Manila Standard - 2025 July 1 - Tuesday

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PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

General Rommel Francisco Mar bil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma.

P50 daily pay hike set for NCR base earners

THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that

SOME 1.2 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will get a P50 daily wage hike – the highest ever granted by the NCR tripartite wage board.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the increase, which was unanimously approved by the wage board through Wage Order No. 26, will take effect on July 18.

gressmen how Garma allegedly fa cilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.

The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.

Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

items (NFIs) worth P919 million were already prepared by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall

The daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila will now increase to P695 from P645 for the non-agriculture sector. Meanwhile, for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments with 15 or fewer employees, and manufacturing establishments that regularly employ fewer than ten workers, the minimum wage will rise to P658 from P608.

Labor groups, however, said the wage hike was too measly and pushed for the proposed P200 legislated wage hike that was passed by the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.

“The five P10 coins may be the biggest alms that the wage board

PH lobbies UN for

Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-

THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.

Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.

“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic

“For sale” tarpaulin put up at the gate of the house in Matina, Davao City was taken down on orders of Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte. The former President's partner, Honeylet Avancena, disclosed on

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”

However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.

On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.

“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.

The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.

Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.

THE Philippine government on Sunday publicly called for the United Nations (UN) to give it a seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law.

Philippine Navy debunked ment by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de

nouncement coinciding with the operative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend.

Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.

Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -

The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.

During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.”

REELECTED Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who served as Speaker of the 19th Congress, opened the 20th Congress by filing House Bill No. 1—a landmark measure aimed at reforming the National Food Authority (NFA) to help bring down rice prices, stabilize supply, and strengthen support for Filipino farmers.

Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.”

He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian Re-

The bill, officially titled the “Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment (RICE) Act,” is the first legislative proposal of the new Congress. It seeks to amend the Rice Tariffication Law and restore the NFA’s regulatory powers to prevent hoarding, profiteering, and price manipulation.

Romualdez stressed that rice is the foundation of every Filipino family’s meals and emphasized the urgency of ensuring affordable prices and fair compensation for farmers.

PAGASA
Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
BOOSTING AGRI
Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with Department of
P. Tiu Laurel Jr., leads the turnover of agricultural machinery and Mobile Soil Laboratories yesterday in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The initiative
SANGYAW FESTIVAL. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez leads the motorcade for Sangyaw Festival of Lights—an annual socio-cultural event celebrated in Tacloban City every June 29. Tossing of apples to tens of thousands of residents and visitors lining the streets of
By Pot Chavez JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Monday his intention to apply for the position of Ombudsman. Ombudsman Samuel Martirez is set to retire on July 27.

Vaccine shortfalls can trigger disease outbreaks—UNICEF

THE Philippines faces mounting threats of vaccinepreventable disease outbreaks as expected delays in vaccine supply continued to hinder the country’s ability to protect its most vulnerable populations, particularly children under five years old.

“We’re not just seeing a spike in disease, we're seeing a signal that the systems meant to protect children are faltering,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF regional director for East Asia and the Pacific. “No child should suffer or die from a disease we know how to prevent.”

This warning came amid reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), which revealed a sharp increase in measles incidence across East Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines.

CONSUMERS received a reprieve from high oil prices this week as oil companies implemented an oil price rollback of as much as P2.20 per liter effective 6am today amid the easing of tensions in the Middle East.

The oil firms cut the price of kerosene by P2.20 per liter, diesel by P1.80 per liter and gasoline by P1.40 per liter.

“What happened to gasoline, the international market price decreased on average for two weeks, it went down by more than $4 per barrel diesel and kerosene more than $5 per barrel,” Department of Energy Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) director Rino Abad said in a TV interview.

Abad said if the ceasefire between Iran and Iraq continues there is a strong chance that the price rollbacks will continue.

“The price we are thinking of, if we decrease this week, may be it can still go down to P4 to P5 rollback in prices before the conflict between Israel and Iran happened. So long as there is no additional conflict that will happen that will cause speculation in prices,” he said.

Seaoil Philippines, Caltex, Jetti Petroleum, PTT Philippines and Cleanfuel issued separate advisories of the oil price rollback to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market. Other oil companies are expected to follow.

Gasoline and diesel prices have been going up for five consecutive weeks due to the volatility in world oil prices.

Majority...

April 20 to 24, 2025, also showed that 37 percent are not in favor of the country rejoining the ICC, and six percent undecided.

Support for rejoining the ICC was strong in most regions of the country, with at least 60 percent of respondents expressing support in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, and the Visayas.

However, Mindanao – considered the bailiwick of Duterte, logged the highest opposition at 66 percent, with only 30 percent supporting the country’s possible return to the ICC.

“These results indicate a generally favorable national sentiment toward reengaging with the International Criminal Court, while also highlighting notable regional and demographic differences in public opinion,” OCTA Research said.

Across socioeconomic classes and age groups, support for the country rejoining the ICC remained relatively consistent, with at least half of the respondents in each category in favor.

The same survey also showed that an overwhelming 85 percent of Filipinos are aware of the ICC, indicating a high level of interest in the organization. Only 13 percent said they are unaware of it.

The survey was based on the answers of 1,200 registered voters who participated in field interviews, with a margin of error of ±3 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

In an interview with Manila Standard, independent policy analyst and constitutionalist lawyer Michael Yusingco said rejoining the body will be beneficial to the country.

Measles cases are now at their highest levels in the region since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with WHO officials calling it a “dangerous comeback” of diseases the world once had under control.

From January to May 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 2,118 measles-rubella (MR) cases, an eight-percent rise compared to the same period last year.

The spike in infections, most concentrated in the National Capital Region,

P50...

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ever gave workers, but it is still barya (small change),” Partidong Manggagawa leader Rene Magtubo said.

“With a daily living wage of over P1,200 for a family of five, this increase barely makes a dent in the poverty faced by workers…We urge all workers to unite and join the fight for a legislated wage hike that will genuinely improve our standard of living,” he added.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno also vowed to intensify their campaign for a living wage for all workers.

“We reiterate our call for a legislated living wage of at least P1,200 across the country—a salary that would allow a Filipino family to live with dignity and security,” Gabriela

Congress...

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“This measure is in line with President Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas campaign and his commitment to lowering rice prices without harming our farmers,” Romualdez said.

The bill is co-authored by Tingog Party-list Reps. Andrew Julian Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Under the RICE Act, the NFA would regain authority to register and inspect grain warehouses, monitor the rice trade, seize hoarded stocks, and release them to stabilize supply and prices. It would also maintain buffer stocks sourced from local palay and enforce a floor price to protect farmers’ incomes.

Romualdez clarified that the proposal preserves the liberalized import regime while introducing safeguards and accountability measures. Penalties of up to ₱2 million and two years’

Marcos...

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He cited Department of Agriculture (DA) efforts to centralize the procurement of fertilizers and pesticides to leverage bulk purchasing, which is expected to drive down costs for farmers.

“Instead of you buying it, the DA will buy it so we can save money,” he explained. “All costs for the inputs we make will help,” the President added.

He also highlighted the role of newly operational soil laboratories across the country, which will provide scientific guidance on fertilizer usage and soil management to prevent waste and improve yield.

“Now, we have [soil labs], that will help,” he said, noting that accurate soil analysis will help farmers apply just

DOJ’s...

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“I think I have a lot to offer there,”

he told reporters.

He said that he will be submitting his application before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) by Friday.

Remula explained that the council can properly evaluate his application when asked if there is a possible conflict of interest.

He disclosed that he had also informed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. of his intention but did not elaborate on the latter’s response. If appointed, Remulla will serve for seven years or until 2032.

CALABARZON, and Central Luzon, coincides with the reported delays in vaccine procurement intended to support the government’s 2025 immunization program.

Despite pronouncements from the DOH that it is committed to achieving 95-percent vaccination coverage, impending delays may result in even worsening of the already low vaccination coverage rates.

Public health facilities in the country are expecting a gap in vaccine supply, as majority, if not all of the 2025 budget for immunization, remains unutilized.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who also chairs this year’s World Health Assembly, vowed to strengthen the immunization program in the country, but uncertainty in vaccine delivery timelines is seen as an important threat, dangerously leaving health fa-

Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

She said Gabriela and the rest of the Makabayan bloc will continue pushing for a significant, nationwide wage hike and urged workers to build pressure from the ground up to demand what they rightfully deserve.

The Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), for its part, welcomed the latest wage order, saying it should put to rest efforts in Congress to legislate a wage increase.

“We welcome it [wage hike]. The proper way to set wage adjustments is really through the wage boards… that’s the reason they exist in the first place… not through legislation,” ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. told Manila Standard.

Ortiz-Luis said in the three years since the Senate has been trying but failing to pass a law mandating a P100 per day pay increase, regional

imprisonment await violators, and government officials who aid hoarding schemes face lifetime disqualification from office.

“The food crisis cannot continue to be used as an opportunity for a few to make money. The consumer must have an ally in the government, and the farmer must have an ally as well. Through this bill, we restore that balance,” he said.

The bill also empowers the Department of Agriculture to lead implementation in coordination with local governments and law enforcement. “This is a fight for the livelihood and wellbeing of every Filipino. We will not allow hunger to prevail in our country,” he said.

Senator Erwin Tulfo also marked the opening of the 20th Congress by filing his first 10 priority bills and resolutions, fulfilling his campaign promises to champion the welfare of Filipinos.

the right amount of fertilizer and allow them to rest overworked land when needed.

President Marcos further announced that the NFA will resume its procurement of corn alongside rice, a move that aligns with its original mandate and aims to support corn farmers.

“Whatever the price in the market, that’s not connected,” he stressed. “We will ensure that the livelihood of our farmers is sufficient... that they can feed their families and send their children to school,” the President added.

The President also inaugurated a new rice processing system (RPS) and distributed farming machinery to agriculture stakeholders in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.

The activity is part of ongoing government efforts through the Department of Agriculture to modernize

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Sunday in a radio interview that she had put up the house for sale since it has been vacant and unused for some time.

She said she feels emotional when entering their home alone. None of the Dutertes live there at present.

The Vice President also branded as false reports that Australia has denied her father’s petition for interim release.

In a press interview on Friday, Sara clarified that her father did not apply for interim release for Australia.

She said there were only two countries that the former leader’s defense team applied for interim release, and

cilities without supply as the latter half of the year begins. Public health experts warned that such delays could result in critical vaccine stock-outs in local health centers, missing the optimal window for routine and school-based immunization programs.

The implications are dire: without timely access to vaccines, children face increased exposure to deadly yet preventable diseases, from measles and rubella to polio and pertussis, the experts noted.

The National Immunization Program currently provides protection against 12 life-threatening diseases. Yet in 2024, only 64.85 percent of children under one-yearold have been fully immunized, far below the 95 percent coverage target announced by the Department of Health.

wage boards nationwide have already approved a series of wage orders cumulatively exceeding P100 per day.

As this developed, neophyte lawmaker Rep. Raymond Adrian Salceda of Albay’s third district filed House Bill 55 seeking to abolish regional wage boards and replace all locally set minimum wages with a single National Basic Wage. Salceda filed the bill, titled the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, as the 20th Congress opened yesterday.

Under the current setup, a cashier in Quezon City earns P610 per day while a cashier in Legazpi City receives only P375, he said.

“Equal pay for equal work is a basic principle of justice. This is the way to decongest Manila, reduce poverty in rural provinces, and make economic growth equitable,” Salceda added.

Leading his agenda is a resolution to review the Rice Tariffication Law and restore the NFA’s regulatory powers, aligning with the administration’s push to reform the agriculture sector and lower rice prices. “As promised, we hit the ground running on the first day in office,” Tulfo said.

Among Tulfo’s proposed measures is the National Land Use Act, which aims to create a sustainable framework for land use and planning to protect resources and support economic growth. Drawing on his experience as a former Social Welfare Secretary, he filed a bill to streamline documentary requirements for accessing government aid, requiring agencies to process assistance requests within three working days.

To improve education, Tulfo proposed requiring state universities and colleges to offer medical and allied health programs and establishing professional review centers to help students prepare for licensure exams.

agribusinesses by improving rice production and uplifting the working conditions of Filipino farmers.

The newly opened RPS facility is a project of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). It was implemented under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program. The post-harvest infrastructure reportedly features cutting-edge machines capable of processing two to three tons of rice per hour. It includes rice mills, dryers, and automated packing systems to benefit about 6,000 farmers covering 9,200 hectares of rice fields.

At least 17 farmers’ cooperatives also received new farming equipment such as tractors and harvesters to assist them in their livelihoods.

Australia was not one of them .She did not identify the two countries, saying she did not have any information yet on the issue. She read to the press a letter they received from Australia that clarified the country did not deny any request for interim release as the former president did not apply for it. She said she don't know why her father who was elected as Mayor of Davao City has not yet taken his oath of office.

"I don't know what's the challenges why he did not take his oath yet, but Baste (Sebastian) can be the acting city mayor while Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is not yet officially sworn in. Baste has already taken his oath so he can now act as the acting mayor," Sara said.

Nepomuceno is new Customs chief

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday administered the oath of office to Ariel Nepomuceno as the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, replacing Bienvenido Rubio. Nepomuceno, who previously served as Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Undersecretary at the Office of Civil Defense, brings years of public service experience to one of the most critical and scrutinized revenue-generating agencies in the country.

Rubio, who assumed the post in February 2023, had vowed to intensify the bureau’s anti-smuggling operations and digital transformation programs.

