Manila Standard - 2025 August 22 - Friday

PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay

By Charles Dantes

Palace eyes new DPWH chief?

By Rio N. Araja

TBy Rex Espiritu

FORMER

Department of Public Works and Highways

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

(DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson said yesterday that he has received feelers from Malacañang about returning to his old post, even as he immediately expressed reluctance to accept, should a formal offer materialize.

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

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

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

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

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

In a televised interview, Singson said he is far more inclined to accept the job of leading an independent panel that would investigate anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.

“Definitely, may feelers. The President and I go a long way, when he was still a governor [of Ilocos Norte] and then he became a senator. We’ve known each other through quite a lot of [infrastructure] projects. I’m not a stranger to the President,” he told ANC’s Headstart.

As an aside, Singson said his return to the DPWH as its head is unlikely because “my wife will leave me already if I go back to government.” While he expressed disinterest in leading the DPWH for a second round, Singson said he instead volunteered to lead a probe into the government’s controversial flood control program, a job he would gladly perform for free.

By Darwin Amojelar

Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry

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

By Pot Chavez, Katrina Manubay, Maricel V. Cruz, and Cherrie Anne Villahermosa

adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

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

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

101: Lacson bares flood control mess glossary

By Ram Superable

In his recent privilege speech, Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson introduced a “corruptionary”— hybrid of the words corruption and dictionary—to define various tactics conspirators have used to drain public funds through anomalous infrastructure projects. Lacson said the compilation includes terms such as “Distinct,” “Funders,” “Passing Through/Parking Fee,” and “Reseta,” which reflect practices unearthed in his investigation of flood control projects across the country. He said these schemes diverted at least half of the P1.9 trillion allotted to such projects over the last 15 years. The term “Distinct” refers to budget items in the General Appropriations Act with identical

of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall

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

THE Philippine government has yet to receive from the United States

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

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE of Representatives leaders on Thursday rebuked Baguio City

Mayor Benjamin Magalong for labeling the congressional inquiry into anti-flood projects as a ‘‘moro-moro,’’ saying public accusations must be anchored on verifiable proof and deliv-

By Rex Espiritu

Rody’s lawyers request ICC court anew for interim release

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.

“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte, through his legal counsel, has reiterated his request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an interim release to an undisclosed country ‘‘subject to any conditions deemed appropriate.’’

‘‘For the sake of clarity, the Defence informs the Pre-Trial Chamber that the [REDACTED] continues to affirm its willingness to cooperate

government an official extradition request for detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, despite Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez's earlier remark that the process is already underway.

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

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

terday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Mico Clavano ex plained that the “Department of Foreign Affairs is supposed to receive such requests first before transmitting them to the DOJ”.

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

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a

In a message to reporters yes

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

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

tary of Justice] coordinated with SFA [Secretary of Foreign Affairs] and was informed that DFA has yet to reEarlier, Clavano explained that a person cannot be extradited from the country while a criminal case against

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

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

hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.

ered with care befitting the gravity of the issue.

House Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong encouraged the mayor to bring documents, name names, and help secure convictions if warranted.

‘‘We welcome testimony under

Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal

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

with the Court, to accept Mr. Duterte onto its territory, and to enforce conditions of release.

The [REDACTED] is, furthermore, fully aware of Mr. Duterte’s [REDACTED],’’ according to the heavily redacted document submitted by Nicholas Kaufman, the former leader’s counsel, to the Pre-Trial Chamber dated August 19, 2025.

THE Philippine Navy debunked on Sunday the recent announcement by China that it conducted military exercises off Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). China reportedly made the announcement coinciding with the fourth Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the regional waters over the weekend.

Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vin -

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. greeted First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on her birthday with a heartfelt tribute on social media, praising her as his partner in life, career, and public service.

“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said. Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord

PAGASA

A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.

IN MEMORIAM. Senator Bam Aquino (center) leads a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the late democracy icon Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. with supporters from the August 21 Movement (ATOM) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City. Bam Aquino / Facebook

'RESIBO.' A drone photo marking the site of the purported P55-m river wall in Baliwag, Bulacan which President Ferdinand Marcos discovered to be non-existent. Inset shows former DPWH Secretary Rogelio 'Babes' Singson. Bongbong Marcos / Facebook

Former DPWH Sec. Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson

Santiago to answer allegations ‘at right time’

By Ram Superable

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said yesterday he will wait for Malacañang’s final decision after confirming that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has received his resignation letter for acceptance.

“I will wait for the President’s action, and out of respect for him

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“Of course, I’ve volunteered pro bono,” the former secretary said.

“All of these suggestions, I’ve come out openly about this corruption program only because I have the full backing of the Management Association of the Philippines, private sector executives who say enough is enough,” he added.

An industrial engineer by training, Singson served in the cabinet of President Benigno Aquino III as Secretary of the DPWH from 2010 to 2016.

His statement further bolstered speculation that a top-level revamp in the DPWH may be in the offing.

Last week, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said incumbent DPWH Sec-

Solons...

From A1 oath, in an open forum, with complete documentary support. That is the most direct way to protect public funds, clean up the system, and ensure that every peso truly prevents flooding rather than lining pockets,’’ Adiong said.

‘‘But let us raise the standard of our public conversation. If there is evidence, lay it down. Be careful with words. We owe it to the people to pursue the truth with precision, and we owe it to our institutions to pursue it with respect,’’ he added.

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him is still pending in local courts to prioritize local jurisdiction.

"The rule is that he must first face trial and, if convicted, serve his sentence here before extradition may proceed. However, courts retain the power to act on cases with urgency, so if circumstances warrant, they may move to resolve proceedings in order not to unduly delay a valid extradition request," he added.

Similarly, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona said in a statement that “The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify that Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro did not receive the US extradition request for Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.”

Meanwhile, Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, acknowledged reports that the U.S. government is seeking the extradition of his client, but noted it might be possible at the moment as the KOJC founder is awaiting trial in the Philippines.

“If the reports are true, we respect the prerogative of the United States of America in doing such a move as it is in consonance with the provisions

Rody’s...

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It added that “all the Prosecution’s objections to the [REDACTED] serving as a receiving country for the purposes of interim release are either negligible or negotiable.’’

‘‘The Defence reiterates that [REDACTED] is not just a bar to holding the hearing on the confirmation of charges, but also negates any risk under Article 58(1)(b) that would justify maintaining his detention,the document stated.

‘‘Should the Prosecution be permitted to challenge the aforementioned and [REDACTED], resolving the issue of [REDACTED] could take several months or more, especially if other [REDACTED] are [REDACT-

I will not abandon the NBI in this situation. Until someone is appoint -

retary Manuel Bonoan still enjoys Mr. Marcos' trust despite the issues hounding the almost 10,000 flood control projects, of which P545 billion were awarded to only 15 contractors.

Yesterday, however, when asked whether a replacement for Bonoan was being eyed, she said “Hintayin na lang po natin kung anuman desisyon ng Pangulo [Let’s just wait for whatever the President will decide].”

Meanwhile, several lawmakers have called for Bonoan’s resignation amid the scandal surrounding his agency.

Bonoan has said that he serves at the pleasure of the President. He points out that many of the projects under his department have been completed, including those started in the previous administration but only reported as finished during the early

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. agreed, emphasizing: ‘‘If he (Magalong) believes some are guilty, name names, submit documents, and testify under oath.

That is how we clean up the system. Abante stressed that blanket characterizations erode public understanding of a probe that is already moving through formal channels. A House tri-committee has been formed to examine the alleged anomalies, with witnesses to be called and records reviewed in aid of legislation. The mayor is free to appear and present what he knows so it becomes part of the official record.

of the Extradition Treaty between the US and the Philippines,” Torreon said in a statement.

“We are likewise cognizant that under Article 9 of the Treaty, the US can even request the provisional arrest of the subject; however, we feel that such a request may not be necessary at the moment in light of the fact that the ‘urgency’ requirement is absent in this case,” he added.

Torreon noted that Quiboloy is currently awaiting the court’s resolution on his motion for reconsideration after it denied his bail petition.

He urged the Philippine government to exercise its jurisdiction first before deciding to extradite the religious leader to the U.S.

Quiboloy has been in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) “Most Wanted” list for several alleged crimes, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling, among other charges.

As this developed, Manila Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano said Quiboloy must face the serious charges against him in both the Philippines and the United States, stressing that even the most influential personalities should not escape accountability.

ED]. Mr. Duterte’s continued detention during this protracted process would not be fair or reasonable,’’ it added.

In June this year, Duterte’s lawyer asked the ICC that he be released to an undisclosed country, which has reportedly agreed to take him. The request, signed by Kaufman, also said that the prosecution has confirmed its non-opposition to the former president’s interim release to the country yet to be made public on the understanding that the terms and conditions set out in Annex A to this filing would be met.

But last month, Duterte’s lawyers asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to suspend its ruling on their petition for interim release ‘‘until such time as the Defence has assembled all information necessary.’’

ed, I will continue so the boat sails smoothly,” he said in an interview.

He vowed to address the allegations at the right time but declined to go into detail during his announcement.

“The attacks against me are intensifying, with white papers coming out and cartoon characters being spread, and when outsiders see these, they lose trust

years of the current administration.

At the House of Representatives, Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando yesterday cited Bonoan’s admission that Wawao Builders, one of the 15 contractors mentioned by the President, bagged P9 billion worth of contracts nationwide, including P5.97 billion for 85 projects in Bulacan alone.

The secretary later conceded that many of these are “ghost projects.”

On Wednesday, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Benitez said that Bonoan should quit out of shame after the President expressed anger over a non-existent P55-million river wall project in Barangay Piel in Baliuag, Bulacan.

As this developed, the city government of Baliwag denied any involvement in the alleged P55-million flood control “ghost project” that the Presi-

Abante, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said the institution welcomes scrutiny that is backed by documents and testimony under oath, not sweeping claims that tarnish members who are conscientiously doing the work.

‘‘So, is Mayor Magalong saying that if our investigation here in the Chamber is a sham, we are being in cahoots? Be careful with accusations. It’s easy to say words, but it’s hard to prove them,’’ Abante said.

‘‘If he (Magalong) really believes that some of us are guilty here, he should not generalize it. He must be specific. His statements are an insult to the institution that we work hard

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greater clarity and, therefore, with a deeper perspective," he added.

The president said history should be seen less as a final judgment and more as an “instruction” that sharpens how leaders serve, listen and bear responsibility.

He noted that the Philippines has undergone "a profound transformation" defined by broader public discourse on power, memory and citizenship.

Mr. Marcos, son of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., acknowledged that commemorations such as Ninoy Aquino Day serve as reminders to choose peace over quarrel and uphold dignity despite differences.

"This day, therefore, becomes an invitation to govern with sobriety, conscience, and foresight," the president said.

"Through this observance, we advance the work of statecraft: disciplined, steady, and shaped by the enduring imperative to choose peace above quarrel, and dignity beyond differences," he added.

The holiday marks the assassination of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983, a pivotal moment in Philippine history that fueled opposition to the Marcos regime and paved the way for the 1986 People Power Revolution.

The president urged the public to mark the occasion with "solemn and meaningful remembrance."

At the Senate, Senator Bam Aquino urged Filipinos to carry forward the vision of his uncle, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., as the country grapples with fresh corruption controversies.

"The causes he fought for, such as good governance and a fairer society, remain unfulfilled. Today, we find ourselves in that same situation once again,” he said.

Aquino issued the call after leading a wreath-laying ceremony at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 to mark the 42nd anniversary of his uncle’s assassination.

The lawmaker cited the ongoing

in me, thinking it is the truth,” he lamented.

One controversy involved an animated video that used his voice, which Santiago admitted was authentic but said reflected his frustration with failed operations.

He clarified that his anger was not toward the public but toward the circumstances surrounding what he called problematic law enforcement activities.

dent uncovered during his visit to Barangay Piel. In a statement yesterday, the reinforced concrete river wall project in Purok 4 was solely implemented, funded, and paid for by the DPWH based on documents from Malacañang.

"This project did not go through the city government, and no documents were submitted to the City Engineering Office, nor was there any coordination or communication with any LGU (local government unit) office,” the statement read.

Mr. Marcos earlier described the project as questionable after reports surfaced that the supposed structure was nonexistent or substandard.

The city government echoed the President’s stance, condemning what it called a “fraudulent project” that wasted public funds.

to preserve and promote. I hope the mayor retracts what he said,’’ he added. The response came after Magalong publicly cast doubt on the congressional probe and used language that framed government processes as a farce. In recent interviews and clips circulating online, he signaled distrust in how Congress is handling the inquiry and, in other contexts within the same controversy, even described related procedures as ‘‘moro-moro,’’ a term widely understood to mean a sham.

Like Abante, Adiong also took offense at Magalong’s description of the anti-flood projects investigation,

Senate Blue Ribbon investigation into questionable billion-peso flood control contracts as proof of systemic abuses in government.

"As you saw in yesterday’s (Tuesday) hearings, there is once again rampant stealing and widespread corruption. It is important that the people take part in this and aspire for a better nation for all of us," he said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan also marked the occasion by recalling how Ninoy’s assassination in 1983 transformed his own political awakening.

Pangilinan said he was celebrating his 20th birthday with fraternity brothers when news broke of the killing.

“The violent silencing of a remarkable opposition leader changed the course of life for many Filipinos like me," he said.

Pangilinan said he joined street demonstrations in 1984 as a University of the Philippines student leader and later took part in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

He added that his political career since then has been guided by the lesson that love for a country requires defending its people and institutions.

“That was a long time ago. But here we are still in the political arena, living out one of Ninoy’s many lessons in life: If you love the Philippines, you will fight for it. You will fight for the dignity of the poorest. As they say: A true lover is patriotic and unyielding," he said.

The lawmaker also paid tribute to the Aquino family, noting the personal sacrifices endured by the late President Corazon Aquino and her children.

