Manila Standard - 2025 September 5 - Friday

By Pot Chavez, Vito Barcelo, Othel Campos, Ram Superable

PUBLIC Works

Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday ordered the dismissal of former Bulacan 1st district engineer Henry Alcantara, who earlier admitted signing a completion certificate for a P55-million floodcontrol project that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier found to be non-existent.

Dizon also ordered the lifetime blacklisting of contractors Wawao Builders and Syms Construction Trading over “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan.

By Othel V. Campos

Dizon fires DPWH engineer

Sets lifetime ban on 2 contractors over ‘ghost’ flood control deals

By Charles Dante

composed of 30 business chambers, professional associations and advocacy groups, pushed for the creation of an independent body that would also recover stolen public funds.

The coalition said corruption in infrastructure projects robs the Filipino people of resources, exacerbates pov-

By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz

New

By Charles Dantes

By Charles Dantes

Henry Alcantara

Gov’t warns of Red recruitment

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Thursday urged the public to remain vigilant after the government’s antiinsurgency task force reported that communist rebels are exploiting public anger over corruption to recruit new members.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Filipinos should not allow their frustration over corruption to be used by what she described as

“obstructionists or political opponents.”

“Our request to everyone, whether young people or the more mature ones, is to think critically. Violence is not the answer, and this issue should not be

used, if the report of the rebels is accurate, to turn people against the government,” Castro said.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) warned that communist rebels are exploiting corruption to recruit youth, students, and even public servants into armed struggle. Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said testimonies of former rebels reveal that the CPP-NPA-NDF distorts legitimate issues to lure recruits, targeting schools and communities.

Torres stressed that campuses and

communities must remain venues for democratic dialogue, not extremism, and clarified that holding recruiters accountable should not be mistaken for an attack on activism.

Castro emphasized that while recruitment efforts are being monitored, they are not yet considered a serious concern for the administration. “Since this has already been reported by NTF-ELCAC, monitoring is in place,” she said.

Malacañang reiterated its call for unity in addressing corruption, saying reforms should come through legal and collective action rather than insurgency.

Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the DBM’s legal team made it clear that errata is the only proper way to address concerns raised in Congress.

“According to the DBM, corrections must go through errata sheets. The NEP cannot be returned to the President or to the DBM because it has already been submitted to Congress,” Castro told reporters.

“That is the process. Otherwise, it would cause significant delays in budget hearings,” she added.

Earlier, the House of Representatives announced the postponement of its plans to return the proposed P6.7-trillion budget for 2026 to the DBM over flagged errors and questionable entries.

Under the measure, mining firms operating within government-designated mineral reservations will be required to pay a 5 percent royalty on their gross output.

Companies outside these reservations will face a margin-based royalty, while those earning profit margins above 30 percent will be subject to additional taxes.

“Gone are the days when a mining contractor can bury its profits beneath the weight of losses,” Mr. Marcos said. “Transparency is now the rule, accountability our standard, and fairness the measure by which we move forward.”

The law also provides that local government units will receive 40 percent of gross collections from excise taxes, royalties, and other fees from mining operations. Meanwhile, 10 percent of royalties collected from designated sites will go to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Metals Industry Research and Development Center to fund research, exploration, and environmental protection initiatives.

President Marcos emphasized that the reforms are designed not only to boost government revenues but also to safeguard ecological balance and uplift mining-affected communities.

“This law sends a very clear and powerful message: Progress shall never come at the cost of our people, nor our planet,” he said.

The President credited Congress and industry stakeholders for their role in advancing the measure, which he said would pave the way for the growth of downstream industries and the local manufacturing of essential products for the green economy.

“Minerals are finite. Once extracted, they are gone forever,” Mr. Marcos said.

“Engr. Alcantara, starting today, is now dismissed from the service,” the Public Works chief said during an inspection of a flood control initiative in Brgy. Sipat, Plaridel, Bulacan.

“I will also order the perpetual lifetime blacklisting of Wawao Builders from DPWH and all their possible affiliates. We will have them banned along with Syms,” he added.

Wawao Builders is the contractor of what Dizon referred to as a “ghost project” in Plaridel valued at P96 million.

He said all contractors of “ghost” flood control projects must face an “automatic perpetual ban” from the DPWH.

Dizon said he will also sign the dismissal orders of DPWH engineers Brice Fernandez and Jaypee Mendoza for their alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

He said the dismissal is part of the ongoing cleansing of the DPWH as instructed by the President.

As this developed, the Department of Justice confirmed the issuance of another Immigration Lookout Bulletin

Order (ILBO) against 43 DPWH officials and contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the second batch ILBO covers the request made by Dizon. The first ILBO issued Wednesday was for the request made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Included in the said list were spouses Sarah and Pacifico Discaya from Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor and Development Corporation; Alex and Raymond Abelido from Legacy Construction Corp.; and Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corp.

The Justice Secretary reminded these individuals not to leave the country as they will have to answer lengthy questions if they insist on doing so.

“It will not be a pleasant experience because this is a government concern. We have to do this as a matter of defense of the state. We need to protect our state,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) executive director lawyer Herbert Matienzo has resigned due to personal reasons.

Two other board members have tendered their resignations, adding to the

as exposed piping, misplaced downspouts, bare floors, incomplete elevator finishes, lack of roof waterproofing, and an unfinished cinematheque.

mounting fallout from an ongoing corruption probe into the agency’s role in questionable flood control projects.

PCAB earlier revoked the contractors’ licenses of nine companies owned or controlled by the Discayas.

Despite the resignations, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said all officials involved are still subject to an internal investigation.

“They’re not off the hook. They’re still part of the total investigation,” she added.

For his part, Senator Panfilo Lacson called for a complete overhaul of the PCAB.

“The PCAB has been a low-key yet corrupt-ridden regulatory body which, in tandem with the DPWH, has methodically punched us in the gut, providing the first of a one-two punch thus knocking out our hard-earned tax payments,” Lacson said.

Earlier, Lacson had flagged suspicious practices in PCAB, including the alleged sale of accreditations and conflicts of interest involving at least two board members.

He said some board members also owned construction firms that benefited from government contracts approved by the same body.

contractor is (Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc.), it is one of the corporations of the Discayas.” she said.

House spokesperson and lawyer Princess Abante said party leaders met with Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday night, which resulted in some of them agreeing not to push through with the move until the DBM and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) own up to the questionable items.

Castro said the President respects the House leadership’s handling of the issue, as long as it adheres to constitutional procedure.

She added that while Mr. Marcos has directed a review of the DPWH budget, other agencies should also examine their own proposals for possible questionable insertions.

Asked if the Palace feared a delay that could lead to a re-enacted budget, Castro said there were no such concerns: “For now, everything is still within schedule.”

Abante told reporters that “based on the interviews they (Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and Rep, Jose Alvarez) made, there are statements saying so.”

“But I don’t know if we can already say it will be returned or not, because only two House leaders have said that they won’t recommend the return of the proposed budget anymore. Still, their position on the issues they raised, that it should be the DBM making the corrections, not Congress, did not change,” she added in a mix of English and Filipino.

The spokesperson said the House remains confident it can pass the 2026 national budget on schedule, despite the reported request of lawmakers for the DBM to review the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Castro told reporters. She said that yesterday, Sept. 4, was the target completion date of the project.

Castro led Palace reporters through the site, pointing out deficiencies such

The project, costing P107.9 million, was awarded to Great Pacific Builders and Gen Contractor Inc., one of the companies owned by the Discaya family.

“Disappointing. And this building, its

Several companies of the. Discayas are among the top 15 contractors who were awarded billions of pesos worth of flood control contracts that are now under investigation by the government.

“That’s why the budget deliberations are still ongoing, so that items that don’t have any problems can be tackled. We don’t know how quickly the DBM will review those budgets that were found to have observations among members,” Abante said.

“Filipinos should have long felt the benefits of Universal Health Care (UHC) since it was enacted in 2019. The Department of Health has been gradually improving systems and services in hospitals and communities, but the work is not yet complete,” Herbosa said.

A major portion of the budget will fund the operations of DOH hospitals and facilities to ensure the continuation of Zero Balance Billing program for all Filipinos.

Unlike the previous No Balance Billing program that applied only to indigent patients after assessment, the new policy guarantees that all patients admitted to government hospitals will not pay for basic room services.

The administration began enforcing the Zero Balance Billing policy in more than 80 state-run hospitals across the country following the President’s announcement in his fourth State of the Nation Address.

The proposed budget also supports the expansion of public health programs and outpatient services through the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service centers, known as BUCAS.

There are now 53 BUCAS centers nationwide providing walk-in consultations and treatments for patients who do not require hospitalization.

Funds will also be used to establish more specialty centers across all regions, focusing on cardiovascular care, lung care, cancer care, and other critical services.

Meanwhile, members of militant youth groups Anakbayan and Kabataan marched to the head office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila to air their grievances against rampant corruption involving the embattled agency.

Presidential Communications Office

(PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not want public anger to escalate into unrest similar to protests in Indo -

nesia that led to looting.

“The President is following due process. The ongoing investigations into flood control projects are being carried out for the benefit of the people,” Castro said in a press briefing.

“He does not want unrest to happen because of misinformation being used to inflame the anger of Filipinos,” she added.

Castro also said Marcos has directed concerned government agencies and law enforcement authorities to ensure that protests remain peaceful and do not spiral into violence.

“We don’t want to have chaos just because there is misinformation. Because this

is allegedly being used to further inflame the anger of Filipinos. That is not what the President wants,” Castro stressed.

“It is not the corrupt people who will be hurt once the gate gives in or hit by the rocks. I worry about the security guards, the workers, and the rallyists themselves,” Sotto stated in his social media post.

The mayor also said the public should not feel hopeless as “the momentum (of justice) is on the right side now.”

The protesters, including young activists from the University of Santo Tomas, demanded accountability from everyone who conspired to plunder government funds intended for infra-

structure projects and public services.

One activist said they were holding the demonstration to express anger against impunity of corruption which allowed greedy construction companies to corner multibillion -peso contracts only to deliver ‘ghost’ or substandard flood control projects that the Filipino people do not deserve.

The DPWH found itself at the center of one of the worst corruption scandals in Philippine history after President Marcos exposed 15 construction companies cornered several flood control projects, but did not deliver the desired results. Pot Chavez and Itchie Cabayan

“In the strongest terms possible, we hereby declare our outrage, disgust and disappointment about the acts of many of our legislators in Congress and officials in the Executive Department... for their shameful, unabated, continuing and excessive acts of graft and corruption,” the 30 groups said.

“It is thus important that thorough investigations be conducted by an independent body with the aim of prosecuting these corrupt officials, putting them in jail, and recovering the stolen funds. Justice for the Filipino people, especially the poor, can only be achieved by successfully punishing the corrupt,” the coalition said.

“Our call therefore is not just to ‘moderate your greed.’ Our collective call to these corrupt officials is – Please stop. Maawa naman kayo sa mga naghihirap na taong bayan!”

The groups vowed to help identify those who have been guilty in the conspiracy to steal from the people and to gather pieces

of evidence of corruption against officials in the government, particularly those in the DPWH, local government units and the Commission on Audit, and their partners in crime in the private sector.

The coalition likewise agreed to lead the individual signing of the Integrity Pledge and to encourage the financial sector, particularly the banks and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), to unmask money launderers and their unexplained wealth within legal and regulatory boundaries.

Signatories in the statement include the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX).

Other coalition members include the Alliance of Women for Action towards Reform (AWARE), Alyansa ng

Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM), Association of CPAs for Sustainability Inc. (ACPAFSI), Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Cebu Business Club (CBC), Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Cebu Leads Foundation (CLF), Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI), Connected Women, Filipina CEO Circle (FCC), FinTech Alliance Philippines and Green EDSA Movement (GEM). Also included are Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED), Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), Military and Uniformed Personnel for United Philippines (MUP), Nextgen Organization of Women Corporate Directors (NOWCD), People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SHAREPHIL), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), Philippine Women’s Economic Network

(PHILWEN) and Women’s Business Council Philippines (WBCP).

As this developed, the League of Provinces of the Philippines is calling for tighter coordination between the national and local governments to prevent ghost infrastructure projects and ensure transparency in public spending.

In an interview over Radio Pilipinas on Thursday, LPP president and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said several projects, some reported as completed, do not physically exist, while others bypass local proper planning mechanisms, particularly through “insertions” made after projects are reviewed by Provincial and Regional Development Councils.

Tamayo said some governors were even denied access to project sites, raising concerns over accountability.

“We (governors) found out that there were many projects that we didn’t even know had been implemented in our areas,” he said. The LPP represents all 82 provinces of the Philippines and serves as a unifying body for governors to advocate policies and strengthen provincial governance.

‘Pres. Marcos will not stop Magalong from testifying’

By Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not prevent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from testifying before the House of Representatives in its ongoing inquiry into alleged irregularities in government contracting.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that it is within Magalong’s discretion whether to attend the hearing.

IN BRIEF

PDEA: Do not use agency name, logo

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday warned the public that the unauthorized use of its name and logo is punishable under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code on Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions.

The warning followed a recent incident involving an individual caught wandering the streets wearing a sublimation shirt bearing the official PDEA logo. Upon questioning, the suspect admitted he was not a member of the agency and revealed that he purchased the shirt from an online shopping platform.

PDEA stressed that anyone found knowingly performing acts of authority under false pretenses will face appropriate charges.

