Manila Standard - 2025 October 28 - Tuesday

NO PRICE HIKE ON BASIC GOODS THIS XMAS—PBBM

By Charles Dantes

KUALA Lumpur, Malaysia — Malacañang assured the public Monday that there will be no increase in the prices of basic and prime commodities before and during the Christmas season, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to maintain price stability for the public.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire

Castro said the President instructed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strictly monitor the implementation of the suggested retail price

‘Villanueva not yet off the hook’ Ombudsman eyes refiling of graft case over PDAF misuse

By Rio N. Araja and Pot Chavez

OMBUDSMAN

Jesus

Crispin Remulla said his office is eyeing to refile the graft case against Senator Joel Villanueva over the misuse of his P10-million “pork barrel” or Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was then a CIBAC party-list representative.

“We will review it. We might have to refile the case. There is no double jeopardy here,” Remulla said in a mix of English and Filipino during an interview with veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez.

“For now, we will have to study. We have to study again,” he added.

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in 2016 ordered Villanueva dismissed after finding him liable for the PDAF misuse. Her successor, Samuel Martires, reversed the dismissal order in 2019.

Remulla expressed disappointment over what he described as a “secret” reversal of Carpio-Morales’ order to remove Villanueva from public office.

“We were upended by the fact that Ombuds-

Some NCR flood infra projects useless—Dizon

By Vito Barcelo and Ram Superable

SEVERAL flood control projects in Metro Manila failed to serve their purpose and, in some cases, even worsened flooding in certain areas, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said.

He said many of these projects—particularly revetments and dikes—were poorly planned and executed, leading to unintended consequences such as worse flooding for nearby communities.

“Many of the flood control projects not only did not

President lashes out at China’s illegal, aggressive actions at WPS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised concerns over China’s continuing aggression in the West Philippines Sea (WPS) before a summit meeting between United States President Donald Trump and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The President specifically assailed on Sunday Beijing’s unilateral plan to establish a so-called nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), a maritime feature long claimed by the Philippines.

Marcos did not directly name China but said Manila is deeply concerned over “dangerous maneuvers and coercive ac-

By Charles Dantes

KUALA Lumpur, Malaysia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. named National Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Lito Magno

Palace defends Brawner on Typhon remarks

By Charles Dantes

System.

as the bureau’s Officer-in-Charge, Malacañang said Monday.

In a press briefing at the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit here, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the

changes in the NBI after the president accepted the irrevocable resignation of former NBI chief Jaime Santiago. Santiago previously submitted his resignation in August 2025 due to “detractors and those who have sin -

ister interests” in his position as the NBI chief. Magno, a seasoned agent and lawyer, previously served as the Deputy Director for Investigative Services.

tions” that interfere with legitimate Philippine activities in the WPS. He stressed these actions violated international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Philippines has repeatedly protested China’s harassment of Filipino vessels, including water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard on Philippine resupply missions.

“On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea that have put the lives of Philippine personnel and

‘Chinese fishers driven out of Ayungin’

By Rex Espiritu

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that its Western Command intercepted and escorted away several Chinese fishing vessels allegedly engaged in illegal fishing near Ayungin Shoal in the WPS. In a statement issued Sunday evening, the AFP said the “unauthorized” Chinese boats were spotted near the shoal on October 24. Troops also seized bottles containing what appeared to be cyanide, believed to be used for destructive fishing practices. “In adherence to established protocols, AFP personnel promptly escorted the unauthorized fishing boats out of the area and confiscated bottles containing suspected cyanide chemicals reportedly used for destructive

AT WORK. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listens during discussions on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) wherein he emphasized the Philippines’ strong commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law in the region. He also stressed that the country will stay firm, calm, and resolute in defending its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Inset shows the President in a huddle with fellow ASEAN leaders during the ASEAN-India Summit. PCO

Tulfo ready to face citizenship issue

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Erwin Tulfo yesterday said he is ready to face the quo warranto petition filed before the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) questioning his eligibility to serve due to alleged issues with his citizenship.

Tulfo said he was aware of the pending petition and is prepared to respond to it through proper legal channels.

“Despite all this, we will continue our work. The people elected us to serve, and that is what we will keep doing,” he said.

(SRP), particularly for imported rice and essential food items.

“The President has made it clear that there should be no movement in prices before the holiday season. The DTI was directed to ensure close coordination with manufacturers and retailers so that prices remain stable through Christmas,” Castro said.

Castro added that DTI Secretary Maria Christina Aldeguer Roque has confirmed the cooperation of all stakeholders to keep market prices steady.

“All sectors are working together with the government to make sure that Filipinos can enjoy affordable goods this holiday season,” Castro said.

The Palace said the move forms part of the administration’s broader efforts to protect consumers and ease the financial burden of families amid the festive period.

In his pre-departure statement on Saturday, Mr. Marcos vowed stronger government action to keep prices of essential goods stable, particularly food, as Filipinos brace for higher demand during the holiday season.

“We hear our people’s call for government interventions to lower the price of goods, especially food,” President Marcos said, emphasizing that the administration is enforcing the maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for imported rice.

The president said the government continues to make affordable rice available through programs such as the P20-per-kilo rice initiative, while DTI is coordinating with manufacturers to temper price increases on basic and prime commodities.

The neophyte senator noted that the same disbarred lawyer had previously filed several disqualification complaints against him during the campaign period, all of which were dismissed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

The existence of the petition surfaced during the Senate Committee on Finance’s budget hearing Monday when SET Deputy Secretary Eleanor Francisco-Anunciacion mentioned a pending quo warranto case against a member of the Senate but did not name the lawmaker.

A slide presented during the hearing later identified Tulfo as the respondent in the case filed by lawyer Berteni Cataluna Causing. The tribunal received and docketed the petition on July 15, 2025, citing allegations that Tulfo was ineligible to hold public office because of citizen-

“If it is not attached to the rollo, then it is not really promulgated. It is still a draft. The media should have followed up if it is not attached to the rollo.”

man Martires already released a decision in 2019 that nobody knew about except him and maybe Joel Villanueva,” Remulla said.

“Only the two of them know. (But) we are not yet done. We will have to study,” he said.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodolfo Azcuna, in an ANC Hot Copy interview, said Martires may face sanction if proven that he ruled on Villanueva’s motion for reconsideration beyond the allowed reasonable time.

Under the rules of the Office of the Ombudsman, a motion for reconsideration must be filed within 10 days after the receipt of the decision or order. Should there be a violation on the prescriptive period in the case of Villanueva, he said: “Usually, if a person is already retired, you can still penalize that person by forfeiting the Asked if he found anything “secretive or irregular” with Martires’ reversal of the dismissal order against Villanueva, Azcuna said: “I think the factual situation should be clarified. When you promulgate a decision, you have to attach your decision to the rollo. Every case has a rollo. It must be signed and promulgated.”

“Although it is unusual… Usually, the Ombudsman also announces the high-profile decision of the matter. But if it is silently promulgated, that is unusual. But it is still valid for as long as it is attached to the rollo, and the rollo is open to the public,” Azcuna added.

Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay earlier said the “secret” reversal could be treated as a memo and not a valid reversal as it was never made public.

“Former Ombudsman Martires had no authority to reverse that decision in secret, thereby depriving the public or any interested party from questioning his decision before the Supreme Court,” Hilbay said.

“Therefore, Ombudsman Remulla can treat the secret memo as having had no effect and can proceed with his intention to request the Senate to enforce the original order of dismissal,” he added.

Martires earlier defended his decision not to announce the reversal, saying publicizing all decisions was not part of his duty then as Ombudsman.

“The reason why I was mum about this was not because I was protecting

remains “firm, calm, and resolute” in advocating for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

the safety of our vessels and aircraft at risk,” he said in his intervention at the 13th US-ASEAN Summit.

This was also the first time Marcos criticized China’s move to establish its so-called Huangyan Island National Reserve at the Bajo de Masinloc before a multilateral forum since it was approved by China’s State Council in September.

He is recognized for his expertise in investigations, information and communications technology, and law enforcement.

In Manila, Santiago confirmed the President’s acceptance of his resignation.

“Today, I was informed that the President has finally accepted my irrevocable resignation. Within the day or in the coming days, the order will be released.

You will soon have a new leader,” he said.

Santiago thanked NBI employees for their support and urged them to continue the work they had started. He earned the public’s trust for his swift action on the administration’s campaign against cybercrimes and online scams, the arrest of high-profile fugitives, and the crackdown on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Among the NBI’s accomplishments under his leadership were the arrests of POGO-linked personalities such as Alice Guo, Shiela Guo, and Cassandra Li Ong, as well as expelled Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. Santiago was appointed in June 2024 as NBI director, replacing Medardo de Lemos, who retired from government service.

Earlier in his career, Santiago served as a contractual employee at the NBI, later becoming a decorated police officer and sharpshooter in Manila. He went on to work as a prosecutor before being appointed presiding judge of the Regional Trial Courts in Manila, Tagaytay, and Taguig, where he received several commendations. With Pot Chavez

“The attempt of some actors to establish the so-called ‘nature reserve’ status over Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, which is a longstanding and integral part of the Philippines over which it has sovereignty and jurisdiction, clearly violates not only Philippine sovereignty, but also the traditional fishing rights of our people,” he added.

The Chief Executive emphasized that these rights are guaranteed by the 1982 UNCLOS, the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award, and the country’s domestic law.

Despite the continued maritime tensions, Marcos said the Philippines

He reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to a Code of Conduct that is “effective, substantive, and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS.”

“This commitment is shared throughout all levels of the government, which desires to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that can effectively govern the behavior of parties at sea,” he said.

Beyond maritime issues, Marcos highlighted the sustained collaboration between the U.S. and ASEAN to confront emerging challenges in the region such as scam hubs, cybercrimes and other forms of transnational crime.

Marcos said the country looks forward to the Philippines’ co-chairing the 22nd ASEAN Region Forum (ARF) InterSessional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime.

On the economic front, Marcos stressed the value of the ASEAN-United States Trade and Investment Facilitation Arrangement in supporting trade, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), digital economy initiatives,

ship concerns. The petition remains pending before the tribunal, with the SET Secretariat carrying out preliminary actions in accordance with established procedures and the tribunal’s rules.

A quo warranto petition is a legal proceeding that questions a person’s right or authority to hold a public position.

Francisco-Anunciacion declined to discuss further details, saying the matter is under official review.

Causing had also filed a disqualification case against Tulfo in connection with the recent midterm elections, but the COMELEC dismissed it in March.

these people. I was keeping silent because I did not have the right to destroy their future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday clarified Remulla is healthy and physically fit to perform his duties.

In a statement, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said recent revelations made by Remulla in a television news forum were meant to disclose past health issues.

Remulla previously revealed that he was diagnosed with leukemia after undergoing a quintuple bypass heart surgery in 2023, but has since recovered.

“To clarify some and contextualize: The Ombudsman is in good health and continues to work with vigor and dedication. The Ombudsman is already free from cancer for one and a half years. He also exercises every morning before going to the office to remain healthy,” Clavano said.

“We assure the public of the Ombudsman’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for the flood control issue and that he is physically fit to do so. His second chance at life has given him determination and resolve not to fear or spare anyone,” Clavano added. Remulla said he has undergone two cycles of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, with his son as the bone marrow donor.

cybersecurity, and sustainability.

“We recognize that the global economic landscape is marked by uncertainty. ASEAN values its partnership with the United States and seeks to build practical, strategic, and forwardlooking collaboration that delivers concrete outcomes for our businesses and citizens alike,” he said.

He also noted continued initiatives of ASEAN and the United States to promote people-to-people exchanges, including on education and youth empowerment.

“We hope that these valuable initiatives will continue to promote understanding and strengthen lasting connections among our future leaders,” Marcos said.

In closing, he welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN–United States Joint Vision Statement, calling it a strategic framework that aligns with ASEAN’s long-term vision and strengthens collaboration for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

“This important document embodies our shared aspirations and aligns closely with both the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045,” he said.

help — in some cases, they even caused harm,” Dizon said.

“There are areas that used to not flood, but now that so-called flood control projects have been built, the situation has worsened,” he added.

He cited complaints from local government leaders, including Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, that certain structures caused flooding in previously unaffected areas.

Last month, Belmonte lamented the first phase of the Matalahib Creek Pumping Station project in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City worsened flooding in the area.

“This is one of the problematic projects because it was built right on top of the creek. And it’s subtracting the flow of the water,” the mayor said.

Dizon linked the problem to corruption and the lack of technical integrity in the implementation of past projects.

“It seems these projects were used for anomalous reasons,” he added.

Dizon said a large-scale clearing of waterways in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and other flood-prone areas will begin in the coming weeks as part of efforts to improve drainage and prevent water obstruction.

As this developed, Dizon said he has already ordered a nationwide halt to all road re-blocking activities as the agency reviews the integrity and necessity of such projects, citing concerns over the destruction of roads still in good condition.

Dizon made the remarks during the DPWH budget hearing in the Senate, noting the suspension will remain in effect until the department issues new guidelines that will set stricter rules on how and when re-blocking should be carried out.

“We all know that when a road is destroyed and rebuilt unnecessarily, there’s usually money involved,” he said.

“If any district engineer continues these projects without approval, they will face consequences,” Dizon added.

Earlier in the day, Senator Erwin Tulfo criticized the recurring re-blocking of still serviceable roads, calling for tighter auditing of government infrastructure projects to prevent wasteful spending.

“They would say that (road) was just finished, just inaugurated, and next month it will be dug up again.

After that, they’ll work on it again, dig it up again,” Tulfo said.

“It’s the same road, the same street, the same municipality, but it keeps getting torn up even when there’s no problem,” the senator said.

Meanwhile, the AFP dismissed the Davao City lawmaker’s remarks about the presence of the US’ Typhon midrange missile system in the country.

“The President already said it before. What can we expect from the Dutertes? They are pro-China,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said, recalling former President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission that he was “inutile” in confronting Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Castro’s remarks came after Duterte branded Brawner “trigger-happy” and questioned his loyalty for discussing the missile system’s capability, suggesting the AFP chief was “for the CIA” because the

system is sourced from the United States.

T he AFP later clarified that Brawner’s statement was a technical explanation and not a political declaration.

The Palace official said such criticism undermines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s efforts to modernize the military and build a credible defense posture.

“Let’s not undermine the President’s plan to strengthen our Armed Forces,” Castro said.

