New task force formed for San Juanico bridge repair
By Rex Espiritu and Ronald O. Reyes
LGUs reactivate price councils
Gov’t monitoring retailers for price spikes, hoarding
By Vince Lopez, Othel V. Campos and Rio N. Araja
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that 1,350 local government units (LGUs) have reactivated their Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCCs) to help monitor the supply and prices of rice and other key commodities, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s goal of taming inflation.
The activation of local price councils came even as House Speaker Martin Romualdez assured funding for the government’s subsidized
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. admitted that he had much higher hopes for the outcome of the 2025 midterm elections, even as he said he would much rather focus on the political battles that lay ahead.
“We all wish we had better results, but, you know, we live to fight another day,” said the chief executive at the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Thanksgiving dinner in Mandaluyong City Saturday evening.
Of the 12 newly elected senators, only six were anointed by the President under the administration’s Alyansa coalition.
They include Senators-elect Erwin Tulfo, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, and Lito Lapid.
The President’s sister, reelected Senator Imee Marcos, was initially part of the administration slate but was later dropped for questioning the administration on how it handled the arrest and subsequent surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court.
Staunch Duterte allies Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Rodante
53 winning party-list groups finally being proclaimed today
THE Department of Health (DOH) has reported that it is closely observing a rise in COVID-19 cases across certain parts of Southeast Asia.
While the DOH did not pinpoint specific locations, recent reports have highlighted an increase in COVID-19 cases this year in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand.
“The Department of Health is carefully tracking regional COVID-19 developments, including the recent surge in certain Southeast Asian areas. We continue to collaborate through established platforms such as ASEAN,” the agency said in a statement. Despite these developments, the DOH emphasized there is no reason for public alarm.
In the Philippines, data shows a significant drop in COVID-19 activity,
By Vito Barcelo and Pot Chavez
File photo of San Juanico bridge. Art de Vera
Comelec junks recount bid
By Vito Barcelo
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said that a manual recount can only be done if the automated election law is changed or a new law created.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia made the remarks following the call of defeated senatorial bet Pastor Quiboloy who is detained for human trafficking, for a manual recount. He also said the revised election law
shoud also provide a budget for such.
“We don’t have a budget for manual counting, if that’s really prescribed under the law. Since we started conducting automated elections in 2010, we don’t have this kind of counting,”
tal of 41,658,790 votes were recorded for party-lists.
The four leading groups — Akbayan, Duterte Youth, Tingog and 4Ps — are expected to win three seats each, with ACT-CIS and Ako Bicol each securing two seats.
Together, these six parties account for 16 House seats.
Nineteen of the groups anticipated to secure a seat comprise either new entrants or returning party-lists, while 28 are established organizations.
Among the newcomers are Mamamayang Liberal (ML) and Kamanggagawa Party-List.
Meanwhile, election lawyer Robert Labe Jr. sought to simplify the computation of seat allocation.
Section 5, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the partylist representatives shall constitute twenty per cent of the total number of representatives including those under the party list.”
In an interview with Manila Standard, Labe said the percentage allocation has been settled by the Supreme Court (SC) in the case of Banat vs. Comelec in relation to Republic Act (RA) No. 7941 or the ‘Party-List System Law.’
This was further confirmed by the High Tribunal in the case of Angkla vs. Comelec in 2021.
He explained that the number of district representatives shall be divided by 80% and will be multiplied by 20% to get the total number of party-list seats.
The election returns are received by the Comelec, tallies all votes casted for partylist groups nationwide and ranks them according to the number of votes received, he added.
Labe noted that the partylist group that gets at least 2% of the total votes is automatically guaranteed one seat, which shall be the first round of distribution.
“After the guaranteed seats are assigned, the remaining seats will be distributed among all parties, including those with less than 2% of the votes, based on their share of the total votes until all remaining numbers of seats allocated for partylist will be filled. The party-lists that received at least 2% votes shall also be the priority to be given additional seats,” he said.
It must also be noted that only the whole numbers are counted; fractions are disregarded.
Earlier, the Comelec announced there are 63 seats designated for party-list representatives representing 20 percent of the total membership of the House of Representatives.
for the Church to be a transformational force in a world of division and hatred.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalises the poorest,” he said.
The new pontiff, who spent many years as a missionary in Peru, also warned against “closing ourselves off in our small groups.”
“We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people,” he said.
he said. Since the Comelec has already declared the 12 winning senators for the 2025 elections on Saturday, Garcia said that if a manual recount happens, the poll body will no longer have authority since the Senate Electoral Tribunal will take over.
He said that a new law is needed or the Automated Election Law has to be amended as it may already be outdated.
The 2025 election is a good opportunity for us to create new laws
or amend the Automated Election Law because it’s been here for a long time. There have been many changes in technology. It may not be updated already,” Garcia added.
Short of saying that Quiboloy’s request is impossible at this time, Garcia said he would agree if there will be a change or overhaul of the law.
“However, the Comelec’s hands are tied. We cannot act without changing the law because we are only the enforcers of our existing laws,: he said .
P20-per-kilo is of good quality.
rice program in next year’s national budget.
Field reports show that 1,269 LGUs are now conducting regular market inspections, 230 have deputized barangay officials and NGOs to monitor price spikes, and 1,201 are coordinating with national agencies to address hoarding and unjustified price hikes.
Under Memorandum Circular 2025044, the DILG urged all LGUs to activate their LPCCs, following the recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council and aligned with the Department of Agriculture’s Bantay Presyo initiative.
The LPCC is chaired by the local chief executive and includes national agency representatives, private sector stakeholders, and consumer groups.
Its key functions include market inspection, price monitoring, and analysis of commodity price fluctuations.
The DILG said it is closely monitoring LGU compliance to ensure consumer protection and food affordability at the local level.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told key officials of the National Food Authority (NFA) to ensure that rice sold by the government at
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement yesterday that Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the NFA Council, emphasized that this subsidized rice program presents an opportunity to shift the long-standing perception that NFA rice is substandard—an opinion being exploited by some politicians.
“This is our chance to change how people view NFA rice,” the DA chief said.
“We want to show that the rice we provide to those in need is not only affordable, but also tasty, nutritious, and just as good as, if not better than, some imported varieties,” he added.
For her part, Brigida Mesa, a rice vendor at Mandaluyong Public Market II, vouched for the quality of the P20per-kilogram rice of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, saying it is comparable to more expensive varieties.
Mesa, 68, said the low-cost rice remains flavorful and well-textured, noting consistent positive feedback from buyers.
“The rice is good because only the price went down, but the quality is still there,” Mesa said, as quoted in a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release Sunday.
Earlier, Malacañang warned the public to be vigilant against fake news about the subsidized rice program, fol-
71 between March 23 and April 5, 2025, to 65 between April 6 and 19.”
CONTROL POINT. Enforcers from the Tacloban City Traffic Operation
Management Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) manage traffic flow at the San Juanico junction, allowing only compliant vehicles to pass while redirecting heavier ones to the designated waiting area along Bypass Road on May 18, 2025. Tacloban City Information Office
Marcoleta also made it to the socalled “Magic 12.”. Also in the list of winners are Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, who are neither aligned with the administration nor the Dutertes.
Still, with the 2025 midterm elections behind, Mr. Marcos appealed to all parties to set aside politics and focus on the real issues besetting the Philippines.
“But now it’s time, I think, to put all the politics aside. It’s time to put all of the issues that we raised during the election [aside] and only talk about not political issues but developmental issues, healthcare issues, education issues, agricultural issues, supply issues, all of these things,” he said. Earlier, Mr. Marcos said he welcomed the entry of genuine opposition in the government but warned against obstructionists.
with an 87% decrease in both cases and deaths compared to 2024. As of this year, only 1,774 cases have been reported, down from 14,074 last year.
“The case fatality rate remains low at 1.13%, and trends suggest a continued decline in infections over the past month,” the DOH noted. “Weekly cases fell from
Prevost, who was made a cardinal only in 2023 and is unknown to many Catholics, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of peace and social justice in his first few days as pope.
Inacia Lisboa, 71, a pilgrim from Cape Verde who lives in Rome, told Agence France Presse (AFP) at the Vatican on Sunday that Leo had already “entered my heart.”
She said she wanted him to “pray for us all, for peace in the world—we need it so much.”
First US pope
Leo has made history as first pontiff from the United States, and his home country was represented on Sunday by Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.
Before becoming pope, Leo reposted on his personal X account criticism of
Nonetheless, the agency continues to urge the public to follow basic health precautions that also protect against other respiratory illnesses:
1. Wearing face masks in medical facilities
2. Staying at home when experiencing symptoms
3. Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
President Donald Trump’s administration over its approach to migration and also pilloried Vance, but the account is no longer accessible. Vance was the last world leader to meet with Pope Francis, the day before the Argentine died on April 21 after 12 years as pontiff.
Leo’s elevation has sparked huge enthusiasm in the United States, but also some consternation elsewhere that a country with an already outsize political and military role in the world now boasts one its foremost spiritual leaders.
“There is going to be extra weight because he is American, I think there’s going to be a lot of extra eyes, and maybe criticisms,” said Sophia Tripp, a 20-year-old student visiting from Leo’s hometown of Chicago.
But she said she hoped he would “bring people together,” adding: “We
lowing the circulation of a video on social media supposedly showing poor quality of rice being sold for P20.
As this developed, Romualdez yesterday said the P20 per kilo rice is no longer a promise, citing it’s a policy in progress under the Marcos administration.
The lower chamber is fully backing the Marcos administration’s flagship initiative by preparing to institutionalize the P20 per kilo rice program through the 2026 national budget, ensuring that it becomes a sustainable, nationwide policy, and not just a pilot project, Romualdez said.
“This is not a one-time rollout. This is the beginning of a national transformation. President Marcos is showing us that with political will and smart budgeting, P20/kilo rice is not just possible— it’s happening,” he said.
Romualdez stressed Congress would support and expand this model, buying from farmers at fair prices and selling to people with low incomes at subsidized rates.
“We will allocate the necessary funds to scale this program nationwide through the 2026 General Appropriations Act,” he said.
“This kind of ayuda uplifts everyone—consumers, farmers, and the economy,” he added.
4. Washing hands frequently with soap and water
5. Seeking early medical advice when feeling unwell
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded over 777 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than seven million deaths since the virus first emerged in December 2019.
The pandemic overwhelmed healthcare systems, disrupted economies, and led to widespread lockdowns across the globe.
are all human, and we should just all be loving to one another.”
Other guests on Sunday included German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro and a host of European royals also attended.
Italian authorities deployed thousands of security officers for the event, alongside snipers on rooftops and antidrone operations.
‘Fear and trembling’
Leo XIV was elected the 267th pope on May 8 after a conclave vote of cardinals that lasted less than 24 hours.
Succeeding the charismatic but impulsive Francis, he takes over a Church
Pedestrians are no longer allowed to cross the bridge, with light vehicles and coasters ferrying passengers instead. “Effective today, these measures—including reconnaissance and deployment—are now in effect,” OCD said in a statement.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed the bridge’s structural damage and imposed a three-ton weight limit.
“Those traversing the bridge must use the centerline, proceeding one at a time,” the DPWH warned, urging motorists to follow traffic marshals on site. RORO ports across Leyte and Samar are now recommended for heavier cargo trucks.
Repair costs are initially estimated at P300 million to P500 million, according to OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno. “This is a rough estimate—there are no details yet,” he said, adding that the government is considering sourcing funds from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) fund as no allocation has been made by the DPWH.
Business leaders warned of significant losses due to limited access to the vital link.
“The economic losses due to issues with the San Juanico Bridge can be significant,” said Wilson Uy, former president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Tacloban. “A disruption will affect retail and wholesale trade, tourism, and manufacturing reliant on imported materials.” Uy estimates monthly losses between P300 million to P600 million due to delivery delays, spoilage, and rerouting costs.
Officials continue to monitor the situation under Blue Alert, signaling heightened readiness and inter-agency coordination to mitigate further risks and disruptions.
However, by the latter half of 2022, both infection and mortality rates had dropped significantly—thanks to rising immunity from vaccines and previous infections, along with the virus evolving to cause less severe illness.
In May 2023, the WHO officially declared the pandemic’s emergency phase over.
Experts now consider the virus to be endemic, with occasional resurgences resembling those of seasonal influenza.
still battling the fallout of the clerical child abuse scandal, and trying to adapt to the modern world.
Leo acknowledged on Sunday some trepidation in his new role.
