Manila Standard - 2025 June 9 - Monday

CBCP exec: Stop delaying trial

Catholic clergy joins civil society at Senate rally today

By Vito Barcelo and Ram Superable

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has signaled support for moving forward with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, as members of the clergy join forces with civil organizations in mounting three days of mass actions aimed at pressuring the Senate leadership to stop delaying the process.

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, the Catholic Church’s social action arm, urged the Senate to act on the case with urgency while maintaining “utmost integrity” and a strong commitment to the rule of law.

Obey the law, put VP Sara on trial—top law school deans

THE deans of Ateneo/Xavier university system yesterday joined the call for the Senate to proceed with the long-delayed impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a joint statement dated June 8, 2025, the deans from the Schools and Colleges of Law in the Ateneo/ Xavier University system—including Manila, Davao, Cagayan, Naga and Zamboanga—collectively called for the immediate start of the trial and its continuation in the 20th Congress.

“We adhere to the time-honored principle that public office is a public trust that must be faithfully respected and protected in the name of the sovereign Filipino people,” they said, urging senators to uphold constitutional processes and respond to its ‘moral duty’ as

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced plans to lower the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of imported rice beginning July 1, 2025, following President Ferdinand

Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the burden on Filipino consumers.

“We plan to bring down the MSRP of imported rice to P43 per kilo from the current P45, in response to the recent decline in global rice prices,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu

Jr. said over the weekend. The DA initially set the MSRP in January in line with the President’s decision to slash rice tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent starting July 2025. The move follows a drop in global

HK OFW GLOBAL CENTER. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, along with Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, join overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong for a group photo following the grand opening Sunday of the DMWOWWA OFW Global Center. Ver Noveno

Chinese Drug Triad behind floating shabu—PDEA

By Rio N. Araja

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Sunday confirmed that the Chinese Drug Triad was behind the dumping of over one ton of shabu retrieved by fishermen off Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur.

“Based on the packaging of shabu packs recovered, they were contained in teabags with Chinese markings -- a signature trademark associated with the Chinese Drug Triad,” PDEA director general Isagani Nerez said.

“The triad gains notoriety by engaging in all sorts of methods of drug smuggling, including the use of the high seas. They dump their illicit goods to be retrieved by local cohorts later. It’s a good thing that our hero fisher-

By Rio N. Araja

NO LETUP. Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque leads the DTI Special Monitoring for School Supplies team to check on the prices of school supplies in Baclaran, Parañaque. She is joined by Assistant

More Pinoys feel non-poor—SWS

ANEW survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) has revealed encouraging signs in poverty alleviation, as more Filipino families now consider themselves “Not Poor” or “Not Food-Poor,” with several key indicators hitting record highs.

According to the survey released Saturday, which was conducted from April 23 to 28, 2025, 42% of Filipino families identified themselves as “Not Poor,” marking a record high and a 10-point jump from 32% just two weeks earlier. Meanwhile, the percentage of families seeing themselves as “Poor” fell

to 50%, down from 55% in mid-April.

Around eight percent of families placed themselves in the “Borderline” category—another record low.

These improvements mean that the number of families identifying as “Not Poor” has surged to an estimated 11.9 million, while those rating themselves

as “Poor” dropped to 14.1 million, according to SWS.

“The percentage of respondent households rating themselves as poor was applied to the Philippine Statistics Authority medium-population projections for 2025 to arrive at the estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families,” the survey firm said in its report.

Respondents were asked about their ability to meet basic food needs and 51% of families said they were “Not Food-Poor”—another record high and a 15-point rise from December 2024. Only 41% of families said they felt “Food-Poor,” down from 51% in

December.

NEWS

LPA spotted off Infanta, Quezon

By Rio N. Araja

“The 5-point decrease in the nationwide Self-Rated Poverty between April 11-15, 2025 and April 23-28, 2025 was due to declines in Metro Manila and Mindanao, combined with steady scores in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila) and the Visayas,” according to the SWS.

Despite these gains, data suggests that challenges remain as there are still many Filipino families struggling to lift themselves out of poverty. Many have just learned to adjust and find ways to make ends meet amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

public servants.

“As advocates of the rule of law, we submit to the supremacy of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the land. As such, faithful obedience to the constitutional mandates is requisite and mandatory; hence, not discretionary and optional. It is what we have all subscribed to when we ratified the Constitution. It is what we are being called to observe and obey now,” they added.

The Adamson community echoed similar appeals in a joint statement signed by its president and other high-ranking officials. They urged members of the Senate to “rise above political expediency and to perform their constitutional duty with integrity and transparency.”

“This is not the time for neutrality or passive observation; this is the time for principled leadership and decisive action. Do what is right instead of what is convenient for you… You have procrastinated far too long. The nation is watching. Honor your oath… You owe this to the Filipino people,” they added.

The University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, released a simple social media graphic to get their message across. “Respect the Constitution. Fulfill the duty. Forthwith proceed. Veritas,” it said, referring to the highly anticipated impeachment trial of the Vice President.

The De La Salle University (DLSU) earlier released its own political stand, condemning “any and all efforts—covert or overt—to prematurely discard or obstruct the constitutional process” of holding Duterte accountable for allegedly mismanaging public funds, among other serious charges.

“We remind our Senators—both the 19th and the incoming 20th Congress—of their constitutional duty to act as impartial stewards of justice, especially in matters involving accountability of public officials,” the LaSallian Family said in a statement dated June 6, 2025.

The Bishop is scheduled to lead a prayer rally as part of an ecumenical gathering of various pro-impeachment organizations at the Manila Film Center today, culminating in a “forthwith march” to the Senate Gate, where participants intend to hold a vigil until Wednesday.

“Let this be a time for our leaders to show moral courage, for our institutions to stand firm in justice, and for all citizens to demand accountability rooted in compassion and truth,” Bagaforo said in a statement published on the CBCP’s newsletter yesterday.

He emphasized that delaying the trial undermines public trust and weakens democratic institutions.

“The impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency,” he said.

“The ultimate goal must always be the welfare of the Filipino people — especially the poor, the marginalized, and those whose voices are often unheard,” Bagaforo added.

For his part, Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, said pro-impeachment groups would stand guard at the Senate until June 11, which is the last session day of Congress, when a prosecutor from the House of Representatives would present the articles of impeachment to members of the upper chamber.

Escudero has said that after the articles of impeachment are presented and read, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court, approve the rules, and issue a summons to the Vice President.

The Vice President is given 10 days to respond, which the Senate President said would be until June 21 when the Senate has already ended its session.

Escudero has said that the trial would probably begin on July 28 when the 20th Congress opens.

Villanueva, who led the Justice and Peace Office of the Society of the Di-

vine Word (SVD) religious order, was a signatory to the first impeachment complaint filed against Duterte in December last year, pointing out that further delaying the process threatens to deny justice to Filipinos.

“The impeachment trial must no longer be delayed. We call on our leaders to act with the highest sense of urgency,” he said.

Likewise, the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP) criticized what it called a “deliberate delay” in the impeachment proceedings.

The group, composed of Catholic nuns and priests who occupy leadership positions in their respective holy orders, lambasted Senate President Francis Escudero for supposedly prioritizing personal ambition and turning the Senate into a partisan “playground.”

“We strongly condemn the deliberate delay in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, enabled by political maneuvering within the Senate, led by Duterte-aligned senators and Senate President Chiz Escudero,” the CMSP said in a statement.

Several Senators also joined the Catholic leadership in their eagerness to proceed with Duterte’s trial.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel warned that any further delay risks damaging the Senate’s credibility and undermining public trust in democratic institutions.

Pimentel criticized the lack of assurance from Senate leaders that the impeachment court will be convened as required, stressing that the Constitution does not permit discretionary delays.

“The credibility, reputation and integrity of the Senate are at stake. Everybody must act with good faith. We should preserve the integrity of our institution,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros called the four-month delay in the impeachment process unjustifiable and said it no longer falls under procedural concerns but deliberate obstruction.

“The impeachment process is a crucial means of demanding accountability exclusively entrusted by the people

Malacañang to suspend the project’s implementation, which would have begun on June 13.

to the Senate. It’s time to follow the rules and start the process ‘forthwith’,” she said.

The senator said the Senate must respect its mandate as the sole body entrusted to hold impeachment trials and warned that continued inaction erodes public confidence.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed these concerns, saying the matter is no longer up for debate and that the Senate has a clear constitutional obligation to proceed.

He pointed out that the term “forthwith” in the Constitution leaves no room for postponement or discretion once the articles of impeachment are transmitted.

“It’s no longer our decision; it’s our duty to carry it out,” he said.

Senator-elect Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, reminded that the Senate’s role is not to dismiss complaints but to carry out a trial resulting in either acquittal or conviction.

“With all due respect to the senators, once the Senate receives the complaint, the directive of the Constitution is to ‘proceed with trial,’ not proceed with dismissal, “ he said.

Pangilinan said senators, as judges in the impeachment court, must evaluate the evidence and deliver a verdict accordingly, not evade the process altogether.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier stated that the Senate is duty-bound to continue with the impeachment trial and should aim for a swift resolution to refocus on national concerns.

“This impeachment will proceed anyway, whether we like it or not. I hope it finishes quickly, so whatever the decision is, whatever the verdict is, I hope we can return to normalcy as soon as possible,” he said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also reiterated that the Senate has no authority to bypass the trial, as the Constitution mandates that an impeachment must proceed.

“The Senate has no choice. We have to carry out our constitutional duty,” he concluded.

A LOW pressure area (LPA) was spotted at 220 kilometers east northeast of Infanta, Quezon, or 215 km east of Baler, Aurora as of 3 p.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon or habagat affects the rest of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) warned of localized flooding mainly in low-lying urban centers or areas near the rivers. Landslide is possible in highly susceptible areas, the weather bureau said. In another development, recent heavy rains rendered roads around Mount Kanlaon in the Negros Island Region dangerous and barely passable to motorists, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported over the weekend. According to PHIVOLCS and the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, major and secondary roads in the upland areas of Canlaon City and the towns of La Castellana and Isabela have been covered by thick, cement-like lahars. Rivers, canals, and streams in these areas likewise choked with lahars and mud. Mount Kanlaon’s continual emissions of sulfur dioxide has added to difficulties for residents living within and around the volcano’s permanent danger zone. The OCD urged surrounding communities and local government units to closely monitor weather conditions and prepare quick-response plans in case the rains worsened.

Overall weather outlook in the country is currently affected by the low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon.

men got there first before the drugs fell into the wrong hands,” he added.

In a statement, the PDEA said as of 4 p.m. on June 8, joint operatives of the PDEA, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Navy and the National Bureau of Investigation had recovered 1,013 kilos of shabu estimated at P6.888 billion.

The illegal drugs were discovered beginning June 5 off the coastal areas of barangays Dacap Sur in Bani; Boboy and Macaboboni in Agno; and Luciente I, Balingasay, Concordia and Poblacion in Bolinao, all located in Pangasinan; and barangays Mantanazan and Dili in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur.

A total of 39 turnover incidents were recorded, facilitated by fishermen and villagers.

The latest count included the contributions of 52 fishermen with operational leadership and assistance from a policeman and a PCG personnel under the One Law Enforcement Action (OLEA) initiative.

“The sheer volume of surrendered illegal drugs is a resounding testament to the vigilance and integrity of our coastal communities,” Nerez noted.

proceed. Let’s fix the plan first,” the President said in his vlog posted yesterday.

The EDSA Rebuild project is touted as a flagship project under the administration’s infrastructure program. However, rehabilitating the 23.8-kilometer main road has been plagued by concerns over traffic gridlock and local capacity to manage rerouting, causing

Mr. Marcos postponed the project to allow concerned agencies to conduct a month-long review on how it can be carried out with the least inconvenience to the public.

Project leaders were also directed to explore new ways to reduce the project’s duration from three years to no more than one year.

Recently, business organizations ap-

frontline services directly to OFWs.

Members of the House of Representatives, labor officials, and OFW affairs officers—led by DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac—also attended the event.

“Today, we open not just the doors of a new facility—we open the doors to better service, deeper care, and a stronger commitment to our modern-day heroes—our OFWs,” Romualdez said.

He emphasized that the DMW-OWWA OFW Global Centre was established in response to a clear directive from President Marcos: to make the government more accessible to every Filipino abroad.

Romualdez underscored that representatives from major government agencies flew to Hong Kong to deliver

“Joining us here today are representatives from various government agencies who traveled here to serve you—from the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Professional Regulation Commission, and many others. This is the spirit of the ‘Bagong Bayani ng Mundo’ OFW Serbisyo Caravan,” he said.

“We are bringing the entire government to you. You no longer have to return home to attend to your needs. This is a government that truly values our OFWs—a government that knows how to reach out, to listen, and to act,” he added.

Romualdez said it was a great honor to stand with OFWs in Hong Kong, describing them as among the most hardworking, resilient, and inspiring Fili-

pealed to the President to consider a piecemeal implementation of EDSA Rebuild, rather than carrying it out throughout the entire stretch of the highway.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos pointed out his administration’s other efforts aimed at easing the plight of travelers.

In particular, the chief executive highlighted recent improvements in the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), including the recently launched 1+3 Family Fare promo and the speed up in operations.

pino communities in the world.

For the first time, he noted, Filipino workers in the Chinese Special Administrative Region will now have a dedicated space for training, empowerment, and even a quiet cup of coffee during their rest days.

“This center is yours—it is a home away from home. If there is a new heart beating for a better Philippines, it is you—our OFWs,” he said.