Senator Risa Hontiveros joined the commemoration, reflecting on how Ninoy embodied the courage to pursue an “impossible dream” for the nation. She said his ultimate sacrifice symbolizes the fight to reach higher ideals of justice, freedom and dignity for all Filipinos.

Hontiveros wished the public a meaningful observance of Ninoy Aquino Day, urging Filipinos to continue striving for the values he stood for.

Addressing his critics, Santiago said he believes in the principle of karma and insisted that false accusations will eventually backfire on those behind them.

“I am encouraging our agents to move on and continue our work, and we must not allow the integrity and trust of the public in the NBI to be destroyed,” he concluded.

contract costs, which insiders described as a code to signal project ownership.

Lacson pointed to ghost riverbank protection projects in Bulacan’s first engineering district where several contracts were all priced at P77.199 million.

He said the projects were tied to a syndicate in the district engineering office that borrowed contractors’ licenses to process documents and make ghost projects appear finished.

“Reseta,” the second entry, describes the two to three percent kickback imposed by district engineering offices, likened to a doctor’s prescription that contractors were forced to swallow.

The term “Passing Through” or “Parking Fee” refers to five to six percent of a project’s cost collected by politicians who controlled the districts where projects were carried out.

“Funders,” meanwhile, identifies lawmakers who pushed for projects and pocketed 20 to 25 percent of the total allocation.

Lacson cited an example in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, where a lawmaker secured P1.1 billion worth of additional flood control projects on top of P810 million in the proposed budget, ballooning the total to P1.9 billion.

He said that beyond statutory deductions like value-added tax and insurance, project funds were further sliced into layers of kickbacks.

These included eight to 10 percent for Department of Public Works and Highways officials, two to three percent for district engineering offices, and five to six percent for bids and awards committees.

He added that other cuts included up to one percent for the Commission on Audit and another five to six percent for politicians charging parking fees.

Funders, he said, claimed the biggest share, pocketing up to a quarter of the project budget. Lacson said these schemes illustrate how corruption has become systemic, drowning the country in waste and inefficiency.

“The depth of corruption has become so overwhelming that it drowns us in our sad state: More than flood control, what the Filipino people badly need to see is greed control,” he concluded.

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"Happy birthday to my first and only lady, Liza," the President wrote.

"You have been my partner through everything—a loving mother to our boys, a brilliant lawyer and teacher and now a tireless First Lady who gives so much of herself to others," he added.

Born on August 21, 1959, the First Lady also marked the occasion with an earlier post on her Instagram account, announcing a brief break from public life.

"Starting my 10-day sabbatical! No terno, no makeup, no hairspray!! Best birthday gift ever!! See you on Aug 26,” she said.

The First Lady has been actively involved in civic and cultural events since her husband assumed the presidency in 2022, and continues to balance her roles as a lawyer, educator, and public servant.

The Presidential couple has been married for more than three decades and has three sons.

IN BRIEF

Island homes benefit from with electrification

ILOILO — After decades of living by kerosene lamps and costly generators, more than 2,100 households in Iloilo’s island barangays are finally being connected to the mainland power grid—thanks to a ₱150-million project spearheaded by the Iloilo Electric Cooperative III (ILECO III).

The Concepcion–Tago–Tambaliza–Naborot Interconnection Line Extension Project links the island villages of Tambaliza, Macatunao, and Talotu-an in Concepcion, and Brgy. Naborot in San Dionisio, to steady electricity supply for the first time.

ILECO III General Manager Atty. James G. Balsomo II said the project is “more than just power lines—it’s about opening doors to education, livelihoods, and opportunities that these islanders have been denied for too long.”

The initiative was made possible through funding secured by former 5th District Rep. Raul Tupas and carried forward by his successor, Rep. Binky April Tupas, making the longdelayed dream of island electrification a reality.

Fraye Cedrick Anona

MMDA convenes TWG

on street parking ban

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) convened on Thursday a technical working group (TWG) tasked to develop strategies aimed at resolving the illegal parking problem across the metropolis at the agency’s central office in Pasig City.

The group is studying measures such as stronger enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and uniform guidelines that will later be endorsed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and discussed with the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

The MMC, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, serves as the MMDA’s governing and policy-making body. Discussions centered on establishing a single policy for illegal parking across the capital. Joel E. Zurbano

PNP boosts 911 line for police response

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will beef up its emergency helpline for Filipinos suffering from depression to help address the rise in suicide cases in the country, aside from the standard response for police assistance via the 911 hotline.

PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the 911 system allows callers to press 1 for police assistance, 2 for fire, 3 for medical emergencies, and 4 if they want someone to talk to. Those pressing 4 will be connected to trained counselors and volunteers who can provide advice, emotional support, and guidance to those struggling with mental health concerns.

“We are going to place a facility, a helpline through our 911 for all our kababayan who want someone to talk to, who need some people to share what they feel,” Torre said. Vince Lopez

DA seeks amendments to rice law

By Othel V. Campos

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel Jr. urged members of the House Committee on Agriculture to back proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), describing it as a “well-meaning policy” whose flaws have left Filipino farmers unprotected.

In his presentation before committee chairperson and Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, Tiu Laurel said the RTL’s full liberalization of rice imports had “stripped the National Food Authority (NFA) of the ability to regulate supply,

stabilize prices, or intervene in times of crisis,” leaving farmers at the mercy of market forces.

The agriculture chief warned that cheap, high-quality imported rice has dragged farmgate palay prices to un-

sustainable levels, as low as P8 per kilo last month, far below production costs even for the most efficient growers.

Tiu Laurel also rejected claims that the government’s P20 rice program caused the price drop, calling the allegation “absurd and simply untrue.”

Citing NFA data, he noted that palay prices began to recover only after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a temporary suspension of rice imports effective September 1, despite the continued rollout of the P20 program.

“This proves that market control, and not subsidies, is key. The real issue lies in the RTL itself. As currently written,

it does not reform the rice industry, it threatens to kill it,” Tiu Laurel said. He called for smarter regulation, data-driven policy, and a stronger NFA role, stressing the agency’s logistical capacity and experience in balancing market forces with public interest.

“We must regain control of the rice industry. It is imbued with too much public interest to leave entirely to the private sector,” he emphasized.

Tiu Laurel expressed full support for House Bill No. 1, authored by Speaker Martin Romualdez, which seeks to amend the RTL and restore the government’s ability to intervene when necessary.

PEACE PACT. Members of two feuding families in Panglima Estino, Sulu formally end their year-long conflict on Wednesday afternoon by signing a peace covenant brokered by community leaders and security officials.

DFA confirms arrest of six Filipino workers in Hong Kong

By Ma. Katrina Mikaela Manubay

THE Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong confirms the arrest of six Filipino Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) on Sunday, August 17.

In a post by a local media outlet, the six women aged 34 to 60 were providing un-

licensed dental treatments, two ‘acting’ as dentists and four as their assistants.

Thirteen additional Filipinos were discovered at the makeshift clinic in Sham Shui Po, seeking dental treatment.

During the raid, authorities seized various instruments used for teeth cleaning, braces, and denture fabrication.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department is currently detaining the FDWs for violating their terms of stay.

They face accusations of taking unauthorized employment, engaging in business activities in Hong Kong without permission, and falsely claiming to be dentists.

“The Consulate General and the Mi-

grant Workers Office in Hong Kong are currently assisting the said FDWs,” the statement reads.

The Consulate General said they are also coordinating with the HK ImmD Foreign Domestic Helpers Section while the official investigation of the case is ongoing.

PH getting new forensic gear from Japan gov’t

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippines received new forensic equipment from Japan’s Ministry of Justice, a donation officials said would strengthen the country’s capacity to investigate custodial deaths and advance human rights protection. The equipment, including mortuary refrigerators, autopsy carts, and body scales, was formally turned over on Wednesday to the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) under Japan’s Institutional Investigation of Custodial Deaths Project. The handover was facilitated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the donation was more than a technical upgrade, describing it as “a gesture of compassion” that affirms dignity even in death.

“At first glance, handing over autopsy instruments can feel like a clinical moment,” Bersamin said.

“Yet this simple act is charged with compassion: it affirms that every life, no matter how brief, deserves respect,” he added.

Two rival clans in Sulu seal peace pact

By Rex Espiritu

PANGILMA ESTINO, Sulu—Two feuding families in Panglima Estino, Sulu formally ended their year-long conflict on Wednesday afternoon after signing a peace covenant brokered by community leaders and security officials.

BGen. Alaric Avelino Delos Santos, commander of the Army’s 1102nd Infantry Brigade, identified the clans as those of Pajid Yusop Ubaidulla and Rasmin Asara. The rift stemmed from a shooting on June 18, 2024, in Barangay Kan-Bulak, Luuk, which left Nurikman Padjid dead. Violence flared again on June 22 this year when an ambush in Barangay Kan-Asaali, Panamao, claimed the life of Asbi

Mallah and injured two of Asara’s relatives.

“This act of reconciliation is not a sign of weakness but of true courage. It takes more strength to forgive than to seek revenge,” Delos Santos said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that the decision of both families to reconcile “will be remembered by their children and grandchildren as the day they gave them a better future.”

Delos Santos stressed that the resolution showed that even long-standing clan wars, locally known as rido, can be settled through dialogue, strong local leadership, and community cooperation.

The signing of the covenant was witnessed by key community leaders, officials, and members of the security sector in Sulu’s second congressional district.

COURTESY CALL. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez welcomes National Youth Commission Chairman Jeff Ortega (left), DAP Vice President for Corporate

Affairs June Arvin Gudoy (right), and SustainabilityPH Founder Shawntel Nieto (second from right) during their courtesy call at the Speaker’s Office in the House of

Representatives on Monday. Also in the photo are Tingog Party-list Rep. Andrew Romualdez and Senior Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez. Ver Noveno

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

BARMM regional center breaks ground in Parang, Maguindanao

IN BRIEF

P2.3m ‘hot meat’ seized in Bulacan

POLICE Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) on Thursday announced that a total of 12,500 kilograms of “hot meat” worth P2.3 million was seized in Marilao, Bulacan, resulting in the arrest of seven people in a police operation. In a statement, Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. said the operation was carried out after barangay peacekeepers on patrol discovered the illicit transfer of suspected double-dead meat from a wing van to a refrigerated truck in Brgy. Sta. Rosa 1, Marilao, around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday. He said the incident was immediately reported to the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and Marilao Police Station. The confiscated meat has since been turned over to NMIS for proper disposition, while charges for violation of Republic Act 9296 or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines are being prepared against the suspects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Malolos, Bulacan. Vince Lopez

Shooters of Manila construction worker charged

CHARGES of frustrated murder have been filed before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office against the two male suspects who allegedly shot a construction worker in broad daylight in Malate, Manila, last August 16. The Manila Police District Station 9 arrested the two suspects identified as 37-year-old Hero Macalanda, and 42-year-old Edwin Diaz.

They reportedly shot 41-year-old Rolando San Juan, who was said to be in front of his home cleaning the area in preparation for his grandson’s birthday party. The suspects had arrived aboard a lone motorcycle and shot the victim pointblank, hitting him in the chest and face, before speeding off toward Espiritu Street. Itchie G. Cabayan

BI nabs American sex offender

IMMIGRATION authorities arrested an American man tagged as a registered sex offender in the United States. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Anthony Joel Viado said that under the country’s immigration law, it prohibits the entry of foreign nationals previously convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, which involves registered sex offenders.

BI FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy identified the American as James Russel Munson, who was arrested along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila. According to information received from the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime and US authorities, Munson is identified as a child sex offender after previously being convicted for violation of a minor on the first degree. Munson will remain in the BI’s custody and will face deportation proceedings and eventual blacklisting. Vito Barcelo

By Nash B. Maulana

PARANG, Maguindanao del Norte—

Development works on a proposed permanent regional center here have started with the perimeter fencing of an erstwhile plywood industrial complex acquired by the Bangsamoro government from the Sarmiento family in Luzon.

Minister Eduard Uy Guerra of the region’s Ministry of Public Works (MPW) said the proposed government center for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will cover a cove coastal area from Barangay Landasan to the Polloc Freeport, some 15 kilometers apart.

District Engineer Avila Abobacar said multiple construction works for

structures, road network, drainage and buildings started Wednesday with former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) digging the earth to construct the perimeter fences of the 42-hectare government-acquired property.

Abobacar described the initial phases of the works as “a powerful symbol of transformation (that) is taking root in

the Bangsamoro.”

“The Ministry of Public Works–Maguindanao del Norte officially broke ground for the construction of Permanent Fence and Gates in Barangay Landasan, this town,” Abobacar said.

Guerra, an architect by profession, said the multiple programs, projects and activities involved in the development of BARMM’s permanent seat of government are seen to generate thousands of employment opportunities for the region’s working sector—professionals, skilled and unskilled human resources alike.

“The project promises not only protection and security for the site but also a future that could redefine governance and economic growth in the region,” Abobacar said.

He said the projects will be built with “durable, low-maintenance design made of high-quality materials.”

three

THE Philippine National Police - Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) on Thursday announced the arrest of 14 drivers in the ongoing crackdown on abusive and illegal public transport providers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The PNP-Avsegroup, in coordination with the Land Transportation Office, arrested 10 taxi drivers for breach of franchise and overcharging violations, while four private vehicles were intercepted for illegally operating as “for hire” without the proper authorization from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. The drivers and operators are now facing administrative action, while the vehicles were impounded at the PNP Avsegroup Headquarters for documentation.

“We will not tolerate abusive drivers and operators here in NAIA. Our operations will continue until violators realize that the law

must be respected at all times,” said Avsegroup chief Brig. Gen. Jay Reyes Cumigad.

The LTO earlier placed the licenses of 11 taxi and transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers under a 90-day preventive suspension following complaints of overcharging passengers at the airport.

The drivers were caught in a joint operation, targeting those involved in snubbing, overcharging, and illegal contracting.

