‘TOTOY’ TAGS MORE PEOPLE, INCLUDING SOLON, IN ‘SABUNGEROS’ CASE
By Pot Chavez, Maricel Cruz and Rex Espiritu
WHISTLEBLOWER Julie Patidongan has tagged lawyer Caroline Cruz, the executive director of the Pitmaster Foundation, and Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon as being involved in the case of the missing “sabungeros” –the latest names to be dropped in Patidongan’s almost daily revelation since coming out in the media.
“Atty. Caroline Cruz is involved,” Patidongan said in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel. Patidongan, who earlier named gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang as among the masterminds in the disappearance and murder of the “sabungeros,” said Cruz was the one who previously prepared his recantation in exchange for P300 million.
Bato next on ICC arrest list?
THE Philippines may arrest a senator who served as police chief during then President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs if the International Criminal Court issues a warrant over the campaign that left thousands of suspects dead, the top aide to current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said yesterday.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Kyodo News that Sen. Ronald dela Rosa would receive “treatment similar to what we did to Duterte,” who was arrested by Philippine police in March for alleged crimes against humanity over the killings, following a warrant issued by the court in The Hague.
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte described as “preposterous” recent reports that the case of the missing “sabungeros” may be connected to his bloody war on drugs, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte said. This as Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said investigators are eyeing possible links of the individuals allegedly behind the case of the disappeared “sabungeros” to the ex-
US
THE US Navy plans to build two repair facilities for smaller vessels operating in the western Philippines, the US Embassy said Wednesday, with one about 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of a fiercely contested reef in the South China Sea.
Located in the Spratly archipelago, the Second Thomas Shoal hosts a small detachment of Philippine forces aboard a grounded navy vessel and has been the site of clashes with Chinese ships.
Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway despite an international ruling its assertion has no merit.
The US government’s contracting website, Sam.gov, locates one of the proposed repair facilities in Palawan province’s Quezon municipality.
The facilities “will provide repair and maintenance capabilities for a variety of (Philippine) vessels including 7.32-meter (24-foot) watercraft as well as other smaller conventional watercraft,” the bid notice for the Quezon project reads.
The Philippines owns several vessels
By Charles Dantes
By Ram Superable
By Charles Dantes
THE spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President Ruth Castelo said she remains friends with gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang – who has been tagged as one of the masterminds in the
Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
ON TRACK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. briefs the media yesterday after inspecting the Camp Aguinaldo section of the Metro Manila Subway Project in Quezon City. With the president are DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. DOTR Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, and PCO Secretary Dave Gomez. Inset shows the a commuter hugging the President during his visit at
Blue alert up as ‘Crising’ intensifies
By Rex Espiritu and Maricel Cruz
THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday announced that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) raised its alert status from White to Blue Alert as the country braces for intensified rains from Tropical Depression “Crising” and other developing weather systems.
The alert was escalated Wednesday morning to facilitate heightened monitoring, faster coordination, and preemptive response.
With this status, key agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) have activated Detailed Duty Officers to support round-the-clock operations.
The OCD said that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) projects that Crising could strengthen into a tropical storm by July 17, potentially reaching severe tropical storm or even typhoon status as it nears northern Luzon by Friday evening.
Meanwhile, two additional Tropical Cyclone-Like Vortices (TCLVs) are being closely monitored within or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). While these may not intensify into full tropical cyclones, their interaction with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) could trigger heavy to torrential rainfall, especially in northern and western parts of the country.
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-government response, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has called on both uniformed and civilian agencies to bolster early preparedness and communitylevel coordination.
A virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now active, enabling real-time coordination across regions. Local government units (LGUs) have likewise been advised to activate contingency plans, prepare relief supplies, and issue timely advisories to at-risk communities, particularly those in lowlying and coastal areas.
As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has prepositioned more than three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) nationwide.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Wednesday the agency is coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the swift delivery of relief supplies, particularly in areas that might be heavily affected by the tropical cyclone.
“In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of an omnipresent disaster response, our agency field offices are in tight coordination with LGUs in Palawan, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands, which are expected to experience heavy rains due to cyclone ‘Crising,’” she said.
“Rest assured that the agency’s stockpiles are not only abundant but closest to communities that will need it,” Dumlao added.
Aside from the three million boxes of FFPs in 935 storage facilities nationwide, the agency also has a stockpile of P773,134,509 worth of non-food items (NFIs) such as family, hygiene, kitchen
and sleeping kits; water containers; and other shelter materials that may be needed inside evacuation centers.
The DSWD’s disaster preparedness is anchored on the agency’s ‘Buong Bansa Handa,’ a program launched in 2023 based on the directive of President Marcos for fail-safe mechanisms in the country’s supply chains during times of calamities.
The program features two supply chains. The first supply chain is pulled from the enhanced and expedited production of FFPs at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City.
The court has yet to rule on the request.
Gambling mental health issue—DOH
By Ram Superable
HEALTH
Secretary Teodoro Herbosa yesterday expressed support for either a total ban or strict regulation of online gambling, citing its link to mental health problems.
“Many families have become or are addicted to gambling because it’s very accessible. Gambling is habitforming and behavioral. Either ban or regulation is fine with me,” Teodoro said following his speech at a multisectoral forum in Taguig City.
He emphasized that the easy access to gambling through mobile phones and social media platforms fueled its widespread appeal and addictiveness.
Herbosa also noted that many Filipino families have been affected by gambling addiction, calling it a growing public health issue that requires policy intervention, either through regulation or prohibition.
Previously, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri sought a total ban on online gambling, calling it a “silent epidemic” hurting families and the youth. His bill, the proposed Anti-Online Gambling Act of 2025, would outlaw all digital betting platforms in the country.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian favors strict regulation over a full ban, with his version of a bill raising the gambling age, blocking e-wallet use, and funding addiction rehab centers using regulatory fees.
trajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“I informed him about the missing ‘sabungeros’ case… I told him there is an attempt to link him to the missing ‘sabungeros’ case. He said that is preposterous,” the younger Duterte said in an interview posted on social media.
The Vice President is currently visiting her father at The Hague where he has been detained since March.
The Duterte patriarch is facing charges of murder as a crime against humanity linked to his war on drugs before the International Criminal Court.
“I think that the deaths might intersect…more on the death squads. The people who undertake the contractual killings may intersect somehow with the drug war and with the e-sabong,” Remulla said. “That’s as far as we can trace right now, but we will have to establish clearer links to each other.”
He cited an incident in Meycauayan, Bulacan, where police arrested drug suspects who were also tagged in e-sabong operations. Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the families of the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs urged the government to pursue the possible connection to the case of the missing “sabungeros.”
According to Kristina Conti, Assistant to Counsel at the International Criminal Court, this could bolster the crimes against humanity case against Duterte.
“We remain friends, yes, but his own activities, his endeavors and businesses, I have nothing to do with it anymore,” Castelo said in a press conference yesterday where she was asked of her supposed connection to Ang.
She said Ang was her client in 2007 when the businessman was implicated in the plunder case filed against former President Joseph Estrada.
“He was given a two-year probation period. So in 2009, I released him from Bicutan where he stayed. He was released because he already complied with all the conditions set by the probation officer,” Castelo said.
“And as soon as he was released from Bicutan in 2009, that was the end of our lawyer-client relationship. I was never his lawyer again,” she added.
Ang was earlier accused by whistleblower Julie Patidongan of masterminding the disappearance and murder of several “sabungeros” who were allegedly involved in game-fixing. Ang has since denied the accusation.
Although the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte, authorities are obliged to cooperate with court warrants as the country remains a member of Interpol, which facilitates ICC warrants.
Dela Rosa won re-election with the third-highest number of votes among
contested Senate seats in the Philippines’ midterm elections in May.
“If...there is (an Interpol notice), we proceed. But if the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling that (says) you must afford full due process before you surrender anyone, that’s what we are going to do,” Bersamin said.
In June, Duterte filed a petition with the ICC seeking temporary release to allow him to stay in another country.
ing involved.
Cruz, for her part, denied the accusations.
“I deny any involvement. It’s another day, another teleserye,” she said in a text message to Bilyonaryo.
“Any tagging of names is not fair to me…I will just wait for his next scripts so I can intelligently answer his allegation,” she added.
Since publicly coming out in the media, Patidongan has named several personalities as being involved in the case of the disappeared “sabungeros.”
He identified Ang, Eric Dela Rosa and Engr. Celso Salazar as among the masterminds, and also mentioned actress Gretchen Barretto as part of the so-called “Alpha” Group.
Patidongan also named Lagon, former National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Lt. Gen. Jonnel Estomo and at least 12 cops as be -
Patidongan, however, apologized to Estomo on Tuesday, saying he only mentioned the police officer’s name based on what Ang told him before.
“First, I will ask for his apology because all the details were based on what Mr. Atong Ang told me,” the whistleblower said in an exclusive interview with dzRH.
“All the things I said came from Mr. Ang. He’s good at dragging people into the issue.
Mr. Atong Ang himself said, ‘Be thankful (you’re alive) because Maj. Gen. Estomo told me to have you killed so this problem goes away.’ That came from Mr. Atong Ang himself,” Patidongan said.
Estomo denied any involvement in the case, adding he is ready to answer any allegations at the proper forum to clear his name.
Lagon, for his part, also denied any involvement in the disappearance of the “sabungeros.”
“I strongly and categorically deny the baseless and malicious allegations made by
“It’s up to (the ICC) to make that decision. It’s really a matter of us not having anything anymore to do” with the case, Bersamin said.
Official government data show that around 6,200 people were killed in the brutal anti-narcotics campaign under Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, though human rights groups put the figure much higher. Kyodo
Dondon Patidongan implicating me in the so-called meeting of “Group A” involving Mr. Atong Ang and the issue on the missing sabungeros,” Lagon said in a statement.
“These claims are not only false, but also utterly absurd, misleading, and defamatory,” he added.
Lagon said: “There was absolutely no meeting, no vote, no discussion regarding any act of violence against any person.
Any insinuation that I was part of such a conspiracy is a gross misrepresentation of who I am—as a public servant, as a breeder, and as a law-abiding citizen.”
He said he has been a legitimate and law-abiding game fowl breeder since 1998 before he was invited to participate in the Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc.
“My involvement in e-sabong has always been within the confines of the law and strictly limited to the legal, regulated aspects of the sport,” Lagon said.
He explained that committee chairmanships and internal leadership roles must be finalized before legislative proceedings can begin.
“Then, the week after, we can convene the impeachment court and have the defense and prosecution present their cases,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, the Senate told the Supreme Court it cannot provide specific documents as required by the high court.
In a manifestation ad cautelam filed yesterday, the Senate’s legal counsel said it lacks sufficient knowledge or access to information requested under the Court’s July 8 resolution.
“This filing reflects the Senate’s commitment to cooperation and respect for judicial processes, while also observing the proper institutional roles set by our Constitution,” said lawyer Regie Tongol, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson.
The filing emphasized that many of the items involve proceedings and decisions that fall under the House of Representatives.
According to the Senate, those same materials were already requested from the House through an order dated June 11, issued while the Senate was sitting as an Impeachment Court.
As this developed, the Department of Justice is setting up a DNA bank to help track the bodies of the victims that may be recovered from Taal Lake. to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the trip,” she added. The visit will be President Marcos’ fifth trip to the United States since taking office in 2022.
that size, including rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) that have been involved in clashes with larger Chinese ships. While there are not believed to be existing permanent military facilities in Quezon, the area has hosted parts of joint US-Philippine military exercises for the past two years.
The US Embassy in Manila confirmed on Wednesday the tender for both the Quezon project and a similar one to be constructed at the Philippines’ existing Oyster Bay naval facility about 130 kilometers north.
Officials from the Philippine Department of Defense did not immediately provide comment.
Retired Philippine admiral Rommel Jude Ong, now a military analyst with the Ateneo de Manila Uni -
cess to affordable public transport.
The new discount doubles the previous 20% fare reduction for seniors and PWDs and takes effect immediately.
The measure follows the DOTr’s implementation last month of a similar 50% fare cut for students, in line with the President’s directive to improve ac-
After the ceremonial launch, President Marcos boarded a train with senior citizens, greeting and interacting with passengers before disembarking.
He later inspected the construction site of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) at Camp Aguinaldo Station.
versity, told Agence France Presse (AFP) such facilities could be used “for RHIBs, but more likely for smaller rubber boats used in the resupply of occupied features.”
The Philippines and the United States have deepened their defense cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and began pushing back on Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claims. With Rex Espiritu
Meanwhile, documents from the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) did not include the First Lady’s name, according to a report of Net25. The police report quoted by Net25 identified Tantoco, 44, who was found unresponsive at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 8, 2025. It said that hotel security was performing chest compressions when officers arrived around 11:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead by paramedics at 12:05 p.m.
Mr. Marcos said the subway, which will run from Valenzuela to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is expected to cut travel time between those points from over two hours to approximately 40 minutes. He said the government is targeting partial operations of the Valenzuela to Ortigas segment by 2028. He commended the DOTr and Japanese-led engineering teams involved in the project. Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa joined the site visit, highlighting Japan’s role in the project.
“The Japanese are recognized as among the best in heavy engineering. I think we picked the right partner,” President Marcos said, referring to the tunnel boring machines and engineering approach observed during the inspection.
He also emphasized the training being provided to local engineers and workers.
Mayors frontliners in war vs. malnutrition—Herbosa
By Ram Superable
HE Department of Health on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to prioritize programs on disaster preparedness, public health promotion, and nutrition to combat persistent malnutrition across the country.
Key initiatives highlighted by the agency include emergency response training under the Health Emergency Management Bureau, stricter implementation of smoking and vaping bans via the Health Promotion Bureau, and expanded anti-stunting efforts by the
National Nutrition Council.
These programs were featured during the 2025 National Mayors Forum and Nutrition Leadership and Governance Executive Masterclass, organized under the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP).