All these efforts are not for any other country but for our own. We need to be strong, not to wage war, but to ensure that we can defend ourselves,” she added.

She also questioned whether the younger Dutertes now disagree with their father’s long-standing China policy.

“Are they opposing their father now? Or do they still agree with him?” Castro inquired. They should be as vocal when our

fishermen are harassed or when China uses water cannons against our Coast Guard,” she added.

Castro reaffirmed that the Marcos administration’s defense strategy is focused on national sovereignty and self-reliance.

“We cannot go back to being inutile in the face of aggression,” she said.

“The President’s goal is simple; a stronger, self-reliant, and respected Philippines,” Castro added.

In a statement, the AFP clarified that Brawner merely stated a “technical fact” pertaining to the missile’s range and that he only explained that the missile was deployed for training and capability purposes as part of AFP’s modernization efforts.

“Any insinuation that the AFP or its leadership serves foreign interests is false and undermines the integrity, professionalism, and patriotism of the institution and its members who continue to

fishing,” the AFP said.

“The swift and measured action prevented further harm to coral reefs and marine life, underscoring the AFP’s commitment to protecting the ecological integrity of the West Philippine Sea for future generations,” it added.

According to the AFP, the Philippine military’s continuous presence and patrols in the WPS are lawful.

These efforts are ensuring the safety of Filipino personnel, upholding territorial integrity, and advancing the protection and preservation of the marine environment within the country’s maritime domain, the AFP added.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Ayungin Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands. The shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan and is within the Philippines 200mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

defend our sovereignty,” the AFP said.

“The AFP emphasizes that all defense initiatives and partnerships are conducted in line with the Philippines’ independent foreign policy and sovereign prerogative,” it added.

The AFP issued the statement after Paolo Duterte took to social media to criticize Brawner, claiming that Brawner boasted about the capability of the Typhon missile to reach China.

A US defense official noted that the deployment of their missile systems in the Philippines was calculated to increase the perceived lethal risk for China and deter it from launching an attack on Taiwan or the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the AFP also advised public officials to be prudent and responsible in their statements and refrain from engaging in misinformation that may sow distrust in the military.

DA fast-tracks reforms for fair, affordable rice

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is accelerating efforts to finalize nationwide consultations on the proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), confident that the reforms will help bring down rice prices and restore fairness to Filipino farmers.

The series of regional consultations, set to conclude on the first week of November, will shape the final draft of the administration’s proposed amendments before its submission to Congress.

The DA is focused on addressing three pressing concerns: the erosion of farm incomes due to cheap imports, the failure of retail prices to reflect lower import costs, and the country’s rising dependence on unstable global grain markets.

“We cannot allow our farmers to be the casualties of market inefficiencies and unchecked speculation. Our goal is a rice industry that rewards productivity, ensures stability, and protects both producers and consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.

Momentum for reform gained pace after the 2025 Quinta Hearings in the House of Representatives, where legislators and stakeholders agreed that the 2024 amendments to the RTL, now Republic Act 12078, had not gone far enough.

The revision of the law is among the 44 priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) to align key legislative priorities between Congress and the Executive branch.

The forthcoming administration bill will reintroduce calibrated state intervention through the National Food Authority (NFA) and is expected to

DMW lauds Saudi

Arabia for ending ‘kafala’ system

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has lauded Saudi Arabia’s decision to abolish the kafala or sponsorship system, calling it a historic victory for migrant workers, including thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Announced on October 25, 2025, as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms, the move replaces the controversial sponsorship system with a modern, contract-based employment framework that grants greater freedom and protection to foreign workers.

The DMW said that under the new rules, migrant workers can now change jobs without their employer’s consent after their contract ends, apply for exit and re-entry visas through digital government platforms, and leave the country freely after providing due notice.

These measures, implemented through the Qiwa and Absher platforms, aim to enhance transparency and curb employer abuse.

The reform also extends to domestic workers, a sector long excluded from labor protections and vulnerable to exploitation.

Oil prices to increase by up to P2/l today

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONSUMERS can expect a big-time oil price hike of as much as P2 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.

The oil firms announced an increase of P2 per liter for diesel, P1.70 per liter for kerosene, and P1.20 per liter for gasoline.

This is higher than the previous forecast in the wake of “worries that the new sanctions by the U.S. on Russia’s two biggest oil companies will have significant implications on the Asian market as Chinese state oil majors are set to suspend Russian oil purchases and refiners in India are preparing to sharply cut

Russian crude imports,” Jetti Petroleum said.

Jetti Petroleum’s Leo Bellas said last week diesel may go up by P1.20 to P1.40 per liter and gasoline by P0.60 to P0.80 per liter on Tuesday.

“Oil prices are higher this week due to concerns that the fresh U.S. sanctions on Russian companies, following sanctions imposed by Britain last week, could lead to tighter physical flows of Russian oil,” Bellas said.

He said this could force buyers of Russian oil to reroute volumes to other sources, causing major disruptions in supply flows.

Rodela Romero, director of the Department of Energy’s Oil Industry Management Bureau, said oil prices will likely go up due to stronger refinery demand.

“Oil soars on prospects of new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies (Rosneft and Lukoil) over the war with Ukraine, as announced by President Trump yesterday. Unresolved issues between Russia and Ukraine increase geopolitical risks,” Romero said. On Oct. 21, the oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.10 per liter, diesel by P0.70 per liter, and kerosene by P0.60 per liter.

‘Science-based

By Rex Espiritu

A UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) expert stressed the importance of sciencedriven disaster preparedness, saying earthquakes cannot be predicted and should be treated as an inevitable part of life in the Philippines, being located along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava, geologist and dean of the UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM), underscored that continuous awareness and preparedness are key to reducing disaster risks.

“It is natural in our region, a reality that we should have long accepted so that our decisions and preparedness are aligned in that situation,” she said.

The Philippines is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, including the region from East Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan,

disaster plan needed’

Russia, and the west coast of the United States.

Eslava emphasized that because the country has active fault lines and an earthquake cannot be predicted, people need to be always ready for the possibility of earthquakes.

“Because of this geographical reality, we need to learn how to adapt,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Perez, geologist at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said the West Valley Fault (WVF) has moved four times in the past 1,400 years, with movement intervals of 400 to 600 years. The last major earthquake from the valley fault was in 1658.

“The West Valley Fault has been accumulating strain for about 357 years. It could move before it reaches 400 years; it could also occur within 600 years—it may happen in our generation or the next,” Perez said.

IN BRIEF

Pangilinan vows to work with BOC vs. smugglers SENATOR Francis Pangilinan on Monday teamed up with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to intensify the government’s campaign against agricultural smuggling, inspecting two 40-foot containers of misdeclared frozen chicken breasts and fish balls worth P12.96 million at the Manila International Container Port.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said the partnership with the BOC underscores the government’s resolve to dismantle syndicates that manipulate agricultural imports and evade taxes. He has cited several brokers and a deputy collector in contempt for refusing to cooperate with the Senate probe. Ram Superable Makabayan seeks probe into GSIS investments

THE Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives has filed a resolution seeking a congressional probe into alleged anomalous investments of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), including its reported P1billion stake in DigiPlus Interactive Corp., an online gaming firm that suffered heavy losses. ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co said the GSIS exposed its members’ funds to high-risk ventures, including industries that “destroy families through gambling addiction.” They urged the House to scrutinize these and other questionable transactions cited by the Commission on Audit.

Maricel V. Cruz

PNP eyes drones, data systems to boost response

THE Philippine National Police (PNP), led by acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., is embracing drones, data analytics, and interconnected systems to improve public safety and emergency response.

Nartatez said drones will enhance real-time monitoring during disasters, traffic incidents, and large public events, giving ground commanders better situational awareness. He added that predictive analytics will allow the police to shift from reactive to proactive crime prevention by identifying potential trouble spots in advance. Vince Lopez

CHICO RIVER INCIDENT. Rescuers retrieve a casualty after a mini cargo truck plunges into the Chico River in Barangay Tocucan, Bontoc, Mountain Province. Dave Leprozo.

WEAVING MELODIES. SM City San Lazaro ushers in the holiday season with the unveiling of its “Weaving Melodies” Christmas centerpiece, joined by local officials and community partners. Norman Cruz

XMAS VIBE. A fruit vendor tends to customers at a brightly lit night stall along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, as the holiday season nears. Edd Castro

IN BRIEF

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister visits Manila

ISRAELI Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel set off on a landmark diplomatic tour of the Pacific region, starting in the Philippines and continuing to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand.

The six-day journey includes official state visits to Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

During her visit to Manila, Haskel spoke about the longstanding ties between Israel and the Philippines, citing shared values, development cooperation, and historical connections.

She expressed deep gratitude for the Philippines’ support of Jewish refugees during World War II. “The Filipino people offered shelter to Jews during one of history’s darkest times. We will forever remember that” she said.

Makati-UST pact offers scholarship for teachers

THE Makati City government has forged an agreement with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to provide full scholarship grants for 25 public elementary school Science teachers under the TEACH (Teacher Effectiveness and Competence Honing) Program.

The local government alloted ₱1.5 million to enable the teachers to go through UST’s Certificate in Science Teaching Program which is a six-month, 27-unit post-baccalaureate course designed to provide a sound theoretical foundation on science content and professional education.

“Education is the greatest equalizer,” Mayor Nancy Binay said during the agreement signing at the Makati City Hall. Nagtipunan mayor cites infra, social service gains

NAGTIPUNAN, Quirino—Mayor Noel Lim marks the first 100 days of his second term by highlighting his achievements in infrastructure, social services, and governance.

With a people-centered approach, Lim said he remained committed to delivering “true, fast, and heartfelt service for a prosperous Nagtipunan.”

Lim’s leadership prioritizes bringing services closer to the people. “Together, let us harness the power of unity and cooperation to drive progress and development in our beloved town of Nagtipunan,” he said.

“We are dedicated to providing everyone with genuine and prompt service,” he added. Jessica M. Bacud

EARTHQUAKE

DRILL.

Phivolcs suggests full alert amid restive status of Taal, Kanlaon

By Vince Lopez

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, Oct.27, urged all local government units (LGUs) and residents near Taal and Kanlaon to remain on full alert as the two volcanoes remained restive.

Meanwhile the, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained Alert Level 2 over Kanlaon, indicating moderate unrest and the possibility of further ash emissions or short-lived explosions.

Residents are reminded to keep out of the four-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcanoes, while those within six kilometers from the summit must remain vigilant and ready to evacuate should volcanic activity intensify.

“LGUs are directed to activate their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), pre-position emergency supplies, and ensure the readiness and safety of evacuation centers. Continuous coordination with Phivolcs and concerned local authorities is strongly urged,” the DILG said.

In a separate advisory, the DILG also directed local chief executives in Batangas and Cavite to implement critical preparedness measures as Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 following two minor phreatomagmatic eruptions at its main crater

DOLE enhances free legal aid, speedily resolves labor disputes

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Labor and Em -

ployment (DOLE) on Monday said it continues to offer free legal aid and public assistance to both workers and employers, helping speedily resolve labor-related complaints across the country.

In a statement, the DOLE said its Public Assistance and Complaints Unit (PACU) has been strength -

ened to give quick and accessible legal support, following President Marcos’ call to make workplace justice more fair and inclusive.

PACU’s lawyers assist in cases such as unpaid wages and illegal dismissal, adhering to proper legal procedures.

Last month, the unit received 191 walk-in clients including 16 persons with disabilities and 23 senior citizens. Most came from Metro

Manila, while others were from nearby regions such as CALABARZON and Central Luzon.

Of the cases handled, 132 were simple matters while 59 needed deeper legal review. The most common issues involved money claims and termination of employment (21 percent each), followed by management prerogative (14 percent) and social welfare benefits (11 percent).

Other concerns included separation pay, minimum wage, temporary lay-offs, unauthorized deductions, and cases pending before the National Labor Relations Commission. The DOLE said it remains committed to helping ensure fair and humane treatment for Filipino workers and providing a venue where they can seek justice without cost.

PAL, Cebu Pacific Air open new routes

By Minerva Newman

LAPULAPU City—The MactanCebu International Airport (MCIA) welcomed new flight routes of the Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air, saying the expansion significantly enhanced linkages between the Visayas and the province of Samar and Palawan, thus strengthening regional connectivity.

Th airlines flew their respective maiden flights on Sunday, with PAL opening its direct flights between Cebu and Calbayog City, and Cebu Pacific launching its daily shuttles between Cebu and El Nido in Palawan.

“This new link reinforces MCIA’s role as the premier regional transfer hub, creating vital bridges between Cebu and other key destinations in the country. This is a vital route

that bridges the Visayas with Samar, opening up significant opportunities for regional economic development, tourism, and trade,” said Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).

Cebu Pacfic’s new route connecting Cebu to El Nido complements the existing services by AirSwift and offers more travel frequencies and options.

“This maiden flight event underscored Cebu Pacific’s role in linking key Palawan destinations, including Coron, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, and now El Nido, from Cebu. The initiative aims to boost tourism in secondary cities, benefit local businesses, and provide affordable travel options, with fares starting as low as P3,200,” said Michelle Eve de Guzman, marketing director of Cebu Pacific.

on Oct. 26.

The DILG enjoined the LGUs to strictly prohibit entry into Taal Volcano Island, particularly the main crater and the Daang Kastila fissure. The affected LGUs were also advised to prepare for potential increases in volcanic sulfur dioxide and enforce proper health measures to protect their constituencies.

Coordination with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Calabarzon is likewise recommended to ensure timely and unified preparedness actions.

Congress urged to prioritize bills on telco infra dev’t

A CONSUMER advocacy group urges policymakers to prioritize legislation that addresses regulatory blocks hindering the country’s digital infrastructure rollout.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines emphasized the need to modernize the National Building Code, speed up rightof-way (ROW) acquisition, and clarify rules around homeowners’ association (HOA) restrictions on telecommunication (telco) access.

“We support the national commitment to digital transformation,” said Orlando Oxales, lead convenor of CitizenWatch. “To move forward, we need enabling policies that respond to the realities of the digital age. Connectivity should be treated as a basic utility, not a privilege,” he said.

Oxales noted that several legislative proposals that sought to address telco issues were filed but bypassed during the previous Congress, including House Bill 900 on telecommunications readiness of buildings, House Bill 4472 on ICT infrastructure requirements for housing developments, and House Bill 6571 on ROW guidelines. These measures have yet to be refiled in the current 20th Congress.