The Palace did not release specific reasons for the leadership change, but it comes amid the administration’s continuing push for improved efficiency, transparency, and anti-corruption measures across all agencies. Nepomuceno’s appointment is expected to further the Marcos administration’s agenda of modernizing customs procedures and strengthening border security.

Phivolcs denies mega rupture of Manila Trench

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday acknowledged the possibility of future destructive earthquakes, but denied the gloom and doom scenarios painted by some YouTube channels on the country’s subduction zones, particularly the Manila Trench. Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said movements along the trench may generate a maximum of magnitude-8.3 tremor and tsunamis as high as 3.5 meters from the Manila Bay, but there is no truth to observations that it is “about to rupture” soon, triggering a so-called “megathrust earthquake.”

A YouTube channel based in the United States recently published a video warning about the threats posed by the Manila Trench, claiming it had exhibited signs of stress capable of producing an earthquake between magnitude 8.8 and 9.3.

“It (powerful earthquake) can happen but we can’t tell when. The trench is an active one,” Bacolcol told the Manila Standard.

“We do not deny a possible quake occurrence, but it is not true that the magnitude would be that big, and that the trench’s whole stretch would move and is about to rupture,” he added.

Bacolcol said the state seismic agency along with the Office of the Civil Defense and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have an ongoing study on the Manila Trench.

justice for the victims of detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.

According to Hontiveros, the video featuring a man named Michael Maurillo constitutes acts of witness tampering, harassment, and endangerment. He accused the senator and her office of allegedly coercing him to testify against the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder.

"Michael’s video, which exposes the identities of witnesses and victims, and discloses the personal information of my staff, presents a clear and present danger to people’s safety," said Hontiveros. She strongly denied Maurillo’s allegations, including screenshots of his messages to her office.

"The witnesses and the victims who told the nation about the abuses and charges now being faced by Quiboloy and the KOJC now feel even more threatened after their names were revealed. Some of my staff also have had to exercise extra precaution for themselves and their family," she added.

The senator reiterated that her office will not be intimidated by attempts to silence or scare whistleblowers and Senate institutions, describing the video as part of a broader effort to discredit testimonies and derail the investigation through misinformation.

Hontiveros said she has consulted her legal team and will seek assistance from the NBI in identifying the creators and distributors of the video.

Senate open to public bicam budget deliberations, official says

THE Senate expressed openness to proposals aimed at increasing transparency in bicameral budget deliberations, according to a statement from Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. on Monday.

“The bicameral conference is a joint undertaking of the Senate and the House. Both chambers have a shared responsibility to ensure that the process is open and transparent, consistent with the constitutional precept that public office is a public trust,” he said.

According to Bantug, the Senate has already institutionalized transparency measures throughout the national budget process, and members of the media have been invited to cover the bicameral conference committee meetings on the General Appropriations Bill in the past.

“Calls to increase transparency in the bicam are always welcome. The Senate is open to serious proposals that will enhance public access and understanding

of the crafting of the national budget,” he said.

Promoting transparency, Bantug added, is essential to fostering trust in government institutions, and Filipinos have the right to know how government funds are allocated and spent.

“Their active participation helps ensure that their elected representatives remain responsive and accountable to the people who entrusted us with this responsibility,” he concluded.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, in a press conference on Monday, welcomed the transparency proposal.

“One of the best suggestions I’ve heard in a long time from another government official,” she said.

Senator Imee Marcos also voiced support, reiter-

ating her consistent advocacy for a transparent and inclusive budget process. She recounted her decision to take the Senate floor last year to question the ratification of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill due to undisclosed amendments in the bicameral report.

“In truth, I had earlier urged the leadership of the Senate to inform the members of the bicam of the amendments introduced in the report before its ratification. However, my request was never given due consideration,” she lamented.

She expressed hope that the 20th Congress would lead the way in scrutinizing the 2026 budget with fairness and greater transparency.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said he is not opposed to initiatives that promote transparency and strengthen public trust in legislative institutions. He explained that although budget bicam meetings have traditionally been closed-door sessions to reconcile House and Senate versions, greater public access should not be dismissed.

TAKING THE OATH. Newly elected local officials across

Isko declares garbage crisis, orders urgent cleanup

MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno declared on Monday a garbage crisis in the city and ordered the immediate mobilization of resources to address the concern on his first day in office.

In his public address, Moreno stressed that more than anything else, the safety and cleanliness of the city are important, citing health risks posed to its citizens.

‘Chiz to keep post with Senate majority support’

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero is poised to retain his seat as the chamber’s leader in the 20th Congress, now with at least 13 of 24 senators eyeing to vote for him.

Senator Joel Villanueva disclosed the numbers in a press conference on Monday, saying he had personally reached out to his colleagues to gauge their positions.

“If we were to hold the elections today, we already know — and I think your information is as good as mine — that Senate President Chiz Escudero will be retained as our Senate president,” said Villanueva.

Villanueva confirmed he is among those supporting Escudero, citing both his leadership record and his rapport with fellow lawmakers.

“For me, the decision was easy because we are result-oriented. At the end of the day, you look at the accomplishments of the Senate during his tenure, and there are many measures passed, and at the same time, the respect he gives to our senators,” he said.

According to Villanueva, Escudero currently has the backing of at least 13 senators, which constitutes a simple majority needed to secure the leadership post.

“I am confident because I have talked to at least a majority of the senators, so I can say that. But of course, every day is another day, I cannot say if their votes would change. But as far as I am concerned, I have already talked to 13 of them,” he added. Escudero, who took over the Senate presidency earlier this year, has been credited for steering key legislative priorities, including economic reforms and measures aimed at improving transparency and accountability in government.

IN BRIEF

Teves arraignment reset to July 14

THE arraignment of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. on murder charges has been reset to July 14, according to his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio.

In an update sent to reporters late Sunday evening, Topacio said his client could not attend the court proceedings scheduled for Monday morning, June 30. Teves was recently admitted to the Philippine General Hospital and underwent an appendectomy after complaining of severe stomach pain.

Topacio said they filed a motion to defer the arraignment last Friday, June 27, as Teves was still recuperating from surgery and was set to be discharged from the hospital on Monday.

The former lawmaker faces multiple murder charges over the Pamplona massacre in 2023 and is scheduled to appear before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 under Judge Renato Enciso via teleconferencing on July 14 at 8:30 a.m. Pot Chavez

PCO chief Ruiz affirms loyalty

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz on Monday affirmed his loyalty to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid rumors of his possible removal from his post.

“I always serve at the pleasure of the President,” Ruiz told reporters.

CBCP denounces

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Monday strongly denounced the widespread online gambling that has been authorized by the government, expressing deep concern over the potential dangers it poses, particularly the risk of gambling addiction among young people. In a pastoral letter, CBCP president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said such activities can have detrimental effects on the youth, leading to serious social and personal issues.

As such, he ordered the city’s Department of Public Services (DPS), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) to join the cleaning efforts and appealed to the Leonel Waste Management Corporation to haul the garbage in the city without charge. Likewise, he underscored the collective effort of the residents to address the worsening garbage cri-

“Our situation regarding garbage is an eyesore, a nosebleed, and a health hazard... Rest assured, there is a government in Manila... We will not point fingers. We will act on the matter. We will confront this problem head-on,” he said.

sis while asking for their patience as the city works to resolve the problem.

More than 800 barangay officials were also encouraged to lead cleanup operations in their respective areas.

“Leave politics behind. It’s time for you to fulfill your sworn duty to the people, not to politicians,” he said.

Among the major thoroughfares that were flushed with water were Lagusnilad Underpass, United Nations Avenue, Taft Avenue, and Plaza Miranda in Quiapo.

online gambling as threat to Filipino youth

“Goodbye studies. Goodbye decent jobs. Goodbye the hope of hardworking families,” he said.

“And hello — hello to a whole generation of gambling addicts.”

“We are doomed — unless we wake up,” he said. David was responding to a recent news report in which state gambling regulator Pagcor warned the public against illegal offshore gambling websites claiming to be licensed by the agency.

The Cardinal labeled online gambling as a “theater of the absurd” and accused officials of moral negligence in allowing widespread ac-

cess to betting platforms.

In a statement, the Kalookan Cardinal expressed his concern that the government’s actions are endangering children and families by facilitating gambling addiction. He highlighted that the legalization of online gambling platforms, which are accessible around the clock, poses a significant risk, particularly to minors who can easily access these sites.

“Who needs to sneak into a highend casino when the casino has been brought into every living room, every bedroom, every child’s pocket — right there on the glowing screen of a

smartphone?” David said.

David criticized authorities for focusing on offshore gambling sites while ignoring the consequences of locally licensed platforms.

He also condemned celebrities and influencers for promoting gambling apps on social media, saying they “prostitute themselves for a fee” in service of “conscience-less billionaires.”

David expressed deep concern over the impact on Filipino families, especially children of overseas Filipino workers who may be using hard-earned remittances to gamble online.

Ruiz, a former broadcast journalist who took over the PCO portfolio earlier this year, also expressed gratitude for his role in the Marcos administration.

“Whatever happens, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity,” he said.

Last week, the Palace said there would be no leadership change in Malacañang’s communication arm following online reports about Ruiz’s dismissal. Charles Dantes

the country take their oaths of office on June 30, 2025, marking the start of their terms. Among them are Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib; Laguna Governor Sol Aragones with Vice Governor JM Carait; Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas; Davao City Vice Mayor Baste Duterte; and Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, all sworn in alongside family, colleagues, and supporters. Photos by Lino Santos, Cherrie Anne Villahermosa, Arnold Almacen, and Andrew Rabulan

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Samar LTO employee sacked over anomaly

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on one of its employees in Samar for alleged complicity in an anomalous registration of a motor vehicle.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said the suspension order was in relation to the administrative cases of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service based on the complaint of a motor vehicle owner last January.

“Considering that your position affords you the opportunity to exert undue influence or-pressure on potential witnesses and tamper with evidence, pending Formal Investigation, you are hereby placed under Preventive Suspension for a period of NINETY (90) DAY, effective immediately upon receipt hereof,” the order read. Based on the complaint of the vehicle owner, it was the supervising transportation regulation officer in Samar who processed the illegal transfer of ownership involving her car. Rio N. Araja

Batangas gov’t building named after Sen. Diokno

AKBAYAN party-list Rep. Chel Diokno thanked the Batangas provincial government for acknowledging the legacy of his father, the late Senator Jose W. Diokno, by naming the provincial administration building after him.

The provincial government ratified a resolution recognizing of the senator’s invaluable service to the province in particular and the entire country in general.

“On behalf of the Diokno family, we thank the provincial government of Batangas for naming the provincial administration building after my father,” Diokno said.

He underscored how his father pursued the vision of a just and equitable Philippines, embodying national consciousness and conscience under his leadership.

LGBTQIA protest rally resists seawall project

DUMAGUETE City—Hundreds joined the celebration of Pride March held Saturday, June 28, to express solidarity with the members of the LGBTQIA community as well as oppose the construction of a seawall project here.

According to Silliman University professor Karl Villarmea, one of the event organizers, they took the opportunity to back local environmentalists who raised serious concerns over the project dubbed “Seawall for Shoreline Protection.”

The project covered about 1.7 hectares on the south side of Rizal Blvd. in the city. The city government allotted P54 million for the project, initiated under the watch of outgoing Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo.

In an interview with Manila Standard, Villarmea said their Pride March event— led by the LGBTQIA community in Silliman and civil society organizations— called for the total scrapping of the project, which he said “will bring ecological disaster in Dumaguete and neighboring areas.” Edwin G. Ombion

PH, Lithuania boost security ties

THE Philippines has strengthened its defense partnership with Lithuania to address shared security challenges, especially those concerning the situation in West Philippine Sea and the

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Monday met with visiting Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė in Makati City, with a view on signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for enhanced defense cooperation.

“This visit is one of the outcomes of the extra-regional partnerships that smaller countries, in particular like the Philippines and Lithuania, need to build because we see common threats, common challenges, not only of threat actors but also of situational considerations,”

Teodoro said. For her part, Šakalienė said the accord will elevate defense ties between Manila and Vilnius to a new level. “It’s a framework for meaningful cooperation, and our strategic commitment to the IndoPacific is laid out in our new strategy for defense and security engagement in this region,” she said. Although neither official explicitly named particular country as the “common threat,” both the Philippines and Lithuania have raised concerns over China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea and the Baltic Sea. In November 2024, a Chinese cargo vessel was

Comelec reaffirms ruling nullifying poll victory of Joey Uy

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reaffirmed its decision annulling the proclamation of Manila City 6th District congressman-elect Joey Chua Uy and declared reelectionist Bienvenido Abante Jr. as the rightful winner of the congressional race. In a 12-page resolution released by the Comelec dated June 30, the Comelec en banc denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Uy.

The poll body also instructed the Manila City board of canvassers to reconvene and officially declare Abante as the duly elected representative for the city’s 6th District. “The resolution of the Commission (Second Division) dated 18 June 2025 is hereby AFFIRMED,” the ruling read.

“The proclamation of LUIS “JOEY” CHUA UY as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth (6th) District of the City of Manila is hereby ANNULLED,” it added.

