By Vito Barcelo, Maricel V. Cruz, and Katrina Manubay
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 's order for a lifestyle check on government officials involved in
infrastructure projects, particularly those found to be substandard or nonexistent, is gaining support from political allies and foes alike.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, whose agency has taken the
By Charles Dantes
By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable
By Rio N. Araja
TTHE Bureau of Internal Revenue
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
launched a tax fraud audit of contractors linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects as part of the administration's anticorruption campaign.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said Thursday all revenue offices have been directed to conduct parallel audits to determine whether contractors involved in questionable
‘Form independent body on ghost deals’
projects paid the correct taxes.
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. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated 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.
Beyond administrative penalties, the commissioner warned that contractors proven to have willfully underdeclared taxes could face tax evasion charges. He said the bureau may also impose tax liens to protect public funds.
The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.
"If it can be proven that they underpaid or incorrectly paid their taxes,
Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.
Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in
By Maricel V. Cruz
By Darwin Amojelar
adviser of former President Rodrigo Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe
However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions
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
certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) partnership with HOPE and other private companies to address the country’s massive classroom backlog. The Speaker described the tie-up as a “landmark collabo -
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
By Vince Lopez
The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.
Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.
“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
By Rex Espiritu
ration” that advances President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a whole-of-nation approach to transform the education sector.
The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.
During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners.
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 speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding
the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. cious 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
By Vince Lopez
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 -
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that Beijing’s statement was meant only for its internal audience.
“Our troops did not observe any exercise, we have to understand that sometimes, China is doing this for their internal audience, right? For them not to look weak and embarrassed,” Trinidad said.
Two Chinese warships were monitored at a distance ranging from eight to 14 nautical miles. One of these went up to 1,000 yards at the MMCA site but eventually went away. “It was not threatening, just normal,” accord -
By Ram Superable
should continue observing the One China policy while Beijing continued to ‘‘trample’’ on Philippine rights in the West Philippine Sea.
‘‘They can come in and out, and we have no say to the point that our Coast Guard and Navy personnel are being harassed, our fishermen driven away back to our shores,’’ the senator lamented. Tulfo said China’s deployment of
SEASONED filmmaker Mike de Leon, one of the country’s most acclaimed and politically outspoken directors, has died at 78.
On Thursday, Aug. 28, De Leon’s family confirmed the news in a statement shared with French film distributor CarlottaFilms.
Known as a “fiercely political” artist, De Leon was behind films that blended sharp social commentary with stories of the marginalized. His career began as cinematographer
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they will not be issued an updated tax clearance," Lumagui said.
"This means they will be disqualified from future government procurements and the final settlement of their current contracts will also be suspended," he added.
Lumagui said the BIR would issue deficiency tax assessments against contractors implicated in ghost projects, noting that expenses for nonexistent projects cannot be treated as tax-deductible.
"No project means no deductible expense," he said.
Under Revenue Regulations No. 17-2024, government contractors must secure an updated tax clearance before receiving final settlement on projects.
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brunt of the public’s ire, yesterday welcomed scrutiny of the lifestyles of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, even as he appealed that they not be judged too harshly.
“They have been serving the department for a long time. How they have saved, I think we have to give them the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
However, the Secretary distanced himself from embattled DPWHBatangas first district engineer, Abelardo Calalo, who is accused of trying to bribe Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste last week.
“He’s on his own. I don’t want to provide any suggestions or anything to him. First of all, I don’t understand why that engineer behaved like that. So sad, actually," Bonoan said.
The DPWH chief noted he has not been in contact with Calalo since his arrest, noting that the alleged bribery attempt has “tarnished the department's reputation."
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navy ships and armed rubber boats near Ayungin Shoal showed an escalation beyond coast guard activity. He commented that the Philippines is relying solely on diplomacy against military aggression, likening the strategy to ‘‘bringing a pen to a gunfight.’’ Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro defended diplomacy as the government’s main tool, noting that mechanisms with China had reduced some incidents and helped document violations for legal use.Senator Imee Marcos, who chairs the committee, said more than 300 diplomatic protests had been filed with little effect, suggesting Beijing was ignoring Manila’s complaints.
Tulfo countered that diplomacy without deterrence amounted to weakness and said the Senate needed to hear directly from defense leaders on how the country was preparing. ‘‘I think it’s high time that we think about our position if we must continue to observe this One China policy because the fact is
Napolcom...
From A1 of Taal Lake, insisting that the case could not end even if the remains were not linked to the missing sabungeros. Napolcom executive director and vice chairman Rafael Vicente Calinisan announced this during a press conference where he read a resolution stating that Macapaz has been accused of deliberately impeding and frustrating the government’s investigation into the case of the ‘missing sabungeros.’
for Lino Brocka’s “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” in 1975, starring Bembol Roco and Hilda Koronel. He went on to direct acclaimed works including “Itim “(1976), “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” (1980), “Batch ’81”(1982), and “Sister Stella L.” (1984).
In 2018, De Leon returned with
Lumagui said the agency would play a "wide role" in the Marcos administration’s lifestyle checks, which will cover both contractors and government officials.
"The only purpose of that is to see if their assets match the taxes they paid," he said.
As this developed, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he has submitted documents containing his reports detailing alleged irregularities in several public works projects in Baguio and Benguet to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Magalong said the documents he submitted mirrored similar anomalies nationwide.
He said the report included price lists, market surveys, photos, and project summaries involving road barriers, solar lights, asphalt overlays, rock sheds, and flood control structures. Magalong noted that many of these
Bonoan is himself currently under scrutiny by the Senate after he admitted to the existence of “ghost projects” executed by his department.
Meanwhile, House leaders also threw their support for conducting lifestyle checks on government officials, but emphasized that such scrutiny must not end at the DPWH or the Executive Branch but extend to the other two branches of government.
“Me, I'm in favor of that [lifestyle check]. If the President wants to start with the DPWH, well and good, no? But it has to be done across government branches, including the Judiciary, all branches. There should definitely be a lifestyle check. I'm in favor of what the President has said,” Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, told a news conference in Filipino.
Likewise, Rep. Eddie Villanueva, of the Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list group, also said that officials of the legislative and judiciary, as well as the constitutional commissions, local government units, and all government instru-
they do not respect us while we respect what they want,” he said.
He also moved for a subpoena against Department of National Defense officials after they skipped a Senate hearing on the Philippines’ position on the One China policy.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations invited Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. to testify, but no one from the department appeared to represent him. “How can we proceed?
The DFA Secretary’s having a hard time trying to answer these questions, when it is not in her territory.
‘‘Only the Defense Department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines can answer all these questions,’’ Tulfo said.
The lawmaker said the absence of defense officials left lawmakers without clear answers on whether the Philippines would honor its Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States in the event of conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The committee approved Tulfo’s motion, which will be transmitted to Senate President Francis Escudero for the formal issuance of a subpoena.
Elakim Patidongan, brother of whistleblower Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, charged Macapaz of unlawfully seizing his mobile phone ,as well as that of his other brother, Jose, which purportedly contained vital evidence on the ‘missing sabungeros’ case. “Respondent (Macapaz) altered messages contained in the cellphones by deleting some of the messages. He even allegedly concealed the SD cards of the cellphones despite knowing that these are material evidence in the missing Sabungeros case,” the Napolcom resolution read.
“Citizen Jake,” a critically-acclaimed film featuring award-winning journalist Atom Araullo.
His films reached global stages as well, with “Itim” debuting at the Cannes Film Festival and a retrospective screening at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in 2022.
He also released the short film “Kangkungan” in 2019, a critique of the Duterte administration, and a book, “Mike de Leon’s Last Look Back,” which he called his “photographic memoir of [his] life in cinema.”
projects were “substandard” and carried questionable costs.
Magalong disclosed that some projects, such as a road in Benguet he described as “a road that leads to nowhere,” were implemented without consultation with local government units.
“It's like the DPWH has its own republic. We in the LGU don't know what they are doing. They don't even provide documents even when we ask for them,” he said.
For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday urged tighter coordination among government agencies to curb collusion in flood control projects.
"Isolated case here, isolated case there, isolated cases everywhere. Maybe we should start looking for an isolated case of a corrupt-free, properly implemented flood control project," he said.
The senator reported that his office continues to receive reports of irregu-
mentalities, should also be subject to lifestyle checks.
“All officials in all branches of the government should be subjected to lifestyle checks so that we can have a system of preventing public money from getting into private pockets. This is a crucial step in upholding transparency and accountability and in preserving public confidence in the government,” he stressed.
“Genuine lifestyle checks are a potent deterrent against corruption and a constant reminder to all that public office is a public trust. It’s a long-overdue anti-corruption mechanism that should have been in place,” Villanueva added.
Both Abante and Villanueva are Protestant pastors.
For his part, Public Accounts Committee chairman Rep. Terry Ridon, of the Bicol Saro Party-list, said he believes there would be no problem if the lifestyle check covered members of the legislative and the judiciary.
“I think there is no problem with having lifestyle checks on members of Congress, even members of the judiciary. Because, of course, it is really necessary to be all-encompassing and
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still enough that he be offered a position to fight corruption and to investigate corruption.’’
Torre has yet to comment on the offer or confirm if he will accept the post should it be given. Remulla clarified that the president and Torre have no personal differences, noting that their divergence centered on the PNP chief’s authority to appoint or remove senior police officials, which ran contrary to the views of the National Police Commission (Napolcom). This difference, he said, led to Torre’s removal.
‘‘I think that shows you that a difference of opinion does not necessarily mean an end of a friendship, an end of a working relationship. It was just that,’’ Remulla said.
Several posts are being floated for Torre, including Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, a position in the Department of Public Works and Highways, or as an AntiCorruption Czar.
Napolcom noted that this complaint was related to the pending administrative cases against several police officers linked to the disappearance and alleged execution of numerous sabungeros.
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio addressed his call to officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP) , and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) during a hearing of the House Committee on Human Rights hearing on the case of 34 known missing sabungeros. Tinio averred that 355 human skel-
lar projects. Lacson said contractors with a record of fraud should be barred from registering new corporations and acquiring fresh licenses, stressing the need for agencies to maintain checks and balances instead of colluding with one another.
"The real culprit is collusion," the senator said.
Over the weekend, a district engineer of DPWH-Batangas was arrested after attempting to bribe neophyte lawmaker Leandro Leviste P3.1 million in exchange for stopping the House probe on anomalous flood control projects.
District engineer Abelardo Dionglay Calalo was arrested by the Taal Municipal Police Station (MPS) for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, specifically concerning the corruption of public officials.
more importantly, there are really expectations on all government officials, on all government employees, that we should be able to lead and live modest lives,” he explained in Filipino.
Even Vice President Sara Duterte, a staunch critic of the incumbent administration, supported Mr. Marcos’ lifestyle check directive, but said it should cover all elected and appointed officials, including their so-called “dummies.”
“Public officials and contractors of ghost projects and substandard projects should be held accountable because that is dangerous to the citizens,” she said in an interview in The Hague, Netherlands. The Vice President also pointed out that investigations should extend beyond flood control projects, highlighting concerns regarding the Department of Education’s (DepEd) school building program in 2024. When asked how she would address corruption issues, if given the opportunity, Duterte said she does not want to offer “free advice” to the administration on handling corruption issues in its infrastructure programs.
Meanwhile, Napolcom on Thursday said it is set to issue a resolution affirming the appointment of Nartatez as acting PNP chief. Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Atty. Rafael Vicente Calinisan said the resolution will ensure Nartatez’s authority is fully recognized.
‘‘We will issue a resolution affirming that he is the acting chief PNP. That is important because if you are acting, you have full powers you can exercise discretion,’’ Calinisan said when asked about Torre’s four-star rank.
An order from Malacañang, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and dated August 25, relieved Torre of his post but retained his four-star rank, as he remains in active police service. Nartatez, a three-star general, will have to wait for Torre to avail of early retirement to assume the full title of PNP chief since only one police general can hold a fourstar rank at a time.
‘‘They are good soldiers. They will work. That’s the order’ you have to be PNP chief, it’s just a job’ if the work needs to be done, you need to do the work,’’Calinisan added.
etal remains were recovered from a search area of just 300 by 300 meters—far less than one square kilometer out of Taal Lake’s 234 square kilometers—pointing to the possibility of the site being a “dumping ground” or “killing field.”
“This is deeply alarming. We don’t know who (the victims were)but it was clear that they were victims of a horrendous crime,” Tinio said.
He emphasized that the investigation must cover all possibilities, from accidental deaths to murder, extra judicial killings, and disappearances of activists and other individuals.
the 50th anniversary celebration of the "Thrilla in Manila."
Pacquiao said the commemoration will feature a world championship boxing card on Oct. 29 in Manila, coinciding with the golden anniversary of the 1975 heavyweight clash between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, widely considered one of the greatest fights in boxing history.
"We asked his support and that of government agencies to celebrate this 50th anniversary," Pacquiao told reporters. "The President was happy and he gave his all-out support," he added.
Pacquiao confirmed that Mr. Marcos has accepted an invitation to attend the October event, which he described as a symbolic "Thrilla in Manila Part 2."
The former eight-division world champion recalled that Marcos shared stories about witnessing Muhammad Ali train during his visit to the Philippines in the 1970s.
The President even tried some shadow boxing while recounting how Ali once demonstrated his speed and punches up close.
The 1975 bout, held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, was the third and final meeting between Ali and Frazier.
The fight ended after the 14th round when Frazier’s trainer stopped the contest, cementing Ali’s legacy as the world heavyweight champion.
Pacquiao said the October commemoration aims not only to honor the historic match but also to showcase the Philippines once again as a host of world-class boxing events.