He assured them that the House of Representatives remains fully committed to advancing legislation that protects, empowers, and honors OFWs.

“You deserve nothing less. Because when we talk about building a new Philippines, we’re not just building it for you—we’re building it with you. You are not extras in the story of the Philippines—you are the main characters. And it is our duty to ensure that every tear, every sacrifice, and every triumph

rice prices, spurred by India’s lifting of its export ban on non-basmati rice and waning demand after last year’s El Niño.

The MSRP for 5 percent broken imported rice was first pegged at P58 per kilo when it was piloted on January 28, 2025. It was gradually reduced to P45 by March 31.

According to Tiu Laurel, the price ceiling helped ease inflation and allowed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to cut interest rates—stimulating economic activity and job creation.

He added that rice sold through the DA’s Rice-for-All program would also reflect the new pricing. Currently, 5 percent broken rice sells for P43 per kilo, 25 percent broken for P35, and 100 percent broken for P33.

The DA’s initiative supports the administration’s “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” campaign, which aims to fulfill President Marcos’ pledge to make rice available at P20 per kilo.

The pilot run of the P20-per-kilo rice program, ongoing until December, targets up to 14 million lowincome and vulnerable Filipinos, including minimum wage earners.

“I wouldn’t have pursued this program—especially not the President— if it hadn’t been thoroughly studied. He spent three years analyzing it before we began implementation last month,” Tiu Laurel said, addressing concerns about the program’s feasibility.

you offer for the country is not wasted,” Romualdez said.

Recognizing the immense sacrifices of OFWs for their families and for the nation, he reaffirmed the government’s dedication to defending their rights and securing their future.

“You have sacrificed so much. You have given so much. That is why we in government will fight for you—for your rights, for your future, and for the future of your families,” he said.

“Let this center stand as a symbol of our commitment to serve—not just through words, but through action. Your dream of providing a better life for your family is our dream too. And so we will move forward together—united, for a better Philippines,” he added.

Tingog Party-list Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre also delivered special messages to the OFW community during the event.

PBBM marks PH-China ties with Chinatown project

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked the 50th anniversary of Philippine-China ties with the launching of the Chinatown Revitalization Project.

“This is what the Chinatown Revitalization Project is all about. It is about restoring Binondo [and] reaffirming its cultural and historical place and significance to our shared heritage,” President Marcos said in a speech after the ceremonial lighting of the iconic Jones Bridge.

“We will transform Binondo into a place that we can always return to. From the old Manileños to the first-time visitors, everyone is welcome here,” the President added.

In response, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the Philippines and China should “revisit” and “follow the heartfelt wishes” of its peoples to “seek collaboration instead of confrontation” and choose “dialogue instead of conflict.”

“Half a century ago, the leaders of our two countries sized up the situation and made the strategic and audacious decision to establish our diplomatic relations,” the Chinese ambassador said.

“As we celebrate the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations, we have every reason to revisit the original vision of our forefathers and follow the heartfelt wishes of our two people to seek collaboration instead of confrontation, dialogue instead of conflict,” he said.

Starting June 7, the public can enjoy a weekly lights and sounds show at the iconic Jones Bridge—part of the First Couple’s “Pasig: Bigyang Buhay Muli (BBM)” campaign, which aims to breathe new life into

the Pasig River and transform it into a vibrant hub for tourism and commerce.

Organizers said that, through a fundraising initiative, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) exemplified how private sector partnership can bring tangible value to public heritage and national pride.

Major contributors include diamond sponsors the FFCCCII, Filipino-Chinese Friendship Foundation & the Double Dragon Group, as well as platinum sponsors Converge ICT Solutions, Filinvest Group, LT Group, Megaworld Group, Metrobank Group, SM Group of Companies, and SteelAsia, among others.

“It is part of our bigger push to bring life back into our historic districts. As we speak, we are implementing projects to revitalize the Pasig River, including the Pasig River Urban Development Project so our people can breathe and move more easily,” the President said.

The Chief Executive urged the public, especially the youth, to visit Binondo to experience the thriving culture and economic activities in the district.

“Because how can we know our history and culture if we do not know and experience them ourselves? So, I encourage everyone, especially the younger people, to visit Binondo. Come back to Ongpin, Escolta, Carvajal, and the streets that have yet to be discovered and celebrated,” Mr. Marcos said.

the Netherlands, on June 7. The communist group’s central committee has since expressed its condolences to Jalandoni’s family.

“In recognition of his lifelong dedication and contributions to the people’s democratic revolution, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines confers its highest honors to Ka Louie Jalandoni,” the CPP said in a statement on Saturday.

“His contributions to building and strengthening the Party and the National Democratic Front, and to waging the people’s democratic revolution, principally through armed struggle, as well as other forms of struggle, including through the peace negotiations are indelible,” it added.

Among Jalandoni’s achievements were playing a key role in founding the Christians for National Liberation (CNL), helping organize the historic La Tondena workers’ strike in Manila, serving a vital role in building the NDFP’s International Office in Utrecht, and becoming a key organizer of the People’s Permanent Tribunal on the Philippines.

“We express our deepest gratitude to Ka Louie Jalandoni for dedicating his life to the Filipino people, to the National Democratic Front, and to the Communist Party of the Philippines. We will forever cherish the immense contributions he made in advancing the people’s struggle for national and social liberation,” the CPP said.

Tingog party-list leader denies eyeing Cebu gov

By Rio N. Araja

TINGOG party-list

Romualdez on

she will run for the governorship in Cebu in the 2028 polls.

“I want to speak directly to the people of Cebu – and to the Filipino public – who may have seen my name being dragged into local political speculation,” she said in a statement.

“Let me be very clear. I am not running for governor. I am not running for any position in Cebu. I have not transferred my residency,” the solon added.

Romualdez reacted to rumors circulating on social media and in local political circles that she plans to run for governor or any other post in Cebu in the next elections.

She issued the statement to end speculation fueled by online posts and local political chatter in Cebu, suggesting that she was being positioned to run for governor.

Some posts even implied she had transferred her residency to Liloan in Cebu.

“These are facts that can easily be verified. It is very easy to check the Comelec records in Liloan. I am not a registered voter there. My mother is registered in Cebu City – but I am not. Duke (Frasco) knows fully well whether or not I am his constituent,” she added, referring to District 5 Rep. Duke Frasco.

She urged those behind the rumors to stop using her name for political maneuvering.

“To those spreading rumors, I say this with respect: Please do not use my name for your selfish political interests,” she said.

Fire razes 200 houses in Bacoor City

FIRE AFTERMATH. Men search through the rubble on June 8, 2025 in the wake of a huge residential fire affecting hundreds of families in Bacoor City, Cavite. Dennis Abrina

Luis Jalandoni

MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025

IN BRIEF

PNP to expand use of technology in patrols

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is ramping up the deployment of technology in its patrol operations, with plans to increase the use of body-worn cameras, drones, and mobile CCTV systems.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the agency currently has around 2,700 body cameras, 648 of which are livestream-capable.

Fajardo said the goal of PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III is for nearly all patrol officers to wear body cameras once the national 911 system is fully operational. “When our 911 is fully operationalized, he wants almost all police patrolling to have body-worn cameras,” she said.

The PNP also operates 965 drones and is preparing to equip patrol vehicles with rapid-deployment, 360-degree mobile CCTV systems. These are expected to provide real-time surveillance and reduce reliance on fixed CCTVs in barangays and streets. Vince Lopez

Army kills NPA rebel in N. Occidental clash

A MEMBER of the dismantled New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros 2 front was killed in an encounter with the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

The military identified the fatality as 24-year-old Jun-Jun “Gringo” Benoy, a resident of Sitio Ompocon, Barangay Mahalang.

The clash happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday in Sitio Bugtangan, Barangay Buenavista. Troops recovered an M16 rifle and other belongings from the group of five armed individuals after the firefight. Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, credited community cooperation for the operation’s success and urged other NPA remnants to surrender through the government’s reintegration program. Rex Espiritu

House hails Pope Leo XIV as symbol of unity, faith

THE House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution congratulating Pope Leo XIV on his election as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The resolution praised his ascension as a “pivotal moment” in the global Catholic community.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American Pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine upon his election on May 8. His choice of the name Leo XIV was inspired by Pope Leo XIII, known for championing workers’ rights and social justice.

The House lauded his episcopal motto, “In Illo Uno Unum” (“In the One, we are one”), as a reflection of his commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and faith. A copy of the resolution will be transmitted to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila for forwarding to the Vatican. Rio N. Araja

AFP: Chinese vessel towed away

The Chinaflagged vessel that ran aground near Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan town, located in the West Philippine Sea, has been successfully removed and towed away by responding ships on Saturday

Local fisherman Larry Hugo reported that the ship was grounded about two nautical miles east of Pag-asa Island.

“It was eventually removed after five hours. A China Coast Guard vessel and two more ships arrived and pulled it out,” Hugo, in Tagalog, said.

He expressed concern that incidents like this could potentially be used as a pretext to establish a foreign outpost in the area.

The military on Sunday said it was ready to provide assistance to a China-flagged vessel that ran aground off the eastern part of Pagasa Island in the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend.

Capt. Ellaine Rose Collado, public affairs officer of the Western Naval Command, emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) prioritizes the safety of all individuals in distress at sea, regardless of nationality.

She said Philippine maritime forces are operating under standard procedures aligned with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

According to Collado, the Chinese vessel may have run aground due to poor weather conditions in the area.

The vessel eventually freed itself at around 4:30 p.m. on the same day.

BI deports 115 foreigners linked to POGOs

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported a total of 115 foreign nationals last week who were found to be illegally staying and working in the country.

The move is part of the government’s drive to ensure that the Philippines is not used as a sanctuary for undocumented aliens, particularly those involved in illicit operations.

Most of those deported were arrested for working without proper documentation in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry, which the government has been working to dismantle due to its links to criminal syndicates, cybercrime, and human trafficking.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the Bureau remains firm in

By Rex Espiritu

THE National Security Council (NSC)

lauded the Japanese National Diet’s ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), describing it as a “defining moment” in the defense partnership between the Philippines and Japan. Approved on Friday, the RAA allows joint military exercises, training, and humanitarian operations between the armed forces of both nations.

“The National Security Council welcomes the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement by the Japanese National Diet. This is a defining moment in Philippine-Japan defense relations:

timely, strategic, and grounded in shared interests,” said National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año in a statement Saturday night. Año said the agreement “gives both nations the tools to act together, credibly and effectively, at a time when the security environment in the Indo-Pacific is becoming more volatile.”

“This agreement is not about expanding influence. It is about defending principles—sovereignty, stability, and the rule of law,” he added. “It provides a clear framework for cooperation and sends an unmistakable message: The Philippines and Japan are prepared to stand together to uphold international law and a rules-

based regional order.”

The agreement was signed in Tokyo in 2023, ratified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on November 5, 2024, and by the Philippine Senate on December 16, 2024.

“Japan’s choice to pursue its first such agreement in Asia with the Philippines speaks to the deep trust between our nations and a shared understanding of what is at stake. The RAA is both a practical mechanism and a strategic signal,” Año said.

He thanked the Japanese government for its “resolve and foresight” and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fully implement the agreement and deepen cooperation with Japan to promote regional peace, security, and resilience.

its support of the government’s crackdown on illegal POGO operations and the removal of foreign nationals who violate immigration laws.

“The President has made it clear: we will not allow foreigners to abuse our immigration laws or exploit our systems for illegal activities,” Viado said.

“These deportations are a strong message that the Philippines will not tolerate lawlessness and that we are serious about protecting our national security.”

DOH

renews

By Ram Superable

The deportations were carried out in waves: 44 Vietnamese nationals were deported on June 3; 26 Vietnamese and 12 South Koreans on June 4; 7 more Vietnamese on June 5; and 25 Vietnamese and 1 Malagasy on June 6. All were placed on the BI’s blacklist, barring their return to the Philippines.

call vs. vaping, smoking

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday warned the public about the deadly risks of smoking and vaping, calling both a “scam” that victimizes Filipinos.

“The chemicals in vapes are just waiting to damage the lungs of users.

EVALI, Popcorn Lung, and heart diseases can suddenly strike in the middle of every enjoyable puff,” the DOH said.

EVALI is a serious lung injury linked to inhaling aerosol chemicals, while Popcorn Lung is a rare but irreversible condition that scars and narrows the airways.

According to the DOH, secondhand smoke and seemingly harmless scented vape fumes still contain toxic

substances that can cause lung damage and death.

The agency also recently introduced new characters in its anti-tobacco campaign—Vape Sulasok, Eva Li, and Ate Rose—to illustrate the terrifying effects of smoking and vaping.

During the campaign launch, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa condemned the tobacco industry’s aggressive marketing tactics and pledged action through public education, policy reforms, and stricter regulation.

Key proposals include banning vapes, enforcing plain packaging, maintaining sin taxes, expanding PhilHealth’s smoking cessation coverage, and penalizing illegal online sales targeting youth.

The DOH urged Filipinos to seek help by calling the free Quitline 1558.

CLEANUP. Personnel from Coast Guard Sub-Station Calatrava and the Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement and Response Unit (MEP ERU) Romblon conduct a coastal clean-up along the shoreline of Barangay Pangulo, Calatrava, Romblon on June 8.

TANZA FIRE STATION. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Congressman Toby Tiangco lead the inauguration of the newly constructed Tanza Fire Station located at NavotaAs Homes I–Tanza 2 in Navotas City. Andrew Rabulan

SPECTACULAR. Fireworks lights up the sky following the ceremonial lighting of Jones Bridge at the Pasig River Esplanade in Manila. The event marked the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China. Richmond Chi

OPINION

Short shrift

SO MANY things are happening, all at the same time. Malacanang has been pushing so many narratives about “working” frenziedly, after three years of doing little.

