Manila Standard - 2025 November 22 - Saturday

By Rex Espiritu

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. accused individuals urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to turn their backs on the government of being

PBBM orders arrest of Zaldy Co, 17 others

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT

Ferdi-

nand "Bongbong"

Marcos Jr. yesterday directed law enforcement agencies to immediately enforce arrest warrants against Zaldy Co and 17 others allegedly involved in the multibillion-peso flood control fund scandal.

This came after the Office of the Ombudsman formally filed cases and secured arrest warrants against the former lawmaker, several DPWH officials, and the board of directors of Sunwest Corp. in connection with a P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The cases stemmed from the complaint filed by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, based on its comprehensive report on illegalities and irregularities in the procurement, construction, and implementation of projects in Region 4-B (Mimaropa).

"We will arrest them, bring them to court, and hold them accountable under the law," Mr. Marcos stated.

"No special treatment, no one is spared," he added.

In a video message, Mr. Marcos said the charges were based on evidence submitted by the Independent

Gov’t eyes raps vs. ex-Speaker; Romualdez says conscience

By Joel E. Zurbano

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Commodore Andro Val Abayon as the new acting head of the Presidential Security Command (PSC). Abayon’s latest appointment was announced yesterday by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Act-

ing Secretary Dave Gomez. Prior to his new appointment, Abayon served as commander of the Naval Special Operations Command of the Philippine Navy.

Abayon replaced Maj. Gen. Peter Burgonio, who has been reassigned as the acting division commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID).

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Ram Superable

SENATOR Risa Hontiveros was “shocked” upon learning that Cassandra Li Ong, al leged associate of dismissed Bamban, Tar lac Mayor Alice Guo, had been released from detention and is now at large.

Hontiveros questioned how Ong could have been freed despite ongoing scrutiny of the case, highlighting procedural lapses that left her puzzled and concerned.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, on behalf of the Department of Justice as the sponsor of its budget, explained that Ong was released during the transition from the 19th Congress to the 20th Congress while in detention at the House of Representatives.

“Unfortunately, because the case was filed only after she was released, she is now at large. She

Mexico Fatima Bosch

is surrounded by contestants as she celebrates winning the 2025 Miss Universe pageant in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok,

By Maricel V. Cruz, Charles Dantes, Pot Chavez, Vito Barcelo, Othel Campos and Joel Zurbano

DREDGING IN CEBU. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched the Oplan Kontra Baha clearing operations at Mahiga Creek, in Cebu — kickstarting a major cleanup of rivers, creeks, and drainage systems after Typhoon Tino's devastation. Alan Tangcawan

Marcos hails Enrile as mentor, statesman

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday delivered a deeply personal eulogy for former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, honoring the longtime statesman as a mentor, legal luminary, and dedicated servant of the Filipino people.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, and with deep sorrow, I extend my prayers and condolences to the family of Juan Ponce Enrile,” Marcos said. “We mourn his passing, but we also give thanks for the long and meaningful life he lived in service to the country.”

In a speech that drew from decades of personal and professional interaction, President Marcos recalled Enrile’s influence on Philippine society, law, and governance.

He described a relationship that began in childhood, through family connections, and matured over years of collaboration in Congress and the Senate.

The president painted an intimate portrait of Enrile as a man of remarkable intellect, discipline, and moral rigor.

Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

"This is not speculation. This is not a story. This is real evidence," the President said, adding that the warrants may now be viewed publicly.

"You will see on your phone, this is the list of those with arrest warrants," he added.

Mr. Marcos reiterated that the investigation, initiated under his directive after allegations of fund misuse surfaced, will continue until all those responsible are held accountable.

"I started this all, and I will end it," he said. For its part, the Office of the Ombudsman welcomed the issuance of warrants of arrest against Co and his

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“sellouts” to China, saying they are destabilizing their country to force it into submission.

“Those who persuade the Armed Forces to revolt want us to sell ourselves to China and bow down in the face of oppression that it [China] is doing,” he said in a radio interview.

Teodoro also pointed out the hypocrisy of politicians who claim contempt for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its military and political arms, the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front (NDF), while doing the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“I am puzzled about other politicians who express contempt for the CPP-NPANDF on their right hand, while on their left hand, they are still interacting and having agreements with the Chinese communist party,” he also said.

As this developed, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported the presence of more Chinese vessels at

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Jr., rallying behind his administration and its national agenda.

Composed of 40 lawmakers from Regions I and II and the Cordillera Administrative Region, the alliance stated that its declaration was based on duty, principle, and the need to safeguard national stability.

“Guided by our sworn duty to advance the national interest and to uphold the integrity of our democratic institutions, we stand united behind the President’s governance agenda for a stable, progressive, and futureready Philippines,” the alliance said in a two-page manifesto issued on Thursday.

The statement of support came amid reports of an ouster plot against Dy. Reports said that some congressmen want to install Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno as the House chief, in preparation for the alleged impeachment case to be filed against President Marcos.

The alliance said it is committed to strengthening national stability and advancing the President’s socio-economic transformation plan.

He recounted moments when Enrile’s insight saved a company millions in taxes, and shared anecdotes of Enrile’s mentorship during legislative debates, including guidance on complex legal and religious matters.

"He was my tutor. He was my mentor," President Marcos said. "Even when he was Senate President, he would still find the time to come down and give advice and guide me. I considered myself very, very lucky," he added.

The President also highlighted Enrile’s unwavering dedication to the national interest, saying the former senator would refuse to participate in actions he deemed against the country’s welfare, regardless of personal or political considerations.

Mr. Marcos recalled Enrile’s intellectual rigor and insistence on excel-

co-accused in the corruption cases filed before the Sandiganbayan.

“To the law enforcement agencies whose responsibility it is to effect the arrest, execute the warrants without delay. Ensure their immediate arrest and bring them before the bar of justice,” the office said in a statement on Friday.

Following the President’s directive, Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said his office is now in close coordination with the Sandiganbayan and other relevant agencies to ensure that the implementation of the warrants proceeds “lawfully and orderly.”

“We assure the public that due process will be strictly observed, and the individuals involved will be accorded all rights guaranteed under the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Co’s lawyer said they are preparing for a protracted legal

Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea during a maritime patrol.

BFAR reported that seven Chinese government vessels, including China Coast Guard ships 3303, 3502, and 3305, were spotted as close as one nautical mile from the shoal.

BFAR also spotted two Chinese floating buoys deployed illegally in the area and another to the northwest. The agency observed a Chinese jet fighter and an unidentified PLA Navy helicopter.

Teodoro's remark came after AFP spokesperson, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, said the United People’s Initiative's (UPI) recent rally at the Edsa People Power Monument could have been foreign-funded.

The UPI calls for the resignation of President Marcos while disavowing destabilization efforts, although one of its speakers urged the AFP to withdraw its support from the administration.

Likewise, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III warned that foreign actors—specifically China—may be fueling political tensions to destabilize the Philippines.

In a radio interview, Alunan said there

“We affirm our unwavering commitment to work in harmony with the Executive in order to strengthen national stability through sound, evidence-based policymaking; advance the President’s socio-economic transformation agenda anchored on food security, digital modernization, economic expansion, and strengthened human capital; support the full implementation of infrastructure development programs that enhance connectivity, competitiveness and inclusive regional growth; and champion legislation that tangibly improves the lives of ordinary Filipinos particularly farmers, fisherfolk, workers, educators and micro-entrepreneurs,” the manifesto stated.

The bloc also expressed full support for the President’s “decisive and uncompromising policy direction in curbing corruption across all levels of government.”

“We affirm the Administration’s efforts to strengthen institutional safeguards that promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in the use of public funds; institutionalize digital governance, streamlined processes and open data systems to minimize bureaucratic discretion and opportunities for graft; enforce strict disciplinary action against erring officials

battle in case an extradition order is handed down against his client.

In an interview, Ruy Rondain said their camp plans to file a bail petition and will oppose any moves to cancel Co’s passport. Furthermore, he also wants assurance that his client will be kept safe should he submit himself to the government’s custody.

“If the government can assure his safety. I heard the Ombudsman saying that we will escort him from the tube, bring him to an armored van with body cams the whole time. And then what, where are they gonna bring him to the general population detention? He’s gonna get shot after the first 30 minutes,” he said in a separate interview.

When queried on what it would take for Co to come home and surrender to Philippine authorities, Rondain said, “House arrest or bail.” With Rex Espiritu

are “elements in the political realm” seeking to disrupt and divide the country for their own interests, with outside powers allegedly using local surrogates to advance their agenda.

“Well, there are elements in the political realm that want to destabilize the country. There is a foreign hand behind this that wants to distract, divide, and demoralize the nation for their sinister ends, and they are using their local surrogates to do that,” he said.

“What they want is simply a shift of power from the incumbent back to them. I think most people today are quite aware that we’re not going anywhere with that kind of political maneuvering,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cautioned that recent disinformation spreading online may be linked to foreign actors, as government agencies intensify their monitoring of social media platforms amid rising political tensions.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters on the sidelines of a Stratbase cybersecurity forum in Makati City that identifying the sources of false information may involve domestic and foreign actors.

and employees, consistent with the principles of due process and public trust; and promote ethical governance and a professionalized civil service that upholds merit, integrity and the highest standards of public duty,” it added.

The alliance further aligned itself with the administration’s long-term vision for resilience, food security, education, peace and order, and climate adaptation.

“We champion the Administration’s initiatives that advance structural reforms and long-term national resilience, particularly in strengthening agriculture and irrigation systems to ensure food security and higher rural production; investing in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and environmental protection; enhancing education, skills development and youth empowerment programs that build a globally competitive workforce; and advancing peace, order and regional development initiatives that guarantee safety, stability, and equitable growth across all provinces, especially in Northern Luzon.”

The Northern Luzon Alliance concluded its manifesto with a unified declaration of commitment to legislation, good governance, and national stability.

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voluntarily, and remained in the country,” Romualdez said in a statement read by his lawyer Ade Fajardo.

“Out of these proceedings, no credible evidence has ever linked me to any irregularity, and my conscience remains clear,” he added.

In a video statement posted on his official social media pages, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all findings of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the ICI involving his cousin and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co to be turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman for formal investigation.

"This is about the information involving former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Zaldy Co. All the information they obtained will be provided to the Ombudsman for investigation," Mr. Marcos said, noting that prosecutors could pursue cases ranging from plunder to graft or indirect bribery if the evidence supports it.

"We are confident that the Ombudsman will follow the evidence, and wherever the evidence leads us, that is where the investigation will go," the President said.

Remulla, however, indicated that plunder is the least likely route, citing long-standing jurisprudence that makes the crime “notoriously difficult to prove” and noting that “no one was ever convicted of plunder.”

“The Supreme Court says what the Supreme Court says is the law. When they interpret a statute meant for accountability in a very liberal manner, then we have a problem,” Remulla said, adding that “our option won’t be to file a plunder case.”

“We’re looking at all the facts. Evidence is always the key. Without evidence, you don’t convict anybody,” he added.

As this developed, the ICI said it anticipates at least 1,200 individuals will face criminal prosecution for their involvement in alleged kickback schemes tied to flood control and infrastructure projects.

ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson, approximately 15 individuals may be subject to legal proceedings for each of the 80 identified anomalous flood control projects.

Consequently, the total number of individuals potentially facing legal action would reach 1,200, he said.

"One ghost project will involve 15 (individuals). We limited it to 80 projects done by notorious contractors named by the President,” said Singson, who served as DPWH secretary during the term of the late former President Benigno Aquino III.

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Burgonio, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1993, led the PSC for over eight months and previously served as the commander of the Army Intelligence Regiment. The PSC, formerly known as the Presidential Security Group, is tasked with providing security to the President, the First Family, and visiting heads of state.

Meanwhile, the 8ID, headquartered in Eastern Visayas, plays a key role in internal security operations

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funds have been stolen,” said Hosaka in a press briefing on Friday. Hosaka said they came up with a decision that the hearings and proceedings of the ICI shall be livestreamed except in cases where there is a need to hold an executive session.

