose request for reconsideration is dismissed or denied by the PDIC shall have 30 calendar days from receipt of notice dismissing or denying the request for reconsideration within which to file a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals.
The PDIC said the proposed RI will take effect 15 calendar days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the country and the filing thereof with the Office of National Administrative Register of the University of the Philippines Law Center.
The PDIC defined a denied claim as a filed claim that was not paid due to being outside of the definition of deposit under the PDIC Charter; exclusion from deposit insurance coverage; and that the account is not an outstanding deposit liability, as of bank closure.
Claims may also be denied by the PDIC if the claimant is not the beneficial owner of the deposit account; if the claim was filed beyond the prescriptive period in filing claim for deposit insurance; and the failure by the claimant to submit the required supporting documents within the period prescribed by the PDIC.
SSS, Unionbank to offer short-term microloan
STATE-RUN Social Security System (SSS) has launched a short-term microloan that aims to provide members with affordable credit and steer them away from predatory lenders.
A statement last Sunday read that the SSS launched the micro-lending program it calls “SSS LoanLite” on September 17. The program, which will be implemented in partnership with Union Bank of the Philippines, is “designed to provide accessible, secure and affordable credit to SSS members, particularly those vulnerable to predatory lending practices.”
Members may borrow P5,000 to P20,000 to address their urgent financial needs, which can be repaid from 15 days to 90 days. The short loan cycle is intended to provide workers quick access to funds without locking them into long-term debt, according to the SSS.
The loan carries an annual interest rate of 8 percent plus a service fee, with the loan directly credited to
US job growth probably lumbered along in September as the unemployment rate held at an almost four-year high, extending a sluggish period for the labor market.
Economists project 50,000 jobs were added, based on the median of a Bloomberg survey. That would be in line with the average from the past three months. The jobless rate is seen steady at 4.3 percent. The report’s release on Friday is at risk if lawmakers are unable to
Nearly ₧3B collected by BIR from VAT on digital services
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
AN official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said the P2.792 billion collected in value-added tax (VAT) on digital services levels the playing field between traditional and digital businesses.
During the recent Philippine Tax Academy’s (PTA) convention, BIR Collection Service-Collection Programs Division Chief Glenn B. Alde said the BIR has collected P1.649 billion from business-to-customer (B2C) transactions and P1.143 billion from business-to-business (B2B) transactions from July 25 to September 9.
B2C transactions involve nonresident digital service providers (DSPs) directly remitting VAT to the BIR. B2B transactions require local businesses or government entities to self-account through the reverse charge mechanism.
“It’s quite a big addition to the collection of the BIR as a whole,” Alde said.
On June 2, the Philippines began imposing a 12-percent VAT on digital services consumed in the country following the passage of Republic Act 12023, which amended sections of the National Internal Revenue Code.
Digital services include online search engines, such as Google; marketplaces, including the Shopee and Lazada brands; cloud services; streaming sites, such as the Netflix and Disney Plus brands; social media platforms, including Facebook (operated by Meta Platforms Inc.) and X
(operated by X Corp.); online advertising; and, digital goods.
During the first year of its implementation, the Department of Finance (DOF) said VAT collections will amount to P7.25 billion at 50-percent compliance.
“If there would be more non-resident DSPs registering, we’re also expecting an increase in collection,” Alde said. This bodes well for the BIR, which seeks to collect P3.219 trillion this year, to raise 71.22 percent of the government’s full-year revenue target of P4.520 trillion.
While a total of 371 DSPs have registered with the BIR, Alde said the BIR is expecting this figure to reach 400 as there are still new registrants in the portal.
“We’re quite amazed that we even surpassed the expected number of non-resident digital services registrants,” Alde said, noting that the BIR is only anticipating about 300 DSPs to register in the VAT on Digital Services (VDS) Portal during its initial conceptualization.
The VDS Portal was developed for nonresident DSPs to register, file and pay VAT. The BIR has further extended the filing and payment of
VAT from July 25 to August 5.
Among the nonresident DSPs already registered with the BIR are Meta Platforms Ireland
UnionBank accounts or the MySSS Card. Applications and approvals will be processed entirely online, as part of the SSS’s push for digitalization and financial inclusion strategy.
“[This is to ensure] that members can access credit without falling prey to loan sharks,” read the pension fund manager’s statement.
The SSS added that the loan program’s official rollout is targeted for the end of this year, with application details to be released through the SSS website and the UnionBank Online app.
“Through our partnership with UnionBank, we are taking a bold step toward protecting our members from exploitative lending and enhancing their access to responsible financial services,” SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said in his keynote message at an event in Cebu. According to the SSS, the plan is to grow the loan book for the program to P40 billion within the next two years. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
agree on a funding bill by the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, and the government shuts down. A closure would see federal economic reports suspended.
Barring a shutdown, the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics will offer Federal Reserve policymakers an update on whether employers’ appetite for labor is enough to keep the unemployment rate from rising further.
Officials cut interest rates this month for the first time in 2025 on concerns about fragility in the
Flood-control funds to anti-poverty schemes tack backed
SBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ENATORS expressed support for the President’s suggestion to divert the P36 billion originally intended for flood control funds to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to augment funding for Filipinos who are poverty-stricken and in dire need of livelihood assistance.
However, Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, served notice he would block additional funding for purported anti-poverty programs that have proven minimal impact and are prone to abuse for political patronage.
Sen. Erwin T. Tulfo, the chairman of Senate Committee on Social justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, said in an interview last Saturday: “Instead of DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] officials, contractors, and politicians
pocketing these public funds, I would rather have it allocated for the poor and marginalized.”
“If the funds are with DSWD, it will go directly to the people and not go through the hands of politicians, or event DPWH officials and contractors,” Tulfo, who also served as DSWD Secretary, continued.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the flood control funds will be redirected to DSWD’s poverty alleviation programs such as the “Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation” (AICS) program and “Sustainable Livelihood Program” (SLP), among others.
The AICS is a program of the DSWD intended to support the poor and disenfranchised Filipinos when it comes to their emergency need for medicine, hospital, burial, and transportation assistance. Meanwhile, SLP provides P15,000 to communi-
ties so they can establish their own income-generating enterprises.
“I believe if many Filipinos who are in dire need of livelihood assistance will be given SLP by the DSWD, it would be a great start for them to finally reach their goal to have their own enterprise and eventually contribute to the economy,” the senator underscored. “I think it will be a money well-spent if the DSWD will be able to provide business capital for Filipinos in need,” Tulfo said.
No to half-baked scheme
RELATEDLY, Gatchalian is taking a firm stand against funding halfbaked programs for the poor such as the “Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita” program, or “Akap,” amid continuing hearings on the government’s proposed budget for 2026.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance vowed to reject any attempt to fund the Akap.