There’s busy body Sec. Vince Dizon, the tireless workhorse of the “energized” BbM administration trying his best to make ordinary folks feel there is a government ready to serve them well. Praiseworthy, indeed, with the president in Dizon’s tow in these picture-pretty news events.

That it took a Vince Dizon to question why there is a Mt. Kamuning punishing commuters with a tortuous hike just to cross an intersection past the MRT line shows how insensitive to the plight of ordinary people idiots in the MMDA can be. Whoever were responsible for such a monstrosity should be exiled to Mt. Kilimanjaro.

These day-to-day scenes in the lives of the commuting public have somewhat moved attention away from the palace briefings of Claire Castro and into EDSA, whose two-year rehabilitation has been mooted by the president’s “listening” to the complaints of the people. Plus NAIA, where Ramon Ang is promising more and more improvements in what was perennially adjudged Asia’s worst airport. See how one good man like Dizon can make a whale of a difference?

***

Meanwhile, in the Senate, the impeachment complaint of the HoR’s Railroad Express is being given short shrift, to the consternation of the Duterte haters (why is Bam Aquino eerily silent on the matter?), leaving it to Leila de Lima to carry the pinklawan torch?

Suddenly the political analysts and bloggers are sporting glum faces while months ago they were preening with glee at the “inevitable” political demise of the vice president.

The bloodhounds in the HoR, formerly legion, are thinning, with just about two still protesting the Senate’s insouciance. Short shrift or continuing bloodbath? ***

But as Alan Cayetano explains, the HoR bloodhounds can wait till next year to re-file an impeachment should they wish. That’s just six or seven months away. Or they could file charges with the Ombudsman in less than two months time, by then no longer a Duterte appointee.

Unless of course, all they want is the attendant publicity via telenovela in the once august session hall of the Senate. All that hullabaloo about accountability can wait, instead of being rushed by the terminal 19th Congress, or cross-over to the 20th.

The conviction of an impeached president may matter very much to a suffer-

ing nation, but not that of a mere spare tire. The vice-presidency, as John Nance Garner once described, is “not worth a pitcher of warm spit.”

Or are they simply afraid of 2028, when none of their “manok” can match a Sara Duterte, more so an Inday whose father is still incarcerated in a damp cell in Den Haag?

The 215 congressmen who signed posthaste on Feb. 5, mostly without reading the articles of impeachment and their annexes, were merely marching to the tune of a hoped for “funebre” for Davao’s champion?

On the tourism front, a hallelujah chorus from tourism stakeholders asked the president to retain his tourism secretary, who of course was retained in the Cabinet revamp, where promised mountain of change produced a mouse.

The bloodhounds in the HoR, formerly legion, are thinning, with just about two still protesting the Senate’s insouciance

But sky-high domestic airfares are such a big problem that even the usually unflappable DoTR secretary was shocked that Ormoc’s power couple, Richard and Lucy Gomez, had to fork over 40 grand for a trip to Manila from Tacloban.

Does our DoT secretary know that a one-way ticket to her native Cebu on premium economy costs 13,000 pesos, taxes included? And more for Mindanao cities, unless you buy months in advance?

That Siargao is reachable by air if you have 28,000 pesos, which goes as high as 60,000 pesos at peak season?

And that accommodation in our resorts cost an arm and a leg, compared to Bali or Chiang Mai, Da Nang or even Hanoi?

That our unparalleled white sand beaches on islands are accessible only by puny bancas and nothing else? What has DoT done to make even domestic travel enjoyable rather than an expensive pain in the ass?

Since the Chinese do not feel welcome, and the Koreans and Japanese are mugged and robbed in the streets of the metropolis, whither Philippine tourism?

We can love the Philippines all we want, but foreigners and even locals will simply give our attractions short shrift, not worth all the hassle.

The people demand the truth

IN A time when our democratic institutions are being tested to their core, the Senate now faces a defining test of its integrity.

It can either honor the Constitution or undermine it. The apparent hesitation to convene the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is obviously not just a procedural delay. It is a deliberate act that undermines the rule of law and defies the Senate’s Constitutional duty. At the core of the impeachment case are serious findings of financial misconduct. From published reports, in Dec. 2022, the OVP received P125 million in confidential funds and spent it all in just 11 days, including holidays. disbursement receipts submitted to the Commission on Audit featured blatantly fictitious names—such as “Mary Grace Piattos,” blending a popular café and a snack brand and others like “Jay Kamote,” “Miggy Mango,” “Cannor Adrian Contis,” “Fiona Ranitez,” and “Ellen Magellan” and hundreds more have no birth or death records in the Philippine Statistics Authority—raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of the claimed transactions and points to systemic fraud.

The Filipino people want to see and understand the evidence behind the impeachment charges.

A recent Stratbase commissioned Social Weather Stations survey found that 88 percent of Filipinos believe the Vice Presi-

dent should face the impeachment trial. Not “might,” not “perhaps”—but “should.” That level of consensus is rare – the public wants the impeachment trial to unfold under the rule of law, not in the shadows of power play.

As the Senate stalled, the clamor has reached a critical mass and is growing fast.

—“—

At the core of the impeachment case are serious findings of financial misconduct —“—

Legal scholars, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, and academic institutions have denounced the Senate’s refusal to convene the impeachment court.

The Ateneo School of Government warned that dismissing the case without trial is “a dereliction of duty and a clear attempt to whitewash the accusations.”

The Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines, representing the country’s religious orders, condemned the delay as a betrayal of truth and a failure of moral leadership.

A coalition of scholars from leading universities—De La Salle University,

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format in the style of Puck magazine in the 1800s. There is a tiny, corpulent female figure stomping over a thick mound of carpet labeled ‘political tantrums and delays’ while underneath the carpet is a mound of cash, with Philippine peso and dollar signs. She is wearing a tight green blouse and black pants, has a pinched, angry face with lines etched across her features, her mouth screaming. The nose is puglike with a pronounced snout. The face is beet red, has shoulder-length hair parted on the side.

EDITORIAL

Disgusting abominations

WHEN two gigantic billionaire egos get together in apparent mutual admiration, it is not far-fetched to expect a controversial split down the line.

The richest person in the world, Elon Musk, and the president of the United States, Donald Trump, had a very public parting of ways marked by a nasty exchange of social media posts – over X and Truth Social, respectively.

During the campaign and at least during the first months of the second Trump presidency, Musk was given extraordinary powers, as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. In those heady days, Musk was often seen at the West Wing, sometimes even with his fiveyear-old son. He told reporters he ate ice cream – caramel Haagen Daz, in particular -- with the president

But just last week, Musk lashed out at Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, calling it massive, outrageous, and pork-filled -- a “disgusting abomination.” Just a few days after his exit from the administration, he also called

Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines, and others—called the Senate’s inaction “a conscious betrayal of constitutional order.”

Civic organizations and democratic reform advocates echoed this concern, including groups aligned with the Makabayan bloc, Akbayan, and other progressive coalitions.

Collectively, these groups, despite their diverse ideologies are now shouting a collective belief that accountability is nonnegotiable in a functioning democracy. And that is the point we must not lose in the noise. As echoed by legal experts – the Constitution is clear – once the House transmits the Articles of Impeachment, the Senate must constitute itself as an impeachment court.

This is not optional. This is not subject to political discretion. Any refusal or delay is, as newly elected member of the House of Representatives, Leila de Lima recently wrote, a hijacking of our democratic processes and a dangerous precedent that al-

his erstwhile best pal ungrateful, saying that Trump would not have won the presidency without his support. In response, Trump said Musk was losing his mind, adding that he was peeved because electric vehicles like the ones his company produces were not given tax credits in the new bill.

The bromance is over.

And then Musk accused Trump of being in the Epstein files – convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein who died by suicide in prison – and this was why the files were not being made public.

There’s an element of satisfaction in witnessing how the two former buddies are now disparaging each other on social media – if only the spat did

lows impunity to fester at the highest levels.

The stakes are high—not just for the Vice President, but for our very system of checks and balances.

If the Senate shirks on its duty now, it sets a precedent wherein any official occupying an impeachable post can be shielded from accountability by political maneuvering sponsored by powerful interests.

Some senators argue the impeachment charges are politically motivated. But politics is not a shield from justice.

The trial is the forum to determine the truth—through the thorough and transparent scrutiny of the evidence.

If the Vice President is innocent, then the impeachment trial is her opportunity to clear her name.

But to forego the trial with technicalities may spark a destabilizing outrage from the people reminiscent of the impeachment trial of former President Erap Estrada where the Senator Judges voted not to open the envelope containing mate-

not have disastrous consequences. It is also hilarious to see two supposedly enlightened big names fight it out like they were in elementary school. Elsewhere in the world, any such unlikely – unholy -- alliance should be always viewed with suspicion. It is improbable that larger-than-life individuals, living in privilege and used to being surrounded by sycophants, could magically find a common ground on which to unite for the common good. Those who believe that these partnerships could last or achieve something good will likely be disappointed. They are driven by their own interests, each secretly thinking they could outmaneuver the other. The loser in this word war is neither Trump nor Musk, but people whose lives are upended by these impulsive decisions and utterances. Look at how aid to long-suffering countries, or support for research for a cure for cancer, or tariffs on products from different countries were affected just in the past months.

Ultimately they become pawns in a competition that would always be won by those who think everything is about them.

rial evidence of corruption. And the people are watching. They are not apathetic. They are angry. They want clarity. The longer the Senate delays, the more it erodes public trust—and the harder it becomes to restore faith in our government institutions.

To the senators: The Constitution does not ask for your opinion on whether the trial should proceed. It commands you to proceed. You took an oath. Live up to it.

To Vice President Duterte: If you have nothing to hide, then face the charges head-on. This is not persecution. This is due process. If you believe in justice, stand before it.

To the Filipino people: Be vocal. Be vigilant. Apathy is complicity. If we want honest governance, we must demand it, loudly and unrelentingly.

Now is the time for truth. Now is the time for justice. Convene the impeachment trial. The Constitution demands it. And so do the people.

World leaders head to France for summit

IN BRIEF

Indian state orders curfew

after violence

IMPHAL, India – An Indian state riven by ethnic tensions imposed an internet shutdown and curfew after protesters clashed with security forces over the arrest of some members of a radical group, police said Sunday. Manipur in India’s northeast has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than two years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community that have killed more than 250 people.

The latest violence was triggered Saturday after reports of the arrest of five members, including a commander, of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group.

Incensed mobs demanding their release stormed a police post, set fire to a bus and blocked roads in parts of the state capital Imphal. Manipur police announced a curfew in five districts, including Imphal West and Bishnupur, due to the “developing law and order situation”. AFP

Man who let snakes bite him spurs hope

PARIS – Tim Friede was feeling particularly down on the day after the Sept. 11 attacks, so he went to his basement and let two of the world’s deadliest snakes bite him.

Four days later, he woke up from a coma.

“I know what it feels like to die from snakebite,” Friede told AFP via video call from his home in the small US town of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

This experience might put most people off snakes entirely, but Friede simply vowed to be more careful next time.

From 2000 to 2018, he allowed himself to be bitten by snakes more than 200 times. He also injected himself with their venom over 650 times.

Friede endured this pain because he wanted to achieve total immunity to venom, a practice called mithridatism which should not be tried at home.

After a couple of years, Friede started to believe he could be the basis for a better kind of antivenom. The former truck mechanic, who does not have a university degree, long struggled to be taken seriously by scientists. AFP

Chinese man defies demolition orders

XINGYI, China – Surrounded by the rubble of demolished homes, Chen Tianming’s ramshackle tower of faded plyboards and contorted beams juts into the sky in southwestern China, a teetering monument to one man’s stubbornness.

Authorities razed most of Chen’s village in Guizhou province in 2018 to build a lucrative tourist resort in a region known for its spectacular rice paddies and otherworldly mountain landscapes.

Chen, 42, refused to leave, and after the project faltered, defied a flurry of demolition notices to build his family’s humble stone bungalow higher and higher.

He now presides over a bewildering 10-story, pyramid-shaped warren of rickety staircases, balconies and other addons, drawing comparisons in Chinese media to the fantastical creations of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.

“I started building out of practicality, trying to renovate and expand our home,” Chen told AFP on a sweltering May afternoon as he climbed ladders and ducked wooden beams in his labyrinthine construction. AFP

Trump deploys National Guard over LA protests

LOS ANGELES – US President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 troops on Saturday (Sunday Manila time) to handle escalating protests against immigration enforcement raids in the Los Angeles area, a move the state’s governor termed “purposefully inflammatory.” Federal agents clashed with angry crowds in a Los Angeles suburb as protests stretched into a second night Saturday, shooting flash-bang grenades and shutting part of a freeway amid raids on undocumented migrants, reports said.

The standoff took place in Paramount, where demonstrators had gathered near a Home Depot that was being used as a staging area by federal immigration officials,

the Fox 11 news outlet reported. They were met by federal agents in gas masks, who lobbed flash-bang grenades and tear gas at the crowd, according to news reports and social media posts.

Since taking office in January, Republican Trump has delivered on a promise to crack down hard on the entry and presence of undocumented migrants -- who he has likened to “monsters” and “animals.”

Late Saturday, Trump signed a memo deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen “to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

NICE, France –World leaders are scheduled to descend on the French Riviera on Sunday ahead of a high-level summit to tackle a deepening crisis in the oceans driven by overfishing, climate change and pollution.