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DepEd’s Generation HOPE program mobilizes the resources of partner companies such as SM, Penshoppe, Grab, Aivee, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, and Banco de Oro to build new classrooms nationwide under a public-private partnership deal with DepEd.
“This project is not just about building classrooms but also giving hope to every Filipino child. Through government and private sector partnerships, we are able to give a safer, better and more conducive environment to their study,” Romualdez said.
Established in 2012 by Nanette Medved-Po, the HOPE group—composed of Generation HOPE, Inc. and Friends of HOPE—channels 100 percent of profits from its flagship products, such as Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box, into classrooms and other social projects.
To date, the company has built 144 classrooms, benefitting 52,000 learners nationwide. Each classroom measures 7x 9 meters, and designed to withstand strong typhoons, and comes fully equipped with a chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, fans, a restroom, and ample ventilation.
Romualdez emphasized that the collaboration manifested the private sector’s readiness to support President Marcos’ commitment to bridging education gaps.
Romualdez also praised Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara for his decisive leadership in rallying both government and private stakeholders behind the program.
In his SONA last July 28, President Marcos announced that his administration will work hand in hand with the private sector to build 40,000 additional classrooms by 2028, in line with his goal of ensuring at least one college or technical-vocational graduate in every Filipino family.
Romualdez also gave assurance that Congress was fully behind the President’s education agenda. The 2026 proposed national budget allots ₱28.1 billion for basic education facilities including the construction of 4,869 new classrooms and the rehabilitation of existing ones.
SSS releases P3.4b in calamity loans
THE Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday said more than 186,000 borrowers have availed themselves of its calamity loan program worth P3.4 billion.
“With the issuance of the revised calamity loan program guidelines, SSS is now able to provide immediate financial relief to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and help our members recover under liberalized terms and conditions,” said SSS president and chief executive officer Robert Joseph de Claro.
He added that the agency has streamlined the activation process to implement future calamity loan programs within seven working days and allowed loan renewal after six months. The interest rate was also reduced from 10 percent to just 7 percent per annum. The loan is available to members residing or working in areas officially declared under a state of calamity, including La Union, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique. In Metro Manila, covered areas are Quezon City, Marikina, Navotas, Manila, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Malabon. Rio N. Araja
1,000 registered SIM cards seized in Cavite
OPERATIVES of the Cavite Provincial Cyber Response Team arrested two suspects in Imus town during an entrapment operation on August 27 for the illegal online sale of registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. The suspects were identified by their aliases “Kaye,” 23, and “Roy,” 27.
Brigadier General Bernard Yang, Acting Director of the PNP AntiCybercrime Group (ACG), said the suspects were caught with 1,000 registered SIM cards. The duo allegedly bought the cards for P15 each and resold them online at P20 apiece.
“The SIM cards seized are possibly being used for text blaster machines,” Yang said, adding that the police are coordinating with telecom firms to aid the investigation. Vince Lopez Expo to equip Ilonggos with life-saving skills
FROM survival know-how to advanced disaster-response technologies, Ilonggos are set to gain critical knowledge as the city hosts the first-ever KABALAKA Expo on August 29–30 at the Iloilo Business Park in Megaworld.
Organized by the Iloilo City Government with the Office of Civil Defense VI, the two-day event will gather 22 exhibitors from local government units, academe, civil society, and the private sector. The expo will showcase preparedness tools and innovations in climate resilience.
“This program tackles climate and disaster risk to empower Ilonggos with life-saving knowledge and skills, while showcasing innovations in risk reduction and resilience,” said Darwin Joemil Papa, chief of the CDRRMO Quick Response Division.
By Ram Superable
SENATOR Francis Pangilinan on Thursday backed the creation of an independent commission to investigate alleged ghost flood control projects across the country.
“We support the creation by law of an independent investigative body that will look into these trillion pesos worth of corrupt flood control projects,” Pangilinan said, pointing to Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III’s proposed
measure for an Independent People’s Commission (IPC). The IPC’s mandate would be to investigate anomalies in all government infrastructure projects, including the flood control programs now under scru-
tiny. Pangilinan said these projects, suspected of being plagued by corruption, directly affect the safety of vulnerable communities. He urged that the commission be led by respected figures such as former Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong. “They should be ashamed. They should be punished... we support President Marcos in thoroughly investigating this,”
MAKATI City is continuing to distribute cash incentives to Blu Card holders who failed to receive their benefits last year, Mayor Nancy Binay said.
“As promised, their cash incentives are being delivered at their doorstep. This is to ensure they receive it personally without hassles or glitches,” she said.
Binay led the distribution to 40 senior citizens in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo on August 15. The program has since reached beneficiaries in Guadalupe Nuevo, Kasilawan, Pinagkaisahan, Carmona, Valenzuela, and Singkamas.
Distribution schedules for the remaining barangays will be announced soon.
More than 12,000 elderly residents
were unable to receive their incentives last year due to lack of mobile phones or failure to update their GCash accounts. Under City Ordinance No. 2025-104, every active Blu Card member is entitled to cash incentives in two equal installments: P4,000 for ages 60–69, P5,000 for 70–79, P6,000 for 80–89, P11,000 for 90–99, and P12,000 for
those aged 101 and above. Centenarians continue to receive P100,000 and a plaque of appreciation.
As of June 2025, there are 54,017 active Blu Card holders in the city. Binay said the program aims to ease the burden on senior citizens and ensure they get their rightful benefits without difficulty.
THE Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Thursday sought clarity on the delayed distribution of the Department of Agriculture’s fertilizer subsidies to farmers still recovering from recent typhoons.
SINAG chairman Rosendo So raised concerns about possible “ghost deliveries” after farmers from several regions reported not receiving the support, which was scheduled for release in June to coincide with the planting season.
At a Senate agriculture committee hearing, So revealed that fertilizer deliv-
eries were delayed in Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), and MIMAROPA. He noted that while some areas received subsidies, others have not, even as August draws to a close. So stressed that fertilizer contracts had been secured in May and that distribution should have proceeded without issue. He also pointed out that last year’s timely subsidy release coincided with competitive palay prices, unlike this year when prices are down and support has yet to reach many farmers.
Pangilinan said. He added that social media has already exposed the lavish lifestyles of relatives of individuals allegedly linked to the ghost projects. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and use online platforms to report displays of ill-gotten wealth. “Expose on social media these shameless displays that, instead of inspiring, only make people sick because of the wealth being flaunted that came from theft,” he said.
By Maricel V. Cruz
LAWMAKERS on Thursday said the House probe into questionable flood control projects should also review allocations made to Davao City during the Duterte administration, including those under the district of Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte. Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said the hearing must scrutinize the massive funds poured into Davao flood control projects in recent years, given the city’s worsening flooding. “I think that can be, that can serve as a basis to also look into the implementation of flood control projects within Davao City and Davao Region,” Ridon said. The City Engineering Office recently reported 265 flooded areas after days of heavy rains. Ridon noted that while climate change and geography are factors, infrastructure remains central to addressing the issue. House Human Rights Committee chair Rep. Bienvenido Abante backed the call, saying the Davao mayor should confront his own family’s record. “My suggestion to Mayor Baste is that he ask his brother the Congressman, how much funds did Cong. Pulong get when he was a Congressman during his father’s time? How much did you get? Reveal how much, where it was used, and why flooding remains severe in Davao,” Abante said.
REMEMBERING MAGSAYSAY’S BIRTHDAY. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in collaboration with the local government of Castillejos, Zambales will host commemorative ceremonies marking the 118th birthday of the late President Ramon Magsaysay.
Castillejos marks 118th birthday of Magsaysay
CASTILLEJOS, Zambales—The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the municipal government of Castillejos will host simple rites to mark the 118th birthday of the late President Ramon Magsaysay at 8 a.m. Aug. 31, 2025, at the Museo ni Ramon Magsaysay here.
Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, NHCP executive director Carminda Arevalo, Zambales Gov.Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Vice Gov. Jacqueline Rose Khonghun, Castillejos Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, other government officials, Magsaysay descendant Emmanuel Magsaysay and civic groups representatives are expected to attend the commemorative event.
A Holy Mass will be held at the Sta. Maria Chapel, to be officiated by Fr. Joel Huerto.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through museums, researches, and publications, as well as to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.
By Rio N. Araja
QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has welcomed a partnership with one of the country’s biggest conglomerates to clean and rehabilitate the Tullahan River up to La Mesa Dam to help ease flooding in Metro Manila.
The mayor and San Miguel Corp. president and chief executive Ramon Ang signed a memorandum of agreement to deepen and widen key sections of the San Juan River and extend its
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy and its counterparts from Australia and Canada on Wednesday concluded a part of the Philippine territory in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
The trilateral drill formed part of Exercise ALON 2025, a series of joint military exercises aimed at strengthening cooperation and interoperability among allied naval forces.
Warships BRP Jose Rizal of the Philippines, HMAS Brisbane of Australia, and HMCS Ville de Québec of Canada sailed northward from El Nido, Palawan, preparatory to the exercises in the disputed waters.
Two key activities were carried out: an Air Defense Exercise simulate responses against aerial threats, and a Photo Exercise that tested precision formation sailing and highlighted naval professionalism.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the event demonstrated the country’s commitment to enhancing maritime defense ties with friendly nations.
“As a key component of Exercise ALON 2025, this engagement reaffirms the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ commitment to advancing defense cooperation with like-minded nations,” the AFP said.
clean-up of the Tullahan River to La Mesa Dam under the company’s Better Rivers PH initiative.
Belmonte said the partnership will strengthen Quezon City’s flood con-
trol efforts and complement its broader waste management and environmental initiatives.
“All things become easier if we just help one another. Together, we are multiplying our impact, and we can set a new standard for public-private collaboration that builds the foundation for a more resilient city and a life of dignity for every QCitizen and every Filipino,” she said.
The project is part of San Miguel’s 2020–2022 pilot effort that cleared 1.1 million metric tons of silt and solid waste from 10.9 kilometers of the wa-
terway.
The company will also clean up other tributaries identified by the Quezon City government to remove silt and garbage, increase rainwater carrying capacity, and improve outflow to Manila Bay, helping reduce flooding in low-lying areas.
As part of its commitment to longterm solutions, San Miguel offered to help Quezon City explore more advanced waste management technologies to support better flood prevention and environmental protection.
Global forum tackles Cebu water concerns
CEBU City –The World Wide Fund (WWF)-Philippines’ Daloy Project hosted here a two-day forum dubbed “WaterLogues: Beyond the Drop, Actions for Sustainable Water” on Aug. 28-29, serving as a venue for dialogue and collaboration to secure a sustainable water supply for the province.
“WaterLogues will highlight Cebu’s local realities while drawing from global expertise. From the lived experiences of communities to international models of water-sensitive planning, the discussions will bridge scales— making clear that water is both a local lifeline and a global issue,” Catherine Custodio, executive director of WWF Philippines, told reporters.
Custodio underscored the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders to address sustainable water issues in Cebu and the Philippines, adding that the primary goal is to move from commitments to actions, involving all levels from individuals to national policies.
Balanga fishermen, farmers get gov’t aid FARMERS and fishermen in Balanga, Bataan have received livelihood support worth more than P400,000 from the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The package included marine engines, seeds, fertilizers, pressure cookers, and canners.
The turnover coincided with the recent birthday celebration of Balanga Mayor Raquel Garcia.
“Helping your fellowmen is not only about meeting their needs, but also about enhancing their dignity by inspiring them to do the same for others,” Garcia said in Filipino. Butch Gunio
By Katrina Manubay
THE Philippine delegation in the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting of senior officials have advocated for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startup companies.
The convention was held July 26 to Aug. 15 in Incheon, South Korea.
Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Charles Jose led the Philippine delegation.
In his remarks at the plenary session, Jose underscored the importance of APEC forums in strengthening collaborative efforts to address both domestic and cross-border challenges, foster innovation among member-economies, and adapt to
By Jessica M. Bacud
SANTIAGO City –The local government here took decisive moves by summoning the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to a public forum on Aug 26 to question DPWH regarding the sudden and severe flooding in Centro Poblacion and other parts of the city.
During the hearing, presided by Mayor Alyssa Sheena Tan, DPWH representatives were asked to provide detailed information on the project’s plan, implementation, completion date, and bidding process.
Tan underscored the significance of national projects in the city, and clarified that the hearing aimed to identify solutions and accountabilities over the failed flood-control projects.
She also asserted that local officials were usu-
ally blamed for botched government infrastructure projects.
According to DPWH engineers Jake Quilang and Reynard Dayag, their flood control project involves a 1.4-kilometer stretch across the city. The project started on June 14 last year and was expected to be completed last January.
However, completion was attained only last on Aug. 16, 2025 although fully payment has yet to be delivered.
The mayor urged DPWH to comply with the city’s proposed ordinance which mandates proper coordination with contractors working on national projects.
“The LGU is the one being criticized when projects go wrong,” she lamented even as she cited the need for closer collaboration and upholding accountability.
the rapidly changing digital landscape.
“As AI adoption varies widely across APEC economies, the Philippines prioritizes capacity-building efforts that provide targeted support for MSMEs and startups. This includes initiatives such as promoting AI literacy, sharing sectorspecific use cases and developing costeffective solutions. We need to empower and ensure that these vital economic en-
gines are not forgotten, guaranteeing their equitable participation in the AI-driven economy,” Jose said.
Issues discussed in the APEC meetings ranged from bridging gaps through advancements in the digital economy, market access, human capital development, structural reform as well as the next steps for the APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap and the Cebu Action Plan.
INTERACTION WITH CONSTITUENTS.
Balanga Mayor Raquel Garcia finds time to personally meet with some of her constituents who gathered round to partake of her birthday celebration.