“Mayors, you are the guardians of the future. As your Secretary of Health, I have witnessed mayors who turned broken systems into working solutions, who refused to let poverty dictate destiny,” said Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
Herbosa emphasized that nutrition is among the eight priority programs under the National Objectives for Health, with a goal of reducing stunting to 13.5 percent. Over 235 mayors and officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government participated in the event.
The initiative includes a leadership and governance program to train local
officials in delivering maternal and child health services, particularly during a child’s first 1,000 days—a critical stage for physical and mental development.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, in support of Nutrition Month, also called on LGUs to intensify school and community feeding programs and to invest in long-term solutions such as livelihood support and access to essential nutrition services.
“Mobilizing LGUs to implement early childhood care and development (ECCD) systems, including nutritionrelated programs, is crucial,” he said, stressing that the fight against illiteracy goes hand in hand with eradicating child malnutrition.
Suspect in killing of House employee arrested in Quezon City
By Rex Espiritu
A SUSPECT linked to the killing of a House of Representatives employee was arrested in Quezon City for illegal possession of firearms, explosives, and falsified identification, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced on Wednesday.
According to an NCRPO statement, two individuals were apprehended during an entrapment operation on Tuesday, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen.
“The male suspect, who was later found to be using falsified identification, is now being linked to a high-
profile shooting incident involving the death of a topranking employee of the House of Representatives,” the NCRPO said.
Confiscated from the male suspect were a Colt MK-4 caliber 9mm pistol with six live rounds, an MK2 fragmentation grenade, and several fake IDs under the name “Glenn Balbido Robredo,” including a security guard license, driver’s license, and a Grab ID.
Photos also showed him in a security guard uniform.
From the female suspect, authorities recovered marked money used in the sting operation, a white envelope, and various personal IDs. The firearm was
Comelec issues poll registration rules
By Vito Barcelo
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the guidelines for the nationwide voter registration scheduled in August, in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) set for December.
In a statement, the Comelec said the guidelines aim to establish clear timelines and procedures to ensure the smooth conduct of registration activities and uphold the right of every qualified citizen to vote. The poll body will accept applications for new registration, correction of entries, change of name or civil status, reactivation of registration, inclusion or reinstatement of records in the voters’ list, and transfer of registration from a foreign service post to a local precinct.
However, the Comelec clarified that transfers of registration within local jurisdictions will not be processed during the 10-day registration period from August 1 to 10. Updates to records for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens (SCs), members of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs), as well as other vulnerable sectors, will be allowed during the same period.
Applications must be submitted in person at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in the applicant’s city, municipality, or district, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Meanwhile, online applications for reactivation—including those with corrections or updates for SCs and PWDs—will be accepted via official OEO email addresses from August 1 to 7.
IN BRIEF
Bailen cracks down on unregistered items
BAILEN, CAVITE—The local government has temporarily confiscated illegal or unregistered fruits, vegetables, and meat products as part of efforts to ensure food safety and protect consumers, Mayor Dennis Glean announced.
The crackdown is based on Municipal Ordinance No. 08-04-S-2012, which bans the sale of goods lacking proper certification or inspection to prove they are safe and legal for public consumption.
Glean emphasized that the initiative aims to maintain hygiene standards and safeguard both consumers and legitimate local vendors.
“Through this step, we further strengthen our desire to ensure the safety and hygiene of the food we buy, and to protect legitimate Baileño vendors and farmers,” the mayor said.
He also encouraged the public to be more discerning when purchasing goods and to support law-abiding vendors and local farmers, saying the initiative reflects the town’s shared goal of a safe and orderly community. Dennis Abrina MIAA reminds NAIA sta of integrity
MANILA International Airport Authority
confirmed as the subject of the buy-bust, and police verified the male suspect’s link to the fatal shooting.
The suspects failed to present legal documentation for the seized items. The grenade was handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for technical inspection. Both suspects now face charges under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
“Through solid intelligence work and determined field action, we were able to apprehend the suspects who posed a serious threat to public safety,” said NCRPO chief Police Major General Anthony Aberin.
CSC seeks public feedback on Gawad Lingkod Bayan plum
THE Civil Service Commission
(CSC) is inviting the public to submit feedback on the 40 national semi-finalists for this year’s Gawad Lingkod Bayan ng Pangulo and Gawad Pagasa awards.
CSC Chairperson Marilyn B. Yap said public participation is vital in identifying civil servants who have made a meaningful impact on government service.
“If you have encountered them, were served by them, or if their projects and programs changed your life, send your feedback— positive or negative—until 21
July 2025,” Yap urged. The Gawad Lingkod Bayan ng Pangulo honors individuals and groups whose exceptional contributions have had a nationwide impact on public interest, security, or national patrimony. This year’s semi-finalists include 15 individuals and five groups, ranging from scientists and medical professionals to educators and local government officials. Meanwhile, 14 individuals and six groups have been shortlisted for the Gawad Pagasa, which recognizes outstanding contribu-
tions that benefit more than one government department. Nominees include teachers, administrators, agricultural specialists, and inter-agency teams involved in innovation, disaster response, and public health. Public comments on the semifinalists can be submitted online at bit.ly/HAPNationalSemi-finalistsFeedback until July 21. According to the CSC, these insights will help determine the most deserving recipients who best embody the values of excellence and integrity in public service.
P20-rice now in La Union, Baguio—DA
IN BRIEF
Army holds air patrols over Mindanao waters
THE Philippine Army (PA) Aviation Regiment conducted maritime air patrols across key areas in Mindanao to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 2016 United Nations Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which favored the Philippines in its maritime dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.
In a statement, the PA said the patrol mission on July 12 to 13 was carried out by the Regiment’s Special Mission Aviation Company, covering the archipelagic waters and territorial seas off the Zamboanga Peninsula, Maguindanao del Norte, and the islands of Basilan and Sulu.
The latest operation follows a series of similar missions by the regiment.
Ahead of the country’s 127th Independence Day last month, the unit flew patrols over the waters off Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan provinces, including areas within the Philippine Rise inside the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Rex Espiritu
LTO suspends license of disrespectful driver
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a show cause order on a driver of an InDrive car- for-hire whose altercation with his passengers went viral on social media. Meanwhile, to prevent the driver from engaging in such disrespectful behaviour, the LTO suspended the driver’s license and asked him to explain why it should not be revoked.
Acting LTO chief Greg Pua Jr. said the driver’s behavior was unacceptable and needed immediate action, more so that he threatened his passengers with a knife.
The registered owner of the car was also asked to explain why she should not be held liable for employing a dangerous driver in violation of the rules governing his permit to operate.
Rio N. Araja
PH, Indonesia conduct territorial defense drill
PHILIPPINE special forces and their Indonesian counterparts are currently conducting training on “critical areas of territorial defense” aimed at strengthening mutual capabilities and interoperability between them.
In a statement, Philippine Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said the training activity is part of the 17th iteration of Training Activity Dolphine between the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Regiment (airborne) and the Indonesian Army Special Forces.
The bilateral training activity is being held July 16 to 27 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
A camp orientation for the Indonesian delegation was held on July 15. Rex Espiritu
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded the coverage of President Marcos’ flagship rice subsidy program dubbed “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” that sells rice at P20 a kilo to cover vulnerable sectors in La Union and Baguio City.
Launched in partnership with local government units (LGUs) and farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs), the program was rolled out in La Un-
ion on Tuesday and in Baguio City on Wednesday, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.
In Baguio, the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) delivered 150 bags of rice, benefitting 750 individuals, including 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities.
In Naguilian, La Union, another 100 bags were distributed to 500 residents.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco TiuLaurel Jr. said the expansion is part of the agency’s goal to make affordable
food accessible nationwide.
“Our target is to serve 15 million households, about 60 million people, or half the population, by the end of 2026,” said Tiu Laurel.
The P20 rice is currently available in 162 locations across the country, primarily through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo outlets. Supplies are sourced from NFA stocks procured directly from local farmers.
The program also helps decongest NFA warehouses, allowing the agency to purchase more palay from farmers at higher prices.
Korean Army salutes Pinoy soldiers in Korean War
By Rex Espiritu
A DELEGATION from the South Korean army has paid tribute to Filipino soldiers who served in the Korean War, underscoring the enduring military and diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Philippines.
Philippine Army spokesman Col.
Louie Dema-ala said a wreath-laying ceremony was held on Monday at the Korean War Memorial Pylon at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“The ceremony marked the beginning of the Republic of Korea Army delegation’s three-day engagement with the PA, aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea in building a stronger Army-to-Army partnership,” Dema-ala said.
This long-standing cooperation has fostered strong and sustained bilateral ties across various fields, including defense, education, labor, trade, culture, and tourism between Manila and Seoul.
“The [Army] remains committed to
promoting international cooperation among like-minded nations to foster a unified and effective approach in addressing emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region,” Dema-ala said. The Philippines and Korea have shared 75 years of diplomatic ties which officially began on March 3, 1949.
On June 25, 1950, Manila deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) to support South Korea in defending its freedom against communist aggression.
Advocacy group scores anew NAIA privatization
AN ADVOCACY group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday hit anew the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying it adversely affects some 7,000 to 8,000 airline passengers daily. At a news conference in Quezon City, Erna de Lina, Migrante Philippines spokesperson, said the NAIA’s privatization would mean higher airport expenses for the OFWs and other travelers.
“Other airport stakesholders and concessionaires are to be affected.
Even workers might lose their jobs,” De Lina said.
“The privatization would lead to a huge increase in terminal fees for international flights from P550 to P950. The increase would be pass on to our plane tickets,” she added. “Will the fee increase cover the (airport) improvement or construction of new facilities?” she asked.
OFWs would need to spend hundreds of thousands of pesos just to get an overseas work, she pointed out.
The extra charges would eat up
the migrants’ income that they send to families in the Philippines, De Lina said.
Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said they have filed House Resolution No. 2316 to investigate the NAIA privatization and its adverse effects on Filipinos. The parking fee at the airport could go up from P300 to P1,200 for the first 24 hours, the group said. Co also called on the Supreme Court to act on the two pending petitions challenging the airport privatization.
Comelec hails SC ruling on special legislative election
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) allowing the poll body to hold special elections to fill vacant congressional seats without Congress declaring a vacancy.
“This strengthens the mandate of the Comelec that we can call special elections,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said in an interview. At the same time, Garcia said they would gather more details on the ruling of the high tribunal on the case filed by Elroy John Hagedorn against the House of Representatives.
“We just want to know the extent of the Commission’s authority to call special elections,” he said. “It would be great if we could read the decision giving us the discretion. We want to know what the parameters really are.” The SC ruled that the Comelec can hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House, even without a resolution from Congress.
Hagedorn filed a petition to compel the House to issue a resolution certifying the existence of a vacancy in Palawan’s third legislative district, and calling for a special election. The seat became vacant after Elroy John’s father, Rep. Edward Hagedorn who was elected in 2022, passed away on Oct. 3, 2023.
AWAITING RIDE TO HUNDRED ISLANDS. Tourists gather by a lighthouse in Alaminos, Pangasinan, as they wait for their boat ride to the famous Hundred Islands. Edd Castro
SALUTING COMRADES
BY-GONE DAYS. A visiting delegation of the South Korean Army executes the salute in honor of Filipino soldiers who fought in the Korean War in the early 50s, now buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. Philippine Army photo
OPINION
On recent legislative proposals
OUT of compassion towards a former president who is confined in a solitary cell at Den Haag, courtesy of the ICC and PBbM, Alan Peter Cayetano proposed a Senate resolution seeking to place former president Duterte under “house arrest.” House arrest this time is proposed to be within the confines of our embassy in the Netherlands, also in Den Haag. This would negate the apprehensions cited by the ICC prosecution panel that the former president may not appear for trial once he is given refuge elsewhere.
The Cayetano resolution appears welcome to many, although vociferously objected to by the anti-Duterte fringe. While the compassion is well-received, our apprehension is that it might actually weigh against the former president’s pleading for an acceptable third country to host him in lieu of his ICC confinement.
One of the arguments raised against Duterte defense counsel Nicholas Kaufmann’s entered plea is that the former president still has enormous influence and residual powers in the Philippines. Senate approval of the Cayetano resolution might just add mileage for the prosecution to seek denial of Kaufmann’s legal move. ***
Repeating a consistently held advocacy, Panfilo Lacson who won another term in the Senate under the wings of the Alyansa, proposed lifting the bank secrecy law insofar as government officials and employees are concerned. Absolute transparency by allowing free access to bank accounts by government investigators is proper provided only the right agencies, such as for the Ombudsman and the higher courts, or even military authorities in the case of generals and other military officers.
It should be accompanied by a welldefined Freedom of Information Act that would likewise ensure access to the sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of all public servants, something the soon to retire Ombudsman shielded from public glare.
There are many ways and means by which a determined national leadership and Congress can do to combat malfeasance and misfeasance in the performance of public duties by both elected and appointed officials.
Over and above good legislation that would plug loopholes for hidden wealth, the strongest political will to fight corruption by an honest president is needed. Given the present Constitution and the political system it has engendered, manipulated as it has been for the last 38 years and counting by our traditional pol-
iticians with their legendary greed, looking for that kind of leader would require a purposive and determined crusade by all well-meaning sectors. ***
Tahanan party-list representative
Nathaniel Oducado is asking the HoR to investigate in aid of legislation the proliferation of online gaming, legal by PAGCOR permission and illegal by tolerance and collusion with government officials.
The strongest political will to fight corruption by an honest president is needed
Instead of another HoR investigation, likely to be assigned by the Committee on Rules to another tri, quad or quinta-super committee for tele-novela purposes, let me repeat what this writer proposed last week in this space: for the president to declare the abolition of all online gaming in his forthcoming SONA.
Apologists for gambling, sanitized by labelling it as “responsible gaming” warn that outright abolition would just open the floodgates to illegal operations, simply echo the mistrust we have against government enforcement and implementation of laws.
How come they are able to do it in an even more openly democratic Taiwan, where only a legalized lottery system similar to our once-popular but now defunct sweepstakes by PCSO, is allowed?
While there indeed are illegal gambling operations here and there, strict enforcement has limited these to a minimum of hit-and-run occurrences.