SPICK-AND-SPAN DIVISORIA. The usually chaotic and untidy Divisoria, Manila looks gloriously clean and glistening without the ubiquitous trash, mobile peddlers and traffic gridlocks on the first day of come-backing Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso who says garbage collection is on top of his shopping list. Norman Cruz

rudeness in public hospitals

“ The Board of Canvassers of the City of Manila is hereby directed to RECONVENE and PROCLAIM Petitioner BIENVENIDO “BENNY” ABANTE JR., the only qualified candidate, as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth District of the City of Manila,” the resolution stated. On June 18, the Comelec Second Division annulled Uy’s certificate of candidacy on the grounds of material misrepresentation regarding his citizenship. Furthermore, the division determined that the votes cast in favor of Uy should be classified as stray. Abante was unsuccessful in his reelection campaign against Uy in a closely contested election, garnering 63,358 votes in contrast to Uy’s 64,746.

82 more Mercury Drug outlets accept DSWD guarantee letters

STARTING June 30, 82 more branches of Mercury Drug in seven regions will be accepting guarantee letters (GLs) issued to clients under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao made the announcement, saying 92 Mercury Drug branches initially honored DSWD-issued GLs last June 2 while agreements with the other outlets were still being finalized.

The addition of 82 more stores brings to174 Mercury Drug outlets nationwide that accept the GLs issued by the DSWD.

“This is another big step forward in our relentless efforts to help our clients in meeting their medicine requirements with the help of Mercury Drug Corporation. With more participating stores, we

expect more clients to gain access to their medicine requirements,” Dumlao said. A GL is a document issued by the DSWD in favor of the beneficiary, particularly AKAP and AICS clients needing assistance. It is addressed to service providers that guarantees the payment for medical services on behalf of indigent patients, including prescription medicines.

The 82 additional Mercury Drug stores will accept the GLs issued by DSWD’s field offices in the Ilocos Region, the Cagayan Valley Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“With this, we look forward to enhancing our clients’ experience around the country. As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted it, we are making sure that the comfort and welfare of our countrymen are always prioritized in all the development efforts the department is embarking on,” Dumlao said.

IN a ground-breaking move to improve public service, newly elected Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones issued an order banning rude behavior in all government hospitals, rural health units, health centers, and state offices in the province. The order mandates all public servants to treat clients with courtesy and wear a smile at all times. Aragones emphasized that the initiative promotes a culture of kindness and respect in public service. Those found violating the order will face appropriate disciplinary sanctions Vice Gov. JM Carrait expressed full support for the governor’s directive, saying; “We are the backbone behind the legislation that Governor Sol will cham-

pion — through a united and solid partnership.”

All provincial board members likewise rallied behind the order, recognizing Aragones’ leadership and commitment to what they called “Serbisyong May Solusyon” — a service-oriented governance with real, practical solutions. They pledged to work together under one program to push the goals of the administration.

To raise public awareness, posters bearing the message “Bawal ang Mataray sa mga Ospital ng Laguna” (“Rudeness is Prohibited in Laguna hospitals”) will be displayed in all public hospitals in the province.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa joined Aragones in her visits to various

hospitals in Laguna to assess their current state. The tours sought to identify pressing healthcare issues, particularly the shortage of nurses and doctors, which the governor vowed to immediately address.

The governor also discussed plans to boost tourism in Laguna. She introduced a new concept called “Citizen Tourism,” encouraging locals to go on social media to promote their towns and showcase the province’s rich heritage and attractions. Moreover, Aragones reaffirmed her commitment to the “Grado ang Palakol” program — an initiative aimed at supporting students who are struggling academically by providing them with financial aid. She is currently assembling a team to implement the program.

PRIDE MARCH. Members of the LBTQIA in Dumaguete City and
END OF AN ERA. People from all walks of life pass by the once famous Solidaridad Bookstore in Ermita, Manila which has been up for sale for some time now. The shop, founded by the late national artist for literature F. Sionil Jose, has been acknowledged as a cultural landmark and described as the ‘best little bookstore in Asia.’ Danny Pata

OPINION

Witnesses vs. Duterte now under gov’t protection

WITH the witnesses against former President Rodrigo Duterte now under government protection, we can be assured the crimes against humanity cases filed against him by the International Criminal Court will proceed as expected.

We must recall that during Duterte’s six-year incumbency as president, there were accusations against the Davao Death Squad. We must also recall that the infamous Davao Death Squad of Duterte happened when he was Davao City mayor and he must be made accountable for it. Then during the early years of Duterte’s incumbency as president there were thousands of killings of people allegedly involved in illegal drugs, or anybody for that matter, involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs like shabu.

Who else, Santa Banana, would be accountable for that if not the former President since he was the one who launched a brutal and bloody war on the drug menace. There were many instances when Duterte went on television and said as president he took full responsibility for all the killings.

Recall also that his police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa launched the infamous Tokhang (Knock on the Door) Operation, killing people allegedly involved in the famous illegal war and should be made accountable.

No less than police records had shown that over 6,000 lives were snuffed out.

During that time another police operation was undertaken under Bato dela Rosa as police chief called “Double Barrel,” also against people allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

I recall, Santa Banana, that most of those killed were actually the victims of the illegal drug trade and were not actually involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs. As a result, there were numerous extrajudicial killings.

Now that the government has under its protection all the witnesses against Duterte for his crimes against humanity is certainly good news, not only for the victims of the extrajudicial killings, but for the country.

With the petition of Duterte through his defense lawyer that he needs to get an interim release before his Sept. 23, 2025 trial by the ICC, the protection by the government of the witnesses assures the ICC of testimonies that could pin down the former President for crimes against humanity.

The headlines we have been reading in the papers are that Australia denied Duterte’s petition to host him.

In this connection, the government

should ask why Vice President Sara Duterte went to Australia. Was it because Australia was mentioned as one of the host countries if the ICC would grant an interim release?

One of the worst accusations against the VP is the alleged misuse or abuse of her Confidential Funds amounting to no less than P250 million, the recipients of which were allegedly fictitious and nonexistent, as per the records of the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority).

One of the worst accusations against the VP is the alleged misuse or abuse of her Confidential Funds amounting to no less than P250 million

Santa Banana, now the VP is claiming all this is happening under the incumbency of President Marcos Jr., intended against her and her intention of running for president.

In other words, to Sara Duterte, BBM must be held responsible for allowing the forthcoming impeachment case against her and any kind of investigation like the investigation of the Ombudsman for Sara Duterte to answer for all the claims as alleged by the House of Representatives in the impeachment case against her.

We also know that Senate President Francis Escudero has set the date for the resumption of the Senate on July 26, for the impeachment trial.

And we all know that Sara Duterte has been practically going around the world in an effort to rally supporters of the Duterte administration to continue fighting for her father.

At this point I wonder what money Sara Duterte is using considering that all her Confidential and Intelligence Funds cannot be used.

That should be brought up by the PSA since all the money she has been using is still the money of the people.

As an independent observer of what ‘s happening, I would like to find out how the impeachment case of Sara Duterte would turn out because the people should know where any money being used by a public official, especially by no less than Sara Duterte as the second highest official of the land, comes from.

NFA’s rice ruse risks a nation’s hunger

NUEVA Ecija’s scorching fields, Mang Lito, a grizzled rice farmer, tears his RSBSA certificate in half, his hands trembling with fury. “This was my lifeline,” he spits, “now it’s a noose.” Nearby, a trader counts smuggled palay sacks in a shadowy warehouse, smirking as he outsmarts the government’s latest rules.

The National Food Authority’s new policy, announced June 26, 2025, caps *palay* sales at 100 bags per farmer per season, touting it as a pro-poor shield against exploitative traders.

But this move, cloaked in transparency, threatens to plunge the Philippines’ rice economy into chaos, exposing a treacherous clash between noble intent and catastrophic fallout. Harvest heroes or policy victims?

The NFA claims its 100-bag cap protects small farmers from traders exploiting government procurement prices (P20–P24/kg versus P16/kg private rates). Administrator Larry Lacson insists it ensures “benefits flow to genuine farmers,” but the reality stings.

Small farmers, often yielding under 100 bags, may secure a reliable buyer in the NFA – a lifeline for those on marginal lands. Yet, larger producers, who Lacson admits can harvest far more, face a crushing blow.

Forced to sell excess palay to private traders at cutthroat prices, these farmers – rural economy linchpins – risk slashed incomes.

Productive farmers could see earnings drop, averaging P20/kg when blending sales, eroding their once-reliable premi-

ums.

The “trader loophole” paradox festers. New rules – ID checks, RSBSA verification, delivery logging – aim to block middlemen.

But the NFA’s history, including a 2018 scandal where 60,000 bags rotted, breeds skepticism.

Traders, with deep networks, are already orchestrating proxy sales through registered farmers, potentially burying corruption deeper.

The nation deserves a rice system that feeds its people, not its dysfunction

The Magna Carta for Small Farmers threatens penalties for complicit NFA staff, but enforcement hinges on a bureaucracy riddled with inefficiency.

Small farmers may gain marginally, but larger producers and rural communities face ruin, while traders slink through the cracks.

The poor’s plight: A rice crisis looms Rice is the Philippines’ lifeblood, yet 68 percent of non-poor households reportedly hoard NFA’s subsidized P20/kg rice, squeezing out the destitute. Buffer stocks, at 140 percemt of target, signal short-term stability. But what happens when warehouses are empty?

The cap risks choking procurement from larger farmers, who drive supply.

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a clunky airplane with the tail wing featuring an icon of a fist bump. At the cockpit emerges a green-skinned female troll with pug nose wearing goggles whose visors are dollar signs. She is portly with a pudgy face and is sneering with lips in red and sharp fangs. With shoulder length hair parted at the middle, she is leaning out of the cockpit wearing an aviator scarf labeled ‘personal trips.’ Behind the engine is a giant plume of thick black smoke, exhausrting this smoke to a group of people whose faces are covered by the billows of greyish soot. The clothes people are wearing are labeled ‘taxpayers.’

EDITORIAL

Heat wave during the rainy season?

POSSIBLE, according to climatologists and others tracking shattered temperature records and relentless heatwaves worldwide.

While the Philippines entered its rainy season officially on June 2 this year, projected to end in November, scientists say it is still possible to experience heat waves, especially during monsoon breaks or periods of reduced rainfall.

The rainy season, characterized by the southwest monsoon (Habagat) which brings rain to Luzon, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone which induces rains in Mindanao, can still have breaks in the monsoon, leading to temporary dry and hot conditions.

Earlier this year, Jakarta and Manila experienced extended and unusual heat which started in December 2024 and lasted until February 2025, with scientists saying climate change worsened the extremes on 70 days of the entire 90-day period.

Millions across Southeast Asia were cautiously optimistic that 2025 and the arrival of the cooling weather phenomenon La Niña, as forecast by the World Meteorological Organization, would bring some relief.

A private market surplus might briefly stabilize prices, but disruptions— typhoons, droughts, or bureaucratic snarls—could drain stocks fast.

Japan’s 2025 rice crisis, where prices doubled due to distribution failures, looms as a warning. The clock is ticking—will the NFA be caught flat-footed?

The irony cuts deep: a pro-poor policy could destabilize the supply the poor depend on. With rice devouring low-income budgets, price spikes would crush the vulnerable. The NFA’s P20/kg rice promise in the Visayas, a political ploy, teeters on consistent procurement—jeopardized by the cap. If traders exploit loopholes or farmers curb production, the poor will pay the price. Systemic rot: Transparency charade or real reform?

The NFA’s transparency gestures—

But nature showed it can disprove even the most precise climate models, bringing an unusually weak La Niña, meaning the cooling impact was shortlived, and Southeast Asia is again battling extreme heat.

—“—

But the country cannot be helpless, despite the emerging heatwave

Elsewhere in the world, Southern Europeans have started bracing for their first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change pushes thermometers on earth’s fastestwarming continent increasingly into the red.

Scientists have long warned that humanity’s burning of fossil fuels is heating up the world with disastrous results for the environment. Europe’s ever-hot-

Google Sheets, Facebook posts, warehouse observation tables—project reform. But they’re a flimsy veil over systemic decay. Ballooning debts, over-importation (3.8 million metric tons in 2024), and rotting stocks—10,000 metric tons spoiled in 2023—expose the agency’s failures. This echoes Marcos Sr.’s Oil Price Stabilization Fund, a subsidy scheme that collapsed into a debt-fueled disaster. The NFA’s cap, ignoring structural woes like low yields (3-6 tons/hectare versus Vietnam’s 5-8 tons) and land conversion (palay’s GVA fell 10.4 percent annually), risks a similar implosion. Fixes that fight: Rewriting the rice rules

ter and increasingly common blistering summer heatwaves are a direct result of that warming, the scientists argue.

In Italy, for instance, Milan in the north to Palermo in the south were put on red alert for high temperature, with peaks recorded at 39 degrees Celsius.

In eastern North America, particularly in New Jersey, Washington DC as well as Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia in Canada, some 160 million people were impacted, with dozens of people being hospitalized in heat-related illnesses.

In Southeast Asia, where about 700 million people live, representing approximately 8.5 percent of the world’s population, scientists say the cooling impact has been short-lived, and Southeast Asia is again up in arms against extreme heat. But the country cannot be helpless, despite the emerging heatwave, where leaders should spearhead focus on a multi-pronged approach, including public awareness campaigns, infrastructure adjustments, and long-term climate action.

This should involve educating the public about heat-related risks, preparing infrastructure for extreme heat, and implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change.