DON’T look now, but it seems that autonomy or self-rule in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao isn’t exactly going in the right direction.
Commission on Audit Chairman Gamaliel A. Cordoba has ordered a special audit of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education headed by Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal due to alleged anomalous disbursements totaling P2.2 billion.
In his Aug. 11, 2025 letter to BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, Cordoba said the complaints against Iqbal warranted an investigation following the initial review made by COA offices on the two complaints filed against the MBHTE Minister.
“Following the initial review by the relevant COA offices, the complaints merit the conduct of a special audit,” Cordoba wrote.
The first complaint pertains to the P1.77 billion payment made in a single day, circumventing the Finance Division’s standard review process, through issuance of checks to individual personnel, including the cashier.
News reports said the P1.7 billion payment made for Learner’s and Teacher’s Kits on March 7, 2025 happened in just one day without oversight.
The transaction did not pass through the Finance Division Chief for review and signature, as required by standard procedures to ensure completeness, legality and compliance with government rules and policies, insiders said.
The MBHTE holds the biggest share in the BARMM budget at more than P36 billion or around a third of the Regional Government’s budget.
Despite this huge budget in the last six years, educational outcomes continue to be dismal, with the region registering the highest illiteracy rate in the country at 14.4 percent.
Only 11.2 percent of indigenous children in BARMM complete basic education, with many dropping out due to poverty, conflict, and lack of access.
There are also infrastructure and access issues. Students in remote areas often walk hours to reach schools, and many communities lack electricity and basic facilities.
On the other hand, the second complaint against Iqbal involved the P449-million payment issued to a single supplier under questionable circumstances.
Cordoba said that COA was already constituting a special audit team to examine the subject transactions.
“We respectfully request your assistance for the audit team for the entire duration of the audit. We shall coordinate with your office on this matter,” he said.
Insiders, whose identities are withheld
for security reasons, said witnesses had provided sworn statements regarding questionable dealings within the MBHTE.
The MBHTE has been marred by corruption issues, including allegations of selling items to prospective teachers.
The peace process in Muslim Mindanao and especially the decommissioning issue should not be used to divert the issue of massive corruption and shield Mohagher M. Iqbal from accountability.
The COA central office has acted promptly on public outcry over alleged anomalous activities in BARMM
The corruption issue had been raised in media even before the peace process screeched to a halt with the recent order of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to its commanders and rank-and-file to desist from participating in any governmentissued decommissioning initiative, which has effectively diverted public attention away from serious corruption issues involving the MBHTE.
Apart from the MBHTE’s alleged corruption issues, the Office of the Chief Minister also faces an investigation in Congress over BARMM’s alleged questionable use of its P6.4-billion Local Government Support Fund.
In March, the House Committee on Public Accounts urged COA to conduct a fraud audit on the BARMM’s release of LGSF to favored villages in the region.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in BARMM has faced backlash over reports of imported rice priced at ₱60 per kilo, which Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. condemned as profiteering.
The Department of Agriculture clarified that 5 percent broken imported rice should not exceed ₱50/kg, and 25 percent broken rice should be even cheaper
The COA central office has acted promptly on public outcry over alleged anomalous activities in BARMM.
The Chief Minister should now move decisively against Cabinet members accused of plundering the public coffers. Otherwise, he could be held accountable for gross neglect of duty or even complicity in massive corruption. (Email: ernhil@ yahoo.com)
THE recent clash between Pasig City
Mayor Vico Sotto and veteran journalists
Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao has ignited a nationwide conversation about the ethical boundaries of journalism in the Philippines.
Sotto drew attention to interviews conducted by Sanchez and Babao with Sarah and Curlee Discaya, contractors who later became political candidates.
In a social media post, he speculated that some media features might involve payments as high as ₱10 million.
While acknowledging that the figure was speculative, Sotto argued that the possibility alone should prompt reflection on why political aspirants would be willing to pay heavily for airtime. His concern was that such arrangements, if they exist, risk sanitizing reputations, undermining journalistic independence, and misleading the public.
Both Sanchez and Babao denied their features on the Discayas involved any payment.
Sanchez’s camp insisted her segment was a lifestyle feature, not political content, and that she was unaware of the couple’s plans to run for office. Babao took a similar position, describing his interview as an ordinary feature detached from electoral politics.
Yet Sanchez’s team, in earlier statements, acknowledged that some interviews on her programs may involve payment structured as advertising, with receipts issued by the network. This admission has heightened scrutiny of the blurred line between paid promotional
segments and legitimate editorial content.
The controversy has since grown beyond the initial personalities to a larger debate on media ethics.
Critics noted that both interviews presented the Discayas in a flattering light without addressing questions about their sudden wealth, government contracts, or political ambitions.
The debate Sotto has provoked should serve as an opportunity not to silence or discredit journalists, but to strengthen the commitment of both the press and public officials to ethical practice and public trust
Retired journalist Chelo Banal-Formoso, among others, observed that obvious red flags were ignored. I watched both Sanchez’s and Babao’s interviews in full.
It was painful and sad, as I had deep respect for these two veteran journalists. What I saw and heard was revolting.
is an
IF MALACANANG has described Vice President Sara Duterte’s tenure as chief of the Department of Education (DepEd) from June 22 to June 2024 as “a complete failure,” is it a reasonable conclusion based on facts?
For context, the Palace reaction came after the Vice President said during a program in Kuwait that while other countries have modernized their education systems, the Philippines has remained stuck in a paper-and-pencil stage.
She added that students abroad are already engaged in robotics and coding, while the Philippines continues to struggle to catch up.
But the Palace countered that VP Duterte had the opportunity to lead DepEd for two years and implement the very reforms she is now urging, and that whatever she is complaining about should have been accomplished during her time.
Duterte served as education secretary from June 2022 to June 2024. She claimed she resigned “out of genuine concern for our teachers and the Filipino youth,” without clarifying her statement.
If Philippine education is in such a sorry state at present, it is partly because of Duterte’s mismanagement of the vital government agency during her term.
These were not probing interviews. They resembled promotional segments designed to flatter and sanitize.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has been clear on this matter.
It recently reminded practitioners that soliciting or accepting money, gifts, or favors in exchange for favorable coverage is a violation of core ethical standards.
NUJP stressed that such practices compromise editorial independence, erode public trust, and betray journalism’s role in a democracy.
While acknowledging financial pressures in news organizations, the NUJP emphasized that these cannot justify blurring the line between journalism and advertising.
Seen in this light, Sotto’s critique was less a personal attack than a legitimate call for accountability.
By asking why political aspirants would allegedly pay millions for airtime, he exposed what he called a “credibility economy” in which reputation can be bought and scrutiny becomes optional.
In 2023, DepEd with Duterte at the helm completed only 192 out of 6,379 targeted new classrooms, or just few percent of the goal. Classroom rehabilitation also lagged, with only 208 of 7,550 projects completed. Thousands more did not even enter the procurement phase.
Sara Duterte’s time as DepEd Secretary was marked by ambitious rhetoric but limited execution
The DepEd Computerization Program recorded “zero percent” accomplishment in delivering thousands of laptops and e-learning tools in 2023. This included over 12,000 laptops for teachers and thousands of smart TVs and e-learning carts that were never distributed.
A congressional report revealed
His clarification that the ₱10 million figure was speculative underscored his intent to provoke reflection, not to lodge a direct accusation.
I must disclose that Mayor Vico is a graduate of the Ateneo School of Government. He was my student there and later worked at the school when I was dean.
He is the real thing in terms of good governance. Along with his colleagues in the Mayors for Good Governance coalition, he represents the future of Philippine politics. His commitment to accountability is consistent and genuine.
Of course, Sanchez and Babao are entitled to defend their integrity. The threat of cyberlibel from Sanchez’s camp, however, reflects the perils of wielding such a law against critics.
Journalists know too well how cyberlibel has been used to harass and silence them.
To invoke it now against legitimate commentary undermines their own struggle for press freedom. That is a slippery slope they must avoid.
that DepEd’s disbursement rate for its textbook program was just 17 percent in 2024, and only 11 percent the year before.
Sara Duterte also prioritized spending millions in confidential funds for projects that had little to do with fulfilling basic educational needs like textbooks and feeding programs.
The teacher’s party-list group in Congress even labeled Duterte “the worst DepEd secretary ever,” citing her failure to deliver on basic educational services.
While Duterte did make efforts to engage with educators and students, conducted school visits and listened to teachers’ concerns firsthand, she acknowledged that many DepEd initiatives remained incomplete and urged her successor to prioritize curriculum reform.
Sara Duterte’s time as DepEd Secretary was marked by ambitious rhetoric but limited execution.
While she raised valid concerns about the state of Philippine education, her administration struggled to deliver tangible improvements in infrastructure, technology, and basic learning resources.
The wasted opportunities to reform the basic education system in the country during Duterte’s stewardship of DepEd for two years now compel her successor, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, to work double time and to turn failure into better educational opportunities for our youth.
In any case, many lawyers, including my law firm La Viña Zarate, stand ready to defend Sotto.
At its core, this controversy is not simply about one mayor and two journalists. It is about the ethical foundations of the press in a democracy. Journalism’s duty is to inform, to question, and to hold power accountable. When media platforms, knowingly or not, provide uncritical coverage of figures with political or financial clout, they risk eroding public trust.
By drawing attention to this issue, Sotto has reaffirmed that media ethics is not an abstract principle but a concrete safeguard for democratic accountability. The debate he has provoked should serve as an opportunity not to silence or discredit journalists, but to strengthen the commitment of both the press and public officials to ethical practice and public trust. For this, we should thank Mayor Vico. Facebook, X, Instagram, and BlueSky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 29, 2025 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
China to bolster non-Western alliances at summit, parade
BEIJING – China’s President Xi Jinping
will host world leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi from Sunday for a summit before a huge military parade as he seeks to showcase a non-Western style of regional collaboration.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be held Sunday and Monday, days before the military parade in nearby Beijing to mark 80 years since the end of World War II, which North Korea’s Kim Jong Un will attend.
The SCO comprises China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus -- with 16 more countries affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”. China and Russia have used the organization -- sometimes touted as a counter to the Western-dominated NATO military alliance -- to deepen ties with Central Asian states.
As China’s claim over Taiwan and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have seen them clash with the United States and Europe, analysts say the SCO is one forum where they are trying to win influence.
More than 20 leaders including Iranian and Turkish presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the bloc’s largest meeting since its founding in 2001.
Hosting this many leaders gives Beijing a chance to “demonstrate convening power”, said Lizzi Lee from the Asia Society Policy Institute. AFP
TOKYO – Japan remains optimistic about the adoption of renewable energy despite Mitsubishi pulling out of three big offshore wind projects, the government said Thursday. Blaming high costs, Mitsubishi said Wednesday it was exiting the projects, which planned 134 turbines to generate power for more than a million homes.
“The government regards offshore wind power as an important source of electricity towards making renewable energies (Japan’s) main source of electricity, regardless of success or failure of a particular project,” government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. The government “will further examine the issue, including reviewing conditions of the auction system, after examining factors behind the withdrawal from these projects,” he added.
Japan declared in its updated energy plan this year that offshore wind power was a “trump card” in its drive to make renewables its top power source by 2040. AFP
Long-awaited pension payments for retirees
KABUL – After a four-year suspension, the Taliban government has announced it would resume pension payments for Afghanistan’s nearly 150,000 retired military and civil servants.
They will be the last public sector workers to receive any payments, after the cashstrapped authorities announced an end to the public pension scheme last year.
“When you’re jobless sitting at home and have nothing, you’re worried about food,” said 71-year-old Abdul Sabir outside the pension department in the capital Kabul.
He was among those scheduled to receive his pension again in a gradual rollout across government institutions.
Retired public sector employees have for the past few years increasingly demonstrated outside government buildings, demanding payments that ended after the return of Taliban authorities in 2021. AFP
KYIV – Russian missiles and drones ripped through apartment blocks in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least 14 people in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said represented a clear disregard for peace negotiations.
Russia has rained down aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities despite US President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire and even as it talks up the importance of ending the war, triggered by its February 2022 full-scale invasion. At dawn, residents and emergency service workers were clearing debris from streets strewn with broken glass and
building materials, an AFP journalist at the scene of one strike in central Kyiv saw.
Mattresses hung out of crumpled balconies, blown open in the strike. At least eight people were killed, Zelenskyy said, including a child.
“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war,” he said on social media.
“This means that Russia still does not fear the consequences.”
Zelensky called for a tough response from Ukraine’s allies, including fresh sanctions.
war,” he said. Kyiv had at the start of the war been relatively well protected from Russian aerial attacks. In recent months however, it has been hit with multiple deadly attacks as Moscow fired record drone and missiles at the country.
The
which will take effect in March next year, bans smart devices including mobile phones in classrooms and was passed Wednesday, a National Assembly spokeswoman told AFP. The move makes South Korea the latest country to restrict social media use among schoolchildren, following similar steps in countries including Australia and the Netherlands. Seoul’s Education Ministry said in a statement that the law bans the use of smartphones in classrooms except when needed as assistive tools for students with disabilities or special education needs, or for educational purposes. AFP
The attack had blasted a five-story crater in one apartment block, ripping the building in two, images posted by Zelenskyy showed. The windows of residential buildings and small businesses in the surrounding block were blown out. STUTTERING DIPLOMACY. The Ukrainian air defense fires at Russian
He also called on Russia’s ally China and EU member Hungary to take a much tougher stance against Moscow.