Initial findings revealed that the drivers charged between P200 and P700 for short trips between NAIA Terminals 1 and 3— amounts significantly higher than the usual fare. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eric Jose Ines initiated the crackdown in June in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect passengers from exploitation by taxi drivers.

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allotted more than Php7.1 million for four bridges this year that will improve the access to mobility of residents, especially children, in rural communities under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program.

According to KALAHI-CIDSS National Program Manager (NPM), Director Bernadette Mapue-Joaquin, the program is a significant development that uses the community driven-development (CDD) approach.

“KALAHI-CIDSS believes in the important contribution of community members to address the problems of their community. This is the spirit of the CDD approach which is the heart of KALAHI-CIDSS. In this program, they themselves analyzed the condition of their community, identified, planned, designed priority programs that would respond to the existing problem,” Joaquin said.

Among the infrastructure subprojects which were completed were two footbridges in Barangays Guinlin and Mate in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur. Last July 14, the community members and officials of Barangay Guinlin celebrated the turnover of their new footbridge funded by the KALAHICIDSS through a grant amounting to Php650,260.15, with an Php8,000 fund counterpart contribution from the municipal and barangay local government units (LGUs).

“The volunteers’ emotions are indescribable. The bridge we longed for is finally here,” Tigbao Municipal Mayor Eleazar Carcallas said during the turnover ceremony.

City govt’s ‘PuroKalusugan serves barangays DSWD allots P7.1m for four bridges in three provinces

By Fraye Cedrick Anona

ILOILO CITY — Bringing medical services closer to the people, the city government rolled out the Department of Health’s (DOH) “PuroKalusugan” program in three barangays in Arevalo district on Wednesday, turning a regional evacuation center into a mini health fair.

The pilot launch in Barangay So-oc drew over 200 residents from So-oc, Sto. Niño, and Calaparan, who lined up for free consultations, immunizations, nutrition checks, and even teenage pregnancy counseling.

A WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) corner, an immunization lounge, and a nutrition station were also set up to address pressing community health needs.

Dr. Candice Magdalane Tupas, the city’s Executive Assistant on Medical Tourism and Health Initiatives, said the initiative makes healthcare more accessible.

“Our health centers are open every day, but this is more convenient for our people. PuroKalusugan brings services straight to the barangay. It’s like a mobile consultation that offers much more,” she said.

According to DOH Memorandum Circular No. 24, series of 2025, PuroKalusugan aims to complement—not replace—existing LGU health programs. It targets eight priority areas, including maternal and child care, adolescent health, nutrition, and environmental sanitation, all anchored on prevention and early intervention.

During the launch, stakeholders signed a pledge to sustain the campaign, which city officials said will be held more frequently to reach more families at the grassroots.

MAKING WAVES. Philippine Army soldiers and their Australian counterparts discuss the conduct of their joint exercises under Exercise Amphibious Landing Operations (Exercise ALON) 2025, which runs from August 11 to 29 in Nueva Ecija. Philippine Army

OPINION

Is peace at hand?

IN HIS 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a milestone in the government’s decades-long campaign against the Maoist-led New People’s Army (NPA): “Finally, there are no guerrilla groups left in the country, and the government will ensure that none will be formed again.”

Last week, top officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the Philippine Army confirmed the Chief Executive’s recent declaration that all 89 NPA guerrilla fronts across the country have been dismantled as of the end of 2024.

The NTF-ELCAC highlighted the role of non-military programs in the counterinsurgency effort.

This, it said, was made possible by a whole-of-nation approach mandated by Executive Order 70. The agency cited combat operations combined with social interventions: livelihood, infrastructure, peace dialogues, and reintegration of former rebels into the mainstream of society.

For its part, the Philippine Army reported the last active front—Komite Larangang Guerrilla 1 in the Bicol Region—was dismantled late last year.

These fronts were formerly structured as independent politico-military units capable of conducting armed operations and cultivating underground mass support.

The Army’s assessment that the NPA is all but finished is based on five key indicators: the neutralization or withdrawal of NPA armed elements, the breakdown of their political-military infrastructure, the loss of grassroots mass support, denial of access to guerrilla base areas, and the full restoration of government services in previously affected communities.

With the disintegration of these five elements, the Army claimed, the NPA has lost operational capability.

What remains are small groups—typically squads of fewer than 10 men who now operate without direction, support, or territory. The military now considers them as bandits, not insurgents.

For nearly 60 years, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), waged a guerrilla war rooted in calls for land reform, labor rights, and social justice.

The conflict claimed thousands of lives and shaped the country’s political and military institutions.

Now, with the government citing the dismantling of rebel fronts and the surrender of thousands of fighters, the administration is eager to turn the page.

But we must emphasize that peace is not just the absence of war—it also involves the presence of justice, dialogue, and reconciliation.

The National Democratic Front (NDF), the political arm of the communist movement, had engaged in intermittent peace talks with successive administrations.

In 2023, negotiations resumed after years of stalemate, raising hopes for a political settlement.

Yet the current administration’s declaration risks undermining these efforts by framing the insurgency as a closed chapter rather than a complex issue requiring continued engagement.

By emphasizing military success and surrender statistics, the government may be ignoring the deeper socioeconomic grievances that fueled the insurgency.

Landlessness, rural poverty, and labor exploitation remain unresolved in many parts of the country.

We must emphasize that peace is not just the absence of war—it also involves the presence of justice, dialogue, and reconciliation

Without thorough structural reforms, discontent could resurface in new forms, maybe not as armed rebellion, but as radicalization or civil unrest.

I am worried that labeling the rebellion as “defeated” or “finished” could delegitimize the voices of those who still advocate for systemic change through peaceful means.

It may also discourage future dialogue with other dissenting groups, thus unnecessarily setting a precedent of exclusion rather than negotiation.

Genuine peace requires more than disarmament; it also demands truth-telling and accountability.

Former rebels need not only livelihood programs but also recognition of their grievances and a role in shaping the nation’s future. Communities affected by decades of conflict deserve economic opportunities, health and education, and a voice in national development.

The declaration of the end of the rebellion in the country should open the door to a genuine national reconciliation process.

Otherwise, it risks becoming a political sound bite that only conceals the complexities of contemporary Philippine history.

We believe that if the Marcos Jr. administration really wants to build lasting peace, it must go beyond mere victory narratives.

It must reopen channels of dialogue, invest in inclusive development, and confront the agonizing truths of the past.

Only then can the Philippines truly say that the rebellion is really over—not just in terms of laying down of arms, but in an invigorated national spirit. (Email: ernhil@ yahoo.com)

New due process requirements for impeachment

“THERE is a right way to do the right thing at the right time. This is what the Rule of Just Law means. This is what fairness or due process of law means, even for impeachment,” Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen wrote in Sara Duterte vs. House of Representatives.

With these words, the Supreme Court stressed that fairness and due process apply at every stage of an impeachment proceeding. Even in a politically charged process, the rule of law must prevail. The ruling emphasized that due process is not a courtesy but a Constitutional requirement, and that it must already be observed before the Senate takes on its role as the impeachment court.

The decision explained how these guarantees should work in practice.

The official facing impeachment must be given the chance to respond to the allegations before the case is transmitted to the Senate. All House members, and not only those endorsing the complaint, must have access to the evidence.

Endorsement cannot be automatic just because one-third of the members sign; there must be genuine deliberation.

Complaints must be placed on the agenda within 10 session days and referred to the proper committee within three days. Finally, only grave offenses committed during the incumbent’s present term may be

used as grounds for impeachment. Justice Leonen found that these safeguards were not observed in the Duterte case.

The Vice President was not given the chance to respond. Evidence was withheld from many members. No meaningful deliberation was held, and the endorsement lacked transparency and fairness.

Endorsement cannot be automatic just because one-third of the members sign; there must be genuine deliberation

These lapses, the Court held, made the Articles of Impeachment Constitutionally infirm even before they reached the Senate.

The ruling has been met with sharp criticism.

Some legal scholars and former justices contend the Court has placed undue burdens on the impeachment process. They argue the new requirements were

This is an AI-generated cartoon with the prompt: Generate a political cartoon in horizontal format in a pen and ink texture. There is a festive banner at the top of panel. There is a label ‘plunder

‘Who’s your protector?’

A step backward for peace in Mindanao

LAST week, on Aug. 16, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim issued a statement requiring all Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) commanders and MILF officials to get formal permission before engaging with the national government or the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

Ebrahim cited a July 19 resolution that temporarily halted the fourth and final phase of decommissioning MILF fighters and weapons. He emphasized the importance of following official channels and warned that any unauthorized involvement would be seen as a serious breach of discipline and could lead to administrative action.

This development has political and strategic implications.

One, the MILF is reasserting its authority and signaling that it will not be a passive participant in a process it views as unbalanced. This move reinforces its role as a co-equal party in the peace agreement.

Two, by suspending cooperation, the MILF is applying pressure on the government to fulfill its commitments under the Annex on Normalization, particularly the socioeconomic packages for combatants.

And three, while this does not mean a rejection of the peace process, the suspension introduces uncertainty.

applied retroactively and weaken impeachment as a mechanism of accountability.

In their view, impeachment is fundamentally a political process and should not be restricted by judicial rules designed for trials. They warn that requiring exchanges of evidence and responses before Senate transmission risks turning impeachment into a trial before the trial.

Still, precedent supports the Court’s approach.

In Francisco v. House of Representatives, the Court already ruled that Constitutional safeguards, including due process, must be respected in impeachment.

The essence of due process is straightforward: the accused must be given the opportunity to answer the charges and to be judged fairly by an impartial body. In impeachment, this ensures that proceedings are predictable, transparent, and not subject to partisan whims.

The real debate is not whether due process applies, but how far it should extend.

Critics say Leonen’s ponencia over-

It could erode trust, delay reintegration efforts, and potentially embolden factions resistant to demilitarization.

The challenge now is to find common ground and keep the Bangsamoro peace roadmap moving forward

Understandably, the Office for Bangsamoro Transformation under OPAPRU has expressed disappointment over the MILF decision.

It pushed back against claims that the government has failed to deliver on its promises, highlighting that about P4 billion has been spent since 2019 to support

reached by laying down procedural steps not explicitly found in Francisco or in the Constitution. They worry that these judicially crafted rules risk making impeachment impractical and insulating officials from accountability.

Supporters respond that the safeguards are necessary to prevent harassment and politically motivated complaints, and that they strengthen the process by ensuring it is not reduced to a numbers game.

Even if the ruling imposes stricter standards, it remains within the Court’s constitutional authority.

The Supreme Court has long exercised its power to refine and revise precedent when justice demands it.

Seen in this light, the Leonen decision is part of the Court’s responsibility to make constitutional processes both fair and workable. Looking ahead, the ruling carries important consequences. Members of the House must be more deliberate when handling complaints, knowing that shortcuts will be struck down.

decommissioned combatants.

This includes P100,000 cash assistance per fighter, PhilHealth coverage, and livelihood training.

Malacañang has urged both sides to keep talking. “It’s a sad development, but we remain hopeful that upcoming talks will yield positive results,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. She assured the government is ready to support MILF fighters who want to transition to a peaceful, normal life.

How to resolve the impasse?

Members of the BARMM Parliament and local leaders have called for renewed dialogue between MILF and OPAPRU. There’s also the proposal for the Senate to conduct an inquiry to investigate the delay and assess the implementation of the normalization tracks to ensure transparency and accountability. Another proposal is to heighten confidence-building by reaffirming mutual commitments and ensuring tangible benefits for ex-combatants to restore momentum.

How the government responds to the MILF move is a test of the resilience and sincerity of the peace process.

The MILF’s stance is not a retreat but a demand for integrity and parity. If both sides engage constructively, it could lead to a more robust and inclusive implementation of the peace agreement. The challenge now is to find common ground and keep the Bangsamoro peace roadmap moving forward.

Senators sitting as jurors must now distinguish which elements of due process apply at initiation, which apply at trial, and which apply to both. If observed in good faith, the decision provides a roadmap that strengthens accountability while preventing abuse of the impeachment power. Ultimately, the Court has reframed impeachment as not only a political act but also a Constitutional one. Politics will always shape how it unfolds, but fairness, transparency, and predictability must guide it.

While critics may decry the added burdens, the decision’s broader message is clear: impeachment, like all exercises of state power, must operate within the rule of law. By demanding higher standards of fairness, the Court has shown that accountability is not weakened by due process but is, in fact, made stronger by it. Facebook, X, Instagram and Blue Sky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina.com

IN BRIEF

US intel chief slashes payroll

WASHINGTON, DC – US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard said Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) she will make heavy cuts to her office, which she declared has “fallen short” of fulfilling its mandate and is “rife with abuse of power.”

Gabbard announced she will reduce the Office of the Director of National Intelligence by over 40 percent by the end of fiscal year 2025, estimated to save $700 million.

“Over the last 20 years, ODNI has become bloated and inefficient, and the intelligence community is rife with abuse of power, unauthorized leaks of classified intelligence and politicized weaponization of intelligence,” Gabbard said in a news release.

In a series of social media posts, Gabbard added she is “cutting bloated bureaucracy, rooting out deep state actors, and restoring mission focus.”

A four-page fact sheet posted to her department’s website describes the plan for “ODNI 2.0,” which involves reducing her office’s efforts to monitor biosecurity, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyber intelligence threats and other areas. AFP

NZ spy service warns of China interference

SYDNEY – New Zealand’s spy service warned Thursday that China is the most active power engaging in foreign interference in the country, including through front organizations.

New Zealand faces the “most challenging national security environment of recent times”, the country’s intelligence agency said in an annual risk assessment.

Key drivers of the deteriorating threat environment were less stable relationships between states, deepening polarization and growing grievances.

Though several states seek to manipulate New Zealand’s government and society, China remains the “most active”, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service said.

The spy agency specifically accused China’s United Front Work Department of engaging in foreign interference to build influence outside of China.