“These are critical measures that warrant prioritization,” Oxales said. “We encourage lawmakers to refile, refine, and pass these bills so we can create a legal environment more responsive to connectivity needs.”

The group cited persistent barriers telcos face such as outdated building codes, restrictive HOA practices, and lengthy ROW permitting at the local level.

“Our Building Code dates back to 1977, long before internet connectivity became essential to life,” Oxales said. “As a result, many buildings lack provisions for broadband infrastructure, leaving residents with limited or delayed access.”

BAGUIO BLAZE. Baguio City firemen combat a blaze which is razing a house in Barangay Irisan just a short distance from the local fire station. The fire was tapped out about an hour and a half later. Dave Leprozo

PREPAREDNESS

The local government of Noveleta, Cavite under Mayor Davey Reyes Chua spearheads an earthquake drill at the new town hall building in a bid to mitigate the risks of temblors on public health and safety. Dennis Abrina

OPINION

Stability of government at stake

WITH all the investigations going on of the rampant corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways, it will be the height of insult to the people if the Sandiganbayan, which will try these cases against rampant corruption, will not have a decision within six to eight months after they are filed.

Even if the investigation now by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure is made public, the people will not know who are those responsible for stealing from the people trillions of pesos.

Most of them are public officials of the DPWH in connivance with contractors, in their insatiable greed stealing trillions of pesos of the people’s money.

These investigations have made the people lose their faith in the government, so much so that the stability of the government is at stake.

This can be seen in all the protest actions of people, including students from different colleges and universities against the rampant corruption in government.

My gulay, there are many instances wherein the people were sadly disappointed with the result of the investigation of public officials.

I am not talking here of the possibility of People Power, rather I am talking here of the people’s faith and confidence in government.

I have been a journalist for more than seven decades and I have never seen to what extent graft and corruption has gone until now.

I know how corrupt, for instance, the Bureau of Customs was because I covered it years ago in connection with smuggling.

There was even a time when people were smuggling illegal drugs in the country and nothing much was done about it.

Sure, there would be investigations but have you ever seen the real culprits or the masterminds behind the smuggling of illegal drugs go to jail?

In the meantime, I would like to ask the Senate: What is happening to the impeachment case of Vice President Sara Duterte, whose confidential funds were

given to fictitious persons?

If the second highest official of the land, VP Sara Duterte, gets away with what she did and will not be impeached, I am afraid the people will totally lose faith in the government.

I hate to see a government like ours become unstable with all the people losing faith in it in connection with rampant corruption.

We all know, Santa Banana, that many times only the rich and the powerful are acquitted and people like us are left with nothing.

We still have to see the corrupt and guilty end up in jail

With all this happening in the government, the people are losing faith in the government.

Talk about what will happen now with the ICI livestreaming and being transparent in its investigation. Will this result in the conviction of corrupt people in government?

Another question: With the people losing their faith and trust in government who will lose in the long run if not us, the people?

We still have to see the corrupt and guilty end up in jail.

The Sandiganbayan has shown that they will have convictions of those found guilty of rampant graft and corruption within six to eight months.

Let’s hope so, and hopefully with the will of God, the people will end up finally trusting our government.

I predict convictions and tose convicted will rot in jail, but we all know with the kind of snail-paced justice we have, the true and real corrupt people in the government will not all go to jail.

As a lawyer I still have faith and hope our justice system will prevail in the end.

Remulla vs. the ghost: Martires’ hidden absolution of Villanueva unearthed

A Verdict That Skulked Out of the Crypt IN 2016, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dropped a legal anvil on Sen. Joel Villanueva, banishing him from public office for allegedly pilfering ₱10 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund loot. Her verdict was a beacon of justice— until 2025, when Ombudsman Boying Remulla, ready to enforce that sentence, tripped over a bureaucratic gremlin: a 2019 “secret decision” by ex-Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who waved a wand and poof! Villanueva’s sins vanished like a bad magic trick. This ghost verdict, hidden for six years, wasn’t shared with the Senate, the public, or even Remulla’s own office until it slunk out when cornered. This isn’t justice—it’s a bureaucratic vanishing act. Let’s crack open this scandal’s coffin and dissect the decay. Morales vs. Martires: A Battle for the Ombudsman’s Bleeding Soul Conchita Carpio Morales wielded the Ombudsman’s gavel like a lighthouse, illuminating corruption. Her 2016 dismissal of Villanueva for serious dishonesty and grave misconduct—tied to Janet Lim-Napoles’ fake non-governmental organizations —was a testament to accountability. Under Rule III, Section 7 of the Ombudsman Rules of Procedure, Villanueva had 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration. Miss that, and the decision becomes final, per Fabian v. Desierto (1998). Morales’ rulings were open, served, enforced. Then came Samuel Martires, turning the Ombudsman’s office into a haunted house. In 2019, he signed a reversal but stashed it in the shadows. Even Senate President Tito Sotto was clueless. This isn’t a procedural oopsie— it’s a betrayal of the Ombudsman’s Constitutional duty as “protector of the people” (1987 Constitution, Art. XI, Sec. 12). Morales stood for sunlight; Martires conjured a blackout.

The Legal Slaughter: Why This Phantom Verdict Is a Corpse Let’s carve this with a legal machete.

If the 2016 dismissal was final, it was untouchable. The doctrine of immutability of judgments, per *De Guzman v. Sandiganbayan* (1994), declares final decisions sacred.

Once Villanueva’s 10-day window closed, Morales’ verdict was granite. Martires’ 2019 reversal, three years late, was legally dead on arrival.

Even if a motion was filed, the Ombudsman Rules demand “prompt disposition” (Rule II, Sec. 11).

Morales stood for sunlight; Martires conjured a blackout

Three years isn’t prompt; it’s a coma. The secrecy violates due process, per the 1987 Constitution (Art. III, Sec. 1). Paat v. Court of Appeals (1994) is clear: decisions without notice are null.

The Senate deserved notice. The public deserved transparency. Republic Act 6770, the Ombudsman Act of 1989, mandates swift anti-corruption action (Sec. 15). R.A. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, demands openness (Sec. 4(c)). Martires’ phantom verdict spits on both—an ethical gut-punch, mocking the public’s right to know. The Feeble Alibi: A Flicker in the Ombudsman’s Gloom Martires might claim he was correcting a miscarriage of justice, as the Ombudsman Rules allow reversals for new evidence (Rule III, Sec. 7).

Publication isn’t required for administrative decisions (Tañada v. Tuvera, 1986), and judicial immunity might shield discretion (State Prosecutors v. Judge Manuel T. Muro, 1994).

EDITORIAL

Enhancing regional security cooperation

HEARTENING, that the Philippines and Japan have agreed to strengthen their security cooperation following an “agreement in principle” to have the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, or ACSA.

This emerged during a meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Neither side provided a timeline for the signing of ACSA, under negotiation since April, during a visit to Manila by former Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, which follows the Reciprocal Access Agreement or RAA, in force since last month after Manila and Tokyo signed it on July 8, 2024 – ratified by the Philippine Senate last December and the Japanese Diet last June.

The five-day inaugural activity ending on Oct. 11, the “Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25,” a combined training exercise between the Philippine Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the Dept. of National Defense said.

The RAA, which facilitates the mutual movement of military forces for joint exercises and other activities, provides a legal framework for the visiting forces of Japan and the Philippines to

But this alibi is flimsy. Immunity doesn’t cover concealment. Discretion doesn’t justify a six-year silence. Without evidence justifying the reversal, Martires’ decision isn’t justice – it’s a burial. Martires’ Reckoning: Incompetence or Conspiracy?

Martires’ secrecy is either gross negligence or a darker plot.

RA 6713 demands transparency; he delivered opacity.

The Ombudsman Rules (Rule 13, Sec. 4) require notice; he gave none.

If intentional, this flirts with Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code, dereliction of duty. Was he shielding Villanueva? Playing political chess?

The damage is catastrophic—a secret absolution undermines the Ombudsman

be present in each other’s territories for specific cooperative activities like joint training and exercises.

The meeting between President Marcos and Japan’s PM Takaichi underlines Manila’s readiness to deepen cooperation with other nations to confront ‘unpredictable’ security challenges in the Indo-Pacific

This is expected to be enhanced by ACSA, which allows the exchange and provision of logistics, like fuel, food, transportation, and medical services, between the two countries’ armed forces. The meeting between President Mar-

more than any corrupt senator. Remulla’s Trial by Fire: Slay the Phantom or Join It? Remulla stepped into this mess vowing to enforce the 2016 dismissal, only to be blindsided. RA 6770 allows probing Martires for misconduct (Sec. 15). Remulla could audit the 2019 decision’s origins or annul it for lacking jurisdiction (Ombudsman Rules, Rule III, Sec. 7). He could escalate to the Supreme Court. But he must publish the full record – every memo, every delay. Transparency is the cure.

The Abyss Stares Back: A Democracy on the Brink This isn’t just about Villanueva. It’s about the Ombudsman as the last bastion against corruption.

cos and Japan’s PM Takaichi underlines what the former said earlier that the Philippines, continuously harassed by its giant neighbor China in the West Philippine Sea, is ready to deepen cooperation with other nations to confront “unpredictable” security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The 68-year-old President Marcos has repeatedly emphasized Manila will never compromise its sovereignty even as it strengthens alliances with friendly neighboring nations.

This puts Manila’s role “at the forefront” of regional tensions, citing daily harassment faced by Philippine vessels and fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea, within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

“Today, the most significant threat to the peace and stability we strive for is right here in our own neighborhood, here in the Indo-Pacific region. And this is not just an opinion. It is a fact,” President Marcos had said.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a long-standing maritime dispute over parts of the West Philippine Sea, part of the vast South China Sea which Beijing claims entirely as its own, although a 2016 arbitral tribunal has ruled in favor of Manila and invalidated Beijing’s expansive claim.

President Marcos said collective action is now “absolutely essential” as he described today’s challenges as “not bound by borders.”

When decisions vanish, democracy cracks. If justice can be undone secretly, impunity wins. The Exorcism: Banishing the Ghosts of Secret Justice Remulla, don’t just gasp—slay the ghost verdict. Annul it. Audit Martires. Refer misconduct to the Department of Justice or Supreme Court. Mandate all decisions be published within days. The public demands truth, not shadows. If the Ombudsman can’t deliver justice in the open, it’s a crypt. Bury the secrets. Resurrect accountability. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice concealed is justice betrayed.

10 people to stand trial over online harassment of French first lady

PARIS

– Ten people go on trial in Paris on Monday for sexist cyber-harassment of Brigitte Macron, in the latest case sparked by unsubstantiated gender claims thrown at the French first lady for years by some in France and beyond.

The trial comes after she and President Emmanuel Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States at the end of July, in connection with a rumor amplified and repeated online that Brigitte Macron was assigned male at birth.

The unsupported claim has long targeted the presidential couple, alongside criticism of their 24-year age gap.

Ten defendants -- eight men and two women, aged 41 to 60 -- will be tried in a Paris criminal court, accused of cyberharassment targeting Brigitte Macron.

If convicted, they face up to two years in prison.

They have been accused of making numerous malicious comments about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, even equating her age difference with her husband to “paedophilia,” according to prosecutors.

The French first lady filed a complaint in August 2024 that led to an investigation into cyber-harassment and arrests in December 2024 and Feb. 2025.

Brigitte Macron’s lawyer did not respond to AFP queries, and it is not known if she will be present at the hearings.

Among the defendants is Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, 41, a publicist known on social media as “Zoe Sagan” and often linked with conspiracy theory circles. AFP

Trump in Japan as hopes grow for China trade deal

TOKYO – Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday, the next leg of an Asia tour that could see the US president and China’s Xi Jinping end their bruising trade war.

Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said he was hopeful of a deal when he sees Xi on Thursday in South Korea, while also indicating he was willing to extend his trip to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi and we are going to I think... come away with a deal,” Trump told reporters en route from Malaysia, where comments from US and Chinese trade negotiators raised hopes of an accord.

Dozens of people gathered at Haneda Airport hoping to take photos of Air Force One as it landed.

Trump was due in Tokyo in time for an evening

audience with Japan’s emperor.

On Tuesday, Trump is expected to meet new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and make a speech on the USS George Washington.

“I hear phenomenal things. (Takaichi) was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend,” Trump said, referring to the assassinated former Japanese premier.

“That really helps Japan and the United States, I think she’s going to be great.”

Takaichi said she told Trump ahead of their meeting that strengthening the Japan-US alliance was her administration’s “top priority on the diplomatic and security front”.

On Friday, she announced in her first policy speech that Japan would be spending two percent of gross domestic product on defense this fiscal year.

But Washington, which has around 60,000 military personnel in Japan, wants Tokyo to spend even more, potentially matching the five percent of GDP pledged by NATO members in June.

Most Japanese imports into the United States are subject to tariffs of 15 percent, less painful than the 25 percent first threatened. AFP

Israel insists it maintains control in Gaza despite US-brokered truce

GETTING A LASH. Crew of the guided missile destroyer USS Gravely warship stand on the bow and starboard of the vessel as it enters the port of Port of Spain on Monday, Manila time, for a fourday visit. Venezuela blasted the arrival in nearby Trinidad and Tobago as a dangerous ‘provocation,’ amid mounting fears of potential attacks against the Venezuelan mainland. Venezuela angrily denounced ‘the military provocation of Trinidad and Tobago, in coordination with the CIA, aimed at provoking a war in the Caribbean.’ AFP

ASEAN not

JERUSALEM – Israel has insisted it will maintain control of security inside Gaza despite signing up to a US-brokered ceasefire that foresees the deployment of an international security force.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers Israel would decide for itself where and when to strike its foes and which countries would be allowed to send troops to police the truce.

“Israel is an independent state. We will defend ourselves by our own means and we will continue to determine our fate,” Netanyahu said. “We do not seek anyone’s approval for this. We control our security.”

AFP footage showed an Egyptian convoy in Gaza bringing rescuers and heavy machinery to speed up the search for the remains of deceased Israeli hostages Hamas says are lost in the rubble of the devastated Palestinian territory.

Low-loader lorries flying the Egyptian flag transported bulldozers and mechanical diggers into Gaza, accompanied by tipper trucks sounding their horns and flashing their lights, en route to an Egyptian aid committee based in Al-Zawayda.