• Scrap the 100-bag cap for tiered limits: 50 bags for smallholders, 200 for midsized farms, 500 for larger ones, balancing equity and efficiency. Deploy blockchain tracking for tamperproof transparency, exposing trader workarounds.

• Politicians must ditch populist price controls and invest in irrigation—only 57% of farmland is irrigated, versus Vietnam’s 90%—to boost yields by 20-30 percent and cut import reliance.

• Empower the NFA as a market regulator to crush cartels.

These are non-negotiable. Hunger on the line Rice is survival in the Philippines. Mang Lito’s torn certificate and the trader’s smuggled sacks signal a system on the brink.

The poor can’t afford another crisis, nor can farmers endure more broken promises.

Policymakers must refine this policy with fairness and resilience, not political optics. The nation deserves a rice system that feeds its people, not its dysfunction. The countdown is on—will we save the harvest, or let hunger win?

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Thousands block roads in Serbian rallies

IN BRIEF

Jury to deliberate

NEW YORK – Jurors on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) will begin deliberating whether Sean “Diddy” Combs parlayed his celebrity, wealth and business empire into a decades-long criminal ring that saw him force women into drug-fueled sexual performances with escorts.

The dozen New Yorkers tasked with deciding the music mogul’s future will began poring over thousands of phone, financial and other records along with the stories of 34 people who testified against him over seven painstaking, and at times excruciating, weeks.

Combs, 55, faces upwards of life in prison if convicted on five federal charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for purposes of prostitution. The producer and entrepreneuer, once one of the most powerful people in the music industry, denies the charges. On Friday his lawyer vied to skewer the credibility of his accusers -- namely two women he dated for years -- saying they were out for money, while rejecting any notion he led a criminal ring. AFP

China to resume Japanese seafood imports

BEJING – China has lifted a ban on seafood imports from most regions of Japan, partially mending a years-long dispute over Tokyo’s handling of nuclear wastewater.

China and Japan are key trading partners, but increased friction over territorial rivalries and military spending has frayed ties in recent years.

Japan’s brutal occupation of parts of China before and during World War II remains a sore point, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of failing to atone for its past. Japan began gradually releasing treated wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in 2023.

The move was backed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the plant operator TEPCO says all radioactive elements have been filtered out except for tritium, levels of which are within safe limits. But it drew sharp criticism from Beijing, which banned imports of Japanese seafood as a result. Russia later followed suit. AFP

Dalai Lama prays at 90th birthday launch

MCLEOD GANJ, India – Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, joined thousands of Buddhist followers on Monday in 90th birthday prayer celebrations, a landmark resonating far beyond the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.

Draped in traditional maroon and yellow robes, the Dalai Lama sat and listened to speeches and chants of monks, nuns, pilgrims, as well as well-wishers from across the world.

The leader, who turns 90 on July 6, and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.

The Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday is more than a personal milestone.

The charismatic Nobel Peace Prizewinning Buddhist Tenzin Gyatso -- who Tibetans say is the 14th reincarnation of the 600-year-old post -- is also expected to reveal if there will be another Dalai Lama after him. AFP

Fires break out as south Europe heatwave steps up

that is

intensify in the

days. Fires broke out in France and Turkey Sunday, with other countries already on alert.

Authorities from Spain to Portugal, Italy and France urged people to seek shelter and protect the most vulnerable from the summer’s first major heatwave.

Ambulances stood on standby near tourist hotspots as experts warned that such heatwaves, intensified by climate change, would become more frequent.

In Turkey, forest fires broke out Sun-

day afternoon in the western Izmir province, fed by strong winds, local media reported. Firefighters backed by specially adapted planes were battling the blaze, but five neighbourhoods in the Seferihisar district had to be evacuated, said the local governor. In France, wildfires broke out in the Corbieres area of Aude in the southwest, where temperatures topped 40 degrees (104F), forcing the evacuation of a campsite and abbey as a precaution.

Already last week, Greek firefighters had to battle a forest blaze on the coast south of Athens that forced some evacuations.

French weather service Meteo France put a record 84 out of the country’s 101 regional departments on an orange heatwave alert -- the second-highest -- for Monday. Spain’s weather service AEMET said temperatures in Extremadura and Andalusia, in the south and southwest, had reached up to 44C Sunday.

In Madrid, where temperatures approached 40C, 32-year-old photographer Diego Radames told AFPTV: “I feel that the heat we’re experiencing is not normal for this time of year.

“As the years go by, I have the feeling that Madrid is getting hotter and hotter, especially in the city centre,” he added. AFP

Jury members retire to decide verdict in Australia’s mushroom murder trial

MORWELL, Australia – Jury members retired Monday to decide the fate of an Australian woman accused of murdering three members of her husband’s family with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington lunch.

Jurors began deliberating their verdict on 50-year-old home cook Erin Patterson after a nine-week trial, with each twist consumed by a global audience.

“You must decide whether any of her statements were untrue,” judge Christopher Beale said in his final instructions.

“You should consider all of the evidence in the case and draw reasonable conclusions based only on the evidence you accept.

“Do not guess.”

Jurors must reach a unanimous verdict -- guilty or not guilty -- for each of the four charges Patterson faces, Beale said.

Pattrson is charged with murdering her estranged husband’s parents and aunt in July 2023 by spiking their beef-andpastry meal with death cap mushrooms -- the world’s deadliest fungi.

She is also accused of attempting to murder a fourth guest -- her husband’s uncle -- who survived the classic English dish after a long stay in hospital.

The 14-person jury was reduced to 12 by ballot before they started debating a verdict at the court in Morwell, southeast of Melbourne. They will be sequestered at night during the deliberations.

Patterson has steadfastly denied all charges against her, saying the poisoning of the beef Wellington -- cooked in individual portions -- was a mistake.

The trial has focused in forensic detail on the events surrounding the meal at her property in the farming village of Leongatha in Victoria state. Her lunch guests that afternoon were Don and

BELGRADE, Serbia – Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities the other day, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday’s huge rally in the capital.

On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption.

Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a “large number of citizens” in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital.

At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer.

Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country.

Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters’ demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing “terror” “Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted,” Vucic said in a televised speech. Clashes with police after Saturday’s rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. AFP

Serbian village stakes claim to 1st vampire

It was here, in the summer of 1725, well before Irish writer Bram Stoker made Transylvania Dracula’s infamous home, that villagers exhumed Blagojevic’s body, suspecting him of rising from the grave at night to kill locals.

“Petar Blagojevic was found completely intact,” recalled Mirko Bogicevic, a former village mayor whose family has lived there for 11 generations.

“When they drove a hawthorn stake through him, fresh red blood flowed from his mouth and ears,” said Bogicevic, Blagojevic’s unofficial biographer.

“He was probably just an ordinary man who had the fortune — or misfortune — to become a vampire. All we know is that he came from Kisiljevo, and his name appears in records from around 1700,” he added, holding a copy of the Wienerisches Diarium, the imperial Viennese gazette dated July 21, 1725. AFP

‘Diddy’ Combs’ fate
LET THERE BE LIGHT. Protesters light up their mobile phones as they demonstrate in front of the prosecutors offices calling for the release of their peers detained in protests the previous night, in Belgrade, on Sunday. Anti-graft protests have rocked the Balkan nation since November when 16 people were killed in the northern city of Novi Sad by a train station roof collapse, a tragedy widely blamed on entrenched corruption. AFP

Sabalenka, Alcaraz in spotlight as Wimby starts

LONDON—Carlos Alcaraz starts his bid for a third successive Wimbledon men’s title, while volatile women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be in the spotlight as the grass-court Grand Slam gets underway on Monday.

As the headline act in the 138th Championships, it is fitting that Alcaraz will open play on Centre Court when the world number two faces 38-yearold Italian Fabio Fognini.

It would be a seismic shock if Alcaraz, who has never lost in a Grand Slam first round in 17 appearances, became just the third men’s champion to suffer an opening match defeat at Wimbledon after Manuel Santana in 1967 and Lleyton Hewitt in 2003.

Having vanquished Novak Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz arrives in southwest London looking to join an elite group of Wimbledon icons.

The 22-year-old Spaniard’s clay-court credentials are firmly established but he is equally dynamic on grass.

Alcaraz has won 29 of his 32 Tour-level matches on the surface, with his last defeat at Wimbledon coming against Jannik Sinner in the last 16 in 2022.

Alcaraz is bidding to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after seven-time champion Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras.

If he achieves that target, Alcaraz would be the second-youngest player in the Open Era to win six Grand Slam men’s titles after Borg, who reached that landmark in 1978.

“I’m coming here thinking I really want to win the title, I really want to lift the trophy. I’m not thinking about how many players have done it, winning three Wimbledons in a row,” said Alcaraz, who fought back from two sets down in his epic French Open final victory against world number one Sinner in June. AFP

Stakes higher at Jr PH Golf

Pueblo de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO—The stakes are higher, the field deeper and the course far more challenging as the ICTSI Junior PGT Pueblo de Oro Championship fires off today (Tuesday) here, setting the stage for another thrilling showdown of talent, grit and tactical savvy among the country’s brightest young golfers.

Following last week’s stern test at the tight and tricky Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon, the junior golf hopefuls now brace for a contrasting challenge at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club – a wider but equally demanding layout that promises to separate the merely good from the truly elite.

Known for its rolling fairways, undulating greens and strategically placed ravines, the Robert Trent Jones II-designed course is poised to bring out the best – and potentially the worst – in the competitors as they pursue titles and precious ranking points toward berths in the season-ending ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Finals this October.

Among those eager to rise from early setbacks is hometown bet James Rolida, who is eyeing redemption and resurgence in familiar terrain. A winner in last year’s South Pacific leg, Rolida has since struggled to regain top form, placing third in Mactan and sliding to sixth in Del Monte.

But now playing on his home course – with intimate knowledge of its nuances and challenges – the CDO native hopes to flip the script and finally return to the winner’s circle in the boys’ 7-10 division set over 36 holes.

But Rolida’s path to redemption is anything but smooth. He’s up against Jamie Barnes, the breakout performer who dominated the Del Monte leg with a five-shot victory on his JPGT debut, along with fellow local contenders Shaqeeq Tanog and Liam Bonilla, Bukidnon’s Ian Langamin and Simon Apilat, and rising talents from across Mindanao and the Visayas, including Inigo Montalban, Lucas Revilleza and Tobias Tiongko.

Vinny Marcos: Rare privilege to host FIVB men’s world tilt

THE FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025 provides an opportunity for Filipinos to flex to the global community that the country is part of the international field of play.

So said William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, co-chairperson of the FIVB MWCH Local Organizing Committee during Saturday night’s “Spike For A Cause” Fund Raising Dinner and Fashion Show organized by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos at the Foro de Intramuros in Intramuros, Manila.

“It is a rare privilege to host such a world event especially the country’s popular sports— volleyball—and I am happy to see a lot of people who are very interested in volleyball,” the young Marcos added. “I am very thankful to all of you, for all your all-out support.”

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano

and Mark Villar and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum graced the event where renowned fashion designer showcased his masterpiece designs.

The men’s national team, Alas Pilipinas, which will compete in the world championship the country is hosting from September 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia, as well as Rebisco Corp. president Geronimo Kamus Jr. and Honda representative Hiroaki Nakamura, chief client officer of Dentsu Philippines.

“Hosting the world championship is a perfect fit for nation building, for a better com-

munity, and hosting leads to discipline, sacrifice and teamwork,” said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano in the event where Rebisco and Honda were honored for their support to the world championship that features the top 32 volleyball nations.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara thanked First Lady Marcos for putting premium on the world championship that is only 75 days away and at the same time expressed his gratitude to stakeholders, business industry and individuals who are supporting the event.

“Our purpose, our vision, as how chairperson Vinnie Marcos mentioned, is to capitalize on the transformative power of sports,” Suzara said. “Every match that Alas Pilipinas plays is a fight for each Filipino, for a Bagong Pilipinas.”

Asian Cycling confirms Tagaytay Velodrome hosting of ‘26 meet

THE Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) confirmed the Philippine hosting of the 2026 ACC Track Championships at the brand-new Tagaytay City Velodrome from March 25 to 31.

ACC president Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill made the confirmation as the continental body recently released its first official Newsletter.

“It’s an honor and a privilege, but it’s equally a challenge,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also head of the national cycling federation, PhilCycling.

“The tough task is up ahead because it’s been a while since we hosted a championships of such magnitude,” said Tolentino, adding that the last time the country hosted an ACC championships was in 1995—both road and track—at the now demolished Amoranto Velodrome in Quezon City and Subic in Zambales.

Tolentino thanked Gill for fully supporting Philippine cycling—the ACC president flew from Kuala Lumpur to lead the

“The ACC has provided details for the hosting where we expect to welcome some 300 track cyclists—including our very own national team—from no less than 30 Asian countries,” Tolentino said. The Tagaytay City Velodrome sits majestically along Crisanto de los Santos Avenue at the Tagaytay City Atrium and lies adjacent to a similarly International Cycling Union (UCI)-standard and roofed BMX racing track—the only covered BMX track in Asia—that hosted the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019 and the Asian championships in 2023. The track facility—250-meter indoor and Norwegian Spruce wood with an almost 43-degree angle at the turns—also lies near Tagaytay City’s Combat Sports Center, skateboard and BMX

centers and track oval.

Amoranto Velodrome was last used as a competition venue in 2005 during the country’s second hosting of the SEA Games with Alfie Catalan winning the men’s individual pursuit gold medal.

