House OKs P200 wage hike
By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel Campos
IPNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay
Bato authors kill-impeach reso
By Rio N. Araja
TN A historic move, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading its version of the wage hike bill that calls for a P200 daily wage increase across the board for minimum wage earners.
House Bill (HB) No. 11376 or the proposed Wage Hike for Minimum Wage Workers Act with 172 yes votes, zero no vote and one abstention.
The House-approved legislated wage hike is double the P100 version approved by the Senate. Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said the mandated wage hike “has the power to lift over 5 million minimum wage earners and their families.”
Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
By Ram Superable
SENATOR Ronald Dela Rosa yesterday confirmed that he authored a draft Senate resolution seeking to declare the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as "de facto
"That came from my office. Read the resolution, you’ll understand ev-
erything. It’s very self-explanatory, what it says reflects exactly how I feel," he said.
The resolution argues that the Senate’s inaction on the Articles of Impeachment within 100 days of receipt effectively nullifies the case.
Dela Rosa said he is prepared to stand by the resolution even without assurance of majority support in the Senate.
“We are way past the stage of whether we will pass a legislated wage hike, but how much that wage hike will be. For us workers, of course, the answer is clear: the higher, the better,” he said.
PEACH FOR IMPEACHMENT. Former Senator and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila De Lima shows a colored peach ribbon to symbolize Tindig Pilipinas call for the Senate to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sarah Duterte. Manny Palmero
"Whether or not I get the support of the majority, I am confident that I make a stand as far as this issue is concerned," he said.
Mendoza called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the measure into law: “Let your presidency be forever remembered as the administration that finally had the vision, the courage and the will to break the chains of stagnant starvation poverty wages and deliver real hope to our nation’s workers.” A leading business organization,
readies P1.48b aid as 'Julian'
however, raised concerns over the House-approved legislated wage hike, warning the measure could trigger higher inflation and undermine its intended benefits for workers.
“If this passes, it’s for sure going to cause added inflation,” said a representative from one of the country’s most influential business groups who asked not to be named.
“Demand will go up, but supply will remain the same. Sellers will raise prices, so effectively, the value of the raise may eventually be cancelled out,” the business leader added.
The business sector has long pushed for productivity-linked wage adjustments instead of across-theboard increases, arguing that mandated hikes could lead to higher operating costs for employers, especially for small and medium enterprises.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas said the increase – which she said was the first in 36 years – was a long-deserved benefit for workers.
House committee ends probe on VP Sara’s confidential funds
By Maricel V. Cruz
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Mar bil 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
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-
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
tain officials from the OVP and DepEd may face charges of plunder, technical
trusted to Vice President Sara Duterte and the Department of Education, which she previously headed. The committee, chaired by Manila Rep. Joel Chua, unanimously adopted the motion of Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano to terminate the investigation. Chua earlier revealed that 405 out of the 677
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 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
“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
Navy
By Darwin Amojelar
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.
By Ram Superable and Maricel V. Cruz
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.
By Charles Dantes
“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
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and newly reappointed Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday bolstered the
spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal
By Rex Espiritu
ior is "too risky."
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.
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
long-standing relationship between the Philippines and Singapore, pledging to expand cooperation in key areas such as renewable energy, digital governance, and regional security In a joint statement delivered at
During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He
Malacañan Palace during Wong’s official visit to the Philippines, the President welcomed the prime minister and praised the "thriving" 56-year relationship between the two nations.
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.
By Charles Dantes
“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.
MOST of the 5,101 newly reported
HIV cases in the Philippines from January to March 2025 involved young adults and males, with sexual contact remaining the dominant mode of transmission, prompting Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa to say that their behav-
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 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.
Data from the DOH HIV & AIDS Surveillance of the Philippines (HASP) showed that 95% of the new cases, or 4,849 individuals, were male, while only 252 cases involved females. "As of the first quarter of 2025, average monthly cases reached 1,700. This is 50% higher than the same period last year (1,136)," the HASP report stated. The median age of new infections
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 -
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 was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
CA confirms Dizon; COA, CSC commissioners
By Ram Superable
THE Commission on Appointments yesterday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Vince Dizon as Secretary of the Department of Transportation as well as commissioners of the Commission on Audit and Civil Service Commission.
The appointments were approved during the CA’s plenary session chaired by Senate President Francis Escudero.
House...
From A1
“Now is the time to finally break the long years of legislative inaction. While the P200 wage hike is not enough to reach the living wage, this is a significant step in pushing the issue of labor in Congress,” Brosas said.
The IBON Foundation think tank earlier estimated that a family of five in Metro Manila, which has the highest minimum wage at P645, needs at
Bato...
From A1
Despite this, Dela Rosa admitted that several senators already expressed their intention to support the resolution should it be filed and that he will be its main author.
The senator noted that the resolution came in response to Senator Francis Tolentino’s manifestation on Monday regarding delays in the impeachment process.
He emphasized that the Constitution mandates the Senate to proceed with an impeachment trial “forthwith” upon receipt of the articles and accord-
House committee...
From A1 malversation of public funds and falsification of public documents over the questionable use of confidential funds.
Last week, House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union exposed a string of bogus and suspicious names allegedly listed as beneficiaries of the OVP confidential funds—including surnames eerily similar to sitting senators, a congressman, and even a
PH,...
From A1
"I am honored that the Prime Minister chose the Philippines as your first bilateral visit... The bilateral relations between the Pearl of the Orient and the Lion City have not only endured but have thrived," Mr. Marcos said.
The President highlighted ongoing initiatives between the two countries, such as the recently launched Digital Leadership Program, which aims to train thousands of Filipino civil servants in digital competencies. He also expressed optimism about future cooperation in health, disaster relief, environmental protection, and peopleto-people exchanges.
For his part, Wong thanked Marcos for the warm welcome and emphasized Singapore’s confidence in the Philippine economy, noting that the former remains one of the largest foreign investors in the latter.
"Singapore businesses are confi-
Torre...
From A1
In an interview aired from The Hague, the Vice President scored Torre’s appointment, linking it to his role in the controversial arrest and remand of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court’s custody. She cited findings by a Senate committee that alleged Torre violated the law in executing the arrest, which she claimed tainted his qualification for the post. Torre asserted that the Senate committee’s findings do not carry legal weight. "The Senate committee is (neither)
Also confirmed were appointments of officers of the various services of the military.
least P1,221 per day in living wage.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on the other, has a minimum wage of only P361.
Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla, also an author of the measure, said other measures that will alleviate the plight of the workers will follow the proposed legislated wage hike.
"This is just the beginning of uplifting the lives of our people," Revilla said.
The House version of the bill provides that Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards can still
ing to Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution, the Senate must act on the impeachment trial without delay.
Tolentino warned that the planned presentation of the impeachment case on June 11, just two days before sine die adjournment, raises constitutional concerns.
"Since it appears that we cannot accomplish the same, on account of the delay in starting the trial or other relevant reasons, this Senate, to sit as an impeachment court, has no choice but to terminate the proceedings by virtue of this constitutional deadline and consider this case as dismissed," he said. Senator Imee Marcos said that the
famous bakeshop brand.
“These irregularities are too glaring to ignore—these names from the supposed ‘Budol Gang’ call for a deeper look,” Ortega said. 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.
Beyond the now-notorious “Mary
dent in the dynamism and the potential of the Philippine economy," Wong said.
"Likewise, Philippine companies have also steadily grown their presence in Singapore. We are keen to explore new areas like the green economy and sustainability," he added.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to ASEAN, regional stability, and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which sets goals for a more resilient, people-centered Southeast Asia.
"Amidst this changing and more challenging geopolitical environment, it is even more important that we stand together," Wong said, offering Singapore’s support for the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026.
Marcos also extended congratulations to Singapore as it marks its 60th year of independence in August and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to a "strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life" for all Filipinos through regional and bilateral collaboration.
a disciplinary body nor a court that can determine guilt or innocence," Torre argued.
"The matter is already with the Office of the Ombudsman, and we will respond in the proper forum," he added.
The PNP chief also responded to Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte who accused him of jumping three ranks without merit and labeled him an “attack dog.” Torre said he respected the mayor’s opinion, but pointed out the apparent double standard in the remark.
“If we rewind a bit to the time of his father, who was the first PNP chief under then-President Duterte?” Torre said.
“That chief was promoted from
Earlier, the CA Committee on Transportation, led by Rep. Lani Mercado, endorsed Dizon’s appointment for confirmation.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, speaking during the committee hearing, urged Dizon to advance the shared goal of decentralizing development beyond Metro Manila.
He praised Dizon’s decision to move DOTr operations to Clark, Pampanga, as a concrete step toward shifting growth away from the capital.
Cayetano emphasized the need to
implement wage increases even if HB 11376 is enacted.
“Upon the effectivity of this Act, the daily rate of all minimum wage workers in the private sector, regardless of employment status, including those in contractual and sub-contractual arrangements, whether agricultural or nonagricultural, shall be increased by two hundred pesos (P200) per day,” Section 3 of the proposed measure said.
The bill emphasized the wage hike must not lead to the reduction of existing allowances and benefits, adding that not adhering to the regulations
resolution circulating on social media is "one of the many drafts" she has seen calling for the dismissal of the impeachment.
"Each had a different intention, that one was probably the third version I saw; there were many drafts, all trying to find the most effective and legally sound solution, one without loopholes," she said.
The Articles of Impeachment were signed by 215 House members before being transmitted to the Senate.
Despite that, the case has not been calendared for trial, with only an initial presentation scheduled days before adjournment.
Meanwhile, Senate President
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?” the lawmaker said in a mix of English and Filipino.
The lawmaker added that the frequency and creativity of the names
Sexual...
From A1
was 27, underscoring the virus growing prevalence among younger populations. Individuals aged 25 to 34 made up the largest portion at 47% (2,380 cases), followed by those aged 15 to 24, comprising 33% (1,686 cases). There were also 886 individuals aged 35 to 49, 115 aged 50 and above, and 30 children under 15.
In terms of gender identity, 68% of new cases identified as cisgender males, while 3% were transgender women. Less than 1% identified as transgender men or neither male nor female, and 1% fell under other identities.
Sexual contact accounted for 96% of the 148,831 cumulative HIV cases reported since 1984, with 89,198 transmissions through male-to-male sex, 33,823 through male-to-male/female sex, and 20,251 through male-tofemale sex. Mother-to-child transmission, though uncommon, has shown a significant rise half of the total 401 cases reported since 2020 occurred within the past year.
one-star directly to four-star. Did he question that back then?” Torre pointed out. Torre, who rose to the top PNP post from a two-star rank, added that the precedent for such appointments existed long before him, emphasizing that his promotion followed lawful procedures.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to Mayor Duterte’s accusations that President Marcos is a “liar” and a “weak” leader.
The mayor made the remarks in reaction to the President’s earlier statements about being open to reconciliation with the Duterte family and other critics.
pursue balanced national development by investing in infrastructure and transportation systems across the country. He said decentralization is key to inclusive growth and alleviating congestion in Metro Manila. Senator Cristopher Go also expressed support for Dizon’s appointment, citing his service as Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects under former President Rodrigo Duterte. He credited Dizon with overseeing the Build, Build, Build infrastructure
will result in a penalty ranging from P100,000 to P500,000, and imprisonment of responsible officers.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno warned that failure to pass the measure into law would expose the “antiworker” position of the government.
The Partido Manggagawa also expressed concern there may not be enough time for a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill, but said political will on the side of Congress and the Palace can make this happen.
Francis Escudero firmly rejected any notion that the Senate is taking instructions from the House of Representatives.
“We are not subordinates of the House, and I will not act just because the Speaker wants the Vice President impeached. We will do our job according to the law, guided by the Senate’s own judgment, not merely following the will of one person or the other chamber,” he said.
Escudero also clarified that no resolution on the matter had been filed or was pending as of late Tuesday night.
"No such resolution filed nor pending as of last night when I left a little before 10 P.M.," he said.
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.
Of the new cases, 64% were confirmed through Certified Rapid HIV Diagnostic Algorithm (rHIVda) laboratories, while 36% were verified by the National Reference LaboratorySan Lazaro Hospital/STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory. Alarmingly, 22% of newly diagnosed individuals already had advanced HIV infection at the time of diagnosis up 12% from last year.
Herbosa emphasized that young people are driving the surge in new cases and warned of the dangers of interrupted treatment. ‘‘Those getting infected with HIV are very young. There is medicine for HIV, but if treatment is stopped, it can cause serious problems, so it’s crucial that we continue treatment without interruption,’’ he said.
Herbosa also highlighted a 564% rise in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2024, along with a 667% increase in AIDS-related deaths. As of this year, 9,439 people in the country have died from HIV-related complications. He noted that 58% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are located in the National Capital Region, Region 4A, and Region 3.
"Is Mayor Baste Duterte still being noticed for what he says?" said Castro, downplaying the mayor’s comments.
"Can we expect any kind words from him for the President? That kind of reaction was expected," she added.
Castro clarified that the President never claimed he was offering reconciliation, but rather, expressed openness to it—a key distinction she said the mayor might have misunderstood.
"I hope he listened carefully to every word that came from the President," she said.
"Mr. Anthony Taberna asked her if he's open to reconciliation. There's a big difference between being open to reconciliation and offering reconciliation," Castro added.
initiative and managing its large-scale implementation.
Go also highlighted Dizon’s performance as the COVID-19 testing czar and deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19. He said these roles demonstrated Dizon’s competence, dedication, and ability to deliver on national priorities.
"Capitalize on the gains of the Build, Build, Build program of the previous administration to ensure that no one will be left behind in the road towards recovery," Go told Dizon.
Speaker pushes laws to sustain P20/rice program
By Maricel V. Cruz
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday vowed to mobilize the full powers of Congress to make President Marcos’ ₱20-per kilo rice program permanent and sustainable, ensuring both price relief for consumers and long-term support for farmers.
