said Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to issue an executive order authorizing emergency government procurement of palay to stabilize farmgate prices hit by adverse weather and a bumper harvest, which have offset the effects of the two-month rice import ban.
Speaking during the House deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget, Tiu Laurel reported that palay prices have plunged again in recent days.
“This is quite alarming. Over the weekend, everyone in the DA has been at work. I was with President Marcos in Northern Luzon, and these are the decisions that have been made,” he said.
Proposed measures include extending the import ban by at least 30 days; setting a palay floor price; raising rice tariffs from the current 15 percent once the ban is lifted; prohibiting government and local agencies from buying imported rice; authorizing the National Food Authority (NFA) to conduct emergency palay procurement; and allowing it to lease private warehouses for additional storage.
Tiu Laurel noted that farm-gate prices briefly climbed to about P14 per kilo just before the import freeze took effect on September 1, up from P8 to P10, but have since slid back to preban levels. In parts of Northern Luzon where rains and floods damaged crops, wet palay reportedly dropped to as low as P6 per kilo.
As NFA council chair, he said the agency targets to buy wet palay at P17 per kilo under the emergency scheme while the import ban is still in place.
PH, Ukraine forge stronger ties amid security threats
AS RUSSIA’S war in Ukraine continues and China persists with illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines and Ukraine vowed to strengthen their strategic partnership at a high-level forum hosted by the Stratbase Institute together with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Philippines.
The September 23 event, titled “Strengthening Strategic Ties: Enhancing Cooperation between the Philippines and Ukraine,” gathered lawmakers, diplomats, military leaders, and security experts from both countries who underscored that defending sovereignty today requires resilience, innovation, and cooperation with like-minded democracies.
Stratbase Institute President Prof. Victor Andres Manhit said both nations face coercion and incursions that threaten sovereignty.
Ukrainian Ambassador Yuliia Fediv added that the partnership is anchored on shared values and a commitment to upholding a rules-based international order.
Bishops call on gov’t to pursue ‘godly’ projects
By Vito Barcelo
A CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) official has called on the government to prioritize “godly projects” over “ghost projects” to improve the well-being of the poor and protect the environment amid the ongoing investigation into multi-billion-peso flood control irregularities.
Cebu’s newly appointed Archbishop Alberto Uy issued the appeal during a reception lunch hosted by the Cebu City Government, where he
denounced corruption and advocated for programs that uplift communities and safeguard the environment.
Uy succeeded Archbishop Jose Palma, who retired after 14 years of service. Pope Francis appointed Uy as the new Archbishop of Cebu on July 16, 2025.
The prelate stressed the importance of projects that benefit people and the planet rather than those pursued for personal gain or corruption.
“What are those godly projects? Projects that uplift the poor. Projects
that protect the environment. Projects that bring genuine progress and lasting peace. Projects that at the end of the day can make God smile,” he said.
Uy commended Cebu’s environmental initiatives, saying they reflect leadership rooted in everyday decisions that protect creation and inspire action.
“Let us rise above the floods of corruption together. Let justice roll down like waters across our land. Let us rebuild our nation on truth, justice, and the common good,” the CBCP said.
‘Press will be respected under my watch’
By Minerva Newman
CEBU
CITY—Cebu Governor
Pamela Baricuatro declared that the press will be respected under her leadership, in a keynote message delivered during the general assembly and induction of officers of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) on September 27 at the Cebu Parklane Hotel.
The event capped the weeklong Cebu Press Freedom Week, held September 20–27.
“Here in Cebu, under my watch, I want you to know that the press will always be valued and respected. I value the press not only as reporters, but as watchdogs, partners, and storytellers,” Baricuatro said.
She acknowledged that while coverage may sometimes be unfavorable, the media remain vital as the bridge between government and the people.
The governor recognized the media’s essential but sometimes adversarial role, stressing that she values journalists’ work even when critical of her administration. Press freedom, she added, is not only a constitutional right but also a responsibility carried with courage and conviction.
“When that freedom is exercised responsibly, it does not weaken governance—it strengthens it. It pushes us leaders to be more transparent, more accountable, and more grounded in the realities of our people,” she said.
CAUGHT. NBI Director Jaime Santiago and the NBI Cybercrime Division present Chinese national Wang Gang, alias Kelvin Lee, arrested in Parañaque for trafficking and cybercrime violations. Norman Cruz
IN BRIEF
DMW eyes all legal ways to save Pinay in Kuwait THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it is using all available legal remedies to stop the execution of a Filipina maid sentenced to death in Kuwait. The woman, a domestic worker, was convicted by the Criminal Court of Kuwait for the killing of a two-year-old child in December 2024.
In a statement, the DMW appealed for public trust and understanding, stressing that the case is an isolated incident and does not represent the millions of overseas Filipino workers worldwide. The Philippine embassy in Kuwait is monitoring the case to ensure the worker’s rights are protected while awaiting the legal appeals process.
The death penalty was handed down on September 24, 2025, but no execution date has been set, as the verdict is not yet final. Vito Barcelo
Marikina City councilor denounces fake AI photo
A MARIKINA City councilor has denounced the circulation of an AIgenerated image linking her to a controversy involving Rep. Marcy Teodoro.
Councilor Jaren Feliciano called the photo, shared by the Facebook group Marikina Daily News, “malicious, below the belt, and a blatant act of black propaganda.”
She presented the original photo to prove that the AI-edited version was fabricated and intended to malign her and destroy Teodoro’s reputation.
Feliciano warned those behind the post to stop using her image for political mudslinging, stressing that public officials are not “props or meme material.”
The councilor also defended Teodoro, saying she respects both the lawmaker and Mayor Maan Teodoro and rejected all allegations as false. Joel E. Zurbano
LTO summons motorcycle owner in back rider post
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has summoned the registered owner of a motorcycle seen in a viral post carrying two back riders, including a child.
LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said he was dismayed by the rider’s “irresponsibility,” stressing that the child, seated in the middle, wore no helmet or protective gear.
The agency’s social media team tracked down the registered owner from the post and issued a show cause order for him to appear before the LTO on October 2.
The rider faces charges for carrying excess passengers, failing to require helmets, and being an “improper person” to operate a motor vehicle. Rio N. Araja
MALICIOUS PHOTO. Marikina Councilor Jaren Feliciano condemns an AI-manipulated photo linking her to Rep. Marcy Teodoro, calling it ‘malicious’ and ‘black propaganda.’
BEAT JOURNALISTS. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro administers the oath of office to the newly elected officers of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists.
PNP-ACG keeps close watch on online scammers
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine National Police AntiCybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Monday disclosed that they are monitoring four social media pages suspected of complicity in online scams.
ACG chief Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said during a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City, that they are closely watching four Meta pages using his name and image, as well as the PNPACG in illegal cyber activities.
“As far as I know, there are four of them, one of whom we are just waiting for to file the case. This is also the one who is using my name and photo as well as the ACG so that they can deceive people,” Yang said.
“We received a report that a person already paid P10,000 to one of this pages, apparently that person is one of my classmates,” he added.
Yang admonished netizens to protect their internet accounts especially their Facebook profiles to prevent identity theft.
“The pictures used by these online scammers were all from the Facebook pages of the ACG, so we urge the people to lock their profiles in Facebook to prevent these kind of actions,” he said.
The ACG chief also said they are coordinating with online payment outlets, as well as with Meta for the information regarding the transactions and personal information of the account holder.
Yang said that they were working diligently to curb unlawful online operations.
“I know that we are undermanned, but the ACG will not stop protecting our people from cybercrime as well as we will always be ready for these kind of threat,” he said.
DAR writes off P876,000 debts of Misamis farmers
By Rio N. Araja
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has condoned more than P876,000 in unpaid amortizations and interests incurred by over 100 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Misamis Occidental.
DAR-Northern Mindanao, led by regional director Zoraida Macadindang, awarded 79 certificates of condonation
DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
Secretary Henry Aguda and FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list Rep. Brian Poe on Monday underscored blockchain technology as a vital tool to access transparency and accountability in the bureaucracy.
“Imagine a day where the citizens can inspect all the transactions of government…That’s the intention,” Aguda said a press briefing in Makati City, citing blockchain’s role as an instrument of “immutable database.”
“We saw that on the ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website. They exposed the transactions. A lot of people investigated. Now, we’re here, the truth is coming out, so it’s like ‘Sumbong sa Pangulo’ website, but we take it at a much higher level,” he noted.
Poe, who filed House Bill 4489 or the proposed Blockchain for Government Transparency Act, emphasized the importance of public access to both the national budget and government transactions.
“When we’re talking about blockchain and how it works, we want all government transactions to be verified on the chain. What we’re doing is putting digital infrastructure in the Philippines that allows people to view these through a public portal,” Poe said.
with release of mortgage (COCROMs) to 110 farmer-beneficiaries tilling 183 hectares of farmlands.
“This condonation is not just about erasing debts. It is about giving our farmers a fresh start, empowering them to maximize their land, improve their livelihood, and build a better future without the heavy weight of financial obligations. This is a step toward genuine rural development and lasting progress for agrarian reform communities,” Macadindang said.
The debt write off was meant to ease ARBs’ financial burdens by doing away with their unpaid amortization obligations as part of the
nationwide “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” program.
DAR also rolled out a one-day service caravan, and launched the Agraryong Abogado, Todo Serbisyo para sa Benepisyo, a free legal assistance initiative aimed at providing the farmers and other agrarian participants direct access to government lawyers for consultations on agrarian-related cases and legal concerns. DAR said the activities reflected President Marcos’ commitment to empower farmers not only through land ownership, but also through programs that eliminate barriers to their growth and long-term stability.
Masbate airport repair complete—CAAP
By Joel E. Zurbano
T HE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has announced that Masbate Airport is now operational and prepared to accommodate both commercial flights and air travelers.
The airport experienced structural damage estimated at P10 to P15 million due to Typhoon Opong. However, immediate repair and clearing were undertaken to restore operations and ensure the safety of passengers.
Following an inspection by Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Saturday, CAAP ensured the immediate availability of repair materials and enhanced standby inventory to meet future needs.
CAAP information officer Bea
Bernardo said the airport’s passenger terminal facility has been confirmed safe for occupancy.
“All hazardous materials and debris previously hanging from the ceiling have been removed to ensure passenger safety and convenience. Temporary roofing has been installed to provide protection, while power supply and internet connectivity have been fully restored,” Bernardo said.
Although the airport is prepared to resume operations, the decision to restart flights was left to the discretion of the airlines.
Meanwhile, the CAAP gave assurance that it would continue to implement necessary improvements and uphold its commitment to providing safe, reliable, and
travel in accordance with a
of President
IN BRIEF
Navy foils cigarette smuggling in Basilan SOME P2.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes were confiscated and two suspects arrested in a maritime operation off the island province of Basilan early Sunday.
Rear Adm. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Naval Command (WMNC), said the smuggling attempt was detected near Hadji Muhtamad town.
The suspects, both Basilan residents, were aboard the motorboat Water Blade when they were flagged down by the crew of the Navy ship BRP Herminigildo Yurong during a routine patrol.
Seized from the vessel were 40 cases of assorted foreignbrand cigarettes, Reyes said. Rex Espiritu
Chinese consulate marks China’s 76th anniversary
THE Consulate General of China on Sunday marked its country’s 76th year with a grand celebration in Cebu City led by Consul General Zhang Zhen, attended by the city’s FilipinoChinese community, business leaders, and government officials.
Also in attendance was Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu Chapter president and Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan, and several other mayors from Cebu province.
“This occasion is not only a moment of pride for China but also an opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of friendship between our two sides. I thanked Cebu’s leaders and communities for their long-standing support. I especially felt the genuine desire across the local society for closer cooperation between our two sides,” Zhang said in her remarks.
She highlighted China’s transformation over the past 76 years, from lifting 800 million people out of poverty to becoming a global leader in innovation, renewable energy, and international development. Minerva Newman
Cebu town joins world coastal clean-up drive
THE town of Moalboal, one of Cebu’s top beach and dive destinations located along the Tañon Strait, took part in the recent International Coastal Clean-up Day, a global initiative for the protection and preservation of the coastal and marine ecosystems. The coastal town held a firstever simultaneous clean-up drive in two locations, spearheaded by the municipal government in collaboration with tourism stakeholders.