The United Nations says oceans face an “emergency” and leaders gathering in Nice will be under pressure to commit much-needed money and stronger protections for the ailing seas and the people that depend on them.

The UN Ocean Conference must try to turn a corner as nations feud over deepsea mining, plastic litter and exploitative fishing, against a backdrop of wider geopolitical tensions.

Some 50 heads of state and government are expected to attend, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei.

About an hour before the White House confirmed the deployment, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said he opposed the move.

“That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions,” he said on social media platform X. “We are in close coordination with the city and county, and there is currently no unmet need.”

The protests came a day after masked and armed immigration agents carried out highprofile workplace raids in separate parts of Los Angeles, attracting angry crowds and setting off hours-long standoffs. AFP

“The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behavior and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs.”

Israeli fire kills 36, including 6 near US-backed aid center---Gaza rescuers

GAZA CITY – Gaza’s civil defense agency has said Israeli forces had killed at least 36 Palestinians, six of them in a shooting near a US-backed aid distribution center.

The Israeli military told AFP that troops had fired “warning shots” at individuals it said were “advancing in a way that endangered the troops.”

The shooting deaths were the latest reported near the aid centre run by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund in the southern district of Rafah, and came after it resumed distributions following a brief suspension in the wake of similar deaths earlier this week.

Meanwhile, an aid boat with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was nearing Gaza in a bid to highlight the plight of Palestinians in the face of an Israeli blockade that has only been partially eased.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at around 7:00 am (0400 GMT), “six people were killed

and several others wounded by the forces of the Israeli occupation near the Al-Alam roundabout”, where they had gathered to seek humanitarian aid from the distribution centre around a kilometre away. AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls compiled by the civil defence agency or the circumstances of the deaths it reports.

Samir Abu Hadid, who was there early Saturday, told AFP that thousands of people had gathered near the roundabout.

“As soon as some people tried to advance towards the aid centre, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire from armoured vehicles stationed near the centre, firing into the air and then at civilians,” Abu Hadid said. The GHF said in a statement it

On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to sail to Nice from Monaco, where he is attending a related event aimed at raising private capital for ocean conservation. He will be joined on the shimmering Mediterranean Sea by other vessels in a colourful maritime parade, before touring an exhibition centre on land transformed into the cavernous belly of a whale. That evening, Macron will host leaders for a dinner of Mediterranean fish ahead of the summit’s formal opening on Monday. Peaceful demonstrations are expected over the five-day event and France has deployed 5,000 police to the heritagelisted city where scientists, business leaders and environmental activists are also attending in big numbers.

A strong turnout is also expected from Pacific Island nations, whose delegations will demand greater financial assistance to fight the rising seas, marine trash and plunder of fisheries that threatens their very survival.

The United States under President Donald Trump -- whose recent push to fast-track seabed mining in international waters sparked global outrage -- is not expected to send a delegation. AFP

Colombian pres’l bet has successful surgery after attack

al vascular procedure,” the Santa Fe Clinic in Bogota confirmed. He “overcame the first surgical procedure,” Bogota mayor Carlos Fernando Galan told media, adding that he had entered “the critical hours” of recovery. His wife, in an audio recording shared

POLITICAL WILL. Prince Albert II of Monaco (center) delivers

at the Prince’s Palace during

dinner as

of

President’s two-day state visit in Monaco ahead of the UNOC3 during the weekend. The EU will present the new roadmap at the June 9-13 UN Ocean Conference, set to draw

state and government

Stakeholders flag projected downsizing of UNAIDS in PH

CIVIL society groups and HIV advocacy organizations on Sunday raised alarm over plans to drastically downsize the UNAIDS Country Office (UCO).

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government leads the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) amid the staggering 500-percent increase in their total number of cases nationwide as reported by the Department of Health (DOH). The proposed transition would reduce the office to a “one-staff office”

MILF pushes BARMM polls as scheduled on October 13

By Vito Barcelo

THE central committee of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chaired by Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim called for the conduct of the parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as scheduled on October 13, 2025.

Both Ebrahim and MILF peace implementing panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal made the call following reports that some groups were lobbying for further postponement of the BARMM elections until 2026.

Iqbal, vice president for Central Mindanao of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), political wing of the MILF, appealed to the national government to push through with the elections, saying it is an opportunity to strengthen governance and democratic institutions in the country.

“We call on the Philippine Government, both Houses of Congress, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and all concerned stakeholders to respect and follow the schedule and timeline set by law for the upcoming first parliamentary election on October 13, 2025. We strongly appeal to our national leaders to refrain from entertaining any proposal that will again postpone this historic election to choose the regular Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament,” Iqbal said.

“At this point in time, while there is no pending bill filed in Congress yet seeking for another postponement of the October 13, 2025, the MILF is very much concerned over reports reaching us that there is again another move to postpone the parliamentary election to 2028,” he added.

He underscored the importance of the MILF duly recognizing the imperative of democratically electing the parliament members in order to enable the BARMM to transition into a fully functioning and empowered autonomous government whose leaders are democratically elected with legal mandate from the Bangsamoro electorates.”

within the next few months, according to a petition circulated by local stakeholders.

“The Philippines continues to register the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region. At least 57 individuals are diagnosed with HIV on a daily basis and 33 percent of new infections are among young people aged 15 to 24,” the petition led by Action for

Health Initiatives, Inc. (ACHIEVE) executive director Mara Quesada stated.

“We are far from achieving the 9595-95 targets with only 55 percent of estimated PLHIV diagnosed, only 66 percent of diagnosed PLHIV on treatment, and only 40 percent virally suppressed as of first quarter of 2025,” the group warned, adverting to the 95–95–95 HIV testing, treatment and viral suppression targets set by UNAIDS.

From 2024 to 2026, the Philippine government’s 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan (AMTP) requires $823 million to close gaps in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.

Current funding stands at just $402

million, reflecting a 51-percent shortfall that threatens progress on key health initiatives.

Civil society leaders argued that closing this gap will require not only more financing, but also continued technical expertise from UNAIDS.

“Even without the level of funding support that UCO used to be able to provide to the government and civil society and community organizations, the unique perspective of the UCO, which combines HIV science, health financing, civil society engagement and community systems strengthening is invaluable to addressing the HIV situation in the Philippines,” the petition read.

IN BRIEF

BOC seizes 12 cars smuggled from US

THE Bureau of Custom (BOC) Intelligence and Investigation Services (CIIS) has intercepted two shipments containing12 motor vehicles that arrived at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from the United States. Customs intelligence chief Verne Enciso said the shipments were subjected to rigid scrutiny following reports that they were misdeclared or underdeclared in violation of the country’s Customs laws.

“The x-ray imaging on-site revealed that the shipments, which were declared to contain assorted car accessories and supply, actually have 12 motor vehicles inside. That led

Bataan’s cancer care gets Swedish support

BATAAN Gov. Joet Garcia welcomed Swedish ambassador to the Philippines Anna Ferry and a delegation of Swedish businessmen for their support in enhancing cancer care services in the province. Discussions focused on using modern technology for early cancer detection and treatment, mobile diagnostic services, and training programs for healthcare workers at Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center and the BGHMC Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center in Pilar. Garcia wants to bring services like mammography and X-ray closer to communities through mobile diagnostic units. He said it will help patients avoid long trips for initial check-ups and follow-up appointments. Butch Gunio

Month-long fests mark Cagayan’s 442nd year

CAGAYAN province celebrates its 442nd founding anniversary with gala presentations showcasing its vibrant culture, pristine natural beauty, and warm hospitality. The festivities, set on June 6 to July 1 and themed “Pagguruffunan,” promise to be an exciting extravaganza of music, dance, food, and fun. With a monthlong celebration, there is something foreveryone to enjoy.

Gov. Manuel Mamba called for unity and cooperation among his constituents to make the celebration asuccess. He encourages everyone to collaborate for a brighter future.

“We have been working and dreaming together for nine long years. As we await a new administration, we must remain united for a shared cause. The goal of this celebration is to bring everyone together, to make sacrifices, and to unite in the face of our many challenges,” Mamba said. Jessica M. Bacud

Army o icers told to brace for unusual security threats

By Rex Espiritu

THE Department of National Defense has called on the Philippine Army’s newest officers to brace for emerging and unconventional security threats amid an ‘increasingly complex defense landscape.”

Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino issued the call in a speech at the graduation ceremony of this year’s

batch of Officer Candidate Course (OCC) held at the Makabulos Grandstand in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, last June 6.

A total of 307 newly commissioned officers were welcomed into the ranks of the Philippine Army.

“We live in a volatile and evolving security environment shaped by both traditional and emerging threats. Internal conflicts, external incursions,

cyberattacks, disinformation and climate-related disasters—these threats span land, sea, air, space and cyberspace. Amid this reality, your role is clear: You are the future defenders of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept,” Espino told the graduates.

Underscoring a shift in military strategy, Espino stressed that the Army’s new officers are “no longer confined to traditional ground operations.”

“Your training has prepared you with a vision, but the real learning begins now,” Espino said, adding that their service must always be characterized by professionalism, integrity and commitment to the dignity of the people. Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido lauded the graduates for completing a renewed officer training program focused on excellence in leadership development.

Cops’ arrests must be legal—Fajardo

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday said arrests made by its officers must have a legal basis in accordance with the directive of PNP chief Nicolas Torre III Torre emphasized that a police officer’s arrest record would be considered when deciding whether or not to promote him or her. In a televised interview, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo explained that the number of arrests made by an officer is only one of four factors for promotion, along with education, eligibility, and training. She said the policy was enunciated by Torre in line with the PNP’s intensified anti-criminality drive, adding that the arrests were not limited only to drug suspects.

Fajardo clarified that Torre’s directive was to enforce the law and make sure the people are safe, but the mission could only be accomplished if the criminals are put behind bars.

“The only way we could do that is to catch them (criminals),” she said. Fajardo disclosed that the PNP eyes collaboration with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to make sure that their operations are undertaken legally.

“In the past, there was a perception that the PNP and CHR were not in agreement because they were monitoring the sworn duty to protect human rights,” Fajardo noted.

She said the PNP chief will go to the CHR to clarify issues arising from negative interpretations of what he said previously.

By Ram Superable and Rio N. Araja

CORPORATE RACE. The Bank of Philippine Islands stages its short-distance marathon dubbed ‘Best Life Run Corporate Race 2025’ in Makati

president and chief executive, Jose Teodoro Limcaoco. Manny Palmero

MISTY MORNING. Fogs thinly veil the landscape as residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City wake up to an unusually misty morning. Edd Castro

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE. The Philippine Army holds this year’s graduation exercise for the O cer Candidate Course in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. Addressing the graduates, Defense Undersecretary Irineo Espino told them to be ready for unorthodox challenges to national security.

MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Bejoy,

Morrison strike gold in Korea trackfest

BERNALYN Bejoy and William Morrison III

grabbed gold medals in the Korea Athletics Open in Yecheon, South Korea on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Bejoy ran the women’s 800-meters in two minutes and 8.44 seconds, two seconds off her personal best she did in the Asian Championships in Gumi.

Local bet Lee Seobin was second in 2:11.46 and Salina Hillier of Japan settled for third in 2:15.64.

The 28-year-old Morrison heaved the metal ball 18.80 meters on his first attempt in men’s shotput to earn the Philippines’ other gold.

China’s Xia Guoyan and local standout Kim Gunju were in second and third, with their throws of 18.55 and 17.59 meters, respectively.

Meanwhile, David Matibag took the silver medal when he set a personal best of 1:50.42 in the men’s 800 meters, won by Japan’s Mikuto Kaneko at 1:46.77.

The victories of Bejoy and Morrison, along with Matibag’s silver, more than made up for the false starts of Kristina Knott in the women’s 100- and 200-meter finals.

Over at the Taiwan Open at the Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taipei City, Dhem Monton settled for the bronze at 3:52.03, in the men’s 1500 meters.

Monton was ahead of fourth placer Alfrence Braza (3:53.05), with Australian Archie Ridgeway topping the race in 3:46.28.

Kharis Pantonial broke the Philippine national U20 record when he clocked 47.33 seconds for fifth place in the men’s 400-meter finals.

Coached by Isidro del Prado, Pantonial surpassed Ralph Soguilon’s 48.81-second feat back in 1983, in the finals won by Korean Min Kyu Sin (46.06). Peter Atencio

IRONMAN 70.3 Subic ready for power-packed weekend races

ENDURANCE racing returns in full force as the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay Philippines headlines an action-packed weekend on Sunday (June 15) in Olongapo City. With a powerhouse lineup boosted by elite international contenders, the race promises a thrilling display of strength, speed and staying power.

The blue-ribbon race, featuring the classic 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and 21km run format, is a major highlight in the Sunrise Events, Inc. calendar, serving as the second of five IRONMAN races scheduled this season following the successful IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa in March. The weekend kicks off with the highly-anticipated RLC IRONKIDS on Saturday (June 14), fostering the next generation of triathletes. Sharing the spotlight with the 70.3 event on Sunday is the Sunrise Sprint – a fast-paced, short-distance triathlon featuring a 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run.

Ideal for beginners and speedsters alike, the Sunrise Sprint adds diversity and excitement to an already jam-packed race weekend.

Race categories for both events, organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., include individual and relay divisions, catering to athletes of various skill levels.

