SENATE RESETS IMPEACH VP START TO JUNE 11
Guevarra,
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted the courtesy resignations of two high-ranking government officials as part of his administration’s ongoing effort to enhance government performance and accountability, Malacañang
announced yesterday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the top-level revamp’s second tranche sees the exit of Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III.
its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
Teves back on Philippine soil
By Pot Chavez
FORMER Negros
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.
The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.
Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.
Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves arrived in the Philippines Thursday night after more than two years since he was implicated in the murder of his political opponent and nine others in what is now known as the Pamplona massacre.
Authorities of Timor Leste, where Teves has been staying since March 2024, deported him yesterday afternoon, citing that his passport had been cancelled.
The aircraft carrying Teves first touched down at the Davao airport at around 8 p.m. for refuelling, before flying to Villamor Airbase, where he was handed over to waiting lawmen.
In a statement, Mr. Marcos revealed that he was first informed of the development by Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão during the recently concluded ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.
"I was first informed of this development by Prime Minister Gusmao in the ASEAN meeting that I just returned from in Kuala Lumpur, that Timor Leste was ready to send Teves back to the Philippines," he said.
By Darwin Amojelar
approval of the Cabinet members.
“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added.
Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was
THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.
Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.
“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said.
Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”
However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.
On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.
“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue
Cop who arrested Duterte, Quiboloy next PNP chief
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.
Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.
The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.
During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
Navy spokes
debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
By Rex Espiritu
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend.
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.
shop brand.
THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s
By Maricel V. Cruz
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez yesterday announced the approval of 27 out of 28 measures under the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) during the 8th meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) at Malacanang Palace.
AS THE Senate braces for Vice President Sara Duterte’s historic impeachment trial next month, fresh revelations from the House of Representatives added fuel to the fire. House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union yesterday exposed a string of bogus and suspicious names allegedly listed as beneficiaries of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds—including surnames eerily similar to sitting senators, a congressman, and even a famous bake-
Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -
“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -
"These irregularities are too glaring to ignore—these names from the supposed Budol Gang call for a deeper look," Ortega said as lawmakers zero in on what could be one of the alleged biggest fund misuse scandals in recent memory.
Ortega said he found out individuals with surnames of current senators: "Beth Revilla," "Janice Marie Revilla," "Diane Maple Lapid," "John A. Lapid Jr.," "Clarisse Hontiveros," "Kristine Applegate Estrada," and "Denise Tanya Escudero" as alleged beneficiaries of confidential funds.
By Rio N. Araja
PAGASA
A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and
trade and extrajudicial killings.
By Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
LAWYER OF THE REPUBLIC. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. swears in Darlene Marie Berberabe yesterday as the new Solicitor General at Malacanang Palace. PCO
USEC SHIRLEY AGRUPIS
DILG SEC JONVIC REMULLA
DND SEC. GILBERTO TEODORO DOJ. SEC. JESUS CRISPIN REMULLA
Senate defers start of impeach trial
By Ram Superable
SENATE President Francis Escudero on Thursday deferred the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from June 2 to June 11, 2025, citing the need to pass priority bills before Congress adjourns.
“With only six session days before the sine die adjournment, it is imperative for the Senate and the House of Representatives to prioritize the passage of these measures, consistent also with the administration’s thrust to align our government with the people’s needs and expectations,” Es-
Teves...
From A1
"This would not have happened without the assistance of President (José Ramos) Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão of Timor-Leste. They have been working very hard to bring this to a conclusion," he added.
"It is now time for Arnie Teves to face justice," Mr. Marcos said.
"We assure our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished," he added.
Also wanted by the Interpol, Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed ten people, including Degamo.
He was detained at a driving range in the capital, Dili, last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition in March.
Following that ruling, Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla said “It’s very hard to predict an immature justice system at work. Very immature is the justice system of Timor-Leste.”
“There’s no basis for the decision. So it’s obvious that some people are making money out of this. Maybe the
Guevarra,...
From A1
"This process is part of a rigorous and ongoing evaluation of government performance, not only at the Cabinet level but across the entire bureaucracy," he said in a Palace briefing.
"The President has been clear from the beginning, we are not just looking at the top levels, we are going deeper into the agencies, into the systems, and into the quality of public service being delivered on the ground," the Executive Secretary added.
"This effort is the President’s commitment to a government that works fast, delivers results, and meets the expectations of the Filipino people," he added.
Replacing Guevarra as Solicitor General is University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Darlene Berberabe.
She took her oath before the President on Thursday morning.
Berberabe graduated summa cum laude with a Philosophy degree from UP and was class salutatorian of the UP College of Law in 1999. Her previous roles include general counsel at Procter & Gamble and CEO of the Pag-IBIG Fund.
House...
From A1
“We have acted on 27 out of the 28 LEDAC priority bills—a near-100 percent accomplishment rate,” Romualdez reported before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the 28 LEDAC bills agreed upon for approval before the end of the 3rd Regular Session of the 19th Congress.
Senate President Francis Escudero, members of the Cabinet, and key leaders of Congress led by House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe attended the LEDAC meeting.
“This milestone reflects the House’s
did not disclose the names of the other candidates.
Torre's appointment comes as Mr. Marcos emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts that have led to lower crime rates, while also focusing on making police officers more visible in communities.
It can be recalled that Marbil was due for retirement in February, but got an extension in his service to ensure continuity during the election season.
Torre, a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy's Tagapagpatupad Class of 1993, currently heads
cudero explained. The presentation of the impeachment articles is required before the Senate can formally convene as an impeachment court.
Once completed, the Senate can begin the impeachment hearings against the Vice President, Escudero said.
In a letter to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Escudero outlined the rationale for the delay and shared a copy with the Office of the Vice President.
The letter emphasized that at least
lawyers or maybe more than the lawyers,” he added. In an abrupt turnaround, East Timor announced Teves' impending deportation late on Wednesday, saying his continued presence represented a security risk.
"The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be deported from Timor-Leste," it said in a statement, using the country's alternate name. It added that East Timor's "imminent full accession" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters.
On Thursday, the Philippines' Department of Justice said it was preparing a team to facilitate Teves' repatriation based on deportation documents from East Timor.
Degamo had been distributing aid on March 4, 2023 at his home in Pamplona when six people carrying rifles and dressed in military fatigues entered the compound and opened fire.
The killings came months after Degamo was declared the winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker's brother.
She is widely recognized for her leadership, integrity, and governance reforms during her time in public service.
Meanwhile, Jose Ramon Aliling also took his oath as secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), replacing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who was appointed presidential adviser for Pasig River development. Aliling previously served as a DHSUD undersecretary.
CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis was appointed as the new CHED Chair, replacing De Vera.
Mr. Marcos declined the courtesy resignations submitted by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
"Yes, that's definitely declined," Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said, noting that the three secretaries continue to enjoy the President's trust.
Teodoro also released a statement following the Palace's announcement, reaffirming his commitment to his role.
"Our mission at the Department of National Defense continues. I thank the President for his continued trust and confidence as we pursue his vision of strengthening the nation's
unwavering commitment to President Marcos’ call for legislative action that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary Filipinos. These are not just bills—they are real solutions to real problems,” Romualdez, reaffirming the House of Representatives’ leadership in delivering crucial reforms for a Bagong Pilipinas.
President Marcos has signed into law the New Government Procurement Reform Act, Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act, Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, VAT on Digital Transactions, Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act, Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, Philippine Maritime
the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
He previously held key leadership roles in the Quezon City Police District and the Davao regional police office.
Torre gained national attention after leading the 16-day operation that resulted in the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.
He also oversaw the controversial arrest and turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court, which is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity tied to the previous administration’s war on drugs.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed Torre's appointment as the new PNP chief, describ-
12 legislative priorities remain pending, all of which were agreed upon by congressional leaders and President Marcos. Escudero said these measures were discussed during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting held Thursday. Among the priority bills are amendments to the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act and the E-Governance Act. Also included are the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, known as the Konektadong Pinoy Act, and the
Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges.
On Wednesday, Teves' son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timorese police, claiming he had been "kidnapped."
Degamo's widow, Janice, meanwhile, called the arrest a "significant step toward justice."
Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) lauded the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for securing Teves’ deportation and repatriation.
In its statement, the ATC said the "return marks a crucial development in our nation’s fight against terrorism, impunity, and politically motivated violence."
"We commend the Government of Timor-Leste for recognizing the seriousness of the charges and their potential impact on regional stability. Their decision aligns with the spirit of international cooperation and ASEAN solidarity in upholding the rule of law," the statement reads. With AFP
defense, protecting the patrimony of our archipelagic nation, and promoting regional peace and stability," Teodoro said.
As for National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Bersamin said the status of his resignation remains unclear, as it was submitted directly to the President and not coursed through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
"That is a personal matter for the President. If he doesn’t want to accept it, it’s up to him," he said.
As this developed, Bersamin also disclosed that the President has instructed the heads of GovernmentOwned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to submit their courtesy resignations.
However, he sought to allay concerns over possible disruptions in government services following the wave of courtesy resignations from officials of GOCCs, saying operations will remain stable.
"All these people who offered their courtesy resignations are expected to continue performing their functions, discharging their duties until their replacements have been appointed. And that is expected of all public servants, no one abandons because that is part of the obligation of a public servant," he added.
Zones Act, Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, CREATE More, Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, and amendments to the Agricultural Tariffication Act.
The bill containing proposed amendments to EPIRA lapsed into law last April 18, while the proposed Capital Markets Promotion Act was sent to the Office of the President last April 29.
The following are under conference committee deliberation: Blue Economy Act, amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, Open Access in Data Transmission Act, E-Governance Act, Rationalization of Mining Fiscal Regime, and Foreign Investors’ Long Term Lease amendments.
ing him as a no-nonsense leader with the courage, integrity, and operational command needed to lead the force at a crucial time.
“General Torre is stepping into this role with a record that speaks for itself. He is a principled and fearless officer, the kind of leader the PNP needs to restore credibility, enforce the law without fear or favor, and protect the Filipino people with professionalism and respect,” the Speaker said.
He said, despite intense public scrutiny and political pressure, Torre remained steadfast in upholding the law while carrying out high-profile missions
“General Torre’s steady hand in critical situations shows he is not only
Rationalization of the Fiscal Mining Regime.
Other measures involved amendments to the Universal Health Care Act and the establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines. The list also covered the Government Optimization Act and changes to the Right-of-Way Act. The lawmakers are also pushing to define the term of office for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. Judicial fiscal autonomy, a tax on denatured alcohol, and the Anti-POGO Act round out the priority list.
PH...
From A1
‘‘The 236 tons represent only the amount seized; much more methamphetamine is actually reaching the market,’’ said Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC Acting Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
‘‘While these seizures reflect, in part, successful law enforcement efforts, we are clearly seeing unprecedented levels of methamphetamine production and trafficking from the Golden Triangle, particularly in Shan State.’’ The report, titled “Synthetic Drugs in East and Southeast Asia: Latest Developments and Challenges,” showed that methamphetamine production and trafficking in Shan State, Myanmar, have significantly increased since 2021.
‘‘The ongoing crisis in Myanmar is increasing the demand for proceeds from the drug trade. At the same time, there is a degree of stability in certain parts of the country, especially those known for large-scale synthetic drug production,’’ Hofmann said. “This combination of conflict and stability has created favorable conditions for the expansion of drug production, impacting countries across the region and beyond.’’
Thailand remains the primary transit and destination point for methamphetamine trafficked from Myanmar and recorded the highest volume of seizures
More...
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Beyond the now-notorious "Mary Grace Piattos," Ortega highlighted new entries such as "Cannor Adrian Contis," along with individuals bearing the surname "Solon": Kris Solon and Paul M. Solon, a surname similar to Sarangani Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon.
"Mary Grace Piattos isn't the only café-restaurant named after Contis. When your office has confidential funds, do you also have a sweet tooth?" Ortega said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"As far as the Senate, this 'Budol Gang' has not missed it. It is rare that
unafraid to act, but also committed to doing so within the bounds of the law. That kind of leadership is rare, and exactly what the police force needs today,” Romualdez pointed out.