“I was chosen, without any merit of my own, and now, with fear and trembling, I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy,” he said.
Ahead of the mass, Leo visited the tomb of Saint Peter—who in the Christian tradition was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and the first pope—located under the altar of the basilica that bears his name.
He then received the pontifical emblems—the pallium, a strip of cloth worn over the chasuble, his robe and the fisherman’s ring, which is forged anew for each pope and which he will wear on his finger until he dies, when it will be destroyed.AFP
BEATING THE HEAT. People enjoy swimming in a pool with bubble machines, arti cial waves, and fountains to beat the summer heat at a resort in Ternate, Cavite City on Sunday, May 18. Manny
Civil Defense working with LGU on Mt. Kanlaon evac strategies
THE
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is working with local government units (LGUs) near Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island to develop evacuation strategies in anticipation of a possible escalation in the volcano’s alert level.
During a recent visit to Negros Occidental, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno emphasized the agency’s preparations for a potential increase in Mt. Kanlaon’s alert status from the current Alert Level 3 to Level 4. Such an escalation would require the evacuation of an additional 100,000 residents within the expanded 10-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).
IN BRIEF
Dizon set to face appointments panel
On Friday, OCD-Negros Island Region (NIR) Director Donato Sermeno III announced that the Regional Incident Management Team is collecting data from the affected LGUs as part of the planning process. “Right now, one of the things we are thoroughly working on is the evacuation plan of every LGU. The contingency plan is different,” he told reporters.
SURIGAO del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Sunday said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon is scheduled to appear before the Commission on Appointments (CA) committee on transportation on June 3 at 10 a.m., a day after Congress resumes session. Dizon was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as head of the Department of Transportation on Feb. 21. Pimentel, the CA assistant minority leader, said the committee on constitutional commissions and offices will meet on June 4 to deliberate on the ad interim appointments of four officials. They are Noli Pipo and Maria Norina TangaroCasingal as Commission on Elections commissioners; Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan as Civil Service Commission commissioner; and Douglas Michael Mallillin as Commission on Audit commissioner. The public may submit information, reports, or sworn complaints on the appointees to the CA secretariat. Rio N. Araja Legisperit unveils new legal books
LEGISPERIT Publications Inc. launched 11 new legal titles during a book event at Casa Ibarra in Pasay City, including its 2025 Syllabus-Based Bar Review Collection and textbooks on Legal and Judicial Ethics and the Family Code of the Philippines. The Bar Review Collection covers all core bar subjects for the 2025 Bar Examinations. Among the authors are Dean Cecilio D. Duka (Political and Public International Law), Dean Sergio M. Ceniza (Commercial Law), lawyer Marvin P. Cañero (Taxation Law), lawyer Judy Lardizabal (Civil Law), Dean Voltaire T. Duano (Labor Law), lawyer Modesto A. Ticman Jr. (Criminal Law), Prof. Manuel R. Riguera (Remedial Law), and lawyer Hilarion B. Buban with lawyer Lardizabal (Legal and Judicial Ethics). All titles follow the 2025 Bar Examination syllabus and include recent jurisprudence and legislative updates. Also featured were Casebook of the Philippine Legal and Judicial Ethics by lawyers Buban and Lardizabal, and The Family Code of the Philippines Annotated by Dean Viviana Martin Paguirigan. Founded in 2024, Legisperit has quickly built a reputation in legal publishing, working closely with the Jurists Bar Review Center and a network of legal experts to support the country’s future lawyers.
After 22 years, fugitive rape suspect arrested
A 56-year-old costume maker who had been in hiding for 22 years was arrested by Manila Police District operatives for six counts of rape. The suspect, identified as Alex Alfonso of Pilapil Street, Barangay 66, Tondo, Manila, was apprehended around 11:40 a.m. on Maya Street in Tondo. Alfonso is currently detained at the MPD Warrant Section’s custodial facility. His arrest was based on a warrant issued on August 21, 2002, by Judge Gregorio Sampaga of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 78, Malolos, Bulacan. No bail was recommended for his temporary release . Itchie G. Cabayan
Sermeno added that Undersecretary Nepomuceno stressed the need for clear and detailed protocols for affected individuals. These include identifying designated evacuation sites during a major eruption and specifying the vehicles that will transport evacuees from collection points.
Currently, more than 1,700 families whose homes are within the six-kilometer PDZ are staying in 13 evacuation centers, mostly located in La Castellana town, as well as in the cities of La Carlota and Bago.
In addition to these three LGUs, San Carlos City has expressed interest in es-
tablishing a relocation or resettlement site for residents of Barangay Codcod. Meanwhile, La Carlota City must identify alternative sites, as the initially proposed locations in the villages of Haguimit, San Miguel, and La Granja are in areas vulnerable to pyroclastic density currents in the event of a more intense eruption. La Castellana has designated resettlement sites in the villages of Talaptap and Lalagsan, both of which meet the necessary safety parameters. Bago City has identified a relocation site near the coastline but is prepared to look for an alternative if needed. Rex Espiritu
Iloilo eyes funds for rollout of P20 rice in the province
By Caloy Lozada
ILOILO CITY—The Iloilo Provincial Government has earmarked funds for the full rollout of the ₱20-per-kilo rice program under Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.’s flagship initiative, “SiPAG at Tiyaga for MoRProGRes Iloilo,” as part of its ₱30.1-billion Annual Investment Program (AIP) for 2026.
The program, which aims to provide affordable rice to Ilonggo households, represents a significant commitment to food security and poverty alleviation as part of the province’s economic and social development agenda.
Approved during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) en banc meeting held on May 17 at the Day Hotel, the AIP outlines Iloilo’s priority programs, projects, and activities for the next fiscal year.
Governor Defensor, who chairs the PDC, led discussions on budget allocations and strategic development goals.
“This investment reflects our longstanding commitment to inclusive growth and ensuring that no family is left hungry,” he said, referring to the rice subsidy program.
The AIP allocates funds across key sectors:
The inclusion of the full implementation budget for the ₱20-per-kilo rice program underscores the province’s strong political will to sustain one of its most impactful social interventions.
The AIP serves as the provincial government’s comprehensive work and financial plan, aligning development goals with actual budget execution.
The PDC also endorsed the Department of Agriculture’s proposed farm bridge projects across Iloilo—specifically in Barangay Camandag (Leon), Barangay Gemumua Agahon (Passi City), Barangay Abaca (San Enrique), and Barangay Nueva Invencion (Barotac Viejo)—to enhance rural connectivity and support agricultural productivity.
Updates on ongoing provincial initiatives were also discussed, including the Purok Resilience Program and the planned Provincial Government Center in Santa Barbara.
Attending the en banc meeting were representatives from the province’s five congressional districts, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, municipal mayors, heads of provincial government departments, and delegates from civil society and non-government organizations.
PMA grads get engaged during graduation ceremonies
IT was a moment of double celebration at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Saturday for two newly commissioned officers from the “Siklab-Laya” Class of 2025, who will soon walk down the aisle after marching the long gray line. Just minutes after their gradu-
ation rites, Second Lieutenant Ferdenan Rees Macalay, 23, surprised everyone with a marriage proposal to his girlfriend and fellow graduate, Second Lieutenant Remedios Racma Briones Lopez, 22. She said yes. The young couple—both from San Jose del Monte, Bu-
lacan—have been in a relationship since their sophomore year at the PMA, according to a Facebook post by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Cordillera dated May 17. Macalay said he wanted to propose on the most meaningful day of their lives, just before they em-
bark on a lifetime of public service. The two have supported each other throughout their PMA journey, building a strong friendship that eventually blossomed into love. According to reports, the couple plans to marry in three to five years, after completing their initial military assignments.
LTO raids shop selling right-hand cars
By Rio N. Araja
ENGAGED. 2nd Lt. Ferdenan Rees Macalay gets down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend and fellow Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate, Second Lt. Remedios Racma Briones Lopez, moments after their commencement rites at the PMA campus in Baguio City on May 17. Philippine Information Agency
BAR REVIEW AUTHORS. Authors of the 2025 Syllabus-Based Bar Review Collection (from left): Asec. Marvin P. Caseda, Dean Voltaire T. Duano, LL.M., lawyer Modesto Ticman Jr., Prof. Manuel R. Riguera, lawyer Hilarion Buban, Dean Cecilio D. Duka, and Dean Sergio M. Ceniza pose for a photo.
Palmero
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
IN BRIEF
NHA cedes Diliman lot to Ombudsman’s office
THE National Housing Authority (NHA) has formalized the property transfer of a 5,772-square meter lot situated at North Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The turnover coincided with the 37th anniversary celebration of the Office of the Ombudsman, consummated with a ceremonial signing of an absolute sale and issuance of the transfer certificate of title.
The annex of the Ombudsman main building is currently occupying the lot as an extension for its frontline services.
NHA general manager Joeben Tai said “at NHA, we are grateful and honored to be part of the expansion of your office here in Quezon City. It is our sincere hope that this advancement will significantly contribute to the improved working condition, overall well-being and welfare of dedicated civil servants of your institution.” Rio N. Araja
Five Chinese arrested for breach of BI laws
OPERATIVES of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Central Visayas have arrested a Chinese national misrepresenting himself as a Filipino.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the apprehension of Wang Chaoxin, 32, on May 1 was in keeping with the President’s order to ferret out foreigners . posing a threat to national security. Wang was arrested with four fellow Chinese nationals who were found to have violated the conditions of their stay.
The BI said three of the suspects held employment visas but were found to be working in a company other than their declared employer, while another was found to have been working without a permit.
Navy reassigns BRP Pargas to C. Visayas
IN a strategic move to bolster maritime security and naval presence in the Visayas, the Philippine Navy deployed BRP Rafael Pargas to the Naval Base Rafael Ramos in Lapu-Lapu City.
The patrol ship is seen to enhance coastal patrol, interdiction, and defense operations in the region.
Capt. Welmer Base, acting chief of Naval Task Force 50 (NTF50), welcomed the vessel’s integration into the operational fold of his unit under Joint Task Force SEAGULL.
Ahead of the ceremony, BRP Rafael Pargas was met at sea by BRP Enrique Jurado (PC371) for a traditional Passing Exercise signifying mutual respect and operational coordination. Rex Espiritu
BI to probe irregularities in tourist visa processing
By Vito Barcelo
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) is poised to look into alleged irregularities in the processing of tourist visas at its main office, specifically regarding the excessive fees being charged to foreign tourists
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado also ordered a comprehensive review of procedures to ensure continued compliance with internal
policies and standards of integrity.
The initiatives were came on the heels of a social media post that the BI tourist visa section overcharges applicants or face rejection of their applications.
“In particular, we want our tourist visa processing to be at its most efficient,” said Viado. “We have implemented online applications, but in-person processing should also remain accessible and convenient to the public,” he added.
According to Viado, the BI’s tourist visa section has consistently
processed applications within the prescribed timeframes set by the Anti-Red Tape Authority.
The procedure was also ISO-certified since 2018, and regularly subjected to internal and external audits to ensure quality and systemic compliance.
“Our goal is to continuously improve. We are conducting a thorough review to make sure our processes are working as intended. If any documented violations are discovered, we will act accordingly and without hesitation,” Viado stressed.
AFP reaffirms national sovereignty over Philippine Rise
By Rex Espiritu
THE Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reaffirmed the country’s sovereignty over the Philippine Rise (Talampas ng Pilipinas) through a series of symbolic and operational activities marking the 8th anniversary of the area’s official renaming. The AFP deployed Philippine Navy
ship BRP Emilio Jacinto on a mission to the Philippine Rise, representing the military’s strategic presence and commitment to safeguarding national maritime rights.
Crucial to the mission is the hoisting of the Philippine flag over the territorial waters, a gesture underscoring the country’s firm resolve to assert its sovereign rights over the resource-rich submarine plateau.
POLITICAL neophytes in the Bangsamoro Region in Mindanao who ran under the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) won most of the local posts ersrtwhile dominated by known political clans for more than 50 decades. The UBJP headed by its president, Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, is the political wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is also chaired by him. UBJP’s candidates won in the gubernatorial races in Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi and in the mayoral contests in Cota-
bato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), among other areas. Governor-elects Ali Midtimbang and Tucao Mastura’s victories in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, respectively, are nothing short of remarkable as they were bets of the UBJP, a first-timer in politics, and won with arguably lesser resources on May 12, 2025.
Re-electionist Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao’s victory in Cotabato City had an air of confidence from the get-go, beating his once ally former Vice Mayor Butch Abu. Midtimbang and Mastura, of the
SENTINEL OF FREEDOM.