By Peter Atencio

YAdding to the intensity is the fact that 45 coveted qualifying slots for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain are up for grabs. As one of the final qualifiers of the season, Subic Bay is set to witness a fiercely competitive field of athletes pushing to secure their place on the world stage this November. For details and registration, visit www. ironman.com/im703-subic-bay-philippines or www.sunrisesprint.com, or follow Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay & Sunrise Sprint on Facebook and Instagram, or Hashtags: #centurytunaironman703subicbay #ironman703subicbay #sunrisesprint.

Yulo adds 2 bronzes to haul, younger bro Karl bags silver SPORTS

ULO brothers Carlos and Karl Eldrew snapped up three more medals on Sunday for a total of five overall at the close of the 2025 Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships in Jecheon, South Korea on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Carlos, a Paris Olympics’ double-gold medalist, picked up

third-place finishes in the vault exercises and parallel bars in senior action.

The two bronze medals put an end to Carlos’ three-year dominance in both apparatuses, with Mahdi Olfati of Iran taking the top honors in the vault, and Japanese bet Shinnosuke Oka topping the parallel bars.

Last year, Carlos took the home gold medal in four events -- the individual all-around, floor, vault and parallel bars.

After earlier settling for a medal in the individual all-around finals on Day 1 and capturing the floor exercise mint the following day, Carlos collected his second bronze, this time in the vault with a score 14.333 points.

But the gold winner wasn’t far ahead, with Olfati taking the title by being just .7 points ahead of Carlos with his14.400 points, and

silver winner Huang Mingqi of China receiving 14.4. In the parallel bars, Carlos had 14.166 points to take third.

Oka, the 2024 Paris Olympics’ all-around champion, and Japanese teammate Tomoharu Tsunogai came up with a 1-2 finish with 14.7 and 14.466 points. Meanwhile, the 16-year-old Karl Eldrew, who made it to the finals of four events, snared a silver medal in the vault exercises.

Bak Jun-woo’s 13.933-point tally got him the gold ahead of Karl Eldrew, who scored 13.855, with An Daegeon of Korea in third with 13.783.

Karl Eldrew placed fourth in the pommel horse and ranked eighth in the horizontal bars.

Alas Pilipinas stuns Indonesia, stays unbeaten

ALAS Pilipinas recovered from a slow start to deny Indonesia, 2225, 25-23, 25-13, 28-26, and stay unbeaten in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup at the Dong Anh District Center for Culture, Information and Sports on Sunday in Hanoi.

Alyssa Solomon finished with 17 points, while Angel Canino and Bella Belen, who came off the bench, contributed 17 and 12 points, respectively, for Alas Pilipinas which is now 2-0 won-lost in Pool B tied with Kazakhstan.

“Pinaghandaan po talaga namin namin ‘yung match. Kahit sino man ang maglaro, kahit ‘yung nasa bench, kami, kasi hindi naman po kami starting six,” said Belen. “So ready lang kami sa mga puwedeng mangyari and napaghandaan naman po talaga namin ang Indonesia, alam namin na strong team

By Graham C. Lim

sila, na maski mga bata sila alam namin na macha-challenge kami.”

THE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), in collaboration with state universities, colleges, and private institutions, is ready to compete in the 32nd World University Games, which feature 10 sports disciplines -- athletics, archery, badminton, men’s basketball, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, and indoor volleyball (men).

Organized by the International University Sports Federation and the German University Sports Federation, the 2025 World University Games—also known as the Summer Universiade—will take place in Rhine-Ruhr and Berlin City, Germany, starting on July 16, 2025, and will end on July 27, 2025.

The Philippines will take part in basketball via Mapua University and volleyball through National University, in two of the country’s most popular team sports. their respective leagues—Mapua as the NCAA champion, and National University as the UAAP titlist—winning their slots through FESSAP-organized events, the Philippine University Basketball League and the Philippine University Volleyball League.

“Qualifying for the top 16 teams in the World

Alas Pilipinas, which defeated Mongolia on Saturday, wasted no

time and went back to the drawing board to prepare for their next assignment.

“Very happy kasi nagawa ng team kung ano ang pinag-aralan namin and pinag-usapan namin dapat namin gawin,” said Belen. Alas Pilipinas reached match point courtesy of Fifi Sharma’s quick attack, but Ersandrina Devega tied the game and Canino’s attack error sent Indonesia to set point, 25-24. Indonesia held on and looked to extend the match, taking a set point, 26-25, before Canino put Alas Pilipinas at match point and national team newcomer Shaina Nitura sealed the win for the national team.

“Very happy po kasi grabe po ‘yung bench, very deep, kahit sinong ipasok lalaban. Nakita ko po talaga kanina is teamwork and pagtiwala sa isa’t-isa po,” said Nitura.

Frank

University Games is a remarkable achievement— on par with reaching the Olympics,” said Edwin C. Fabro, FESSAP president, who will be accompanied by Prof. Robert Milton Calo, FESSAP chair Alvin Tai Lian, and Philippine Airlines board director David U. Ong, at the prestigious event. The occasion is made possible through FESSAP’s valued partnerships with philanthropists and corporate sponsors, including Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, BESTANK Corporation, Philippine Airlines, KELME Sportswear, Healthy Options, LT Group Inc., Seascape Village, PADDOCK’S Casual Jeans, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, and HENN Athletic Club. Fabro and Tai Lian have designated Mary G. Ng, businesswoman and president of the Philippine Inter-School Sport Association, as the Philippine Head of Delegation. Alongside her, businessman and philanthropist Frank Lao will serve as the Philippines’ Deputy Head of Delegation, ensuring steadfast leadership and commitment to the nation’s athletes. Fabro will act as the Philippine Flagbearer.

Bernalyn Bejoy displays the Philippine ag

The FESSAP Board of Trustees, Alvin Tai Lian, Edwin C. Fabro, and PAL Board Member David Ong recognize Mary G. Ng as the Philippines’ Head of Delegation, with

Lao as the Philippines’ Deputy Head of Delegation.

Alas Pilipinas’ Bella Belen keeps the ball in play.

AI boom to hike power demand by 45,000 MW, strain grid—Lopez

By Alena Mae S. Flores

FIRST Gen Corp. warned that the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution could put a strain on the Philippines’ power grid, as it would require more electricity amid a net zero transition.

First Gen chairman Federico Lopez said while technology breakthroughs like AI revolution could resolve “the world’s most intractable and wicked problems”, they could also significantly increase power demand.

“This is exciting as we acquire new and more powerful tools that enable us

45,000 MW 5 times 10 times

AI-led power demand by 2030

Increase in power demand by 2050

Increase in RE demand by 2050

$250-m facility sparks interest in geothermal sector

THE Philippines’ proposed

$250-million Geothermal De-risking Facility, a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Land Bank of the Philippines, has sparked investor interest in the country’s stagnant, high-risk geothermal industry.

ADB’s country director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran told a briefing at the Asia Clean Energy Forum 2025 that high exploration costs and accompanying risks were key challenges for geothermal development.

“We are working with [the Department of Energy] (DOE), but also with the energy sectors and local financing institutions to see what structure would be fit for purpose and can really have a catalytic effect in terms of increasing geothermal,” Ramachandran said.

He said baseload capacity would be needed to supplement future largescale solar and offshore wind farms.

“Even now that the Philippines announced that it’s working on the de-risking strategy, we can see increased interest already in investors who’re looking into exploration, and that’s very positive,” he said.

DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara echoed concerns about high exploration risks hindering geothermal development, despite its significant potential.

“No new fields have been developed since the privatization of the government’s geothermal exploration arm,” Guevara said.

“We aim to change that through a Geothermal De-risking Facility, developed in partnership with the ADB and the Land Bank of the Philippines. This facility is now in the final stages of approval,” she said. Guevara expects the facility to be available to investors by 2026. The facility is anticipated to help unlock the country’s estimated 4,000 megawatts of untapped geothermal potential, aiming to regain its position as the world’s largest geothermal producer. The Philippines is currently the third-largest producer, behind Indonesia and the United States.

Initial exploration costs for a geothermal well range from P1.5 billion to P2 billion. The proposed facility will share exploration drilling costs with qualifying private developers to de-risk geothermal resources at the pre-development stage. The DOE will arrange funding to capitalize the facility with ADB as its anchor partner. Alena Mae S. Flores

to go beyond historical human limits.

But this is also a double-edged sword as fueling this AI revolution will now put even more strain on our power grids and the demands imposed by the energy transition to net zero,” Lopez said.

Large language models (LLMs) and generative AI are run by power-

hungry data centers which consist of servers, storage systems and networking equipment.

Lopez said even prior to considerations for AI, the expectation was “we would need five times more electricity and ten times more clean electricity by 2050 to shepherd us through the three phases of decarbonization.”

“Just over the last two to three years, there’s been a growing recognition of the power requirements needed for the AI revolution currently projected to require an additional 45,000 megawatts between now and 2030,” the executive said.

He said this is adding the equivalent

of what a major economy like France or Germany uses today.

Lopez said compounding this concern is global warming where the International Energy Agency noted that the extreme heat of 2024 also raised emissions and energy use considerably due to higher needs for air conditioning and cooling.

“This underscores yet another deadly feedback loop that will make solving the climate crisis even more challenging,” he said.

He said the cost of batteries and electric vehicles have been coming down fast over the last decades due to China, economies of scale and globalization.

By Jimmy L. Montejo

WITH a net worth of $420 million, Helen Yuchengco Dee, sometimes referred to as HYD, is among the 10 richest women in the Philippines.

She is president of family-held Yuchengco Group of Companies, reputedly one of the oldest conglomerates in the country with large exposures in banking, construction and insurance.

She also sits as chairperson of the flagship Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), the House of Investments and Malayan Insurance Co. (MICO), among other subsidiaries.

Born March 18, 1944, HYD took over the reins of the family-led enterprise from her father, the late Alfonso Yuchengco, in 2003. She minced no words in defending the patriarch’s decision to choose her instead of her brothers by saying she was a perfect fit for the job.

“I was already very active in all the companies at that point. I was involved in almost everything, and my dad was around at that time, so it was a breeze,” Yuchengco said. According to her, she began working on day one after graduating in Business Management at the Assumption College. She later took her Master’s degree at the De La Salle University.

Yuchengo never ceased to fondly talk about her father’s legacies, notably upholding the value of reputation which he deemed was far greater than wealth. “We’re known to be fair, and we are strong, particularly in terms of claims servicing,” she said.

Under her stewardship, MICO introduced trailblazing innovations in the insurance sector. It was the first insurer in the country to operate a

Facebook platform that enabled customers to “tackle travel, personal accident and property insurance coverage with a single click.

The firm also discerned opportunities in cybersecurity challenges. “Across the whole world, companies fear cyber threats the most and such threats are growing every day. So, that is an ongoing project for us,” Yuchengco said.

Another milestone program for MICO was to allow clients who get sick while travelling abroad to enjoy ambulance service that will take them back to the Philippines.

MICO has also explored ways to integrate artificial intelligence to forecast damage due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons.

“I think the biggest challenge in the coming years is that everything is going online and being digitalized. We’re trying to make our client processing more sophisticated to cut time,” Yuchengco said.

“Another challenge is that many companies must increasingly compete with non-bank and non-insurance companies offering similar services,” she added.

About her management style, Yuchengco has this to say: “I’m a very hands-on person and I usually do not require people to do anything that I cannot do myself.”

She also believes in the principles of openness and transparency. “I operate with an open office policy, so anybody can come and tell me anything at any time. I also continuously update myself by reading and talking to people, especially across the Philippines.”

Yuchengco remains upbeat about the country’s economic growth.

“We expect there will be development across the Philippines. This will mean there is opportunity for the insurance industry.”

With that mindset, the Yuchengco Group entered into a consortium developing the $11-billion Sangley Point International Airport in Sangley Point, Cavite. Other members of the group are the Virata-led Cavitex Holdings Inc. and the Lucio Tan-owned MacroAsia Corp.

The Sangley Airport project is designed as a two-runway airport with a capacity for 75 million passengers a year, with options to build two more runways to handle up to 130 million passengers a year.

expands into online gaming

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Helen Yuchengco Dee

PH stocks to retest 6,400 as global concerns weigh

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine stock market is expected to retest the 6,400 level this week as lingering overseas concerns continue to dampen investor sentiment.

Japhet Tantiangco, research head at Philstocks Financial Inc., said that while the market is considered undervalued at current levels, sentiment remains bearish due to global trade uncertainties stemming from U.S. trade policies.

On a positive note, Tantiangco said the latest inflation data may raise hopes for more aggressive policy easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which could boost the market.

Inflation further eased to 1.3 percent in May, its lowest in nearly six years, fueling expectations of another interest rate cut by the BSP.

Investors this week are also expected to analyze labor market data for clues

on the strength of the local economy.

Last week, the 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rebounded after two consecutive weeks of losses, closing at 6,376.79.

However, the market failed to break the 6,400 resistance level as value turnover remained thin.

“Overall, market confidence is seen to remain low,

which explains the tepid movements,” Tantiangco said.

Average daily value traded reached P6.42 billion, down from the previous week’s average of P12.2 billion.

Foreign investors, however, were net buyers for the week, with inflows reaching P543 million.