Political will is key, and political will can only happen when a truly honest, visionary and decisive leadership is at the helm.
***
Speaking of the 2025 SONA which will be preceded by a suddenly announced presidential visit to the White House, our exporters, particularly our semi-conductor supply chain are hoping the president can change the mind of Trump on the 20 pervent tariff.
Considering how puny our export volume to the US actually is, Trump might be convinced the loose change involved to his “great” economy can be begged off.
Then our president will have something to brag about in his SONA, courtesy of his visit to the “great white father,” Hopefully, some tender mercies.
Managing the WPS tension
IF WE scan the current geopolitical situation around the world, war clouds are getting darker everywhere instead of clearing up.
In our own region, the rhetoric is not softening.
It is the same in the Middle East as well as the war in Ukraine.
The so-called ceasefire being brokered by the United States has not happened and bombs continue to rain in many Ukrainian cities.
As one former CIA Director said in an interview, we are currently living in a very dangerous world.
Add the economic uncertainty being generated by the Tariffs being levied by the United States on many countries, both allies and adversaries, and we have the making of an approaching perfect storm.
For ordinary mortals like you and me who can only observe what is happening, we can only pray that wiser and cooler heads will prevail to avoid falling into a deep abyss that we all cannot climb out from.
In our own neck of the woods, we have our own WPS issue in addition to perhaps the much bigger problem of Taiwan.
The discourse when it comes to our tussle with our giant neighbor China on the WPS issue needs to go down and go down fast.
Yes, we need to defend and fight for our sovereign rights in the area but we have to do it in a manner that is not influenced by outside factors like those ad-
vocating a more belligerent or confrontational approach.
We have to evaluate the situation and fight for our rights as peacefully and diplomatically to the best of our abilities minus the wild bombast that are sometimes used because such language can only exacerbate the tension rather than cool it down.
There are those who will of course tell us to look at what China is doing to us.
Their Coast Guard and militia ships water bomb our supply ships and even intentionally ram our ships causing damage.
China should not lead by brute force and only rely on the power of its military might but accepted principles of international law
China can do all that because of their superior military capability which we can never match.
But at some point, China will have to abide with accepted international norms of conduct if it wants respect from the international community commensurate to its status as a world power especially the small nations in its neighborhood that it badly wants to join its orbit.
This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format of a giant body wearing a Barong Tagalog. The design of the barong Tagalog is embroidered with symbols of skulls and crossbones. The vast body is submerged in a sea of red. The body’s arms are outstretched, and his hands are wet with the red liquid. At the top of the panel is a speech balloon that says, ‘WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION? WHAT HAPPENED TO HUMAN RIGHTS?!’ The speech balloon is covering the head of the body in Barong Tagalog. The red liquid he is submerged in has floating skulls covered by cardboards labeled ‘EJK.’
EDITORIAL
Can the new Customs chief
reform the agency?
THE Bureau of Customs has long been vilified as a cesspool of corruption because of public perception that under-the-table deals take place that deprive the government of taxes and duties that should be used solely for infrastructure development and vital social services such as education and health.
But there’s a glimmer of hope that change is coming with the move of the new Customs chief to institute reforms that would erase the agency’s image as steeped in corrupt practices.
President Marcos Jr. has expressed his full support for newly appointed Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno’s effort to eliminate corruption and enhance transparency by requiring all personnel to disclose any family relationship with individuals connected to the customs brokerage industry.
Nepomuceno recently issued an office memorandum that strictly prohibits all officials, employees, and personnel from holding any business or financial interest in customs brokerage operations.
This is seen as a positive development that should strengthen good governance and transparency in the agency, and put an end to the system that enables corruption and other undesirable practices.
Nepomuceno’s order is also deemed “a historic step towards restoring integrity and public trust” in the BOC, which many had described to be synonymous
It should not lead by brute force and only rely on the power of its military might but accepted principles of international law.
This is the reason why no matter what it takes, we have to continue to occupy the moral high ground in our dealings with China. Regardless of China’s legal interpretation of its position vis a vis the WPS, it knows that their so-called nine dash line has no basis in international law.
Their insistence on historical rights defies the imagination because how were their ancient mariners able to map the Scarborough Shoal and claim it for China considering that the place is underwater? China’s continued refusal to honor the
with widespread corruption. The memo imposes a categorical ban on any involvement, direct or indirect, in customs brokerage businesses.
The disclosure obligation remains mandatory even to personnel who have not been affiliated with the BOC within the last five years
This includes roles as owner, incorporator, stockholder, partner, consultant, advisor, or in any other capacity that may raise ethical concerns. All BOC personnel are also required to submit a verified affidavit to Nepomuceno’s office until July 20 disclosing
2016 Arbitral Ruling is also indefensible on the basis of UNCLOS which it signed and will simply diminish its lofty standing in the international community of nations.
It cannot simply cherry pick which law to follow or not follow. Besides, if China believes in its position, it should have participated in the case.
For us, the way we respond to what China is doing is important.
For instance, there are too many officials issuing statements on the WPS.
It should only be the OP or the Department of Foreign Affairs that should be doing this. Camp Aguinaldo or the Coast Guard at any level should not be issuing state-
any familial relationship, by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, with individuals who are involved in customs brokerage businesses, regardless of their role or status in said entities.
The affidavit must also identify the name, address, and contact information of the brokerage concerned, along with other relevant details.
The disclosure obligation remains mandatory even to personnel who have not been affiliated with the BOC within the last five years.
These instances include customs brokerages that have stopped operations, those where shares were already divested or transferred, or where the individual was previously listed as an incorporator despite no longer holding interest.
Nepomuceno warned that Customs personnel who fail to comply with his memo “will be met with sanctions in accordance with applicable laws.”
This policy, he pointed out, complies with the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Revised Civil Service Rules, as well as previous BOC memorandum orders.
This is a step in the right direction, as this would no doubt enhance the agency’s institutional integrity:
“This is more than policy. It is a public declaration that the Bureau of Customs will no longer tolerate practices that breed corruption, favoritism, or undue influence. We are placing public interest above personal gain.”
ments to avoid misinterpretations and complications.
Lower level PCG officials should not be allowed to be giving media interviews on foreign policy issues.
Officials from the DFA on the other hand are better trained and more experienced in dealing with complex foreign policy issues and could provide answers coaxed in diplomatic language that will not be interpreted as belligerent or combative.
The DFA Secretary said it right in saying that we should continue to keep communications with China open when she faced the media which will hopefully be the start of more diplomatic interactions between us and China.
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Ex-PM testifies in royal defamation case
BANGKOK – Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra testified in court on Wednesday, seeking to defend himself against royal defamation charges in a watershed case for his faltering political dynasty.
Thaksin faces up to 15 years in prison
if he is convicted in the closed-door trial in Bangkok, where he stands accused of breaching strict lese majeste laws that shield Thailand’s royal family from abuse and criticism.
For the past quarter-century, the 75-year-old telecoms magnate has been
IN BRIEF
Iceland volcano erupts for 9th time since 2023
REYKJAVIK, Iceland – A volcano erupted on Wednesday in Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest, weather authorities said, the ninth eruption to hit the region since the end of 2023. Live video feeds showed lava spewing out of a fissure in the ground, with the Icelandic Met Office saying that it began just before 4:00 am (0400 GMT).
Broadcaster RUV reported that the nearby fishing village Grindavik had been evacuated, as had the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s famed tourist spot.
The previous eruption to hit the area was in April.
When the first volcanic eruption first hit the area in late 2023, most of Grindavik’s 4,000 residents were evacuated.
Since then, almost all of the houses have been sold to the state, and most of the residents have left.
Volcanoes on the Reykjanes peninsula had not erupted for eight centuries when in March 2021 a period of heightened seismic activity began. AFP
Indonesia hails ‘new era’ with US
JAKARTA – Indonesia’s leader on Wednesday hailed a “new era” of trade relations with the United States, after Donald Trump said he slashed the tariff rate faced by Southeast Asia’s biggest economy from 32 percent to 19 percent.
The Trump administration has been under pressure to wrap up trade pacts after promising a flurry of deals recently, as countries sought talks with Washington to avoid the US president’s threatened tariffs announced in April but delayed until August.
“I had a very good call with President Donald Trump. Together, we agreed and concluded to take trade relations between Indonesia and the United States into a new era of mutual benefit,” President Prabowo Subianto wrote in an Instagram post. Prabowo, a populist former general, posted pictures of himself laughing on the phone with Trump but did not give any specifics of the deal. AFP
Teacher, mother arrested for stealing exams
SEOUL – A teacher and a parent of a high school student in South Korea have been arrested for breaking into a school to steal exam papers, police told AFP on Wednesday.
The country is known for placing extreme emphasis on academic achievement -- with its annual college entrance exam forcing aeroplanes to be grounded during English listening tests.
The pair are accused of breaking into a high school in Andong, about 270 kilometres (167 miles) south of the capital Seoul, at around 1:00 am on July 4 to steal exam papers, triggering an alarm and leading to their arrest.
“A 31-year-old teacher and the 48-year-old mother have confessed to the crime,” said a detective at the Andong Police Station, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The teacher was a private tutor for the student while working at the school, where she was employed until February last year, authorities said. AFP
a defining figure of Thai politics, founding a political clan which has jousted with the traditional pro-royal, pro-military elite.
But his prosecution -- combined with the suspension of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, this month -- represents a dramatic waning of
their family’s political fortune, analysts say. The prosecutors’ case revolves around remarks Thaksin made to South Korean media a decade ago.
Thaksin’s lawyer Winyat Chatmontri told AFP he gave testimony in the morning “and will continue throughout the rest of the day”.
The court has scheduled the verdict for August 22, he told reporters.
Around 50 Thaksin supporters gathered at the courthouse wearing red shirts -- the colour of his political movement -emblazoned with his portrait.
“He is a very talented guy,” 79-yearold retired accountant Vaew Wilailak told AFP.
“But from past experience, bad people just want to get rid of him.”
Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in exile, following a military coup which ousted him from the premiership he was twice elected to. He returned the day his family’s Pheu Thai party took office at the head of a coalition government backed by their conservative former enemies, fuelling suspicions a backroom deal had been struck.
Thaksin was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison on graft and abuse of power charges -- later reduced to one year by a pardon from King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
But political analyst Yuttaporn Issar-
achai told AFP: “There is always someone within the establishment who sees him as a threat to Thai society.” In recent interviews, Thaksin affirmed his loyalty to the monarchy and expressed gratitude for the king’s pardon. Speaking to AFP outside the court on the trial’s opening day on July 1, Thaksin’s lawyer Winyat said his client appeared “chill” despite the seriousness of the case. On the same day, Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn was suspended by the Constitutional Court pending an ethics probe into her conduct during a leaked diplomatic phone call discussing a deadly border clash between Thailand and neighboring Cambodia. AFP
Kyiv covers frontline roads with anti-drone nets
DBROPILLIA, Ukraine – A ravaged car with its engine destroyed and doors riddled with shrapnel lay on the side of the road near Dobropillia, a sleepy town not far from the front line in eastern Ukraine.
Hit by a small, remote-controlled drone, the mangled chassis was a stark reminder of why Ukraine is hurrying to mount netting over supply routes behind the sprawling front line to thwart Russian aerial attacks.
As Russia’s invasion grinds through its fourth year, Moscow and Kyiv are both menacing each other’s armies with swarms of cheap drones, easily found on the market and rigged with deadly
explosives.
AFP reporters saw Ukrainian soldiers installing green nets on four-meter poles spanning kilometers of road in the eastern Donetsk region, where some of the war’s most intense fighting has taken place.
“When a drone hits the net, it shortcircuits and it cannot target vehicles,” said 27-year-old engineering brigade commander Denis, working under the blazing sun.
“We are shifting into a so-called drone war,” Denis told AFP.
FPV (first-person view) drones have already seriously wounded a few of his men. Some are armed with shotguns to
shoot them down.
The Russian army has also been deploying nets.
“We weave nets like spiders! For extremely dangerous birds without feathers,” the Russian defense ministry quoted a soldier with the call sign “Ares” as saying in April.
An earlier article by pro-Kremlin media outlet Izvestia also showed soldiers mounting netting close to the front.
Meanwhile, Kyiv authorities said at least 12 people were wounded in Russian overnight strikes on Ukrainey.
The attacks came after US President Donald Trump gave Moscow 50 days to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. AFP
Prosecutor asks court to find Bolsonaro guilty
BRASILIA, Brazil
– A prosecutor asked Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time) to find expresident Jair Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup, in closing arguments after a trial that saw US President Donald Trump try to intervene on behalf of his right-wing ally. Bolsonaro is accused of seeking to overturn the 2022 election won by his left-wing opponent, current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The prosecution told the court that former army officer Bolsonaro and seven others were guilty of participating in “armed criminal association” and had sought to “violently overthrow the demo-
cratic order.”
After the defense presents its closing arguments, a five-justice panel will decide the fate of the former president. If found guilty, Bolsonaro and his co-defendants could face up to 40 years in prison. Bolsonaro says he is the victim of political persecution, echoing Trump’s defense when the US president faced criminal charges before his White House return.
‘Strong argument’ for putting video in pilots’ cockpit
SINGAPORE – There is a “strong argument” for putting video cameras in airline cockpits to assist in accident investigations, the head of global aviation industry group IATA said Wednesday. The comments by Willie Walsh, director-general of the International Air Transport Association, followed the release of a preliminary report on last month’s Air India crash, which found that the plane’s engine fuel switches had been turned off. The report, issued Saturday by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), did not offer any conclusions or apportion blame for the June 12 disaster, but indicated that one pilot asked the other why he cut off fuel, and the second pilot responded that he had not. The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board as well as 19 people on the ground.
Walsh, a former commercial airline pilot, said he understood the reluctance of pilots to put video cameras in the cockpit. But “on a personal basis, because we’ve not discussed this at IATA, I can see that there is a strong argument for the inclusion of video in the cockpit to assist in accident investigations”, he told reporters.