Situated between Cebu and Negros provinces, Tañpm Strait boasts of 8,408 hectares of coral reefs with 41 common coral genera, 4,108 hectares of mangrove forests with 46 known species, and is habitat to 48 percent of the archipelago’s cetaceans, and 12 of the country’s 16 seagrass species.
MARCHING BANDS CONTEST. Bacoor City hosts a marching band parade and competition with 52 bands with their respective majorettes as part of the city’s annual Music Festival. Banda Dos Kabataan
BACK IN SHAPE. Masbate Airport which suffered some structural and operational setbacks due to super typhoon Opong is back to its original form and ready to accommodate passengers after completing some repairs, according to the
Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
OPINION
WHILE the people have their eyes on what has been happening with the billions of pesos stolen by certain insatiable and corrupt public officials in collaboration with greedy public works contractors, the ICC at the Hague in the Netherlands has collated and pinpointed seven counts of murder that could indict former president Rodrigo Duterte.
I understand these are the initial findings of the ICC in connection with the infamous Davao City Death Squad when the former president was mayor and vice mayor.
My sources have told me as soon as the trial of Duterte will begin, the arrest of now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is forthcoming, when he will join Duterte in detention at the ICC of the Hague in the Netherlands.
During Duterte’s six-year bloody, brutal war on illegal drugs, dela Rosa was the chief of police in implementing “Tokhang” (meaning “knock on the door”) and Duterte’s Double Barrel campaign on illegal drugs that resulted also in extrajudicial killings.
My sources tell me the ICC prosecutors are finalizing their cases to convict Duterte for crimes against humanity. It will be interesting to find out to what extent Duterte can be indicted for his brutal and bloody war against illegal drugs during his six year term as president from 2016 to 2022.
We know he himself admitted in many of his TV addresses before the people that he alone should be held responsible for that brutal war.
If you trace his public statements on television, it is clear he admits he alone should be held responsible . This means the deaths of extrajudicial killings should be attributed to him.
I believe that Duterte’s war against illegal drugs as a national policy is in itself illegal because it included killings of people involved in illegal drugs. That alone makes the policy illegal. It would be interesting to know to what extent Duterte can be held responsible and accountable for those extra judicial killings.
While we are focused on the billions of pesos stolen from the people, just how the people can recover all that money remains a big question, my gulay.
Several big names in both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, have been linked to the loss of billions of pesos.
Again, the big question is: how do the people recover the money stolen? We just have to wait and see.
Names have been mentioned, which, Santa Banana, shows the extent of the the anomalies.
The people’s anger and rage had flared up in the recent anti-corruption rallies across the country.
I now lean towards the restoration of the death penalty if only to instill in the hearts of these corrupt people the fear of stealing from the Filipino people
There is one name, however, I personally believe should not be mentioned in any accusation: Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
In his years as a public servant, especially during his term in the judiciary, his image was untainted.
Meantime, the government should focus on what should be done to recover all the billions of pesos stolen from the people by those corrupt contractors and public officials.
How far can the government go to confiscate these assets and the mansions of these corrupt public officials in an effort to get back from them all the billions of pesos stolen?
Considering the rage of the masses, the people will not settle for just mere indictments or imprisonments.
I am now having second thoughts about not advocating the death penalty for them.
I now lean towards the restoration of the death penalty if only to instill in the hearts of these corrupt people the fear of stealing from the Filipino people
Magalong’s crash-and-burn as PBBM’s anti-graft poster boy
IN A plot twist worthy of a tragicomic teleserye, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has resigned as “special adviser” to the so-called Independent Commission for Infrastructure after a mere 48 hours.
Appointed with fanfare, paraded alongside Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and then discarded faster than a campaign promise in a typhoon, Magalong’s tenure was a political fireworks that fizzled before it could spark. This isn’t just one man’s brief flirtation with national glory; it’s a scathing indictment of Malacañang’s legal incompetence, ethical blindness, and a commission about as independent as a barangay tanod on the President’s payroll. Welcome to the farcical saga of the Part-Time Corruption Buster. Constitutional Chaos: Malacañang’s Laughable Law Dodge Let’s start with the legal trainwreck.
The 1987 Constitution’s Article IX-B, Section 7 is blunt: no elective official can take another public office during their tenure unless explicitly allowed by law or tied to their primary duties.
Yet, Malacañang thought it cute to appoint Baguio’s mayor as a roving graft investigator, as if mayoral duties include moonlighting as Sherlock Holmes for the The Palace’s defense? Magalong was “just an adviser,” not a real office-holder – a dodge so flimsy it wouldn’t survive a law school moot court.
Supreme Court rulings, like Civil Liberties Union v. Executive Secretary (1991) and Funa v. Agra (2013), have long slammed such dual-role nonsense, insisting additional posts for elective officials need statutory blessing or must flow from core functions.
Magalong’s ICI gig? It had neither. It’s
not governance; it’s Constitutional cosplay.
Labor leader Sonny Matula nailed it: wearing two hats makes this probe “good in form but weak in substance.”
ICI Illusion: A Mirage of Independence
The ICI, birthed by Executive Order 94 to probe a decade of flood-control fiascos, is a masterclass in optics over substance.
Scrap the EO, pass a law with subpoena power, and appoint investigators without local baggage
An ad-hoc body created by presidential whim, it lacks the statutory teeth to subpoena a single document or witness.
Want to grill a DPWH official? Better hope they’re feeling cooperative, because this “independent” commission is tethered to the very Executive Branch it’s meant to investigate.
Magalong’s role – tagging along with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on inspections – only deepened the farce.
His resignation letter called out the obvious: “circumstances that already cast doubt on the independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.”
Translation: this isn’t a probe; it’s a press release with a travel budget.
If you’re hunting corruption, maybe don’t cozy up to the department drowning in it.
Discaya Debacle: Baguio’s Tainted
Zero human rabies death by 2030
THE other day, developed and developing countries, including the Philippines, marked World Rabies Day, the attention at home drowned out by staggering security and public welfare issues.
But the annual celebration, which began in 2007 with the first awareness campaign launched by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and others, was not lost in the provinces although the megaphones may not have been loud enough.
World Rabies Day, which marks the death of French scientist Louis Pasteur who developed the first successful rabies vaccine, is significant for raising global awareness about rabies prevention and control, and promoting community-led actions to achieve zero human rabies deaths by 2030.
In the Philippines, between 200 and 300 rabies deaths are recorded annually, with a recent high of 426 deaths reported in 2024, which suggests rabies remains a significant public health issue, with a majority of deaths occurring in children under 15 years old. Worldwide, about 59,000 people die of rabies each year although this number is likely an under-estimate due to underreporting in affected regions.
We know that provinces have indi-
Tennis Courts
Now, the real kicker: the Discaya connection.
The Discaya family, through their St. Gerrard Construction, built Baguio’s ₱110-million tennis court and parking lot under Magalong’s watch.
The same Discayas who’ve admitted to slinging kickbacks to politicians and DPWH officials for flood-control projects.
So, how does Mayor Magalong, whose city hall funneled millions to a scandaltainted firm, pivot to probing “national” infrastructure scams involving those same players?
It’s not a conflict of interest; it’s a conflict catastrophe. Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, demands avoiding even the “appearance” of partiality.
Magalong’s defense?
The bidding was “proper.”
Sure, and I’m the next National Artist for Ethics.
vidually marked the day with activities, aimed at aligning themselves with the critical platform for global collaboration, highlighting the preventable nature of the disease, which still claims tens of thousands of lives each year, and encouraging public participation in vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures.
The primary goal is to inform the public about rabies, its symptoms, how it is transmitted and is a 100 percent preventable disease through vaccination
Ilocos Norte celebrated World Rabies Day 2025 with community-focused activities led by the Provincial Govern-
Clean paperwork or not, the optics are filthier than a Manila flood. In anti-graft work, perception can sink you faster than proof.
Fleeing the Flood: Magalong’s Tactical Bailout
Let’s meet our cast. Magalong, the former Philippine National Police bigwig who cut his teeth on the Mamasapano probe, isn’t the noble quitter he’d have you believe.
His resignation, citing Palace pronouncements that “undermined the role and mandate entrusted to me,” was less a stand for principle and more a lifeboat from a sinking ship. He saw the Constitutional buzzsaw and Discaya-shaped albatross coming and bolted, wrapping his exit in righteous prose.
Malacañang, meanwhile, staged a press briefing that was pure panic: Press Officer Claire Castro babbled that Magalong was “just an adviser” who should focus on Ba-
ment, the City Government of Laoag, and Mariano Marcos State University at SM City Laoag, according to provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela.
Under the global theme “Act Now: You, Me, Community,” the celebration featured free anti-rabies vaccinations and deworming for pets, veterinary consultations, and a rabies advocacy campaign, aiming to raise awareness and promote responsible pet ownership to eliminate rabies cases.
Albay for its part provided free pet anti-rabies vaccinations, spaying/neutering services, and awareness campaigns to encourage community responsibility in eliminating rabies by 2030.
Cebu marked the day by holding a rabies vaccination drive and a forum with veterinarians and community members to encourage action against rabies, while Mindoro had its residents participate in rabies awareness and prevention efforts, including school-based education, mass dog vaccination campaigns, and spaying/neutering initiatives.
In Surigao del Sur, the province quietly observed the day with activities like free anti-rabies vaccinations for poets, spaying/neutering services and dog microchipping organized by the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Veterinarians say the primary goal is to inform the public about rabies, its symptoms, how it is transmitted and is a 100 percent preventable disease through vaccination
guio, effectively tossing him under the bus while waving a white flag. This isn’t crisis management; it’s a clown car crash. The Bitter Aftertaste: A Doomed Probe
Magalong’s 48-hour flop isn’t a win for ethics – it’s a neon sign flashing “SYSTEM FAILURE.”
The ICI limps on, toothless and tainted, while the Discaya scandals fester.
Want a real probe?
Scrap the EO, pass a law with subpoena power, and appoint investigators without local baggage.
Until then, this is just another chapter in the Philippines’ tragicomedy: big promises, bigger scandals, and infrastructure that washes away with the next rain.
Magalong’s back in Baguio, where the tennis courts gleam but the questions linger.
The real casualty? Public trust, drowned in a flood of incompetence.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Trump to push Netanyahu on Gaza plan
Typhoon Bualoi batters Vietnam coast, killing 11
HANOI – Typhoon Bualoi ripped roofs from buildings and uprooted electrical poles along Vietnam’s coast, killing at least 11 people, local and national officials said on Monday.
The storm -- the 10th to hit Vietnam this year -- made landfall late on Sunday, generating winds of 130 kilometers per hour.
Thousands of houses and businesses have been damaged or destroyed, authorities in three provinces told AFP. Images published by AFP showed corrugated metal roofs blown off buildings and household debris strewn across saturated streets in coastal Nghe An province.
“The wind blew my roof to the sky and then it fell down, breaking everything. I had to cover my head and rushed to my neighbor’s house to be safe,” Trinh Thi Le, 71, in central Quang Tri province, was quoted as saying by staterun Tuoi Tre newspaper. At least nine people were killed when a typhoon-related whirlwind swept through northern Ninh Binh province early on Monday, according to the local disaster agency.
One person was killed in the province of Hue and another in Thanh Hoa, while about 20 were missing, local and national disaster authorities reported. AFP
IN BRIEF
WASHINGTON,
DC – US
President
Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday (Tuesday Manila time) for high-stakes talks aimed at pushing an elusive Gaza peace plan over the line.
Trump says a deal to end the nearly two-year war in Gaza, free hostages held by Hamas and disarm the Palestinian militant group is effectively done following talks with Arab leaders last week.
He teased a possible breakthrough on Sunday, saying on his Truth Social network: “ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!!”