The agency reminded the public that those found guilty of usurpation may face imprisonment and encouraged vigilance by reporting similar incidents through its “Isumbong Mo sa PDEA” hotlines at 0931027-8212 and 0995-354-7020. Rio N. Araja

HPG inspects vehicles inside Camp Crame

THE Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Thursday conducted a surprise inspection of vehicles driven by police personnel and visitors at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

HPG spokesman Lt. Nadame Malang said the operation was ordered by newly installed HPG director Col. Hansel Marantan to ensure no police officer is using stolen or recovered vehicles.

The inspection also sought to confirm that drivers had valid licenses, updated registrations, and other necessary documents. Around 500 motorcycles and 300 cars were checked, with six cited for violations such as failure to bring Certificates of Registration, updated Official Receipts, and licenses.

Malang said no carnapped or recovered vehicles were found, but some private cars were discovered to have unauthorized accessories and insignias.

He assured that the HPG will continue its inspections to ensure all policemen assigned at Camp Crame follow traffic and registration laws. Vince Lopez

Cavite City marks

85th anniversary

Cavite City on Wednesday opened a weeklong celebration to mark its 85th year as a chartered city and the 454th anniversary of its founding.

“It’s up to him if he will go to the hearing. And if he has something to reveal, it would be better for him to go,” Castro said. “But to stop him or to push 85TH ANNIVERSARY.

Mayor Denver Chua and Vice Mayor Raleigh Rusit led the ceremonies at Samonte Park, which included cultural and religious events to honor the city’s history. A highlight of the festivities will be the “Caracol de la Reina” on September 7, following a Holy Mass at San Roque Church, with a procession through city streets ending at City Hall. Other activities include the three-day “Ciudad de Cavite Comelon” food festival from September 3-5, a job fair and medical mission at Samonte Park, and a Corregidor

him to attend, it seems that is not within the President’s mandate,” she added. The statement came after Magalong described contractors as being at the “bottom of the food chain,” suggesting that higher-level players could be involved in alleged anomalies. His remarks have drawn attention as the House investigates potential irregularities in infrastructure projects.

Castro clarified that the President has no authority to compel or bar local officials from testifying in congressional inquiries. She

noted that the decision rests entirely on Magalong and the legislative process.

The House inquiry, initiated by lawmakers following reports of questionable practices in public works projects, aims to determine the accountability of contractors and government officials linked to alleged irregularities.

Magalong, a former police general known for his anti-corruption advocacy, has not confirmed whether he will appear before Congress but has signaled readiness to share information relevant to the probe.

Palace: No comment yet on age requirement

MALACAÑANG is withholding comment on a proposal in Congress to amend the Constitution and reduce the minimum age requirement for president and senators.

The measure seeks to allow individuals as young as 35 to run for president, down from the current 40, and 30 for senators, down from the present 35. Some lawmakers are pushing to pursue the change through a constitutional convention.

Several House lawmakers on Wednesday pushed to amend the

City Mayor Denver

and

(right) formally open the celebration of the 85th Anniversary of Cavite becoming a full city and the 454th Anniversary of its founding at Samonte Park, Cavite City. Dennis Abrina

1987 Constitution to lower the age requirement for president, vice president, and senators, citing the need for younger leaders with fresh ideas.

Lawmakers pointed to Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto as an example of a young official whose popularity comes from his work, not his name.

According to Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will not take a position until the full

Escudero OKs new subpoenas for flood probe

By Ram Superable

SENATE President Francis Escudero on Thursday announced that he approved subpoenas for five contractors and three Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) executives to compel their attendance at a Senate hearing on flood control projects.

“Let the axe fall on all the personalities found guilty of scheming, conniving and carrying out fraudulent acts in the guise of legitimate taxpayer-funded flood control projects,” he said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, is leading the inquiry into alleged irregularities in projects linked to severe flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Escudero signed the subpoenas for the resource persons on Marcoleta’s recommendation to ensure their appearance before the panel on Sept. 8.

The contractors ordered to attend include Darcy Kimel D.J. Respicio, general manager of Darcy & Anna Builders and Trading; Sally N. Santos, owner of SYMS Construction Trading; Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II, managing officer of Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation; Maritoni Melegrito, managing officer of Elite General Contractor and Development Corporation; and Edgardo Saggum, owner of Eddmari Construction and Trading.

The DPWH officials covered by the subpoenas are Engr. Jaypee Mendoza, chief of the construction division at the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office; Engr. Brice Ericson Hernandez, former assistant district engineer in the same office; and Engr. Juanito Mendoza, accountant III at the district office. In addition, Escudero signed a subpoena to produce documents addressed to Commission on Audit Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba, seeking submission of audit highlights and the responses of individuals flagged in the agency’s review of DPWH flood control projects.

Hontiveros says P695 minimum a ‘survival wage’

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Thursday renewed her call for a P200 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the private sector as the Senate Committee on Labor opened its hearing on wage-related measures. She noted that the current daily minimum wage in Metro Manila stands at P695, which she described as insufficient for families to meet basic needs.

“What can you even buy with this amount? A kilo of rice costs about 60 pesos. Fare is 13 pesos. If you add rent, electricity, water, and the children’s school allowance, it is clear that this is not enough for a Filipino family to live decently or comfortably,” Hontiveros lamented.

details of the proposal are formally presented to him.

“Whatever law they want to create, it would be better if all the details are shown to the President before there is a reaction,” she said. Castro added that it remains the prerogative of Congress to initiate and deliberate on such amendments.

The 1987 Constitution currently sets the minimum age at 40 for presidential and vicepresidential candidates, and 35 for the Senate. Charles Dantes

She argued that the existing wage is merely a “survival wage” that allows workers to get by until the next payday, not a true living wage. Her proposal seeks to grant the P200 increase across the board to all private sector workers regardless of employment status. This means contractual, subcontractual, agricultural, and non-agricultural workers would all be covered under the proposed adjustment.

“It should no longer be limited only to workers in NCR and in other regions currently being discussed,” the senator said. “Everyone faces the same burden of high prices of food, transportation, and services. That is why the wage increase should be felt in every part of the country where there are Filipino workers.”

ORDER OF SIKATUNA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. confers the Order of Sikatuna on retired Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Antonio Manuel Lagdameo and former Foreign A airs chief coordinator Bernadette Therese Fernandez in a ceremony at Malacañang. PPA Pool

Cavite

Chua (2nd from left)

Vice Mayor Raleigh Rusit

AFTER A DAY’S WORK. Fishermen on motorized bancas and a bamboo raft head back ashore at day’s end after shing in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Dave Leporozo

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

IN BRIEF

20 AFP senior officers hurdle CA scrutiny

THE Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Wednesday the ad interim appointments of 20 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Thirteen these officers were from the Philippine Army, four from Philippine Air Force, and three from the Philippine Navy . The roster consisted of one lieutenant general, six major generals, nine brigadier generals, three colonels, one commodore, and one navy captain (reserve).

The CA confirmation was seen as an affirmation of the trust and confidence of the government in the military’s senior leadership, ensuring continuity in military service and the effective execution of its mandate to protect the nation and its people, according to the military. Rex Espiritu

OCD, World Bank vow to enhance partnership

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the World Bank (WB) on Wednesday reaffirmed their partnership to enhance disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines.

This developed during meeting between OCD and WB officials in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon city, underscoring more than a decade of collaboration between through development financing, technical assistance, and knowledgesharing aimed at strengthening disaster and climate resilience.

OCD administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros led the Philippine delegation, joined by assistant secretaries Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Henry Robinson Jr., and Cesar Idio. Senior World Bank officials in attendance consisted of Yoonhee Kim, Sudeshna Ghosh Banerjee, Fides Borja, Robert Reid, and Lizardo Narvaez Marulanda.

“We deeply value the World Bank’s more than a decade of partnership with the Philippine Government in disaster risk reduction management through development financing, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing,” Cabreros said. Rex Espiritu

Army, PAF reaffirm national defense ties

THE Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force have reaffirmed collaboration in national security during a meeting of the chiefs of the two major service commands at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

This as Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete called on his Air Force counterpart, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura at the PAF general headquarters.

The meeting underscored the continued partnership among the AFP’s major services, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthen interservice cooperation and enhance operational interoperability in safeguarding national security. During the meeting, Corddura conferred on Nafarrete the honorary Gold Wings Badge,the highest award of military flying professionalism and dedication to duty. Rex Espiritu

Solon assails P8-b NEP insertion

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives will open an investigation into what was described as an “attempted insertion” of P8 billion in the proposed 2026 National Expenditures Program (NEP) for the procurement of firearms for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

House Committee on Human Rights chair and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. sought the inquiry in a letter dated Sept. 3, 2025 and addressed to Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano, chairman of the Committee on Public Order and Safety.

Abante said the matter must be examined closely given the scale of the amount involved and its potential violation of existing laws.

“I write to formally request for the House Committee on Public Order and

Safety to initiate a formal investigation on the attempted insertion of P8 Billion in the PNP budget for 2026 for the purchase of guns and ammunitions in violation of the procurement law, and RA No. 6975, as amended by RA No. 8551,” Abante’s letter read.

Abante cited reports circulating online, pointing to a letter purportedly from the Philippine National Police addressed to Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, asking for the inclusion of P8 billion in the 2026 budget “specifically for the procurement of 80,000 units of standardized caliber 5.56 mm basic assault rifles.” He said a copy of the letter was attached to his request.

According to Abante, social media reports further alleged that the letter was brought by Adrian Sanares, son of retired general and current DILG undersecretary for peace and order Nestor Sanares, to then-PNP chief Nicolas Torre III for signature.

Torre’s refusal to sign was said to be one of the reasons for his removal from office.

Abante insisted that these claims require scrutiny, raising a number of questions about the propriety of the process and the accountability of the individuals involved.

“Why is a budget insertion request being facilitated by the son of an undersecretary of the agency that would approve such a request?” Abante’s letter stated.

MMDA, DILG set to roll out ‘Unified 911’ emergency hotline

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) rallies behind the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) new initiative dubbed “Unified 911” set to be launched this month.

The meeting tackled the upcoming launch of the Unified 911 tentatively scheduled for Sept. 15.

Under this setup, Metro Manila officials gave assurance that 911 calls will be centralized, directing them straight to the National Command Center, with information promptly relayed to the appropriate agency for swift action and response.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes and DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday met with officials and representatives from various local government units to discuss the Unified BFP-Emergency 911 and CCTV System Integration.

Artes said the system aims to enhance

By Dexter A See

and survive the disaster.

Members of the local disaster risk reduction and management council, assisted by policemen, firemen, and neighbors of the victim dug through

the rubble to flush out Dizon.

The victim was taken to the Lutheran hospital in nearby Abatan, Buguias but she was declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile, authorities advised residents living in so-called landslide-prone areas in the province to be on alert for any eventuality, especially at the height of heavy rains.

coordination among emergency responders and bolster public safety and security, not only in urban centers but also in remote areas.

He said the system ensures a fiveminute response time by key agencies, notably the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Remulla said the DILG acts as the primary emergency response department in the country, coordinating the police, fire, and other units across the nation.

The proposed establishment of a building for the National Command Center, which will function as a centralized office for local government units and various agencies to coordinate and respond to crises and emergencies, was also a topic of discussion during the meeting. Remulla committed to a quicker and more accessible emergency response with the implementation of the Unified 911 system nationwide.

Binay backs LGUs’ inclusion in national project planning

By Joel E. Zurbano

MAKATI City Mayor Nancy Binay has expressed support for President Marcos’ initiative to reintegrate local government units (LGUs) into the planning and implementation of nationally funded projects.

“There should have been such a system in place long ago, coordination of (the) national government with LGUs. That’s why we have the regional development council, where LGUs are members,” said Binay. Marcos said during his time as governor of Ilocos Norte, completed projects were approved and evaluated by local officials, a procedure that is currently not being followed.

“The standard operating procedure previously was that before a project was handed over to the local government, it had to be accepted by them first. This is a practice we intend to reinstate,” he said.

San Juan City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines president Francis Zamora said earlier that revival of the practice would serve as a clear indication of the President’s increasing confidence in the capabilities of LGUs as authentic partners of the national government in nation-building.

Mayor Binay echoed her observation that local officials are the ones who know what projects are needed in the area. She emphasized the importance of engagement in decision-making processes.

“My understanding is there is always coordination with the LGU because everything starts from the LGU, and everything should start from the barangay officials. From city hall officials, there should be coordination from the national,” she said. Binay added that by collaborating closely with local residents, the government can ensure that the initiatives truly reflect the needs and priorities of the people they serve.

EUROPEAN FILMFEST IN METRO MANILA. A European Union’s delegation to the Philippines, in collaboration with the embassies of EU member –states in Manila including the Ukrainian embassy, marked the 28th year of Cine Europa in an opening ceremony Mandaluyong City. Katrina Manubay

ARMY CHIEF MEETS AIR FORCE COMMANDER. Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete (left) and Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura discuss enhanced collaboration between their respective units in the area of national security. PAF photo

MARITIME ADVOCATES. Environmental volunteers rally behind Oceana, the largest international advocacy group dedicated to ocean preservation. The group welcomed the enactment of the Panaon Island Protected Seascape Law last Aug. 29, mandating the protection and preservation of over 61,000 hectares of coral reefs around Panaon Island in Southern Leyte which is home to endangered wildlife including whale sharks and Philippine ducks. Manny Palmero

OPINION

Can Vince Dizon reform the DPWH?

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr.’s decision to transfer Secretary Vince Dizon from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Public Works and Highways was not unexpected at all.

We got an inkling of this after an item in another paper hinted at the possible removal of then Transportation Secretary Manuel Bonoan after the Chief Executive revealed massive corruption behind substandard and ghost public works projects throughout the country.