Israel government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Netanyahu had personally approved the arrival of the Egyptian team.

“Now, this is a technical team only, and none of these personnel are in the military,” she said.

“The team are allowed entry beyond the IDF’s (Israel Defense Forces’) Yellow Line position into Gaza territory to conduct the search for our hostages.”

Under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire, as Israeli forces withdraw after the end of two years of brutal fighting against Hamas, an international force, expected to be drawn from mainly Arab or Muslim countries, is supposed to secure Gaza. AFP

on par with those earned by Boeing workers in the Pacific Northwest, the statement said. Boeing said it was “disappointed” by the vote, which “failed by the slimmest of margins, 51% to 49%.”

“With the close result and the increased interest we’re hearing from teammates who want to cross the picket line, it’s clear many understand the value of our offer,” a Boeing spokesperson told AFP. Dan Gillian, a top executive in the St Louis Boeing branch, said on Wednesday that the offer would provide an average salary increase of 45 percent over the contract’s five-year term, plus various bonuses, increased vacation time, and added health and pension benefits. AFP

SYDNEY – Australia’s competition watchdog accused Microsoft on Monday of misleading people into paying for its AI assistant Copilot.

The authority said it had filed a suit in the Federal Court against Microsoft Australia and its parent Microsoft Corp.

The software giant is accused of making “false or misleading” statements to around 2.7 million Australians who subscribe by auto-renewal to Microsoft 365 plans, which include a suite of online Office services.

Microsoft allegedly told customers that they had two options: either pay extra for Microsoft 365 services integrated with Copilot, or cancel their subscriptions altogether.

But there was a partly hidden third option -- visible only when people started to cancel -- of sticking to existing “Classic” plans without Copilot for the original price, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said in a statement.

“Microsoft deliberately omitted reference to the Classic plans in its communications and concealed their existence until after subscribers initiated the cancellation process to increase the number of consumers on more expensive Copilotintegrated plans,” commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“The Microsoft Office apps included in 365 subscriptions are essential in many people’s lives and given there are limited substitutes to the bundled package, cancelling the subscription is a decision many would not make lightly.” AFP

sending monitors to Myanmar elections

KUALA LUMPUR – Southeast Asia’s 111-nation ASEAN bloc will not send observers to Myanmar’s elections in December, diplomatic sources said Monday -- a setback to the junta’s push for international legitimacy.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has billed the Dec. 28 polls as a step towards reconciliation in the civil war unleashed by his 2021 coup.

ASEAN chair Malaysian Prime Minister

Anwar Ibrahim on Monday repeated calls for an “immediate ceasefire.”

Leaders of ASEAN, meeting in Malaysia, voiced “deep concern” over the conflict and

warned of “a lack of substantive progress” towards peace, in a statement released late Sunday.

“The cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue must precede elections,” it added, noting the junta’s invitation for ASEAN states to send observers.

“There will be no credible evidence to suggest that free and fair elections were held.”

Human Rights Watch has condemned the vote as a “sham”, while Amnesty International accused the junta of “repressive tactics” and “and arresting anyone critical of the poll”. AFP

“What it means is that there are no ASEAN observers, but ASEAN countries are free to send observers on a bilateral basis,” one diplomat told AFP, requesting anonymity. A second diplomat confirmed there was no consensus among members to deploy a mission under ASEAN’s banner. Not sending ASEAN observers “will certainly be a blow to Myanmar’s legitimacy aspirations,” said Mustafa Izzuddin, an international affairs analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore.

YELLOW BLACK

PH Golf Tour braces for thriller as South Pacific Classic fires off

DAVAO City— A trio of aces rejoins the chase in the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic that unwraps today (Tuesday, Oct. 28) here, promising not just a tight title race but also the potential for another photo finish that could rival last year’s suddendeath thriller at Apo Golf.

Angelo Que, Keanu Jahns and Clyde Mondilla headline the crack field in the P3.5 million Philippine Golf Tour event, each determined to stamp his class in the penultimate stage of the 10leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Que, brimming with confidence after a top-30 finish in an international tournament, seeks to regain the form that netted him back-to-back victories at Pradera Verde and Eagle Ridge. Jahns and Mondilla, meanwhile, return from brief but instructive stint over the weekend, both eager to turn their frustrations into motivation and close out the Mindanao swing on a high note.

But the path to glory will be anything but easy.

Standing in their way is the in-form

Fidel Concepcion, who’s riding high on confidence following his breakthrough win at Apo last Friday. That maiden victory could well be the spark he needs to prove he can win against a stronger, deeper cast this week at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates.

Joining them are local standouts Jhonnel Ababa, Zanieboy Gialon, Elee Bisera, Elmer Salvador and Marvin Dumandan, each armed with both familiarity and pride. Dumandan, in particular, has extra motivation – he’s out for redemption after bowing to Justin Quiban in a tense four-hole playoff when South Pacific last hosted a PGT event in 2023.

But it won’t be an all-Davaoeño affair. The chase for supremacy also includes the likes of Reymon Jaraula, Guido van der Valk, Michael Bibat, Russell Bautista, Ryan Monsalve, Nilo Salahog, Dino Villanueva and James Ryan Lam – all looking not just for a leg win but for crucial ranking points toward berths in the season-ending Match Play Championship and The Country Club Invitational.

Lobrido, PH sustain momentum at AYG

SAKHIR, Bahrain— Leo Mhar Lobrido showed grit in the boxing ring to claim a spot in the semifinals, Princess Jay Ann Diaz and Jay-r Colonia lifted their way to bronze, and Alas Pilipinas marched on to the Final Four to cap another strong day for the Philippines in the Asian Youth Games.

Lobrido overcame tense moments in the closing seconds of the third round to beat Binul Dulnada Dewasiri Narayana of Sri Lanka in the boys’ light flyweight boxing quarterfinals at Exhibition World Bahrain on

Sunday, assuring himself of at least a bronze medal.

Diaz earned the bronze in the clean and jerk of the girls’ 44-kg class. iece of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, the 17-year-old Princess Jay Ann made it to the podium with a 78kg lift. India’s Bhoi Priteesmita bagged gold with a world youth record 92kg lift, while China’s Wu Jihong lifted 88kg for silver.

Jay-r Colonia bagged bronze in the boys’ 56kg clean and jerk with a 137kg lift. Jiang Jinfu of China topped the event with a new Asian Youth record of 141kg, while Al Ojaian M Mohammed Nawaf of Saudi Arabia claimed silver with 138kg.

Boxer Shairylle Pores bowed out at the quarterfinal stage, however, as Chen Fang-yu of Chinese Taipei scored a 5-0 victory in the girls’ 46kg class. Alas Pilipinas gains semis

The Philippine girls’ volleyball team faced some anxious moments but ultimately secured a Final Four berth in girls’ volleyball, eliminating Chinese Taipei, 25-16, 20-25, 25-16, 25-18, in front of a huge Sunday crowd at Isa Sports City.

After a shaky second set that last 30 minutes, the team led by Sam Cantada and Rhose Almendralejo regained their bearings and sealed the win in an hour and 47 minutes.

“Masaya po kasi nagawa po namin yung panalo po namin,” said Rihanna Cris Navarro. “Pinagtrabahuhan po talaga namin kasi knockout na po yung laro po namin and kailangan po namin umangat po sa top four para makakuha po kami ng gold. “ Asked about their chances of making it to the gold medal match, Navarro expressed confidence as they prepare to face unbeaten Iran.

Naranjo-coached Jalajala lifter shines in Batang Pinoy

By Peter Atencio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Stephanie Mandigma

redeemed herself on a warm Monday morning with her total lift of 113, capturing the girls’ 40-kg title in the weightlifting meet of the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Championships here.

The effort of the 14-year-old Mandigma in the girls’ 13-17 action, came as Zamboanga City dominated the competitions with a two-day, five-gold haul, when the morning sessions ended at the Barangay Labangal gymnasium.

“Medyo na-pressure po ako. Hindi ko po in-expect iyung gold medal,” said the 4’8” Mandigma, who was cheered on by 2020 Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, whose husband Julius Naranjo coached the young lifter.

Mandigma’s triumph bettered her 4th-place finish in the Palarong Pambansa.

At the 2024 national championships, Mandigma, a ninth grader at the Jalajala National High School, won a gold medal in 36-kg category in Dumaguete City.

“I told her to have fun. We trained hard for this. It was good redemption for her,” said Naranjo, who jointly coaches JalaJala’s lifters with Hidilyn. With her right arm getting sore, encouragements

Taduran seeks unification clash after successful IBF title defense

By Randy M. Caluag

IBF minimumweight champion

Pedro

Taduran Jr. has set his sights on a major unification showdown, declaring his intent to face either Puerto Rico’s Oscar Collazo or fellow Filipino Melvin Jerusalem following his dominant title defense over Christian Balunan on Sunday night.

Taduran, who retained his belt via a unanimous decision at the San Andrés Sports Complex in Manila, is eager to test himself against Collazo — the reigning WBA, WBO, and The Ring Magazine minimumweight champion — in what would be a blockbuster unification clash.

“Ang inaabangan ko sana makasagupa si Collazo o kaya si Jerusalem… kahit saan, kahit kailan — kahit end of December, laban ako,” said Taduran, 28.

If the Collazo fight doesn’t materialize, Taduran is open to facing Jerusalem, the current WBC titleholder, to bring all four major belts under one Filipino banner.

On Sunday, Taduran displayed the form of a champion ready for such a stage, overwhelming Balunan over 12 rounds. The judges scored it 118110, 118-110, and 117-111, all for the defending champion, who improved his record to 18 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.

From the opening bell, Taduran dictated the pace with relentless aggression and sharp execution. His pressure broke Balunan’s rhythm and left visible damage as the fight wore on. The southpaw even scored a knockdown in the eighth round before cruising to victory.

The win marked Taduran’s most commanding world title performance yet, coming after regaining his IBF crown in July 2024 with a stoppage of Ginjiro Shigeoka, followed by a hard-fought split-decision win in their May rematch.

In The Red Corner Nissi Icasiano

JOHN Riel Casimero’s dream of sharing the ring with Naoya Inoue should now be declared dead on arrival. If there’s still a flicker of hope in his mind — or among his most loyal followers — it’s time to extinguish it. Over the weekend, Casimero’s downward spiral hit another low point as he dropped a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Kyonosuke Kameda at the Bishkek Arena in Kyrgyzstan. This was supposed to be his grand reentry into the sport after serving a one-year suspension from the Japan Boxing Commission for failing to make the super bantamweight limit of 122 pounds in his illfated bout against Saul Sanchez in October 2024. Instead, it turned into another reminder of how far “Quadro Alas” has fallen from grace.

The 36-year-old was handed a second chance by former world champion-turned-promoter Koki Kameda, who signed him to a promotional deal and slotted him in a 128-pound catchweight contest against Kyonosuke Kameda. Casimero came out swinging early, clearly chasing a highlight-reel knockout. But his aggression was all bark, no bite. Once Kameda figured out his rhythm by the third round, the Japanese boxer controlled the tempo with stiff

jabs, making the Filipino look every bit his age. There was even a moment of humiliation. Kameda rocked Casimero so badly that the once-feared puncher was on unsteady legs. Then came an amateur-hour display in the corner — his brother-slash-trainer Jayson dousing water directly on an open cut near the right eye between rounds. When the final bell rang, the scorecards — 97-92, 98-92, and 98-92 — all went to Kameda, who boxed smartly rather than slugged recklessly. For context, the Osaka, Japan native had lost earlier this year to top-tier names like Luis Nery and Alan Picasso. Yet even a puglist with recent setbacks managed to outthink and outwork Casimero. That says it all.

This was Casimero’s first loss since 2017 when Jonas Sultan outpointed him. But the truth is, his career’s decline didn’t start in Bishkek. It’s been a long and messy unraveling — missed weights, canceled fights, and controversies that cost him his place among boxing’s elite. Today, he isn’t ranked in any division. He can’t even make 122 pounds, the very division where Inoue reigns supreme.

And yet, Casimero still begs for that elusive fight — as if Inoue were an ex-lover who got away. He talks about it in interviews, his fans flood social media demanding it, but the rest of the boxing world has moved on.

Let’s be honest here. If not for the pandemic, that fight would’ve happened in 2020. But times have changed. Inoue has conquered new divisions, unified world titles, and

and cheers from Diaz, who is Mandigma’s role model, made her forget her aching muscles as she went for a 61-kg lift in the clean and jerk.

Pep Samantha Agosto, the daughter Olympic coach Pep Agosto, accounted for Rizal Province’s other gold in the 11-year-old girls’ side.

Zamboanga’s gold medals came from Precious Lozada in the 36-kg, 13-17 year old action off her total of 90, and from Cydrelle Andalahao, whose 115 gave her the girls’ 13-17, 36-kg honors.

Jane Manalo and Kyle Kue topped the 10-year-old and 12-year-old action for the Zamboanguenos.

Cebu took home two golds, courtesy of Shinichi Catangub (girls 13-yo) and Kemuel Ubanan (boys 11-yo).

In swimming, nine meet records were shattered, including one from Palarong Pambansa standout Sophia Garra over at the Antonio Acharon Stadium in Lagao. The 13-year-old Garra snared her third gold medal after she finished in 2:25.54 in the 12-13 year-old, girls’ 200-meter backstroke event, erasing her old mark of 2:30.00.

Von Andrei Pinon of Rizal Province, outperformed Palarong Pambansa multi-medallist Titus Sia, with finishing with record times of 2:18.20 and 2:18.43, in the 12-13 year-old boys’ backstroke.

cemented himself as one of the greatest fighters of his era. Casimero, meanwhile, has become an afterthought.

It’s absurd to even suggest that Inoue is avoiding him.

“The Monster” has fought — and destroyed — every credible threat placed before him. Casimero, by contrast, can’t even keep his career in order.

Now, Koki Kameda is in damage-control mode, inviting Casimero into the ring after Nery’s recent win to tease a possible matchup at 126 pounds. But after the Filipino’s listless showing against Kyonosuke, what’s the point? Nobody’s buying it. Casimero’s problem isn’t Inoue — it’s the circus surrounding him. The misplaced bravado, the yes-men in his corner, and the lack of accountability have turned what could have been a brilliant second act into a slow-motion collapse.