However, Netanyahu has given little reason for optimism in recent days. He vowed in a defiant UN address on Friday to “finish the job” against Hamas, and promised to block a Palestinian state that key Western nations recently recognized.
Moldova’s pro-EU party wins major elections
European Council head Antonio Costa said Moldova had chosen a “European future,” Poland’s prime minister hailed Moldova for foiling Russian ambitions while France congratulated Moldovans on their “sovereign” choice.
GRAND BLANC, Michigan – A man opened fire in a Mormon church in Michigan and set the building ablaze on Sunday (Monday Manila time), killing at least four people in the latest deadly tragedy that US President Donald Trump called part of a national “epidemic of violence.” Police in the northern US state said the shooter first rammed the church with his vehicle before opening fire with an assault rifle, and then set the building on fire.
The attacker was killed by police in the parking lot eight minutes after the first emergency call came in, Grand Blanc Police Chief William Renye told a news conference.
Renye said that, in addition to two deceased victims announced earlier in the day, two more bodies had been recovered among debris at the burned-down church, with search efforts ongoing.
He said earlier that eight people had also been wounded in the attack, one of whom was in critical condition. AFP
Gunman kills 4 in Mormon church Singapore denies entry to HK activist
SINGAPORE – Singapore said Monday it had refused entry to Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law over the weekend as his presence would not be in the citystate’s “national interests.”
The activist, who holds a UK refugee travel document, told AFP that he had been denied entry when he tried to pass immigration after his plane landed at Singapore’s Changi Airport from San Francisco on Saturday.
He said he was sent back on Sunday on a plane to San Francisco.
“Law’s entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore’s national interests,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told AFP in a statement.
“A visa holder is still subject to further checks at point of entry into the country. That is what happened with Nathan Law.” Law had fled from Hong Kong in 2020, and the police there issued a warrant of arrest against him for offenses under their National Security Law, the MHA said. AFP
Nepal imposes travel bans on ex-PM, 4 others
KATHMANDU – Nepal has imposed travel bans on ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli and four former senior officials as part of an investigation into deadly unrest earlier this month, the interior minister said Monday.
Youth-led protests that began on September 8 over a brief social media ban, economic hardship and corruption quickly morphed into nationwide fury after a deadly crackdown.
Two
CHISINAU, Moldova – Moldova’s ruling pro-EU party won parliamentary elections with the backing of more than half of voters, according to results Monday for polls overshadowed by accusations of Russian interference in the exSoviet country.
The small European Union candidate nation, which borders Ukraine and has a pro-Russia breakaway region, has long been divided over whether to move closer with Brussels or maintain Soviet-era relations with Moscow. Sunday’s elections were seen as crucial for the country to maintain its push towards EU integration, launched after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
But analysts warned that the ruling party’s victory was “fragile” and that Russia could yet stir trouble.
With over 99.91 percent of ballots counted, the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) headed by President Maia Sandu had garnered 50.16 percent of the vote to elect members of the 101-seat parliament.
That compared to 24.16 percent for the pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc, according to
results published on the election commission’s website. The support for PAS was slightly lower than the 52.8 percent that it won in 2021.
“Statistically speaking PAS has guaranteed a fragile majority,” analyst Andrei Curararu of the Chisinau-based think tank WatchDog.md told AFP on Sunday as the party took the lead in the count.
But he warned that “danger” had not passed, “as a functional government is difficult to form”.
“The Kremlin has bankrolled too big of an operation to stand down and could resort to protests, bribing PAS MPs and other tactics to disrupt forming a stable pro-European government,” he added. AFP
19 hurt in Peru anti-gov’t protests as young people throw firebombs
LIMA – At least 19 people, including a police officer, were injured during protests against the government of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Congress over the weekend, authorities and human rights advocates said Sunday (Monday Manila time).
Hundreds of people marched over the weekend toward the seats of government in downtown Lima under heavy police presence.
Groups of young people threw stones, firebombs, and fireworks at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, AFP journalists observed.
The National Human Rights Coordinator, a human rights coalition, reported on Sunday that 18 people were injured in the clashes, including a journalist.
“A police officer suffered first-degree burns from a Molotov cocktail during the march organized by various groups,” the National Police reported on Saturday, along with images of the clashes on social media.
CNDDHH blamed the police for the
violence.
“We call on the police to respect the right to protest. There was no justification for firing large amounts of tear gas, much less for attacking people,” Mar Perez, a lawyer for the CNDDHH, told AFP. A new march by hundreds of transport workers and the Generation Z youth collective in protest against alleged corruption and extortion was dispersed by dozens of police officers with tear gas on Sunday night.
“We are marching against corruption, for life and against the crime that is killing us every day,” 28-year-old engineer Adriana Flores told AFP on Sunday. Social unrest has increased after the Boluarte government passed a law on September 5 requiring young people to contribute to
The Israeli premier also appears reluctant to halt a military offensive in Gaza City from which hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee in recent weeks. It will be Netanyahu’s fourth visit to the White House since Trump returned to power in January, as the US president struggles to end a conflict he said he could solve in days. Normally a staunch ally of Netanyahu, Trump has shown recent signs of frustration.
He warned Netanyahu last week against annexing the West Bank, as some of the Israeli premier’s cabinet members have urged, and also opposed Israel’s recent strike on Hamas members in key US ally Qatar. Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza urged Trump to uphold his proposed Gaza ceasefire deal. AFP
Israeli hostage families urge Trump to uphold Gaza peace deal
PROTEST CALL. Igor Dodon, the leader of Socialist Party, uses a megaphone
PH gears up for LA Olympics: Early preparations underway
By Peter Atencio
THE campuses of Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, and University of California-Los Angeles will most likely serve as the base camp of the Philippine delegation when they train and prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Chef de mission Ricky Vargas said this after he went on a three-day visit to Los Angeles to scout for potential training facilities, hospitality venues, and accommodations for the Philippine contingent.
“We’ve done the first round. In February, we’ll do another round and hope to finalize details,” said Vargas.
He added he and his team of coordinators are doing the same prep
work when the Philippines prepared for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the Philippine Olympic Committee using Metz to set up camp before the games.
Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, and UCLA offer world-class facilities that will serve the needs of Filipino athletes, according to Vargas.
UCLA has sprawling 400-acre campus, which will house around 80-percent of the Olympic Village.
Vargas said there are plans to bring a delegation of 20 to 25 athletes, along with their coaches and trainers,
to camp in Los Angeles. This will happen a month before the Games to maximize the preparations, and fasttrack their acclimatization.
Vargas added that he also inspected potential hospitality and event centers for the POC, where guests and supp orters may be hosted during the games.
The Petersen Automotive Museum and the Film Academy Museum are among the venues that will be tapped, while 20 hotel rooms are also set to be booked in a central location to house key officials and staff.
Europe wins emotional Ryder Cup after US fightback
FARMINGDALE—Europe fought off a thrilling United States rally to win an emotional Ryder Cup on Sunday with Irishman Shane Lowry securing the trophy on a dramatic six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. Lowry’s tension-packed putt lifted him into a tie with American Russell Henley for the half-point that clinched Europe keeping the trophy and two late ties gave the visitors a 15-13 victory.
“That was the hardest couple of hours of my whole life,” a tearful Lowry said.
“I just can’t believe that putt went in. I stood over it going ‘This is it.’
“I said walking down 18, ‘I have a chance to do the coolest thing in my life.’ The Ryder Cup means everything to me... To do it out there today in front of everyone -- it was so hard out there.”
Europe’s triumph was their 11th in the past 15 Cup showdowns and their fourth on the road in that span, the first away victory since Europe’s 2012 “Miracle at Medinah.”
“It was probably the most stressful 12 hours of my life,” Europe captain Luke Donald said. “I didn’t think they’d be this tough on Sunday. They fought so hard. But we got it done.”
Americans lead the all-time rivalry
27-16-2 but Europe lead 13-9-1 since the roster was expanded beyond Britain and Ireland in 1979.
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of this team,” said second-ranked McIlroy, who went 3-1-1. “This was an unbelievable collective effort. It has been an amazing week.”
Europe seized a record 11.5-4.5 lead after the conclusion of the pairs sessions, which became 12-5 after Norway’s Viktor Hovland withdrew from singles due to a neck injury and his match with Harris English was declared a draw.
Early losses by McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose
had Europe reeling.
But Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg beat Patrick Cantlay 2&1 for the only Europe singles win of the day and Matt Fitzpatrick, despite squandering a 5-up lead after seven holes, tied Bryson DeChambeau to put Europe on the brink.
Having won the Cup in Rome in 2023, Europe needed only 14 points to keep it while the Americans needed 14.5 point to recapture it, which would have taken the greatest last-day comeback in Cup history.
It nearly happened and tensions grew to epic levels before Lowry’s heroic finish.
‘Shane is a legend’ With Henley 1-up at the 18th tee, Lowry found the fairway and Henley a left bunker, but the American’s approach landed 10 feet from the hole.
Lowry dropped his approach six feet from the hole, then watched Henley miss a putt to win the match.
The Irishman sank his putt to win the hole, tie the match and secure the Cup -- then started dancing on the green.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton tied Collin Morikawa to ensure a Europe triumph and Scotsman Robert MacIntyre tied Sam Burns to create the final margin. AFP
St. Benilde Blazers try to adjust to new format
FOR three straight seasons, the College of St. Benilde Blazers made it to the Final Four under the double-elimination round format.
Under a new system of play, which now introduces the play-in rule, the Blazers hope to thrive under its challenging layout.
“We try not to think about it. We love the old format, because we love to play more games,” said Blazers’ coach Charles Tiu, ahead of the opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 men’s basketball tournament’s opening.
The Benilde Blazers are in a tough pool, with fellow favorites San Beda and Letran, consistent contender Emilio Aguinaldo and a new-look Jose Rizal University in Group B. The new format will have Group A taking in defending champion Mapúa and fourth-placer LPU, with the revamped squads of Perpetual, San Sebastian and Arellano.
“We’d love to play more games, and have exposure. The old format gave us more opportunities to play,” added Tiu. The Blazers will see new players reinforcing the team, with bigs like Shawn Umali, SJ Moore, slasher Raffy Celis, defensive-minded Jake Gaspay, and court general Bonn Daja.
Tiu said reigning MVP-Defensive Player of the Year Allen Liwag and veterans Justine Sanchez, Winston Ynot, and Gab Cometa are still around.
But Ynot will miss some games due to an undisclosed injury.
Tiu added that getting Umali, an ex-Perpetual Help player, will give the Blazers the toughness with his inside and outside presence, while Moore’s athleticism will help them improve their firepower. Peter Atencio
PSA Forum to discuss Season 101 of NCAA
THE coming 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association will be in the spotlight during the resumption of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday (Sept. 30) at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Jose Rizal University athletic director Paul Supan and Emilio Aguinaldo College Vice President for Administration Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo will grace the weekly session in behalf of the NCAA Management Committee.
The Forum starts at 10:30 a.m. as it returns from a two-week break to give way to the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Supan and Lorenzo are going to discuss the activities in store for the entire school calendar of the grand old collegiate league in the country which is coming off its centennial celebration last season.
The public sports program is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus. Livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation, the Forum is aired by Radyo Pilipinas 2 on a delayed basis, but shared on its official Facebook page Radyo Pilipinas 2 sports.
battles, but a celebration of young talent rising to the biggest challenge of their budding careers. The elite 48 players – culled from two seven-leg elimination series –will represent North and South squads, their rosters earned through months of intense competition at championship venues across the country. And now, they face perhaps their sternest test yet: TCC, a fearsome, championship-level course known for its deceptive length, lurking hazards and glass-like
Oct. 1), the Junior Philippine Golf Tour season finale promises not just a culmination of a season’s worth of grueling
Shown here are (from left) J Creative Founder Co-CEO JP Mallo, J Creative Founder Co-CEO Justyn Reyes, Consul Francis Maynard S. Maleon, Deputy Consul
General Maria Alnee A. Gamble, Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chef de mission Ricky Vargas, Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Cignal First Vice President and Head of Channels and Content Sienna Olaso, Cignal Vice President for Sports Business Development Miguel Vea and Gany Ruperto.