Our suspicion that the end of Bonoan’s three-year stint at the DPWH was just a matter of time was the online video that showed the President inspecting a failed flood control project in Bulacan, if we’re not mistaken, in the company of Dizon, then still the DOTr Secretary. Why would the President bring along the then Transportation Secretary instead of Bonoan in the inspection of a public works project, we wondered.

The answer came a few days later, when news headlines announced that Bonoan had resigned, and Dizon was his replacement at the helm of the agency.

Dizon, in his brief tenure as DOTr chief, demonstrated a unique brand of leadership characterized by swift, decisive action and achievements that not only showcased his effectiveness but also set a new standard for public service.

Dizon’s action-oriented approach and his no-nonsense style of leadership was evident in his efforts to modernize the country’s public transport system, including the implementation of cashless payments, enhancing commuter convenience, and optimizing the use of modern technologies.

The list of Dizon’s achievements at the DOTr is longer than the period he stayed at the top of a department that was not only crucial to our economic development but one that also needed a brand of leadership that wasted no time in doing what’s best for the Filipino people.

Under Dizon’s leadership, the DOTr became a model of efficiency and effectiveness. His achievements include the introduction of trains made in China by Dalian, which doubled passenger capacity, and the start of construction of an international airport to boost tourism in Boracay.

At the relief preparation site for folks reeling from recent typhoons, Dizon made it clear that the mission was not

just to bring assistance to people but make their lives less difficult and bring them hope for the future.

His tenure at the DOTr was marked by several other actions, including the suspension of the controversial PUV modernization program for further study, the reduction of fares for students, PWDs, and seniors on Metro rails, and the abolition of the luggage weight limit on Metro trains.

Under Dizon, what happened at the DOTr is nothing short of awe-inspiring but also serves as the perfect model for how government offices should function.

His decisive actions and firm commitment to good governance have set a new standard for public service

It’s not surprising therefore that the Chief Executive, in anger and exasperation over the massive plunder of public funds in anomalous flood control projects, turned to the youngest member of his Cabinet who not only brought fresh leadership but also quick and decisive action.

Dizon’s transfer to the DPWH by the President was a brilliant move aimed at leveraging his proven leadership skills and decisive action to address the issues plaguing the department.

His first order of business was to ask for the resignation of ranking DPWH officials. Later, he also halted an internal investigation by DPWH officials themselves of anomalies in the agency. These amply demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability.

Dizon’s appointment as DPWH Secretary has brought a renewed sense of hope for good governance and a departure from the corruption that has tainted the agency’s image. His decisive actions and firm commitment to good governance have set a new standard for public service. But he needs all the support he can get from other government agencies and most important of all, from the Filipino people.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Defending Senator Risa

IN DECEMBER 2023, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 884, launching one of the most consequential inquiries in recent Senate history. The resolution sought to investigate the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), the religious empire of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.

For decades, Quiboloy had been shadowed by allegations of human trafficking, sexual abuse, and child exploitation, all cloaked in the language of faith.

Hontiveros made clear the probe was about both accountability and legislation, to test whether current anti-trafficking and child protection laws could confront crimes shielded by religion.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros opened the hearings on Jan. 23, 2024. Quiboloy defied multiple summonses.

A subpoena was issued in February, followed by a show-cause order in March, with Hontiveros warning she would seek to cite him for contempt. Some senators called her actions excessive, but she defended them as a rightful exercise of the Senate’s Constitutional oversight powers.

The urgency of her work was underscored in March when the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Quiboloy and KOJC leaders for traffick-

‘None of the above’

WITH Philippine elections having degenerated of late into choosing between the hopelessly incompetent and the incorrigibly corrupt, or between those aspiring for top national and local positions based on their popularity and glowing promises alone instead of offering a substantive program of governance, what’s the best move for the Filipino voter?

There’s an alternative to an outright boycott of the political exercise and forfeiting the citizen’s right of suffrage, according to the election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections or Lente.

Their proposal is for the Commission on Elections to give voters a “none of the above” or NoTA option on ballots real power to influence election results.

Lente argues the NoTA option would prevent voter disengagement from being hidden in abstentions or invalid ballots, instead channeling it into “constructive feedback for the political system.”

The group is also calling on COMELEC, civil society organizations, and the media to educate voters on the value of the NoTA option, ensuring the public understands it as a “deliberate act of democratic participation” rather than apathy.

ing and child abuse.

His arrest in Sept. 2024 emboldened more survivors to speak. On Oct. 23, women from the Philippines and abroad, including Ukraine, testified about sexual, physical, and psychological abuse allegedly orchestrated by Quiboloy himself.

(Risa’s) leadership showed that abuses committed under the cloak of spiritual authority must not escape accountability

The inquiry soon widened to financial exploitation. Survivors revealed that members, including overseas Filipino workers, were coerced to surrender up to 90 percent of their income to KOJC.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council began probing possible money laundering and coercion, deepening the case against Quiboloy’s organization.

Politics intensified the hearings. A masked witness known as “Rene,” later

It’s an interesting development in

identified as Michael Maurillo, testified he had seen former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte handling firearms at Quiboloy’s compound.

Given Quiboloy’s close ties to the Dutertes, the statement drew national attention. Yet in June 2025, Maurillo suddenly recanted, alleging that Hontiveros bribed him and that her staff had altered his affidavit.

The accusation was an obvious smear. Hontiveros forcefully denied it, calling the claims outright lies meant to sabotage the inquiry.

She stressed that Maurillo’s original testimony had been delivered under oath before the Senate, where perjury carries legal consequences, making it more credible than a retraction without evidence.

No receipts, no documents, no corroborating witnesses were produced. Her staff categorically denied any tampering, and she immediately filed cyber libel complaints against Maurillo and those spreading the allegations online.

Hontiveros also warned that Maurillo may have been coerced into retracting, pointing to Quiboloy’s well-document-

Philippine electoral politics. What Lente is actually pushing for is empowered voter choice as NoTA allows voters to express dissatisfac-

We think NoTA is a form not only of political expression but also of dissent, or a way for citizens to reject inadequate options without abstaining from voting

tion with all available candidates, thus reinforcing democratic accountability. We think NoTA is a form not only of political expression but also of dis-

ed record of silencing critics and intimidating followers. Coordinated disinformation campaigns quickly amplified the accusations, proof that powerful interests were desperate to discredit the investigation. These attacks collapse when measured against Hontiveros’ long record.

She has been one of the country’s most consistent defenders of women, children, and trafficking survivors. Her immediate, transparent response showed confidence in the truth.

She did not evade scrutiny, she confronted it directly. The contrast could not be sharper: Quiboloy, accused of heinous crimes, evaded accountability at every turn, while Hontiveros faced fabricated charges head-on.

The Quiboloy hearings exposed more than one man’s alleged crimes.

They revealed how unchecked religious authority can enable systemic abuse, how faith can be twisted into a weapon of exploitation, and how financial coercion can drain the most vulnerable. They also highlighted the difficulty of pursuing justice in a political system where intimidation, influence, and lies are used to shield the powerful.

sent, or a way for citizens to reject inadequate options without abstaining from voting.

We support Lente’s stand that once adopted, the NoTA option can have a tangible impact on results. NoTA can influence election outcomes, especially if it garners a plurality or majority. What is Lente asking the Comelec to do?

One, to intensify voter education around NoTA’s meaning and implications.

Two, to clarify how NoTA votes will be treated in the final tally.

And three, to consider reforms that would allow NoTA to have a real impact on election results.

This could be a pivotal moment for electoral transparency and voter empowerment in the Philippines. If NoTA gains traction, it might reshape how political accountability is expressed at the ballot box.

Lente is urging the inclusion and proper implementation of the NoTA option particularly in the BARMM parliamentary elections this October. But the Bangsamoro Electoral Office is uncertain on how to handle a scenario where the NoTA option gains a majority of votes in the first regular parliamentary polls in October.

Nonetheless, Lente’s NoTA proposal could turn out to be a legitimate and powerful expression of dissent that reflects public dissatisfaction with unpalatable choices offered in our elections.

No credible evidence links the Dutertes directly to Quiboloy’s crimes. Yet the controversy underscored the dangerous intersections of politics, religion, and impunity. For Hontiveros, the hearings became both a fight for survivor justice and a legislative battle to close loopholes that allow exploitation to thrive under religious cover. Despite relentless smear campaigns, Hontiveros never wavered. Her leadership showed that abuses committed under the cloak of spiritual authority must not escape accountability. The bribery allegation was never about exposing truth, it was about silencing the investigation.

In the end, Senator Hontiveros’ work in the Quiboloy inquiry stands as a defense of the vulnerable and a refusal to let power, politics, or disinformation derail justice.

She proved that survivors deserve not only to be heard but to be protected, and that even in the face of lies, intimidation, and entrenched interests, truth and accountability must prevail.

Facebook, X, Instagram, and BlueSky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina. com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Zelenskyy to meet European leaders

PARIS – European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are to meet in Paris on Thursday in a new effort to pile pressure on Vladimir Putin after he vowed Russia will fight on in Ukraine if no peace deal is reached.

Frustration has been building in the West over what leaders say is the Russian president’s unwillingness to strike a deal to end Moscow’s three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine.

In Moscow, Russia will not consider the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine “in any format,” Moscow’s foreign ministry said Thursday ahead of talks in Paris between European leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“Russia is not going to discuss the fundamentally unacceptable, undermining any kind of security, foreign intervention in Ukraine in any form, in any format”, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at an economic forum in Russia’s far east.

Russia said Thursday that the security guarantees sought by Kyiv were “guarantees of danger to the European continent”, ahead of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on such assurances. The summit in Paris will be co-chaired by the leaders of France and the UK and aims to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin following a series of failed attempts to reach a ceasefire in the

IN BRIEF Searchers retrieve bodies in Afghan quake

15 dead after funicular derails

LISBON – A famed Lisbon funicular

derailed Wednesday and smashed into a building, killing at least 15 and injuring 18 in one of the Portuguese capital’s most popular tourist spots.

“A tragedy that our city has never seen,” Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas said of the accident involving the yellow Gloria funicular, one of the capital’s best-known symbols.

All of the victims have been recovered from the wreckage, said Tiago Augusto, an official with the Inem emergency services, adding that they included foreigners. Rescuers confirmed a toll of 15 dead and 18 injured. Details of their identities were not immediately available. Authorities declared Thursday a day of national mourning.

The accident happened at 6:15 pm local time on a steep stretch of tracks near Liberty Avenue. Images shared on social media showed the moments immediately following the tragedy, with the funicular appearing out of a cloud of smoke and debris, completely smashed against a wall. AFP

‘Blood Moon’ to rise in total lunar eclipse

PARIS – Stargazers will have a chance to see a “Blood Moon” on Sunday night during a total lunar eclipse visible across Asia, including the Philippines, and swathes of Europe and Africa.

When the Sun, Earth and Moon line up, the shadow cast by the planet on its satellite makes it appear an eerie, deep red color that has astounded humans for millennia.

People in Asia, including India and China, will be best placed to see Sunday’s total eclipse, which will also be visible on the eastern edge of Africa as well as in western Australia.

The total lunar eclipse will last from 1730 GMT to 1852 GMT (Manila is eight hours ahead of GMT)..

Stargazers in Europe and Africa will get a brief chance to see a partial eclipse just as the Moon rises during the early evening, while the Americas will miss out.

The Moon appears red during lunar eclipses because the only sunlight reaching it is “reflected and scattered through the Earth’s atmosphere”, said Ryan Milligan, an astrophysicist at Northern Ireland’s Queen’s University Belfast. AFP

Peru to build prison for wild inmates

LIMA – Peru, battling a wave of violent crime, said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) it would build a prison for its most dangerous offenders on an island facing the capital Lima. It would be erected on the same spot where a previous prison was left in ruins after troops killed 133 inmates in putting down a mutiny four decades ago.

Soldiers were called in to quell unrest by inmates belonging to the Maoist Shining Path rebel group at the former El Fronton prison located off the coast of Lima in June 1986.

On Wednesday, President Dina Boluarte said a new prison would be built on the island to “ensure that the most dangerous criminals are subjected to effective isolation.”

Signing a contract for the construction of the new facility, she said it would hold 2,000 dangerous inmates in seclusion while also helping alleviate overcrowding in the country’s 68 other prisons. AFP

NURGAL, Afghanistan – Volunteers and rescuers were pulling nore bodies from the rubble of destroyed buildings in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, four days after an earthquake that inflicted a death toll that was already at nearly 1,470 people, Taliban authorities said.

The magnitude-6.0 earthquake that jolted the mountainous region bordering Pakistan late Sunday is one of the deadliest in the country in decades.

The toll -- 1,469 dead and more than 3,700 injured -- will likely rise, deputy Taliban government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said on Thursday.

“Additional bodies were recovered during these efforts, leading to an increase in the reported casualties,” Fitrat wrote on X,

Royal officials nix parliament dissolution bid

BANGKOK – Thai royal officials rejected a request by the ruling party to dissolve parliament, the country’s acting prime minister said Thursday, clearing the way for a vote that could select his successor.

A power vacuum has consumed Thailand’s top office since last Friday, when the Constitutional Court sacked prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics breach.

A coalition of opposition MPs has backed conservative construction magnate Anutin Charnvirakul to take the top office, with a vote scheduled for Friday at around 10:00 am (0300 GMT).

But Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party -still governing in a caretaking capacity -- had attempted to dissolve the legislature and block the vote, submitting its request to the palace.

Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on his Facebook page that due to “disputed legal issues” the Office of the Privy Council had informed him it was “inappropriate to present the draft of the Royal Decree to His Majesty at this time.” AFP

adding that a new toll would be released later in the day.

“We cannot stop hoping” that injured people remain alive under the rubble, he told AFP.

Limited access to the hardest hit areas of mountainous Kunar province delayed rescue and relief efforts, with rockfalls from repeated aftershocks obstructing already precarious roads etched onto the side of cliffs.

While most of the areas that had been unreachable were accessed by Wednesday, expectations of finding survivors were fading fast.

“Many survivors are still believed to be trapped beneath collapsed homes in remote villages, and the window for finding

them alive is rapidly closing,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Poor infrastructure in the impoverished country, still fragile from four decades of war, has also stymied the emergency response.

The WHO warned that local healthcare services were “under immense strain”, with shortages of trauma supplies, medicines and staff. The agency has appealed for $4 million to deliver lifesaving health interventions and expand mobile health services and supply distribution.

“Every hour counts,” WHO emergency team lead in Afghanistan Jamshed Tanoli said in a statement. “Hospitals are strug-

Trump offers to send more US troops to Poland’s new nationalist president

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Donald Trump offered Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) to send more troops to Poland as he welcomed the country’s new nationalist president Karol Nawrocki to the White House with a military flyover.

Trump also hinted at taking stronger action against Russia if it fails to end its war with Ukraine, which has put NATO ally Poland on edge since Moscow’s invasion in 2022.

Nawrocki, a conservative historian and fervent Trump supporter, visited the White House during Poland’s election campaign and is now making his first foreign trip as president.

Trump gave him a warm welcome -including an offer to boost the US military footprint in Poland, where around 8,000 US troops are currently reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank, according to US media.

“We’ll put more there if they want,” Trump, 79, said after shaking hands with Nawrocki, 42, in the Oval Office. “We’re with Poland all the way and we’ll help Poland protect itself.”

Trump added that the flyover by F-16 and F-35 jets during Nawrocki’s arrival was “very much in honor” of a Polish F-16 jet pilot killed last week while preparing for an air show.

“He was a legend in Poland,” Trump said of the pilot, Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, 37.

Nawrocki then praised the US troop presence and said it was “the first time in history” that Poland had been happy to host foreign troops. He also stressed that Warsaw aims to keep increasing its own military spending within the NATO alliance to meet Trump’s demands -- despite already being the top spender based on the proportion of GDP. AFP

over three-year conflict.

“The ideas of the Kyiv leader, which are essentially a carbon copy of the initiatives of European sponsors... are absolutely unacceptable,” Moscow’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

During a speech on the sidelines of an economic forum in Russia’s far east, Zakharova called Ukraine’s hoped-for guarantees “a springboard for terror, for provocations against our country.”

“They are not guarantees of Ukraine’s security, they are guarantees of danger to the European continent,” she said. Zelenskyy has said he is confident Kyiv’s allies will help “increase pressure on Russia to move towards a diplomatic solution” to the conflict.

But he has also said he is yet to see “any signs from Russia that they want to end the war”.

The Paris summit, to be co-chaired by the leaders of France and the UK, aims to firm up plans on security guarantees for Ukraine if or when there is a ceasefire, and get a clearer picture of US involvement. AFP

Climate change made heat behind Iberian fires 40 times more likely

MADRID – Human-caused climate change made the hot, dry and windy conditions that fuelled deadly wildfires in Spain and Portugal last month 40 times more likely, researchers said Thursday. The Iberian Peninsula saw unusually high temperatures throughout August, with thermometers topping 40C in many areas.

The persistent heat fanned wildfires -- mainly in northern Portugal and western and northwestern Spain -- that killed four people in each country, forced the evacuation of thousands, and ravaged vast areas of land.

In Spain, more than 380,000 hectares have burned this year -- a record annual total and nearly five times the annual average, according to the European Forest Fire Information System. Portugal has lost more than 280,000 hectares, almost three times the area usually burnt in a year.

Climate change, caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels, made the fire-prone weather about 40 times more likely and 30 percent more intense, European researchers said in a report published by World Weather Attribution.

“Without human-caused warming, similarly severe fire weather conditions would have been expected less than once every 500 years, rather than once every 15 years as they are today,” said Theo Keeping, a researcher at Imperial College London.

These hot periods rapidly dry vegetation and can trigger intense blazes that “can generate their own wind, leading to longer flame lengths, explosive outbreaks and the ignition of dozens of fires nearby from flying embers”, he added. Spain endured a 16-day heatwave in August that was “the most intense on record”, with average temperatures 4.6C above previous events, according to national weather agency AEMET. More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to the August heatwave, according to an estimate released by the Carlos III Health Institute. AFP

SECURITY GUARANTEES. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center) speaks with his chief of staff

Andriy Yermak ahead of a working meeting with French President at The Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris on Wednesday. A so-called Coalition of the Willing, counting some 30 countries, intends to provide support to Ukraine’s military and possibly deploy some of its own soldiers to Ukraine when and if a ceasefire is agreed. The deployment would aim to deter future Russian aggression. AFP

VERY PROUD. US President Donald Trump waits for Polish President Karol Nawrocki to arrive on the South Portico at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday.

DEEPENING CRISIS. Afghans commute along a hillside, in the aftermath of an earthquake at the Nurgal district of Kunar province on Wednesday. Hope was quickly fading of finding survivors in the rubble of homes devastated by the weekend’s powerful 6.0-magnitude quake in eastern Afghanistan, as emergency services struggled to reach remote villages before the weekend. AFP

Nueva Ecija, Binan trounce MPBL rivals

NUEVA Ecija flaunted its power while Binan halted its slide on Thursday in Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, with 14 players scoring, battered the Sarangani Grippers, 115-67, in the second game, and Binan Tatak Gel followed suit with a 106-75 thumping of Imus Grumpy Joe in the nightcap.

The Rice Vanguards chalked up their 24th win against 2 losses, trailing the Abra Solid North Weavers (23-1) and towing the San Juan Knights (22-2) in the North Division and overall standing in the roundrobin elimination phase of the 30team, 2-division tournament.

Jammer Jamito led the Rice Vanguards with 21 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Will McAloney with 16 points, JP Calvo with 12 points, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds; Jaycee Marcelino with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists; and Billy Robles and Will McAloney with 10 points each. Sarangani, which drew 11 points from Martin Gozum and 10 each from Kyt Jimenez and Ken Brillantes, tasted its third straight defeat and slid to 9-16, jeopardizing its bid to make the play-in of the South Division.

Shrugging off four straight losses, Binan stormed ahead, 57-37, at halftime behind back-to-back triples by Ryan Sual and climbed to 14-11 in the South Division.

Jaymar Gimpayan wound up with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Michael Maestre 12 points and 6 rebounds, and Pamboy Raymundo 12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals for Binan, which joined Basilan at the sixth spot.

Imus tumbled to 9-17 despite Mark Doligon’s 25-point, 4-rebound effort and Regie Boy Basibas’ 10-point contribution.

In the opener between also-rans, the Bacolod Tubo Slashers rode the hot hands of John Lemuel Pastias to rout Manila Batang Quiapo, 102-58, and improved to 4-21.

The 5-foot-11 Pastias, a former star of the STIWest Negros University Mustangs, drilled in 8 of 10 triple tries and 3 of 3 free throw attempts en route to 37 points that broke the backs of Batang Quiapo, who skidded to 3-22.

AND The Designated Kit Man is back. I have taken a brief, but very fulfilling detour which I would always be forever grateful for. Life is not just about the beautiful game, there is more to it, but for now let’s get back to our regular programming so to speak. The good news first. It is going to be a very busy next few weeks for Stallion Laguna FC, which is always a good problem for its women’s and men’s teams. But before anything else, congratulations to Coach Clint McDaniel, Filbert Alquiros, Ernie Nierras and the Stallion Laguna FC for punching a ticket into the next round of the AFC Women’s Champions League (AFCWCL) 2025|26. Despite losing its last game against ISPE WFC of Myanmar, 3-1, the Philippine side is through the group stage after finishing as the best runners-up among the five groups. Draw for the next round is set this September 11 and action resumes on November 9. Nierras, who is the president and head coach of the team, said that the girls are in

Sinner powers into semis, Anisimova stuns Swiatek

NEW YORK—Reigning champion Jannik Sinner marched into the US Open quarter-finals Wednesday as Amanda Anisimova avenged her Wimbledon thrashing by Iga Swiatek to set up a last-four clash with Naomi Osaka.

World number one Sinner swept aside 10th seed Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in the first all-Italian men’s quarter-final in Grand Slam history.

“It was a great performance, very solid. I started the match very well,” said Sinner, who faces Canadian 25th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-finals on Friday.

Auger-Aliassime has won two of three previous meetings but Sinner thrashed him for the loss of just two games in Cincinnati last month.

“Every player who is in the semis of a Grand Slam can say they’re playing their best tennis,” added Sinner.

The 24-year-old Sinner also tied Nicola Pietrangeli for the most Grand Slams win by an Italian man with his 86th victory.

Auger-Aliassime overcame Alex

Jahns

de Minaur in a four-set battle lasting over four hours to reach his second US Open semi-final.

The 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime is back in the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2021 US Open after beating eighth seed De Minaur 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).

“Some days you won’t feel your best but I was willing to dig really deep and do everything I can,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“It feels amazing. Four years ago, it feels like more. It was a tough couple of years but it feels even better now to be in the semi-finals.”

Australia’s De Minaur, 26, has now lost all six of his Grand Slam quarterfinals.

“Right now I’m looking at this like a wasted opportunity,” De Minaur said.

Anisimova delivers payback

Anisimova rebounded from her disastrous double-bagel defeat at the hands of Swiatek at Wimbledon two months ago, beating the second-ranked Pole 6-4, 6-3 in New York.

“I’ve been having the run of my life here,” said Anisimova, the American eighth seed.

“The first day I got here I was like ‘OK, let’s try and get through one round... This has been such a dream. To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me.”

Six-time major winner Swiatek entered the US Open as the bookmakers’ favourite, after she followed up her maiden Wimbledon title with victory at the Cincinnati Open WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek broke in the first game of the match but Anisimova hit back immediately and snatched the opening set when her rival ballooned a forehand long.

Anisimova again had to rally after falling behind early in the second set. She broke back for 2-2 and then moved a game from victory as Swiatek coughed up a costly double fault. AFP

Run for glory, race for rewards at ASICS Meta: Time: Trials

THE ASICS META: Time: Trials is making its highly anticipated Philippine debut on Oct. 19 at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite, marking a new milestone in the regional race series known for championing personal breakthroughs and goalsmashing performances.

But while it’s all about breaking barriers, a little extra motivation never hurts.

To add excitement to this already electrifying experience, the 10km Open event is offering a total cash prize fund of P400,000 with the winners in the men’s and women’s categories to receive P100,000 each. The second to 10th placers will each get P10,000. With P200,000 per gender division, the ASICS Meta: Time: Trials Philippines cements itself as one of the most competitive 10km races in the country this year. Participants, however, must be 16 years old and above on race day to qualify for prizes.

Registration is now open via Race Roster https://bit.ly/ASICSMTT-PH. But beyond the chase for cash and podium glory, the event’s spirit remains unchanged – it’s about testing oneself against the clock. From elite athletes to everyday runners, everyone will take on the ASICS Meta: Time: Trials Philippines in precision-built conditions designed to push limits, unlock speed and set new personal bests.

“ASICS Meta: Time: Trials Philippines gives Filipino runners a rare opportunity to compete at an elite level while still welcoming those who simply want to challenge themselves,” said Ishina Buxani, Marketing Director of the SONAK Retail Group, the official distributor of ASICS in the Philippines. “It’s about creating an environment where everyone has the chance to cross the finish line stronger, faster and prouder than ever before.”

edges closer to 2nd straight crown with 2nd 65

BACOLOD—True to his vow to stay in the moment, Keanu Jahns played like a man on a mission – laser-focused, quietly confident and completely in control – as he carved out a second straight 65 to take solo control of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club here on Wednesday. Riding the wave of momentum from his emphatic victory at Caliraya Springs – where he outdueled Angelo Que in a dramatic final-round showdown – Jahns once again underscored his rising stature on the Philippine Golf Tour. But this time, the surge came earlier – on Moving Day – amid a flurry of low scores and volatile leaderboard shifts in stifling heat.

Jahns came out firing, birdieing four of the first six holes and adding two more on the back nine to offset a lone bogey. His second straight five-under card, following an opening day 67, gave him a 54-hole aggregate of 13-under 197 – two strokes clear of a new challenger in Fidel Concepcion.

A consistent contender over the last two PGT events, Concepcion matched Jahns’ 65 to climb into solo sec-

ond at 199, positioning himself for another crack at a breakthrough win in the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized circuit.

Overnight co-leader Tae Won Ha, who dazzled with an eagle-fueled 64 in the second round to tie Jahns

at the halfway point of the P2 million championship, cooled off with a 69. Shaken by the pressure but showing late-round grit, the 21-year-old Korean birdied two of his final four holes to salvage a 69 although he slipped to third at 201, four shots back but still within striking distance with 18 holes to play on the unpredictable Binitin layout.

Aidric Chan briefly challenged Jahns with a blazing front-nine 32, highlighted by a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 ninth. He stayed within one stroke through 12 holes but unraveled with a triple-bogey on the par-4 13th. Despite bouncing back with another eagle on the par-5 15th, a bogey on the closing par-3 18th capped a rollercoaster round of 69, dropping him to solo fourth at 202.

