Comelec to issue show cause order vs. Chiz’s
By Vito Barcelo
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it will issue a show cause order against Centerways Construction President Lawrence Lubiano to explain why
Heading heading heading heading head Gov’t ‘very, very stable’ despite flood infra mess
By Ram Superable and Charles Dantes
THE government remains “very, very stable” despite reports of massive anomalies in government flood-control projects that prompted various militant and civil society groups to launch a Black Friday protest tomorrow, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.
“That (flood-control probe) is internal dynamics (of Congress), which is normal for us,” Bersamin said in an interview during the sidelines of a budget hearing in the Senate yesterday.
“There were eras or periods in our history that were more supposedly perceived to be destabilizing,” he added.
Gen-Z led protests over rampant corruption by the political elite have recently toppled the prime minister in Nepal while Indonesians took to the streets, brandishing brooms as a symbol of their calls to sweep away corruption and repressive security forces.
Dizon
DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has asked the Department of Jus tice (DOJ) to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against former Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Rene Maglanque, and officials of MBB Global Properties Corp. Dizon said
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government’s first pension increase under the Social Security System (SSS) Pension Reform Program underscores its commitment to provide dignity and financial relief to Filipino retirees.
By Ram Superable
SENATE President Vicente Sotto III yesterday directed the chamber’s sergeant-at-arms to transfer dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez to the Pasay City Jail. Sotto clarified however, that Hernandez will remain under the Senate’s custody, and instructed the sergeantat-arms to strictly regulate visits for the detainee.
The Senate President also ordered police Maj. Gen. Ma. O.R. Aplasca to keep a detailed log of all Hernandez’s visitors. Hernandez was detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Camp Crame, Quezon City after he implicated several lawmakers and DPWH officials in
By Charles Dantes
‘Discayas not qualified as state witness’
By Maricel Cruz
THE head of the House Infracom has asserted that controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discayas may not as state witnesses in subsequent prosecutions arising from the flood control irregularities.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Discayas should return the money allegedly obtained from anomalous flood control projects to be eligible as state witnesses.
“They are not qualified based on the ‘least guilty’ principle. For me, they are among the most guilty of corruption in flood control project,” Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said.
Gov’t...
From A1
Ahead of tomorrow’s Black Friday protests, Filipinos have taken to social media to shame so-called “nepo-babies” or children of contractors and lawmakers accused of colluding with contractors in pocketing funds intended for flood-control projects.
Multisectoral groups, including business chambers, religious groups, and even military and uniformed personnel organizations
Probe...
From A1
the invitation for them to join the independent commission.
But Magalong said in a news forum he has yet to receive an invitation, noting that President Marcos earlier said no politicians will be part of the commission.
“It so happens that I’m a politician, so it seems I’m no longer qualified…I would accept that,” Magalong said.
A well-placed Palace source added: “The President has not made any statement to the effect that he has changed his mind about not inviting politicians to be part of the commission.” Bersamin said the commission will
Comelec...
From A1
he should not face charges for donating P30 million to Senate President Francis ‘‘Chiz’’ Escudero’s 2022 campaign.
Comelec chair George Garcia said the donation by Lubiano, president of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., is prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code, which bars government contractors from making political contributions.
Lubiano confirmed he donated P30 million to Escudero’s campaign, claiming the money came from his personal funds.
Garcia said show cause orders will also be issued against 51 contractors who donated to political candidates in the 2022 elections.
These contractors will be required to explain why they should not face
Dizon...
From A1
Ridon said instead of accepting the Discaya couple to the government’s Witness Protection Program, the Department of Justice (DoJ) should look into the possibility of charging them with plunder or at least corruption of public officials.
“As one of our committee members mentioned, they can be charged with plunder and the evidence is their affidavit, where they admitted that they were involved in corruption,” he noted.
have called for accountability amid reports of substandard and even “ghost” projects.
“While we take note of the President admonishing the corrupt in government, we are concerned that the guilty among these officials will continue their merry way of robbing the people and filling their pockets,” the groups said.
“We have had enough. We need to escape this vicious cycle. We must reject the system of corruption that kills our fellow Filipinos and erodes our confidence in government.”
The National Capital Region Po-
likely have “a timeline, a sunset (provision).”
Mr. Marcos earlier said the independent commission will have subpoena powers to compel testimony and gather evidence, but stopped short of granting it contempt powers.
"We have made very sure that they are in fact independent, truly independent. So, there are no politicians there, just investigators, lawyers. It’s a technical exercise," he said. Its job, the President explained, is to establish facts and identify which projects were either non-existent or poorly built, and who benefited from the misuse of funds.
Findings will be forwarded to the Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman for possible prosecution, he said.
Public Works Secretary Vince
disciplinary action for violating election laws.
In a Viber message, Garcia said at least 43 contractors donated to seven candidates for national positions, including senators and legislative district congressmen, while 15 donations were made to political parties and party-list groups.
He added that nine contractors contributed to the campaigns of governors and vice governors.
The Comelec is now investigating the contractors’ involvement in the alleged illegal campaign donations.
The poll body said possible penalties include administrative fines, disqualification from government contracts, and imprisonment of one to six years, along with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Escudero acknowledged Lubiano as a campaign donor but denied any link to flood control projects in Sorsogon or elsewhere in the country.
Ridon shared the observation of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto that the Discayas wanted to be state witnesses against the public officials they claimed to have pocketed billions in kickbacks from flood control projects to protect themselves from possible prosecution.
Sotto defeated Sarah Discaya in the city mayoral race in last May’s elections.
Ridon warned that the Discdayas’ discredited affidavit during the House committee testimony should be sufficient basis for the government to reject any requests for protection as state witnesses.
Possible state protection for the controversial billionaire-couple was first raised during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on al-
lice Office said it will deploy some 2,550 cops to secure the planned Black Friday protests.
NCRPO public information office chief Maj. Hazel Asilo said 1,250 have already been deployed in the possible venues of the rallies, specifically along EDSA and in Manila.
Bersamin, however, said he does not see any threats against the government even as several lawmakers have been dragged into the floodcontrol projects mess.
"I don't see any threats... I don't see any obstacles yet, because these
Dizon earlier said he will dissolve the department’s internal probe into anomalous flood control projects to allow the independent commission being formed by the President to take the lead in the investigation.
“I will dissolve the DPWH internal investigation committee…I do not believe an agency can investigate its own. That cannot be,” Dizon said. He said whatever information culled by the DPWH committee will be turned over to the independent commission.
For her part, House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima led the filing of a measure seeking to create a separate independent commission to investigate the misuse of funds for flood control and other infrastructure projects.
PBBM... From A1
leged “ghost” flood control projects.
During Tuesday’s Infracom hearing, Ridon revealed that based on financial statements submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Discayas collected a total of P93.5 billion from government between 2014 and 2023 for various infrastructure projects, mostly on flood control.
“Based on your admission, you were making a net income of 10 percent to 15 percent. That means that you made P9.35 billion to P14 billion over the course of those years,” he told Curlee Discaya.
“It’s not that big, your honor,” Discaya argued.
However, Ridon reminded him that he and his wife Sarah had boasted in recent controversial lifestyle televi-
are still resource persons speaking. So, I will leave the dynamics to the two houses of Congress because that is outside of our purview,” he added.
Bersamin, however, admitted that is “concerned” about the revelations in the congressional inquiries.
“Like any other citizen, I am also concerned. I will just leave it first to the bodies that are doing the investigation,” he said.
Earlier, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said anomalous ghost flood control projects have cost the economy up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025.
“We believe that an Independent Commission established by law would have more teeth than just a panel to be created by the President. Through this independent and broad-based body with vast investigative and subpoena powers, we will ferret out the whole truth and exact full accountability that the Filipinos deserve,” De Lima said. The proposed body shall have jurisdiction to hear and investigate all allegations, complaints, and active cases of graft, corruption, malversation, and plunder in infrastructure projects.
If enacted, all complaints involving corruption in infrastructure projects filed with the regular investigation and prosecution agencies shall be referred to the Commission to avoid duplication of investigations, De Lima said.
their monthly benefits, while survivorship pensioners will get a 5% increase.
Pension for qualified dependents will also rise.
"This is our way of thanking our countrymen who have spent their lives serving and working for our nation," President Marcos said.
"Year after year, the pensions will continue to increase until 2027, without requiring any additional contributions from SSS members," he added.
The president said the reform will benefit more than 3.8 million pensioners nationwide. Over the next three years, he added, nearly P93 billion will be released to fund the program, helping retirees pay for food, medicine and family needs.
The president stressed that the pension increases will not only aid senior citizens but also boost domestic spending and stimulate the economy.
He urged the SSS and GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) to uphold the trust of members by modernizing systems, investing wisely, and expanding services to remote areas.
"Let us protect the lifetime of work that our pensioners have built for themselves and for our country," Mr. Marcos said, adding that social protection remains a core responsibility of the government.
The president also called on workers to continue paying their contributions on time, saying stronger social security systems depend on mutual trust between members and institutions.
sion interviews that they were worth “eleven digits.”
“That means it’s in the billions,” Ridon said.
“The first principle we will use here is, if they have money they should not have, they should return it to the republic. That is always our first condition. You do not walk off laughing at our system because you enriched yourself and got away with the crime,” he said in Filipino. He added that the National Bureau of Investigation will conduct forensic accounting.
The Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act provides that in case of legislative investigations in aid of legislation, a witness may be admitted into the program upon recommendation of the legislative committee.
DOJ issues subpoenas vs. Ang, 61 others
By Pot Chavez
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed yesterday the issuance of subpoenas against gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang, actress Gretchen Barreto, and 60 others in relation to the case of missing 'sabungeros'. In a press briefing, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano noted that subpoenas are expected to be received within the day.
"By today, we can confirm that everybody will get the subpoena. We have not yet received the return of our process server but we were given the assurance that yesterday and today, it will be delivered and served," he said.
Aside from Ang and Barreto, the DOJ is still verifying if e-sabong whistleblower Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, his brother Elakim is included in the list of individuals to be issued with subpoena. He underscored that before the Patidongan brothers were to be discharged as state witnesses, they must first be charged in the case.
Meanwhile, Clavano explained that if the respondents fail to file a counteraffidavit, they will be considered in default such that only the complaint filed by the relatives of missing 'sabungeros' will be considered in the preliminary investigation and in the resolution of the panel of prosecutors.
He clarified that at the evaluation stage, what is being checked is the completeness of documents and its sufficiency as to form and substance and not the analysis of the evidence.
Likewise, he underscored that the ongoing investigation of the case will be fair and evidence-based.
"Definitely you can expect an evidence-based investigation and an evidence-based decision from the panel of prosecutors. We have no bias in this, just the truth and justice. We just hope that they use this avenue and this channel for their own personal quest for the truth. We have nothing else to do but for the truth to come out,” he said. Meanwhile, Clavano shared that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recovered two new skulls as the search and retrieval operations continue in Taal Lake.
The request is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable those who may be involved, he added in a letter to the DOJ. Bonoan served as the 40th DPWH secretary from June 30, 2022, until Sept. 1, 2025, when he was replaced by Dizon.Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson earlier revealed that Bonoan’s daughter had links to MBB Global. In a privilege speech, he said his office’s research showed that MBB Global is owned by the Maglanque family of Candaba, Pampanga, the same family that owns Globalcrete Builders, which secured P2.195 billion worth of flood control projects in Bulacan from 2018 to 2024.
Marcos...
From A1
Speaking at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum in Pasay City, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines’ alliance with Washington "remains a beacon of stability" and will continue to progress as both nations face shared challenges.
"The place of the United States is here with us in the Indo-Pacific," President Marcos said.
"It will be crucial to the free and open nature of our region that your vigor, inventiveness, and resilience
Lacson also alleged that MBB Global lists Bonoan’s daughter as one of its owners. He further claimed that
continue to play a leading role in nurturing a strong and peaceful Indo-Pacific," he added.
The president outlined three key points in defining Manila’s relations with Washington, upholding the rule of law and security, pursuing joint economic security alongside mutual defense, and expanding trilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The president cited ongoing harassment of Philippine vessels and fisherfolk in the South China Sea as the "most significant threat" to peace in the region.
He thanked the US for supporting
‘‘MBB’’ stands for Maglanque, Bernardo, and Bonoan. Lacson has been pushing for greater transparency in the awarding of government infrastructure projects, repeatedly flagging possible conflicts of interest in flood control programs. He earlier warned that lump-sum allocations for such projects made them prone to corruption and manipulation. DPWH officials had been under close scrutiny after the Commission on Audit raised questions about the
the Philippines in maritime domain awareness and security, highlighting recent defense industrial cooperation and joint maritime exercises with allies such as Japan, Australia, and Canada. Economic resilience, President Marcos stressed, must complement defense ties.
He pointed to a U.S.-funded freight railway project linking Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas, and flagged opportunities for cooperation in semiconductors, critical minerals, and nuclear power.
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and
implementation of several flood mitigation projects nationwide.These included issues of overpricing, substandard work, and delays in completion despite billions in released funds.
In a recent statement, Dizon emphasized that the Marcos administration is determined to clean up DPWH operations and restore public trust. He said the lookout order is part of broader reforms to ensure accountability and to prevent government resources from being diverted to anomalous projects.
the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
"As Friends, Partners, and Allies, we work not only toward common goals as governments, but towards a brighter future for our peoples," he said.
President Marcos also looked ahead to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, vowing to showcase the bloc’s "significant achievements and potential" to the world, including US President Donald Trump, who began his second term earlier this year.
alleged anomalies involving the government’s flood-control projects. Senator Rodante Marcoleta who was unseated as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee had questioned Sotto’s decision during yesterday’s Senate plenary session. Sotto ordered the transfer of Hernandez to the PNP custody after the embattled engineer requested the House Tricomm committee not to return him to the Senate because of fears for his safety.