Shane Lowry of Europe holds the Ryder Cup trophy aloft as Team Europe celebrate their 15-13 victory during the trophy presentation ceremony following the Sunday singles matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. AFP
Team South’s Ralph Batican and Ryuji Suzuki get ready to face
division showdown.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Orbeta wins historic 1st World Darts’ gold for PH
By Randy M. Caluag
LOVELY Mae “Bebang” Orbeta etched her name in Philippine sports history after capturing the country’s first-ever gold medal at the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Cup, highlighting a landmark campaign for Filipino darters in Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Orbeta delivered a stunning performance in the women’s singles final, defeating the USA’s Paula Murphy in a tense showdown.
The Cebuana darter showed her composure on the world stage, having already made waves in the semifinals by overpowering Germany’s Irina Armstrong, 6–2, where she fired three 180s to stamp her dominance.Her breakthrough triumph not only gave the Philippines its maiden WDF World Cup gold but also underscored the growing strength of
Filipino darters in international competition.
“This victory is for the country and for all Filipino darters,” Orbeta said after the historic win, dedicating her gold medal to the community that has long supported her journey.
The Philippines also saw strong team showings. The Women’s Team reached the semifinals after toppling Canada, 9–3, in the Round of 16, while the Men’s squad impressed with Alexis Toylo and Noel Maclidem advancing to the semifinals of the Open Pairs.
Filipino excellence carried over to the Korea Open, where Lourence Ilagan added another jewel to his storied career by clinching the WDF Gold Ranking Event title. Ilagan beat Australia’s Raymond Smith, 6–4, to secure his third career WDF ranking event crown and his first since the Malaysia Open in 2015. Paolo Nebrida also reached the quarterfinals to cap the Philippine contingent’s strong run.
The National Darts Federation of the Philippines (NDFP) credited the historic campaign to the support of sponsors and partners including Art Longyapon of Kumpadres, Jeff Soncuya of
Lady Tamaraws deny Lady Altas’ upset bid, seal 2nd seed
FAR Eastern University asserted its dominance down the stretch to fend off University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s upset bid, coming away with a 25-18, 19-25, 25-18, 25-11 victory to close its 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge preliminaries with five straight wins, Monday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Tamaraws secured the No. 2 seed heading into the semifinals with a 6-1 card, just ahead of the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, who finished at 5-2—all thanks to FEU’s strong finishing kick in the third and fourth sets.
The best-of-three semifinal series between FEU and Benilde opens Wednesday at the same San Juan venue.
Top seed Adamson University (7-0) will take on Arellano University (4-3) in the other semifinal pairing for a spot in the Finals.
Gerzel Petallo spearheaded FEU’s attack, particularly in their decisive fourth-set surge, tallying 21 points built on 19 attacks and two service aces, on top of five digs and seven excellent receptions. Alyzza
Devosora provided ample support with seven points, 10 digs, and nine excellent receptions.
“’Yung sa game ngayon, I think medyo naging complacent ‘yung team pero bumawi naman kami. Aware naman kami na naging gano’n ‘yung galaw ng team; so, ina-adjust lang naming na walang mag-a-underestimate ng (kalaban) kasi lahat gustong manalo,” said Petallo on their slow start and eventual recovery.
“’Yun, talagang naging mas eager po kami at mas nag-step up kami lahat para hindi po mangyari ‘yung hindi po natin gusting mangyari.”
With head coach Tina Salak unavailable, deputy mentor Manolo Refugia took charge and fielded all but one player from the lineup, still finding the collective effort he wanted from the semifinal-bound Lady Tamaraws.
Skipper and setter Tin Ubaldo once again orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 23 excellent sets alongside five points as FEU overwhelmed Perpetual in the attacking department, 62-32.
Jernalyn Menor tried to keep Perpetual in the fight with 21 points off 20 spikes and a service ace, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Lady Altas to a strong finish.
Italy’s Michieletto named world’s best volleyball player
By Peter Atencio
WINNING the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship felt sweeter the second time around.
Italy’s star outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto said this after he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday at the Mall of Asia.
“Incredible. I’m grateful. I’m happy with the win,” said the 24-year-old Michieletto, who was among the nine players of the Azzuris, who experienced winning their first world championship back in 2022.
The 2025 edition was one of the best performances of Michieletto, who was a two-time Olympian with the Italy men’s national volleyball team at the Tokyo and Paris 2024 Olympics.
In his Olympic debut in Tokyo, he led Italy in scoring with 24 points in their five-set comeback win against Canada. He was also a key player for the Italian
team at the Paris Olympiad, where Italy missed a medal, finishing fourth after losing the bronze-medal match to the USA.
During the world finals, Michieletto said facing Bulgaria was quite challenging.
“I’m happy with the win because our game in the finals with Bulgaria was very difficult. Bulgaria played well,” added Michieletto.
When the game ended, Michieletto also led a roster of seven players named to the symbolic World Championship Dream Team. With him in the team were setter Simone Giannelli (Italy), opposite Yuri Romano (Italy), outside hitter Aleksandar Nikolov (Bulgaria), middle blockers Alek Grozdanov (Bulgaria) and Jakub Kochanowski (Poland) and libero Fabio Balaso (Italy).
So far, Michieletto contributed a total of 93 points over the seven matches his team played in the Philippines, on their way to the world title.
He was Italy’s most prolific scorer of the tournament and the sixth best scorer among all players of the World Championship.
PH street dancer takes global stage at Red Bull tilt
AFTER a hard-fought win at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals last May, Cebuana street dancer Sam Rivera known in battles as ‘Nemesis’, is set to represent the Philippines, showcasing Filipino flair, rhythm, and freestyle creativity at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2025 World Finals happening on October 11 to 12 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
The World Stage Awaits
After months of high-energy dance battles across the globe, the world’s best dancers are converging in Los Angeles for the ultimate one-on-one freestyle showdown. Champions from over 50 countries will bring their unique moves, cultural influences, and raw improvisation skills, creating a competition that’s as unpredictable as it is exciting.
The Philippines’ very own Nemesis is more than ready to face off the top dancers from all over the world, proving Filipinos have what it takes to take on the biggest international stage for street dance.
After competing as a Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finalist in 2024, Nemesis returned this year stronger than ever, securing the crown at the 2025 National Finals in her hometown Cebu. Since that milestone win, Nemesis has been getting ready, refining her Krump freestyle, endurance, and stage presence to prepare for the world spotlight.
“This year I’m really in it to win, but I also remind myself to have fun on stage when I’m dancing. Just vibe with the music and trust my body’s instincts,” said Nemesis. “I’m the type of freestyle dancer that doesn’t prepare for set, I just need to condition my body, relying on muscle-memory, as well as drills, also concepts and ideas to generate movements from there.”
The Filipino finalist also shared how mindset is just as important as physical training: “Readying myself mentally and emotionally for the pressure, because LA is where the best dancers are. But I take it as an opportunity to learn from them.”
Sinner cruises
into China Open semis; Swiatek marches on
BEIJING—Jannik Sinner beat Fabian Marozsan in straight sets Monday to secure a third straight China Open semi-final as Iga Swiatek reached the last 16 when her opponent retired hurt.
The Italian Sinner beat the world no. 57 Hungarian 6-1, 7-5 in one hour and 19 minutes in Beijing and next plays third seed Alex de Minaur.
“Generally I’m very happy with today’s performance,” said Sinner, the world number two, who boasts a 10-0 record against the Australian De Minaur.
“Every match is different,” added the 24-year-old Italian. “Let’s see what’s coming.” Sinner won the first set with ease but Marozsan made it more difficult in the second, breaking for a 5-4 lead.
That spurred Sinner into action, winning the next three games with just one dropped point to power into the last four.
In the women’s draw, Poland’s Swiatek, the top seed, won the first set 6-0 against Camila Osorio and advanced when the Colombian called it quits.
Swiatek next plays Emma Navarro of the United States.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk and Russia’s Mirra Andreeva also reached the last 16, inching closer to a potential meeting in the semifinals.
Fourth seed Andreeva beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas 6-4, 6-1 while Kostyuk defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 6-4, 6-2. AFP
FEU’s Christine Ubaldo and Gerzel Petallo
Lovely Mae ‘Bebang’ Orbeta holds the PH ag NDFP
Alessandro Michieletto in action
Robson Sportscraft, Bem Noel of Overtime Sports Bar, PAGCOR, the Philippine Sports Commission, and San Miguel Corporation.
Cebuana street dancer Sam Rivera, known in battles as ‘Nemesis’, wows the crowd.
Christopher Sy/ Red Bull Content Pool
IFC, ADB commit up to $245m in Maynilad initial public offering
$100 million
IFC’s planned investment in Maynilad
By Jenniffer B. Austria
INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp. (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) plan to invest up to $245 million in Maynilad Water Services Inc. as cornerstone investors for the water utility’s planned P45.8-billion initial public offering (IPO).
The multilateral lending institutions expressed interest in subscribing to shares at a price of P15 apiece.
cornerstone investor for up to $145 million in Philippine peso equivalent, also at P15 apiece.
ADB’s planned investment in Maynilad
$145 million P15 per share
IFC and ADB’s subscription price
MAP urges gov’t to fund EDSA Busway infrastructure
THE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to allocate funds in its 2026 budget to complete the essential infrastructure component of the long-delayed EDSA Busway project.
MAP said in a letter to acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez that the busway system, a lifeline for nearly 100,000 daily commuters, is hampered by a severe lack of proper facilities.
“The EDSA Busway requires its own dedicated stations with overhead bridgeways, median platforms, and convenient access for the physically challenged,” MAP said. It noted there had been no “meaningful budget allocation” for the system beyond a few hundred million pesos.
The group said Congress now has an opportunity to provide funding for the “long-overdue, dedicated busway stations,” which could be completed in 2026 if the projects are bidded out in batches to large, reputable contractors.
MAP listed 14 priority stations that should be built to ease chronic congestion at existing access points. These include Kamuning, Cubao/Araneta, Santolan, Camp Aguinaldo, Corinthian Gardens, Highway Hills, Estrella (Rockwell), Ayala/EDSA, Magallanes, Malibay, F.B. Harrison, MOA/J. Diokno, Aseana/Macapagal and PITX.
MAP said that only four government-built stations— Guadalupe, Buendia, Taft Avenue, and Roxas Boulevard—have been completed.
Two additional stations at North EDSA and Ortigas are under construction through private sector donations. For five years, commuters have relied on MRT3 stations as makeshift access points, which has led to severe overcrowding.
Citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that “carcentric transport policies are outdated,” MAP said “mass commuter transport is the answer to mobility.” Othel V. Campos
IFC agreed to subscribe to $100 million worth of shares in Maynilad at a subscription price of up to P15 apiece, according to the latest prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ADB is also considering participating as a
Maynilad said ADB has “substantially completed its evaluation” but is still obtaining approval from its Board of Directors.
“There is no assurance that such approval will be obtained for ADB to sign legally binding documentation
for this transaction and participate as a cornerstone investor. Thus, there is no guarantee that ADB would be able to participate in the offer,” Maynilad said. If Maynilad reduces the offer price to P15, expected proceeds from the IPO will drop to P34.2 billion from P45.8 billion. The offer period for the IPO is scheduled from Oct. 23 to 31, 2025, with the listing date set for Nov. 7, 2025. The water utility firm plans to use the proceeds from the sale to fund its water, wastewater, customer service and information systems projects. Maynilad earmarked P16.69 billion for 2025 capital expenditures, which will increase to P60.19 billion in 2026.
Land Bank says handling of DPWH financial transactions above board
By Othel V. Campos
LAND Bank of the Philippines on Monday disputed suggestions that its handling of government contractor accounts, particularly those linked to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects, involved any irregular or unlawful activity.
The state-run bank said that all transactions in question were “carried out strictly within the bounds
of Philippine banking laws and regulations,” and in full compliance with government mandates and oversight requirements.
The funds deposited in the accounts of DPWH contractors, the bank said, originated from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). These funds were released under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) passed by Congress and disbursed by the DPWH.