In a high-level meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Undersecretary and chief of staff Alvin John Balagbag, Romualdez committed to personally sponsor and champion the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) priority reform bills — placing them at the top of the 20th Congress’ legislative agenda.
“These are not just bills — they are blueprints for lasting change. I will personally sponsor these measures to institutionalize President Marcos’ vision of affordable rice for all and stronger support for our farmers,” Romualdez declared. Others in the meeting were House Committee on Agriculture chairman Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon, Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, and Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano III. The priority measures presented by the DA and adopted by the Speaker included amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) to restore key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority (NFA) to stabilize prices and protect local production; Livestock Development and Competitiveness Act; the Philippine Corn Industry Development Act; the Onion Research Center Act; amendments to R.A. No. 7308 or the Seed Industry Development Act of 1992; and amendments to the Local Government Code to strengthen agricultural extension services at the LGU level.
Pam to Gwenn: Cut the drama
By Minerva Newman
CEBU governor-elect Pam Baricuatro advised outgoing governor Gwendolyn Garcia to just “savor the last days of her administration” as she prepares to take over the leadership of Visayas’ richest province.
Baricuatro issued this comment on Wednesday after Garcia filed an electoral protest, challenging her victory in the recent 2025 midterm elections.
“Savor the last days of your administration. Officially you stay until June 30, 11:59:59 AM — but at exactly 12:00 noon, the people of Cebu will officially inaugurate me as the new governor of the province,” Baricuatro told Garcia.
Garcia said she is pursuing an electoral case on behalf of her supporters. The seasoned politician claimed there were votes intended for her that were not credited, which she hopes the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could shed light on.
Baricuatro, however, dismissed this argument. “There is no room for refusal or drama. The will of the Cebuano people must be respected and upheld,” she said.
The Comelec has yet to respond to Garcia's electoral protest, saying it has not yet received an official copy.
Kadiwa ng Pangulo program records P2.8b sales, says DA
By Othel V. Campos
THE government’s fl agship food security initiative, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Program, has recorded P2.8 billion in total sales from July 2022 to May 15, 2025, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported yesterday.
Based on data released by the DA, the program has served 7 million households and supported 2,484 farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) across the country, throughout its implementation.
As of mid-May 2025, Kadiwa operates a total of 664 sites, comprising 39 Kadiwa Centers, 15 Kadiwa ni Juan outlets, 69 Kadiwa sa NIA stores, 282 Kadiwa Stores, 167 pop-up stores, and 92 event-based Kadiwa locations.
KNP’s nationwide network has become an important strategy of the administration’s effort to stabilize food prices, improve market access for farmers, and ease the burden of inflation on Filipino families.
Complementing the broader KNP initiative are targeted rice subsidy programs that have further strength-
By Rio N. Araja
ened food affordability.
From May 13 to 23, 2025, the P20 rice selling program sold P1.9 million worth of affordable rice, or about 94.87 metric tons (MT) of rice sold, and benefited 9,487 consumers.
Meanwhile, the P29 rice program, which ran from July 6, 2024, to May 12, 2025, generated P37.81 million in sales, with over 1,304 metric tons distributed to 259,821 individuals.
From July 16, 2024, to May 15, 2025, the Rice for All (RFA) program generated P37.65 million in sales, selling 962.18 MT and serving 161,497 beneficiaries.
The DA underscored the KNP program’s sustained reach and infrastructure provides the backbone for delivering these interventions effectively.
in May
By Caloy Lozada
Two weather systems to trigger rains in Luzon, Mindanao
TWO weather systems will continue to trigger rains in Luzon and Mindanao, according to PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and As-
tronomical Services Administration).
The state weather agency said Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Abra, Zambales, Bataan and Palawan will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunder-
storms due to the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat.”
Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will prevail over Zamboanga Penin-
sula, SOCCSKSARGEN, BARMM, Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunder-
storms due to the southwest monsoon. The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms because of localized thunderstorms.
NEVER TOO OLD. Two elderly women carry crates of freshly harvested strawberries to be sold in downtown Session road in Baguio City. Dave Leprozo
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025
IN BRIEF
1,200 Iloilo farmers freed from P91.5m land debt
ILOILO – More than 1,200 farmers from eight Iloilo towns are now free from land debt burdens under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed 2,064 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoMs), covering 1,378 hectares across Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Duenas, San Miguel, Leon, and Alimodian from April 23 to 28.
The debt relief, amounting to ₱91.5 million, benefited 1,286 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) holding individual land titles. Iloilo Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Harriet Loot said the recipients were “very grateful” as they are now only responsible for paying real property taxes.
Loot added that ARBs with collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) are still waiting for their CoCRoMs and are currently considered “unclassified” under the program.
Customs brokers nabbed in P1.9m extort try
TWO customs brokers were arrested in an entrapment operation for allegedly extorting an additional P1.9 million from a local freight forwarder, posing as bribe money for the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The suspects, Wyeth Lara Navales and her sister Leila, were caught at a coffee shop in Ermita, Manila.
The operation was conducted by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) at the Manila International Container Port, with the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD). The victim, Kenji Otsuka of Otsuka Freight Forwarders, had earlier paid ₱500,000 as an “allinclusive” fee. According to Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Uy, Wyeth Navales allegedly claimed that Otsuka’s shipment would be placed on hold and face a Warrant of Seizure and Detention unless an additional P1.9 million was paid. The money was purportedly intended as “grease money” to secure the shipment’s release. Joel E. Zurbano
PNP, Cardinal Santos launch health drive
THE Philippine National Police (PNP), in partnership with Cardinal Santos Medical Center, held a nationwide health and wellness initiative at Camp Crame on Wednesday. The event, dubbed the LAB (Love and Virus) Program and Medical Mission, was led by PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
Organized by the PNP OLC Foundation, Inc., the event featured a symbolic turnover of advisory roles and medical services for police personnel and select community beneficiaries. Patricia Jane Torre was formally introduced as the incoming adviser, replacing outgoing adviser Mary Rose Marbil. Vince Lopez
Makati hits P14.2 billion in locally sourced revenues
By Joel E. Zurbano
The Makati City government has collected P14.24 billion in locally sourced revenues as of April, reaching 82 percent of its P19.3 billion target for 2024.
With contributions from external sources, total revenue stands at P15 billion.
Mayor Abigail Binay credited the city’s sustained financial growth and fiscal stability to her administration’s digital innovations, which have streamlined the processing of business permits and enhanced transparency.
“The city has maintained a stable rev-
tor confidence. Recently, ARTA recognized Makati as an outstanding local government unit for full compliance with the Electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) requirements under the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032). This contributed to 1,962 new
enue base for the past nine years, largely due to our commitment to harnessing technology to make our transactions with the business sector more convenient, efficient, and transparent,” Binay said. She emphasized Makati’s compliance with national standards, particularly those set by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Commission on Audit (COA), as a key factor in boosting inves-
US-PH training boosts disaster readiness in Catanduanes
VIRAC, CATANDUANES — Pacific Partnership 2025 officially kicked off its latest mission in Virac on June 1, bringing U.S. and Philippine forces together to conduct intensive disaster response training aimed at strengthening local emergency preparedness.
In collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Hawaii National Guard, and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management, the mission includes a series of hands-on
training programs for local responders and civilian officials.
The training focuses on urban search and rescue (USAR), the Incident Command System (ICS), and disaster management planning—all designed to enhance local capabilities in the face of natural disasters.
“Pacific Partnership is about more than training; it’s about building lasting relationships that strengthen regional security and stability,” said Commander
Scientists seek sustainable solutions to Mt. Kanlaon
By Edwin G. Ombion
A GROUP of scientists, geologists, engineers, and architects in Negros, affiliated with the national organization AGHAM, has urged the Negros Island regional government and concerned local government units (LGUs) to implement sustainable solutions in response to the continuing unrest, intermittent eruptions, and ash emissions from Mt. Kanlaon.
Engr. Mike Jegira, Secretary General of AGHAM-Negros, told Manila Standard that “the responses of the provincial governments and LGUs so far have been mostly reactive and palliative, revolving around ‘ayuda’-style assistance, food and water rationing, road and river clean-ups covered by lava and ash, and maintaining temporary relocation sites for evacuees within the six-kilometer danger zone
while Alert Level 3 remains in effect.”
“While we appreciate these efforts,
including the technical interventions of the Regional Task Force Kanlaon and the Regional Office of Civil Defense, most of them fall short in preparing communities and local governments for worst-case scenarios,” Jegira added.
Citing AGHAM’s experience working with communities, Jegira urged the regional government and LGUs to allocate more effort and resources toward formulating a comprehensive rescue, rehabilitation, and development plan. This, he said, should include short-, medium-, and long-term strategies, and the creation of an inter-LGU coordinating council around the volcano’s danger zone. The plan must be unified and supported by coordinated emergency response mechanisms—developed through widespread community consultation.
Jegira also emphasized the need for government investment in community capacity development, especially among
the most vulnerable groups.
“People are always the first responders in any disaster. Therefore, they must be prepared to act quickly and recover efficiently. We cannot predict the exact behavior or impact of Mt. Kanlaon, just as we can’t with other natural phenomena. What we can do is prepare, unify, and empower our LGUs and communities to build resilience, manage risks, and recover faster from disasters,” he said.
According to official records from PHIVOLCS and the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, Mt. Kanlaon has experienced dozens of minor eruptions since June 2024. Four explosive eruptions were recorded on June 3 and December 9 in 2024, and on April 8 and March 14 this year. These events have displaced an estimated 60,000 residents across 51 barangays, three cities, and six municipalities surrounding the volcano.
Robert Reyes, officer-in-charge of the Philippines leg of the mission. Using frameworks modeled after the U.S. National Incident Management System and adapted to local needs, the program features command post simulations, interagency coordination exercises, and scenario-based planning. These efforts aim to align the efforts of both civilian and military response units across Catanduanes. The USAR component includes highrisk rescue training such as collapsed structure operations, shoring, confined space navigation, and rubble pile drills.
A full-scale disaster simulation will cap off the training to assess real-time coordination among participants. Now in its 21st year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian and disaster preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. It works with host nations to build regional resilience, enhance interoperability, and cultivate enduring partnerships throughout the region.
FPEEAI, Salceda back Panga’s retention as PEZA chief
By Vito Barcelo
THE Former Philippine Ecozone Employees Association, Inc. (FPEEAI), along with Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, has expressed strong support for the retention of Tereso Panga as directorgeneral of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), amid a sweeping revamp of executive posts initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Panga has received widespread backing from economic zone locators, business groups, and ecozone associations after tendering his courtesy resignation in compliance with the President’s directive for heads of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to
vacate their posts.
In an open letter addressed to President Marcos, the FPEEAI, led by its president Engr. Romeo R. Sualibios, appealed for Panga’s reinstatement to ensure the continued implementation of the agency’s transformational programs that have been instrumental in driving economic growth.
“With great respect, and in the interest of continuity, institutional excellence, and national development, we hereby strongly recommend the reinstatement of Panga to his post as PEZA chief,” Sualibios said.
Among those who vouched for Panga’s leadership was Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, who noted that she expects all IPA heads, including the PEZA chief, to be retained.
NEW REPS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath of office to newly-elected lawmakers who will take their seat at the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress held at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s Office Wednesday afternoon. Ver Noveno
RIGHTSIZING BILL. Senate President Francis Escudero (5th from left) and Senator JV Ejercito (4th from left) present the signed bicameral report on the Rightsizing Bill. They are joined by (from left): Ehrenfrel Azarraga of the OES, Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto Perez, DBM Secretary Amenah
Pangandaman, Congressman Jonathan Keith Flores, CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap, and PLLO Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza. Lino Santos
OPINION
The artful dodger?
TO TRY or not to try, that is the question. Whether ‘tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous reactions, or to prevent a sea of troubles, and forthwith end them?
With apologies to the Bard of Avon, whose famous soliloquy from Hamlet I paraphrased, the above seems to be the question on the mind of our senators, and its current president, the right honorable Francis G. Escudero.
The diligent majority floor leader of the 19th Senate of the Republic stood last Monday at the re-opening of its session, and declared that crossing over the impeachment trial from the 19th to the incoming 20th Congress would be “ultra vires,” beyond the authority of the current Senate.
The opportunity to try the vice-president was lost when the Senate failed to act “forthrightly” on the midnight railroad express delivery of the articles signed by 215 congressmen on Feb. 5. “Forthwith” as the Constitution stated was given a time frame by the Senate President of June 2, after the elections, citing previous impeachment trials. Escudero has a “brilliant mind,” not necessarily in mathematics as a US television series depicted, but in the maneuverings of the law.
Whether he read the mind of our conflict-averse president or simply read tea leaves in his political cup, Escudero did his own arithmetic: the early surveys of Jan. 2025 showed that the star-studded Alyansa would outclass the unknowns who peppered the Duterte-sponsored slate.
If trial commenced forthrightly, the seven re-electionists, consisting of two Dutertistas and five from the Alyansa, would need the 34.5 percent of the vote which the former president and his political heiress Inday Sara could swing in Mindanao and the Bisaya.
No re-electionist in his right mind would risk that, as their political interest required they refrain from touching a hot potato, so Escudero thought at that point it would be better to delay, and he had reasons acceptable to an electorate hungry to cast their vote.
After all, the HoR delayed the process, with Reginald Velasco freezing the three balls tossed upon him in early December last year despite the HoR rules that said he should immediately send the complaints to the Speaker. So the HoR could not count on any moral ascendancy and demand that the Senate act “forthwith.” The might of 215 members did not necessarily make them right.
The Alyansa’s “sure” victory withered when the gods in Malacanang decided to surrender Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC on March 11, triggering an emotional tsunami that doomed the administration’s projected sweep. Reacting to the electorate’s clear re-
pudiation, the president did a tactical retreat: offer of reconciliation through a podcast, followed by a “reset” that has gone pffft, accompanied by the projection of a “new, improved” leader suddenly hands-on. His minions are now in cadence through “Utos, Sundin, Palakpak,” the unique selling proposition sold to it by its hired marketing experts who must have remembered Procter and Gamble’s “new, improved Tide” advertisement in longforgotten days.