“Government agencies in the investigation of anomalous flood control projects or infrastructure projects, as well as resource persons as for witnesses, may request that certain proceedings be held in executive session; the commission may grant such a request if it determines that this has a sufficient and factual basis and that granting it will not delay or hinder the commission from fulfilling its mandate,” he said. Hosaka also said the live-streaming guidelines will also apply retroactively to the previous proceedings of the ICI.

“Media entities may broadcast the live streaming of the proceedings upon complying with the requirements of the commission, and the commission will share with the public the full guidelines for live streaming in line with the commission’s thrust on transparency,” he said.

ICI Chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said earlier the commission understands the clamor of the Filipino people for more transparency, and it is pushing to livestream the hearings as soon as possible. He, however, said the ICI would need to study and draft the rules of procedure and parameters to allow for live streaming, taking into consideration sensitive information and the constitutional rights of invited resource persons.

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now faces a human trafficking case at Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 157 involving the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac,” Gatchalian explained.

He said Ong was released prior to the filing of charges, adding that Ong was detained in the House and not in the Senate at the time.

With a warrant of arrest now issued, law enforcement agencies are actively seeking Ong to ensure she appears before the court. The DOJ has placed a hold departure order on Ong and is moving to cancel her passport to prevent her from leaving the Philippines.

The Bureau of Immigration reported no record of Ong exiting the country, though authorities remained alert to potential backdoor escape routes.

“I am extremely concerned. Here in the Senate, we are very careful to ensure that when we have people in detention, every effort is made to make sure that once an investigation and case build-up start, especially when the executive initiates judicial proceedings, the person is present to go through the proper process,” said Hontiveros.

She warned that mishandling detained witnesses could jeopardize ongoing investigations and judicial processes, citing lessons from Alice Guo’s past escape.

Gatchalian gave assurance that enforcement agencies are taking all measures to ensure Ong faces judicial proceedings in Pasig and does evade justice.

lence, noting that the statesman continued working and advising up to the end of his life. "His brain was a 20-year-old brain

in a 100-year-old body," the president said, referencing Enrile’s centennial milestone, later clarified to be 103. The eulogy underscored Enrile’s

legacy not just as a legal and political figure, but as a Filipino whose life was defined by service, integrity, and mentorship.

MENTOR. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. delivers a deeply personal eulogy to honor the late Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, who he fondly calls ‘Tito Johnny,’ during a memorial service held on November 21, 2025.

President Marcos described Enrile as a mentor and statesman, praising his sharp intellect, among other remarkable attributes. (Bongbong Marcos / Screengrab)

GOVERNORS’ SUPPORT.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos

Jr. receives the manifestation of confidence and full support from the League of Provinces of the Philippines who called on him at Malacañang. The governors view the President’s leadership as ‘the path to a more stable, inclusive, and progressive economy.’

PH Embassy warns vs. fake socmed posts

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Japan has warned the public against a fake social media page impersonating its official account.

The embassy urged online subscribers to be vigilant against misinformation.

In an online post on Thursday, Nov. 20, the embassy said that a fake page tends to repost misinformation from various government offices, and may generate confusion.

The embassy further urged Filipinos to report the page, avoid engaging with or sharing any of its posts, and to rely solely on the embassy’s official channels for accurate information.

Earlier this month, the embassies of Singapore, The Netherlands, and Kuwait have issued an advisory against scams that use the embassies’ name to collect personal information from Filipino workers.

Security experts flag cyber threats

By Rex Espiritu

SECURITY experts on Thursday raised serious concerns over escalating digital threats targeting the Philippines and the Indo- Pacific region, saying cyber technology directly affects national defense, critical infrastructure, and geopolitical stability.

On the first day of the Pilipinas Conference 2025, Stratbase Institute president Prof. Victor Andres Manhit underscored the scope of emerging threats.

“Global assessments further highlight that misinformation, disinformation, and cyber espionage are among the most pressing risks of the coming decade. Cyber op-

erations are increasingly sophisticated and disruptive, striking at the core of national security and public trust,” he noted.

Manhit emphasized the need for stronger, coordinated action across sectors.

“Strong cooperation among government, industry, academe, and international partners is critical to building capabilities and

DOJ awaits court order to revoke Roque’s passport

By Pot Chavez

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday said they are still waiting for a court order before requesting the cancellation of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s passport. The DOJ made the clarification following an

inquiry during the Senate budget plenary debates on the status of Roque’s case.

“We’ll have to wait for the court order for a confirmation of the issuance of red notice and cancellation of passport,” justice spokesman lawyer Polo Martinez told reporters on Friday.

Book on Bangsamoro peace process launched

THE Joint Normalization Committee (JNC), a crucial peace mechanism that has helped push the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launched on Wednesday a coffee table book titled “Metamorphosis: A Decade’s Journey to Peace.” T he book documents 10 years of milestones, lessons, and progress under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). “It is a tribute to the decade-long journey of the Bangsamoro people and stakeholders towards a just and lasting peace,” the committee said. In his remarks delivered by Undersecretary Athalia B. Liong, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., reaffirmed the national government’s steadfast support for the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly the continued implemen

tation of the peace agreements and the Normaliza

tion Program. Rex Espiritu

responding effectively to cyber threats.”

Former National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) deputy director general Francisco Ashley Acedillo explained how state-linked foreign actors are integrating Philippine networks into broader intelligence systems.

“China, in particular, has developed a comprehensive approach to cyber operations that merges state, military, academic, and private sector capabilities,” he said.

Citing the KnownSec leak, Acedillo said the Philippines was explicitly listed among countries whose national networks were being mapped, categorized, and integrated into Chinese intelligence systems.”

CHRISTMAS DECORS GALORE. Shoppers weave through a swirl of lights, trinkets, and other Christmas decors being sold at bargain prices in a bustling bazaar in Dapitan, Manila as the whole Christendom ushers in the famously long and eagerly awaited Christmas Season in the country. Edd Castro

Last May, a Pampanga court ordered the arrest of Roque, along with Cassandra Ong and other individuals in relation to the qualified human trafficking case involving the Lucky South99 Scam Hub in Porac, Pampanga. At present, Roque remains in The Netherlands after fleeing the country last year.

He described this development as “a structured, persistent, and state-supported intelligence operation,” urging the creation of stronger national structures such as “a dedicated national cyber agency” or even “the Philippine Cyber Force.”

Maj. Gen. Fabian Pedregosa, Strategic Command chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), highlighted the national defense implications of rising cyberattacks. “As our world becomes even more digital, so too do the threats that challenge our national security, our critical infrastructures, and our way of life. Cyber resilience... has become a cornerstone of national defense,” he said.

IN BRIEF

PH, US to level up 2026 Balikatan drills

THE United States and the Philippines plan to integrate “cutting edge” technology to counter cyber threats during the 2026 edition of Exercise Balikatan.

“On Balikatan, the upcoming 2026 exercise, we’re working to evolve that to reflect this reality that cyber is integral to every military operation,” US Embassy ICT unit chief Jennifer Schmidt said during a panel discussion at the 2025 Pilipinas Conference in Makati City.

“So, we’re working alongside our Filipino partners to incorporate cutting-edge training ranges and robust cyber threat software into these exercise scenarios,” Schmidt said.

She said the two countries’ cyber cooperation is rapidly moving from an emerging area to a “central pillar” in the Philippines-US alliance.

Both have recognized that even future conflicts “may begin in the digital domain.”

“We’re focused on making this progress sustained and scalable by integrating cyber defense across all government levels and fostering really a deeper, more resilient technical partnership,” Schmidt said. Rex Espiritu

Cagayan board passes P4.99-b 2026 budget

THE Cagayan provincial board has unanimously passed their P4.9-billion2026 budget during their 18th regular session on Wednesday, Nov. 19, presided by Vice Gov. Manuel Mamba.

Mamba thanked the provincial councilors for their approval, saying their unity showed that “public service can succeed despite political differences.”

“Your support for the 2026 budget sends a powerful message: that when leaders choose cooperation over division and services over politics, great things become possible for Cagayan,” he said.

The councillors also thanked the Cagayan Capitol department heads for their support during the recent marathon budget hearing.” Jessica M. Bacud

Malaysian convicted in P10-b shabu case

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday the successful prosecution of Malaysian national Kong Ket Koon for possession of 1.48 tons of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).

“According to PDEA (Philipine Drug Enforcement Agency), the estimated total street value of the 1.48 tons of shabu is over P10 billion. The penalty was life imprisonment and a fine of P10 million,” Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez told reporters.

The DOJ viewed the case as the “biggest drug bust in recent history” which led to the conviction of the accused.

The Regional Trial Court of Olongapo City found the accused “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” of the crime of illegal possession of prohibited drugs, Martinez said. Pot Chavez

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BOOK LAUNCH. The Joint Normalization Committee that helped push forward the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front launches a coffee table book titled “Metamorphosis: A Decade’s Journey to Peace” chronicling 10 years of struggle to restore lasting peace in Mindanao. OPAPRU photo

Govt rolls out unified ID for PWDs

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council on Disability Affairs are moving forward with the nationwide rollout of the unified identification (ID) system for persons with disabilities.

This initiative aims to standardize registration, strengthen verification, and ensure the protection of persons with disabilities across the Philippines, NCDA said.

“We are actually on the rollout stage, so this initiative strengthens accessibility, ensures accurate records, and protects the rights of persons with dis-

P10.3-m aid given to ‘Uwan’ survivors in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided at least P10.31 million worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by Super Typhoon “Uwan” that battered Eastern Visayas earlier this month, an official said Friday.

As of Nov. 20, the DSWD has distributed 15,487 family food packs (FFPs), 733 ready-to-eat (RTE) food boxes, and 306 non-food items to affected households.

“The amount reflects the DSWD’s ongoing commitment to deliver immediate and sufficient support to communities impacted by disasters. It continues to gather updated information on damages and needs on the ground to guide relief and recovery operations,” DSWD regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua said.

In addition, all families who lost loved ones and those who were injured due to the typhoon received a total of P90,000 in cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program. Chua said the assistance augmented the resources of 72 local government units in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran, where 191,618 families were reported to have been affected.

abilities in the Philippines,” council spokesman Walter Alava said. Alava told a Senate inquiry last year that some P88.2 billion in revenue was lost due to the widespread issuance of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities. The varying processes followed by

local government units have led to validation gaps, incomplete records, and even the distribution of fraudulent IDs.

“We want all our LGUs to be encoded in the system so that we have a 24/7 verification system,” Alava said.

This challenge led to the creation of a unified ID system between the NCDA and DSWD to address gaps by harmonizing nationwide registration, verification, and database management.

The rollout of the unified system is being implemented in three major phases.

The first phase started in August 2025 and involved pre-pilot testing in five selected local government units (LGUs): the Cities of Manila, Pasay,

and Muntinlupa; San Miguel in Bulacan; and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.

This phase aimed to test the workflow, validation processes, and required data fields, and to identify improvements to the system.

The second phase included capacity building for 35 LGUs, with a training session held on Sept. 25, focusing on encoding, verification, overall system usage, and integrating improvements into the system.

The third phase, encompassing regional rollouts, began in October and will continue through this month across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. A total of 537 LGUs have completed their training.

EARLY TREAT. Children enjoy an afternoon of fun and games during ‘The Magic of Giving’ community preChristmas event in Biñan, Laguna on Thursday (Nov. 20, 2025). The students of the 52nd Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Center shared packed meals after the event. Joan Bondoc

IN BRIEF

Taguig hails conviction of female drug dealer

THE Taguig City Police marked a significant victory in their intensified campaign against illegal drugs after a local court handed out a life sentence on a drug dealer apprehended during a buy-bust operation in Ibayo-Tipas last year.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano said this accomplishment highlights the police’s dedication to combating drugrelated crime and reinforces their strategic efforts in law enforcement. In a 20-page joint judgment, the Regional Trial Court Branch 266 found Jenny Magbalana guilty beyond reasonable doubt of selling and possessing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, confirming that the Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) conducted a legitimate and well-documented operation.