“These funds are legitimate government allocations, not private or
More than 66% of Filipinos support revival of Bataan nuclear power plant
By Alena Mae S. Flores
MORE than 66 percent of adult Filipinos support the potential rehabilitation of the mothballed 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), according to a new government-commissioned survey.
The results, released by the Department of Energy (DOE), signal growing public support as the Philippines weighs nuclear power to diversify its energy mix and secure long-term supply.
The Public Perception Survey on Nuclear Energy in the Philippines showed that more than 70 percent of adult Filipinos trust nuclear energy’s potential as a source of electricity, the DOE said in a statement.
The DOE commissioned local pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS)
for the survey, which was conducted from May 6 to 24, 2024, involving 7,520 respondents aged 18 and older nationwide. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 1 percentage point.
The survey revealed that more than 70 percent of Filipinos believe nuclear power can deliver reliable electricity, reduce reliance on imported fuels, create jobs, and help fight climate change, the DOE said. Around 76 percent of Filipinos are also eager to learn more about nuclear energy.
It showed that net approval for rehabilitating the BNPP is at plus 66 nationwide, while support for building new nuclear plants stands at plus 45. Support was stronger among higher-income households, younger Filipinos, and those with higher levels of education.
unverified sources,” LandBank said. “LandBank, or any other financial institution, has no legal authority to block or question duly appropriated government disbursements,” it said. It said to facilitate the fulfillment of government contracts, all creditors, suppliers and payees (i.e. contractors) are “enjoined to open and maintain deposit accounts with banks such as LANDBANK,” pursuant to DBM Circular No. 2018-14 and Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) Circular No.
3-2018. The bank said it has fully observed
‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) protocols, risk management procedures and documentation requirements for opening the contractor accounts. As mandated by the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), all cash withdrawals exceeding P500,000 are automatically reported to the AntiMoney Laundering Council (AMLC) through a Covered Transaction Report (CTR).
Gov’t, ADB inspect Malolos-Clark railway to speed up completion
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly inspected the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) on Monday to ensure its swift completion, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Monday. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who leads
Week (RSTW) on Sept. 23 to 25, 2025 at the Palacio Del Sur, Marcian Garden Hotel, Zamboanga City. The threeday event was attended by DOST
Renato Solidum
with
TUESDAY,
PSEi slides below 6,000 on selling pressure
By Jenniffer B. Austria
THE local shares fell below the 6,000 resistance level following six straight days of losses.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index ended at 5,997.60, down 29.52 points or 0.49 percent while the broader all shares index ended at 3,636.34, down by 8.46 points or 0.23 percent.
The peso depreciated slightly to 58.145 to the US dollar on Monday from 58.1 on Friday.
Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the index fell on continued selling pressure.
“Selling pressure remains strong with the market still lacking any positive catalysts,” Limlingan said.
“Adding to the bearish sentiment are the ongoing uncertainties in the country and the continued depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar, which is dampening confidence among local and foreign investors,” he added.
Four of six sectoral indexes ended in positive territory led by mining and oil, which jumped 5.32 percent. Shares of Apex Mining and Philex Mining Corp. rose 9.7 percent and 5.64 percent.
Services and financial, on the other hand, went down by 1.58 percent and 1.23 percent, respectively.
Value turnover was thin at P3.7 billion.
Market breadth was negative as losers outnumbered gainers 106 to 100 while 58 stocks were unchanged.
Most Asian markets rose Monday and gold hit a record high following US inflation figures that met expectations and soothed concerns about Donald Trump’s latest tariff salvo.
However, investors were keeping a wary eye on Washington, where lawmakers have failed to reach a funding compromise to keep the government running, which observers say could affect the release of key data.
All three main indexes in New York ended in the green Friday, snapping three straight losses following news that the Federal Reserve’s preferred gauge of inflation rose in line with expectations, giving the bank room to cut interest rates again.
While the 2.7 percent reading on the August personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index was up from 2.6 percent in July and well above the Fed’s two percent target, policymakers are focusing on supporting the labour market after a string of weak jobs readings.
Their cut earlier this month -- the first since December -- came as a closely watched guide indicated two more were in the pipeline before January.
The news helped investors look past the US president’s announcement last week of 100 percent tariffs on pharmaceuticals, bigrig trucks, home renovation fixtures and furniture. With AFP
MEETING. The
Hotel Corp. holds its annual stockholders meeting on Aug. 28 at the Bayview Park Hotel. Attending the
are
Mercado, Jr., Aristeo
Dee
DepDev head should weigh in on infrastructure scandal
The head of the economic planning agency needs to project the image of a leader of the national economic management team, not the image of a bystander.
THERE are a number of high government officials who by now should have been heard from in the on-going effort to get to the bottom of what is unquestionably the biggest scandal in the history of the Philippine government. One of them is the head of the recently-created Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), which, I have contended, is not much more than a renamed NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority).
The people of this country have been waiting to hear from DepDev chief Dr. Arsenio Balisacan Jr. on the flood control scandal, which was set off by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with his “Mahiya naman Kayo” plea before Congress on July 28, 2025. But they have waited in vain. Secretary Balisacan has said nothing publicly on the matter. He has maintained a Sphinx-like posture during the last two months.
This is not how things should be. The Filipino people need to hear from the head of DepDev. Considering the breadth of its statutory mandate – the economy, planning and economic development – DepDev is the lead agency in the government’s economic management team and the Secretary of Economy, Planning and Development is the primus inter pares among the Philippine economy’s managers. The nation cannot not hear from the head of DepDev about a matter as shocking of the economy as the flood control scandal.
First, the economy. We need from Dr. Balisacan an assessment of the flood control scandal’s impact on the economies of the affected localities—on employment, incomes, agricultural production and local trading conditions – in the near term. Some localities have sustained extensive economic damage and other still cannot function properly because of persistent flooding. DepDev can do a better job of placing the local situations in context than the local government units (LGUs).
October 31, 2025
XIII. Clarifications Interested parties may submit clarification questions to ormeco_coop@yahoo. com
XIV. Others Conditions and other provisions shall be included and defined in the financing agreement contract.
XV. Disclaimer Conditions and other provisions shall be included and defined in the financing agreement contract.
3.
must be submitted via email to ormeco_coop@yahoo.com and ormecopowergenerationdept@gmail.com no later than October 31, 2025.
5. ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason. All terms and conditions will be defined in the final financing agreement with the selected proponent.
6.
-SGD-
City, Oriental Mindoro ormecopowergenerationdept@gmail.com
HUMPHREY A. DOLOR, PECE, MBA
General Manager Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc.
Next, the impact of the flood control scandal on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. In what ways and to what extent has the Plan been disrupted? What have been the areas of greatest negative impact? Can the losses and disruptions resulting from the scandal be compensated? Considering the great aspirations and expectations that are riding on the five-year blueprint, the nation needs to hear Dr. Balisacan’s thoughts on the current happenings. Finally, the matter of national economic planning, a responsibility that the law has entrusted to DepDev. That responsibility is encompassed by the multi-year economic development blueprints that DepDev is expected to draw up. Like its predecessors, the current Philippine Development Plan has set accomplishment targets for the numerous sectors that compose the Philippine economy. Occurrences such as the massive misuse of infrastructure funds have a profound impact on the attainment prospects of the targets laid down by the planning blueprint. The infrastructure targets of Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 have definitely been negatively impacted by the infrastructure mess.
The underperformance of the Philippine economy over the decades arguably can be attributed to the absence of a strong consequential economic planning agency. At no time has need for such an institution been greater. The head of the economic planning agency needs to project the image of a leader of the national economic management team, not the image of a bystander. By being silent on in matters such as the current infrastructure scandal, the head of DepDev, Dr. Balisacan, is conducting himself like a bystander.
(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)
STOCKHOLDERS’
Acesite (Phils.)
meeting
(from left) Lamberto
Cruz,
Hua Gatchalian, Elvira Ting, Dr. Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr., Arthur Ponsaran, Richard Ricardo, and Justice Renato Francisco. The meeting followed a structured agenda covering administrative approvals, financial reporting, by-laws amendment, director election, auditor and counsel appointments, and other corporate affairs.
FUN GAMES. Cabin crew Cezzye Basa leads Cebu Pacific’s highly anticipated ‘fun games’, making sure that every flight is an enjoyable experience for every passenger.
PEHC acquires majority stake in Coal Asia for backdoor listing
By Jenniffer B. Austria
AGROUP led by Pure Energy Holdings Corp. (PEHC) has acquired controlling stake in listed firm Coal Asia Holdings Inc. (COAL), paving the way for a possible backdoor listing of its water business.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Coal Asia said majority shareholders—Dexter Tiu, Eric Peter Roxas, Gertim Chuahiong, Alexander Tiu and John Capinpin—entered into a share purchase agreement with PEHC and its affiliates, Pure Water Corp. (Pure) and Quad Water Holdings Corp. (Quad). The agreement covers the sale of 28.67 billion common shares, representing 71.68 percent of Coal Asia’s total issued and outstanding capital stock. The total transaction is valued at P220.91 million.
Under the deal, PEHC will acquire 4.99 billion shares (12.48 percent), Pure will acquire 11.84 billion shares (29.60 percent) and Quad will acquire 11.84 billion shares (29.60 percent).
Pure is a subsidiary of PEHC, while Quad is unaffiliated with either PEHC or Pure.
Coal Asia, PEHC and Pure share interlocking directors: Dexter Tiu, Eric Peter Roxas and Gertim Chuahiong.
PEHC is a holding company, and its water subsidiary, Pure, along with Quad, holds equity in Tubig Pilipinas Group Inc., a company involved in various water distribution projects across the country.
The transaction is expected to be finalized before year-end 2025, pending the completion of certain conditions, including compliance with any mandatory tender offer requirements by the buyers to Coal Asia’s remaining shareholders.
Market insiders said the acquisition has raised speculation that PEHC may use Coal Asia as a vehicle to list its water-related assets. Coal Asia was incorporated on June 11, 2012, primarily to be the holding company of Titan Mining and Energy Corp. (TMEC), which is engaged in the operations of coal mining and energyrelated business.
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The public is informed that pursuant to Memorandum No. 87 dated 11 February 2016 with the subject “Directing the Abolition of the Philippine Veterans Assistance Commission and the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation, and for other purposes” PVAC and PHIVIDEC shall be abolished. Accordingly, the corporations’ respective assets shall be liquidated to settle their respective outstanding liabilities in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
All creditors or any interested individual or entity which has a claim against PHIVIDEC may file a Notice of Claim on or before 15 October 2025, addressed to:
Attention: ATTY. SHANNON MAE O. CANOY TWG Member PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority PHIVIDEC Complex, Tagoloan, Misamis, Oriental,9001
All Notices of Claim filed after 15 October 2025 shall no longer be included and acted upon in the on-going liquidation proceedings (MS-SEPT. 30/OCT. 7 & 14, 2025)
By Othel V. Campos
WEST Zone concessionaire
Maynilad Water Services Inc. has commissioned its Cupang Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) in Muntinlupa City, for the treatment of wastewater from Barangays Alabang, Cupang and Bayanan.
Situated in Barangay Cupang, the facility has a treatment capacity of 46 million liters per day (MLD), supporting Maynilad’s long-term program to expand sewerage coverage and protect local waterways by removing harmful pollutants before safe discharge.
To align with evolving environmental regulations, Maynilad has begun upgrading the Cupang WRF to meet the stricter effluent standards under Department Administrative Order (DAO) 201608, as amended by DAO 2021-19 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“We are not only expanding our wastewater treatment capacity — we’re also future-proofing our facilities to comply with the latest environmental standards. These investments reflect our commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance as our communities continue to grow,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.
1.
1.
Inc.
II.Project Overview
• 1.6 MW Mini Hydro Power Plant (subject to uprating based on the results of the Feasibility Study)
• Located at Brgy. Paitan, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
• To be connected to the nearest 13.8kV/69kV asset.
III.Financing Structure
• 100% of the financing costs shall be provided by the selected partner.