JOLLIBEE’S AWARD. The Jollibee Group receives the 3G Excellence in Sustainability Reporting Award at the 10th Global Good Governance (3G) Awards, recognizing the group’s commitment to transparency and accountability in communicating its sustainability progress. The recent win highlighted Jollibee Group’s impactful reporting under its Joy for Tomorrow sustainability agenda — a comprehensive platform that guides the group’s long-term initiatives across the pillars of food, people, and planet.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Regional Trial Court NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 93, QUEZON CITY (02) 8567-5367/rtc1qzn093@judiciary.gov.ph

PEREZ, Plaintiff, -versus- CIVIL CASE

R-QZN-22-11088-CV ERIC C. REYES, ET AL., Defendants. x----------------------------------------x

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION

TO: HILDA BESING 501 5th Avenue, LNB2 Compound, Ilaya Alabang, Muntinlupa City GREETINGS: You are hereby required; within ninety (90) days after service of this Summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the petitioners your Answer to the Complaint, copy of which is attached together with the Annexes. You are reminded that under the Interim Rules of Procedure Governing Intra-Corporate Controversies, a Motion to Dismiss is a prohibited pleading. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, you will be considered in default and the Court may render judgment against you if the records so warrant.

Pursuant to Section 8 Rule 2 of

ENVIRONMENTAL, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a framework that investors, analysts, and other stakeholders use to assess a company’s overall sustainability and ethical practices. It involves criteria such as human rights, climate change, and board independence, to name a few.

The term has been thrown around in business circles for several years now. You may have heard of other similar acronyms such as GRI, IFRS, ESRS, CSRS, CDP, ISSB, SBTi, UN SDGs, and TCFD. All of these are connected with ESG. Consequently, the influx of these initiatives and regulations is the reason why there is also a growing share of Philippine publicly listed companies that are releasing sustainability disclosures.

Without a doubt, ESG has become a popular investment strategy because of its promise of contributing significantly to companies’ bottom lines. In Q4 2024 alone, global sustainable funds recorded inflows of over USD 16 billion. However, the investment framework has recently found itself at a crossroads, particularly in North America and Europe.

In the U.S., ESG has been heavily criticized by many from the political right, arguing that it prioritizes contentious social and political agendas over financial returns. Under the Trump administration, for example, several Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have already been scrapped in the federal government. In line with this, federal agencies have been instructed to deter DEI initiatives in the American private sector. This could have serious repercussions, given that DEI was meant to address discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

In Europe, ESG has largely been supported by the business community. Recently, however, the German Chancellor has called on its European counterparts to cancel the European Union’s (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), citing that the law could erode the region’s competitiveness. EU member states are supposed to transpose the CSDDD into their respective national legislations. However, the statement of the German Chancellor could be a sign that the European business community’s sentiment towards ESG is changing. It suffices to say that there seems to be a growing dissatisfaction towards ESG, with critics arguing that the investment framework is doing more harm than good on financial bottom lines. But was ESG intentionally designed to cause this imbalance, or are critics simply being impatient with the results that ESG promises? ESG, after all, involves a long-term investment horizon since it addresses multiple interests at once. Several studies support the argument that ESG investments can, in fact, lead to increased firm value and profitability. In one study, the “S” and the “G” were found to have a significant relationship with firm value, whereas the “E” does not. Despite this, the combined

accounts

THE number of stock market accounts in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) surged 50.1 percent to 2.86 million in 2024, compared to the previous year, according to the latest report from the local bourse.

The increase was primarily due to a 62 percent rise in online accounts, which reached 2.47 million.

“This 50 percent jump in the number of accounts is the highest we have recorded since we started tracking the investor count and profile in 2008,” said PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon in a statement.

“This substantial growth was made possible by enabling digital platforms to connect to PSE’s trading engine, thereby facilitating trading by investors in the market.” Monzon emphasized the importance of investor education.

“More than the numbers, what is important is that retail investors are equipped with investment know-how to avoid investing pitfalls. We address this need for investor education through our various investing literacy initiatives. We also actively work with trading participants and government and private entities to spread the word about personal finance and stock market investing,” he said.

Retail investors accounted for 98.9 percent of all stock market account holders, while institutional investors made up 1.1 percent. Locally owned accounts comprised 99 percent, with only 1 percent held by foreigners. The average value of online trades rose to P50,746.82, a 7.9 percent increase from the previous year. Nononline trades also went up by 4.5 percent to P99,823.86 per transaction.

While the growth in accounts is encouraging, Monzon noted that more effort is needed to increase trading activity, as retail investors contribute only 16 percent to the total value turnover. Jenniffer B. Austria CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Without a doubt, ESG has become a popular investment strategy because of its promise of contributing significantly to companies’ bottom lines.

scores of the E, S, and G have a positive and significant relationship with firm profitability, suggesting that investments in high ESG performance can help contribute to firm value and profitability. The study was based on 1,720 publicly listed companies selected from the Bloomberg database. Another benefit of ESG is in terms of improved operational efficiency. When companies implement ESG, this usually involves initiatives on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and improved operational practices, among others, thereby contributing towards cost savings and increased productivity. For instance, energy-efficient practices via the use of renewable energy sources can help lower an organization’s energy bills, given that energy sources such as solar and wind power can be easily replenished. One major downside of ESG investment and implementation, however, is that they take a very long time to materialize. In a business culture that prioritizes quick financial gains over long-term sustainable growth, this is one main reason why critics are highly against ESG. What about in Asia? ESG is at its early stages in Asia, but it is nonetheless picking up some steam. For instance, the Asia Pacific sustainable bond market is projected to reach USD 260 billion in 2025, with ESG funds growing two times faster than in other regions. In addition, approximately 30% of Asia’s largest corporations now track their ESG performance. The Philippines itself already has several ESG-related regulations in place, thereby setting the foundation for its future sustainable growth. Where does ESG go from here? It is hard to tell, given ever-changing politics in both the public and private sectors. We can only watch as our global leaders move the delicate chess pieces of this increasingly contentious issue, ultimately affecting how we do business locally.

Ian Benedict R. Mia is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Management and Organization of De La Salle University (DLSU). He works full-time as a Corporate ESG Researcher at one of the top ESG Ratings firms globally. He can be reached at ianbrmia@gmail.com.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

(MStandard

YELLOW

intensifies support for modernized

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is intensifying its support for transport cooperatives that have modernized their Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) units, specifically to help them meet their financial obligations to banks.

The agency said it continues to accept applications from operators and drivers who have not yet joined the modernization program.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the DOTr to ensure that transport cooperatives struggling to pay the monthly amortization of their modern PUVs receive assistance.

The president’s directive also addresses issues such as route rationalization, liber-

PUV cooperatives

alization of regulations on manufacturing jeepneys, and expedited processing of requirements for those who want to join the consolidation.

Assistant Secretary Mon Ilagan, executive director of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) and DOTr spokesperson, said consolidation remains open to operators and drivers so they can become part of a cooperative and be given provisional authority (PA) to operate and continue their livelihood.

According to Ilagan, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon will continue to listen to the cooperatives, as well as operators and drivers, to properly implement the program not only for the security of drivers’ livelihoods but also for the safety of commuters.

HK FEST. PLDT Global Corp. signs a partnership with MQuest Ventures and Philippine Airlines for the upcoming 127th Philippine Independence Day HK Fest 2025 (HK Fest 2025), a tribute to Filipinos working in Hong Kong. Signing the agreement are (from left) Sush Zetazate, PLDT Global head of global marketing; Peter Dizon, MQuest Ventures assistant vice president; Edith Gomez-Cudiamat, PLDT Global chief operating officer, Albert Villa-real, PLDT Global president and chief executive; Carlos Luis Fernandez, PAL executive vice president and chief operating officer; Anna Bengzon, PAL senior vice president and chief financial officer; Alvin Miranda, PAL vice president and head of marketing; Justin Warby, PAL vice president and head of sales; and Anne Tiongco, PAL vice president of corporate affairs.

Negros Power cites significant improvements in first 9 months

By Alena Mae S. Flores

RAZON-LED Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) reported significant improvements in infrastructure, service reliability and consumer engagement over the weekend, signaling a transformative era for local power consumers nine months after assuming electric distribution operations in Central Negros.

In a recent meeting with consumer and business leaders, Negros Power president and chief executive Roel Castro presented a comprehensive report detailing the company’s key achievements since starting operations in August 2024.

“From day one, our goal has been to modernize the system, restore public confidence and extend reliable, responsive electric service to all. The progress we’ve made is just the beginning of a broader transformation,” Castro said.

Negros Power completed the rehabilitation of the Alijis Substation, which is now equipped with new and uprated power transformers. Additional improvements were carried out in other substations to enhance system capacity and resilience.

The company also successfully rehabilitated the entire 30-kilometer Bacolod–Silay 69kV subtransmission line, replacing aging poles and installing new pin insulators.

A massive vegetation clearing initiative complemented this effort, reducing the risks of outages and improving system reliability. To further improve service continuity, Negros Power installed automatic circuit reclosers, load break and disconnect switches, replaced bare wires with insulated lines, and added rubber inserts to minimize animal intrusions. This resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency and duration of power interruptions.

Energy-efficient distribution transformers were also strategically installed and uprated across the franchise area, helping manage load more effectively while improving power quality for consumers.

Last May, the DOTr issued Department Order (DO) No. 2025-009, reopening the government’s consolidation program to PUV operators and drivers.

This allows them to join existing cooperatives or form their own to operate on routes with similar entities.

Under DO No. 2025-009, PUV operators and drivers who failed to form cooperatives, as well as those with pending applications for consolidation, will be covered by the order signed by Dizon on May 6, 2025.

“PUJ and UVE operators covered by this DO shall be allowed to join existing consolidated transport service entities (TSEs) in routes with 60 percent and above consolidation [rate], subject to the conformity of the said TSEs,” the DO read.

Aussie miners eyeing PH as sector reopens

By Othel V. Campos

AUSTRALIAN mining companies are turning their attention to the Philippines as the country reopens its doors to responsible and sustainable mining operations.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.K. Yu confirmed a renewed wave of interest from Australian investors in the local mining sector, citing both the lifting of the moratorium and strong economic ties between the two nations.

“We want to work with the Philippines to help you really explore the mining sector in a way that is environmentally sustainable, in a way where the profits are shared with the communities as well,” Yu said at the sidelines of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival held at the Glorietta Activity Center over the weekend.

A dedicated mining business mission from Australia is currently in the works and is expected to take place in the second half of the year, she added.

According to Yu, the delegations typically attract 20 to 30 companies and reflect the growing enthusiasm of Australian firms for Philippine opportunities.

“Our Australian colleagues have been floating this idea to several industry bodies,” she said, noting that this would likely be the first mining-focused mission since the moratorium was lifted.

The ambassador recalled a milestone trip in March 2023 to Western Australia, where Philippine officials and companies visited mining sites, including Kalgoorlie’s iconic Super Pit. Yu emphasized that Australia’s expertise in mining, backed by strong environmental and community frameworks, positions it as a valuable partner in the Philippines’ mining resurgence.

DPWH unveils new app for infrastructure inspections

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is revolutionizing infrastructure inspection with its new Fortified Operations and Maintenance Geospatial Survey (OMGS) mobile application.

The OMGS app, recognized as a notable capstone project developed under the Public Management Development Program (PMDP) of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), is a pioneering initiative of engineer Glenn Degal.

Degal serves as chief of the Project Operation and Maintenance Management Division under the Public-Private Partnership Service.

The app modernizes previously manual and fragmented inspection processes.

Traditionally, inspectors relied on handwritten reports and disjointed communication channels, often resulting in delays in issue resolution and reduced transparency in operations.

The OMGS app represents a paradigm shift, enabling real-time geotagged data collection, automated reporting and seamless coordination among inspectors, concessionaires and government agencies.

Using mobile devices, inspectors can now docu-

ment infrastructure conditions on-site and instantly transmit findings to a centralized digital platform, significantly improving efficiency, accuracy and accountability. This innovation directly supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance public service delivery and underscores the leadership and forward-thinking direction of DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Through the Fortified OMGS app, the DPWH reinforces the government’s commitment to smarter, faster and more transparent infrastructure management in the Philippines. Darwin Amojelar

ESG ASSESSMENT. Manila Water Total Solutions Corp. (MWTSC), the registered business name of Manila Water Non-East Zone operating unit Manila Water Infratech Solutions, achieves a “C – Satisfactory” rating on its first-ever ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assessment through the Synesgy platform by CRIF Philippines. The assessment evaluated key environmental, social, and governance factors pertinent to the construction industry.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.K. Yu

FIRB extends P20.9-b tax subsidies to gov’t agencies

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) said it approved P20.9 billion in tax subsidies for various government institutions to improve the accessibility and efficiency of public services for Filipinos.

A tax subsidy means the national government covers taxes and duties that public institutions would otherwise pay. This allows them to focus resources on delivering better, more efficient public services.

“This move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commit-

Court upholds case vs. Calata top officers

By Jenniffer B. Austria

A LOCAL court has upheld the market manipulation convictions of two former top officers of delisted Calata Corp., linked to a misleading 2016 disclosure about a casino project.

The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148, in an order promulgated on May 19, denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Joseph Calata, former chairman and Jose Marie Fabella, former corporate secretary. Both were found guilty of market manipulation in 2024.

The court’s May 31, 2024 decision sentenced both officers to pay fines of P4 million each, or serve prison time if they are unable to pay due to insolvency.

Section 24(d) of the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) prohibits making false or misleading statements on any material known or reasonably believed to be false or misleading, for the purpose of inducing investors to buy a security listed or traded on an exchange.

The court rejected the officers’ claim that they did not violate Section 24(d) of the SRC, arguing instead they only violated Section 17, which pertains to administrative reportorial requirements and does not involve penal sanctions.

“The fact that [Calata and Fabella] may have also committed an administrative violation of Section 17 of the SRC is not a bar to prosecution under Section 24 of the [SRC],” the court held.

ment to delivering more responsive public services,” Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

“These tax subsidies will help accelerate and expand the services of government agencies for the people,” said Recto, who is also the FIRB chairman.