Not all of its activity amounted to foreign interference, and some could be beneficial, it said.

“However, its activities are regularly deceptive, coercive and corruptive and come with risks for New Zealand organizations.” AFP

Myanmar junta unveils new election details

YANGON – Myanmar’s ruling junta released details of its long-awaited December election on Thursday, saying the first voting phase would cover about a third of the nation’s townships -- despite the conflict raging around the country.

The military-led government announced this week that polls would be held in phases, starting on December 28, pushing the vote as a salve for a war that has consumed the country since the generals seized power in a 2021 coup. But vast tracts of the country are outside its control, democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi remains jailed, and a UN expert has described the election as a “fraud” to disguise continuing military rule.

The junta has yet to set a full election timetable, but a notice published in state media said the first round of voting will take place in 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. AFP

Israel OKs key West Bank project

North Carolina braces for flooding from Erin

WASHINGTON, DC – Hurricane Erin’s furthest bands began brushing the outer banks of North Carolina’s coast Wednesday, where the Category 2 storm triggered mandatory evacuation orders, and officials warned summer beachgoers along the US East Coast of life-threatening surf and rip currents in coming days.

Landfall isn’t expected for Erin -- welcome news for the southern US state still reeling from last year’s deadly Hurricane Helene -- but North Carolina officials declared an emergency Tuesday as Erin’s predicted impacts began taking shape.

Portions of coastal North Carolina and Virginia were under tropical storm warnings, according to officials at the National Hurricane Center.

“Swells generated by Erin will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada

during the next several days,” NHC said,

adding that “Erin is a large hurricane.”

As of Wednesday afternoon (Thursday Manila time) , Erin was churning northward some 395 kilometers southeast of North Carolina, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph, the NHC said -- with the possibility it could still restrengthen to a major hurricane.

Its unusually large size means tropical storm-force winds extend hundreds of miles from its center, earning it the moniker “Enormous Erin” by hurricane specialist Michael Lowry, who wrote on Substack the United States was fortunate to be spared a direct hit. Mandatory evacuation orders were in effect for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands in North Carolina. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein urged residents to store enough food,

Suspended Thai PM in court for case seeking her ouster

BANGKOK – Thailand’s suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrived at court on Thursday to testify in a case seeking to remove her from office over her handling of the kingdom’s border row with Cambodia.

Paetongtarn, daughter of controversial but influential billionaire ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is accused of failing in her duties by not standing up for the country properly in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, audio of which was leaked online.

The Constitutional Court, which ousted her predecessor as prime minister a year ago in a separate ethics case, will rule next Friday on whether Paetongtarn should be thrown out of office.

The court suspended Paetongtarn from office last month and summoned her to answer questions in the case on Thursday -- her 39th birthday.

Dressed in a black business suit, Paetongtarn smiled and greeted reporters as she arrived at court in Bangkok with Prommin Lertsuridej, a top adviser who is named in the case with her.

The case centers around her call in June with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s longtime ruler and father of its current premier, which focused on the two neighbors’ thenbrewing row over their disputed border.

In the call, Paetongtarn addressed Hun Sen as “uncle” and referred to a Thai military commander as her “opponent,” sparking a furious reaction in Thailand. AFP

water and supplies to last up to five days -- and to safeguard important documents like insurance policies.

“We have already pre-positioned three swift water rescue teams and 200 National Guard troops to various locations on the coast, along with boats, high clearance vehicles and aircraft,” he added. Highway 12 -- which runs through the scenic Outer Banks of North Carolina, a string of low-lying islands and spits already under threat from sea-level rise and erosion -- could be left impassable by waves as high as 20 feet (six meters).

Last year’s Hurricane Helene caused approximately $60 billion in damage to North Carolina, equivalent to almost two years of the state’s budget, said Stein, who criticized what he called inadequate federal assistance from the administration of President Donald Trump. AFP

JERUSALEM – Israel approved a major settlement project on Wednesday in an area of the occupied West Bank that the international community has warned threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12-square-kilometer parcel known as E1 just east of Jerusalem, but the plan had been stalled for years amid international opposition.

The latest announcement also drew condemnation, with UN chief Antonio Guterres saying the settlement would effectively cleave the West Bank in two and pose an “existential threat” to a contiguous Palestinian state. Last week, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich backed plans to build around 3,400 homes on the ultra-sensitive tract of land, which lies between Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim.

“I am pleased to announce that just a short while ago, the civil administration approved the planning for the construction of the E1 neighborhood,” the mayor of Maale Adumim, Guy Yifrach, said in a statement on Wednesday.

All of Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law, regardless of whether they have Israeli planning permission.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority slammed the latest move. “This undermines the chances of implementing the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state on the ground, and fragments its geographic and demographic unity,” the PA’s foreign ministry said in a statement. It added the move would entrench “division of the occupied West Bank into isolated areas and cantons that are disconnected from one another, turning them into something akin to real prisons, where movement is only possible through Israeli checkpoints and under the terror of armed settler militias”. Israel heavily restricts the movement of West Bank Palestinians, who must obtain permits from authorities to travel through checkpoints to cross into east Jerusalem or Israel. AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – US Vice Presi-

dent JD Vance’s meet-and-greet with troops deployed in Washington was interrupted on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) by repeated shouts of “Free DC,” as the National Guard said forces from multiple Republican-led states had arrived in the capital. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard in Washington last week as part of what he has called a crackdown on crime, despite statistics showing violent offenses were down in the city. The DC National Guard mobilized 800 troops for the mission, while Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia are sending a total of around 1,200 more. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited troops at Washington’s Union Station Wednesday. Loud boos could be heard from outside as Vance walked into a fast-food restaurant at the train station. People also shouted slogans including “Free DC! Free DC!” as he greeted troops and spoke with reporters. Vance dismissed the

SEOUL – North Korea has built a secret military base near its border with China which may house Pyongyang’s newest long-range ballistic missiles, according to new research.

The “undeclared” Sinpung-dong Missile Operating Base lies about 27 kilometers from the Chinese frontier, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report published Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The facility in North Pyongan Province likely houses six to nine nuclearcapable intercontinental ballistic missiles and their launchers, the study said.

It said the weapons “pose a potential nuclear threat to East Asia and the continental United States”.

North Korea has ramped up its nuclear weapons program since a failed summit with the United States in 2019, and leader Kim Jong Un recently called for the “rapid expansion” of the diplomatically isolated nation’s nuclear capability.

The report -- which CSIS called the first in-depth, open-source confirmation

of Sinpung-dong -- said the base is one of about “15-20 ballistic missile bases, maintenance, support, missile storage, and warhead storage facilities which North Korea has never declared.”

The facility is “not known to have been the subject of any denuclearization negotiations previously conducted between the United States and North Korea”, the study said.

Citing their analysts’ current assessments, CSIS said the launchers and missiles could leave the base in times of crisis or war, link up with special units and conduct harder-to-detect launches from other parts of the country.

The base, along with others, “represent the primary components of what is presumed to be North Korea’s evolving ballistic missile strategy, and its expanding strategic-level nuclear deterrence and strike capabilities”, the report said. Kim’s 2019 summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, collapsed because the two sides disagreed on what Pyongyang would concede in return for sanctions relief. AFP

SPORTS

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7

SSL National Invitationals

Cebu leg starts

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—Adamson University gets an early acid test in an explosive clash against the dangerous University of San Carlos as the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu Leg unfolds Friday at the Mandaue Sports Complex here.

Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude expects a dogfight in their 7 p.m. encounter with the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) champions Lady Warriors.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa team na huwag magpakampante. Alam naman natin na lahat kami rito gustong talunin ang mga makakalaban. Siyempre home town din nila. We expect na magkakaroon kami ng magandang laban,” said Yude.

All eyes will be on Alas Pilipinas member Shaina Nitura as she tries to lead Adamson to the throne after a runner-up finish in the 2023 edition of the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

USC, on the other hand, is looking for payback following a winless stint in last year’s edition.

Meanwhile, first-time participant Ateneo de Manila University battles University of Southern Philippines Foundation in the curtainraiser at 5 p.m.

The Blue Eagles will parade their prized recruits Ana Francesca Hermosura and Dona Mae De Leon from the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League runner-up Bacolod Tay Tung.

A quarterfinalist in the previous edition, the Lady Panthers are determined to capture a breakthrough title in front of their adoring Cebuano fans.

The tournament, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners, is in its second of three provincial stops.

“This tournament celebrates not just talent but unity, sportsmanship and the passion of our youth. Mandaue City is honored to be your stage. Together, let’s make this a tournament to remember,” said Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano.

Cebu, a known volleyball hotbed in the Visayas, is the latest battleground for the three-day volleyball action, which pits teams in a single round-robin format. The squad with the best win-loss record or match points earned, if necessary, will be declared champion.

“Cebu has been the center of volleyball in the Visayas for the longest time. Every year, we invite the best teams from their provincial championship, which is CESAFI; their top two teams represent them in our tournament in Manila. But this time it’s different. We’re giving them the home court advantage,” said league organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES) president Dr. Ian Laurel.

“They’ll be hosting the Manilabased teams this time. We want them to experience the excitement of their home crowd.”

Controversial ‘24 Olympic champ denies retirement

ALGIERS, Algeria—Algerian boxer and Olympic champion Imane Khelif on Wednesday denied claims made by her former manager that she was putting her career on hold.

Khelif was at the center of a gender row at the Paris Games where she won gold in the women’s 66kg category.

“I would like to make it clear to the public that the reports of my retirement from boxing are false,” the 26-year-old Khelif wrote on her Fa-

cebook page.

She accused her former manager, Nasser Yesfah, of “betraying (her) trust and (her) country with his false and malicious statements”.

“This person no longer represents me in any way,” she said.

“I have never announced my re -

tirement from boxing. I remain committed to my sporting career, I train regularly and I maintain my physical condition between Algeria and Qatar in preparation for upcoming events.”

French newspaper Nice Matin earlier on Wednesday cited quotes from her former manager saying that she had hung up her gloves, without specifying whether it was for good.

The world boxing championships are due to take place in Liverpool from September 4-14. The deadline to enter the event is on Monday. AFP

World Aquatics names Alibaba as cloud supplier

WORLD Aquatics has appointed Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, as the Global Exclusive Cloud Supplier, in a strategic partnership that will drive long-term digital transformation for World Aquatics.

For the first time in history, the core systems of an International Sports Federation such as World Aquatics will be fully migrated to the cloud, leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s proven expertise in cloud computing and AI technologies.

The collaboration will run from

2025 through to 2028 and will be activated across all World Aquatics events, including multiple World Aquatics Championships, World Cup cycles, as well as on all World Aquatics’ digital platforms.

“This is a significant step forward for World Aquatics,” said World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam. “Alibaba Cloud brings not only global cloud coverage and proven technical expertise, but also a great understanding of the demands of international sport on digital platforms. This partnership will

allow us to scale our operations, improve our platforms’ stability, enhance data security, and serve our community more effectively.”

As part of the agreement, Alibaba Cloud will deliver a full suite of cloud services and AI-driven solutions to support World Aquatics’ global digital operations and data strategy. Additionally, the partnership aims to help create a more connected global aquatics family online, driving World Aquatics’ broader vision of “a world united by water, for health, life and sport”.

Larry O’Brien Trophy brings excitement to NBA Store opening

By Peter Atencio

THE Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy has added an aura of excitement and authenticity to the NBA Store that opened on Wednesday at GH Mall in San Juan City. Currently belonging to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 15.5-pound sterling silver and vermeil cup that’s made with a 2- karat gold overlay is awarded annually by the National Basketball Association to the winner of the NBA Finals. It sits inside a plastic enclosure near the entrance of the newly opened store.

“It’s here for a limited time. It’s not

everyday that we have the trophy in the Philippines,” said Patrick Giron, NBA Asia Merchandising Partnerships Director, who graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the shop with Sami Bo-ot, Titanomachy International DirectorNBA Store Philippines.

The new outlet comes three years after the second NBA Store opened at the SM Megamall back in 2022.

“The fans can see it at the store. It will be here for at least two weeks,” added Giron.

With the trophy around, fans will know that the merchandise the store offers is official and genuine.

Operated by Titan, the new NBA Store

in Metro Manila has a comprehensive selection of merchandise, which includes current and former player jerseys, fan apparel, headwear, footwear, basketballs, accessories and collectibles.

The merchandise have the logos of major brands like Nike, Mitchell & Ness, New Era and Wilson.

The opening attracted local ballers Isaac Go, Gian Mamuyac, Aljon Mariano and Von Pessumal.

The NBA Store will also carry NBA Philippines-branded apparel, including a special collection to commemorate the launch of the newest NBA Store in the country.

Higa, Naredo seek repeat in Arcillas netfest

FRESH from their dominant performances last week, rising tennis stars Jonathan Higa and Julio Naredo look to extend their winning streaks as they headline the Mayor Arlene Arcillas National Juniors Tennis Championships, which got under way Thursday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex. Higa, who hails from Taguig, recently captured the boys’ 18-andunder crown after dispatching Gavin Kraut, 6-4, 6-2, in the Dr. Pablo Olivarez Sr. National Juniors tilt. Meanwhile, Quezon City’s Naredo stamped his class in the 16-and-U division with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Alexandre Coyiuto. The pair’s recent triumphs have marked them as top contenders in the Group 2 event, presented by Dunlop. Organized by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala (PPSPEPP), the event has drawn a big number of entries, prompting organizers to spread the tournament over two weeks. The boys’ division will run from Aug. 22 to 25, while the girls take center stage from Aug. 29 to September 1.

The huge turnout underscores the popularity of tennis among the youth and reflects the unwavering support of the host city, led by Mayor Arlene Arcillas, whose commitment to grassroots sports development continues to open doors for promising athletes nationwide.

“The sheer volume of participants highlights not only the passion for tennis among Filipino youth but also the tremendous support of Sta. Rosa in nurturing athletic talent,” said PPSPEPP Sports Program and Development director Bobby Mangunay.