Then, as if to cleanse his hands of the midnight railroad express led by his own son, our president reiterated that he was “never” in favor of impeaching his vice.
The bone of contention has now become Tolentino’s treatise on functional dismissal versus Pimentel’s ode to continuity from the 19th to the 20th
And his Senate president, to the tune of more important “unfinished legislation,” moves once more his trial pendulum from the 2nd to the 11th of June, with nary an objection from the majority.
The minority of two and a politically resurrected Leila de Lima, eager to show her legal chops as a newly-proclaimed prosecutor, cry foul. This is echoed by those who simply want the vice-president politically entombed upon the “lofty” ideals of transparency and accountability.
Accountability could be had through charges filed in court, but that would deprive the public of a political telenovela, which is what Sara’s haters want, not accountability but demolition.
The bone of contention has now become Tolentino’s treatise on functional dismissal versus Pimentel’s ode to continuity from the 19th to the 20th.
The issue may be brought to the Supreme Court, which is likely to tell the Senate that it is their own business, not the tribunal’s.
Will the conundrum impact on the leadership of the 20th Senate, with the incumbent realizing that the Duterte bloc is the “swing vote” on July 28?
Since impeachment and its trial is a political process, and politics is the art of the possible, who knows what calculations are in the “beautiful” mind of Escudero?
Whatever, is he the “artful dodger” as Charles Dickens wrote in Oliver Twist whose skill could be brilliantly deceptive?
Odd-even scheme canceled
BEFORE the proverbial Odd-Even scheme could see the light of day, MMDA canceled its implementation.
The official reason given was due to the order of PBBM to temporarily postpone the rehabilitation of EDSA to find ways to shorten the repair time.
Two years is perhaps really long considering that EDSA is the busiest stretch of highway in the country. The most likely reason, however, might be the manner in which the public information campaign was handled by the government agencies involved in the project.
The intended solutions were announced piecemeal which gave the impression that government planning was not coordinated and well thought of which predictably generated negative reactions.
Let us look at some of these solutions.
First was the Odd-Even scheme which intends to reduce vehicles using EDSA by 50 per cent. This is in addition to the number coding already in place.
The two programs if implemented fully will result in 70 percent reduction of vehicles along EDSA. But then came the announcement of the customary exemptions which will reduce the 70 percent
back to 50 percent more or less.
Add all those sectors who are also requesting for exemptions and the 50 percent will even be less.
The intended solutions were announced piecemeal which gave the impression that government planning was not coordinated
Another solution coming from the DOTr was that 200 buses will apparently be added to the current fleet of 751 authorized EDSA buses, bringing the total to 951.
This, despite the current 751 units not being used every day.
The two current toll way operators have also indicated their willingness to suspend toll collection while EDSA is under repair.
The MRT3 management for its part is also looking at increasing the number of
EDITORIAL
Can the new top cop deliver?
THE new chief of the Philippine National Police, Gen. Nicolas Torre III, wants to hit the ground running as he buckles down to work.
First off, he vowed to make appointments in the institution during his term to be “based solely on merit,” and “only the most competent will be entrusted with the right positions in the right places…Deliver excellence in your police work… and you will be recognized and rewarded, ” Torre said.
His plans for the PNP include four key thrusts. One, implement a threeminute emergency response. Two, reinforce unity and morale among its ranks. Three, further modernize its technology. And four, hold erring officers accountable.
Torre enjoined the 230,000-strong institution to ensure “swift response to the public, unite and uplift the morale of your fellow public servants, and hold yourself and others within the ranks accountable. Just real talk. No need for endorsements under my leadership.”
“Of course, I have to reiterate that all of these actions must be done within the ambit of the law, evidence-based, and rights-respecting. I challenge each and every member of the PNP to be louder than me, not only in words but
train wagons and extending rail operations including earlier start to benefit the commuters.
Finally, the last solution announced was the opening of private subdivision roads which has never happened before due to legal impediments.
These elicited severe criticisms which probably prompted the President to postpone the project.
The planners did not seem to realize that the motoring public are smart and can judge whether the solutions being announced are well thought of or simply asking the public to bear the entire burden of the pain and sacrifice.
Why the DPWH, DOTr and MMDA cannot simply agree that only one of them will be in charge of traffic along EDSA and environs while the repair is going on to simplify matters and make it easier to pinpoint responsibility is hard to
also in action,” he explained.
Before becoming the 31st PNP chief, Torre was the director of the Davao Regional Police Office and later headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
In both positions he chalked up two outstanding accomplishments.
A promising start to his new post...that should be matched by sustained and concrete action in the coming months
In Sept. 2024, he led the enforcement of the arrest warrant for preacher Apollo Quiboloy, who faces allegations of child abuse, sexual abuse, and qualified trafficking.
In March this year, Torre was the ground commander of the police team that arrested former President Rodrigo
understand.
Now that PBBM has issued them their marching orders, maybe they could now sit down and do it to show to the public that there is coordination among them.
The unfortunate and sad part is that no one seems willing to sacrifice and be inconvenienced so that EDSA can be rehabilitated to meet international standards. Everyone wants to be exempted.
But even with all the new technologies available, it is very doubtful whether DPWH can really find a way to significantly shorten the repair period without some pain and sacrifices from everyone using the road.
This problem is very similar to the time when MRT 3 was being constructed because the MRT 3 contractors started along the entire stretch of EDSA and not in phases which resulted in tremendous traffic congestion.
Duterte and handed him over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, to face allegations of crimes against humanity during his administration’s drug war.
On the PNP’s continuing drive against illegal drugs, Torre said police operatives would intensify kegal arrests of suspected traffickers.
The new top cop pledged to work harder to keep the country safe, respect Filipinos’ rights, and gain the people’s trust.
“To the Filipino people, the very reason for our existence, we, the Philippine National Police, shall work harder to earn and ensure that our communities are safe, your rights are respected, and your trust is earned,” Torre said. “I believe that we are ready to deliver on your expectations as we have done in the past,” Torre added.
So what will happen if police commanders fail to meet the three-minute emergency response time?
They may be removed to improve performance: “‘If you can’t do the mission, well, someone else will take your place and try to (accomplish) the mission.”
A promising start to his new post, if his words are any indication, that should be matched by sustained and concrete action in the coming months.
This coincided with my appointment to manage the NCR traffic. We also thought of implementing the Odd-Even scheme but eventually decided against it not only because of the objections but the length of time. Such a scheme is too severe and if ever used, it must be for short periods only like a few weeks not two years which is too long.
Fortunately, our alternate plan worked out well and we were able to keep traffic moving until MRT 3 was finally completed. Perhaps, the DPWH should simply start with the repair and get it done as early as possible.
DOTr and MMDA for their part must keep the traffic moving while the public must do its part and sacrifice a little and think of the “promised land” – -a much safer and better engineered road.
This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a monstrous figure that is an aged gigantic cockroach. It is wearing a mask of a happy-faced young person labeled ‘youth sector.’ Behind the mask is a grinning cockroach face with sharp teeth biting a giant wad of cash.
SIGNIFICANT DEPARTURE. Supporters of Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea’s Democratic Party, play with air bubbles as they await the final results of the presidential election in Seoul
crucial steel and aluminum exports. AFP
Weinstein lawyer calls accusers ‘women with broken dreams’
NEW YORK—The lawyer defending fallen Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein from rape and sexual assault charges called those testifying against his client “women with broken dreams” as he made his final pitch to jurors.
A New York state appeals court had thrown out Weinstein’s 2020 convictions after irregularities in the presentation of witnesses at his original trial, forcing two victims of his alleged abuse to testify a second time.
“If there is a doubt about their case, you gotta throw it out. These are the people they want you to believe, they’re all women with broken dreams,” defense attorney Arthur Aidala said of the women who testified against Weinstein at this trial. Prosecutor Nicole Blumberg fired
back saying that “we are here because (Weinstein) raped three people -- that’s why we are here.” Her closing argument will continue Wednesday. Judge Curtis Farber will then give instructions to the jury, who will deliberate on a verdict . Weinstein, the producer of box-office hits “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love,” has never acknowledged wrongdoing. The cinema magnate, whose downfall in 2017 sparked the global #MeToo movement, has been on trial again since April 15 in a scruffy Manhattan courtroom.
He is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted in California of raping and assaulting a European actress more than a decade ago. AFP
SoKor’s Lee vows to ‘heal wounds’ with Kim
SEOUL—South Korea’s new President Lee Jaemyung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and “heal wounds” as he took office Wednesday, after winning snap elections triggered by his predecessor’s disastrous martial law declaration.
South Korea’s new center-left leader also warned that “rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring” posed an existential threat to Asia’s export-dependent fourthlargest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump.
Million-plus pilgrims begin hajj under blazing sun
MECCA—More than a million worshippers were set to join Islam’s most important rite under a beating sun as the hajj pilgrimage kicked off Wednesday, with authorities scrambling to avoid last year’s 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat.
In temperatures that are expected to climb to more than 40 degrees Celsius robed pilgrims will slowly circle the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site -- the black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca’s Grand Mosque.
About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the multiday hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means.
Authorities have ratcheted up antiheat measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F).
On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf -- walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims worldwide pray towards each day.
They then head to Mina, the site of a giant tented city, before the hajj’s high-point: prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon.
Before entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behavior. AFP
Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s former party, in snap elections, with his term beginning immediately after the vote tally was certified early Wednesday.
Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, far ahead of the 41.2 percent for
Kim—who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote.
Lee spoke to South Korea’s top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country’s armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain “readiness” in case of Pyongyang provocations— but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk.
“We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,” he said.
“No matter how costly, peace is better than war.”
He said the country would “deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
Lee took office just hours before the United States was set to slap tariffs of 50 percent on South Korea’s crucial steel and aluminium exports.
“The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,” Lee said.
Markets reacted favorably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI
HEAVY SMOKE. This photograph shows the sun setting with an orange haze, at sunset in AblainSaint-Nazaire, northern France, on Tuesday. Large smoke plumes caused by violent and early wildfires in Canada have been hovering over north-western Europe since late May, at very high altitudes without posing health risks, sometimes causing orange sunsets, the European Copernicus observatory stated Tuesday. AFP
Canada, US warn of hazards as Canadian smoke reaches Europe
OTTAWA—Canada’s wildfires, which have already forced evacuations of more than 26,000 people, continued their stubborn spread Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time), with heavy smoke choking millions of Canadians and Americans and reaching as far away as Europe.
Alerts were issued for parts of Canada and the neighboring United States warning of hazardous air quality.
A water tanker air base was consumed by flames in Saskatchewan province, oil production has been disrupted in Alberta, and officials warned of worse to come with more communities threatened each day.
“We have some challenging days ahead of us,” Saskatchewan Premier
Vietnam scraps two-child limit
with social norms that say women need to get married and have kids, it’s too costly to raise a child.” Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, speaking at a conference earlier this year, warned it was increasingly difficult to encourage families to have more children, despite policy
Scott Moe told a news conference, adding that the number of evacuees could rise quickly.
Every summer, Canada grapples with forest fires, but an early start to the wildfire season this year and the scale of the blazes—over two million hectares burned—is worrying.
The provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been hardest hit. Both declared wildfire emergencies in recent days.
“This has been a very difficult time for many Canadians,” federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski told reporters in Ottawa.
“This wildfire season has started off more quickly, and it’s stronger, more intense,” she said, adding that the Ca-
Chinese researchers charged with smuggling fungus
WASHINGTON, DC—Two Chinese scientists have been charged with allegedly smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States
nadian military has deployed aircraft to evacuate remote towns in Manitoba and was ready to also assist Saskatchewan and Alberta with firefighting.
Climate change has increased the impact of extreme weather events in Canada, which is still recovering from the apocalyptic summer of 2023 when 15 million hectares of forests were scorched.
As of Tuesday, there were 208 active fires across Canada. Half of them were listed as out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Many of the affected populations are Indigenous, and some small communities have burned to the ground. AFP
and the won rising Wednesday. Lee’s comments on North Korea are a “significant departure” from those of his hawkish predecessor Yoon, as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue with Pyongyang, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
It signals “his desire to resolve disagreements through talks”, Hong told AFP.
“While it remains to be seen how Pyongyang will respond, it is notable that Lee has clearly indicated a different approach to North Korea,” he added. AFP
Taiwan’s Lai, Rubio vow to ‘never forget’ Tiananmen victims
TAIPEI—Taiwanese President Lai
Ching-te vowed Wednesday to preserve the memory of China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown 36 years ago, echoing rhetoric by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Chinese troops and tanks forcibly cleared peaceful protesters from Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, after weeks-long demonstrations demanding greater political freedoms.
The exact toll is unknown but hundreds died, with some estimates exceeding 1,000 people.
China’s communist rulers have since sought to erase any public mention of the crackdown.
“Authoritarian governments often choose to be silent and forget history; democratic societies choose to preserve the truth and refuse to forget those who have contributed to the ideal of human rights and their dreams,” Lai said in a post on Facebook ahead of an annual vigil in Taipei’s Liberty Square.
“We remember the sacrifice of our predecessors, and we know the value of freedom, and we cannot ignore the erosion of global democracy and the rule of law by authoritarian expansion.”
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to seize the democratic island by force.
In a rare return to human rights rhetoric, Rubio said Tuesday the “world will never forget” what happened on June 4 even as Beijing “actively tries to censor the facts.” AFP
University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked,” the Justice Department said.AFP
PH purchasing 12 more FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea
By Rex Espiritu
IN BRIEF
4-way jungle survival drill unfolds in Ilocos
A MULTILATERAL jungle survival training unfolded on Monday in Ilocos Norte province, aimed to arm the troops with essential survival expertise in hostile jungle environment.
Involved in the unique exercise are the Philippine Marine Corps, the United States Marine Corps, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force , and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, along with elements of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).