BASKETBALL fans across the country can now catch the action of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Regular Season live and online, as the league partners with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to bring games to more screens nationwide starting this July.

Fans can watch the MPBL games live on PusoP.com, Smart Sports’ Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and Puso Pilipinas’ Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. Smart and its parent company PLDT, through their sports hub PusoP.com, continue to lead in promoting sports for nation-building. The platform is dedicated

to celebrating Filipino athletes and making sports content more accessible to fans. This initiative is part of Smart’s broader commitment to elevate the customer experience by giving subscribers front-row access to their favorite sports content.

“Smart has always believed in the power of sports to inspire and unite Filipinos,” said Jude Turcuato, FVP and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart. “Through this partnership with MPBL, we’re making sure fans never miss a moment of the action—whether they’re at home or on the go.” Founded in 2018 by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the MPBL has grown into the country’s premier regional basketball league, featuring 30 teams representing cities and provinces across the Philippines. The league’s home-and-away format and strong provincial presence have made it a staple in grassroots sports development and community pride. “This partnership with Smart allows us to bring the MPBL closer to every Filipino, wherever they are,” said MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes. “We’re excited to expand our reach and give fans more ways to support their hometown teams.” With over 550 games scheduled this season, including out-of-the-country matches in Dubai and Taiwan, fans can expect a thrilling and action-packed year of basketball. For updates and full game schedules, visit www.mpbl.com.ph and follow MPBL and Smart Sports on social media.

William Vincent ‘Vinny’ Araneta Marcos (second from left) is with (from left) Philippine National Volleyball Federation and Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, Senator Pia Cayetano, Rebisco Corp. president Geronimo Kamus Jr., Honda representative Hiroaki Nakamura, chief client officer of Dentsu Philippines and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
POC and cycling federation president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right) and ACC head Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill flag off veteran Ronald Oranza during the inauguration of the Tagaytay City Velodrome last June 23.

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Cone lauds Gin Kings’ fightback

BARANGAY Ginebra coach Tim

Cone liked his wards’ fightback in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinal series, where the Kings pulled off a 100-90 stomping of the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We didn’t play a good game last time out (Game 2). We had to tip our cap to San Miguel because you know they were stinging from the from the Game 1 loss and and they knew that June Mar (Fajardo) was going to be playing limited minutes. So their guys came out and played with tremendous energy,” said Cone.

The Gin Kings drew big baskets from RJ Abarrientos and Jamie Malonzo in second half as Ginebra moved ahead of the Beermen in their series at 2-1.

Abarrientos struck with a near triple-double of 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. He had 18 points for the Gin Kings in the last period to lead Ginebra in finishing with a 10-point lead.

Malonzo knocked in eight of 20 points in the third quarter for the Gin Kings, who went ahead by as much as 16 points in the last half.

“But I I’m just real proud of the guys for steadying themselves and we figured a couple things out (in Game 3). I thought we played with a really good tempo and then RJ just played tremendous down the stretch to keep them at bay,” added Cone.

Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are gaining confidence after they drew 18 points from Anton Asistio as they coasted to a 107-86 swamping of an undermanned TNT Tropang 5G in their semifinals matchup.

Taking advantage of the absence of injured Roger Pogoy, ROS moved closer to equalizing their best-of-seven match-up with the series record now at 2-1, with TNT still leading.

The two teams will square off again Wednesday in Game 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, with TNT seen to miss Pogoy again.

Cool Smashers, HD

Spikers

clash as PVL On Tour returns to Manila

IT’S an early clash of titans as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour returns to Manila after electrifying out-of-town stops in Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Batangas City with powerhouse squads Creamline and Cignal all set to collide in a marquee Pool B duel today (Tuesday, July 1) at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.

The 6:30 p.m. showdown promises to be an explosive clash between two talent-laden squads brimming with intensity, depth and standout rookies ready to make their mark in the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Both teams are riding the momentum of impressive back-to-back wins from the season-opening sorties in Vigan. Creamline flexed its championship-caliber depth by shutting down Capital1 in straight sets and dispatching Akari in four, while Cignal made a louder statement with dominant sweeps of the same two squads, asserting its intent to contend for the crown right from the get-go.

With an early solo lead in Pool B on the line, fans can expect fireworks from the opening serve. The Cool Smashers and the HD Spikers –two of the most consistent programs in recent PVL history – are built for high-stakes battles and rarely fail to deliver drama. Their latest showdown, however, carries added weight with the league’s new format emphasizing the importance of prelim rankings and every match critical in the race to the knockout quarterfinals.

THE Philippine Para Table Tennis team brought home a total of five medals -one gold, three silvers and one bronze following a strong showing at the ITTF World Para Future Tournament 2025 in Taipei.

The country’s sole gold medal came from the Mixed Doubles Class 17 event, where the dynamic duo of Jan Wilfred Redulla and Lhey Marie Manginsay defeated Taiwan’s Ren Ting Huang and Yan Ru Lin in an intense four-set final, 3–1 (11–5, 6–11, 11–4, 11–8).

Jhona Peña and Linard Sultan captured a silver medal in the same category after a tightly contested fiveset thriller against fellow Filipinos Leo Macalanda and Minnie Cadag, 3–2 (12–10, 11–13, 11–9, 11–13, 11–7), who also earned a commendable fourth-place finish. Peña continued her stellar campaign with another silver medal in the Women’s Singles Class 6–7, while Redulla also secured silver in the Men’s Singles Class 8. Completing the Philippines’ medal haul, Manginsay

PH para netters bag gold, 3 silvers at world tourney SPORTS

partnered with Mary Eloise Sable to claim bronze in the Women’s Doubles Class 20.

The team returned to the country on Sunday evening, accompanied by PPC/PHILSPADA Secretary General Goody Custodio.

In a statement on its official page, the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) lauded the athletes’ efforts: “A big salute to the entire team for their hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Thank you for bringing pride and honor to the Philippines.”

Bachmann bids PSC goodbye, highlights PH’s sports milestones

OUTGOING Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann has officially announced his departure from the agency after submitting his courtesy resignation in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for cabinet members and agency heads.

Bachmann reflected on the significant strides made in Philippine sports under his leadership, lauding the nation’s “impressive performance” at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which coincided with the centennial year of Philippine participation in the games.

A groundbreaking moment highlighted in his message was the men’s curling team securing the Philippines’ first gold medal in any winter multi-sporting event at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

The country also celebrated its best overall ranking in three decades at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games during Bachmann’s time.

Preparations are also well underway for this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

Bachmann also emphasized the strong foundation laid for optimizing the country’s sports landscape, pointing out the “proactive participation of Filipino youth” in grassroots programs such as Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games.

The PSC also championed inclusivity and community development under his watch. Initiatives like the Philippine National Para Games for Persons with Disabilities, the celebration of Women in Sports, the Laro’t Saya Program for community mobilization, the preservation of Filipino culture through Indigenous Peoples Games, and a commitment to Safe Sport were all highlighted as key efforts to empower individuals through sports.

The Philippines has also firmly established itself as a premier global sporting destination. Bachmann proudly cited the successful hosting of major events, including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 ICF Dragonboat World Championships. The nation is also gearing up for historic hostings in 2025, including the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships, the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, and the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Junior Championships, further cementing the country’s capacity as a

global sports tourism hub. Expressing a “deep sense of fulfillment” as he departs, Bachmann extended his gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the PSC, national athletes and coaches, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and all contributors to Philippine sports.

He noted the implementation of policies to strengthen grassroots and elite athlete programs, organizational optimization within the PSC, and significant budget increases that benefit all stakeholders and empower athletes to achieve their dreams. Ongoing major infrastructure projects are also set to improve athlete welfare and provide state-of-the-art training facilities.

Bachmann conveyed his excitement for the future of Philippine sports, anticipating “even greater milestones.”

He extended his best wishes to his successor, John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, in continuing the mission they all “deeply believe in.”

New PSC chief Gregorio wants a leadership that inspires

PATRICK “Pato” Gregorio, the newly appointed chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, said he is honored to lead the agency, committed to advancing the country’s sports development programs.

“It is my honor and privilege to serve as Chair of the Philippine Sports Commission. I am grateful for the President’s trust and will do right by it,” said Gregorio. “Let my leadership inspire, as I have been inspired by the sheer potential in Philippine sports, to build and to strengthen this proud nation. Karangalan ko ang magsilbi sa bayan.” Gregorio succeeds Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, who led the PSC since 2023. There is a plan

to have the turnover ceremony on Tuesday. Known for his dynamic leadership across various sports organizations, Gregorio previously served as chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association and is currently the president of the Philippine Rowing Association (PRA).

One of his notable accomplishments includes reviving the iconic Tour of Luzon cycling event, once a premier race in Asia. His leadership has also produced Olympic-caliber results. Under his watch, Filipino rowers Cris Nievarez and Joanie Delgaco qualified for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, respectively.

In addition, Gregorio played an integral role in Philippine basket-

ball, having served the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and as deputy chef de mission to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the country captured two gold medals, highlighted by gymnastics star Carlos Yulo.

As the new PSC chairman, Gregorio faces a pivotal challenge ahead -- steer the national sports program to success in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand and lay the groundwork for stronger performances in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “We have a lot of work to do, but I believe in our athletes and the system we can build around them,” he said. Randy Caluag

Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos drives to the lane tightly guarded by San Miguel Beer’s Kris Rosales.
The Philippine Para Table Tennis team Philippine Paralympic Committee
Richard Bachmann
Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio

Manila Water signs deal to buy Wawa Dam builder for P37.8b

P37.8 billion

M(MWSS) and Manila Water for the supply of 518 MLD through to 2050.

518 MLD

anila Water Company Inc. (MWC) said Monday it is acquiring 100-percent ownership of WawaJVCo Inc., the developer and operator of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project in Rizal province for about P37.8 billion.

MWC

The facility currently transports water to the downstream Calawis treatment facility of Manila Water. Its assets include the Tayabasan Weir in Antipolo and the Upper Wawa Dam, in Rodriguez, both in Rizal with current contracted capacity of 518 million liters per day (MLD) and additional available capacity of up to 200 MLD.

700,000 households

Contracted capacity of WawaJVCo Wawa Dam’s supply beneficiaries

June inflation likely below 2%, says BSP

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Monday inflation in June 2025 likely remained below the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent. It said in a statement June inflation likely fell between 1.1 percent and 1.9 percent.

“Upward price pressures for the month are likely to be driven by higher meat and vegetable prices, elevated oil prices, and the depreciation of the peso,” the BSP said.

“These pressures, however, could be partially offset by lower prices of rice, fish, and fruits, as well as lower electricity rates,” it said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation rate slowed to 1.3 percent in May from 1.4 percent in April. As a result, the year-todate average inflation now stands at 1.9 percent The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) revised downward its 2025 inflation forecast to 2 percent to 3 percent from an earlier projection of 2 percent to 4 percent as the whole-of-government approach continues to support a low inflation environment this year.

“Going forward, the BSP remains committed to safeguarding price stability by ensuring that monetary policy settings are conducive to sustainable economic growth and employment,” the BSP said.

The Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project is a critical raw water source infrastructure program designed to

augment Metro Manila’s water needs, currently being served by the Angat Dam.

WawaJVCo is a special purpose vehicle created to manage critical water infrastructure in Rizal province, including the Tayabasan Weir in Antipolo and the Upper Wawa Dam in Rodriguez. It has a 30-year bulk water supply agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System

The facility currently transports water from the Upper Wawa Dam to the downstream Calawis treatment facility of MWC and will supply water to the Kaysakat andPasig treatment facilities once completed.

The project supplies 80 million MLD to MWC’s treatment plant in Antipolo, with a contracted capacity of 518 MLD and additional potential of up to 200 MLD.

B2

B3

BSP expects BOP deficit of $6.3b amid global trade uncertainty

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revised its 2025 balance of payments (BOP) outlook to a deficit of $6.3 billion from the previous estimate of $4-billion shortfall amid global trade uncertainty.

It said the revised outlook reflects a continued current account shortfall and moderating financial flows.

“While the domestic economy benefits from steady growth, low inflation, and ongoing structural reforms, these are offset by global trade uncertainty, heightened geopolitical risks and weakened investor confidence,” the BSP said.

It said the BOP is expected to register deficits of about 1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 and 2026 due to ongoing current account shortfall and moderating financial flows.

The current account is expected to remain in deficit at around 3 percent of GDP, indicating a gap in savings over investment amid global uncertainties. As a result, external financing remains necessary to support the country’s infrastructure-led, investment-driven growth strategy, it said.

The BSP said goods exports continue to face headwinds from global trade uncertainty, lagging competitiveness and constraints in the semiconductor industry.

While trade diversion offers opportunities, the BSP said logistical inefficiencies and workforce limitations continue to raise barriers.

Meanwhile, the BSP said stable domestic demand and infrastructure spending support the growth in imports, but import value is tempered by

declining global commodity prices, particularly for oil.

“The services trade remains broadly resilient, although downside risks persist. Outsourcing revenues are supported by stable demand for contact center services, yet they confront uncertainties due to U.S. job reshoring initiatives and local talent shortages. Meanwhile, tourism receipts are bolstered by improvements in airport infrastructure and greater availability of accommodation, though growing competition from other destinations and rising transport costs may temper the pace of recovery,” the BSP said.

