THE House of Representatives’ refusal to accept the document indicating the formal entry of Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyers may delay the impeachment proceedings, the Senate impeachment court said yesterday.
Impeachment court spokesperson
Reginald Tongol explained that for a court filing to be accepted by the impeachment court, it must first be ensured that the other party—in this
By Vito Barcelo
AT LEAST four countries –United States, China, India, and Thailand – have ordered the evacuation of its citizens from Israel and Iran as the two sides exchanged missile fire for a fifth day.
The Philippines, through the Department of Migrant Workers, on Tuesday appealed to Filipinos set to travel to Israel, Jordan, or Iran to postpone their plans amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
This as at least 109 Filipinos in Israel have already asked to be repatriated, the DMW said, while some 51 Filipinos bound for Jordan -- including 20 mothers and 23 children -- arrived in Manila yesterday after being stranded in Dubai due to the shutdown of major airports in the region. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Flus also reported that 22 Filipinos are currently in Israel on official visit –17 local government officials that include several mayors as well as four dairy industry specialists from the Department of Agriculture.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump urged residents of Tehran to leave, posting on
that recognizes, credits, and gives equivalencies to knowledge, skills, and prior learning gained from relevant formal, non-formal, and informal training and work experiences.
By Alena Mae S. Flores and Charles Dantes
OIL firms have raised fears of a “hefty” price hike next week that could likely reach as much as P3 based on Monday’s Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) trading, as prices soared globally Tuesday with the crisis in the Middle East continuing to instill uncertainty.
The Department of Energy on Tuesday appealed to industry players to “implement staggered fuel price adjustments” as Malacanang assured the public measures are in place to cushion the impact on local consumers as well as transport operators and drivers.
By Charles Dantes
A TOTAL of 17 officials from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) have had their courtesy resignations accepted, marking a significant reshuffle within the agency, according to Malacañang.
“Seventeen courtesy resignations have been accepted in the PCO, based on my latest information,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Tuesday during a Palace briefing.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has
reappointed Jay Ruiz as acting secretary of the PCO, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also confirmed Tuesday. He said the President signed the reappointment on Monday. Ruiz was previously bypassed by the Commission on Appointments (CA) after the body failed to tackle his confirmation due to lack of time before Congress adjourned sine die last week. In a statement, Ruiz thanked the President for his continued trust.
“This fresh mandate is both an honor
ACONSUMER group appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday to exercise his veto power on the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, citing serious national security and regulatory gaps that could compromise the country’s digital infrastructure.
CitizenWatch Philippines Lead Convenor Orlando Oxales underscored that the proposed measure lacks sufficient safeguards against potential data breaches and foreign interference, which are flaws that could undermine the country’s digital security and consumer protection framework.
“While the intention to expand internet access is commendable, we cannot support a bill that undermines public safety, weakens regulatory oversight, and exposes Filipinos to cybersecurity threats,” Oxales said.
The Konektadong Pinoy Bill, recently ratified by Congress and now under final review by Malacañang, removes the long-standing requirement for new
telecommunications service providers (telco) to secure a congressional franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
It also downgrades the regulatory authority of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), allowing new entrants to register without proving financial, technical, or cybersecurity capability. There is also no obligation for new players to provide service in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), which may be a means to encourage them to focus solely on profitable urban markets, disregarding vulnerability of internet users.
Oxales pointed out that allowing unvetted players, including potentially
foreign-controlled entities, to operate critical infrastructure without meaningful oversight will surely lead to serious security vulnerabilities and even a national crisis situation.”
“Imagine a sudden breakdown of electronic payment systems we are now so dependent on. All business operations will be disrupted. The whole economy at all levels will be affected. All because one new internet provider was able to infect our whole financial sector with a digital time-bomb. A digital sabotage operation against our critical infrastructure will be catastrophic and may even be deadly. Are we prepared for such a scenario?” Oxales warned.
“The bill, in its current form, leaves the Philippines wide open to cyber exploitation and foreign manipulation, putting our digital infrastructure and public trust at serious risk,” he added.
CitizenWatch joins other stakeholders, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators
(PCTO) and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO), in sounding the alarm over the bill’s serious gaps. Among the chief concerns are the lack of mandatory cybersecurity readiness for new players and the exemption of certain technologies, like satellite services, from NTC authorization altogether.
“Let us not repeat the mistakes made in other deregulated sectors. We must learn from our experience with the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), where lax rules led to national security fallout that we still see in recent arrests of persons linked to Pogo operations committing various crimes,” Oxales explained.
“We are hopeful that the President will exercise his executive power to avert a potential security crisis. A veto would send a strong signal that while we pursue digital inclusion, it will not come at the cost of consumer safety and national security,” he added.
and a responsibility that strengthens my resolve to serve with greater dedication, especially at a time when effective communication is central to the success of the administration’s programs,” Ruiz said. He also praised the President’s “quiet determination and unwavering commitment to public service,” which he said inspires him to lead the PCO with professionalism and purpose.
While no timeline was given for possible replacements, Castro said that vacant positions would likely be filled to ensure operational continuity. “If the position is essential and needs a competent person, then it definitely needs to be filled,” she noted.
Castro also clarified that PCO Undersecretary Ana Puod voluntarily stepped down for personal reasons, and not as part of a courtesy resignation directive.
“There was no directive for undersecretaries to file courtesy resignations. It remains the President’s prerogative to remove officials who are not aligned with his directives,” Castro explained.
The update comes as the Marcos administration recalibrates its communications strategy to ensure unified messaging across government agencies.
TEST RUN Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian joins persons with disabilities, who are beneficiaries of the agency’s Persons with Disabilities Electric Transportation Services project, for a test run yesterday of their electric bus along Batasan Hills in Quezon City. DSWD
automatically triggered. As of June 16, the price of Dubai crude was at US$73 per barrel.
who may be adversely affected by rising fuel prices.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure that our fuel supply remains stable and sufficient, and that any local price adjustments are managed in a way that minimizes disruption to our economy. Through close coordination with the oil industry and strict monitoring of inventory levels, we are working to maintain energy security while preparing targeted interventions to support the most affected sectors,” DOE officer-in-charge Sharon Garin said.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said should crude prices exceed $80 per barrel, government fuel aid for public transport drivers and fisherfolk will be
“If prices rise sharply, the government will act quickly to provide assistance,” Castro said.
The Palace official said the DA is also ready to import fertilizers from other countries, such as Brunei, in case there is disruption in Gulf shipping of the supply from Qatar.
Qatar, one of the Philippines’ major suppliers, sits only 510 miles from Iran.
Under this year’s budget allocation, the DOE has P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies to drivers of public utility vehicles, taxis, ride-hailing services, and delivery platforms nationwide. The DA, on the other hand, has P585 million which can be used to support farmers and fisherfolk in the agricultural sector
Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said while there are still four more trading days for the week, if Monday’s MOPS shall be the basis, diesel prices have already gone up by more than P3 per liter while gasoline increased by P2 per liter.
“While it is too early to provide figures, the potential increase on pump prices will be quite hefty if Monday’s MOPS prices are used as reference for this week,” Bellas said.
Garin and Undersecretary Alessandro Sales, who supervises the DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau, conducted inspections of oil depots in Manila on Tuesday to ensure that oil firms maintain the mandated 30-day inventory of crude oil and a 15-day inventory of finished petroleum products.
wise) I think you’d still own up to 40 meters,” Dizon said.
“This was actually a very elegant and very intelligent proposal by the Senate President because this was a big debate… I think that’s a very Solomonic solution to that problem,” he noted.
Dizon said earlier the subway project could take until 2032 to complete due to challenges about land acquisition.
He also said the DOTr had secured approval to build underneath an exclusive subdivision in Quezon City, although right-of-way issues were still being discussed with the Bonifacio Global City and Metrowalk.
According to the DOTr), it has secured a permit to proceed with the Metro Manila Subway underneath an exclusive subdivision in Quezon City.
“We were able to get the permit to enter White Plains, so that’s okay.. The next ones are the other subdivisions,” Dizon added.
Since the tunnel boring machine was installed in the site last January, it has so far drilled only about 88 meters going to Ortigas, as right-of-way issues prevented it from going full blast.
Dizon expressed hopes however, that at least two or three stations could be completed during the watch of President Marcos.
“We could see the trains running starting from the north— Valenzuela, Quirino, hopefully, North Avenue,” he said.
case, the House of Representatives— has received a copy.
“That notation is very significant because the prosecution might say that they were not given a copy. So they need to note when they are filing the pleading that there was a refusal of receipt, and just hand over the copy to the person they found there so that the impeachment court can receive what was filed,” Tongol said in an interview with ABS-CBN..
“So this is significant because they might see another delay, as it is another issue that the prosecution will raise:
‘Oh, don’t accept that, impeachment court, because we didn’t receive it,’” he added. “The person receiving the item will, meanwhile, say, ‘Oh no, we sent it, but you refused to take it.’”
Last Monday, Tongol shared copies of the document indicating the formal entry of Duterte’s lawyers, which was submitted to the Senate impeachment court at 5:03 p.m.
The document showed that the House was listed on page 3 as having been furnished a copy at 3:42 p.m. the same day, but with a remark: “Tender copy
refused to receive.”
Tongol also said “claims of foot-dragging are baseless, as actions speak louder than words. It is disrespectful for litigants to question the court with the end goal of merely discrediting it instead of doing their job to have their complaints ventilated in the proper forum.”.
He said the court had convened, adopted its rules and supplemental rules, and issued orders necessary to move the impeachment process forward.
Tongol added that summons were also issued to Vice President Sara Duterte, and the entry of appearance from the defense lawyers was received.
“If their goal is to speed things up, they should themselves comply with that goal by doing and filing what needs to be filed instead of spending their time attacking the court,” he said.
Tongol argued that any competent litigator knows how simple it is to file motions for clarification, manifestations, compliance, or formal entry of appearance. He questioned why seven days had passed since the court first convened without any such filings from the parties involved.
“If it already takes them a week to act on such simple and minor matters, what more when it comes to bigger filings or motions?” he posed.
Tongol maintained that the court remains committed to its constitutional duty and to ensuring due process.
“If they feel strongly about the actions of the court, then they should avail of their remedies in law and not air out grievances in the court of public opinion,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, impeachment spokesperson Antonio Audie Bucoy on Tuesday said he agrees with the assessment of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno that the Senate under Senate President Chiz Escudero may have committed grave abuse of discretion in handling the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte.
Bucoy was referring to the Senate’s decision to remand the Articles of Impeachment back to the House of Representatives, a move that has drawn criticism from constitutional experts and legal scholars.
“There is no word ‘remand’ in impeachment. Remand is not appropriate in impeachment. The remand is for ordinary cases in ordinary courts, but never in impeachment courts,” Bucoy said.
Bucoy’s statements lend further weight to the growing consensus among constitutional law experts that the actions of the Senate, presided over by Escudero, fall outside the bounds of
The Thai government, for its part, ordered its military to prepare planes to evacuate citizens.
There are an estimated 40,000 Thais currently living in Israel, most working on farms under a government labor scheme, and around 300 nationals living in Iran.
The Thai embassy in Tehran announced on its official Facebook page that it had set up a temporary shelter for citizens outside the capital. India urged its citizens to leave Tehran, while some nationals have already fled across the Iranian border as the country comes under Israeli bombardment.
“Residents who are self-sufficient in terms of transport have also been advised to move out of the city in view of the developing situation,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
In Manila, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said “For the OFWs who are there, stay safe. Stay in an area where you are able to access a bomb shelter, whether it’s a private home bomb shelter or a public municipal shelter.”
The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is already coordinating with diplomats from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan regarding possible land routes if Iran’s situation worsens and Filipinos must evacuate.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said it has not yet released any advisory covering Filipino seafarers aboard international ships near the ports of Israel or Iran. However, the MARINA website appealed to Filipino seafarers in Israel experiencing difficulties to report to their manning agencies and relevant authorities. With AFP
According to UNICEF, 3.6 million Filipino children aged five and below are underweight, while about four million suffer from stunted growth.
“The President’s instruction is to ensure that children enrolled in child development centers have adequate food and nutrition, Hence, for 2025, our supplemental feeding program will kick off,” Gatchalian said.