“We want programs that are well studied, with a feasibility study, so that we know the impact for sure,” Gatchalian said at a hearing on the DSWD’s proposed budget for 2026. The senator noted that data showed there were more Akap beneficiaries in areas with lower poverty incidence, while fewer beneficiaries were recorded in areas with higher poverty incidence. “Ang masaklap, redundant ang programa, nasasayang lang ang pera, at nagiging inefficient pa [Worse, the program is redundant, money is wasted and it becomes inefficient],” he said, noting that Akap has goals similar to the AICS program. Instead of funding Akap, Gatchalian said he would rather augment funding for the AICS program, which suffered a P17.7-billion budget cut, down 40 percent from this year’s allocation, under the “2026 National Expenditure Program.”
Toyota top revenue contributor to Santa Rosa LGU
THE Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) was the top revenue contributor to Santa Rosa government in 2024 as its total taxes and fees amounted to P1.16 billion.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the country’s leading car maker said it was recently recognized by the City Government of Santa Rosa for its “outstanding” contributions to economic growth and environmental stewardship.
The statement read that Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas lauded TMP and other awardees, noting that the City is one of the largest contributors to the
job market, and investors are placing bigger bets on the Fed lowering borrowing costs again at a two-day meeting that concludes on October 29.
Bloomberg Economics expects nonfarm payrolls for September to add a net 54k jobs. The improvement in net hiring likely came from leisure and hospitality, as temperate weather and a positive wealth effect from the summer stockmarket rally drove spending on discretionary services.
Fed officials Philip Jefferson,
country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Arcillas emphasized the “crucial role” of businesses and individuals in sustaining Santa Rosa’s “rapid” growth and its contribution to the national economy. Toyota said its “impact” in Santa Rosa extends beyond TMP alone. Its wholly owned logistics arm, Toyota Motor Philippines Logistics Inc. (TLI), and its franchised dealership, Toyota Santa Rosa, Laguna, Inc. (TSR), were also honored at the Lion Awards, underscoring the “broader” Toyota network’s contribution to the city’s economic strength.
Susan Collins, Austan Goolsbee, Lorie Logan and John Williams are among the speakers in the coming week.
Labor demand has gradually diminished as companies search for ways to offset other costs, including higher import duties. A separate government report on Tuesday is projected to show August job openings were at one of the lowest levels since 2021.
Other data in the coming week include the Institute for Supply Management’s September surveys
“This recognition is not only for our company, but for the entire Toyota community here in Santa Rosa, including our customers, team members, suppliers, dealer, business partners, immediate community, and all the families whose lives we share and touch every day,” TMP Senior Vice President for Treasury and Comptrollership Dennis Ben-Hur Escuro was quoted in the statement as saying. Since relocating its operations from Bicutan to Santa Rosa in 1997, TMP said it has grown its employment to over 4,000 and helped “establish” the city as the
of manufacturers and service providers.
Meanwhile, investors are watching for last-minute moves ahead of the potential October 1 federal shutdown, and for the impacts that a government closure would trigger. The top four congressional leaders will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Turning north, the Bank of Canada will release a summary of deliberations that led to its
automotive capital of the Philippines. Through TLI, TMP supports Toyota’s global supply chain, allowing the Toyota Group’s export suppliers to contribute about 29 percent of the Philippines’s total annual exports of original-equipment-manufacturer parts and components.
Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. showed that TMP cornered 47.93 percent of the local auto market as it sold 146,357 units of vehicles in the January to August 2025 period.
Andrea San Juan
quarter-point rate cut this month, the first since March. It may offer insight into what would prompt another move in October, which is currently viewed by markets as a toss-up. Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers and Deputy Governor Rhys Mendes both make appearances. Elsewhere, inflation data in the euro zone and Switzerland, multiple speeches by global central bankers, and a possible rate cut in India will be among the highlights. Bloomberg News
TRUMP FINDS NEW TRADE TARGETS: Pharmaceuticals, kitchen cabinets and heavy trucks
By Paul Wiseman & Mae Anderson AP Business Writers
NATUREPEDIC , a mattress and furniture company based outside Cleveland, has been planning to introduce an upscale upholstered headboard late this year or early in 2026.
But President Donald Trump has thrown those plans into disarray.
On Thursday night, the president announced on social media that he was slapping a 30 percent tax on imported upholstered furniture. Naturepedic ships its headboards in from India and Vietnam.
So what is the company to do?
DO we continue forth...and hope for the best?’’ asked Arin Schultz, Naturepedic’s chief growth officer. “Or do we feel like we’re priced out and drop it altogether?’’ And if Naturepedic decides to continue with the rollout, “do we eat the cost or pass it on’’ to customers?
Across the United States, lots of executives were asking themselves similar questions as they came to work Friday morning.
Upholstered furniture, after all, wasn’t the only import in Trump’s crosshairs Thursday night. In addition, the president posted on his Truth Social platform, he’s plastering import taxes—tariffs—of 100 percent on pharmaceutical drugs, 50 percent on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities and 25 percent on heavy trucks. And he’s not waiting around to do it. The tariffs, he said, would take effect Wednesday.
Trump also raised eyebrows by justifying the levy on vanities and sofas as necessary for national security.
“It’s hard to see how a kitchen cabinet industry is essential to winning the next war,’’ said Mary Lovely, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for
International Economics.
Thursday’s social media barrage was j ust the latest in Trump’s push to upend American trade policy, which for decades pushed for lower trade barriers around the world. In place of an open market, Trump has built a tariff wall around the US economy, slapping double-digit taxes on imports from almost every country on earth and targeting products (steel, aluminum, autos) with specific taxes of their own.
Trump says the tariffs will protect U.S. industries from foreign competition, encourage companies to bring production to the United States and raise money for the U.S. Treasury. They certainly have become a moneymaker for the federal government. Since fiscal year 2025 began last Oct. 1, the US Treasury has collected $172 billion in customs duties, up by $96 billion (or 126 percent) from the same period in fiscal 2024. Still, tariffs account for less than 4 percent of federal revenue.
Businesses, lawyers and trade analysts are still wondering what to make of Trump’s Thursday night tariffs. “We’ve only seen the President’s Truth Social posts,” said Dan McCarthy, principal in McCarthy Consulting and a former official with the Office of the US Trade Representative in the Biden administration. “We need to see the details.’’
For example, Naturepedic isn’t sure whether the 30 percent levy on upholstered furniture will be stacked atop a separate and earlier 50 percent
tariff on goods from India.
Here’s what we know so far:
Luring drug production back to the US
THE president has been threatening tariffs of 200 percent or more on pharmaceuticals. “It’s to force Big Pharma to move jobs and put new factories into the US,’’ said Barry Appleton, a senior fellow at the Center for International Law at New York Law School. “So it’s industrial policy.”