While Higa and Naredo carry momentum and confidence into Sta. Rosa, they are fully aware that their paths to repeat victories will be anything but easy. Kraut, eager for redemption, remains a formidable threat in the 18-and-U field.

The spotlight also turns to top seed Ariel Cabaral, along with siblings Frank and France Dilao, who are expected to live up to their billing in this highly competitive age group.

In the 16-and-U bracket, Naredo will face strong opposition from the likes of Brendan Morales, Rafa Monte De Ramos and Anthony Cosca, all aiming to make their mark in one of the most talent-rich divisions of the event held as part of the PPS-PEPP program, led by president/CEO Bobby Castro. Cosca, doubling up in multiple age brackets in the tournament sanctioned by Philta with support from Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports, also figures prominently in the 14-and-U category alongside Marcus Go, Tyronne Caro, and Kenji Kue.

Caro, who also scored a win in the Olivarez Sr. event, is on a mission for backto-back titles in the 12-and-U division, where top seed Jan Villeno, Jairus Peralta and Joaquin Dacyon await.

Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy

Gold medallist Algeria’s Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women’s 66kg final boxing category during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Roland-Garros Stadium, in Paris. AFP

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Teen Filipino archer stuns bets from Colombia, India

By Randy M. Caluag

DUMAGUETE City, long known for producing elite archers in the Philippines, has once again proven why it is considered a stronghold of the sport.

Fourteen-year-old Davayn Philip Mason, a rising star from this coastal city in Central Visayas, emerged as the top performer for the Philippine archery team at the World Archery Youth Championships in Winnipeg, Canada.

Seeded 52nd in the Recurve U18 Men’s division, Mason reached the Round of 32 after back-to-back victories, first outlasting Colombia’s Nicolas Gomez Meneses in a nerve-wracking shoot-off, 6-5 (10-9), before pulling off a stunning upset over 13th seed Pawar Aditya Shivprasad of India, 6-4. Earlier in the 72-arrow qualification round, Mason tallied 624 points, securing 52nd place out of 83 competitors.

Kurashiki pulls out of PVL; ZUS Coffee steps in

THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) has made a last-minute change to its six-team lineup for the two-week Invitational after the Kurashiki Ablaze from Japan withdrew due to an internal issue involving their head coach. Kurashiki, the 2023 PVL Invitational champion, pulled out of the tournament following a serious compliance violation allegedly committed by head coach Hideo Suzuki.

“We regret to inform you that we received a notice from the Japan Volleyball League indicating that our head coach, Hideo Suzuki, may have committed a serious compliance violation,” said Daisuke Watanabe, Representative Director of Ablaze Co. Ltd., in an official statement.

“In response to this notification, our team has decided to immediately commence an internal investigation and suspend all activities until the details of the incident are fully clarified,” he added.

“It is with great regret that we must inform you of our decision to withdraw from participating in the PVL Invitational. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this sudden decision, made so close to the start of the tournament, may cause to all parties involved,” Watanabe further said.

With Kurashiki officially out, the PVL has tapped the fifth-placed team from the PVL on Tour to complete the tournament lineup.

An invitation was initially sent to Farm Fresh team owner Frank Lao, but he opted to field the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles instead, citing that the Foxies are still not ready and are short of a full training roster.

This impressive run is no surprise to those who know Mason’s pedigree.

The Dumaguete native is a leg winner in the World Archery Philippines National Open and a multi-gold medalist in the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy, cementing his status as one of the country’s most promising young archers.

His performance continues Dumaguete’s tradition of excellence in archery—a city that has consistently nurtured athletes capable of competing on the world stage. Dumaguete is known as a hub for archery, producing many national and international champions. Among them

are the Bidaure sisters, Pia Elizabeth Angela and Gabrielle Monica, and Phoebe Nicole Amistoso, who won gold for the Philippines in the 2022 SEA Games Women’s Team Recurve event.

Naina Dominique Tagle has also excelled in national tournaments like the Palarong Pambansa. Other notable names include Jennifer Dy Chan, an Olympian in 2000, and Karl Kristian Mari, a record-setting archer.

While Mason advanced deep into the competition, teammates Edward Justin Tanco and Marco Angelo Villanueva were eliminated in the first round by opponents from New Zealand and India, respectively.

In other events, Lester Datiles of Cagayan de Oro progressed to the second round of the Men’s U21 category, while compound archers Alon Jucutan, Gwyneth Garcia, and Kristine Ibag are set to compete in their U21 individual matches.

Errani, Vavassori retain US Open doubles’ crown

NEW YORK—Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori retained their US Open mixed doubles title on Wednesday, beating Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud to claim the $1 million top prize in the new-look competition that kicked off action at the last Grand Slam of the year.

The Italians capped two days of intense work in the 16-team event with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 victory over Swiatek and Ruud -- who were among a slew of singles stars drawn not only by the big purse but also by the chance to contest mixed doubles before singles action begins on Sunday.

Poland’s Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion ranked second in the world, battled through a two-hour tussle with Jasmine Paolini to win the Cincinnati Open on Monday then hot-footed it to New York to team up with Norway’s Ruud in the revamped competition. Carlos Alcaraz, men’s champion in Cincinnati, also turned out but he and British playing partner Emma Raducanu were eliminated on Tuesday, as was superstar Novak Djokovic, who teamed with fellow Serb Olga Danilovic.

The star names drew big crowds but the chemistry between Italians Errani and Vavassori, cultivated over a two-year on-court partnership that also saw them win the French Open title this year, proved decisive. Errani hoped it showed that committed doubles teams -- many of whom were shut out of the field -have plenty to offer.

“I think this one is also for all the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament,” Errani said as she and Vavassori accepted the trophy. “I think this one is also for them.” Errani and Vavassori roared to a 4-1 lead in the opening set of the championship match and after Swiatek and Ruud regained one break, closed it on a confident hold from Vavassori.

Down a break at 4-5 in the second, Swiatek and Ruud won three straight games to force the 10-point match tiebreaker.

The Italians grabbed a 4-0 lead in the tiebreaker and held on.

“Congratulations,” Swiatek said at the trophy presentation. “You proved that, I guess, mixed doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players. AFP

Finals-bound Taruc, Anciano split JPGT John Hay honors

BAGUIO City—With their berths to the Elite Junior Finals already secured, Jakob Taruc and Rafa Anciano could have taken the foot off the pedal. Instead, the two rising stars of Philippine junior golf turned in focused, high-quality performances to rule the premier 15-18 age category of the ICTSI John Hay Junior PGT Championship here on Thursday – albeit in contrasting styles.

For Taruc, it was a gritty, nervewracking climb to the top. For Anciano, it was a dominant display of form and finesse.

Taruc may have had the advantage of a free ride to the finals – thanks to the absence of No. 4-ranked Kristoffer Nadales – but the 17-year-old still had to dig deep to secure his first leg win of the season in a dramatic showdown against Andres Fabie.

Coming into the final round just one stroke off the lead, Taruc carded a 74 to finish with a 54-hole total of 222, clinching a three-shot victory at the challenging John Hay Golf Club under cloudy skies and cool mountain conditions.

Fabie faltered when it mattered most, closing with an 78 to settle for second at 225. Alonso Espartero, meanwhile, bogeyed the final two holes and wound up third with a 228 after matching Taruc’s round of five-over card in the final leg of the seven-stage Luzon series.

“I got too aggressive going into the back nine. I used my driver way too much, which I didn’t need to, and that cost me a bit,” said Taruc, reflecting on his final round strategy. Despite an early, intense duel with Andres, Taruc managed to stay composed.

“There was a bit of pressure. But I always made sure God is with me, so even if I lose, it’s still okay,” he added.

Even with a comfortable lead down the stretch, Taruc said he never felt like the win was in the bag. Looking ahead, he said: “To prep for the finals, I need to sharpen my short game, which is crucial for a course like The Country Club.”

Fabie, who led after 36 holes, looked poised for a breakthrough victory after five tournament appearances, with his best finish previously being a fourth

By Peter Atencio

DYNAMIC Herb-Cebu FC suffered a 1-3 setback at the hands of Tampines Rovers FC on Wednesday night at the start of Group A hostilities of the ASEAN Club Championship-Shopee Cup 2025-26. A first-half attack saw Hide Higashikawa and Dylan Fox scoring goals to give

Cebu goalie Rami Jeridi and

Abou Sy took in a corner kick from six meters

(right)

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Bangko Sentral seen continuing rate cuts in second half

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, and stock brokerage Unicapital Securities Inc. expect the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to continue cutting interest rates in the second half of 2025 amid easing inflation.

BMI said in a report the low inflation and slow growth in the first half would likely prompt the BSP to cut rates by 50 basis points in the second half of 2025, bringing the benchmark policy rate to 4.75 percent by year-end.

The Fitch Solutions company said the BSP has ample room to further ease its policy rates due to the softening of domestic activity and the winding down of exports front-loading.

The BSP is expected to maintain a pro-growth policy stance in the second half of the year amid growing economic uncertainty, it said. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the Philippines slowed down to 5.4 percent in the first quarter, while slightly picking up to 5.5 percent in the second quarter. Meanwhile, inflation further eased to 0.9 percent in July 2025 from its average inflation rate of 1.8 percent in the first half of the year.

BMI expects inflation to settle at an average of 1.6 percent by the end of the year, a revision from its earlier projection of 2.2 percent.

Thony Rose Lesaca

BSP welcomes ‘A-‘ credit rating from Japanese firm

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) welcomed the affirmation by Japanese credit watcher Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) of the Philippines’ “A-” investment-grade rating with a “stable” outlook.

The bank said this reflected the country’s robust growth, low inflation and strong external position, with R&I citing its 5.7-percent growth in 2024 as one of the fastest in Southeast Asia and its six-year low inflation rate of 0.9 percent in July 2025.

The Japanese rating agency also cited the local economy’s low reliance on exports to the United States as a limiting factor to the impact of the 19-percent US tariffs in the Philippines.

The country’s manageable and current account deficit, external debt levels and foreign exchange reserves

were cited as drivers to its robust external position, while the growth of overseas Filipino remittances contributed to its favorable external sector outlook.

Overall, the agency stressed the banking sector’s stability as a key driver for its affirmed investmentgrade rating.

“The low inflation environment is thanks to the agile and evidence-based monetary policy. This environment supports an investment climate that is conducive to economic growth,” said BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.

“In line with its financial stabil-

ity mandate, the BSP continues to strengthen the Philippine banking system through policies that underscore strong capitalization, prudent risk management, and sound governance. These enable banks to finance productive economic activities while navigating a fast-evolving global economic landscape,” he said.

The latest rating aligned with the positive assessments of other credit rating agencies such as the S&P Global Ratings, with its revised positive outlook in November 2024.

Other agencies like the Japan Credit Rating Agency and Fitch Ratings also affirmed the country’s “A-” and “BBB” rating, respectively. Both also affirmed a “stable” outlook in the second quarter of 2025.

The “A-” rating is the highest credit score the Philippines has received from an international rating agency. It also holds a similar “A-” rating from the Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd.

Philippines credit rating from R&I

Philippines credit rating from JCRA

Philippines credit rating from Fitch

Against Hunger team up for Pakil student nutrition

PRIME Infra Foundation and Ahunan Power have teamed up with Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAH) to provide fortified rice-soy meals to students in Pakil, Laguna to boost child nutrition. Community volunteers packed nearly 2,000 meals for distribution to students in Grades 1 to 6 at Saray Elementary School through the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program on Aug. 16, 2025.

RAH area coordinator Marga Dayapera said the initiative was the second collaboration with Prime Infra Foundation and Ahunan Power, following a September 2024 feeding program for 200 students at the same school.

“On behalf of Rise Against Hunger, we would like to thank the Prime Infra Foundation and Ahunan Power for this project. I hope we can reach out to more students and later on, community-based feeding programs,”

Dayapera said. RAH is an international hunger relief non-profit that coordinates volunteer-based meal packaging and sustainable nutrition programs. The packed meals, which feature a rotating menu of fortified rice-soy dishes, are part of the Tayo Na Pakil Program. Launched in 2022 by Ahunan Power and Prime Infra Foundation, the program supports the development of the 1,400MW Pakil

DICT proposes converting Bataan nuclear plant into data center hub

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) proposed transforming the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) into a data center hub to attract hyperscaler investments.

DICT Secretary Henry Roel Aguda said the government is working to position the country as the region’s next data center hub, and the BNPP is a potential site for a hyperscaler complex. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is funding a feasibility study to determine if the BNPP could still be used for

power generation, with the final decision to be made by the Department of Energy (DOE).

The study is expected to be completed by November, after which the DICT will conduct its own assessment of the site’s potential for data center use. “There are ingredients

Union.

Pumped Storage Hydropower Project by focusing on community-centered growth.

A volunteer, Niño Gragas, said the program helps children become healthier, while Milagros Almario, a member of the Tanglaw Women of Pakil women’s enterprise, said. “We are helping those who are hungry or lack nutrition. Thank you, Prime Infra, for helping the people of Pakil,” she said.

Pangasinan solar project gets green lane certificate

THE Board of Investments (BOI) has awarded a Green Lane Certificate of Endorsement to Pacific Impact Energy Corp. (PIEC) for its 61.551-megawatt-peak (MWp) Capantolan Solar Power Project in Sual, Pangasinan. The certificate was granted through the BOI’s One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI). The project was registered with the BOI, making it eligible for investment incentives.

The Capantolan solar project aims to support the country’s transition to a sustainable energy future, enhance energy security, and help the Philippines achieve its renewable energy targets.

“The Philippines stands out as one of the most supportive environments for renewable energy investment,” said James Timko, managing director of Pacific Impact Development.

“With the Green Lane framework, the Philippines offers an ecosystem for enabling infrastructure. This is exactly the kind of program we look for when scaling climate-aligned energy solutions,” he said.