Several players made their move during the pivotal third round, only to falter down the stretch. Russell Bautista surged into a tie for second with a five-under card through 13 holes but settled for a 66 after a bogey on the final hole, tying Reymon Jaraula for fifth at 203.

Moving something forward into the present

high spirits and are currently on a break after a gruelling schedule that saw some of them competing in back-to-back tournaments. Aside from the elimination round in the AFCWCL, several players represented the three stars and the sun in an international tournament. The team also needed to dig deep just to make sure that it would eventually secure the best runners up in the elimination round if the original plan is no longer possible. This is the reason why they went all out for 13 goals against the hapless Bank of Guam Strykers FC that cushioned the impact of the loss against the eventual group winners from Myanmar.

He said the club will conduct tryouts in the next few days to further bolster the club’s historic foray in the group stages of the biggest women’s club tournament in the continent.

“Right now, we are actually identifying additional and potential players that we need. Honestly, kulang kami, dalawa lang ang goalkeeper namin. So we need some players to add to the roster,” he explained.

With Stallion completing the cast of the 12-team group stage, the group stage will be held in three locations – Vietnam, Myanmar and Wuhan in China. The Phil-

ippines is currently in pot 3.

“We are hoping to get a good draw. Sana hindi natin makasama ang Tokyo Verdy Beleza of Japan kasi kahit saan mapunta ang team na ito sigurado group death agad ‘yun. Importante kasi kung sino ang makakasama natin, especially the top team and the fourth team in our group,” Nierras explained.

Aside from Stallion Laguna FC, the other teams searching for a quarterfinals’ berth include top favorite Wuhan Jianda of China, Melbourne City WFC, Suwon WFC of South Korea, Ho Chi Minh City WFC and Bam Khatoon WFC of Iran.

Also catching the last bus were PFC Nasaf of Uzbekistan, Naegohyang WFC of North Korea, Lion City Sailors of Singapore, East Bengal WFC of India and ISPE WFC.

Good results in the group stage for Stallion Laguna FC will definitely boost local women’s football.

“This is very important for Philippine football and our team is doing everything it can to help women’s football, our women’s national team ranking and everything. Even though it’s a club competition, we can still impact both the national team and Kaya’s draw for next year,” he said. As it is, his players will be match ready anytime there is a need to report for national team duties.

Speaking of impact, former Filipinas team manager Jeff Cheng is enjoying backing up from the sidelines and away from the limelight several women’s teams not only in football, but in other sports as well.

“Tuluy-tuloy naman ang suporta, but in a different capacity and not so much with the national team, but more focus is on how to support the grassroots’ development of football through various tournaments. Du’n naman kasi manggagaling mga national players natin so in a way it’s like helping provide for these players a pathway towards the national teams. He said that by doing these sans fanfare, he still finds fulfillment in helping grow the sport in whatever way he can.

“I think more and more people are getting interested in the women’s game. Ma-sustain lang sana ang momentum and we are doing our share to ensure this. I believe this is the way to further improve the skills and level of the women’s game. Dapat may competitions, may mga tournament,” Cheng said. With regards to the national team, Cheng, however, would rather keep mum on several issues allegedly hounding the Filipinas.

“I can’t comment because I’m not aware of what’s happening inside. Pero mas makakatulong talaga if they’re able to have more

camps either here in the country or overseas. It would also help if the team can compete in more tournaments, not only in the AFF and AFC sanctioned competitions, but friendlies, too,” he explained. More importantly, he is also hoping that the Filipinas will have opportunities to be together.

“I still believe in the players. Fight lang, alam mo naman sa football dapat may konting suwerte at timing din,” Cheng said. When asked if he is still looking forward to rejoining the team, he said that he is not completely shutting his door on the possibility of supporting the national women’s football team once more, just not now. “I think, hopefully, if the right people, the right coaches and the right environment will be there, I’m sure we can be there again,” he added. Aside from supporting Stallion Laguna WFC, Cheng also bankrolled the Philippine Padel Team’s title-winning run in the recently concluded Turkish Airlines Pacific Padel Cup. For the bad news, there’s plenty. And I don’t want to dwell on them further. Not yet.

Advice lang po, puwede po mag Waze para hindi maligaw sa CALAX. Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_ cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

Italy’s Jannik Sinner serves the ball to Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti during their men’s singles quarterfinal tennis match on Day 11 of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. AFP

Will McAloney of Nueva Ecija

Keanu Jahns Manny Marcelo

The Designated Kit Man Erel Cabatbat

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

PH falls to Syria in AFC tilt

By Peter Atencio

THE Philippines fell to Syria, 1-2, on Wednesday evening in their opening encounter in the Asian Football Confederation Under-23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The win gave Syria the early lead in their Group K tie, along with host Tajikistan, which pulled off a 4-0 triumph over Nepal.

Syria’s Mahmoud Al-Aswad first struck in the 63rd to give their side the lead before Sandro Reyes levelled the count for the Philippines in the 78th minute.

But Syria’s Mohammad Almustafa found the net and chipped in the winning goal two minutes after Reyes’ goal.

The Filipinos will try to get back on their feet against host Tajikistan on Saturday.

DRAFT

COMBINE. Proleague hopeful Patrick Ramos does some agility tests during the PBA 50th Season

Draft Combine Day 1 at the Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City. PBA Media

NFL chief opens door for Swift Super Bowl performance

NEW YORK—Pop icon Taylor Swift, recently engaged to Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, is a definite “maybe” to perform at the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told NBC’s Today show on Wednesday.

“We would always love to have Taylor play,” Goodell said. “She is a special, special talent and obviously she would be welcome any time.”

Asked if that meant an appearance by Swift at the NFL’s championship showpiece was in the works, Goodell hedged.

“I can’t tell you anything about it,” he said. “It’s a maybe.”

Goodell said he was “waiting on my friend Jay-Z” for word on the Super Bowl halftime show lineup.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company has produced the show in a partnership with the NFL since 2019.

Goodell’s appearance on the Today show came on the eve of the NFL’s season-opener between the Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

The buildup to the season has been enlivened by the engagement announcement of Swift and Kelce -- whose romance has been a cultural crossover phenomenon thanks to the huge popularity of the NFL and Swift’s legion of fans.

This season the Chiefs will be vying for a return to the Super Bowl after the Eagles denied them a third straight crown in February.

The Super Bowl will be held on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. AFP

PH soft netters bag 4 golds in Korea, eyes Asian tourney

UNCHANG, KOREA—The Philippine Soft Tennis student-national athletes brought home a total of nine medals, building strong momentum for the upcoming 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championships.

The team’s medal haul in Sunchang, Korea included four gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, showcasing the rising talent of Filipino players on the international stage.

Leading the charge was Shyryn Salazar, who had a dominant showing, capturing an astounding three gold medals. Salazar secured victories in the Women’s Singles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles events, solidifying her status as a standout athlete for the Philippines. Also making a memorable international debut was rookie Shant Nuguit, who proved his mettle by winning a gold medal in the Mixed Doubles event. His successful first

outing with the national team is a promising start to his career and a positive sign for the future of the sport in the country.

The Philippine Soft Tennis Association and the team’s coaching staff expressed immense gratitude for the support received from various organizations and individuals. Special thanks were extended to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and its chairman, Patrick Gregorio, along with the PSC Commissioners. The team also acknowledged the unwavering support of Philippine Soft Tennis Association President Lt. Col. Robert Joseph “Bobby” Moran, as well as the Jeollabukdo Soft Tennis Association.

Ybañez relishes pressure for Alas PH in FIVB worlds

FUELLED by his love for the game and a relentless drive to improve, Josh Ybañez sets aside the pressure as he pursues the golden opportunity to represent the Philippines in Alas Pilipinas’ historic campaign at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.

As a 5’7” outside hitter at the collegiate level, pressure has always followed Ybañez like a shadow every time he steps on the court.

“Pressure is constant,” said the twotime UAAP MVP from University of Santo Tomas, who has been embracing a defensive role under Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni.

“It’s always there, even if it’s not the World Championship. There’s always pressure. So I just embrace it and focus on loving what I do.”

But for the SEA V.League Best Libero, the chance to represent the Philippines — on one of volleyball’s grandest

BACOLO —Pauline del Rosario pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in Ladies Philippine Golf Tour history, rallying from six strokes down to stun Seo Yun Kim with a final-round charge that bordered on the spectacular.

Clutch birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 capped a blistering four-under 66, rattling Kim’s composure and resolve. After dominating the first 36 holes of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge with rounds of 66 and 68, Kim struggled with a birdie-less 73 in the final round.

That seven-shot swing handed del Rosario a dramatic one-stroke victory at 206 at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club here Thursday – a triumphant return to form for the former LPGT Order of Merit champion.

“It feels good to win again, but I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. I was struggling with my game a lot,” said del Rosario, whose last LPGT win came at Caliraya Springs in 2023 following a brilliant rookie campaign in 2017 that saw her rack up for four victories and win the OOM crown.

She also became the first Filipina to win an event

stages and before a roaring home crowd — is too exhilarating to be weighed down by it.

Returning to his natural role as a libero, the 22-year-old pride of General Santos embraces every moment with focus and determination, letting his passion for the sport guide him through every challenge as Alas Pilipinas prepares for the world meet.

“It’s an honor for us to represent the Philippines for the first time at the World Championship, and as they say, this is history. I’m happy, and for sure, I’m going to learn so much from our opponents and from the tournament itself,” said Ybañez.

Ybañez is among 21 players in the Alas Pilipinas pool, all competing for a spot in the Final 14 for the 32-nation World Championship set from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum.

The Philippines will kick off the tour-

on the LPGA Tour of Taiwan in that same year. The win marked a meaningful milestone in del Rosario’s comeback journey, following a series of underwhelming performances on the Epson Tour. She admitted she arrived with no expectations af-

nament against Tunisia—match time moved to 4:30 p.m. from the original 6 p.m.—at the MOA Arena, following a festive opening ceremony headlined by K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana singer-songwriter-actress Karencitta.

Fans can secure their seats for the historic event, which will see Alas Pilipinas face Egypt on September 16 and Iran on September 18, by purchasing tickets online at the official website: https://www.philippineswch2025.com. For Ybañez, the World Championship is more than just a chance to play — it is an opportunity to test himself against the world’s best, learning from every experience to grow and sharpen his game.

“I will just focus on doing my best in every game and learning from each match. That’s the only way I can grow,” he said.

ter being ill just a week prior.

“I honestly just came in with a game plan of keeping it on the fairway and on the green,” she said. “I’ve been working on a lot of techniques with my coach (Carito Villaroman), so I didn’t expect to place near the top this week.” Del Rosario began her charge with a frontside 34, including two birdies against a bogey. As Kim bogeyed the first hole and No. 9, the lead narrowed to three. Despite Kim’s steady play

Pauline del Rosario holds her championship trophy. Manny Marcelo

The coaching staff, comprised of Michael Enriquez, Josephine Paguyo, Wenifredo De Leon, and Mark Anthony Alcoseba, was also recognized for their guidance and mentorship that led to the team’s success.

Members of the PH soft tennis team

Sandro Reyes

Josh Ybañez

WHAT’S INSIDE?

SM spending P9b to redevelop Megamall

DOE to accept nuclear project bids in 2026

PPP Center adds two, removes three projects

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center has added two national projects to its pipeline and delisted three others over failed negotiations on unsolicited proposals and changes in implementation modes.

It said the new additions are the Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project Phase 4, under conceptualization by the Department of Education, and the Metro Manila Waste to Energy, under evaluation by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The delisted projects are the Philippine Retirement Authority’s PRA Digitalization Project, the MMDA’s 3000 TPD Manila Wasteto-Energy Facility Project and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s Sanitary Landfill and Waste-to-Energy Project in New Clark City, it said.

It said that with the adjustments, the PPP pipeline now consists of 229 projects valued at P2.77 trillion as of Sept. 3, 2025. Of these, 199 are under development, 12 are under approval and 18 are under procurement.

Sixty-four projects, worth P154 billion, will be implemented by local government units, while the national government will handle 165 projects, valued at P2.62 trillion.

The Philippine Ports Authority leads implementing agencies with 41 projects, followed by the Department of Transportation with 36 projects.

The current pipeline is smaller than the 230 projects with a total estimated cost of P2.86 trillion reported on July 28.

DTI supports exporters as US tariffs take effect

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday it is ramping up support programs to connect exporters with buyers, simplify customs procedures and provide access to VAT incentives through the CREATE MORE Act.

DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque issued the statement as the 19-percent reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States take effect this month.

Roque warned that the new tariff regime could weigh on export performance beginning August, following a double-digit growth in July.

She said exports showed resilience in July 2025 amid global challenges, but stressed the urgency of diversifying markets and broadening the country’s export base as new trade headwinds emerge.

Data from the Philippine Statistics

Authority (PSA) showed that exports rose 17.3 percent year-on-year in July to more than $7.3 billion, led by strong shipments of electronics and mineral products.

This marked the seventh straight month of growth and reinforced the sector’s vital role in supporting the economy.

Roque said that from January to July, exports expanded by nearly 14 percent to $48.6 billion, reversing a decline seen in the latter part of 2024.

“The consistent rise in our exports, particularly in electronics

and minerals, highlights the resilience of Filipino enterprises even in a challenging global trading environment,” Roque said.

“This surge is powered by strong international demand and the increasing competitiveness of Philippine industries,” she said.