In recent decades, drugmakers have moved many operations overseas—to take advantage of lower costs in China and India and tax breaks in Ireland and Switzerland.
The Covid-19 experience w hen countries were desperate to hang onto their own medicine and medical supplies—underscored the dangers of relying on foreign countries in a crisis, especially when a key supplier is America’s geopolitical rival China.
The stock prices of pharmaceutical companies actually rose after Trump’s announcement Thursday night. The 100 percent tariff was lower than it might have been. And Trump said the tariffs would not apply to companies “breaking ground” or being “under construction.”
Several big drugmakers like Merck & Co. Inc., Eli Lilly and Co. and Johnson & Johnson have already announced US expansion plans.
In his tariff announcement, Trump
did not mention generic drugs, which account for the vast majority of US prescriptions.
Still, analysts warn, the tariffs are likely to mean higher prices. “The people who are punished the most are Americans who need the drugs so badly, especially those who don’t have full health care plans,” Appleton said. He called the tariff is a “simplistic but drastic” approach to a complicated problem. “We don’t know how it’s going to go, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to do well for consumers,” he said.
A blow to homeowners and the housing market
THE tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and upholstered furniture come as the White House is investigating whether imports of lumber and other wood products pose a threat to US national security. A report on that investigation is due Nov. 26 and could mean more and broader tariffs.
The levies are likely to hurt big furniture exporters China and Vietnam. But they’re also likely to drive up the cost of new homes and apartments and of do-it-yourself redecorating projects.
Homeowners are already scaling back due to high costs and a shaky economy. According to the Labor Department, the price of living room, kitchen and dining room furniture has risen nearly 10 percent over the past year.
“Adding significant costs to furniture, cabinets, vanities and building materials will make the American dream of owning a home significantly more expensive,” said Jonathan Gold, the National Retail Federation’s vice president of supply chain and customs policy. “The speed at which these tariff announcements are made and implemented continues to wreak havoc on retail supply chains. The uncertainty makes it difficult for retailers to properly plan and mitigate the impact of tariffs.”
A message to Mexico?
CHARLES CLEVENGER, a supply chain specialist at the consultancy UHY, said tariffs on pharmaceuticals make sense because so much production has shifted away from the United States to Europe and Asia. Likewise, North Carolina and other states in the American South have also lost furniture factories to cheaper competitors in the China.
But he was surprised by the tariffs on heavy trucks because “we do have a rather robust industry’’w ith manufacturers like Paccar (parent company of Peterbilt and Kenworth).
But Appleton at New York Law School suspects the tariff is aimed at Mexico, where many heavy trucks are made. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a trade deal negotiated in Trump’s first term, is coming up for negotiation. “I don’t think that (the
tariff) was done by accident, Appleton said. “They wanted to put some more pressure onto the Mexicans” to make concessions in the talks. Using Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, Trump had launched investigations into whether imports of pharmaceuticals, lumber and heavy trucks posed a threat to US national security. He’d justified his broader tariffs another way: by declaring national emergencies under a 1977 law. But two courts have ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose import taxes. The Supreme Court is hearing the case on appeal. Robert Lawrence, a professor of International trade and investment at Harvard University, said that using Section 232 gives the president a Plan B if the courts strike down his IEEPA tariffs. “He now has insurance and shows that he’s going to be able to get away with raising tariffs, even if he loses that case.”
But Ted Murphy, co-leader of the trade practice at the Sidley Austin law firm, said: “It’s hard to discern much of a plan...What the administration does is they identify a problem and then the solution is a big tariff. The question is whether that’s really as nuanced or strategic as it could be. There could be a strategy but it’s hard to discern from a tweet.’’
HINO trucks sit on the lot at a truck dealership in Miami, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. AP PHOTO/REBECCA BLACKWELL
VOLVO trucks are seen at a dealership Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in LaVergne, Tenn AP PHOTO/GEORGE WALKER IV
BATHROOM vanities sit on display in a hardware store Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. AP PHOTO/GEORGE WALKER IV
Veejay Floresca: Her strength in the strug�le
WITH a tenacity of spirit inherent in trans women, Veejay Floresca made the multiple rejections to join Project Runway the fuel that added to her determination to win the show’s 21st edition.
“Fashion is a cutthroat industry. It’s not for a sissy. If you’re sensitive, it’s a lot of work. And being in the competition itself, I tried so many times to get there. I’ve been [told] no 13 times to be there,” Veejay told the hosts of Good Morning America. “So, it just made me stronger. And being in that competition, my mindset was to win this. I am very, very competitive.”
Veejay’s historic win is all the sweeter as it comes after her “second princess” placement at Project Runway Philippines Season 1 (2008) and a first runnerup finish on the design show Dress My Tour. While she was on a full scholarship (later graduating cum laude) taking up fashion design and merchandising from De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, she placed in the local leg of the International Competition of Young Fashion Designers.
“These [are] tears of joy. I’ve seen you, Heidi, since season one. I [was] just a little gay boy in the Philippines watching the show. And I’ve always been wanting to do this. Now, this is my time. Thank you so much! Thank you for being part of my dream,” Veejay told Heidi Klum, the German supermodel and host, after she was declared the winner during the finale. Her final collection was inspired by her dad’s favorite film, Terminator 2: Judgment Day
“This is your time, Veejay,” replied Heidi, who before announcing the victor, said that “the winner not only grew over the competition, they gave a finale collection that was inspiring, cohesive, and one we won’t soon forget. And we can’t wait to see what the winner does next.”
Veejay, who took on the role of her family’s breadwinner when her dad died in 2001, will receive a $200,000 cash prize, mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and a spread in Elle magazine.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION
VEEJAY’S victory is a triumph for LGBTQ representation, with the runners-up—Jesus Estrada and Ethan Mundt—also proudly from the queer community. Jesus, incidentally, placed 13th in Season 7 (2009), while Ethan as the drag performer Utica Queen, finished sixth at RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 (2021), which was won by Symone.
Veejay, 40, is the first openly transgender designer to win in the flagship Project Runway. Ari South competed by her birth name, Andy South, during Season 8 (2010), placing third.
“You know, Jesus is from Mexico, I am from the Philippines, Ethan is from the United States. So technically, it’s Miss Universe onstage. You know, Miss Mexico, Miss Philippines and Miss USA, right? Aside from that, it feels so good to share that stage with everybody, because I think we’re not even supposed to talk about this anymore,” Veejay joked to The Hollywood Reporter
MOST men still do the soap-and-water regimen but there are those, like my husband, who have other concerns so they go for additional products like foot lotion and moisturizer. Many men, especially those who are into outdoor activities, now also use sunscreen. These days, men are also more open about skincare and grooming conversations. Watsons recently hosted Watsons Bro Hub at SM Mall of Asia Atrium, a gathering that brought together different generations of men to talk about confidence and
“I think gender orientation and sexual identity is just part of who we are, but it doesn’t define us. It doesn’t define our limitations, our creativity, our hard work. So, I’m just really happy that I have that opportunity to share it with them,” she added.