The July 2024 operation led to the seizure of more than 22 grams of shabu, including the 4.67 grams she sold to an undercover police officer using marked money. Joel Zurbano Fulbright expands Mindanao partnerships

THE Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), or the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, signed new partnerships with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) to expand educational opportunities, foster cultural exchange, and promote American excellence in higher education across Mindanao.

PAEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MinDA to develop customized Fulbright scholarships for individuals from conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.

Selected scholars will pursue advanced studies and professional development in the United States focused on energy and agriculture.

PAEF also signed an MoU with Ateneo de Davao University, which officially designates ADDU as the host institution for a new exchange program called the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP).

DMW warns vs. speedy deployment promises BAGUIO CITY November 21 –

The Department of Migrant Workers-CAR has alerted Cordillerans to be wary of speedy deployment abroad amid reports that over 150 overseas Filipino workers and aspiring migrants were victimized by a suspected large-scale illegal recruiter and her associates based in Japan over the past several months.

DMW-CAR regional director Cheryl Daytec-Yangot said that victims who visited their office reported having been recruited for work in Japan in the domestic, factory, construction, and hospitality sectors between July to September.

The promised jobs, however, turned out to be reportedly nonexistent. Dexter A. See

Lawmaker seeks passage of 3 bills aimed at protecting Pinoy kids

By Maricel V. Cruz

DEPUTY Majority Leader Patrick Michael Vargas and Quezon City Fifth District on Friday renewed his commitment to advancing laws that safeguard the health, wellbeing, and future of Filipino children Vargas made the statement as the country marked National Children’s

Day yesterday, Nov. 21, 2025.

Citing the need for stronger government support systems, Vargas highlighted three legislative measures aimed at ensuring that every child grows up healthy, protected, and able to reach their full potential. Among the legislator’s proposed measures are the Expanded Mandatory Infants

and Children Health Immunization Act (HB 3769), Teachers of Children with Disability Enhancement Act (HB 5086), and Children’s Vision Improvement and Learning Readiness Act (HB 5670), all pending with the various House Committees.

These measures collectively aim to expand access to life-saving immunizations, ensure early detection and

treatment of vision problems, and equip teachers with specialized training to better support children with disabilities.

“As we honor our children today, we must also confront realities that hinder their growth,” said Vargas.

“Good health, proper education, and a secure future are the rights of every Filipino child,” he added.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation continued its support for local healthcare services with the turnover of 11 new Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units and institutions on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

The latest batch of beneficiaries included the municipalities of Pandi (Bulacan), Barbaza (Antique), Ipil (Zamboanga Sibugay), Lubao (Pampanga), Vintar and Piddig (Ilocos Norte), Claveria (Misamis Oriental), San Carlos City (Pangasinan) and Maasin City (Southern Leyte).

The San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital in Malabon City and Sorsogon State University in Sorsogon City also received PTV units from the agency.

PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the state gaming firm is committed to strengthening grassroots healthcare systems by

providing reliable emergency support vehicles.

“We donate these PTVs because we want to help build healthier and more resilient communities,” Tengco said. “Each vehicle represents a lifeline that can bring patients to safety and ensure timely medical attention.

“We hope our beneficiaries will take care of these units and use them to serve those who need them most,” he added. San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital Medical Center chief Dr. Marilou Nery said the PTVs will significantly enhance their outreach and public health activities.

“These vehicles will do more than transport patients. They will allow us to reach more communities through medical missions, blood donation drives, and school-based health programs,” she said.

PUSH BACK.

Fisherfolk from the group

Pambansang Lakas ng

Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), along with coastal residents from Zambales and Ilocos Sur, marched to the headquarters of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, to mark World Fisheries Day. Manny Palmero

OPINION

Honor Blanco Cabie

Game changer, but what’s the game plan?

THE country is watching yet another corruption scandal unfold.

But this time the details are stronger and harder to ignore.

People are angry, tired, and frustrated, and for good reason.

Money meant for public projects seems to have gone somewhere else, and its scale has shocked even those who have seen this pattern before.

The problem is while the outrage keeps rising, there is still no clear plan that explains how the country is supposed to move forward.

It was in this context that Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, speaking in a recent interview, described the situation as a game changer. He said it because people did not expect these testimonies and documents to come out the way they did.

His warning is simple. Everyone now knows something huge and unacceptable happened, but no one is showing the public what comes next.

There are hearings, press statements, and protests, but these are movements without a roadmap.

Cayetano pointed out the investigations should start with the most obvious cases, especially projects that were fully paid for but never built.

Observers and analysts say that is something everyone can understand. Indeed, if money was released and nothing was constructed, then accountability becomes straightforward. It gives citizens proof the system

can still act, instead of drowning everyone in complicated accusations that lead nowhere.

What makes this even more urgent is the way scandals freeze government action.

It is not only about stolen funds. It is also about classrooms not built, roads not finished, and flood control projects that were never there, for crying out loud.

Everyone now knows something huge and unacceptable happened, but no one is showing the public what comes next

While leaders argue, ordinary people wait, and every delay turns into a burden that communities carry alone.

This moment will mean nothing if anger is all that comes out of it. The country already knows what went wrong.

Analysts say what it needs now is a plan that is clear, realistic, and focused on action.

Cayetano, according to observers, is on track to call it a game changer, but a game only changes if someone steps in and shows everyone how to play it better.

Modes of committing slander

“SLANDER is libel committed by oral (spoken) means, instead of in writing. The term oral defamation or slander… [is] defined as the speaking of base and defamatory words which tend to prejudice another in his reputation, office, trade, business or means of livelihood.” (Villanueva v. People and Castro, G.R. 160351, April 10, 2006)

“It is libel committed by actions rather than words. The most common examples are slapping someone or spitting on his/her face in front of the public market, in full view of a crowd, thus casting dishonor, discredit, and contempt upon the person of another.” (Op cit.)

“There is grave slander when it is of a serious and insulting nature. The gravity of the oral defamation depends not only (1) upon the expressions used, but also (2) on the personal relations of the accused and the offended party, and (3) the circumstances surrounding the case.” (Op cit.)

“[I]t is a doctrine of ancient respectability that defamatory words will fall under one or the other, depending not only upon their sense, grammatical significance, and accepted ordinary meaning judging them separately, but also upon the special circumstances of the case…” (Op cit.)

In the case of Mari v. Court of Appeals, Norma Capintoy (Capintoy) and Quirico Mari (Mari) were co-employees in the Department of Agriculture in Davao. Mari borrowed his 201 file (employee) records from Capintoy, several papers went missing when Mari returned the records to the latter. (Cited in Op cit.)

Capintoy sent a memorandum to Mari asking him to explain why certain documents were missing in his 201 file records. “Instead of acknowledging receipt, Mari confronted Capintoy and angrily shouted at her: ‘Pu-

tang ina, bullshit, bugo’” banging the chair in front of Capintoy and choking her. (Op cit.)

While the offense was considered serious slander by deed committed

“in the heat of anger and was [a] reaction to a perceived provocation…”

“it would serve the ends of justice… if [Mari] were sentenced to pay a fine instead of [imposing] imprisonment.”

In another case, Teodoro v. Court of Appeals, the incident complained took place at the Board Room of the D.B.T. Mar Bay Construction Incorporated.

Existing animosity or provocation does not give anyone a license to commit actions that would prejudice the reputation, trade, or business of another

“It appears that there was a controversial document being insisted upon by the [corporate] secretary, to be signed by the chairman.” (cited in Op cit.)

“The Board Treasurer… questioned the propriety of having the document signed as there was… no… meeting that ever took place to show [that] a supposed resolution [was] deliberated upon. A verbal exchange of words and tirades took place between the… Secretary and the Treasurer.”

“One word led to another up to the point where… the treasurer, either by implication or expressed domineering words, alluded to the [Secretary] as a ‘falsifier.’”

Blinded by extreme anger and rage, the Secretary slapped the Treasurer

EDITORIAL

Keeping watch on COP30 end game

THE world, including the Philippines, is closely watching how COP30, or the Conference of Parties, in the Amazonic city of Belem in Brazil, will end this weekend, Manila time.

Climate conferences, going by the record, have frequently extended beyond their official end dates to reach a consensus among the nearly 200 participating countries.

Originally scheduled to run for 12 days until Nov. 21 (Nov 22, Manila time) reports have indicated negotiators have missed prior deadlines to secure an agreement on key issues like energy transition roadmaps, climate finance, and the future of fossil fuels.

Previous UN climate conferences have a history of running into “overtime” as delegates work through the final obstacles to produce a consensus decision. Given the ongoing disagreements and the complexity of the issues being discussed, it is highly probable the conference will be extended by a day or more to allow negotiations to conclude.

Derailed by a fire that broke out at the venue, the summit discussions were disrupted which immediately touched off an evacuation just as negotiators were huddling to try to forge an agreement to strengthen international climate efforts.

UN chief Guterres has said: ‘I am perfectly convinced that a compromise is possible’

and gas, a goal supported by many nations and activists.

Reports said countries would call to triple the financing available to help nations adapt to climate change by 2030, from 2025 levels, but did not specify whether this money would be provided directly by wealthy governments, or other sources including development banks or the private sector.

This is critical, given Brazil’s role as host and the scientific consensus that ending fossil fuel use is necessary to avert catastrophic climate change.

The COP30 Presidency and the UNFCCC secretariat – the principal global treaty for coordinating international responses to climate change -- are working together to resume activities focusing on negotiations.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier appealed for a deal from the summit, while welcoming calls from some for clarity on the hotly disputed subject of weaning the world off fossil fuels. The fossil fuels issue is crucial because it is the central driver of the climate crisis, and the summit aims to develop a roadmap to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels based on the COP28 agreement. Discussions gave focus on moving from a pledge to action by creating a concrete plan to phase out coal, oil,

The COP30 situation has become dynamic, especially after the fire which caused a temporary closure for safety assessments and potential disruptions to the final day’s proceedings.

In U-turn, US rights report

WASHINGTON, DC – In a sharp change, the United States said Thursday that its signature human rights report would start tracking countries that support gender changes for children and diversity and equity programs.

First launched nearly 50 years ago, the State Department’s annual report on human rights practices has long attempted to offer comprehensive accounts of abuses overseas, often angering other governments.

President Donald Trump’s administration has shifted the US tone on human rights, seizing on the issue as a cudgel against adversaries and as a way to promote domestic priorities while downplaying concerns when other interests are at play.

In a cable sent to US embassies around the world, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for reporting on a series of key causes for Trump as part of a revamped and more concise annual report.

“In recent years, new destructive ideologies have given safe harbor to human rights violations,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

“The Trump administration will not allow these human rights violations, such as the mutilation of children, laws that infringe on free speech and racially discriminatory employment practices, to go unchecked,” he said.

“We are saying enough is enough.”

Specifically, the report will ask US embassies to report on countries that allow “chemical or surgical mutilation of children in operations that attempt to modify their sex.”

Rubio also asked embassies to track affirmative action and other “preferential treatment” on “the basis of race, sex or caste.”

Trump has repeatedly railed against transgender rights.

Rubio’s State Department has insisted

which the Supreme Court held as grave slander by deed. (Op cit.)

“The acts of pushing and slapping a woman… to ridicule and shame her before other people constitute the felony of slander by deed… under Article 359 of the Revised Penal Code…”

The poking of a dirty finger is slander by deed, as it ordinarily connotes the phrase “Fuck You,” which is similar to the expression “Puta” or “Putang Ina mo,” in local parlance. (Op cit.)

Dozens of countries including both developed and developing nations have pushed for a roadmap setting out how countries should transition away from fossil fuels.

Others, including some fossil fuel-producing nations, are resisting.

The COP28 climate summit in 2023 agreed, after protracted discussion, to a transition, but nations have not mapped out how — or when — it will happen.

We take comfort in the statement of UN chief Guterres: “I am perfectly convinced that a compromise is possible.”

to track gender changes, DEI

that passports now reflect Americans’ sex as listed on their birth certificates, ending decades of allowing people to select their sex, and has ended the option of an “X” for gender initiated under his predecessor Antony Blinken.