Former senator and Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon, along with National Museum director general Jeremy Barnes and National Historical Commission chief Regalado Trota Jose Jr., unveils marker at the renovated Sentinel of Freedom also called the Lapu-Lapu Shrine at Liwasang Rizal park fronting Maria Orosa St., in Ermita, Manila. The 40-foot, P15 million bronze statue of Magellan’s conqueror was installed in 2005 at Luneta Park. Danny Pata
prominent political clans of the once undivided Maguindanao won over the dynasty of Gov. Mariam S. Mangudadatu and her husband, Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu, former governor of Sultan Kudarat province, also known political family in the province. But among these UBJP victories in the midterm polls, nothing, according to local political observers, is more seismic than that of Mayor-elect BabaAbas’ surprising triumph against incumbent Mayor Lester Sinsuat, scion of the Sinsuat clan, in Datu Odin Sinsuat.. Vito Barcelo
Senior AFP officials and representatives from the civilian maritime sector attended the send-off ceremony for BRP Emilio Jacinto, reflecting a unified, whole-of-nation approach to maritime security and defense.
In his remarks, NOLCOM chief Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca highlighted the importance of the Philippine Rise, describing it as not just part of the Philippine territory, but also a vital component of national identity.
“The Philippine Rise is not just part of our territory — it is part of our identity. This ceremony is not merely a ceremonial departure, but a reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to protect what is ours. Your presence out there speaks louder than words—you are the guardians of our seas and the visible force behind our peaceful assertion of sovereign rights,” Buca said.
DHSUD continues to provide decent homes for poor Pinoys
By Rio N. Araja
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) sustains the turnover of Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) units to beneficiaries in various parts of the country.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the beneficiaries lauded President Marcos 4PH housing projects. The agency has processed hundreds of prospective beneficiaries of the Palayan City Township Project in Nueva Ecija, with hundreds more now enjoying their new homes at the 23-hectare 4PH project in Barangay Atate.
In Mindanao, several 4PH projects were also in advance stages of completion, with units already turned over to beneficiaries. These projects included the People’s Ville in Davao City, Davao del
Sur and Valley View Township in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
Acuzar said the government has shown that it can provide sustainable township development through 4PH as evinced by the ongoing projects all over the country. Under 4PH, the DHSUD aims to offer decent homes the marginalized sector and low-income earners.
Dozens of 4PH projects are currently under construction across the country. Processing of 4PH applicants, in collaboration with local government units and the Pag-IBIG Fund, was also going on. Other ongoing projects with buildings already in advanced stages of construction are EL Sand Residences in Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Bocaue Bulacan Manor in Bocaue; Abuab Towers in San Mateo, Rizal; Pilar, Bataan; San Miguel in Manila and Pili in Camarines Sur.
NAVY PATROL SHIP GETS NEW ASSIGNMENT. BRP Rafael Pargas, one of the Navy’s coastal patrol fleet, is sent off to its new assignment –bolstering the command’s maritime strength in the Central Visayas region.
BOUNTY FROM THE SEA. Fishermen sort out their day’s harvest of mussels prior to vending them off at a seaside makeshift market called Bulungan sa Parañaque. Manny Palmero
OPINION
Toby’s song
THE recent mid-term electoral exercise was historic.
The 82 percent turn-out among the 68 million registered voters was the highest among all mid-term elections, but the results were a big surprise, thwarting almost all of the surveys including the two most experienced and credible ones, newbies trying to be credible, and the usual “table” surveys that come and go with each electoral cycle.
I was finishing an article where I analyzed the numbers and compared these to previous mid-terms, using as benchmarks the votes of Alyansa candidates in previous elections, but those analyses may have been overtaken in political value by the “song” of Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, a member of the Romualdez family by affinity.
I also wanted to write about what Academy Award winner George Kennedy’s famously said to another great actor, Paul Newman, in that classic movie, Cool Hand Luke: “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.”
With four press secretaries in less than three years, and a cantankerous self-appointed spokesperson with daily costume changes manning the communications department of Malacanang, presidential messaging has never been, to put it kindly, so pathetically funny.
Toby Tiangco is one of the more decent persons to populate the House of Representa-thieves. I hold him in high regard, not only because he and his brother John Rey have done wonders for their small city, once just an “arrabal” of neighboring Malabon, but because of his sense of loyalty, so rare among legislators in this day and age.
Recall that even when VP Jojo Binay was clearly on a freefall in 2016, Toby stayed loyal, never one to desert a sinking ship.
Which is why the “Song of Toby” has lyrics more credible than whatever Claire Castro can spew, or Jay-Jay Suarez and Jude Acidre can lamely preen about.
Chafing at unfairly placed blame upon him for the disastrous performance of the senatorial slate of Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas, that newest iteration of “unity” in the cut-and-dried, outmoded message box of this government, Toby spilled the beans, blaming political power plays prior to the elections that would make Sun Tzu and Machiavelli rise from the grave.
He drew dotted lines between the mangling of the current budget, thanks to the House members in the bicameral conference committee who were able to conscript some senators in their nefarious scheme to fund their election, to the signing by 215 members of the HoR of the instant impeachment complaint within less than a day, thereafter rushed to reached SP Chiz Escudero’s office by express delivery be-
fore the close of work.
But because these were for conditional release depending on the president’s discretion since we are operating in daily billion peso deficits, Toby was able to somehow spare his boss from the blame of concupiscence in the rushed impeachment, if the usual “pundits” will believe him.
The singer has a nice voice, but the lyrics of the song will be discredited by the hallelujah chorus in the House who may be likened to Imelda Marcos in her prime describing some legislators as “jukebox”
Toby’s song has a refrain: Who’s sorry now? – incidentally a Connie Francis hit
– drop a coin and they will sing whatever you want.
But the non sequiturs the House jukeboxes mouth are oxymoronic.
Toby’s song could be simplified in this manner: The legislators mangled the President’s budget, officially called the National Expenditure Program, transferred funds here and there, at the expense of Philhealth, DSWD, agriculture and other social services, so as to fatten their pork barrel, hard as in graft-ridden instant projects (listen to Magalong’s song), or soft as in barrels of ayuda, all in time for the May elections.
But release of these is “for later” depending on government’s ability to fund.
This conditional release became the “carrot” that enticed 215 congressmen to sign without reading the instant 4th complaint, and railroaded the same for Senate trial.
Toby’s song has a line which says that it was ill-timed considering that elections were in the offing, especially after the Iglesia ni Cristo gathered millions against impeaching Sara.
Then, though his lyrics are off because Toby described the rendition of a beloved 80-year old former president into the discredited ICC, as an international obligation (cute dissembling!), that became the straw that broke the camel’s back.
They totally lost Mindanao and Central Visayas, which constitutes 34 percent of the national vote. And the blowback sent ripples across the entire country.
Toby’s song has a refrain: Who’s sorry now? – incidentally a Connie Francis hit. (Google it if you are Gen Z or millennial).
Toby’s song though could preface that song from Les Miserables, “Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men…”
Natural gas: Not just a bridge – a pillar of sustainability
AS ELECTRICITY demand in the Philippines accelerates—set to more than quadruple by 2050—the question is not just having enough generation capacity, but whether we’ll have the right kind.
According to the Department of Energy, electricity sales are growing at an annual rate of 5.5 percent, driven by population growth and industrial expansion. And while the Philippine Energy Plan champions renewables, natural gas remains essential to ensuring power stability, and protecting consumers from price volatility. Natural gas is not just a cleaner alternative to coal—it’s the fuel that makes the transition to renewables viable. Solar and wind power are intermittent. When the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, something has to fill the gap. Without reliable baseload and peaking support, the grid becomes vulnerable to blackouts and price spikes. Currently, natural gas supplies about 4.5 GW of the country’s generation capacity. But only 1.2 to 1.3 GW of that comes from Malampaya, the nation’s sole indigenous source.
Even with Phase 4 drilling underway and projections to boost output to 1.7 GW, supply will still fall short of what’s needed to power existing plants—let alone the nine new DOE-approved gasfired projects expected to add another 5.63 GW. Without fuel to run them, those invest-
ments will sit idle. It’s already happening, with distribution utilities forced to buy from the more expensive Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), pushing up rates for consumers.
Consumers are the first to feel the cost.
When fuel supply lags behind capacity, utilities pass on the burden to households and businesses.
In the Philippine context, natural gas is a pillar of a realistic energy transition
For many low-income families, whose electricity bills already stretch monthly budgets, even modest rate increases will hurt.
For businesses, big and small, power price spikes cut into margins. A reliable, competitively priced supply of natural gas can help shield Filipinos from these shocks.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act 12120—the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act—was a vital step. It provides the legal structure to advance gas development and positions natural gas as a “safe, efficient, and cost-effective” energy source.
EDITORIAL
‘Bloodbath’
NOW that the winning senators have been proclaimed by the Commission on Elections, many Filipinos are pondering how they, aside from those already sitting, will perform their legislative duties when the next Congress begins.
The composition of the Senate will be crucial to the passage of laws that the country needs. These laws will create or enhance an environment that is conducive to economic growth and to social equity. And then, inquiries in aid of legislation will be held not as political theater but as a reliable basis for laws that will be crafted in the future.
Still, at least for the coming Congress, the senators will split their time and attention between their legislative duties and act as members of an impeachment court – a decidedly political exercise. The trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte is seen to captivate the people, whichever side of the political fence they are on.
The Vice President, interviewed in Davao City, said she had already made peace with whatever the outcome of the trial would be.
“I already accepted the verdict whether it is guilty or acquittal,” she said.
But legislation alone doesn’t secure supply. It must be backed by infrastructure, exploration, and coherent fuel procurement strategies. The infrastructure to support LNG imports is beginning to take shape.
First Gen’s subsidiary, FGEN LNG, has received a 25-year permit to operate a 5 million metric ton-per-year terminal in Batangas. Meanwhile, Linseed Field Corporation’s LNG terminal—also in Batangas—has resumed operations, reinforcing the country’s gas delivery capacity.
In a major boost to sector integration, Meralco, Aboitiz Power, and San Miguel Global Power finalized a $3.3 billion deal to develop a full LNG value chain.
Their joint acquisition of Linseed Field Corp., as well as stakes in South Premiere Power Corp., Excellent Energy Resources Inc., and Ilijan Primeline Industrial Estate Corp., signals a strong push to secure supply.
In the same breath, the at-peace Vice President said she wants the trial to proceed because she “really wants a bloodbath.”
May the new set of senators remember that they are not beholden to anyone but to the people who elected them.
“Bloodbath” conjures images of violence, great injury, and even death. Or it could also mean that she is ready to launch war against her political enemies who dared question her use of public funds. Will she relentlessly go after her accusers? Or she could be foregrounding a defeat that she would then frame as persecution. That would surely enhance her fami-
Simultaneously, domestic exploration must continue. According to DOE briefings, the upcoming Malampaya drilling includes two new wells and one exploratory well—with the potential to extend field life to 2034.
Meanwhile, exploration in Eastern Palawan and the Sulu Sea, could harness reserves of up to 18 trillion cubic feet. These are strategic assets critical to reducing import dependence and insulating the country from external fuel market disruptions.
At present, the Philippines imports 54percent of its total energy supply.
Nearly all the coal used for electricity generation is imported, making the system heavily exposed to global market fluctuations.
Natural gas offers a way to rebalance this equation. Unlike coal, gas can be paired with flexible, quick-start plants that provide backup for renewables. Natural gas is often referred to as a
ly’s image as hapless victims, worthy of even greater sympathy. The Dutertes, after all, are not known for their clarity, consistency, or forthrightness.
Whatever she means, we are rooting for the exact opposite: for the next few months not to be a bloodbath. May the new set of senators remember that they are not beholden to anyone but to the people who elected them. They must then champion the interests of their constituents, not their political patrons.
May they conduct themselves as impartial judges who would act and speak based on the evidence at hand, instead of resorting to conjecture and theatrics. May they study the documents closely and distinguish fact from disinformation or propaganda.
And may they remember that while the impeachment trial is going on, they still have other duties in the Senate. May they make themselves available and capable still because this is what they swore to do for the people who elected them and who pay their wages.
Ultimately, if the senators are not able to strike a balance among their equally pressing duties, the result will be the continued suffering of the people – a bloodbath in terms of wrong priorities, a dearth of worthy laws passed, and a wild political ride with no tangible effects on our way of life.