The Jungle Environment Survival Training drill was staged in Barangay Tadao, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
The exercise was designed to equip troops with essential survival skills in dense jungle environments. Filipino Marines demonstrated critical survival techniques using essential tools to endow jungle survival skills to their foreign counterparts. Observers from France and Thailand were also present during the training. Rex Espiritu
Accord forged to help distressed Marawi tots
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) new project for Maranao children will help provide “essential, culturally-sensitive, and rightsbased protective programs and services for orphaned, abandoned, and neglected children living in “torils.”
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian made the disclosure during the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the local government unit (LGU) of Marawi City under Mayor Majul Gandamra for the implementation of “Project Riayah.”
According to Gatchalian, Project Riayah aims to deliver a “coordinated and comprehensive set of interventions aligned with the agency’s standard cost-of-care framework and the LGU Marawi’s comprehensive, culture-sensitive, rights-based child protection program.”
“Through Project Riayah, we can help enhance the living conditions, education, and overall well-being of these children, as this will also aid in their long-term recovery, rehabilitation, and development within a flourishing and productive Islamic society,” he said. Maricel V. Cruz
Right-hand drive vehicles banned in PH, says LTO
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has raided three auto surplus shops in Davao City for alleged importation and rebuild of right-hand vehicles.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the agency, backed by the police and the local government, swooped down on JP Malik Trucks and Equipment Corp., Mahar Motor Surplus Corp. and Umar Japan OPC after following intelligence reports that the shops were illegally importing and assembling right-hand drive vehicles.
“This is part of our sustained
THE Philippines through the Department of Defense has signed a contract for 12 more FA50 fighter jets worth $700 million.
The supplier, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) made the disclosure jets. Just three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels.
KAI said delivery of the jets will be completed by 2030.
The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the transaction, purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014.
In a statement, the South Korean firm said the aircraft would feature enhanced capabilities including “aerial refuelling for extended range, (Active
Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-toground weapons systems”.
Just days before the Philippines Independence Day commemoration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported the completion of the extension of a runway on Pag-asa Island.
Meanwhile, construction of the hangar and control tower on the island is also nearing completion, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.
The facilities are part of Horizon 3 of the AFP modernization program.
“We are aiming to complete [these] within the year,” Padilla said. “It is well within our targets. They have to be completed this year. But there will be enhancements to all these projects. What we want is development in general. We’d like to really look at the future of Pag-asa Island and, hopefully, in the near future, this would be a tourist spot.”
She added that the facilities will not only be used by the AFP, but also by
the community on the island.
“We are looking at multi-role facilities, not just for the defense (department), but also for HADR [humanitarian assistance and disaster response] purposes,” Padilla explained.
“We will maintain our presence in the communities in the area. It would be good if the communities are thriving. The whole of government, with the AFP, really supports this community enhancement, Padilla said.
She emphasized that the soldiers were “inherently development practitioners,” helping in the development of communities.
“In areas far from civilization, so to speak, we become teachers, carpenters. We build schools, we bring our doctors and dentists. We are always in our communities, so there, even if it is a far-flung island, our military assets can also be used to develop the communities,” Padilla said.
“Here, our troops are part of the community. They’re one with the locals,” she added. With AFP
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE government mulls enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Pasig River Esplanade as part of a rehabilitation project initiated by President Marcos.
This developed as members of the InterAgency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) convened on Tuesday to discuss updates on the implementation of the rehabilitation plan. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chariman Romando Artes, concurrent vice chairman of the IAC-PRUD, noted that significant progress has been made, but there was still much to be done to further improve the Pasig River. He thanked the President and First Lady Liza Marcos for their leadership in the IAC PRUD and the Pasig “Bigyang Buhay Muli” project. The council meeting, led by IAC PRUD
Alternate chairman Mark Aeron Sambar, was attended by representatives from various partner-agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard. The Pasig River Esplanade is projected to be 25 kilometers long, spanning the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, and Taguig, following the total stretch of the river. The first phase of the project, located behind the Manila Post Office, opened to the public in February. The open section, stretching from Jones Bridge to the Post Office, featured benches for visitors to rest after a long walk. The project is expected to cover all five cities and will include jogging paths,
a petition filed by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) questioning the legality of a provision in its anti-discrimination resolution on red-tagging.
In a statement, NTF-ELCAC executive director Ernesto Torres Jr. called on the poll body to suspend the proclamation of the Kabataan party-list (KPL) and reopen long-standing disqualification proceedings against the Gabriela women’s party-list (GWP). The call followed the confirmed death of Jhon Isidor Supelanas, a former spokesman of Kabataan in Cebu, who was reportedly killed in an armed encounter in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last April.
“His story is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a disturbing pattern where youth leaders—starting from legal organizing spaces end up as armed combatants of the NPA (New People’s Army),” Torres said.
The task force also cited documented evidence such as social media posts, public tributes, and sworn testimonies from former members, revealing a consistent pattern among past leaders of Gabriela and its allied groups. Torres pointed out recent sexual assault allegations against the KPL leaders from 2023 to 2025, with at least 20 victims filing complaints.
“Kabataan’s response was a generic condemnation, carefully avoiding the fact that the abusers were from within their own ranks. This silence perpetuates a culture of impunity,” Torres noted.
“And while the task force values the party-list system as a means to amplify marginalized voices, it said that it “must never become a backdoor for political radicalization, or a shield for abuse,” he added.
By Maricel V. Cruz
PRESIDENT Marcos has nominated seven new Philippine ambassadors, according to Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Assistant Minority Leader of the Commission on Appointments (CA).
“The President issued the nominations on June 2, and all were formally received by the Commission on the same day,” Pimentel said in a statement on Wednesday.
The nominees were Evangeline Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq as permanent representative to the ASEAN, Bernadette Therese Fernandez as ambassador to South Korea; Maria Teresa Almojuela as envoy to Germany, Alan Deniega, as envoy to Poland with concurrent jurisdiction over Lithuania and Ukraine, Gines Jaime Ricardo Gallaga as chief diplomat to Bahrain, Marlowe Miranda as ambassador to Lebanon, and Arvin De Leon as ambassador to Mexico with concurrent jurisdiction over Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Pimentel pointed out that unlike ad interim appointments which take effect immediately pending CA confirmation, the diplomat-nominees cannot assume their posts unless they have secured the CA’s approval.
He also explained that both the assignment of ambassadors and promotion in rank of senior foreign service officers require CA consent.
OPENING BUYING FRENZY. Parents with their
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Eala admits: I need to improve on everything
By Peter Atencio
TOP Filipina netter Alexandra Eala is still far from the tennis player that she wants to be.
“Do I feel like I am close to being a Top 10 player at this moment? I would say no,” said the 20-year-old Eala, in an interview posted on social media during her stint at the Lexus Birmingham Open in Great Britain.
“That’s not to say I don’t have the potential to be there one day, but at the moment, I still have a lot more to work on in my game,” said Eala.
“It is a little bit of everything I need to improve on. Mentally, technically. You look at a top 10 player and they have so many matches each year,” added Eala.
Eala’s campaign ended following a 5-7, 7-6, 1-6 setback to Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic in the Round of 32 at the Edgbaston Priory Club, early Wednesday morning (Manila time).
The game was done in two hours and 53 minutes, with the world no. 152-ranked Fruhvirtova advancing to the second round.
“My level is there and I show that at times, but there are certain reasons why these players are in top 10 and I’m not there yet,” said Eala.
During the game, Eala conceded 61 first-set points off her opponents’ 81 first serves. She got 48 points of 83 first serves.
Eala picked up $1,650 and one Women’s Tennis Association point for her effort.
NUNS, Adamson clash as Shakey’s volley quarters’ action kicks o
DEFENDING champion Adamson University and unbeaten National University Nazareth School rekindle their explosive rivalry in a thrilling collision course for a semifinal seat in the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Thursday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. Expect fireworks when the protagonists of the UAAP Season 87 finals battle in the third knockout game of the four-match schedule in Court 1 starting at 9 a.m.
The Lady Baby Falcons are in for a tough grind facing the Pool D top seed Lady Bullpups, who swept the four-game pool play despite playing back-to-back games in each of the last two elimination round playdates of 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.
But Adamson, which finished second in Pool A, will be extra motivated to eye payback against the same team that knocked the JP Yudementor squad off the UAAP throne in sweeping fashion six months ago.
The Lady Baby Falcons are on a three-game winning run following a shocking upset at the hands of Pool A top seed and undefeated Emilio Aguinaldo College in the opener last week. NUNS, on the other hand, is looking to stay on the right course in its bid to capture the elusive SGVIL title as an addition to its earlier UAAP and Palarong Pambansa conquests.
Avaricio hits stride, seeks end to title drought with 66
ANTIPOLO—Chanelle Avaricio finally rediscovered the rhythm, touch, and precision that once made her a dominant force on tour, firing a bogey-free 65 to seize a commanding three-stroke lead over Mafy Singson after two rounds of the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic on Wednesday.
Avaricio, who opened with a steady 72, found her spark early with a birdie-par-birdie start at the back nine. She added another birdie on No. 16 and kept the momentum going with another flawless frontside effort, picking up strokes on Nos. 1, 3 and 9 to cap an impressive five-under-par 137 total at the Nicklaus course.
“I hit more fairways and I putted pretty good,” said Avaricio, whose second round was highlighted by two long birdie putts.
“I couldn’t recall the average distance of
my birdies, but it’s more than a pin with two long putts.”
Despite holding a solid cushion, the multi-titled Ladies Philippine Golf Tour winner remained cautious heading into Thursday’s finale.
“No expectations, but I’ll do my best and hopefully I’ll play well,” said Avaricio, who has been searching for her winning form since a banner 2022 season and a brief stint in the U.S. circuit.
She had shown glimpses of promise earlier this season, finishing tied for fifth at the season-opener in Pradera Verde and sharing fourth at Eagle Ridge. However, she never truly contended – far from the dominant form she displayed in 2022 when she strung together multiple wins before venturing into the US circuit. Still, her closest pursuers aren’t backing down.
Pinoy rowers capture silver, bronze at Ratzeburg Regatta
By Randy M. Caluag
THE Philippine national rowing team kicked off its European tour with an impressive performance, securing a silver and a bronze medal at the 66th International Ratzeburg Regatta in Ratzeburg, Germany.
Southeast Asian Games’ bronze medalists Edgar Ilas and Zuriel Sumintac powered their way to a silver medal in the Men’s Pairs Lightweight event.
Not to be outdone, Asian U23 bronze medalist Kristine Paraon and SEA Games’ team event bronze medalist Feiza Lenton earned a bronze in the Women’s Double Sculls category.
Under the guidance of newly appointed foreign coach Benedikt Schwarz, the Filipino contingent faced strong competition from national teams and clubs across Europe, including Sweden, Aus-
tria, Holland, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, and the host Ratzeburg Rowing Club.
These early podium finishes are a significant boost for the seven-member Philippine squad, which includes Olympian Cris Nievarez, Van Maxilom, and Rynjie Peñaredondo.
The team will continue its intensive training and competition schedule across Europe until the end of the month, with upcoming regattas in Hanover (Germany), Bled (Slovenia), and Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Iron precision puts Jaraula on top
ANTIPOLO—Reymon Jaraula showcased a brilliant display of iron play under sweltering conditions to seize a one-stroke lead over Guido van der Valk halfway through the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic here on Wednesday.
Carding a five-under-par 66, Jaraula soared to the top of the leaderboard at eight-under 134 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, capping a dramatic second round that saw the top positions shuffle like musical chairs.
Starting the round behind frontrunners Justin Quiban, van der Valk, Keanu Jahns and Jeffren Lumbo, Jaraula ignited his charge with a birdie on the par-5 16th. He then closed out his front nine with four birdies on Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 9 inside four feet in a dazzling run that showcased his laser-precise approach shots.
“My irons were solid, halos lahat ng approach shots ko dikit (almost all of my approach shots were close),” said Jaraula. “I just played my game and focused on the task at hand.”
Jaraula’s only blemish was a bogey on No. 12 after an errant drive found a hazard, which offset an earlier birdie on the 10th. The surge mirrored his strong backnine 31 on Tuesday, which set the stage for his climb to the top.
at PGT Forest Hills
After his victory in Bacolod last October, Jaraula struggled to find form in the early stages of this year’s circuit, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., finishing tied for 11th at Pradera Verde and a distant joint 19th at Eagle Ridge. Van der Valk briefly claimed the lead at seven-under with a birdie on No. 3 but settled for a 69, slipping to second at 135 after conceding the lead to Jaraula. Jahns, despite a spectacular 40-foot eagle on No. 16, faltered with a double bogey on the 18th and a late bogey on No. 8 to finish with a 69 and a 136 for third. Lumbo, who opened with a 67, lost momentum with a 71 and dropped to joint fourth at 138, while Quiban, who led after a first-round 65, crumbled with a 74 marred by three bogeys over the front nine to drop to joint fifth at 139 with Tom Marcelo, who struggled with a 73.
The P2.5 million championship, now entering its decisive phase, is poised for a tense finish. Players will be grouped by score moving forward, raising the intensity under increasingly demanding conditions.
“Any tournament you win builds confidence for the rest of the season,” said van der Valk. “I’ll just go shotby-shot and stay in the moment.” Jahns, the defending champion, remained optimistic despite sliding from contention.
PH loses friendly to Taiwan, but Torcaso says Filipinas ready for Asian Cup
MEMBERS of the Philippine national women’s football team are ready to play in a more competitive atmosphere.
Filipinas’ coach Mark Torcaso said this before they took on a visiting Chinese Taipei squad on Tuesday evening and lost, 0-1, the
friendly encounter.
“Every match day is training and our preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers. The girls are ready,” said Torcaso.
The friendly was an opportunity for the coaching staff to see how the new members of the team have blended with the veterans.
The Filipinas felt the absence of key forwards Sarina Bolden, Katrina Guillou, Quinley Quezada, and Bella Flanigan.
“(But) The new are doing really well (in training),” added Torcaso.