Roque said that to cushion the 19 percent US tariff, the DTI is also strengthening small businesses’ competitiveness through nationwide learning sessions on packaging, marketing and international standards, while offering guidance on global certifications and compliance with labeling requirements.

Bianca Pearl Sykimte, director of the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), said the DTI is actively guiding exporters to expand beyond traditional partners.

“Beyond our traditional partners, we are actively pursuing growth in Europe, ASEAN, and the Middle East,” she said.

New DPWH chief vows full review of department’s budget for 2026

By Darwin G. Amojelar

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Secretary Vince Dizon said Thursday he would seek guidance from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to review its budget in response to alleged corruption in flood control projects.

“We will follow the President’s directive. And for me, who is only on my second day… this review, revision, revisit and if necessary, change of the DPWH

Department of Tourism (DOT)

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines chief operating officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles lead the opening of the maiden Creative Tourism Conference 2025 on Sept. 3, 2025 at the historic Metropolitan Theatre in Manila, marking a milestone for Philippine tourism and the creative

budget is welcome,” Dizon said.

“Secretary Mina [Pangandaman] and I talked. We both agreed on a two-week timeline—two weeks— maximum. It could be shorter. So, we just need to work on this thoroughly. We will meet the DPWH—our colleagues there—so that we can have an honest-to-goodness review,” he said.

Pangandaman, however, assured that the executive branch is ready to work with Congress to fix questionable items in the fiscal year 2026

National Budget, particularly in the listed projects of the DPWH.

“I have full confidence in Secretary Dizon’s leadership in carrying out this review. With the strong mandate from the President and our shared commitment to transparency and accountability, I am certain that the review will be exhaustive and uncompromising,” Pangandaman said.

Pangandaman’s statement came amid fears of a reenacted budget following the directive of President

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines is prioritizing the use of local natural gas over imports to bolster the country’s energy security and reduce its reliance on global supply chains. The Department of Energy (DOE) issued Circular 2025-09-0013, establishing a framework that gives preference to indigenous natural gas. According to the DOE, the circular aims to provide a “conducive industry environment for the exploration, development and utilization of indigenous natural gas” through competitive, market-driven pricing. It also seeks to attract investment in imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a viable business in the Philippines.

The move is expected to provide a more secure supply of energy for both power generation and non-power applications. The DOE said that using indigenous gas would minimize transportation and distribution costs, ultimately reducing prices for consumers. The circular is also designed to promote and accelerate the exploration and development of domestic gas resources. Under the new guidelines, the pricing of indigenous natural gas will be determined by an agreement between contracting parties, based on a formula that includes an

to international crude oil, LNG, or

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to scrutinize the proposed budget of the DPWH and the indication by Congress that the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) would be returned to the DBM. “Perhaps the important thing here is that the executive is very much willing to work with Congress to make sure that our budget is well-organized and that we have a budget. Again, if you don’t have a budget, you can’t provide anything to our countrymen. That’s even more painful,” she said.

Green energy auction secures over 9,400 MW

RENEWABLE energy developers and stakeholders in the Philippines welcomed the successful completion of the fourth Green Energy Auction (GEA-4), which secured commitments for 9,423.622 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity. The subscribed capacity represents an 88-percent subscription rate against a target of 10,653 MW.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the preliminary results demonstrated strong interest from developers for GEA-4, which included multiple RE technologies such as ground-mounted, roofmounted, and floating solar; onshore wind; and integrated solar with energy storage systems (IRESS).

A total of 111 bids were accepted, which the DOE said underscores the private sector’s robust response to the government’s call for clean energy investment.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin cited the auction’s importance to the Philippines’ energy transition.

“The results of GEA-4 affirm the strong partnership between government and the private sector in driving RE deployment,” Garin said.

“By securing over 9,000 MW of new clean energy commitments, and by offering unsubscribed installation targets to other eligible bidders, we are ensuring that our transition is ambitious, inclusive, and resilient,” she said. Alena Mae S. Flores

CLIMATE EXPERT.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. (right) welcomes Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate

SM Supermalls spending P9b on Megamall redevelopment

By Roderick T. dela Cruz

SM SUPERMALLS, one of the Philippines’ largest mall operators, is investing P9 billion to redevelop its flagship SM Megamall and add thousands of parking slots, its president said Thursday.

The project is part of a P150-billion capital expenditure plan for 16 major redevelopments and 12 new malls, said Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls. The company aims to transform its portfolio into “greener, smarter and more people-centered destinations” by

Metro Pacific unit names former PAL head as CEO

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A FORMER Philippine Airlines (PAL) executive has been named the new president and chief executive of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), effective Sept. 1, 2025.

Rogelio Santa Maria succeeds Jose Maria Lim, who served as interim president and will remain on the board as a director.

As president and chief executive, Santa Maria will be responsible for MPTC’s strategic growth and strengthening its customer-centric approach. He will also help optimize the company’s operations and steer the continued expansion of its toll road businesses in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Santa Maria brings more than three decades of leadership experience to the role, having previously served as president and chief operating officer of PAL, where he guided the flag carrier through a successful business pivot and Chapter 11 restructuring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MPTC also announced other key leadership changes.

Luis Reñon will assume the role of president and general manager of NLEX Corp., while Andrew Pangilinan of Metro Pacific Water will concurrently take on the role of president and general manager of MPT South, which manages the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX).

Marisa Conde, vice president for technical finance at MPIC, will join MPTC as officer-in-charge and interim chief finance officer.

MPTC, the Philippines’ largest toll road developer and operator, manages major expressways including the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), CAVITEX, CALAX, CebuCordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) and the NLEX Connector Road.

2030, he told reporters at a briefing.

Tan said SM Supermalls plans to deliver a new flagship mall annually from 2026 to 2030.

“We categorize a flagship mall not only because it is huge. It’s not just about the size. It’s about the com-

pleteness. Everything that you need and everything that you’re looking for is there,” he said.

The company, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, is opening a new mall in La Union in October 2025 and another in Zamboanga City in March 2026.

Planned projects include SM Sta. Rosa (Yulo) in Nuvali (2026), Harrison Plaza in Manila (2027), SM Malolos in Bulacan (2028), Cavite (2029) and Pasay (2030), he said.

SM will also invest about P9 billion to redevelop SM North EDSA in Quezon City, Tan said.

Tan said SM has also been modernizing its existing malls with open-air promenades, lifestyle zones and sustainable features.

Tan said the opening of SM North EDSA in 1985 changed how Filipinos shopped, dined and connected. From that single vision grew a nationwide network of 88 malls, welcoming millions of visitors weekly and housing thousands of local and global brands. SM is marking its 40th anniversary nationwide with over 4,000 exclusive partner-powered deals across all 88 malls, SM’s biggest shopping celebration yet.

PH businesses to turn net-zero pledges into measurable action

THE Philippines’ Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) will team up with the Southeast Asia Corporate Decarbonization Exchange (CDx) to host a national conference aimed at helping companies move from climate pledges to concrete, measurable strategies.

The Philippine Net Zero Conference 2025 will be held on Sept. 18 at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, bringing together business leaders, policymakers and sustainability experts.

While the Philippines has set ambitious goals—including a 75-percdent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and stricter global reporting standards—many companies lack the tools, technology and financing to meet these commitments.

“Whether they’re small and medium enterprises tracking emissions for the first time, or large corporations working to reduce supply chain emissions, the challenge is clear: ambition must translate into action,” said Allan Barcena, NZCA executive director.

Building on its 2024 debut, the 2025 conference will feature a solutions-focused agenda, with a deeper dive into sector-specific challenges, innovation pathways, and financing mechanisms. Highlights include keynotes from government and business leaders, plenary discussions, and breakout sessions addressing realworld decarbonization barriers.

Confirmed speakers include Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who will deliver the keynote address, and Jerome Cainglet, president and chief operating officer of First Gen-owned Energy Development Corp. (EDC), who will open the event.

N O T I C E

Notice is hereby given that CATHAY LAND INC. with office address at South Boulevard, South Forbes Golf City, Brgy. Inchican, Silang Cavite, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Developer of Low-cost Housing Project (FULLERTON SUITES TOWER 2), with a capacity of 208 residential units, under Tier 1 (Preferred ActivitiesMass Housing) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of RA No. 11534 (CREATE Act), as

PH stock market rebounds amid bargain-hunting; peso advances

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine stock market rebounded Thursday on bargain hunting, as most stocks have reached oversold levels after five consecutive days of decline.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index closed at 6,106.92, up 23.99 points, or 0.39 percent. The broader all shares index finished at 3,677.92, up 14.30 points, or 0.39 percent.

The peso also closed stronger at 56.98 to the U.S. dollar, from 57.3 on Wednesday.

“The local market saw a technical bounce this Thursday backed by bargain hunting after five straight days of decline,” said Japhet Tantiangco, research head for Philstocks Financial Inc. While the market bounced back Thursday, overall sentiment remains negative due to disappointing second-quarter financial results, risk-off sentiment, and a lack of catalysts. All sectors ended in positive territory, with mining and oil and property taking the lead, both up by 1.08 percent.

Tantiangco said trading remained lethargic, with value turnover reaching P4.74 billion.

“This reflects weak confidence toward the market amid lingering headwinds,” he said. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows at P237.92 million. ACEN Corp. was the day’s top gainer, advancing 4.59 percent to P2.28, while Universal Robina Corp. was at the bottom, declining 4.16 percent to to P77.10.

all the heirs being of legal age and fully capacitated to contract, said estate has been extrajudicially settled and adjudicated in equal shares among the following heirs: ZENAIDA DE LEON CORDERO, JOHN PAUL DE LEON CORDERO, JOANNE GRACE CORDERO-RETINO

in equal shares among the following heirs: ZENAIDA DE LEON CORDERO, JOHN PAUL DE LEON CORDERO, 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. 5/12, 2025)

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;

DOE to start accepting nuclear project applications by 2026

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said Thursday it plans to begin accepting applications for nuclear power projects by 2026, with the goal of adding 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power to its energy mix by 2032.

The target is part of the DOE’s Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), which aims to increase nuclear capacity to 2,400 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said meeting the nuclear target hinges on the availability of technology,

PSE, Bloomberg team up to boost investor awareness

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) and Bloomberg on Thursday launched a new partnership to increase global investor awareness of the country’s capital markets.

The collaboration will include a series of joint investor outreach activities in the Philippines and abroad. These will feature virtual roadshows, C-suite roundtables and events targeting international investors.

Bloomberg and the PSE also plan to explore enhanced training programs for investor relations professionals in the Philippines as part of efforts to strengthen market transparency and communication.

The campaign will also focus on educating investors and listed companies, in line with the PSE’s goal of increasing visibility of the local market and sparking discussion on potential innovations and development opportunities.

PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon said the initiative is a significant step in the ongoing development of the Philippine capital markets.

“Our capital markets are home to some of Asia’s most exciting companies,” Monzon said.

“We want to amplify their growth and expansion initiatives, and sustainability endeavors. We trust that upcoming discussions with market participants will spur more global interest in these listed firms and our markets,” he said.

particularly small modular reactors (SMRs), which could be constructed in about four years.

“When we drafted the PEP, it seemed like there was technology available. But as of today, there hasn’t been any commercial small and medium reactor. If that’s not available, it will take longer to construct,” Garin said on the sidelines of the Philippine Energy Transition Dialogue 2025.

“Although there is uncertainty, our target is for the Philippines to be ready to accept applications for nucle-

ar projects by 2026,” she said.

“It’s like that has been calculated: 2026, apply-process-and-construct, then it could be on time for 2032, subject to the availability of SMR technology,” said Garin. The DOE is in discussions with other government agencies to finalize the application process for nuclear projects.

“We want all the agencies to be ready for that,” Garin said, noting a growing interest from potential developers in both conventional nuclear power plants and SMRs.

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking congressional support for the proposed Farm-to-Market Roads Development and Equity Act to create a transparent, equitable and programmatic framework for FMR investments nationwide.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said FMRs are more than just infrastructure; but also serve as lifelines connecting farmers, fishers and livestock producers to markets and economic opportunities.

“Every kilometer of FMR we build is a pathway out of poverty for rural communities. But with a staggering

36,000-kilometer backlog, we need a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable approach. This bill delivers that,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under the measure, at least 30 percent of FMR funds will be allocated to rural areas with high poverty rates, while the remaining funds will support key regional growth corridors identified by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development and Regional Development Councils.

Priority areas also include major commodity production zones, fisheries development areas, livestock clusters and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs),

such as upland villages and island municipalities.

To address the 36,000-kilometer gap, the DA is proposing a farmto-market road master plan in six-year rolling implementation cycles. A national FMR dashboard will also be established to provide real-time monitoring and enhance transparency. Properly planned and implemented FMRs are expected to lower food prices, reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer and fisherfolk incomes and improve connectivity in remote areas. The roads could also help address peace and order concerns.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) said Thursday the implementation of a reserve market has drastically reduced red and yellow grid alerts, a sign of improved power supply stability.

PEMC, the governing body of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, said in a statement the reserve market’s success demonstrates its effectiveness as a key component of the country’s power system security.

PEMC said the reserve market, which started commercial operations on Aug. 5, 2025, has helped ensure nationwide reliability by procuring

ancillary services for the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao grids. It noted a 98.39-percent reduction in red and yellow alerts compared to the suspension period, when multiple alerts were declared.