“All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined. Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this
July 31, leaving more than 30 people dead including five children. Ukrainian officials also reported a Russian strike in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Thursday. AFP
GAZA CITY – The Israeli military pressed operations around Gaza City on Wednesday as US President Donald Trump hosted a meeting on post-war plans for the shattered Palestinian territory.
Israel is under mounting pressure both at home and abroad to end its almost twoyear campaign in Gaza, where the United Nations has declared a famine.
Mediators have circulated a truce proposal which has been accepted by Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack triggered the devas-
tating war. But Israel has yet to give an official response.
On the ground, Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least 38 people on Wednesday, including 16 in Gaza City.
The Israeli military, which is preparing to conquer Gaza City, said troops were operating on the outskirts of the territory’s largest city “to locate and dismantle terror infrastructure sites”.
As aid groups have warned against expanding the Israeli offensive, the army’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay
‘Perfect storm’: UK fishermen reel from octopus
PLYMOUTH, United Kingdom –When veteran fisherman Brian Tapper checked his 1,200 crab pots in waters off southwest England during this year’s crabbing season, he got a series of unwelcome surprises.
At first, in March and April, they were almost entirely empty. Then, starting in May, they were unexpectedly packed with octopuses, before sitting largely empty again over the last month or so.
It has been a similar story along the UK’s Devon and southern Cornwall coastline where the seas are warming, and an octopus bloom -- the biggest in British waters in 75 years -- has left the shellfish industry reeling.
The tentacled molluscs are notoriously voracious eaters, hoovering up crustaceans such as crab and shellfish.
Tapper’s wife has already shuttered her dockside crab processing factory
due to the diminished catch, while he doubts he can keep his side of the business afloat.
“It’s like a perfect storm for us,” Tapper told AFP from Plymouth Harbor, where his three purpose-built crab fishing vessels are idled.
The 53-year-old estimates his catch is down by half, and risks dropping by four-fifths in 2025.
An 18-month marine heatwave in the region and beyond is blamed for causing the bloom in warm water-loving octopus.
Climate scientists say human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, is behind global warming which is driving up ocean temperatures.
“I’ve been fishing here 39 years and I’ve never seen octopus like this,” Tapper said.
“I’ve never seen an instant change like this. It’s so quick. They’re a plague.”AFP
Adraee, said on X that Gaza City’s evacuation was “inevitable.”
The vast majority of the Gaza Strip’s population of more than two million people have been displaced at least once during the war. In Jabalia, just north of Gaza City, resident Hamad al-Karawi said he had left his home after a message broadcast from a drone ordered people to evacuate immediately.
“We scattered out onto the streets with no place or home to take refuge in,” he told AFP. AFP
Last month the capital suffered one of its worst ever attacks when strikes killed more than 30 people, including five children. Among the victims of Thursday’s strike were a 14-year-old girl, Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the city’s military administration, said. Moscow had fired ballistic and cruise missiles as well as Iranian-designed Shahed drones from different directions to “systematically” target residential buildings, he said. AFP
UNITED NATIONS, New York – The UN Security Council is set to vote Thursday (Friday Manila time) on the future of the blue helmet peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, which has faced US and Israeli opposition. Some 10,800 peacekeepers have been acting as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. But the usual renewal of their mandate, which expires Sunday, is facing hostility this year from Israel and its American ally, who want them to leave.
The Council is debating a Frenchdrafted compromise that would keep the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in place until the end of next year while it prepares to withdraw. France, which oversees the issue at the Security Council and has the support of Beirut, had initially considered a one-year extension and referred simply to an “intention” to work towards a withdrawal of UNIFIL.
But faced with a possible US veto, and following several proposals and a Monday postponement of the vote, the latest draft resolution seen by AFP unequivocally schedules the end of the mission in 16 months. The Council “decides to extend for a final time the mandate of UNIFIL as set out by resolution 1701 (2006) until 31 December 2026 and to start an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal from 31 December 2026 and within one year,” the text says. At that point the Lebanese army will be solely responsible for ensuring security in the country’s south. With US envoy Tom Barrack saying Tuesday that Washington would approve a one-year extension, it remained unclear what the US position would be come Thursday. AFP
US health agency chief refuses to step down even after dismissal
WASHINGTON, DC – The head of the top US public health agency refused to step down on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time), accusing vaccine skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “weaponizing public health” after his department announced her dismissal. Susan Monarez, who has been director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for less than a month, has “neither resigned nor received notification from the White House that she has been fired,” her lawyers said in a statement sent to AFP.
“As a person of integrity and devoted to science, she will not resign,” lawyers Mark Zaid and Abbe Lowell said. The statement accused Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- who is known for his vaccine skepticism -- of
“weaponizing public health for political gain and putting millions of American lives at risk.” The CDC chief was targeted after she “refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts,” it added. Monarez, a health scientist and longtime civil servant, earned US Senate confirmation for the job and was then sworn in by Kennedy on July 31. Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the CDC, announced her dismissal earlier Wednesday in a curt statement on X. “Susan Monarez is no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We thank her for her dedicated service to the American people,” the department said. AFP
BATANGAS CITY—Far Eastern
University begins its redemption campaign against Letran in an exciting opening day clash of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Batangas Leg on Friday at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym here.
Falling short of winning the crown last year, the Lady Tamaraws are back to settle an unfinished business in the final stop of the three-leg tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Game time is set at 7 p.m.
FEU head coach Tina Salak is parading a seasoned roster led by team captain setter Tin Ubaldo, Mitzi Panangn, Alyzza Devosora, Gerzel Petallo and Faida Bakanke.
The Lady Tamaraws were swept by powerhouse National University last year in the best-of-three championship series. FEU gave the then Bella Belen-led Lady Bulldogs a hard time as both games went into five sets.
The Lady Knights, on the other hand, will cling to the firepower of reigning tournament Best Opposite Spiker Judiel Nitura and NCAA Season 100 Rookie of the Year Sheena Sarie.
Letran finished fourth in the previous edition after losing to NCAA archrival College of Saint Benilde in the battle for bronze.
Meanwhile, the reigning fourtime NCAA champions Lady Blazers test the mettle of hosts UB Lady Brahmans in the curtain-raiser set at 5 p.m.
Veterans Zamantha Nolasco, Jessa Dorog, Chenae Basarte and Rhea Densing banner the Jerry Yee-mentored CSB.
“We’re happy na maraming beses kaming makakalaro para ma-push pa kami and sana mas marami pa kaming matutunan,” said Yee.
“Basta lumabas ang laro ng mga bata, good ako.”
UB, the 2024-25 Universities and Colleges Athletic League runner-up, is out to defend its turf in the quick single-round robin format competition, where the team with the best record will be declared champion.
The Lady Brahmans reached the quarterfinals last year but were boot ed out by Letran.
THE Passion For Polo-GlobalPort reaffirmed its mastery over Flying Changes, scoring an impressive 15-10 win to top the recent 14-Goal Allen Trebian Memorial Cup 2025 in Barrington, Illinois.
Romero-led PFP-GlobalPort came through with decisive runs – not to mention its superb hustle plays – in the crucial moments to prevail.
“Our strategy and resilience late in the game produced great runs and huge goals,” said Romero. “This title is for country, especially for the growth of polo sport and for Filipinos who dare to dream big.”
Though surrounded by famous Argentinian-American and former U.S. Open Champion players Nino Obregón and Collo Gonzales and FilAmerican Anthony Garcia, Romero found ways to produce his own moments of brilliance on the field, further boosting his status as one of the top Asian polo players.
And score he did, not only once but thrice to sheer delight of team supporters.
“It was a great team effort. My teammates played so well,” added Romero, who is ranked No. 24 in the World Polo Tour and No. 6 in the US.
SYDNEY—An emerging Austra-
lian golfer who lost sight in his left eye after being struck by a golf ball just weeks after making his US PGA Tour debut returned to the professional game Thursday, saying it was “a great feeling”.
Jeffrey Guan, 21, was on an upward trajectory last year, signing with the same management company that boasted major winners Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson.
He received a sponsor invite to the PGA Tour Procore Championship in California in September, shooting 69 and 75 to narrowly miss the cut. But he was hit in the face by a ball at a tournament near Sydney, a freak accident that left him blind in his left eye. Undeterred, Guan pledged to bounce back -- and he did just that at the NT PGA Championship near Darwin Thursday, firing a firstround 74.
“Teeing off the first was genuinely a great feeling,” said Guan.
“I wasn’t nervous at all from what I predicted the past couple of days, but there was a lot of mistakes out there and heaps of room for improvement.”
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Guan said he had to largely re-learn the game given his limited vision and he wasn’t sure what to expect, admitting to “a mix of emotions”.
“I didn’t think it (comeback) was going to be this year, but then I’ve been practising and I felt really good over the ball and I was like, ‘Why not give it a shot?’,” he said.
“There were so many times in the hospital where I just thought, ‘Is this going to be over’?
“I couldn’t even eat. I couldn’t really do anything. I wasn’t allowed to walk because I had to keep my eye stable. So yeah, those thoughts were definitely running through my head for three, four months.”
Guan said he was taking it a step at a time.
“I’m coming here with really no expectations. I just want to have fun and sort of just play to see where I’m at.”AFP
to Romero’s cap after the team’s 15-10 stunner over defending champion Park Place in the CV Whitney Cup held in Wellington, Florida, marking the first time an Asia-based team competed and won in the event.
By Peter Atencio
THE PLDT High Speed Hitters have a chance to go for another title conquest in the Premier Volleyball League. And they might just get it after stretching their unbeaten record to 12th overall since the recent PVL on Tour, winning four straight games in the ongoing 2025 PVL Invitationals.
High Speed Hitter coach Rald Ricafort this after on Tuesday, days after they repulsed Kobe Shinwa Univer-
DEL Monte standouts Clyde Mondilla and Reymon Jaraula are set to bring firepower and experience back to the Philippine Golf Tour as they rejoin the fray in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge, which unfolds Sept. 2 at the tight, demanding Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, Murcia. The return of the seasoned duo instantly adds intrigue and intensity to the already talent-stacked field in the fifth leg of the PGT, with Jaraula seeking to extend his reign at Bacolod after edging Angelo Que by one in a dramatic finish last year, and Mondilla keen on ending a long title spell and reigniting his chase for another PGT crown.
sity, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, on Monday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“Our goal was to let our players who are coming back from injuries to play. When this happened in our game last Monday, we knew we’ll get close to the championship. The transition was fast when the team finally played as a complete squad,” said Ricafort. The coach and members of the squad talked about their chances during a meet-and-greet on Tuesday at the PLDT offices in Makati City.
The Allen Trebian Memorial Cup is an awaited 14-goal USPA Midwest Open event honoring a much-admired leader in the Las Brisas community.
And winning it was another feather
Jaraula skipped the recent Caliraya Springs leg but remains sharp and focused, drawing confidence from his solid fourth-place finish at Forest Hills. Known for his quiet demeanor but fiery game, the reticent shotmaker returns to Binitin not just with a title defense in mind – but with a target firmly set on joining the exclusive club of back-to-back PGT champions on the same course. His familiarity with Bacolod’s risk-reward layout and poise under pressure make him one of the strongest contenders this week. A repeat performance would not only reaffirm his sta-
With one game to go in the preliminaries, the High Speed Hitters are nearing another final appearance, more than a week after they clinched the 2025 PVL on Tour crown. In their previous game, Savi Davison registered 17 points made on 13 attacks, three blocks and an ace including six excellent digs.
Rookie sensation Alleiah Malaluan tallied 12 points and eight excellent receptions in one of her best showings on her first year in the PVL.
tus as one of the most consistent Filipino pros in recent years but also provide a significant boost in the season-long rankings. Mondilla, meanwhile, is on a mission of his own. The former Philippine Open titlist and multitime PGT champion skipped the last two legs at Forest Hills and Caliraya Springs due to prior commitments but returns recharged, motivated and hungry to get back in the winner’s circle. He last tasted victory at Caliraya Springs in 2024, where he outclassed Que by three strokes. A proven closer with the ability to dominate when in form, Mondilla’s re-entry into the field instantly
That feat actually earned Romero – a former lawmaker representing 1Pacman Partylist – a commendation from the House of Representatives for taking PH polo to a higher level on the international scene. The team’s recent semis appearance in the U.S.PA Midwest Open was a fitting follow-up from a historic quarter-final finish in the prestigious US Open in Florida.
elevates the level of competition. His well-rounded game – highlighted by controlled iron play and a deft touch on the greens – makes him a perfect fit for Bacolod’s par70 layout, where emphasis is on precision more than power. But the road to the title is expected to be anything but easy. With Que, Guido van der Valk, and Keanu Jahns already tasting victory in the season’s first four legs, and a host of veterans and young guns itching to make their mark, the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized event is shaping up to be another thrilling battle of strategy, nerve and execution.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
RIANNE Malixi is one of 25 golfers recognized on Monday as members of the 2025-26 Annika Award Preseason Watch List.
The Annika Award presented by Stifel honors the Player of the Year in the US women’s college golf scene, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media.
The 18-year-old Malixi became a candidate after becoming the second player in US Golf Association history to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur titles in the same year last year.
Malixi is now a part of Duke University women’s golf team in the US NCAA Division 1,
She became the top-rated recruit for Duke for this year and will play as a freshman this season, according school officials in an announcement.
Malixi caught the attention of the US golfing community after she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur, the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the Australian Master of the Amateurs.
Aside from this, Malixi became the second golfer to win two United States Golf Association (USGA) championships in the same calendar year, after Seong Eun-Jong did it in 2016.
Over her career on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), Malixi tallied seven wins, 18 top-five, 20 top-10 and 25 top-20 finishes.