During its construction, the project is expected to create jobs for about 400 workers in engineering, supply and transportation. Long-term roles for plant engineers, operators, and support staff will also be available. The project is also expected to lower electricity costs and promote environmental sustainability.

The BOI committed to facilitating the project’s implementation by coordinating with national and local government agencies to address permitting and regulatory concerns.

Volunteers from Prime Infra Foundation, Ahunan Power and Rise Against Hunger Philippines pack rice-soy meals for distribution to Grades 1 to 6 students of Saray Elementary School in Pakil, Laguna.

Villar Land vows to cooperate with SEC, explain side on issues

VILLAR Land Holdings Corp. said it would fully cooperate with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after the regulator imposed a P12-million fine on the company and its directors and officers.

The fine is in lieu of a suspension of Villar Land’s registration statement and permit to sell securities, and the company will face an additional penalty of P2,000 per day until it submits its delayed annual report and firstquarter 2025 report.

The SEC’s August 18 order also directed Villar Land and its officers to explain within 10 days why they should not be held liable for violations of the Securities Regulation Code.

“Villar Land and its directors and officers welcome the opportunity to explain their side on the issues raised and will respond to the SEC’s order in due course,” the company said in a statement. Villar Land, formerly known as Golden MV Holdings Inc., said the filing delays were not due to the auditor’s refusal to sign the 2024 financial statements.

Instead, the company said the auditor had made “varying requests for additional audit procedures” to review the valuation of properties Villar Land acquired in Villar City.

The company said that while it “firmly believes that it is the fair value of the Villar City properties that should be reflected in its financial statements,” it had “reluctantly proposed to the external auditors the use of cost basis” to secure the immediate release of the 2024 audited financial statements.

Jenniffer B. Austria

PSE’s net income increased 27% to P508m in first half

THE Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) reported a 27.6 percent increase in its net income for the first half of the year to P508.03 million from P398.02 million in the same period last year.

Operating revenues surged by 81.7 percent to P1.31 billion from P722.75 million, as trading-related revenues grew by 101.4 percent, mostly due to transaction fees from the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corporation (PDS). Listing-related fees, on the other hand, went up by 12.6 percent on higher listing maintenance fees.

During the period, PSE had one initial public offering, two follow-on offerings, and six private placements, which raised P62.61 billion in capital. PDS, for its part, generated P137.45 billion from ten corporate debt issuances.

A 69.8 percent rise in total costs and expenses to P706.77 million and a 49.4 percent decrease in other income tempered gains in the company’s profit.

“While PDS has become one of our main revenue sources, we also expect to realize cost efficiencies when we have fully integrated PDS into PSE. We are looking at synergies in various technology platforms and shared services for select functions,” said PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon.

As of end-June 2025, PSE’s total ownership in PDS stood at 92.06 percent.

SEC imposes P12-m fine on Villar Land

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Thursday it imposed P12 million in fine against Villar Land Holdings Corp. and 12 of its directors and officers for allegedly failing to submit financial statements on time.

Villar Land, formerly known as Golden MV Holdings Inc., had earlier cited delays in the appraisal and audit of properties it acquired in 2024, including the Villar City Land, as the reason for the late submission.

as maybe warranted by the facts that will be uncovered during the investigation.

“At stake here is the integrity of our stocks market,” Lim said.

SM PRIME Holdings, one of the largest property developers in the Philippines, has postponed its planned real estate investment trust (REIT) offering, citing unfavorable market conditions.

Villar Land said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday that it is postponing its annual stockholders’ meeting to Oct. 20, 2025. The meeting was originally scheduled for Sept. 3.

SM Prime chief finance officer John Nai Peng Ong said during a recent investor briefing that while a REIT remains part of the company’s long-term strategy, the listing would be delayed beyond 2026.

The SEC also imposed an administrative fine of P2,000 per day of delay starting July 1, 2025, until the company submits its 2024 audited financial statements (AFS), annual report, and first-quarter report.

SEC chairman Francis Lim said the SEC would take other actions

In an order dated Aug. 18, 2025, the SEC’s Markets and Securities Regulation Department said Villar Land allegedly violated the Securities Regulation Code (Republic Act No. 8799).

The company’s board of directors approved the postponement to ensure it had sufficient time to comply with regulatory requirements, particularly attaching its 2024 Audited Financial Statements and its quarterly report for the periods ended March 31, 2025, and June 30, 2025, to its SEC Form 20-IS.

By Darwin G. Anoijelar

PLDT Inc. announced Thursday it is expanding its prepaid fiber internet service to provide affordable and reliable high-speed internet to more Filipinos.

The service, PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid, aims to help bridge the digital divide by reaching families in high-density urban communities and emerging cities who need high-speed connectivity that fits their budget and lifestyle.

“PLDT’s mission goes beyond connecting Filipinos to the internet,” said John Palanca, senior vice president and head of Consumer Business – Home.

“More than connectivity, our goal is to connect Filipinos to opportunities, experiences, and dreams that empower them to live fuller, more meaningful lives.”

Palanca added that the prepaid fiber service complements, rather than replaces, postpaid offerings. It is “designed for price-sensitive

Asian

with the arrival of the vessel WAN HAI A16.

An SM Prime executive, who was not named, said, “The plan in terms of having a REIT is still there. But we have to be upfront to say that in terms of timing, we have to defer the planned REIT.” “Instead of coming up with a REIT in 2026, we may have to defer it a bit. And we have to take into account market conditions as well as liquidity in the market,” the executive said. The company previously planned a $1 billion REIT offering in 2023, which would have included 12 to 15 of its malls. That plan was also deferred due to market conditions.

With a strong base of recurring income from its more than 80 malls and an expanding office portfolio, SM Prime is exploring alternative financing strategies, including green bonds and other sustainability-linked instruments.

“We recognize that green or sustainability-linked instruments can also complement this strategy... but as of today, we have yet to tap them,” the executive said. “We are open to it and that is why we have been studying to see if it is worth pursuing.”

In a separate update, Ong noted that the company is seeing a recovery in the residential property market, with fewer cancellations and steady takeup leading to a “gradual decline in inventory.” Jenniffer B. Austria

households or first-time fiber users upgrading from older technologies.”

The company said the prepaid segment has shown promising early results, driven by PLDT’s expanding fiber network and the popularity of value-added services. Improvements in customer care, including faster installation and repair times, 24/7 support, and self-service tools, have also reinforced the company’s commitment to service.

“We are proud to see the strength of PLDT Home’s performance in

the first half of 2025,” Palanca said. “Whether through our premium postpaid plans, growing prepaid offerings, or our ‘Always On’ service, we remain committed to making world-class broadband more accessible, dependable, and inclusive for all.”

The expansion of PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid is part of the company’s broader vision of digital inclusion, which aims to ensure every Filipino household can thrive in the digital space.

mixed as investors await key Fed speech

VEGGIE-LICIOUS CARAVAN. Ajinomoto Philippines Corp. president Koichi Ozaki (6th from left) with (from left) Mark Bayle, DJ Mama Emma, Rapha Dominguez, Jenny Martin, Sarah Coe, Madelin Dofiles, Docker Cavestany, Bea Menorca, Khyle Furigay, and Andrei Vicario during the “I Love Veggie-Licious” Caravan

Sta. Lucia, Pasig City. The event gathered over 300 Pasigueños for cooking demos, nutrition education, and family-friendly activities, reinforcing APC’s Eat Well, Live Well mission to make vegetable-based meals fun, practical, and delicious for Filipino families. Felino Santos PORT CALL. Asia-South America

Coast 2 (WSA2) service makes its inaugural call at Contecon Manzanillo, International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico, on August 11

BUSINESS

EDC allowed to connect battery to grid

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission has approved Energy Development Corp.’s (EDC) application to build a P700 million facility connecting its 20-megawatt Bac-Man battery energy storage system project in Albay to the Luzon power grid.

The commission authorized EDC to “develop and own the dedicated point-to-point limited

transmission facilities” to connect its Bac-Man battery energy storage system to the grid. This con-

nection will be made via a direct link to EDC’s 230-kilovolt Palayan binary switchyard.

The ERC did not approve a second facility in EDC’s application, stating it was not a dedicated, limited transmission facility.

In its filing, EDC said the connection assets are “indispensable” for the commercial operation of the project. The company plans to fund the project with 70 percent debt and

CebuPac to deploy A330neo flights to 3 local destinations

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Pacific said Thursday it will introduce Airbus A330neo flights to three more domestic destinations to meet growing travel demand ahead of the holiday season.

The 459-seat wide-body aircraft will begin operating flights from Manila to Iloilo seven times a week starting Oct. 26, 2025. Flights to Puerto Princesa will begin Nov. 2, 2025, operating four times a week. The airline will also begin flying the A330neo from Manila to Bohol seven times a week starting Nov. 16, 2025.

“We’re excited to expand our A330neo operations to more Philippine destinations, as this allows us to offer more seats, lower fares, and an even more comfortable travel experience for our passengers,” Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao said in a statement.

“By increasing capacity to key domestic routes, we not only make travel more accessible but also help drive tourism and stimulate economic activity,” he said.

Cebu Pacific is the largest operator of A330neo aircraft in Asia-Pacific, with 12 of the planes in its fleet. The airline also became the first in the Philippines to operate a 100-strong fleet with the arrival of its latest A330neo in July.

The A330neo burns up to 25-percent less fuel per flight and produces less noise than previous-generation aircraft, according to the airline. The lower fuel consumption corresponds to a reduction in carbon emissions.

Cebu Pacific’s fleet includes 12 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s, and 22 ATR turboprop aircraft. The airline operates A330neo flights to Cebu, Davao and General Santos, as well as several international destinations.

30 percent equity.

The Lopez-owned geothermal subsidiary said it is developing the BESS to provide a flexible and responsible solution for integrating intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid.

“This helps maintain grid stability, improve power plant efficiency, and maximize the utilization of clean energy,” EDC said. It said BESS smooths out the

fluctuations in power supply, ensuring a more consistent flow of power to the grid.

EDC noted the need for a BESS to store energy that would otherwise be curtailed due to grid limitations or excess supply, allowing it to be released later when needed.

“Further more, the project can provide grid frequency regulation, which can help stabilize the grid.

FPIP planning river treatment facility as part of P4-b water management plan

By Othel V. Campos

FIRST Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) is developing a river water treatment facility as the flagship project of its P4 billion integrated water management master plan. The initiative aims to secure a sustainable water supply for its locators and reduce dependence on groundwater.

The facility, now under construction within FPIP’s 600-hectare ecozone in Santo Tomas and Tanauan, Batangas, will draw water from the San Juan River, a tributary of Laguna de Bay, instead of using underground aquifers.

Upon its completion in November 2025, the facility will have the capacity to treat up to 20 million liters per day, which is more than enough to serve FPIP’s 150 locators and over 80,000 employees.

Jeremaine Esguerra, head of FPIP’s water division and president of FPIP Utilities, Inc. (FUI), said the project highlights the urgent need for alternatives to groundwater extraction, which has led to land subsidence, saltwater intrusion and the depletion of freshwater supplies in many parts of the country.

“Groundwater extraction has long been convenient, but it is no longer sustainable,” Esguerra said at a re-

cent forum in Manila. “The river water treatment facility is our way of addressing this pressing challenge while advancing FPIP’s commitment to regeneration and decarbonization.”

The facility is a key part of the company’s long-term strategy for water sustainability across the ecozone, Esguerra said.

“FPIP’s river water treatment facility is a testament to our resolve to be an environmentally responsible organization,” she added. “It is a key step in our sustainability roadmap and our commitment to regeneration and decarbonization in support of the Lopez Group’s mission.”

Esguerra warned that unchecked groundwater overextraction could lead to land subsidence, saltwater contamination of drinking water and reduced surface water supply for irrigation, which would hurt both industries and farmers.

Other initiatives under FPIP’s master plan include using solar power for FUI’s water operations, converting invasive water hyacinths into biodegradable materials and promoting rainwater reuse to ease pressure on freshwater resources.

The facility is being built by First Balfour, the construction arm of the Lopez Group.

ROAD INAUGURATION. Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive Agnes Devanadera (center) leads the blessing and inauguration of Prince Balagtas Avenue (Northbound). Source: CDC

Unicapital forecasts stronger PH growth in second semester

By Thony Rose Lesaca

UThe brokerage firm said in a midyear briefing on Wednesday the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) would likely grow 5.5 percent this year, although this is lower than the previous forecast of 6.3 percent. The firm described this as a “more cautious” outlook due to external and domestic headwinds that could impede

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) will stage its first business forum on Aug. 23, 2025, in Pasay City, with Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund Danantara, which manages over $900 billion in assets, joining the high-level business delegation.

Danantara’s participation underscores growing confidence in APECO’s investment prospects and signals strong interest in Aurora as the Philippines’ emerging gateway to the Pacific.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), led by chairman Anindya Bakrie, will bring a 55-member delegation of senior executives from infrastructure, agriculture, food and beverage, healthcare, finance, mining, shipping, aviation and technology sectors.

“This is a historic moment for APECO. For the first time, we are receiving and hosting a foreign business mission. The trust and confidence shown by KADIN and its members reflect the growing recognition of Aurora and the eastern seaboard as an investment frontier,” said APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) vowed to highlight APECO’s airport and seaport projects, while the provincial government of Aurora will present priority investment opportunities. Othel V. Campos

economic activity. The economy grew 5.4 percent in the first half of 2025, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Despite this, the Philippines is still expected to post one of the fastest GDP growths in Southeast Asia this year, along with Vietnam.

Growth is expected to be driven by strong household consumption, robust government infrastructure spending and recovering private investments, Unicapital said.

Increased capital outlays and public construction have also accelerated activity in the industry and services sectors, while low inflation and interest rate cuts have supported spending and borrowing, it said.