Hernandez was cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon on Monday after he repeatedly denied allegations about his visits to the casinos.
At the House of Representatives, Hernandez claimed that some senators, specifically Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, were involved in the flood control scandal.
Marcoleta insisted that the House leadership should have the say on where Hernandez should be detained. The Senate session was suspended for nearly an hour. Upon resumption, the motion to transfer Hernandez to the Pasay City Jail was made.
AGAINST CORRUPTION.
Officials, church leaders, and professionals form the Council of Concerned Citizens (CCC) to probe questionable DPWH projects in the city. Edwin G. Ombion
DOF says France, not South Korea, funding bridge
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Finance (DOF)
clarified that the P28 billion Rural Modular Bridge Project is being considered for funding by the French government, not South Korea.
The agency issued the statement after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said in a Facebook post that he ordered the suspension of a Philippine bridge project due to corruption. DOF explained that discussions with South Korea were halted last year.
According to the agency, the Department of Agrarian Reform decided to end talks with South Korea because the project’s scope and technical specifications did not match the proposed financing. “The government, as early as the last quarter of 2024, decided to look for other bilateral partners who can implement the full scope of the project,” DOF said. It added that no loan exists with South Korea. The DOF said the government is now in advanced negotiations with the French government to finalize the project’s technical and financial terms.
PBBM: Zero-balance is sustainable
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured the public that the government can sustain its Zero Balance Billing Program, which enables patients to access free services in government hospitals.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Marcos said the initiative is financially viable and will continue as long as
funds are properly allocated.
“Yes. I don’t do anything that I cannot sustain. You know, I have the mind of a
businessman. It has to be self-sustaining. Otherwise, it doesn’t work,” he said.
The president stressed that healthcare spending is among his top priorities, citing PhilHealth’s role in covering costly treatments such as dialysis.
“Healthcare is expensive. But what’s that money for? It’s not to be kept in the bank. It’s there to spend so that people can have healthcare for free or cheap,” he added.
Filipinos still skeptical toward China, says SWS poll
By Katrina Manubay
FILIPINOS’ trust rating for China has improved, rising from a “bad” -30 in April 2025 to a “poor” -20 in June 2025, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. This 10-point gain reflects 24 percent of respondents expressing much trust and 44 percent showing little trust in China.
The rating is the least negative net trust score for China since December 2020, when it reached a neutral -6. Despite the improvement, SWS noted that skepticism toward China remains significant.
Meanwhile, the United States remained the most trusted country, with a “very good” net trust rating of +63 in June 2025, up from +58 in April. The U.S. has consist-
Bacolod alliance seeks probe of flood projects
By Edwin G. Ombion
BACOLOD City — A newly formed anti-corruption alliance, the Council of Concerned Citizens (CCC), vowed on Wednesday to investigate questionable flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the city. The group is composed of church leaders, lawyers, engineers, scientists, and representatives of the activist group Bayan. Lawyer Cesar Beloria Jr., one of the lead convenors, said that of the 39 flood control projects implemented between 2022 and 2024 with a total cost of P969 million, at least six projects worth P247 million raised suspicions. CCC Secretary General Lawyer Renecito Novero noted that these projects had identical budgets of P96.5 million each, despite differing in location, purpose, scope, and specifications.
ently maintained positive ratings since SWS began surveys in 1994, ranging from +18 in 2005 to +82 in 2013. Taiwan also posted record-high trust ratings, climbing to +18 in June from +13 in April, surpassing its previous record of +16 in March 2024. The SWS survey, conducted from June 25 to 29, interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide, with a ±3 percent margin of error.
Mr. Marcos said ensuring resources go to essential programs such as healthcare and subsidies guarantees longterm viability.
In recent weeks, he has inspected hospitals to check on implementation, including visits to Bataan General Hospital and Eastern Visayas Medical Center, where he reviewed billing statements showing patients incurred no charges.
IN BRIEF
Justice Gomez-Estoesta is new court administrator
THE Supreme Court En Banc has appointed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta as the new Court Administrator, effective September 1, 2025. She succeeds former Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, who now sits as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Gomez-Estoesta has served the government for 34 years. She began her career at the Office of the Solicitor General in 1991 and later became Presiding Judge of Branch 6, Metropolitan Trial Court in Manila. In 2006, she was promoted to the Manila Regional Trial Court before joining the Sandiganbayan in 2014. At the anti-graft court, she chaired the Seventh Division. She was also recognized with multiple Judicial Excellence Awards, including the Most Outstanding Judge for First-Level Courts and the Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award for Most Outstanding Judge for Second-Level Courts.
‘BRAVE’ Project eyes youth in Ozamiz City
THE BRAVE Project (Building Resilient and Aware Voices for Empowerment) was launched Wednesday at Ozamiz City National High School.
The year-long initiative places young people at the center of resilience-building, climate adaptation, and sexual and reproductive health and rights education. Implemented by Jhpiego Philippines with support from Olivia Rodrigo’s Fund 4 Good, BRAVE provides youth with safe spaces, skills, and knowledge to lead and respond to climate and health challenges. The project will be carried out in partnership with DepEd, DOH, CPD, and the local government of Ozamiz City.
The initiative builds on Rodrigo’s 2024 visit to the Philippines, where she donated proceeds from her GUTS World Tour concert to Jhpiego. The project includes teen centers, counseling, resilience workshops, climate literacy campaigns, and peer-led activities across ten partner schools in Misamis Occidental.
Military kills NPA member, recovers rifle in Mindoro clash
GOVERNMENT troops killed a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) member and recovered a rifle following a firefight in Barangay San Vicente, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, the Philippine Army reported Wednesday. Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division launched security operations after residents reported armed men in the area.
A brief clash lasting 10 minutes left one insurgent dead. Recovered at the site were an M16 rifle, two magazines, and a medical kit. The Army reported no government casualties.
The 203rd Infantry Brigade said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle remaining NPA units in Mindoro. The military has heightened its security presence following reports of insurgent activities in local communities. Rex Espiritu
NEW ADMINISTRATOR. The Supreme Court appoints Sandiganbayan Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta as the new Court Administrator.
BRAVE PROJECT. Young supporters join the launch of the BRAVE Project at Ozamiz City National High School, promoting youth leadership in health and climate action.
Purchase of F-16 jets put on hold
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine government has put on hold its planned purchase of 20 F-16 fighter jets from the United States, citing budget limitations, Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed on Tuesday.
“The last I heard, it’s been on hold, mainly because of funding,” he said at the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum organized by the Center for Strategic & International Studies at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City.
“We’re still in discussion as far as that’s concerned, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to the money –the availability of the funds,” he added.
According to him, the Department of National Defense has made it clear that
MMDA creates new traffic team with body cams
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has formed a new team equipped with body cameras to address road obstructions, illegal parking, and other traffic violators in the metropolis.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes tapped the agency’s Traffic Education Division Chief, Edison Nebrija Jr., to lead the new team, called the Swift Traffic Action Group (STAG), which consists of 100 personnel
Artes said STAG was created to strengthen the implementation of the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), which was re-implemented after the Supreme Court lifted its temporary restraining order on the enforcement along major thoroughfares under the MMDA’s jurisdiction.
The NCAP is a policy that utilizes CCTV, digital cameras, and/or other technologies to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic rules and regulations.
Artes stated that the initiative was part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to adopt modern technologies that allow for the strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.
The scheme also aimed to minimize direct interaction and potential arguments between motorists and traffic enforcers during road clearing operations.
IN BRIEF
Stay out of harm’s way, OFWs in Qatar told
THE Philippine Embassy in Qatar has urged the Filipino community to remain vigilant and stay indoor following a recent Israeli airstrike that targeted Hamas leaders in Doha.
In an advisory, the embassy urged Filipino nationals to only monitor news from credible sources.
“The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar urges all Filipino nationals to remain calm, monitor news from credible sources, and heed the advice of local authorities,” the advisory stated.
“Stay indoors and avoid public spaces unless absolutely necessary,” it added. Katrina Manubay
PH delegation explores Japan export potentials
Manila would focus on “other priorities at this point in time rather than the purchase of such big-ticket items.”
The Philippine government earlier submitted a letter of intent to acquire 16 F-16C Block 70/72 and four F-16D Block 70/72 fighter jets from the US.
I n April, the U.S. State department approved a possible foreign military sale valued at approximately USD 5.58 billion.
Romualdez also said the Philippines remains committed to strengthening its land-based defense systems through ongoing cooperation with the US.
“So, we will continue to pursue that. We’re just waiting in Washington, D.C., what are the next steps that we’ll be taking as far as that is concerned,” he said.
Romualdez said there was a “good indication” that Manila will continue to get the funding allotted by the US Congress to pursue the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capacity building.
“President Marcos is expected to meet with Senator (Bill) Hagerty of Tennessee in New York. This is the forefront… this is the forefront of the modernization of the Armed Forces,” the envoy said.
CAVITE CITY IS 454 YEARS OLD.
In celebration of Cavite City’s 454th year, Catholic devotees paraded for the Caracol fiesta their patron saint, Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga. Dennis Abrina
A GOVERNMENT delegation headed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has explored new export opportunities in Japan notably in the area of agriculture.
The team that visited Tokyo, Japan also consisted of representatives from the Isabela provincial government the Department of Agriculture.
The group toured a dairy farm, a milk factory, and farmers’ market in Minamimaki-mura, Nagano Prefecture, as well as a leading meat market in Tokyo.
The Philippine embassy’s economic team provided the delegation with a market briefing on export opportunities, including tips on meeting Japan’s food safety requirements and strategies to attract Japanese consumers.
Katrina Manubay
Balanga schools get 4k brand new chairs
BALANGA City Mayor Raquel and Vice Mayor Francis spearheaded the distribution of 4,000 armchairs to 17 public schools, providing thousands of students a more comfortable and conducive learning environment.
The initiative was funded through the Special Education Fund (SEF).
Garcia said with the new armchairs, thousands of Balanga students are expected to enjoy a more convenient and conducive learning environment.
She said the project showed the strong commitment of the city government to enhance the education sector. Butch Gunio
CHR expresses serious concerns over high incidence of suicides
By Rio N. Araja
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday raised serious concern over the report of the Philippine National Police that there have been 2,000 deaths by suicide from January to June this year
“Behind these numbers are lives lost and families left grieving. This alarming reality underscores the urgent need to strengthen mental health services in the country, ex-
pand awareness programs, and dismantle the stigma that too often prevents people from seeking help,” the CHR said in a statement.
The Commission on Wednesday joined the global community in the observance of the 2025 World Suicide Prevention Day.
“With this year’s theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, we are called to dispel myths, break stigma, and nurture conversations rooted in openness, empathy and support,” it said.
Kanlaon Volcano acts up anew—Phivolcs
THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) is keeping a close watch on Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island which has shown signs of restiveness including ash emissions.
The Phivolcs said it logged an ash emission event at 5:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept.10, generating a 600-meter grayish plume above the crater.
In a time-lapse footage released by the agency, smoke was visible over Kanlaon, which remains under Alert Level 2 indicating
increased activity.
Phivolcs director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said they are closely monitoring Kanlaon amid its ‘degassing’ period or the process of releasing gas and pressure inside the volcano.
Based on latest Phivolcs bulletin, Kanlaon emitted 1,248 tons per day of sulfur dioxide over the past 24 hours and had seven volcanic earthquakes. Its last eruption was only last May 13.
Phivolcs advised the public and pilots to stay away from the volcano’s four-kilometer permanent danger zone.
The World Suicide Prevention Day must be a reminder that everyone carries their own struggles, often unseen by others, the Commission added.
“It calls for greater compassion and understanding as we affirm that mental health is not a privilege but a basic human right,” it noted.
The CHR maintained its strong support for the approval of legislative bills on mental health.
The proposed laws included House Bill No. 726 and HB No. 1361, Sen -
ate Bill No. 2598, or the State Universities and Colleges Mental Health Services Act, as well HB No. 163 or the Mental Health and Digital WellBeing for Youth Act of 2025, HB No. 890 or the Creation of Mental Health Centers in Every Region, HB No. 1888 or the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response Program, and HB 1891 or the Accessible and Age-Appropriate Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents Act.
VOLCANIC SMOKE SIGNAL. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology is on volcanic watch as Mt. Kanlaon on Negros Island showed signs of restiveness, specifically ash emissions. DOST-PHIVOLCS
JAPAN VISIT. A Philippine government delegation receives a warm welcome in Japan’s Minamimaki-mura, Nagano prefecture where they toured a prominent meat market, a dairy farm, and a milk factory with a view on exploring export potentials for Philippine agricultural products. Katrina Manubay
OPINION
When the ghosts go marchin’ in
WHEN we wrote about the “flavors of the month,” we were thinking of Sept. 23 as this month’s flavor as the ICC had scheduled the confirmation hearing on former president Duterte’s case. We were wrong. Not only has that hearing been postponed, many ghosts in this ghost month came marching into town. So many “flavors” are vying against each other.
On the peak of the ghost month, Sept. 6, the die was cast on the beheading of Chiz Escudero as Senate President. A very powerful personality talked to two senators to come up with more than the “13” lucky number. And when 14 were clinched, the 15th signed up as well.
Escudero didn’t have an inkling of what hit him, for while a few senators and the public were glued to the ghastly confessions of the Discaya couple, naming several congressmen as the purveyors of flood control corruption in cahoots with DPWH officials, stealthily, the resolution declaring him replaced by his “republics” was being signed. Deliberately excluded from the wooing process that precedes such a major political shift were the Duterte loyalists: Bong Go and Bato, Marcoleta and Imee and, of course, Robinhood. The three others were parts of the Chiz tag team: Alan, Joel and Jinggoy.