“Steady remittance flows continue to provide a buffer against trade deficit, supported by strong labor demand for Filipino workers in key sectors as well as by the aging populations in

MWSS, foundation honor partners for planting 3-m trees in watersheds

THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) will fete institutional partners on July 2, 2025 at the Celebrity Club in Quezon City, recognizing their role in planting 3 million trees in critical watersheds since 2017. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), San Miguel Corp., Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company lead the honorees at the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) recognition and awarding ceremonies.

MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas,

former MWSS chairman and AMTC founder Reynaldo Velasco and Million Trees Foundation president Melandrew Velasco jointly announced the event.

The ceremony coincides with the 2025 AMTC Pledging Session, which aims to plant and grow an additional 15 million trees by 2030, according to their joint statement.

Acting DENR Secretary Rafael Lotilla, the scheduled keynote speaker, is expected to outline his policy as the new environment czar and rally the DENR’s National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV offices to continue their active support of the AMTC.

These regions have been top performers in tree-planting efforts to protect seven critical watersheds.

These watersheds—Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Upper Marikina, Wawa, Kaliwa, and Laguna Lake—supply potable water to Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal.

Guests include Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is expected to promote her “One Million Trees Project by 2028”; Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council executive director Butch Madarang; and executives from MWSS concessionaires.

host countries. Innovations in digital payments and the Philippines’ recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list have helped reduce transfer costs,” it said. The BSP, however, said that the rise of protectionist policies in some host countries presents emerging risks. “Foreign investment inflows remain positive but subdued, as policy uncertainty and the global slowdown weigh on investor sentiment. Nevertheless, the government’s push for accelerated infrastructure development, expanded fiscal incentives, and investment-enhancing reforms—including the CREATE MORE Act and the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act—is expected to help attract long-term investment,” the BSP said. Darwin G. Amojelar

BUSINESS Stock market dips, peso strengthens

PHILIPPINE shares traded lower Monday as investors booked gains ahead of key data releases.

The peso, however, continued to strengthen against the U.S. dollar, closing at 56.33 from 56.57 on June 27. The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 43.33 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 6,364.94. The broader all shares Index declined by 10.39 points, or 0.27 percent, to 3,781.67.

“The local market ended in the negative territory as investors booked profits in the final minutes of the trading day,” said Japhet Tantiangco, research head at Philstocks Financial Inc. “This comes after the bourse posted four consecutive days of gains.”

Investors are awaiting the release of the June inflation rate, slated for Friday, and the manufacturing report, as these will provide support for a possible rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Overseas, investors will also monitor U.S. jobs data, which will be released Thursday. Among the indices, only the property sector ended in the green, rising by 2.17 percent. Services declined the most, dropping by 2.2 percent, followed by financials, which decreased by 1.68 percent. Value turnover reached P7.68 billion due to month-end window dressing activities. Foreign investors were net buyers with inflows reaching P114.09 million.

Property giant Ayala Land Inc. was the day’s top index gainer, climbing 4.65 percent to P27 per share. Jollibee Foods Corp. was the main index laggard, declining by 5.5 percent to P216 each. Asian equities mostly rose Monday following a record-breaking day on Wall Street as investors kept tabs on countries’ efforts to strike trade deals with the United States before a key deadline next week. And the dollar weakened on growing expectations for more interest rate cuts, while eyes were on US President Donald Trump’s signature tax-cutting bill—now inching towards a Senate vote—that some experts warn could add trillions of dollars to the national debt. With AFP

How tariffs should and should not be used

IF A SINGLE word can sum up world economic activity in the first five months of 2025, that word would be ‘tariffs’. Since Jan. 20, when Donald Trump began his second presidency of the world’s largest economy, the greatest economic preoccupation of the world’s governments and business communities has been with the American President’s policy of imposing ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on all imports into the U.S.

Imposed on friends and adversaries alike, the tariffs ranged from 10 percent - the general figure - all the way to 145 percent on Chinese exports to the U.S. The tariff on Philippine exports has been set at 17 percent, the second lowest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries.

Every day during the last five months, the world’s news media have carried stories related to Trump’s tariff frenzy - actual and threatened retaliations by the tariff-targeted countries, learned analyses of the impact of the new U.S. tariffs, forecast of disruptions of supply chains and expressions of deep concern about the tariffs’ impact on production arrangements and consumer prices. People who knew little or nothing about tariffs before Jan. 20 were now hearing and reading about them every day.

Trump has told the American people - especially his Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporters - that his tariff campaign would accomplish two things, viz., (1) stop the “ripping off” of America by other countries and (2) compel American companies to transfer their overseas manufacturing operations back to the U.S. Claim No. 1 is false; claim No. 2 is improvable.

Like millions of people around the world, the average American has been left confused and perplexed by all the rhetoric, hype and, yes, disinformation associated with Trump’s tariff rampage. Under the circumstances, I think that there is a need for a brief refresher on (1) what a tariff is and is not and (2) the proper use and improper use of a tariff.

First, a tariff is an economic policy tool whose legitimate uses are trade protection and revenue generation. It is called a tariff, but in reality it is a tax, the taxed goods being the exports of other countries. A tariff is an exception to the international fiscal rule that a country cannot tax

Tariffs invite retaliations and retaliations lead to all-out trade wars.

goods that are not produced within its borders.

Second, as a fiscal instrument, a tariff can be used purely for revenue-generation purposes. Used positively, a county can impose or raise, for revenue generation purposes, a tariff on a foreign product that is generating much profit for its foreign manufacturer. Used negatively, a tariff can be deployed not as a legitimate economic policy tool but as a geopolitical weapon for harassment, intimidation or coercion.

Third, a tariff is an economic policy instrument intended to accomplish three principal objectives, viz, encourage the transformation of an economy, regulate the flow of foreign goods into an economy and protect a country’s terms of trade. Developing countries wishing to transform their economies from primary-producing to manufacturing usually set their tariff on foreign manufactured goods at levels that will be protective of their infant manufacturing establishments.

Countries set their tariffs at low levels for goods that are necessary for production and consumptionespecially basic goods for the masa - and at high levels for goods whose entry they wish to discourage. And countries impose defensive countervailing tariffs on foreign goods that are produced in an unfair manner, e.g. through the enjoyment of subsidies from their governments.

Fourth, a tariff always has price repercussions except in the very rare case where the importer absorbs the tariff entirely. The pass-on can occur either directly from importer to consumer (in the case of consumer products) or from the producerimporter to the merchandiser and ultimately to the consumer (in the case of producer goods). Except in the no-pass-on case the consumer will always end up bearing at least a part of the tariff. Which is why the world’s central banks have had to reconsider their monetary-easing intentions. Fifth, imposition of a tariff is essentially a hostile act, and, like all hostile acts, must be undertaken only after the most careful evaluation of its broad economic implications.

Finally, tariffs invite retaliations and retaliations lead to all-out trade wars. The world has been in an undeclared trade war since Jan. 20, 2025, thanks entirely to the Trump administration’s mindless tariff program. (llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

DIGITAL PARK. MREIT, Inc., the real estate investment trust of property giant Megaworld, formalizes its partnership with one of Southeast Asia’s leading coworking space providers, Common Ground, for an innovative ‘Digital Park’ to boost support for startup companies and innovators in the Philippines. The two companies launched the ‘Common Ground Digital Park McKinley Hill,’ a one stop hub envisioned to be a launchpad for startup companies within Megaworld’s 50-hectare McKinley Hill township in Taguig City.

10 PH banks on solid ground amid tariff tensions

S&P Global Ratings expects the top 10 Philippine banks to cope with tests posed by US tariffs as strong capitalization and liquidity provide a buffer against unexpected risks.

This is according to a chartbookstyle report S&P Global Ratings titled, “Top-10 Philippine Banks: Large Banks Are On Solid Ground Amid Tariff Tensions.”

“The Philippine economy should be resilient to tariffs due to low reliance on exports. Philippine banks’ credit quality will stay strong amid relatively benign economic conditions,” said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Nikita Anand.

PH wins UN award for digital governance

THE Philippines won a prestigious UN E-Government Award, putting it among 12 countries out of 193 worldwide to earn the recognitions for remarkable progress in digital governance from 2022 to 2024. The award acknowledges countries that are significantly advanced in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and the Online Service Index (OSI)—two global benchmarks for measuring government digital performance.

The UN DESA commended the Philippines for its significant progress in digital government. Specifically, the country improved its classification from “High” to “Very High” in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), rose more than 15 places in the EGDI global ranking, and also moved from “High” to “Very High” in the Online Service Index (OSI) after achieving an increase of over 15 percent between 2022 and 2024. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for E-Government David Almirol Jr. said these milestones reflect the government’s sustained efforts to digitalize public services and make them more accessible, secure and citizen-centric.

“This global recognition by the UN validates the Philippines’ digital transformation roadmap under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aligning with his vision to make government services more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready,” Almirol said.

“The indirect effects of tariff and geopolitical tensions such as lower consumer spending and business volumes could affect banks’ growth prospects and reduce profitability. Rising household leverage and larger share of high-yield, riskier loans pose challenges to asset quality,” she said.

“We believe banks will continue to pursue higher risk-adjusted returns by expanding their consumer loan books. This should improve diversification and reduce concentration risk. However, consumer lending in the Philippines entails higher nonperforming loans. Banks’ provisioning costs should hence stay elevated compared

to historical averages. The asset quality of banks with a higher share of unsecured consumer loans should stay weaker than the sector average,” said Anand.

Philippine banks’ profitability has improved with better margins, and sustained reduction in operating expenses.

An increase in the proportion of higher yielding loans could potentially help in sustaining this improvement in profitability in a declining interest rate environment. A lot will depend on how banks can contain asset quality risks, while growing their consumer loans portfolio, according to S&P.

Ayala Land buys New World Hotel to boost portfolio

ROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Monday it acquired the 580-room New World Hotel Makati to expand its hotel portfolio.

ALI said the acquisition is part of its broader strategy to invest in high-growth urban centers, especially Makati, where it already operates several business and lifestyle hotels.

“This move reflects our continued focus on offering a cohesive and high-quality guest experience across key locations,” said George Aquino, chief executive and president AyalaLand Hospitality.

“The addition of New World Hotel Makati complements our existing portfolio and reinforces our commitment to serving evolving customer needs in one of the country’s most dynamic cities,” he said.

The hotel, located across Greenbelt and near major offices and luxury retail spots, is seen as a valuable addition to AyalaLand Hospitality’s growing hotel portfolio.

Hotel operations will remain un-

Citicore downsizes Pangasinan wind project to 80 MW

CITICORE Wind Energy Corp. (CWEC) said Monday it is revising the configuration of its proposed wind project in Pangasinan province.

Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC), its parent company, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that CWEC, through its direct subsidiary Citicore Wind Pangasinan 2 Inc., plans to revise the project capacity to 80 megawatts (MW) with an estimated cost of P9.6 billion and an estimated completion timeline of the first

to P5b in

CENTURY Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) earmarked P4 billion to P5 billion in capital expenditures for 2025 to expand its core branded food business as it expects to sustain a double-digit growth over the next three to five years.

CNPF executive chairman Christopher Po said in a news briefing following the company’s annual stockholders meeting the capex would support strong of branded food business including marine, meat and milks as well as emerging categories coconut and pet food.

Po said the company is looking to further expand the capacity of its coconut business after securing a new P14-billion contract with Vita Coco.

CPNF announced last year a $40-million investment to acquire and expand a coconut processing facility Misamis Occidental province.

“On top of that, we do plan to invest further for capacity expansion because we do see strong growth in the coconut business for export and domestic,” Po said. Po said the company is also looking to invest in new projects as well as some acquisitions.

“We are seeing good opportunities to invest our shareholders’ capital in capital projects. We shall be proposing such to our board both this morning and in subsequent board meetings,” he said. Jenniffer B. Austria

quarter of 2028.

CREC did not provide details on why it decided to revise its project configuration.

CWEC, in its original submission to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, had said it was planning to construct a 150-MW wind project in Pangasinan.

CWEC said Sual and Labrador, Pangasinan benefit from consistent and strong wind speeds, which optimize energy generation capacity.

The sites also have favorable geographic conditions, including suitable

land availability in areas with minimal environmental sensitivity, and are near existing transmission infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration of generated power into the national grid.

“During initial consultations, communities responded positively to the project and its potential socioeconomic benefits,” CWEC said.

“Moreover, the initiative will benefit from a supportive regulatory environment, as the adoption of wind power aligns with the country’s goals of energy independence, decarbonization, and achieving net-zero emissions,” it said.

interrupted during the transition. The current staff will be retained, and all existing bookings will be honored. AyalaLand Hospitality.

The company said it would ensure a smooth handover, while maintaining the hotel’s service standards.

ALI earlier reported plans to invest $500 million to help double its hotel capacity to 8,000 keys by 2030. Through Ayala Land Hospitality, it operates the homegrown Seda hotels and the El Nido Resorts luxury chain in Palawan. AyalaLand Hospitality is also looking to build a five-star hotel in Cebu and another in Batangas, which will have 400 to 600 rooms.

ALI now has more than 4,000 hotel rooms across 15 locations. Average occupancy rate for city hotels is at a high of 85 percent, while occupancy rate for resorts range from 60 percent to 65 percent.

IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

UNDP, SEC promote sustainable practices to small, medium firms

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in the Philippines and the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an initiative that promotes sustainable practices in small-, medium- and large scale enterprises (SMLEs) and helps protect the environment.