Malixi has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
Last year, Florida State junior Mirabel Ting took home the Annika Award, capping off a fivewin season with Player of the Year honors. Ting turned professional over the summer.
NEW YORK—US Open with a blistering straightsets victory on Wednesday as Novak Djokovic overcame an early scare to advance.
Alcaraz, who could meet Djokovic in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows if the draw follows the seedings, blew away Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in just one hour 36 minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium main court.
The 22-year-old Spanish second seed unfurled a stream of 32 winners in a dominant display against the 65th-ranked Bellucci, whose best performance in a Grand Slam came with a run to the third round at Wimbledon earlier this year.
“I played great to be honest, from the beginning until the last ball,” said Alcaraz, who will face another Italian, 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, in the next round.
“The less time I spend on court the better for me, to go to bed early,” he added.
Elsewhere Wednesday, Serbian legend Djokovic kept his dream of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title alive after a four-set defeat of American qualifier Zachary Svajda.
Djokovic though was forced to dig deep after losing the first set before claiming a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win. Djokovic, 38, said that while not at his best, he is hoping to play himself into form as the tournament progresses.
“That’s what I’m hoping, the deeper I go into the tournament the better I feel about my game,” he said. Djokovic’s victory sees him into the third round at the US Open for a record-equalling 19th time, where he will face Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who defeated Argentina’s Francisco Comesana 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-7 (0/7), 7-6 (7/4). AFP
By Peter Atencio
FILIPINA tennis sensation Alexandra Eala vows to come back stronger after losing to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the second round of the US Open 2025 on Thursday (Manila time) at the Flushing Meadows, New York.
The 20-year-old Eala conceded four points off five breaks in the second set and fell after just 82 minutes, 4-6, 3-6, to Bucsa, a Moldovan-born Spanish player, who saw action in the Paris Olympic s.
“Every loss is an opportunity to come back stronger and learn
more about yourself. I think that she played very well and I definitely had my chances, and it was a good thing,” said the 5’9” Eala when she reflected on her encounter with Bucsa.
Eala still made history as the first female player from the Philippines to compete in the singles’ main
draw of the modern era. She will next see action in the Sao Paulo Open that will run from September 8 to 14 in Brazil.
It will be Sao Paulo’s first WTA tournament in 25 years and will have a 32-player singles main draw.
World No. 22 Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil and No. 47 Hailey Baptiste of the United States are among the top players joining.
“There’s not much I can do now, just reflect and try to come back better next time,” added Eala.
The Quezon City-born Eala converted only three of her nine break points.
On the other hand, Bucsa scored six points off a total of eight breaks.
And Bucsa was also more consistent with her first serve (71.9% to 66.1%), and had three aces.
The 27-year-old Bucsa had three aces and picked up 30 points off 46 first serves.
This allowed Bucsa to get back at Eala, who beat her four years ago in a $25000 ITF/Tennis Europe event in Grenoble, France. Eala won that game, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8), in the second round.
As a consolation, Eala went home with prize money worth $154,000 or around $8.799 million, one of her biggest payouts this season.
The 20-year-old Eala came off a dramatic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11) upset of no. 14 seed Clara Tauson in the first round.
REIGNING champion Italy, Olympic gold medalist France, world No. 1 Poland and everybody else elite are coming for the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025 set next month at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Elite at its highest level,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president, who also heads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
All three squads have been installed as heavy favorites owing to their world rankings and current titles approaching the final two weeks of calm before the world spikefest storms into the country from September 12 to 28.
Led by top-ranked spiker Wilfredo Leon and Volleyball Nations League MVP middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski, Poland marches into the Philippine shores as the No. 1 team squad as per the updated FIVB rankings.
Poland, the silver medalist in the 2024 Paris Olympics, earned 400 points after sweeping Italy in the VNL finals this month in China and is likely to stay as the top-ranked squad without any
PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee
president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is observing first-hand the
tournaments on board as the 32 teams hit the final stage of their preparations.
France is ranked fourth and will ride its back-to-back title feats in the Olympics capped by a sweep of world No. 1 Poland to also join the top title contenders in the biggest world championship edition in FIVB history.
Paris MVP Earvin Ngapeth stands at the fore-
conduct of the 2025 Track Asia Cup in Suphan Buri in Thailand as part of the preparations of the country’s
front of the Frenchmen who’re also out to avenge their early quarterfinal exit in the 2022 world championship hosted by Poland and Slovenia. Then there’s the reigning global champion and world No. 2 Italy which is determined in holding fort and avenging its VNL finale defeat to Poland. VNL Best Setter Simone Giannelli and Best Outside Spiker Alessendro Michieletto spearhead the way for the Italians, who stunned their Polish rivals in the 2022 edition at home.
Sandwiched in between the Top 3 contenders is world No. 3 Brazil, led by the quartet of Alan Souza, Ricardo Lucarelli, Mathes Bispo dos Santos and setter Bruno Fernando, in a bid to make up for its pair of bronze-medal finishes in the 2022 world cup and 2025 VNL.
Brazil also settled for a quarterfinal finish in Paris after bowing to the United States to settle some unfinished business in the Manila staging of FIVB worlds.
Poland leads Pool B with the Netherlands, Qatar and Romania, France is in Pool C with Argentina, Finland and South Korea, Italy spearheads Pool F with Ukraine, Belgium and Algeria while Brazil tops Pool H with Serbia, Czech Republic and China.
hosting of the Asian Cycling Confederation Track Championships in March at the newly-built Tagaytay CT Velodrome. “It will be the first time in 30 years that the Philippines is hosting an Asian-level track championships and we want to make sure on its success,” said Tolentino, also the president of the national sports association for cycling, PhilCycling.
Thailand Cycling Association president General Decha Hemkasri welcomed Tolentino at the opening ceremony on Thursday at the Suphan Buri Velodrome, which has hosted the same competition several times in the past.
The Suphan Buri Velodrome is a 333-meter concrete and open air track facility while the Tagaytay CT Velodrome is wood and indoor with an International Cy-
cling Union Olympic and world championship standard length of 250 meters.
Tolentino is also using the ocular to survey the facility that will be the venue of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games track competitions in December.
Twenty-eight national and club teams are participating in the Track Asia Cup—set Thursday until Saturday—a sizeable attendance that makes the race one of the more sought after in Asia.
“With 28 teams, these competitions approximate the ACC championships where we expect track cyclists from 40 Asian countries to converge in Tagaytay City,” Tolentino said.
The Tagaytay City ACC Track Championships are scheduled March 25 to 31 next year.
ACEN Australia eyes 2,000-MW RE projects
By Thony Rose Lesaca
Project monitoring platform launched Security
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE government’s budget deficit
by 34.4 percent to P18.9 billion in July 2025 from P28.8 billion recorded in the same month last year, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said Thursday. The BTr attributed the lower deficit to a faster increase in government revenues, which grew by 3.26 percent year-on-year, outpacing the 1.02 percent growth in spending.
It said that in the first seven months of the year, the total fiscal deficit reached P784.4 billion, well within the government’s revised full-year target of P1.56 trillion. Government revenues in July rose to P472.3 billion, driven by higher tax collections from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The BIR collected P335.3 billion, up 4.83 percent year-on-year, while the BOC collected P85.2 billion, reflecting a 6-percent increase.
The BIR’s strong performance was boosted by higher corporate income
By Jenniffer B. Austria
NICKEL miner Global
Ferronickel
Holdings Inc. (FNI) said Thursday its board of directors approved a voluntary leave of absence for its chairman Joseph Sy effective Aug. 27, 2025.
The company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the decision would allow Sy “to focus on resolving his personal legal matters while safeguarding the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.” Sy’s leave follows his arrest last week by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on allegations he misrepresented his Filipino citizenship. The board, in a move to maintain leadership stability, also elected company president Dante Bravo as the new chairman.
The board also established the position of vice chairman, appointing lead independent director Jaime Del Rosario to the role.
THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Thursday its policy-making Monetary Board reduced the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 5.0 percent on broadly unchanged inflation outlook.
It also cut the overnight deposit and lending facilities to 4.5 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively.
The BSP kept its 2025 inflation forecast at 1.7 percent. The forecasts stand at 3.3 percent for 2026 and at 3.4 percent for 2027, it said.
“Inflation expectations also remain well-anchored. Meanwhile,
possible electricity rate adjustments and higher rice tariffs could raise inflationary pressures over the policy horizon,” the BSP said in a statement.
BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said domestic demand has held firm, but the impact of US policies on global trade and investment continue to weigh on global economic activity. “This could temper the outlook for the Philippine economy,” he said.
Remolona said the Philippine economy remains at a “sweet spot” for both inflation and output. “The policy rate itself is at our goldilocks rate, neither too high nor too low. I would characterize this as still dovish, but slightly less so than before in terms of the former guidance,” said Remolona. “The Monetary Board will determine the monetary policy response based on the evolving outlook for
inflation and growth. Going forward, the BSP will safeguard price stability by ensuring monetary policy settings are conducive to sustainable economic growth and employment,” the BSP said.
“Emerging risks will continue to require close monitoring. The Monetary Board will determine the monetary policy response based on the evolving outlook for inflation and growth,” the BSP said.
The BSP said it would safeguard price stability by ensuring monetary policy settings are conducive to sustainable economic growth and employment.
The BSP has adjusted the key interest rate by 75 bps this year amid the softening inflation rate.
Data showed that inflation eased to 0.9 percent in July, a near sixyear low, while the gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.5 percent in the second quarter. 5.0% 4.5% 5.5% Overnight borrowing rate Overnight deposit rate Overnight lending rate
tax revenues, followed by personal income tax, tax on government securities, excise tax on tobacco products, percentage tax on banks and financial institutions and documentary stamp tax.
The BOC’s positive performance was supported by a 6.13-percent year-on-year increase in value-added tax and a 12.69 percent rise in excise collections.
Non-tax revenues contributed P49.3 billion in July, a decrease of 9.66 percent from the previous year. This was offset by a strong BTr income of P36.3 billion, which surged 82.42 percent year-on-year amid strong dividend remittances, interest income on government deposits and the government’s share from the Manila International Airport Authority’s profit.
Seven-month revenues expanded to P2.73 trillion, or 60.4 percent of the revised full-year program of P4.52 trillion. Tax revenues made up the majority at P2.45 trillion, a 9.71 percent increase from the previous year.
Del Rosario will preside over board meetings in the chairman’s absence and act as a liaison between the chairman and other directors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is closely monitoring the case.
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) rallied behind Sy, calling his arrest “unlawful” and “legally inconsistent.”
The group pointed out that his citizenship had been previously affirmed in rulings by the BI and described his detention as a “grave injustice.” It urged authorities to act promptly to restore due process and investor confidence.
FNI said that if government authorities declare Sy to be an alien, compliance with nationality requirements could be met through the divestment of his shares.
The company said this would not affect the continuity of its business operations.
THE SM Group is expanding its
J.O.B.S. (Jobs Opportunities Building Skills) program by integrating skills training into its nationwide job fairs, aligning its efforts with the country’s push to address the skills gap and strengthen workforce readiness.
Launched in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the initiative goes beyond job matching by providing access to TESDA-accredited training programs. The dual approach equips job seekers not only with employment opportunities but also with relevant skills to thrive in an evolving job market.
“Just as we at SM rely on the competence of our people to grow, we also want to contribute to the country’s goal of helping Filipinos secure meaningful employment. Through our partnership with TESDA, we aim to expand opportunities that combine access to jobs and skills development, enabling inclusive growth in the communities that we serve,” said SM Investments Corp. president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio.
TESDA deputy director Nelly Dillera cited the program’s role in advancing sustainable livelihoods.
“This partnership with SM marks a significant milestone in bringing jobs and skills development directly to the Filipino people. By combining employment access with targeted training opportunities, we are creating a more responsive and inclusive pathway to sustainable livelihoods—right where communities live shop and gather,” she said.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
SYDNEY, Australia — ACEN Australia Pty. Ltd. plans to add more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity over the next three years, a top executive said.
Jose Maria Eduardo Pons Zabaleta, executive chairman of ACEN Australia, said the planned expansion is in addition to the company’s existing 1,200 MW of capacity, which is either in operation or under construction.
“ACEN Australia is building a strong and diverse portfolio that covers wind, solar, pumped hydro, and battery storage,” Zabaleta said.
THE PLDT group said it is leaning on artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and infrastructure development to drive its digital transformation, shaping the future of telecommunications.
This direction was noted in the recent P&A Grant Thornton Economic and Industry Forum, where Branden Dean, PLDT and Smart vice president for IT Intelligent Automation Technologies, discussed how AI is changing how telcos connect with customers and operate.
Dean said that today’s connectivity goes beyond access, emphasizing that it is “about intelligence, agility, and personalization.”
Speaking before business leaders and subject-matter experts, Dean said the PLDT group uses AI to understand customer behavior, deliver hyper-personalized services and take proactive action—from predictive analytics that anticipate network issues to AI-powered virtual agents that improve customer service.
Internally, tools like robotic process automation (RPA) platforms are streamlining workflows, cutting costs and improving efficiency. Dean acknowledged that challenges remain, including legacy systems, cybersecurity threats and the need to strengthen digital adoption and upskill talent.
To support its AI ambitions, PLDT recently unveiled VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR), which it calls the country’s first AI-ready hyperscale data center built specifically for AI workloads.
“We currently have more than 1,000 MW of renewable capacity already in operation, with 200 MW under construction, and over 2,000 MW we expect to put into construction in the next three years,” he said.
ACEN’s operational projects in Australia include the 400-MW New England Solar 1 and the 400-MW Stubbo solar farm. The 200-MW
New England battery energy storage system is under construction and expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.