On Good Morning America, Veejay showed the strength in her struggle: “Being the first FilipinoAmerican trans woman of color to win this iconic competition is a celebration of authenticity. With what’s going on in our country, I think that being there representing my community, it feels amazing.
“And I tell everybody that fashion is a safe space for everybody. We celebrate diversity, inclusivity, so I feel honored to be the first person to represent my community.”
CONTENDERS OF FILIPINO DESCENT
VEEJAY’S win is also a validation of Filipino excellence, as several designers of Filipino descent tried to be “the next big thing in fashion” in the US and other franchises. Also in 2008, Jasper Garvida won the UK’s Project Catwalk Season 3 while Mark Antonio placed 7th at Project Runway Australia Season 1, which was won by Juli Grbac.
In the US editions, Jay Nicolas Sario placed 4th in Season 7 (2009), won by Seth Aaron Henderson; “Kiniokahokula “Kini” Zamora placed 3rd in Season 13 (2014), won by Sean Patrick Kelly, and was a runnerup in All Stars 5 (2016), won by Dom Streater. Kenneth Barlis was in 14th place while Darren Apolonio was in 13th place in Season 19 (2021), won by Shantall Lacayo, who was also a finalist on Project Runway Latin America Season 1 (2010).
VEEJAY’S FASHION FLOCK
DURING Project Runway Philippines (PRP) Season 1, the three finalists happily declared themselves as The Modernist (Makati City’s Veejay), The Romantic (Cebu City’s Philipp Tampus) and The Technician (Iligan City’s Aries Lagat, the winner).
“It’s a no-brainer actually,” Lagat said of Veejay’s win. “The other designers didn’t offer range and Veejay did, and also her professionalism on the show was evident. So happy for her!”
Beyond the basics for men’s personal care
modern masculinity.
The panelists included broadcast personality David Deakin, dermatologist Dr. Neil Isaguirre, athlete Pao Javelona, content creator Gabby Salvador, and internet personality Paco Berba.
“Skincare for me is very therapeutic. In a world where you can’t control things, you can control your skincare,” said Javelona.
“Don’t wait until you look like you need it,” said Deakin.
For Salvador, it’s all about the basics such as hydrating, eating good food, sleeping well, and exercising.
For men who are intimidated by the subject of grooming, Berba suggests starting with the basics.
“Start with what you’re comfortable with. Start with a new haircut, new deodorant, or trying out a new wax for your hair, and then you can progress with your face,” he said.
Isaguirre said skincare is for both men and women.
“My advice is to start off gentle with your face, and of course have products that you’re sure with. Convenience is key, and that’s what’s handed to us
Tampus was equally thrilled: “Of course, not just happy but more than proud!”
Jaz Cerezo, another batchmate and already trans presenting then, said: “Ever since, it’s really her dream to join Project Runway US. I know she’s been trying every year. So, to learn that she actually won is such great news! Sobrang happy ako for her. This proves the power of the dream.”
Bessie Besana, the brainchild behind the Filipinxt show during New York Fashion Week, echoed: “I am so happy for Veejay’s win. She almost did not apply for this season but a twist of fate led her to the show. We had our Thursday night sessions for watching the episodes and every week I am so proud to see my friend realizing her dreams. I did not know her placement in the show because she was very quiet about it so when she was announced the winner, my heart skipped because all the years of waiting resulted in this. She truly deserves it, a visionary talent and a risk-taker, and now my friend is a winner!”
Aleq Gil was part of that viral clip with Veejay when Venus Raj cracked the Top 15 at Miss Universe 2010: “I am so ecstatic over the turn of events for her, especially when she won. For someone who has known her since college, I am happy not because she won but because she was able to reach her dream of being part of Project Runway US. And winning is just an icing on her cake, but don’t we all love icings on the cake?”
Project Runway Philippines judge Rajo Laurel is very impressed: “Super proud! Super happy for her! That’s not an easy feat!”
FROM HEARTBREAK TO HOPE
“I WANT to be the next Christian Soriano. I want to dress up celebrities, like Zendaya, she’s the fashion queen. And Olivia Rodrigo, because she’s also halfFilipina. And of course, Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia,” Veejay said on Good Morning America
On her socials, she expressed her glee and gratitude as fashion’s next big thing: “Winning Project Runway Season 21 is living proof
setbacks—but every single step is worth it.
“As an immigrant, a trans woman, someone who has been told ‘no’ more times than I can count, someone who has lost twice before...standing here as the winner of this iconic show means hope. It’s a reminder to anyone reading this: never let rejection or failure stop you. Let it sharpen you. Let it build you. Use it as your stepping stone. You are worthy. If I can do it, you can, too.
“From the deepest part of my heart, thank you to my loved ones, my family, my friends, my partner, my clients, and every single supporter who lifted me up. To my fellow designers—congratulations to all of us. This is only the beginning. We are all talented, and each of us has an audience waiting to believe in our work.
“To the tireless producers, directors, writers, staff, models—everyone who makes this show possible— thank you. I wish I could hug each of you. And to Nina, Heidi, Law, Michael, and Christian—thank you for believing in me. I promise to use this win to grow my business so I can also help people.
“For anyone dreaming of competing on Project Runway: prepare yourself. Enter with a winning mindset. Know your purpose. Hold on to it.
“This isn’t just my win. This is a win for everyone who has walked this journey with me from the very beginning until today. You know who you are. Thank
basics—it’s your crowning glory.”
“You should invest in yourself because at the end of the day, it’s
sunscreens, razors, and even men’s makeup. Watsons also has body care products like bar soaps, body washes, deodorants,
FROM left: James Deakin, Pao Javelona, Gabby Salvador, Paco Berba, Dr. Neil Isaguirre, and Vince Velasco talk about grooming and wellness at Watsons Bro Hub PHOTO FROM WATSON PHILIPPINES
FedEx Triumphs with Major Wins at the HR Excellence Awards 2025
Federal Express Corporation, one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, took home Gold in CrossGenerational Workforce Management and Leadership Development, and Silver in Excellence in Best HR Team (Multinational Companies) – a testament to its commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce.
The HR Excellence Awards is widely recognized for innovative and impactful HR practices across industries. Competing against 71 leading organizations, FedEx was also named a finalist in seven categories, reinforcing its strong peopleservice-profit philosophy that fuels sustainable business growth.