For her part, Representative-elect Leila de Lima also welcomed Torre’s appointment as she congratulated the latter on his new posting.
"I extend my sincere congratulations to Police Major General Nicolas Torre III on his appointment as Chief of the Philippine National Police," de Lima said in a statement.
"This new responsibility comes at a time when the country yearns for institutions that serve with integrity, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights and safety of every Filipino. I have
in the region, including one billion tablets of yaba—a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine widely used in Southeast Asia due to its availability and low cost. Meanwhile, transnational drug trafficking groups are increasingly exploiting emerging routes to evade law enforcement detection.
‘‘The trafficking route connecting Cambodia with Myanmar, primarily through Lao PDR, has been rapidly expanding,’’ said Inshik Sim, Lead Analyst at the UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. ‘‘Another increasingly significant corridor involves maritime routes linking Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with Sabah in Malaysia serving as a key transit hub.’’
The report highlighted the evolving tactics of transnational drug trafficking groups in East and Southeast Asia. These groups have shown remarkable adaptability in response to law enforcement pressures, as evidenced by the spread of production sites for ketamine and related precursor chemicals throughout most of the lower Mekong countries. Most recently, authorities in Viet Nam dismantled an industrial-scale facility in March 2025.
Another concerning trend is the rise in illicit manufacture of pharmaceutical products, particularly etomidate and its analogues, which are designed to bypass controls on new psychoactive substances.
even the last names of our esteemed senators are affected. That is how the list of supposed beneficiaries of the OVP confidential funds will be compiled," he added. The lawmaker added that the frequency and creativity of the names no longer seem coincidental and could point to a systemic attempt to allegedly obscure confidential fund transactions.
"We are talking about public funds. If they can't show evidence that these people are real, this itself will be strong evidence against him in the impeachment trial," Ortega said. Similar to previously flagged entries, Ortega said the newly surfaced names did not appear in official birth, marriage, or death records from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
full confidence that under P/Maj. Gen. Torre’s leadership, the PNP can further restore public trust and reaffirm its role as a protector of the people, not of power," she added.
De Lima, who will sit as a member of the prosecution panel in the upcoming impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, said Torre has shown courage and fidelity to his oath in moments that have tested the principles of law enforcement.
"I trust that he will bring the same clarity of purpose and steadiness of hand in his stewardship of the police force, guided not by political allegiance but by his sworn duty to the Constitution and the Republic, " the ML Partylist first nominee said.
92 Mercury Drug stores to accept DSWD guarantees
By Maricel V. Cruz
STARTING June 2, a total of 92 Mercury Drug outlets across various regions will begin accepting Guarantee Letters (GLs) issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for clients under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
“We are very pleased to share this good news with our kababayans. This is part of our continuing efforts to help clients access needed medications, in partnership with Mercury Drug Corporation,” said Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao.
The GL is an official document issued by the DSWD to beneficiaries, addressed to service providers, and guarantees payment for services or goods—such as medicines—on behalf of the client.
The 92 Mercury Drug branches set to accept GLs are located in areas covered by DSWD Central Office and Field Offices (FOs) in the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Caraga Region.
Meanwhile, DSWD Field Offices in Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 5 (Bicol), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are still finalizing their agreements with Mercury Drug.
celebration in Nueva Vizcaya. Dave Leprozo
DA: Suggested price for pork in July
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is targeting the reintroduction of a suggested retail price (SRP) for pork in Metro Manila markets by the last week of July or the first week of August, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said Thursday.
“Our target is the end of July or early August. But it may be delayed slightly because we still need to set up 38 market booths across Metro Manila,” Tiu Laurel said during a market monitoring activity in Alabang City.
The initiative includes the installation of freezer systems, the deployment of delivery trucks, and the hiring of drivers. The project is being led by Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a governmentowned and controlled corporation.
Tiu Laurel explained that FTI acts as a non-profit intermediary, buying pork directly from farms and supplying it to retailers. This eliminates middlemen and reduces supply chain costs.
“We’ve been doing this for a month now—buying directly from farms, delivering pork to retailers, and letting them keep a margin. FTI still earns, but more importantly, we’re helping bring down pork prices,” he said.
Retailers will be allowed a markup of P30 to P50 per kilo—P50 for fresh pork and P30 for frozen—although the final figures may vary depending on negotiations.
UNA OATHTAKING. Makati City Mayor-elect Nancy Binay leads the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected councilors of UNA ang Makati. In the photo are councilors-elect Mayeth Casal-Uy, Ferdie Eusebio, Dino Imperial, Arlene Ortega, Badet Sese, Levy Ramboyong, and King Yabut.
MMDA flags 3,000+ violators as NCAP resumes in Metro Manila
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has apprehended more than 3,000 traffic violators since the reimplementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) began on Monday, May 26. The highest number of violations was recorded on the first day with 1,112, followed by 952 on May 27 and 797 on May 28. As of 6 a.m. Thursday, May 29, total apprehensions stood at 3,033. The MMDA resumed the NCAP after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order issued in August 2022. The policy, agreed upon by the MMDA and the 17 Metro Manila mayors, aims to reduce traffic violations and improve road safety.
MMDA chair Romando Artes said the NCAP has been effective in apprehending violators through CCTV, digital cameras, and handheld devices. Common infractions include illegal turns, disregarding traffic signs, and violations of the number coding scheme. Other violations cited were illegal parking, speeding, loading or unloading in prohibited areas, and failure to use helmets or seat belts.
Survey: Filipinos demand accountability from leaders
A RECENT survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) and the Stratbase Group revealed that Filipinos want transparency, accountability, and action on pressing economic and social issues from their newly elected leaders following the 2025 midterm elections. Conducted from May 2 to 6 with 1,800 registered voters and a ±2% margin of error, the survey found that 93% believe Vice President Sara Duterte should prioritize national interests, while 88% said she must address the impeachment charges and corruption allegations filed against her.
“Accountability is not an option—it is foundational to public trust,” said Stratbase president Dindo Manhit. “Leaders should respond to the people’s call for transparency and lead with integrity.”
The survey also revealed that 86% of respondents want Duterte to focus on delivering her platforms, 81% want her to carry out her duties without politicizing, and 74% urge her to stop criticizing the government.
“We’re introducing more competition, which will pressure other retailers to lower their prices,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that pork will initially be sourced from three farms in Pampanga and Tarlac.
Currently, pork prices are at P380 per kilo for liempo, and between P340 and P350 for pigue and kasim.
Tiu Laurel also clarified that the P500 million he requested from Malacañang is not intended for immediate use but will serve as a contingency fund should additional resources be required.
IN BRIEF
Gibo to attend defense dialogue in Singapore
DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will represent the Philippines at the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue from May 30 to June 1 in Singapore, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced Thursday.
Teodoro will be joined by senior defense and military officials and is scheduled to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings with counterparts from other nations.
“These engagements aim to discuss regional and global security issues and strengthen defense and security cooperation with allies,” the DND said.
The defense chief’s participation follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s keynote address at the 2023 forum, highlighting the Philippines’ continued commitment to a rules-based international order.
Teodoro is expected to underscore the country’s dedication to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through dialogue and collaboration. Rex Espiritu
LTO suspends license of truck driver in fatal QC crash
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on the license of a truck driver involved in a multiple-vehicle collision that killed three people and injured seven others.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the Isuzu tractor head (JAG-8962) has been placed on alarm while the investigation is ongoing. The suspension and vehicle alarm were outlined in a show-cause order (SCO) issued to the truck’s registered owner and driver.
“On behalf of the LTO, I extend my deepest sympathies to the victims’ families. We will focus our efforts to ensure justice is served,” Mendoza said.
The SCO also directs the truck owner to explain why no penalty should be imposed for hiring a reckless driver, while the driver must respond to charges of reckless driving and being an improper person to operate a motor vehicle. Rio N. Araja
Comelec reminds public: Gun ban until June 11
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded the public that the election gun ban remains in effect until June 11, 2025, and that Comelec checkpoints are still in place to prevent criminal activity.
Comelec chair George Garcia issued the warning after several individuals were caught carrying firearms shortly after the May 12 midterm elections.
Under the Comelec resolution, it is illegal to bear, carry, or transport firearms or deadly weapons in public places — including streets, parks, buildings, and vehicles — regardless of having a license, unless a written exemption from Comelec has been granted.
“We are reminding the public that the gun ban is still in effect. It runs until 30 days after Election Day, or June 11,” Garcia said. Vito Barcelo
NEW ALBAY REP. Adeluna Balingbing, barangay captain of Hacienda, Tabaco City, administers the oath of office to the newly elected Representative of Albay’s 1st District, Cielo Krisel B. Lagman. Norman Araga
BRIDGES FOR HUMANS ONLY. A resort guest intently watches the water from a bridge made of wood and bamboo spanning the Ecoville Park in Cavinti Laguna. Manny Marcelo
Comelec gears up for Dec. 1 BSKE
By Vito Barcelo
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started preparations for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled on Dec. 1, 2025.
The poll body took the move as it announced that a 10-day nationwide voter registration for the village polls will be held July 1-11, 2025.
In a news forum, Comelec chairman George Garcia gave assurance that the upcoming elections will see major improvements, smarting from previous electoral exercises.
‘Pinoy crewmen of sunken cargo vessel all safe’
THE 20 Filipino crewmen of an illstarred cargo vessel were all safe and now awaiting repatriation, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The group was aboard the M/V MSC Elsa 3 which capsized off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, India last May 24.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the seafarers are currently staying at a local hotel in Kochi where they are receiving assistance from representatives of their employer based in India.
“They will remain there for the next few days as relevant authorities continue their investigation into the incident, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken before their repatriation,” Cacdac said.
The local manning agency of the Filipino seamen will provide adequate legal support and interpreters as they participated in the investigation conducted by Indian authorities.
“The DMW will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates. We stand ready to extend any and all assistance required by the seafarers and their families,” Cacdac said. Vito Barcelo
Garcia said among the initiatives to enhance the coming village polls involved the removal of the barangay certificate as a requirement for voter registration for the 2025 BSK elections.
He cited the recent cases of mass issuance of barangay certificates that could enable irregular transfers of voter registration. Garcia also confirmed that the BSKE
will definitely push through on December 1, unless Congress passes a law to postpone them.
He said the registration included reactivation, transfer of registration, and list-up of new voters. The Comelec expects some one million new voters to register during the 10-day period.
“If our current voters are 68,431,965, let's say we can register one million in 10 days, we will have 69.5 million voters for BSKE. That is still a very conservative estimate of those who will register in 10 days,” Garcia said.
At the same time, Garcia said there will be no voter registration in the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) despite the conduct of the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election (BPE) in October.
“We will not have registration in BARMM. We don't want to create the impression that those who register in the 10 days from July to August will vote for BPE,” he said.
“Registration in the BARMM is suspended, so that those who will vote for BPE are only those voters in the NLE (national and local elections). There will be no resumption of voter registration in the BARMM although there will be election in October,” Garcia said.
IN BRIEF
DOH warns against Mpox contamination
THE Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development on Thursday reminded the public to stay vigilant following the confirmation of new Mpox cases in the country.
“Avoid skin-to-skin contact such as being in a crowded place, massage, and intimate activities with people who have a rash that could be Mpox,” the agency advised.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus with two distinct types; Clade I which causes severe illness, and Clade II which typically results in milder symptoms.
According to the DOH, direct transmission may occur via skin or mucosal lesions, respiratory droplets, or intimate physical activities such as kissing or sexual contact. Ram Superable
2 PAF
female officers
cop OWLENS Awards
TWO female Philippine Air Force (PAF) officers were among this year’s ten recipients of the prestigious Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security (OWLENS) Award.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo and Lt. Col. Jean Bibon of the 15th Strike Wing received the accolade for their “exemplary contributions to peace, security, and national development.”
The OWLENS Award, organized by Republic Defenders group, recognizes women in uniform and public service for “outstanding professionalism, leadership, and commitment to national security and law enforcement.”