“It’s quite possible that a video recording, in addition to the voice recording, would significantly assist the investigators in conducting that investigation,” Walsh added.
Asked if IATA would recommend a redesign in the cockpit to prevent any accidental turning off of the engine fuel switches, Walsh said the industry body will have to wait for a more detailed report and not speculate. AFP
Trump has repeatedly called on social media for Bolsonaro’s trial to be stopped, accusing the authorities in Brazil of mounting a “witch hunt” and a “disgrace.” AFP
“It’s not about imprisoning me; they want to eliminate me,” he told news site Poder360 on Tuesday. Prosecutors say Bolsonaro tried to overturn his 2022 loss in a plot that only failed because the military did not side with him. Violent supporters then rioted, rampaging through government buildings in the capital Brasilia in scenes that echoed the assault on the US Capitol by Trump’s supporters after the Republican lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. The trial has attracted attention from Trump, who returned to power in the 2024 election and continues to claim -despite this being rejected repeatedly by the courts -- that he won in 2020.
WATERSHED CASE. Supporters of Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra sit in front of the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Wednesday, while waiting for him to testify, seeking to defend himself against royal defamation charges in a watershed case for his faltering political dynasty. But his prosecution -- combined with the suspension of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn
family’s political fortune, analysts say. AFP
PSC chairman Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio (5th from left) and PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy (2nd from left) meet with the NCAA Management Committee school representatives (from left) Raymund Manuel Castellano of College of St. Benilde, Fr. Victor Calvo Jr. (Letran), Atty. Jonas Cabochan (San Beda University), Peter Cayco (Arellano University), Francisco Gusi (University of Perpetual Help System Dalta) and Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo (Emilio Aguinaldo College) and discussed plans of the league’s homecoming at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
PSC welcomes NCAA back to Rizal Memorial Coliseum
THE National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is prepping up for a major comeback at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC), finally returning to its former territory with the Philippine Sports Commission clearing all roadblocks for its homecoming.
Opened in 1934, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum was established 10 years after the founding of the NCAA and quickly became the premiere venue for the league, especially for basketball games.
“Dito talaga ang identity ng NCAA, which was synonymous with the Rizal Memorial Coliseum back in
the day,” said Atty. Jonas Cabochan, the NCAA Management Committee representative from San Beda University and Acting NCAA Mancom Chairman.
The RMC has been the backdrop for numerous memorable NCAA games until 2005 before departing to other venues in succeeding years.
“We welcome back the NCAA with open arms. This is their home,” said PSC chairman Pato Gregorio.
The looming comeback of NCAA Games in RMC should be a favored venue due to its accessibility for most participating schools.
“It will definitely help in attracting audiences for every game, a vibrant identity the NCAA has been carrying since then,” said Gregorio.
Moreover, gymnastics, boxing, and weightlifting are being considered to be added to the roster of games to be paraded on NCAA Season 101 as demonstration sports.
Although not yet included in the
league’s medal count, these sports have been a formidable force for the country’s medal haul in the history of the Olympics. Most of the NCAA’s member schools are located within Manila and the Southern area of the metro.
These include San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), San Beda University (SBU), College of Saint Benilde (CSB), Arellano University (AU), Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) and the Intramuros-based institutions: Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) , Mapúa University, and Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU).
Karl Eldrew Yulo wants to show his best before hometown fans
ALTHOUGH admitting pressure, Karl Eldrew Yulo was optimistic he would thrive in front of a hometown crowd at the 3rd Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships set Nov. 20 to 24 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.
“I hope I can make a good performance because I want to be one of the best junior gymnasts in the world,” said the younger sibling of Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum held at the conference room of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
“This is my major international competition this year, and, with the help of God, I want to show the world my best,” added Yulo, who trained for a month in Nagoya, Japan under noted Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya, with Gymnastic Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion by his side during the same session.
“I won’t be putting any pressure on Eldrew, so I would be happy if he wins a silver at the world juniors,” said Carrion.
She was proud that despite bids from other nations, especially Europe, the country would stage the global gymnastics showcase after the International Gymnastics Federation, known by its French acronym FIG, awarded the hosting rights to the Philippines during its Congress held last year in Doha, Qatar.
AJ Wacan Manny Marcelo
Wacan holds ground vs. Bisera, nails JPGT Apo crown
DAVAO City—AJ Wacan clawed back from two strokes down with a brilliant frontside finish, then held his ground in a tense backnine duel with Adrian Bisera to claim a confidence-boosting victory in the boys’ 15-18 division of the ICTSI Apo Golf Junior PGT Championship on Wednesday.
The 16-year-old shot a final-round 71 to edge Bisera by one in a duel of homegrown talents with a one-over 217 total over 54 holes. But the slim margin didn’t reflect the control Wacan exerted throughout the final round, where he carried a three-stroke lead heading into the par-5 18th and looked all set for a comfortable cruise to the title. Then came the twist.
Bisera, facing a stiff headwind, unleashed a towering 4-iron from 230 yards after a solid 3-wood off the tee. The ball landed some two pin-lengths short, bounced three times – and dropped straight into the cup. Albatross.
One of the rarest feats in golf – far less common than a hole-in-one – Bisera’s double eagle sent a jolt through the gallery and gave him a closing 74 for a 218 total.
Still, it wasn’t enough to catch Wacan, whose steady poise throughout the round proved decisive in his first major junior victory. He two-putted for par on the 18th to clinch the victory.
Three-leg winner Alexis Nailga struggled with an 80 to place a distant third at 231, while David Teves shot a 75 for fourth with a 232.
“It’s a great feeling to win at home,” said Wacan, who lost to Bisera by 11 strokes in last week’s South Pacific leg, in Filipino. “Playing these past two weeks really taught me how to stay light and happy on the course. I’ve learned not to let distractions or frustration get the better of me, and just enjoy the game.”
Looking ahead, he added: “I know I still have a lot to work on, especially
my long game and putting, and I’m determined to keep improving.”
Two strokes down after 36 holes, the 16-year-old Wacan pulled ahead with backto-back birdies from No. 8, fueling a decisive surge that flipped the script in his favor. With a lean frame that belies a fearless approach to pressure, he showcased that golf is more than just brute strength – it’s a delicate blend of power, precision and poise. He birdied the par-3 No. 7 from eight feet, then followed it up with another from four feet on the next hole, while Bisera faltered with a bogey. Another miscue from Bisera on No. 9 resulted in a frontside 40, while Wacan’s steady 35 catapulted him to a threeshot lead at the turn.
The GAP chief, who played a vital role for the older Yulo in clinching a golden double in the Paris Olympics, said close to 80 countries and 600 athletes will see action in the meet during the public sports program backed by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/ PLDT, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns recovered from a sluggish start to thwart the Valenzuela Classic, 69-64, on Tuesday and stay within sight of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBetMPBL 2025 Season pacesetters at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The reigning back-to-back champions trailed the Classics by as many as 8-22 and needed a 9-point run to tie the count, before notching their 15th win in 20 starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
Pampanga trails fellow North Division teams Abra (18-1), Nueva Ecija (18-1) and San Juan (17-1), and South Division leader Quezon Province (153) in the chase for playoff spots.
Larry Muyang was the Giant Lanterns’ bright light with game-highs 16 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Jhan Nermal with 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks, and John Ashley Faa with 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
Pampanga Top Gun Archie Concepcion couldn’t find his range, making only one of 12 field goal attempts, and settled for 4 points.
Valenzuela, which fell to 4-17, drew 15 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals from Jan Formento, and 13 points plus 3 rebounds from Kobe Monje.
Earlier, Binan Tatak Gel led throughout in a 55-47 victory over Muntinlupa and climbed to 12-7.
Larry Muyang of Pampanga
Kristan Hernandez and Warren Bonifacio tallied 10 points and 7 rebounds each for Binan, which also drew 6 points and 6 rebounds from Jaymar Gimpayan.
Muntinlupa continued its slide and tumbled to 10-9 despite Miguel Ives Corteza’s 16 points and Marvin Hayes’ 11. Sarangani subdued Davao Occidental, 66-54, in the opener to stay in contention.
Powered by Danny Marilao, Kyt Jimenez and Junjie Lallare, the Sarangani Grippers improved to 8-12. Marilao posted 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists to earn best player honors over Jimenez, owner of the league’s lone quadruple-double, with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, and Hallare with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Grim beauty of Pacquiao’s gamble
BEFORE we throw the first punch in this column, let me get this out of the way — I want Manny Pacquiao to prove me wrong. I want the Filipino fighting pride to walk into the MGM Grand Garden Arena this weekend and roll back the years against Mario Barrios. I want to be on my feet, screaming with pride like the rest of the country. But if I’m being honest — not as a fan, but as a student of this cruel, unforgiving sport — I don’t like his chances. Now, I know what some of you are thinking. “Nissi, this is Manny freakin’ Pacquiao we’re talking about!” And yes, I hear you. I revere the man. But I also understand this game too well to ignore the writing on the wall. Pacquiao is 46. That alone should tell you something. He’s not just fighting Barrios — he’s fighting Father Time, the undefeated boogeyman of every athlete’s career. And while he’s beaten younger foes before, the last time we saw anything close to vintage “Pac-Man” was five years ago when he eked out a split decision against Keith Thurman.
Let’s not forget how things went down in 2021. He was supposed to face Errol Spence. Instead, he went up against Yordenis Ugas. And what we saw was a version of Pacquiao that was a second too slow, a step too short, and more hesitant than ever. That wasn’t the deadly southpaw from General Santos we knew. That was a man feeling his age in real time.
And then came last year’s exhibition with Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo. Sure, it wasn’t a “real” fight, but he still ate way too many clean punches from a guy not even known for his boxing. That kind of damage matters. Every shot absorbed is a subtraction from what’s left in the tank.
Now, Pacquiao is cramming training into two months. He is still using stick-beating drills from decades ago — methods that might’ve built a storm in his twenties. But now, it seems more like punishment than preparation. The sport has evolved. Conditioning has evolved. Champions today live in labs as much as in the gym. But Manny? He’s rewinding the clock with routines that may do more harm than good.
And then there’s Barrios — young, sharp, hungry, and holding that WBC welterweight belt for a reason. No, he’s not an all-time great. But you don’t need to be a Hall of Famer to beat a legend past his best. All you need is youth, discipline, and a clean opening. And I know “El Azteca” sees one. If this were 2009, 2015, or even 2018, Pacquiao would’ve made it a clinic. But that version of him no longer exists. What’s left is a man trying to relive the good old days in a sport that doesn’t give refunds on lost time. Look, if anyone could move heaven and earth for one last miracle, it’s Pacquiao. But for the most part, boxing doesn’t run on fairy dust and highlight reels. It runs on timing, preparation, reflexes, and reality. His return could be triumphant. It could be historic, but it could also be tragic. And that’s the tightrope he’s walking. Yes, legends don’t grow old in the gym. They grow old under the lights. And on fight night, we’ll find out which side of that truth Manny Pacquiao lands on.
(For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi. icasiano@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at www. facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.)
Karl Eldrew Yulo with gymnastics’ president Cynthia Carrion
THURSDAY, JULY 17. 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
PH wushu team bags 5 bronzes at Asian Cup tilt
By Randy M. Caluag
THE Philippine wushu sanda team showed its readiness for the Southeast Asian Games, capturing five bronze medals at the tough 1st Wushu Taolu Asian Cup and 2nd Wushu Sanda Tournament held in Songyuan, China.
Earning podium finishes in the sanda division were national team standouts Xander Alipio (men’s 60kg), Vince Puyat Dominguiano (men’s 65kg), and Krizan Faith Collado (women’s 52kg).
In the taolu events, Jones Llabres Inso (men’s taijiquan) and Mark Anthony Polo (men’s qiangshu) also brought home bronze medals, further elevating the Philippines’ status in the sport.
The two-day twin competition gathered Asia’s elite wushu athletes, showcasing high-caliber talent and technical mastery.
The taolu tournament featured 105 athletes from 16 countries competing across 24 events. All participants in this discipline were among the top eight finishers from last year’s 10th Asian Wushu Championships.
Meanwhile, the sanda segment included 66 fighters from 14 countries across 18 weight divisions—all of whom were previous medalists in continental competitions, ensuring an intense level of competition.
Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the national wushu squad has consistently brought home medals from regional and continental events, particularly the Southeast Asian Games.
With this recent achievement, the team gains valuable momentum heading into the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand this December.
‘Fortune’-teller sees Pacquiao win vs. WBC champion Barrios
MANNY Pacquiao’s long-time strength and conditioning coach Justine Fortune is confidently predicting a victory for the Filipino boxing legend against Mario Barrios for the the latter’s WBC world welterweight crown this Saturday, July 19 (Sunday, July 20, 2025, Philippine time).
Fortune’s optimism isn’t merely born from loyalty.
His assessment stems from a meticulous review of Barrios’ past fight footage. “Barrios is a slow starter,” Fortune observed. “So when Manny sets the
pace... Pacquiao hits four, five, six punches combination. Every shot hurts,” he said.
The Perth, Australia-born former heavyweight boxer, who is also the chef and owner of Justin Fortune Gym in Hollywood, believes Pacquiao’s ability to dictate the tempo and unleash his signature barrages will be the key to reclaiming the welterweight title.
Filipino U23 booters score shock 2-0 triumph win over Malaysians
By Peter Atencio
OTU Bisong Banatao’s brace pushed the Philippines’ Under-23 national team to a 2-0 shutout of Malaysia, on Tuesday evening at the start of the ASEAN U-23 Mandiri Cup 2025 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
The 18-year-old Banatao, a Fil-American striker from Virginia, USA, drew first blood some 10 minutes into the match off an assist from teammate Javier Mariona.
Banatao struck again in the 41st minute, giving the Filipino booters a good headstart at halftime.
It was a stunning win as the Philippines last beat Malaysia (1-0) during the 2019
Manila Southeast Asian Games.
That was when the Philippines was backed by senior national team stalwarts Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo.
The result in Jakarta was a great debut for coach Garrath McPherson, with the Philippines now of top of Group A in a share of the lead with Indonesia, which routed Brunei, 8-0.