Two days after the ghost month peaked, the die was cast, ironically on the feast day of the Virgin Mary.
The Discayas ghastly confessions were eclipsed by the ghostly manner which replaced the nimble Chiz.
And since there is now a new majority in the Senate, speculation on who would replace Marcoleta in the Blue Ribbon Committee was rife Monday evening. But the new SP cut short the rumor mill by declaring that it would be Ping Lacson.
Expect Ping Lacson to dig deeply and thoroughly in uncovering the mess behind “Philippines under water.”
As in, “walang sasantuhin,” whether new or old ghosts.
But last Tuesday in the HoR, the InfraCom chaired by a former urban poor commissioner and Kabataan party list congressman turned instant Bicolano through LRay Villafuerte’s in-house party list, opened the door for a new set of ghosts.
Their “star” witness, Bulacan’s assistant district engineer earlier held for contempt by the Senate, turned the tables on the Discaya’s list of HoR members by naming two senators of the realm, now both in the Senate minority.
His revelation hit the day’s charts, complete with photos of thousand-peso bills stacked up by the hundreds of millions inside the first district office of Bulacan, mismo! Nothing could be more shocking. Nothing could be more brazen. Walang tinatago. Walang kahihiyan. Lantaran na, as in a full monty of their
deeds. And the line of questioning by the honorables of the HoR showed a clear tit for tat against the other chamber that fancied itself as “august.”
Sunugan na ng bahay!
The two senators were vociferous in their protestations of innocence, charging a demolition job to sully their reputations.
Their protestations preceded the bombshell that Ping Lacson was to deliver — his promised Part Two privilege speech, this time showing the unconscionable manner by which the Bulacan Group of Contracting Criminals (BGC Boys) milked us taxpayers dry to finance a lifestyle that would make even the old rich drool.
What happens when the ghost of them all marches in from wherever in the universe he now hides?
Ghost projects were awarded, completed and paid in impossibly quick construction timelines, clearly a case of fraudulent monetization of budgetary insertions, and with several casinos used as laundromats.
Then again, a DPWH undersecretary for planning had the effrontery to offer P500 million worth of inclusions in the president’s yet to be submitted budget, the 2026 NEP, “for now” to a newly proclaimed senator who she probably thought would be SP by the time SONA was delivered. Together with that voluntary “sip-sip,” she would take care of everything, from road right of way to all the processes to ensure satisfactory compliance.
“Sinindikato ang gobyerno,” Toby Tiangco of below sea level Navotas decried.
The ghosts of corruption most foul are now marching in droves, while the houses of Congress are in mutual destruction mode to save their own skins, and even protect the system that they have milked through the years for personal benefit.
But in this ghost month of the year 2025, a multitude of ghosts have swarmed into the national consciousness, kindling an outrage short of how Indonesians are expressing pent-up resentments against their government.
What lies ahead?
And by the way, where has the biggest ghost of them all, Ako Bicol’s Zaldy Co gone?
What happens when he marches in from wherever in the universe he now hides?
The Discaya and Hernandez revelations
IN LAST Monday’s Senate hearing, two of the principal protagonists, namely Curlee Discaya and DPWH Engineer Brice Hernandez, revealed part of the modus operandi of how money changed hands between contractors and corrupt government officials.
More importantly, the Discaya couple submitted a sworn affidavit naming several lawmakers who allegedly demanded and received kickbacks from their company. Remember that in the PDAF hearings involving Janet Napoles, she did not name names thinking perhaps that she would receive protection from government officials who benefited from the crime committed.
But in the end Napoles was left holding the bag and is now still languishing in jail. Now that the code of silence has been broken, one would think that the House committee investigating the issue would have taken advantage of the revelations to learn more and better comprehend the dynamics of how government funds in the billions are being stolen. Instead, many of the questions being ask were more concentrated on warning Discaya and basically threatening him of perjury. They also punched on the money he made over the years and instead of asking
him probing questions so he could reveal more.
One of the lawmakers named was even allowed to question and confront Discaya without being made to take an oath.
The revelations together with the privilege speech of Senator Ping Lacson last Tuesday is quite frankly very depressing to say the least.
In the end, a nation that cannot be truthful, decent, and fair is a nation that will not endure — so let’s choose to be better, starting now
It is what we Filipinos would term as garapalan na talaga.
The kind of money that is being mentioned is so staggering that we the public can only shake our heads in disbelief.
Judging from the trend of the House committee questioning, it would seem they already have their culprit. But because some members of Con-
Independent probe of flood control mess
PRESIDENT Marcos Jr.’s plan to organize an independent commission to investigate flood control anomalies is a timely and bold move aimed at rooting out corruption and inefficiency in infrastructure spending.
To make this commission truly effective, its composition and priorities must reflect both technical rigor and public accountability.
The President has emphasized a diverse and expert-driven team.
The ideal members of this commission should include forensic investigators to trace financial irregularities and uncover ghost or substandard projects; legal experts, including prosecutors, justices, and anti-corruption lawyers to assess liability and recommend legal action; as well as civil engineers and urban planners to evaluate the technical soundness of flood control projects.
It should also tap auditors from the Commission on Audit, to cross-reference findings; civil society representatives to ensure transparency and public trust; and ethics and governance specialists to propose structural reforms and safeguards.
President Marcos Jr. has said he
gress have now been implicated, propriety dictates that both congressional hearings should now stop.
This is to allow the Office of the President to fast-track the formation of the socalled independent commission so that an investigation totally devoid of any political overtones can be conducted.
With what is being revealed, it would appear that there is a conspiracy among all the participants right from the start of a project to the end. It is also worth reminding everyone that the contractors even if some or all of them are complicit in the crime did not make the rules.
They are simply taking advantage of many loopholes in the rules because of corrupt public officials.
If only our public officials are doing their jobs they should, there would be no flood control corruption mess that needs to be investigated.
would give the commission subpoena powers to compel testimony and access documents, which would be essential for a thorough probe.
The Sumbong sa Pangulo platform recently put in place by Malacañang to gather citizen reports and feedback is a step in the right direction
The priorities of the independent commission should be to investigate and document anomalies; identify ghost projects, budget insertions, and substandard construction; and trace accountability across all levels of
Unfortunately, this culture of corruption has affected the efficiency of the entire government bureaucracy and this is proven by the country’s poor ratings in many international surveys in education, talent ranking and peace and order.
Our low foreign tourist arrivals no matter how the government tries to deodorize the problem can be traced to our country’s poor international reputation.
Ordinary citizens doing business with government agencies takes forever if one does not have any contacts or money to grease the hands of corrupt officials.
It is also taking its toll on our overall economic performance.
Foreign direct investments coming into the country compared to our neighbors is always low due to the difficulty of doing business here and exorbitant power rates.
Our world corruption index for instance is 115 among about 160 countries
the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The commission should also recommend legal action and submit cases to the Office of the Ombudsman or Department of Justice for prosecution.
The commission should audit budget allocations. It should also scrutinize past and upcoming budgets, including the 2026 budget, for suspicious entries.
The commission needs to propose systemic reforms to include legislative or administrative changes to prevent future abuses; introduce transparency mechanisms like public dashboards or whistleblower protection.
The Sumbong sa Pangulo platform recently put in place by Malacañang to gather citizen reports and feedback is a step in the right direction.
Other reforms that can be proposed by the commission must include open contracting and competitive bidding online, with independent observers allowed in all procurement processes.
If the Marcos Jr. administration wants lasting impact, the reforms proposed by the independent commission could turn flood control from a vehicle for widespread corruption into a showcase of good governance and its twin goals of transparency and accountability.
which is not something to brag about. We have to do a lot better if we want to attract more investments and tourists. Corruption exists in all countries but what seems to make us different as the current investigations are showing is how corruption has metamorphosed over the years. It used to be that corrupt officials did steal a little but generally left the bulk of the money so that a government project for instance can be properly completed. That’s not the case anymore. There is no more honor among thieves as the saying goes because the crooks no longer leave anything for the government to properly complete a project.
The current investigations is another chance to undertake a meaningful systemic reform not to eradicate corruption completely because that cannot be done but at least lessen it for the country to regain its pride as a nation.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Israel defends strikes vs. Hamas J
Cubans fear US privileges to end under Trump
MIAMI – Vizcaino rarely leaves his house and avoids crowded places when he does, fearing a sudden detention by immigration police.
The 54-year-old artist arrived in the United States from Cuba three years ago, in pursuit of freedom and hoping to use a special legal pathway for Cubans. But like many other Cubans living in the United States, he is finding that the door may already be shut.
“I live in panic,” said Vizcaino, who requested the use of a pseudonym for fear of detention.
Cuba’s longstanding economic crises have led to shortages of food and medicine, daily blackouts and waves of emigration to the United States, especially to southern Florida.
Under a 1966 law, called the Cuban Adjustment Act, citizens from the Communist-led island can obtain permanent legal residency in the United States after one year and one day in the country.
But that privilege is changing.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, which came to power on the promise of mass deportations, hundreds of Cubans have been expelled.
“I think about arrests all the time,” said Vizcaino. AFP
IN BRIEF
Deadly floods inundate Indonesia’s Bali, Flores
JAKARTA – Flash floods swept two Indonesian islands, including tourist hotspot Bali, killing at least six people, with four others missing, the country’s disaster agency said Wednesday. Torrential rain since late Tuesday triggered flooding across four districts of Bali, forcing the evacuation of 85 people, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement.
Flash flooding also struck East Nusa Tenggara Province’s Flores island on Monday, cutting road access and phone services in 18 villages, Abdul said in a separate statement. Both floods were fatal, according to agency chief Suharyanto.
“In Bali, namely in Jembrana district... two people died. And in East Nusa Tenggara, in the Nagekeo district, four people died and four are still missing,” said Suharyanto, who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name. AFP
Seoul sending plane to repatriate workers
SEOUL – A chartered plane will depart Seoul for the United States on Wednesday to repatriate hundreds of South Korean workers detained in a sweeping immigration raid, flagcarrier Korean Air told AFP. US immigration officials detained 475 people, including hundreds of South Korean workers, during a raid on Thursday at a Hyundai-LG battery plant being built in the southern state of Georgia. Officials in the United States called it the largest such raid on a single site carried out so far under President Donald Trump’s nationwide anti-immigration crackdown.
A Korean Air Boeing 747-8I, which seats over 350 passengers, is scheduled to take off from Seoul at 11:00 am (0200 GMT) Wednesday, a company representative told AFP.
“A timeline for the return flight has not been finalized,” she added. The Yonhap news agency reported that the plane would leave the United States with the workers at 3:30 am Thursday (1830 GMT Wednesday), citing diplomatic sources. AFP
Macron
names ally
Lecornu new PM
PARIS – French President Emmanuel
Macron has named his defense minister and close ally Sebastien Lecornu as the new prime minister to resolve a deepening political crisis as protests loom in the coming days.
In choosing Lecornu, 39, to replace Francois Bayrou as the seventh premier of his mandate, Macron has plumped for one of his closest allies rather than seeking to broaden the appeal of the government across the political spectrum.
Macron has told Lecornu “to consult the political forces represented in parliament with a view to adopting a budget for the nation and making the agreements essential for the decisions of the coming months”, the president’s office announced.
In response, Lecornu thanked Macron for his trust, and hailed Bayrou “for the courage he showed in defending his convictions to the very end.” AFP
Army bids to restore order after protests oust PM
quit in the worst violence to hit the Himalayan nation in two decades.
Soldiers issued orders via loudspeakers enforcing a curfew during the political vacuum, as armored personnel carriers rumbled past the carcasses of burnt vehicles and buildings on the largely quiet streets.
Nepali Army chief, General Ashok Raj Sigdel, has appealed for all protesters to “call it off and engage in dialogue.”
ERUSALEM –Israel’s UN envoy defended targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar as the “right” decision on Wednesday, after the strikes on the US ally’s soil drew a rare rebuke from President Donald Trump.
The White House said Trump did not agree with Israel’s decision to take military action on Tuesday and had warned Qatar in advance of the incoming strikes. But Qatar, which hosts a large US military base and has spearheaded repeated rounds of Gaza truce efforts, said it had not received the warning from Washington until the deadly attack was already under way.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday justified the decision, telling an Israeli radio station: “We don’t always act in the interests of the United States.”
“We are coordinated, they give us incredible support, we appreciate that, but sometimes we make decisions and inform the United States,” Danny Danon said.
“It was not an attack on Qatar; it was an attack on Hamas. We are not against Qatar, nor against any Arab country, we are currently against a terrorist organization,” he told 103FM.
In a post on social media, the US president insisted that “this was a decision made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, it was not a decision made by me.”
“I view Qatar as a strong Ally and friend of the U.S., and feel very badly about the location of the attack,” he said -- although adding that eliminating Hamas was still a “worthy goal.”
But they escalated into an outpouring of rage nationwide with government buildings set on fire after at least 19 people were killed in a deadly crackdown.
The rapid descent into chaos shocked many, and Nepal’s military warned against “activities that could lead the country into unrest and instability.”
The army warned Wednesday that “vandalism, looting, arson, or attacks on individuals and property in the name of protest will be treated as punishable crimes.”
Demonstrations began Monday in the capital against the government’s ban on social media and over corruption, driven by angry young protesters who dubbed themselves the “Gen Z” movement.
Kathmandu’s airport is expected to resume operations later on Wednesday. Smouldering plumes of smoke rose from the government buildings, residences of politicians, supermarkets and other buildings targeted by protesters, an AFP reporter said Wednesday. On the fire-blackened wall of Nepal’s parliament building, protesters had daubed an obscene farewell message to the toppled government telling them they had picked “the wrong fight” -- and signed it “Gen Z.”