The Gold Award for CrossGenerational Workforce Management recognizes the company’s success in fostering collaboration across age groups through mentorship, internal mobility, and leadership training. These initiatives create an inclusive organization.
Additionally, the commitment to inclusion was reflected in FedEx surpassing the government’s 0.5 percent target for People with disabilities representation, achieving 53 percent female representation in
Philippines
out at the 2025 HR Excellence
excellence and leadership development. Joining
are representatives from the company’s Human
management, and driving a 17 percent rise in Inclusion over last year. Through initiatives like the Disability Inclusion Playbook and Sensitivity Training, the company strengthened engagement and ensured all employees feel valued, empowered, and included.
FedEx commitment to empowering people is further demonstrated by the Gold Award for Leadership Development, which celebrates the company’s efforts to cultivate leadership capabilities at all levels. Through programs like Advance into Management, immersive cross-functional learning, and a strong mentoring culture, employees gain the skills, agility, and confidence to drive operational excellence and deliver exceptional customer experiences. As a result, FedEx achieved a 95 percent employee engagement score and a 91 percent inclusion score.
“This recognition reaffirms that our people are our greatest asset and the driving force behind our long-term
success. It inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in people, development, and organizational culture. These awards are a powerful motivator to continue building a workplace where our people can thrive and grow,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director, FedEx Philippines.
“By continuing to invest in leadership, inclusion, and workforce agility, we’re not only building a stronger FedEx today, we’re also ensuring our talented team has future-ready skills needed to create what’s next in our business and our customers.”
Complementing these achievements, the Silver Award for Best HR Team (Multinational Company) highlights the Human Resources team’s ability to weave leadership behaviors, promote inclusion into daily operations, and ensure opportunities for all, while fostering both individual growth and long-term organizational performance.
To learn more about FedEx, visit the FedEx Philippines website.
Okada Manila Welcomes Korean actress Han So-Hee for an Exclusive Fanmeet
THE Forbes 5-star integrated resort Okada Manila brought Korean actress
Han So-Hee closer to her Filipino fans as part of her “Xo Hee Loved Ones, You Are Sparkling Treasures to Me” World Tour which has already captivated audiences in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York. Okada Manila paired its signature hospitality with a dynamic program for an unforgettable fan experience.
Han So-Hee delighted the crowd with dynamic dance numbers and interactive segments where fans got to play and
connect with her up close.
Han So-Hee’s fanmeet at Okada Manila underscores the resort’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class entertainment and its dedication to bringing global stars closer to Filipino audiences. This event was made possible by L-Squared Productions. Stay tuned for more collaborations from Okada Manila and L-Squared Productions as they continue to bring world-class events to Cove Manila.
STI College Bags Four Honors at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards
STI College once again proved its excellence in communications and education initiatives after winning four awards at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards led by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines held on August 27, 2025 at The Manila Hotel. The institution bagged
“The STI Career Planning Program reflects our mission to guide learners in making informed decisions that will shape their professional journeys.” In addition, the STI
tips and inspirational messages. These efforts ensure students, parents, and alumni remain connected to the STI community wherever they are.
“Our social media platforms have become more than just channels of communication, they are spaces where our students and alumni feel heard, seen, and supported,” added Tabije. “This award affirms our efforts to create meaningful and relevant content that truly resonates with our students.”
Meanwhile, the STI Mental Health Program got an Award of Merit for its initiatives in promoting wellness and creating safe spaces for students. Through awareness campaigns, webinars, and counseling support, among others, STI provides accessible resources to help learners manage stress, maintain balance, and prioritize mental health as part of holistic education.
STI also partners with organizations to train its guidance counselors and associates and teachers on how they can handle mental health concerns of their students.
“Mental health is an essential part of a student’s success, and STI has always made it a priority,” said Tabije. “By providing safe spaces and open conversations, we aim to break the stigma and help our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.”
With these recognitions, STI College reaffirms its position as a consistent achiever at the Philippine Quill Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious programs honoring outstanding communication initiatives.
The 15th Likhang HABI Market Fair Weaves Together Culture, Craft, Community
IN its 15th year of meaningful encounters, the Likhang Habi Market Fair is back with a bigger and bolder offering. The flagship project of HABI: The Philippine Textile Council is slated for October 10 to 12, 2025 and will feature about a hundred weavers, weaving communities, artisans and designers from all over the country, creating a unique shopping experience that is as diverse as it is consequential. The fair is among the most-awaited events in the buyers’ calendar especially for those who appreciate artisanal products with cultural significance.
“The Likhang Habi Market Fair is that one weekend each year when the weaving communities bring out the best products they have created using the latest technique they have developed – methods that will become part of our weaving culture and history, and our identity as a nation,” said HABI president Mia Villanueva.
The fair’s continued success in over a decade has strengthened what was once a dying industry and is now enjoying a level of popularity never seen before.
Proof of that is the big move to the Space at One Ayala (formerly the site of Hotel Intercontinental), a sprawling area with multiple function rooms that will enable the Likhang Habi Market Fair to comfortably accommodate more vendors and guests. Attached to the MRT, the Ayala bus terminal, and the posh malls of the shopping district, and with ample parking at the basement, it is easily accessible via different modes of transportation as well. With a larger area, the HABI Council will be offering a variety of activities apart from the market itself. This year, guests will have the opportunity to hear from the members of the weaving industry – from weavers to designers – in a series of talks and panel discussions dubbed as Kwentong Kultura: The HABI Lectures. Day 1 and will feature Namnama Clothing’s Stephanie Diputado and Joy Geocado; Steffi Cua from Idyllic Summer; and Catherine Diquit from Likhang Maragondon. Moderating the discussion is writer, editor, stylist and entrepreneur Jane Kingsu Cheng. Day 2 continues with In The Realm of Textile: The Journey of the Entrepreneur in the Handwoven Textile Industry which includes Filip + Inna’s Len Cabili, Aklan Piña Artisans Association Chairman Carlo R. Eliserio, and celebrated knitwear designer Lulu Tan-Gan. Moderating the discussion is broadcaster and inabel textile advocate Niña Corpuz.
Closing the discussions on Day 3 is In The Realm of Textiles: Application of Handwoven Textiles Outside of Fashion with ZACARIAS1925 creative director Rita Nazareno, ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) president Edric Ong, and lifestyle consultant Tanya Fricke. HABI advocate and Museo Pambata president Wilma Huang will be moderating the discussion. There will be a P200 fee for the lectures. Interested guests can register through this link: https://forms.gle/ DypVoUT4AHkzx8tc6
Guests will also be treated to cultural presentations, weaving demonstrations and other workshops, all of
which would serve to reinforce the HABI Council’s mission to “preserve, promote, and enhance Philippine textiles through education, communication, and research.” The future of the weaving industry lies in the ability of the artisans to innovate. This is at the core of the two competitions spearheaded by the HABI Council to elevate and celebrate craftsmanship. Thus, entries to the 8th Lourdes Montinola Piña Weaving Competition and the 4th Eloisa Hizon Gomez Abaca Weaving Competition will be on display for the public to enjoy and draw inspiration from.