If there’s anything his brief stint of success proved, it’s that when Casimero had the right people guiding him, he thrived. When he let the wrong ones in, he unraveled.

It’s time for Casimero to stop chasing ghosts. The Inoue chapter is closed. What he needs now isn’t a bigmoney fight — it’s an honest reckoning with himself and the people he trusts. Because if this latest mortification is any indication, the only thing scarier than Inoue for Casimero is his own reflection.

(For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nissi.icasiano.)

Avaricio faces hungry field in LPGT clash

DAVAO City—Playing on a different course setup and against a motivated field, the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour cast gears up for what could be a dramatic, unpredictable finish in the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic, which gets going today (Tuesday, Oct. 29) at the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estate here. Fresh from a dominant wire-to-wire victory at Apo Golf last week, Chanelle Avaricio enters the P1 million championship as the clear favorite – yet also with a target on her back. The Forest Hills leg champion is gunning not only for backto-back titles but also for a third victory in a season nearing its close.

“I’m just gonna take a break and restart,” said Avaricio, who cruised to a seven-stroke triumph over Mafy Singson at Apo despite enduring sweltering heat throughout the week. “Hopefully, I’ll have another good week.”

While Avaricio’s confidence remains high, she acknowledges that South Pacific presents a completely different test – one that could turn even a sure lead into a slippery slope. The course, known for its strategic layout, undulating greens and punishing roughs, demands precision and patience rather than pure power. Unlike the tight and tree-lined fairways of Apo, South Pacific offers wider driving corridors, inviting players to attack. But the generosity ends there. Subtle elevation changes, crosswinds and tricky putting surfaces are expected to separate the bold from the reckless.

“The greens at South Pacific are quite tricky,” said Singson. “Some might be more familiar with the surface and layout, but anything can really happen here.” Indeed, “anything” might be the keyword this week. With the season heading toward its overseas finale in Taiwan next month, every shot, bounce and missed putt could tilt the leaderboard in unexpected ways.

Leo Mhar Lobrido defeats Binul Dulnada Dewasiri Narayana of Sri Lanka in the boys’ light flyweight boxing quarterfinals.

Pedro Taduran

Stephani Mandigma with coach Julius Naranjo

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

By Randy Caluag

Photos by Fernando Sepe, Jr.

ON a calm Sunday afternoon at Sta. Elena Golf Club, Miguel Tabuena gave Philippine golf the kind of moment it had long been waiting for—a hometown hero standing tall against the world.

It was the final day that put together everything: a hole-in-one that earned him a brand-new car, near-flawless golf over four gruelling rounds, a trophy that glittered like destiny itself, a sea of fans waving the flag with pride, and a family that met him on the green in tears and triumph.

Against a star-studded international field that included US Open champions, LIV Golf standouts, and Asia’s finest, Tabuena rose above them all to dominate the International Series

BingoPlus-backed International Series

Miguel Tabuena stands tall against the world

Philippines presented by Bingo Blus.

“It’s truly special. This is the biggest golf event the Philippines has ever hosted,” said the 31-year-old after sinking his final putt on the 18th. “To win it as a Filipino, in front of my people, is an incredible honor.”

Moments earlier, Tabuena dropped to his knees, overcome by emotion as the crowd roared. It was the image of a man who had fought through pain, pressure, and doubt—and finally conquered them all.

BINGO PLUS COMMITMENT

And through it all, one company with a heart stood out -- Bingo Plus.

“With the success of The International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus —and our very own Filipino pride, Miguel Tabuena , claiming the historic win—we are thrilled to announce that we will continue our partnership with the International Series Philippines in 2026,” said Rafael Jasper Vicencio, President of AB Leisure Exponent Inc.

(game provider of BingoPlus)

“Truly, we’ve set the standard this year, and we aim to elevate the experience even further next year. Through this collaboration, we aim to further uplift and empower the local sports community while bringing world-class golf entertainment closer to every Filipino.”

Playing on his home course, Tabuena delivered a masterclass performance throughout the week. Coming off a neck injury that forced him to withdraw from the SJM Macao Open just days earlier, he entered the BingoPlus-presented International Series Philippines unsure if his body would even hold up.

But something special was in the air at Sta. Elena.

With every swing, the Filipino ace

found his rhythm and confidence. His bogey-free final round of 7-under-par 65 sealed the victory at 24-under total, three shots clear of Japan’s Kazuki Higa (65) and Yosuke Asaji (67), who shared second at 21-under.

The win, his fourth on the Asian Tour, made Tabuena the most successful Filipino golfer in the circuit’s history, surpassing Angelo Que’s record of three titles. It also pushed his career earnings past the US$3 million mark—a new milestone in an already stellar career.

A NATION’S CHEERS

The final day at Sta. Elena was electric. Every birdie was met with cheers that echoed across the fairways; every clutch putt drew applause from fans who knew they were witnessing history.

By the back nine, it felt less like a golf tournament and more like a national celebration. The chants of “Tabuena! Tabuena!” rolled through the Laguna air as he marched steadily toward glory.

Earlier in the tournament, his highlight reel already included a holein-one and a stunning eagle—shots that fueled the momentum leading into the decisive Sunday.

With the victory, Tabuena pocketed a record US$360,000 (₱20.16 million)—the largest winner’s purse ever awarded on Philippine soil. But the true prize came moments after the final putt dropped.

A FAMILY’S EMBRACE

As the crowd erupted, Tabuena was met on the 18th green by his family—

Ganda ng GameZone

his mother Lorna,

emotional embrace said what words could not: this was more than a win; it was a lifetime of dreams fulfilled.

“My family and friends were there. My mom’s turning 60 this December, and it meant everything to have her see me win,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I just fell to my knees. It was hard to hold it together after such a long, emotional week. I had so many expectations—from others and from myself. This means everything.” It was the image that summed up the heart of the sport—talent and triumph, yes, but also love, sacrifice, and home.

LOOKING AHEAD With this monumental win, Tabuena not only made history but also reignited Filipino pride in the international golfing scene. And yet, even at the height of his triumph, he was already thinking ahead.

“For next week in Hong Kong, I wasn’t in the field at the beginning of the week, but I get in now based on my finish,” he said with a smile. “I’m just looking forward to playing there.” Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, the tournament’s star attraction, closed with a 67 to finish tied for 15th at 13-under—proof of just how strong the field was that Tabuena overcame.

The BingoPlus-presented International Series Philippines was the sixth of nine elevated events on the 2025 Asian Tour schedule. From here, the Tour moves to Hong Kong for the US$2 million Link Hong Kong Open—but for now, all eyes, and hearts, remain on Sta. Elena, where a Filipino champion lifted not just a trophy, but an entire nation’s spirit.

Meld Together campaign unites music, charity, and Filipino spirit

GAMEZONE, one of the Philippines’ largest PVP entertainment platforms, proved once again that gaming and giving can go hand in hand.

Through its “Ganda ng GameZone: Meld Together” campaign, the company combined music, community, and charity at the “Swing for Filipino Sports Dream” Music Festival — an event that brought thousands of Filipinos together for a cause.

As part of its ongoing commitment to purpose-driven entertainment, GameZone hosted a free music festival, giving away nearly a thousand tickets to GameZone users and fans nationwide.

The celebration featured electrifying performances from globally acclaimed artists, including Alan Walker, Apl.de.Ap, and Bamboo, turning

the Aseana Concert Grounds into a symbol of unity and joy.

But beyond the lights and beats, the festival stood for something deeper.

GameZone donated ₱1 million to the BingoPlus Foundation, rallying the community to fight for love, protect the environment, care for people with disabilities, and support the youth. This contribution will help fund multiple charitable projects across the Philippines — from educational assistance and community rehabilitation to sustainability and inclusion programs.

To raise further awareness, GameZone distributed advocacy-themed merchandise at the venue, representing each supported cause — the environment, LGBT+ inclusion, persons with disabilities, and youth empowerment.

Festivalgoers were also invited to join a raffle campaign, where participants who supported the charity drive had the chance to win exclusive GameZone prizes, blending entertainment with meaningful engagement.

“Our goal has always been to create beauty not just in the games we play, but in the lives we touch”. “Through Ganda ng GameZone, we celebrate the Filipino spirit of bayanihan — proving that when we meld together as one community, we can bring joy, hope, and positive change.”

The Ganda ng GameZone: Meld Together campaign captures the true GameZone spirit — one that values fun, fairness, responsibility, and compas-

sion. It embodies how gaming and music can become powerful tools to inspire generosity and unity across the nation. At GameZone, we believe gaming should always be fun, fair, and responsible. We encourage our community to play our games namely Tongits Plus, Texas plus, and GTCC qualifiers, for entertainment, not as a source of income. Gambling is not a viable means of livelihood, and it does not resolve any financial problems. To find out more about the activity, just visit the official website of GameZone – gzone. ph. The right to interpret this activity belongs to GZ.

The energy was electric as a huge crowd filled

SURPRISES GALORE! What’s inside those bags had everyone buzzing with excitement.

A special treat from the Gamezone ladies made the

Sweet victory for Miguel Tabuena as he claims the coveted BingoPlus-presented International Series crown in front of the home crowd.

Rafael Jasper Vicencio, President of AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (game provider of BingoPlus), expresses excitement over the success of The International Series Philippines and announces the continuation of their partnership for 2026, following Filipino golfer Miguel Tabuena’s historic victory.

Fans packed the course at Sta. Elena to support the Miguel Tabuena-led homegrown bets and see world-class golf up close in the IS Philippines event presented by BingoPlus.

wife Sandra, daughter, and father Luigi. Their

PH,

EU make ‘remarkable progress’ in free trade talks

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines and the European Union (EU) have made

“remarkable progress” in the fourth round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), with both sides hoping to stabilize the draft text this year.

The recently concluded talks were “productive” and covered major chapters including trade in goods, services and investment, digital trade, intellectual property, competition, rules of origin, government procurement and trade and sustainable development, said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for the International Trade Group Allan Gepty. “We made remarkable progress

in the text-based negotiations. We hope to stabilize the text within the year,” Gepty said, adding that both sides also began market-access negotiations for goods, services and investments, including modalities for government procurement.

The Philippines-EU FTA negotiations were relaunched in March 2024 after a seven-year hiatus, with the goal of concluding a comprehensive and modern agreement by 2027. The last round of talks was held in Brussels in June 2025.

The FTA is expected to provide a long-term framework for bilateral trade once the Philippines graduates from the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) program

which grants duty-free access for over 6,000 tariff lines.

In 2024, total trade in goods between the Philippines and the EU reached 16.8 billion euros, while services trade was valued at 8.5 billion euros, according to EU data.

Gepty said the objective “remains clear — to promote not only trade and investments but also inclusivity, sustainability, good governance, and resilience as we advance our PH–EU economic relations.”

The agreement is anticipated to expand market access for Philippine exporters, attract European investments and support the government’s push for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

PH eyes agreement with Malaysia to connect to ASEAN Power Grid

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SINGAPORE—The Philippines plans to sign a bilateral interconnection agreement with Malaysia to explore connecting to the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), a regional initiative aimed at boosting energy security and renewable energy expansion across Southeast Asia.

The agreement would pave the way for the Philippines to link its electricity system to Malaysia and subsequently to the wider region, according to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin in a panel discussion at the Singapore International Energy Week.

The APG seeks to interconnect electricity systems across ASEAN member states for energy security, the expansion of renewable energy and economic integration.

Garin noted the extensive preparations needed for grid integration, which will cover technical, financial, legal and governmental aspects.

“So many things have to be in place for it to be functional,” Garin said, adding that determining power rates alone is not an easy task. She expressed hope for the project but acknowledged, “it will not be

something that will happen in my time.”

Garin also cited the critical role of government policies in achieving energy transition goals and attracting foreign investment.

“The Philippines is second in the world and most attractive for renewable energy investments,” she said.

“And why is that? It’s because we have been very progressive in policies,” said Garin.

She said investments require the right policies that are responsive enough to keep up with the energy momentum.

The Philippines has managed to attract significant investor interest, securing 16 gigawatts (GW) of capacity from pumped storage and solar power projects through the Green Energy Auction Program by implementing favorable policies.

“Now we’re auctioning three point three gigawatts of offshore wind by the end of the year,” Garin said.

“If you have the right policies, the private sector can make it happen,” she said.

Garin said that governments should lead by providing consistent policies and the right framework to instill confidence in the industry to invest.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DO Unibank Inc. said Monday its net income in the first nine months of 2025 reached P63.1 billion, a 4-percent increase from P60.6 billion in the same period last year.

The bank, in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, attributed the growth to the sustained performance of its core businesses as well as investments in technology and branch expansion.

Net income in the third quarter reached P22.4 billion, or 3-percent higher than P21.76 billion recorded a year ago.

BDO reported strong fundamentals driving the performance, with net interest income climbing 8 percent. This was supported by a 14-percent rise in gross customer loans to P3.5 trillion, with double-digit growth across all market segments.

Deposits also grew 10 percent, maintaining the current account/ savings account (CASA) ratio at 67 percent.

Non-interest income also climbed 14 percent on the back of a 15-percent expansion in fee-based businesses.

The bank’s asset quality remained stable, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 1.77 percent and NPL coverage at 134 percent.

Shareholders’ equity grew 10 percent on continued profitable operations, bringing the book value per share up 10 percent to P116.42.

The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio improved to 14.4 percent from 14.1 percent a year earlier. Return on average common equity stood at 14.1 percent during the period.

BDO’s income in 9 months

P63.1 billion P22.4 billion

P3.5 trillion

BDOI’s income in third quarter Gross customer loans

BDO said it expects the Philippine economy to remain resilient despite global trade uncertainties and local political challenges, supported by stable inflation and strong domestic consumption.

The bank said its solid capital position and diversified business portfolio would help it navigate risks and seize emerging growth opportunities.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin (second from left) joins the panel discussion during the opening of the Singapore International Energy Week 2025 on Oct. 27. Garin says the Philippines aims to start talks with Malaysia on grid interconnection, eventually paving the way for the country to join the ASEAN Power Grid. Alena Mae Flores

PORT INSPECTION. Department of Transportation

(DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez

conducts an inspection at the Batangas Port ahead of the expected influx of passengers for Undas 2025. The Philippine Ports Authority said nearly 2.2 million passengers are expected to pass through the port from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.

Bloomberry finds buyer for Korean casino

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp. said it has found a buyer for its struggling hotel and casino business in South Korea, the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday.