“The PAF continues to take pride in its personnel and remains steadfast in fostering a culture of excellence, integrity, and gender inclusivity across all ranks and missions.” PAF said. Rex Espiritu
Cauayan taps science for local governance
CAUAYAN City—The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Isabela State University (ISU), and the Cauayan City government have launched the 3rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE 2025) meant to boost local governance through science and technology. With the theme “Innovation in Action: Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities Through GovernmentAcademe-Industry Collaboration,” the initiative has developed into one of the country’s “most important venues” for exhibiting innovative digital solutions that are suited to local communities.
The event involved a three-day gathering of leaders, thinkers, and innovators committed to using science and technology to enhance local governance.
Jessica M. Bacud
PH may put purchase of F-16 jets to backburner due to high cost
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippines is prioritizing landbased defense capabilities in light of the high cost of F-16 multirole fighter jets made in the United States.
Speaking to Filipino and Japanese journalists on Tuesday (U.S. time), Philippine
Ambassador to the Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the government is still assessing how it could finance the purchase of the sophisticated F-16 jets.
The U.S. State Department has already approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Philippines involving 20 F-16 fighter aircraft, with an estimated
total cost of $5.58 billion.
The purchase contract covers 16 F16C Block 70/72 jets and four F-16B Block 70/72 aircraft.
It was announced just days after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila in March, during which he reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening defense co-
operation between the two countries.
“However, the Philippines now basically will have to study on how we will be able to finance such a big ticket item for us. So it’s up to Secretary (Gilbert) Teodoro and ultimately the President on how we will be able to see whether we can purchase these F16s,” Romualdez said.
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE police intercepted on Wednesday a female passenger at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for possession of over ₱13 million worth of shabu.
The woman bound for Bacolod was arrested by members of the Police Aviation Security Group and the NAIA Drug Interdiction Task Group after authorities discovered the illegal substance concealed inside a milk carton box she was carrying. X-ray examination of the baggage showed a suspicious carton box packed in a pink bag. Closer checks revealed found multiple plastic sachets containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.
Further tests involving trained K9s conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed that the substance was methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu. The seized drugs weighed approximately 2,024 grams with a street value of ₱13.7 million. The passenger was promptly arrested for violation of the country’s anti-drugs law. "Age or appearance won’t protect those who break the law. The Avsegroup, in coordination with airport authorities, remains relentless in detecting and intercepting dangerous substances before they reach our communities," said Avsegroup director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia.
DRUG MULE DIDN’T GO FAR. Alert operatives of the Aviation Security Group at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport apprehend a female passenger for alleged possession of shabu with a street value of P13 million.
OPINION
From exit to influence: The return of a BI insider
THE Bureau of Immigration is likely to be the subject of another Senate probe by a committee chaired by re-elected Senator Imee Marcos.
According to the lawmaker, she will investigate accusations of anomalies in the agency. This will put the BI under public scrutiny once again and many are wondering if BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado may have ignored early warning signs that the agency is about to come under attack.
We recall that Viado had made a number of bold moves and started radical reforms within the BI. Viado caught the public’s eye when he led the speedy recapture of a Korean fugitive who escaped from a government facility.
That was an exceptional feat achieved in less than 72 hours. Viado fueled hope that there is hope for the controversial agency to which he was assigned barely a year ago.
Viado then declared that he is serious in his bid to clean and reform the agency. He fired several personnel allegedly involved in the Korean fugitive’s escape plan. He warned other parties linked to the plot that they will face serious consequences.
Viado’s string of successes and reforms was capped by his move to ban the use of flights with layovers in the transport of deportees. The policy, in effect, prevented syndicates from spiriting away deportees while on stopover—a practice long suspected to have the connivance of unscrupulous BI characters.
In the face of these bold moves, Viado was warned that he is stepping on big toes. He was told, sources say, that he is “killing the business” of criminal groups who rake in millions of pesos by aiding the escape of alien detainees and helping them exit through the notorious southern backdoor and other “holes” in our country’s ramparts.
Sources said Viado was clearly warned that the criminal elements have strong connections inside his agency. Their loyalty is to the source of the “extra income,” and Viado has taken actions inimical to their financial interest.
Now, the BI is being put in bad light again. Viado himself is now being portrayed as “villain” in what appears to be a determined public relations scheme to damage him and allow the “business” to flourish again.
Was Viado unduly oblivious to the warning signs? If yes, is he partly to blame for the looming probe?
We can only speculate. We will just have to watch the forthcoming drama at the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, observers have pointed
out that there are interesting characters in this telenovela.
Questions have been raised by certain quarters regarding the individuals who are out to crucify the bureau before the Marcos committee.
It appears one of the initiators of the probe is a BI official who had been sacked before and who had been accused by congressmen several years ago of “lawyering” for undesirable aliens facing deportation.
One thing is clear: the forces resisting reform are alive, well-funded, and fighting back
BI insiders say the said official has continued with this practice after he managed to be reappointed to the bureau by tapping what they alleged are “powerful political connections.”
Insiders also say there has been “bad blood” between this official and Viado after the latter rejected the said official’s move to “lawyer” for another undesirable alien with close connections to a businessman who wielded a lot of political influence during the previous administration.
The said official reportedly “vowed” to get even with Viado.
We do not know if these are facts or mere speculations.
However, we cannot discount the fact that Viado may have really made life difficult for those who “lawyer” for undesirable aliens.
Is Viado now about to reap the consequences of having ignored the warning that there are elements who will get back at him and punish him for the damage he has done to their “business”?
Again, we do not know and we will not speculate.
We will leave it to the Marcos committee to thoroughly probe the credibility and motive of the parties that seek to put BI in bad light once more.
If Commissioner Viado is being targeted, it may be because his reforms threatened deep-seated interests that thrived in the shadows of the old BI.
Whether this Senate probe is a search for truth or a political vendetta disguised as oversight, one thing is clear: the forces resisting reform are alive, well-funded, and fighting back.
As always, it is the public who must pay the price when good governance is punished and bad actors protected.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
Trump’s drive for ocean bed mining threatens law of the sea
UNITED NATIONS, New York – US
President Donald Trump’s move to sidestep global regulations and begin pushing for seabed mining in international waters could pose a wider threat of competing countries claiming sovereignty over the ocean, experts say.
Trump last month signed an executive order to accelerate the permitgranting process for deep-sea mining in domestic and international waters, citing an obscure 1980 US law. And the Canadian deep-sea mining frontrunner The Metals Company has already filed an application in the United States to conduct commercial mining on the high seas -- bypassing the International Seabed Authority. This is the body entrusted by a United Nations convention with managing the ocean floor outside of national jurisdictions.
Ocean law is largely guided by that accord -- the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, first signed in 1982 to prevent “a competitive scramble for sovereign rights over the land underlying the world’s seas and oceans,” according to Maltese diplomat Arvid Pardo, the convention’s forebearer.
The United States never ratified the convention, which took effect in 1994,
though it has applied many of its clauses.
Coalter Lathrop, an attorney at the US law firm Sovereign Geographic, told AFP that the United States is “a huge beneficiary of the parallel set of customary international law rules” despite not being a party to UNCLOS.
The United States never ratified the convention, which took effect in 1994, though it has applied many of its clauses
For instance, the United States has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones which gives states sovereignty over maritime areas up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from their coastline -- protecting them from foreign fishing boats, among other extractive industries.
If the US enjoys the benefits of ocean law, Lathrop argues, “but then you disregard the other part of the package deal -- that the seabed and its minerals
This is an AI generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a majestic landscape in pen and ink with watercolor brushstrokes and tints. The mountain range is verdant green. There is a banner unfurled at the top of the cartoon, like a floating scroll, that says ‘Sierra Madre of Luzon.’ Yet a considerable portion of the mountain range has been strip-mined. The scar is that of light brown deforestation that is of semi-circular lines following the mountainside’s topography. The lines eventually form a human skull. A foreboding cluster of darkened and heavy clouds is at the far corner of the sky. The cloud is labeled ‘weather disturbances.’
EDITORIAL
Tense situation for Mindanao tribal folk
IN THE recent campaign for the midterm elections, certain areas in Mindanao were identified by authorities as “hotspots,” or areas where violent incidents were likely to occur.
But today, the post-election situation in some areas of Mindanao remains tense, particularly for TedurayLambangian non-Moro indigenous peoples (NMIPs) in South Upi municipality in Maguindanao del Sur.
Seven NMIP leaders recently signed a petition calling for stronger security measures in their area after one of their candidates won a key position in the local government.
This electoral victory, they said, has been “immediately overshadowed by increased intimidation and threats to the safety of our leaders and communities.”
They are now asking the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to ensure enhance protection measures for them.
The petitioners pointed out that more than 15 NMIP leaders and com-
in areas beyond national jurisdiction are the common heritage of humankind -- that is going to be destabilizing, to say the least, for the general legal order of the oceans.”
“US unilateral permitting could lead to the disintegration of a system that has been carefully curated and created by the United States, largely for its own benefit,” he added.
‘Unraveled’
The US and Canadian moves sparked an international outcry from ISA member states, including China, whose foreign ministry spokesman warned it violates international law.
ISA secretary general Leticia Carvalho expressed similar concern, saying that “any unilateral action... sets a
munity members in South Upi have been receiving death threats almost daily. Among them are NMIPs who participated in the hearings at the House of Representatives from Dec. 2024 to Feb. 2025, where authorities pledged to create a task force to protect communities in South Upi.
Will authorities heed their call, or do nothing at all?
The petitioners said the presence of the task force that was supposed to protect them has not been felt in the community since there are “lawless elements and suspicious individuals coming in and out of the municipality looking for our leaders in their residences.”
dangerous precedent that could destabilize the entire system of global ocean governance.”
The Metals Company does maintain contracts with ISA members like Japan -- where it has a partnership with smelting company Pamco. And experts note such ISA member states could invoke their obligation to UNCLOS to enforce maritime law on The Metals Company via these proxies, even if it ultimately receives a permit from the Trump administration.
Guy Standing, an economist at the University of London, told AFP: “It’s the most dangerous thing he’s done so far,” referring to Trump. If marine laws “were to come sort of unraveled,” Standing said, “you could
They also said some NMIPs have been chased by motorcycles and vans without plate numbers, while others are trapped in their homes and afraid to go out because of death threats.
In light of all this, the petitioners are asking for the deployment of police and military forces in hotspot barangays in South Upi; the reshuffling of security forces on the ground to ensure impartiality; the setting up of checkpoints to prevent entry into South Upi barangays by persons without proper identification; and the imposition of sanctions on security forces found directly responsible to exposing NMIPs to threats and risk of harm.
The NMIP leaders also called on Congress to strengthen their oversight functions to ensure that decisions made in hearings are consistent with national laws on IPs, such as the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, and do not infringe on the safety and security of NMIPs.
“We hope that promises for our protection will be felt by our communities. We appeal to our government institutions to help us feel safe and free from fear in our homes and ancestral domain.”
Will authorities heed their call, or do nothing at all?
have a carve up in different parts of the world, with Russia, China and America carving up the Arctic.” However, not all scholars in the field are in agreement.
James Kraska, a professor of international maritime law at US Naval War College, said “it’s naive to think the United States has that kind of influence.”
“I just disagree with the people that are saying that it’s somehow a legal obligation to comply with a treaty that you never joined,” he told AFP.
“I just can’t see any way that it’s unlawful. I understand that there’s sort of political opposition to it, but I would just distinguish between politics and the law.” AFP
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK – Is-
rael accused the United Nations Wednesday of seeking to “block” Gaza aid distribution, as the global body said it was doing its utmost to gather the limited assistance greenlighted by Israel’s authorities. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has imposed a two-month aid blockade, is dire, with food security experts saying starvation is looming for one in five people.
“While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza,” Israel’s United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon told the Security Council. He said the assistance was entering by trucks -- under limited authorization by Israel at the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week following the blockade -and via a “new distribution mechanism developed in coordination with the US and key international partners.” Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed at least 54,804 people, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry there. The UN considers the figures reliable.
The punishing offensive has reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble — including hospitals, schools and other basic infrastructure — and resulted in the displacement of almost all of its roughly two million people.