The Philippines will next meet host Indonesia at 9 p.m. (Manila time) on Friday, while Malaysia will take on Brunei earlier at 6 p.m.
“We prioritized some key areas of how we want to approach the game, kept it very simple, and the rest is open to the players,” said McPherson after the game.
“Barrios is gonna hit by Pacquiao. That’s why Juan Manuel Marquez and all these guys (Oscar) De La Hoya were saying that Manny wins. Because they--all great Hall of Famers, champions, knows how hard Manny hits.
“And that power changes everything,” added Fortune. “He’s (Barrios) not a big puncher, and Pacquiao is just ridiculously strong. He’s a blessing, a gift.”
Fortune even predicted that the fight set at the MGM Grand Garden Arena won’t go the full 12 rounds with Pacquiao emerging victorious and breaking his record as the oldest welterweight champion.
“Barrios puffs a lot and once you swell and Manny hits you, it opens
PH student athletes ready for World Universiade
By Riera U. Mallari
RHINE-RUHR, Germany—The Philippine flag is flying high in Germany as a delegation of student-athletes from various universities across the archipelago converges for the 32nd World University Games, also known as the Summer Universiade.
Held from July 16 to July 27, 2025, across the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin, this global sporting spectacle sees the Philippines competing in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, archery, athletics, artistic gymnastics and badminton.
Leading the charge in team sports are the reigning NCAA men’s basketball champions, Mapúa University Cardinals, and the five-time UAAP men’s volleyball champions, National University Bulldogs.
Both teams secured their berths through the rigorous qualification tournaments -- the Asian University Basketball League and the Asian University
a cut, and soon the fight has to be stopped.”
According to Fortune, Pacquiao is a throwback fighter while Barrios belongs to the current crop.
“Manny’s generation and the generation before were real fighters. They will give what they have, unlike today. They’re afraid to get hit, they’re afraid to punch. And they punch nowhere near as hard as he does.”
In retrospect, Fortune said Pacquiao, even at 46, belongs to a different level than Barrios, who’s 30 and in his prime.
“We respect Barrios. He’s a world champion, but not so much. We can find a hundred Barrioses. But very hard to find one Manny Pacquiao.”
DJ Fenner tallied 19 points and Javi Gomez de Liano knocked in 18 as Strong Group Athletics-Philippines posted its third straight win in the 44th William Jones Cup, turning back Qatar, 81-54, Tuesday night at the Xinzhuang Gymnasium. The Charles Tiu-coach Philippine club squad is now behind another undefeated team Bahrain (4-0) in the nine-nation field.
It was Strong Group’s 11th straight victory in the tournament, following an unbeaten title run last year. Qatar managed to close the gap, and trimming a 19-point lead to 13 in the the fourth.
the World University Games is a remarkable achievement,” said Edwin C. Fabro, FESSAP president, who is also serving as the Philippine flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.
The University of Cebu Webmasters have sent a five-athlete strong team, including veteran marathoner Mark Mahinay and a table tennis squad composed of Andrie Caballes, Raphael David Misa, Allana Felize Salar, and Kristiene Kaye Alicaya. Mahinay, a silver medalist at the 2023 ASEAN University Games, is making history as the first Cebuano runner to compete in the Universiade.
The Philippine delegation will headed by Mary G. Ng, president of the Philippine Inter-School Sport Association, alongside deputy head businessman/sportsman Frank Lao.
The World University Games, a grand celebration of international university sports and culture, brings together over 8,000 student-athletes and officials from more than 100 countries.
But Gomez de Liano’s flurry of baskets in the final frame, touched off a 6-0 run, before Andre Roberson and Fenner put the game out of reach. Peter Atencio
Fillipino ring icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao (right) spars with one of his trainers during a media day workout at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles. AFP
The PH Wushu Sanda Team
Otu Bisong-Banatao (no. 7) and Zachary Taningco (13) take on their Malaysian rivals. PFF, Mia Montayre
DJ Fenner
The Mapua Cardinals with the University of Cebu Webmasters Photo taken using the HONOR 400
Volleyball League -- organized by the Federation of School Sports
35TH ANNIVERSARY
Charting digital transformation in PH banking with BancNet
By Patricia Taculao-Deligero
IN the dynamic landscape of Philippine finance, few entities have shaped the evolution of banking and payments as profoundly as BancNet.
From its inception as the nation’s first and largest Automated Teller Machine (ATM) consortium, BancNet has consistently been at the forefront of digital innovation, connecting banks, empowering consumers, and laying the groundwork for the future of money in the Philippines.
This year, BancNet celebrates its 35th anniversary, a milestone that offers an opportune moment to reflect on its foundational journey, appreciate its enduring benefits, and anticipate its pivotal role in the accelerating shift towards online payments.
The story of BancNet is intrinsically linked with the evolution of digital finance in the Philippines. Before its inception, banking was a fragmented experience, often limited by the specific bank one patronized and the physical constraints of branch operating hours.
The vision behind BancNet was to dismantle these barriers, creating a unified ecosystem where cardholders could access their funds and perform transactions across different banks, anytime and anywhere. This ambition culminated in the creation of the country’s first interbank ATM network, a groundbreaking achievement that immediately broadened financial access for countless Filipinos.
From its foundational role in ATM services, BancNet steadily expanded its offerings,
always seeking to simplify and secure financial interactions. This early foresight laid the groundwork for a comprehensive suite of services, transforming banking from a chore into a seamless, integrated experience.
The initial success of the ATM network demonstrated the immense potential of electronic payments, propelling BancNet to explore and implement further digital innovations, setting a precedent for future financial technology advancements in the country.
BancNet’s robust network extends far beyond mere convenience; it represents a fundamental shift in how Filipinos manage their money. At its core, BancNet democratized financial services, making them accessible to a wider populace.
BancNet at 35: Safe and smart banking connections for Filipinos
By Peter Paul Duran
FROM shared ATMs to digital payment leadership, BancNet continues to connect the nation—one transaction at a time. In 1990, a group of visionary banks came together to solve a simple but pressing problem: how to give their customers access to more ATMs, regardless of which bank they belonged to. The answer?
BancNet—the Philippines’ first shared ATM network. Fast forward 35 years, and BancNet has evolved into a digital payments powerhouse, touching the lives of over 100 million Filipinos.
As a key enabler of financial inclusion, BancNet’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, and innovative payment solutions. It processes millions of transactions daily and facilitates interoperability between local and international card networks such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, and American Express.
BancNet’s extensive infrastructure now includes over 27,600 ATMs and more
than 607,000 POS terminals nationwide. In 2024 alone, it handled over 2.37 billion transactions worth P11.38 trillion, demonstrating its role as a backbone of the Philippine payments ecosystem.
Security and reliability are central to BancNet’s operations. It recently earned PCI DSS v4.0 certification and was appointed to the BSP’s Cyber Resilience Governance Council, reinforcing its commitment to cybersecurity and compliance.
The organization also maintains strong financials, with P1.88 billion in assets and P90.63 million in net income as of yearend 2024. Led by BDO President Nestor V. Tan as Chairman and Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee as President, BancNet’s leadership continues to push boundaries in innovation and digital transformation.
Beyond banking, BancNet is a trusted government partner. Its eGov platform facilitates secure online payments for SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and other public services. Its partnership with PagIBIG earned it the 2024 Top Non-Bank Collection Partner award for processing P27.5 billion in contributions.
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, BancNet is gearing up for the future with plans to expand e-commerce capabilities, QR payment systems, and seamless crossborder interoperability. Its mission remains clear: to connect Filipinos to smarter, safer, and more inclusive financial services.
BancNet. Connecting the nation— building a smarter, safer financial tomorrow.
Through its ATM services, millions gained round-the-clock access to cash, balance inquiries, and other essential banking functions, freeing them from the limitations of bank operating hours. Beyond cash withdrawals, BancNet’s foresight led to the introduction of a comprehensive digital platform that empowered individuals to manage their finances from the comfort of their homes or offices, called BancNet Online. This online portal facilitated a variety of transactions, from fund transfers to bill payments, transforming the digital banking landscape.
The introduction of cashless shopping through BancNet’s Point-of-Sale (POS) debit sale service marked another significant leap forward. This
allowed consumers to pay for goods and services directly from their bank accounts, reducing reliance on cash and promoting secure electronic transactions.
The POS Cash Out service further enhanced this convenience, enabling customers to withdraw cash at participating merchants, effectively expanding the reach of banking services beyond traditional ATMs. For corporate users, BancNet developed specialized services, such as BIR Tax Payments and E-Gov, streamlining tax remittances and government transactions, thereby contributing to greater efficiency in national financial operations.
The Internet Payment Gateway provided businesses with the infrastructure to accept online payments securely, fostering the growth of e-commerce within the Philippines. The impressive transaction volume of P11.38 trillion processed through BancNet in 2024, a staggering 33.9-percent increase from the previous year, underscores the widespread adoption and critical importance of its services.
This growth, primarily driven by a 41.2-percent rise in switched transactions, reaching 2.37 billion, vividly illustrates how deeply integrated BancNet has become in the daily financial lives of Filipinos. The sheer scale of these transactions is a powerful testament to the trust and reliability BancNet has cultivated over the decades, making it an indispensable part of the nation’s economic fabric. As the world progresses further into the digital age, BancNet has already demonstrated its proactive stance in this evolution, with InstaPay emerging as a cornerstone of its success. In 2024, fund transfers via InstaPay accounted for a remarkable 1.45 billion transactions, representing 61.4 percent of all switched transactions on the BancNet network.
THE Economy and Development (ED) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Tuesday approved a P229.32 billion public-private partnership (PPP) deal for the operations and maintenance of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
The decision marks a significant step in the government’s push to modernize public transportation and enhance regional connectivity across Luzon, the country’s largest island.
The 147-kilometer (91-mile) elevated railway line aims to ease travel across Central Luzon, Metro Manila and CALABARZON.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
Prime Energy, a unit of Prime Infra, is the operator of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.
First Gen announced that the share purchase agreement follows a term sheet signed on May 30, 2025. The transaction is subject to approval from the Philippine Competition Commission and other conditions.
The deal will establish a strategic partnership, with Prime Infra indirectly owning 60 percent of several gas assets.
Gen the amount of P50 billion upon closing of the transaction, subject to adjustments and modifications as may be agreed by the parties,” First Gen said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company also noted it would be entitled to additional earnout amounts if certain conditions are met.
First Gen said the partnership would allow them to “further nurture, enhance and expand their natural gas platforms to serve as a key solution provider to the country’s program to address energy security.”
The project, currently in advanced stages of construction, is expected to serve 800,000 passengers daily in its opening year, eventually reaching one million commuters. The railway will feature 35 stations, with depots in Clark, Valenzuela, and Calamba.
The NSCR will offer two train services: commuter trains with a capacity of 2,242 passengers per trainset and Limited Express trains accommodating 386 passengers per trainset. Trains are designed to operate at 120 to 130 kilometers per hour, significantly faster than current average speeds of 20 to 40 kph (12-25 mph).
Travel time from Clark to Calamba will be cut to about three hours via commuter service from around four hours, while the limited express service will reduce travel time from Clark to Alabang to roughly two hours.
Pre-operations for the project are slated to begin in March 2026, running until July 2027. Partial operations for Phase 1, from Clark International Airport (CIA) to Valenzuela (13 stations), are set to commence in December 2027 and continue until September 2028. Phase 2, extending services to Nichols with an additional segment from Alabang to Calamba (32 stations), will run from October 2028 until December 2031. Full operations are anticipated to start in January 2032.
These include the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Santa Rita, 500-MW San Lorenzo, 450-MW San Gabriel, and 97-MW Avion power plants, along with the proposed 1,200-MW Santa Maria power plant and the interim offshore liquefied natural gas terminal.
First Gen will retain a 40-percent stake in these projects to ensure “continuity and stability of its gas operating plants,” aiming to benefit consumers through “more stable, predictable and lower prices.”
“In consideration for the First Gen shares, Prime Infra has agreed to pay First
First Gen is a leading independent power producer in the Philippines, primarily using clean and indigenous fuels. It has a total installed capacity of 3,668 MW, accounting for about 18 percent of the country’s gross generation.
Prime Infra focuses on environmentally resilient and socially relevant infrastructure projects, including water, sustainable energy, waste management, and sustainable fuels. Its assets include Manila Water Company Inc, a water utility serving over 7.7 million Filipinos.
By Othel V. Campos
THE Board of Investments (BOI) has awarded Green Lane certification under Executive Order No. 38 to Candelaria Steel Inc.’s P30-billion heavy sections mill and new-generation scrap recycling minimill project in Candelaria, Quezon. Candelaria Steel, a subsidiary of SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. (SAMC), plans to begin commercial operations by July 2027. The project is expected to create about 655 in-plant jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs, boosting local economic activity and enhancing the domestic steel supply chain.
The facility will use Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology, prioritizing sustainability by using locally sourced recycled scrap metal instead of imported raw materials. SAMC said this recycling process reduces carbon dioxide emissions by a minimum of 70 percent compared to traditional blast furnace methods, offering a more environmentally responsible approach to steel production.
Once operational, the plant will produce up to one million metric tons of heavy steel sections annually, including Angles, Channels, H-Beams, I-Beams, Sheet Piles and Universal Mill Plates. The project is designed to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on steel imports, which currently add three to four months to local production timelines.
SAMC also noted that the Philippines is the second-largest user of sheet piles
after China, underscoring the project’s relevance to national infrastructure development.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo formally presented the Green Lane certificate to SAMC president Andre Sy. Sy was joined by chief operating officer Rafael Hidalgo and vice president for industry development Roberto Batungbacal during the ceremony.
The BOI One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI) said it assisted SAMC throughout the investment facilitation process by coordinating with partner agencies and local government units. SAMC expressed appreciation for the BOI’s efficient and responsive support, noting that “delays cost money” and the agency’s streamlined permit processing was instrumental in maintaining project momentum.