From August 2024 to July 2025, a yellow alert was recorded across the entire grid system, which occurred in Luzon in March 2025. The reserve market’s commercial operations were briefly suspended on March 25, 2024, by the Energy Regulatory Commission due to high prices, before resuming on Aug. 5, 2025. Alena Mae S. Flores

IN BRIEF

OFXPERA LAUNCH. Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) becomes

PERA (OFxPERA) Pilot, joining the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), fellow PERA administrators and key financial services partners in celebrating the milestone. The initiative, led by the BSP, leverages the Open Finance

GOLF PROGRAM. Newly installed University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) president John Philip Yeung (second from left) signs a memorandum of understanding with Villaroman Golf Academy represented by its president, Carito Villaroman (second from right). With them are UA&P vice president

TRANSPORT

When Secretary Vince and I were in the rotation, we saw the hardships of commuters so we must prioritize their interests and welfare.

—Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez

ACTING Transportation

Secretary Giovanni Lopez vowed to continue the work of former Secretary Vince Dizon by prioritizing the welfare of Filipino commuters.

Lopez said that his focus will remain on addressing transportation issues and following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to create a commuter-centric transport system.

“When Sec. Vince and I were in the rotation, we saw the hardships of commuters so we must prioritize their interests and welfare,” Lopez said.

“If we really want to solve and address the problems of commuters, we have to go out because the work is on the road,” he added.

Lopez emphasized that it is also important to continue accountability on the road to ensure the safety of commuters, pedestrians, and motorists.

“We need to hold reckless motorists and drivers accountable on the road. We will not stop it,” said the new transport chief.

Lopez also thanked former Secretary Vince Dizon for pushing for a comprehensive overhaul of the transport system and the acceleration of major projects that will benefit commuters.

Dizon, on the other hand, is confident that Lopez will be able to take on the task of overhauling the country’s transport system.

Move As One Coalition welcomes new DPWH and DOTr Secretaries

THE Move As One Coalition, an advocacy group for sustainable transport, has expressed support for the appointments of Vince Dizon as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Giovanni Lopez as Acting Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The coalition sees these appointments as a historic opportunity to align the two agencies and create a shared vision for people-centered infrastructure.

For five years, the coalition has advocated for transport infrastructure that prioritizes commuters, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users. With Secretary Dizon’s appointment, they believe they finally have a partner at the DPWH who understands that infrastructure isn’t just about building roads for cars, but about enabling safe and accessible mobility for all Filipinos. The coalition looks forward to working with him to ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely on effective and inclusive projects. The coalition is also encouraged

AIRASIA Philippines is celebrating the start of the Christmas season with its popular P1SO Sale, just in time for the much-anticipated reopening of its Cebu hub. This move will significantly expand the airline’s domestic and international connections from the “Queen City of the South.”

From 3 to 14 September 2025, guests can book through MOVE app from as low as P1 one-way base fare exclusive of fees and surcharges for travels between 15 November 2025 and 28 March 2026, with over 27,000 seats available.

The P1SO Sale covers newly reopened routes from Cebu, including Davao, Caticlan, and Iloilo. Meanwhile, international connections to

by Acting Secretary Lopez’s appointment to the DOTr. They recognize the department’s recent progress in moving away from a carcentric approach by improving active transport facilities, enhancing bus and rail operations, and supporting public transport modernization.

The Move As One Coalition is committed to supporting Secretary Lopez as he continues these reforms and ensures the DOTr remains a responsive institution.

The coalition believes that stronger coordination between the DPWH

and from Kuala Lumpur and Macao via Cebu may be booked from as low as ₱888 one-way base fare.

“Christmas starts early in the Philippines, and Filipinos plan for this annual gathering among family, loved ones and friends. We are as excited as our friends in Cebu to offer valuedriven products and services, beginning with the P1SO sale that will allow them to create purposeful journeys without the need to break the bank,” Capt. Suresh Bangah, AirAsia Philippines president and chief executive said.

and DOTr can lead to transformative changes, shifting development away from car-centric models toward a people-first approach. This vision includes:

A new highway design manual that incorporates safety measures like road diets and traffic calming to reduce fatalities.

Inclusive sidewalks and at-grade crossings with tree-lined streets to ensure the safety of all, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children.

A network of protected and connected bike lanes that make

DOTr chief vows to prioritize commuters

“When the President asked me for a name, I only gave one: I only gave Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez,” Dizon said.

“The President trusts you. The cabinet trusts you. The DOTr trusts you and I’m sure the people will trust you,” he added.

Lopez took his oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, September 1, 2025.

A lawyer by profession and a certified public accountant, Lopez has been in the DOTr since 2017 and rose from the ranks as the agency’s Director for Legal Service.

He also held key positions including Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation, and eventually as Chief of Staff of former Transportation Secretary Art Tugade. In November 2022, Lopez was also named Executive Director of the Land Transportation Office.

Before he was appointed acting Secretary of the DOTr, Lopez served as Senior Undersecretary for former Transportation and now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, where he handled the agency’s administration, finance and procurement matters. A native of Cagayan, Secretary Lopez finished BS Accountancy as Cum Laude at St. Paul University in Tugegarao City and Bachelor of Laws at the San Beda University, Manila. Darwin G. Amojelar

cycling a safe and dignified mode of transport. Modern public transport terminals and stops that provide safe and comfortable spaces for commuters.

A shift in success metrics from carcentric measures to those focused on commuter service quality, road safety (zero deaths), and environmental benefits.

Transit-oriented development that integrates walking, cycling, and public transport into every infrastructure project

The Move As One Coalition said it s optimistic that Secretaries Dizon and Lopez will work together to create an infrastructure and transport system that serves the needs of the 94 percent of Filipinos who don’t own cars. This aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which states that “pedestrians and cyclists will be accorded highest priority in the hierarchy of road users.”

The coalition stands ready to work with the DPWH and DOTr to seize this rare opportunity to create a transport system that is safer, more humane, and more inclusive for everyone.

AirAsia Philippines celebrates Cebu hub reopening with P1SO Sale

Set to take off on 15 November 2025 officially, AirAsia Philippines will fly Cebu-Davao-Cebu (18x weekly), Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu (11x weekly), Cebu-Iloilo-Cebu (4x weekly), Cebu-Kuala Lumpur-Cebu (14x weekly) and Cebu-Macao-Cebu (3x weekly).

AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Woo said, “The reopening of Cebu hub signals AirAsia Group’s

strong commitment to the Philippines, exploring new gateways that will drive great economic opportunities. This shall allow travelers from the southern part of the country to directly access over 136 destinations across Asean, North Asia and Europe via our mega hub in Kuala Lumpur. We laud our partners from the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the Philippine Government and other stakeholders for ensuring the success of this comeback initiative.”

NLEX receives 5 recognitions at 21st Quill Awards

NLEX Corporation won five awards at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards for its exceptional work in stakeholder engagement and road safety. The Philippine Quill is the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication. Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Quill recognizes outstanding achievements in communication research, programs, skills, and creative projects—all aimed at advancing business goals while creating a positive impact on society. “These awards reaffirm our strong commitment to integrating road safety into our culture and actively engaging our stakeholders in meaningful ways that encourage responsible and safe travel for everyone,” said NLEX Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management, Donna FaylonaMarcelo.

NLEX received Excellence Awards for the following initiatives:

MPT South bags Quill Award for Cavite Tourism Passport

METRO Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), proudly received the Award of Merit at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards for its ‘Biyaheng South’ Cavite Tourism Passport. The Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, is regarded as one of the most prestigious award programs in the country for business communication. It honors outstanding programs, campaigns, and publications that showcase excellence in strategy,

creativity, and impact, while also contributing to the growth of both organizations and communities.

The ‘Biyaheng South’ Cavite Tourism Passport bagged the Award of Merit under the Communication Skills Division, Publications Category. This project stands out as a creative initiative that promotes Cavite’s diverse destinations, from unique local food spots to cultural landmarks.

An improved version of the passport was just recently relaunched on August 1, 2025, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Cavite, giving tourists and locals an engaging way to rediscover

Cavite’s heritage while boosting local businesses. The project serves as a unique tool to encourage travel to the South, aligning with MPT South’s advocacy of supporting regional growth and sustainable tourism.

“We are truly honored to receive this Award of Merit for our ‘Biyaheng South’ Cavite Tourism Passport. It inspires us to keep creating projects that celebrate local heritage, empower communities, and enrich the driving experience of every traveler using our expressway,” Arlette V. Capistrano, vice president of Communication and Stakeholder Management of MPT South, said.

• Ang Bida ng Kalsada: An engaging, child-friendly picture book that teaches children the basics of road discipline. (Category: Communication Skills - Publications) • Mission Road Safety: A comprehensive campaign promoting responsible road usage by emphasizing the shared responsibility of having safe drivers, safe vehicles, and safe roads. (Categories: Communication Management - Safety Communication & Community Relations) • MPTC TransportCon: A special event that brought together stakeholders and industry leaders to collaborate on road safety and develop innovative solutions for the country’s transportation system. (Category: Communication SkillsSpecial and Experiential Events) Additionally, NLEX earned a Merit Award for its feature video,

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5,

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Angelica Villanueva

THE members of P-pop powerhouse SB19 are returning to the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) stage as performers at the show’s 10th anniversary celebration in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, AAA announced on its Instagram page that the five-member group will take the stage on Dec. 7 at the Kaohsiung National Stadium as part of the lineup of performers for the awards night.

Consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, SB19 will make its second AAA appearance after its explosive opening performance at the 2023 edition at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

SB19 joins a roster of K-pop acts on the second day of ACON, the festival-style event that runs alongside the awards. The lineup includes Kiss of Life, AHOF, Cravity, KiiiKiii, and KickFlip

The first day of the event will feature top stars such as Stray Kids, IVE, RIIZE, Le Sserafim, MONSTA X, ATEEZ, and JJ Lin, along with actors Park Bo-gum, IU, Kim Yoo-jung, and Hyeri

The P-pop quintet previously won Best Artist Singer and Hot Trend awards at AAA 2023.

LOVE often arrives when least expected, sometimes even at the workplace. That theme drives Puregold Channel’s new vertical boys’ love (BL) series Got My Eyes on You , now streaming on TikTok.

Newcomer Esteban Mara portrays Shawn, who handles guest relations. With a polished style and calm presence, he is shy at first but caring to those close to him. Raised by affluent parents, Shawn values independence and prefers meaningful conversations to small talk. His confidence and sincerity make him both Drew’s strongest rival and potential partner.

streaming on TikTok. run play. F R O N T R O W

The series, which debuted Sept. 3, follows a workplace enemies-to-lovers storyline and asks: Would you risk a job promotion you worked hard for, just for love? It introduces viewers to a cast of characters balancing ambition, friendship, and romance inside a villa.

Mikoy Morales plays Drew, the operations manager who works long nights to ensure things run smoothly. Growing up in a simple family, Drew became competitive early and now eyes a promotion to general manager while dreaming of one day managing his own resort. His commitment to his career is tested as personal choices come into

Scorched Earth as an amusement park

‘Nobody 2’ shows action hero Bob Odenkirk caught between family trip and firefight

By Chong Ardivilla

THE boomer urge for making memories is what drives Bob Odenkirk’s character to take a break from his assassin duties and bring his family on vacation to a waterpark he visited in his youth. Nobody 2 (2025, directed by Timo Tjahjanto) follows the surprising hit Nobody (2021, directed by Ilya Naishuller), where Odenkirk’s character initially goes about his day as an ordinary employee who, surprisingly, has a violent history and an even more violent skill set to match.

This is no middle-aged panic, because a midlife crisis would entail chasing after a lost or sidelined dream. Nobody is simply a man who does not need to realize a lost dream but to be

who he is supposed to be.

Nobody 2 offers no surprises, only more violent and dramatic scenes of crunching bones. It is a typical film of a father who lives on summertime nostalgia, thinking that what he enjoyed will be the same when he brings his family.

The fairway is the cultural geography of mirth for towns, magnified in American exceptionalism with the notion of an amusement park. Americans have made amusement such a lucrative billiondollar business that it has become a perfect site for another American exceptional feat: the standoff.

Odenkirk, as usual, makes for a surprising action hero. He is craggy, with thinning hair, and has none of Keanu Reeves’ swagger, but this is a testament to Odenkirk’s acting prowess. He does

Hannah Lee appears as Moira, the villa’s outspoken accountant. She brings humor to the group and is known for her loyalty, often stepping in to support friends when life gets overwhelming.

Ady Cotoco plays Kirk Puyat, who comes from a wealthy family and is drawn to Wilfred. His charm and affectionate gestures often cross into love bombing, creating both amusing and complicated scenarios.

Darwin Yu is Wilfred, the villa’s events coordinator. Competent and dependable at work, he remains cautious in matters of the heart after a painful breakup. Victor Sy rounds out the cast as Trevor, the villa’s general manager. Seen as a father figure to the team, he is a fair and compassionate boss who started at the bottom himself. A family man, he dreams of retiring to the province with his wife.

Got My Eyes on You is Puregold Channel’s latest digital series. Episodes are available on TikTok at @puregoldph.

unfortunately, Sharon Stone. Her brand of unhinged sociopath in this film falls short of being menacing and turns pathetically caricaturish. There is so much to draw from a woman’s

cast of Puregold Channel’s ‘Got My Eyes on You’

Mikoy Morales plays Drew, the villa’s competitive operations

SHOWBIZ

Heaven Peralejo on taking chances and finding balance

By Angelica Villanueva

AT 24, actress Heaven Peralejo is finding balance in her personal and professional life while managing the opportunities and challenges of her career. At a recent press gathering, she said this principle guides her in both work and everyday life.

“It’s knowing when to play and when to pause. We have to find joy in small things. Fun doesn’t have to be reckless,” she said, noting that this mindset helps her keep a sense of grounding despite the pressures of show business.