The program seeks to help businesses across the Philippines integrate sustainability into their operations. The SEC and UNDP successfully recently launched the SEC SMILEES Roadshow in Tagaytay City.

The program also seeks to foster a more inclusive and robust sustainability reporting culture, reaching enterprises beyond publicly listed companies to include the vital yet often overlooked non-listed businesses that form the backbone of the Philippine economy.

The roadshow gathered business leaders, representatives from local medium, small, and micro enterprises, local government representatives, and sustainability experts.

The Canadian government supports the SEC SMILEES Roadshow through the UNDP’s Accelerating Green and Climate Finance Project.

The SEC SMILEES Roadshow aims to raise awareness on the importance of sustainability reporting among SMLEs, while building their capacity to measure, monitor, and disclose their environmental, social

and governance (ESG) impacts.

It promotes the use of globally recognized tools and frameworks, including alignment with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on sustainability.

SEC Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo, in his welcome message, shared the Commission’s vision of digitizing operations while advancing sustainability leadership in the Philippines and beyond.

He stressed that sustainability and profitability are “mutually reinforcing,” highlighting that sustainable practices protect the environment, support communities and strengthen long-term business success.

Quevedo said “by promoting sustainability, we ensure these enterprises remain competitive and responsible stewards of our natural

resources and social capital.”

“This aligns with the SEC’s broader mandate... which requires sustainability reporting for publicly listed companies, and now extends to encourage all enterprises to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.”

Edwine Carrie, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, cited the significance of private sector involvement in advancing sustainability goals.

“By integrating sustainability into your core business strategies, you are not only helping to protect the environment and uplift communities but also ensuring that your business remains competitive and resilient in a world shaped by climate change, digital transformation, and evolving social expectations,” said Carrie.

UNDP Philippines News

CCC, Korea-based institution pushing for renewable energy

THE Climate Change Commis-

sion (CCC) and the South Koreabased Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have stepped up efforts to accelerate the development of renewable energy in the Philippines through two innovative initiatives on floating solar and carbon-neutral railways.

The projects include Advancing Renewable Energy Through Floating Solar Photovoltaics (FPV) and Towards Carbon-Neutral Rails: Enhancing Environmental Sustainability of the Philippines National Railways, funded through the Korea Green New Deal Trust Fund (KGNDF) of the Korean government.

The CCC said the recent groundbreaking formed part of the country’s strategy toward a climate-resilient and sustainable future. Working in close collaboration with the CCC, GGGI is supporting climate mainstreaming, stakeholder coordination and capacity-building for international carbon trading under the Paris Agreement.

The CCC plays a central role in ensuring these projects align with national climate goals by working with key agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

recent weeks,

On April

Farmers in PH seaweed capital learn to adapt amid challenges

Conclusion

PARTICIPANTS took a crash course on the different markets for seaweed, pricing, distribution and how to make their product more competitive.

“This training is providing opportunities to improve the business literacy of seaweed farmers to give them the skills to navigate the challenges of modern seaweed farming and marketing as well as contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable future for people in Tawi-Tawi,” says Lionel Dabbadie, FAO representative in the Philippines and an aquaculture expert.

Viable alternatives

The training is also empowering seaweed farmers to explore opportunities to make other products. These include seaweed-based pasalubong—traditional Filipino travel souvenirs such as local delicacies.

Sitti Juhalla M. Hassan sells mamon (chiffon or sponge cakes) and puto (steamed rice cakes) to support her eight children, but rising costs have made it harder to sustain her business. She learned that seaweed purée could be used for puto and to make other

snacks at a lower cost.

For farmers, exploring new ways to boost their income beyond just selling raw seaweed is a crucial way to reduce dependence on the carrageenan market.

Alternative markets include, for example, selling seaweed for biostimulant production or for food products like seaweed chips. FAO is facilitating contact between farmers and producers of these alternative products.

So far, 100 farmers have received training.

“The plan is that some seaweed farmers will become trainers and facilitators of future farmer field schools to be organized in their locality. They will be able to extend technical assistance to fellow seaweed farmers,” Dabbadie says.

Building on their seaweed farming experience, Tawi-Tawi’s seaweed farmers can tackle the challenges they face with more skills and increased confidence. With a greater understanding of the market and the opportunities that exist, they have a stronger base on which to build a more secure future. FAO News

The following day, a coordination meeting at the CCC’s Commissioners’ Room to finalize implementation plans and financing frameworks.

On June 5, GGGI and CCC met with a NIAengineer to explore the feasibility of floating solar installations on national irrigation facilities. This was followed by an on-site assessment at Bustos Dam in Bulacan on June 10,

Asia is warming twice as fast as rest of the globe

IN APRIL 2024, China broke the average temperature record that month. The following month, it was the same—and then again in August. And September. And November. While there are records which exist to be broken—Olympic ones, for example—these monthly temperature extremes are not medal worthy. And yet, China was not the only Asian country to set a flurry of new highs in 2024.

The continent is warming twice as fast as the global average, according to a report released last week by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This rate of warming— which shows no signs of stopping—is leading to devastating consequences for lives and livelihoods across the region, and no country is exempt from the consequences.

“Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

The WMO report said that Asia is warming twice as fast as global averages because of its large landmass, explaining that temperatures over land increase more quickly than those over sea.

“Variations in surface temperature have a large impact on natural systems and on human beings,” the report said.

The oceans around Asia are also experiencing temperature increases with surface temperatures in the Indian and Pacific Oceans reaching record levels in 2024.

Moreover, prolonged heat waves, both on land and sea, wreaked havoc across the region, leading to melting glaciers and rising sea levels. Some countries and communities in Asia were ravaged by record rainfall. Northern Kerala in India, for example, experienced a fatal landslide which killed over 350 people.

Record rainfall coupled with snow melt in Kazakhstan, which is home to thousands of glaciers, led to the worst flooding in 70 years.

Others were ravaged by the exact opposite problem—not enough rainfall. A summer long drought in China, for example, affected over 4.76 million people and damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops.UN News

A circular economy that includes everyone

Conclusion

Meanwhile, women entrepreneurs are leading circular innovation across Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, many have championed refill and reuse business models, challenging traditional consumption patterns and driving sustainability forward.

Persons with disabilities also face systemic barriers from an early age, with their abilities too often underestimated. Their inclusion is not only a matter of rights—it’s also a source of innovation and resilience.

So how do we build a circular economy that truly leaves no one behind?

First, we must put inclusion at the center. This starts with mapping GEDSI stakeholders and meaningfully involving them in policy-making and implementation. Their insights are essential for designing solutions that work on the ground.

Recognition is another key step. Formal acknowledgment of informal workers—such as waste pickers—can empower them and offer access to fair compensation, protective gear and social safety nets. But these measures must be designed with flexibility in mind.

A Mexican initiative to formalize informal workers failed, in part, because it imposed rigid work hours, eroding the very autonomy these workers depended on.

Similarly, bureaucratic hurdles— like the need for formal IDs or digital literacy—can unintentionally exclude the most vulnerable.

Communities must be engaged not as beneficiaries but as agents

of change. In the Philippines, persons with disabilities have created social enterprises that transform plastic waste into furniture and ornaments—marrying sustainability with empowerment. Indigenous women’s groups craft jewelry and bags from discarded textiles and plastics, blending tradition with environmental consciousness.

There are promising models elsewhere too. In Cambodia and the Philippines, social enterprises have supported former informal waste pickers by providing ID cards and protective equipment, allowing them to sell plastics at designated depots for fair prices. These initiatives offer both economic security and the flexibility these workers need.

Vietnam has taken steps to strengthen the capacity of waste pickers’ associations by offering training in recycling, financial literacy and public outreach.

In the Philippines, green procurement policies are now supporting products made by former waste pickers, providing reliable market access and income.

The circular economy isn’t just about reducing waste—it’s about rethinking how we include, empowerand innovate.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), through the European Union-funded Green Economy Program in the Philippines, is actively working to make this inclusive transition a reality. Spanning 60 cities and municipalities, the initiative maps GEDSI stakeholders, listens to their aspirations and codevelops solutions that enable them to thrive in a greener economy. By putting innovation, inclusion and collaboration at the forefront, we can build a circular economy that is not only sustainable—but also just. The future we want is one where no one is left behind—and everyone is part of the solution.

Building a circular economy that includes everyone is not just about protecting the environment, it is a bold reimagining of how we grow economies, empower communities and ensure long-term resilience for both people and planet. UNDP Philippines

Officials of the Climate Change Commission and Global Green Growth Institute pose after a meeting. The CCC and GGGI advanced effo rts to accelerate renewable energy development in the Philippines. CCC photo
Over
the CCC and GGGI have taken steps to move the projects through a series of high-level meetings and field activities.
29, the “Renewable Energy Integration and Climate Governance” forum brought together key stakeholders from national government agencies to discuss strategies for renewable energy deployment and climate governance.
where technical teams from GGGI, CCC and NIA conducted field evaluations, with the support of NIA Region 3 officials.CCC News, PNA

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE

JASPER

Cignal

joins short-form

Self-awareness is the problem

EVEN before the advent of movies, the “lifeless” automaton that moved through a series of mechanical actions was popular in Europe. The robot is nothing new. The fear of the robot gaining sentience is also nothing new. M3gan 2.0 (2025, directed by Gerard Johnstone) is not a revolutionary film.

It is not even as fun as its predecessor, M3gan (2022, same director). The first one is quite plausible, considering that machines are raising today’s children. Plus, the original was so much fun because it was so unapologetically stupid. A dancing robot with on-fleek hair and face? That schoolgirl costume with a killer directive? Fun.

M3gan 2.0 is just too selfaware for its own good. The blatant pandering to the market has resulted in a convoluted mess that knows its bells and whistles. It is still campy, but with a budget, which takes away much of the charm and simplicity of the first. Now, we have battling robotic divas out for world domination and omnipotence. That is a bridge too far: from automated playmate to geopolitical pawn. The movie feels like it was written by a room of joke writers and robot cinema nerds, resulting in this wiry mess. The jokes— some of them pretty funny— feel like they came off a cynical Fordian factory assembly line. Among the few notable things in this movie is the billionaire who functions as (1) a Fu-Manchu figure and (2) Elon Musk with less addiction to public adulation.

The Fu-Manchu is a racist trope created to drum up fear against an “Oriental” man with access to resources and technology. The

SHOWBIZ

trend with vertical microdramas on mobile app

CIGNAL is entering the short-form space with Cignal Play Microdrama , a new lineup of vertical series made for mobile viewing.

As of June 28, viewers were able to stream bite-sized dramas (each episode under five minutes) exclusively on the Cignal Play app. The launch featured original Filipino titles alongside a curated selection of international series from Dashflix, all formatted vertically for mobile viewing on Android and iOS devices.

Microdramas, or “verticals,” have gained traction globally for their emotionally charged and binge-friendly format. Cignal is now betting on this mobile-first trend, kicking off with three original titles: You starring Dimples Romana , My Father’s Last Wish with Menor , and 3 Queens and a Baby featuring Christian Bables

The move adds a new layer to Cignal’s growing content ecosystem, which spans satellite TV, fiber IPTV, and digital platforms like Cignal Play, Pilipinas Live, and Cignal Super.

“This is a significant step for Cignal as we continue to embrace changes in the media landscape,” said Cignal President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas . “Microdramas offer a new, creative way to tell Filipino stories.”

Ruffa Gutierrez returns to GMA Network after 22 years

ACTRESS and former beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez is back on GMA Network after more than two decades, joining the revenge drama Beauty Empire airing on the Kapuso primetime block.

billionaire figure is non-white. The Elon Musk additive is the sheer force of self-belief that he is a savior.

You see, self-awareness recognizes possibilities. Self-belief cannot distinguish between aspirations and delusions. The billionaire figure enables a tin-woman catfight.

But that is the rub: why a battling female-presenting robot? The first one made sense because M3gan was created to be a companion to an orphaned girl. Now, we have armored, mechanized amazons having a slugfest. It’s a catfight—but with literal nuts and bolts. Why this fascination with battling womanly figures encrusted in shiny chrome curves?

The very cradle/throne for the opposing woman-robot resembles that of Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927).

This is a crucial detail in Lang’s movie because the beautiful lead character Maria’s features were transposed to the Maschinenmensch (MachineHuman). As a human, Maria was pure of heart and earnest.

The machine Maria dresses and dances provocatively to stir the lust of human men. There is an attachment to a certain taboo of a machine serving men. This is akin to the contemporary version of Adam’s rib, wherein a woman’s existence is seen as an extension of a man’s. There is something primeval and patriarchal about two “woman” robots displaying their shapely limbs while attacking each other. Is this feminist when there are sparse discussions about the relevance of women as creators, but only as toys for powerful men? In this movie, everybody loses.

You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky.social

The first five episodes of each microdrama are available for free, while full access costs P20 per day. The app-only format underscores Cignal’s shift toward catering to evolving viewing habits, where quick, mobile-friendly content is no longer the future but the present. lineup traction I See Dylan President by

“I’m so happy to be back here in GMA after 22 years,” Ruffa said.

She recalled starting out as a teenager on the now-defunct variety show That’s Entertainment

“I was only 14 years old then, so I feel like I’ve come full circle.”

In , Ruffa plays Velma Imperial, a seasoned beauty mogul who mentors Kyline Alcantara’s character—a brash, social media-famous CEO. Their empire is threatened ’s role as a once-poor girl who rises to success and challenges them both.