IV. Cooperation Period The financing agreement shall commence upon the signing of the contract with the selected partner and remain in effect until the full repayment of the financing costs has been completed from the Commercial Operations Date (COD).
V. Commercial Operation Date (COD)
The hydro power plant must be commissioned by 2030.
VI.Capital Expenditures Proponents must provide an unbundled, estimated cost for each phase of the project.
- No indexation on the Total Capital Expenditures.
- Connection Assets needed to connect the Power Plant to the grid must be included.
- Costs for the Comprehensive Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering Design must be included. - Costs for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
VII.Obligations of the Proponent
Provide and Finance the Feasibility Study
Detailed Project Design and Engineering (must conform to regulating standards, i.e., Philippine Electrical Code, Philippine Small Grid Guidelines, etc.)
Willingness to adjust the Detailed Project Design and Engineering based on the comments of the Grid Owner,
The standards set limits on key wastewater parameters to safeguard public health and the environment.
The upgrade underscores Maynilad’s proactive approach to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure, with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) kept updated throughout the process.
While DAO compliance was not part of the facility’s original design, it is now being integrated to ensure long-term alignment with regulatory requirements.
The Cupang WRF is one of two major wastewater treatment facilities recently completed in Muntinlupa.
Along with the Tunasan WRF, it significantly boosts the city’s sewerage treatment capacity, contributing to Maynilad’s mission of improving sanitation and promoting environmental protection across the West Zone.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, serving the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area that includes portions of Manila, Quezon City and Makati, as well as Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon in Metro Manila; and the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite Province.
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
ECONOMIC BRIEFING. Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive Agnes Devanadera (third from left) joins fellow panelists during the press conference at the Philippine Economic Briefing - Clark 2025 at Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort on Sept. 22, 2025.
First Gen seeks extension of Meralco supply deal
By Alena Mae S. Flores
FIRST Gen Corp. is seeking a further extension of its power supply agreement (PSA) with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Santa Rita power plant in Batangas.
First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said negotiations are ongoing with Meralco and other stakeholders.
“The Sta. Rita PSA was extended up to January, but we’re hoping that will also be extended beyond. But that’s a working progress,” Puno said.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) earlier approved an interim extension of the PSA between Meralco and First Gas Power Corp.
BPI to charge P15 InstaPay cash-in fee
BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said Monday it will adopt InstaPay for all interinstitution cash-in transactions starting Oct. 1, 2025, to comply with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ directive to improve interoperability and transparency in digital finance.
It said a standard P15 service fee would be charged for cashin transactions via InstaPay, including those to GCash, to cover clearing costs from BancNet.
The new charge follows earlier rollouts for ShopeePay and Seabank in August.
BPI said customers could still enjoy lower fees through the BPI App, with GCash transfers via InstaPay costing only P10. Select customer segments and merchant payments can also still enjoy free transfers.
Opening a BPI #MySaveUp account on GCash will remain with no maintaining balance. Fund transfers from the BPI App to GSave will also stay free of charge, it said.
“This transition ensures compliance with regulatory standards while continuing to offer customers flexible and affordable ways to manage their finances,” BPI said in a statement. Thony Rose Lesaca
until Jan. 31, 2026, subject to certain conditions, to prevent potential power supply outages. The existing PSA expired on Aug. 28, 2025.
The regulator said that without the interim extension, First Gas would likely be forced to shut down the Santa Rita plant.
“Such a scenario could lead to widespread blackouts, with repercussions extending beyond potential increases in Meralco’s generation charge,” the ERC said.
“Ultimately, the resultant blackouts could severely impact the national economy,” it said.
The ERC noted the interim extension may cause an increase in Meral-
co’s blended generation charges during the period. Based on simulations, Meralco’s blended generation rates would increase by P0.4117 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in September, P0.5235 per kWh in October and P0.5093 per kWh in November.
The commission also highlighted a greater risk: “Should this occur, the rate consequences would be significantly more severe than the estimated increase in the generation charges calculated by Meralco for the affected months,” it said.
This refers to the possibility that the Santa Rita plant, along with other Malampaya-supplied natural gas plants, may become technically unavailable, severely impacting the grid.
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE Philippines’ total external debt service burden dropped 6.2 percent to $6.72 billion as of end-June 2025 from $7.16 billion in the same period last year, with interest payments making up a bulk of the total amount.
Data
(BSP) showed that principal payments for the period of January to June amounted to $2.77 billion, down 13.14 per cent from $3.19 billion a year ago. Interest payments also declined by 0.68 percent from $3.98 billion last year to $3.95 billion in June.
The decrease in debt servicing comes as the country’s total foreign debt climbed 14.36 percent to $148.87 billion in the second quarter of 2025. The foreign borrowings were equivalent to 31.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and 27.3 percent of its gross national income (GNI).
The ratio of the country’s external debt service burden to its GDP and GNI similarly declined to 2.8 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively.
The BSP said the debt service burden consists of principal and interest
MREIT to infuse mall, retail assets to diversify portfolio
By Jenniffer B. Austria
MREIT Inc, the real estate investment trust (REIT) of Megaworld Corp., plans to infuse mall and retail assets into its portfolio to diversify its holdings, .
MREIT said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the move is also in line with the group’s strategy to double its gross leasable area (GLA) to one million square meters by 2027.
The infusion of mall assets will enable MREIT to capitalize on growing consumer spending and strong momentum in mall leasing, complementing its current portfolio of high-occu-
Group asks MARINA to probe alleged tonnage under-reporting
THE Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association (BRSOA) has asked the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to launch a “thorough investigation” into what it alleges is a systemic practice by some shipowners of under-reporting vessel gross tonnage (GT) and engine propulsion output. The Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association represents roll-on/roll-off and inter-island ferry operators serving the Bicol Region. The group’s legal counsel Lyndon Ancajas Jr., said in a letter to MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan that the alleged malpractice is intended to place vessels in lower regulatory categories. This, the group claims, allows operators to cir-
cumvent stricter safety and manning requirements and reduce statutory fees owed to government agencies.
The association provided MARINA with documents and specific examples of vessels it claims have been misdeclared, urging the agency to verify the findings.
“Accurate declaration of a vessel’s size and engine power is fundamental to seaworthiness, correct manning, proper safety equipment and equitable fee assessment,” Ancajas said in the letter.
The BRSOA said if the allegations are proven, “passengers and crew are being placed at unacceptable risk while compliant operators and the State incur unfair losses.”
pancy office properties, it said.
“Our goal is to diversify our portfolio and expand our revenue base...we want to tap into these opportunities,” MREIT Chairman Kevin Tan said.
“This will enable us to deliver both growth and diversification, keeping our portfolio resilient and relevant for the years ahead,” he said.
Megaworld, MREIT’s sponsor, holds a portfolio of income-generating assets, including about one million sq. m. of office GLA and 500,000 sq. m. of retail GLA. These assets may be infused into MREIT over time, the company said.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls have
reported foot traffic and sales exceeding pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong leasing from both global and local retail brands. Mall occupancy hit a record high of 93 percent as of end-June 2025.
MREIT’s GLA stands at 482,000 square meters. The company expects to reach 600,000 sq. m. by the end of this year. Its portfolio includes office assets located in Megaworld’s townships such as Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Iloilo Business Park and Davao Park District.
MREIT said it remains focused on pursuing accretive acquisitions, while maintaining strong dividend payouts.
payments on long-term loans, including interest payments on fixed and revolving short-term liabilities. It excludes prepayments and principal payments of short-term liabilities.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), said external debt is largely a function of the country’s budget deficit, which has been offset by the lower share of foreign borrowings in the national government’s (NG) overall financing mix to better manage foreign exchange risks. Ricafort said most NG foreign borrowings are long-term in nature, with some carrying the longest possible tenors.
He said the possible inclusion of the Philippines in the JPMorgan Emerging Market Global Bond Index could improve demand for local bonds, potentially lowering the government’s financing costs.
IN BRIEF
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
High Seas Treaty a boon to marine ecosystem
BIODIVERSITY conservation in the Philippines received a boost after the Senate unanimously approved the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The agreement highlights the longterm benefits for coastal communities, scientists and fisherfolk who depend on the seas for food and livelihood.
As an archipelagic state, a maritime nation and one of the richest in marine biodiversity, the Philippines depends fundamentally on the integrity of its marine ecosystems, particularly for food security and climate resilience.
More popularly known as the High Seas Treaty, the BBNJ Agreement covers the areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ)—the high seas and all parts of the water column, the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil that are not under the sovereignty, sovereign
rights, or jurisdiction of any state.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the treaty reaffirms the country’s commitment in the global efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity in international waters.
“With its unanimous concurrence, the Senate signified its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s marine wealth and humankind’s common heritage for the benefit of coastal communities, fisherfolk, scientists and all who rely on the bounty of the ocean,” Lotilla said
“This signals a strong adherence to equity and inclusivity, which can be achieved only through multilateralism, international cooperation and a rulesbased international order,” he added.
The high seas are open to all countries, which may exercise freedoms, such as fishing and scientific research, with due regard for the interests and rights of other
How Spain is turning an iconic lagoon from ‘green soup’ into a natural oasis
2nd of Three Parts
The Mar Menor provides crucial ecosystems services, including supporting unique biodiversity and offering significant cultural and economic benefits like tourism, recreation and fishing. But it has been pushed to the brink. Green soup Experts had long warned that unsustainable development in the surrounding region of Murcia was overloading the lagoon with nutrients, a process known as eutrophication.
Murcia, fed by water transfers from the north, has become a mass producer of fruit and vegetables, much of it for export. But fertilizer spread on the intensively farmed crops has leached into streams and groundwater, and from there into the lagoon.
Heavy metals from disused mines in the nearby Sierra Minera hills added to the problem, as did pollutants from the houses, hotels and marinas that crowd around the lagoon.
In 2016, the Mar Menor could absorb no more. A proliferation of nutrient-fed phytoplankton turned the water into “green soup,” according to media reports. Scientists found that more than 80 percent of the seagrass meadows on the bed of 135-square-kilometre lagoon died for lack of light, replaced by thick mud. Three years later, floodwaters following heavy rain dumped an estimated 100–150 tons of dissolved phosphates into the water, triggering the mass death of fish, seahorses and other marine creatures, found a government report. In 2021, there was another die-off of fish, crabs and mollusks. (To be continued) UNEP News
PH vows to curb plastic pollution after stalled pact
THE Philippines is pushing ahead to curb plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy despite the impasse in forging a global treaty.
An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the Philippines needs a whole of society approach, including civil society and local government units (LGUs), to ensure action reaches until the grassroots.
The Philippines’ National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) recently brought together government, civil society, academe and development partners for a webinar to reflect on the stalled talks on a global plastic treaty.
states.
The resources, such as minerals within such seabed, ocean floor and subsoil are the common heritage of humankind, and may not be appropriated by any state.
States are bound to exercise rights and interests over these areas while fulfilling the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.
Significantly, more than half of national fisheries production is derived from migratory and highly mobile species whose life cycles extend into ABNJ.
Benefits from the utilization of marine genetic resources will be equitably shared with developing states. These benefits could include new medicines, improvements in aquaculture and biodiversity conservation.
Covering nearly half of the Earth’s surface, the sheer scale of ABNJ likely makes them the most valuable provider of ecosystem services overall. PNA
The event provided stakeholders a first-hand look at output from the talks through the perspective of the members of the Philippine delegation, and opened the floor for discussions on what lies ahead for the country, with or without a treaty.
The Philippines has consistently played an active role in the negotiations toward a landmark, legally binding international instrument to address plastic pollution.
The initiative followd a United Nations Environment Assembly’s (UNEA) historic resolution calling for the treaty to address plastic pollution across its full life cycle.
“We were there because we want a global treaty that works. But despite the tireless work of all our delegations, unfortunately, the INC (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) was unable to finalize the treaty. This means the challenge before us is clear,” said DENR Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones.
“We need to continue (and) we need your continued collaboration to make (our) commitments a reality.”