Gangs on Tuesday had attacked and set fire to the house of KP Sharma Oli, the 73-year-old, four-time prime minister and leader of the Communist Party. AFP
Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the nearly two-year war in Gaza and resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,605 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable.
Along with the United States and Egypt, Qatar has led multiple attempts to end the Israel-Hamas war and secure the release of the remaining hostages. Palestinian militant group Hamas said six people were killed in the strikes, including a son of its top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, but that its senior leaders had
first time, UN warns
Obese surpass undernourished youths for
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Obes-
ity has skyrocketed among children and adolescents bombarded by “unethical” marketing of junk food, outpacing undernourishment to become the leading form of malnutrition worldwide for the first time among those age five to 19, UNICEF warned Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time).
In a dire report, the United Nations children’s agency projected that nearly one in 10 individuals within that age group will be living with the chronic disease in 2025, fueled by easy availability of ultra-processed foods “even in countries still grappling with child undernutrition.”
Today “when we talk about malnutrition, we are no longer just talking about underweight children,” UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said in a statement on the report’s release.
“Ultra-processed food is increasingly replacing fruits, vegetables and protein at a time when nutrition plays a critical role in children’s growth, cognitive develop-
ment and mental health.”
The fight to reduce world hunger is bearing fruit in some areas, with prevalence of underweight youths on a downward trend, falling from 13 percent to 10 percent between 2000 and 2022 among 5-19 year olds, according to data collected in 190 countries.
But over the same period, overweight numbers in the age range have soared, doubling between 2000 and 2022 from 194 to 391 million.
The spike is even more pronounced for obesity, a more serious form of overweight associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, certain cancers, anxiety and depression.
In 2022, eight percent of those 5-19 worldwide, or 163 million, were obese, compared to three percent in 2000.
Given the distinct trends, UNICEF believes “a historic turning point” was reached this year, with the global prevalence of obesity at 9.4 percent of the age group surpassing that of underweight, at 9.2 percent. AFP
Alas PH young guns provide energy to FIVB worlds stint
ALAS Pilipinas is in potentially strong hands with the young guns providing energy and determination to step up for a once-ina-lifetime opportunity of playing in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship that starts Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni put his trust in younger players from the UAAP—Michaelo “Buds” Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Louie Ramirez, and Eco
Baricuatro loses close bout as PH ends world meet empty-handed
By Randy M. Caluag
JAY Bryan Baricuatro bowed out via split decision, sealing the Philippines’ winless campaign in the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England, on Wednesday.
Baricuatro, the last Filipino standing, dropped a narrow 3-2 verdict against Spain’s Martin Molina in their Round-of-16 clash in the men’s 50-kilogram division.
The gritty Pinoy pug pushed Molina to the limit and showed flashes of brilliance, but three of the five judges ultimately sided with the European medalist.
With Baricuatro’s exit, the Philippines concluded its campaign without a medal in the global meet, which drew 540 boxers—men and women— from 66 national federations across 10 weight divisions.\Earlier, veteran Riza Pasuit also saw her run cut short after a 5-0 loss to Brazil’s Rebeca Santos in the women’s 60kg category. The 32-year-old had earlier scored an impressive second-round stoppage victory over Saudi Arabia’s Pagad Alnaimi in the Round of 32. Ronald Chavez Jr. likewise reached the Last 16 after edging Ireland’s Matthew McCole, 3-2, but later faltered against French Euro Games bronze medalist Makan Traore.
Adajar Buddin DisquitadoRamirez
Adajar—as well as Josh Ybañez, Leo Ordiales and Peng Taguibolos, and Louie Ramirez, representing the NCAA as a two-time MVP out of the University of Perpetual Help, to prove that the future is
bright for Philippine volleyball.
For the 25-year-old Ramirez, who has shown versatility at Alas as an outside or opposite hitter, he is also carrying the pride of the NCAA if he
makes it to the final roster and debuts on opening day against Tunisia at 7 p.m. after an electrifying kickoff ceremony featuring K-Pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana singer-songwriter Karencitta.
“I’m proud that wherever I go, I still carry the NCAA with me. It means a lot to come from there,” said Ramirez, who is now playing for Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf. “This will definitely be one of the best moments of my volleyball career. It’s the world championship.”
Buddin, who was once a kid from Palawan dreaming of playing in Manila, believes that making it to the historic Alas Pilipinas batch would mean the world to him after being a late callup last year, stepping up in the Philippines’ back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V.League 2024, where he also won a pair of Best Outside Hitters.
Pinoy fighter vies in BRAVE CF 98 in China
By Nissi Icasiano
AS BRAVE Combat Federation returns to China for the third time on September 19, a young Filipino mixed martial artist will step onto the international stage for the most important assignment of his career to date. Daraga, Albay native Ian Paul Lora is slated to make his promotional debut on the undercard of BRAVE CF 98, where he will square off against India’s Owais Yaqoob in a threeround lightweight clash at Henan TV Studio 8 in Zhengzhou. Just 20 years old, Lora carries an unblemished 3-0 record, with one victory coming by knockout and another via submission. His most notable triumph to date was a blistering nine-second knockout of Lolo Cruz in the Universal Reality Combat Championship last May, courtesy of a thunderous left hook that instantly put him on the radar of local fight fans. Representing Lion’s Den MMA Academy, Lora now looks to replicate that same explosiveness on a grander platform. Across the cage, Yaqoob presents a tough challenge. Also making his maiden BRAVE CF appearance, the Indian standout brings a 3-1 slate, having pieced together three straight wins on the regional scene.
In his most recent outing this past April, Yaqoob stopped compatriot Shetty Pratik Sadashiv with a second-round TKO, showing he has momentum on his side heading into Zhengzhou.
But against a proven power puncher like Lora, Yaqoob will be tested. A statement win for the Filipino could catapult his career and solidify his place among the promotion’s promising prospects.
MVP-Ayala Groups pact lays strengthened foundation for sports
PHILIPPINE Sports Commission
Chairman Pato Gregorio is deeply thankful as two of the country’s largest business conglomerates - the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. and Ayala Foundation, Inc. - formalized an agreement that opens more opportunities for Filipino athletes to get a strengthened support system.
A partnership that has been envisioned years ago has now turned into a reality aimed to expand the assistance given to the Filipino athletes by enabling a larger stage which will mold them to thrive in the global stage.
“This partnership is exactly what current efforts in the development of Philippine sports are called to do: sync, catalyze, and expand our mutual work—especially in sports infrastructure, sports tourism, and grassroots development. Let this partnership enable dreams, nurture hope, guide with opportunity, and enable champions,” said Chairman Gregorio.
Among the notable beneficiary of these groups’ programs were the Paris 2024 double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena who have been both supported
Ayala Foundation, Inc. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (third from left) and MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan (fourth from left) forge a landmark partnership uniting their two powerhouse institutions in a shared mission to uplift Filipino communities through sports excellence during Monday’s MOU signing at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City. With them are Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) Senior Director for Development Programs Emil de Quiros, AFI President Tony Lambino, SBP president Al Panlilio and PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio.
by the MVP and Ayala Group, respectively, even before reaching the pinnacle of their international career. Under the agreement, both parties will develop a comprehensive frame-
work to support Filipino athletes, including the establishment of talent identification programs aimed at discovering world-class athletes for longterm development.
Superal sizzles with solid 66, nears another LPGT crown
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL—Princess
Superal reminded everyone why she remains the face of women’s professional golf in the country – and a force to be reckoned with elsewhere – as she fired a flawless four-under-par 66 to seize a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic here on Wednesday. Putting on a masterclass in composure and course management, Superal carved out the lone bogey-free round on a challenging day at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, where even the most experienced players struggled with the tricky layout. With a 36-hole total of 136, the inaugural Asia-Pacific Cup champion moved tantalizingly close to adding another Ladies Philippine Golf Tour title to her vast trophy collection.
Superal’s round was a study in precision and poise. She birdied three of the first seven holes – Nos. 1, 6 and 7
– converting from inside 13 feet, and later added a tap-in birdie on the par3 16th to highlight her sharp iron play and deft touch on the greens.
Her accuracy off the tee and calm demeanor were evident throughout the day, as she methodically outplayed the field while others faltered in the face of mounting pressure.
“I’m happy where I’m at kasi okay ang driving ko and everything,” said Superal, who edged Sarah Ababa in sudden death at Caliraya Springs last month. “Kailangan na lang na mag-click at putting ko tomorrow (Thursday).”
Coming off a much-needed break to complete shoulder therapy – skipping
the Bacolod Challenge in the process – Superal looks fully recovered and mentally recharged. Her fitness and focus are peaking at just the right time.
“Sobrang focused lang ako sa process ng game ko,” she added.
“Kahit saan pumunta ang bola, bas ta focus lang ako sa process. I feel no pain (in my shoulder) pero lagi ko lang siyang pinapahinga.”
Superal’s ability to maintain tun nel vision and execute under pressure has long been her trademark, honed from years of international competi tion, including her record victo ry at the US Girls’ Junior. That experience, combined with her mental toughness, has made her nearly unshakable in tight finishes –qualities that could once again carry her to victory.
The partnership will hit the ground running on September 21 when top global pole vaulters converge at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City for a thrilling competition, inspired by the vision of top Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by key representatives from both organizations: AFI President Tony Lambino, AFI Senior Director for Development Programs Emil de Quiros, and MVPSF President Alfredo Panlilio. For years, the Ayala Foundation and the MVPSF have been instrumental in advancing the welfare of Filipino athletes by providing worldclass facilities and resources to help them reach their full potential. “We will sit down and discuss further where we can align our objectives. The MVPSF has programs on grassroots, talent identification, youth level development and the elite program while the Ayala Foundation’s focus is on their Atletang Pinoy program. We support 22 sports disciplines as we speak. Ayala resources like real estate, health assets, and others can be combined to support our athletes,”
GOLF WINNERS. Meralco COO Ronnie Aperocho (rightmost) poses with teammates (from left) SGV & Co’s Jun Torres, Century Phirst’s VP Roy Bayani Lachica and Inquirer’s Jong Arcano after finishing runner-up in Division 3 of the Meralco Golf Cup held recently at the Sta. Elena Golf Club in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Ian Paul Lora
Princess Superal Manny Marcelo
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Blazers stun NU Bulldogs in 5-set triumph
COLLEGE of Saint Benilde pulled off another stunning escape, taking down five-peat UAAP champion National University in a gripping fiveset showdown, 25-22, 25-22, 27-29, 15-25, 15-12, in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday afternoon at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Just three days after bringing down defending VLeague titlist FEU Tamaraws, the Blazers once again leaned on the brilliance of reigning NCAA MVP Rocky Motol and Reymark Betco to claim another giant scalp in the Bulldogs—who played without Buds Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Leo Ordiales, and Peng Taguibolos due to national team commitments. Benilde, already out of semifinal contention, bowed out of the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision on a strong and defiant note.
Motol delivered an all-around performance with 21 points built on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while also anchoring the floor defense with 32 excellent receptions and six digs. Betco chipped in 18 points as the Blazers ended their campaign with back-to-back wins and a 3-4 record.
“Malaking boost sa morale ng team namin lalo na sa ibang players na in-eexpose ko pa. Malaking confidence booster ito para sa mga susunod na liga and sa NCAA season by beating two UAAP teams. Talagang makakapagbigay ito ng kumpiyansa sa team,” Blazers head coach Arnold Laniog said.
NU raced to an early 7-5 lead in the decider, but Benilde responded with a pivotal 4-0 run— highlighted by an offspeed hit from Motol and an ace from team captain John Austero—to grab a 9-7 advantage.
The Blazers kept momentum until the 13-10 mark before the Bulldogs threatened one last time, cutting the deficit to just one, 13-12, off a Mac Bandola out-of-system hit and a Betco error.
But in the endgame, Benilde’s composure carried the day. A Motol backrow kill and an Austero running attack sealed the Blazers’ second straight victory in exactly two hours of action.
Mike Balbacal contributed 13 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Paul Jordan added 12. Setter Chris Villanueva steered the offense with 31 excellent sets and also scored three points, as Austero pitched in six markers.
On the other side, NU absorbed its second straight loss, dropping to 2-4 ahead of its final match against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights on Monday, Sept. 29, at the Filoil Centre.
Eala braces for 3rd showdown with Riera in Sao Paolo Open
By Peter Atencio
THIRD seed Alexandra Eala will be on even terms with Argentinian rival Julia Riera in her next game in the women’s singles’ action of the 2025 Sao Paolo Open Tennis Championships in Brazil.
The 20-year-old Eala reached the second round to set up a clash with the 23-year-old Riera after she wowed a big Brazilian crowd with her aggressive baseline game and scored an easy 6-0, 6-2 subduing of multi-titled French netter Yasmine Mansouri in the first round.
She had played against Riera twice before.
In their next match at the Parque Villa-Lobos hardcourts, the 5’9” Eala hopes to get upperhand and make it to the quarterfinals.
Now ranked no. 61 in the world, Eala beat Riera, 6-3, 6-1, in the
round of 32 of the ITF/USTA W100 event in Cary, North Carolina last August.
This allowed Eala to get back at her loss to Riera in the third qualifying round of the 2024 French Open in May. Back then, Riera put Eala out of contention with a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory.
The world no. 180 Riera reached the second round of the Sao Paolo meet after turning back Russian Vitalia Diatchenko, 6-3, 7-6 (4).