By law, the FIRB is authorized to approve tax subsidy applications from government-owned and controlled corporations, government instrumentalities, commissaries and state universities and colleges. This supports public institutions in fulfilling their missions without the burden of tax obligations.

The FIRB said that as of May 21, 2025, its Technical Committee (TC) had approved 10 applications with a total tax subsidy of P20.9 billion for the years 2024 and 2025

All agencies whose applications were approved showed a 100-percent utilization rate on their tax subsidies

based on the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), it said.

For 2024, tax subsidies were granted to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) worth P7.5 billion; the National Power Corp., P6 billion; Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., P4.5 billion; and National Transmission Commission (TransCo), P2 billion. Also included were the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary and Exchange Service (AFPCES), P305 million; the Bureau of the Treasury, P223 million; and the UP National Institute of Physics, P6.6 million.

IN BRIEF

EDC on track to completing 40-well geothermal drilling campaign

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ENERGY Development Corp (EDC) is on track to completing its 40-well

drilling campaign by 2026, with only 11 wells remaining, its parent firm First

Gen Corp. said over the weekend.

EDC is undertaking the drilling to boost its geothermal capacity.

“So far, we only have 11 wells remaining out of that 40, with six this year and five next year,” EDC

president and chief operating officer Jerome Cainglet said.

“That’s what we’re going to do with the new wells, so we’re hoping, based on our budget, to estimate around an additional 85 megawatts. That’s all for those new wells. But we think while some wells fail, some wells did better than expected. So we think we’re going to exceed that,” Cainglet said.

First Gen president Francis Giles

Million Trees Foundation lauds SMC for 2 global awards

THE Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) commended San Miguel Corp. (SMC) for winning two major awards at the 2025 Global Good Governance (3G) Awards.

The 3G Awards recognize individuals, governments, public and private institutions and nongovernmental organizations that prioritize governance and sustainability. SMC received the 3G Leadership Award in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the 3G Best Sustainability Reporting Award from Cambridge-IFA.

The CSR award honored SMC’s leadership in high-impact community

programs, while the sustainability prize recognized its detailed disclosures on environmental and social practices.

SMC triumphed over other global nominees, putting it on par with sustainability leaders across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

“We are proud of what SMC has achieved under the leadership of its chairman and CEO Ramon Ang,”

MTFI chairman emeritus Reynaldo Velasco said.

Velasco said that even during his tenure as Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator, SMC actively promoted

sustainability across its businesses, including at Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. (LCWDC), an SMC subsidiary. LCWDC manages the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply project and is the third MWSS concessionaire.

SMC is an institutional partner of MTFI, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating critical watersheds through tree-planting and tree-growing activities.

MTFI executive director Melandrew Velasco called SMC’s honors “well-deserved.” He said, “SMC is on top when it comes to honoring its commitments to promote sustainability.”

Puno said EDC undertook its most aggressive drilling campaign in its history, drilling 24 new wells in 2024 and increasing its rig count to seven from just one operational rig.

“Another 19 wells are lined up in 2025, which includes our first exploration drilling for our Amacan growth project in Mindanao. We expect to add more than 140 MW of baseload steam capacity this year alone,” Puno said.

He said numerous other plant improvements would deliver more gigawatt-hours of generation for a prolonged period.

“EDC is also commissioning 83 MW of new geothermal capacity and 40 MWh of battery storage, delivering round-the-clock clean power for our customers,” he said.

Puno also said they hoped to advance their geothermal concessions in Indonesia starting this year.

VANTAGE Energy, the retail electricity supply affiliate of Manuel Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), renewed its partnership with Bounty Plus Inc., ensuring continued power supply to the latter’s facilities across Luzon. Under the new retail electricity supply agreement, Vantage Energy will provide customized energy solutions to meet the requirements of Bounty Plus’ poultry and broiler farms.

Vantage Energy said its competitive rates would help boost Bounty Plus’ operational efficiency, performance and market competitiveness. The supply of renewable energy also solidifies Bounty Plus’ sustainability commitment. Bounty Plus, a division of Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, oversees brands such as Bounty Fresh and

Chooks-to-Go.

The agreement covers seven Bounty Plus facilities in Bataan, Tarlac and Pangasinan.

Bounty Plus was the first company in the Philippines to receive the “Reared Without Antibiotics” certification from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Inc., highlighting its commitment to responsible and sustainable farming practices.

“As our need for renewable energy continues to

Hann Resorts goes all in on Central Luzon’s integrated resort boom

Through Hann Philippines Inc., Han is leading the charge in luxury integrated resorts (IRs) outside Metro Manila. Hann Resorts now operates two major projects: the fully operational Hann Casino Resort in Clark Freeport Zone, and the soon-to-rise Hann Reserve in New Clark City, Tarlac.

As early as 2006, Han recognized Central Luzon’s long-term potential with the development of Widus Hotel and Casino in Clark. That early move laid the groundwork for Hann Casino Resort, now recognized as Central Luzon’s first and only luxury. This milestone reflects the region’s rapid growth.

According to Colliers International Philippines, Central Luzon contributes around 11

percent to the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) and is among the top sources of overseas Filipino workers, making it an attractive market for developers and investors.

As the overall outlook remains positive, Hann Resorts is investing another P 8 billion to maximize the resort’s 11-hectare footprint. One of its newest highlights is the 8th Avenue Lifestyle Mall, which has brought in high-end retail and dining, including Central Luzon’s first upscale speakeasy, Taboo Bar.

By the end of this year, Hann Casino Resort is set to unveil a 3,500-squaremeter gaming floor with canyon-inspired interiors.

Soon after, new Intercontinental and Novotel hotels will follow, both with branded residences targeted to begin

operations by 2030.

Meanwhile, an even bigger plans are taking shape in Tarlac. Hann Reserve, a massive 450-hectare luxury estate, is in development at New Clark City. Backed by an estimated $3 billion investment, it is the single largest project in the area to date. It will feature three 18-hole golf courses designed by legends Nicklaus Design, KJ Choi, and Sir Nick Faldo, plus the country’s only PGA-affiliated training facilities.

The estate will also include luxury hotels under the Accor Group and Marriott International, along with a casino, a commercial hub, exclusive residences, and even an international school. The first golf course is expected to open before the year ends, with full development continuing through 2030.

Villar City launches commercial lot sales

VILLAR Land Holding Corp. is accelerating the development of Villar City, its flagship 3,500-hectare estate spanning southern Metro Manila and Cavite, with the rollout of strategically located commercial lots aimed at investors, businesses, and developers looking to tap into a rapidly emerging growth corridor.

GOLF COURSE. The 18-hole golf course in Villar City, designed by Curley

offer a challenging yet scenic layout.

Positioned as the next major business hub in the South, Villar City benefits from decades of strategic landbanking, now supported by key infrastructure such as the C-5 South Link, MCX, and upcoming projects including Villar Avenue, LRT extensions, and a planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Commercial lots

Since the property is still on its early phase of transformation commercial lots within the development are still competitive versus more established districts nearby. For instances, commercial lot prices in Villar City’s Innovation District start at P345,000 per square meter, offering competitive value versus nearby districts like Filinvest City (P396K–P592K/sqm) and Ayala’s Cerca Alabang (P420K/sqm). These rates reflect Villar Land’s fair-value pricing strategy and the early-stage potential for significant capital appreciation.

As VIllar City continues to develop into center for business, lifestyle, culture and leisure, ongoing and upcoming developments are driving strong potential for property value growth and creating more opportunities for early investors.

New developments

Recent and upcoming developments are central to Villar City’s positioning as a future-ready urban center. Among the newest is Forresta, a 118-hectare mixed-use estate combining premium residences, green open spaces, and commercial areas. Opened in early 2024, Forresta Café has quickly become a popular community anchor, drawing in foot traffic and signaling strong early interest from retail and food operators.

Villar Land is also constructing two 18-hole championship golf courses designed in collaboration with global firm Curley-Wagner Golf Design, offering not only leisure appeal but also value for hospitality, events, and tourism-oriented businesses. Adjacent to these will be the Villar City Stadium, envisioned as a regional venue for sports, concerts, and largescale events, further increasing foot traffic and investor interest in surrounding commercial zones.

In line with its vision to be a cultural and educational destination, Villar City has partnered with the University of the Philippines-Dasmariñas to establish a new campus within the estate. This move is expected

to attract student populations, academic institutions, and supporting businesses such as co-living spaces, bookstores, cafés, and learning hubs.

To promote healthier and more connected lifestyles, the city is rolling out active mobility initiatives including bike trails, jogging paths, fun runs, and car-free Sundays. These enhancements are designed not only to improve quality of life but also to support

commercial activity by increasing weekly foot traffic across the estate. Altogether, these upcoming projects form a synergistic masterplan designed to unlock long-term value for investors. From institutional tenants to entrepreneurs, Villar City offers a rare chance to be part of a new commercial frontier―where land is not just bought, but strategically positioned for growth.

Jenniffer. B. Austria

Robinsons Malls wins at 2025 Asia Retail Awards

Opus, launched in July 2024, is an upscale retail destination in Metro Manila that features over 148,000 square meters across five levels. It offers attractions such as the Opus Premier Cinema and Family Cinema, Spatio—a space combining shopping and relaxation—and Maisonette, a multi-brand lifestyle boutique with a café. The mall also hosts the Philippine debut of international dining brands like St. Ali, Il Lupino Prime, and Dave & Buster’s. Robinsons Antipolo was recognized for its integration of modern lifestyle and local culture. The mall includes open-air spaces, pet-friendly zones, and a mix of local and global tenants. It regularly hosts community events such as school activities, city parades, livelihood

fairs, and weddings, making it a social hub for Rizal.

“Opus and Robinsons Antipolo embody our vision for what modern malls should be—destinations that are not only beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated but also deeply connected to the evolving needs and lifestyles of our customers. Opus redefines luxury and innovation in retail, while Robinsons Antipolo reflects the heart and soul of its community. These recognitions affirm our commitment to creating spaces that inspire, engage, and elevate everyday life,” said Faraday Go, executive vice president and business unit general manager of Robinsons Malls. The Retail Asia Awards, organized by Charlton Media Group, recognize excellence and innovation in retail across the Asia-Pacific region. These wins underscore RLC’s growing influence on the Philippine retail scene as the company continues to redefine mall experiences through innovations, design and strong customer focus.

U-TOWN.

Villar City is a dynamic megacity combining leisure, retail, residential, and commercial spaces for a complete lifestyle.

Hann Reserve is seen to set the bar for luxury integrated resorts in the country

Hann Casino Resorts is the first and only luxury IR in Central Luzon

MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

ENGLISH singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran released his new single, “Sapphire,” on Thursday, ahead of his forthcoming studio album, Play, due out on Sept. 12.

The track follows earlier releases “Azizam” and “Old Phone,” and features Indian singer Arijit Singh. It was produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha

In a statement, Sheeran said “Sapphire” was the first song completed for the album and helped shape its overall sound.

“It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India,” he said, calling the experience “an incredible creative process.”

The music video, directed by Liam Pethick, was filmed during Sheeran’s tour of India and features Singh and a cameo by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Locations range from rooftops and beaches to markets and music schools, including a visit to A.R. Rahman’s institution. A Punjabi version of the track, featuring more vocals from Singh, is also expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The upcoming album Play marks a new creative direction for Sheeran after concluding his Mathematics series. He described the record as a fusion of international collaborations and musical influences from Indian, Persian, and Irish folk traditions.

Sheeran has also announced a three-night run of headline shows at Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road stadium on July 11 to 13. The sold-out concerts will feature performances from Myles Smith, Tori Kelly, Busted, Dylan, James Blunt, and Maisie Peters Sheeran, a long-time supporter and shirt sponsor of the football club, is expected to debut tracks from Play alongside earlier material. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the newly launched Live Trust, a funding initiative aimed at supporting the UK’s grassroots music sector.

Iconic coming-of-age film to hit the stage as musical in 2026

By Nickie Wang

NEWPORT World Resorts has partnered with Viva Communications Inc. and The Philippine STAR to produce Bagets:

The Musical , a stage adaptation of the 1984 coming-of-age film Bagets . The musical is scheduled to premiere in the first quarter of 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.

Based on the blockbuster 1984 coming-of-age comedy film directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes and written by Jake Tordesillas , the original Bagets follows a group of high school friends as they deal with youth, love, and the challenges of growing up. It starred William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, and Aga Muhlach , with supporting roles from Jobelle Salvador, Eula Valdez, Yayo Aguila, and Chanda Romero

The collaboration brings together three major players in Philippine media and entertainment.

Viva Communications, which holds the rights to the film, will co-produce the musical with Newport World Resorts. The Philippine STAR is joining as media partner.

“This partnership strengthens our vision of positioning the Philippines as the Broadway of Asia,” said Kevin Tan , executive chairman of Newport World Resorts, citing plans to stage more original Filipino productions.

Viva Communications chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario said the project aims to reintroduce a key piece of Filipino cinematic history to younger audiences, while Philippine STAR CEO Miguel Belmonte said the production aligns with the paper’s storytelling advocacy.

The companies said the partnership signals the start of more collaborative efforts to support the local theater and entertainment industry.

Newport World Resorts is one of the Philippines’ leading integrated resorts. Viva Communications is known for its film, music, and television production, while The Philippine STAR is a national broadsheet with growing ventures in digital and live media.