The Candelaria steel mill will complement SAMC’s pioneering Medium Section Mill in Lemery, Batangas, which was also endorsed for Green Lane Certification by BOI OSAC-SI in 2023.
The Lemery facility, currently under construction, will produce medium sections and merchant bars, products that are currently 100-percent imported. Both SAMC plants intend to supply the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project and help close critical gaps in domestic steel production, support fabrication
the
and
competitive-
shops
boost
country’s industrial
ness across Southeast Asia.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
Secretary Henry Aguda and Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) president and chief executive Rafael Consing Jr. sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the Philippines on July 15, 2025, in Taguig City. The partnership signals a shared commitment to promote inclusive and sustainable national development through investments in digital infrastructure and services.
The Board of Investments (BOI) awards Green Lane certification for the P30-billion Heavy Sections Mill and new-generation scrap recycling mini-mill project of Candelaria Steel Inc., a subsidiary of SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. (SAMC), on July 3, 2025 at the BOI office in Makati. Attending the event are (from left) BOI OSAC assistant division chief Hannah Barroquillo, division chief Lubin De Vera Jr., IAS director Ernesto Delos Reyes Jr., Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo, SAMC president Andre Sy, chief operating officer Rafael Hidalgo and vice-president for industry development Roberto Batungbacal.
BUSINESS
Lucio Co’s Keepers Holdings acquires 50% of ‘SULA’ liquor maker
THE Keepers Holdings Inc., the liquor distribution company owned by businessman Lucio Co, announced Wednesday it acquired 50 percent of the subscribed and outstanding shares of Cervia Global Trading Inc. (CGTI), marking a significant entry into the premium local spirits market.
The deal, approved by The Keepers’ board of directors Tuesday, involves a one-time cash payment to four CGTI shareholders: Caesar Certeza, Mark Daniel Rivera, Vernon Carandang and Margherita Rauto. The total purchase covers 125,000 shares at P320 per share.
CGTI is recognized for producing the Filipino liqueur brand “SULÀ” and specializes in crafting premium local alcoholic beverages using Philippine-grown ingredients. The company distributes its products both domestically and internationally.
“The acquisition of a 50-percent stake in Cervia Global Trading, Inc.
gives The Keepers Holdings, Inc. a strategic entry point into the premium local spirits market, while also positioning the company for growth in international markets,” The Keepers said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
The Keepers anticipates the acquisition will bolster its business and financial standing by expanding its portfolio and global reach within the liquor industry.
The company is currently the largest imported liquor distributor in the Philippines. It holds 100 percent of the outstanding shares of three major players in the Philippine liquor, wine and specialty beverage distribution business: Montosco, Meritus and Premier.
Through these subsidiaries, the company distributes leading international brands including Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, Glenfiddich, Suntory, Jinro, Jose Cuervo, Jim Beam, Penfolds and Red Bull.
Jenniffer B. Austria
SM Group intensifies commitment to reduce plastic waste
THE SM Group is strengthening its commitment to reduce plastic waste, treating it as a shared responsibility across all its business units.
Led by its parent company, SM Investments Corp., the conglomerate recently established a working group committee that holds regular dialogues, encouraging SM’s various businesses to incorporate plastic reduction into their sustainability roadmaps. This initiative supports the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, which mandates companies to take responsibility for recovering their plastic packaging products and implementing waste management programs.
“While plastic plays a crucial role in modern life, its convenience often contributes to a throwaway culture, leading to one of our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges,” said Timothy Daniels, head of investor relations and sustainability at SM Investments Corp.
“We understand the importance of waste recovery and recycling not only as part of our sustainable business vision but also as a social and legal obligation. SM’s approach is both practical and actionable.”
SM Markets, the umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore, promotes greener retail practices by encouraging the use of eco-bags over single-use plastics since 2007. In 2024 alone, SM Markets sold 19 million Green Bags, preventing the use of an estimated 42 million plastic bags.
Watsons Philippines, an affiliate of SM Retail, has transitioned 81 percent of its stores to using paper bags instead of single-use plastics.
Additionally, over 2,140 retail stock-keeping units (SKUs) fall under Watsons’ Sustainable Choices category, which includes products classified as Clean Beauty, Better Ingredients, Better Packaging, and Refills, reflecting its commitment to offering more
environmentally responsible options to consumers.
Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc., one of SM’s portfolio investments, reduced the size of ribbons used in its packaging, leading to an annual reduction of 7,000 kilograms of plastics.
2GO Group Inc., the SM Group’s logistics business, has also taken deliberate steps to reduce plastic use by transitioning to environmentally friendly packaging. Their shipping operations now utilize 100 percent recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable packaging materials.
Considering its extensive footprint across the Philippines, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), SM’s property arm, is committed to fostering the necessary infrastructure to support and maintain plastic waste management strategies across its businesses. SM Prime has equipped its properties with materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and standardized
waste segregation systems across all malls and developments. There are 15 designated drop-off points for plastic wastes, which have diverted 63,874 kilograms of plastics from landfills.
Trash-to-Cash (TTC) is a longrunning monthly recycling market held in all SM Supermalls, where customers can exchange recyclables — such as paper, plastic, and metal — for cash. TTC has facilitated the exchange of over 1 million kilograms of recyclables each month, totaling approximately 12 million kilograms. This is equivalent to saving 204,000 trees if all the recyclables were paper or reducing 18,000 tons of carbon emissions if all were plastic.
Consumer-facing initiatives, such as the RDC (recyclable, disposable, compostable) segregation bins launched by SM Supermalls in 2023 and various information drives, help employees and customers reinforce the group’s wider efforts.
SECRETARY Jose Ramon “Ping” P. Aliling appears to have started off on the right foot since his appointment as the country’s new chief of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
After breezing through the Commission on Appointments (CA), Mr. Aliling or Ping has received the backing of 42 Philippine developers, which pledged to build over 250,000 socialized housing units under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
Ping will need all the support of home builders to realize his department’s goal of providing decent and affordable shelter units. He is charged, in his own words, with “a mission of enabling every Filipino family to live in a safe, resilient and sustainable communities.”
Ping comes from the construction business and he should be very familiar with what is ailing the sector.
The housing czar, during his confirmation hearing with the CA in June, was quick to note the limitations of the 4PH program. The DHSUD is now expanding it from just one modality involving vertical development. Ping’s department has included horizontal development, rehousing and rental schemes in the mix.
The marginalized sectors are not lost on the DHSUD’s mission. “Our key shelter agencies have also been tasked with focusing on the most vulnerable sectors, relaunching the community mortgage program or CMP and scaling up housing finance programs to reach more beneficiaries,” says Ping.
The DHSUD faces bigger and more daunting challenges. The UN-Habitat Philippines Country Report 2023 noted a backlog of 6.5 million housing units in the Philippines.
Per the report, an estimated 3.7 million informal settler families are directly impacted by the deficit. Says the report: “Urban migration, a rising number of informal settlements, armed conflict, systemic inequity, and climate change are some of the main drivers that contribute to the growing housing need.”
The backlog, the report continued, is further worsened by declining housing production brought about by tedious bureaucratic regulatory and approving process, high reliance on private sector investment and inadequate budget allocation for housing.
The UN-Habitat report estimates that the total housing backlog could reach around 22 million by 2040, if left unaddressed.
The Philippines in 2022 actually launched the 4PH Program that sought to build 1 million
Peso, stocks dip on US inflation, tariff worries
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE share prices plunged Wednesday, with the main index falling 1.89 percent as investors reacted negatively to hotter-than-expected U.S. June inflation data.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 121.99 points to close at 6,337.48, making it the worst-performing index in the region.
The broader all shares index also fell 59.02 points, or 1.55 percent, to 3,748.25.
The peso also weakened further, breaking the 57-to-the-dollar mark. It closed at 57.085 on Wednesday, down from 56.73 on Tuesday.
The U.S. June inflation rate rose 0.3 percent to 2.7 percent, while the core inflation rate increased to 2.9 percent from 2.8 percent in May.
“Philippine shares succumbed to profit-taking as investors digested hotter-than-expected June inflation data,” said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp.
Limlingan said many investors also remained on the sidelines amid anxiety stemming from the latest developments regarding U.S. tariffs.
All sectors closed in the red, led by mining and oil, which dropped 2.28 percent, followed by property, which also declined by 2.28 percent.
Value turnover reached P7.91 bil-
The DHSUD faces bigger and more daunting challenges.
houses annually for the next six years.
The private sector, meanwhile, must do its share to bridge the housing gap. And it quickly responded.
The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA), National Real Estate Association (NREA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA) expressed “strong and unified commitment” to address the country’s housing needs.
“In manifestation of our shared optimism towards your administration and the potential of a recalibrated 4PH to deliver meaningful solutions …we are pleased to submit the initial list of private developers who have expressed commitment to participate…To date, these commitments total 251,846 units,” the groups said.
The housing developers saw sincerity in DHSUD’s efforts to straighten out the bureaucratic maze and hurdles they had to undergo in finishing one housing unit.
The DHSUD is streamlining the permitting processes, adjusting price ceilings, updating
lion, boosted by a special block sale of SM Investments Corp. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. Bloomberg reported Tuesday that an institutional investor of SMIC and SMPH was planning to sell shares in the two companies. Shares of SMPH declined 3.69 percent to P23.50, while shares of SMIC also dropped 3.32 percent to P845.
Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as they weighed Indonesia’s trade deal with Washington and a spike in US inflation that saw investors pare their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Donald Trump said a trade deal had been struck with Jakarta that will see Washington impose tariffs of 19 percent on its goods, below the 32 percent previously threatened. US shipments will not be taxed.
The news means the US president has now announced deals with three countries but around two dozen are still in the pipeline just over two weeks ahead of Trump’s August 1 deadline.
Some have suggested a healthy runup on Wall Street over the past few weeks could be giving him confidence to keep the threats up. With AFP
technical standards for socialized housing and establishing a Housing One-Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs) to speed up paper works.
To accelerate the implementation, the groups proposed piloting a dedicated HOPC specifically for 4PH-related permits and transactions. The initiative, the groups stressed, would strengthen coordination among government agencies, local governments and the private sector, ensuring faster project approvals and construction.
“The private sector stands ready to do its part,” the developers assured, expressing confidence the Expanded 4PH could “finally deliver large-scale, inclusive and sustainable housing solutions for Filipino families.”
The DHSUD must live up to its role of providing affordable homes. especially in the face of changing weather patterns. Ping is aware of flood and other climate related risks that can affect housing areas.
Public and private socialized housing projects must avoid damages during floods and other natural disasters. The Philippines is vulnerable to climate risks. Urban settlements should be built as sustainable communities―one that can weather climate change.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
TECHNICAL TRAINING. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) -CAR Regional Director Imelda Romanillos, and Foundever leaders seal their partnership during the memorandum of agreement signing for JobStart Baguio. The program’s technical training officially kicked off on June 23, 2025.
SM’s #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign involves installing RDC-labeled (recyclable, disposable, compostable) bins across various SM properties nationwide.
Secretary Ralph Recto the agency’s dividend contribution to the national coffers through a symbolic handover of the facimile cheque for P1.46 billion at the Department of Finance in Manila on July 14, 2025. Joseph Muego
ERC vacuum threatens 5th green energy auction
THE Department of Energy (DOE) asked Malacañang to quickly fill vacancies at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to resolve a regulatory vacuum that is holding up the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
The DOE recently launched GEA5, aiming to secure 3,300 megawatts (MW) of fixed-bottom offshore wind projects for delivery between 2028 and 2030. However, the lack of a full ERC commission means that the crucial reserve prices for this auction cannot be set.
“We hope that the appointment of the new commissioners, including the chairperson, will be done soonest,”
DOE assistant secretary Mylene Ca-
PH
fisheries
crisis deepens, says Oceana
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippines is grappling with a deepening fisheries crisis as production of key food fish continues to plunge, imperiling national food security and the livelihoods of millions of small-scale fishers.
Marine advocacy group Oceana, in its July newsletter, cited Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showing steep drops in catches of staple species such as Bali sardinella (tamban), frigate tuna (tulingan), yellowfin tuna (tambakol), and round scad (galunggong).
The decline is largely attributed to overfishing, destructive fishing methods and unchecked illegal fishing, it said.
Municipal fisheries production fell 8.8 percent to 802,770 metric tons (MT) in 2024, marking the lowest level since 2002.
Overall fisheries output dropped 5 percent in 2024, continuing a longterm decline. The catch per municipal fisher also decreased, from 5 kg. in 2010 to 4 kg. in 2023.
“The relentless decline in our fisheries production is a red flag for every Filipino,” said Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, Oceana’s acting vice president.
“Our fishing communities, already among the country’s poorest, now face emptier seas and shrinking livelihoods due to rampant illegal commercial fishing,” she said.
pongcol said. “But of course, the Office of the President has to evaluate and look for the appropriate people,” she said.
While some ERC directors and commissioners are familiar with GEAP pricing, Capongcol explained that a final decision requires the commission’s full complement.
Despite the delay, GEA-5 preparations are ongoing, with the DOE still hoping to hold the auction this year.
“Still hoping and we’re pushing actually,” Capongcol said, noting that a public consultation on the terms of reference has been held, and work is underway on potential GEAP prices to guide bidders.
FINANCIAL EDUCATION.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara and BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito share a warm handshake to reaffirm their shared commitment to financial education. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), DepEd and BDO Foundation teamed up to provide learning resources, including the more than 300 lesson exemplars and 10 financial education videos that are now readily available on the DepEd Learning Portal. Aligned with the K-12 curriculum, these tools can be used in classroom and co-curricular activities, empowering teachers to make financial concepts relatable and actionable for Filipino learners. Source:DepEd
By Darwin G. Amojelar
Discussions are also taking place with the Philippine Ports Authority regarding the readiness of ports for offshore wind projects.
Capongcol said the government had committed to declaring force majeure if ports or transmission lines are unavailable, “de-risking tool for both the government and the private sector.”
The DOE hopes GEA-5 will be oversubscribed, although this would also impact the transmission grid.