Also advancing to the second round are top seed Beatriz Maia, second seed Argentinian Solana
Maia
Baylon leads PH wushu team with silver in world tourney
By Randy M. Caluag
CARLOS Baylon Jr. emerged as the top performer for the Philippines in the 17th World Wushu Championships, capturing a silver medal in the men’s 56kg sanda division of the tournament held in Brasília, Brazil.
The Philippine sanda (combat) squad added six bronze medals to its tally as the week-long competition wrapped up over the weekend.
Bronze medalists in sanda included Jennifer Kilapio (women’s 52kg), Krizna Malecdan (women’s 56kg), Russel Diaz (men’s 52kg), Gideon Padua (men’s
60kg), and Xander Alipio (men’s 65kg).
In taolu (forms), wushu standout Agatha Chrystenzen Wong once again proved her consistency on the international stage, earning a bronze in the women’s combined taijiquan and taijijian event with a score of 9.703.
“This achievement is not only for us but for the entire nation. To God be all the glory,” the Wushu Federation of the Philippines said in a statement on its social media page.
The 17th World Wushu Championships gathered elite athletes from around the globe to compete in sanda (sparring) and taolu (forms).
Mondilla ties Jahns at the helm as Marapara golf heats up
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL—Clyde Mondilla delivered a blistering backside windup to fire a 65 on Wednesday, then watched Keanu Jahns stumble at the front in a separate flight to force a share of the lead halfway through the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic fast shaping up for a nail-biting finish at the treacherous par-70 Marapara course here. With 36 holes left before the P2 million championship crowns its winner on Friday, a fierce and wide-open battle is brewing. Only three shots separate the top 11 players, and at least 16 remain within realistic striking distance – a razor-thin margin that promises fireworks in Thursday’s pivotal third round. With the Marapara layout firming up under the relentless sun, the big-hitting Jahns put on a show of power and precision, his sheer distance giving him ideal setups for approach shots – an edge few can match.
He appeared poised to pull away early and cruise to a third straight Philippine Golf Tour crown after a superb backside 32 vaulted him to a two-shot cushion. But the long-hitting ace faltered on the same front nine he mastered in the opening round, bogeying Nos. 3 and 6 to settle for a 68. That opened the door for Mondilla, three groups ahead, who took full advantage with a birdie-birdie start and a red-hot closing stretch featuring birdies on 12, 13 and 18. His five-under round propelled him to 135, matching Jahns atop the leaderboard. Yet both leaders know they can’t afford to rest easy. Just one shot back at 136 are multi-titled Jhonnel Ababa, who carded a 67, Nilo Salahog, who carded
a 69, Collin Wheeler, who put in a 69, and defending champion Rupert Zaragosa, who endureda wild mid-round stretch to shoot a 67 powered by four consecutive birdies from No. 2. Justin Quiban and Atsushi Ueda shot 69 and 70, respectively, for matching 137s, while the 138 group includes pressure-tested names like Rico Depilo (66), Aidric Chan (67) and Reymon Jaraula (71) – each known for their ability to deliver clutch
performances under pressure – setting a gripping showdown for control and position.
With the likes of Russell Bautista (69), Francis Morilla (70), Sean Ramos (70) and Angelo Que (71), and a handful of others lurking, Round 3 promises to be a battle royale.
Dino Villanueva, who opened with a sizzling 65 to wrest early control, plummeted down the leaderboard with a birdie-less 74 as he fell into joint 12th with one-under total, still within striking distance.
Despite his late-round slip, Jahns remained confident and composed, showing the poise of a player who’s recently dominated with back-to-back fourshot wins at Caliraya Springs and Bacolod.
“Fairways are rolling a lot more, so I took advantage hitting those shots,” said Jahns, who relied on his power game for shorter approaches but admitted to struggling on the front side. “My driving is okay, medyo nag-struggle lang sa second nine, but okay naman ang score at the end of the round.”
Birdies on Nos. 12, 15 and 16 helped erase a two-stroke deficit, but his missed birdie chances inside six feet left room for improvement. Still, he’s optimistic: “I’m confident, and I’m good. I just need to stick to my game plan. The scores are very unpredictable – just like last week in Binitin – so if I’d be able to keep my emotions in check, I will be okay.”
Mondilla, meanwhile, returned from a short competitive break looking sharp and renewed. After skipping the Forest Hills and Caliraya Springs legs and finishing tied at 28th in Binitin, the former Philippine Open champion seems to have regained his rhythm.
A big crowd cheered on as the third-seeded Eala needed just an hour to get past
and continue her winning ways.
This comes three days since her first Women’s Tennis Association title win, wherein she edged Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, to rule the Guadala-
Open 125.
“This is my first time in Brazil and my first time in South America. I’m so happy to see the crowd so lively,” said Eala as she acknowledged the Brazilian audience giving her their support.
“I’m lucky to be sandwiched between a great Brazilian audience. I’m happy to play well in front of them,” she added. Eala scored 22 points of her 32 first serves, while Mansouri chalked up 14 points on her 25 first serves.
AYL Gonzaga and Krelz Gecosala boosted their promising tennis careers by emerging as the top performers among more than 200 participants in the MJFC Araw ng Digos City National Juniors Tennis Championships held last Monday at the Digos City courts in Davao del Sur. Gonzaga, fresh off a title win at the Mayor Arcillas Cup in Laguna, clinched the girls’ 16-and-under singles crown with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Mariam Mokalam. The 14-year-old Olongapo native survived a tough semifinal challenge from Princess Placa, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, before stamping her class in the finals. However, Gonzaga fell short of a potential double-title finish after bowing to Francine Wong of Cagayan de Oro in the 14-and-U finals, 6-3, 7-6(3). On the other hand, Gecosala dominated the boys’ 14-and-U division, dropping just seven games across four matches. He capped his run with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win over Kresthan Belacas of Mlang, Cotabato. But Gecosala’s bid for a second title was halted by fellow Midsayap, North Cotabato native Shaun Globasa, who took the 16-and-U title with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 triumph. Their twin finals appearances earned Gonzaga and Gecosala co-MVP honors in the week-long Group 2 tournament, held in conjunction with the Araw ng Digos City founding anniversary and hosted by Mayor Josef
Gonzaga, Gecosala top
Members of the PH wushu team display their medals.
Clyde Mondilla studies the layout with his caddie. Manny Marcelo
St. Benilde’s Mike Balbacal scores against two NU defenders in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge on Wednesday at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.
Ayl Gonzaga ( left) and Krelz Gecosala
Sierra and Mexican Victoria Rodriguez.
breezed past Italian Mirian Tona, 6-1, 6-1, while Sierra fought off Indonesian Arianne Hartono, 7-6 (4), 6-3, and Rodriguez ousted fourth seed Aus-
tralian Ajla Tomjanovic, who retired, 6-4, 4-2.
Mansouri
jara
Alex Eala Dennis B. Mallari
WHAT’S INSIDE?
PH unemployment rate climbed to 5.3% in July
By Thony Rose Lesaca
UNEMPLOYMENT in the Philippines climbed to 5.3 percent in July 2025 from 4.7 percent a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Tuesday. It was also higher than the 4.1 percent recorded in April 2025.
The number of unemployed individuals in July was 2.59 million, up from 2.38 million in July 2024 and 2.06 million in April 2025, the PSA said in a statement.
FPI asks DPWH to enforce infra project standards
By Othel V. Campos
THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to strictly enforce and monitor compliance with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) in all public infrastructure projects, particularly for cement and steel.
FPI said PNS, aligned with global benchmarks but adapted to the Philippines’ environmental and geological conditions, are critical in ensuring the safety and resilience of infrastructure.
“Adherence to the Philippine National Standards is non-negotiable. Only by strictly following these standards - especially in cement and steel - can we ensure safe, durable, and resilient public infrastructure for our people,” said FPI chairperson Elizabeth Lee.
With the country frequently battered by earthquakes, typhoons and floods, adherence to these standards is vital to protect lives and safeguard communities, the group said.
The group warned that the use of substandard materials endangers lives and undermines the economy.
FPI said it continues to work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) and remains committed to collaborating with the government to uphold quality and accountability in construction.
It said ensuring strict compliance with PNS lays the groundwork for sustainable growth and long-term nation-building.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) called for stronger measures to boost climate resilience and workforce agility due to the observed softer labor market conditions in July.
It said the rise in unemployment was led by job losses in the agriculture and forestry, fishing and aquaculture and wholesale and retail sectors, which were earlier attributed to adverse weather conditions that disrupted economic activities nationwide.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan cited the need to focus government policies on raising productivity and resilience in agriculture, which ex-
perienced a significant drop in sectoral employment. These include modernized production methods, climate-smart practices and stronger market linkages.
“This must be complemented by expanded rural infrastructure, improved digital connectivity, and increased access to training opportunities,” said Balisacan.
He said the effective execution of the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan depends on enabling investments in high-value sectors, aligning training and reskilling programs with industry demands, and promoting flexible yet secure work arrangements.
“The latest employment figures underscore the urgency of modernizing our economic sectors to withstand disruptions, whether from climate change or technological shifts,” said Balisacan.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
FOREIGN corporations can now register to do business in the Philippines in just a day, thanks to an expanded digital registration platform by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The SEC said Wednesday foreignowned corporations are now eligible to register through the One Day Submission and Electronic Registration of Companies (OneSEC) system. The move is part of the agency’s broader effort to streamline business pro-
cesses and improve the ease of doing business in the country.
“Streamlining the company registration process for foreign entities is a crucial component of our thrust to improve the ease of doing business in the country,” said SEC chairperson Francis Lim.
“By expanding the coverage of OneSEC to foreign entities, we want to send a strong signal to the international business community that the Philippines is open for business, and hopefully encourage them to set up shop here,” he said.
The SEC said it registered 145 foreign corporations in the first half of 2025, and this number is expected to rise following the launch of the faster registration process. OneSEC, launched in 2021, is a subsystem of the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC). It allows businesses to complete their registration in as little as one minute and 14 seconds, from application to the issuance of a digital certificate of incorporation.
Meralco announces lower September rates
By Alena Mae S. Flores
CONSUMERS of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will see a decrease of P0.1852 per kilowatt-hour in their September bill on lower generation charge.
This brings the overall rate for a typical household to P13.0851 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down from P13.2703 in August.
“For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, they will see a reduction of P37 in their total electricity bill,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications.
“We hope that along with relatively lower consumption during this pe-
riod, this rate cut will bring relief to our customers,” he said. The rate reduction was led by a P0.2603-per-kWh decrease in the generation charge as a result of lower costs from independent power producers (IPPs) and power supply agreements (PSAs). Charges from IPPs and PSAs dropped by P1.3459 and P0.3660 per kWh, respectively due to the appreciation of the local currency against the US dollar and a decrease in international fuel prices.
The stronger peso affected about 99 percent of IPP costs and 57 percent of PSA costs, which are denominated in dollars.
5.3% 4.7% 4.1%
Jobless rate in July 2025
Jobless rate in July 2024
Jobless rate in April 2025
FDI net inflow shrank 23.8% to $3.4b in first semester
NET foreign direct investments (FDI) in the Philippines shrank by 23.8 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The BSP said net inflow of FDIs also fell 17.8 percent from $457 million in June 2024 to $376 million in June 2025.
“The US tariffs hurt—especially our manufacturing sector—but it’s also about weak global trade and our own policy gaps,” said Jonathan Ravelas, a senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co.
He said the sharp drop in FDIs serves as a “wake-up call” for the country.
“Investors are watching how we respond. If we don’t fix logistics, clarify rules and build confidence, this could turn into a trend. But there’s still time to turn things around,” said Ravelas.
The BSP the slowdown in FDI net inflow in June reflected the shift in nonresidents’ net investments in equity capital (other than reinvestment of earnings), from $85 million inflows to $57 million outflows.
The reduction was partly offset by a 36.7 percent increase in reinvestment of earnings from $94 million to $128 million. Nonresidents’ net investments in debt instruments grew by 9.3 percent, from $279 million to $305 million.
Equity capital placements in June 2025 came mostly from Japan, the United States and South Korea. Industries that received most of these investments were manufacturing, real estate and wholesale and retail trade. Data showed that in the first half of 2025, FDI net inflow decreased by 23.8 percent from $4.5 billion posted to $3.4 billion. Thony Rose Lesaca
WATER SYSTEM. Manila Water Foundation, in partnership with Metrobank Foundation, Zuellig Family Foundation, the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), the Tipo-Tipo Municipal Government and the Basilan provincial government, inaugurates a new water system in Barangay Bohelebung, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan. The initiative, known as Project Bohè, is part of LCF’s flagship program, ‘Initiative
Food Security, Nutrition and Empowerment’.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
PH stocks slip as market awaits clearer catalyst; peso depreciates
LOCAL shares ended a lackluster trading day marginally lower on Wednesday as investors remained focused on a potential Federal Reserve rate cut.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped 2.62 points, or 0.04 percent, to 6,120.09. The broader all-shares index closed nearly unchanged at 3,691.35.
The peso also closed weaker, at 57.125 against the U.S. dollar, down from 56.764 on Tuesday.
Analysts said the market continues to consolidate at the 6,100 to 6,200 level as investors await clearer catalysts before taking new positions. Declining manufacturing output also affected investor sentiment.
“Participants now look to upcoming economic data and earnings to guide their next moves,” said Luis
Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp.
The property sector led gains, rising 1.27 percent, while the financial sector advanced 0.88 percent. Conversely, the services sector declined the most, down 1.76 percent, and the mining and oil sector dropped 0.66 percent.
Value turnover reached P6.3 billion.
Market breadth was positive, with 97 gainers, 91 decliners, and 69 stocks unchanged. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows of P41.35 million.
Among index stocks, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. advanced the most, climbing 2.56 percent to P30.