IN BRIEF
Russia proposes new Ukraine talks
MOSCOW – Russia said it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the proposal in advance for the meeting to yield results.
Diplomatic efforts to end the threeyear conflict have accelerated in recent months, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire and shown no signs of scaling back its maximalist demands.
The two sides previously met in Istanbul on May 16, their first direct talks in over three years. That encounter failed to yield a breakthrough.
US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a peace deal, has become increasingly frustrated with
Moscow’s apparent stalling and warned Wednesday he would determine within “about two weeks” whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin was serious about ending the fighting.
Ukraine said it had already submitted its peace terms to Russia and demanded Moscow do the same.
“We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum,” Ukrainian defense minister Rustem Umerov, who negotiated for Kyiv at the last talks, said in a
post on X. “The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review. Diplomacy must be substantive, and the next meeting must yield results.” Moscow’s offensive, launched in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the destruction of large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. The Russian military now controls around a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean peninsula which it annexed in 2014.
Russia said it would present a “memorandum” outlining its peace terms at the talks next Monday, and that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had briefed his US counterpart Marco Rubio on the proposal. “Our delegation, led by Vladimir Me-
dinsky, is ready to present a memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, June 2,” Lavrov said in a video statement. Medinsky, a political scientist and former culture minister, led Russia’s negotiating team during a first round of talks in Istanbul on May 16. The two sides have traded waves of massive aerial attacks in recent weeks, with Ukraine unleashing one of its largest-ever drone barrages on Russia overnight and Moscow pounding Ukraine with deadly strikes over the weekend. Trump told reporters on Wednesday he was “very disappointed” at Russia’s deadly bombardment during the negotiating process, but rebuffed calls to impose more sanctions on Moscow. AFP
17,000 evacuating in Canada’s Manitoba
Power Party -- Yoon’s former party -- at 35 percent.
While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday -- part of an initiative introduce in 2013 to help those unable to cast ballots on polling day or planning to travel.
South Koreans have in recent years turned out in larger and larger numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. AFP
BEIJING – China on Thursday launched a space probe on the country’s first mission to retrieve samples from an asteroid and bring them home for research, the Xinhua state news agency reported.
Beijing has put billions of dollars into its space program in recent years in an effort to achieve what President Xi Jinping describes as the country’s “space dream.”
It has built a space station orbiting the Earth and plans to run a crewed mission to the Moon this decade ahead of establishing a permanent base there.
A Long March-3B rocket carrying the Tianwen-2 probe blasted off from the Xichang launch site in southwestern Sichuan province at 1:31 am.
About 18 minutes later, the Tianwen-2 probe was sent into a transfer orbit from Earth to the asteroid 2016HO3, the China National Space Administration said, according to Xinhua.
“The spacecraft unfolded its solar panels smoothly, and the CNSA declared the launch a success,” the news agency wrote. AFP
BEIJING – Beijing reacted in fury
Thursday at the US government’s vow to revoke Chinese students’ visas, condemning President Donald Trump’s crackdown on international scholars as “political and discriminatory.”
Trump’s administration on Wednesday said it would “aggressively” remove permissions for Chinese students, one of the largest sources of revenue for American universities, in his latest broadside against US higher education.
The US will also revise visa criteria to tighten checks on all future applications from China and Hong Kong, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Blasting the US for “unreasonably” canceling Chinese students’ visas, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing had lodged its opposition with Washington.
Rubio had upped the ante after China criticized his decision a day earlier to suspend visa appointments for students worldwide at least temporarily.
The Trump administration has already sought to end permission for all international students at Harvard University, which has rebuffed pressure from the president related to student protests.
Young Chinese people have long been crucial to US universities, which rely on international students paying full tuition.
China sent 277,398 students in the 2023-24 academic year, although India for the first time in years surpassed it, according to a State Department-backed report of the Institute of International Education. AFP
OTTAWA – More than 17,000 people in Canada’s Manitoba province were being evacuated on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) as the region experienced its worst start to a wildfire season in years.
“The Manitoba government has declared a province-wide state of emergency due to the wildfire situation,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew told a news conference. “This is the largest evacuation Manitoba will have seen in most people’s living memory.”
Kinew said he asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to send in the Canadian military to help with the evacuations and firefighting. Military aircraft, Kinew said, would be deployed “imminently” to help move people out of endangered remote northern communities to safety, along with additional firefighting resources. The evacuations include the town of Flin Flon, where 5,000 residents were told earlier to get ready to flee on a moment’s notice as a major wildfire bore down on the mining town named after a fictional character in a 1905 paperback novel. Residents of several other remote towns and Indigenous communities have also now been told to leave. Most of the evacuees are expected to be transported to the Manitoba capital of Winnipeg.
Evacuee Sheryl Matheson told AFP the wildfires had surrounded her small town of Sherridon, northeast of Flin Flon. “It’s been overwhelming,” said the owner of a fishing lodge. “It was very smokey. You could see the fires four or five kilometers away and moving fast.” “The flames were shooting over 121 feet high and firefighters couldn’t get close enough to the fire to do anything.” AFP
WASHINGTON, DC – Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) announced he was leaving his role in US government, intended to reduce federal spending, shortly after his first major break with President Donald Trump over his signature spending bill.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” he wrote on his social media platform X.
“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he added. The South African-born tech tycoon had said Trump’s bill would increase the deficit and undermine the work of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has fired tens of thousands of people.
Musk -- who was a constant presence at Trump’s side before pulling back to focus on his Space X and Tesla businesses -- also complained that DOGE had become a “whipping boy” for dissatisfaction with the administration.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Musk said in an interview with CBS News, an excerpt of which aired late Tuesday. Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” -- which passed the US House last week and now moves to the Senate -- offers sprawling tax relief and spending cuts and is the centerpiece of his domestic agenda.
But critics warn it will decimate health care and balloon the national deficit by as much as $4 trillion over a decade. AFP
PARIS—Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a minor blip to reach the French Open third round on Wednesday as women’s title rivals Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka made short work of their opponents.
Second seed Alcaraz came through 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan to earn his 17th win in 18 matches on clay this season.
“Second set, he started to play better and he didn’t miss a lot so it was a little bit difficult to deal with his game,” said Alcaraz.
“I’m really happy I stayed strong and refreshed myself. In the third set, I started to play better and better which helped me have a really good last two sets.”
Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam winner, goes on to face Bosnian journeyman Damir Dzumhur for a place in the last 16.
In the women’s draw, Swiatek con-
tinued her bid for a fourth straight Roland Garros crown as she outclassed fellow former US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
The Pole beat Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 to make it five wins in as many meetings with the Briton. She racked up her 23rd consecutive victory at Roland Garros to improve her career record at the tournament to 37-2.
Swiatek is bidding to become the first woman to win four consecutive French Open titles since Suzanne Lenglen 102 years ago.
The 23-year-old arrived in Paris under a slight cloud, having not reached a WTA final since lifting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen last year, but
Alcaraz into French Open 3rd round; Swiatek, Sabalenka win
has made serene progress through the first two rounds.
“Honestly, I just love playing here. This place inspires me and that makes me work harder,” said Swiatek, who also captured the trophy as a teenager in 2020.
The fifth seed will play Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian for a place in the last 16.
Swiatek’s slide down the rankings has left her in the same half of the draw as world number one Sabalenka, last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.
Sabalenka shook off a sluggish start to blow past Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann.
After dropping serve early in the first set, Sabalenka won 11 of the final 12 games to power to a 6-3, 6-1 win.
“It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says, she really made me work for every point,” said Sabalenka, who
has conceded just five games through two rounds.
The Belarusian has never reached the French Open final and is hoping to banish the memories of a painful quarter-final loss to Mirra Andreeva in 2024.
Paolini moved into the third round as she brushed aside Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-3 to stretch her winning streak to eight matches following her triumph at the Italian Open.
The fourth seed from Italy advances to play Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Zheng punched her ticket to the last 32 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Colombia’s Emiliana Arango.
The Chinese star faces another Grand Slam debutant in the next round, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko of Canada.
Other seeds to progress included former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova. AFP
Junior Tigresses, Lady Baby Tams stay unscathed
UNIVERSITY of Sto. Tomas and Far
Eastern University-Diliman swept their way to back-to-back victories in Pool D of the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Thursday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
The Junior Tigresses banked on the crisp spiking of Kimberly Rubin to submit University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-20, 25-13, and stay unbeaten in the country’s biggest grassroots volleyball league backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Rubin poured eight of her game-high 13 points in the second set as she finished with nine kills and four aces for UST, which opened its campaign with a 25-20, 27-29, 25-19, victory over the St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons last Wednesday.
Aneeza Santos and Ryzel Laag added five markers each for the Junior Tigresses, who sent the Junior Fighting Maroons to a second straight loss in as many games. Meanwhile, the Lady Baby Tamaraws defeated the Falcons, 25-21, 25-20,
to prime up for their much-anticipated showdown against UST on Friday.
Ifunanya Udeagbala powered FEU with 13 points anchored on 12 kills
12 Years
TWELVE years ago, I stepped into the chaotic yet captivating world of sports journalism—wide-eyed, ambitious, and hungry to prove myself. I found my home in the thunderous roar of arenas, the quiet hum of training gyms, and the flicker of screens that broadcast blood, sweat, and glory.
Today, I mark a dozen years in this relentless, often thankless profession— with several strands of gray hair, battle scars of deadlines past,
and a heart that’s heavier but fuller. There’s a strange poetry to being a combat sports journalist. You become fluent in pain and resilience, both your subjects’ and your own. You witness young hopefuls who transform into champions, and legends who fall from grace. You write eulogies for careers, sometimes even for lives. You learn to sit with tragedy, to find beauty in struggle, and to tell the truth even when it’s inconvenient. What they don’t tell you in the beginning is how lonely this path can be. There are no medals for media and no belts for analysts. The applause is rare, and when it does come, it’s usually because you got the scoop everyone else missed or dared to say what
while Cathlyn Umal and Shiela Pascual chipped in a combined 12 markers. SJI dropped to a 0-2 win-loss record tied with UPIS.
others were too afraid to. You’re often invisible—until you make a mistake or they come across something they don’t like. Then suddenly, everyone remembers your name. But here’s the thing: I didn’t stay for the recognition. I stayed because combat sports gave me something that very few professions can—an unfiltered lens into the human spirit. Every fighter I’ve covered has taught me something. Discipline. Grit. The agony of loss. The euphoria of redemption. These athletes trust us with their stories, their vulnerabilities, and their truths. And in return, we immortalize their struggles in ink and broadcast.
In 12 years, I’ve seen the industry evolve—promotions rise and fall, digital media cannibalize print, and algorithms dictate reach. I’ve juggled latenight post-fight deadlines with early morning interviews, sometimes fueled only by coffee and the sheer will not to let a story die untold.
I’ve been blessed to share these years with editors who challenged me,
Defending champion Adamson University bounced back from an opening day shocker after venting its ire on University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-4, 25-12, in Pool A.
The Lady Baby Falcons showed better chemistry and cohesion to barge into the win column of the tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo and Smart following a three-set loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College on Wednesday.
In Pool B, Bethel Academy survived debuting Holy Rosary College, 26-24, 18-25, 25-21, for a 1-1 slate.
Eunice Suamer and Joanne Reducto scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bethelites, who absorbed a straight sets beating at the hands of Chiang Kai Shek College in the opener.
Meanwhile, King’s Montessori School rebounded from a sorry loss in its first outing with a 25-16, 25-12, drubbing of Corpus Christi School in Pool C.
In Division 2, De La Salle Zobel B defeated Assumption College-San Lorenzo, 25-21, 25-18, for a 2-0 record in Pool E.
colleagues who inspired me, and readers—yes, even the silent ones—who validated the importance of this work by simply reading.
This job has tested my faith, my endurance, and my sense of self. But it has also sharpened my voice, clarified my convictions, and connected me with a community that spans continents and weight classes. I’ve covered wars waged with fists, but more importantly, I’ve covered the wars within— inside the hearts of those who dare to dream with gloves on.