Unicapital also lowered its year-end inflation forecast to 2.0 percent from a previous estimate of 3.1 percent. The new forecast is slightly higher than the government’s 1.6 percent projection but remains within the Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2 percent to 4 percent target for the year.

Unicapital attributed the lower inflation forecast to continued declines in rice prices and an expected easing of oil prices.

“Filipinos are feeling a lot more optimistic as inflation averaged just 1.8 percent in the first half of 2025, the lowest first-half average in over a decade, well below earlier expectations,” the firm said. It said the decline in rice prices was largely driven by the government’s decision to cut rice import tariffs from 35 percent to 15 percent, a law signed in July 2024.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has proposed a reexamination of the public offering rule for power generating companies under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.

ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan submitted proposed guidelines to implement Section 43(t) of EPIRA, which he described as a “way forward to ensure the successful restructuring and modernization of the electric power industry.”

The proposal says that while Section 43(t) of EPIRA has not been repealed, the ERC is bound to imple-

ment it. However, it argues that the commission has the discretion to “rationalize its implementation or altogether defer it” as part of its delegated authority.

The EPIRA provision grants the ERC the power to “perform such other regulatory functions as are appropriate and necessary in order to ensure the successful restructuring and modernization of the electric power, such as but not limited to the rules and guidelines under which generation companies and distribution utilities which are not publicly listed shall offer and sell to the public a portion of not less than 15 percent of their common shares of stock.”

The law also states that existing companies must implement the public offering no later than five years from the act’s effectivity. The ERC previously deferred the public offering requirement (POR). “Now, 24 years into EPIRA implementation, the ERC and the power industry still struggle to find a clear path forward,” the proposal noted. Instead of issuing certificates of compliance (COCs), the ERC has issued one-year provisional authorities to operate (PAOs) to generating companies (gencos) based on affidavits of undertaking submitted during COC renewal applications.

By Othel V. Campos

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. reported a consolidated net income of P436 million in the first six months of 2025, representing 81 percent of its 2024 net income.

Consolidated revenues for the period amounted to P8.6 billion as projects under construction reached their final stages. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) were P2.44 billion.

Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said the company is on track to surpass its net income from the previous year.

“This is also partly driven by the increasing contribution from our real estate business, which is steadily emerg-

ing as a new growth driver,” he said. The company’s construction operations contributed P7.3 billion, accounting for 85 percent of total consolidated revenues. The performance was attributed to the winding-down phase of several ongoing projects, which typically have lower revenues but higher margins. Revenue from real estate operations amounted to P1.1 billion, or more than three times the amount from the same period in 2024. This was from projects such as My Enso Lofts, The Hive, and

the Philippines is struggling to keep pace with its ASEAN neighbors, many of whom allocate multi-million-dollar funds annually for tourism campaigns.

“When other countries are aggressively funding their campaigns to capture global attention, our resources have been shrinking. This puts Philippine tourism at a disadvantage at a time when international travelers have more choices than ever before,” she said.

IN BRIEF

deal for employee welfare

DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary

Vince Dizon is wooing local and foreign investors to help the Philippine government build a modern, progressive and comfortable transport system.

Dizon said this initiative is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a commuter-centric transportation model.

During the market sounding activity for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project in Singapore, Dizon said the president wants to give back time to commuters, who endure the daily hardships of commuting.

“The president said: we have to give the Filipino people the public transport that they not only need, but what they deserve. That speaks to where our President’s heart is― that he understands the importance of mobility, the daily commute. He feels

PPA: 8.77m passengers enjoyed free terminal fee since 2019

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said its Passenger Terminal Fee Exemption (PTFE) program has benefitted 8.77 million passengers nationwide since its expansion in 2019.

The state-run port authority said the program helps reduce travel costs for senior citizens, students, persons with disabilities (PWDs), uniformed personnel, and Medal of Valor awardees, along with their first-degree dependents. Through PPA Administrative Order No. 04-2019, the agency grants free terminal fees to students, senior citizens, PWDs, and uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in all PPA-owned passenger terminals upon presentation of valid IDs. This is an upgraded privilege from the previous 20 percent discount to full exemption, resulting in a total of P219.26 million in waived fees over seven years.

As of July 2025, 1,692,377 passengers have benefitted from

the policy, translating to P34.27 million in foregone revenue shouldered by the PPA.

Students comprise the largest group with 814,253 beneficiaries (P17.27 million), followed by 682,371 senior citizens (P12.93 million), 124,519 PWDs (P2.58 million), and 71,234 uniformed personnel (P1.49 million).

PMO Batangas recorded the highest number of senior citizen beneficiaries at 94,623, while PMO Mindoro posted the highest exemption value at ₱P.24 million.

PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said that the sustained implementation of the PTFE policy underscores the agency’s commitment to inclusive access to maritime transport.

“PPA remains committed to ensuring equitable access to maritime transport. By continuing to exempt these sectors from terminal fees, we recognize their contributions to society and reduce their travel expenses,” Santiago said.

Since 2019, the policy has consistently reduced travel expenses for millions of Filipinos, in line with the PPA’s mandate to serve the public and promote inclusive growth in the country’s maritime industry.

our people’s pain on a daily basis,” Dizon said, addressing delegates from Singapore, Japan, France, South Korea and other countries.

With the help of other countries and multilateral partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as InfraAsia, Dizon noted Philippines can also achieve and build a public transportation model similar to other progressive countries.

“Please, help us fulfill the President’s vision,” he said.

“This will change the lives of millions of Filipinos. It will change the way families enjoy their time with each other, their productivity. It will change the daily lives of

every Filipino, who wakes up every morning and goes to work, every student who goes to school, every senior citizen who had to endure a dilapidated public transport,” the transport chief said.

To fulfill this vision, the government has tapped the assistance of the private sector by privatizing the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the NSCR project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Targeted to be fully operational by 2032, the rail line’s partial operations from Valenzuela to Malolos, Bulacan is expected in December 2027, while the Malolos to Clark International Airport (CRK) segment is seen to start in October 2028. The 147-kilometer railway is expected to transport 750,000 passengers daily, cutting travel time for communities in National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna. Darwin G. Amojelar

DOTr asks investors to build commuter-centric system

DOTr, Valenzuela City gov’t sign deal for ValTech support

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Valenzuela City local government signed several agreements, including assistance from the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) to bolster learning and open future job opportunities for Valenzuela Technological College (ValTech) students in the railway sector.

The agreement is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to develop and equip the country’s railway workforce.

FOR travelers who have already mapped out their adventures in the coming months – leave dates set, budgets planned, and destinations chosen – Philippine Airlines (PAL) is giving the green light they’ve been waiting for.

The 2025 Ultimate Seat Sale, happening until August 31, 2025, rewards value-conscious travelers and meticulous planners with PAL’s biggest, most valuepacked fares of the year. This limited-time offer combines unbeatable fares with the exceptional benefits of flying the nation’s flag carrier.

Travelers not only save on ticket prices, with international flights going for as low as $59 (roundtrip economy base fare) and domestic flights starting at P189 (one-way economy base fare) but also gain access to superior comfort, added amenities, and thoughtful service. Flying PAL means arriving at your destination feeling relaxed, cared for, and ready to enjoy your dream vacation. With PAL’s 2025 Ultimate Seat Sale, you

MPCALA receives double green awards

“As President Marcos said: education is important for every Filipino, especially if you are a college or tech voc graduate,” Dizon said during the inauguration of ValTech College. Under the DOTr-Valenzuela City agreement, the PRI will provide ValTech industry linkage, internship programs and training for students, as well as skills certification. Other agreements signed include the transfer of P107 million for the Active Transport Program and right-of-way usage.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the PRI and ValTech will boost the current roster of railway personnel with qualified and competent professionals once they finish their college and tech vocational degrees.

• Arrive refreshed and inspired – passengers reach their destinations ready to fully enjoy their travel plans

“This year,

care and amenities

• Stress-free flying – smoother check-in, boarding, and overall passenger experience

• Better value for vacations – travelers get the comfort and service they deserve for their hard-earned trips

PAL rolls out ultimate seat sale for 2025

DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, JASPER VALDEZ,

Kyle Echarri joins Bela Padilla, JC Santos in ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’

By Angelica Villanueva

WHEN Kyle Echarri got the call that he had been handpicked by director Jason Paul Laxamana for a role in 100 Awit Para Kay Stella, his first reaction was disbelief. The sequel to one of the most talked-about romance films of the past decade would pair him with two actors whose love story had already become iconic.

ABS-CBN on Wednesday unveiled seven new titles, including five television series and two films, as part of its latest content slate.

Leading the lineup is the romance-suspense drama The Alibi, starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. Other upcoming shows include Roja with Donny Pangilinan and Kyle Echarri, and What Lies Beneath, featuring Charlie Dizon, Jake Cuenca, Janella Salvador, JM De Guzman, Kaila Estrada, and Sue Ramirez

On film, Star Cinema announced Meet, Greet & Bye, a family drama featuring Maricel Soriano, Piolo Pascual, Joshua Garcia, Belle Mariano, and Juan Karlos. Vice Ganda will reunite with Nadine Lustre in Call Me Mother, the company’s official entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.

ABS-CBN also confirmed the return of popular shows, including Your Face Sounds Familiar with new hosts Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro, and Kapamilya Deal or No Deal hosted by Luis Manzano

The announcements were made at the “Iisang Tahanan: Kapamilya Forever” trade event, which featured performances from Regine VelasquezAlcasid, Ogie Alcasid, BINI, BGYO, Darren Espanto, Maymay Entrata, Maki, and WRIVE, among others.

Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Anne Curtis, Enchong Dee, Gerald Anderson, Jessy Mendiola, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, and other ABS-CBN stars also joined the celebration.

THE much-awaited grand coronation of Miss Grand Philippines 2025 is set at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City this Sunday. Miss Grand Philippines 2024 Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza will crown her successor at the end of the event, where three other major titles are also at stake: Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2026, Face of Beauty Philippines 2025, and Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines 2025.

The 29 candidates competed during the Charity Gala Night & Preliminary Competition in swimsuit, evening gown, and creative cultural costume, hosted by Universal Woman Philippines 2025 Jasmine Omay, held at Okada Manila, Parañaque City, last Sunday. A three-cornered fight looms among Miss Grand Pampanga Emma Mary Tiglao, Miss Grand Zambales Anita Rose Gomez , and Miss Grand Bicolandia Margarette Briton, who emerged as top contenders after snaring the special awards handed out during the preliminary show.

Tiglao, a 30-year-old Tourism graduate and co-host of Net25’s Kada Umaga morning talk show, is a veteran in local and international pageants, having previously placed as 4th Princess in Miss World Philippines 2015 and

“The first thing I really said was, ‘Are you sure?’ Because I said, love triangle—JC, Bela, and then Kyle? I mean it’s a character I never thought I’d be able to put my own feet into his shoes,” Kyle told Manila Standard Entertainment.

“But I accepted it right away. I love the script. I’m super excited, especially to work with amazing, brilliant actors,” he added.

intimidating.

“They never made me feel the pressure. They made me feel like I was really part of this movie. It’s a team effort. I respect so much that it’s their story, but they really welcomed me,” shared Kyle.

For Bela, having Kyle on board brought a new energy to the sequel. She described Clyde as a character that would resonate with younger viewers.

“Kyle is our Gen Z representative. He definitely brings a lot of freshness and youth to the film,” she said, noting how his fearless character contrasts with Fidel’s more reserved nature in the first movie.

JC agreed, saying Clyde’s presence adds a dynamic shift to the story.

The young actor is joining Bela Padilla and JC Santos, who are reprising their roles as Stella and Fidel, respectively, eight years after their bittersweet love story captured audiences and became a box-office hit.

“Kyle’s character has no fear. If he wants to do something, he does. It’s so apparent in this movie… it really speaks to the Gen Z audience,” JC added.

Meanwhile, Kyle also described Clyde as “the opposite of Fidel” when it comes to confidence and personality, adding that the differences between the two men will be clear on screen.

This time, Kyle’s character, Clyde, is introduced and becomes a crucial link in their intertwined lives.

While careful not to reveal too much about the plot, the actor-singer offered a glimpse of what audiences can expect.

“With these three characters, you’re going to learn so many different versions of love— love for someone else and also love for yourself. You’ll see how important it is to learn to love yourself,” said Kyle.

He admitted that stepping into a role in a sequel with such an iconic pairing brought its own set of nerves.

“I’m thankful to Viva Films for making me feel the importance of Clyde’s character,” he stated.

Portraying Clyde, Kyle said, was not without its challenges. His goal was to ensure the character’s role in the story came across clearly, especially as his presence affects the arc of Stella and Fidel.

“The challenge was just to make sure I get my story across—what Direk Jason Paul wanted to say through Clyde—while also being able to connect with the two of them. He gave me the trust and really helped me build Clyde through each shooting day,” Kyle explained.

The young actor also hinted at mixed audience reactions to his character.

“It’s possible that some people will dislike me before and after the film. But you’ll find some kind of peace within Clyde. Many will relate to him when it comes to insecurities,” he continued.

In 100 Awit Para Kay Stella, the 22-year-old singer-actor brings not only his acting skills but also his musical background, with several songs recorded for the film’s soundtrack.

The film reunites Bela and JC in a presentday setting, exploring how their characters have changed after nearly a decade. With Kyle’s Clyde adding a new dimension to the story, director Laxamana’s sequel aims to capture both longtime fans of the original and a new generation of viewers.

Kyle also emphasized how Bela and JC, both seasoned actors, made his first days on set less

“I’m happy, and I just want to say thank you to Viva Films. Thank you for thinking about me for this project,” he stated.