"We have available funds for that, about P5.1 billion. More or less, some 1.6 million children in child development centers will be feed daily for 120 days. These are hot meals prepared by the centers or the local government units,” he added.
The cost of the hot meals will be increased from P15 to P25 apiece to ensure that children get proper nutrition, Gatchalian said.
“On top of that, those classified as undernourished will receive fresh milk costing about P22 per child,” he added.
The secretary also pointed out that aside from the children, local farmers would also benefit from the program because the food would be sourced from their farm outputs.
what is constitutionally sound.
The acts of the Senate are now under scrutiny not just by the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), which Bucoy chairs, but also by law deans, professors, and other constitutional experts.
Escudero had earlier downplayed the findings of Philconsa, citing Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s role as the group’s president. Bucoy was quick to reject this line of reasoning.
“That’s not fair. Because you judge the position based on the merit of what was said,” Bucoy said.
He also clarified that Speaker Romualdez, despite his role as Philconsa president, does not influence the independent legal opinions of former Chief Justice Puno.
“In much the same way that Chief Justice Puno will not and cannot influence the mindset of the Speaker of the House.” According to Bucoy, the positions being put forward by legal experts and organizations like Philconsa should be evaluated based on the substance of their arguments, not the personalities behind them.
“So my take is that the argument is based on the merit of the argument, not on the personality,” Bucoy said. Maricel Cruz and Ram Superable ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Bejing.
DELICACY. A visitor holds up dried dorado, locally known as aruyo, during the 242nd Foundation Week of Batanes Province. The celebration showcases the renowned dried aruyo, a sought-after delicacy and staple in the Ivatan diet, along with other agricultural products. Dave Leprozo
By Charles Dantes
THE Presidential Communications Office on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not be compared to Vice President Sara Duterte over the use of confidential funds, describing such an argument as misguided.
PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Office head Claire Castro made the statement in response to media questions about criticisms raised by Duterte allies, including the Duterte Youth party-list, that President Marcos has access to the largest share
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) is seeking to acquire new multi-role fighters (MRFs) with capabilities surpassing those of its current fleet, a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
“Right now, what we are looking at for MRF is definitely better capabilities than what we currently have in our inventory. So we’re looking at longer range, better firepower, among others,” said PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
When asked if the PAF is eyeing Generation 4.0 or 4.5 fighter jets, Castillo said it would depend on the available budget. “Definitely the best we can have for the budget that is available,” she added. Generation 4.0 jets introduced flyby-wire systems and digital processing for better performance. Generation 4.5 fighters, meanwhile, offer advanced avionics and stealth capabilities to evade detection more effectively.
Currently, the PAF operates 11 FA50PH fighter jets acquired from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) between 2015 and 2017. These jets are used for both fighter and strike missions. One unit tragically crashed in Bukidnon on March 4 during a night mission, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.
As part of modernization efforts, the Department of National Defense (DND) recently signed a $700-million contract with KAI for 12 brandnew FA-50 jets, to be delivered between 2026 and 2030. Castillo confirmed that pilot training is already underway to prepare for the arrival of the new aircraft.
“The procurement of new pilots is ongoing. The upgrades of our current pilots are also ongoing,” she said. The training package for the new FA-50s also includes familiarization with their enhanced systems.
Castillo added that the Air Force is considering upgrades to the existing FA-50PH fleet to match the newer models, although specifics are still being evaluated. “If time comes that we need to upgrade them, we’re going to plan for this,” she said.
of confidential funds in the national budget.
The group has floated a possible impeachment case against the President, which Castro reiterated is a process purely within the jurisdiction of the members of the House of
AGAINST FALSE SOLUTIONS.
Climate advocates stage a protest in front of the Embassy of Japan on the eve of the Japan Energy Summit, scheduled for June 18 to 20 in Tokyo. The groups condemned Japan’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its promotion of ‘false solutions.’ Norman Cruz
Representatives.
“The President has no hand in whatever happens in that process,” Castro said in a press briefing. “It is completely within the authority of the House of Representatives,” she added.
Castro emphasized that any comparison between Duterte’s and Marcos’ use of confidential funds is misplaced.
“First of all, it seems that our President did not spend P125 million in just 11 days,” she said, referencing allegations against Duterte’s office during her concurrent term as Education Secretary.
Castro noted the Office of the President was never issued a Notice
of Disallowance by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding its use of confidential funds, nor was it linked to questionable receipts or documentation.
In contrast, Castro pointed to allegations that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) sought military-issued certifications to justify P15 million in spending for a youth summit, a move later denied by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Castro also responded to questions on the reported use of aliases in confidential and intelligence fund disbursements, asserting that such practices must still adhere to accounting rules.
Nearly 3m poor senior citizens get DSWD pension
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that 2,955,456 indigent senior citizens have received their pensions for the first and second quarters of 2025 under the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program. Each beneficiary received a monthly stipend of ₱1,000, as mandated by Republic Act 11916. DSWD Protective Services
Bureau Director Edmond Monteverde said that as of May 31, over 2.2 million seniors were paid ₱3,000 for the first quarter, while more than 750,000 received ₱6,000 covering both quarters. The program aims to support frail, sickly, or disabled senior citizens with no other form of pension. Monteverde stressed that the agency is committed to ensuring uninterrupted delivery of social pensions to eligible beneficiaries. Maricel V. Cruz
Teves rushed to hospital due to stomach pain
DETAINED former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was taken to a hospital Monday morning after complaining of severe stomach pain, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio confirmed.
In a video clip shared with the media, Teves was seen being transported via ambulance to an undisclosed hospital. According to Topacio, the former lawmaker had been in pain since midnight but received medical attention at 5 a.m. The hospital’s location was withheld for security reasons. Pot Chavez
Dismissed vlogger-cop arrested for sedition raps
CONTROVERSIAL ex-police officer and vlogger Francis Steve Fontillas was arrested over a cybercrime complaint for allegedly inciting sedition under Republic Act 10175. Authorities served the warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 224, with bail set at ₱36,000. Fontillas was accused of making threats against the Philippine government and Interpol in uniform during a social media rant in March. He claimed he would arrest President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after his term and would not follow any “wrong” orders from superiors. The National Capital Region Police Office said the video caused unrest and went viral. Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III emphasized that a valid warrant had been issued and had to be enforced. Vince Lopez
By Minerva Newman
CEBU
Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro, through her legal team, has filed her verified answer before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), urging the dismissal of outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s election protest for lack of merit.
Baricuatro’s legal counsel described the protest as “devoid of merit” and requested its outright dismissal without further proceedings.
The legal team, led by Alberto C. Agra with the Batuhan Blando Law Offices as collaborating counsel headed by Alberto C. Garcia, argued that the protest is “insufficient in form and substance,” failing to allege with particularity any fraud or anomaly in each contested precinct.
They further described the complaint as a “nuisance suit,” likening it to a tabloid op-ed piece rather than a legitimate legal filing.
“The Protestee (Governor Baricu-
By Nash B. Maulana
THE scheduled elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will proceed as set by Congress on October 12, Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua confirmed.
Macacua said he was not aware of any lobbying for another postponement of the elections, which had been suggested during a meeting between BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Senator Imee Marcos. Iqbal had earlier warned Marcos about alleged lobbying efforts in Congress to delay the elections and extend the appointive tenure of BARMM officials.
Macacua made his position clear in an address to newly elected local officials, stating that the polls must push through and that the “Moral Govern-
ance” framework initiated by former Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim is under attack.
“Victory is determined by the will of Allah—not by the designs of political opponents,” Macacua said, quoting from the Qur’an and affirming the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) political integrity.
He urged people to ignore rumours, noting that had they believed falsehoods prior to the May elections, the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) would not have won overwhelmingly in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
“For the upcoming elections, MILF Chairman Ebrahim remains the first nominee and president of UBJP,” he said, adding that protecting the Moral Governance framework is a duty of all Moro leaders.
atro) has rewritten the political narrative of Cebu Province. A civic leader with no name recall, no political pedigree or machinery, no access to government resources prevailed. She simply offered herself in service and the people responded. Her victory is not just electoral; it is transformational,” Agra stated.
Baricuatro’s camp reaffirmed that the protest is part of the democratic process and said they are engaging with transparency and confidence in the electoral system.
“We welcome this opportunity to reaffirm the legitimacy of our victory and the will of the people. We trust the Commission on Elections to resolve this swiftly and fairly. Our focus remains on delivering the promises of our mandate,” her legal team added. Baricuatro’s side also emphasised her overwhelming mandate, having secured over 1.1 million votes, which they said reflects a strong call for new leadership in Cebu.
By Vito Barcelo
THE Commission on Elec -
tions (Comelec) has reset the start of voters registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from July to late October this year.
“The voter registration will now take place in the last week of October after the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, and will run until July 2026,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.
Garcia said the new schedule for voter registration is aimed at getting ready for the BSKE) in November 2026 should the proposed law extending the terms of barangay officials be approved.
While voter registration is currently on hold, Garcia said the Comelec will proceed with other preparations for the BSKE, as the proposed law is still awaiting approval by President Marcos.
Even if the measure is eventually enacted, Garcia pointed out that the legality of extending the terms for barangay and SK officials could still face challenges in the Supreme Court.
“It would be unfair to them. BSK officials should enjoy the same privilege, which they would if their elections were postponed to November next year as proposed in the consolidated bill,” he said.
House Bill 11287, principally authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, includes limits of two terms for barangay officials and one term for SK officials.
It also schedules future BSKE every six years starting May 2029.
The bill amends the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), extending the term of incumbent barangay officials elected in October 2023 until May 2029 (unless removed or suspended for cause), to promote continuity in grassroots projects and reduce excessive politicking.
THE government has launched a major campaign to tackle mounting complaints against abusive online lending, also called modern-day loan sharks, the Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced on Monday.
The PAOCC is working with the Philippine National Police -Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in carrying the drive. This joint effort was part of President Marcos’ instruction to prioritize complaints against abusive online lend-
A couple proudly shows off their nuptial rings after tying the knot, along with 48 others, during a mass wedding officiated by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
ing apps so that victims can achieve justice and legal remedies if warranted.
About 100 complainants showed up to submit their sworn statements and testimonies to the PNP-CIDG, recounting their stories that could help the law enforcement in the case build-up.
PNP chief Nicolas Torre III gave assurance that the complainants will be fully assisted throughout the legal
process. The PAOCC noted that unscrupulous online lending operators were causing financial, psychological, and reputational injury to thousands of Filipinos through threats and harassment. In a matter of weeks, the agency received more than 13,000 complaints in April and May alone. According to PAOCC director Gilbert Cruz, “these abusive online lending operators have caused serious harm to thousands of Filipinos. Under the President’s directive, we are going after these groups to protect our people and ensure they are held accountable.”
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippines will hold its second quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill on June 19, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced on Tuesday.
The SEC had already warned Filipinos not to transact or borrow from unlicensed online lenders. The bourse emphasized the risk of exposing borrowers to abusive collection practices, privacy violations, and outrageous fees.
The SEC also disclosed it had already ordered the removal and blocking of several online lending apps found operating without the required registration and licenses.
Last February, the PAOCC, through coordination with international counterparts, banned 27 administrators and 89 online scam loan pages from the internet.
CHR lauds new law on childhood care
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauded the enactment of Republic Act No. 12199, or the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act to enhance early education, nutrition and caregiving support for young children.
“This law marks a decisive step toward realizing every Filipino child’s right to holistic development, protection and long-term well-being,” the CHR said in a statement. The new law seeks to reduce child mortality, support well-rounded early development, ensure early detection of developmental challenges and promote a smoother transition to formal education.
Rio N. Araja
Gov. Mamba lauded for Cagayan’s dev’t
The OCD said the exercise is crucial for boosting public awareness and preparedness for earthquakes across the country.
UNIQUE CALENDAR.
This image is part of an uncommon calendar hatched up by the Cavinti police pursuant to its campaign to bridge the disconnect with the people and enhance the safety and wellbeing of the youth, notably the students. Roy Tomandao
This drill will feature actionpacked exercises, allowing the media to cover various public responses to various emergency scenarios such as structural fires, oil spill, drowning, debris clearing, looting, aeromedical rescue and vehicle
extraction, power restoration, and search and rescue amid collapsed houses and buildings.