Twelve years in, I’m still here. Still watching. Still listening. Still writing. Not for the clicks. Not for the clout. But for the craft. And for the fighters — both in and out of the ring — who remind me every day why I started. Here’s to the next round.
(For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail. com or visit his Facebook page at www. facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.)
THE Basilan Viva Portmasters started hot and kept the heat throughout to rout the Cebu Classic, 87-55, on Wednesday to sustain their recovery in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Paco Arena in Manila. Thriving with an 11-man rotation, Basilan surged ahead, 27-12, after the first quarter, padded the lead to 20 at halftime, then bundled 18 points, highlighted by Reymar Caduyac’s back-toback triples, in the fourth to notch its first back-to-back win and improve to 5-7 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament. Nueva Ecija paces the race for playoff berths with a 12-0 slate, followed by Abra (11-1), San Juan (11-1), Zamboanga (11-2), Quezon Province (10-2) and Muntinlupa (10-2).
Sherwin Concepcion led Basilan with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, complementing Emman Calo’s 11-point, 4-assist, 2-steal effort and Ady Santos’ 10-point, 4-rebound output. Gab Dagangon and Enzo Joson contributed 9 points each, while James Tempra and Caduyac added 8 each for the Portmasters, who are bidding to make this year’s playoffs after taking a leave of absence from 2022 to 2024. With only eight players suiting up, Cebu tumbled to 4-9.
The Classic got 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists from homegrown Mark Meneses, 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists from Limuel Tampus, and 9 points plus 7 rebounds from 6-foot-9 Ladis Lepalam. Sarangani ripped Manila Batang Quiapo, 111-87, in the nightcap and improved to 3-10.
ISLAY Erika Bomogao has a return date to Lumpinee Stadium as her previously postponed bout has finally been rescheduled. Bomogao finally gets to face Narea Rubio in a 102-pound Muay Thai bout set as the featured bout for ONE Friday Fights 111 on June 6 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. This bout was originally scheduled at ONE Friday Fights 102 on March 28 but had to be postponed following an earthquake which rocked Myanmar and Thailand that was ultimately felt in the nation’s capital of Bangkok. Now, the 24-year-old is out to pick up from where she left off following two impressive outings in ONE Championship in a three-month span from November last year to January this year.
Unlike most Filipinos competing in Lumpinee, the Team Bagsik representative has already secured herself a contract with ONE Championship – but don’t expect her to relax because of that. Given the responsibility of being the country’s flag bearer in Muay Thai, Bomogao knows she has to be better each time she comes into the Lumpinee ring, knowing all eyes are on her in the country. She’s also starting to be a household name in the world of Muay Thai, slowly getting more and more popular not only in the Philippines but in neighboring countries such as Thailand and Myanmar as well.
The UST Junior Tigresses celebrate a scored point. Roman Prospero
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz performs a tweener against Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan during their men’s singles match on Day 4 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris. AFP
Emman of Basilan
Islay Erika Bomogao
In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Perpetual teams eye Game 1 triumphs
By Dennis Abrina
THE Perpetual Help Junior Altas and Junior Lady Altas
Spikers shoot for Game 1 wins in the NCAA Season 100 Juniors’ Indoor Volleyball Championship Finals on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The defending champion Junior Lady Altas will face the Arellano Baby Chiefs at 8 a.m. in a rematch of last year’s finals.
Later, at 5 p.m., the Junior Altas will compete against the Letran Squires.
Coach Sandy Rieta and the Junior Altas are looking to reclaim the Boys’ Division crown, which the Mapua Red Robins won last year.
The Junior Altas hold 12 volleyball boys’ titles, with Rieta coaching six of those wins.
Letran, with five championships, last won in 2005.
The Junior Lady Altas are the reigning NCAA Season 99 champions, having defeated Arellano in a thrilling five-set Game 2 to win the series 2-0 last year.
Both the Junior Altas and Junior Lady Altas had dominant elimination rounds, sweeping their respective divisions with 9-0 and 6-0 records, respectively, earning them twice-to-beat advantages in the semifinals.
Key players for the Junior Lady Altas include Jaja San Juan, Sherrie Rose Acosta, Maya Javier, Isabel Baser, Ashlee Buenaventura, Jasmine Monte, and Janie Espiritu.
The boys’ team will rely on Charles Concina, Nathan Ciriaco, Kirby Alecida, Gabirel Macatuno, Zyro Ornos, Resty Santos, Miguel Dela Cruz, and John Lat.
2 NCR swimmers bag 5 golds each; Villaran rips Palaro mark
By Peter Atencio
LAOAG, Ilocos Norte—
National Capital Region standouts Sophia Rose Garra and Titus Sia tallied five golds apiece to become two of the most bemedalled tankers at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Memorial Stadium pool here.
As they collected their prized medals, Region 6 standout Mico Villaran showed that he isn’t done yet in smashing records when he took the secondary boys’ 400-meter hurdle honors over at the FEMMS oval.
The 12-year-old Garra, a seventh grader at De La Salle-Araneta, grabbed her fourth and fifth golds with a record-breaking feat in the elementary girls’ 200-meter Individual Medley (IM), after beating Region 3’s Miles Hechanova in the 100-meter freestyle.
Greatness celebrated in inaugural PVL Awards Night
ON a night filled with glitz, glamour, and gratitude, the Premier Volleyball League rolled out the red carpet for its first-ever Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night, bringing together the brightest stars under one dazzling spotlight on Wednesday evening at Novotel Manila.
From the Rookie of the Year Thea Gagate of ZUS Coffee to special awardees to first-ever Season MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, the formal awards rites presented by ArenaPlus honored not just individual brilliance, but the passion, perseverance, and the league’s journey over the past years that have propelled Philippine volleyball to new heights. Van Sickle may not be able to personally claim her Season MVP due to her vacation with her family in Hawaii, but she celebrated in spirit with her fellow awardees, PVL, and Spikers’ Turf athletes in the formal awards rites organized by Sports Vision Man-
agement Group, Inc. and the year-old Press Corps.
“I can’t believe that I was named season MVP and best outside hitter. I have no words. I am truly grateful for everyone recognizing me and you know I feel the love and support so
thank you to all,” said Van Sickle. “I never expected it. I just play the sport that I love with as much passion as I can possibly give at all times, and I just want to continue to have fun and be grateful for the sport. So it’s kind of like a cherry on top.”
old mark of Omar Dacera (4:35.42), with a 4:31:39 effort in the elementary boys’ 400-meter freestyle. He earned his fifth gold when he shattered the 16-year-old mark of Omar Dacera (4:35.42), with a 4:31:39 effort in the elementary boys 400-meter freestyle.
The 17-year-old Villaran, an incoming 12th grader at the Romanito Maravilla National High School, fulfilled another goal on his wish list when he ran the secondary boys’ 400-meter hurdles in 53.52 seconds to erase Patrick Unso’s 15-year-old Palaro mark of 54.1 seconds. He was after five golds, but Villaran changed his mind when he decided to give up in joining the 100-meter sprints because of its close schedule with the 400-meter hurdles.
“Sobrang saya. Nakakuha ulit ako ng record,” said Villaran, after he earlier surpassed a Philippine junior mark (14.23 seconds by Francis Medicna in the 2015 National Open) and meet record (14.68 by Unso in 2010) with his 14-second performance in the 110-meter hurdles.
Villaran still has two relay events and if he and his Region 6 teammates win both the 4x100 and the 4x400, he will become one of the most decorated runners in athletics on his final year.
“You guys are all phenomenal players and it’s really awesome to be able to be surrounded by greatness and seeing how everyone’s so dedicated and the passion and everything you guys put into your work,” she added.
The 27-year-old Filipino-American sensation attributed her awards to the Petro Gazz Angels, who brought out the best in her and helped her lead the team to a historic 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference title — the franchise’s first after ruling two Reinforced tournaments in 2019 and 2022.
“I would like to thank my teammates, my Petro Gazz family and my coaches. Thank you so much for always believing in me and trusting me, supporting me. You guys have been amazing and you guys welcome me with open arms and I can’t be more thankful and grateful for all of you. So, thank you for all your hard work and passion and dedication you put into the team,” she said.
Casuga’s clutch par steals JPGT Caliraya crown in wild finish
CAVINTI, Laguna—Jacob Casuga staged a stunning frontside comeback, erasing a two-shot deficit over the final two holes to snatch a dramatic one-stroke victory in the boys’ 11-14 division of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Junior PGT Championship on Thursday.
A clutch birdie-bogey swing on No. 8 put him in striking distance, and he sealed the win on a closing 75 as Vito Sarines stumbled down the stretch, holing out with a bogey for a 76 at the challenging Caliraya Springs Golf Club here. Casuga’s closing three-over card gave him a 36hole total of 152, one clear of Sarines, whose bid to follow up his Sherwood Hills victory fell short, as he settled for second at 153.
Ryuichi Tao carded a second consecutive 78 for a 156, edging Jose Luis Espinosa (79-156) for third place in the countback.
My short game and putting saved me,” said Casuga, breaking a string of three straight bronze
finishes in the Luzon series of the nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “This win means everything because it proves I can keep getting better.” Espinosa, who had tied Casuga and Sarines at the top after the first round, slipped with a 79 in the tournament that marked the fourth leg of the seven-stage Luzon series, which offers berths to the Elite Junior Finals later this year.
Casuga thanked his family and coach Dan Cruz, and drew inspiration from fellow Junior PGT standout Charles Serdenia. “Seeing Charles rise pushed me to work even harder,” he added. It was arguably one of the most electrifying finishes in the three-year history of the ICTSI-backed circuit, as Casuga refused to fold and pulled off a gritty, come-from-behind victory with a clutch closing stretch. If Vito’s heartbreak stung, sister Mona more than compensated, firing a sparkling two-under 70 to dominate the girls’ 11-14 division by nine
TOKYO—Italian MotoGP rider
Luca Marini has suffered serious injuries, including a collapsed lung, after a heavy fall while testing for an endurance race in Japan.
Marini was hospitalised after crashing at the Suzuka circuit on Wednesday, his Honda HRC team said. He was stabilised and will remain under observation in Japan until fit to travel.
The 27-year-old rider posted a picture on his Instagram feed of him lying in a hospital bed.
“Thanks everyone for the support! I’ll keep you posted,” he wrote in Italian.
Marini, who finished 15th in the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Sunday, was testing for the Suzuka 8-Hour.
The annual endurance race, one of Japan’s biggest motorcycling events, is held at the Honda-owned home Suzuka circuit that also hosts the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix.
Marini completed the first day without incident but crashed heavily on the second, suffering a dislocated hip, knee ligament damage, fractures to his sternum and collarbone and a right collapsed lung.
“Honda HRC and the Honda HRC Castrol team will support Marini fully in his recovery,” the team said in a statement.
Marini is 13th in the 2025 MotoGP world championship standings after seven races. AFP
Region 6 standout Mico Villaran (right) edges his rivals in the 400-meter hurdles.
“The water in the pool was hot, and coach told me to be more aggressive,” said Garra. Sia earned his fifth when he shattered the 16-year-
Awardees of the first Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night are joined by sports scribes.
Shown here are (from left) Athena Serapio, Zack Guico, Mona Sarines and Jacob Casuga. Manny Marcelo shots. Her seven-birdie, six-bogey aggregate of 143 left Kendra Garingalao (78-74-152) and twin sister Lisa Sarines (77-79-156) at second and third places, respectively.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced new rules allowing real estate companies, including small developers, to raise funds through the capital markets.
The initiative, dubbed SEC RENT (Securing & Expanding Capital in Real Estate Investment Transactions), is designed to help real estate firms using rental pool agreements register their investment offers with the commission.
contributed 5.6 percent to the gross domestic product in 2024 and is closely linked to other key industries such as construction, tourism and finance.
PHILIPPINE Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco and all members of the agency’s board of directors submitted their courtesy resignations to the President.
Tengco said this is to allow the President flexibility in reorganizing the bureaucracy.
The resignations of PAGCOR’s top leadership occurred before the Palace’s Wednesday call for all officials of government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) to submit courtesy resignations.