GEA-5 is the first auction round to focus exclusively on fixed-bottom offshore wind technology, aligning with the GEAP guidelines under Department Circular No. DC2021-110036.
Alena Mae S. Flores
Malampaya project expansion to boost PH energy security
By Alena Mae S. Flores
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ushered in a new phase of national development by extending Service Contract No. 38 (SC 38) in May 2023, a move that ensures the continued operation of the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project in northwest Palawan, according to the Department of Energy.
“The renewal of SC 38, a critical decision made under the President’s administration, allows the SC 38 Consortium to extend the operational life of the Malampaya facility, which would have otherwise been forced to cease production as early as 2024,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. Garin said that without this decisive intervention, the Philippines would have faced a greater risk of dependence on imported fuel sources, threatening the stability, affordability, and sustainability of the power supply for millions of Filipino consumers.
The Malampaya contract extension also opens the door for continued exploration and development within the service contract area, including new drilling activities that could unlock additional gas reserves.
The Malampaya Phase 4 (MP4) drilling campaign is underway, with the first gas production from the new
THE Philippines is seeking up to $10 million in grants from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) under its Third Readiness and Preparatory Support Program (RPSP3) to enhance the nation’s capacity to access climate finance.
The initiative involves two proposals. The first, requesting up to $7 million, aims to strengthen the Department of Finance (DOF) as the Philippines’ National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF. It also seeks to develop long-term strategic instruments that complement the National Adaptation Plan and the Nationally Determined Contributions Imple -
Experts gather in Manila to discuss cancer care breakthroughs, challenges
LEADING oncologists, healthcare experts and patient advocates recently gathered in Manila for Roche (Philippines) Inc.’s “Oncology Experts Congress: Innovation, Expertise, Action: Driving Change in Cancer Care.”
The two-day summit addressed breakthroughs and persistent challenges in cancer care in the Philippines, emphasizing the role of science and compassion in saving lives.
The event facilitated scientific exchange, aligning with standardof-care clinical practices in cancer diagnosis and treatment, including the application of innovative new medicines. It provided a platform to exchange global insights, share evidence-based practices and explore avenues to accelerate and enhance timely, sustained access to cancer
treatment for all Filipinos.
Dr. Chita Matunog, president of the Philippine Society for Medical Oncologists (PSMO), underscored the importance of integrating international best practices with localized strategies, particularly in treating HER2positive breast cancer, an aggressive type that responds well to targeted therapy.
“It is very important to give the best regimen upfront, especially since there are subsets of breast cancer patients now who are very young, below 40 years old,” Matunog said.
“Because of this, it is very important to use the regimen that will really give a high overall response rate. Not only that, we should also prioritize the best progression-free survival for them,” said Matunog.
mentation Plan.
A second proposal, for a maximum of $3 million, will be submitted later, after the approval of the first. This grant would be used to implement and operationalize the strategies and systems developed under the initial proposal. Together, these proposals offer a coordinated approach to bolstering the Philippines’ climate finance readiness.
The Philippines, represented by the DOF, advocated for key reforms to accelerate climate finance access for developing countries at the 42nd GCF board meeting, held from June 30 to July 3, 2025, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Among the approved reforms were a revised accreditation framework
and the establishment of a GCF Regional Presence.
The revised framework streamlines the process for entities partnering with the GCF to improve efficiency and broaden access to financing. The regional presence will enable the GCF to better understand and respond to local needs, fostering stronger partnerships and ensuring climate finance reaches the “frontline of climate action.”
The board also approved a record $1.225 billion in financing for 17 projects, the largest funding package ever endorsed by the GCF Board in a single meeting. This investment will support various global climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
TRAVEL BEACH BAR.
Cebu Pacific brings the warmth and richness of Filipino culture to Australia with the launch of the Cebu Pacific Travel Beach Bar at Bondi Beach, a firstof-its-kind heated beach bar offering visitors of the annual Bondi Festival a unique way to experience the Philippines. The travel beach bar is surrounded by standing heaters that create a warm ambiance reminiscent of the Philippine climate, offering a perfect escape from Australia’s winter season. It also features Filipino delicacies, music, and a design inspired by the bahay kubo, bringing a slice of the Philippines to Bondi Beach—one of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
wells targeted by 2026, just three years after the contract’s extension. This is a notable achievement, considering that similar offshore projects typically require a five-year development timeline.
Malampaya has played a vital role in the country’s energy landscape, having supplied up to 40 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs at its peak. Revenues from the project, in the form of government royalties and taxes, have provided valuable fiscal support for national development programs and infrastructure.
“This administration is committed to protecting the Filipino people from the volatility of global energy markets,” Garin said.
“We are not only sustaining a vital source of indigenous energy but also reinforcing our goal of achieving a stable, secure, and affordable energy future,” she said.
IN BRIEF
FFCCCII worried over US tariffs
By Julie Ann Lope
THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) warned that the United States’ imposition of additional punitive tariffs on Philippine exports could threaten both economic stability and global trade norms.
In a statement, the group criticized the unilateral nature of the US action, saying it violates World Trade Organization (WTO) principles and risks disrupting vital supply chains.
It said the new tariffs could negatively affect businesses and consumers in both countries while undermining the rules-based international trading system.
“FFCCCII support efforts by the government to use diplomacy to negotiate fairness and to protect Philippine national interests and our economy.” it said.
The business federation also called for stronger domestic safeguards to support Philippine industries, including stricter enforcement of anti-dumping laws, intensified anti-smuggling efforts, and assistance for agriculture and manufacturing sectors impacted by unfair trade practices.
Filipino artist shines at Guangzhou sustainable art event
APRILFLEUR S. Galima-Mejia, a Filipino artist and consul at the Philippine Consulate-General in Guangzhou, was a featured artist at Leidi’s “Stillness and Creative Expressions,” a sustainable art event held from June 28 to July 15 at Haoyitianhe F1 Floor, The Canton Place, Tianhe District, Guangzhou.
The event, organized by Liede International Neighborhood and coorganized by Asian Solution (Guangzhou), Zhong Xian, Expressionist Art Academy, Jean Michel Art Space, and Aprilfleur’s Atelier, also showcased French expressionist artist Jean Michel Stanislas Garczynski.
Born in autumn, Galima-Mejia favors warm, muted colors. Despite her name meaning “spring,” her paintings offer a fresh, vibrant perspective, characterized by rich, saturated tones. Her inspiration stems from nature and childhood memories of her hometown in the Philippines.
Galima-Mejia’s artistic journey began unexpectedly when she stumbled upon a painting class during a walk. An invitation from the teacher to join sparked her passion and led her to pursue painting as a serious creative path.
In 2022, Galima-Mejia participated in “Flourishing Friendship,” a group exhibit on Philippines-China relations at the Guangzhou Library in Guangdong. That same year, her works were featured in the “ASEAN Culture and Art Creation (Season III)” organized by the ASEAN Culture and Art Exchange Center in Xiamen, Fujian, and the “Philippine Culture and Art Month” presented by the Chongqing International Cultural Exchange Center and Hong Kong VA Galleries in Chongqing.
and consul of the Philippine Consulate-General in Guangzhou, shines at
‘Stillness and Creative Expressions’, a sustainable art event held from June 28
Guangzhou.
15 at Haoyitianhe
Her presence in the regional art scene continued in 2023 with the “ASEAN Culture and Art Creation (Season IV) International Exhibition and Exchange Activity” at the ASEAN Culture and Art Exchange Center in Jimei District, Xiamen, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 19. In early 2024, Galima-Mejia’s works were exhibited at the Xiamen Haicang District Cultural Center from February 29 to March 13. Later that year, one of her paintings was selected from over 1,000 international and local submissions for the 3rd Guangzhou International Watercolor Exhibition, held at the Jiangzhang Art Museum in Foshan, Guangdong, from September 26 to October 13. She was again invited to exhibit at the “ASEAN Culture and Art Cre-
ation (Season V)” in Xiamen, Fujian, in October 2024. October 2024 also marked a milestone with the launch of her first solo exhibition, “The Art of Time: Celebrating 40 Years Through Art,” held in her home province of Pangasinan in the Philippines, which ran from October to November.
In April 2025, Galima-Mejia expanded her reach by mounting a collaborative exhibition with Jean Michel Garczynski at the Romantic Terrace on Shamian Island in Guangzhou.
At “Stillness and Creative Expressions,” Galima-Mejia presented pieces that embody her ongoing exploration of balance, memory and the environment. She continues to paint, preparing thoughtful works for future gallery and garden showcases.
Julie Ann Lope
“Our domestic industries require and deserve a level playing field in global markets. Protect our workers and farmers.” it said. To de-escalate tensions and promote sustainable growth, the group proposed several measures such as immediate bilateral consultations with the US, expedited negotiations for a US-Philippines Free Trade Agreement, and greater engagement through WTO mechanisms, and cooperative solutions that promote stability and shared prosperity.
“The FFCCCII remains committed to advocating for fair trade practices and sustainable economic partnerships that benefit all stakeholders,” it said.
Chinese scholar holds AI workshop in Binondo
By Michael Wong Ho
THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) held the “Workshop on the In-Depth Application of AI” on July 5 at its conference hall in Binondo, Manila
More than 200 participants, primarily from the education sector, participated in the event.
In his opening remarks, FFCCCII president Victor Lim said artificial intelligence is a core driver of personal capability, innovation, and enterprise transformation.
He said FFCCCII is committed to building learning platforms to support digital development and hopes the workshop will help Filipino-Chinese
schools develop a strong understanding of AI.
Prof. Peng Shu Juan, a Ph.D. supervisor at Quanzhou Huaqiao University and a recognized high-level talent of Fujian Province served as the guest speaker. She has led more than 10 nationallevel scientific research projects and specializes in multimedia analysis and computer vision. Topics included core principles of machine learning, practical applications of AI tools such as DeepSeek and Kimi, and enterprise-level AI strategy.
Attendees found the workshop highly valuable and requested extended class hours and more technology-related training sessions from FFCCCII.
Business
group extends aid to fire victims in Mandaluyong
THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) extended assistance to the victims of a major fire that struck Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City in early June, displacing hundreds of families and causing widespread property damage.
The fire, which engulfed a large portion of a squatter area, destroyed approximately 250 houses, injured seven residents, and rendered 2,280 individuals from 900 families homeless.
Upon learning of the disaster, FFCCCII president Victor Lim immediately directed the organization’s Welfare Committee and Social Responsibility Committee to coordinate relief efforts.
In partnership with the Mandaluyong Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the FFCCCII donated 600 bags of rice (each containing 5
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) provides assistance to the victims of a major fire that struck Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City in early June.
kilograms) and 24 cartons of canned sardines for distribution to the affected families.
FFCCCII vice president William Yap Castro, who also serves as honorary president of the Mandaluyong Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, personally donated 200 pairs of sports shoes produced by his company.
Officials from Barangay Addition Hills and staff from the Mandaluyong Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce visited the FFCCCII headquarters to receive the relief goods on July 7. The donations were immediately distributed to the fire victims.
FFCCCII continues to support communities affected by natural and man-made disasters as part of its ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and public service.
Julie Ann Lope
THE Philippine National Police Foundation Inc. (PNPFI)
Aprilfleur S. Galima-Mejia (second from left), Filipino artist
Leidi’s
to July
F1 Floor, The Canton Place, Tianhe District,
More than 200 participants, mostly from the education sector, participate in the ‘Workshop on the In-Depth Application of AI’ on July 5 at the FFCCCII conference hall in Binondo, Manila.
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Unreleased Beyonce music stolen from car in Atlanta
COMPUTER drives containing unreleased music by US superstar Beyonce and plans related to her concerts were stolen last week in Atlanta, police said Monday, with a suspect still at large.
The items were stolen from a rental car used by Beyonce’s choreographer and a dancer on July 8, two days before the pop icon kicked off the Atlanta leg of her Cowboy Carter tour, a police incident report said.
Choreographer Christopher Grant, 37, told police that he returned to the car to find its rear window smashed and their luggage stolen.
Inside were multiple jump drives that “contained watermarked music, some unreleased music, footage plans for the show, and past and future set list (sic),” the report said.
Also missing were an Apple MacBook, headphones, and several items of luxury clothing.
Police investigated an area where the MacBook and headphones had pinged their location, but the report did not mention any items being recovered.
Atlanta Police said in an online statement that a warrant had been issued for an unnamed suspect’s arrest, but that the suspect remained at large.
The Cowboy Carter tour kicked off in April after the global superstar took home her first “Album of the Year” Grammy for the 2024 album.
The sweeping country-themed work saw Beyonce stake out musical territory in a different genre from much of her previous discography.
The ambitious, historically rooted album also aimed to elevate and showcase the work of other Black artists in country music, whose rich contributions the industry has repeatedly sidelined.
As her stadium tour to promote the album winds down, Beyonce ended her four-night stint in Atlanta on Monday, with two final performances set for late July in Las Vegas. AFP
Beyoncé poses backstage in a white cowboy-inspired outfit during her ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour
Fil-Am singer Jessica Sanchez returns to ‘AGT’
By Nickie Wang
Fstage, gets golden buzzer
ILIPINO-AMERICAN singer
Jessica Sanchez made an emotional return to America’s Got Talent as she announced that she is expecting her first child, performed 20 years after she first stepped on the same stage, and received the coveted golden buzzer from one of the judges.
Now 29, Sanchez first competed in the show’s inaugural season in 2006, reaching the semifinals at age 10 with a performance of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender.”
On the July 16 episode of Season 20, she returned to the AGT stage, earning a standing ovation with her soulful rendition of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”
“I’m married now, and another surprising thing is, I recently found out I’m pregnant,” Sanchez announced before her performance. Referring to the roar of applause from the audience as she finished her performance, Simon Cowell remarked, “I think they like you!”
CALIFORNIA, USA — It’s quite common to hear of a husband-and-wife team of Filipinoborn professionals making it big in the USA. Enduring love and the nature of resiliency can bring Fil-Am couples to the summit of their ambition. It’s a narrative arc materializing now and then.
What makes a particular duo extra special, though, is the positive mindset they promote in their family, in the workplace, and their social circle.