Bloomberry’s indirect subsidiary, Golden & Luxury Co. Ltd. (G&L), which operates a hotel and casino property in Jeju, signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) with Gangwon Blue Mountain Co. Ltd. The deal comes as Bloomberry has been trying to offload the South

Korean business, which continues to struggle post-pandemic.

Under the agreement, Golden & Luxury will first spin off its casino operations into a new company, which will then be sold to Gangwon Blue Mountain.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

The buyer has already made a down payment of 500 million Korean won (KRW). Completion of the transaction and full payment are subject to the casino spinoff, due diligence and regulatory approvals.

The South Korean operations include the Jeju Sun Hotel & Casino on Jeju Island.

The property features a 202-room hotel

and 2,000 square meters of gaming operations with 36 tables and 20 electronic gaming machines. It also has four food and beverage outlets. A reorganization separating the hotel and casino operations was implemented in 2018. Bloomberry acquired a controlling stake in the property in 2015.

Jeju Sun registered P6.2 million of gross gaming revenue in the first six months of 2025, which was P45.1 million lower than in the same period last year.

The hotel and food and beverage (F&B) operation generated revenue of P183.3 million in the first half of 2025, a slight increase of 1.1 percent. Bloomberry is also the owner and operator of Solaire Resort in Entertainment City in Paranque City and Solaire North in Quezon City.

The peso closed at 58.90 per dollar on Monday, down from 58.625 on Friday.

All indices ended in the negative territory, led by mining and oil which dropped 2.87 percent, and services which went down by 1.25 percent.

Value turnover amounted to P4.67 billion. Foreign investors were still net sellers, with outflows totaling P313.66 million. Puregold Price Club Inc. was the day’s top gainer, increasing by 2.7 percent to P38.80.

Century Pacific Food Inc. was the bottom performer, declining by 4.16 percent to P34.55. Jenniffer B. Austria

Coins.ph names global marketing chief

COINS.PH, the Philippines’ leading digital finance platform and premier cryptocurrency exchange, said it appointed global marketing director Amira Alawi to spearhead the company’s international growth and brand globalization.

The strategic move accelerates the company’s ambitious expansion into key international markets, including Thailand, Australia, Brazil and Mauritius, as it seeks to become a global leader in making blockchain-based finance accessible worldwide. Alawi will be central to launching Coins.xyz, the company’s new global platform, which will offer cross-border payments, decentralized finance (DeFi) access and Web3 onboarding tools tailored for emerging economies.

Her role will focus on unifying the brand strategy, managing partnerships, and driving user acquisition across all international markets. Coins.ph, established in 2014, is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as both a virtual asset marketplace and a mobile wallet. The company aims to export its decade-long success in inclusive finance—which includes crypto remittance services—to major Filipino diaspora hubs and high-growth digital economies.

“Coins.ph has earned the trust of millions across the Philippines— and now we have the opportunity to bring that trust and access to the world,” said Alawi.

“Our goal is to empower small businesses, creators, and everyday users to participate fully in the digital economy. This is about building pathways for financial inclusion at a global scale,” she said.

CADETSHIP TRAINING. Alsons Power Group, through its retail electricity supply unit Alsons Power Supply Corp., teams up with St. Peter’s College (SPC) in Iligan City to launch the pilot implementation of its Cadetship Training Program through

BUSINESS

A reform program to prevent recurrence of flood scandal

IN THE wake of all that has been happening with the flood control projects mess – investigations hearings, subpoenas and arrests – three questions are uppermost in the minds of the Filipino people. The first is, will the guilty legislators, contractors and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials be convicted and imprisoned for their roles in the worst scandal in the history of the Philippine government? The second question is, what is the degree of likelihood of a recurrence of the scandal? And the third question is, what measures need to be put in place to absolutely ensure the scandal’s nonrecurrence?

Are individuals like lawmaker Elizaldy Co, Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and contractors Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya likely to see the inside of a jail cell? Undoubtedly yes. Under intense questioning by the elected representatives of an outraged people the beleaguered DPWH official and contractors felt compelled to provide stunning information regarding the nature and scope of their despicable operations. Their admissions were remarkable. With their testimonies the contractors and their DPWH accomplices virtually laid out the government’s cases against them.

Add to their self-incriminating testimonies the documentary and technical evidence – including, especially, photographs of ghost and uncompleted projects – and it can be said with absolute certainty that the personages involved in the flood-control projects mess have by themselves tied the judicial nooses around their necks.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to give an affirmative answer to the second question that is nagging the minds of the people of this country, to wit, what is the degree of likelihood of a recurrence of the current scandal? The best answer to this question is a conditional one. A recurrence will be very likely if certain major reforms of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) preparation process are not undertaken and a recurrence will be highly unlikely if the reforms are undertaken. In other words, there is no absolute guarantee that the flood-control projects scandal of 2025 will not happen again.

Manila Standard TODAY

Which leads to the third question nagging the minds of Filipino. What changes need to be put in place in order to absolutely ensure that people like the Discaya couple, Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and lawmaker Elizaldy Co. do not again threaten the

Meralco’s core profit hit P39.4b in three quarters

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) reported a 14-percent increase in consolidated core net income in the first nine months of 2025 to P39.4 billion from P34.1 billion a year earlier on the back of robust performance in its power generation business and stable distribution operations.

The country’s largest power distributor said its nine-month consolidated reported net income also rose 9 percent to P36.8 billion from P33.8 billion a year ago. The rise was due to contributions from its generation subsidiaries and stable distribution revenues despite mild energy sales growth.

Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan expressed optimism about the company hitting its P50-billion core profit target for 2025, given the nine-month performance. Pangilinan also welcomed recent positive developments in the power sector, including the rate reset process for all private distribution utilities and the passage of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act.

The power generation segment registered a 63-percent increase in net income to P14.7 billion, accounting for 37 percent of the company’s total net income. This growth was attributed to higher earnings from operating plants in the Philippines and in Singapore. The distribution utility also contributed P21.9 billion, an 8-percent year-on-year increase. The remaining share came from retail electricity supply and service subsidiaries.

System-wide sales volume across the distribution utility, power generation and retail electricity stood at 50.880 gigawatthours (GWh), slightly higher than 50.641 GWh in 2024.

The commercial segment recorded flat sales of 15.237 GWh, while the residential segment posted a slight decline in sales to 14.520 GWh.

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) reached a net saleable capacity of 5.079 megawatts and delivered 20,220 GWh of energy. The group’s LNG business contributed P10.9 billion to MGEN’s core income, while thermal plants delivered P5.4 billion.

—“— A recurrence will be very likely if certain major reforms of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) preparation process are not undertaken.

stability of this country’s fiscal system?

Only a strictly implemented, seven-point reform program involving six instrumentalities of the government – Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDEV), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Congress, Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and the concerned local government units (LGUs) – will prevent a recurrence of this year’s horrendous flood-control projects mess.

The reforms are the following:

1. The NEP shall comprise only programmed projects.

2. Congress-Executive Department discussions regarding inclusions or insertions into the NEP shall take place only before the Executive Department’s submission of the NEP to Congress, and no insertion to the NEP shall be made during the bicameral conference.

3. The proceedings of bicameral conference shall be open to the public.

4. A DPWH-DBM group shall be created to review all winning public works contract bids for financial soundness and compliance with applicable laws.

5. COA shall be provided with copies of all public works contracts and shall conduct audits of public works projects at least once every quarter.

6. All RDCs shall be furnished with copies of contracts covering public works within their jurisdiction and shall make quarterly reports thereon to DepDev.

7. LGUs (provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays) shall be furnished with copies of contracts covering public works projects within their respective jurisdictions, shall inspect such projects as often as practicable and shall make periodic reports thereon to the next-higher LGU.

If the foregoing seven-part reform program is put in place and strictly implemented, a recurrence of this year’s outrageous public works scandal will is highly unlikely. There will be recording, inspection and reporting every step of the way.

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

BENGUET CORPORATION

7th Flr. Universal–Re Building 106 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City ANNOUNCEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the virtual Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) of Benguet Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Company’s Board Room, 7th Floor Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City, Philippines.

The Company will not hold a physical meeting but will conduct the ASM virtually via online/remote communications.

The agenda of the meeting provides, among others:

1. Approval of Minutes of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on December 20, 2024;

2. Approval of Management Report and Audited Financial Statements for 2024;

3. Approval of the extension of term/retention of Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas as Independent Director;

4. Approval of the increase in Authorized Capital Stock and the corresponding amendments to Article Seventh of the amended Articles of Incorporation and Article I, Section 1 of the amended By-Laws of the Company;

5. Approval of the declassification of Common Class “A” and “B” shares and the corresponding amendments to Article Seventh of the amended Articles of Incorporation and Article I, Section 1 and Article III, Sections 5 and 6 of the amended By-Laws of the Company;

6. Approval of 25% stock dividend;

7. Approval of re-appointment of Sycip Gorres Velayo and Company (SGV) as the Company’s independent external auditor;

8. Ratification of all acts, contracts, investments, resolutions and proceedings made and entered into by Management and/or the Board of Directors during the period from December 20, 2024 until the date of the 2025 Annual Stockholders’ meeting;

9. Election of eleven (11) shareholders to serve as members of the Board of Directors (including Independent Directors) for the ensuing year; and 10. Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Stockholders intending to participate in the meeting via remote communication and exercise their right to vote in absentia should first register and be authorized on or before November 11, 2025 thru Company’s website https://benguetcorp.com/investor-relations/ annual-stockholders-meeting/. Stockholders should submit a scanned copy of a valid government-issued identification card (ID) for registration and verification purposes. Indirect stockholders should submit their broker’s certification of shareholding. Stockholders whose registration is validated will receive an email containing the meeting ID and password. Stockholders who cannot attend by remote communication can still be represented and vote at the meeting by submitting a proxy. A copy of the proxy form containing instruction on each item on the Agenda that requires stockholders vote is downloadable in the Company’s website: https://benguetcorp. com/investor-relations/annual-stockholders-meeting/. The Information Statement (SEC Form 20-IS) with the Management Report and other pertinent documents, the Annual Report 2024 (SEC Form 17-A) with 2024 Sustainability Report and the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the 2025 Second Quarter Report (SEC Form 17Q) as filed with the SEC and PSE are available for downloading at the Company’s website www.benguetcorp.com and in the online system of PSE Edge Portal https://edge.pse.com.ph.

By authority of the Board of Directors

(Sgd.) HERMOGENE H. REAL

NAIA sees holiday travel surge amid modernization

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) expects to handle about 1.35 million passengers in the upcoming long weekend and All Saints’ Day holiday, an increase from the 1.3 million travelers managed last year.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is bracing for the surge by deploying additional personnel, strengthening coordination with partner agencies and activating passenger assistance counters to make travel smoother and safer, said NNIC president Ramon Ang.

“Undas is one of the busiest travel periods for the airport, and we are fully prepared to manage the expected surge,” Ang said.

NNIC is working closely with government partners, including the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG), Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Customs to ensure adequate manpower and resources across all terminals. PNP Special Operations Unit (SOU) teams and K-9 units have also been deployed for proactive security patrols.

The expected holiday surge comes as NAIA continues to benefit from major modernization efforts since NNIC took over in September 2024.

The airport’s on-time performance (OTP) has reached a record 92.29 percent, the highest single-day rate so

far, and it handled 51.7 million passengers in its first year of operations, a four percent increase over the same period last year.

NNIC has invested P3.25 billion in upgrades as part of a P72-billion, five-year capital expenditure program, leading to more stable power and air-conditioning systems, floodfree access roads, and stronger WiFi.

The company has also remitted P57 billion to the government, including an upfront payment of P30 billion, under an 82.16-percent revenue share, the highest among all public-private partnerships in the Philippines. Other initiatives underway include the installation of new Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) for real-time updates under NAIA’s new quiet terminal concept, the deployment of 517 biometric-enabled passenger processing units, and the ongoing installation of 78 Immigration e-gates and 113 verification desks, with Phase one targeted for completion by December 2025.

NNIC advises international travelers to arrive three hours before their flights and domestic travelers two hours ahead, allowing extra time for security screening.

2025)

MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

Climate stakeholders team up on urban greening

LEADERS from the Philippine government, academia and the private sector signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation on urban greening, carbon recovery and sustainability efforts in line with the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050 and the Net Zero 2050 vision.

The partnership, which unites eleven institutions, aims to accelerate climate resilience initiatives. It was spearheaded by Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz at the signing ceremony held at Rizal Technological University.

“This partnership shows what can happen when government, academia, and communities come together for climate action,” said Dela Cruz.

“It is collaboration in action — a living example of resilience and hope,” he said.

The creation of the Carbon Recoveries Awards was proposed as a joint initiative of the Climate Change Commission, Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) and other partner stakeholders. The awards are designed to recognize leaders in reforestation, carbon sequestration and sustainability across all sectors.

MTFI president and executivedirector Melandrew Velasco said the awards represent a national commitment. “These awards will not just be citations,” Velasco said.

“They are commitments to a carbon-recovered Philippines — one that restores what it consumes and

gives back more than it takes,” he said.

Velasco underscored the importance of measurable results, noting that since the Annual Million Trees Challenge began in 2017, more than 10.3 million trees have been planted across seven critical watersheds supplying water to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite.

The eleven partner institutions include the MTFI, Bulacan State University, EcoSaver Mutual Fund, Saakuru Labs, Bauertek Pharmaceutical Technologies, Alcom Carbon Markets Philippines, PEDECO, Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig, Imelda Papin Foundation, Omtse Ventures and the Rotary Club of Makati Business District.

NPC probes alleged GCash data breach

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) said Monday it launched an investigation into an alleged data leak involving G-Xchange Inc., the operator of mobile wallet GCash, following reports that user data surfaced on the dark web on Sunday.

from

to step up collaboration on urban greening, carbon recovery and sustainability under the National Adaptation Plan

2023–2050 and the Net Zero 2050 vision.

The NPC urged the public to exercise heightened vigilance and for GCash users to actively monitor their accounts and strengthen their security measures.

The investigation began after a dark web post, allegedly made by a threat actor using the alias “Oversleep8351,” claimed to be selling various user information.

The allegedly compromised data includes merchant and basic user data, GCash account numbers, linked bank and virtual card accounts and Know Your Customer (KYC) records. These KYC records reportedly contain names, addresses, employment details, and valid Philippine IDs.