Former president Joe Biden’s administration had made LGBTQ rights a major thrust of its foreign policy, appointing the first State Department envoy to advocate for sexual minorities overseas -- a position immediately ended by Rubio.

The report will ask US embassies to report on countries that allow ‘chemical or surgical mutilation of children in operations that attempt to modify their sex’

Trump has not only ended equity programs aimed at providing opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups but has threatened companies that do practice such policies, saying they hurt America’s white majority.

‘Natural rights’ Amnesty International called the changes “chilling” and “a blatant attempt to institutionalize a philosophy that only recognizes some rights for some people, depending on who you are or where you live.”

“It sends the message that the US no longer believes in the foundational element of the human rights system it helped build,” said Amanda Klasing of

In the case of Villanueva v. People and Castro, Noel Villanueva’s “act of pointing a dirty finger at [Castro] constitutes simple slander by deed, it appearing… that the act complained of was employed by Villanueva ‘to express anger or displeasure’ at [Castro] for procrastinating the approval of his leave monetization.”

Castro’s “demeanor of refusing to sign the leave monetization of [Villanueva], an otherwise valid claim,

Amnesty International USA.

In the first human rights report released by the second Trump administration -- unveiled in August but researched largely before he returned to office -LGBTQ rights were significantly downplayed, with references removed even for countries such as Uganda, which has imposed an anti-homosexuality law that carries the death penalty.

In the cable, Rubio also ordered embassies to track violations of “free speech,” another major issue for the administration.

Vice President JD Vance has castigated Germany for restrictions against the far-right AfD and the United States has criticized top ally Britain for penalties over online posts that targeted migrants.

The push comes despite Rubio revoking visas for foreigners over their speech, including statements against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and posts mocking conservative commentator Charlie Kirk after his murder. Trump on Tuesday brushed aside concern over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, strangled and dismembered in a Saudi consulate, as he rolled out the red carpet for the kingdom’s crown prince, who promised major investment.

A senior State Department official said Rubio was seeking to refocus on “natural rights,” a cherished concept for philosophical conservatives that was also pushed during the first Trump administration.

“The United States remains committed to the Declaration of Independence’s recognition that all men are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights,” the official said on customary condition of anonymity.

Rights “pre-exist governments” and “are given to us by God, our Creator, not by governments,” he said. AFP

because of a political discord smacks of a conduct unbecoming of a lady and a Vice-Mayor at that. Moreover, it appears that she… [threw] a bottle of coke at Villanueva…” (Op cit.) To avoid suits of slander, self-control and civility in the presence of squabble and hostility is imperative. Existing animosity or provocation does not give anyone a license to commit actions that would prejudice the reputation, trade, or business of another.

IN BRIEF

Colombia’s Petro in hot water

BOGOTA – Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro published his bank statements this week to disprove Washington’s allegations of financial crimes, only to find himself in hot water at home after the records revealed a strip club visit.

Petro has been targeted by US sanctions, accused of drug trafficking and money laundering in a long-running war of words with US president Donald Trump.

Earlier this week, Petro opened up his financial transactions to public scrutiny.

They revealed a $50 payment at a strip club in Portugal during an official trip in May 2023, inviting the wrath of Colombian women’s rights groups.

“How is it possible that we have a sexual exploitation crisis in Colombia and at the same time a president who frequents such places?” asked Sara Jaramillo of the Medellin Abolitionist Network, which advocates for the elimination of exploitative sex work. Petro’s response to the criticism invited even more ire on social media. AFP

Judge orders end to NG deployment

WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in the US capital is unlawful, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

District Court Judge Jia Cobb ordered an end to the deployment but stayed her order for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

The Republican president has sent National Guard troops to Democratic-run Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis to combat crime and help enforce his crackdown on undocumented migrants. Federal judges have temporarily blocked the deployment of troops in two other Democratic-controlled cities -- Chicago and Portland -- and the Supreme Court is expected to deliver the final word soon on whether the actions are lawful.

Trump ordered more than 2,000 National Guard to patrol Washington on August 11, claiming the city was a “filthy and crime ridden embarrassment.”

Brian Schwalb, attorney general for the US capital, filed a lawsuit in September seeking to end the deployment of the National Guard in the city. AFP

Trump floats death for ‘seditious’ Democrats

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) that Democratic lawmakers who urged the military to refuse illegal orders could be executed, calling them traitors and accusing them of “seditious behavior.” Democrats immediately slammed Trump’s “absolutely vile” threats against the six senators and representatives, who made the comments in a video posted on X on Tuesday.

“This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” Trump said on Truth Social. He then added in a later post: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

The 79-year-old also reposted a message from a user urging him to “hang them” and saying that the first US president, George Washington, would have done the same. AFP

Livestream giant

Twitch to ban under-16s in Australia

SYDNEY ydney, Australia – Livestream giant Twitch will be forced to remove all users under the age of 16 when Australia’s strict social media laws take effect next month, Canberra’s online regulator said Friday. From December 10, Australia will force social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines. The eSafety Commissioner said that the US company Twitch -- which started out as a platform for gaming streamers but now hosts live feeds of various genres -- met its criteria to be banned. The platform includes “features designed to encourage user interaction, including through livestreaming content”, the regulator said.

Lifestyle website Pinterest, LegoPlay and WhatsApp will not be banned, but other platforms remain under review. AFP has reached out to Twitch for comment. Twitch says that nearly 70 percent of viewers are aged between 18 and 34, but does not disclose how many are younger. It does not allow any users under the age of 13.

Australian authorities have reserved the right to force all platforms to comply with the legislation. AFP

Taiwan issues ‘crisis’ guide for disasters, Chinese attack

TAIPEI – Taipei resident Jay Tsai hopes he never needs the crisis guide Taiwan is handing out to millions of households across the island, which faces threats of natural disasters and a Chinese invasion.

The government began sliding the orange booklet under doors and into mailboxes this week to raise awareness about potential dangers, but critics

have branded it a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“I hope we’ll never need it but it feels reassuring to have,” Tsai, a 31-year-old 3D animation specialist, told AFP.

“I’ll put it near my emergency items at home, like the flashlight, just so I know it’s there.”

The 32-page booklet offers advice on everything from how to prepare a “go

bag” to what to do when an air-raid siren sounds and how to give first-aid. It also warns readers that “hostile foreign forces” could use disinformation to weaken their resolve to defend the island if China attacks.

“In the event of a military invasion of Taiwan, any claim that the government has surrendered or that the nation has been defeated is false,” it says.

Ukraine to cede Donbas to Russia under US plan

UK police unveil network funding Russian war

LONDON – A billion-dollar moneylaundering network operating across the UK purchased a bank in Kyrgyzstan to help Russia evade Western sanctions and channel funds towards the Ukraine war, British police said Friday.

The network has used hundreds of couriers in at least 28 UK towns and cities to collect criminal cash from drug dealing and firearms trafficking, among others. The money was then quickly converted into cryptocurrency and moved around the world, Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said, as it shared an update on the latest phase of the UKled “Operation Destabilize.”

The international effort has now led to 128 arrests and the seizure of more than £25 million ($32.7 million) in cash and cryptocurrency in the UK, the NCA said.

In the past year, another 45 suspected launderers have been arrested and £5.1 million seized. Intelligence from the probe has also helped foreign partners seize $24 million and €2.6 million overseas.

Two Russian-speaking networks, called Smart and TGR, are at the heart of a lot of the transfers, the NCA said. They launder money for transnational crime groups involved in cybercrime, drugs and firearms smuggling and help their Russian clients illegally bypass fi-

Fire breaks out at UN climate talks, forcing setback at critical phase

BELEM, Brazil – A fire broke out Thursday inside the UN climate summit venue in Brazil, burning through the roof and causing a panicked evacuation and the suspension of talks entering a crucial phase.

The blaze engulfed pavilions in the summit site in Belem around 2:00 pm (1700 GMT), torching a hole through its fabric ceiling, sparking a rush for the exit as smoke filled the corridors and people cried “fire!”

It was the third major incident since the COP30 negotiations started last week in the Amazon region, after Indigenous protesters stormed the venue and later blockaded the entrance in peaceful demonstration.

Security responded “swiftly” and the blaze was controlled in roughly six minutes, COP30 hosts Brazil and United Nations Climate Change said in a joint statement.

Firefighters and ambulances arrived with sirens blaring as acrid smoke billowed from the huge tents and permanent structures hosting tens of thousands of diplomats, journalists, and activists for the two-week event.

Nineteen people were treated for smoke inhalation and two for anxiety, the Brazilian presidency of the event said.

Brazil later declared the site reopened at 8:40 pm after a fire department inspection, with an AFP reporter seeing a trickle of delegates re-entering and food kiosks resuming work -- though plenary sessions will not restart until Friday.

The area where the blaze broke out was sealed off from view with a vast sheet. People who had left belongings in the affected zone were escorted in one by one to retrieve them -- including those who needed to collect passports for flights departing later in the night. AFP

The new printed version is the first time the government has opted for paper emergency guidelines for the public after previously publishing them online. “A printed copy ensures that... the elderly in rural areas or anyone without access to digital tools can still obtain the information they need,” Defense Minister Wellington Koo told lawmakers on Wednesday. AFP

WASHINGTON, DC – Ukraine would give up the eastern Donbas region to Russia under a 28-point peace plan backed by US President Donald Trump, according to a draft obtained Thursday (Friday, Manila time) by AFP.

Kyiv would also agree to limit its army to 600,000 personnel, and while European fighter jets would be based in Poland to protect Ukraine, no NATO troops would be stationed in Ukraine. Russia would meanwhile be readmitted to the G8 group of nations and be integrated back into the global economy under the plan, which US officials said was still a “working document.”

“The president supports this plan. It’s a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been “quietly” working on the plan with both Russia and Ukraine for around a month, Leavitt said. She rejected concerns that the plan echoes many of Moscow’s maximalist demands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expected to discuss the plan with Trump “in coming days.” He said any deal must bring a “dignified peace” with “respect for our independence, our sovereignty.”

Zelenskyy also met a Pentagon delegation headed by US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll in Kyiv.

nancial restrictions to invest money in Britain. During “phase two” of “Operation Destabilize” which began in December, authorities discovered some of the laundered funds were routed through the bank in Kyrgyzstan, called Keremet Bank. This was secretly bought on Christmas Day 2024 by Altair Holding SA, a company linked to TGR boss George Rossi. Keremet then helped move money for Promsvyazbank (PSB), a Russian stateowned bank that supports companies involved in Russia’s military-industrial sector, the NCA said. AFP

Here are the details of the US plan: Under the document seen by AFP, “Crimea, Lugansk and Donetsk will be recognized as de facto Russian, including by the United States.” Kyiv still partly holds Lugansk and Donetsk, which together make up the Donbas industrial belt on the front line of the war. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. Areas from which Ukraine has withdrawn in Donetsk would be deemed a demilitarized zone which Russian forces will not enter, according to the plan. The southern regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia -- which Russia falsely claims to have annexed -- will be “frozen along the line of contact,” it said. AFP

US health agency edits website to reflect anti-vaccine rhetoric

WASHINGTON, DC – The US health agency has updated its official website to reflect the vaccine skepticism of a senior Trump official, a move that medical and public health experts widely condemned.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Wednesday revised its site with language that undermines its previous, scientifically grounded position that immunizations do not cause the developmental disability autism. Years of research demonstrate that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nation’s health chief, has long voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric and inaccurate claims connecting the two.