The planned expansion includes the 900-MW Valley of the Winds project, a 600-MW Birriwa Solar project and the Birriwa battery energy storage system with a capacity of 600 MW.
ACEN, the energy platform of the Philippines’ Ayala group, is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy companies in Asia Pacific.
The company has a presence in Vietnam, India, Lao PDR, and Indonesia, with about 7 gigawatts of attributable renewable energy capacity.
By Darwin G. Amojelar
DITO Telecommunity Corp. said
Thursday it will not challenge the “Konektadong Pinoy” Law but requested that the telecommunications industry be included in the process of drafting the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
“Since the government has allowed it to become part of the law of the land, then it’s clear what the policy
is, right? I’m not going to fight that policy. Instead, I will support it,”
DITO chief revenue officer Adel
Tamano told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of its new campaign “Kaya DITO.”
“We will participate fully in preparation of the IRR, specifically to focus on ensuring the security elements of the implementing rules and ensure the high service levels,” he said.
PROPERTY developer Ovialand Inc. reported a 37-percent increase in its first-half consolidated net income, led by strong sales and sustained demand for its premiumaffordable housing developments in Laguna and Bulacan provinces.
Ovialand said in a statement net profit amounted to P420 million, as revenues rose 20 percent yearon-year to P1.1 billion.
The property firm said it turned over 19 percent more housing units compared to the same period last year, reflecting its growing annual production capability.
Total assets climbed 12 percent to P2.9 billion, with real estate
Tamano said one of the things that could be fleshed out in the IRR is the creation of a cybersecurity plan to protect the Filipino people.
“I think the Konektadong Pinoy can be very positive ... It can be very positive business-wise,” he said.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act lapsed into law on Aug. 24, 2025.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE stocks tumbled Thursday, pulling the main index back below the 6,200 level, despite a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ended at 6,190.19, down 83.15 points, or 1.33 percent. The broader allshares index closed at 3,703.07, down 28 points or 0.75 percent. Philstocks Financial Inc. research head Japhet Tantiangco said investors booked gains from Wednesday’s rally and were cautious while waiting for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy outlook. The BSP on Thursday reduced its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.0 percent and kept its 2025 inflation forecast at 1.7 percent.
“The peso’s weak position against the dollar also weighed on the market this Thursday,” Tantiangco said. Among the sectoral indices, only mining and oil ended in the positive territory, up 0.45 percent. Financial and property sectors were the biggest decliners, down 2.41 percent and 1.45 percent, respectively. Value turnover was a tepid P5.85 billion, below the year-to-date average of P6 billion. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows reaching P769.82 million.
ACEN Corp. was the day’s biggest index gainer, as its share price jumped 3.21 percent to P2.25.
The renewable energy company reported that its 600-megawatt monsoon wind project in Lao PDR had achieved commercial operation, four months ahead of schedule.
“From day one, we made the deliberate choice to build a true 5G Standalone network, not just marginal upgrades to legacy systems,” Santiago said.
“This decision is what allows us to provide Filipinos with the real 5G experience - faster speeds, lower latency, higher capacity, and maximum reliability,” he said.
Meanwhile, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said the company’s future-ready infrastructure sets it apart in delivering on the promise of “Kaya DITO.”
inventories and land acquisition options accounting for nearly half of the growth. The company said this supports its ongoing regional expansion plans.
Ovialand recently broke ground on its second project in Central Luzon, located in Baliwag, Bulacan, as part of efforts to strengthen its presence north of Metro Manila.
“We are very happy to serve and bring our promise of Premier Family Living to more locations as we add new properties and expand our current projects,” said Ovialand chief executive Pammy Olivares-Vital.
“Ovialand is on track to hit its target growth for 2025 and is continuously watching out for opportunities in the market to be able to expand its reach to more homebuyers in other areas in Luzon,” she said.
Ovialand, one of the fastgrowing real estate developers in the country, signed a joint venture partnership with Japan’s Takara Leben in 2024 to develop more affordable housing projects/ The joint venture will develop Savana South, a 6.5-hectare development offering 657 homes with total sales value of P2 billion.
Second-quarter milk production rose 11.4% on herd expansion
By Othel V. Campos
PHILIPPINE milk production increased 11.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025 to 18.16 million liters, according to data from the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The output rose from 16.30 million liters in the second quarter of 2024.
The national dairy herd expanded 16.4 percent to 166,411 heads as of June 2025 from 154,252 a year earlier.
The latest tally included 37,369 dairy cattle, 89,907 carabaos and 39,035 goats. Data showed that of the latest milk output, 14.72 million liters came from NDA-assisted areas, an increase of 11.9 percent from the previous year. Non-assisted farms produced 3.44 million liters.
Dairy cattle produced 10.98 million liters, accounting for 60.4 percent of total output, followed by carabaos with 2.64 million liters (14.5 percent) and goats with 2.14 million liters (11.8 percent).
Milk from cattle in NDA-monitored farms rose 11.7 percent, while goat’s milk surged 47.5 percent compared with the same period in 2024.
NDA administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said the gains reflected the resilience of dairy farmers and the effectiveness of ongoing programs.
“The steady growth in milk output and herd numbers shows our programs are bearing fruit. By expanding the herd and improving farm productivity, we are creating more opportunities for dairy farmers and ensuring more fresh, local milk for Filipino families,” said Andaya. He said five stock farms in Nueva
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has signed an agreement with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to monitor and evaluate big-ticket transport projects through an active citizen reporting mechanism.
The “Digital Information for Monitoring and Evaluation” (DIME) Project uses technology such as satellites and geotagging to track infrastructure projects in real time.
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the new platform would en-
Cebu Pacific transfers more turboprop flights to Clark airport
CEBU Pacific (CEB) said it is moving more turboprop aircraft operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 to Clark International Airport.
The shift, effective Oct. 26, 2025, follows a resolution issued by the Manila Slot Coordination Committee of the Department of Transportation on July 29, 2025.
Cebu Pacific said that as a result, DG 6117/6118 (Manila-NagaManila) becomes DG 6129/6130 (Clark-Naga-Clark), while 5J 513/514 (Manila-San Jose-Manila) becomes DG 6339/6340 (Clark-San Jose-Clark)
The change means direct flights between Manila and Naga will be reduced from twice daily to daily, while all direct flights to San Jose will now depart from and arrive in Clark.
It said to mark the change, passengers can book one-way flights from Clark to Naga and San Jose for as low as a P1 base fare (exclusive of fees and surcharges) from Aug. to 28-31, for travel until March 31, 2026.
CEB said the move would help manage airport capacity more effectively, leading to an improved passenger experience and greater public convenience. Passengers affected by the transfer will be notified and given the options, such as free rebooking or travel fund, it said.
CEB’s wholly owned subsidiary, AirSWIFT, will continue to operate from NAIA Terminal 2 until March 2026.
The airline flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Darwin G. Amojelar
sure accountability and collaboration between the government and citizens.
“Let us ensure that this is not just a system on paper or a website, but a living platform where government and citizens work hand-in-hand,” she said in a speech.
The platform’s new Flood Control Project (FCP) component gives users access to detailed project information and a feedback mechanism to share comments and suggestions.
DOTr Secretary Vivencio Dizon said the public feedback would be crucial in ensuring that transport projects benefit commuters.
“The president’s strict instruction is that these projects must benefit our citizens,” Dizon said, referring to a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to involve citizen participation.
Under the agreement, the DOTr will provide the DBM with detailed
data on transportation infrastructure projects, including location, status and timelines. It will also conduct geospatial mapping and provide data on environmental impact assessments and social safeguards.
Pangandaman, Dizon and other officials signed a memorandum of understanding to further enhance the DIME Project.
The agreement aims to integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, strengthen cybersecurity and expand the platform to include education and transportation projects.
INSURTECH firm Igloo and fintech lender Skyro are expanding their partnership to launch a new insurance product that protects households from floods and fires.
The new offering, available to Skyro’s network of more than 700,000 active loan customers nationwide, is the fifth insurance product from the two companies.
Other existing products include accidental and liquid damage, credit loan protection, personal accident and goods protection.
Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that the combined impact of the Habagat monsoon and recent tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong affected an estimated 9.7 million Filipinos. Yet, insurance penetration in the country remains below 10 percent, highlighting the need to strengthen financial protection for vulnerable communities.
“Having these insurance options is about making sure people don’t have to start from zero each time they are recovering from the next typhoon,” said John Chen, Igloo country manager for the Philippines and Thailand.
“Through these partnerships, we are bringing insurance closer to everyday Filipinos, those who are most at risk but least protected,” he said.
The Skyro Personal Accident VAS offers protection against common emergencies, combining personal accident coverage with benefits for natural disasters.
The plan can be purchased via the Skyro app for a minimum premium. Customers can
access the product whenever they apply for a loan via the app, at a dynamic cost depending on their credit score. The coverage includes property loss due to fire or typhoon-related flood, accidental death or disablement, daily hospital income, unprovoked murder and assault, and accidental burial assistance.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
JOANNE GRACE CORDERO-RETINO and JENNIFER LYNN CORDERO-MANERA.
The foregoing parties hereby declare, publish, and affirm that their respective shares, rights, and interests over the above mentioned properties. They likewise authorize the Registry of Deeds to issue new certificates of title in the name ZENAIDA DE LEON CORDERO.
This extrajudicial settlement was executed and duly notarized before Atty. Hannah A. Caceres, a Notary Public for and in the City of Pasig, on June 09, 2025, entered in her Notarial Registry as Doc. No. 89; Page No. 20; Book No. 1; Series of 2025. (MS-AUG. 29/SEPT.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
ACEN Corp. said Thursday the 600-megawatt Monsoon Wind Power Project in southern Laos has started commercial operations, becoming what it called Asia’s first cross-border renewable energy project.
The facility officially reached its commercial operation on Aug. 22, the company said in a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange. ACEN, a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said the clean power flows from the mountains of southern Laos into Vietnam, which helps strengthen regional energy security and boost economic growth.
The project, which has 133 wind turbines, is located in the Dak Cheung District of Sekong Province and the Sanxay District of Attapeu Province. Energy from the wind project travels through four 115 kilovolt (kV) substations before connecting to Vietnam’s 500 kV transmission system.
The project was initiated by Thailand’s Impact Electrons Siam (IES) and is developed and operated by Monsoon Wind Power Co. Ltd., a company incorporated in Laos.
The project is backed by an international consortium of shareholders including IES, ACEN, Thailand’s BCPG Public Company Limited and STP&I Public Company Limited, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. and its subsidiary Diamond Generating Asia, and Laos’ SMP Consultation Sole Co. Ltd. Financing for the project came from a group of regional and global lenders, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), Kasikornbank (KBANK) and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).
SECURITY Bank Corp. said Thursday it finalized a P11.59-billion investment for a 25-percent stake in Home Credit Philippines (HCPH).
The bank said it purchased the stake in HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc. (Home Credit Philippines) from MUFG Bank Ltd. for a total of P11.59 billion. The payment was split into a base price of P10.37 billion on May 2, 2025, and another P1.23 billion on Aug. 28, 2025.
Home Credit is a leading consumer financing company in the Philippines,
THE Philippines is reinforcing efforts to expand its free trade network and boost domestic industries after the United States imposed new reciprocal tariffs and maintained securityrelated duties on key products, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque told a Senate panel on Wednesday. Roque said the US remains a major economic partner, ranking as the country’s third-largest trading partner, top export market and fifth-largest import source.
Total Philippine-US trade reached $20.3 billion in 2025, with a surplus of about $4 billion in favor of the Philippines. The US is also the fourthlargest source of foreign direct investments, with $111 million in 2025. Washington on Aug. 7, 2025 rolled out country-specific reciprocal tariffs covering 69 nations.
It also continues to apply Section 232 tariffs on copper, steel, aluminum, and automotive products, with investigations ongoing for trucks, aircraft, timber, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and critical minerals.
“These developments highlight the urgency of strengthening Philippine industries and export sectors to stay competitive,” Roque said.
The DTI is also pursuing wider trade access, citing the recently concluded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates and ongoing negotiations with the European Union and Chile. Othel V. Campos
serving over 11 million customers with products that include point-ofsale (POS) loans, cash loans, and revolving credit.
Security Bank said the strategic investment would “enhance our involvement in the rapidly expanding consumer finance sector” and “unlock new opportunities to better address the evolving financial needs of Filipinos.”
The bank said the partnership
would “accelerate innovation in customer-centric lending solutions and advance financial inclusion across the country.”
Sanjiv Vohra, Security Bank’s president and chief executive, said in a prior statement that the deal would allow the bank to “deepen its participation in the fast-growing consumer finance space and unlock new opportunities to better serve the evolving financial needs of Filipinos.”
“We see strong potential in this partnership to create long-term value through complementary strengths, accelerating innovation in lending solu-
tions, and advancing financial inclusion,” Vohra said. Yasushi Itagaki of MUFG said that Security Bank’s local expertise would complement Krungsri’s regional strengths. He added that the partnership would help expand access to “responsible lending” in the country.
“We are confident that Security Bank’s strong local footprint, deep market insights, and commitment to financial innovation will serve as a powerful complement to Krungsri’s regional capabilities and long-term vision for Home Credit Philippines,” he said.
STATE-OWNED Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) said Thursday it approved a P815million term loan to a mass housing developer for the construction of three residential buildings in Bulacan province.
DBP president and chief executive Michael de Jesus said the Bank’s funding assistance to Bright Homes & Realty Corp. is under its Credit Facility for the 4PH Program (BAHAY-4PH) which is designed to mobilize resources for the Bagong Pilipinas - Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of the Marcos Administration.