International Container Terminal Services Inc. was the main index laggard, declining 3.03 percent to P474.20. Jenniffer B. Austria
Megaworld to open new malls, Boracay retail space
PROPERTY developer Megaworld
Corp. is opening more than 30,000 square meters of new premium commercial space to meet rising demand from the country’s growing middle class.
The expansion, led by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, will include new malls and retail developments in key areas like McKinley West in Taguig, Makati, Alabang West in Las Piñas City, and Boracay Newcoast in Aklan. These developments are scheduled to open this year.
The company said in a stock exchange disclosure on Wednesday that the move is a response to strong demand for premium commercial spaces, particularly within its
townships.
“We are growing our leasing business by bringing our signature lifestyle mall concept to more locations while introducing new experiences that resonate with today’s consumers,” said Graham Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.
“This approach allows us to drive sustained growth for Megaworld and, at the same time, enhance the value of our townships nationwide,” said Coates.
Among the new projects is The Shoppes at Park McKinley West, a two-story retail hub at the base of the Park McKinley West condominium in Taguig.
It will feature a mix of international
and local brands, including Ogawa Traditional Japanese Restaurant, Tartufo, Royal Indian Curry House, One World Deli, George & Onnie’s, Café 17, Nightshade Cocktails & Bar, Hanamaruken and Yakiniku Sudaku.
Other upcoming retail spaces include a lifestyle mall at Vion Tower in Makati and new commercial areas in Alabang West.
In Boracay, Megaworld will also open Newcoast Beachwalk, which will offer a mix of retail, dining and service options for tourists.
The new retail developments will help Megaworld stay on track to meet its target of one million square meters of gross leasable area by 2030. Jenniffer B. Austria
INSUFFICIENT power supply across the Philippines and the high cost of acquiring electricity are critical issues that prevent the country from achieving an inclusive economy. Its archipelagic geography poses a big challenge to power distribution. Some gifted provinces host power plants that meet their electricity demand. But for those provinces with no natural energy resource, electricity is one scarce commodity. An island province, for instance, will have to purchase electricity from its nearest neighbor island that produces power. Here lies the problem—the higher cost of distribution is added to the price of electricity for the importing island. Installing diesel- or oil-fired generators on hard-luck islands is an alternative. The cost of electricity, however, will not come cheap. The cost of generating electricity from renewable sources like geothermal and hydro is far cheaper than the power produced from fossil thermal plants. The reliability of supply is another problem. Many electric cooperatives or distribution utilities are undercapitalized. Their poor finances and mismanagement lead to inefficiency that, in turn, aggravates chronic brownouts. The recent publicity surrounding the power distribution problem in Siquijor Island is a classic example of what is bedeviling nonurban centers in the Philippines.
But the incessant outages that seriously undermine social and economic growth is not isolated in Siquijor.
Energy consumer advocacy group ILAW (Inisyatibo para sa Likas-yaman, Abot-kaya, at Wasto na Enerhiya) says other provinces are similarly groping in the dark, among them Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro provinces, Palawan, Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental, Albay, Basilan and parts of Northern Samar.
Hundreds of thousands of households and businesses in the twin Davao provinces, along with Tagum City and the Island Garden City of Samal, have yet to experience the advantages of Republic Act 12144, which lapsed into law on April 6.
RA 12144 empowered the Davao Light and Power Co. to expand its franchise areas to towns in Davao del Oro and Davao del Norte, along with Tagum and Samal currently being served by Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc. (Nordeco). Davao Light, however, has yet to exercise its full authority as mandated by RA 12144. Nordeco is insisting the new law violated its property rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. Nordeco argued that RA 12144 “directly affects” its contractual obligations to its clients, which was reinforced by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and RA No. 10531, or the National Electrification Administration Reform Act. The cooperative, though, is silent on allegations that its poor performance as a power utility inflicted untold losses and frustrations among its customers that led to the crafting of the Davao Light bill.
SM Prime raises $350m from debt note issuance
By Jenniffer B. Austria
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH) announced Wednesday it has successfully raised $350 million from a debt note issuance, with the offering nearly three times oversubscribed.
The five-year notes carry a coupon rate of 4.75 percent, the lowest for a similar issuance since September 2020, according to the integrated property developer. The offering, which will be listed on the Singapore Exchange, is part of the company’s $3 billion Euro Medium-Term Note (EMTN) program.
“Through this latest drawdown, we are able to tap the market at an opportune time to support our future projects and strategic initiatives,” said Jeffrey Lim, president of SMPH.
“The continued interest from global investors underscores their sustained confidence in our long-term growth prospects.”
This marks SMPH’s first U.S. dollar-denominated debt offering and the second drawdown under the multi-issuer EMTN program, which was established in May 2024 with its parent firm, SM Investments Corporation.
“SM Prime posted record revenues of P140 billion in 2024, and we aim to build on this momentum,” said John Nai Peng Ong, SMPH’s chief finance officer. “This issuance will support our commitment to sustainable growth and continued contribution to the nation’s progress.”
The notes were primarily distributed to fund managers (80 percent) and
Chronic power supply problems
… archipelagic geography poses a big challenge to power distribution.
Honest and fair advocacy
The high cost of electricity has spawned several advocacy groups demanding lower rates and accountability.
But one major power distributor is calling for fairness and wants to verify the legitimacy of some cause-oriented and consumer groups.
“It is extremely easy to organize a group for a common cause and to misrepresent that group in the guise of advocacy,” says an official of one electricity distributor.
He cited the case of National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore), a consumer group that claims it is after the interest of electricity consumers across the country but clearly targets only one particular company.
Nasecore often speaks out against Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the power distributor in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, but conveniently overlooks pressing and widespread power issues in other parts of the country.
Provinces like Siquijor, Albay, Palawan and parts of Mindoro are suffering from serious and longstanding power problems—chronic brownouts, mismanaged electric cooperatives and sky-high power rates. Yet, Nasecore has not taken
were allocated to investors in Asia (91 percent) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) (9 percent).
The notes were issued by SMPHI SG Holdings Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of SM Prime, and are guaranteed by the parent company. HSBC, J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered Bank, and UBS were the joint lead managers and bookrunners, while BDO Capital and Chinabank Capital acted as joint domestic managers. Proceeds from the issuance will be used for general corporate purposes. For 2025, SMPH has earmarked P100 billion in capital expenditures, primarily to roll out more malls and residential projects across the country. Shares of SMPH closed 1.27 percent higher at P24 on Wednesday.
up the cudgels for consumers in these areas.
If Nasecore is truly looking out for the Filipino electricity consumers, it should be the first group to speak out for the underserved and long-neglected communities in these areas. The official noted that while Nasecor brands itself as a consumer reform group, “its nonchalance to consumer issues in the provinces, lack of transparency and dubious historical affiliations suggest that it may be advancing a selective and possibly politically motivated agenda.”
The concerned official is beginning to doubt Nasecore’s advocacy, questioning its membership and funding source as an organization.
A check with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that it last submitted its Audited Financial Statements (AFS) and General Information Statements (GIS) in 2020. The Revised Corporation Code classifies an entity delinquent if it fails to submit its GIS and/ or AFS three times within any five-year period.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of the power supply situation in the Philippines after citing the case of Siquijor Island. And Nasecore as an advocacy group should also attend to the problems besetting consumers outside of Metro Manila. In a sector where consumers deserve honest and broad-based advocacy, groups like Nasecore must also be held accountable.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
CONTRACT SIGNING. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPT) South president and general manager Christopher Andrew Pangilinan (extreme left) and Anna Shiela Figuera (second from right) EEI Corporation senior vice president and head of operations and commercials, show the signed contract for the remaining construction works at CaviteLaguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 1 on Sept. 5, 2025 held at the MPT Hub. Joining the event are Jose Ma. Lim, director of MPCALA Holdings, Inc, Elnora Rumawak, vice president for finance of MPT South and Christopher Esguerra, EEI vice president for business development. Joseph Muego
INVENTION AWARD. John Carlo Luna Reyes from the UP Diliman is the national winner of the 20th James Dyson Award in the Philippines for his invention, SolAsin. The device is a compact, sustainable unit for farming flaky salt designed to empower coastal communities and help revitalize the country’s salt industry.
Jeffrey Lim, president of SMPH
BUSINESS
Mining officials leave village meeting
EXECUTIVES of a mining company walked out of a community meeting in Nueva Vizcaya province on Saturday after residents protested their exploration project.
Lorne Harvey, president of Woggle Corp., and his team left the Sept. 7 meeting in Barangay Mungia, Dupax del Norte, after they reportedly refused to listen to concerns from community leaders.
The confrontation was captured in a video shared by the Mungia Multipurpose Farmers Cooperative.
The meeting was organized to discuss complaints from local rice and vegetable farmers, many of whom are members of the cooperative.
“The people from Woggle Corp. did not want to hear our side on the alleged illegal mining exploration,” said Roger Molina, president of the 650-member cooperative.
“They only wanted to present their business plans without hearing our side.”
Residents had several questions for the company, including why the consultation was being held only after an exploration permit was granted, and what would happen to the private landowners affected by the project.
Molina also said the company had allegedly begun exploration work without securing a tree-cutting permit or written consent from landowners and questioned whether Woggle Corp. had a business permit from the local government.
Rep. Timothy Cayton, of Nueva Vizcaya, earlier told RMN Radio he would conduct an impartial congressional investigation into Woggle Corp.’s activities.
Cayton said he would invite company officials and the regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to determine if any laws were violated.
In an Aug. 26 letter to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla, the cooperative questioned the permit issued to Woogle Corp., an affiliate of British firm Metals Exploration PLC, for a 3,101-hectare area. The cooperative said it “vehemently opposes and objects” to the permit because there was “no prior consultation” with residents, as mandated by law.
CALAX operator taps 2 contractors to finish road
By Darwin G. Amojelar
MPCALA Holdings Inc., the concessionaire for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), said Wednesday it signed an agreement with EEI Corp. and CM Pancho Construction Inc. (CMPCI) to complete the remaining construction work on the toll road.
EEI will oversee construction of Subsection 1, from Open Canal to Kawit, while CMPCI will handle Subsection 2, from Governor’s Drive to Open Canal.
The partnership marks a major step toward finishing the CALAX project,
A Brown reorganizes energy assets
By Alena Mae S. Flores
A BROWN Company Inc. is reorganizing its energy assets to create a more focused management structure and fund future growth, the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Wednesday.
The company said its board approved the sale of its whollyowned subsidiary Northmin Renewables Corp. (NRC) and its 20-percent equity interest in Peakpower Energy Inc. (PEI) to its wholly-owned holding company ABC Energy Inc. (ABCEI).
“As the transaction is between the company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, there will be no financial impact across the A Brown Group,” the company said. It said the restructuring “streamlines management oversight, sharpening operational focus, and strengthening the Group’s platform for future growth in the energy sector.”
NRC is developing two greenfield wind energy projects in Northern Mindanao. In November 2023, it secured wind energy service contracts for the Bukidnon Wind Power Project and the MisOr Wind Power Project, giving it the exclusive right to explore and develop wind resources in those areas. PEI, established in 2013, develops and operates peaking power plants in Mindanao under build-operatemaintain-transfer arrangements with electric cooperatives.
which is expected to improve connectivity and travel for motorists in Cavite and Laguna.
CALAX is a 45-kilometer expressway with operational segments at Laguna Technopark, Laguna Boulevard, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Silang East and Silang Aguinaldo Interchange.
The remaining subsections, including Subsection 3 from Silang Aguinaldo to Governor’s Drive, are under development and expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
Once finished, CALAX will connect with the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) in Kawit, providing
a more efficient route for motorists traveling between Cavite, Laguna and Metro Manila. The entire expressway is expected to serve up to 95,000 vehicles daily, significantly improving travel times and boosting economic activity in the region.
MPCALA is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC). In addition to CALAX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the ManilaCavite Expressway (CAVITEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.
Builders decry fund diversion to flood control
By Othel V. Campos
THE Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA) on Wednesday decried the massive diversion of public funds to “anomalous” flood control projects, saying the misuse of billions of pesos has worsened flooding and deprived millions of Filipinos of much-needed housing.
“No matter how good our developments are, when the government fails to put in place effective flood control measures, our projects become islands. The value of real estate is compromised, and worse, billions that could have been used to build homes for our citizens were wasted,” CREBA president Noel Cariño said in a statement.
Cariño said the “corruption-ridden projects” ran from 2020 to 2025, describing the scale as “a crime of great magnitude” with effects that will tie down generations of Filipinos.
He cited the canceled P28.7-billion South Korean loan package as an example of how scandals in infrastructure undermine funding for flagship projects, including housing. The housing backlog remains at over 6.5 million units, with government targets only expected to reduce the deficit by 5 percent to 10 percent in the near term. CREBA warned that
THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) asked the the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to conduct a transparent and balanced review of San Miguel Global Power’s (SMGP) P34-billion recovery claim.
The business group cited the need to protect consumers while ensuring fairness in the energy sector.
“In the spirit of partnership, we encourage the ERC to lead a thorough and transparent review grounded in verified data,” the PCCI said in a statement Wednesday.
“Our shared goal is a sustainable energy ecosystem, one that balances the operational needs of power providers
PH offers $250-m geothermal fund to reduce exploration financial risks
THE Philippines will invite proposals from geothermal firms in the fourth quarter of 2025 to participate in a program designed to reduce the financial risk of exploration, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Wednesday.
The Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility will address one of the biggest barriers to geothermal development: the high cost and risk of early-stage exploration, Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said in a conference in Makati City.
“Unlike other renewables, geothermal requires significant upfront investment before confirming resource viability, which often discourages private sector participation,” Guevara said at the 6th Philippine International Geothermal Conference.