“bridge fuel,” but in the Philippine context, it is more than that—it is a pillar of a realistic energy transition. It supports grid stability, shields consumers from volatility, and buys time for renewables to scale up. The real question isn’t whether to choose gas or renewables—it’s how to use both strategically to ensure the lights stay on at stable and affordable rates. The challenge now is to match generation targets with fuel realities. Delays and gaps translate directly into higher costs passed through electricity bills. For households already burdened by rising living expenses and for industries sensitive to energy costs, these are substantial risks. Treating natural gas as a critical component of energy planning is essential to delivering stable, affordable power. For consumers, it’s about the dependability of the system to deliver electricity that’s reliable, reasonably priced, and resilient enough to withstand shocks.
This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a massive landscape that is filled with discarded election posters. At the center is a filipino woman with a straw broom. She is looking bedraggled and staring at the reader. There is a speech balloon from her mouth that says ‘just what we need, more trash from politicians.’
Fil-Austrian wins Eurovision 2025 with operatic pop
BASEL, Switzerland – Fil-Austrian JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, with his operatic song “Wasted Love” triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph.
The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt also issued a message of congratulations to JJ on Facebook.
“What an incredible moment -- Filipino pride on the European stage!,” it said.
JJ got a taste for classical music from his father, an Austrian IT professional, especially for Bach and Mozart, while his mother, a cook from the Philippines, listened to Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. He went to an international school in Dubai, where his father set up his company. He speaks German, English and Tagalog and learned Arabic and French. He hails Eurovision’s massive international following -- and the contest being a “platform for everyone,” including the LGBTQ community.
“Music is a unified language that everyone speaks and understands,” he said. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into Sunday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel -- whose participation drew protests -- on 357 and Estonia on 356.
“Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, said after his triumph in the Swiss city of Basel.
“Love is the strongest force in the world. Let’s spread more love,” the Austrian-Filipino singer said. AFP
Trump says will speak to Putin to end ‘bloodbath’ in Ukraine
1st US pope Leo XIV to celebrate inaugural mass
VATICAN CITY – Tens of thousands of Catholics and politicians including US Vice President JD Vance were scheduled to gather at the Vatican Sunday for the inauguration mass of Leo XIV, the first US pope. Ten days after the soft-spoken Robert Francis Prevost was chosen from among his fellow cardinals to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, his papacy will formally begin in a ceremony at St Peter’s Square.
The mass begins at 10:00 am (4 pm Manila time) but Pope Leo will at 9:00 am make his first foray into the crowd in the popemobile, the specially adapted vehicle often used by the late Pope Francis to motor among his flock. Leo will then begin a ceremony rich in rites and symbols, including receiving his special papal ring, before giving a homily that will set the tone for his papacy.
After spending two decades as missionary in Peru, the 69-year-old from Chicago is unknown to many Catholics, but during the past week he has offered glimpses of the kind of leader he will be.
In meetings with journalists, clergy and diplomats, he has repeated called for peace in a world full of conflicts, and defended social justice.
In a lighter moment, the sports fan and amateur tennis player also met men’s world’s number one Jannik Sinner at the Vatican.
Leo’s elevation has sparked huge enthusiasm in the United States, which is being represented on Sunday by JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also a Catholic.
Before becoming pope, the new pontiff
on his personal X account criticized President Donald Trump’s administration over its approach to migration, and also pilloried Vance, but those messages have since been deleted. Vance was the last world leader to meet with Pope Francis, the day before the Argentine died on April 21 after 12 years as pontiff. Other notable guests expected include Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- who memorably met Trump in St Peter’s Basilica at Francis’s funeral -- and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Argentine President Javier Milei, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro and a host of European royals are also due to attend. AFP
KYIV – US President Donald Trump said Saturday he would speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, a day after the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in more than three years.
Trump, who has been pressing Russia to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, said he would speak with Putin by phone on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov told the state TASS news agency the call was “being prepared.”
Earlier Saturday, the Kremlin had said that a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be possible only after both sides reach an agreement.
That came a day after direct talks between the two countries led to an agreement for another exchange of prisoners.
Early Saturday, a Russian drone attack on a minibus carrying evacuated civilians in Ukraine’s eastern Sumy region killed nine people and wounded five, local authorities said.
Zelenskyy, denouncing the attack and Russia’s refusal so far to agree a ceasefire, repeated his call for fresh sanctions against Moscow.
“Without stronger sanctions, without stronger pressure on Russia, there will be no real diplomacy there,” he insisted.
On Sunday morning, local authorities in the Kyiv region reported that a woman had been killed in a drone attack in Obukhiv district.
Another woman, a man and a four-yearold child were wounded in the strike, which hit a private house, Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv region’s military administration, wrote in a Telegram post.
On Friday in Istanbul, the first direct Ukraine-Russia talks since the spring of 2022 -- shortly after Moscow’s full-scale invasion that February -- led to an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners each.
Ukraine’s top negotiator, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, said the “next step” would be a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.
Russia said it had taken note of the request.
“We consider it possible, but only as a result of the work and upon achieving certain results in the form of an agreement between the two sides,” the Kremlin’s spokesperson said.
Russia’s top negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said Moscow and Kyiv would “present their vision of a possible future ceasefire”, without saying when. AFP
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
Mexican Navy training ship is pulled away after it slammed into the nearby Brooklyn Bridge in New York during the weekend. The training ship slammed into the bridge, snapping all three of its masts and igniting a rescue operation beneath the iconic New York City landmark. The Mexican Navy said in a statement 22 people on board
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
NAVI bets big on MLBB with Empress takeover
POPULAR esports organization Natus Vincere, known as NAVI, has officially entered the Philippines’ Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) esports scene through a historic acquisition of Smart Omega Empress (OMGE). Jonathan Yuwono, General Manager at NAVI, said, “The Philippines has a rich history of esports and MOBA titles. NAVI feels this is the perfect opportunity to enter the Philippine esports ecosystem and become a part of a growing esports and MLBB community. Being a part of the Philippines MLBB ecosystem via Smart Omega Empress is a stepping stone to doing something bigger in this region. More info to come.”
“NAVI’s acquisition of Smart Omega Empress, a crowned MLBB esports women’s team, signals the growth of the ecosystem that fosters a sustainable pathway, especially for young Filipinas who aspire to be professional esports athletes. We are delighted to welcome NAVI to the home of the MLBB world champions,” said Lee Viloria, PH Esports Head of Business Development and Partnerships.
OMGE is the reigning queen of MLBB esports who took home the championship title from MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) at Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last year. The team is currently vying to get a back-to-back title in the MWI PH Qualifier, Athena League, which is scheduled to host its playoffs from 23-25 May 2025.
“Smart Omega Empress has a history of winning internationally and at the highest levels. That is what NAVI is all about—we are born to win and are always exploring opportunities to acquire the best teams in their respective fields and game titles. We expect this team to continue pushing the boundaries of what women can achieve, not only in MLBB competitions, but also in the community of young female gamers that look up to them,” Jonathan added.
NAVI also signed a deal with Malaysia’s Arcane. The Malaysian MLBB women’s squad has already qualified for the MWI at EWC 2025.
Supreme Court clears former PSC chief Ramirez in P37-m graft case
By Peter Atencio
FORMER Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William ``Butch’’ Ramirez has been cleared in a graft case involving funds meant for the training of swimmers from the Philippine national team.
The decision was recently handed down by the Supreme Court’s second division, when it reversed the earlier decision of the Sandiganbayan.
The Sandiganbayan earlier convicted former Philippine Gaming Corporation chairman Ephraim Genuino, another former PAGCOR chief president, Rafael Francisco, and Ramirez over the illegal transfer of P37 million of public funds to the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA).
Ramirez appealed his case before the high tribunal, which eventually set aside the charge due to the failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A graft case was filed against the three officials following Pagcor’s direct release of P37,063,488.21 in multiple disbursements to the PASA, the national sport association for swimming.
The fund release took place for 18 months during the first term of Ramirez
Ramirez
as PSC chief in 2008 and 2009.
The prosecution argued that these transfers violated Section 26 of the Republic Act 6847.
RA 6847 states that ``5 percent of the gross income of Pagcor should be automatically remitted to the PSC.’’
Tee off with celebrities at 10th Sylpauljoyce Golf Cup on June 26
social good. With registration opening at 5:00 AM and a shotgun start at 6:30 AM, players will take to the greens in true System 36 format, ensuring a fair and competitive round for all.
THE EastWest Dream Run 2025 series aims to conclude with a big bang on June 15 at Filinvest City in Alabang. It is the culmination of the threecity series, which celebrated the bank’s 30th anniversary and the Filinvest Group’s 70th year.
Over 6,000 runners have already participated in the Davao and Cebu legs, and another strong crowd is poised to show up for the Manila leg, which is expected to carry the same energy, which is “designed to be inclusive and heartfelt.”
“There’s a genuine sense of heart behind the Dream Run. It’s designed with thought, it’s inclusive, and you can feel how personal the experience is for many runners,” said RUNRUO founder and CEO Rio de la Cruz
on Wednesday during the launch at Kazu Cafe. “Iba talaga ‘yung pakiramdam when you’re running not just for yourself, but alongside an entire community.”
Just like in its earlier legs, the Dream Run will have five categories, namely the 30K Challenge introduced in honor of EastWest’s 30th Anniversary; the traditional 10K and 5K races; the 2K Kids category; and the 1K Dog Run for pet lovers and their furry companions.
“In Davao and Cebu, we saw all kinds of participants. Some were running their first kilometer, others completed all 30. Each one showed up with a reason, and that shared sense of purpose is what gives the series its meaning. It’s a rare kind of spirit, and one the Bank is proud to
The tournament fee is Php 4,500 for club members and Php 5,500 for non-members. This allinclusive package covers the green fee, cart sharing, insurance, a sumptuous lunch buffet, exciting raffle prizes, and exclusive giveaways—because every swing deserves a reward.
The day concludes with an elegant awarding ceremony at the Solano Hotel, where top performers and lucky raffle winners will be celebrated. Beyond the competition, the event is anchored in a meaningful mission: proceeds will benefit the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Taysan, Batangas.
“It’s more than a tournament—it’s a celebration on the green,” says event organizer Hazel Joyce Solano.
“Whether you’re here to play, connect, or give back, you’re part of something special.”
Spots are limited. To register, scan the QR code on the official event poster or email sales@solanohotels.com. Payments can be made via GCash to Hazel Joyce Solano at 0917 550 9596 or through bank deposit to Sylpauljoyce Corporation – Account No: 005960059933.
Ramirez stated that Pagcor’s direct release of funds to PASA was without his knowledge and consent.
The former PSC chief said that Pagcor’s disbursements were direct financial assistance to the local swimming body, and it was deductible from PAGCOR’s operational expenses.
He added that this is not part of the PSC’s 5-percent share from Pagcor’s gross monthly income.
Based on the Supreme Court’s resolution, the direct release of funds to PASA was a unilateral action of Pagcor.
The court said that Ramirez did not give any unwarranted benefit or advantage to PASA at the expense of other athletes or national sports associations (NSAs).
remarkable comeback, demonstrating incredible resilience to secure second place. Constatic Offer’s strong showing after a period of absence was a major highlight of the day. Parade King (Diamond King –Dixie Parade), owned by Rancho Sta Rosa and ridden by John Alvin Guce, finished
KNICKS’ RAMPAGE. New York Knicks fans celebrate at the watch party near Madison Square Garden of game 6 of the NBA playoffs against the reigning champions Boston Celtics, in New York. Knicks thrashed the Celtics,119-81, to send the defending champions crashing out of the NBA playoffs on Saturday night (Manila) (Photo by Leonardo Munoz AFP
Celebrity golfers Randy Santiago (left) and Dingdong Avanzado are some of the players expected to play in this year’s edition. They are with
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Choco Mucho’s Wong tops
PVL scribes’ fan poll
CHOCO Mucho setter Deanna Wong remains one of the country’s most popular volleyball players.
Overwhelming fan support through an online poll earned the Flying Titans playmaker the distinction of being the runaway Fan Favorite winner in the firstever Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 28 at Novotel. In the fan-based awards presented by ArenaPlus, Wong’s solid supporters rallied behind her, amassing 24,000 reactions in the PVL Press Corps’ Facebook page to bury the competition. Despite being the only non-Creamline player on the shortlist, the setter bested other stars in Jema Galanza (12,000), Alyssa Valdez (10,000), and Bea De Leon (6,400).
Wong’s win came as no surprise with her legion of 866,000 followers on Facebook, 1.4 million followers on Instagram, and 2.4 million followers on TikTok rallying behind her.