The family of Chair Emeritus of the Far Eastern University (FEU) and piña advocate Dr. Lourdes Montinola will be attending the awarding ceremony for the Piña competition which will be held on Saturday, October 11. For the Abaca competition, the heirs of Eloisa Hizon Gomez will be in attendance to award the winning entries including her son Dom Martin (formerly fashion designer Gang Gomez) on Sunday, October 12.
Within the fair, visitors can look forward to an expanded food and lifestyle section. The new space will showcase culinary artisans, regional delicacies, and featured restaurants, with areas for lounging and dining—making this year’s fair a true feast for the senses. At the helm of this area is Chef Sau Del Rosario, a pioneering figure in Philippine gastronomy recognized for his dedication to promoting Kapampangan heritage through contemporary culinary expression. With decades of expertise, he has established several acclaimed local establishments, including 25 Seeds, Café Fleur, Joop Joop, and Sawsaw.
He was motivated to collaborate with HABI due to “our shared passion, vision, and commitment to championing Filipino artists and craftsmanship.” Chef Sau’s culinary space will showcase creations from Cafe Fleur. which encapsulates his personal narrative, from his upbringing to the present, expressing his profound appreciation for culinary heritage through interpreted creations.
MWELL the Philippines’ first fully integrated health and wellness mega app, kicks off UAAP Season 88 by launching its Special Edition UAAP Smart Watches featuring a refreshed line-up and striking new designs. Each timepiece showcases updated university watch faces and straps that capture school pride in a bold new way, making them more than accessories but everyday wellness companions. mWell invites the entire UAAP community to get their wrist game on by
“Wellness must be within everyone’s reach, and these UAAP smart watches bring that vision to life. They are stylish symbols of school pride while also serving as daily reminders to prioritize one’s health. By making wellness simple and accessible, especially for the younger generation, we are helping Filipinos build habits that can last a lifetime,” added Gary Dujali, mWell Chief Marketing Officer. Fully loaded with health features such as blood
“Season
Prestige Sport Watch is designed for movement with GPS, altimeter, barometer, and an AMOLED display, making it the ultimate training partner for those who want advanced features and durability. The mWell Prestige Watch combines premium style with comprehensive health-tracking tools, offering a balance of elegance and functionality for everyday life. The mWell Power Watch delivers wellness support, giving wearers the essentials they need to stay active and motivated day after day.
FedEx
stands
Awards with three major honors for its workforce
Maribeth Espinosa, Managing Director of FedEx Philippines,
Resources and Management team.
Han So Hee at Okada Manila
Evolving with the times and going back to basics
ASecond of 2 parts
S public relations practitioners, we are expected to be quick to respond and adjust, whatever situations come our way. But many recent developments have shown us that this is no longer as easy to do as it was some years ago.
In last week’s column, I quoted Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez’s challenge for us to be more strategic communicators—to “leverage technology ethically and embrace innovative strategies.” Speaking to more than 400 communication practitioners during the opening of the 32nd National Public Relations Congress, his keynote set the tone for the jam-packed twoday event.
From understanding new ways of telling our stories, to getting to know the new breed of consumers, to knowing how to measure the success of our campaigns, to navigating the increasingly complicated technology landscape, to ensuring that PR practitioners, both present and future, have what it takes to continue to succeed in the industry—there was so much to learn in such a short time.
Here is my attempt to distill some of my learnings in hopes that these will be both a source of new knowledge and a way to pique your interest in learning more about various topics that could help improve your skills as communicators.
Bang for the buck AD industry legend and Creative Chairman of BBDO Guerrero David Guerrero shared six ways to leverage owned media to get more value and greater impact from your campaigns.
n Use your platform— Build and cultivate them well so they can be an effective go-to when you do not have a sizable budget for placements.
n Use your name— Capitalize on your brand equity. Make people want to be associated with your brand.
n Use your icon — Use the image that is uniquely you.
n Use your distribution—Tap your existing partners. If you are going to spend on a campaign anyway, spend it on your distribution network—a network that can easily be one of your strongest, most loyal advocates.
COURSERA LAUNCHES SKILL
TRACKS TO ACCELERATE
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WITH DATA-DRIVEN LEARNING
MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Coursera, Inc., one of the world’s leading online learning platforms,
n Use your packaging—Your packaging can be a vehicle for something that you are pushing: a reassurance, a new promise, a commitment to your customers.
n Use your products—Think about what you own that is free to use. What best vehicle to use in a campaign than your product itself?
Influencers reign supreme BUT you cannot just rely on owned media, of course. Enter the influencers or content creators.
According to Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP) President Jel Directo, “a single creator’s social media post can influence more purchase decisions than a million-peso TV ad spot.”
Quoting consumer insights company GWI Philippines, she added that “the influencer ecosystem evolved rapidly: starting from blogs then YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and now a creator economy powering global marketing. In the Philippines, over 40 percent of consumers discover products through creators versus traditional media.”
The popularity of content creators in pushing messages and driving purchases have given rise to the question of integrity in paid influence. How can creators say that they are authentic when they are being paid to endorse a product or service?
In a panel discussion, Unbox Group of Companies Chair Carlo Ople said creators can still maintain their integrity by being selective with the brands they partner with. Paying for a content creator’s services is no different from
has unveiled Skill Tracks, a new data-backed learning solution designed to accelerate role-based skill development and close critical workforce gaps.
Mapped to specific occupations, Skill Tracks guide learners from foundational knowledge to expert proficiency, powered by Coursera’s Career Graph—a system that integrates millions of labor market data points, third-party competency frame -
works, and a proprietary skills taxonomy. This ensures a precise alignment between jobs, skills, and content, helping organizations respond faster to evolving business needs.
Currently, four Skill Tracks are available: Software and Product, IT, Data, and GenAI, with more to follow. Each offers a structured pathway that defines the critical skills and courses needed for every role and career
doing branded content collaborations (known in the olden days as advertorials) with mainstream media outlets after all.
Blogapalooza CEO Ace Gapuz added that since content creators usually do not belong to a company, unlike journalists, there is no way for them to make a living if they will not accept payment from brands. However, legitimate creators are guided by their personal ethical boundaries, too. Soon, they will be covered by a code of ethics, currently being crafted by the CICP.