Private and public sectors, including local government units, non-governmental organizations, and volunteer groups, will also conduct their respective exer-
cises, ensuring an integrated and coordinated approach to disaster response. The ceremonial pressing of the button to signal the start of the nationwide earthquake drill will be held at Dipolog City Sports Complex in Zamboanga Del Norte.
By Roy Tomandao
CAVINTI, Laguna—In line with its self-imposed mission to maintain a safe environment for the youth, the Cavinti police station has launched a “Crime Prevention Calendar” with bookmarks distributed to elementary and high school students in this town.
Cavinti police chief Maj, Celso Jhune Talampas spearheaded the project which was developed in response to a directive by Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to intensify nationwide anti-crime campaigns using the 911 emergency hotline. The anti-crime calendar has for its theme “Ang Serbisyo ng Pulis Cavinti, Maasahan Palagi” (Cavinti Police Service: Always Reliable). It contained vital information such as safety tips for children and young adults, particularly under the PNP’s Oplan Balik Eskwela (Back-to-School Program).
It aims to guide students in avoiding
potential dangers like bullying, abuse, and other crimes. Emergency hotlines, including 911, are also printed on the bookmark to provide local residents easy access for assistance in case of emergencies.
According to Talampas, the project was designed to spread awareness about safety.
“Our goal is to teach children from a young age how to stay alert. Through the tips and hotlines printed on these bookmarks, we hope this becomes part of their daily routine, helping foster safe and peaceful schools,” he said.
The bookmark is designed as a mini calendar for 2025, apart from the usual dates, holidays, and special occasions.
Teachers and parents lauded the police initiative, saying it serves as a free tool to remind children of safety practices at all times.
Talampas added that the project was part of a broader police program to engage the community and become “partners in protecting the youth’s future.”
TUGUEGARAO City—Cagayan province took a remarkable growth under the leadership of Gov. Manuel Mamba, prioritizing comprehensive support for development and improving the lives of local residents. Early on, the provincial government distributed brand-new vehicles to all barangays, further strengthening efforts to bring services closer to the people. Building on this momentum, Mamba recently led the distribution of brand-new pickups to the local government units. He urged Cagayanos to support the administration’s initiatives, aiming to unite the province through non-partisan programs that promote progress and development for all.
Jessica M. Bacud
Las Piñas Lion’s Club holds medical mission
HUNDREDS of indigent residents have benefited from the medical, dental mission spearheaded by a local Lion’s Club held Sunday at the Talon National High School in Barangay Talon 4, Las Piñas City. Apart from distributing school supplies and groceries free of charge, the mission also gave away medicines and wheelchairs. Some 250 people also got free haircuts courtesy of Pabling Barbershop during the event.
At least 20 doctors from the Jonelta Foundation and the Perpetual Help Medical Center provided free medical check-ups. Dennis Abrina
A WEEK after the nation celebrated the 127th year of Philippine Independence, it is important to bear in mind that with freedom from colonial rule entails great responsibility on the part of our leaders.
And part of this responsibility is to ensure the nation’s resources should be safeguarded not only for the present but also for future generations.
An integral part of this is combating corruption or the thievery of the national treasury.
Article II of the 1987 Constitution has to do with State Policies, and Section 27 provides: “The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.”
Every administration in this country since 1987 has vowed to stop corruption.
But apparently none has succeeded. The cynics among us would probably sneer that everytime the Chief Executive promises a graft-free Philippines during his/her watch, that would be merely repeating what all previous Chief Executives since the postwar era have solemnly said, only to end up with disappointingly paltry results.
It is not going to be an easy task, after all, to uproot the system that breeds graft and corruption.
That system allows the main government entities involved in collecting taxes and duties—the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs—as well as those engaged in implementing big-ticket infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, to become veritable cesspools of corruption.
At the other end of the spectrum is the system that allows the traffic policemen to extort money from errant motorists, for instance, or those working in offices that issue permits and licenses to ask for bribes to expedite approval.
In both cases, money changes hands, differing only in the amount involved, but nevertheless perpetuating a culture of corruption that has baffled many leaders in every administration and leaving people wondering whether it is possible at all to eliminate the wretched system.
We’re told that if Singapore and Hong Kong can stamp out corruption, why can’t we?
Indeed, why can’t we?
But beyond this, the more complicated issue is where to begin. And to do so means to pose the right questions.
Is the country poor because of corruption? Is corruption inevitable in societies where poverty is stark and prevalent? Will prosperity bring an end to
corruption?
The enlightened view is that while corruption plays a part in perpetuating poverty levels, it should not be blamed as the biggest factor that accounts for poor people.
Wrong government policies can just as well breed poverty, as does a damaged culture that keeps the country from making the big leap to economic and social progress.
It is true that as long as the corrupt are not wiped out, the poor will remain in our midst. If we want to free our country, we must free the government and ourselves from greed.
We must stop corruption dead in its tracks with decisive moves. But the big question is whether any administration will show political will and demonstrate its resolve to minimize, if not put an end to, systemic corruption.
True freedom is freedom with dignity and honor
What’s often cited as proof of the government’s sincerity in fighting corruption is the number of big fish who are sent to jail.
Admittedly, there’s much to be done in this respect. You can probably count on the fingers of one hand those who have actually gone to jail in recent years for stealing from the public coffers.
The key, from where we sit, is leadership by example.
It is not enough that the President himself is perceived as someone who will not enrich himself in office.
He must be backstopped by men and women of unquestioned integrity.
Unfortunately, some of his choices have fallen far short of the ideal and, this early, after three years in office, the administration faces harsh criticism from those who dismiss it as doomed to fail, precisely because the President cannot seem to stop the hemorrhage of public funds in key departments and agencies.
True freedom is freedom from hunger, ignorance, poverty and lack of jobs.
True freedom is freedom with dignity and honor.
Freedom from corruption, alas, does not automatically come from winning the war against poverty; it must be fought—and fought fiercely—with the national leadership itself leading the charge. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
WHEN people ask me what a legislator really does, I always go back to the basics: we make laws.
That’s our main job. And to me, that’s not just a duty—it’s a calling. In the past three years, I’ve made it a point to prioritize legislative work above all else—attending plenary sessions, joining committee hearings, and pushing our party’s legislative agenda.
Legislation is at the core of our mandate. Everything else—our programs, projects, and public engagements— should support that. I’m proud of our track record.
As TINGOG Partylist, we authored more than 40 legislative measures that were signed into law, many of which I personally authored—covering economic reforms, healthcare, education, labor, and regional development. These laws reflect our vision of a more responsive, more inclusive government that puts people first. But the work doesn’t stop there. Several of our priority bills didn’t make it through the Senate. That’s part of the process. Legislation takes time, and passing a law is never a one-person job—it requires consensus, collaboration, and sometimes, compromise.
In the coming term, we’re ready to push even harder. These four are just among the many priority measures we intend to file in the next Congress: First, the Civil Annulment Reform
Act, which will make annulment more accessible, less costly, and less traumatic—because everyone deserves a second chance at happiness.
Second, the Civil Registration Act, which will provide free and accessible registration of births, marriages, and deaths, especially in remote and underserved areas—because legal identity is a basic right, not a privilege.
At the end of the day, we don’t write laws for the sake of policy. We write laws to make life better
Third, the Pharmaceutical Innovation Act, which will invest in local research and production of life-saving medicines—so we’re not just prepared for future health crises, but also building a stronger biotech industry that can stand on its own.
And fourth, the Local Universities and Colleges Act, which will institutionalize support for colleges and universities established, owned, and operated by local government units—because quality higher education should reach every Filipino youth, especially in the provinces.
TECHNOLOGY in and of itself is neutral –neither good nor bad. It provides benefits that are potentially transformative. Look at how computers, for instance, or the internet, have revolutionized the way we live and work. Today we can no longer imagine how it is to not be connected.
At the same time, technology has traps into which we could fall if we are not careful, or aware. It can be misused or weaponized to gain advantage over others, especially those who lack technological sophistication or who uncritically accept and pass on whatever they receive.
Artificial intelligence, for one, offers opportunities – and commensurate risks.
In recent days, Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte shared a video showing students defending Vice President Sara Duterte amid her looming impeachment trial. The students said the process was politically motivated and that justice would be selective.
The video was exposed to have been created through AI. The senator and the mayor thus were criticized for
Of course, the most important law we pass each year is the General Appropriations Act—the national budget. It’s not just a list of expenses; it’s a reflection of our national priorities.
And here’s something not everyone knows: under the Constitution, all budget and revenue bills must begin in the House of Representatives.
That means your House representatives play a major role in deciding where government money goes.
In the 2025 budget, contrary to what many may believe, the House actually increased the funding for DSWD, DepEd, and CHED—going beyond what was originally proposed in the National Expenditure Program.
We also retained the PhilHealth subsidy, but with a firm call for greater transparency and reform. The only budget we trimmed was that of the Office of the
spreading the AI-generated content.
But dela Rosa, after initially insisting that the video was legitimate, said it was the message that was important.
Dela Rosa and Duterte deserve the flak they are getting for using an AIgenerated video to advance their cause.
The Vice President herself, the beneficiary of the video, downplayed the transgression.
“There’s nothing wrong with sharing AI video in support of me as long it is
Vice President—and even that decision was subjected to full and open deliberation, as any democratic process demands.
The controversial changes that later drew public attention were actually introduced after the House had already approved its version of the budget.
Under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, the House has worked closely with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to deliver on key priorities—from economic recovery and digitalization to food security and social protection.
We’ve passed landmark bills, often ahead of schedule, making sure that the House is not just reactive, but forwardlooking.
But here’s what I’ve learned on the ground: most people don’t measure our work by the number of laws we pass. They measure it by the help they re-
not used for business. If I were a social media account owner and I will create an AI to support a certain personality, but not as business, there is nothing wrong with that,” she said.
The importance – and legitimacy – of the message is greatly diluted when it comes from a messenger that is not a real person, and that is especially skewed toward a particular political bent.
And everything – definitely not nothing -- is wrong when technology is used to sway people into believing something that was manufactured specifically for the sole intention of manipulation.
The gesture is aggravated by the fact that Dela Rosa and Duterte are elected officials, elected into office by popular vote. They swore to protect the interests of their constituents against the many threats that confront them. And disinformation is one of those threats that is the consequence of an unquestioning mind and is one of the causes of our poor democratic choices. Dela Rosa and Duterte deserve the flak they are getting for resorting to AI in peddling falsehoods. But the real tragedy is that the people holding them to account for doing so are not as many – and certainly not as noisy – as those who believe that these two officials are justified in doing so.
ceive—the medical assistance, the scholarship, the livelihood support. Even our LGU partners often expect us to go beyond legislation and deliver services on the ground.
And that’s okay. Because while that’s not technically part of our job—it’s part of our responsibility. We understand the needs of our people. And we use the tools we have—like the power of the purse and the power of oversight—to make sure programs reach those who need them most. At the end of the day, we don’t write laws for the sake of policy. We write laws to make life better. Because if legislation is done right, it doesn’t just change policies—it changes lives. And that, more than anything, is the legacy we hope to leave behind.
TEHRAN—Israel and Iran traded missile fire for a fifth straight day Tuesday, as US President Donald Trump warned Tehran residents to “immediately evacuate” and left a G7 summit early.
Despite growing calls for the longtime foes to end hostilities, neither Israel nor Iran showed any signs of cutting short the missile blitz kicked off Friday, when Israel launched an unprecedented series of aerial raids targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Israel’s campaign against Iran was “changing the face of the Middle East,” as the two countries traded heavy strikes for a fourth day.
KANANASKIS, Canada – G7 leaders on Monday called for “de-escalation” in the Middle East starting with the Israel-Iran conflict, as US President Donald Trump hastily left the group’s summit.
Trump, who was making his return to the international diplomatic calendar, departed the gathering in the Canadian Rockies a day early as ally Israel pounded Iran.
After a day of statements backing diplomacy, Trump ominously took to social media to sound a warning to people in the Iranian capital, whose population is nearly 10 million.