The Filipinas, who struggled to find their momentum during the game, leave for Phnom Penh in a bid to clinch the lone spot for the 2026 Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.
The squad saw action before a home crowd of 3,312 fans, their first time since their victorious 2022 ASEAN Football Federation Women’s
Championship campaign.
The Taiwanese side’s lone goal came in the 27th minute, when Chinese Taipei forward Saki Matsunaga got past Sara Eggesvik. As Eggesvik committed an error in clearing the ball, Matsunaga took possession and sent the ball sailing past Olivia McDaniel and into the back of the net.
Chinese Taipei tried to double its lead early in the second half, when YuChin Chen ran past McDaniel, but she failed to convert.
With rain pouring down in the closing minutes, the Filipinas made an effort to go for a draw, but could not find an opening.
The Filipinas will first face Saudi Arabia on June 29, then Cambodia on July 2, and Hong Kong on July 5, in games that will be played at the Olympic Stadium in
Chanelle Avaricio kept the momentum going with a awless frontside e ort, picking up strokes on Nos. 1, 3 and 9 to cap an impressive veunder-par 137 total at the Nicklaus course. Manny Marcelo
Alexandra Eala
Members for the Philippine national women’s football team, Angela Beard (13), Jaclyn Sawicki (6) and Hali Long (5) make it hard for Taiwanese attacker Su Yu Hsuan (19) to get past their defensive line. (PSC)
Phnom Penh. Peter Atencio
Edgar Ilas
Reymon Jaraula Manny Marcelo
WHAT’S INSIDE?
UBP starts P10-b bond offering
DA flags nine Luzon hog farms
Cagayan solar farm boosts ACEN’s
By Othel V. Campos
THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) expressed support for the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s (ARTA) step-by-step Regulatory Guidebook, a strategic and practical roadmap to enhance ease of doing business.
Beginning with business registration, the guidebook addresses overlapping mandates across agencies, reflecting a strong push for regulatory coherence and collaboration.
It represents a transformative shift in public service delivery. Its broader objectives include attracting investments, generating jobs, especially in emerging tech sectors, and raising service standards nationwide.
Salient features of the guidebook are the regulatory management system (RMS), anchored in ten key principles: clarity, benefit-cost analysis, stakeholder engagement, a whole-ofgovernment approach, competition, legal and empirical grounding, continuous assessment, coherence, ongoing evaluation, and risk management.
MAP said the permitting for telecom infrastructure has accelerated, regulatory impact assessments (RIA) have improved and platforms like the Philippine Business Regulation Information System (PBRIS) have deepened stakeholder engagement.
Capacity-building initiatives are also gaining ground across all levels of government, while agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are adopting more inclusive, bottom-up approaches aligned with global standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), it said.
Lockheed plans to open PH innovation, repair hubs
By Roderick T. dela Cruz
US DEFENSE technology company Lockheed Martin plans to open an innovation center and a repair facility in the Philippines that will employ local talent as part of its F-16 Block 70 package offer to the Department of National Defense (DND).
Jess Koloni, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s capture director for the integrated fighter group, said the F-16 Block 70 package would support the country’s self-reliant defense posture. This includes training Filipino technicians, enabling in-country maintenance and fostering aerospace careers through partnerships with universities and industry.
Aimee Burnett, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s vice president for integrated fighter group business development, said the US government is expected to make the formal offer for the F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines soon. The deal is said to be worth more than $5.5 billion.
Koloni said the planned innovation center, a concept first developed in Abu Dhabi a decade ago, would serve
as a hub for workforce development programs, aerospace engineering, space fundamentals training, internship programs and robotics competitions.
“We are looking to bring that concept here to the Philippines,” Koloni told a news briefing at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City Wednesday.
“We have been talking with the DND, BOI [Board of Investments] and other organizations in the Philippines. We are soliciting feedback on where that center should go. It is a Philippine center for the Filipino people, used by Filipinos,” she said. A repair facility is also being planned to support the existing C-130 fleet and the Philippine government’s planned acquisition of F-16 aircraft.
20 F-16
Lockheed Martin’s offer to PH
500 3,100
Number of F-16 jets in Asia
AG&P offers support for PH offshore wind development MAP supports guidebook to doing business
Number of F-16 jets globally
AGRICULTURE Secretary Fran-
cisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon expressed gratitude for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s continued trust after a recent cabinet recalibration.
“We Cabinet secretaries serve at the pleasure of the President, and I am humbled by his decision and appreciate his confidence in me,” Tiu Laurel said. He affirmed his commitment to advancing the administration’s agricultural agenda.
Dizon vowed to accelerate major transportation projects to ease the dai-
ly plight of commuters and help them save time. His commitment comes after the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) approved his ad interim appointment on Wednesday.
Dizon reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to improve the lives of Filipinos by addressing issues faced by the transport sector.
“I was asked by the President to make the lives of our commuters more comfortable, safe and to fasttrack the ongoing projects that will uplift the lives of our commuters on a daily basis,” Dizon said.
KMC Solutions, a Philippine provider of flexible office spaces, said Tuesday it became the first company globally to achieve three WELL ratings across its entire portfolio of flexible workspaces. The ratings, awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), include the WELL Coworking Rating, the WELL Health-Safety Rating and the WELL Equity Rating. The WELL Coworking Rating was recently launched by IWBI in partnership with The Instant Group, a global flexible workspace marketplace.
KMC, with 25 locations across the Philippines, said the achievement marks it as a pioneer in creating
Tiu Laurel, meanwhile, focused on modernizing Philippine agriculture through science-based solutions, mechanization and infrastructure upgrades. His priorities include boosting rice production, reducing import dependency and stabilizing food prices. Reflecting on his first year, he acknowledged challenges but emphasized progress in steering the Department of Agriculture (DA) toward sustainable transformation. He remains focused on implementing reforms to improve the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk. Othel V. campos
healthier, more sustainable and more productive workplaces.
KMC earned the WELL Equity Rating and the WELL Health-Safety Rating in 2023 across all its locations, becoming the first company in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to achieve the WELL Equity Rating portfolio-wide. KMC achieved the WELL Coworking Rated status in 2025 shortly after its launch, as an early adopter.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first in the world to achieve these three WELL ratings across our entire portfolio,” KMC Solutions co-founder and chief executive Michael McCullough said.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ENGINEERING fabricator Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila Inc. (AG&P) expressed interest in providing crucial support services for the Philippines’ burgeoning offshore wind (OSW) sector. AG&P, in a letter of commitment to the Department of Energy (DOE) dated May 23, 2025, outlined its proposed services, which include port infrastructure, logistics, fabrication, and workforce development to accelerate the deployment of OSW projects.
DOE Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, who oversees port development for offshore wind, lauded AG&P’s proactive engagement and strong commitment.
“The private sector plays a vital role in building the infrastructure backbone necessary for this kind of project, and AG&P’s demonstrated capabilities are instrumental in accelerating the realization of the Philippines’ renewable energy targets,” Bacordo said.
Bacordo visited AG&P’s facility in Bauan, Batangas, on June 2, 2025 to assess the company’s operational readiness and technical capabilities for supporting large-scale OSW projects. The Philippines aims to complete its first OSW project by 2030. AG&P reiterated its long-term commitment to the Philippines’ OSW roadmap and its contribution to the nation’s broader goals of energy security, environmental sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.
Bacordo was informed of AG&P’s comprehensive capabilities for supporting offshore wind projects. The company presented its end-to-end services, which encompass providing port infrastructure for the pre-assembly, staging, and integration of OSW components, the fabrication of foundations and floating platforms, and the allocation of operational space and specialized facilities for large-scale equipment and vessels.
RICE FOR CEBU. Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. leads the National Food Authority’s (NFA) send-off of 35,000 bags of rice from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro bound for Central Visayas, the second shipment under the pilot implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s P20 rice program—a campaign promise he aims to sustain until the end of his term in June 2028. Tiu Laurel, who chairs the NFA Council, is joined by NFA Administrator Larry Lacson as they conducted a final quality check before the rice was shipped to Cebu.
Executives of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company present their proposal for an industrial collaboration with the Philippines in a news briefing at Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City. Shown are (from left) Lockhead Martin Global Inc. regional chief executive for Asia and India William Blair, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company vice president for integrated fighter group business development Aimee Burnett and Lockheed Martine Aeronautics Company capture director for integrated fighter group Jess Koloni. Roderick T. dela Cruz
UBP starts public offering for P10-b bonds
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
PH stocks struggle to stay above 6,000
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell Wednesday, struggling to stay above the 6,400 level due to selling pressure. The PSEi shed 34.30 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 6,378.56. The broader all-shares index, however, edged up 2.37 points, or 0.06 percent, to 3,768.58.
“Philippine investors sold ahead of the May Consumer Price Index, which is slated for release on June 5. Many investors are awaiting the final print before making any decisions,” said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp.
Four of six sectoral indices closed lower, led by mining and oil, which declined 0.99 percent. Financials dropped 0.93 percent, while the property and industrial sectors dipped 0.79 percent and 0.54 percent, respectively. In contrast, services rose 0.35 percent, and holding firms advanced 0.09 percent.
Value turnover reached P5.81 billion, with 115 gainers, 78 decliners, and 48 unchanged names.
Bloomberry Resorts Corp. continued its rally,
level
closing 2.23 percent higher at P5.05 per share on optimism about the company’s electronic gaming app. Conversely, SM Prime Holdings Inc. dipped 2.75 percent to P22.95.
Asian shares broadly extended a global rise on Wednesday following data indicating the U.S. economy remained resilient. South Korean equities and the won stood out after the election of a new president ended months of political paralysis.
Speculation that presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping would speak this week stoked optimism for a potential easing of U.S.-China tensions, though Trump indicated in a social media post his counterpart was “hard to make a deal with.”
Jenniffer B. Austria with AFP
By Jenniffer B. Austria
UNION Bank of the Philippines has started the public offer for up to P10 billion worth of fixed-rated bonds.
UBP said Wednesday in a disclosure to the stock exchange that it will sell bonds with a minimum aggregate principal amount of P5 billion, with an oversubscription option in case of strong demand. The bonds will be issued in two tranches, namely the the 1.5-year senior fixed rate Series H bonds due 2026 and the 3-year senior fixed rate Series I bonds due 2028.
The bonds are part of UBP’s Philippine peso bond program. The Series H bonds will have an interest rate of 5.88 percent per year, while the Series I bonds will have an interest rate of 6.02 percent per year.
The minimum investment amount for each bond is P100,000, with additional investments allowed in multiples of P50,000.
The public offer period will run from June 4 to June 19, 2025.
The bonds are planned to be issued, settled, and listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEX) on
June 26, 2025.
ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch, Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. (PCCI Capital), and Standard Chartered Bank are the joint lead arrangers and bookrunners for the offer. They are also selling agents along with UnionBank. “ING, PCCI Capital, SCB, and UnionBank reserve the right to adjust the public offer period of the Bonds as needed,” the bank said.
The board of UBP in February increased the bank’s peso bonds program to P100 billion from P50 billion. It also approved the issuance of up to P30 billion out of the bonds program.
UBP earlier reported a lower net income of P1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, despite strong revenue growth.
The decline was mainly due to onetime tax-related write-offs and frontloaded non-recurring costs.
Total revenues reached P19.4 billion, an increase of 8.4 percent compared to the same period last year.
THE business community, for a while, became fidgety over the courtesy resignations of members of the economic team.
The Philippine economy is doing relatively well. Many businessmen and economists were, thus, perplexed why President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was rocking the boat.
(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service
His economic team, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto in particular, has managed well in controlling inflation, posting respectable gross domestic product (GDP) figures and attracting foreign investments.
The economy persevered and expanded despite the global headwinds and costly US tariffs. The inflation rate has considerably cooled.
Major business groups, too, had expressed satisfaction with the administration’s economic team amid President Marcos’ call for his Cabinet’s courtesy resignations.’
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Enunina Mangio expressed surprise at the sweeping call for resignations. She stressed the need to avoid uncertainty and ensure economic continuity by making new and reappointments promptly.
The Makati Business Club (MBC) has likewise backed the economic cluster.
The disappointing results of the mid-terms elections clearly peeved President Marcos, who was candid enough to acknowledge the public’s dissatisfaction.
Senate President Francis Escudero thought President Marcos displayed sensitivity to the sentiments of the Filipinos.
But the political arena, and not the economic front, is the one that is troubling the administration.
Fortunately, President Marcos briefly ended the suspense by reappointing all members of his economic team, including Recto.
The President’s decision to spare Recto from his sweeping “bold reset” just 24 hours after announcing it speaks volumes. It was, unmistakably, a vote of confidence and a recognition of Recto’s exemplary leadership at the DOF.
Some critics say the President’s decision to retain Recto and the rest of the economic team proves the shake-up was all for show. I disagree. To me, it shows that in the midst of change, the President knew exactly what not to change. And the numbers back him up.
As Finance chief, Recto led the DOF to its highest revenue effort in 27 years. Total revenue collections in 2024 reached P4.419 trillion, topping the target of P4.270 trillion. The figure is equivalent to 16.72 percent of the GDP, the highest revenue effort since 1997. Revenue collections in 2024 surpassed the previous year’s total by
The economy persevered... despite the global headwinds and costly US tariffs.
15.56 percent (or P594.9 billion), and beat the revised full-year program by 3.49 percent (or P149.1 billion).
Under Recto’s watch as the Marcos administration’s chief economic manager, the Philippines has remained as one of the world’s fastest-growing large economies amid persistent global and domestic headwinds.
Inflation slowed down significantly from 5.8 percent in 2022 to 3.2 percent in 2024 and to just 1.4 percent as of April this year―thanks to a wholeof-government effort to keep prices in check.
The full-year average unemployment rate in 2024 fell to the lowest level of 3.8 percent since the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) started compiling comparable data in 2005. Quality jobs for Filipinos are also on the rise.
Last year’s annual average unemployment rate was well below the full-year target range of 4.4 percent to 4.7 percent set under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. This also surpassed the 4.0 percent to 5.0 percent target set for 2028.