Part of that philosophy, she explained, comes from her belief in moderation and knowing when to draw boundaries.

“It’s okay to enjoy, actually. But you need to know your limits and when to pause. Sometimes you also need space to disconnect and be present,” she added.

That message of responsibility connects to her latest endorsement, as the new ambassador of online casino app Playtime, which she described as more than an online hub for games.

“It champions entertainment at its core. I love that it encourages people to enjoy but at the same time with responsibility and heart. It’s a community where we can connect, collaborate, celebrate, and enjoy together,” explained Heaven.

Looking back, the actress said her career has unfolded through different stages, each with its own lessons.

“I’ve had so many chapters in my life, and this one is really special. I’m so honored to be part of this family. Together, let’s make every moment memorable,” she

PARAMOUNT, the Hollywood studio recently acquired by the software billionaire Ellison family, will make a movie based on the wildly popular Call of Duty video games, it announced Tuesday.

Scion David Ellison, son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, assumed control of Paramount last month and is overseeing a major effort to revitalize the storied but ailing studio behind Top Gun and The Godfather First-person-shooter series Call of Duty is one of the world’s best-selling games franchises, having sold 500 million copies. It is played monthly by more than 100 million people.

“As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty this is truly a dream come true,” said David Ellison, in a statement.

The Call of Duty games are made by Activision-Blizzard, which was itself purchased by Microsoft in 2023 for $69 billion, in the sector’s biggest takeover.

shared, adding that the risks she has taken have shaped her into the artist she is today.

“I don’t believe in regrets. Everything happens for a reason. Joining Viva and being part of Playtime—those are the best risks I’ve ever taken,” Heaven continued. She also opened up about her hopes for the future, including a dream project with her fellow Playtime ambassador and seasoned television host Vic Sotto.

“It’s a dream of mine to work with Bossing Vic Sotto. Hopefully someday we can do a film together,” she said. At the same time, she is preparing for the release of her upcoming film I Love You Since 1892, which will premiere on Sept. 6 on Viva One, expressing her excitement for people to finally watch it.

She also shared that she has learned to view her journey with a sense of gratitude, especially for the people who continue to support her.

“I want to thank my fans for being with me through everything. They inspire me to keep going and to do my best,” Heaven stated.

THE season of international male pageants begins as Mister Pilipinas Cosmopolitan 2025 Kenneth Marcelino, Mister Pilipinas International 2025 Kirk Bondad , and Mister Pilipinas Global 2025 Jether Palomo start their quest to bring honor to the country.

Taylor Swift a ‘maybe’ for Super Bowl halftime stage

“We would always love to have Taylor play,” Goodell said. “She is a special, special talent and obviously she would be welcome any time.”

Super Bowl halftime show lineup.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation company has produced the show in partnership with the NFL since 2019.

Kelce—whose romance has been a cultural crossover phenomenon thanks to the huge popularity of the NFL and Swift’s legion of fans.

Taylor Swift, recently engaged to Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, is a definite “maybe” to perform at the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner told NBC’s Today show on Wednesday.

Asked if that meant an appearance by Swift at the NFL’s championship showpiece was in the works, Goodell hedged.

“I can’t tell you anything about it,” he said. “It’s a maybe.”

Goodell said he was “waiting on my friend Jay-Z” for word on the

Goodell’s appearance on the Today show came on the eve of the NFL’s season opener between the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys.

The buildup to the season has been enlivened by the engagement announcement of Swift and

This season, the Chiefs will be vying for a return to the Super Bowl after the Eagles denied them a third straight crown in February. The Super Bowl will be held on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. AFP

Marcelino will first compete in the 3rd Mister Cosmopolitan 2025, with finals set for Sunday (Sept. 7), followed by Bondad at the 17th Mister International 2025 (Sept. 12 to 26), and then Palomo at the 11th Mister Global 2025 (Sept. 25 to Oct. 5). All three pageants will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. Marcelino, a 25-year-old 5-foot11 model from Cabuyao, Laguna, is a Tourism graduate and aspires to become a flight attendant someday. A proud member of the LGBT community, Marcelino works as a make-up artist. He collaborated with Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo as her make-up artist before she competed in Miss Universe 2024. Bondad, a 29-year-old 6-foot2 model and fitness expert, was born to a German father and an Igorot mother from Mountain Province. A graduate of Business Administration, he conducts oneon-one online coaching in fitness and wellness disciplines, including weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, dancing, yoga, and shadowboxing. Bondad first won the title of Century Tuna Superbods 2022, later winning Mister World Philippines 2024, and then competed at Mister World 2024 in Vietnam, finishing in the Top 20. Palomo, a 23-year-old 6-foot-3 FilipinoAmerican model and Marketing Management student at Treston International College, grew up in the United States but later moved to San Fernando, Pampanga. A fitness enthusiast, Palomo won Century Tuna Superbods World World

2024 after joining Mister Grand Philippines 2023, where he was named Mister Tourism World Philippines 2023. He then competed in Mister Tourism

World 2023 in Brazil and finished as first runner-up. * * * NOBLE Queen of the Universe 2019 Patricia Javier and other celebrities took the spotlight at the star-studded 5th ASEAN Excellence Achievers Awards 2025 ceremony, held at Okada Manila in Parañaque on Saturday night. Javier, an actor and TV host, was honored with the ASEAN Wonderlast Visual Voyager Award for her outstanding work as host of the Tele-Travel TV program Biyahera. Now on its seventh season, Biyahera is the longest-running travel show on the Pinoy Xtreme cable network, showcasing local tourist spots and

famous international landmarks. Javier was accompanied by Jeannie E. Villarico during the event. The 5th ASEAN Excellence Achievers Awards 2025, which honors personalities who are shaping the future of ASEAN through innovation, integrity, and impact, is presented by Aura Event Management, headed by CEO Bennilyn Amigo-Molina Among the celebrities honored were Regine Tolentino, ASEAN Woman of Excellence in Media, Arts and Fashion; Alden Richards, Most Loved Male TV and Movie Personality; Sanya Lopez, Outstanding Actress in a Television Series; Julie Ann San Jose, Most Versatile Actress of the Year; Snooky Serna, Acclaimed Movie and TV Actress of the Year; Gabby Concepcion and Edu Manzano Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in Philippine Movies and Television; and Jose Mari Chan, Lifetime Achievement Award in Music and Culture.

superstar

From left: Mister Pilipinas bets Jether Palomo, Kenneth Marcelino, and Kirk Bondad prepare to compete in international male pageants in Thailand

Actress Heaven Peralejo says finding joy in small things and knowing when to pause helps her stay grounded in showbiz

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5,

NICKIE

WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

N O W & N E X T

By Nickie Wang

THERE’S a new energy building in Manila’s fashion scene. This October, the country’s most anticipated style event returns with a bold new identity: Manila Fashion Week.

What began as BYS Fashion Week, a platform that shook up the local style landscape with daring shows and unexpected collaborations, has now transformed into Manila Fashion Week—a rebrand that carries bigger ambitions.

BYS Fashion Week became synonymous with presentations that pushed boundaries, drawing together designers, brands, and artists in a shared vision of modern Filipino style. Over time, it nurtured an ecosystem for both established names and emerging talents, eventually cementing itself as one of the cultural mainstays of the country.

Now, under its new name, Manila Fashion Week expands its reach and ambition. The rebrand signals a commitment to amplifying local voices while aligning the Philippines with the international fashion calendar.

The 2025 edition runs from Oct. 16 to 19 at SM Aura in Bonifacio Global City, with a line-up designed to showcase the diversity of Filipino fashion. Patton opens the week at the Tent on Oct. 16, followed by Andrea Tetangco at Samsung Hall.

Oxygen takes the stage on Oct. 17 at Samsung Hall, while Randolf presents at the Tent the same day. Íñigo is scheduled on Oct. 18 at the Tent, with streetwear label Don’t Blame the Kids taking over Samsung Hall later that evening. The finale on Oct. 19 will see Viktor at the Tent and Mark Bumgarner closing the week at Samsung Hall.

Like its predecessor, Manila Fashion Week is expected to draw the biggest names in media, film, and social media, alongside a growing roster of regional personalities. Over the years, BYS Fashion Week became one of the most well-attended cultural events in the Philippines. Organizers expect Manila Fashion Week to continue that momentum, with even more star power on the guest list.

At the helm of the transformation is John Lozano , founder of Manila Fashion Week, whose vision is to build a world-class platform that stays true to its Filipino roots while resonating with international standards.

“There’s just so much talent in the country but not a lot of avenues to showcase them properly,” Lozano says. “We hope that at least, for fashion, MNLFW can be a platform for Filipino designers and brands to show the

Manila Fashion Week ushers in a new era of Filipino style

WHILE I do not practice feng shui myself, I find it important to understand the beliefs that many Filipinos subscribe to—especially during significant cultural and spiritual observances like the “Ghost Month.”

Feng shui , which means “the way of wind and water” and is often associated with shaping the energy around us, is an ancient Chinese practice that involves arranging spaces and understanding the flow of energy to promote harmony, health, and prosperity. It is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, encompassing elements of Taoism, Buddhism, and traditional Chinese astrology.

Hanz Cua , more popularly known as Master Hanz through his TV and media exposure, is a feng shui expert and a proud Filipino-Chinese.

He shared, “I studied feng shui. I’m a pure-blooded Chinese. I can read, write, and speak fluently in Chinese. I’ve been in practice for over 20 years now—covering feng shui, Chinese astrology, palm reading, face reading, and lucky charms.” His journey into feng shui was driven by a sense of destiny. “What inspired me to become a

feng shui master is my destiny, my astrology—it’s part of my birth chart. It’s written there that my purpose in life is to become a feng shui master.” With more than two decades of experience, Master Hanz continues to share his knowledge and guidance. I sought his help to understand the concept of what many FilipinoChinese refer to as Ghost Month. For those unfamiliar, Ghost Month falls on the seventh lunar month of the Chinese calendar. This year, it is from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21.

Master Hanz explained, “Ghost Month is a belief, a tradition of the Chinese—and part of Buddhism and Taoism—where the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar is ‘opened’ so that the hungry ghosts can come out, seeking prayers and offerings.”

It is akin to All Souls’ Day or All Saints’ Day, a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Feng shui holds great significance in Chinese culture, especially during Ghost Month.

“It’s like our version of Halloween or the Filipino tradition of honoring our ancestors,” explained Master Hanz. “It reminds us to respect our passed loved ones and to be mindful of the energies around us.”

Filipino-Chinese communities, Taoists, and Buddhists observe specific practices during this period. “We offer food, prayers, incense, and paper money for our loved ones and hungry ghosts, to help them find happiness in the afterlife,” the feng shui

expert said. It is a time to show respect and compassion through offerings and prayers.

Certain actions are discouraged during Ghost Month to prevent misfortune. “It’s prohibited to start anything new—businesses, careers, or major projects—because it might lead to failure. Opening a new business or beginning a new job should wait until after Ghost Month, after September 21.”

Additionally, according to Master Hanz, wearing colors associated with yin energies, like black or white, is discouraged since ghosts might be attracted to these hues.

“If you must wear these colors, carry an amulet or keychain like a chungkwei for protection.” Master Hanz has a Lucky Charm Store in Mandaluyong where these are available. It is also advised to be cautious emotionally—avoid arguments or intense emotional outbursts—and to refrain from getting married, as negative spirits might influence relationships.

Simple precautions include exercising extra caution, avoiding aggressive behavior, and slowing down in daily life. “As the ber months approach, after Ghost Month, we can start to return to our normal routines with positive energy and renewed focus,” advised Master Hanz. This practice mainly relates to Chinese, Taoist, or Buddhist communities.

In a predominantly Catholic country, how does feng shui fit in? I asked. Master Hanz said that Filipino Catholics can also embrace

“I go to church and believe that religion is about helping others—sharing blessings, prayers, and doing good deeds,” said Master Hanz.

He emphasizes that these practices can coexist peacefully. “Connecting and balancing your Catholic faith with feng shui is about doing good, sharing blessings, and praying for loved ones—especially during Ghost Month, which is a reminder of the power of prayers.”

When it comes to skeptics or those who see feng shui as conflicting with their faith, Master Hanz offers a gentle reminder: “There’s no pressure. If you don’t believe in feng shui, that’s okay. If you believe in faith, prayers, and religion, that’s good too. We should all respect each other.”

He emphasizes that life’s true values lie in doing good, sharing blessings, and living with kindness. “Many successful countries and businessmen practice feng shui, but ultimately, it’s up to each individual to choose what to believe.”

Understanding the Ghost Month through the lens of feng shui reminds us of the importance of respect and tradition, regardless of our personal beliefs. Whether you observe these customs or simply appreciate the cultural richness, honoring others’ practices promotes understanding, appreciation, and peace.

For those interested in learning more from Master Hanz Cua, follow him on social media (Master Hanz Cua or @masterhanzcua) or contact him at +639228290382.

For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

feng shui.

Race car driver–turned–designer Mark Bumgarner closes Manila Fashion Week at Samsung Hall on Oct. 19

John Lozano, founder of Manila Fashion Week, leads the rebrand with a vision of building a world-class platform for Filipino designers

Viktor founder Ino Coluza is one of the designers who will wrap up Manila Fashion Week

Behind the glossy rebrand is a legacy. Manila Fashion Week is now positioned as the country’s premier fashion event, uniting designers, brands,

Filipina designer Andrea Tetangco will present her newest collection at Samsung Hall on Oct. 16