For Alan and Amabel De Leon, the first letter of their first names has, well, nothing to do with their success in the West. They were, pure and simple, raised and molded to bring their A-game wherever they go.
“We hate to waste people’s time. So we want to make sure that every day, everything counts when you are in our environment. We want to reach out to people and empower them to find what they are looking for,” expressed Amabel, nurse-entrepreneur and inspirational author.
She and her husband Alan, a clinician and transformational leader, have consolidated hundreds of passionate professionals in their efforts to contribute more and more to the evergrowing healthcare industry, which they have been serving for decades.
Their romance and work ethic are a stamp on the immigrant fairytale, as together they built well-run companies and spearheaded the marketing of useful products.
Alan pointed out, “We learned from our supervisors and from people who are experts in something. By that way, we open ourselves to new opportunities. It’s the same thing we do for our employees. We allow them to grow because every receptionist can be a manager.”
Alan and Amabel are a reflection of what the American Dream is about, if only for their initiative to pull people—regardless of their calling—into their kind of thinking, which I likewise benefited from and which I find invigorating.
While in a meeting with them in their office in Ontario, a highly urbanized city in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, I was briefly introduced to the essence of their
Added Howie Mandel, “I gotta say, wow, 20 years is a long time but well worth the wait. I love that song, and you made this song your own, and you blew the roof off the place, you are so wonderful.”
firehouse brand of leadership. Amabel related, “What we enjoy the most is seeing people become successful, when they get to do what they love to do.”
She’s referring to people who have learned a lot from the time they became part of their team— those they assured “not to worry about their entry point,” and to “learn where you are.” It is their way of saying that the more skills one learns, the closer they get to becoming well-rounded.
Alan credits their ability to transform and do things out of the box to innovation and teamwork. He shared, “You allow yourself to transform, grow, and absorb as much as you can. We started as clinicians and ended up doing things outside of our scope and skills.”
Two years ago, I met the couple by chance while
Mel B. agreed, saying, “Jessica, I’m speechless. You’ve got the voice of a bloody angel. Beautiful. I’m lost for words.”
Sofía Vergara, visibly moved, hit the golden buzzer, sending the singer straight to the live shows. “I think there is something very special happening on this stage with you. It’s so amazing that we are on the 20th anniversary, the 20th season, you’re here again after 20 years, you’re pregnant, you’re so beautiful, you’re so ready to do all this, I mean, I don’t understand what happened in this 20 years, but I guess there were meant to be because this was a special moment and I think that you deserve this…” Vergara said before leaning forward to smash the golden buzzer.
Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. praised Sanchez for her vocal maturity and stage presence. “You’ve got the voice of a bloody angel,” said Mel B. Sanchez, who also finished as runner-up on American Idol in 2012, said returning to AGT helped her reconnect with her passion for music.
I was visiting Paco Arespacochaga of Introvoys fame at the latter’s home in Los Angeles County. That same day, Paco interviewed Amabel for his podcast Paco’s Place, and on her way out, I got to say hello. I had started writing about successful Fil-Ams by that time, so it was easy to be drawn to them after finding out that Amabel authored a book about her life experiences called Bloom on the Battlefield, and that she and Alan significantly help each other in managing Vanura Home Health Services, Denu Consulting Group, among others. These are companies that consistently deliver excellence and cultivate highly efficient manpower.
On being unafraid to go out of comfort zones, Amabel argued, “You’ll never know what you want to do until you touch it. Before, I was scared of talking to people, and I thought I couldn’t do sales. You’d be in a position where you have to market and realize you actually like doing that.”
In her book, she mentioned being “homeless but not hopeless.” That phrase alone reflects the tough inner core from which she is built. When she launched the project, she told people that “winning is a choice,” and that she hopes readers of her part-memoir, part-self-help initiative will find concepts they’ve been waiting to hear.
“Hopefully, we can keep winning battles and we find our purpose and place,” she said.
Back in 1995, Amabel was a faceless immigrant from Southern Philippines—just another Filipino-bred nurse out to carve her future in what is hailed as the land of opportunities. Three
decades later, she had become host of a podcast called The Whole Story, where she explores life and health in general through meaningful conversations with guests from various fields, including caregivers, entertainers, and community leaders. She had come a long way from literally taking shelter inside a car to being the mouthpiece of multiple companies.
In the very first episode, she asked Paco, who helped her put the podcast up, how he manages to welcome even strangers and treat them the same as he embraces friends. In another episode, she commended a person she employs for always saying yes to challenges and overcoming them.
Alan, a first-rate hand therapist who arrived in the US on the Fourth of July in 1991, is, for valuable reasons, the perfect partner for Amabel. He is a soft-spoken positivist who speaks his mind calmly and clearly. He is a workaholic in a very positive way, and he has the proof, having worked six days a week for two hospitals in the Philippines, partly to give back to the State University, being himself an alumnus of UP. That dedication to work was no doubt a consideration when he was later hired by Americans, a development that took him to LAX to shine in America.
It’s a no-brainer that his qualities as a person are aligned with those of Amabel, and destiny knew they had to meet. The soulmates have been gifted with a triple A of boys likely to carry on their kind of motivational leadership: Alec, Aaron, and Andre
“Building leadership is allowing people to bloom and follow our lead. We have to find new blood to follow through the mission,” said Alan, whose father-figure stance is felt not just at home but in the offices and teams working under their guidance. Simply put, living the American Dream is not rocket science for two former straight-A students with clear paths to glory and strong faith and love in and for each other.
Alan (right) and Amabel De Leon pose together at their workplace in Southern California, celebrating their success in healthcare and entrepreneurship
Jessica Sanchez tears up in joy after receiving the golden buzzer from Sofía Vergara on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Jessica Sanchez delivers a heartfelt performance during her AGT comeback
SHOWBIZ
Rhian Ramos
embraces flawed character in new romance film
By Jasper Valdez
R
SEASONED journalist Kara David renewed her contract with GMA Network on July 8, celebrating her 30th year in the industry. The signing ceremony brought together network executives, colleagues, and individuals impacted by her work.
GMA Network chairman, Attorney Felipe L. Gozon, praised David in a video message, saying her documentaries have “left a mark on the hearts and minds of Filipinos.” He expressed enthusiasm for her continued role in producing award-winning stories that inspire audiences.
David, whose career began as a production assistant in 1995, thanked GMA for giving her a platform to tell meaningful stories.
HIAN Ramos is taking on one of her most emotionally charged roles yet, portraying a deeply complex character in the upcoming romance film Meg & Ryan.
Speaking at the film’s media conference at Plaza Ibarra, Rhian said what drew her to the character of Meg was how real and imperfect she was.
The actress explained that portraying characters with personal struggles, including those dealing with difficult emotions and baggage, allows her to connect with audiences on a deeper level “I really like making sense of people,” Rhian shared. “Meg is someone who’s been through a lot, even at a young age, and I feel this is the kind of story that needs to be told.”
Director Catherine Camarillo said the story was always meant to portray imperfect love and took time to come together the way she envisioned it. “This particular film, I gave it all. I waited for the right cast, the right moment, and I’m happy because with Rhian, I got everything I wanted to see in this story,” Camarillo said.
The film, which also stars JC Santos, tells an “opposites attract” love story between two people navigating personal demons.
JC shared that working with Rhian brought out a different side of his own acting.
“Until now, I’m still honored. This is Rhian Ramos, and she’s on my bucket list of actors I wanted to work with. She made every scene feel truthful,” he said.
During the press conference, Rhian said Meg & Ryan offers a different take on love stories—one that embraces imperfections instead of idealized romance. She explained that the film dives into the messiness of real relationships.
“Everybody has their own journey when it comes to mental health and past trauma,” Rhian said. “It’s when you meet someone who can understand those things and still choose you—that’s the love story we’re telling here.”
Rhian also acknowledged that playing vulnerable characters has become an important part of her identity as an actress. She admitted she doesn’t mind being seen as ‘underrated,’ as long as her work remains truthful.
“I don’t think I ever did this for fame,” she said. “If there’s one thing I want to be known for, it’s that I give justice to my characters no matter who they are.”
Meg & Ryan is one of Camarillo’s most personal projects to date, with the director saying she poured her full creative vision into the film after experiencing compromises in past works.
The film unspools in cinemas nationwide on Aug. 6.
THE ACTION series Incognito remains a Top 10 show on Netflix and iWantTFC as it heads into its finale week, which began Monday (July 14).
Starring Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Baron Geisler, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, Kaila Estrada, and Daniel Padilla, the
series has drawn praise for its intense action sequences, scenic locations, and strong performances. In the final episodes, the team— JB (Gutierrez), Greg (Veneracion), Miguel (Geisler), Gab (Racal), Tomas (Jennings), Max (Estrada), and Andres (Padilla)—unites for a last mission to take down Manuel
(Joem Bascon) and his criminal organization. Recent episodes explored emotional conflicts, including JB and Greg seeking forgiveness from Andres after his brother Jun’s tragic fate. The tension peaks as Manuel’s kidnapping of children forces the team into life-or-death decisions,
“Thank you for allowing me to use these stories to help more people in the Philippines,” she said. “That’s the mark of true service—we tell stories not for ourselves but for others.”
Among those present were GMA president and CEO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., executives from GMA Public Affairs, and colleagues who have worked alongside her.
A surprise tribute during the event highlighted David’s journey, including her award-winning documentaries like Selda Inosente and Ambulansyang de Paa . She has also been recognized with honors such as TOYM (2007) and TOWNS (2011).
Beyond broadcasting, David founded “Project Malasakit,” a scholarship program supporting individuals featured in her documentaries.
The event also introduced her latest project, I-Listen , a new GMA Public Affairs podcast featuring heartfelt Filipino stories. It will soon be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and GMA Public Affairs’ social media platforms.
David remains a pioneering host of I-Witness , which marked its 25th year in 2024.
The lead cast of Incognito reunites onstage to celebrate the series’ success during its finale week
Bascon (center)
Vhong Navarro (left) and Lance Pimentel (right)
Rhian Ramos (left) and JC Santos share a light moment with the press during the ‘Meg & Ryan’ media launch
From left: JC Santos, Catherine Camarillo, Rhian Ramos, Ces Quesada, Cris Villanueva, Jeff Gaitan, and Poca Osinaga during the ‘Meg & Ryan’ media conference at Plaza Ibarra
Rhian Ramos poses in a bold red gown at the ‘Meg & Ryan’ press event
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Very Wang Nickie Wang
Wellness finds its rhythm at Solaire Resort North
NOWADAYS , staying healthy is no longer just a personal goal. Many are moving with purpose, resting more intentionally, and choosing environments that help them stay relaxed, connected, and motivated to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
At Solaire Resort North, that approach is part of the design. The property offers a layered wellness experience that brings together physical training, recovery, relaxation, and play.
The resort hotel has two levels dedicated to movement and restoration. Its Health Club has a gym that features a state-of-theart equipment and a Functional Training Zone that focuses on mobility and realworld strength. It also houses PACE, a performance and prehabilitation facility that provides personalized programs aimed at preventing injury and building long-term resilience. Personal trainers are available for guests who need professional guidance.
Wellness, however, is not limited to exercise. The thermal suite introduces a sequence of recovery-focused features,
including experiential showers and saunas. Among them is the tepidarium, a gently heated area inspired by Roman bathhouses. Unlike saunas or steam rooms, the tepidarium maintains a mild warmth between 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, helping to calm the nervous system, promote circulation, and prepare the body for deeper treatments. The therapy pools nearby support this process by helping guests regain balance through water-based recovery.
Next to the Health Club is the Spa & Salon, where treatments begin with a grounding ritual and continue in a quiet, sensoryaware setting. For couples, private spa suites offer side-byside treatments in a shared space. Between sessions, guests can unwind in transition rooms, where calming teas and light refreshments support a gradual return to daily pace.
In the outdoor section of the resort, a 50-meter lap pool provides space for early morning laps or a mid-afternoon cooldown. Nearby, the Waterpark gives children a place to enjoy splash buckets, slides, and water cannons.
Just a few steps away, the Kids Club offers a five-story indoor playground designed for younger guests. It includes bowling lanes, themed party rooms, snack stations, and immersive play zones, creating a space where children can engage in active, supervised fun.
Solaire Resort North also offers more than a place to work out or rest. From recovery training, stillness to play, it provides an experience where wellness is built into every detail. It gives guests space to live intentionally and well.
FRIENDSHIP plays a vital role in supporting mental health and overall well-being, according to experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.
Drawing from insights by Arlin Cuncic, MA, founder of About Social Anxiety, the group identified six key benefits of strong social connections.
“Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better,” said Cuncic, who has worked in various mental health and research settings, including the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.
“They encourage you to keep going when times get tough and celebrate your successes with you.”
The insights, first published on mental health platform Verywell Mind, emphasize that platonic relationships can be just as important as romantic ones when it comes to psychological well-being.
Here are six ways friendships contribute to mental and physical health:
Spending
TO GIVE customers access to health, wellness, and beauty essentials at any time of day or night, select Watsons branches are now operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Emotional
Friends
Encouragement
Close friends can support
changes by helping set goals and offering motivation. This can lead to improvements in diet, sleep, and other aspects of health.
Confidence building
As more Filipinos lead unpredictable and fast-paced lives, the health and beauty retailer has extended store hours in key locations across Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao regions. Customers can now purchase over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, skincare, personal care items, and other everyday necessities without time restrictions.
Watsons said the initiative aims to provide greater accessibility
Being surrounded by a supportive group can significantly contribute to self-esteem and foster personal growth.
Community building
Introducing friends to each other can create a stronger sense of belonging and strengthen community ties.
“If you want to build a stronger support network, reach out to the people in your life,” Cuncic advised. “Friendship is a two-way street. Start by making the connection so you can keep fostering and strengthening your close friendships.”
Cuncic, also the author of The Anxiety Workbook, said quality matters more than quantity when it comes to meaningful relationships.
The resort hotel has a Health Club with a gym, Functional Training Zone, and PACE facility