The CDC webpage on vaccines and autism had previously stated that studies show “no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder,”

citing a body of high-quality research including a 2013 study from the agency itself. That text reflects medical and scientific consensus, including guidance from the World Health Organization. But the changes rebuke it. The website now asserts that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidencebased claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”

The revised language accuses health authorities of having “ignored” research supporting a link and said the US health department “has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism.” A purported connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and

UKRAINE SECURITY. Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, is seen on a screen as she speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on

PH athletes join world kickboxing tilt in Abu Dhabi

By Randy Caluag

THE Philippine Kickboxing Team, riding

a wave of recent international success, departed the country early Friday morning to compete in the highly anticipated 2025 WAKO World Kickboxing Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The championship runs from November 21 to 30, and the nine-athlete delegation is poised to challenge the world’s best. The team, which boasts multiple SEA Games and WAKO World Cup medalists, boarded an Etihad Airways flight with the unified goal of bringing home the gold. The nine nationals heading to the global stage are an impressive mix of decorated veterans and rising stars. The team is particularly strong in the Forms category, led by two athletes who dominated the recent WAKO World Cup, Jovan Medallo, the undeniable star of the Forms division who secured a remarkable Quadruple Gold Medal at the 2025 WAKO World Cup, and Janah Lavador, a powerhouse who contributed a Double Gold Medal at the same event. The combat divisions are equally stacked with experience and medal pedigree. The lineup includes SEA Games Gold Medalist Gretel de Paz (52kgs Low Kick), Silver Medalist from the 2024 Asian Kickboxing Championship Honorio Banario (75kgs K1), and another 2025 WAKO World Cup Gold Medalist, Whinny Bayawon (57kgs Kick Light). They are joined by Aime Ramos (48kgs Low Kick), a World Cup Bronze Medalist; Kurt Lubrica (51kgs Low Kick), a proven fighter with medals from both the SEA Games and the Asian Kickboxing Championship; SEA Games Silver Medalist Jeremy Pacatiw (67kgs); and the reigning National Kickboxing Champion, Nathaniel Plania (57kgs PF and LC), who rounds out the formidable squad.

No. 2 Spain, no. 4 Thailand clash in World Futsal meet

FOUR fancied sides led by Spain hit the court Saturday in Match Day 2 of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

The world No. 2 the Spaniards kick off their bid in Group B against world No. 4 Thailand in the main game set at 7:30 p.m. World No. 8 Colombia and No. 74 Canada tangle in the 5 p.m. curtain raiser.

Expected to lead the charge for Spain are Patricia Gonzalez Mota, more popularly known as Peque,

Avaricio ties for 13th, Chang cruises to Taiwan golf win

TAIWAN—Chanelle Avaricio closed out her campaign at the Party Golfers Ladies Open with a steady 70, underscoring another challenging week for the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour contingent at the Lily Golf and Country Club in Hsinchu.

Local standout Wenny Chang held off a spirited charge from Thailand’s PK Kongkraphan to rule the annual event co-sanctioned by the LPGT and the Taiwan LPGA Tour with a 66 for a commanding three-stroke victory.

Avaricio mounted an early run from deep down the leaderboard, mixing two birdies with a bogey on the front nine to push herself within striking distance of the Top 10. After adding another birdie on the par-5 11th, she generated several promising looks but failed to convert, settling for a string of pars as the field battled brisk winds and biting temperatures across the rugged par-72 course.

She finished with a 217 total – good for a share of 13th place, the highest finish by any LPGT campaigner this week. Though not enough to crack the upper tier, the result marked a significant improvement from her 50th-place showing last year and highlighted her steady progress in regional competition.

Florence Bisera, who entered the 54-hole tournament with high hopes following a breakthrough win in Thailand, closed with a 73 to settle for joint 27th at 222. Princess Superal and LK Go both finished at 223 for a share of 37th, with Go carding a fiery finish – two birdies in her last four holes at the front –to salvage a 71.

Daniella Uy, the top-performing LPGT player in the event’s history thanks to her joint fourth-place effort in 2019, never found her footing this week. She struggled to a 75 and slipped to 43rd with a 224 total. Mafy Singson also endured a shaky final round, signing for a 76 to end in 52nd at 227.

the Best Female Player of the World awardee in the 2022 Futsal Awards in 2022, and Irene Samper, who helped the La Roja to three European futsal titles. The Thais enter the tournament fresh from their runner-up finish in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup last May in China behind champions Japan.

For Colombia, there’s Nicole Mancilla, futsal’s reigning Best Women’s Young Player who emerged as the top scorer in this year’s Copa America. Esther Brossard, who was leading markswoman and MVP in the Concacaf qualifying tournament, is tipped to spearhead the Canadians. The world’s best and brightest are in the Philippines in town to engage in an exciting battle for the honors of being the firstever FIFA Futsal Women’s World champions.

Chiefs stun champ Cardinals, grab twice-to-beat bonus

By Peter Atencio

THE Arellano University Chiefs grabbed a big opportunity in the 101st National College Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

The Chiefs’ 62-58 upset of the defending champion Mapua Cardinals allowed them to snatch the no. 2 position in Group A and wrest the twiceto-beat quarterfinals incentive on Friday at the FilOil Arena in San Juan.

For coach Chico Manabat, the Chiefs will have to take the whatever advantage they now have with a measure of precaution.

“Masarap ito. Pero hindi pa tapos ang laban. Marami pa kaming tatratabuhin,” said Manabat after they finished their Group A assignments with a four-game winning streak.

T-mc Ongotan fired 15 points for the Chiefs, who ended up tying the Cardinals in second and third position with a 7-6 win-loss record.

In advancing to the quarterfinals, the Chiefs will meet the Letran Knights, who are ranked third in Group B, going into the last elimination-round match with the San Beda Red Lions on Sunday.

“Bonus it na meron kami na ganu’ng advantage. Kailangan pa rin namin magtrabaho para manalo nang manalo,” added Manabat.

The Cardinals, with Drex de los Reyes leading with 13 points, were relegated third spot, and they have a twice-to-win privilege against the Knights.

In junior action, the Mapua Red Robins, with

Two wins, two meanings

Designated Kit Man Erel Cabatbat

THIS week has been a good one when it comes to the two teams The Designated Kit Man is really passionate about. Earlier, the Philippine Men’s National Football Team got the win in Male, beating Maldives, 2-0, to secure the full three points. Jeff Tabinas and Sandro Reyes both found the back of the net to give the Philippines the win at the Maldives National Football Stadium last Tuesday in the ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. In an ideal world, a win is a win. In Male, it was a case of a win, but not the way an actual “win” could have mattered. In the awaygame, we needed more than just a win, a 3-0 win to be more specific or at least a a three-goal ad-

vantage triumph owing to the goal-difference rule that will come in handy in cases of ties after the group stages. That “ideal” win could have given our lads at least a slight cushion against Tajikistan in a return match in March next year. A draw will be enough to send our team back to the biggest tournament in the continent in 2027.

As it stands, the Philippines is tied with Tajikistan in Group A with similar 13 points, but the Tajiks own the top spot due to goal difference (1110). The Philippines could have been on top had the needed three goal win in Male happened.

All is not lost, however, as the team formerly known as the Azkals will need to beat Tajikistan in their home pitch, nothing more and nothing less next year.

Just hoping that despite the concerns and the trials the team has to overcome, both off and on the pitch, the team will have the strongest

Froilan Reyes making 29 points, downed the Arellano Braves, 85-83, to finish Group A with a 8-4 card with the Braves.

As the no.1 team in Group A, the Chiefs will face the winner between San Beda Red Cubs and Jose Rizal University. The Red Cubs and JRU will seek a quarterfinal seat via the play-in stage.

Meanwhile, St. Benilde relied on the returning Allen Liwag to push the Blazers past Emilio Aguinaldo College, 87-82.

The Blazers ended the elimination round with a twice-to-beat advantage, a 9-4 record and a three game win streak in Group B action.

“Now, it’s back to zero. The real challenge comes,” coach Charles Tiu said.

“In this format, like they said, anyone has a chance and I think that’s what we’ll get.”

Liwag, who returned from a shoulder injury, showed his MVP form with a team-high 16 points to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.

Helping the reigning MVP of the NCAA in the win were Matthew Oli and Jio Gonzaga, who finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

EAC remained at the very bottom of Group B, ending its elimination round with a 4-9 card.

line-up possible against the do-orgo-home game against Tajikistan in March 31, 2026. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw the first time they met in the qualifiers in Manila last June 10.

On the local front, the San Beda Red Lions had to claw back from a 15-point deficit to outclass the upset-conscious Generals of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 96-78, to secure the top spot in Group B of the ongoing Men’s basketball tournament of Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Pro-bound Bryan Sajonia and rookie sensation Janti Miller took turns in carrying the Red Lions in a big 4th-quarter run to avoid an embarrassing loss to a gallant Generals’ squad and secure the win. More important than the comeback victory, the Lions’ ninth in 12 games, San Beda now has the twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

In a way, this is a win that is really a “win”. A “win” that is enough. Despite the victory, the Red Lions hope to end the elimination round the way they started their campaign – with a win. And pride at stake when they resume anew their rivalry against the Knights of Le-

tran College this Sunday, November 23. San Beda beat Letran, 68-58, in their initial game of the season. Again, football is a bit complicated compared to basketball where a win-loss slate could have easily settled the fate of teams gasping at the last available seat in the next round.

In the case of the two teams, victories too are not the same and to some extent, standards are quite high in football, where such are accorded to the national team.

Panalo na nga, kulang pa rin.

A simple win, however, in March will be enough. Let’s pray for that to happen and for the Philippine Football Federation to make it happen.

As always, The Designated Kit Man will always support any national team in the middle of a campaign in any international tournament. The Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team is no exception. The Filipina5 is set to begin its campaign in the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City tonight, at 8.30 p.m., against a crack Poland squad. The Filipina5 will face next Morocco on November 24 before ending their group fixtures against Argentina

on November 27. All our games will start at 8.30 p.m. at the venue formerly known as ULTRA in recent past. Bannering our campaign are Samantha Hughes, Lanie Ortillo, Catherine Graversen, Kayla Santiago, Dionesa Tolentin and Jaclyn Sawicki. Joining them are Katrina Guillou, Regine Rebosura, Alisha Del Campo, Judy Connoly, Isabella Bandoja, Charisa Lemoran, Rocelle Mendaño and Bella Flanigan. All the best of luck to our gallant ladies who will be taking the best futsal teams from all over the world. The opposition may appear bigger, stronger and more experienced than our local squad but never underestimate the hearts and spirit of our squad. Playing before the hometown fans will definitely give them the extra motivation and passion. So if you are not busy during their games, please get a ticket and let’s rally behind our Filipina5. Laban, Filipina5! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps! For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @ erelcabatbat

The opening match features marquee players who are expected to dazzle the crowd, too.

Members of the PH kickboxing team are shown prior to their journey to Abu Dhabi.

AU’s T-mc Ongotan shoots against Mapua’s Cyrus Nitura

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Corpus masters chaos to claim first PGT victory at Valley Golf

ANTIPOLO—If pressure wasn’t supposed to play a role in a title duel between cousins, Aidric Chan certainly made little effort to hide that he was applying it – relentlessly – on Carl Corpus.

But Corpus rose from an early stumble and weathered Chan’s day-long surge, emerging triumphant from a turbulent frontside battle by delivering when it mattered most. After limping to a disastrous 39 on the front nine, he steadied himself, regrouped and battled back with the poise of a rising champion.

Two clutch birdies in his last four holes salvaged a 73 – just enough to secure a breakthrough three-stroke victory in the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge at the South Course here Friday. He finished four strokes ahead of Chan with a four-day total of 11-under 277. Yet the final margin hardly told the story of how fiercely the duel unfolded – it was a tense, nerveshredding contest that tightened deep into the final stretch.

“This win means the world to me,” said Corpus, still savoring the moment. “This is why we wake up, this is why we practice, this is why we do what we do – to be able to win.”

Asked to compare his maiden PGT victory to his early ADT triumph, he said,

“There’s no better feeling than winning, especially on your home course, in front of my family and friends. It truly means the world,” he added. Chan, unrelenting all afternoon, forced a tie at 10-under after unleashing a blistering three-birdie run from No. 14 – an electrifying charge that momentarily swung momentum his way and made it appear he had deciphered the tricky layout at precisely the right time.

But just when it seemed Chan had Corpus cornered, his challenge unraveled. A costly bogey on the 17th halted his momentum, and another mishap on the closing hole sealed his fate. He closed with a 72 for a 280 total – an ending as sudden as it was stunning.