Fans also got to decide the Pilipinas Live Game of the Year as they handed the recognition to the nail-biter PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals Game 2 clash between PLDT and Choco Mucho.
The Flying Titans won the cardiac showdown by a hairline 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 to secure a semifinals seat last March 20 before a pressure-packed atmosphere at the Philsports Arena.
Highlighted by the exciting faceoff between Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina and High Speed Hitters ace Savi Davison, the nerve-wracking match received the most reactions on the PVL Press Corps’ Facebook page during the voting period from May 2 to 16.
Suarez camp appeals loss to Navarrete, seeks rematch
By Peter Atencio
THE team of Filipino boxer
Charly Suarez is pushing for a rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) superfeatherweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete, following a controversial loss last week in San Diego.
The potential rematch hinges on the decision of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), which is set to hear Suarez’s appeal on June 2. The appeal challenges Suarez’s technical-decision defeat to Navarrete during their May 10 bout at Pechanga Arena.
Suarez’s camp formally protested the outcome, arguing that the fight was prematurely stopped in the eighth round due to a cut above Navarrete’s left eyebrow. The cut, which appeared in the sixth round, was initially ruled by referee Edward Collantes as the result of an accidental headbutt. This ruling brought the
Sochan lauds Pinoys’ passion for hoops
SAN Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan recently enjoyed a different kind of court-side action—not as a player, but as a broadcaster. Sochan was in attendance and even joined the broadcast panel as boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) competed for a spot in the NBA Rising Philippines qualifiers. The tournament, held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, marks the first-ever regional high school basketball championship orga-
IN line with its vision of inclusive and decentralized sports development, UP Cebu has expressed strong support for the launch of the V-League Visayas, a landmark initiative aimed at empowering regional athletic talent and creating new pathways to national success.
“Dili lang ang Capital ang mahimong sentro sa sports. Ang tanang rehiyon, tanang eskwelahan, tanang pamilya nga nagtuo sa ilang mga anak – naay papel sa kalampusan sa nasud,” said Chancellor Atty. Leo Malagar of UP Cebu.
Malagar emphasized that UP Cebu is proud to be part of the historic V-League Visayas, describing it as a long-overdue opportunity for student-athletes from the region to showcase their skills and compete on a national platform.
Set to launch on July 5 through a Campus Tour, the V-League Visayas features six pioneering teams. In consideration of academic commitments, matches will take place on weekends
NEARLY 3,000 cyclists of all ages converged at the Vermosa Sports Hub on Sunday for the second and even more exhilarating edition of the Shopwise Bike Fest, an event dedicated to promoting health, fitness, and unity.
Riders from all walks of life, including recreational cyclists and seasoned athletes, participated in the high-energy gathering. The event was graced by prominent figures such as Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and CEO Stanley Co, Christine Torres, Kevin Legarde, Felin Inolino, Philippine Sports Commission Chair Dickie Bachmann, triathlete Ani de Leon-Brown, TV host Kara David, and celebrity Ira Lopez. The festival served as another
judges’ scorecards into play, ultimately awarding Navarrete the win with scores of 77-76, 78-75, and 77-76.
However, video replays reportedly show that the cut was caused by a punch from Suarez, not a clash of heads.
Despite this, veteran referee Jack Reiss, who was present at ringside, did not contest Collantes’ call at the time.
Suarez’s management team is now seeking to have the result overturned—either to a no-contest or a stoppage win in Suarez’s favor.
“Everyone’s hoping the decision gets reversed. The worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t,” said Suarez’s top supporter, Luis “Chavit” Singson. “Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Singson joined Suarez, head coach Delfin Boholst, and manager Ric Navalta in a press conference on Sunday to discuss their next steps.
“We want a rematch,” said Boholst, adding that they hope the bout can take place either in the Philippines or elsewhere in the United States.
Navarrete, who holds a professional record of 40-21 with 32 knockouts, successfully defended his WBO title in the contested match. But the official protest could pave the way for a dramatic rematch—if the CSAC rules in Suarez’s favor.
milestone in Shopwise’s growing campaign to foster wellness and togetherness through dynamic, community-focused events. Organizers celebrated the strong turnout as a testament to the public’s rising enthusiasm for active, healthy lifestyles.
“Cycling isn’t just a sport – it’s a lifestyle and a movement,” said organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. president and general manager Princess Galura.
Beyond the excitement of the ride, the Shopwise Bike Fest also served a deeper purpose – to inspire health consciousness across diverse demographics. Families, fitness enthusiasts and community members unite in their shared pursuit of a better quality of life through an active lifestyle.
(From left) Harry Tajo, Anne Lanante, Cheanie Salacop, Chancellor Leo Malagar, Coach Ken Boyd Abunda, Ken Ucang, Jherson Esmeralda during the launch.
Jeremy Sochan greets fans at the Araneta Coliseum
Deanna Wong
in Quezon City.
PSE aims for P170-b capital raising even without GCash IPO
P120b 106% P82.4b
Initial capital raising target for 2025
Target percentage increase from 2024
Capital raised in 2024
DOT calls for unified ASEAN visa
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is advocating for an ASEAN-wide visa to allow seamless travel across Southeast Asia.
At the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 held in Bangkok on May 15, Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored the potential of a unified ASEAN visa, likening it to the Schengen visa in Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visa in the Middle East.
“The ASEAN tagline is ‘a destination for every dream’— and an ASEAN visa is certainly part of that dream. It will allow us to promote the region as a single destination, highlighting the strength of our natural assets, the warmth of our people, and the quality of our cultural experiences,” Frasco said.
She expressed optimism that the initiative would gain further traction when the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Meanwhile, Frasco said ASEAN countries can balance healthy competition with deeper collaboration.
“Competition is very healthy, but collaboration is even more powerful. When ASEAN works as one, it creates a force for good that benefits all our nations,” she said.
Frasco cited the Philippines’ partnership with Thailand, particularly the “Two Countries, One Destination” program, as a strong example of intra-ASEAN cooperation.
The agreement promotes joint tourism packages and knowledgesharing to enhance each country’s tourism offerings.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Philippine Stock Exchange is aiming to more than double capital raising activities to P170 billion in 2025, even if the much-awaited initial public offering of e-wallet giant GCash does not push through this year.
This target represents a 106 percent increase from the P82.4 billion raised in 2024 and is higher than the P120 billion initial target for this year.
“We expect this year to be a very, very high capital raising year—a very successful year for PSE,” PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon said in a recent investors briefing.
“Even without GCash, we’re talking about a target of about P170
billion of capital raising,” he said.
Capital-raising activities have already generated P42.42 billion from one IPO, one follow-on offering and five private placements as of midMay. More deals are in the pipeline, including the IPO of Maynilad Water Services, stock rights offering of ACEN Corp., and follow-on offerings from Ayala Corp. and Alliance Global Group.
POWER PROFILE
(First of two-part series)
By Jimmy L. Montejo
FEDERICO “Piki” Lopez , chairman and chief executive of listed First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH), is a third generation top-level manager of the Lopez Group.
FPH has multiple subsidiaries and affiliated companies, notably First Gen Corp., which focuses on power generation; Rockwell Land Corp, which is in real estate development; and First Philippine Electric Corp. that operates in the power generation sector.
FPH also includes First Batangas Hotel Corp., First Balfour, Inc., and First Philippine Industrial Park. Lopez, born Aug. 5, 1961, is supposed to be having his hands full steering a heavily diversified company with special interests in power generation, energy solutions, real estate, construction, and manufacturing.
Beyond the boardroom, Lopez immerses himself with environmental concerns such that he also sits as chairman of the Oscar M. Lopez Centre for Climate Change Adaptation, and member of the board of both the Forest Foundation Philippines and Teach Philippines.
In terms of new products, the PSE is preparing to launch derivatives by 2026. It is also amending exchangetraded fund rules to support new fund structures, including those that track foreign securities and commodities like cryptocurrencies and gold.
The PSE is also awaiting the passage of the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, which seeks to cut the stock transaction tax from 0.6 percent to 0.1 percent and reduce the documentary stamp tax, aiming to boost market liquidity.
With its acquisition of PDS nearly complete and expansion efforts in full swing, Monzon expressed confidence in the exchange’s future.
“We are the only equities and fixed income exchange in the Philippines… The PSE has a strong potential for growth, even greater now with our acquisition of PDS,” he said.
Federico Lopez eyes a world of green energy
Although he wears one corporate hat too many, Lopez never loses sight of his primordial advocacy—help the country transition to renewable or green energy. He believes that the global CO VID-19 pandemic was just a wakeup call for all mankind to meet the challenges of climate change more squarely..
To counter the environmental and societal impacts of climate change, Lopez strongly suggests “decarboniz ing and scaling up of a green electric ity grid over the next three decades,” adding that it could be the greatest energy transition in the history of mankind.
He acknowledges however, that this ambitious shift to green energy is not a oneman job. Thus, he calls on all major industry play ers to come together and work as a team, in col laboration with political leaders, policy-makers, and industry regulators.
For his foresight and business acumen, Lopez was named “Management Association of the Philippines Man of the Year” in 2020. Curiously however, Lopez
was probably the most incredulous person in the world to hear about the accolade. He insisted it must have been a huge mistake.
CITEM seeks P1.5b budget for export promotion
THE Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is seeking a substantial increase in its budget to strengthen the country’s export promotion efforts, especially amid growing global uncertainties.
CITEM executive director Leah Ocampo said the agency receives less than P300 million in funding, far below the P1.5 billion allocated to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for promotional activities.
“We can only promote what is there, and that’s the problem—it’s an all-of-government predicament. Even promotion is not being given enough budget. We will be pushing for P1.5 billion budget for next year,” she said on the sidelines of the KATHA Awards for Food 2025 held May 15,
2025, in Pasay, Manila.
Ocampo said that under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 75, which strengthens CITEM’s role as an export promotion agency, there is renewed hope that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will approve a bigger budget starting next year.
CITEM plans to add five more trade events to its calendar, including shows in China and Italy.
However, budget constraints limit the agency’s capacity to provide wider support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to develop industry capabilities.
Ocampo said that if the country is serious about export development, a review of the budget allocations is necessary. Othel V. Campos
IN BRIEF
NGCP calls for support of transmission projects
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines has renewed its call for local government units to ensure the timely approval of transmission project permits. NGCP spokesperson Cynthia PerezAlabanza said over the weekend that the company always aims to complete its projects on time but also needs the support of LGUs and landowners.
“We always work with a view to timely implementation of the project. But having said that, I will renew my call for support for NGCP’s infrastructure projects in terms of right-of-way. Landowners, I hope they will negotiate with us in good faith,” Alabanza said. NGCP is the operator of the country’s transmission network through its franchise and concession agreement with the government.
“We are also talking to all the newly elected local government executives that I hope they will support our initiatives, especially in their localities, in terms of the timely issuance of permits,” she said. Alabanza said they are also hoping for the continued issuance of the required regulatory approvals.
“Because we can’t really talk to our projects if we don’t have ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission),” she said. Alabanza said the ERC has issued several approvals of NGCP’s transmission projects in the last 24 months, although the company has around 100 pending applications. Alena Mae S. Flores
FGEN plans 3 more LNG cargo orders for 2025 LOPEZ-LED First Gen Corp. is planning to order three more liquefied natural gas cargoes for its natural gas power plants in the remaining months of the year, an executive said over the weekend.
First
Federico Lopez
Standard TODAY Republic of the Philippines
ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pasig City
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE
ELECTRICITY SERVICE AS A MICROGRID SYSTEM SERVICE
PROVIDER (MGSP) IN THE MGSP SERVICE AREAS IN BARANGAY BULALACAO, MUNICIPALITY OF CORON and BARANGAY PANLAITAN, MUNICIPALITY OF BUSUANGA, ISLAND OF PALAWAN, OF THE BUSUANGA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BISELCO), AND FOR ISSUANCE OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHORITY TO OPERATE (ATO), APPROVAL OF THE MGSP SERVICE CONTRACT (MSC) WITH THE NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION (NPC), AND AUTHORITY TO AVAIL
SUBSIDY FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE FOR MISSIONARY
ELECTRIFICATION (UC-ME), WITH PRAYER FOR ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL
AUTHORITY/INTERIM RELIEF AND CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT OF INFORMATION ERC CASE NO. 2025-098 RC
ARCHIPELAGO RENEWABLES II
CORPORATION (ARC II), Applicants. x-------------------------------------------x
NOTICE OF PUBLIC/VIRTUAL HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that on 05 May 2025, the Archipelago Renewables II Corporation (ARC II), filed its Application dated 05 December 2024, seeking the CommissionÕs approval of its Authority to Operate (ATO) as a Microgrid System Service Provider (MGSP) and authority to avail subsidy from the
of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation (Ò AOIÓ), By-Laws (Ò BLÓ), General Information Sheet (Ò GISÓ) for the Year 2024 are attached as Annexes A to D, respectively, and made integral parts hereof. Copies of the GIS of Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corporation (Ò MCPHCÓ) and business profiles of CleanGrid Partners Pte. Ltd. (Ò CGPÓ) and WEnergy Global Pte. Ltd. (ÒWEGÓ) ApplicantÕs
2.