By Angelica Villanueva

FILIPINO fans recently turned Gateway Mall 2 into a basketball hub as the Japan B.League Finals reached Manila through a free Game 1 watch party, headlined by Filipino player Dwight Ramos Held at UGB Quantum Skyview, the event drew large crowds eager to catch the championship match between the Utsunomiya Brex and Ryukyu Golden Kings, broadcast live from Yokohama Arena in Japan. Many fans came to see Ramos, one of the most recognizable Filipino players in Japan’s B.League. Ramos, who plays for Levanga Hokkaido, was welcomed by fans who lined up for photos and packed the viewing area. He gave live commentary during the game, sharing insights that added a

personal touch to the event.

“It’s different when you hear it from someone who actually plays in the league. And Dwight

‘Sapphire’ marks Ed Sheeran’s latest collaboration, featuring Indian singer Arijit Singh and filmed across India

Ed Sheeran teases a new creative chapter with the release of ‘Sapphire’ ahead of his album ‘Play’

Filipino fans pack Gateway Mall 2 to join Dwight Ramos (center) for the Japan B.League Finals Game 1 watch party in Manila

From left: The Philippine STAR CEO Miguel Belmonte, Viva Communications chairman and CEO Vic del Rosario, and Newport World Resorts executive chairman Kevin Tan join forces for the stage adaptation of the film ‘Bagets’

The original ‘Bagets’ is a 1984 coming-of-age film about high school friends facing love and growing up, starring William Martinez, J.C. Bonnin, Herbert Bautista, Raymond Lauchengco, and Aga Muhlach

PAL Group honors cabin crew on International Flight Attendant Day

THE PAL Group marked International Flight Attendant Day 2025 with a series of events honoring the dedication of its cabin crew through music, food, and service awards.

PAL Cabin Services launched a week-long bazaar on May 29 at the PAL Inflight Center featuring booths, giveaways, and interactive activities for cabin crew members. The highlight came on May 30 with “Crewchella,” a music festival showcasing the talents of more than 100 crew members, including those on duty, reserve, and in training.

“This special musical celebration paid tribute to the dedicated service of our cabin crew and served as an avenue to showcase their musical talent,” said Rowena Clemente, PAL acting assis-

tant vice president for Cabin Services.

At the same time, PAL Express Cabin Services held a separate event on May 29 at the crew lounge in the R-2 Hangar, offering food booths with comforting meals and refreshments for its staff.

“They are the unsung heroes of the skies who are capable of responding to extraordinary situations in flight and who ensure that passengers receive care and comfort marked by our trademark brand of heartfelt service,” said Michelle Mariano, PAL Express assistant vice president for Cabin Crew Operations.

The PAL Group also recognized long-serving cabin crew with service awards for those completing 20 to 35 years of service, honoring their commitment to safety and customer care.

By Nickie Wang

BY LETTING go of perfection, Marie Kondo may have discovered something more meaningful than a clean home.

Globally known for the KonMari method, Marie helped millions find calm through organization. Her approach was simple but transformative: keep only what brings happiness. But after welcoming her third child, she found herself rethinking balance.

“There was a moment when I realized I couldn’t do it all,” she says. “Run a business, care for my family, and maintain the image of having a perfectly tidy home.”

Now, in a new campaign with travel platform Klook called “The Best You,” Marie is embracing a different kind of order, one shaped by motherhood, change, and the freedom to explore life’s messier side.

The Marie Kondo we once knew isn’t gone. She’s simply evolving.

For years, she embodied calm, discipline, and control. But even tidying experts aren’t immune to life’s shifts.

“Change can feel uncomfortable for people who have a fixed image of someone they think they know,” Marie says. “However, change is a natural part of life.” Her return to Japan for the Klook campaign allowed her to reconnect with her roots and explore experiences far from her usual routine. She channeled her focus through samurai training, danced in a robot suit, and took part in a kintsugi workshop—a

Marie Kondo’s messier chapter reminds us that joy isn’t always tidy

traditional Japanese technique that mends broken ceramics with gold.

“I learned about the beauty in imperfection,” she shares. “It’s not about perfection. It’s about looking straight at the beauty of what’s in front of you.”

The KonMari method has always been about choosing what holds value. In many ways, kintsugi reflects the same thinking: visible cracks don’t ruin the object—they become part of its beauty.

Marie adds, “Some people have completely different sensibilities, and that is to recognize the beauty of your own house as it is. That is the goal of the KonMari Method, so I was happy to share the same philosophy.”

Her current definition of “the best you” is no longer tied to tidy drawers

or minimalist homes. “Nobody is perfect, including myself, and that is fine,” she says. “My children, my family, and a life that feels authentic even when it’s not perfect—those are what matter now.”

Klook’s The Best You campaign reframes travel as a tool for self-rediscovery rather than just escape. It suggests that the best version of ourselves may not emerge from achieving control, but from embracing what life offers—unfiltered and sometimes disorganized. Marie Kondo’s story is no longer just about tidying. It’s about being human. And in choosing to live a fuller, less curated life, she reminds us we can, too.

Bistro Group adds new fire-grilled dining concept to Shangri-La Plaza lineup

By Angelica Villanueva

THE newest addition to Shangri-La Plaza’s dining scene is all about big steaks and bold flavors. LongHorn Steakhouse, known for its fire-grilled offerings, has officially opened its first Philippine location at the mall’s Streetscape wing.

Brought in by The Bistro Group, LongHorn joins the company’s growing portfolio of international and homegrown restaurant concepts.

“As we pursue our business growth objective of vigorously opening new concepts, we express our enthusiasm over the forthcoming launch of LongHorn Steakhouse this March,” said Jean Paul Manuud, The Bistro Group president.

Manuud said the brand’s focus on quality and consistency made it a strong fit.

“Their unrelenting passion and uncompromising standards when it comes to high-quality steaks and dishes resonate with Bistro’s unparalleled dedication to offering the best to our customers. While some take shortcuts and cut corners, at LongHorn, they do things the right way because that is what great steak deserves and, more important, it’s what their guests deserve,” he added.

The restaurant’s menu includes signature items such as the bone-in Outlaw Ribeye, Flo’s Filet, New York Strip, and FireGrilled T-Bone, as well as ribs, grilled salmon, chicken tenders, and salads. Guests can also enjoy cocktails, wine, draft beer, and desserts like the popular Chocolate Stampede.

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with The Bistro Group through the opening of LongHorn Steakhouse here in the Philippines,” said Brad Smith, president of Darden Franchising.

“We know that Filipinos will love LongHorn’s perfectly seasoned and expertly grilled steaks paired with delicious sides and

Marie Kondo embraces self-care in Klook’s new ‘The Best You’ campaign

PAL crew members showcase their musical talents during ‘Crewchella,’ a highlight of the Inflight Center celebration

PAL’s Cabin Services Sub-Department family led by Rowena Clemente, PAL acting assistant vice president for CSSD, share a light moment during Crewchella Night

The lifestyle icon smiles while holding a kintsugi-repaired ceramic, celebrating the beauty of imperfection

Marie Kondo applies traditional Japanese lacquer to a broken bowl in a symbolic act of restoration

LongHorn Steakhouse opens its first Philippine location at Shangri-La Plaza’s Streetscape wing

The restaurant welcomes guests with outdoor seating and its signature warm, Western ambiance refreshing beverages,” Smith continued.

NICKIE WANG, Editor

Writer

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

Writer

JASPER VALDEZ,

FLORIDA is often referred to as the Panhandle State simply because, if you view the continental USA on the map as a distorted frying pan, the state of Florida is its handle.

I travel to this state every time I go on a cruise because Miami is often the starting point for many sea voyages in that part of the world. I’ve been on cruises to the Bahamas, to Bermuda, to the West Indies, to Mexico, and to Brazil. Each of those trips started from sunny Miami. Five years ago, my siblings and I, together with our families, agreed to have our family reunion in Havana, Cuba, and our cruise started from Miami. En route to Havana, we passed by Key West, Florida, the southernmost point of continental USA, and we made sure we had a photo op on the exact spot marked accordingly, as shown on this page. The city’s other claim to fame is its Key Lime Pie, “the best in the world.” Naturally, we got ourselves several boxes of this pastry to take back to our staterooms, as cabins are called in a cruise ship. Indeed, the pie was heavenly! This time, I reconnected with Florida through Tampa, The Florida You’ve Been Searching For, as the city’s tourism slogan declares. It was where the 3-day Senior Living Executive Conference and Expo took place. Events like this all over the world, which cater to the senior community,

By Joyce Babe Pañares

THE hospitality industry, in a postpandemic world, is still rapidly evolving, with both internal and external forces driving the changes. Most employees prefer to work from home or under a hybrid setup in an environment that requires human interaction and a personal touch. Hiring has become more difficult, with other industries dipping into the workforce share that was once mostly, if not exclusively, for hospitality. Succession planning and talent retention have become more challenging.

Reconnecting with the Panhandle State

are the Philippine Retirement Authority’s (PRA) target. Tampa is known for its food halls, shops, and breweries designed from centuries-old warehouses. It is also popular for being a (Cuban) cigar-making capital. There’s an area in the city with a community of cigar rollers from Cuba and from Sicily, where cigars are hand-rolled on-site, the old-fashioned way. One can see artisans, hunched over their wooden desks, fastidiously inspecting each tobacco leaf, cutting and rolling them with almost machinelike precision.

I had the chance to walk along the city’s “La Septima” (7th Street), which looks like Florida’s version of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. This busy thor-

These are some of the issues that the 3rd Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Sales and Marketing Summit aims to address as it brings together the country’s top hospitality leaders and experts.

“The HSMA Summit is where industry leaders and rising stars come together to shape the future of Philippine tourism. The next generation of sales and marketing professionals must attend not just to learn, but to lead. This summit gives them the tools, insights, and inspiration they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Loleth So, HSMA presi-

oughfare is filled with tattoo parlors and nightclubs. I passed by a very interesting establishment, Hotel Haya, named after a local celebrity, cigar pioneer Ignacio Haya. What made it particularly interesting is its lobby, where the Café Quiquiriqui is located. Its name is the Spanish version of the rooster’s “cocka-doodle-doo.” This popular restaurant serves a very extensive and delectable buffet for breakfast, the usual time the cock crows, thus its name.

Another popular attraction in the city is the 97-kilometer Hillsborough River, a part of which cuts across downtown. It flows along four nature trails, making it popular among hikers. Also, the river is home to many species, which is why students are often made to visit, for

dent and group commercial director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.

Slated for June 19 at The Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams Manila, this year’s HSMA Summit has the theme “Leading the Shift: Redefining Hospitality Sales and Marketing for the Next Generation.” The one-day summit will feature keynote presentations, executive panels, and specialized sessions covering critical topics such as the impact of government policies on hospitality businesses, channel management and distribution strategies, revenue optimization and AI-driven marketing,

about three days, a particular spot along the river called “Nature’s Classroom” to learn about the ecosystem, watershed, and some native Florida animals.

A Spanish sculptor put up a 23-foot cast-iron head of a young woman with her eyes closed peacefully and named his masterpiece Laura with Bun, looking as if she is enjoying the Florida sun and soaking it up. But I saw it as the face of a lady who is doing some introspection. In fact, the sculptor, Jaume Plensa, wants the viewer to look at the sculpture as a mirror to reflect one’s image as he/she thinks about the inner self. This statue is found in front of the 105-year-old Tampa Museum of Art downtown. Of course, the most popular tourist

attraction in Tampa is Busch Gardens, a family-oriented theme park that features a combination of animal exhibits, thrill rides, and live entertainment. This is a paradise for children, having all kinds of rides you can imagine, from the easy ones to the most scream-worthy, and all kinds of adorable animals that my grandchildren would have loved to play with. More details on this amusement park some other time.

What I enjoyed the most was the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile pedestrian and multi-use path that runs along the Hillsborough River. Open 24/7, it offers a beautiful view of the river and a very interesting historical monument trail. People walk, bike, or take a scooter along it, as they pass by a vast array of shopping, dining, and entertainment establishments. Every time my PRA team and I take a break from our chores at the Expo venue, which is on the Riverwalk, we spend it cruising along the nearby shops and restaurants. There were many other interesting points to discover in Tampa, but this visit was really quick. However, considering the targets that we at PRA have set our sights on, I’m sure there will be another opportunity to reconnect with the Panhandle State in the near future.

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YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE: Sleeping comes so naturally to me. I could even do it with my eyes closed!

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For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

leadership development for the next generation of sales and marketing professionals, and building meaningful industry relationships that drive conversions. Speakers include Dr. Enrico Basilio, associate professor at the University of the Philippines, and executives from leading hospitality groups, online travel agencies, and technology providers.

“As we gather for our third summit, we’re focused on creating meaningful discussions that translate to transformative strategies for attendees,” said Margarita Munsayac, HSMA chair

and vice president of sales and marketing at Bluewater Resorts.

“The insights shared at this event will help shape the future of hospitality sales and marketing practices in the country,” she added. (Registration fee for HSMA Members is P3,800; for non-members, P4,800. For more information, please contact Riza Pangan through viber +63 917 804-1274. You may also reach out to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association through their official Facebook page @HSMAPH and Instagram account @ HSMAPhilippines)

HSMA Summit speakers (from left) Raissa Roque, Dr. Enrico Basilio, and Mich Briones

Tourism Promotions Board COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles

The beautiful skyline of downtown Tampa is made even more attractive by the Hillsborough River running through it

A drone’s view of the thrilling rides in Tampa’s Busch Gardens

Jaume Plensa’s 23-foot masterpiece, ‘Laura With Bun,’ set up in front of the Tampa Museum of Art

A close-up of a cigar-roller in one of the shops along La Septima (7th Avenue) in downtown Tampa