It was no surprise that business groups and analysts quickly flagged the potential removal of Recto and his team as “disruptive.” They had warned that such a move could rattle investors, derail ongoing reforms and programs and inject fresh uncertainty into an already complex economic landscape.
The DOF chief is arguably one of the most demanding posts in government. Replacing its leadership midstream would mean setting back recent hardwon gains in revenue generation, inflation management and job generation, among many other aspects. His successor would surely fumble in the dark just to get up to speed.
Recto, who readily complied with the courtesy resignation order, just as swiftly expressed his thanks upon being retained, pledging to work even harder and refine their strategies at the DOF to accelerate delivery and deepen impact.
President Marcos’ decision is a great reminder that sound leadership isn’t just about making bold moves. It’s also about protecting the gains of the administration.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. Leaders from Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) and ACWA Power kick off joint exploration for renewable energy projects during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. Attending the event are (seated, left) MGEN president and Emmanuel Rubio, ACWA chief investment officer Thomas Brostrom (seated, right) with (standing from left), MGEN chief Investment officer Marc Dy, Argosy Partners chairman Nonoy Colayco, MGreen president and CEO Dennis Jordan, ACWA chairman Mohammad Abunayyan, ACWA chief executive officer Marco Arcelli, ACWA vice president for business development for SSEA Salman Baray, and ACWA senior BD manager Sena Wahyudin.
BUSINESS
Lazada PH to invest over P3b for Mindanao expansion
LAZADA Philippines is committing over P3 billion to expedite ecommerce adoption in Mindanao, as part of the Alibaba-owned platform’s broader efforts to make online shopping more accessible and affordable nationwide.
“We’re definitely talking about billions of pesos. It may vary depending on the year, but between shipping subsidies, seller support, and infrastructure, it’s more than P2 billion to 3 billion for sure,” Lazada Philippines chief executive Carlos Otermin Barrera said in an interview Monday, ahead of the company’s 6.6 mid-year sale event.
The e-commerce giant has laid
MORE Power leads with affordability, sustainability, safety
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ILOILO City’s distribution utility is quietly making a big difference at a time when rising electricity costs and environmental issues affect many communities.
MORE Electric and Power Corporation, or MORE Power, led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr., isn’t just keeping the lights on — it’s leading the way with safety, affordability and sustainability at its core.
Since starting operations in 2020, MORE Power has grown into more than just a utility provider.
It has become a trusted partner in the city’s development, earning the distinction of offering the most affordable electricity rates in Western Visayas at P11.3263 per kilowatt-hour.
This can be attributed to the company’s smart energy sourcing strategy. By securing long-term contracts that cover 66 percent of its electricity supply, MORE Power has reduced its reliance on the more expensive spot market.
This approach helps MORE Power keep prices stable, even when the energy market is unpredictable, said Niel Parcon, MORE Power vice president for corporate energy sourcing and regulatory affairs.
Affordability, however, is only part of the story. MORE Power also places a strong focus on safety.
The company recently became a member of the Safety Organization of the Philippines, Inc. (SOPI), a national group that promotes workplace health, safety and environmental protection.
out a three-pronged strategy to boost Mindanao’s digital economy, beginning with heavy buyer-side investments.
These include lowering delivery costs, which have historically been the highest nationwide, by over P40 per shipment and subsidizing promotions and vouchers to attract new users.
“Mindanao has one of the lowest e-commerce penetration rates in the country, and we’re addressing that head-on with aggressive online marketing and sampling campaigns,” Barrera said.
Lazada is also doubling down on support for sellers in the region with
the recent opening of a dedicated office with account managers focused on onboarding and nurturing new entrepreneurs.
Over 500 local sellers have already joined the platform in the past few months, aided by co-funded vouchers, commission waivers, and growth packages to help them gain traction.
On the logistics front, Lazada is expanding its fulfillment network by building new hubs and strengthening its ecosystem in Mindanao, while actively partnering with financial service providers to offer “buy now, pay later” options for consumers and tailored financing solutions for sellers.
Othel V. Campos
DA orders 9 hog farms to explain permit lapses
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), has issued show cause orders to nine hog farms in Central Luzon found operating without necessary permits.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the farms, located in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac, must explain why they continued operations despite lacking basic health, environmental, and safety clearances.
He said the violations undermined efforts to stabilize the country’s pork supply and pricing, especially as the agriculture sector continues to recover from the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“As we modernize Philippine agriculture, everyone must understand that unlicensed operations will not be tolerated,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Compliance is not optional, it is essential to protecting consumers and the livelihoods of law-abiding farmers,” he said.
Acting BAI director Christian Daquigan said the orders were issued shortly after the midterm elections, and the bureau is now reviewing the farms’ responses ahead of possible further enforcement.
Tiu Laurel directed BAI to expand inspections and assess the compliance of swine farms nationwide. The DA and BAI continue to monitor animal facilities across the country to ensure adherence to licensing, health, and safety standards, as part of a broader effort to professionalize the livestock industry and safeguard public welfare.
The move supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to clamp down on unregistered livestock facilities that disrupt the food supply chain and threaten price stability.
Maynilad completed repair of over 18,000 pipe leaks as of end-March
WEST Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) repaired 18,070 pipe leaks as of March 31, 2025, up by 41 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the company’s latest operational report.
The increase reflects Maynilad’s intensified leak detection efforts and accelerated repair activities under its long-term Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management program.
“Our teams are working 24/7 to detect and repair leaks across the West Zone. Every leak we fix helps recover water that would otherwise be lost, contributing to improved service
reliability for our customers,” said Maynilad Central NRW head Ryan Jamora.
n 2024 alone, Maynilad repaired 57,562 leaks, 57.4 percent jump from the previous year, as reported in the company’s IPO prospectus.
Maynilad has also replaced over 3,293 kilometers of aging pipelines across its concession area since 2006, roughly the distance between Manila and Tokyo.
The extensive pipe replacement effort is vital to addressing physical water losses caused by leaks and bursts in older sections of its distribution network, especially in the densely
populated and coastal areas it serves, Jamora said.
“Our NRW reduction program is a sustained, multi-year commitment. Replacing aging pipelines is a critical part of this strategy, as it not only reduces water losses but also improves pressure and reliability for our customers,” he said.
As of end-2024, physical losses, including pipe leaks, accounted for 90 percent of total NRW, while commercial losses, such as illegal connections, comprised the remaining 10 percent, in line with the company’s approved Business Plan. Under its MWSS-approved 2023–
TOMORROW.IO, the global weather intelligence leader, headquartered in the United States, and a technology provider of U.S. agencies NOAA, NASA, and Department of Defense, has partnered with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to help farmers adapt to volatile and challenging climate conditions and boost productivity using artificial intelligence in the Philippines.
In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the partnership aims to transform how weather forecasting supports farming by leveraging Tomorrow. io’s AI-driven models and proprietary network of low-orbit satellites.
These satellites enable microweather forecasting at the plot level,
allowing them to deliver precise and timely agronomy advice, such as when to apply pesticides or delay irrigation based on incoming rainfall.
“The Philippines, with its geographically complex archipelago and remote farming communities, faces unique weather forecasting challenges that traditional ground-based systems alone cannot address,” said Shimon Elkabetz, co-founder and chief executive of Tomorrow.io.
“Our proprietary space-based satellite constellation was purpose-built to fill those coverage gaps and provide high-resolution, real-time weather intelligence across the country, even in the most hard-to-reach and underserved areas.”
2027 Business Plan, Maynilad continues to carry out targeted pipe replacement projects in priority zones, in close coordination with local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.
“We are working toward our target of reducing NRW to 34 percent this year, a substantial improvement from the 66 percent NRW level before Maynilad’s re-privatization in 2007. It is a challenging goal, but we are leveraging advanced technologies and the expertise of our skilled teams to sustain water loss recovery across our network,” Jamora said.
Othel V. Campos
BIR seizes 18,811 illicit vape items in Bulacan raid
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), led by Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division, has cracked down on an online-enabled illicit vape operation, seizing 18,811 vape products and counterfeit tax stamps in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
The enforcement operation, conducted on May 30, 2025, was the product of surveillance of online sales activities on Facebook, which provided bases for the issuance of a Mission Order and a search warrant, the BIR said.
“We want to send a loud and clear message to those selling illicit vape products: the BIR and NBI will pursue you wherever you hide—online or onsite. The long arms of the law extend into the cyber realm—and we will find you,” Lumagui said.
“We will pull out all the stops. Online or onsite, the BIR will do everything it can to stop illicit trade,” he said. The team raided two establishments - a vape lounge allegedly operating as a front for underground vape distribution and a makeshift warehouse located in a residential house.
Inside the premises authorities found 4,789 salt nicotine units and 14,022 conventional vape products, along with fake internal revenue excise stamps and counterfeit disposable vapes.
“To put the scale of the haul into perspective—assuming one disposable vape lasts an average user one week, this means that 18,811
GCash boosts cashless payments with ‘Tap to Pay’
By Darwin G. Amojelar
MOBILE wallet GCash and Singa-
pore-based fintech firm Open Fabric rolled out Tap to Pay—a new contactless payment system that offers customers convenient, quick and secure transactions.
The partnership allowed for faster and more seamless integration with Mastercard. The platform enables GCash users to send payments to merchants that accept Mastercard across the Philippines securely and conveniently.
The system uses Open Fabric’s encrypted tokenization transaction technology, which ensures payments remain
secure and operational even in areas with limited connectivity. This is a key consideration in the Philippines, where digital infrastructure can be uneven.
Tap to Pay lets GCash users complete transactions by tapping their NFC-enabled Android phone on any compatible point-of-sale (POS) terminal that accepts card payments. This expands the use of the GCash app, allowing users to pay with GCash at Mastercardaccepting merchants nationwide. “At GCash, we continuously push the boundaries of digital payments to deliver a faster, more secure, and more inclusive cashless experience for Filipinos,” said Ferdie Perez,
GCash vice president and head of product innovation.
“We believe that ensuring tech leadership is critical, and with the Open Fabric platform helping enable Tap to Pay, the next stage of digital transactions is achieved — and one that aligns with the pace of the country’s fast-evolving digital economy,” he said.
Soma Ramasamy, founder and chief executive of Open Fabric, said GCash’s Tap to Pay solution is a “game-changer,” demonstrating how account tokenization and contactless technology can bridge gaps in financial access.
ACEN expands RE capacity with new solar project
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ACEN Corp., the publicly-listed energy arm of the Ayala Group, has strengthened its presence in North Luzon’s renewable energy sector with the 133-megawatt (MW) Cagayan North Solar project in Lallo, Cagayan.
Developed in partnership with CleanTech Renewable Energy 4 Corp. (CleanTech), the solar farm is already supplying power to the Luzon grid, addressing the region’s increasing energy demands and advancing the Philippines’ energy transition.
The Cagayan North Solar project, the first utility-scale solar facility in Cagayan province, spans 115 hectares. It is projected to generate about 188 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually, enough to power some 45,000 homes and offset approximately 128,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
“Cagayan North Solar is the first renewable energy project in Cagayan supplying clean power to the Luzon grid,” said Eric Francia, ACEN president and chief executive.
“As demand for electricity continues to grow, this project plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s energy supply through reliable and sustainable generation,”
he said.
Salvador Antonio Castro Jr., president and chief executive of CleanTech Global Renewables Inc., described the Cagayan North Solar power plant as “more than just an energy source; it is a symbol of progress.”
“By delivering clean, renewable electricity to the grid, it strengthens the Philippines’ energy resilience while reducing carbon emissions. For host communities, it means new jobs, better infrastructure, and a sustainable future. With every ray of sunlight captured, we illuminate lives and power a nation towards a greener tomorrow,” said Castro.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the Cagayan North Solar project is designed to create positive, lasting impacts for the communities in Lallo. During its construction, the project generated approximately 1,000 green jobs, stimulating local employment and economic activity in the province.
STATE-RUN Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) said it generated P411.4 million from asset disposals in 2024, a 24.7-percent increase from P330 million in 2023.
The state deposit insurer said it sold 281 properties, comprising 71 PDIC-acquired assets and 210 owned by closed banks. Of the total, P194.9 million was raised through public biddings, with the remaining P216.4 million from negotiated sales.
It said that while the number of assets sold in 2024 matched the 2023 levels, the total value exceeded the aggregate minimum bid price of P398.3 million by P13.1 million, or 3.3 percent.
PDIC’s asset disposals rose 24.7% in 2024 PNR chief calls Marcos Jr. ‘father of
Proceeds from closed bank asset disposals are held in trust by the PDIC to settle claims of closed bank creditors, including depositors with uninsured deposits. Sales proceeds from corporate assets bolster the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), the primary source for deposit insurance claim payments.
The PDIC said it remains committed to improving its asset disposal programs through “innovative disposal strategies,” including buyer segmentation, partnerships with PagIBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund), virtual tours, and an enhanced property search engine on its website.
The agency said it aims to further increase asset sales and improve financial recoveries to support the stability of the financial system.
IN BRIEF
OFBank,
The meeting, led by CFO chairperson Dante Francis Ang II and OFBank officerin-charge and president Elcid Pangilinan, focused on aligning
He stressed the need for strong partnerships to help overseas Filipinos manage their finances and contribute to the Philippine economy.
Pangilinan outlined OFBank’s innovative solutions as the nation’s first digitalonly, branchless bank. “By embracing and leveraging technology, OFBank is bridging the gap between overseas Filipinos and their financial needs,” Pangilinan said.
PHILIPPINE National Railways (PNR) chairman Michael Ted Macapagal called President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the “father of the country’s railway system,” citing the administration’s “unprecedented push for comprehensive railway development across the archipelago.”
Under President Marcos’ leadership, the Philippines is experiencing what many consider a “railway renaissance,” with ambitious projects spanning the entire country aimed at modernizing public transportation and boosting economic connectivity, Macapagal said in a statement.