Yulo makes 4 final events, but says job isn’t finished

DRAWING strong performances in three events, Karl Eldrew Yulo advanced to the finals of the floor exercise, vault and horizontal bar on the way to winding up 15th overall in the men’s individual around standings of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Championships late Thursday night.

hind AIN athlete Arsenii Dukhno, who topped the qualifiers with 14.500 points, then followed it up in finishing fifth in the vault with an average tally of 13.750 points in two attempts.

With his entire family out in full force, led by his older brother Carlos plus father Mark and mom Angelica, out to inspire him, Eldrew booked his third apparatus finals in the horizontal bar, placing fifth with 13.70 points. He looked poised for a fourth finals in the parallel bars, but had a bad dismount on the apparatus, falling on his butt, incurring a 1.434-point penalty to drag him down to 28th spot 12.666 points in the meet sponsored by the Office of the President, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Coupled with his scores in the pommel horse (11.333), good for 58th place, and rings (12.20, 27th), Yulo totalled 78.332 points to secure 15th place in the individual all-around overall standings and made it to the finals of the taxing even today, Saturday.

Pacio’s defeat lights Kingad’s fire for Wakamatsu trilogy

By Nissi Icasiano

DANNY Kingad knows exactly what comes next after watching his best friend and longtime comrade, Joshua Pacio, fall short of making history.

From 3,299 kilometers away in Baguio City, Kingad sat in front of the television and witnessed Pacio suffer a second-round technical knockout loss to Yuya Wakamatsu in the co-main event of ONE 173 last Sunday, November 16, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Pacio — the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion and Kingad’s teammate since their Team Lakay days before moving together to Lions Nation MMA — jumped to flyweight for a shot at Wakamatsu’s crown.

A victory would have made “The Passion” the first Filipino mixed martial artist to hold major world titles in two different weight classes. For a moment, the plan seemed within reach. Pacio started strong in the super-fight, but the size and power difference quickly became evident. Waka-

matsu, the naturally bigger man, bullied the Filipino superstar on the feet and on the ground with a barrage of heavy shots.

the championship of the MiniROK Expert Class. He will not only be named as MiniROK Expert Overall Champion, but also the MiniROK Karter of the Year at Golden Wheel Awards in February 2026. The young driver, known for his speed and maturity, navigated

Though Pacio survived the early storm, Wakamatsu closed the show decisively in the second round to keep his tight grip on the divisional throne.

The defeat stung Kingad just as much as Pacio. After all, he was one of the key figures who helped the latter prepare for the challenge ahead.

“I’m proud of Joshua. He dared to be great and chased history. He may have fallen short this time, but that’s alright. He’ll be back. I know he will,” Kingad told Manila Standard in an exclusive interview.

Still, Kingad is certain this setback will only sharpen Pacio — as has been the case throughout his career.

“Every time he (Pacio) faces a setback, he returns as an even better fighter. So watch out,” Kingad shared.

Wakamatsu is also a familiar foe to Kingad.

The two split their previous encounters under the ONE Championship banner, with Kingad taking their first meeting in 2018 and Wakamatsu evening the rivalry in 2024. Kingad acknowledged how far Wakamatsu has come, saying the Japanese hard-hitter has clearly

ficial Filipino qualifier in his category for the prestigious ROK Cup Superfinal 2025 in Lonato, Italy. Anton wasted no time stepping onto international stage where he tested his skills against the world’s best at the demanding South Garda Karting. The event marked the biggest challenge yet for the young champion, pitting him against an elite field of 50 drivers from across the globe in his category. It was an ultimate test of speed, strategy, and resilience on one of the world’s most renowned karting tracks. A major moment of pride came in the qualifying heats, where he powered his way to an impressive 4th place finish in one of the highly

SAVOUGE Aesthetics held off a lategame rally from University of Santo Tomas–Gameville to claim a thrilling 2527, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 victory, opening the round-robin semifinals of the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. In a match that lived up to the Big Dome’s first-ever Spikers’ Turf outing, the Spin Doctors relied on the composure of Madz Gampong and Giles Torres to put away the Golden Spikers, who were missing key players Josh Ybañez, Al-Bukharie Sali, JJ Macam, and head coach Odjie Mamon. UST–Gameville showed the same grit that defined their final elimination game, closing an 8-3 run to trim a 12-18 deficit to just 20-21, threatening to push the contest to a fifth set. But Gampong ignited a personal 3-0 run to give Savouge match point, and Torres sealed the win with a towering block on Sherwin Umandal, delivering the Spin Doctors’ first victory in the sixteam semifinals of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s

Carl Corpus celebrates his hard-earned victory with a jubilant splash from friends. Manny Marcelo

Karl Eldrew Yulo, younger brother of Olympic double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo, celebrates with a teammate.

Danny Kingad

The Spin Doctors celebrate.

Antonio ‘Anton’ Racelis scoots home to victory.

Anton Racelis (center) is joined by his team members (clockwise) mechanic Michael Angelo Tabarno, former karter and now race car driver Michael Xander Perez, chief mechanic, engine builder and tuner Engr. Jose Le-

Maharlika to get 20% NGCP stake by 2026—Garin

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Energy (DOE) expects the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) to finalize its acquisition of a 20-percent stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) by next year, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Friday.

MIC, which manages the country’s sovereign wealth fund, is still negotiating with NGCP on the proposed investment in the state-owned power grid, Garin told reporters.

“So far, they haven’t signed because they’re still asking for documents from NGCP. So, that’s the latest information that was given to us by MIC. Basically, that means that the discussion is not over yet,” she said.

Garin indicated the process has been slow. “Maybe next year. I don’t want to get into who has been doing what and who has not been doing what. But it’s taking a while. Perhaps, it’s the negotiations that are taking a while. I’m not sure but it’s between NGCP and MIC,” she said.

MIC signed an agreement with Synergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. (SGP) in January to acquire the 20 percent stake in NGCP. Under the deal, MIC will purchase preferred shares in SGP, which holds a significant 40.2-percent effective ownership in NGCP, the operator of the country’s power grid.

The investment is viewed as a critical step for the government to regain control over the nation’s vital power infrastructure.

NGCP has had full control over the management and operation of the

20%

NGCP stake eyed by Maharlika

40.2%

Synergy Grid’s stake in NGCP

25 years

NGCP concession period

nationwide transmission system since 2009 under a 25-year concession granted by Congress, which allows for a 25-year extension.

Economists call for sweeping overhaul of Constitution

By Othel V. Campos

A GROUP of economists is calling for a major overhaul of the 1987 Constitution.

Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) president Calixto Chikiamco said on the sidelines of Pilipinas Conference 2025 at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City Friday the country could not resolve its longstanding governance and economic challenges without fundamental structural reforms.

He proposes electing a Constitutional Convention in 2028, simultaneous with the presidential elections, to draft a new charter within one to two years for a national referendum.

Chikiamco said the Constitution’s age and restrictive provisions are outdated, noting that more than three decades have passed since its drafting.

Chikiamco also dismissed calls for the resignation of the President and Vice President, saying that

COMMITMENT TO PROTECT WORKERS WITH STRONGER LABOR INSPECTION. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (bottom left), along with representatives from both workers and employers’ sectors, program managers, and DOLE Regional Directors, leads the signing of the commitment to strengthen labor rights protection through the International Labour Organization Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), which takes effect in the Philippines on 05 November 2025. Present also are DOLE Undersecretaries Felipe N. Egargo, Jr., Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr., and Carmela I. Torres; Assistant Secretaries Amuerfina R. Reyes, Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, and Joel M.

SECRETARY Laguesma is joined by Jose “Sonny” G. Matula of the Federation of Free Workers to represent workers, Commissioner Federico R. Marquez, Jr. of the Employees’ Compensation Commission, Medical Officer Clarito Cairo of the Department of Health, and other social partners of the Department in ensuring

decent work for all, which is one of the key objectives of the Marcos, Jr. administration.

The signatories vow to align national policies and industry practices with ILO Convention No. 81, collaborate with DOLE and other institutions to enhance inspection capacity and tools, and support the implementation of

and 13 private companies to enhance the welfare of workers and their families in the province. (Photos from DOLE Surigao del Sur/Facebook).

call to promote the welfare of workers and their families, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through its Surigao del Sur Field Office, has partnered with the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Caraga and 13 private companies to bring improved health, empowerment, and well-being support to Surigao del Sur workers. Formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the partnership will enable the establishment of workplace-based programs aligned with the Philippine

and Development Plan of Action (2023–2028), focusing on responsible parenthood and

empowerment and healthy aging, and inclusive development for marginalized sectors.

by Ali Creo/DOLE-IPS)

the Strategic Compliance Program to promote fairness, safety, and voluntary compliance in workplaces.

The pledge underscores their shared responsibility to uphold fundamental labor rights and translate the summit’s discussions into concrete, time-bound actions and measurable outcomes.

simple leadership changes would not address the underlying structural flaws causing high food prices and economic hardship.

While acknowledging concerns about political dynasties dominating the Constitutional Convention process, he proposed inserting safeguards and trusting the electorate to choose capable delegates.

He criticized “Filipino First” and other nationality-based economic limits, which he said have significantly discouraged foreign investments and constrained the country’s economic growth.

To combat deep-rooted corruption, Chikiamco cited the need for a strong, state-funded political party system.

He said this setup would reduce politicians’ reliance on personal campaign financing, thereby lessening incentives for corruption.

He warned that “merely putting people in jail will not change the incentive of our politicians to keep on stealing money,” adding that fundamental changes to the political

system are the only way to curb these incentives.

The FEF head also wants the Constitution simplified, saying its current length and complexity make necessary amendments unnecessarily difficult, particularly in adapting to rapid changes in technology and economic conditions.

He noted that the party-list system has been abused and co-opted by traditional politicians, further indicating that systemic reforms are overdue.

On the economic front, Chikiamco urged the country to shift away from protectionism and towards global competitiveness, which he believes would attract more foreign investors, generate jobs and align the Philippines with the strategies of its Asian neighbors.

He suggested that local industries could be protected through exchange rate policy rather than restrictive constitutional provisions on foreign participation.

19th NOSH CONGRESS. Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) practitioners, advocates, employers, and other stakeholders participate in the 19th National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Congress at the Yuichi Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Health and Safety Center (OSHC) in Quezon City on 06-07 October 2025. Leading the event

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is strengthening its campaign for safer and healthier workplaces.

On October 6-7, it gathered employers and occupational safety and health (OSH) practitioners and advocates at the 19th National Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) Congress to discuss challenges, share best practices, and to draw up strategies to boost compliance with workplace safety and health standards. The two-day Congress opened with discussions led by advocates and experts on strengthening governance and policy for a sustainable future, addressing emerging OSH challenges, and promoting the digital transformation of

safety, health, and welfare programs. It also highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to managing hazards and risks in the workplace.

On the second day, sessions focused on expanding preventive policies to protect workers, building workforce capacity in OSH, and showcasing effective practices to address challenges brought about by changing work environments. Speaking before hundreds of participants at the Yuichi Ichikawa Hall of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in Quezon City, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma stressed that safe and healthy working conditions are “non-negotiable” even in the smallest of enterprises.

Gonzales; OIC-Assistant Secretaries Maria Consuelo S. Bacay and Adeline T. De Castro; and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin B. Curada. (Photos

BOOSTING FAMILIES, WORKERS (Left photo, 2nd to the right) DOLE 12 officials Marnie Dave S. Eballes and (5th from left) Mary Jane C. Hoksuan lead the turnover of livelihood starter kits

parents, and Bangsamoro associations, joined by (Right photo, 3rd from right)

Nawa and (Left photo, 5th from right) MMPC Chairperson Maria Nisa Suib, during the Php 17-million

under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. (Photos by DOLE 12)

LOYALTY AWARD. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño (third from left) congratulates Nora Sevillejo (in red dress), after handing over the latter’s trophy during the 11th Loyalty Awards ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Nov. 17, 2025. Sevillejo received the 30year service award. Joseph Muego

Stocks,

peso rise on interest rate cut hopes

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks extended their rally Friday to close just slightly lower than the 6,000 level, led by continued bargain hunting and hopes for a rate cut. The strengthening peso also provided a tailwind.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) ended the week at 5,997.13, up 66.32 points or 1.12 percent. The broader all-shares index closed at 3,418.52, up 83.50 points or 2.50 percent.