“We serve at the pleasure of the President,” Tengco said. “And we will accept whatever the Chief Executive’s decision will be.”
Those who resigned alongside Tengco include PAGCOR president and chief operating officer Wilma Eisma and directors Jose Maria Ortega, Francis Democrito Concordia and Gilbert Cesar Remulla.
Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) president and chief executive Oliver Butalid also heeded the President’s call and submitted his courtesy resignation.
PNOC said Butalid tendered his courtesy resignation in response to a notice to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) issued by the Governance Commission for GOCCs on May 26, with an addendum released May 28.
Rental pool agreements are investment contracts where property developers sell or offer units in projects like condominiums, hotels or resorts to the public, with buyers contributing their units to a rental pool managed by the company or a third-party operator.
DOUBLEDRAGON Corp.
announced on Thursday a joint venture agreement to develop 10,000 hotel rooms in Saudi Arabia, with a total project value of $2.5 billion (P137.5 billion).
Hotel101 Global, DoubleDragon’s hospitality arm, signed the deal with Horizon Group, a Saudi investment company led by Khaled and Abdulrahman Sharbatly and Wael Daqal.
The first five Hotel101 locations will be in Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah,
Hotel101 Global chief executive Hannah YuloLuccini (seated, right) and Horizon Group chief executive Abdulrahman Sharbatly sign a joint venture agreement for the development of Hotels in Saudi Arabia. Witnessing the event in Medina are DoubleDragon Corp. chairman and Hotel101 founder Edgar Sia II, Horizon Group chairman Khaled Sharbatly, board members Wael Daqal and Hisham Al Ansari and DoubleDragon president Rodolfo Ponferrada and Hotel101 global director for strategic partnership Matthew Morio.
“Given its scale and strategic importance, the real estate sector stands to benefit immensely from deeper participation in the capital market,” SEC commissioner McJill Bryant Fernandez said in a statement. Fernandez noted that real estate
Abha, and Alula, with each site averaging 500 rooms.
“We are inspired by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and their sheer determination and willpower to make things happen. As such, we are confident in the plans they have laid out for the region, and we believe the Hotel101 concept will be able to make a significant contribution in terms of room keys to complement the 2030 Vision for the Kingdom, and to form part of our global vision of 1 million Hotel101 rooms worldwide,” said Hotel101 Global founder Edgar “Injap” Sia II.
Under SEC RENT, the SEC’s Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD) should complete its review of a company’s registration within 45 days. Before this, firms needed to obtain clearance from various SEC departments by submitting required forms and documents.
Once approved, real estate companies can offer investment opportunities to the public more quickly and efficiently. This move is expected to help both large and small property developers find new avenues for project funding.
Hotel101 plans to expand into Saudi Arabia using its standardized room model, which offers identical rooms in every location for a consistent guest experience. This model allows for rapid growth while providing value to guests and unit owners.
The partnership combines Hotel101’s “HappyRoom” concept and condo-hotel funding model with Horizon’s market expertise and connections in the region.
“We feel very fortunate to have found the right local partners to
Gov’t to
THE government is committed to developing the Ilocos Region through key infrastructure projects, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with officials from the Regional Development Council (RDC) I May 23, in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The meeting, held at the CSI Stadia, aimed to assess project status and discuss critical development issues, emphasizing a national-local approach to address regional vulnerabilities and foster long-term growth.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who joined the President
at the meeting, cited the importance of sustained national government support, particularly in bolstering the region’s resilience.
“The President’s continued support for development efforts in the Ilocos Region is vital as we work to address vulnerabilities to natural hazards, potable water scarcity, and the need for improved road network redundancy,” Balisacan said.
“This meeting highlights the essential role of RDCs as direct conduits to the national government, centered on improving the quality of life for Ilocanos and Pangasinenses,” he said.
rapidly expand the Hotel101 brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the 25 countries we have identified for the initial expansion of Hotel101,” said Hotel101 chief executive Hannah Yulo-Luccini.
“We see tremendous opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia given the high growth in tourism both domestic and international. We believe Saudi Arabia will be one of the most exciting markets for Hotel101 globally,” she said. Jenniffer B. Austria
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PAL Holdings Inc. (PHI), operator of the Philippine Airlines, said it is upgrading its fleet over the next few years to meet anticipated travel demand.
“Philippine Airlines is preparing for a significant fleet update with the planned delivery of nine Airbus A350-1000 long range aircraft and 13 A321Neo regional jets over the next few years,” PHI president Lucio Tan III said during the company’s virtual annual stockholders’ meeting.
“PAL is likewise moving forward with a comprehensive retrofit program for its existing A321 CEO fleet featuring new seats, enhanced Wi-Fi and modern inflight entertainment systems to provide a more comfortable and connected passenger experience,” he said. Tan said PAL is strengthening its competitive edge by expanding non-stop routes and forming new inter-airline partnerships to improve connectivity to global markets and offer customers greater flexibility and access to more destinations.
“As Philippine Airlines closes 2024, the company firmly stands at the forefront of the nation’s aviation industry, driven by a clear vision of responsible growth, operational excellence and meaningful impact,” Tan said.
“Despite challenges in the market environment, PAL delivered solid financial results, expanded its network and maintained high standards of customer service and operational reliability,” he said.
SM JOB FAIR. SM Retail’s Trabaho para sa Pinoys 2025 (Job Fair) is held at SM City Dasmariñas on May 29, 2025 at the activity center area. About 25 companies joined the job fair, while government agencies such as SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, TESDA put up service booths for hundreds of job seekers. Dennis Abrina
BUSINESS
BCDA reopens bidding for P2.5-b ICT projects in New Clark City
By Othel V. Campos
THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority has re-opened the competitive bidding for the commercialization of passive information and communications technology infrastructure in New Clark City, the Philippines’ emerging smart metropolis, following a failed bidding round in 2024.
In partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the BCDA is seeking a joint venture partner for the P2.53-billion project, which covers the commercialization, and where necessary, the expansion, repair, and
PEZA remits
P1.39b worth of dividends to national gov’t
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) remitted P1.39 billion in dividends to the national government in 2024, its second consecutive year of contributing over a billion pesos to public funds, following a P1.3 billion remittance in 2023.
The back-to-back billion-peso remittances officially placed PEZA among the GOCC “Billionaires’ Club”, an elite circle usually dominated by revenuegenerating financial institutions.
Over the past decade, total dividends from PEZA have reached P25.06 billion.
As a non-financial, investment promotion agency with just over 600 employees, it operates without direct budgetary support from the national government.
Despite its status as a self-sustaining agency, PEZA manages over 400 economic zones nationwide and supports more than 4,000 locator companies.
PEZA has intensified its investment promotion efforts, enhanced digital services, and fast-tracked investor facilitation in key sectors such as manufacturing, IT-BPM, and emerging technologies.
The US State Department has repeatedly cited PEZA as a benchmark for transparency and regulatory efficiency in the Philippines.
“As we turn 30, we are focused on future-proofing PEZA to ensure it remains a dynamic force for economic development and nation-building,” said PEZA director general Tereso Panga. Othel V. Campos
maintenance of passive ICT infrastructure in the city.
“More than providing fast and affordable internet connection to residents and businesses, this project will become pivotal in the
smart urban development of New Clark City. This will also help usher the fifth industrial revolution in the country, attracting high-value investments in the digital and high-tech industries and creating demand for highly skilled Filipino workers in these sectors,” said BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang.
A pre-qualification conference will be held 2pm on June 4, 2025 at the ADB Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
Interested parties may submit their bids to the BCDA Corporate Office in Taguig City until 12pm of Sept. 4, 2025.
The selection process is being conducted in strict compliance with Republic Act No. 11966, or the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Code, and its implementing rules and regulations.
BCDA intends to finalize the selection within the year, with the JV agreement expected to be signed by the fourth quarter of 2025. With an estimated cost of P2.5 billion, the project will adopt the “open access fiber” model, designed to establish a resilient fiber infrastructure and promote a competitive ICT services market for government agencies, enterprises, and residents in New Clark City.
FGen outlines policies, market mechanism to woo investors
By Alena Mae S. Flores
LOPEZ-LED First Gen Corp. has proposed five regulatory policies and market mechanisms to make power investments more attractive and investor-friendly.
“There are regulatory policies and market mechanism structures that make critical power investments difficult to sustain. We urgently need policy reform to encourage — not deter — clean energy investment,” First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said.
He said First Gen “welcomes and appreciates the continuous dialogue with partners in government and industry regarding five critical concerns.”
Puno said the government should reevaluate market price caps that “compress margins and scare off much-needed investments.”
He also called for strengthening government support for “more predictable longer-term offtake and other commercially viable structures and credit guarantees” for major infrastructure such as geothermal, hydro, liquefied natural gas and the additional power plants needed to meet the country’s growing energy needs.
He said the regulator should also improve the competitive selection process (CSP) to offer more balanced commercial terms to power generators and investors.
Puno urged the implementation of the “much-delayed” retail competition and open access, 24 years after the Electric Power Reform Act was signed into law, “allowing for more customers including households to choose their electricity provider.”
Anti-economic sabotage council intensifies crackdown vs. smugglers
THE Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage (AAES) Council agreed to intensify its crackdown on major smugglers, hoarders, profiteers, and cartel operators.
Guided by its mandate under the AAES Act, the Council reaffirmed that its enforcement efforts will focus on dismantling major syndicates that manipulate markets and unfairly drive up prices.
“Protecting consumers entails going after the root of the problemlarge-scale economic saboteurs who distort our agricultural and fisheries markets,” said Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick Go, who serves as President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s permanent representative to the Council.
Go emphasized that with the law now in effect and enforcement mechanisms operational, the council is well-equipped to pursue offenders aggressively in pursuit of “stable food prices and a better quality of life for all Filipinos.”
During its second meeting, the Council strengthened its enforcement guidelines with the approval of op-
erational protocols presented by the Department of Justice (DOJ), providing a structured framework for coordinated action against major market saboteurs.
It also directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to continue strengthening and maintaining the Daily Price Index (DPI), as a crucial tool for tracking prices and promoting market transparency.
The Council committed to regular audits and public dissemination of the DPI to deter price manipulation.
The AAES also called for the strict adherence to guidelines for declaring ‘abnormal situations’, particularly on market disruptions triggered by economic sabotage or other supply chain issues.
The Council’s Enforcement Group, comprising the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard,
NOTICE OF ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING
FOR : The Stockholders of CENTURY
and Department of Finance, was authorized to carry out its mandate following the approval of the rules of engage-
ment, enabling it to identify and pursue smuggling and profiteering networks.
Othel V. Campos
WORKERS’ RIGHTS. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) convene a bipartite meeting to discuss the findings of the 2024 Workers’ Rights Watch (WRW) report on the state of Freedom of Association (FOA) in the country on May 22, 2025. The meeting provided a platform to exchange perspectives on promoting and protecting FOA, a core labor right and essential component of a democratic and inclusive workplace.
REFRIGERATED VAN. Isuzu Bacoor unveils the new Isuzu J-Spec Refrigerated Van in an exclusive mini launch event at its dealership in Cavite, setting a new benchmark in cold chain logistics for the Philippine market. The Isuzu J-Spec
BPI’s sustainability-linked loans to top P1t by 2026
By Jenniffer B. Austria
BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) expects to achieve its goal to grow its sustainability-linked loans to P1 trillion earlier than 2026 target.
BPI chief finance officer and chief sustainability officer Eric Luchangco said in a news briefing about P900 billion of its P2.3 trillion total loan book is already tied to sustainabilityrelated projects.
“I think there is a good chance we can exceed that P1 trillion goal we had set in 2021 for us to achieve by
DMW to distribute forfeited Balikbayan boxes to OFW families
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Davao transferred 2,954 abandoned balikbayan boxes to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for distribution to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
These boxes, filled with items sent by OFWs to their loved ones, were previously unclaimed due to being mishandled and abandoned by unscrupulous freight forwarders.