“Everyone should immediately
MONTREAL—A Canadian wildfire that threatened a community near Vancouver was being contained Monday, authorities said, with favorable weather conditions in another region allowing thousands of evacuees to return home.
Residents of British Columbia’s Squamish district, which is just 64 kilometers (40 miles) north of the major city of Vancouver, had been on standby to evacuate as a blaze approached.
But British Columbia’s wildfire service said over the weekend that the Squamish fire was “being held” and the community now faced a “decreased risk.”
Residents of the coastal area told AFP last week that the size of the fire came as a shock.
Marc-Andre Parisien, a researcher at the Canadian Forest Service, has said that fires near the ocean like the one that had threatened Squamish were concerning as such areas have not previously seen major wildfires. Two years after a historically devastating summer, Canada is once again facing a massive fire season, with burned areas already exceeding year-to-date averages from recent years. More than 220 active fires were burning across the country on Monday, with 90 of them considered out of control.
Nearly four million hectares have been consumed by flames, an area slightly smaller than Switzerland. AFP
Russian strikes kill 14, wound dozens
evacuate Tehran!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Having earlier hesitated at backing a joint statement on the crisis, Trump relented during a dinner at a forested lodge under the snow-capped mountains in Kananaskis.
“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader deescalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,”
said the joint statement released by Canada.
The statement said Israel “has a right to defend itself” and stressed “the importance of the protection of civilians,” as the growing attacks kill civilians on both sides.
The leaders of the club of industrial democracies—Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States—stated their conviction that Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump for weeks said he favored diplomacy, and his envoy Steve Witkoff met five times with Iranian envoys, but he quickly backed Israel’s
The remarks came hours after a dramatic attack on an Iranian state TV building, which forced a presenter to flee mid-broadcast and prompted a threat of retaliation against Israeli news channels. After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Israel launched a surprise aerial campaign against Iran last week, with the stated aim of preventing Tehran from acquiring atomic weapons—an ambition it denies.
The sudden flare-up has sparked fears of a wider conflict, with US President Donald Trump urging Iran back to the negotiating table after Israel’s attacks derailed ongoing nuclear talks. After a new wave of Israeli strikes on Iran’s capital—including a dramatic attack on a state TV building -both countries activated their missile defense systems overnight into Tuesday, with Israel’s army briefly urging residents to seek shelter from incoming Iranian missiles. AFP
strikes and said Tehran’s clerical state should have agreed to his terms.
At a group photo with fellow G7 leaders before the dinner, Trump said:
“I have to be back as soon as I can.
I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff.”
French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture.
“There was an offer made for a meeting and an exchange,” Macron told reporters.
“If the United States can obtain a ceasefire, it is a very good thing,” he added.
HASTY SUMMIT EXIT. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump depart after a family photo during the Group of Seven Summit at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on Tuesday, Manila time. Trump, making his return to the international diplomatic calendar, departed the gathering in the Canadian Rockies a day early as ally Israel pounded Iran. After a day of statements backing diplomacy, Trump ominously took to social media to sound a warning to people in the Iranian capital, whose population is nearly 10 million.
STOCKHOLM—A court in Sweden was scheduled to rule Tuesday in the country’s biggest environmental crime trial, where a self-proclaimed “Queen of Trash” and four others stand accused of illegally dumping toxic waste.
The once-acclaimed waste management company Think Pink is accused of dumping or burying some 200,000 tonnes of waste from the Stockholm area at 21 sites from 2015 to 2020, with no intention of processing it correctly.
Prosecutors have called for six-year prison sentences against the five, who have denied the charges.
The Sodertorn district court is due
KYIV—A Russian attack on Ukraine killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens in the capital, authorities said Tuesday, with more wounded reported in the Odesa and Chernigiv regions.
Interior Minister Igor Klymenko wrote on Telegram: “27 locations in different districts of the capital came under enemy fire tonight.” He added that “residential buildings, educational institutions and critical infrastructure facilities” had all been hit.
“The death toll has risen to 14 people. As of now, 44 people have been injured in Kyiv,” Klymenko said. He added that six others had been injured in Odesa and another in Chernigiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko had earlier reported the death of a US citizen in a Russian attack on the capital’s Solomyansky district.
“During the attack on Kyiv... a 62-year-old US citizen died in a house opposite to the place where medics were providing assistance to the injured,” Klitschko said on Telegram.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, slammed the new Russian strikes on “residential buildings in Kyiv,” saying on Telegram that Moscow was “continuing its war against civilians”. Moscow has kept up its attacks on Ukraine despite efforts by the United States to broker a ceasefire.
Talks have stalled. Moscow has rejected the “unconditional” truce demanded by Kyiv and its European allies, while Ukraine has dismissed Russia’s demands as “ultimatums”.
to announce the verdict at 11:00 am (5 pm Manila time).
Think Pink’s former chief executive Bella Nilsson, an ex-stripper who once called herself the “Queen of Trash”, is charged with “aggravated environmental crime.”
Two others who also served as chief executive at times—Nilsson’s ex-husband Thomas Nilsson, who founded the company, and Leif-Ivan Karlsson, an eccentric entrepreneur who starred in a reality show about his over-thetop lifestyle—face the same charge and possible sentence.
As do “waste broker” Robert Silversten and Tobias Gustafsson, accused of organising the transportation
of the waste.
Bella Nilsson—who has now changed her name to Fariba Vancor —told the court Think Pink “followed the law”.
Her lawyer Thomas Olsson rejected the prosecution’s claim the company used falsified documents to mislead authorities, and said any wrongdoing was “by mistake.”
Bella Nilsson has insisted she is the victim of a plot by business rivals.
The prosecution has also sought a three-year sentence against an environmental consultant accused of helping the company pass inspections, as well as sentences of between eight and 18 months for five landowners. AFP
Soon after his early exit, Trump rebuked his French counterpart, accusing Macron of mischaracterizing the reason for his departure.
“Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay tuned!” AFP
Ukraine slams lack of ‘adequate’ world reaction to strikes
KYIV—Ukraine on Tuesday slammed the lack of an “adequate reaction” from the world to Russia’s deadly strikes on its soil, after an attack on Kyiv killed at least 14 people.
“This is how Russia fights -- it kills civilians in ordinary homes, deliberately,” Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said in a social media post.
“This is how autocracies fight.... A nuclear power can simply kill civilians in homes, refuse to cease fire, and not receive the necessary reaction from the civilised world. Why? And how many more of our people and children must die?”
His comments came after one of the biggest attacks on the Ukrainian capital in the three-plus-year war killed at least 14 people and wounded dozens.
Some 27 locations in Kyiv were hit, including residential buildings, educational institutions and infrastructure, according to Interior Minister Igor Klymenko.
Moscow has kept up its attacks on Ukraine despite efforts by the United States to broker a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy had been hoping to speak with his US counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, but the US leader cut short his stay as Israel pounded Iran.
Meanwhile, in Stets’kivka, despite the driving rain, a few elderly residents wander into the streets of Stetskivka in northeast Ukraine to catch a yellow bus to go shopping in nearby Sumy, the regional capital.AFP
portions, was poisoned by accident. Prosecutor Nanette Rogers closed her case saying Patterson told “lies upon lies” because she knew the truth would implicate her. She accused Patterson of lying to her in-laws to lure them to the lunch, telling them she wanted to discuss a serious health issue and then falsely claiming to have cancer.
The lunch host also provided police with a “dummy” mobile phone and concealed her main mobile, which authorities never recovered, the prosecutor said. Patterson initially lied to police about never owning a food dehydrator, she said.AFP
ANOTHER jam-packed roster of rising stars will chase titles and ranking points as the Fortheo Cup National Junior Tennis Championships unwraps tomorrow (Thursday, June 19) with the boys’ singles competitions at the South City Recreational Sports Center courts in Biñan City, Laguna.
The Group 2 tournament marks the opening salvo of another actionfilled two-week swing, following the successful staging of the Fortheo Cup leg in Valenzuela City. There, record participation led organizers to divide the boys’ and girls’ competitions into separate weeks – a format now carried over to accommodate the surge of entries across multiple age categories.
This week’s tournament is expected to mirror the previous leg’s excitement and intensity, with packed 32-player draws in the 12-, 14-, 16and 18-and-under divisions – clear signs of the sport’s growing popularity among the youth nationwide. Leading the charge in the centerpiece 18-and-U bracket are siblings Frank and France Dilao, headlining a powerhouse cast that includes top-ranked juniors Antonio Ng, Jr., Tristan Licayan, Gravin Kraut, Jonathan High, Juan Carlos Pabillore and Jaime Reyes. With such a stacked lineup, expect explosive matchups right from the first serve.
The 16-and-U division is equally loaded, with Rafa Monte de Ramos, Karl Almiron, Julio Naredo, and Jacob Gonzales securing the top four seeds. Other notable names in the draw include Kenji Kue, Felizardo Lota III, Javier Roque and Raphael Wong, all poised to make deep runs. Kue and Gonzales will also double up in the competitive 14-and-U field, led by top-seed Matteo Calingasan and bolstered by the likes of Caleb Villeno, Dean Palaroan, Mattias Go, Vivaan Garg and Noel Zoleta, all eager to deliver breakout performances in the event sponsored by Fortheo Power Station and supported by Threema, Ckap Roofing, Tier One Architects, Scrambowl, and Altick Tennis School.
Meanwhile, action in the 12-and-U division is tipped to be just as fierce, with Villeno holding the No. 1 seed and facing stiff competition from Gabriel Vitaliano, Raven Licayan, Joaquin Dacyon, Carl Batallones, Rafael Cablitas, Jacob Dizon and Zoleta.
IT’S going to be a different ball game altogether for Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team when it aims for a podium finish in this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Despite coming off a rousing silver medal campaign in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup in Hanoi a few days ago, the Filipina volleybelles are still expected to have their hands full in the 33rd edition of the SEA Games this December as they battle out some of the region’s finest teams such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the host country for the coveted gold medal.
Coach Jorge De Brito sees the four countries vying for the championship, given the way they’ve been actively competing in the region and other parts of the world, including the just concluded AVC meet where the Vietnamese beat the
Filipinas for the gold, 25-15; 25-17; 25-14.
“For sure, those four teams, they keep the international standard very high,” said De Brito in the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
De Brito was joined by Alas women’s team captain Jia De Guzman, Dell Palomata, and Philippine National Volley-
THE Pasay Voyagers found the shortcut in the third quarter and cruised past the Davao Occidental Tigers, 72-64, on Monday in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum.
Ahead by just four points, the Voyagers, sparked by Felipe Chavez and Warren Bonifacio, clustered 14 points to pull away to stay, 48-30, with 3 minutes and 27 seconds to go in that period.
Cyrus Tabi took over in the second half and posted 17 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals to push Pasay to its 10th win against 7 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Chavez ended up with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, while Bonifacio notched 11 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for the Voyagers, who converted 17 of 18 free throws for a lofty 94.4 percent.
Davao, which tumbled to 5-8, drew 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists from Keith Agovida, 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists from Jeff Comia, and 11 points plus 4 rebounds from University of Mindanao-Digos College’s Jansher Salubre.
Other games saw the Gensan Warriors and the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo rout separate opponents in coastto-coast fashion.
GenSan flaunted its power with a 99-45 drubbing of Manila Batang Quiapo in the opener, while Caloocan followed suit with a 93-47 thumping of Marikina.
All but one of the 15 Warriors fielded scored as they led throughout and as far as 35-89 in notching their fourth straight win and climbing to 10-6.
Mark Cruz spearheaded GenSan’s assault with 27 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds, Marwin Dionisio with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Nico Elorde with 10 points.
CJ Gonzales, a 6-foot-4 homegrown, contributed 8 points and 16 rebounds, while Gamaliel Evangelista Jr., a 6-foot-5 frontliner from the University of Santo Tomas, added 8 points and 12 rebounds as GenSan dominated the boards, 73-35.
Manila, with only Richard Albo stricking back with 12 points and 7 rebounds, absorbed its 14th straight defeat after an initial victory and is virtually out of contention for a playoff berth.
Powered by homegrown Joseph Manlangit and Rommel Calahat, Caloocan stormed ahead, 34-14, after the first quarter and never wavered to improve to 11-5.