Macapagal said “the railway renaissance under the Marcos administration represents more than just
BDO Foundation renovates health facility to improve patient care
THE La Libertad Primary Care Facility (PCF) has undergone a significant renovation, transforming a previously dilapidated health center into a modern facility ready to serve over 41,000 residents.
The initiative, led by BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, addresses the critical need for improved healthcare infrastructure in rural communities.
Eleanor Acabo, branch head of BDO Network Bank Negros OrientalGuihulngan, witnessed the facility’s prior state firsthand.
“The paint was peeling and the whole space felt like it was no longer conducive to healing and recovery,” Acabo said, describing the crowded waiting areas, worn-down buildings, and poorly ventilated consultation rooms.
Moved by the conditions, she recommended the health center for rehabilitation through BDO Foundation’s program.
BDO Foundation said it has a longstanding commitment to rehabilitating health centers, having renovated more than 210 rural health units nationwide. This ongoing effort is supported by branches of BDO and BDO Network Bank, which identify facilities in need.
Despite the facility’s grim circumstances, Acabo noted the unwavering dedication of the healthcare professionals.
“Despite the grim circumstances of the facility, we saw the unfailing commitment of our
They
infrastructure development. It embodies the president’s vision for national progress, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all Filipinos.”
At the forefront of this transportation push is the Subic-Clark-ManilaBatangas (SCMB) Freight Railway, a flagship project representing the administration’s commitment to creating efficient cargo corridors across Luzon.
The project recently received significant international backing, with the United States boosting funding support for the proposal.
By linking Subic Bay’s strategic port facilities with Clark’s economic zone, Manila’s commercial hub, and Batangas’ growing indus -
trial sector, the project promises to revolutionize freight movement and reduce logistics costs for businesses operating in these key economic corridors.
The administration’s railway development program operates on aggressive timelines designed to deliver tangible benefits to commuters in the near term.
The Metro Manila Subway, the country’s most ambitious underground transit project, targets initial operations by 2028, with full system completion shortly thereafter. The 36-kilometer underground railway will serve key areas from Quezon City to Pasay, providing high-capacity transportation solutions for thousands of daily commuters.
“We are making it easier for them to secure their future, support their families and build lasting financial stability – no matter where they are in the world,” he
GSIS
health care professionals.
served patients one by one and ensured that all were attended to,” she said.
Empowered health professionals. BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank Inc., believes that improved facilities result in efficient patient
FINANCIAL LITERACY. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Research Academy Principal Researcher Dr. Faith Christian
Cacnio (center) responds to a question from student participants on the first day of the Economic and Financial Learning Program (EFLP) for the Academe in Bacolod City on April 29, 2025. The BSP conducted financial-learning sessions for students and educators in Bacolod to instill among them the skill of making informed financial decisions. Source: BSP
Exhibit marks half-century of PH-China diplomacy
By Michael Wong Ho
A PHOTO exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Philippine-China diplomatic relations and Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, along with the turnover and activation of the Smart Museum system, was held on May 30, 2025 at the Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros, Manila.
The event, organized by the Kaisa Heritage Foundation and led by its president Lyonel Ty, carried the theme “50 Years of a Golden Past, Another Century of Mutual Trust.”
It showcased historical milestones in Philippine-China relations and introduced new technology to enhance cultural preservation and education.
Incoming Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro lauded the exhibition as a review of the achievements in bilateral ties over the past five decades.
She said that long before formal diplomatic relations began in 1975,
the Philippines and China had already shared strong cultural and historical connections.
Lazaro also highlighted the role of the Filipino-Chinese community in national development, saying they serve as a bridge for strengthening ties between the two nations.
She said a strong relationship should be built on mutual trust, respect and dialogue.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian commended the Kaisa Heritage Foundation for promoting understanding and cooperation.
He also praised Lazaro for her efforts in maintaining open communication, citing the recent arrangements for resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal as an example of peaceful diplomacy.
Huang noted that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and emphasized the importance of remembering the contributions of the Filipino-Chinese community.
Hong Jian to head Caloocan
Filipino-Chinese charity clinic
HONG Jian was elected as the new Executive Director of the Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Charity Clinic. A successful businessman, Hong is known for his experience in planning and organizing charity projects.
The Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Charity Clinic has long been active in providing urgent medical assistance and community support to marginalized residents, which is considered one of the “three treasures” of the Filipino-Chinese community.
The organization’s 21st officers’ induction ceremony will be held on June 8 at Century Park Seafood Restaurant in Manila.Michael Wong Ho
Groups vow to continue PH-China ties promotion
By Julie Ann Lope
THE Philippine Amity Club delegation, led by its president Cai Ming Feng, paid a courtesy visit to the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) on May 27, 2025.
FFCCCII President Victor Lim commended the Philippine Amity Club as a patriotic organization that has long been committed to fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the bond between the Philippines and China.
He said the club has played a significant role in the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Lim also expressed hope for deeper cooperation between FFCCCII and the Philippine Amity Club, particularly in promoting people-to-people diplomacy and achieving greater recognition from mainstream society.
Cai said it was an honor to visit FFCCCII, a respected and leading organization within the FilipinoChinese community.
Hong Chong Grand Mason vows to strengthen relations
THE Philippine Hong Chong Grand Mason Association Inc. held its 92nd officers induction ceremony at the Century Park Hotel’s Seafood Restaurant in Manila on May 31, 2025.
Hundreds of leaders and members of the Filipino-Chinese community participated in the event.
Pan Zhen Xing was inducted as the new president of the association, taking over the leadership role to continue its mission of cultural preservation, unity, and community service.
Chinese Consul General Wang Yue lauded the association’s longstanding contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and cultural ties between China and the Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines.
Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Victor Lim lauded the organization as a powerful and talented group within the Filipino-
Chinese community.
He noted that former Hong Chong Grand Mason President Wu Qi Fa currently serves as a vice president of FFCCCII, highlighting the strong link between the two organizations.
Lim expressed confidence that under its new leadership, the Hong Chong Grand Mason Association would continue to honor its ancestral heritage by promoting unity among the FilipinoChinese, fostering closer Philippine-China relations, and preserving traditional Chinese culture.
He also called on the association and other Filipino-Chinese groups to actively participate in the upcoming celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.
Among the key events are the Chinatown Jones Bridge lighting ceremony on June 7 and a grand cultural evening scheduled for June 8 at the SMX Convention Center. Michael Wong Ho
of the
He lauded FFCCCII for its continuous efforts in promoting PH-China friendship, supporting education, providing disaster relief, and championing various social welfare initiatives.
Cai said the Philippine Amity Club was founded in 1974 and has grown over the past 51 years to include 26 chapters and over 10,000 members across the country. The two organizations also discussed collaborative plans for the joint celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, emphasizing the importance of cultural and civic exchanges to further deepen bilateral ties.
Dragon Boat Festival celebrated in San Juan
By Julie Ann Lope
THE Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, led by its president Tomas Pai, hosted a Dragon Boat Festival celebration on June 1, 2025 at Gloria Maris Restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan City.
The Federation of FilipinoTaiwanese Chambers of Commerce (FFTCC) was also officially launched during the event.
Around 500 attendees participated in the celebration, highlighting the strong bond between Taiwan and the Philippines and the unity of the Taiwanese community.
Pai said the Dragon Boat Festival is a meaningful occasion for reunion among Taiwanese people.
He also announced that the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines recently rejoined the World Federation of Taiwanese Associations (WFTA).
Pai shared his aspiration for the Philippines to one day host the WFTA global presidency.
Taiwan’s Representative to the Philippines Wallace Minn-Gan Chow lauded Pai for his leadership and dedication to uniting the community.
Chow congratulated the launch of the FFTCC and expressed optimism that the new federation would play a key role in enhancing TaiwanPhilippines trade and economic cooperation.
Legislator Tsai Chi-Chang encouraged overseas Taiwanese entrepreneurs to balance business success with soft diplomacy.
Legislator Lin Chu-yin, visiting the Philippines for the first time, was moved by the kindness of the Filipino-Taiwanese community and said it was one of the nicest overseas events she had ever attended.
In her speech, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairperson Atty. Cheloy Garafil commended the longstanding friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines and thanked the Taiwanese community for their continued support of local Filipino causes.
She expressed interest in fostering cooperation between business groups in both countries, aiming to create new avenues for bilateral engagement.
Andrew Liang, former president of the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, was inducted as the chairman of the FFTCC.
Members of the Philippine Amity Club delegation, led by its president Cai Ming Feng, pay a courtesy visit to the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).
The Kaisa Heritage Foundation holds a photo exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Philippine-China diplomatic relations and Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day, along with the turnover and activation of the Smart Museum system, in Intramuros, Manila.
The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines hosts a Dragon Boat Festival celebration at Gloria Maris Restaurant in Greenhills, San Juan City.
Members
Philippine Hong Chong Grand Mason Association Inc. hold their 92nd officers induction ceremony at the Century Park Hotel’s Seafood Restaurant in Manila.
Hong Jian
Is Jayda the next Sarah G?
WHETHER Jayda Avanzado becomes the next major name in the Viva roster remains to be seen, but the groundwork, quietly laid over the past decade, is now taking shape in full view.
Viva Entertainment’s decision to bring Jayda into its fold may seem like another talent acquisition on paper, but the level of executive attention it received suggests otherwise.
The young star, daughter of seasoned Original Pinoy Music (OPM) singers Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado, was formally introduced under the Viva banner with the rare presence of Boss Vic del Rosario and his children—Vincent, Veronique, and Val —at the press launch.
Del Rosario admitted he had been eyeing Jayda as early as age nine.
“I waited twelve years for this,” he said, referencing her early performances and citing parallels with past Viva stars like Sharon Cuneta, Donna Cruz, Regine Velasquez, and Sarah Geronimo Viva sees long-term potential in Jayda, not just in music, as they envision her as a multimedia artist positioned for endorsements, acting roles, and hosting duties.
“I think she’ll be a big multimedia star,” Boss Vic said. “We have plans for her as an actress, a host everything. And she’ll probably get a lot of endorsements in the future.”
Jayda, now 22, acknowledged the moment as the result of a long lead-up.
“Honestly, I feel nothing but gratitude, especially since I heard that Boss Vic doesn’t usually attend this kind of press conference,” she said. “Even at this early stage, I want to thank you for the trust you’re giving me. I want to do my best to make you guys proud.”
She also revealed that the partnership has been in quiet development for years.
“If you only knew, guys, this has been a long time in the making—ever since I was nine years old, and now I’m 22,” she said. “The circumstances finally aligned, and this deal has been
Jayda Avanzado (right) poses with Viva chairman Vic del Rosario during her o cial welcome to the company
months in the making.”
Asked why she moved to Viva, Jayda said, “Of course, where else would I go? Their field of expertise in both music and acting is unmatched.
I think I’m at a point in my career where I’ve been so privileged to work with amazing people. And for this to finally come together here at Viva, I’m really excited to learn.”
Jayda kept details of upcoming projects vague but said, “I can’t reveal too much, but I’m really excited about the adaptations—young adult series, Wattpad adaptations.”
Anti-fake news campaign triumphs at Asia Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards
GMA Network Inc.’s Panata Kontra-Fake
Multi-Platform
at
initiative was
Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards, held at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore. Launched on National Press Freedom Day 2024, Panata Kontra-Fake News is a multi-sectoral effort to combat disinformation by promoting media literacy, fact-checking, and critical thinking among Filipinos. The
campaign, led by GMA Integrated News, has partnered with key organizations across media, education, and technology to amplify its reach.
The initiative has mobilized nearly 60 partner organizations through a landmark memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing and engaged over 12,000 students nationwide via the GMA Masterclass: Eleksyon 2025 “Dapat Totoo” Series. Through TV, radio, and digital platforms, the campaign has delivered fact-checking reports, interactive content, and immersive storytelling to millions of Filipinos.
“This international recognition is both an honor and a call to action,” said Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, GMA Regional TV, and Synergy. “Panata Kontra-Fake News reflects our commitment to credible journalism and empowering Filipinos to fight misinformation. This award belongs to every journalist, partner, and citizen who believes in the power of truth.” The Asia Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards honors innovation and excellence in broadcasting and digital media across the region. GMA Integrated News and its partners were
multi-platform approach in reshaping media
disinformation. The APB+ trophies stand ready to honor excellence in broadcasting and digital media in Asia-Paci c
and
THE run of Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo has been extended following strong demand from theatergoers. Newport World Resorts’ Full House Theater Company announced additional performances on June 14 at 8:00 p.m. and June 15 at 3:00 p.m., along with encore shows on June 28 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. The musical, which features the music of hitmaker Jonathan Manalo, marks the 11th major theatrical production by Full House Theater Company. Since opening, the show has drawn thousands with its
and creative team, combining original Filipino music with a story centered on dreams, friendship, and family. Tickets are priced at P3,500 for SVIP, P3,000 for VIP, P2,500 for Gold, P1,800 for Silver, and P1,000 for Bronze. Tickets may be purchased through TicketWorld, HelixPay, or the Newport World Resorts Box Office. For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237, or email info@ fhtcentertainment.com.
Jayda Avanzado shares her excitement and gratitude as she speaks at her press launch under Viva
Viva executives with Jayda Avanzado (third from the left) at the press launch that formally introduces her as part of the Viva family
Phi Palmos brings the title role to life in the crowd-favorite musical ‘Delia D.’ at Newport Performing Arts Theater
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
A
low-key star
who lets her
work do the talking
THE late Hajji Aejandro had much to be proud of in his colorful life, including his image (being the original recipient of the “Kilabot ng Kolehiyala” title), his music (which led him to sing the Ryan Cayabyab -penned classic “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika”), and having a Rachel Alejandro for a daughter.