While negotiations have reached an
A LANDMARK UN treaty to safeguard marine biodiversity on the high seas has now met the required 60 ratifications for entry into force, clearing the way for it to take effect in January 2026.
Morocco and Sierra Leone joined the list of States ratifying last week, becoming the 60th and 61st parties to the pact.
The treaty, formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement), was adopted by UN member states in June 2023 after nearly two decades of negotiations.
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the development, calling it a “historic achievement for the ocean and for multilateralism.”
“In two years, States have turned commitment into action–proving what is possible when nations unite for the common good,” he said in a statement.
“As we confront the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, this agreement is a lifeline for the ocean and humanity.”
The pact–also called the “high seas treaty”–covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean area that lies beyond
national boundaries.
It establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits from marine genetic resources more fairly, create protected areas, and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building.
UN Environment Program (UNEP) executive director Inger Andersen also hailed the milestone.
“Our ocean is the foundation of our very existence. Today we took an important step forward to save our ocean, and to save our future,” she said in a post on social media.
The BBNJ agreement builds on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, regarded as the “constitution for the oceans.”
Once the high seas treaty enters into force on January 17,2026, it will provide a global framework to help achieve international biodiversity targets, including the pledge to protect 30 percent of land and sea areas by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Mr. Guterres urged all remaining UN member states to join the treaty without delay and called on partners to support its swift and full implementation.
“The ocean’s health is humanity’s health,” he said. UN News
impasse, delegates underscored that momentum and cooperation remain strong.
“We are much more aware what plastic pollution is and how to respond. Our country remains committed to working with the international community to forge a legally binding instrument, and it is ideal to adopt a global framework,” said Janice Regoso-Pammit, chief of the legal division and concurrently board secretary of the Pollution Adjudication Board of the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR.
Rosette Ferrer, chief of the Legal Research and Opinion Division of the DENR, stressed how locally-driven platforms such as the NPAP could be utilized to encourage greater collaboration across sectors.
“Our Ecological Solid Waste Management Act is already 20 years old and we still have a lot of problems in implementation,” she said.
Albert Magalang, chief of the DENR’s Climate Change Service, said ongoing international dialogues continue to shape national priorities.
“There are a lot of ongoing dialogues right now. There are invitations to participate in such dialogues especially for countries with similar proposals that are being enhanced,” he said.
“The way I see it, if there would be a treaty, it would provide guidance in enhancing further our national policies. As regards to the existing laws and policies that we have, we are moving towards the principle being espoused by the global plastics treaty,” he added. UNDP Philippines News
ISTANBUL, Turkiye―The Earth’s ozone layer is on a path to full recovery, a major environmental success story―but that progress could paradoxically contribute to further global warming, new findings show. The ozone hole shrank in 2024 compared to previous years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in a report released last week to commemorate International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
“Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer―guided by science, united in action,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Every fraction of a degree matters. Every action counts.” The ozone layer, Earth’s protective shield against the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, remains on track to recover and is expected to be fully restored by mid-century, the WMO report revealed.
“The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a landmark of multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is healing,” Guterres added. But the same healing process, while vital for shielding life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, may have an unintended side effect: intensifying global warming.
A separate study from the University of Reading found that between 2015 and 2050, ozone changes could contribute about 0.27 watts per square meter of additional warming―roughly 40 percent more than previous estimates. That would make ozone the secondlargest driver of warming after carbon dioxide by mid-century.
PNA/Anadolu
The restoration initiative is helping to make agriculture more sustainable to reduce its impact on the Mar Menor. UNEP/Thomas Cristofoletti
Lawyer Shanelle Napoles of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources calls for a balanced representation with guaranteed seats for developing countries under the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement. Napoles was part of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York for the BBNJ Agreement Preparatory Commission. Philippine Mission to the UN in New York
A sea lion swims past a starfish, highlighting the vibrant biodiversity of marine ecosystems. UN News photo
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Leonardo DiCaprio starrer
‘One Battle After Another’ conquers the tills
PAUL Thomas Anderson’s action thriller One Battle After Another stormed to the top of the North American box office on its debut weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a retired radical fighter who is dragged back in to action to help his daughter, the film’s veering from the ridiculous to the deadly serious had audiences riveted.
The New York Times described the film as “a carnivalesque epic about good and evil, violence and power, inalienable rights and the fight against injustice.”
One Battle After Another took an estimated $22.4 million this weekend, according to industry group Exhibitor Relations, and has been generating early Oscar buzz for both director Anderson and lead DiCaprio.
Coming in second was Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, a live-action/animation hybrid aimed at family audiences that put in a strong showing with an estimated $13.7 million in sales.
The film is based on a popular children’s animated series airing on streaming platform Netflix, and features the titular Gabby going on adventures with her feline friends in the animated world of her dollhouse.
Continuing its strong showing at the box office was anime feature Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle which logged a further $7.1 million to take its estimated North American take to $118.2 million. Behind it, the juggernaut of horror franchise film The Conjuring: Last Rites rolled on, taking in a further $6.9 million to push its overall pot to $161.5 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were The Strangers: Chapter 2 with $5.9 million, Him with $3.7 million, The Long Walk with $3.4 million, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale with $3.3 million, Spider-Man Trilogy with $2.3 million, and They Call Him OG with $1.5 million. AFP
Timely drama tackles justice, corruption at Sinag Maynila festival
SELDA TRES , starring Cesar Montano, Carla Abellana, and JM de Guzman, is one of five full-length entries at the 7th Sinag Maynila Film Festival, which ends today. The film is directed by GB Sampedro
Produced by Five 2 Seven Entertainment, the film is written by Eric Ramos, with Sampedro and Alex Rodriguez as executive producers.
The story follows a law firm messenger who is wrongly imprisoned after a case of mistaken identity. Behind bars, he befriends three men weighed down by misfortune. After his acquittal, he devotes himself to helping them fight for justice and freedom.
The cast said the movie explores truth, corruption, family, love and sacrifice, and they linked its themes to the country’s political unrest during a recent press conference.
“Injustice happens every day,” Abellana said. “Even if nothing is happening in our country right now, it’s still applicable, relatable anytime. Injustice
Bea Alonzo brushes off engagement rumor
Shticks
Joseph Peter Gonzales
ACTRESS Bea Alonzo has heard the whispers that she’s secretly engaged to businessman Vincent Co, but she’s not giving anyone the satisfaction of a reveal.
“You know, people are always ahead on what’s happening in my life,” she said in a recent TV interview. “I have nothing to clarify, and I want to keep things private. Actually, there’s nothing to say!”
The Kapuso star, who went public with Vincent at the GMA Gala in August, said fans waiting for a “grand reveal” were setting themselves up. “There would never be a grand reveal,” she stressed. “I really want to focus on my personal life being private right now.”
If that sounds like a career slowdown, it’s not. Bea admitted she isn’t taping for a soap at the moment, choosing instead to
throw herself into business ventures and family time she missed in her two decades in showbiz. “I’ve been in the entertainment field for almost 25 years now. Imagine that? I guess now is the time to tap on the things I haven’t done before,” she said. Her love life, meanwhile, is “very happy.”
happens every day, and we should fight for what is right every day.”
Montano praised her remarks.
“There’s so much truth in what she was saying. You have to fight for righteousness no matter what happens to you. A very good example of that is Charlie Kirk,” he said, referring to the U.S. conservative activist who was assassinated Sept. 10 in Utah.
“Yes, he was polarizing, of course,” Montano added. “But that’s faith. And righteousness comes from our great God. I was smiling because at the same time, I was learning. I have a lot of growing up to do. Because of them, I’m learning. I’m so happy to learn something new.”
De Guzman said current events have left him uneasy. “What’s happening in our country is kind
And then there’s John Lloyd Cruz. Her perennial screen partner raised eyebrows recently when he invited Bea and Vincent over on Instagram, promising that his girlfriend Isabel Santos would cook for them.
“Actually, it’s just funny for Idan to invite me that way!” Bea laughed, pointing out that they’re already in touch on WhatsApp and Viber. “I just don’t know why he dropped his
Very Wang
of triggering,” he said. “Maybe I’m hoping that through our film, we can give a message, and that our audience can take something from it with regards to what’s happening.”
Montano also reflected on Filipinos’ role as voters. “What’s happening now is the product of our kindness,” he said in the vernacular. “Filipinos are kind, but we went too far. We tolerated wrongdoing. Many of our leaders should not be leaders. But who put them there? We did.”
He said vote-buying remains common in the provinces. “If you tell them not to sell their vote but they are offered P10,000, they’ll think, ‘That’s for rice and food.’ Of course, they think about today, not their children’s future. But we should never sell our votes. Hopefully, in the next election, that changes.”
Montano called for national healing, saying that we should humble ourselves and pray together.
“This is the sickness of our nation. We should humble ourselves and pray for healing and for a change in our disposition in life,” he stated. He also voiced support for protests. “Protests are very important. They show we don’t agree with what’s happening in our country. We’re being robbed. We really need to protest! Even the president himself is supporting the rally. He said it’s right, that what’s happening is wrong. So we should join.”
Selda Tres also features Arron Villaflor, Kier Legaspi, Victor Neri, Isay Alvarez, Perla Bautista, Jeffrey Tam, Tanjo Villoso, and Johnny Revilla
message on Instagram. Maybe he forgot there are lots of people there.”
As for a reunion on screen? “So far, there’s none yet. But there would always be offers for the two of us to collaborate. We’re just looking for the right project that would represent us right now, where we are in our lives,” she said.
* * * ELSEWHERE in the industry, Joyce Ching is looking back at her own love life — specifically, her brief romance with fellow Tween Hearts star Kristoffer Martin
The actress didn’t sugarcoat it. “It was because of immaturity,” she said of their breakup. “We were so young then to be in a relationship. We couldn’t understand what it meant to be in a relationship and where it would go.”
As castmates in a teen drama, she said, the pressure to pair up was intense. “Everyone around us was really pushing for us to be together,” she admitted. “We were always together, then our scenes called for us to be very sweet. So eventually, we fell for each other.” Did it end in fireworks? Not quite. “Actually, we didn’t have fights during those times,” Joyce said. “It’s just that we were very immature.”
Actress Bea Alonzo has recently confirmed her new romance with entrepreneur Vincent Co (inset)
From left: ‘Selda Tres’ director GB Sampedro and lead cast Cesar Montano, Carla Abellana, and JM De Guzman
Nickie Wang
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
Militant meets militarized
Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ delivers volatile mix of militancy, militarization, and dark humor
By Chong Ardivilla
PAUL Thomas Anderson is hardly the first director to fuse politics, social critique, and character-driven narratives. Yet he does so with a distinctly American exceptionalist gloss, even when he leans into marvelous fabulism or magical realism.
Anderson is unafraid to pursue the improbable and, more impressively, to render it plausible. That instinct fuels One Battle After Another — a film already topping critics’ lists as the standout of 2025.
A welcoming and inclusive workplace for seniors
MCDONALD’S Philippines will hire at least 110 senior citizens across 18 of its stores in Davao City under its inclusive hiring program “M For All,” which also employs persons with disabilities. The initiative will run from October 2025 to December 2026.
The fast-food chain signed a memorandum of agreement with the Davao City government, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Public Service Employment Office to formalize the partnership.
McDonald’s said the program is part of its commitment to generate jobs for Filipinos of all ages. While many of its workers are students and fresh graduates, the company said it is expanding opportunities for individuals in their 60s and older.
Launched in 2019 and previously known as the Alternative Workforce Program, M For All has already employed senior citizens in Metro Manila and other cities in Luzon. The Davao rollout marks its first activation outside Luzon, with expansion to other local governments in Luzon and Visayas planned in the coming months.