3.
ConsortiumÓ), submitted its USP to the DOE. A copy of the Acknowledgement Receipt of Unsolicited Proposal is hereto attached as Annex ÒJÓ and made an integral part hereof.
14. Subsequently, in a letter dated 18 October 2023, the MGSP Special Bids and Awards Committee (Ò SBACÓ) of the DOE ERC CASE NO. 2025-098 RC NOTICE OF PUBLIC/VIRTUAL HEARING / 07 MAY 2025 PAGE 6 OF 27 formally acknowledged the receipt and expressed its acceptance of the USP. Further, the Maharlika Consortium was declared as the Original Proponent and considered the USP it submitted as the Original Proposal. A copy of the said letter is hereto attached as Annex ÒKÓ and made an integral part hereof.
15. The DOE released its Invitation to Bid (Ò ITBÓ) for the Swiss Challenge for the USP on 6 November 2023. Having received no comparative proposals, the MGSP-SBAC in its letter dated 05 January 2024 informed the Maharlika Consortium that its Original Proposal was approved for final evaluation. A copy of the said ITBs and letter are hereto attached as Annexes ÒK-1,Ó ÒK-2,Ó and ÒLÓ and made integral parts hereof.
16. Finally, the MGSP-SBAC after its evaluation, issued Notices of Award: MGSP-2024-NOA-01 and MGSP-2024-NOA-02 for the Brgy. Bulalacao, Coron and Brgy. Panlaitan, Busuanga, thereby awarding the Maharlika Consortium as the MGSP for the said Service Areas. The Notices of Award (Ò NOAsÓ) was signed and returned to DOE on 07 March 2024.
Copies of the abovementioned NOAs are hereby attached as Annexes ÒM-1Ó and ÒM-2Ó and made integral parts hereof.
Execution of the MSC
17. Upon receipt of the NOAs, the Maharlika Consortium proceeded to negotiate the MSC with the NPC. After several discussions the separate MSC for Brgy. Bulalacao, Coron and Brgy. Panlaitan, Busuanga were executed on 16 July 2024.
Copies of the abovementioned MSCs are hereby attached as Annex ÒN-SeriesÓ and made integral parts hereof.Ó
18. The Maharlika Consortium also proceeded to nominate the Applicant as its project company for purposes of executing and implementing the MSC with the National Power Corporation in line with its Undertaking dated 12 September 2022 (Annex ÒOÓ).
A copy of the abovementioned Undertaking is hereby attached as Annex ÒOÓ and made an integral part hereof.
ERC CASE NO. 2025-098 RC NOTICE OF PUBLIC/VIRTUAL HEARING / 07 MAY 2025 PAGE 7 OF 27
Significant Aspects of the Project and the MSC
19. Term. The MSCs shall each have a term of fifteen (15) years from the commencement of the Actual Commercial Operations Date for both Service Areas, unless earlier terminated as provided in the MSC. The Applicant shall provide 24-hour electricity in the MGSP Service Areas.
20. The MGSP Service Area/s. The Service Areas for the MSCs are Brgy. Bulalacao in the Municipality of Coron and Brgy. Panlaitan in the Municipality of Bulalacao, both in the island of Palawan, under the franchise of BISELCO.
20.1. Total household and commercial establishments connections to the microgrids is estimated at Five Hundred Seventy-Two (572) and Eight Hundred Nine (809) for Brgys.
GREEN LIGHT
Jonna Baquillas and Ivan Gue
Tumbler blunder: When ‘better’ becomes clutter
“GO REUSABLE! It’s better for Mother Earth!”
We all hopped on the reusable tumbler train—and proudly so, because we believe we are saving the environment from the clutter of single-use cups ending up in landfills.
Tumblers have become a trendy fashion statement, with various brands luring consumers to buy the latest color, design, size, and shape. And so, we obliged, promptly adding another tumbler to our collection. And then another…because, well, look at the latest color drop! This creates unnecessary high demand for a product that is supposed to last for many years, with one brand claiming that it lasts a lifetime. Content creators feature unboxing videos, generating clamor for a product that is supposed to be used a thousand times over for it to become beneficial to the environment.
Our hearts may be in the right place when we thought buying another tumbler is helping the environment. When it comes to tumblers, however, more isn’t merrier. Have you ever thought about what it takes to produce a tumbler—literally, how much resources are used to manufacture one?
Are we truly reducing our footprint, or are we just trading plastic bottles for a mountain of stainless steel, each promising a slightly different shade of ‘green’?
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
We often see the “snapshot” of the life of our loved items —only when we get to meet or interact with them at the point of purchase and product usage. What we do not realize is that our loved items have “lives” outside the realm of our existence – it has past and future “lives”, normally unbeknown to unassuming consumers. Let’s step back and look at the whole life of our beloved tumbler. In its past, minerals were mined, refined, and molded into the tumbler we know in various sizes, shapes, and colors. As it is being transformed, acres of land were dug up, fossil fuels were burned for energy, and pollutants (greenhouse gas emissions, toxic chemicals) were emitted. This results in significant environmental damage. To get to the retailers and eventually to consumers, transportation and packaging are required, adding to the product’s environmental cost. In its future, our tumbler will be buried under dust in one corner, representing unutilized resources; or worse, left rotting (or not!) under heaps of garbage filling our landfills.
If you can step back and imagine that, then congratulations! You developed a new set of lenses called “life cycle thinking”. Life cycle thinking is a perspective that looks at the whole life – or “life cycle” – of a product. This principle looks at the nooks and crannies of the product to measure the resources it needs and the energy to process it, so we can better understand its impact on the environment. To some extent, it can also be used to look at societal issues (e.g., equitable trade, labor rights) associated with the manufacture a product. With this thinking, we can compare the environmental benefits and damages of products on equal grounds. For example, a study by a group of researchers from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Changwichan & Gheewala, 2020) found that using a stainless-steel cup 140 times can offset the greenhouse gas emissions of using one single-use plastic cup. If another stainless-steel cup is purchased, the user will need to use it for another 140 times to offset using one additional plastic cup!
Suddenly our well-meaning “better” choice already looks like a towering tumbler clutter in one corner of our room. Fact check: your third (and more) tumbler isn’t saving the world!
When we buy “environmentally friendly” products, it doesn’t mean that we are saving the environment. We might be purchasing more than what we truly need. The more we purchase, the more we promote extracting resources from nature, polluting the environment more, and damaging the quality of our ecosystems. As consumers, we are still accountable for how we use our products, how many times we use them, and how we throw them away. With life cycle thinking, we can have a better perspective if we really need to buy that latest color drop of new tumblers.
We really need to reflect on our consumption decisions as consumers—are we truly reducing our footprint, or are we just trading plastic bottles for a mountain of stainless steel, each promising a slightly different shade of ‘green’? Are we saving the planet, or did we just create yet another product trend to feed our inner shopaholic self, disguised as sustainable consumption?
As consumers, we have the power to choose—choose consciously, choose sustainably. The power is ours.
Dr. Jonna C. Baquillas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Marketing and Advertising, Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, De La Salle University. Dr. Ivan Gue is the Chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering in the same university. They are engaged in research and projects focused on circular economy, sustainability transitions, and sustainable consumption and production.
The views expressed above are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators. —“—
communication) on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM, with the following agenda: (1) Certification of Service of Notice; (2) Determination of Quorum/Call to Order; (3) Approval of Minutes of the previous Regular Stockholders’ Meeting held on June 20, 2024; (4) Approval of Management Report and the 2024 Audited Financial Statements contained in the 2024 Annual Report; (5) Confirmation and Ratification of all acts, contracts and investments made and
Election of Members of the Board of Directors for 2025-2026: a. Approval of the retention and reelection of Mr. Nicasio I. Alcantara and Atty. Ernestine Carmen Jo D. Villareal as Independent Directors. (7) Appointment of External Auditors; (8) Other Matters; and (9) Adjournment.
Only stockholders of record at close of business on April 22, 2025 shall be entitled to vote at said meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Pursuant to the alternative modes of notice as provided for in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s NOTICE dated March 13, 2023, this notice to Stockholders shall be published in the business section of two (2) newspapers of general circulation, in print and online format, for two (2) consecutive days not later than 21 days before the scheduled meeting. The Information Statement, Management Report, SEC Form 17-A, Minutes of the Annual Stockholders Meeting for the year 2025
JTI ‘s plant in Sweden to supply PH with moist nicotine pouches
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
STOCKHOLM—
Sweden, known for its innovation and consumer choice in the Scandinavian Peninsula, will soon export moist nicotine pouches to the Philippines from JTI’s factory in Vårgårda municipality.
The JTI Sweden factory, powered by 100-percdent renewable energy including its own hydropower plant on the Saveån River, produces Swedish snus and nicotine pouches. These oral nicotine products offer adult consumers alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Snus contains pasteurized tobacco leaves, while nicotine pouches consist of white nicotine powder with flavors. Both are packaged in small pouches placed between the gum and lip, delivering nicotine to the bloodstream without combustion.
Even with the World Health Organization’s recommended ban, these products
are reshaping the global cigarette industry because they do not involve burning. JTI produces nicotine pouches under the Nordic Spirit brand, which is gaining popularity in the Philippines as Filipino smokers switch to smoke-free alternatives perceived as less harmful. Currently, dry nicotine pouches available in Philippine stores are from JTI Poland, but JTI Sweden will soon produce moist nicotine pouches for the Philippine market.
Karin Tan, reduced risk products category director at JTI, said the company launched the first dry nicotine pouches in the Philippines at 7-Eleven and Uncle John’s convenience stores in 2023.
“The growth is actually quite phenomenal, and in terms of market sales, we are growing month-on-month,” Tan said. “That demonstrates there is traction for modern oral nicotine products in the Philippine market.”
“You can see in different parts of the Philippines that consumers are starting to really appreciate what this category can bring,” she said.
Tan cited a survey of 7,000 consumers indicating that 80 percent had a positive experience using nicotine pouches. “One of the first things that worked for them was the convenience and the fact that it is discreet. You can be in the office, in the car, or on a flight
HEALTHCARE SUMMIT. Takeda Healthcare Philippines
Loreann Villanueva together with key opinion leaders and leading
representatives to the inaugural Southeast Asia Access to Medicine
Bangkok, Thailand. The regional summit gathered over 100 regional leaders, policymakers, academic institutions, healthcare professionals, industry players, and patient advocates committed to helping ensure sustainable and equitable access to innovative medicines for underserved communities all over Southeast Asia (SEA).
By Darwin G. Amojelar
NLEX Corp. said over the weekend net income rose 33 percent in the first quarter of 2025 driven by higher traffic and implementation of catch-up and add-on toll adjustments.
The company said net income amounted to P3.55 billon in the January to March period, up from P2.67 billion in the sam period last year.
NLEX’s toll revenues reached P6.98 billion, higher by 16 percent from P6 billion posted during the first quarter of 2024 because of higher traffic volume and impact of toll rate adjustments implemented in March 2025 in NLEX and October 2024 in SCTEX.
NLEX Connector Section 2 also started to contribute to the company’s toll revenues in October 2024.
Average daily traffic for the NLEX reached 354,378 daily vehicle entries as of
while using it,” she said. “It is all about giving consumers pleasurable choices.”
Sweden defends its snus and nicotine pouches for contributing to its smoking rate of nearly 5 percent, the lowest in Europe.
JTI hopes to replicate this success in the Philippines, the first country in Asia to permit the sale of nicotine pouches, enabled by Republic Act No. 11900, which regulates vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products and was passed by Congress in 2022.
Serkan Karasulu, factory lead at JTI Sweden, said the company is employing an integrated work system (IWS) to enhance efficiency and expand production capacity to serve more markets, including the Philippines. “Demand is increasing, and we are expanding our factory production,” he said.