Probe Productions Managing Director Jen Aquino related that even Probe is now working with content creators to help fight disinformation and to reach more people with the content that they produce. Their partner content creators Macoy Averilla (Macoy Dubs) and “the ultimate campy drag aunt” Tita Baby both had to go through fact-checking training before creating content for Probe.
Short attention spans CONTRIBUTING to the rise in popularity of content creators is the significantly shorter attention span of consumers (hello, goldfish). CICP Director Jako de Leon said it is important to accept that attention spans are short, so in creating content for this generation of doom scrollers, keep these in mind: respect the scroll, capture the pause, and earn the stop.
How do you create content that will go past the scroll, get a pause, and merit a stop? Elesi Studios President and Managing Partner Earl Guico said the material has to be “sharp, singleminded, and emotionally satisfying” and should
stage. The solution combines world-class content, hands-on practice, and skills verification, equipping employees with immediately applicable expertise that drives measurable outcomes.
The urgency for reskilling has never been greater. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 67 percent of Filipino employers identify skill gaps as the primary barrier to business trans -
have “punchy hooks that lead into deeper storytelling.”
And these types of content should never be an after thought, but part of the campaign strategy from the very beginning, Link Strategies CEO and Founding Partner Kara Dagdag said.
TBWA\SMP Planning Lead Oliver Loyola added that brands should never shoot for just virality. Always go back to your campaign objectives and let those guide your decision on what tools to use and what kind of content to produce.
Despite significantly shorter attention spans, award-winning director and box-office hit writer Raz de la Torre said in a separate talk that long-form content still had a place in the world of communication. Gripping narratives, after all, can still drive home messages, influence decisions, and spur behavior changes.
Power to the people WHILE brands can master creating compelling content and capturing the fleeting attention of consumers, they no longer have full control of narratives. The power balance has shifted, with consumers now having more control over how a brand is perceived.
Reddit Country Growth Lead
Jules Garcia related that Reddit, which he described as “a global community of communities,” thrived in being a host to various communities of a wide range of interests and persuasions—the much-evolved version of community discussion boards from some decades ago. Over the years, Reddit had developed into a space that could
formation, with nearly seven in ten workers requiring reskilling within the next five years.
Coursera Skill Tracks aim to meet this demand, enabling leaders to foster innovation, productivity, and employee retention.
“Companies are deploying new technology faster than their people can keep pace, and they need learning solutions that are adaptive and personalized,”
“surface the untold and overlooked,” like toxic company cultures and even the mole people of Makati; “mobilize passion into action;” and “shape shared wisdom through authentic experiences.” As a result, Reddit had significantly grown its influence on purchasing decisions, making it a platform that brands should seriously look into when developing their communication strategies. Despite all of these changes in consumer power and behaviors and the evolution of the tools of the trade, the foundations of good communication strategies remain the same: having a clear set of objectives, knowing your audiences well, having a firm grasp of channels and tools, and knowing how to measure success. These will never go out of style. These comprise barely a day’s worth of learning from the PR Congress. Watch out in the coming weeks for more, including insights from our very own IPRA Philippines members.
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is the Chief Marketing Officer of Ikigai Philippines and an independent consultant and trainer, with more than two decades of experience in media, public relations, marketing, and customer experience.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.
said Coursera CEO Greg Hart. “Coursera Skill Tracks deliver a learning experience built around occupations and job tasks, and it’s a major step towards helping learners master the right skills to grow their careers. By blending technical skills with institutional expertise, hands-on practice, and skill verification, Skill Tracks ensure training is relevant and immediately applicable.”
AD industry icon David Guerrero shares tips and techniques on how to produce effective campaigns with tight budgets PHOTO BY NORMAN AGATEP
CICP President Jel Directo talks about how influencers have moved from obscurity to mainstream territory PHOTO BY THE AUTHOR
EVEN when influencers get paid for their services, they can still maintain their integrity by choosing the right partners PHOTO BY NORMAN AGATEP
A SPIRITED discussion on short-form content and how to capture consumers’ short attention span PHOTO BY NORMAN AGATEP
Philippines to host 2029 women worlds
By Aldrin Quinto
ALAS Pilipinas Women take the spotlight next as the Philippines hosts the 2029 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
Following Alas Pilipinas’ electrifying breakthrough at the FIVB Men’s World Championship, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) are charting an ambitious course toward indoor and beach volleyball’s premier stages, with the key dates being the Women’s World Championship in 2029 and the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) president Fabio Azevedo’s vowed that more thrilling matches can be expected in the Philippines, sending the huge Sunday crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to a frenzy.
“Thank you for hosting the best world championship ever,” Azevedo said. Volleyball icon Leila Barros then made the formal announcement in Portuguese: “Congratulations Philippines! You are hosting the 2029 FIVB Women’s World Championships!” Mahal ko kayo!”
“Hosting the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2029 in the Philippines is an opportunity to again showcase not only the very best of volleyball but also the positive impact our sport has on society,” Azevedo said.
“This is a landmark program and our boldest one yet, but we are absolutely committed, because we believe in the potential of the Philippines, and we could not ask for a better partner in our mission to transform the world through sport. Let us create history together for volleyball in Asia,” Azevedo added.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio presented the roadmap to top volleyball officials, including Azevedo, Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi, FIVB Executive Vice President and Asian Volleyball Confederation President Ramon Suzara, along with the five continental confederation presidents and the 24-member FIVB Board of Administration.
“This long-term partnership with FIVB and Volleyball World—a transformative empowerment program for our athletes first, and a bold push for sports tourism toward economic
growth second—will not only allow our country to be at the heart of volleyball’s global growth, it will set a historic blueprint for Philippine sports development overall,” said Gregorio.
“ We will form a consortium with private sectors and organizations to lead and sustain this project, to create even more opportunities for our athletes and fans to be part of something truly special,” Gregorio added.
Twenty international tournaments have been lined up by the FIVB in the Philippines from 2026 to 2032, including Volleyball National League events, Beach Volleyball Pro Tour events, and the 2030 AVC Continental Championships, a qualifier for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“We are determined to carry forward the momentum of the World Championship 2025 and channel it into something lasting for our athletes, our fans and our nation. It is also an honor to see the sport that I love contribute meaningfully to my nation’s sports and tourism agenda,” Suzara, president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, said. Alas Pilipinas came up with explosive performances in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, falling just short of the knockout stages after starting out as the team with the second-longest odds to advance.
T he PSC is capitalizing on that momentum to chart a path for sustained progress.
Gregorio, who has long championed sports tourism, added that while seeking to draw fans from across the globe, the seven-year program also includes initiatives in sports education, infrastructure development, broadcast production, global marketing integration, impact studies, and ticketing consultancy.