“DBP’s funding support is consistent with its thrust of promoting social services and community development, as well as to realize the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of providing decent and affordable housing for our countrymen, especially those with limited financial resources,” de Jesus said.
DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four priority sectors of the economy –infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.
Bright Homes is a 30-yearold housing firm and specializes in affordable mass housing development. Its proposed three residential buildings will rise in Sta. Maria, Bulacan and benefit around 900 individuals, primarily from the low and middle-income classes.
De Jesus said the DBP BAHAY4PH program is designed to provide financing to local government units (LGUs), housing developers and contractors participating as project proponents in the 4PH program which aims to address the country’s housing needs.
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippines generated more than P144 million in tourism sales leads at the Diving, Resort and Travel (DRT) Show Beijing 2025, where it also received the Island Charm Award for promoting island tourism and scuba diving.
The event, held on Aug. 8 to 10, 2025, at the China National Convention Center, was led by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Beijing.
“DRT Show Beijing 2025 allowed us to connect with our Chinese dive market and promote the Philippines’ world-class dive experiences. We are optimistic that this will strengthen our
positioning in the Asia-Pacific market and encourage more visitors to explore the richness of our dive destinations,” said TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. DOT and TPB officials said the award recognized the country’s efforts to strengthen its position as a premier dive destination. The Philippine booth drew interest from dive enthusiasts and travel agents through business-tobusiness sessions, while Philip
pine officials presented talks high
Four of these were big-ticket projects worth P11.24 billion.
Investment approvals in August slipped 8 percent to P14.87 billion, compared to P16.17 billion in August 2024.
lighting dive attractions in Bicol and other parts of the country. Othel V. Campos PAL,
Japan
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is set to bid out the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the MRT Line 3 next year as the government now owns the system’s assets.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that the MRT3 system’s assets are now wholly owned by the government.
The LRTS Phase 1, which includes the depot, stations, Light
Rail Vehicles, and all ancillary plant, equipment, and facilities, was turned over to the DOTr on July 15, 2025 pursuant to the buildlease-transfer (BLT) agreement between the government and Metro Rail Transit Corp. for MRT3
“The plan is to have it become a PPP to improve operations including advertising rights,” Dizon said.
“It should be a PPP at the latest next year,” he added.
Before the transfer of assets, the government operated the MRT3. At the same time, the MRTC, owned by Metro Rail Transit Holdings II Inc., led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña, is responsible for the design and construction of the EDSA rail transit system.
Formed in 1995, MRTC started
Gov’t threatens legal action against online platforms for Beep
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Vince Dizon said the government will pursue legal action against online selling platforms if they continue to allow unauthorized listings of Beep cards on their sites.
“Relative to the previous pronouncements last 13 August 2025 ordering online selling platforms to take down unauthorized sales or listings of Beep Cards, we observe that several merchants continue to sell Beep Cards using your applications as platforms,” Dizon said in a letter to Lazada, Shopee, Tiktok, Carousell at Facebook Marketplace.
“Please be informed that the continued proliferation of the stored value cards (SC) online is akin to engaging in unauthorized selling of Beep Cards,” he added.
Dizon said online selling platforms that continue to allow this unscrupulous act are complicit in the violations being committed by these hoarders, and may be held liable with the sellers if they fail to act on illegal activities on their platforms.
“As part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) efforts to fight these exploitative acts that take advantage of the Filipino riding public, we are seeking your companies’ full cooperation in the immediate removal of such listings, and the prohibition of any future attempts to post similar listings of Beep Cards on your platforms on or before 31 August 2025,” Dizon said.
“We shall continue to monitor related activities and if the same persist beyond the above date, the government will be constrained to file the appropriate legal actions against your companies immediately,” he added.
In collaboration with the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), Secretary Dizon stated that the DOTr will install CCTV cameras in train stations, particularly at beep card sales points, to immediately catch hoarders.
Secretary Dizon also assured that there will be no shortage of Beep Cards, after the delivery of 300,000 supplies to MRT-3, LRT1, and LRT-2.
building MRT 3 in October 1996, completed it in December 1999, and began full operations in July 2020.
MRTC and the government, through the Department of Transportation and Communications, signed the BLT agreement in 1997 to construct and maintain MRT 3.
MRTC financed the construction of the modern rail system stretching along EDSA’s 10.5-meter median from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. The company infused P4.49 billion worth of equity into the project. The train system is designed to carry in excess of 23,000 passengers per hour per direction, initially, and is expandable to accommodate 48,000 passengers
per hour per direction.
The DOTr recently extended its contract with Sumitomo Corp. for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the MRT-3 for an additional year.
In May 2023, the DOTr, Sumitomo, and Oriental Consultants Global signed an extended P7.38-billion contract for the line’s maintenance until July 2025.
The scope of this new contract was expanded to include extending the rail lines, installing signals for the common station shared with other lines, and developing the pocket track. This last improvement is necessary to increase the number of railcars per train from three to four, in addition to the regular maintenance of the main line.
Darwin G. Amojelar
SMC Tollways Corp. said its net income grew by 3 percent to P4.9 billion in the first half of the year from P4.8 billion in the same period last year. The tollway unit of San Miguel Corp. reported a total revenue of P11.06 billion in the January to
June period, up 5 percent from P10.53 billion in the same period last year. Traffic volume for the second quarter increased across all vehicular classes. SMC Skyway Corporation achieved an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 286,011, a 3 percent increase
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) will mount special flights between Cebu and Borongan, Eastern Samar, on September 4 and 9 to accommodate travelers attending the Padul-ong Festival. These flights also provide convenient connections for travelers to and from Manila.
The festival is held annually in honor of Nuestra Señora dela Natividad, Borongan’s patroness since the Spanish colonial period.
These additional services are in response to a request from the Borongan local government and will complement PAL’s regular thrice-weekly Cebu–Borongan flights.
“It is our pleasure to forge this partnership with the Borongan LGU to
address the need for additional flights in view of the influx of travelers attending the festivities,” said PAL Express President Rabbi Vincent Ang.
Travelers attending the festival can likewise take advantage of this time to visit Eastern Samar’s tourist destinations, which include beaches, rock formations, and historical sites.
Popular spots include Binogawan Beach with its smooth sand and clean water, and Canhugas Nature Park known for its unique rock formations. Calicoan Island is renowned for its surfing, while Gindu Yanan Cove offers a unique experience with its natural arch and stunning rock formations. The Balangiga Bells are also a significant attraction, alongside the emerging surfing scene.
from 276,483 in 2024. Meanwhile, SMC Skyway Stage 3 Corporation achieved an ADT of 176,534, a 9 percent increase from 162,635 in 2024. The company’s consolidated cost of services posted an increase of 2 percent mainly due to additional amortization of Skyway Extension and MMSS3, and recognition of depreciation expense on machinery and equipment acquired during the period, increase in government fees and higher repairs and maintenance. SMC Tollways is currently constructing the TR4 project, 66.74-kilometer toll road will connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon. This 66.74-kilometer toll road will connect Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon. Upon completion in 2026, the P50 billion project aims to significantly reduce travel time between these two points, from 3 hours to just 45 minutes. The toll road will be divided into six sections, including Sto Tomas, Batangas to Makban in Laguna (11.32 km); Makban to San Pablo City (12.75 km); San Pablo to Tiaong in Quezon (7.5 km); Tiaong to Candelaria (15 km); Candelaria to Tayabas (10.21 km); and Tayabas to Lucena (9.96 km).
FEDERAL Express Corporation (FedEx) is helping businesses in the Philippines navigate the complexities of global trade, particularly in addressing challenges posed by tariffs and customs. To address these issues, FedEx has been hosting webinars for its customers across the Asia Pacific region. The intense interest in these sessions, with over 6,500 participants, shows the high demand for guidance.
According to a survey of webinar participants, the top concerns for businesses are ongoing tariff uncertainty (41 percent) and
increasing costs (29 percent). In response, over half of businesses (52 percent) are considering diversifying their supply chains, with nearly a fifth (19 percent) already actively doing so. These insights underscore the growing importance of leveraging best practices and the expertise of trade experts to tackle customs challenges and enhance supply chain resilience.
“Customs compliance can often be challenging for many Filipino businesses, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which may have a gap in expertise in their lean teams,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director, FedEx Philippines.
“With the introduction of tools like Customs AI and the HS Code Lookup Feature, we hope to alleviate the complexity. These solutions can help to simplify the process, reduce costly delays, and allow our customers to focus more on growing their business rather than navigating documentation requirements. It’s another step in our commitment to making
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
GMA Network received two honors at the Sinebata Awards 2025 for its programs Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko and The Friendship of Peace. The awards, organized by Anak TV, were presented Aug. 27 at The Peninsula Manila.
Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, produced by GMA Entertainment Group, was recognized for its episode “Squad Game,” which won in the Professional Fiction category for viewers aged 8 to 12.
The Friendship of Peace, produced by Sparkle GMA Artist Center, was named a finalist in the Children Video Makers category for participants 12 years old and under. It featured Sparkle Kids Aljon Banaira,
THE Miss Grand Philippines 2025 title went to Emma Mary Tiglao during the recent finals, which also saw four other winners crowned: Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines 2025 Anita Rose Gomez, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2025 Francesca Beatriz McLelland, Face of Beauty Philippines 2025 Nikhisah Buenafe Cheveh, and Miss Tourism World Philippines 2025 Michelle Arceo These new beauty queens are under the ALV Pageant Circle, the franchise holder of the Miss Grand Philippines pageant. Leading them is Tiglao, a 30-year-old veteran of local and international pageants who decided to give it another try after learning that Miss Grand Philippines now allows candidates aged 18 to 35. Tiglao, a television host and entrepreneur, began joining pageants at 17, starting with Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012, where she finished as first runner-up. A Tourism graduate, she reached the Top 15 in Binibining Pilipinas 2014 and was named 4th Princess in Miss World Philippines 2015. She finally won the Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 crown and competed in Miss Intercontinental 2019 in Egypt, where she finished in the Top 20. Tiglao, who owns a coffee shop in her hometown in Pampanga, previously worked as a hotel ambassador in Cambodia. After completing public speaking and communication skills courses at the Dale Carnegie Center, she became a
By Jasper Valdez
ICHAEL V. officially renewed his contract with GMA Network on Aug. 18, capping off three decades as one of the Kapuso network’s most beloved stars.
For the man everyone calls Bitoy, the milestone underscores the support of his family and fans and the humor that has defined his career.
“Making people laugh has always been my job, but what really makes me happy is my family and knowing that people value the work I’ve done,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment after the signing.
Jordan Lim, Jourdanne Baldonido, and Ericca Laude
Both programs will represent the Philippines at the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children, scheduled for Nov. 13 to 16 in Bangkok.
The Sinebata Awards, held annually with the theme “The Magic of Peace” this year, recognizes video works for, about, and by children and young people. It is part of Anak TV’s advocacy to promote child-friendly programming and media literacy. Video The honors come as GMA Network marks its 75th anniversary.
news anchor for EBC’s “Mata ng Agila.” She is currently a co-host of Net25’s morning talk show “Kada Umaga.” Gomez, 24, holds a degree in Customs Administration from Gordon College in Olongapo, Zambales, and worked as a front desk officer at Slimmer’s World International. She joined Miss Fit Philippines 2020, where she finished as second runner-up, and Miss Philippines Earth 2021,
where she won the Beach Wear fast track challenge. She later competed in Miss Universe Philippines 2024, finishing among the Top 10 finalists. McLelland, 22, is a Filipino-American and daughter of Mary Jane McLelland,
Despite his status as a comedy icon, Bitoy admitted he’s not done pushing himself. He dreams of projects that would take him outside the familiar world of sketches and sitcoms.
One idea close to his heart is a Dolphy biopic, which he hopes would be both a tribute and a creative challenge.
“It can’t just be another biopic,” he explained. “It has to be something fresh, something fun, and something that really pushes me as an actor.”
He added that he’s eager to try roles he hasn’t done before, the kind that scare him a little but also excite him.
Part of that challenge, he admitted, is the delicate balance of humor and social issues. Comedy, he said, has always mirrored society, whether through satire of politics or commentary on trending topics.
“As much as I dislike politics myself, it’s inevitable. We can’t not touch politics,” he said.
Still, he emphasized responsibility in how jokes are delivered.
“We don’t just write what we know will offend people. We have our own sense of humor. If someone gets offended, that’s usually because of other influences and different interpretations. But for us, the goal has always been to make people laugh.”
Bitoy is also preparing to celebrate another milestone: the 30th anniversary of Bubble Gang.
Since it first aired in 1995, the show has become a Friday-night habit for generations of Filipinos, producing catchphrases, characters, and skits that people still talk about today.
“Thirty years is no joke,” he said with a grin. The show will mark the occasion with a BG30 celebration this October, featuring special guests and surprises for loyal viewers.
For him, the key to the show’s longevity is simple: it mirrors the times.
“What you see on social media, what’s going viral, even the stories around us—that’s what Bubble Gang puts into comedy,” he said.
As he extends his stay with GMA, Bitoy is grateful for the freedom the network has given him to grow as a performer and creator. But he’s also clear that he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
“I don’t think I’ve shown my prime yet,” he said. “There’s still so much more I want to do.”
also joined Binibining Pilipinas 2025 using her mother’s surname, Abalajon, a native of Binmaley, Pangasinan. She placed in the Top 14 and won the Face of Binibini (Miss Photogenic) special award.
Cheveh, 23, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Our Lady of Fatima University. A halfFilipino, half-Iranian beauty, she competed in Miss World Philippines 2024, where she placed in the Top 10 and was named Miss Multinational Philippines 2024.