Brian Enriquez and Jeff Manday joined the scoring fray as the Batang Kankaloo pulled down the Shoemasters to 3-13.
city of Malolos, Bulacan, the hometown of Gilas Pilipinas standout Jack Animam. A celebratory motorcade will weave through the streets of Malolos, passing through the City Hall and culminating at the historic Barasoain Church — a fitting
ball Federation President Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Suzara pointed out the significance of having a strong showing in the SEA Games despite the tournament not carrying any points ranking in the world.
“Of course the main target for the
Joseph Manlangit delivers for Caloocan
tribute to both heritage and athletic pride.
Fans can expect a festive atmosphere as the community comes together to honor their local basketball heroine and the honor of hosting the FIBA trophy. Campus Recognition Tour: June 18
The tour continues on June 18 with a showcase across key university campuses that have played a vital role in shaping the future of women’s basketball in the Philippines.
• The first stop will be at De La Salle University (DLSU) along Taft Avenue, where the trophy will be displayed in front of the iconic St. La Salle Building. DLSU is the alma mater of Gilas sharpshooter Khate Castillo, a key contributor to the national team.
• From there, the trophy heads to Jocson Street, home of the NU Lady Bulldogs, a powerhouse program that has won eight championships in the past decade. NU has been a cornerstone of Gilas Women’s basketball, producing talents like Afril Bernardino, Jack Animam, Angel Surada, Stef Berbarabe, Cielo Pagdulagan and Monique del Carmen.
• The tour then moves to España, with a stop at the Arch of the Centuries in UST, where Gilas skipper Kent Pastrana continues to hone her competitive spirit.
• Next is Blue Eagle Gym at Ateneo de Manila University, the home court of rising star Kacey Dela Rosa, one of the brightest young prospects in the Gilas lineup. SEA Games multi medalist Katrina Guytingco also bleeds blue and white.
• The final leg of the tour brings the trophy to UP Diliman, where it will be displayed beside the iconic Oblation statue — a nod to Camille Nolasco and Louna Ozar, key Gilas players who proudly represents the maroon and green. The three-day event is a celebration of the country’s deep basketball culture and the powerful rise of women’s basketball, highlighting the contributions of homegrown stars who are making waves on the international stage. As the countdown to the FIBA Asia Cup continues, this tour aims to ignite excitement, encourage grassroots support, and honor the athletes who are inspiring a new generation.
both of La Salle, pose during the awards rites of the one-day preview event at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite on Monday. The four-leg Tour officially tees off July 18 in Batangas.
Alas women’s this year is the SEA Games which is not really in the calen dar of the FIVB,” he said. “We’re working hard, and everyday we keep on improving from any learning experience in every competition.”
It’s been more than three decades since the women’s volleyball team last won the gold in the biennial meet in Singapore, while its last podium finish came in the 2005 edition held here in Manila.
De Guzman, named Best Setter in the AVC Nations Cup where Palomata was also adjudged Best Middle Blocker, along with teammate Angel Canino as Best Outside Spiker, added that in time, the Philippines can likewise reach the playing level of countries like Vietnam and Thailand.
“We just have to stick to the program, because if we do, I have no doubt that one day, we will reach that level also. Hindi naman porke nauuna sila, hindi na sila mahahabol,” said the 30-year-old Ateneo product. “They recognized that the Philippines is growing, and we have to take advantage of that fact, kasi the fact that they are saying that, it means we’re starting to become a threat.”
“So Thailand, Vietnam, and even Indonesia, maaabot din natin yun as long as we stick to what we are doing now.”
De Brito is open to adding some players to the current Alas women’s roster, but stressed the need to keep together the current core of 25 players that won the silver medal in Hanoi.
“We have a core already of 25 players. And these 25 are the guys we’re going to keep,” he said.
THE Premier Volleyball League is bringing elite volleyball action to the provinces as it kicks off the PVL on Tour this Sunday (June 22) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur – a pre-season spectacle poised to match the intensity and drama of the regular season.
PVL president Ricky Palou highlighted that the two-month tour not only aims to decentralize the sport but also plays a key role in supporting the national team’s buildup for international duties, including the Southeast Asian Games set in Thailand this December.
“This tour is about connecting with our regional fans and helping the national team gear up for bigger battles,” said Palou. “It’s also a stage for clubs to evaluate their new recruits and recalibrate strategies before the main season.” With the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan as the lone Metro Manila venue, the rest of the games will unfold in Batangas City, Ilagan City
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
By Peter Atencio
EUNICE Daniel Villanueva has reached the direct elimination stage of the ongoing 2025 Asian Senior Fencing Championship in Bali, Indonesia.
The 25-year-old Villanueva, a veteran of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, moved out of the pool stage after posting three wins and three losses in the men’s sabre action.
This included Villanueva’s 5-3 beating of Alebri Khalifa of the United Arab Emirates, Malaysian Tony Lee, 5-3, and Chan Phu Xien of Singapore, 5-2.
Teammates Christian Ian Concepcion and Christian Jhester Concepcion bowed out of contention in the tough draw with Khiane Felipe. Twenty-two Filipino fencers are seeing action in the weeklong meet.
The national men’s team includes Noelito Jose, Nathaniel Perez, Samuel Tranquilan, Shawn Felipe, Lee Ergina, Jian Miguel Bautista, Shawn Lauron and Roberto Cabaero.
In the women’s side are Jylyn Nicanor, Queen Dennise Dalmacio, Haniel Abella, Juliana Gomez, Ashley Harrison, Jana Catantan, Sophie Shekaina Catantan, Wilhelmina Loazada, Meagan Cosay, Kaikaku Dela Serna and Miyake Capina.
The tournament drew more than 800 fencers from 30 countries and territories in Asia.
The competition serves as the national squad’s preparation for coming international meets.Euni
THE stage is set for Draft Day of the Sharks Billiards Association Season 2 on July 29 leading up to the actual competition in September.
Hadley Mariano, the SBA founder, said the coming season promises to be even better and more exciting than the previous one won by Taguig. The other teams are Quezon City, Manila, Negros Occidental and newcomer Makati.
From four teams of five players each, the coming season features five teams with six players each. They will vie in a point system round-robin format, each team facing the other teams at least three times leading up to the bestof-five finals.
“Season 1 was very successful. We were very happy. And we introduced the audience engagement where the audience can cheer even when players are taking their shots,” Mariano told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Mariano said there are three events in the tournament backed by Smart Sports, Cignal TV and MSW — the King of the Hill, a one-onone format where after each rack a new player comes in; Doubles; and One-on-One.
“Parang hindi na siya individual. May chemistry na kailangan and mas maganda. Naging team sport siya,” added Mariano in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 app ArenaPlus.
PBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK. For helping Magnolia, arrest a two-game slide, Zav Lucero was named as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for June 11 to 15.
By Randy M. Caluag
SYDNEY Sy Tancontian settled for a bronze medal in the women’s +80kg category at the Grand Prix de Sambo de Paris last weekend, falling short in her title defense, but still delivering a commendable performance on the mat.
The 25-year-old Dabawenya bounced back from earlier setbacks against Armenia’s Arailyn Abenova and Germany’s Ailyn Mill by
overpowering another German, Jana Scharfenstein, with a dominant 8-0 victory to secure the third spot.
This marks her second bronze medal in just a week, finishing third in the World Sambo Cup held in Yerevan, Armenia.
Tancontian has been navigating a demanding European schedule—not only as a top-tier athlete but also as an international sports leader. She also represented the International Sambo Federation (FIAS) at the 12th International Athletes’ Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, in her role as Chairperson of the FIAS Athletes’ Commission. Held from June 6 to 8, the forum gathered over 400 athlete representatives from across the globe and is considered one of the most influential platforms for athlete engagement within the Olympic Movement.
A CHAMPION’S purse of P100,000 out of the total cash pot of P.870 million await the winner of the BaguioTagaytay PhilCycling Classic—the longest road race ever in the country at 292 kms—which flags off Monday (June 23) from Camp John Hay and finishes along Crisanto de los Reyes Avenue right in front of the brandnew Tagaytay City Velodrome.
“It’s a race of speed, endurance and everything an elite cyclist has in his arsenal,” said Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and PhilCycling and mayor of Tagaytay City—organizers of the classic that features the top 30 finishers in the Tour of Luzon: The Great Revival last summer.
Second place is worth P75,000 and third place P70,000 while the lastplaced finisher will bring home a consolation P5,000 in the classic that will be raced in collaboration with the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. of Manuel V. Pangilinan and San Miguel Corp. Infrastructure of Ramon S. Ang.
JAYSON “Dumagmang Warrior” Miralpez will look to put together a win streak for the first time in ONE Friday Fights as he’s set for a promotional return in a few days.
Miralpez returns to actioln against China’s Yeerzati Gemingnuer in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Friday Fights 113 on June 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
After impressing in his debut despite a unanimous decision loss to Robson de Oliveira, Miralpez claimed his first victory in the promotion when he knocked out Japanese fighter Ryuya Hatakeyama in the first round of their strawweight MMA bout.
Not wanting the fight to reach the judges in his second outing in the promotion, the 21-year-old timed a solid left hook that put the lights out on his opponent as he took his first win in the series.
The classic marks the first time in Philippine cycling history that a race will be conducted over the major expressways—TPLEX, SCTEX, NLEX, Skyway, SLEX and CALLAX—and over the Cavite East West Lateral Road that will finish in front of the International Cycling Union-standard, 250-meter and wooden indoor Tagaytay City Velodrome.
The 10 sprints along the expressways will offer P10,000 to whoever crosses first for an added total P100,000 bonus in the event that is part of the combined celebration of the Olympic Day, World Bicycle Day, velodrome inauguration and Tagaytay City’s 87th Charter Day anniversary this Saturday (June 21). Also staged in cooperation with Duckworld PH, Camp John Hay, Milo, Oishi, Smart and Toyota, Monday’s events include the contract signing of Filipino athletes with the Olympic Solidarity scholarship program geared toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Now competing in a heavier weight class, fans are on the lookout for that power this time around.
It won’t be easy for him against Gemingnuer, who overwhelmed his opponents with his wrestling and top control in his previous fights.
The Chinese fighter comes into ONE Championship with a healthy 6-1 record and will look to wreak havoc in the flyweight division – starting at Lumpinee.
Both fighters will be competing for the US$100,000 contract to compete in ONE Championship’s main roster, with Miralpez looking to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Bumina-ang of Team Lakay and Islay Erika Bomogao of Team Bagsik – two fighters who used the Friday Fights circuit as a catapult to the promotion.
Promoting Sustainability Through Eco-Heritage Tourism on June 17, 2025 in Silago, Southern Leyte. This is the fourth official project launched under the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) program. Source: DOT’s Facebook page
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it will build a busway
“The most viable and most needed one is España to Quezon Ave. That is very important. That is very viable and that is wide enough,” DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon said during the EJAP Infrastructure Forum.
“We are doing the feasibility study.
Hopefully next year, it’s not difficult to build,” he said. Dizon also said that to further enhance the EDSA Busway, the DOTr is rehabilitating the system this year. He said the agency is collaborating with the International Finance Corp.
Alliance Global Group, 92nd; PLDT Inc, 95th; Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co, 96th; and Robinsons Retail Holdings, 100th.
(IFC) to facilitate the privatization of its operations and maintenance, aiming for more efficient and sustained service.
“I think that’s the way forward. That is the long-term solution to the busway,” he said. Dizon earlier said he expected SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) to complete the new EDSA Busway Concourse at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City by the end of this year.
The DOTr and SMPHI opened the
THE Philippines has been recognized as one of the top Muslim-friendly destinations globally, rising to 8th place from 12th in 2024 in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025, according to Mastercard and CrescentRating.
Department of Tourism (DOT)
and diversity regardless of race and faith.”
bracing the Muslim travel market” by non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations. He cited the “remarkable progress of destinations like Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines, driven by proactive government strategies.”
12 years
Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the recognition, saying it “affirms our steady commitment to introduce the Philippines as a halal and Muslim-friendly destination, as well as transforming our leading and emerging tourist spots to become those that practice inclusivity
Frasco said prioritizing halal and Muslim-friendly tourism “not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world, while expanding markets for our tourism stakeholders and creating more livelihood and employment for our fellow Filipinos.”