“ We will pursue this passionately, with much gratitude to the FIVB, Volleyball World and the entire Global Volleyball Movement for their friendship and support,” Gregorio said.
Other world volleyball officials are confident of the ambitious plan.
“Building on the success of the Men’s World Championship here in 2025, we know the Philippines offers the perfect stage to inspire the next generation and connect communities across the country and the region,” said Valensi.
WBy Josef Ramos
ORLD No. 1 Poland needed to sweat it out a bit in defeating Czechia, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the bronze medal match of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Wilfredo Leon showed the way as Poland finished the tournament with a win, although far from satisfied.
MUCH has changed in the two decades since Brazilian volleyball great Leila Barros last set foot in the Philippines.
Now 53 years old, Barros played in the country twice, in 2000 and 2004, and those events were widely regarded as milestones in the growth of volleyball in the Philippines.
Even back then, she already had a devoted following. Among her fans is Maan Guevarra, who was present at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, September 27, when Barros served as the guest of honor for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
One of many who welcomed Barros back to the Philippines, Guevarra said it was Barros’ presence and demeanor on the court—aside from her achievements—that made her the face of volleyball’s growth in the country.
“Beyond her skills, it’s her passion and determination to win. It feels amazing to watch, and it really motivates
G uevarra rekindled her connection with Barros at the Pasay venue, bringing memorabilia for the now-Senator to sign. She also brought a photo of herself with Barros from her last visit in 2004. After waiting more than two decades to see her idol again, Guevarra said she didn’t think she would get the chance— especially knowing Barros had become a mother and a senator.
“I t feels really special because we thought we’d never see her again. She had already retired and was busy with politics. We all know how hectic life is,” Guevarra said.
scored 11 points, all on attacks.
Poland posted its fourth-straight podium finish and first-ever bronze medal at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. It won gold medals in 1974 (Mexico), 2014 (Poland), and 2018 (Italy/Bulgaria), and bagged silver in 2006 (Japan) and 2022 (Poland/Slovenia).
K ewin Sasak scored 11, eight on attacks and three on service aces, for Poland.
Czechia came up with some resistance and made the match interesting in front of the crowd of 6,535.
The Cuban-born Polish star came up with 26 points, 11 coming in the first set, for the Poles in a solid finish to a less-than-ideal stint where they started as the top favorite having won the Volleyball Nations League recently. Italy had denied Poland a return trip to the final with a straight-sets win in the semifinals on Saturday. “Special, and not special, because I prepared myself to win the gold medal. Unfortunately, this time it didn’t arrive. I won a bronze medal with a very good fight, so I’m happy with that side, but not happy at all that we didn’t catch the gold medal,” said Leon. Poland actually only had a slim advantage in attack points at 49-48, but got 35 points on opponents errors, while Czechia had 28.
Lukas Vasina had 19 points, 18 on attacks, for Czechia, while Patrik Indra
“Maybe for now we still are a little bit sad about yesterday, that we didn’t go to the final. It was our objective in this tournament, but I think after a few days, when we’re back home and when we also start the season in the club, for sure we will be proud of this medal, because a medal is a medal,” Semeniuk said.
Czechia’s impressive run ended with a fourth-place finish, matching their previous best when they also placed in the top four in 1970 on home soil.
Value of smarter, cooler heads in sports
THE long and grueling journey of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) culminates in a dramatic, high-stakes finale as the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Elite Junior Finals gets going on Wednesday at The Country Club in Laguna. The best of the North (Luzon) face off against the cream of the crop from the South (Visayas-Mindanao) in a three-day team-based format: Day 1 Four-Ball (Best Ball)—Each pair plays their own ball and the best score per hole counts; Day 2 Foursomes (Alternate Shot); and Day 3 Singles.
Team North—captained by Francis Talion with Ryan Tambalque as cocaptain, is gunning for redemption after the South dominated last year’s match play Finals, winning six of eight titles. T his time, North’s roster boasts power and depth led by 15-18
for one, it might embarrass or polarize her. Two, the team could possibly take sides. And three, given this team’s not yet being there as in ready to win, let’s not knock them down a peg. I advised them to choose her own punishment that I will not divulge here. By having her choose, she can weigh the sanctions for herself. Of course, prior to that, I cautioned the team manager and the coach to have a nice sit down with the athlete to understand the concern instead of chewing her head off.
T hat is what happened and the crisis was averted. It became a non-issue that had it gone public, the team would have been hit with negative press. I was there not as a sportswriter, but as a public relations officer. I know how to separate myself from either role.
One other time, this time with a UAAP high school basketball team (once more, not Ateneo), a key player who was recruited from another school was not getting the touches and shots. This in spite of him being a youth national player.
I s at him down and said, “Look. If the coach tells you to rebound and play defense, do it.”
I will never tell a player to go against his coach.
I advised him to rebound and play defense, then when possible, assist a teammate. If the putback is there, go for it. If you do not have a shot, pass the ball. His other hoped goal was to be in the Mythical Five selection. I broke it down for him—three points, three rebounds
She’s a wife and a mom now. I’m just so grateful—I even told her earlier, ‘Thank you so much for coming back, even if it’s just for a short while.’” www.philippineswch2025.com
standouts Patrick Tambalque, Zachary Villaroman, Jose Carlos Taruc and Kristoffer Nadales, who stepped up after Shinichi Suzuki’s withdrawal due to international duty in Japan. The women’s premier division features North’s top contenders Rafa Anciano, Levonne Talion, Tiffany Bernardino and Chloe Rada, all hungry to avenge last year’s results.
Team South, under the leadership of Alfred Gaccion and co-captain Boyet Zaragosa, arrives with a fiery mix of experience and form. Multi-leg winner Alexis Nailga, along with Luciano Copok, Mhark Fernando III and Eric Jeon, spearhead the boys’ elite lineup, while the girls’ squad boasts Tashanah Balangauan, Crista Miñoza, Precious Zaragosa and Mike Guillermo, who grabbed a late slot after academic conflicts sidelined Zero Plete.
per quarter means a triple
FIVB president Fabio Azevedo and Leila Barros (third and fourth from left) jointly announce the Philippine hosting of the 2029 women’s world championship with (from left) FIVB secretary-general Hugh McCutcheon, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara and Volleyball World CEO Ugo Valensi. NONIE REYES
her team,” she said in Filipino. “ You could feel it, the whole crowd could feel it at the Ultra. That’s why the cheers for her were so loud, like she’s one of our own.”
POLAND celebrates its fourth consecutive podium finish in the world championship.
ROY DOMINGO
LEILA BARROS reconnects with longtime fans in the Philippines. WWW.PHILIPPINESWCH2025.COM
LEVONNE TALION and the North squad look to regain the title. JPGT