Linas Libikas, JTI manager for Scandinavia, noted that the snus tradition in Sweden dates back hundreds of years.
Emil Eliasson, snus and nicotine pouch lead manager for marketing, said snus originated in France in 1560 when diplomat Jean Nicot prescribed a medication for Queen Catherine de Medici, who suffered from chronic headaches. The queen was advised to crumble tobacco leaves and inhale the powder through her nose, and her migraines reportedly disappeared.
PH shares seen extending rally this week —analysts
By Jenniffer B. Austria
SHARE prices are expected to continue their upward momentum after a six-week winning streak amid an improving global trade outlook. Despite the market’s sustained rally, Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said the index remained undervalued and there is still room for bargain hunting.
NLEX income surged 33% to P3.55b in Q1 Metro Pacific unit keen to revive talks with SMC for tollways merger
METRO Pacific Tollways Corp. said it is ready to re-engage in discussions with San Miguel Corp. regarding the proposed merger of their respective tollway operations.
“We’d like to engage them. Because everybody’s reported their first quarter results. So, now we can go back to work,” MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.
“Because if we’re going to do it, we might as well do it as expeditiously as possible,” he added.
Pangilinan said in March that MPTC had put a hold on its toll road merger talks
end-March, higher than 2024 figures by 2 percent, while average daily traffic in SCTEX reached 82,514 daily vehicle entries or 1 percent higher than last year’s figures covering the same three-month period.
LEX Connector traffic reached 20,698 daily entries for the first quarter of 2025.
The company’s total cost of services as of the first quarter of 2025 amounted to P2.32 billion, higher by 8 percent from P2.14 billion recorded during the same period last year.
The NLEX currently spans approximately 105 kilometers or 598 lane-kms, and services an average of 350,599 vehicles per day as of end-2024.
The NLEX is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to central and northern Luzon. NLEX Corp. has operated the NLEX since February 2005 after completing the rehabilitation of the toll road under Phase I of the NLEX Concession.
with SMC due to the company’s ongoing efforts to secure funds for debt repayment.
The toll unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and SMC signed in August 2024 a P72-billion deal to construct two expressways south of Metro Manila. Under the memorandum of agreement, MPTC and SMC will jointly undertake the construction, operation and maintenance of the 87.96-kilometer Cavite-Batangas Expressway and Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway.
The MPTC Group has 240.6 kilometers of existing expressways and 43.1 kilome-
“The local market is still deemed to be at undervalued levels despite the 6-week rise. Hence, there is still room for bargain hunting,” Tantiangco said.
“However, investors are expected to look for catalysts that would compel them to get into the bourse,” he said.
Likewise, investors are also expected to watch out for developments on the global trade front, with signs of progress on negotiations with the U.S. expected to fuel positive sentiment in the market.
Tantiangco, however, noted that value turnover has been thinning, which indicates that investors remain cautious.
“Chartwise, the local market may still test its 200-day exponential moving average. Support is still seen at 6,400. Resistance is seen at 6,600,” Tantiangco said.
ters under construction, with a total investment of $3.06 billion. It operates 105 kilometers of North Luzon Expressway, 94 km. of Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway and 14 km. of Manila-Cavite Expressway. It also operates 8.5-km. Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu. SMC’s expressways include the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway System and the NAIA Expressway (NAIAX). Darwin G. Amojelar
This Stockholm store offers a range of nicotine products, including snus and nicotine pouches. Sweden, boasting Europe’s lowest smoking rate, allows consumers freedom in their nicotine choices.
country manager (7th from the left)
biopharmaceutical
(AtM) Summit held recently in
REAL ESTATE
Luxurious NUSTAR Hotel opens in Cebu
ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC), the real estate arm of the Gokongwei Group, is elevating Philippine tourism and hospitality with the launch of the NUSTAR Hotel—the first ultra-luxury Filipino-branded hotel in the country.
Located within the world-class NUSTAR Integrated Resort in Cebu City, the newly unveiled hotel is a bold statement of RLC’s ambition to lead in homegrown luxury hospitality experiences rooted in Filipino excellence.
The NUSTAR Hotel is the second major hospitality development of RLC within the integrated resort, following the successful debut of Fili, its proudly Filipino five-star hotel brand, in 2022.
“This exceptional property joins the ever-expanding collection of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts— Robinsons Land’s dedicated hospitality division,” said RLC president and chief executive officer Mybelle V. Aragon-GoBio during the opening ceremony.
“It is a shining example of our commitment to quality, elevated guest experiences, and Filipino cultural pride.”
As the developer of the NUSTAR Hotel, RLC worked closely with Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI) and the City of Cebu to bring the project to life.
To Aragon-GoBio, the NUSTAR Hotel reflects a convergence of business vision and cultural pride, enhancing Cebu’s appeal and reinforcing the Philippines’ position on the global hospitality map. “
“For us at Robinsons Land, it is both an honor and a privilege to contribute to Cebu’s standing as a
shining gem in the country’s tourism landscape.” Aragon-GoBio said.
This development is also represents RLC’s broader mission to support the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) goal of promoting the Philippines as a premier travel destination.
“Our synergy with the DOT goes beyond this resort. Just recently, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts partnered with the Department to offer Muslim-friendly accommodations across all our properties—an important step toward making the Philippines a more inclusive and welcoming destination for travelers from diverse cultural backgrounds,” she said
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who proudly hails from Cebu, described the NUSTAR Hotel as a powerful symbol of national and local pride.
“NUSTAR Hotel is a tribute to Filipino excellence, Cebuano resilience, and pride of place,” she said.
Developments like the NUSTAR Hotel, she added, enrich this experience and reaffirm Cebu’s role as a leader in Philippine tourism.
Through its hotels division, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), RLC continues to strengthen its footprint across key destinations in the Philippines.
RHR hotel portfolio includes homegrown brands such as Fili, Summit Hotels, and Go Hotels, alongside strategic partnerships with leading global hospitality groups including InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Dusit International, and Marriott International.
Land Corp. RLC) Robinsons Hotels & Resorts senior vice president and BU general manager, Barun Jolly, Nustar chief operating officer Sean Knights.
SM Prime boosts EV network with 131 chargers
SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, is ramping up its push for sustainable mobility with 131 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed across its nationwide portfolio as of first quarter of 2025.
The company plans to add at least 50 more within the year, reinforcing its commitment to green infrastructure and clean transport. SM Prime has strategically deployed EV charging stations across its malls and office developments to support low-emission transport. Future installations are also planned for its residential communities and leisure estates, making sustainable mobility more accessible across its integrated property portfolio.
As a Department of Energy-accredited Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) Provider-Operator, SM Prime ensures its facilities comply with national standards and safety protocols, positioning the company as a leading enabler of the country’s EV transition.
“Integrating sustainable practices into our operations is a core part of SM Prime’s long-term strategy,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime president. “Through this initiative, we are also supporting the government’s vision for an inclusive and future-ready EV ecosystem.”
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) roadmap targets a 25 percent EV share in the passenger vehicle market by 2030, rising to 50 percent by 2040, and aims to deploy a sufficient number of charging stations nationwide from 2023 to 2040.
SM Prime is in full support of DOE’s program to have a cleaner and healthier environment by reducing the country’s carbon emissions.
With its vast footprint and continued investments in integrated property developments and green technologies, SM Prime is emerging as a central player in the Philippines’ low-carbon future.
The company’s expanding EV charging network also underscores its role in transforming the country’s transport landscape and fostering climateresilient urban development.
“We are focused on making sustainability practical and accessible. Expanding our EV charging network is one way we are enabling Filipinos to adopt greener habits as part of daily life,” Lim said.
Consunji launches M Residences Katipunan
MRESIDENCES has launched its fifth residential development in the thriving area of Katipunan Extension in Quezon City. The new community continues the brand’s promise to offer modern, flexible homes in prime city locations at attractive prices.
M Residences Katipunan is a gated, low-density residential development designed for comfort, style and flexibility. It is developed by Victor Consunji Development Corp. (VCDC), a company known for building homes that adapt to the evolving needs of homeowners.
Consunji said in an interview during the project launch the new project offers modern family home, built for those who seek more than just a place to live.
“This is an area where you can enjoy the best of both worlds,” he said. “You’re close to everything that matters—top schools, offices, and retail hubs—but at the same time, you’re secluded enough to have fresh air, open spaces, and a quiet sanctuary.”
Nestled in the northeastern part of Metro Manila, the location of M Residences Katipunan is strategic, offering easy access to key areas while being distanced from the chaos of the city.
“It’s literally right beside everything but still far enough to escape the rush of the city. You’re not stuck in traffic for hours just to get home,” Consunji said.
The homes are designed to evolve with their owners, offering various configurations that can change over time. The project features three home types: Aerin, Elise, and Kiara. Each home comes with parking for at least two cars, a staff room and provisions for pocket gardens. Sizes range from 99 to 337 square meters, with options for up to eight bedrooms. These homes are designed with open layouts, plenty of storage, and the ability to add or move rooms as needed.
“We allow homeowners to tailor the layout to their preferences, and the beauty is that the homes can evolve as their lives do,” Consunji said.
The development will have a new community feature— The Lifestyle Club. This includes a business center, jogging trail, lounge, basketball court, play area for kids, and even a bedroom on demand for guests.
Despite the economic challenges, the take-up for M Residences Katipunan has been promising, with many buyers seeking primary homes rather than investment properties.
Consunji said the homes are tailored for those who want to settle and build a life. “We’re not targeting secondary homebuyers. These homes are designed for people who plan to live in them and grow with them,” he said.
Prices start at P16 million, offering a competitive option for young professionals, growing families and investors. As Katipunan continues to develop, the value of homes in the area is expected to increase, making this a smart long-term investment.
“Compared to places like New Manila, our homes offer more space for half the price,” Consunji said. “You don’t have to compromise on location or size. It’s about making smart choices for a long-term investment in your quality of life.”
Since its founding, VCDC has successfully launched M Residences communities in Taguig, Capitol Hills, New Manila and Alabang. These developments are known for offering house ad lot developments in strategic locations.
Consunji draws inspiration from his roots in the Consunji family, known for their legacy in the construction industry through D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI).
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco was the guest of honor during the formal opening of 6 star Nustar Hotel, the country’s first and only ultraluxury Filipino hotel in Cebu. From left: Roel Constantino, general manager for HotelsNustar Resort and Casino Cebu, Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) president Mybelle Aragon GoBio, Robinsons
Victor Consunji founder and CEO of Victor Consunji Development Corp
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
LANI Misalucha was out of tune.
For months, she couldn’t sing at all. And for a singer, especially one known as ‘‘Asia’s Nightingale,’’ that might as well have been the end.
In 2020, Lani and her husband contracted bacterial meningitis. The illness ravaged their bodies and their senses.
“It was October 2020, that’s when my husband and I got bacterial meningitis,” the 55-year-old chanteuse recalled during the press conference for her upcoming concert. The infection left her partially deaf, with a vestibular disorder and constant tinnitus.
That kind of diagnosis is a death knell for any singer. But Lani’s story didn’t end there.
“It did affect my singing,” she said plainly. “So, nangyari yun no’ng 2020, and then 2021 talagang struggle talaga.”
Every note felt like a battlefield. “Parang I was like a child again,” she added, “trying to train myself and teach myself again to sing in this current situation.”
She couldn’t hear properly. Not herself. Not others.
“Everyone sounded shrill, piercing, and high-pitched,” she said. “That’s how we heard things during the first six months.”
“Voices weren’t just loud, they were painful. Disorienting. My right ear could barely function. It can only absorb very loud sounds,” she explained, “but they come out distorted.”
How Lani Misalucha reclaimed her voice
She tried to go on with life, but her spirit struggled. “Physically, ayaw mo nang kumilos,” she admitted. “You don’t want to socialize. You don’t want to talk to people.” She wondered if it was depression. “I don’t know if I’m going to admit it,” she said carefully. “Pero alam mo, it was hard to describe.”
Worse, she found herself off-key.
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “Nagsintunado talaga ako noon.” For most, this would mean a quiet retirement or an elegant exit. But not for Lani.
“Acceptance. That’s really it,” she said. “Because if you can’t accept it, that’s it. You’re just going to end up feeling hurt.”
Instead of holding on to bitterness, she chose to rebuild — not quietly, but in full view, under the spotlight.
On Aug. 21, Lani will return to the concert stage with Still, Lani at The Theatre at Solaire. It’s her first major concert in five years. The show also marks her 40th year in music.