The GMTI 2025 report’s foreword, written by CrescentRating and HalalTrip chief executive Fazal Bahardeen, noted the “significant strides in em-
The report, published online on June 12, 2025, said, “the Philippines is steadily positioning itself as a Muslim-friendly destination by strengthening its capacity to welcome Muslim travelers. Efforts focus on improving accessibility to Halal food and integrating Muslim-friendly features at key tourist sites.”
By Othel V. Campos
THE Makati Business Club (MBC) welcomed the passage of three major reform bills aimed at boosting investor confidence, accelerating infrastructure rollout and improving government transparency. It said in a statement the approval of amendments to the Right-ofWay Act, the Foreign Investors’ Long-Term Lease Act and the EGovernance Act would achieve the intended goal of enhancing the country’s competitiveness. Under the lease act amendments,
foreign investors may now lease private land for up to 99 years, up from the previous 50 years, while right-of-way reforms are expected to speed up land acquisition for
attract more investors, thereby creating more jobs.
56 20% Length of engine maintenance contract Cebu Pacific aircraft using Pratt & Whitney engine Reduction in fuel burn of GTF engines
Cebu Pacific signs 12-year deal with Pratt & Whitney
CEBU Pacific said Tuesday it signed two agreements covering aircraft engine maintenance, operations control and air management solutions as part of the airlines’ ambitious growth plans.
SM North EDSA Busway concourse in March. The state-of-the-art facility, serving as a key interchange in Quezon City, provides commuters with seamless access to the EDSA Busway, connecting them to various transportation options and nearby commercial establishments. The facility features well-lit and covered walkways, with ramps and elevators that ensure accessibility for all commuters, particularly senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs). B2 B3 B4
The Gokongwei-led airline and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, signed a long-term EngineWise comprehensive maintenance services agreement for the airline’s GTF engine fleet. This aligns Cebu Pacific’s maintenance costs to the utilization of the airline’s engines.
“The agreement reflects our ongoing collaboration with Cebu Pacific to optimize the reliability and efficiency of their fleet,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney.
“It underscores our commitment to enabling our customer’s network expansion and growth,” he said.
The 12-year agreement provides comprehensive support for the GTF engines Cebu Pacific ordered in 2024. This includes the historic order of engines for up to 152 A321neo aircraft announced in July 2024, along with the engines for the 15 A320 family aircraft that was announced in February 2024. Darwin G. Amojelar
Stocks rise, peso extends slump amid ME conflict
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE stocks posted modest gains Tuesday as US stocks rose to near-record highs on hopes the Middle East tensions would be contained.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed at 6,369.19, up 10.61 points, or 0.17 percent. The broader all shares index finished at 3,783.86, a gain of 15.41 points, or 0.41 percent.
Meanwhile, the peso closed at 56.7 against the US dollar Tuesday from 56.415 on Monday.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi corrected higher ahead of a possible 25-basis-point rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
A rate reduction would lower borrowing and funding costs for companies and consumers, potentially boosting expansion plans and consumption.
Ricafort also attributed the rise in local shares to reports that Iran signaled it would like to de-escalate the conflict with Israel and expressed willingness to resume nuclear talks with the U.S. Most indices ended higher, with industrials rising the most, up 1.18 percent. Property also advanced 0.30 percent, and holding firms gained 0.28%. Financials, however, declined 0.24 percent.
Value turnover reached P5.51 billion. Shares of Manila Water Co. Inc. surged 8.29 percent to P37.90 per share. Conversely, Bloomberry Resorts Corp.’s stock price dipped 2.33 percent to P5.88 apiece. Oil prices jumped and equities fluctuated Tuesday as investors weighed Donald Trump called for Tehran residents to evacuate and hopes that the conflict between Israel and Iran does not descend into all-out war. With AFP
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ACEN story. ACEN Corp.’s executive committee approved the sale of its ownership interests in three special purpose companies, which own the company’s diesel plants, to AC Energy and Infrastructure Corp. (ACEIC). The move is part of ACEN’s plan to become a 100-percent renewable energy company by end-2025.
ACEN disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange that the committee approved the sale of its ownership interests in Bulacan Power Generation Corp., owner of the 52-megawatt diesel plant in Norzagaray, Bulacan; One Subic Power Gen-
eration Corp., owner of the 116MW diesel plant at the Subic Freeport; and CIP II Power Corp., owner of the 21MW diesel plant in Bacnotan, La Union.
ACEIC is the majority shareholder of ACEN, the power generation arm of the Ayala Group.
The divestment’s completion is subject to the satisfaction of agreed conditions precedent and the execution of definitive documentation, ACEN said.
“The divestment will be implemented via a sale to ACEIC of the company’s outstanding common shares in the aforementioned special purpose companies,” ACEN stated. “The divestment will help the company achieve its goal of reaching 100 percent renewable energy generation by end 2025.”
The total consideration for the transaction is less than 10 percent of the company’s total assets as of Dec. 31, 2024.
ACEN is the Ayala group’s listed energy platform and has about 7 gigawatts of attributable renewable energy capacity spanning projects in operation, under construction and with signed agreements. Its key market presence includes the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, India, and Lao PDR, along with strategic investments in Indonesia, the U.S,, among others.
Manila Water now serving over 7.8m customers
By Othel V. Campos
MANILA
Water Company Inc.’s aggressive expansion program and sustained efforts to improve access to clean and reliable water have driven its continued growth, with the company now serving over 7.8 million customers as of the end of April 2025.
“Reaching over 7.8 million customers is a significant milestone that reflects the trust communities place in Manila Water,” said Jeric Sevilla, the company’s corporate affairs group director.
“This achievement is not just about numbers — it is about our commitment to expanding access to clean, safe, and reliable water for every Filipino household we serve.”
Manila Water installed 1,443 new water service connections, with 1,367 for domestic use and 76 for commercial and industrial customers in April.
This brought the year-to-date total to 7,284 new water service connections, consisting of 6,990 domestic and 294 commercial/industrial lines. Manila Water has completed a cumulative total of 1,201,867 service connections, including 1,143,282 domestic accounts as of end April. These figures include reclassified and reconnected lines, part of the company’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable water service delivery. In tandem with its expansion, Manila Water also maintained full compliance with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW). In April 2025, 100 percent of water samples from treatment plant outlets passed quality tests. The company also exceeded its sampling targets, with a 100.34 percent compliance rate across treatment facilities, service reservoirs and customer taps.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
and perishables.
To ensure secure and efficient transport, PAL Cargo adheres to strict handling practices, including International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines for pet transport and security escorts for high-value cargo. These items are the last to be loaded and the first to be offloaded upon arrival. The airline also deploys security teams for charter flights. In a push to simplify shipping for small businesses, PAL Cargo is working with partners like Airspeed and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). A formal partnership agreement with the DTI is expected
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reaffirmed its commitment to combating money laundering and terrorism financing within the corporate sector, following the Philippines’ removal from the European Commission’s (EC) list of high-risk jurisdictions for financial crimes.
The EC announced the delisting of the Philippines and seven other countries on June 10, 2025. The decision follows significant reforms, which also led to the country’s removal
DOF prepares crypto tax framework
THE Department of Finance (DOF) said Tuesday it will implement a crypto-asset framework aimed at combating cross-border tax evasion and illicit financial flows.
The move aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s agenda of improving fiscal discipline through efficient and transparent tax administration, it said.
“We need faster and stronger systems for collaboration if we are to beat tax evasion and illicit transactions,” said Finance Secretary Ralph Recto.
“This is a timely commitment as digital currency becomes one of the preferred means for transactions. The government must ensure that cryptoasset users are paying their fair share of taxes and that no illicit financial activity goes unpunished,” he said.
DOF Revenue Operations Group Undersecretary Charlito Martin Mendoza signified the commitment to execute the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) by 2028 during the 8th Asia Initiative Meeting in Malé, Maldives. The meeting was hosted and cochaired by Commissioner General of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority Hassan Zareer and Chairman of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia Eduard Hakobyan.
Darwin G. Amojelar
from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list earlier this year. The FATF is a global watchdog on financial crime.
“The SEC welcomes the Philip-
pines’ exit from the EC list of highrisk jurisdictions,” said SEC chairman Francis Lim.
“This milestone emphasizes the country’s strong commitment to ensuring the integrity of the financial and corporate sectors, making the country a more attractive hub for investors,” he said.
“As the overseer of the corporate sector and the capital market, the SEC will continue adopting best practices in AML/CFT (anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing) regulation, in line with global standards, to ensure that the corporate vehicle will not be used for illicit funding,”
said Lim.
The Philippines was placed on the FATF grey list in June 2021 and exited in February 2025 after implementing reforms addressing concerns about beneficial ownership and the registration of non-profit organizations (NPOs).
Since 2019, the SEC has mandated companies to declare beneficial ownership in their general information sheets. In 2021, it banned the issuance and sale of bearer shares and bearer share warrants to enhance transparency.
Earlier this month, the SEC launched the Hierarchical and Ap-
plicable Relations and Beneficial Ownership Registry (HARBOR). The online platform enables businesses to submit and update beneficial ownership information, providing faster and more reliable data to regulators and government agencies.
To improve oversight of NPOs, the SEC also encouraged their registration. Since 2021, nearly 8,000 nonprofit organizations have registered with the SEC.
The SEC said it is also intensifying its enforcement of AML/CFT rules over supervised financial institutions, including brokers, dealers, and lending and financing firms.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
DMCI Homes Inc. tapped MPower, Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) local retail electricity supplier, to manage its power supply requirements and optimize energy costs for its properties. The strategic alliance between MPower and DMCI Homes aims to transition DMCI’s properties into the Competitive Retail Electricity Market (CREM) and the Retail Aggregation Program (RAP).
“We, at MPower, fully support DMCI’s growing communities through energy cost optimization and our dependable services,” said MPower first vice president and head Redel Domingo.
“We remain committed to advanc-
ing customer choice across industries while contributing to the country’s journey toward sustainable economic progress,” said Domingo. Under the partnership, DMCI Homes is set to be a pioneer in adopting RAP within the real estate sector. This will involve consolidating the demand of common areas in properties like Rosewood Pointe Condominium in Taguig and Tivoli Garden Residences in Mandaluyong. Several DMCI’s condominium developments, including La Verti Residences, Sheridan Towers, One Castilla Place, Flair Towers, Zinnia Towers, and Tivoli Garden Residences, have already switched to CREM and are benefiting from MPower’s competitive rates.
By Othel V. Campos
GREEN and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company’s (GSM) new ridehailing app topped the travel and local category on the Google Play Store in the Philippines even before its official launch on June 10, 2025.
The company said in a statement the app recorded tens of thousands of downloads within 48 hours of its launch, quickly gaining traction in Metro Manila.
“Topping the app charts from day one reflects the community’s readiness for clean and intelligent transport,” said Green GSM Global chief executive Nguyen Van Thanh.
“We’re committed to constant innovation and expansion to support a sustainable mobility ecosystem,” he said.
Thanh said the Philippine rollout was a major step in Green GSM’s push to accelerate electric mobility adoption in Southeast Asia.
NGCP holds 2025 stakeholder forum
NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said Tuesday it held its annual stakeholder consultation to discuss the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) for 2025-2050, an initiative to map out future grid development and expansion plans in the Philippines.
Green GSM’s fleet uses VinFast Nerio Green electric cars, which the company says offer “smooth, emission-free rides” and are equipped with a “secure-to-safe (S2S) active monitoring system” for passenger safety.
The company said customer and driver feedback indicates a shift in commuter habits toward “greener, more advanced alternatives.”
The Green GSM app includes realtime ride tracking, transparent pric-
ing, and a “seamless booking experience.”
To mark the launch, Green GSM is offering new users 500 Green Points (worth P500) redeemable across their first seven rides until Aug. 31, 2025. GSM operates as a regional leader in 100-percent electric mobility solutions. Its entry into the Philippines is part of its “Go Green Global” strategy, which promotes “Greener– Smarter – More Civilized” transport across Southeast Asia.