Healthy Options marks 30 years with wellness campaign
HEALTHY Options, the Philippines’ pioneering and largest retailer of all-natural and organic products, is marking its 30th anniversary this year with the launch of its latest campaign, “Make Better Choices.” The initiative emphasizes the importance of everyday decisions in fostering longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Founded in 1995 with its first store in Shangri-La Plaza, Healthy Options has played a significant role in redefining health-conscious living for Filipinos. With 38 branches nationwide and plans for expansion, the brand remains committed to making clean, wholesome living accessible through carefully sourced food, health, and beauty products free from artificial preservatives, additives, and harmful ingredients.
“Being healthy isn’t an accident, but a choice,” said Romy Sia, founder and owner of Healthy Options. “We celebrate those who make these choices daily, whether it’s parents choosing better nutrition for their children or individuals shifting to clean beauty. Our mission is to make those decisions easier.”
As part of the campaign, Healthy Options shared stories from loyal customers who embody the philosophy of making better choices in their wellness journeys.
Actress and She Talks Asia cofounder Iza Calzado emphasized how motherhood has deepened her commitment to conscious living: “Whatever season of life you’re at, whatever diet or lifestyle choice you
have, Healthy Options supports you in your wellness journey… Now that I’m a mother, I’m very mindful of what I give my family.”
Entrepreneur Carlo Herrera highlighted the importance of costeffective healthy choices: “Healthy Options has become a safe haven for my family to find daily essentials. In the long run, it’s about investing in health rather than just paying for ‘ok lang’ products that could be toxic and lead to higher hospital bills.”
Other personalities, including triathlete Bubbles Paraiso, media figure Joyce Pring, and restaurateur Jae Pickrell highlighted Healthy
Options’ strict standards on quality and consumer education. Paraiso cited the brand’s rigorous testing, Pring noted the staff’s expertise, and Pickrell pointed to its careful sourcing.
The brand screens products against a list of restricted ingredients and supports local organic farmers, alongside running its in-house bakery, Baking Therapy.
To mark its 30th year, Healthy Options held an event with consultations, samples, and community activities. New products launched include a limited-edition green tea blend and reusable tote bags available at its Greenhills flagship.
CERVICAL cancer continues to be the second most prevalent cancer among Filipino women aged 15 to 44, with alarming new data revealing that only about 1 percent of the country’s 54 million women underwent Pap smear screening in 2023, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
Medical experts warn that this low screening rate directly contributes to the nation’s high cervical cancer mortality.
Dr. Renee Vina G. Sicam, a gynecologist at Makati Medical Center, emphasized the severity of the situation: “Every two hours, a Filipino woman dies from cervical cancer. This translates to 12 daily deaths and 4,380 lives lost annually - tragedies that could largely be prevented through regular Pap smear screenings.”
The medical community recommends women begin Pap smear testing at age 30, with follow-up screenings every three years if initial results are normal. For more comprehensive detection, healthcare
providers also advise HPV DNA testing, which identifies high-risk human papillomavirus strains strongly associated with cervical cancer development. Despite the procedure’s brief duration - typically under five minutes - and relatively quick turnaround for results (ranging from a few days to three weeks), cultural discomfort remains a significant barrier. Dr. Sicam acknowledged these concerns but stressed the exam’s life-saving potential: “We understand patients may feel vulnerable, but medical professionals focus solely on health outcomes, not appearance. Early detection through these screenings can mean the difference between life and death.” Health authorities urge Filipino women to prioritize these screenings regardless of personal discomfort. With proper scheduling (avoiding menstrual periods) and wearing comfortable clothing, the process can be managed with minimal stress. Some patients find it helpful to bring a trusted companion for support during the appointment.
From afar, Rachel may be just one of those stars from the past with a few hit songs and, for whatever reason, you can’t describe as iconic. But a closer look at her accomplishments and the clean—as she is—image she has embodied throughout the years should qualify her as underrated. She deserves more praise than what she is getting. Of course, she’s not someone to voice that out. She’s too classy to make unnecessary noise.
While scrolling through social media, I saw a post from her about her gig portraying the role of a news anchor for the American crime drama Law & Order. She’s appearing in Episode 7, titled “Beautiful Disaster,” in Season 5 of Law & Order: Organized Crime which is its seventh series. Her post is a simple announcement with a few hashtags and her picture, where she looks genuinely happy and comfortable with how she looks.
Someone else could have used the privilege to brag that she must have done something to deserve such a proud moment for Filipinos, or shown another picture flaunting how hot she is. But she is not that type of celebrity. Rachel prefers to stay low-key and let her work do the talking. She has become a prime example of how a famous person from the Philippines should carry oneself in the US, or any other country outside of the archipelago.
Filipino-Americans navigating Hollywood like to use the word “mainstream” to denote that someone is making waves beyond the Fil-Am community. Well, Rachel has gone mainstream with her Law & Order stint. When a swimsuit photo of her went viral because netizens compared her to former Vice President Leni Robredo, the former That’s Entertainment personality casually reacted to it and said in jest, “Netizens, nakakatawa kayo.” She could have overreacted by expressing deeply concerning political views or implying she could do what Laurice Guillen did for the People Power movie A Dangerous Life, where the lady director portrayed Cory Aquino Yet, as cool as she is, the girl
who takes pride in having a small circle of friends she has known for decades, only mused why it’s always her picture in swimwear that attracts peopl,e urging to “Let Leni Lead.” She was quick to point out, too, that maybe her doe eyes resemble those of the now Mayor-elect of Naga. The singer-actress is playing a trueto-life cultural advocate from Bohol named Equet Butalid in the multiawarded movie Song of the Fireflies, which will be shown in Philippine cinemas beginning June 25. The musical tells the heartwarming tale of the Loboc Children’s Choir—which her character formed in 1980 and has won several accolades.
At the Manila International Film Festival, she won Best Supporting Actress for her work, while Morissette, one of the more celebrated singers of the current generation, bagged the Best Actress plum.
Rachel has also worked on a movie called Songs for Selina, which R&B King Jay R produced and starred his wife, Mica Javier. She plays a record label executive who, in the trailer, says with a display of bravura, “I think you could be the next big thing.” That bit alone may stay in your head for a while.
The link to music will always be there for Rachel. She started early, and probably not many realize she does have a good dose of pop hits and ballads: “Mr. Kupido,” “K.S.P. (Kulang Sa Pansin),” “Kay Tagal,” “Paalam Na,” and her version of “Nakapagtataka,” which her dad also recorded. Hajji passed away last April, and Rachel posted “I love you forever DAD”—a few words that say it all. She likewise expressed pride in her brother Ali, who has an exhibit in Makati City, and joy regarding some development in her hubby’s citizenship status. Family surely matters above all for this ageless beauty. Her career has stood the test of time partly because of this, and largely because she chooses to focus on good work and positive vibes instead of news-baiting intrigue and toxic drama.
Touchbass
Yugel Losorata
Rachel Alejandro is known for OPM hits ‘Mr. Kupido’ and ‘Paalam Na’
Healthy Options owners Christian Tan (left) and Romy Sia lead the launch of the brand’s latest campaign, ‘Make Better Choices’
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
No perfect parents, just present ones
Six science-backed tips for self-improvement
By Nickie Wang
ESEARCHERS
By Jasper Valdez
ACTRESS and artist Solenn Heussaff
is used to the spotlight, but during the premiere of The Gifted 4 and the Case of the Missing Gifts at Central Square Cinema 2 in Bonifacio Global City, she proudly took the backseat for her fiveyear-old daughter, Tili Bolzico Tili, one of the youngest creatives behind the animated short film made by gifted kids, stepped into the role of director for the first time.
Solenn, meanwhile, stood just offscreen, watching, encouraging, but letting her daughter lead.
“I just really wanted her to be her own person and do her own thing,” Heussaff said. “That’s what I feel can really bring out the creativity in people.”
The May 26 event launched The Gifted 4 and the Case of the Missing Gifts, along with its companion behind-the-scenes series, Gifted Kids in Action—a project supported by PROMIL that brings together four children, including Tili and Alfie Burnand, who collaborated with top mentors in writing, animation, and music.
It’s a celebration of imagination and early development—something Heussaff says can’t thrive without parental support.
For Solenn, that support begins with presence.
“You decide how you want to parent, and just try to be as present as you can,” she said. “For me, it’s presence that we don’t have much of nowadays.”
The actress said she was initially worried about how her daughter would perform in a production setting, especially with new faces around. But the process revealed a different side of Tili, one that thrived through language, interaction, and quiet confidence.
“She’s always been good at communicating because we speak three languages at home,” Heussaff shared. “But here, I saw her come out of her shell and communicate with older people, younger people, and be clear.”
Heussaff also reflected on the realities of modern parenting, noting that mistakes are part of the journey— and shouldn’t be seen as failures.
“It’s not hit or miss,” she said. “It’s like you miss, and then you learn from it, and then you get better at it.” And while she admits that she can be more lenient compared to her husband, Nico Bolzico, who tends to be the stricter parent, Heussaff emphasizes that they’re learning together.
What matters most, she says, is giving their daughter the space and trust to grow.
“If there’s one trait I want her to have, it’s the ability to make people smile,” she added. “That’s something Nico’s really good at, and I see it in her, too.”
The Gifted 4 and the Case of the Missing Gifts is the first animated film in the Philippines created entirely by young children, a milestone that Heussaff says will stay with their family forever, not just because of the film, but because of the moment it captured.
“She just needed the space to shine,” she said.
Rand well-being experts have outlined six evidence-based strategies to enhance personal growth and mental health, providing guidance for individuals seeking a more fulfilling life.
According to Dr. Tchiki Davi s, a well-being consultant and author with experience supporting over a million people worldwide, self-improvement encompasses developing personal qualities, advancing skills, and cultivating meaningful roles in relationships.
Davis emphasizes a strategic approach, advising individuals to focus on aspects of themselves that are most amenable to change, as some traits tend to be more fixed than others.
Renowned psychologist Martin Seligman notes that various facets of human experience—ranging from mood and panic to depression, sexual difficulties, and optimism— are modifiable through targeted efforts. Additional research from Constantine Sedikides and Erica G.D. Hepper points to the importance of well-being, personality traits, relationships, and achievement in personal development.
The Benilde Well-Being Center
A simpler way to stay healthy
By Angelica Villanueva
ACTRESS Julia Montes believes that wellness is about choosing sustainable habits over temporary solutions— embracing what works and committing to it gradually. Now, the actress is applying that mindset beyond her personal routine as she enters the wellness industry with Swiss Proli.
At its recent launch, Julia introduced Swiss Proli Lean Quick Gummies, a plant-based supplement made for Filipinos who want to care for their health without complicating their daily lives.
The newly launched wellness brand, which she co-owns alongside chemist Pinky Tobiano, Juancho Robles, and Mac Merla, offers Swiss Proli, a vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO supplement that combines the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and pectin.
“We’re super happy and excited to release this product. It’s packed with vitamins that other ACV products don’t have,” the actress said. During an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Life
Julia also revealed that she personally tried the gummies during the brand’s research and development phase.
“For those who noticed I lost weight, it’s because we really tried it ourselves. That was part of our R&D—before releasing it, we made sure to test it. That’s why I’m happy, and I can talk more about the product, because I actually experienced it,” explained Julia.
The ACV chewable is designed to be a convenient and flavorful alternative to traditional vinegar supplements.
“What we’re really promoting is convenience—sometimes we forget to take medicine just because we still need water. With this, you just pop it in your mouth, chew, and you’re done,” she continued.
The Saving Grace star also shared her motivation for venturing into wellness entrepreneurship.
“Swiss Proli feels like a family, and this is our new baby and there are more babies to come,” added Julia.
She emphasized that the brand focuses on natural, plant-based ingredients.
“It’s called natural because it’s unfiltered. We’re vegan, non-GMO, and we’re proud to say that we’re FDAapproved and ISO-certified,” Julia said.
More products are in the pipeline—including one focused on improving sleep quality.
“If melatonin is known for sleep, we have ashwagandha. It makes you feel good. It puts you to sleep gently. Not in a groggy way, just smooth and relaxing,” the actress shared.
While Julia admitted that she’s long tried to be healthconscious because of the pressures of showbiz, the journey hasn’t always been easy.
“It was a struggle for me to stay focused on my fitness journey because I love food. Food is my love language,” she said.
That’s why her advice for those starting their health journey is simple: take it slow.
“Less pressure. Just enjoy the process and don’t tell yourself you need to lose 10 pounds in 10 days. Just go with the flow,” Julia stated.
“At the end of the day, when you finally hit your goal, if you do it gradually, slowly but surely, the reward feels so much better. It lasts longer,” added Julia.
at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde has summarized these insights for the public, focusing on practical steps grounded in psychology. Key self-improvement tips—rooted in scientific research and mental health practices, aiming to empower individuals on their journey toward self-enhancement and well-being— include:
1.Engage in self-reflection: Cultivate self-awareness to better understand areas for growth and develop a clear self-concept, recognizing that perceptions of oneself may differ from others’ views.
2. Practice mindfulness: Focus attention on present experiences with curiosity and acceptance, viewing thoughts and emotions as transient, which can foster openness to new experiences.
3. Adopt a growth mindset: Believe in the capacity to develop abilities through effort, motivation, and perseverance, facilitating goal achievement and personal advancement.
4. Address feelings of shame: Align self-improvement goals with personal values rather than external pressures or societal expectations to ensure satisfaction and authenticity.
5. Build reappraisal skills: Reframe stressful situations in a more positive light to mitigate negative emotions and promote resilience.
6. Leverage personal strengths: Focus on enhancing existing abilities alongside addressing weaknesses, fostering mastery and confidence.
Engaging in regular selfreflection helps develop a clear sense of identity and purpose
Solenn Heussaff attends her daughter Tili’s directorial debut, championing creativity through presence and support
Julia Montes (center) joins chemist Pinky Tobiano (right) and Dr. Solo Claridades (left) in launching Swiss Proli’s Lean Quick Gummies
Actress Julia Montes shares her wellness journey through Swiss Proli’s new plantbased ACV supplement
Reframing challenges builds emotional strength and encourages positive outcomes
Adopting a growth mindset supports resilience and learning through effort
Practicing mindfulness promotes emotional awareness and openness to growth