Candidates of Miss Grand Philippines 2025 shine during the Charity Gala and Preliminary Competition at Okada Manila

winning Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019. She competed and placed in the Top 20 at

Intercontinental 2019 in Egypt. Tiglao bagged the Miss Mestiza, Miss Nutrixpert, Miss Regroe, Miss MWell Health & Wellness Ambassador, Miss Casino Plus, and Miss Photogenic special awards. Gomez, a 23-year-old Customs

From left: Kyle Echarri, Bela Padilla, and JC Santos come together for the sequel to the 2017 romance hit ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’

Nadine Lustre (left) and Vice Ganda prepare for their film reunion in ‘Call Me Mother’

Singer-actor Kyle Echarri embraces his new role as Clyde in ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Content creator Toniyuh brings his spot-on impersonations from TikTok to

By Tet Defensor

IF YOU are suddenly laughing inside the bookstore, chances are you caught Tita Witty’s “Ayoko na magtrabaho gusto ko na lang yumaman” planner or her memo pads that read “Huwag mong ipagpabukas ang kaya mong i-cram next week” or “Kapag nasa katwiran, i-undertime mo.”

Toniyuh’s spot-on impressions turn viral fame into big breaks

By Nickie Wang

FROM a 41-second TikTok clip filmed at home, Toniyuh has gone from internet sensation to television guest and brand collaborator. With his audience expanding and mainstream exposure growing, Toniyuh has positioned himself as one of the country’s emerging comedic voices.

The impressionist, known for mimicking celebrities, gained attention after his video of the “Ice Cream Yummy” song racked up more than 15.2 million views and 1.5 million likes. In the clip, he imitated Kathryn Bernardo, Leni Robredo, Alice Guo, Kween Yasmin, and Toni Gonzaga

That viral hit helped grow his following on

TikTok to more than 300,500. It also landed him a spot on the roster of Sphere Celebrity and Influencer Management. “We recognize the immense talent that Toniyuh has,” said Wayne Avellano, Sphere’s general manager.

Toniyuh started in theater with roles in Tanghalang Pangmamimili (2018) and Bakit Isa Lang ang Bituin sa Langit (2019). His television appearances have since included Dapat Alam Mo! Eat Bulaga 24 Oras and The Boobay and Tekla Show. He is also set to appear in the Puregold Channel digital BL series Got My Eyes on You

The performer said he draws inspiration from his longtime admiration of the celebrities he impersonates. “For me, it’s a

good factor as a fan and having this platform to entertain people using my talent as a celebrity voice impersonator,” he said.

Toniyuh has also used his platform to support causes close to him, including advocacy for LGBT and elderly communities. “I proudly say that I have been given the privilege to use my voice and platform to do better and inspire others,” he said.

His growing reach has led to collaborations with Toni and Alex Gonzaga, Kim Atienza, Yassi Pressman, KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, and others. He has also partnered with brands such as Nestea Philippines, Puregold, and Candy Corner.

Laugh your rants away with Tita Witty

Gyrating dancers, legal row put spotlight on ‘Wild Boys’

Witty brings back the nostalgic slumbook with a playful modern twist

For years, Tita Witty has been humorously publishing hugot lines in planners, memo pads, and stickers that spell out the thought bubbles of ranting office workers, coffee addicts, heartbroken best friends, and the like.

The brainchild of writer Chinggay Nuque and film director Antoinette Jadaone, Tita Witty began as a quiet protest against the ever-popular coffeehouse Christmas planner. And while it may not signal that you spent almost three grand on a planner, the colorful and hilarious Tita Witty version serves its primary purpose. The disclaimer in the 2009 version immediately set the relatable tone: “Sorry, ang planner na ito ay: Walang stickers. Walang coupons. Walang free ballpen na may engraved logo sa gilid. Walang bookmark na ribbon. Walang authentic leather cover. …….Pero may kalendaryo. Promise.”

The planner was meant to be a fun project, and even the creators were surprised they got this far. “We started in 2009. Tonette had an idea for a planner, hindi kasing mahal ng Starbucks, but offering something unique. She texted three friends, ako lang nag-respond. I handled the business side, kahit wala akong alam,” she joked. They tapped another schoolmate, Karl Castro, to be the project’s graphic artist. “Karl added to the humor, and to be clear, I was the boring part. Direk (Tonette) and Karl did the content in the beginning. I was working as a brand assistant at that time, and I was able to get a printer without a down payment because we started with no money at all. I had no idea na mababaon kami sa utang pag hindi nabenta yung first product.”

The first planner was sold via the media-sharing platform Multiply. They also joined bazaars and organized meet-ups. “I remember I was so excited nung may nag-order na hindi namin kilala,” she said.

Inspired by the encouraging response, Tita Witty became an annual fun project for the college friends. “We did not have a planner for 2013, because I switched jobs in 2012, and Tonette had her first film. But it did not bother us, parang wala lang, because it was not intended to become a business. But people were looking for it.

They were telling us, ‘Ayaw niyo ng pera?’”

In 2015, when Direk Tonette did the movie That Thing Called Tadhana, Chinggay sensed that the filming schedule would delay the planner production. She started dabbling with a few lines that could serve as the starting point. As expected, Tonette was so busy Chinggay had to complete the planner on her own.

“By then, I quit my corporate job, so what will I do, right? I started writing one joke at a time, and then submitted them to Tonette, hanggang sa dumami ng dumami.”

Ten years after she took the helm, and forever guided by the vision and humor of Direk Tonette, Tita Witty continues her magic of bringing cheer to society’s hard workers, described as “the humor-loving

Pinoy na gusto lang itawa ang pagod sa buhay,” according to the website.

Using a notebook with a quick-witted line like “Noon gusto kong makaakyat sa corporate ladder. Ngayon gusto ko na lang umuwi,” or a memo pad that says “Competitive ang salary ko, ako ang kinakalaban niya,” somehow directs the mindset to the funny side of life. In need of a gentle snicker? Tita Witty’s FB page is also an excellent source.

Aside from the planners, Tita Witty also has calendars, notepads, sticky notes, stickers, a guestbook, and the nostalgic slumbook. In time, her hugot lines will serve as journal prompts and more. The paper products are available at Fully Booked, online shopping sites, and through their official website.

By Angelica Villanueva

Sexy dance film Wild Boys, directed by actor-filmmaker

Carlos Morales, has opened in Philippine cinemas, promising a mix of bold performances, high-energy choreography, and a story inspired by international hits such as Magic Mike and Step Up.

Produced by Bright Ideas Productions and distributed by Viva Films, the movie stars brothers Aljur and Vin Abrenica, alongside Martin Escudero, Nico Locco, Kristof Garcia, Rash Flores, Jimboy Martin, Pedro Red, Christina Ty, and Billy James Renacia. Professional basketball player Arwind Santos, a former PBA star now playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, also makes his big-screen debut.

Morales, who both directs and appears in the film, said the inclusion of Santos was meant to highlight that the group of dancers in the story comes from all walks of life. In the film, Santos plays an athlete banned from professional basketball who finds himself joining a dance troupe

“You see him dancing on TikTok, right? I thought, ‘This could work,’” Morales said in an interview, noting that Santos’ playful moves on social media convinced him to cast the athlete.

“In the story, there’s a basketball player who was banned from the league because of game-fixing. He lost his career, and then we brought that into the story, making him join the group so we could show that it’s made up of people from different backgrounds,” he added.

While Wild Boys has drawn attention for its unconventional casting and bold dance numbers, the movie also found itself in the spotlight for off-screen reasons. Ahead of its Aug. 13 release, producers expressed disappointment that Aljur and Vin had not been participating in promotional activities.

Bright Ideas Productions’ legal counsel, Attorney Noel Atienza, said the brothers could face possible legal action for breach of contract if they continue to skip promotions. The actors’ management, however, clarified that the issue was a case of miscommunication, saying they were not aware that Viva Films had taken over distribution.

For Morales, the controversy is secondary to his long-held dream of creating a full-fledged dance film in the Philippines.

“This has been in the works for a long time. I’ve always been a dancer, so this project has been like my baby even before. When I finally had the chance to write a script, I put it together with some of my friends as a collaboration of ideas,” Morales shared.

The actor-director stressed that while Wild Boys is inspired by Hollywood films, it offers its own take on the genre.

“It’s not exactly like those films, but it’s inspired by them. It’s not just about being sexy. It’s really a total performance—a true dance movie. We don’t have many dance films in the Philippines, so that’s what I wanted to present to the audience,” he stated.

Tita Witty’s undated planner keeps you on track while making you laugh

Tita

Tita Witty pokes fun at confusing corporate email jargon with her signature witty take

One of Tita Witty’s classic hugot lines

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

ALL it takes is a strong WiFi signal, a little courage, and plenty of creativity. That’s how three of today’s most popular Filipino content creators turned everyday moments at home into booming online communities.

Food creator Ninong Ry, gaming streamer Suzzysaur, and singer-songwriter Maki are the faces of PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid’s new campaign “Hall of Fame,” which trains the spotlight on Filipinos who transformed passion into meaningful profession.

For Ninong Ry, it all began when the pandemic shut down the poultry stall he ran with his mother in Malabon. With nothing much to do, he began filming himself cooking in their small kitchen.

“I was uploading content every day, consistently,” he said. “The biggest challenge in becoming a successful content creator isn’t just staying real or creative, it’s staying consistent.”

His down-to-earth humor and approachable recipes quickly won millions of followers who felt like they were cooking right beside him.

Suzzysaur’s story began in college, when she started streaming to cover her own expenses. Over time, her candid gaming moments and honest glimpses of daily life drew an audience that stayed with her as she took on new roles: CEO,

Big dreams start at home

wife, and mother to a four-year-old daughter.

“My husband and I have our own setups in separate rooms because we both have meetings and streams,” she said. “As a content creator, a CEO, and a mom, the kind of reliability and the customer support that PLDT Home provides help me fulfill my many roles.”

She has since gone from financing her education to helping her parents support her siblings through school. Then there’s Maki, who started by recording covers from his bedroom and uploading them online.

“From recording in my bedroom to sharing my music online, I found the courage to chase my dream of becoming a recording artist,” he said. His music soon climbed the streaming charts, proving that talent and a steady internet connection can turn humble beginnings into chart success.

The campaign was launched with PLDT Home executives John Y. Palanca (Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer BusinessHome), Roy Victor E. Añonuevo (Vice President and Head of Home Fixed Broadband), and Ina Pineda (Vice President and Head of Home Marketing Communications), who joined the three creators to introduce the Fiber Prepaid brand.

“Filipinos have the innate talent and drive to turn big dreams into reality,” Palanca said. “Ninong Ry, Suzzysaur, and Maki show us that technology is at its best when it empowers and enables you to succeed in life. With PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid, we’re giving Filipinos the speed, reliability, and flexibility to pursue their passions—whether it’s producing online content, streaming music, learning, or upskilling. All it takes is a reliable connection and the courage to begin.”

The product itself aims to make fiber internet more accessible, offering speeds of up to 50 Mbps with no contracts or monthly bills. For a one-time fee of P999, users get seven days of unlimited fiber and can simply load again when needed.

meeting new people, which is part of taking care of myself.

The amazing attendants assigned to me this 2025 so far have been Karmz, Raiza, Dianne, and Belle. I appreciate our chats and the time they give me to take power naps or enjoy the silence. They have effortlessly become my cheerleaders.

Treatments that feel right

What I enjoy most is that the treatments don’t feel like punishment—they feel like self-care. The FMS (Fat Mobilization System) Elite, Physique, Endospheres, and PDT (Plasti-Dermi Treatment) are just some examples, and now I’m excited to try the new Wonder Axon treatment. Everything at the clinic is clean, updated, and comfortable, which adds to the reassurance that I’m in good hands.

Depositing self-love

For me, this journey is no longer just about losing weight for vanity. It’s about rebuilding my self-confidence and restoring self-love, drop by drop. Each session feels like a small but meaningful investment in myself—a deposit into my bank of self-worth.

The safe space to lose weight

Realizing how weight loss does not need to be traumatic

IF THERE’S one thing my weight loss journey has taught me, it’s that consistency is key and little things matter. To be honest, I have yet to see a noticeable drop in my weight, but that is because I still need to work on my food intake and exercise routine. What feels different this time is that I don’t see it as pressure, punishment, or suffering.

In the past, losing weight always felt like a temporary prison sentence before I got my “freedom” once I was lighter—crash diets, extreme fasting, or short bursts of fad programs that left me dreading every step. Sustaining them was the hardest part. Now, even if it’s slow, it feels lighter, more freeing, almost like a treat to take care of myself. As Roman poet Ovid once wrote, “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.”

Finding my safe space

Finding my safe space has been such a blessing. That’s at the Marie France Makati branch. Beyond the treatments and technology, it has become a personal sanctuary for me. The warmth of the staff feels genuine—not just trained politeness, but sincere care that reminds me I’m okay, even with the setbacks of pandemic weight gain and hormonal imbalance.

Special thanks to Ingrid and Pam of the PR team. Ingrid, who has been involved in making my bookings happen, has this way of encouraging me to commit without being pushy—it comes from a place of concern, not pressure.

Every booking I make has become my metime—an hour or two, once or twice a week, where I invest in my wellness. I also invest in

At 40 (fun fact: I’m as old as Marie France), I’m learning to embrace my shape, honor my health, and celebrate the privilege of being able to take control of my well-being. It’s not about sudden waves anymore—no more fad diets and restrictive quick fixes that drive me crazy. This time, it will be about persistence, patience, and love. Self-love, to be exact. For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

Random Talk Kate Adajar

The Marie France reception in Makati highlights the clinic’s supportive approach to health and self-care

Finding a supportive environment can make the weight loss journey less daunting

Suzzysaur, Ninong Ry, and Maki join PLDT Home executives John Palanca and Roy Victor Añonuevo at the launch of PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid

OPM artist Maki recalls starting with bedroom covers before becoming one of today’s rising musicians

Marie France’s Makati lounge area becomes a calm and welcoming space for weekly wellness sessions

Very Wang Nickie Wang

From left: Suzzysaur, Ninong Ry, and Maki celebrate the campaign launch with medals and playful photo ops

Content creators Suzzysaur (left) and Ninong Ry talk about how reliable fiber helps them create consistently at home