“The TDP is essential to NGCP. It outlines, in broad strokes, our vision for the future of the Philippine energy landscape, focusing on ongoing projects and grid plans. This includes indicative project timelines, regulatory updates, the proposed integration of renewable energy sources, and smart grid technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability,” NGCP president and chief executive Anthony Almeda said.
Almeda said NGCP is committed to fostering an inclusive dialogue with stakeholders to create a roadmap for a resilient and efficient transmission system that aligns with the country’s energy goals.
The consultations, held every March across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, are part of NGCP’s holistic approach to supporting a reliable energy industry. Alena Mae S. Flores AI bridges PH financial gap
ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is helping bridge the financial gap by using alternative data like utility payments, e-commerce activity and social media behavior to enable faster, smarter, and more inclusive credit assessments. The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), citing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), cites alternative data as a strategic priority in advancing financial access nationwide. Lending platforms such as JuanHand are implementing this vision, using AI to expand credit access for millions of Filipinos traditionally excluded from the formal financial system.
JuanHand, the Philippine arm of NYSElisted FinVolution Group, is a financial com-
pany that helps close access gaps through AI-powered innovation. It leverages a proprietary AI engine, refined through years in China’s high-volume fintech market, to assess creditworthiness using alternative data. The process is fast and accessible: approval can come in as little as five minutes with just one valid ID. AI drives nearly every step of the lending cycle, from credit scoring and risk assessment to achieving 99-percent effective fraud detection and customer acquisition. Deep learning further strengthens the system by analyzing unstructured data, such as text from customer support interactions and app behavior.
THE Korea-funded Official Development Assistance (ODA) project titled “Improving the Rice Supply Chain to Ensure Quality of Seeds and Milled Rice for Distribution and Buffer Stocks” is being implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the National Food Authority (NFA).
A key activity under the project is the establishment of solar-powered seed warehouses with cold storage at PhilRice stations in Muñoz (Nueva Ecija), San Mateo (Isabela), and Batac (Ilocos Norte), aimed at enhancing seed preservation and buffer stock efficiency.
As part of the project’s capacitybuilding component, a Workshop on Advancing Information Systems for Rice Seed and Buffer Stock Management was held on June 5, 2025, at the NFA Multi-Purpose Hall in Quezon City. It gathered officials from DA, BPI, NFA Central and Regional Offices (CAR, Regions I, II, III, IV-A, V), and PhilRice branches in Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Batac.
The workshop focused on improving digital systems for seed and buffer stock management and build-
ing consensus on the importance of tech-driven solutions in rice supply chain governance. It was organized by the Global Agricultural Policy Institute (GAPI) with support from its local partner, the Orient Integrated Development Consultants, Inc. (OIDCI).
GAPI President Dr. Byung Ki Lee, in his opening remarks, underscored the deep-rooted bond between the Philippines and South Korea. “This workshop reflects our shared commitment to agricultural innovation and collaboration,” he said. “I trust it will further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two nations.”
In his keynote speech, DA Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Engr. Christopher Morales thanked the Korean government and its implementing agencies for their unwavering support. “We are grateful for the state-of-the-art seed warehouses in Nueva Ecija, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte,” he stated. “But more than infrastructure, this partnership has brought in technical expertise, fresh perspectives, and a spirit of mutual learning. To our Korean partners, we say: kamsahamnida.”
This initiative marks a critical step in modernizing the Philippines’ rice supply system amid growing climate and food security challenges.
By Eunice Jean Patron
By John Kenneth R. Fraga
GROUNDWATER — water trapped beneath the Earth’s surface—is a resource that may be out of sight, but it is certainly not out of mind for many Filipinos. This invisible resource is vital for everyday life, especially in agriculture, where it provides the lifeblood for irrigation. However, as our demand for food grows and technology allows us to tap deeper into the Earth, groundwater faces an urgent crisis of over-extraction and contamination that demands immediate attention.
In the Philippines, these problems are further complicated by the unique challenges posed by the country’s wet and dry seasons. During extreme weather events, runoff from farmlands can carry harmful chemicals into the groundwater, threatening the ecological services it provides, its biodiversity, and the general public’s health. Unfortunately, despite efforts to monitor water quality, the full extent of these problems remains poorly understood. Consequently, this produces patchy data and inconsistent assessments nationwide.
A team of researchers headed by Dr. Francis S. Magbanua of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science, Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB), and project partners from Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Cebu, and Davao del Norte have taken a closer look at the situation. Their study focused on how groundwater quality varies between agricultural and forested areas across seasons. The findings were both enlightening and concerning. The research showed that land use (agricultural or forested) and the season (wet or dry) significantly impact groundwater quality, but in different ways. Agricultural land use generally leads to warmer, more chemically rich but poorer groundwater quality. It also increases the risk of groundwater contamination due to
ESCHERICHIA coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium that lives in the intestines of animals and humans, and it is often used to identify fecal contamination within the environment. E. coli can also easily develop resistance to antibiotics, making it an ideal organism for testing antimicrobial resistance—especially in certain agricultural environments where fecal material is used as manure or wastewater is reused.
Traditional laboratory methods for analyzing antimicrobial resistance are often time-consuming and labor-intensive, making them impractical for large-scale monitoring. As a result, researchers are exploring faster approaches using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and predictive modeling.
Marco Christopher Lopez and Dr. Pierangeli Vital of the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s Natural Sciences Research Institute (UPD-CS NSRI), along with Dr. Joseph Ryan Lansangan of the UPD School of Statistics, tested various artificial intelligence (AI) prediction models to determine the antimicrobial resistance of E. coli using genetic data and laboratory test results from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Disk Diffusion Assay plate.
By Isabelle Fernando
BONCHON Philippines has officially entered the Korean café scene with the launch of its newest concept, Café Koreano, which opened its first standalone branch at the 2nd floor of Festival Mall Alabang on June 10. Bringing a contemporary twist to traditional Korean café culture, Café Koreano serves a lineup of bingsubased drinks and milky snow ice creations—cool refreshments well-suited for Manila’s year-round warm climate. Highlight items include the Banana Milk Bingsu Coffee, inspired by the popular Binggrae banana milk, with an added hint of coffee flavor.
The launch was led by executives from Scottland Food Group, Bonchon’s local operator, including owner Scott Tan. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and interactive activities welcomed guests to the new space. Attendees participated in a quiz designed to match them with their ideal drink from the menu, followed by a photo opportunity with café-themed hand signs. Guests were also served by staff dressed in Koreaninspired fashion, adding to the café’s
farming activities. Forested areas, on the other hand, help maintain cooler, cleaner, and more oxygen-rich groundwater. However, their terrain—such as steep slopes—can influence the amount of organic matter present in the groundwater.
During the wet season, increased rainfall helps cool groundwater and improves its oxygen levels. It also raises pH as rainwater carries minerals and organic material into the groundwater. Quite the opposite, the dry season brings warmer groundwater temperatures. Although oxygen levels may sometimes rise due to reduced water movement, overall groundwater quality tends to decline. Lower groundwater levels can lead to more concentrated dissolved ions and potential water quality concerns. Interestingly, the study found no combined effect of land use and season, meaning that while each factor influences groundwater quality independently, they do not amplify each other’s impact.
But even though the effects may be independent, the message is clear: both land use and seasonal changes are crucial to understanding the state of groundwater resources. For example, the presence of dissolved organic compounds (DOC) is indicative of human activities but was also observed in the forested sites of this study, suggesting potential disturbance across different land use types.
(Photo credit: Dr. Pierangeli Vital)
“We selected the models based on their strengths in handling biological and imbalanced data,” Dr. Vital explained. “These models were chosen to compare performance across different learning strategies and to identify which is most suitable for predicting antibiotic resistance.”
The AI models used were Random Forest (RF),
which is well-suited for high-dimensional data; Support Vector Machine (SVM), which excels in classification tasks, particularly when dealing with complex decision boundaries; and two ensemble methods—Adaptive Boosting (AB) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB)—which enhance accuracy by focusing on hard-to-classify samples.
These AI prediction models most accurately predicted resistance to streptomycin and tetracycline, showing high accuracy and reliably distinguishing resistant strains from susceptible ones. On the other hand, ciprofloxacin was the most challenging to predict due to the limited number of resistant samples in the data (only 4%), which led to difficulty in identifying resistance and poor sensitivity. Among the models, AB and XGB consistently delivered good results, even when tested on imbalanced antimicrobial resistance data.
“We think that this strategy has great potential for real-time monitoring of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in agriculture.” Dr. Vital said, emphasizing the potential use of AI prediction models in the sector. “As DNA sequencing becomes faster and cheaper, prediction models such as ours can pick up resistant bacteria early—before they lead to outbreaks. This can facilitate better decisionmaking in food safety, agriculture, and public health programs.”
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Very Wang Nickie Wang
FTER earning praise on the international stage, the award-winning Song of the Fireflies prepares for its local premiere on June 25, which the cast and creators consider the film’s most meaningful screening yet.
The film tells the true story of the Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC), a group of young singers from Bohol who defied the odds, transforming from a small-town ensemble into globally recognized performers. Their journey is a story uniquely Filipino, yet universally moving.
Lead star Morissette delivers a standout performance as Ma’am Alma Taldo, the choir’s founder and driving force. Her performance, which won Best Actress at the 2025 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF), balances quiet strength with heartfelt conviction, portraying a teacher whose belief in her students changed their lives.
“This film captures, I think, the essence of being Filipino. Our film isn’t a musical, but it features songs— beautiful music by some of our country’s icons. Through this, I feel we were able to share that musical side. And of course, it’s about family, about our closeness to one another, our family ties, and resilience,” Morissette explained.
She continued, “I hope that when people watch the film, we’re able to bring to the screen the essence of being Filipino, especially for me, as a Bisaya, a Cebuana, with Bohol being our neighbor. It’s something to be proud of— to take a simple story about the Loboc Children’s Choir and be able to showcase it. It’s a story truly worth telling and sharing.”
SEASONED actors Laurice Guillen, Odette Khan, Perla Bautista, Pen Medina , and the couple Rosemarie Gil and Eddie Mesa will receive the Movie Icon award at the 8th Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (The Eddys), organized by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).
The honor recognizes their contributions, dedication, and lasting influence on the Philippine film industry.
“It has long been our tradition to honor the pillars and veterans of the movie industry. In addition to their talent and contributions to Philippine cinema, their legacy continues to inspire both seasoned artists and the new generation of actors,” said SPEEd president Salve Asis
The awards ceremony will be held on July 20 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. A delayed telecast will air on Kapamilya Channel and Jeepney TV, with global streaming available via iWantTFC on July 27.
Apart from the Movie Icon award, SPEEd will present 14 competitive acting and technical awards based on films released in theaters and on digital platforms in 2024.
Special awards include the Isah V. Red Award, which honors individuals who inspire and assist Filipinos in need, as well as the Joe Quirino Award and Manny Pichel Award, which recognize outstanding members of the entertainment media.
The Producer of the Year award will also be presented to a film outfit recognized for consistently delivering high-quality films with a lasting impact. In addition, the entertainment editors’ group will recognize contributors to the resurgence of Philippine cinema through the EDDYS Box Office Heroes award.
The 8th EDDYS is co-presented by Newport World Resorts and ABS-CBN, produced by Brightlight Entertainment under Pat-P Daza , and directed by Eric Quizon
For updates, follow the official Facebook page of The Eddys (The Entertainment Editors’ Choice).
‘Song of the Fireflies’ retells Loboc choir’s inspiring journey
A scene from the award-winning film ‘Song of the Fireflies’
The singer added that the film also portrays Ma’am Alma’s insecurities, something she believes many people deal with daily.
“I’m just very grateful that I got to give life to Ma’am Alma Taldo in the film after being inspired by her in real life,” she said. “Some people are capable of amazing things, but it’s often their inner demons or overthinking that stop them from stepping outside the box.” The real-life Loboc Children’s Choir began in the 1980s in the modest town of Loboc. With members aged just 9 to 13, they faced financial struggles and logistical challenges. Yet under Taldo’s guidance and with the support of cultural advocate Equet Butalid, they achieved what once seemed impossible. Their successes included victories at the
European Folksongs Festival in Barcelona (1993, 1995) and a Gold Medal in the children’s choir category in 2001. Song of the Fireflies, apart from recounting history, also immerses viewers in it. The film’s ensemble, including Rachel Alejandro (Best Supporting Actress at MIFF) and Noel Comia Jr. (Best Supporting Actor), delivers grounded and moving performances. The music, composed by Ryan Cayabyab, Louie Ocampo, and others, enriches the storytelling by combining original pieces with the choir’s legacy. Director King Palisoc and the production team have crafted a cinematic experience that honors perseverance and community. And its accolades, including MIFF’s Audience Award for Best Picture and a Platinum Remi at WorldFest-Houston, highlight its broad appeal.