The NPC’s complaints and investigation division issued a notice to explain (NTE) to G-Xchange to obtain further details about the alleged incident.

GCash said it is investigating the online post. The company, one of the Philippines’ leading mobile wallets, said in a statement the security and privacy of its users remain its highest priority and that it immediately launched an investigation with its cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to verify the authenticity of the claims.

“Initial findings show that the alleged dataset does not match the

Ateneo strikes deal with GT Capital for 15-hectare campus in Cavite

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Reynaldo T. Acierto

Chief Compliance Officer

ATENEO de Manila University (ADMU) is set to construct a new campus in General Trias City, Cavite, on a 15-hectare property within the Riverpark township development, a venture of GT Capital Holdings’ whollyowned property subsidiary Federal Land Inc. (Federal Land) and its joint venture Federal Land NRE Global Inc. (FNG).

GT Capital Holdings said Monday it signed a memorandum of agreement with Ateneo for the establishment of the campus. Riverpark is Federal Land and FNG’s largest township development, spanning 600 hectares.

GT Capital vice chairman Alfred Ty said in a statement to the stock exchange that Ateneo’s presence “not only strengthens the educational landscape of Cavite but also uplifts the lives of the communities we serve.”

“Our investment in this campus reflects our long-term commitment to creating sustainable value for generations of Filipinos, anchored on the values of excellence and service,” he said.

The new campus is targeted to open in 2030 and aims to bring “holistic and worldclass education” closer to learners in Cavite and nearby provinces.

“The new Ateneo campus in Riverpark allows us to extend our mission and provide more families in Cavite and nearby provinces with access to quality education rooted in our Jesuit tradition,” said Ateneo de Manila University president Father Roberto Yap.

Ateneo operates its main campus in Katipunan, Quezon City and has several other campuses across the country, including sites in Rockwell and Salcedo in Makati City, Clark Freeport in Pampanga, Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Cebu and Iloilo.

Riverpark, envisioned to be “The NextGen City of the South,” houses developments such as the UNIQLO Logistics Facility and the upcoming SM City General Trias.

Representing GT Capital at the signing were vice chairman Alfred Ty and president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista. Ateneo de Manila University was represented by its president, Father Roberto Yap. Also present were Ateneo board of trustees chairperson Bernadine Siy, Federal Land vice chairman and FNG president William Thomas Mirasol, FNG vice chairman Yusuke Hirano and Federal Land president Jose Mari Banzon.

data structure used within GCash systems,” the company said.

GCash said the alleged data set is inconsistent with its data structure, includes non-GCash users, and contains invalid entries, “strongly suggesting the material did not originate from GCash.”

“At this time, there is no evidence of any breach in GCash systems. All customer accounts and funds remain secure,” GCash said. The company said it is working closely with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to validate information and ensure its systems remain protected.

GCash urged users to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity only through official GCash channels.

Million Trees Foundation Inc. (MTFI) president and executive director Melandrew Velasco (second from left) signs a memorandum of understanding with Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz (third

left)

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Jollibee Group employees join coastal cleanup

THE Jollibee Group strengthened its commitment to sustainability and volunteerism by taking part in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 20 and leading a separate tree-planting activity to protect the environment further.

Anchored by Jollibee Group Foundation, a total of 220 employee volunteers from across the group’s brands and functions participated in both activities. For the activity at SM by The Bay, 108 volunteers contributed 540 volunteer hours to help clean up coastal and community areas.

Representatives from the brands Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Tiong Bahru Bakery and other units such as Jollibee Worldwide Services, Manufacturing & Logistics, Global, and Region Functions participated in the activity.

The group collected 546 kilograms of waste, helping reduce pollution and protect marine ecosystems.

In addition to the coastal cleanup, the Jollibee Group supported the Laguna Lake Development Authority’s (LLDA) tree-planting activity on September 30 in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

The initiative brought together 112 volunteers who contributed an additional 560 hours of service, representing employees from the brands Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, Tiong Bahru Bakery and other units such as Jollibee Worldwide Services, Manufacturing & Logistics, Global and Region Functions.

Notably, 27 percent of participants came from franchisee store teams, underscoring the shared commitment of employees and franchisees to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

UNDP report reveals powerful link between poverty and climate crisis

Nearly 80 percent of the world’s poor—887 million people--live in regions that are exposed to extreme heat, flooding and other cli

-

mate hazards, highlighting the urgent need for global action to address the issue.

That’s according to a report released recently by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and Oxford University ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil next month.

By overlaying climate hazard data with multidimensional poverty data for the first time, it reveals how the climate crisis is reshaping global poverty.

“Poverty is no longer a standalone socio-economic issue. Instead, poverty is compounded by and interlinked with the increasingly dramatic effects of the climate emergency,” UNDP

Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu told UN News.

High heat, air pollution, flood and drought are the most widespread hazards affecting the world’s poor, who are often

confronting multiple environmental challenges at the same time.

Globally, 1.1 billion people are living in multidimensional poverty— which spans health, education and living standards—and 887 million are directly exposed to at least one climate hazard.

A staggering 651 million endure two or more, while 309 million live in regions that face three or four climate shocks simultaneously.

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa account for the largest numbers of poor people living in regions affected by climate hazards, with 380 million and 344 million respectively.

In South Asia, practically every person living in poverty—99.1

With FAO support, young beekeepers are learning to market their products and grow sustainable and successful businesses. FAO/Turuhan Alkır

Young beekeepers in Türkiye are turning hives into jobs and futures

Conclusion

“A significant part of agricultural production here comes from beekeeping,” explains Ezra Uzun, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry. “Düzce also safeguards the Yığılca queen bee strain in a special isolated zone. Combined with our forests, this gives us unique advantages.”

However, the climate crisis is reshaping rainfall patterns and seasonal cycles, affecting bee health and honey yields. Meanwhile, a decreasing rural population threatens the sustainability of farming.

Uzun believes the answer lies in collaboration: “Together with FAO, we are working on projects that improve production and branding but also encourage young people to stay in rural areas. Our vision is to pass on agricultural heritage to new generations, combining it with knowledge and technology.”

FAO Assistant Representative in Türkiye, Ayşegül Selışık, echoes that vision, “Düzce has tremendous natural advantages for beekeeping. Yet many young people and women face

barriers to entering the sector. By providing training, technical support and entrepreneurial skills, we are helping them turn these assets into sustainable livelihoods. The goal is not only to strengthen beekeeping today, but also to ensure that future generations can thrive here.”

Standing among her hives, Züleyha is optimistic about opportunities in beekeeping. “With FAO’s training and the support of our community, I can see a future here—not just for me, but for the next generation of beekeepers in Düzce.”

“Don’t be afraid to try,” she advises other young people. “With the right information and support, you can succeed. And with modern technology, you can sell your products not just locally, but even internationally.”

In the winter period, when her bees rest, she paints landscapes, animals and the tiny buzzing friends she misses.

“From now on, my life follows the rhythm of the bees. My art helps me to stay connected to them even during these quiet months,” she says with a smile. FAO News

Barriers to decarbonizing waste and transport sectors identified

THE Green Finance Institute released a new report analyzing investment barriers and innovative financial mechanisms in mobilizing private capital into the transport and waste sectors.

The report titled Mobilizing Climate Finance into the Philippines was made in collaboration with Department of Finance (DOF), the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The report is a significant milestone in mobilizing finance for the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan (NDCIP).

The Philippines’ NDCIP estimates a significant climate financing need of US$72 billion across five priority sectors—agriculture, waste, industry, transport and energy.

With public financing committing to fund 2.7 pecent of the requirement, innovative financial mechanisms to unlock private financing are essential.

Foreign direct investment in the Philippines remains modest, but it does not flow to all sectors. While 89 percent of commercial banks in the Philippines support renewable energy, only 28 percent are backing resource efficiency and circular economy lending, and 22 percent are financing zero-carbon transport.

Reflecting a broader Asia-Pacific

SYNGENTA ADVOCACY.

Syngenta Philippines staff explain to farmers and other stakeholders in Iloilo City the difference between NK VIP hybrids with 4Bt trait technology against non-NK VIP hybrids as part of its advocacy for food security and sustainability. Casually referred to by farmers as igges, ulod, harabas and uod, the fast lifecycle of the pest quickly became a problem for farmers and is often cited as a reason for crop losses every season, alongside climate challenges. NK VIP is Syngenta’s new seed trait carries an in-plant 4-Bt protein protection against Fall armyworm or FAW.

and global trend, data from the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) shows that 35 percent of cumulative green bond proceeds flowed into energy projects from 2014 to 2023.

The CBI flagged mass transport and solid waste as “untapped” green investment sectors.

To support private capital deployment in key sectors, the GFI produced a report in collaboration with the DOF and CCC as the first step in a broader effort to drive investment into decarbonising the Philippines’ waste and transport sectors.

The report identifies key barriers to private finance, proposes initial policy and financial solutions and explores how the “Green Force” could evolve into the country’s sustainable investment platform to help close financing gaps and accelerate private capital mobilisation towards the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and National Adaptation Programme (NAP) goals.

The GFI presented findings at a validation event in May 2025, cohosted by DOF, CCC and FCDO, which brought together investors, industry and policymakers to test recommendations and help shape the next phase of the program where GFI will take forward proposed solutions to lay the pathway for capital mobilization.

percent—is confronting one or more climate shocks. The region also leads the world in the number facing two or more hazards, with 351 million people, 91.6 percent.

“Middle-income countries are a hidden epicenter of multidimensional poverty, being home to nearly twothirds of all poor people. And this is also where the climate crisis and poverty are notably converging,” Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, told UN News.

Roughly 548 million poor people in lower middle-income countries are estimated to be exposed to at least one climate hazard, and over 470 million confront two or more. UN News

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Climate Change Commission (CCC) expanded the reach of climate resilience program to Nueva Vizcaya, marking the initiative’s deeper integration with the academe and local institutions.

CCC’s Accelerated Climate Action and Transformation for Local Communities, or the ACT Local Program, to Nueva Vizcaya aims to provide technical support to local government units (LGUs) in formulating and updating their Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAPs).

Held in partnership with the office of Senator Loren Legarda, the second leg strengthened LGU capacities on risk-informed climate planning, putting an emphasis on the connection between climate action, education and cultural heritage.

Underscoring the importance of local climate planning, Senator Legarda called on local government leaders and academic institutions in the province to ensure that their LCCAPs are updated and implemented in accordance with the Climate Change Act of 2009, as amended.

“All provinces and LGUs, municipalities, and cities must have LCCAPs, because how will we be able to withstand the challenges of natural hazards if we do not know our vulnerabilities and risks?” Legarda asked, noting that climate adaptation must be grounded in science and local realities.

She stressed the critical role of the CCC in supporting local governments through capacity-building initiatives such as ACT Local.

“The CCC’s role is very important because it mainstreams national and local climate change adaptation plans in every LGU,” she said, adding that empowering local leaders to understand their risks is essential to building resilient and sustainable communities.
CCC vice chairperson and executive director Robert E.A. Borje said effective climate action begins with foresight and informed planning. “Disaster response is one thing; preparedness is another,” he said, adding that local climate plans must be grounded in science and reliable data.CCC News

BEACH FOREST. Researchers uncover the hidden carbon storage potential of Pag-asa Island’s small and remote beach forest, revealing its ability to store nearly 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), equivalent to the annual emissions of about 2,000 cars. Study head author Alvin Gestiada and Jorge Misajon of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (from left) measure the diameter at breast height of the biggest tree in Pagasa Island Barringtonia asiatica. (DENR Photo)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ

By Nickie Wang

PANGASINAN native Tonie Ocasion

was crowned grand winner of Tomboy Philippines 2025 during its finals night held Saturday at the SM North Skydome in Quezon City.

Ocasion bested 30 candidates in the pageant, which aims to promote inclusivity and provide visibility for the LGBTQ+ community. As grand champion, she received cash, a motorcycle, a food kiosk, aesthetic services, and a choice between a rhinoplasty or top surgery package.

“Being a tomboy ay hindi lang nababase sa panglabas na anyo,” Ocasion said during her speech. “Ang pagiging tomboy ay pagiging matapang ipakita kung sino ka, kahit iba ka pa.” She said the win represents those who remain firm in their identity despite judgment.

“Naniniwala ako na ang pagiging tomboy ay hindi lang pagiging tomboy. Ito ay katapangan na kaya mong tumayo sa sarili mong paa,” she said.

SHOWBIZ

The Dustin Yu Experience

WITH a new endorsement deal and his first solo fan meet in the offing, actor and entrepreneur Dustin Yu said he remains focused on staying grounded as his career continues to grow.

Yu will headline Destiny: The Dustin Yu Experience on Dec. 4 at the New Frontier Theater, where he will showcase his singing and dancing performances alongside surprise guests. He described the event as a heartfelt way to thank those who have supported him since his stint in Pinoy Big Brother

“This event is our way of thanking the people who have supported me and continue to follow my journey in this business,” Yu told Manila Standard Entertainment during the official announcement.

“I want to give back to my fans and supporters, especially those who stood by me inside the PBB house—those who voted for me and cheered for me. This event is for them. It’s my chance to express my gratitude, spend time with them, and show who I am as a performer. I’m just excited to finally see everyone

and to share this experience together with the brand I’m representing. I’m really looking forward to all of us having a good time,” Yu said.

He added that the support from fans keeps him grounded, reminding him that everything he has achieved today would not have been possible without the people who guided and stood by him throughout his showbiz journey.

“There are so many blessings coming in, and I’m just really grateful. At the same time, I always remind myself to stay grounded because we can all feel the excitement and everything that comes with it. But I never forget where I came from,” he said.

“There are so many blessings coming in, and I’m just really grateful. At the same time, I always remind myself to stay grounded because we can all feel the excitement and everything that comes

representation, thanking supporters who believe that tomboys have a voice and a place in society. Cofounder Cowee Santos, on the other hand, said the event started as a small gathering in 2011 before growing into Tomboy Philippines, adding that it would not have been possible without the support of judges and attendees. Khai Calma was named first runnerup, while Kurt Albeos, AE Ariesgado, and Siana Elorde joined the top five. The judging panel included Mama Mari Fowler and Landon, Doc Yappy, RC Silvestre and Kristine Joan Hinanay, Matricamae Centino, Aian Lazaro and Apple Ole, fashion designer Dave Ocampo, Councilor Gellie Bulaong, Anne Patricia Lorenzo Diaz, and Cha and Denz

Hosts Poca and Miss Deliciousness led the program, which featured performances from Adonis Binder Models, the Tomboy Philippines 2024 Top 5—Gellie Pablo, Phao Faraon, Armi De Leon, Keith Martin, and JC Lapitan—as well as Petite TV, Melvin Protacio and Band, LESQREW, Showboys, Lesqueen, Jester the Magician, Max de Borja, Ell Maniego, and drag performers

GMA’s prized actor Alden Richards is dreaming big, and fans might just see it happen sooner than expected. The actor recently shared his hope to work with Anne Curtis in a silver screen project. Given that both are under Viva Films, it’s not far-fetched.