With the approval of the Department of Finance, the BOC declared the boxes forfeited and signed a deed of donation with DMW. The DMW is now tasked with ensuring that these long-delayed packages finally reach the families they were meant for.
“These boxes are more than just packages — they’re filled with love, hope and sacrifice,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
“We know what these mean to our kababayans. With DMW’s help, we’re making sure they arrive where they belong,” he said.
DMW assistant secretary for reintegration Francis Ron De Guzman thanked the BOC for its sustained support.
“The Bureau of Customs has always been there — from day one to day zero — helping us deliver this symbol of love and sacrifice,” he said.
The turnover followed months of coordination between BOC and DMW, starting in 2024. The DMW has since worked with a logistics provider to ensure the safe and prompt delivery of the boxes to their rightful beneficiaries.
AXA’S AWARD. Kathleen Villegas-Driz, chief operations officer of AXA Philippines, receives the 2025 Outstanding Digital Customer Experience Award-Bancassurance for Emma by AXA PH app at the Digital CX Awards. The innovative platform is designed to empower customers in managing their policies conveniently and is recognized for its
and
2026,” Luchangco said. Luchango said while the bank would likely achieve the P1-trillion target ahead of schedule, its other goal of having 50 percent of its total loan book linked to sustainabilityrelated projects would be more challenging to achieve.
“Between those two goals, I think
that one will be more challenging because the non-sustainability link side is also going well,” he said.
Bulk of BPI’s sustainability lending is concentrated in renewable energy projects, which tend to be larger in size.
Other projects receiving sustainability-linked funding include energy efficiency upgrades, water treatment, pollution control, sustainable agriculture and social initiatives like lending to small and micro-entrepreneurs.
BPI has funded 485 projects under its sustainable development finance program.
BPI is in the middle of raising at least P5 billion from issuance of 1.5-
year peso-denominated fixed-rate Supporting Inclusion, Nature, and Growth (SINAG) Bonds.
“We cut the offer period early, which means that there’s basically more demand than what we were able to serve,” he said.
Luchangco also reported that the bank was working on a blue bond framework, which would allow it to issue bonds for ocean-related or water-focused sustainability projects. The bank aims to finalize the framework for blue bonds within the year, but the timing of the issuance would depend on funding requirement, said Luchangco.
president Aivee Teo, Golden ABC president and CEO Alice Liu and Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. president and chief executive Jovy Hernandez.
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said it allocated over P22 million in emergency loans for its members and pensioners affected by floods and prolonged rains in La Paz, Agusan del Sur. The application deadline for the loan is June 15, 2025. Active members in the area are eligible if they have no outstanding GSIS loans, are not on unpaid leave, have paid premiums for the past six months, have no pending administrative or criminal cases, and have a net
monthly take-home pay of at least 5,000 pesos.
Qualified members with existing emergency loans can borrow up to P40,000 to cover their previous balance and receive a maximum net amount of P20,000. Those without an existing emergency loan can apply for P20,000.
Pensioners residing in La Paz are also eligible, provided their net basic monthly pension is at least 25% of their total.
Loan proceeds will be electroni-
cally credited to the borrower’s eCard or UMID card.
The GSIS emergency loan is payable in 36 equal monthly installments at a 6% interest rate. It includes loan redemption insurance, which fully pays the loan in case of the borrower’s death, provided payments are up to date.
Members and pensioners can apply for the loan through the GSIS Touch mobile application, available on Google Play and Apple App Stores.
AboitizPower expands use of AI for coal plants
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ABOITIZ Power Corp.’s Transition Business Group (TBG) said Thursday it plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to its coal-fired power plants in Visayas and Luzon in 2025 and 2026. The move continues its “Project Arkanghel,” which aims to transform the company’s conventional power plants into smart facilities, helping ensure their availability and reliability, AboitizPower said in a statement. The project will be rolled out in phases.
“The first phase of Project Arkanghel is up and running, currently in one of our circulating fluidized bed plants in Mindanao,” said AboitizPower TBG president and chief operating officer Celso Caballero III, referring to the 300-megawatt Therma South Inc. in Davao City.
“We’re completing implementation in the Visayas this year and moving to Luzon next year,” he said during a recent Schneider Electric Innovation Day. The 340-megawatt Therma Visayas Inc. in Toledo City, Cebu, was also named a pioneer model for Project Arkanghel. A site for Luzon has yet to be identified.
Project Arkanghel includes establishing a Unified Operations Center, equipped with digital twin technologies, early warning and anomaly detection systems, and an “end-toend” live asset health monitoring system.
IN BRIEF
GOVERNMENT officials, industry leaders and other key stakeholders in the tobacco industry are advocating for a dedicated inter-agency task force to combat the illicit tobacco trade. The call for action follows a roundtable discussion organized on Friday by advocacy group Bantay Konsyumer, Kalsada, Kuryente (BK3), which focused on the illicit tobacco trade’s detrimental effects on the national economy and public health.
Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) assistant commissioner Jethro Sabariaga said the country has lost an estimated P40 billion to P45 billion, or around 20 percent of its revenue, due
to illicit trade. To counter this, Sabariaga cited the need for a multi-sectoral task force and automatic informationsharing among agencies for more efficient operations.
“We must collaborate in our efforts against this pervasive problem,” Sabariaga said.
“The BIR will support the lead agency for this and provide resources to help in this endeavor against illicit trade,” he said. Sabariaga said the “overarching objective has always been to bring justice to the business environment. We have to make sure that those
istered players, heavily regulated as they are, are not being prejudiced.”
Soriano-Dee, SM Investments vice chairwoman Teresita Sy-Coson, Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, HOPE founder Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE board member Tootsy Angara, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, The Aivee Group founder and
Full sun care routine for active and tropical living
By Nickie Wang
THE summer season brings longer days, outdoor adventures, and, of course, a lot more sun. As much as we enjoy soaking it all in, we’ve learned the hard way that the sun isn’t always our skin’s best friend.
By Jasper Valdez
VICE Ganda headlined GameZone’s launch at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel on Wednesday night, May 28, as the platform officially introduced the popular television host and comedian as its firstever celebrity endorser.
partnership between the TV personality and DigiPlus Interactive Corp.’s newest digital gaming platform.
Jasper Vicencio, president of BingoPlus and DigiPlus executive, described the platform as an experience that pays homage to the joy of traditional Filipino games while bringing them into a digital, interactive space.
Vice Ganda brings signature flair to new digital gaming platform
“We’re excited to offer a space that celebrates that same spirit of fun, while also encouraging players to engage responsibly,” he said.
Vice Ganda, known as the beloved “Unkabogable Star,” said the appeal of the brand came from the fun and the shared values.
“This isn’t the first brand to tap me,” Vice Ganda said during the media Q&A. “But what made me say yes was that we both care about the people who support us. We share the same concern for our audience.”
That last point—responsibility— was clearly important to Vice Ganda, who requested that all GameZone marketing materials prominently include a reminder to “play responsibly and play for fun only.”
“Gaming is entertainment,” Vice Ganda told reporters. “Not a way of life, and definitely not a financial solution. We should play only when we have extra time, extra money. Never beyond that.”
Guests were also treated to a preview of GameZone’s colorful interface, upbeat campaign visuals, and the unmistakable comedic energy Vice Ganda brings to the endorsements. For fans, it was a natural match.
Asked what excites the TV host most about the partnership, Vice Ganda didn’t miss a beat.
“The stories,” the Unkabogable Star said. “I want to hear how GameZone helps people end their day with a smile. That’s what matters.”
unforgiving tropical sun. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going to a workout, or simply walking around the city, SM Beauty’s “So Much Sun” campaign offers everything you need to protect your skin and keep it looking
I saw this in action recently at the “So Much Sun” padel class at the Manila Padel Club, where participants had a crash course on smart sun care while enjoying this
Before hitting the court, participants got to try products from an impressive lineup of brands: Anessa, Garnier,
Belo, QuickFX, and more. The displays were more than decorative — they served as a reminder of how diverse and personalized sun care can be. That’s what sets SM Beauty apart. While offering products, they also help you find what works for you. Whether you have oily skin, sensitive skin, or are just overwhelmed by the options out there, SM Beauty makes the process easier. They carry a range of formats, from gels to creams to sticks, so you’re never stuck with something that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Turn to C2 trending racket sport.
The new logo for DigiPlus’ newest gaming platform GameZone
Guests explore the TonGits Plus booth, one of the card games featured on the GameZone platform
Attendees try out Pusoy Plus as staff demonstrate the gameplay at the interactive GameZone station
Jasper Vicencio opens the launch event by highlighting GameZone’s goal of combining digital fun with player responsibility
Vice Ganda (right) and DigiPlus executive Jasper Vicencio pose onstage following the official endorsement reveal
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
PUREGOLD has released full ticketing details for OPM Con 2025, which will take place on July 5 at the Philippine Arena.
Over 50 branches nationwide will accommodate shoppers hoping to attend the concert, which features top Filipino acts such as SB19, BINI, Flow G, Skusta Clee, KAIA, G22, and SunKissed Lola
Starting today, May 30, members of the Aling Puring and Perks loyalty programs may receive a free ticket by making a minimum single-receipt grocery purchase that matches the tier they are aiming for. The required spend is P7,500 for
VIP Standing with Sound Check, P6,000 for Premium Patron, P5,000 for Regular Patron, P4,500 for Lower Box Premium, P3,500 for Lower Box Regular, P2,500 for Upper Box, and P1,500 for General Admission. For Patron and Lower Box tiers, Puregold will also accept P-wallet cash-in receipts.
To get a ticket, shoppers must first secure a queue number for their preferred tier upon entering the store. After completing the purchase, they must present their Aling Puring or Perks card, queue number, and receipt at the Enlistment and Confirmation booth. Staff will log a transaction
Retail giant announces ticketing details for ‘OPM Con 2025’ featuring SB19, BINI
The other side of Song Joong Ki
IF THERE’S a senior citizens’ circle for longtime K-drama fans, I think I would qualify. I have been riding the Hallyu wave since the early 2000s, when subtitles came late and buffering tested your patience. So, watching one of Korea’s most beloved A-listers, Song Joong Ki , evolve through the years feels like a gift.
From Descendants of the Sun to Vincenzo to Reborn Rich, I have always seen Song Joong Ki as the typical gentleman, composed, formal, and just a bit nonchalant, almost untouchable. But that changed during his May 24 I AM SONG
Talk Kate
JOONG KI: Live in Manila fan meet and press conference hosted by IAMWorldwide and handled by Publicity Asia. This time, he let fans into a warmer and a bit of a “Tito” version of himself. And that made him even more endearing.
The family man
In an industry where many stars tread carefully around their private lives, it was refreshing to see how openly Joong Ki spoke about his family. Asked about his first morning in the Philippines, he didn’t default to generic hotel breakfasts or jet lag. Instead, he smiled and readily said, “I woke up at 7:00 a.m. because my baby called [via a] videocall. I woke up and I said ‘hi’ to my babies.”
Let that sink in. This K-drama icon, known for heartbreak and high-stakes drama, is now happiest in the quiet of fatherhood.
“When I think about family, that’s when happiness really hits the emotions,” he said through an interpreter, adding, “I’m at my happiest when my babies sleep well.”
Since marrying British actress Katy Louise Saunders in early 2023 and welcoming two children, Joong Ki has gracefully stepped into a new and exciting role: a doting dad. And he seems to have embraced it so well.
From guns to roses
What’s more unexpected than a “mafia consigliere” learning the art of floral arrangement? Preparing for his new series, My Youth, Song Joong Ki took up flower arranging, and he’s surprisingly good at it. At the fan meet, he was handed raw flowers and fillers on stage and, in minutes, assembled a bouquet with both confidence and charm.
The result? A kilig-worthy moment with award-winning actress Janice de Belen, a longtime fan who looked visibly giddy as she received the arrangement from Joong Ki.
The final surprise? Song Joong Ki is low-key interested in Filipino snacks. He repeatedly mentioned during the Q&A his wish to check out and explore local supermarkets. He briefly shared wanting to hunt down biscuits once gifted by a Filipino friend. That’s a cute Tito
moment right there. Throughout the press conference and fan meet, Joong Ki also kept slipping in Tagalog words or phrases, giving the media a natural and polite “Salamat!” every time an interviewer’s turn ends.