The facility, with an estimated bud-
get of up to $250 million, will provide cost-shared exploration support. It will cover up to 50 percent of drilling costs through convertible loans that are converted to grants if a drilling fails. The approach is intended to reduce the financial risk for developers and encourage investment in new sites.
Jaime Austria, president of the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP), said the facility would give incentives for companies to drill in new areas and find more resources.
“This is very much aligned to the Philippines’ goal to increase its generating capacity, geothermal generating capacity, by de-risking the geothermal development process,” said Austria, who is also an assistant vice president at Energy Development Corp. Alena Mae S. Flores
with the fundamental necessity of keeping electricity affordable for families and businesses,” it said.
The claim stems from SMGP’s pre-termination of its power supply agreement with Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a move later upheld by the Supreme Court.
While the PCCI acknowledged the company’s legal right to recover costs, it said the process should be equitable, particularly for consumers who may bear the financial impact.
The business group said constructive dialogue among stakeholders is essential to ensure fair outcomes and expressed
confidence in the ERC’s mandate to safeguard consumer interests while maintaining a stable and investable energy market.
The PCCI said recovery mechanisms could include staggered or structured payment terms, caps on recovery charges per billing cycle, or other approaches to soften the effect on households and businesses, particularly in vulnerable sectors.
“By working together, we can uphold the integrity of contracts, ensure the financial health of energy players, and protect the economic well-being of the Filipino consumer,” the group said.
Othel V. Campos
unless corruption is addressed, even modest gains may be derailed.
Environmental planner and former CREBA president Nathaniel Von Einsiedel said the government’s policy of declaring alienable and disposable (A&D) lands in floodplains compounds the problem, allowing developments in high-risk areas with inadequate drainage planning.
“Flooding is not just an infrastructure issue, it is a land management issue,” he said.
Cariño welcomed Housing Secretary Jose Aliling’s move to make the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program more inclusive by removing barriers for developers and subsidizing housing loans at 3 percent interest.
Industry groups, including CREBA, have pledged to support the program, with socialized housing groups committing to deliver at least 250,000 units.
IN BRIEF
process of integration, operational and technical challenges encountered and ways to enhance the National ID authentication services experience.
ONLINE GAMING. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco delivers the keynote address at the Light & Wonder iGaming Symposium at Newport
FFCCCI supports teacher festival, donates fund
By Julie Ann Lope
THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) held the 2025 Teacher Festival celebration and turn over ceremony of the Association of Chinese Filipino Schools in the Philippines’ Teachers Fund on Sept. 6, 2025 at the Federation Building in Binondo, Manila.
More than 300 teachers from Filipino-Chinese schools in Metro Manila attended the event.
FFCCCII president Victor Lim said education is the foundation of national rejuvenation and social progress. He said teachers are the fundamental and root factors in vitalizing education.
Lim said to build a strong country, one should first strengthen education and to strengthen education, one should first empower teachers.
He also called on the Filipino-Chinese community to foster greater public respect for educators.
Counselor and Consul General Wang Yue of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines commended the efforts of FFCCCII and ACFSP in promoting Chinese education.
He encouraged the teachers to seek innovation, teach children about history and culture and let the seeds of friendship grow in children’s hearts.
ACFSP executive director Dr. Judelio Yap expressed gratitude to FFCCCII and hope that the Filipino-Chinese community would continue to invest in and support Chinese education.
FFCCCII vice president Frank Cokinhung appealed to the board directors of Filipino-Chinese schools to study the management and operational models of Malaysian-Chinese schools.
He requested that family and hometown associations support teachers’ further education.
Buddhist Association of the Philippines and Manila Buddha Temple
on Sept. 5, 2025.
Buddhist groups donate rice in Manila
Business leaders visit Fujian to boost ties
By Michael Wong Ho
THE first Leaders of Business Associations at Home and Overseas Visiting Fujian event was launched on Aug. 25, 2025 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China.
About 25 leaders from business associations, all originally from southern Fujian province and now residing in 23 countries and districts, attended the seminar.
FFCCCII vice president Delfin Letran joined the six-day activity. Besides the seminars, the leaders also visited the cities of Fuzhou, Nanping, Longyan and Zhangzhou.
PH consulate holds art exhibit in Guangzhou
THE Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, in partnership with the Mufeng Art Cooperation and Exchange Center, launched a solo exhibition by Consul Aprilfleur Galima-Mejia entitled “Chords and Chroma: An Expressive Resonance of Nocturnes and Hues” on Aug. 31, 2025 at the Mufeng Antique Piano Museum in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, China.
The exhibition is part of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.
The activity, titled The Return of Minnan, aimed to “keep in touch with your hometown, seek common cooperation and development.”
The goal was to build a bridge to integrate domestic and overseas resources, achieve connection and complementary advantages, and further explore both domestic and overseas markets to find more development opportunities.
As a province with many major private companies and a large overseas Chinese population, Fujian hopes to connect with overseas Chinese and attract investment through this project. During his speech, Letran said Fujian was a major starting port for the ancient Maritime Silk Road and is now a central port for Southeast Asia, with a very close economic relationship with ASEAN countries. He noted that among the 12 million overseas Chinese from Fujian, 10 million of them live in ASEAN countries.
Letran said it is an advantageous condition to promote mutual development and achieve a mutually beneficial, win-win situation.
It runs until October 2025 and showcases 18 new paintings by Consul Galima-Mejia, inspired by musical forms such as Nocturne, Rhapsody and Sonata. Three of her earlier works, curated by Mufeng, are also on display.
The Compassion and Kindness event not only provided material aid but also served as a symbol of the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Filipino-Chinese community and the broader Philippine society.
THE Buddhist Association of the Philippines and Manila Buddha Temple, with Manila City councilor Lawrence Lau, held the Compassion and Kindness charity event on Sept. 5, 2025. Buddhist Association of the Philippines chairman mage Dao Yuan said they donated 1,000 bags of rice and other essential daily use products to poor families in Manila’s squatter areas. The charitable activity is part of a larger tradition of humanitarian work undertaken by Buddhist groups in the Philippines, which often includes disaster relief, medical missions and educational support for the less fortunate.
Michael Wong Ho
The collection uses bold strokes, layered textures and lyrical compositions to explore the connection between music and painting and to reflect the harmony of cultural connections.
Consul General Iric Arribas said the exhibition symbolizes the strong partnership between the Philippines and China, with art serving as a bridge between cultures and people.
Zhang Chunbi, president of Mufeng International Cultural Industry Co. Ltd. and founder of the Mufeng Antique Piano Museum, said the collaboration aligns with Mufeng’s vision of internationalization and its role in promoting cultural exchange.
The opening ceremony included a Mongolian Morin Khuur string quartet performance, songs by Filipino singers Maria and KC Dantay and a selection of traditional Filipino delicacies prepared by Consulate staff.
More than 100 guests, including government officials, members of
THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) held a “Youth Socials Night” at Noctos Music Bar in Diliman, Quezon City, on Aug. 30, 2025. About 120 individuals, including FFCCCII leaders, their children, and young adults from other Filipino-Chinese communities, attended the networking event.
FFCCCII president Victor Lim, vice presidents Jeffrey Ng, Reynold Siy and other leaders and Youth Committee members were present during the event.
Lim said FFCCCII leaders dedicate their time and energy to developing their businesses,
the consular corps, cultural partners, artists and friends from the local community attended the event. The exhibition is Consul GalimaMejia’s second solo art exhibit, following her first at Casa Amarillo Trinidad Gallery in her home province of Pangasinan. Through such initiatives, the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou reaffirms its commitment to promoting Philippine culture abroad and strengthening people-to-people ties between the Philippines and China.
Julie Ann Lope
creating a better business environment, and pushing the country forward.
He said the main purpose of those efforts is to benefit the next generation. Lim expressed hope that the young generation will inherit the correct values from their parents. He encouraged them to use their own bravery, courage and integrity to pave their life’s journey and help marginalized groups with positive influence. The participants exchanged experiences and insights from their studies and work, strengthening their mutual understanding and friendship. Michael Wong Ho
About 25 leaders from business associations gather for the first Leaders of Business Associations at Home and Overseas
Visiting Fujian on Aug. 25, 2025 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China.
More than 300 teachers from Filipino-Chinese schools in Metro Manila attend the 2025 Teacher Festival in Binondo, Manila.
The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, in partnership with the Mufeng Art Cooperation and Exchange Center, launches a solo exhibition by Consul Aprilfleur Galima-Mejia on Aug. 31, 2025 at the Mufeng Antique Piano Museum.
The
hold the Compassion and Kindness charity event
communities, attend
‘Youth Socials Night’ at Noctos Music Bar in Diliman, Quezon City on Aug. 30, 2025.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
A ROTTING body has been found in the trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to rising US rap star D4vd , police and media reported Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Neighbors of a tow yard called police about a foul smell coming from the site in Hollywood on Monday. When officers arrived, they said they found a rotting body wrapped in a plastic sheet in the luggage compartment, which is found at the front in this kind of electric vehicle.
“We were notified this morning, and the car’s been here for a couple of days,” Robert Peters of the Los Angeles Police Department told reporters.
The vehicle is registered in Texas, to David Anthony Burke , whose stage name is D4vd, ABC7 news channel reported D4vd was Tuesday scheduled to play in Minneapolis, the latest stop in a world tour for the 20-year-old. The young star shot to internet fame in 2022 when his “Romantic Homicide” became a breakout hit on TikTok.
D4vd has continued to post on social media in the last few days, promoting his new album, but has made no reference to the grisly find.
The tow yard where the gruesome discovery was made sits just a stone’s throw from Elon Musk new Tesla Diner, which opened to great fanfare in Hollywood in July. AFP
SHOWBIZ
By Angelica Villanueva
a hopeful contestant to becoming a hitmaker and now a coach, OPM singer Zack Tabudlo’s journey on The Voice Kids Philippines has come full circle. Returning to the stage that once launched him, he describes the experience as nothing short of surreal.
“It feels really surreal. I’ve said that a million times already, and I’ll never get tired of saying that because, again, I was a normal kid, I was just a student, and all of this feels like a dream,” Zack told Manila
Standard Entertainment
“Being able to be with these guys, these coaches, they’re people I looked up to when I was just a kid. So sometimes I think, do I really deserve to be here? At the same time, I feel like I’ve done a lot of work to become part of the show, and it just feels really nice,” he continued. For Zack, his presence on the panel carries weight beyond his own
career. He hopes his story shows young contestants that success can come full circle.
“It gives these kids a way to see that, okay, this coach was once a contestant who lost, but now he’s sitting here. That’s one of the most important things I want them to take from my journey,” Zack added.
The “Binibini” singer acknowledged that being a coach comes with high expectations and public scrutiny.
“There are always going to be criticisms, especially from people watching the show. But for us to be here means we were placed in this position for a reason. In terms of accomplishments, I don’t think we really have to explain much because we’ve done things in the industry that people can see,” he explained.
Zack Tabudlo embraces new role as coach on ‘The Voice Kids’
TED Reyes is that singer-songwriter who will never get tired of releasing new music, which should be the case if you have decided you are a recording artist for life—not just some flash in the pan who’d drop what’s supposed to be a lifelong passion because it is no longer convenient.
More often than not, too, he does it in style, like this latest from his vault.
Ted is dropping an album of Tagalog songs called Trip Sa Field. It is available in three versions: limited vinyl edition, CD version, and digital download edition on Bandcamp. That means we have three ways to get a copy of this album, so we practically don’t have an excuse not to access the tracks—especially if we want to sincerely support someone who deserves it. Besides, it’s going to be worth it, especially from a music man who has the credentials and makes an effort to champion Filipino music even if he lives far away from the Philippines. I can say this on a personal level, as I myself have been influenced by Ted’s musicality and style. My old college band used to front act for him and his bandmates back at the now-legendary music bar Mayric’s. They had a recording contract.
Ted is a guy who has been writing music since he was 14. He is, by nature, a front man who can be a one-man band because he is that talented. His first group, The Freesouls, was signed by BMG Records Pilipinas at a time when the label was signing acts like Eraserheads and Rivermaya
Meanwhile, Miguel Benjamin of folk-pop band Ben&Ben, also stepping into a coaching role for the first time, described the adjustment to television.
“It’s our first time really being on a TV show. Although both are entertainment, it’s very different from doing gigs and live shows. In so many ways, it’s fast-paced, and it involves so many people working together to make it happen. It’s really a
He is the songwriter of the catchy “Bye Bye Na,” a Himig Handog finalist recorded and popularized by Rico Blanco
Currently, he is among the most prolific Asian American artists, having moved to the US long ago. He made New York his home for many years, and now he is living and thriving in Los Angeles.
Eight songs are included in all editions of Ted’s new album. He came out with “Made In Kamuning” prior to the pandemic and then released a couple more at the height of it.
For Trip Sa Field, one track titled “Magkaibigan Lang Kami Ng Sandali” features his soulmate Sheryl Reyes, on vocals. The timely “Delubyo” rock piece has Chet Del Mundo on electric guitar, while a song called “Nanay” showcases Gatchie Ignacio on acoustic guitar.
team effort,” he said.
Like Zack, Miguel emphasized that coaching is a two-way street.
“Even though our role is to share our knowledge, we’re also learning so much for the first time. Every day is a rollercoaster of emotions,” Miguel shared.
Seasoned host and coach Billy Crawford praised the addition of younger artists like Tabudlo and Ben&Ben to the panel.
Standout numbers include “Tayo Na Sa Ulan,” which talks about “how life is much easier with special people that you bond with” and was previously recorded by a band he formed in America called Blued
Ted said, “I wrote this song in 2008, and it became a finalist of a contest sponsored by FILSCAP. The version in this album is new and features a Moog solo.”