“But don’t call it a comeback.
I call it a reclaiming,” she asserted.
Lani’s voice — the one that once shared the stage with
Andrea Bocelli, held her own alongside Josh Groban, and soared through Las Vegas showrooms — is still here. That’s the message Lani wanted to share with her audience.
“I realized my voice was still strong,” she said. “I could still hit the high notes.” The same keys. The same power. No adjustments needed. “I didn’t lower the keys,” she added proudly.
She’s also debuting new “songs— “Timeless,” “My Love,” and “I Rise to the” Top”—titles that sound less like ballads and more like anthems for survival.
THE NIGHTINGALE. Lani Misalucha returns to the concert stage with ‘Still, Lani’ on Aug. 21 at The Theatre at Solaire
Still, Lani features musical direction by Ryan Cayabyab and concert direction by Calvin Murphy Neria. It is produced by Backstage Entertainment,
Phenomenal stars (from left) Andres Muhlach, Ashtine Olviga, and Rabin Angeles lead the cast of the
series ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E’
SHOWBIZ
Reintroducing Jenzen Guino
SINGER-SONGWRITER
Jenzen Guino is hitting the road with a coffee shop tour to promote his new single, “Rosas,” released on May 16.
The 24-year-old artist from Taguig City first gained attention in the local music scene through heartfelt cover videos posted on Facebook and YouTube, where he has now amassed over 1 million subscribers.
Jenzen’s previous singles “Hangganan” and “Dito Lang Ako,” both released in 2022, have earned more than 2.3 million and 1.5 million streams on Spotify, respectively, with “Dito Lang Ako” reaching 3.8 million views on YouTube.
Born into a family of singers and music lovers, Jenzen quickly moved from covers to creating original songs with a unique sound that blends power-pop choruses, soulful lyrics, and R&B rhythms. His music draws heavily from personal experiences, which he describes as “love letters and late-night conversations.”
“They’re not just songs — it’s me,” Guino said. “I’m not always outspoken, but I speak the loudest with every lyric and melody I create.”
Produced and audio-engineered by Gab Tagadtad under EMI Records Philippines, “Rosas” explores the theme of unrequited“ love— “unwavering, steadfast, and worth every ounce of joy and pain,” the singer-songwriter said.
To promote the release, Jenzen is embarking on a coffee shop tour across several cities, aiming to connect with audiences through intimate live performances.
“I want people to hear my music and feel the kind of love that words alone can’t express,” he added. “I want this to be the soundtrack of anyone who is giving or receiving love.”
Fans can follow Jenzen Guino on Facebook and Instagram, and stream his music on Spotify and YouTube. For more updates on Guino and other local artists, follow EMI Records Philippines on social media.
When special needs become specialized skills
By Chong Ardivilla
ACCOUNTANT 2 (2025, directed by Gavin O’Connor) builds upon the first Accountant film, wherein Ben Affleck plays a cross between Rain Man and Rambo. It is a superhero comic book trope: being born “different” would mean having a different set of skills.
Yet, there is inherently something manipulative about this movie. In the first film, the military father of a son with special needs refused professional and expert medical treatment for his son. Instead, the special needs (neurodiverse) boy, along with his “normie” (neurotypical or simply “normal”) brother, gets to travel with their father as they are trained for combat.
The father wanted to prepare his boys to become Spartan warriors amidst the cruelty of the world. But to train his neurodiverse son under the guise of self-defense—who turns out to be both an amazing accountant and a precise killer—should be considered fodder for therapy about daddy issues.
The father is the silent specter in Accountant 2, as both brothers philosophize between fight scenes about their personality disorders and their inadequacy to process their lives productively. By productive, I mean without bloody deaths. Yet, Accountant 2 should be praised for its fight choreography.
The funny parts would be the erasure between extrajudicial and legal approaches, when they employ a small army of neurodiverse children to track down suspects and gather information at warp speed—making the sharp American intelligence sector look like bungling fools. This is like watching a mutant superhero academy, except the powers come
The most hilarious part— funny because of the irony given the current American political landscape—is the shoehorning of trafficking brown immigrants as a plot point.
inexplicably learned a different language, developed skills, or changed personalities. Yet how many of these stories of transformation compare to the utter physical deterioration brought by strokes or brain damage? This is like the action film equivalent of hitting your head and waking up with amnesia—seen in too many soap operas over the years.
The bright spot of this movie is the brother duo of Ben Affleck (the neurodiverse accountant Christian Wolf) and Jon Bernthal (the normie brother Brax). Their banter and masculine energy are compelling and not cringeworthy.
Clearly, the brothers love each other. This movie deals with brotherly love stemming from an abusive father, with an eventual reconciliation played out in a typical Mexican standoff.
The most hilarious part—funny because of the irony given the current American political landscape—is the shoehorning of trafficking brown immigrants as a plot point. Many manly Western films have featured white people vs. white baddies and their brown cohorts in a desert showdown, where testosterone wafts with the dust. This is the part where the brothers become white saviors, and their body count is justified and celebrated. But given Trump’s white supremacist MAGA landscape, will this be celebrated, or will critics say that the brothers saving brown trafficking victims is just Hollywood DEI?
Kanye West’s
A NEW song by rapper Kanye West glorifying Nazi leader Adolf Hitler has racked up millions of views on Elon Musk’s X platform after it was banned by other sites such as YouTube.
West, the winner of 24 Grammys over the course of his career in hip-hop, in recent years has made repeated anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi statements.
“Heil Hitler” was released on May 8 by the 47-year-old artist who now prefers to go by Ye—the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
As of Saturday, the video had been seen nearly 10 million times.
In the clip, dozens of Black men—wearing animal pelts and masks and standing in a block formation—chant the title of the song as West raps about being misunderstood and his custody battle with ex-wife Kim Kardashian
The song ends with an extract of a speech by the Nazi dictator.
NBC News cited a YouTube spokesperson as saying: “We removed the content and will continue to take down reuploads.”
Reddit also told NBC that it would remove any versions of the song from its platform, with a spokesperson adding: “Hate and anti-Semitism have absolutely no place on Reddit.”
The song has also been removed from streaming platforms Spotify and Apple Music.
Since Musk purchased Twitter (now X) in 2022, he has allowed hate speech and
disinformation on the site, positioning himself as a champion of free speech.
But critics say the Tesla and SpaceX chief is amplifying those who share his political beliefs.
Musk has become a close ally of President Donald Trump, and donated $277 million to support Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2024 election.
X did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP
In February, West’s X account was deactivated after a days-long rant that included vitriolic, anti-Semitic outbursts. He also repeatedly referred to himself as a “Nazi.” Also in February, the website of his Yeezy fashion brand was taken offline after plain white T-shirts with a swastika went on sale.
The rapper had been locked out of social media platforms in the past, notably when he was banned from X for nearly eight months for violating rules barring incitement to violence.
Adidas cut ties with West in 2022 after allegations of anti-Semitism against him. The partnership was one of the most successful sportswear tie-ups in history, and the resulting Yeezy range went on to help make West a billionaire.
As of Saturday, Forbes put his net worth at $400 million.
For years, West has spoken openly about struggles with bipolar disorder. He has said on “The Download” podcast that he has been diagnosed with autism. AFP
NICKIE
JASPER
RRuminations on retiring at The Ancestry Suites
Age is no longer a consideration. Many career-oriented individuals all over the world retire early when they have saved enough or when they feel burned out. Some prefer to retire young to start their own business or while they are still healthy. Others retire early to be able to take every opportunity to “see the world.”
Many Americans, British, and Indians enter the military at the age of 18, and after serving their country for 20 years, they retire and start looking around for a restful, affordable new destination that their monthly pension can cover.
A lot of digital nomads maintain a base outside their countries of origin, then eventually decide to permanently stay there for varied reasons. Because of this new trend, the global retirement industry is growing by leaps and bounds.
Several countries are now recognized as popular retirement destinations. Of course, the Philippines wants to be up there on that list as well; thus, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has been created by law to make our
ETIREMENT is no longer just for seniors. In fact, the new definition of retirement that is adhered to globally is “the withdrawal from one’s position or occupation or from an active working life.” BAGUIO
Facility. Designed for active retirees who value their privacy amid luxurious comforts, this new facility provides a maintenance-free lifestyle that allows its residents to embark on a new chapter of cherished independence and enjoyable connections.
country a haven for foreign retirees.
We have all the right reasons for foreigners to decide on spending the rest of their golden years here on our shores. The bounty and the beauty of nature are within easy reach for them.
The cost of living here is way below that of other countries. Our renowned hospitality makes them feel at home the moment they reach our shores.
We have good health care facilities, a plethora of delectable Pinoy cuisine to please their taste buds, and our English communication skills give us a distinct advantage over our Asian neighbors.
To cope with the continuously rising demand for retirement facilities in the country, we, at PRA, try our best to encourage more investors for these facilities, so when we come across a new one, we rejoice and practically sing praises to high heavens.
Tucked away far from the hustle and bustle of the city is the quiet neighborhood of Riverside Village in Pasig City. Nestled within is the new, world-class, 48-unit The Ancestry Suites, recently accredited by PRA as an Independent Living Retirement
Although shielded from the noise of the concrete jungle, this new facility is only one block away from a big shopping mall and minutes away from a large hospital, two landmarks that are important to the senior community. Thoughtfully planned with the residents’ well-being in mind, this facility offers fully furnished studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, which are spacious enough to accommodate family visits. For the residents’ convenience, the usual monthly dues, water, and electricity bills are already included in the rates. Each unit comes with free Wi-Fi access,
“This long-overdue service charge is about fairness,” said Patrick C. Gregorio, head of LLV.
a complete set of chinaware, an in-room safety deposit box, and 5 gallons of drinking water, which is replenished weekly. All other amenities are available upon request.
There are also the children’s and adults’ swimming pools, which never fail to attract the residents for a refreshing dip. Delectable cuisine is available at Tiago’s Restaurant, which is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, but its adjoining lounge is open 24/7.
The restaurant also offers packed meals which residents can easily reheat in their own kitchen. Still, Room Service is available 24/7.
I took the time to do an ocular of The Ancestry Suites’ rooms and facilities, and I immediately fell in love with the 2-bedroom Unit 103 on the ground floor. I couldn’t help but daydream about the years when I will be fully
retired, enjoying my golden years in that unit, one bedroom for myself and the other for my visiting grandchildren. Then I will have nightly get-togethers in its very spacious al fresco patio, creating beautiful moments with family and friends, enjoying il dolce far niente —the sweetness of doing nothing! Wouldn’t that be the best reward I could give myself, after more than six decades of tireless perseverance in the corporate jungle?
More information on The Ancestry Suites is available through www. theancestrysuites.com or through (02) 8421 9427 and (63917) 708 0102. ----------O---------YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: DOOR SIGN ON A MATERNITY ROOM: Push, push, push! ----------O---------For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com
CEBU Pacific Catering Services (CPCS) said it will switch to sourcing only cage-free eggs by 2030, a move welcomed by international NGO Lever Foundation and seen as part of a growing shift among airline caterers toward higher animal welfare standards.
The company, which prepares more than 2,000 meals a day for international flights at MactanCebu International Airport, is a joint venture between MacroAsia Corp, Cathay Pacific Catering Services of Hong Kong, and MGO Pacific Resources Corp.
“Our commitment to sourcing 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2030 reflects CPCS’s dedication to aligning with global sustainability standards while maintaining the highest quality in airline catering,” Sherwin B. Olivar, CPCS general manager, said in a statement.
The announcement follows similar pledges from major airline catering firms worldwide,
including CPCS partner Cathay Pacific Catering Services in Hong Kong. Lever Foundation, which advised CPCS on its new policy, said the move sets a precedent in the region.
“CPCS’s full transition to cage-free eggs demonstrates its strong leadership in sustainability within the airline catering sector,” said Robyn del Rosario, sustainability program manager at Lever Foundation.
Cage-free egg farming allows hens to move freely in indoor environments, a practice considered better for animal welfare and food safety. Research by the European Food Safety Authority found cage-free farms are up to 25 times less likely to carry certain salmonella strains compared to caged systems.
The production of caged eggs has already been banned in the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Bhutan and parts of India, Australia, and the United States.
The new, world-class 48-unit The Ancestry Suites is the ideal residence for independent living retirees looking for a quiet but moments-filled life
Though tucked away from city noise, the facility is just a block from a mall and
Cebu
employees, many of whom have worked behind the scenes for decades