“Actually, we have a project in the pipeline, but I think she has to finish first the projects she previously signed up for. The same thing with me—I also have to honor my prior commitments,” Alden said.

When asked about his impression of Anne, he didn’t hold back.

“We’ve met on shoots before. I can feel that she’s a kind person and easy to deal with. That’s why I’m excited to share the screen with her!”

Fans are also curious about Alden’s return to teleseryes. His last drama, Pulang Araw, co-starred Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, and David Licauco

This year, he’s been busy hosting the reality dance competition Stars on the Floor while also juggling pilot training, product endorsements, and attending international film festivals for Out of Order, his directorial debut.

with it. But I never forget where I came from,” he said.

Yu also introduced as Aromagicare’s first local celebrity ambassador. The brand, under WIDE International Co., was founded by April Ann Davis Martin and Pauline Mae Publico and is known for its flagship product, Aromagicare Aroma Gel, which comes in Classic, Strawberry, Barley, and Coffee variants.

“This partnership is meaningful because it aligns with my lifestyle,” Yu said. “I advocate wellness, work out regularly, and stay active. To endorse a product I can use myself is just amazing.”

Martin said Yu was a natural choice for the role, describing him as someone who represents balance and mindfulness. She noted that previous celebrity collaborators included Glaiza de Castro and Pokwang Yu, who gained attention for his roles in GMA’s Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune and Black Rider , and as a former Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition housemate, said the recent developments in his career motivate him to work harder

“Because of these blessings, I see this as an opportunity to give my best and show how much I love this industry. I hope it continues,” he said.

Outside acting, Yu co-owns Eraya, a contemporary restaurant in San Juan. He is also part of two upcoming entries in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival: Love You So Bad , with Bianca de Vera and Will Ashley, and Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

“For sure, I’ll be doing a soap next year. I may be doing many things on and off showbiz, but one thing’s certain: I will never turn my back on acting. There’s a very good offer for a teleserye I’m considering, but I can’t divulge details yet,” he said.

On the success of Out of Order on Netflix Philippines, Alden teased that another project is on the

horizon.

“I’ll be doing one with Viva, where I’m both the lead actor and director. Details will be announced during the media conference,” he added.

MEANWHILE Kathryn Bernardo is set to join the exclusive ranks of Filipinos immortalized in wax. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong confirmed that Kathryn will have her own figure, with the unveiling scheduled for 2026. The wax museum teased her figure ahead of the announcement, highlighting her career milestones: starting acting at age seven and starring in the first Philippine film to reach 1 billion pesos worldwide. Madame Tussauds officially welcomed Kathryn, dubbing her the “Phenomenal Box-Office Queen.” Hong Kong holds a special place in her heart as the filming location of Hello, Love, Goodbye in 2019 opposite Alden Richards, a movie that broke box-office records. Kathryn becomes the fifth Filipino celebrity to have a wax figure in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, joining Manny Pacquiao, Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, and Anne Curtis

Tonie Ocasion (center) of Pangasinan is crowned grand winner of Tomboy Philippines 2025 at the SM North Skydome in Quezon City

Alden Richards expresses excitement over a possible movie collaboration with Anne Curtis under Viva Films

Anne Curtis is among the top Filipino celebrities under Viva Films, with whom Alden Richards hopes to share the screen soon

PBB Celebrity Collab alum Dustin Yu remains grounded as he prepares for his first solo fan meet, ‘Destiny: The Dustin Yu Experience,’ at the New Frontier Theater

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Stay linked in style with shared premium privileges

SMART Infinity, the premium postpaid brand of Smart Communications Inc., has launched its newest flagship offer, the Infinity Plus Plan 9500, the only premium postpaid plan in the market that includes one primary line and two supplementary lines under a single account.

The Infinity Plus Plan 9500 allows members to extend seamless connectivity and exclusive privileges to their family, partners, or closest circles. The plan includes unlimited data, calls, and texts; 2GB of international roaming data for the primary line; and P4,500 worth of shared consumables across the account.

“This innovative plan is one of the many ways Smart Infinity continues to elevate the lifestyle of our members and provide them with the best experiences powered by our superior 5G network,” Smart first vice president Marjorie C. Garrovillo said. Beyond connectivity, Infinity Plus

By Nickie Wang

IN AN emotional interview with Toni Gonzaga on Toni Talks on Oct. 26, singer Jona Viray revealed for the first time that she was a victim of sexual abuse by her father when she was 10 years old.

“Alam mo ate, dati tinawag nila akong Fearless Diva, pero ngayon ko lang naintindihan kung bakit,” Jona said in the episode titled The Childhood Secret Jona Tried To Hide For Many Years. “Nung bata ako…10 years old ako noon, naging biktima ako ng molestya mula sa tatay ko. Walang nakakaalam. Ni kapatid ko, mga kamaganak ko kasi ayoko nang maalala. Ngayon I feel fearless kasi kaya ko nang ibahagi yung journey ko.”

The 35-year-old singer said she finally understood the title “fearless diva,” which fans gave her early in her career. May purpose pala kung bakit ako tinawag na Fearless Diva before. Now I feel fearless and strong enough to share my journey from the past na for a long time tinago ko,” she said.

Jona admitted feeling both scared and relieved to talk about the abuse. “I’m a little scared to open up, but at the same time it’s freeing,” she said.

Toni told her guest, “It’s hard for you to trust men nowadays because the very man that was supposed to protect you, to keep you safe, violated you.” Jona nodded in silence, holding back tears.

The interview began with Toni asking why the singer often becomes tearful when performing. Jona said it may be because of her childhood experiences.

Hindi nila alam yung past ko, ang alam lang nila sa background ko, galing ako sa broken family,” she said. “Duon ko naeexpress sa aking pagkanta and I have never shared this experience before.”

Jona described her childhood as happy and simple, saying she began singing in a church music ministry at age 3. Her parents influenced her musically—her mother trained her, while her father bought her cassette tapes. She started joining singing contests at 7.

“It was a simple life,” she said. Things changed when her parents began fighting. “As a child, medyo nonchalant ka pa,” she said, referring to her parents’ marital problems.

Jona rose to fame after winning the Pinoy Pop Superstar competition in 2005 and has since been known as one of the country’s top vocalists.

enhances members’ lifestyles through exclusive benefits such as worldwide concierge services for travel, dining, and personal assistance; complimentary airport lounge access for stress-free journeys; and access to Smart Rewards from premium and luxury partners.

Members also receive a dedicated relationship manager, access to a 24/7 hotline for personalized service, and priority assistance in Smart Stores nationwide. The plan offers added convenience through consolidated billing for the entire account.

“Infinity Plus Plan 9500 is not just another mobile plan, it’s a lifestyle choice. It allows our members to extend

the Filipino Christmas spirit alive

By Jasper Valdez

LONG before December arrives, Christmas has already begun in the Philippines. The lighting of SM Aura’s 30-foot Christmas tree on Oct. 20 marked the start of the long holiday season—a tradition Filipinos have kept alive for generations.

SM Aura Regional Operations head Stephanie Co said the event was particularly meaningful this year.

“This event is extra special as the grand holiday spectacle not only marks the lighting of our Christmas tree but also the first among all 89 SM Supermalls nationwide, officially opening the holiday season across the country.”

She added that the refreshed spaces mirror the vibrant community that continues to gather at the

JAPANESE anime feature Chainsaw Man—

The Movie: Reze Arc triumphed at the North American box office, debuting in the top spot at $17.3 million and besting a much-anticipated biopic about Bruce Springsteen, industry estimates showed Sunday.

It tells the dark fantasy story of orphaned teenager Denji, who is killed by the yakuza but reborn by merging with his pet devil to become Chainsaw Man. While fighting devils, Denji develops a romantic interest in Reze, who works at a cafe.

In second place at $13 million was last week’s winner, horror sequel Black Phone 2 starring Ethan Hawke

Regretting You, the latest adaptation of a novel by Colleen Hoover after last year’s scandaltainted It Ends with Us, opened in third place at $12.9 million. It tells the story of a mother and teenage daughter struck by tragedy.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, the buzzy biopic about The Boss starring Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), debuted in a disappointing fourth place with $9.1 million.

Tron: Ares, the latest installment in the Disney sci-fi

From left: Rhian Ramos, Michelle Dee, and Christine Allado perform during the tree-lighting event at SM Aura PremieR

By Nickie Wang

IKEA has made home furnishing more accessible for northern Metro Manila residents with the opening of its first Plan and Order Shop at TriNoma in Quezon City.

The 500-square-meter store offers a compact but comprehensive version of the IKEA experience found in its Pasay City branch. It features a planning and consultation area where customers can sit down with design specialists to plan kitchens, wardrobes, bedrooms, and living spaces. The shop also includes inspiring vignettes that show how IKEA furniture, lighting, and décor can come together to create functional, stylish interiors. Customers can browse and order from the full IKEA range of more than 8,500 products, which can be delivered and picked up at the TriNoma shop. Select cooking and eating accessories are also available for same-day purchase.

“Almost four years ago, IKEA said its first

Living room essentials are also available at the newly opened IKEA store

‘hello’ to the Philippines when we opened our first store in Pasay City. Today, I’m proud to share that we’re now in Quezon City with our first Plan and Order Shop at TriNoma, in collaboration with Ayala Malls,” said IKEA Philippines country retail manager Ricardo Pinheiro

Pinheiro added that the TriNoma location serves as both a pickup and planning hub to give shoppers easier access to IKEA’s products and design services.

“They can sit down with our design specialists at the consultation and planning zone. They can also shop and take away on the same day items in the curated displays,” he said.

“Our philosophy is to make great design available to the many

LIFE

Filipinos who dream of spaces that bring them joy and closer to each other, especially around Christmastime,” Pinheiro added. The store opening was marked by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte ; Her Excellency Anna Ferry , Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines; Ayala Land Inc. senior vice president and head of Leasing & Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala ; and IKEA Philippines’ Ricardo Pinheiro. They were joined by Daniel Rivero , IKEA Philippines store manager; Gelo Gacad, IKEA Plan and Order shop manager; Paul Birkett , Ayala Malls chief operating officer; and Nathan Clark , Ayala Malls head of

Here’s what awaits shoppers at IKEA’s new Plan and Order Shop in TriNoma

Bringing the Land Down Under closer to Filipinos

By Angelica Villanueva

sample and taste some of the authentic Australian products, learn about their sources, and experience the rich flavors that make Australian cuisine special,” he added.

Keng also highlighted Landmark’s role in connecting Filipino consumers with Australian goods while supporting the producers behind them.

Hans Lim described the event not just as a launch but as a partnership with a shared vision to bring the best of Australia to the Philippines.

He pointed to well-loved Australian staples like Vegemite, Dolmio, and Cobs Popcorn, expressing hope that these items would “find a place in your kitchens, your homes, and your pantries, just as they do for us in Australia.”

Meanwhile, Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown praised Landmark’s initiative, calling it a meaningful step in strengthening trade and cultural ties between Australia and the Philippines.

“It really is heartwarming, as the Ambassador of Australia, to come here and see so much good food and beverage here that will be on the shelves,” Innes-Brown said.

He noted that Landmark’s inclusion of Australian goods is not a temporary display but a long-term commitment.

“I understand there will be a permanent aisle here that will have great Australian produce,” he added.

He also underscored what makes Australian food distinctive— its high standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and health benefits.

KOREAN beauty continues to lead the skincare world with its focus on innovation and glowing, healthy skin.

SM Beauty is making it easier for Filipinos to achieve that same radiance with its #SoMUCHKBeauty campaign, featuring top K-beauty and Asian skincare brands across 78 SM Beauty stores nationwide.

Shoppers can find cult favorites and emerging labels such as Deoproce, CosRX, Beauty of Joseon, Round Lab, Genabelle, and Some by Mi, all known for their effective formulations and minimalist approach to skincare.

while an essence, such as Skintific Niacinamide Brightening Essence, hydrates and primes the skin. Customers can then use a serum like Standard Seoul Firming Bouncy Boost Serum to target specific concerns and an ampoule such as Genabelle PDRN Vita Toning Ampoule once or twice a week for dark spots and textured skin. Sheet masks, including Deoproce Lap Therapy Placenta Soothing Mask, provide extra hydration two to three times a week, followed by a moisturizer like Some by Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening

“This Australian cuisine is renowned for its unique blend of organic ingredients, modern innovation, and multicultural influences,” Keng said.

“You will have the chance to

taste of home echoed the purpose of A Taste of Australia, a showcase at Landmark Supermarket Makati that invites shoppers to experience the everyday goodness Australians grew up with. Held on Oct. 4, the event gathered representatives from Landmark, NexTrade Philippines, and the Australian Embassy, led by Landmark COO Teddy Keng, SVP for Marketing Michelle Keng NexTrade vice president Hans Lim and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown, who together led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Australian produce is renowned for its high quality, its cleanliness, and also its sustainability and health properties,” Innes-Brown said, adding that collaborations like this “bring benefits to both consumers in this country and also in my country.”

Now available at Landmark branches nationwide, the featured Australian brands reflect a lifestyle built on quality, sustainability, and natural goodness.

To guide customers through the world of Korean beauty, SM Beauty highlights the popular 9-step K-beauty skincare routine. The process starts with an oil-based cleanser like Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil to remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities, followed by a water-based cleanser such as CosRX Low pH Cleanser for deep purification.

A toner, like Deoproce Snail Galac Revital Toner, balances the skin’s pH and prepares it for the next steps,

The IKEA Plan and Order Shop in TriNoma features cozy room vignettes for children

IKEA staff and Småland mascot greet visitors during the TriNoma Plan and Order Shop opening

The Landmark, Makati showcase celebrates Australian flavors, culture, and products now available to Filipino shoppers