Joong Ki didn’t sing or dance at his fan meet. Well, he didn’t have to. Joong Ki’s face card and sincerity did the work. He laughed, listened, played games, generously gave time to pose for selfies, and gave warm hugs. That is proof that sometimes, the real performance isn’t in the spotlight but in the quiet ways a person shows up, fully present.
Joong Ki reminded us that no matter how far you rise to fame in entertainment, it’s the simplest role of a dad, a husband, and a friend that reveals the best kind of leading man.
NOW & NEXT …From C1
As experts say, sun care isn’t limited to just prevention either. SM Beauty also highlights the importance of postsun care — moisturizers, soothing gels, and hydrating mists that help your skin recover after a day outside. They make it clear that sun care is more than a one-time step; it’s a full
routine you can enjoy. What impressed me most was how SM Beauty approached sun education. The event offered practical, informative, and, yes, fun information about protecting the skin while in harsh weather. Even while playing padel under the sun, I felt confident knowing I was properly protected, thanks to the products we got to try and the knowledge shared throughout the day. So if you’re someone who loves summer but wants to stay smart about skincare, SM Beauty is the place to start. They’ve turned sun care into something empowering, not intimidating. With hundreds of products and a commitment to educating their customers, they’ve made it easy to take care of your skin while still enjoying everything the season has to offer.
From left: Clay Seyer, Vitto Vinculado, Vinnie Vinculado, Denise Silva, Julia Cruz, Bianca Saints, Paola Ubaldo, Kevin Figueroa, and Leana Mikaela
SM Beauty’s Retty Contreras promotes skin safety and nourishment under the tropical sun Kami Sardua leads SM Beauty’s ‘So Much Sun’ activity
To claim a ticket for the
Actress Janice de Belen (left) gets to interact with Joong-ki at the fanmeeting Random
Adajar
SHOWBIZ C3
Rolling out the red carpet for 8th The Eddys
THE annual The Eddys, or the Entertainment Editors’ Choice, organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), is happening this July.
The prestigious awards night honors outstanding achievements in Philippine cinema, including performances by actors and work by industry professionals.
Fourteen awards will be given across acting and technical categories, with nominees selected from films released in cinemas and chosen digital platforms in 2024.
A tribute segment will be dedicated to a new group of Eddys Icons—actors, directors, and other figures recognized for their longterm work and involvement in the local film industry.
Special awards include the Isah V. Red Award, given to individuals who provide support
to fellow Filipinos in need, and two media-specific honors: the Joe Quirino Award and the Manny Pichel Award, which recognize contributions by members of the entertainment press.
Awards for Rising Producer of the Year and Producer of the Year will also be presented.
SPEEd will again name Eddys Box Office Heroes— artists featured in the highestgrossing Filipino films of the year—acknowledging their role in bringing audiences back to theaters.
Additional details about the upcoming ceremony will be released closer to the event.
The Eddys or The Entertainment Editors’ Choice is considered a game changer in the history of movie awards in the Philippines. Since its inception in 2017, it has easily positioned itself as a
significant element of the film industry. SPEEd is composed of current
MUTYA ng Pilipinas Global 2025 Xena Ramos who finished as fourth runner-up in the Miss Global 2025 pageant held recently in Nonthaburi, Thailand, was feted with a victory party at the CWC Design Center in Makati City. Miss Global 2025 was the tenth edition of the pageant, won by Vietnam’s Nguyen Dinh Nhu Van Mutya ng Pilipinas president Cory Quirino and Mutya chairman Fred Yuson greeted Ramos, expressing elation over her top 5 placement, adding to the long list of victories and top runnerup finishes of Mutya queens over the years.
Gracing the event were fellow Mutya queens Miss Tourism International 2024/25 Liana Barrido and Miss Intercontinental 2024 second runner-up Alyssa Marie Redondo
The 26-year-old Ramos is an architect, model, and actor. She is currently a contract artist with Viva Artist Agency and has appeared in TV5’s “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” series. She is set to fulfill her obligations with the Miss Global organization, including traveling the world with the winners.
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Miss Elite Global 2025
Francine Tajanlangit homecoming victory party
Newly crowned Miss Elite Global 2025
Francine Tajanlangit, who beat over thirty candidates to snare the title in Goa, India, has returned to the country and was honored with a victory party and press conference recently held at Marbella 2 in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Youngest Binibini 2025 Radha Cabug embraces challenge and change
“This is surreal and my victory hasn’t fully sunk in,” Francine said during the press conference. “I’m deeply honored and proud to have represented the Philippines on the global stage and succeeded in bringing home and retaining the title for the country for the second consecutive year. I share this victory with everyone who believed in me,” said the exotic 20-year-old nursing student. Tajanlangit was warmly greeted by franchise holder James Tiu, who also won as best national director of the Miss Global 2025 pageant.
By Angelica Villanueva
AT 19, Radha Marie Cabug may be the youngest candidate in the Binibining Pilipinas 2025 lineup, but the young stunner isn’t fazed by her age. Instead of feeling out of place among more seasoned contenders, she’s leaning into the experience as a rare chance to grow, learn, and represent young women finding their voice.
“Being young isn’t a hindrance to me. I think it’s a great opportunity to learn, especially since everyone around here is professional. They’re all very successful in their careers, and they balance pageantry as well. I just keep on learning every day,” Cabug said in a sideline interview during the press presentation held May 22 at Novotel Manila.
Representing District 2 of Las Piñas, Cabug shared that her experience so far has been shaped by the wisdom and support of her fellow contestants. She credits them for teaching her how to manage the demanding schedule of the pageant world and how to embrace her mistakes.
Surrounded by experienced and poised candidates, Cabug admitted feeling intimidated at times. But she said that the environment has been humbling and eyeopening.
“I’ve learned a lot of life lessons. But I think what’s most important is to really learn that it’s okay to make mistakes. They’ve gone through it and they tell me, ‘It’s okay, there’s always next time.’ So, I believe in that,” she continued.
“You learn a lot. It’s a great opportunity to make sure you keep yourself grounded because you realize all these girls around you are just like you. We’re all going through things in life, we all have obstacles, and we get through them day by day,” Cabug told Entertainment
Asked whether being 19 gave her an edge, Cabug acknowledged both the advantage and the challenges.
Though joining a national beauty pageant wasn’t originally part of her personal dream, Cabug sees the stage as a powerful tool for something greater.
“My dream was to become an inspiration to other young women, especially those who want to enter male-dominated fields. This is a great platform to push forward my advocacy,” the
Cabug is one of the 36 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2025, vying for the crown at the coronation night happening on June 15, at the Araneta Coliseum. all Manila Standard the
“There are many things I haven’t experienced compared to the other girls. It’s difficult, of course, since you’re learning every day. But I guess it’s a great experience,” she stated.
profit organization, established in 2015, is led by its current president, Salve Asis
7th The Eddys Movie Icon Awards were conferred upon (from left) Lito Lapid (received by his son), Eva Darren, Nova Villa, Gina Alajar, and Leo Martinez
Las Piñas contender added.
Miss Global 2025
4th runner-up Xena Ramos
The 36 official candidates of Binibining Pilipinas 2025
Cabug is the youngest candidate of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas
Radha Cabus is representing the second district of Las Piñas City
Gov’t speeds up airport privatization
THE government is pushing forward with the privatization of at least six airports nationwide, with the goal of improving public service, Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said.
“I count at least six critical airports that we need for PPP now,” Dizon said, adding that the purpose of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is not primarily revenue generation for the government.
“To me, the primary reason to privatize or to do a PPP is to give the public a better service.”
Dizon said the government’s decision to privatize airports, railways and metro rails stems from the observation that “when they are run by the government, they are not run well, and our people suffer.”
He said that among the airports targeted for privatization are those serving popular tourist destinations such as Busuanga, Puerto Princesa, Davao, Iloilo, Tacloban and Bacolod.
Dizon said the Marcos administration has privatized more airports than any other administration in the past.
“To date, it has already privatized three. The biggest one, obviously, is NAIA, which is huge. With San Miguel Corp. running it, it shows that privatization really works, because the services are better. You have
shorter lines, you have more there is less congestion in the driveways, and it’s just a better airport experience.,” he said.
Dizon also noted the government turned over operations of Laguindingan International Airport to Aboitiz InfraCapital, with Panglao International Airport set for a similar turnover by June.
AIC, the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, signed in October 2024 a P12.75billion concession agreement for AIC to undertake the development and modernization of Laguindingan International Airport over a 30-year period.
Other core facilities include the air traffic control building, car parks, aircraft rescue and firefighting building, administration building, maintenance building and other
utilities infrastructure such as the airport’s power supply system, water supply network, sewerage network and storm water drain network.
AIC is investing P4.53 billion in the Bohol-Panglao International Airport to expand its passenger terminal, install modern aviation systems and enhance airside and landside facilities.
Within one to two years of takeover, AIC plans to increase BPIA’s annual passenger capacity from 2 million to 2.5 million, with further expansions targeting 3.9 million passengers per year by 2030.
JICA backs LRMC’s power-saving efforts for LRT-1 with new technical assistance
THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is extending new technical assistance to Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) to improve the operational efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of Light Rail Transit Line-1 (LRT-1) through energy conservation initiatives.
Following the official announcement made in June 2024 regarding JICA’s joint venture with Sumitomo Corporation and Hankyu Corporation, they concluded an investment agreement for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the LRT-1.
The equity investment in LRMC aims to support the Philippine government and private sector’s efforts to ease traffic woes, improve daily commuting experience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, among others.
The aforementioned energy conservation promotion program will be a direct contribution to these efforts.
Pursuing energy conservation measures in the railways sector is seen as an indispensable move in view of
the Philippine government’s commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions by 75 percent by 2030 under the Paris Agreement.
The technical assistance project extended by JICA has significant potential to enhance energy efficiency of railways operation in the Philippines. Energy conservation promotion is also expected to lower operational costs and mitigate the environmental impact, for which JICA will provide maximum support by utilizing the expertise and experiences of Japan on railway operations.
Japanese experts of this technical assistance are expected to identify critical intervention points at rolling stock by revitalizing the control units and motors as well as substations through
Xander Lao, president and chief commercial officer of Cebu Pacific, lauded the Marcos administration for its ongoing efforts to privatize a greater number of regional airports.
“It’s really good because it allows us to expand capacity and plan better. We’re quite happy with the development,” he said.
“So clearly, we are excited about all of the privatization initiatives coming along, and we’re looking to support that further as it allows us to expand our operations even further,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar
the introduction of regenerative energy loss prevention systems, and related to the operation the energyefficient driving techniques will be enhanced based on Japanese experiences, in order to propose optimal energy conservation measures. The project is expected to commence in July 2025 and conclude in May 2026.
Integrated Port of Batangas, operated by listed trade enabler Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), ushered in a
sustainability milestone as it welcomed the first LNG-powered pure car & truck carrier (PCTC) vessel to its shores, advancing its role in the decarbonization initiatives of the international marine transport sector. In ceremonies on May 28, 2025, Trans Harmony Green, a liquified natural gas dual-fuel PCTC of transport giant Toyofuji Shipping Co. Ltd., made its maiden call to Batangas Port, a historic first for CALABARZON’s
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the San Miguel Corp. Tollways and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) for lending a helping hand and offering to implement a toll holiday on the Skyway Stage 3 and NLEX Connector as alternate routes during the entire duration of the EDSA rebuild. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to ease the burden of the EDSA rebuild to commuters and motorists, and this deep sense of social responsibility to the nation and Filipinos from our private partners will at least alleviate the expected struggles brought by the rebuild.
“We would like to thank the SMC and MPTC under the leadership of Mr. Ramon S. Ang and Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan because they are willing to set aside their daily revenue from tolls to help the government and our countrymen,” DOTr said. The EDSA rebuild is set to start on June 13, 2025. In addition to offering a free toll on a portion of Skyway Stage 3, the government plans several other interventions to manage traffic