The peso appreciated against the US dollar, closing at 58.86 from 59.07 on Thursday.

Analysts noted the stock market is gradually recovering after dropping to a five-year low as investors see progress in addressing alleged government corruption, with cases being filed against officials allegedly involved in “ghost projects.”

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the domestic market also benefited from the recent decline in US stocks amid concerns over the high valuation of some technology-related shares.

Among the sectors, only the mining and oil index finished in the red, down 1.29 percent. Holding firms advanced the most, up 2.18 percent, while property stocks gained 1.48 percent. Value turnover reached P7.62 billion. The market saw 118 gainers versus 75 decliners, with 53 stocks unchanged. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows totaling P1.97 billion.

San Miguel Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, increasing 5.63 percent to P75. Puregold Price Club Inc. was the main index laggard, declining 1.95 percent to P40.20.

Maynilad eyes expansion of bulk water unit

MAYNILAD Water Services Inc.

plans to expand its bulk water supply operations to support company growth, its newly-appointed chief operating officer said.

Christopher Jaime Lichauco, who replaced Randolph Estrellado upon his retirement on Aug. 31, said the company is now more interested in bulk water supply rather than distribution outside its west zone concession area.

Lichauco relayed this to business editors over lunch, where he denied that Maynilad was in talks with Primewater Infrastructure Inc., which holds 75 joint ventures with local water districts across the country.

Maynilad aims to expand its treated bulk water business through its subsidiary, Philippine Hydro Inc.

Lichauco said the company is looking to supply treated bulk water to more local water districts in Bulacan, Cavite and other areas near Metro Manila.

A company executive said that within its west zone concession, Maynilad is concentrating on reducing its nonrevenue water (NRW) level.

Maynilad cut its NRW level to 32.8 percent by September 2025, just outside the international standard of 20 percent to 30 percent, which enabled profit growth.

This is a substantial improvement from the 45-percent NRW level recorded during the pandemic when leak repairs were halted. The level stood at 38.4 percent in 2024 and 43 percent in 2023.

The utility said that the drop in the NRW level over the 12 months ending September 2025 saved 231 million liters of water per day (MLD), equivalent to the production capacity of a large water treatment plant.

Maynilad operates five major water treatment plants.

The utility repairs thousands of leaks monthly, fixing over 57,000 leaks last year. The company uses advanced technologies, including acoustic sensors and AI-assisted monitoring, to trace the leaks.

The Maynilad official said leak repairs were critical to reducing water losses, noting that about 80 percent to 90 percent of water losses could be traced to physical leaks, while only 10 percent to 20 percent were due to commercial losses, such as illegal connections.

NLEX operator posted P10.3-b net income in three quarters

By Darwin G. Amojelar

NLEX Corp, the operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), reported a 20-percent increase in net income to P10.34 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

The company said higher traffic volumes and toll adjustments implemented during the year led to the higher profit. It said the net income from January to September increased from P8.65 billion it earned in the same period last year. Toll revenues rose 17 percent to P21.89 billion from P18.6

year

SCTEx also saw 80,349 average daily vehicle entries, or 2-percent higher than last year’s figures. NLEX Connector traffic had 20,681 average daily vehicle entries, or 9 percent higher than in the

Robinsons Retail’s board approves P2-b budget for share buyback

ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) said Friday its board approved setting aside another P2 billion to repurchase shares from the market to enhance shareholder value and manifest confidence in the company’s value and prospects.

The share buyback program will be implemented in the open market through the trading facilities of the Philippine Stock Exchange and will not involve any active or widespread solicitation from stockholders. RRHI confirmed the program will not affect

any of the company’s prospective or existing projects and investments.

The move comes as RRHI’s share price dropped to P32.50 as of Thursday from its P58 initial public offering price in 2023.

This is the latest such program since the company first approved a P2-billion share buyback initiative in 2020. Since then, RRHI has bought back 158,387,615 common shares costing P7.833 billion.

Separately, RRHI re-acquired 315,309,310 common shares,

ENERGIZATION. Senior citizens and fisherfolks Felino and Blesilda Fajardo of Hagonoy, Bulacan are among those who were assisted by One Meralco Foundation (OMF)and Manila Electric Company so they could have their own access to electricity after decades of stay in the island community. In partnership with Meralco,

Timezone PH sees strong revenue growth

By Othel V. Campos

FAMILY entertainment chain Timezone is projecting a double-digit revenue growth in 2026 after a year of consolidation in 2025, which saw performance weighed down by weather disruptions, seismic events and mall renovations.

“This year is fairly flat for us, but 2026 will be our true growth year. We plan to grow by double digits,” said Timezone Philippines president and general-manager Raffy Prats Jr. during the relaunch of Timezone Glorietta Friday.

Prats noted that several setbacks affected 2025 performance, including typhoons hitting key weekends, the Davao earthquake that forced temporary venue closures and major mall

upgrades such as the Glorietta renovation. Despite these challenges, margins remained strong and the company is well-positioned for a growth surge next year.

December remains Timezone’s “most important month,” anchoring full-year revenues as holiday spending typically peaks from Dec. 15 until the first week of January, when families visit malls with increased disposable income. The company’s next strongest season is April to June, while non-peak months deliver around 30 to 35 percent lower revenues.

Timezone Group chief customer officer Caroline Leong said the Philippines has emerged as one of the region’s fastest-growing markets amid a strong culture of shared play and multigenerational family outings.

equivalent to 22.2 percent of its outstanding shares, belonging to GCH Investments Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of DFI Retail Group, for P15.765 billion.

RRHI posted core net earnings of P1.5 billion in the third quarter, up 3 percent year-on-year. This brought year-to-date core net earnings to P4.2 billion, a 3.9-percent increase, with growth led by gross margin expansion.

Third-quarter net sales came in at P50.8 billion, up by 4.3 percent, and

lifting sales for the first nine months to P149.3 billion, up 4.8 percent. Same store sales growth (SSSG) for the third quarter stood at 1.6 percent, with nine-month SSSG settling at 3.1 percent. As of Sept. 30, 2025, RRHI has a total of 2,501 stores consisting of 777 food stores 1,158 drugstores 51 department stores 229 Do-It-Yourself stores and 286 specialty stores. It also operates 2,118 franchised stores of The Generics Pharmacy. Jenniffer B. Austria

EdgePoint reached 16,000 telecom sites in five years

EDGEPOINT Infrastructure, an independent telecommunications infrastructure company in ASEAN, said it has reached a milestone of 16,000 operational sites across the region, marking its 5th anniversary. The achievement underscores the accelerating investment in digital connectivity across Southeast Asia. The company’s portfolio includes 11,080 sites in Indonesia, 3,025 in the Philippines and 1,900 in Malaysia. The 16,000th site is located in Sumatera, Indonesia. EdgePoint, founded in 2020, has established a significant regional presence by collaborating with major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide scalable digital infrastructure.

EdgePoint chief executive Suresh

Sidhu noted that the company’s three markets, while at different growth stages, share a common focus on prioritizing digital connectivity investments.

“Reaching the 16,000-site milestone in 5 years is a clear reflection of this regional momentum, and it reinforces that EdgePoint is the right partner to support this growth as we deliver efficiently, at speed, and at scale,” Sidhu said.

Sidhu anticipates a “significant increase in investments” in ASEAN as public and private sectors strengthen digital infrastructure to remain competitive. The company has nearly 26,000 tenants across its three countries, demonstrating the shared nature of its infrastructure.

Business permit approvals up 9% in three quarters

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Friday it processed 39,997 permits and licenses as of the third quarter of 2025, up 9 percent from a year ago following the nationwide rollout of the Integrated Registration Information System (IRegIS).

It said the surge in processed applications reflects the agency’s strengthened digital capacity and improved compliance among businesses.

These gains showcase the DTI’s efforts to protect consumers and maintain fair market practices, aligning with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance government services, the agency said in a statement.

The DTI–Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) reported that its performance has surpassed last year’s results, driven by technology-enabled systems and upgraded frontline operations.

The DTI-FTEB’s mediation division resolved 33,725 consumer complaints with zero backlog, supported by the Consumer Complaints Assistance and Resolution System (CAReS), the online platform for fil-

ing and tracking cases.

As e-commerce continues to expand, the DTI’s online monitoring units screened 204,255 online product links to guard against harmful or deceptive listings. Takedown requests rose 43 percent from 2024, covering an estimated P378.2 billion worth of products.

Product compliance has also improved even as the bureau continues to remove violative goods. In 2025, 541,235 non-conforming items worth P130.8 million were seized.

The DTI said that while the retail value is 62 percent lower than last year’s seizures, the drop reflects stronger adherence to fair trade standards.

From January to October, the DTI conducted 7,558 market monitoring activities, 31 percent higher than the same period in 2024.

Largest PH crayfish nursery opens in Pampanga

THE Philippines has launched its largest crayfish nursery in Candaba, Pampanga, through a three-way partnership involving Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd. and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

The facility is set to mass-produce the high-value Australian Redclaw crayfish, positioning the country as a stronger player in global aquaculture.

The 1,280-square-meter nursery contains 16 tanks capable of

producing 48,000 fry every two weeks. It also features water-recycling systems designed to lower the industry’s environmental footprint by reducing wastewater and conserving freshwater.

DA assistant secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the project demonstrates aligned efforts among government, industry and fisherfolk.

“Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech, and the DA-BFAR, this

MMDA, Jollibee Group team up on plastic waste exchange program

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has teamed up with homegrown restaurant company Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) to launch a “Plastic Waste Recovery and Rewards Program” to boost community participation in plastic waste collection and disposal. The initiative allows residents to exchange every 7 kilograms of collected plastic trash for a P100 Jollibee gift certificate. The collaboration is designed to increase household and local community engagement in proper waste segregation and collection by offering incentives through private sector support. Under the program, participants

Kaspersky urges gov’t to adopt ‘cyber immunity’

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBAL cybersecurity firm

Kaspersky is urging public and private organizations in the Philippines to move beyond traditional defenses and adopt a “cyber immunity” framework, a proactive design-based approach that ensures systems are secure and resilient.

The call comes as the country faces increasing digital threats, highlighted by a recent distributed denial-ofservice (DDoS) incident.

DDoS attacks overwhelm websites or online services by flooding them with malicious traffic, disrupting legitimate access and often masking more serious intrusions like ransomware or data theft.

“DDoS attacks are a reminder that cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought,” said Sam Yan, head of sales for Asia emerging countries at Kaspersky.

“Filipino institutions, whether public or private, must evolve from being reactive to being resilient. Cyber immunity ensures that even if an attack occurs, it cannot cause significant harm or halt essential services,” said Yan.

Kaspersky’s Security Bulletin shows that Internet-borne threats are on the rise across Southeast Asia. From July to September 2025, Kaspersky products detected 2.54 million Internet-borne threats in the Philippines, with 20 percent of Filipino users encountering webrelated attacks. The country ranks 25th globally for exposure to web-borne threats. These online threats typically exploit browser weaknesses or trick users via social engineering tactics such as phishing or fake downloads.

earn 10 points for every 1 kilogram of plastic waste collected, recorded on a Barangay Reward Card. Accumulating 70 points allows the participant to redeem a P100 Jollibee gift certificate. This directly translates to 7 kilograms of plastic trash being equivalent to the reward.

MMDA chairman Don Artes said the collaboration aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which seeks to expand waste minimization efforts to improve environmental quality.

“This collaboration between the MMDA and Jollibee Group is a testament to what can be achieved when the government and the private sector

HYDRATION

PRODUCT. Basketball player Kiefer Ravena, a point guard for the Yokohama B-Corsairs of the Japan B League, leads the launch of Ultra Electrolytes at Rockwell in Makati City on Nov. 20, 2025. Ultra Lifestyle Inc., led by young entrepreneurs Regina Romero-Lava, Marky Mercado, Ravena, Matthew Singson and Gabriel Lava, aim to make performance-level hydration accessible to Filipinos anytime. Norman Cruz

unite with a common purpose,” Artes said during the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement in Pasig City.