Barangay Cluster III—composed of Carmona, Kasilawan, Olympia, Singkamas, Sta. Cruz, and Tejeros— wins the Barangay category
By Angelica Villanueva
THE City of Makati celebrated faith, heritage, and community on June 8 during the second Rosas ng Sampiro Festival, held at the Makati Coliseum. The event paid tribute to the Virgen de la Rosa de Macati, recently declared the city’s cultural treasure and patroness.
“Thank you very much to the teachers, to the staff, and to the officials for this event,” said Dwayne Samarista, officer-in-charge of the Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MCAO), as he opened the program with a message of gratitude.
The festival, now in its second year, was born from a desire to center Makati’s identity on a symbol that reflects its authentic roots.
“This isn’t the first festival of Makati, but in 2018, Mayor [Abigail Binay] thought that our festival should be celebrating something that is authentically Makati, and should honor our very own history and culture,” said Samarista.
The Virgen de la Rosa de Macati, a Marian image brought to the Philippines by the Jesuits from Cádiz, Spain in 1718, became the spiritual focus of the event.
The image, enshrined in San Pedro Macati Church for over 300 years, received the rare honor of a Pontifical or Canonical Coronation in 2018, as granted by His Holiness Pope Francis. The coronation ceremony in March 2019 was attended by high-ranking clergy, city officials, and thousands of devotees.
Samarista recalled that “during that year’s
coronation ceremony, Mayor Binay instructed us to think of a celebration for the women of Milosa.”
The Rosas ng Sampiro Festival was formally institutionalized by City Ordinance No. 2023215, which declared the image a cultural heritage treasure. The public rite of declaration was held in 2024, where Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo offered a symbolic brooch bearing Makati’s city seal to the image, marking her official patronage.
“This is but one of your many cultural legacies for the City of Makati,” Samarista said, thanking Mayor Binay. “And we are grateful for you. Thank you for harmonizing culture with strong and sustainable development.”
The 2025 edition of the festival featured a live competition among public elementary schools, high schools, and barangay clusters, showcasing stories about the Virgen de la Rosa through performance and visual arts. Digital technology was also integrated into costumes, props, and sets, encouraging creativity and innovation.
The winners this year were Palanan Elementary School in the elementary category, Makati Senior High School in the high school category, and Barangay Cluster III—composed of Carmona, Kasilawan, Olympia, Singkamas, Sta. Cruz, and Tejeros—in the barangay category.
“This event will be brilliant proof that Makati is more than just demands and orders.
That Makati is a true community of people who, at their core, are filled with faith, hope, and love,” Samarista shared.
Other highlights included performances by Makatizen artists and celebrity guests, a Eucharistic celebration led by H.E. Jose F.
Advincula, and booths featuring local food and merchandise. The festival was supported by the Archdiocese of Manila, Cofradia de la Virgen de la Rosa de Macati, SGV & Co., and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, with PLA Events Planner as the official event partner. Samarista closed his message by encouraging continued engagement with the festival’s mission.
“We hope to make this celebration bigger in the years to come, with new stakeholders from outside Makati, and to nurture the creative passions and faith of our fellow citizens,” he continued.
“We will make this one of the most long-
TAMBISAN sa Sining, a collective of cultural activists and progressive artists, will facilitate a drawing and writing workshop. It is set to be conducted under the educational research center Palihang Neil Doloricon, a program that pays tribute to the labor organizer, educator, and artist, considered one of the pillars of social realism in Philippine art.
Among the highlights of the session is the discussion on Mula Piket Hanggang Tagumpay , an educational document on the 2025 Nexperia Strike.
The initiative was organized in cooperation with the Center for Social Action (CSA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) as part of the ongoing exhibition Moments of Delay
Currently installed at MCAD, Moments of Delay , features two works by Tambisan sa Sining . They bring together diverse practices of interdisciplinary artists as they navigate the tensions and contradictions in response to the fluidity of time and urgent concerns of the present.
Founded in 1979, Tambisan sa Sining widens the access of workers to various artistic disciplines and their benefits in the advancement of their rights, welfare, and the realization of a just and humane society.
To encourage them to creatively portray their experiences, struggles, and aspirations in their daily lives, the non-profit organization conducts various enhancement trainings and capacity building seminars. This is to further develop and maximize the talents of the artist-workers from the women and youth groups, local unions and labor federation cultural committees, urban poor associations, and various transport organizations.
Tambisan sa Sining provides avenues for collective performances and showcases and strengthens international solidarity with workers and cultural and people’s organizations through art, literature, and shared advocacies.
The workshop is free and open to the public. It is scheduled for June 21, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the 6 th Floor Back Box of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus.
Interested participants may register through tinyurl. com/TambisanSaSiningWorkshop.
BELMONT Hotel Manila on Tuesday opened its sixth Hiraya Art Exhibit, titled “Layers of Expression,” showcasing works by contemporary artist Manny Cabrera and Philippine basketball player Japeth Aguilar
The exhibit, on view in the hotel lobby through August, presents contrasting artistic stylesCabrera’s vibrant, surrealist pieces alongside Aguilar’s introspective paintings marking his formal art debut. Cabrera, a Pampanga-based artist, is recognized for his bold color palette and animation-inspired works. Aguilar, a national basketball team standout, reveals a previously unseen creative dimension through his
personal artworks.
“Japeth’s paintings show a side of him many haven’t seen - one filled with emotion and imagination,” said Mayann Malapote, Belmont Hotel Manila’s Director of Operations. “Hiraya continues to celebrate Filipino creativity.”
The Hiraya initiative, deriving its name from the Filipino concept of realized aspirations, serves as the hotel’s platform for promoting local artistic talent. Previous exhibits have featured emerging and established Philippine artists. Layers of Expression is open to the public with free admission. For inquiries, contact Belmont Hotel Manila at 5318 8888 or info@ belmontmanila.com.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
ATOP a quiet rooftop in Quezon City, this June 29, something beautiful is set to unfold—a celebration of art, music, fine food, resilience, compassion, and the enduring power of community.
The Little Ark Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting children undergoing long-term and terminal treatment at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH), is hosting an intimate merienda cena and art raffle to raise funds for its expanding programs. The event will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the VCP Building Rooftop, 68 Kalayaan Avenue, bringing together artists, musicians, and supporters for an afternoon filled with meaning.
For founder Butch Bustamante, the mission began with a simple desire: to ease the pain of children navigating the most difficult journeys—those marked by illness, uncertainty, and often, isolation. “When you’re that young and that sick, every little kindness matters,” he says. “We want to be there to offer dignity and comfort, even in the smallest ways.”
The foundation currently runs several outreach initiatives, including LAF Housing (which provides temporary lodging for families), Care Baskets and Care Carts (with supplies and comfort items for patients), and edutainment activities during treatment days. As demand grows, so too must the foundation’s capacity to respond.
That’s where art steps in.
Some of the Philippines’ most renowned
artists have donated works for a one-of-akind raffle, exclusive to 100 ticket holders (P10,000 per ticket). The lineup includes Joven Alcala, Benjie Cabangis, Toym Imao, Pete Jimenez, Rodel Tapaya, and pieces from Juvenal Sansó via Fundacion Sansó. The tiered raffle system means the more tickets a guest purchases, the higher their chance of taking home a rare or highvalue piece. But ultimately, everyone wins— because every ticket directly supports a child in need.
The event will also feature a live performance by Novo Concertante and Magiliw Street, paired with a thoughtfully prepared meal by Sote Catering Service. It’s not just a fundraiser; it’s a
I FIRST met artist-curator Lara Latosa on an unforgettable evening at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C, during the opening of the Breaking the Glass group exhibit in 2024. She was a quiet force, moving gracefully between creation and curation, serving as both co-curator—alongside art consultant Nestor Jardin—and one of the featured artists.
Our first encounter was brief—a short exchange during interviews with the participating artists about their work. In our line of work, where people often pass through like moments in a gallery, it is a rare and quiet wonder when something takes root.
From that fleeting conversation grew a beautiful friendship, built on shared passions and creative curiosity, and deepened through a mutual love for the sea and the stillness it offers—even if we have yet to fulfill our dream of diving together. Some friendships arrive like waves: unexpected, steady, and deeply felt. After the group exhibit launch, we stayed in touch through Facebook. Lara would occasionally post about her beach trips to Batangas—her way of unwinding and recharging. In one of our conversations, she mentioned preparing for a solo exhibit at Conrad Manila the following year. She spoke about some of the concepts she was exploring—ideas still taking shape but already
How the Little Ark Foundation is building big hope, one child at a time
feast for the senses with a cause at its heart.
And yet, the foundation recognizes that not everyone may wish to participate via the raffle.
“Some people prefer to support in kind, through services, or through quiet donations,” says Dayang Yraola, the event curator.
“That’s just as valuable. We welcome all kinds of generosity.”
In an era when large-scale issues often overwhelm the individual, The Little Ark Foundation is a reminder
that small, focused efforts— when fueled by love—can have a lasting impact. With art, music, and merienda as its medium, this event is more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of humanity at its most tender and courageous. For ticket inquiries or to make a donation, email butch.bustamante@ littlearkfoundation.org or contact the foundation via Viber/WhatsApp at +1 732 300 3902. In this little ark of kindness, there’s space for everyone to help steer toward hope.
carrying her quiet strength and thoughtful vision.
She later embarked on a groundbreaking project to restore coral reefs in the coastal waters of Batangas, in collaboration with Divescape Hub, a freediving center owned by master freediver Jet Paz and mermaiding instructor
Anica Chan
Lara designed a unique coral frame inspired by playground monkey bars, structured to let freedivers pass through easily while elevating corals at different heights to support growth and adaptation.
I’ve always admired how she blends creativity with environmental awareness. She often jokes about being called an “environmentalist,” a label she once found amusing.
“In 2020, after my first curatorial work with Sir Nes, media started calling me an environmentalist,” Lara said, laughing. “At first, I was embarrassed—I didn’t even know what it
meant.”
Determined to live up to it, she sought partnerships with groups like the UP Marine Science Institute and Oceana Philippines, aligning her solo shows with environmental advocacy.
“In 2024, during my second group show, I was introduced as a master diver—though I wasn’t yet,” she recalled.
A month later, she went to Batangas to earn her freediving certification. That trip deepened her commitment, connecting her with marine conservation groups. Together, they now work on coral rehabilitation and support a local school to encourage ocean stewardship.
At the opening of her solo exhibit Bayside at Conrad Manila, Lara admitted she was anxious about what new label the media might give her, but also found herself curious, even excited, about what commitment might come next.
“Those mistakes led me here. They shaped me as an artist and storyteller,” she shared. “What seems like a mistake can sometimes be God’s way of leading us to who we’re meant to be.” Bayside, her third solo show, merges art and advocacy, spotlighting the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems. It runs until July 12 at Gallery C, Conrad Manila.
Part of the 35th Of Art and Wine series, the exhibit pays tribute to the ocean during World Ocean Month. Through vivid colors and fluid strokes, Lara captures the energy of waves and the sea’s connection to mental wellness and life’s fleeting beauty.
“My art is a love letter to the ocean—an escape and a way to express the bond I feel with the sea,” she said.
Among those present at the launch were SM Hotels VP Cathy Nepomuceno, Art Lounge Manila’s Susanne Tiausas, Angat Buhay’s Camille Genuino, and UP Marine Institute’s Dr. Deo Florence Onda Conrad Manila also introduced Art & Indulgence: A Bayside Inspired Afternoon Tea Experience, featuring ocean-themed treats like blue lagoon macarons and sea salt caramel éclairs.
I can’t wait to see what Lara’s next “mistake” brings—and maybe finally take that beach trip we’ve long talked about.