Fluent in Filipino, English, and Persian, Cheveh has had a passion for belly dancing since childhood and has developed an interest in formulating skincare and fragrances.
executive director of McLelland Entertainment Production (MEP), the franchise holder of the Miss World Philippines-USA pageant. She won the Miss Eco Teen Philippines 2022 crown at Miss World Philippines 2022 and went on to place First Princess in Miss Eco Teen International 2022 in Egypt. Currently completing a Psychology degree (AB Behavioral Sciences) at De La Salle University, McLelland
Michelle Arceo Kain, 27, is a Filipino-American from Taguig who was born and raised in California. A model and instructor at Ultra Lagree Gym & Physical Fitness Center, Arceo joined the second edition of Miss Grand Philippines in 2023, where she won Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2023. She later finished second runnerup in Reina Hispanoamericana 2024 in Bolivia.
Arceo began her pageant journey in GMA-7’s “Wowowin” Gandang Filipina contest in 2017, where she emerged as the grand winner. She later won the Miss BodyCon 2019 title, was named Miss Environment Philippines 2021 after placing in the Top 6 of Miss World Philippines 2021, and nearly won the inaugural Miss Environment International 2022 in India, finishing as first runner-up.
By Angelica Villanueva
ELIJAH Canlas, 25, long regarded as one of Philippine cinema’s most versatile young actors, is expanding his career beyond film. At The Year of Elijah: Exhibit of a Multimedia Force, he discussed his growing music career, an upcoming album, and a slate of films set for release locally and internationally.
But for Elijah, film remains at the center of everything. Asked why he continues to pursue it at a time when the local industry is struggling, he answered without hesitation.
“Because films chased me. I love films. Films are among the things I love most in this world. They raised me, they shaped me to be who I am,” Elijah told Manila Standard Entertainment
That deep attachment, he explained, began in childhood, when cinema became not just entertainment but a formative influence.
“The movies I watched when I was young, they stayed with me. So when I finally got the
opportunity to make films myself, of course, I enjoyed it, and I loved it,” he continued. Elijah has always spoken about his love for films and described it as something larger than career or recognition. To him, it is an art form that carries a history, one still in its infancy compared to others.
around for centuries, film is fairly young, and it feels unfair to just let cinema, especially Philippine cinema, fade away,” Elijah explained.
This conviction is what keeps him motivated even when the industry faces challenges. For Elijah, the responsibility lies in creating and participating in works that keep cinema alive. That’s why he takes pride in being part of Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine,” a project that, for him, embodies what Philippine cinema can still achieve.
has worked on daring projects like Water Sports and the upcoming Salvageland. Both films push boundaries in their own ways, reflecting the kind of risks he wants to keep taking as an actor.
For him, being part of such projects is not just about acting but about being in spaces where Philippine cinema is redefined and reimagined.
Outside of acting, Elijah also admitted enjoying exploring music, though he revealed it is more of a personal outlet than a career priority. He has dabbled in writing and performing songs, viewing music as another way to express himself creatively. Unlike acting, which he studied through film and theater since childhood, songwriting came naturally.
“It’s an art form that I never would want to die, you know? I feel like there’s so much more to explore with this art form. And it’s still so young—it’s just a little over a hundred years old here in the Philippines. Unlike painting or music that have been
“I’m proud to be part of ‘Sunshine.’ I’m proud to be part of films like that, ones that challenge audiences. And I’m really grateful to the audiences who have been open-minded, who supported our own, who stood by local cinema,” he continued. He also found creative partners in filmmakers Whammy Alcazaren and Lino Cayetano with whom he
“This music thing, it’s not something I really studied. I started writing and making music in 2021, just as a hobby. But then I got linked to UMG [Universal Music Group], and they liked my music. Now they’ve been handling my career and have been very supportive,” he shared.
FRESH from a tour of the United Kingdom, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) opens its 41st concert season, “Versatile,” showcasing a wideranging repertoire under music director and principal conductor Grzegorz Nowak The season opens Sept. 12 with “Ouverture” at the Metropolitan Theatre, featuring pianist Andrey Gugnin in performances of Antonin Dvořák ’s “Carnival Overture,” Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” and Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4.” On Sept. 19, “Le Retour” revisits works from the PPO’s UK tour, including Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake Suite” and Ludwig van Beethoven ’s “Symphony No. 5.” Guest concertmaster Diomedes Saraza Jr. will also perform Georges Bizet’s “Carmen Suite No. 1” and Ralph Vaughan Williams ’ “The Lark Ascending.” “Concerto” follows on Oct. 17 with cellist Tomasz Strahl and the world premiere of Jeffrey Ching’s “Creation Fugue” and “Arctic Chase.” On Nov. 14, “Virtuoso” features pianist Mark Bebbington in Beethoven’s “Emperor Concerto” at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. The new year begins Jan. 16, 2026, with “Preludi,” featuring
His debut album, set for release this year, will feature 10 tracks. For him, hip-hop is a genre where he can reveal his most personal stories—whether about love, conflict, or growing up.
“Maybe because in acting, I wear masks all the time. I’m not playing myself. And it’s actually therapeutic for me because I get to learn more about human beings, about humanity. But when it comes to music, that’s where I release my personal stories—stories of who I was at 17, or my grudges against someone, or when I’m in love.
That’s where I let everything out,” Elijah said.
For him, acting and music may seem like contrasting worlds, but they serve as complementary outlets—one that allows him to embody other lives, and another that gives him space to share his own.
“So it just happened that in my life, I found two mediums that I enjoy, both therapeutic for me in different ways,” he stated.
THE Venice Film Festival kicked off Wednesday with Hollywood royalty arriving for Italy’s glitzy movie showcase, where a strong lineup of star-packed films will vie with protests about the Gaza war for public attention. Julia Roberts and George Clooney are among the biggest names at the 82nd edition of the world’s longest-running festival, with top directors from Kathryn Bigelow to Jim Jarmusch all due on the sandy Lido across the Venice lagoon. The main event at Wednesday (Thursday morning in Manila) evening’s opening ceremony was Francis Ford Coppola presenting a Lifetime Achievement award to German director Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Fitzcarraldo) for his canon of more than 70 films. Herzog, who said he always searched for the “sublime” in his films, will showcase his latest documentary, Ghost Elephants, about a lost herd in Angola, on Thursday.
Italian director Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia—about an Italian president grappling with doubts over whether to sign a euthanasia bill into law—was the first main incompetition movie presented on Wednesday. “Dwelling on doubt and then allowing that doubt to mature into a decision is something that is increasingly rare,” Sorrentino told journalists. Mother, a film depicting Mother Teresa as a sometimes ruthless figure struggling to reconcile her views on motherhood and abortion, opened the secondary Orizzonti section.
Eyes were set to quickly turn to Hollywood’s favorite leading man, Clooney, who stepped off a water taxi in Venice with his wife, Amal, on Tuesday.
On Thursday, he will appear in the premiere of Netflix-produced comedy Jay Kelly, directed by Noah Baumbach, in which he plays a top Hollywood actor with an identity crisis.
That same night will see the premiere of the sci-fi comedy Bugonia from Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone as a pharmaceutical executive kidnapped by people who mistake her for an alien.
Roberts, meanwhile, will make her first appearance at Venice on Friday in the out-ofcompetition cancel-culture drama After the Hunt, from Italy’s Luca Guadagnino
Winners of the festival’s prestigious Golden Bear top prize have often gone on to Oscar glory, including Nomadland and Joker in previous AFP
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Random Talk Kate Adajar
By Nickie Wang
“T
HIS
is more than achievement—it’s alignment.”
That line from actress and psychology practitioner Jodi Sta. Maria’s recent Instagram post struck me while I was in a contemplative mood earlier this week. It captures something I’ve been learning slowly over the years—that fulfillment doesn’t come from simply collecting milestones. It comes from living in alignment with who we are becoming and showing up for ourselves, even when it feels difficult.
If you think about it, how often do we disqualify ourselves from starting because we think we’re too old, too damaged, or too late? How often do we look at our past mistakes or the lost years and tell ourselves that it’s too late to dream again?
Jodi reminds us otherwise.
KULTURA Crawl offers a taste of Filipino creativity while bringing people together over what they love—food, design, and shared experiences. And this month, the muchanticipated event returns with a nationwide celebration.
Modeled after a pub crawl, the event invites visitors to hop from booth to booth using a Crawl Hunt Card to sample local flavors, take part in challenges, and discover Filipino craftsmanship.
The journey starts at Estancia Mall from Sept. 1 to 7, moves south to SM Southmall on Sept. 10 to 21, and ends at SM Seaside City Cebu from Sept. 25 to 30.
Each stop offers food tastings from heritage brands and emerging names, a Crawl Hunt Card with tasks that unlock prizes, and a spin-the-wheel game for instant wins.
This year, ube is the star as the featured ingredient. Guests can try it in traditional treats like ensaymada and polvoron or as a modern twist with an internationally awarded ube cream liquor by Destileria Barako.
Estancia’s leg kicks off with a Pet Pawty on Sept. 6, organized with Pet Express. Activities include pet portraits by local artists, a Filipino-inspired pet fashion parade, and free refreshments for both pets and owners.
SM Southmall’s edition features Run Crawl Rave on Sept. 13 with Founders Running Club. The event begins with a community run and ends with a mini rave inside the Crawl, complete with DJs, cold brew, and a Pinoy Palaro hosted by KC Montero running from Sept. 11 to 21.
Cebu closes the month-long celebration with the same mix of food, fashion, and community spirit from Sept. 25 to 30 at SM Seaside City Cebu.
A cosplayer channels the spirit of Brook during the launch of ‘Animazing North: One Piece Adventures’ at SM North EDSA
In her caption, she wrote, “When God plants a dream in your heart, it’s never by accident. It’s His gentle reminder that you’re made for more, that your steps are guided, and that even in the waiting or the struggles, He is shaping you for the promise. Hold on, trust the process, and keep moving forward… because what He begins in you, He intends to complete.”
That kind of faith hits differently when you know Jodi’s story. She shared that she once tucked her dreams away, whispered them to God quietly, not knowing if or when they would unfold. She doubted herself, she questioned the timing of her life, but she kept moving.
And now, we see the fruit of that perseverance.
Aside from being an award-winning actress and a mother, she is an ear acupuncture detoxification specialist, a positive psychology coach, an interpersonal psychotherapy Level A practitioner, and soon, a master’s degree holder in counseling and psychotherapy, as well as a grief support practitioner. It’s tempting to call these things “achievements.” But as Jodi has shown, they’re really signs of alignment. Each step was not about chasing recognition—it was about consistently showing up, healing, and growing. She continues to evolve. As a proverb says, “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” Her journey is something close to my heart. When I pursued further studies at 38, I remember questioning if it was too late. I remember thinking about the people younger than me who had already reached similar milestones earlier in their lives. I asked myself,
By Jasper Valdez
FILIPINO fans of One Piece are lacing up their running
shoes as the hit anime sails beyond the screen and onto the streets with the first-ever One Piece Run in the Philippines this September.
The event is part of Animazing North: One Piece Adventures, officially launched on Aug. 19 at SM North EDSA. Billed as the biggest One Piece activation in the country, it brings the Straw Hat Pirates closer to local fans through immersive zones, giant inflatables, and exclusive merchandise.
“Is this still worth it?” But Jodi’s words echo my own realization. It’s not about being first—it’s about being faithful. It’s about grit. It’s about taking the next right step, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it feels scary. There’s so much pressure in our culture to be fast. Graduate early. Land a dream job immediately. Hit milestones on schedule, as if life is a checklist we all must complete at the same pace. And yet, the truth is this: life is not linear. Dreams do not expire. Jodi’s story is proof.
She reminds us that working and healing can happen side by side. That progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real. And that consistency, more than intensity, is what shapes us.
That’s what I see in Jodi’s journey. She didn’t just heal privately—she kept showing up publicly, bravely sharing her path, and in the process inspiring so many of us who are still figuring ours out. So, if you’ve been doubting yourself, thinking you’ve missed your moment, I hope you hear Jodi’s words as much as I did: You’re not too late. You’re not too broken. Just start.
Start scared. Start small. But most importantly, just start. It’s the alignment that happens when your life, your purpose, and your healing move together in rhythm.
If you have a nagging dream to pursue, then this is your sign. Like Jodi, we owe it to ourselves to keep moving forward—bravely, consistently, and always aligned.
For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
After its run in Quezon City, the activation will travel to SM East Ortigas and SM Marikina before culminating at SM Fairview for the highly anticipated race.
Set for Sept. 28, the One Piece Run combines the thrill of a fun run with the spirit of adventure the long-running anime is known for.
Race categories include a 10-kilometer course for serious runners, 5K and 3K routes for casual fans, and a 1K family run for kids and parents. Registration perks include an official race shirt, bib, and bandana, while 10K finishers will also receive a collectible One Piece card. There will also be a meetand-greet with fan favorites Luffy and Chopper to cap off the event.
“This is a historic moment for us as we celebrate our shared love for running, fun, and, of course, the epic world of One Piece,” said RUNRIO CEO and founder Coach Rio de la Cruz
For SM Supermalls, the activation marks a milestone in its 40th year.
“We’ve always wanted to give mallgoers supersized adventures and unforgettable experiences,” said SM North EDSA mall manager Miguel Gaspi during the launch. More than a race, the event highlights why One Piece has struck a chord with Filipino fans. The show’s themes of friendship, resilience, and chasing dreams reflect values close to home, turning an anime franchise into something that shapes everyday culture.
As the countdown begins, thousands are expected to join—some chasing personal records, others simply running for fun.
For fans, it’s a chance to step into the anime’s world, if only for a day, and share the adventure with fellow nakamas