Another interesting piece is “Pautang Naman,” which features the drum work of Raymund Marasigan . He played bass guitar for the Sandwich leader back in 2017, and this is a rolling return favor.
And then there’s “Field Trip,” a song that evokes strong feeling thanks to a melody that brings back heartfelt memories and reminds you that a good tune is both a time in a bottle and timeless. It’s classic Ted songwriting, and I say that as someone who studied his developing years as a songwriter. His ventures into rock and other genres meant progress in his art, but a piece like “Field Trip” is his 60s-loving soul bearing truth.
Completing the eight-song list available in various formats are “Wasak” and “Sobrang Init Naman.”
“It’s such a breath of fresh air working with these very inspiring and talented artists. They always bring something new to the table. In the same way that they learn from us, we also learn from them,” he said.
For Zack, the season is about inspiring young singers to believe in their own paths.
“It feels nice, and I hope these kids see that even if you stumble, there’s still a chance to come back,” he stated.
This is an album that should define him as a solo artist—adventurous, uncompromising, pure. Last December, he released a single called “Confidential Funds.” Yes, Ted Reyes can be
From left: ‘The Voice Kids 2025’ coaches Miguel and Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben, Julie Anne San Jose, Zack Tabudlo, and Billy Crawford
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
Filipino firm brings Seoul skincare
KOREAN skincare label Lamelin has joined the Philippines’ thriving beauty scene, officially entering the market through Pharmline Medforce Inc. after a family’s personal discovery of the brand turned into a business venture, bringing treatments from Seoul’s shelves to local routines.
Pharmline Medforce CEO Catherine Andres Gamo first came across Lamelin during a trip to Korea in September 2024. After seeing results herself, she introduced the products to her husband, Enrico , and later to friends and relatives, sparking growing interest. As demand spread, Gamo traveled back to Korea to meet Lamelin executives. On June 27, 2025, Pharmline Medforce secured the official distributorship for the Philippines. On the same day, Gamo’s daughter, Katrina Santos was named brand ambassador for PrettySkin and Lamelin, a role offered by Lamelin and PrettySkin
By Chong Ardivilla
THE true star of Some Nights I Feel Like Walking (2024, Petersen Vargas) is Metro Manila, which is a shame because it figures only as half of what started as an intriguing take on the city that suffers from its own suffocations. Manila is always reliable as the cinematic foil of duress—the work of highlighting humanity within sordid places.
You can feel that director Petersen Vargas knows Philippine cinema history, with traces of Lino Brocka’s realism. Then there’s Ishmael Bernal’s searing wit and Mel Chionglo’s queer imagery. Like his forebears, Vargas focuses on the aberrant body as a marker of Manila grit in this social realist piece.
The movie revolves around a motley crew of male sex workers who are tropes of the outsider and the dispossessed, moving through poverty and violence. Yet these young men are the most mobile in the story. They flit between grungy cinemas and lush provincial jungles.
The best thing the film has to offer is the way it is lit and shot. Yet beautiful cinematography and crisp mise-en-scène do not assure formidable storytelling. The script could have benefited from tighter editing to avoid indulgence.
The movie dipped when the young men ventured out of Manila into a series of surrealist vignettes. Manila may be grounded in grit and reality, but its constant sensory assault transforms it into something surreal—
By Angelica Villanueva
GELA Atayde, the youngest sister of Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde, defended her brother after contractors Sarah Discaya and Curlee Discaya named him as one of the lawmakers who allegedly received kickbacks from governmentfunded flood control projects. In a TikTok post, the actress stressed that her brother chose public service for the right reasons.
violent rather than fantastic. It feels like a story with too many asides, so the point became incidental. The dead body is a plot point for the lessons to be learned by the two lead characters. Well, at least this is what Manila is truly known for in cinema: a location for dehumanization. In this film, the province becomes a reclaiming of some sort, but still violent and unwelcoming at one point.
The meandering subplots weighed down the story’s gravity. The film could have benefited from focusing on the transporting of a dead body. After all, queering is to run counter, to decondition. Yet the movie risks chasing the orbit of melodrama and unrealistic proclamations of body and possession that are rife in heteronormative cinema.
To be fair, Philippine social realist cinema is about creative ways of showcasing bodies as disposable—thrown into prison, dumped into trash, or dismembered. Though Manila is the star, the movie eventually offers a short bright spot: while wandering in the province, the young men glimpse freedom and love caught between queer celebration and Christian cruelty
What is Philippine cinematic realism now, most notably under the new Marcos regime? The first Marcos era in the 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of social realist cinema.
Today, does realism survive only as abject spectacle—paraded before European cineastes eager for grand declarations about the “truth” of the human condition—or as a kind of deconditioning, a visual assault tied to moralistic judgment, in a city never known for goodness? Nothing lyrical here. Just bluntness, which is really what Manila is.
You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky.social
That’s the kind of change he’s working for,” Gela said, addressing critics of her lifestyle.
“His personal life? His travels? None of your business because, unlike others, we can proudly say that it’s the fruit of hard-earned money. Your concern is valid, but I think you have the wrong person here. Thank you,” she added. When asked if her spending came from her brother, Gela replied, “My paycheck babe. Kuya’s busy serving not stealing.”
Maine Mendoza, Arjo’s wife, also expressed support, while the lawmaker categorically denied benefiting from contractors.
By Jasper Valdez
CATRIONA Gray had a memorable encounter with Korean actor Jung Hae-in during a fashion event in Thailand.
The Miss Universe 2018 titleholder shared a photo of herself with the Snowdrop and D.P. star on Instagram, taken at the Tommy Hilfiger Resort gathering in Koh Samui.
“Good times made even better with good company @tommyhilfiger brought friends from across the world to #TheHilfigerResort in Koh Samui, Thailand! #TommyHilfiger,” she captioned the post.
Fans were quick to flood the comments section, with many gushing over the crossover moment. “Haein × Catriona Gray looking so good,” one follower wrote, while another jokingly recalled her iconic Miss Universe line about representing Filipinos: “So kasama pa rin kami dito sa pic na ’to?”
The event comes just weeks after Gray received the prestigious Diamond Award at the Samsung Galaxy Content Awards in New York, where she bested more than 100 creatives from 35 countries. Gray, who continues to balance her work as a host and creative, remains one of the Philippines’ most prominent international figures since winning the Miss Universe crown in 2018.
CEO Jung Bung Sub
PrettySkin and Lamelin ambassador Katrina Santos
From left: Lamelin and PrettySkin Korea CEO Jung Bung Sub, sales manager Ryan Cho, export manager Joonsoo Kim, manager Joo Hoang, Pharmline Medforce Inc. CEO Catherine AndresGamo, and finance head Enrico Gamo
Korean actor Jung Hae-in (left) and Miss Universe
C4 LIFE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
New health ID lets Filipinos access records without paperwork
mWell, the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), has launched what it says is the country’s first fully digital health identity, giving Filipinos a way to carry complete personal health records through their mobile phones.
The mWell Health ID, available on the mWell app, functions as a secure digital passport containing medical records, prescriptions, lab results, vaccination details, allergies, emergency contacts, and other vital information. The platform allows patients to share their records with doctors, hospitals, and clinics through built-in consent and privacy controls, eliminating the need for paper files.
“Healthcare is a basic human right,” MPIC Chairman, president and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said during the launch on Sept. 5. “The mWell Health ID is a crucial step toward universal healthcare, which envisions allowing all Filipinos to move through their health journeys with security and peace of mind.”
Chaye Cabal-Revilla, president and CEO of mWell and MPIC’s chief finance, risk, and sustainability officer, said the innovation empowers patients by making health information portable and accessible. “Our goal is to build a future where care is reliable, data-driven and always within reach,” she said.
The Health ID is designed to expedite registration at partner clinics and hospitals, enabling doctors to access medical histories across facilities, thereby reducing duplicate tests and enhancing diagnoses.
“Interoperability of health records has always been one of the biggest challenges in our healthcare system,” mWell Chief Operating Officer Dr. Raymond Sarmiento said. “By putting health records in the hands of every Filipino, we create stronger connections between patients and providers.”
The company stated that the initiative supports the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223), which aims to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all Filipinos. By enabling secure data sharing, the ID addresses gaps created by paper-based and fragmented record systems.
With its acquisition and integration of KonsultaMD, mWell has become the country’s leading digital health platform. The app connects patients with thousands of doctors nationwide for 24/7 teleconsultations, e-prescriptions and lab referrals, helping reduce travel costs for seniors, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and those in remote areas.
The Health ID can also be used at the mWell Primary Care Facility in Bacoor, Cavite, which offers consultations and laboratory services.
Beyond the ID, mWell has introduced programs to expand access in underserved communities. In partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, it has deployed OnTheGo Clinic-In-ABag kits to remote villages, Indigenous communities and conflict areas. The company has also piloted drone medicine delivery to isolated islands and launched BangkaHealth, a service that brings telemedicine by boat to homes on stilts in Sulu.
Managing health challenges in your 40s
Mariel Padilla opens up on midlife changes and wellness
AS WOMEN reach their 40s, many begin to notice subtle yet significant changes in their bodies.
Muscle tone may decline, metabolism slows, and hormonal shifts linked to perimenopause can bring new challenges such as weight gain, reduced strength, and even bladder leaks.
For some, these changes arrive quietly but steadily, affecting daily routines and overall well-being. Actress and television host Mariel Padilla is one of those who has spoken publicly about going through this stage of life.
Mariel said that in her 40s, she has noticed changes in her body, such as muscle loss, bladder leaks, and the effects of perimenopause. To manage these, she turned to Wonder Axon by Marie France. She added that between work and family life, she began to see her body losing muscle tone and, at times, experienced leaks after coughing or laughing.
Very Wang
Nickie Wang
said. “But if you do workouts regularly, it also complements what you do by targeting muscles that are usually hard to reach.”
She described the procedure as “intense” but not painful.
Broader impact of muscle health
During an exclusive event held recently at Marie France in Makati, Dr. Preetha Kkiran, research and training head for Wonder Axon, noted that people in their 20s and 30s can lose about 3 to 5 percent of their muscle mass, with the number increasing to as much as 8 to 10 percent after age 30. That rate can double over time if not addressed.
Muscle health plays a key role in metabolism, fat burning, and blood
“These changes aren’t just part of getting older,” she said. “They’re linked to muscle loss and hormonal changes that begin as early as our 30s and accelerate during perimenopause.”
Perimenopause and its effects
Doctors say estrogen decline during perimenopause naturally leads to muscle loss. This slows metabolism, increases weight gain — particularly around the midsection — and affects strength, stability, and bladder control.
Weak pelvic floor muscles, often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes, aging, weight gain, or chronic coughing and constipation, may result in urinary incontinence, reduced core stability, and discomfort that can quietly affect a woman’s quality of life.
“I know that so many of us suffer from bladder leakage or an overactive bladder, that when you feel the urge to go, oh, you really have to go,” Mariel said. “It can be embarrassing, but it’s very common.”
She also spoke about the challenges of incontinence after giving birth. “When I said I need to go, it means I really need to go, because by just coughing, laughing, or sneezing, I can’t control it anymore. Although it’s manageable now, I can control it.”
Mariel said she turned to Wonder Axon, a treatment offered by Marie France, which combines neuromuscular stimulation, electromagnetic fields, and inductive radio frequency to trigger thousands of deep muscle contractions in 25 minutes.
The treatment is designed not only to tone visible muscles but also to strengthen the deeper core and the five major muscles that make up the pelvic floor. By building this interconnected network, Wonder Axon aims to
products or elaborate routines. Sometimes it’s as simple as what you do in the bathroom before heading out for the day.
At Watsons’ Celebrate Every Body, Every Glow event held on Sept. 5 at the Mall of Asia, guests were encouraged to think differently about their daily bath habits.
Instead of rushing through a shower, the idea was to turn it into a moment to recharge, reset, and feel good.
“Taking care of ourselves goes beyond skincare for the face,” said Rachel Tayo assistant category manager at Watsons. “It’s about giving our whole body the care it needs.”
She explained how even the most basic steps, like washing, moisturizing, or using a scrub, can add value to a person’s wellbeing.
“From shower to after-shower, these small routines help you feel good and comfortable in your own skin,” she said. “That’s self-care.”
Marketing manager Cha Maglalang-Arañas introduced a practical way to build on that idea through scent layering.
“I like to always smell fresh and irresistible,” she said. “Scent plays a huge role in how we feel and even how others perceive us.”
She pointed out that perfumes alone don’t always last, especially in a hot and humid climate.
“Sometimes spraying cologne
isn’t enough,” she said. “You have to incorporate scent into your bath routine, too.”
Scent layering involves three simple steps. Start with a scented shower gel or scrub as your base. Apply lotion while the skin is still damp to lock in both moisture and fragrance. Then finish with a mist or perfume on your pulse points.
“It’s not complicated,” Maglalang-Arañas said. “You just use products that match your scent preference and apply them in order. That way, the fragrance stays with you throughout the day.” Maglalang-Arañas added that affordable Watsons lines such as Glamworks and Body Treats carry complete sets of matching scents, making it easier to stick to the routine without spending much. Instead of pushing trends or quick fixes, the event showed that self-care can be practical and uncomplicated. A few mindful steps, done consistently, can help you feel more like yourself every day. And sometimes, all it takes is a good shower and a scent that stays with you.
The mWell Health ID serves as a secure digital passport for medical records, prescriptions, and other vital information
Dr. Preetha Kkiran (left) discusses the science of muscle loss and perimenopause with Mariel Padilla
MPIC chairman, president and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan and mWell and MPIC president and CEO Chaye Cabal-Revilla
Watsons marketing manager Cha Maglalang-Arañas says, incorporating fragrance into bath routines, is a practical