This is not, however, the typical Anderson film. Unlike the overwrought pathos of Magnolia (1999) or the pendulum-like character studies of Boogie Nights (1997), this is his most bombastic work to date, a cinematic powder keg steeped in contemporary American politics. One Battle After Another is less a story than a portrait of extremes: the militant and the militarized. From a distance, the two are indistinguishable, each fluent in the language of violence. Anderson seizes on this ambiguity, painting in broad, forceful strokes a nation disturbingly at ease with terror from all sides. The cast is formidable. Leonardo DiCaprio lends gravity as an aging
Under the program, qualified applicants will work four hours a day, five days a week, for a five-month period. They will be assigned to lobby duties such as greeting customers, assisting with orders, and maintaining tables. Participants will receive governmentmandated wages, a share of the 13th-month pay, and company-paid group life insurance.
“McDonald’s Philippines is committed to generating employment opportunities for Filipinos, regardless of their age, gender, and background,” said Adi Hernandez , assistant vice president for corporate relations and impact.
The company employs more than 65,000 workers nationwide, all hired directly without contractual arrangements, McDonald’s said.
In Davao City, McDonald’s operates 22 stores employing about 2,000 managers and crew. Its newest location, opened in July at Davao Global Township, is the company’s 800th store nationwide and the first “Green & Good” branch in Mindanao. The site features solar panels, rainwater harvesting, powersaving sensors, and bike-friendly facilities.
community leader and dojo
embodies resilience tinged with discipline but also bristling with the caricaturish seriousness of his own role among his people. Sean Penn, in a career-redefining turn, becomes Lockjaw — whose character is hilariously named Lockjaw (not a joke, that’s his last name in the movie) — a leering embodiment of fascist ambition, unnervingly fetishized even by those who dream of revolution. Regina Hall, criminally underrated for her range, delivers a performance that anchors the film’s chaos with quiet ferocity. Still, it is Penn who dominates, raging toward awards season with his raw, terrifying portrait of a man consumed by militarization.
The film is not a one-trick spectacle. Its relentless violence — enough to give Quentin Tarantino a run for his blood-soaked money — is balanced by unexpected flashes of hilarity. This tonal dexterity is the film’s greatest strength: the script. Co-written by Anderson himself, the dialogue glimmers with nuggets of absurdist brilliance that pierce the brutality. In one unforgettable sequence, Penn is subjected to a so-called “vulnerability study.” Those two words encapsulate the paradox at the film’s core. Violence becomes most palpable when interrupted by moments of fragility, when power admits its own cracks, or when tears flow behind the gun.
One Battle After Another refuses to let its audience settle. It is volatile, outrageous, and, at times, wickedly funny — a collision of militancy and militarization that blurs the line between conviction and control. If vulnerability is the one truth the film grants us, it is also the wound that ensures Anderson’s latest work will endure, destined for the canon of American cinema.
You may reach Chong Ardivilla at kartunistatonto@gmail.com or chonggo.bsky.social
King Panda shifts gears from luxury cars to road safety campaign
By Nickie Wang
With more motorists demanding safer and more reliable options on the road, businessman and social media personality Hans Tan, better known as “King Panda,” is stepping in to champion the cause.
Tan, who built his reputation as a luxury car dealer, armored vehicle manufacturer, and online influencer, has entered a new partnership with Continental Tires to promote advanced technology and encourage more responsible driving among Filipinos.
“We are excited to finally let the country know about the best tire company in the world and how your daily driving and wellness can change by just using the right tires for your vehicle,” King Panda said in a social media post.
Tan, 42, has turned his “King Panda” persona into a recognizable brand. His companies, Luxury Cars Manila and Armoured Panda Industries, cater to clients who want either high-end supercars or specialized armored vehicles.
Before becoming a fixture in the motoring scene, Tan’s journey began far from the luxury market. He first worked at a fast-food chain, later became a stockbroker, and eventually built his own businesses. That story, paired with his social media reach, has helped him connect with both car enthusiasts and ordinary motorists. Now, in his latest effort, King Panda is looking to shift the conversation toward safer roads in the Philippines.
Winston Manabat, CEO of JM Far East, the exclusive distributor of Continental Tires in the Philippines, expressed his support for the partnership.
“We welcome King Panda into the Continental Tire family,” he said. Meanwhile, COO Jamee Manabat emphasized the value of this collaboration, saying that there is no one better to bring quality products to the market rather than someone who really “understands the importance of a quality build.” F R O N T R O W
year.
McDonald’s Philippines and Davao City launch the ‘M for All’ program with a memorandum of agreement to hire 110 senior citizens, supported by the Department
DiCaprio plays a weary fighter caught between militancy and militarization
In the film, DiCaprio’s character, Bob, searches for his daughter, Willa, after she goes missing and their evil nemesis resurfaces
revolutionary. Benicio Del Toro, equal parts
master,
Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film ‘One Battle After Another’
C4 LIFE
NICKIE
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
By Nickie Wang
WCarving out new legacy
craftsmanship, heritage, and artistry, turning simple structures into lasting pieces of design. Matimco, one of the Philippines’ pioneering wood companies, has built a legacy that stretches for more than 60 years. Founded in 1964 in Cebu, the business began with wooden crates before expanding into lumber and framing and eventually becoming one of the country’s most diversified wood enterprises.
On Friday, John Anthony Co, assistant vice president for operations and business head of Matimco’s newest venture, MasterCraft Cabinetry, sat down with Manila Stanadard Life after the grand opening of the Matimco House of Wood showroom at Uptown Palazzo, Bonifacio Global City. The event also marked the official launch of MasterCraft Cabinetry, the latest addition to the company’s expanding portfolio.
NEUTRAL Grounds, the country’s leading tabletop game retailer, marked its 27th anniversary with the launch of its first interbranch championship league. This nationwide showdown culminated at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City on Sept. 14. The Neutral Grounds Championship League (NGCL) 2025 brought together top players from the retailer’s ten branches across the Philippines, with competitors battling it out for glory in games such as Magic: The Gathering, Flesh and Blood, and Marvel Crisis Protocol
Founded in 1998, the retailer, known to fans simply as “NG,” has long carried popular titles such as Star Wars Unlimited, Dungeons & Dragons, Conquest, and Marvel Crisis Protocol. Management said the championship league was a way of giving back to the community that supported the store for nearly three decades.
The tournament began in June with players earning points from shop competitions
“The business actually started with my grandfather in Cebu. Back then, we made wooden crates. From there, we expanded into lumber and framing, and over time, the business evolved into what Matimco is today.”
The company was later managed by Co’s uncle, Charlie Liu, and his father, before the third generation joined in leadership roles.
MasterCraft Cabinetry was designed to complete Matimco’s “total home solutions journey” for Filipino families. The line offers European-engineered systems with more than 100 door styles and color choices, supported by consultation, space assessment, 3D design, CAD drawings, quotations, production, installation, and after-sales care.
“We just officially launched MasterCraft Cabinetry today, although we had a soft launch
before advancing to the finals, where teams from ten branches nationwide faced off.
Representatives came from Ali Mall, Alabang, Cebu, Centris, Cavite, GH Mall, Makati, Manila Bay, Megamall, and Vertis North.
Winners received trophies, medals, sealed products, promo cards, store credits, and top-end merchandise from co-presenter Ultimate Guard.
Paul Mendoza, general manager of Neutral Grounds, said the league symbolized more than competition.
“We all have our own battles that we face every day. In Neutral Grounds, we hope to help our customers de-stress through our products and events,” Mendoza said.
“NGCL 2025 was a different kind of battle — one for glory to be the best in the country.”
Players ranged from students to doctors, businessmen, and professionals, Mendoza added.
“But across the gaming tables, it didn’t matter. They were simply passionate players enjoying a game they love.”
about two weeks ago,” Co said. “This brand completes the total home solutions journey for our customers — from flooring, panels, doors, and outdoor products, all the way to cabinets. Of course, one day we’d love to expand into wooden furniture too.”
From kitchens and wardrobes to vanities, doors, windows, countertops, wall panels, and even furniture, MasterCraft aims to transform every corner of the home. The launch follows a partnership with one of the world’s largest cabinet manufacturers, ensuring precision engineering, structural integrity, and refined detailing.
Over the years, Matimco has built a strong
portfolio of brands catering to different markets. Its premium line, Matwood, uses real treated wood with a 10-year warranty that covers doors, panels, and flooring. Co noted that his own home has had Matwood installed for 24 years without termite damage, proof of the brand’s durability.
For families seeking accessible alternatives, the company also produces laminates and composite
products designed to replicate the look and feel of natural wood. For outdoor use, Matimco developed a brand for decking and exterior solutions made from wood-plastic composite, which is weatherresistant and built to last.
“Matimco has always been known for innovation,” Co said. “We pioneered treated wood in the Philippines when everyone else was just using traditional wood. For us, it’s about ensuring durability, sustainability, and beauty. We want every Filipino home to experience the warmth and elegance of wood, but also the confidence that comes with high-quality, long-lasting products.” House of Wood showrooms
The new BGC showroom, nearly 300 square meters in size, is one of Matimco’s largest. It replaces the company’s earlier location at MC Home beside the old Lexus showroom. The “House of Wood” is described as an immersive destination where customers can explore wood solutions in a lifestyle setting.
“Our very first Matimco House of Wood showroom was opened in Mandaue, Cebu,” Co said. “That one is about 400+ square meters, spread across two floors. Later, we expanded to Davao and eventually Metro Manila. It’s been about two to three decades since we started growing nationwide.”
The Cebu flagship will also showcase MasterCraft Cabinetry when it opens in October 2025. A new chapter in a long legacy Matimco, often referred to as the country’s authority in wood, has been trusted by architects, designers, and celebrity homeowners, including Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Pia Wurtzbach, Megan and Mikael Daez, and Derek Ramsay
The unveiling of MasterCraft Cabinetry reflects the company’s ongoing transformation as it strengthens its reputation as a leader in wood innovation. By adding modular cabinetry to its offerings, Matimco completes its vision of providing total home solutions under one roof.
“The House of Wood Grand Opening is more than a showroom launch,” the company said in a statement. “It represents Matimco’s continuing evolution as a leader in wood innovation.”
THE Philippines, with its white-sand beaches, vibrant cities, and worldrenowned hospitality, has long been a favorite for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation. From islandhopping in Palawan to food markets in Manila, the country continues to offer locals and foreign visitors countless reasons to explore, discover, and return.
The World Travel Expo (WTE), which aims to train the spotlight on what the country can offer as a tourist haven, is back and bigger than ever, celebrating its ninth year with two major events — Oct. 17 to 19 at SPACE, One Ayala, Makati City, and Nov. 14 to 16 in Manila.
The double showcase was unveiled at a media launch on Sept. 24 at SPACE, One Ayala. Event organizer Miles Caballero of AD Asia Events Group OPC thanked partners and attendees, telling them, “You are not just here to witness a launch. You are here because you believe in the spirit of travel and in what the World Travel Expo stands for.”
The briefing gathered a panel of exhibitors already signed on for this year’s editions. They included both seasoned and first-time participants from hotels, cruise lines, and travel agencies across the country.
Billed as a one-stop shop for travelers, the expo will feature exclusive airfare, hotel, and tour packages, cultural showcases, raffles, lifestyle booths, and regional products.
Local and international exhibitors will include airlines, resorts, cruise lines, and tourism boards. For exhibitors and brands, organizers said the event offers direct engagement with an active travel market, opportunities for networking with agencies, content creators, and tourism leaders, and prime exposure in high-traffic venues. Partnerships and collaborations are also expected to emerge during the run. Caballero said the ninth year aims not only to deliver travel deals but also to foster collaboration, cultural appreciation, and community building within the industry.
“Year 9 is not just about unbeatable promos. It’s about reigniting the passion for discovery, strengthening
industry partnerships, and celebrating the role of travel in connecting cultures,” she said. She also pointed to a broader vision of showcasing the Philippines.
“We all know what’s going on in the country right now — I won’t
and so much to discover. We have to come together, now more than ever, and show the world that beauty still lives in the Philippines.” Thousands of visitors are expected across both venues.
The 300-square-meter House of Wood showroom in BGC immerses customers in Matimco’s total home solutions journey
Matimco executives lead the grand opening of the House of Wood showroom at Uptown Palazzo, Bonifacio Global City
Assistant vice president John Anthony Co highlights MasterCraft Cabinetry as the brand’s step toward completing total home solutions