“It’s such an honor to be part of this show,” Ruffa added, Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA’s News and Public Affairs, Viu, and CreaZion. “It’s a joy to work with

As a former beauty queen, Ruffa said the show’s theme resonates with her.

“Because of social media, more people are taking better care of themselves—not just physically, but emotionally, too,” she said.

“Beauty is power. It’s about being kind, generous, and your authentic self.” also features Sid Lucero, Sam Concepcion, Isay Alvarez, Chai Fonacier, Gabby Padilla, Divine Aucina, Polo Laurel, Aaron Maniego, Noemi Gonzales, and Paolo O’Hara Gloria Diaz and Korean actor Choi Bo-min have special roles.

***

Kylie Padilla is learning to love again

KYLIE Padilla shared that she’s still in the process of learning how to love after going through heartbreak in a past relationship.

“I’m trying something new because it was hard for me to survive that experience,” she said in an interview. “I always pray for God to teach me how to love

Kylie said she doesn’t want past trauma to define how she gives love, especially for the sake of her

“I want my kids to see that no matter what happens, you should always come from a place of love. For a time, I was bitter, but now I feel healing can only come from a Higher Being.”

So, how is her heart these days?

“Well, I won’t deny that someone is making me happy at this point!” she said.

The Cignal Play app displays its new vertical‑format microdrama lineup, featuring ‘My Father’s Last Wish’ and more
‘M3gan 2.0’ explores themes of control, identity, and the uncanny, echoing classic sci fi like ‘Metropolis’ (AI-generated photo)
Watch rising actor Dylan Menor in Cignal Play’s vertical micro drama ‘My Father’s Last Wish’

SHOWBIZ

JO KOY ’S return to the Mall of Asia Arena on June 21 felt like a homecoming. Back for his third major show at the venue since 2020, the Filipino-American comedian filled the arena with laughter, music, and familiar stories that hit close to home.

The evening began with pre-show performances from hip-hop group Philippine Allstars and Filipino-American comedian Joey Guila. As expected in any Filipino gathering, the audience broke into song—this time with a full-arena sing-along to Boyz II Men ’s “I’ll Make Love to You,” followed by a video introduction narrated by Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris himself, who introduced Jo Koy as the main act.

Jo Koy opened with stories about returning to Manila and how this stop stood out among his many global shows. He quickly jumped into a familiar bit, his Filipino mom’s obsession with Vicks Vaporub. From curing the flu to fixing bad grades, the all-purpose ointment got its share of laughs from a crowd who clearly shared the same “healing” experience growing up.

Things took a serious turn—but not for long—as Jo Koy shared a story about surviving a flight with an electrical fire. He recounted how he, his crew, and family members had to make an emergency landing shortly after donating computers and generators to remote schools.

“That’s how God says thank you?” he joked. He praised the calmness of the flight crew, especially his sister-turned-manager Gemma Simmons, a former flight attendant.

In the middle of his set, Jo Koy spotted 17-year-old Carl from the second row and spent the rest of the show giving him life advice. He

Very Wang Nickie Wang

encouraged the teen to chase his dreams even if it means ignoring the doubts of others— something Jo Koy said he experienced early in his career. He even FaceTimed his niece Jamie, a magna cum laude nursing graduate whose tuition he now pays for.

Later, the comedian turned to a more personal topic—aging. He talked about dealing with gout, a condition he said he shares with Joey Guila and DJ Turbulence, and shared stories about painful flare-ups from eating rich food on tour. He also spoke about his grandmother Lola Tinay, who he said knew how to use her cancer diagnosis to her advantage, treating it like a “credit card” to get whatever she wanted.

The last part of the show shifted to music.

Jo Koy performed bits of Boyz II Men and Notorious B.I.G. tracks, surprising some with his karaoke skills. When he jokingly wished Arnel Pineda were there, the crowd pointed out he was seated in the Lower Box. Pineda stood up and sang a few lines, followed by Freestyle’s Top Suzara

Jo Koy ended the night emotional as the crowd waved their cellphone lights and sang with him.

F1: THE MOVIE , starring Brad Pitt as a washed-up Formula One driver who gets one last shot at redemption, sped to the top of the North American box office in its debut weekend with $55.6 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.

How to Train Your Dragon, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’s live-action reboot of the popular 2010 film, slipped to second place with $19.4 million, according to Exhibitor Relations. The family-friendly film tells the story of a Viking named Hiccup (Mason Thames) who strikes up a friendship with Toothless the dragon.

In third place was Disney/Pixar Animation’s latest original film Elio, at $10.7 million in the United States and Canada. Elio tells the story of a young boy who is mistaken by aliens as an intergalactic ambassador for Earth. The voice cast includes Oscar winner Zoe Saldana

M3GAN 2.0, the sequel to Universal’s 2022 film about a murderous doll, opened in a disappointing fourth place with $10.2 million.

In fifth place was Columbia Pictures’ zombie sequel 28 Years Later, which took in $9.7 million. Critics’ reviews and audience ratings have been strong for the Danny Boyledirected threequel, which picks up—as the title suggests—more than a generation after the initial outbreak of the Rage Virus

Rounding out the top 10 were Lilo & Stitch with $6.9 million, Mission: Impossible— The Final Reckoning with $4.2 million, Materialists with $3 million, Ballerina with $2.1 million, and Karate Kid: Legends with $1 million. AFP

Jo Koy cracks up MOA Arena in

S N A P S H O T

Palestinian envoy visits GMA Network for courtesy call

GMA Network welcomed Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines Mounir Y.K. Anastas (2nd from left) during a courtesy call on June 24. The visit focused on the role of media in supporting public discourse and promoting regional understanding.

Ambassador Anastas was received by GMA Network president and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. (2nd from right), vice president for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz (left), and senior vice president for GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso (right). He also sat down for an interview with GMA Integrated News following the visit. ***

Skal Makati holds 3rd Fellowship and Membership Meeting SKAL International Makati recently held its 3rd Fellowship
GMA Network receives the Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines during a courtesy call
Hip-hop group Philippine Allstars delivers an electrifying opening performance
Journey frontman Arnel Pineda surprises fans with an impromptu performance alongside popular FilipinoAmerican stand-up comedian
What started as a comedy show turned into a shared experience filled with laughter, stories, and a few unexpected musical moments.
The show was presented by Live Nation Philippines. Tickets for upcoming events at SM Mall of Asia Arena are available at www.smtickets. com and authorized outlets.
Filipino-American standup
comedian Jo Koy’s return to Manila feels like a homecoming

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

HONG KONG Disneyland has officially hit the two-decade mark, and it’s throwing a birthday bash loud enough to echo all the way to the Philippines.

The resort turned 20 this year and decided subtlety was overrated. The result: The Most Magical Party of All, a year-long celebration launched with enough sparkle to be seen from Lantau to the Philippines. And yes, it lived up to its name, starting with Mickey and friends turning Main Street, U.S.A. into a runway of shimmering anniversary outfits and ending with drones spelling out “20” in the sky like it was a light show from the future.

More than a thousand guests were there for opening day, including media, influencers, and a few folks who probably own more than one pair of ears with sequins. The atmosphere? Somewhere between a K-pop concert and a childhood dream.

At one point, Mickey appeared atop Dumbo. Not in a parade float shaped like Dumbo, on actual Dumbo, flying past Fantasyland like it was just another Tuesday. And when six Disney Princesses waved from the Cinderella Carousel, it became clear: this wasn’t just nostalgia. It was Disney in full spectacle mode.

Daytime guests got a live show at the Castle of Magical Dreams called Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle, where Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy were joined by Disney princesses and Duffy and Friends in outfits that could outshine a disco ball. Props moved. Lights pulsed. It was part dance concert, part fever dream. Then came Friendtastic, a parade with 11 floats, 100 performers, and enough Disney characters to fill a movie marathon. Woody rolled out on RC Racer, Mike and Sulley popped in from Monsters, Inc., and Baymax’s massive arm from Big Hero 6 waved like it had somewhere important to be. There was even a Zootopia float featuring a Hong Kong skyline and Officer Clawhauser, who looked just as thrilled as the crowd to be there. Even the floats got emotional. During the grand finale, the Dsiney

Disney magic hits

20-year

high in Hong Kong

princesses arrived in redesigned gowns, riding a float inspired by the Castle of Magical Dreams, because of course they did.

Come evening, the party in the night sky took over. Imagine nearly 30 minutes of fireworks, lasers, projections, and drones— plus surprise appearances from Disney characters like the Genie, Fairy Godmother, and Duffy and Friends. At one point, Moana’s ocean surged down Main Street, and Coco’s petals floated through the air. Not bad for a projection.

This new version of the show was made just for the anniversary, and it didn’t waste a second. The prelude alone had drones forming Mickey’s face above the castle, and the rest of the show turned Main Street into a cinematic screen where waves crashed, flames danced, and Disney villains got their moment under the stars.

If you blinked, you missed something. But that’s kind of the point, no two visits feel the same.

Of course, it’s not a Disney celebration without themed food. There’s a Mickey and Friends Giant Sundae, a family feast at the Royal Banquet Hall, and a grand tea party set hosted by CocaCola—because apparently even Disney characters need sponsors.

Mickey Mouse and friends dazzle in colorful costumes during the Friendtastic parade at Hong Kong Disneyland

SMART Communications Inc. has emerged as the country’s top wireless broadband provider in terms of subscribers, serving more than 430,000 users nationwide as of the first quarter of 2025. The total gives Smart a 44 percent share of the wireless broadband subscriber base, placing it ahead of its nearest competitor, which holds 42 percent over the same period. The company’s recent performance follows the rollout of Smart Home WiFi, a brand targeting households in areas with limited access to fiber connectivity. Among its key offerings is the Smart 5G Max Turbo WiFi, a prepaid plug-and-play device that connects up to 15 devices at once. Designed for use in homes, dormitories, or small offices, it provides broadband access in areas where fixed-line options are unavailable.

Smart Home WiFi runs on the company’s 5G network, which supports high-speed downloads, smooth video streaming, and lag-free mobile gaming.

The brand is part of Smart’s broader push to expand wireless services in underserved communities.

The company also continues to roll out 5G infrastructure nationwide under the PLDT Group, which is investing in its integrated network to improve customer experience.

Smart Chief Operating Officer

Anastacio R. Martirez said the growing subscriber base reflects customer trust and the company’s efforts to expand access.

“The growth of our broadband subscriber base is just the beginning,” Martirez said. “Our customers can look forward to more products and services tailored to their lifestyle needs— powered by our world-class network.”

MCDONALD’S Philippines has ramped up its commitment to public school readiness, mobilizing nearly 4,000 volunteers from 679 stores across the country for the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program. Now in its 19th year, the initiative saw employees, managers, and corporate partners join forces to clean, paint, and prepare classrooms ahead of the June 16 school opening.

The company’s leadership team led the charge at Catmon Elementary School in Rodriguez, Rizal, on June 10, where they also handed over classroom furniture under the “ReClassified” initiative. The program refurbishes retired tables and chairs from McDonald’s stores and donates them to schools.

This year, 250 pieces will be distributed to six schools in Rizal,

Merchandise? There’s a lot of it. Over 300 exclusive items, including glittery mini party hats for humans and for those tiny plushies you clip to your shoulder (yes, they make hats for them too). It’s the kind of thing you don’t think you need until you see it. Then suddenly you’re five items deep and justifying it all as “collectible.”

And if you’re into photos, the park’s ready for you. Between oversized Mickey heads, balloon displays, and castle backdrops, the place was built for your feed. There’s even a free digital photo you can redeem after your visit, just in case your phone battery gave up from over-snapping.

The park knows one day isn’t enough. So until Dec. 31, you can add just HK$100 to a regular ticket and come back the next day. If you’re visiting before September ends, you’ll also score a mini party hat with your ticket because nothing says “I was there” quite like a souvenir on your head.

And yes, even the hotels got a 20th birthday makeover. Decorations, themed touches, and enough immersive elements to convince you you’re still in the park even after you’ve changed into pajamas.

in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation. To date, the program has reached more than 12 schools and helped over 2,000 students.

“Malaking tulong po ang ginawa ng McDonald’s,” said Catmon Elementary School principal Madonna Evangelio, who noted the importance of the additional chairs for their KS-1 learners, especially in grade 1 and grade 2.

McDonald’s also provided meals to 1,000 volunteers during the kickoff at Bacacay East Central School in Albay, through its McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen. Corporate partners Ecolab and Diversey contributed cleaning supplies, while nearly 1,000 schools will receive school signage produced by the team.

Since 2006, McDonald’s Philippines has been a steady partner in Brigada Eskwela, part of its broader commitment to

education and youth development. Through Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the company supports early childhood learning via Bahay Bulilit centers and helps beginning readers through the Read to Learn program with DepEd. It also employs out-of-school youth in partnership with DOLE, and hires working students as part of its crew.

“Volunteerism has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Adi Hernandez, McDonald’s assistant vice president for Corporate Relations and Impact. “Through our education and employment programs, we continue to create opportunities for Filipino youth, from preschool to first jobs.”

For more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines and how to support its education programs, visit rmhc.org. ph or donate via rmhc.org.ph/donate.

at Catmon Elementary School

A breathtaking night show featuring drones, fireworks, and Disney projections wows guests at Hong Kong Disneyland
A mother and daughter enjoy streaming on their tablet
The Castle of Magical Dreams sets the scene for a lively celebration featuring beloved Disney characters

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