He said the program promotes responsible solid waste management and inspires communities to protect waterways and divert waste from landfills.

Jollibee Group Philippines chief executive and head of Jollibee Brand Global Joseph Tanbuntiong underscored the vital role of collective action, which aligns with the company’s global sustainability agenda “Joy For Tomorrow.”

Tanbuntiong said the partnership helps ensure plastic waste is “proper-

ly processed, recycled and given new life” through their recycling partner, Greencycle. Residents will bring their segregated plastic waste to designated barangay collection points, which will then be delivered to a materials recovery storage. The collected waste is transferred weekly to the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (ISWMF) for verification and storage before collection by Jollibee Group’s recycling partner.

The project will initially cover 20 barangays in Vitas, Tondo, Manila for six months before extending to 36 barangays near Tripa de Gallina in Pasay and Makati City.

Political content rides on entertainment pages to sway opinion

POLITICAL information is increasingly circulating in digital spaces Filipinos primarily use for leisure, often reaching audiences who do not actively seek out news, according to a study presented during a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) webinar on Nov. 13, 2025.

The study, “Digital Public Pulse: Mapping the Digital Landscape of Philippine Politics,” authored by Dr. Jon Benedik Bunquin and Ms. Fatima Gaw of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, found that informal online ecosystems— including memes, lifestyle pages and vloggers—are significantly shaping political conversations online. The researchers say these entertainmentdriven channels sometimes influence political discourse more than traditional news outlets.

During the 2022 campaign period, political posts coming directly from candidates gained more traction than content produced by news organiza-

tions. Bunquin, the presenter, said political actors no longer need the editorial gatekeeping of the press and can communicate directly with their supporters.

He noted that while legacy media remains relevant, its online audience has become “more limited and constrained,” pointing to a shrinking “news-reading public” on social platforms.

A key finding is the role of pages that appear apolitical, such as quote pages, gaming channels and meme hubs.

The research identified synchronized posting networks where multiple pages shared identical political content within a short period to “amplify reach and create an illusion of scale,” Bunquin said.

Given their large and highly engaged audiences, political content often reached Filipinos through viral posts and memes instead of official news reports. The study also highlighted the influence of anonymous

or platform-native creators, like YouTube commentators, whose news-like content operates outside traditional verification systems.

Dr. Orville Tatcho, professor at the UP-Baguio Department of Communication, cautioned that digital findings should be interpreted within broader social contexts. He said that despite the prominence of digital platforms, Filipinos do not rely exclusively on online sources.

Tatcho said that interpersonal networks, especially family and friends, remain critical in spreading political information, adding complexity to the political communication dynamics.

Bunquin urged Filipinos to become more deliberate and discerning digital participants, saying that citizens should “leverage the affordances of digital media to demand accountability and transparency and build communities that translate social media discourse into meaningful action.”

nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream it becomes our shared reality,” de Mesa said. Located in Candaba, an area long recognized for its freshwater resources, the nursery will supply Farm Fresh’s existing 3-hectare growout ponds, which produce 30 tons of market-size crayfish annually. It will eventually support partner growers as the industry expands.

Othel V. Campos

UA&P students get hands-on lesson with GT2 models

THE University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) transformed its campus into a high-performance engineering classroom during its annual Technovation Week, featuring two ultra-rare machines: a silver Porsche 993 GT2 and a yellow Porsche 991 GT2 RS.

The unique exhibit provided engineering students with a handson learning opportunity, moving the discussion from theoretical concepts to tangible real-world innovation.

The centerpiece of the event was the venerable 993 GT2, one of fewer than 200 believed to exist worldwide. Its presence was utilized in a special academic session titled “Understanding the Science and Engineering behind the Porsche 993 GT2.”

The session was led by Professor Minoru Goko of the Nihon Automobile College. He was joined by distinguished panelists including automotive journalist and transport advocate James Deakin and Karrera Kafe owner Alfredo Roa.

“The Porsche display moved the discussion from the theoretical textbook to tangible engineering excellence,” said Dean of the School of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology Noemi Barcial-Torre. “It perfectly illustrates how passion for engineering can intersect with real-world innovation. We are grateful to the Karrera team for making this exceptional learning experience possible,” she said.

The success of the opening day was facilitated by collaboration within the automotive community. Roa was instrumental in arranging Goko’s participation, significantly enriching the academic exchange.

Technovation Week continued to feature other compelling sessions, including a forum on Artificial Intelligence and a Web Development Exhibit, underscoring UA&P’s commitment to integrating advanced technology with practical applied learning.

GOLD DONOR. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) president and chief executive Takeshi Hashimoto becomes a gold donor of Museo del Galeón, the Philippines’ first immersive maritime heritage museum located in Pasay City. As a gold donor, MOL reaffirms its commitment to celebrating the country’s rich maritime heritage and its vital role in global trade. Shown are (front, from left) Toshinobu Shinoda, executive vice president, executive officer, MOL and Doris

Magsaysay Ho, president, Museo del Galeón. With them are (second row, from left) Christina Salinas Manzano, Museo del Galeón; Captain Mitsuhisa Tanimoto, senior managing executive officer, MOL; and Gerardo Borromeo, Museo del Galeón board of trustee member.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025

extrastory2000@gmail.com

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor

ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

PNB, PMFTC roll out QR code payments

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE National Bank (PNB) and PMFTC Inc. announced a partnership to implement QR Ph-enabled cashless payment technology across PMFTC’s nationwide sales operations.

The initiative will provide over 1,200 PMFTC salesmen with identification cards and lanyards featuring QR Ph codes. This will enable them to accept customer payments instantly through any mobile banking application or e-wallet.

The companies aim to modernize PMFTC’s collection process, reduce reliance on cash and boost operation-

al efficiency.

PNB president and chief executive

Edwin Bautista cited the move during the ceremonial signing at PNB’s head office. “This is a big step towards making field collections simpler safer and faster not just for the salesmen but for customers too,”

Bautista said.

“We’re proud to work with PMFTC on this meaningful project,” he said.

PMFTC director for finance and planning Dominique Thollon said the collaboration demonstrates how technology can make work lighter and life easier. “And this is just the beginning of impactful and mutually beneficial partnership,” Thollon said.

HMO industry’s net income tripled in Q3

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Philippine health maintenance organization (HMO) industry reported a net income of P2.44 billion in the third quarter of 2025, a threefold increase from P800.9 million in the same period last year on stronger profitability and expanded market reach.

Total revenues for the industry increased by 22.59 percent to P73.12 billion as of end-September 2025 up from P59.65 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Insurance Commission (IC).

Membership fees comprised the majority of this amount at P71.13 billion.

Total expenses also rose 20.02 percent from P58.85 billion to P70.63 billion, with total healthcare benefits

Ronin, Coins.ph plan expansion of crypto payments across PH

RONIN, the blockchain developed by Sky Mavis, the creator of Axie Infinity, and virtual asset service provider Coins.ph plan expansion to allow users to spend the PHPC stablecoin at over 600,000 merchants across the Philippines.

The move, which is subject to necessary regulatory approvals and authorizations, would integrate PHPC stablecoin payments via QRPH, the country’s national QR payment standard, bringing cryptocurrency spending into everyday life for millions of Filipinos.

Once approved, the integration would allow users to access PHPC, a Philippine peso-backed stablecoin, directly from their Ronin Wallet to pay for groceries, food deliveries and utilities by scanning a QRPH code.

The announcement, made at the YGG Play Summit, marks the first step in Ronin’s strategy to support

digital payments, savings, and remittances across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Once we secure the necessary permits, the integration of PHPC into the QRPH network by 2026 would be a game-changer,” said Coins.ph chief executive Wei Zhou.

“Soon, anyone will be able to pay with PHPC simply by scanning a QR code through Ronin Wallet, just like with other leading mobile wallets, but with the unprecedented speed and security of on-chain value. This is the moment digital assets become truly useful in everyday life,” he said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reports that digital payments account for 57.4 percent of all retail transactions in the Philippines, exceeding national targets, with over 66.4 percent of person-to-merchant payments already digital.

The country is also a major recipi-

and claims reaching P54.96 billion in the third quarter.

Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado lauded the performance, saying the majority of companies demonstrated stronger profitability and wider market reach.

He said this underscores the industry’s continued reliability in supporting Filipinos’ healthcare needs.

The industry’s total assets grew by 27.59 percent to P96.81 billion from P75.87 billion, with invested assets totaling P18.54 billion.

Total liabilities increased to P84.09 billion due to infusions in claims and

other reserves, while total equity stood at P12.72 billion.

The IC also clarified that the capital stock account narrowed from P8.93 billion to P6.86 billion due to the reclassification of equity accounts to appropriately reflect contingency surplus.

Regalado said these developments reflect the sustained growth and strengthened financial position of the HMO industry, providing a promising foundation for further innovation, more effective regulation and improved delivery of accessible and reliable healthcare.

Metrobank deploys 24/7 withdrawal and deposit machines for convenience

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) said Friday it has deployed new withdrawal and deposit machines (WDMs), a smart self-service solution integrating cash deposit and withdrawal services into one 24/7 terminal for enhanced customer convenience.

Metrobank said this is part of the bank’s broader strategy to strengthen customer touchpoints and adapt to evolving banking habits.

The WDMs allow clients to deposit and withdraw cash around the clock without queuing or completing forms in a branch.

The machines accept deposits in P100, P500 or P1,000 bills. Withdrawals are capped at P20,000 per transaction.

The cardless machines process transactions in real-time, instantly crediting deposits and maintaining the security of funds. Customers can deposit directly into Metrobank accounts simply by inputting their account number or using a debit card.

MICROSOFT Corp. said Friday it appointed Jonathan Que as the new country manager for the Philippines, succeeding Peter Maquera, whose leadership laid a strong foundation for the company’s continued growth in the nation.

Que brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the technology and cloud industry, with a recognized track record of building markets from the ground up, rapidly scaling organizations and transforming digital ambition into measurable business outcomes.

Que and his leadership team will focus on accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies across the Philippines. the initiative aims to

Metrobank said WDMs are now available at select branches, including UN Avenue (Manila Doctors Hospital), BF Homes Las Piñas, Caloocan, Ayala Avenue, Libertad, Camarin, AntipoloCircumferential Rd., P. Tuazon –Cubao, and Grand Hyatt.

The bank said it plans to deploy more WDMs nationwide.

drive innovation and foster inclusive transformation throughout the country.

“The Philippines is emerging as a leader among frontier firms—organizations that are redefining what’s possible by combining human ingenuity with the transformative power of AI,” said Microsoft ASEAN president Mayank Wadhwa.

“With Jonathan’s leadership, Microsoft is committed to empowering businesses and communities across the country to accelerate innovation, drive sustainable growth and create new opportunities for all. Together, we will help shape a future where Microsoft AI amplifies the ambitions of every Filipino organization,” Wadhwa said.

nubia PH serves up style, sound, sweet rewards at Vibe Fest 2025

THE holidays just got more flavorful as nubia Philippines blended technology, taste, and togetherness at the nubia Vibe Fest Mall Event, recently held at Gateway Mall 2’s Quantum Skyview. The event officially introduced the brand’s newest smartphones — the nubia V80 Design and nubia Air - alongside a one-of-a-kind collaboration with CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice that turned the launch into a full-blown lifestyle celebration.

A Festive Fusion of Tech, Taste, and Togetherness

The nubia Vibe Fest 2025 transformed into a playground of music, flavor, and creativity, capturing the joyful energy of the holidays. Guests enjoyed complimentary CoCo Fresh Tea drinks, interactive photo zones, and exclusive nubia x CoCo merchandise, turning every corner of the event into the perfect backdrop for social media moments.

Shoppers get a complete, limitededition nubia x CoCo merchandise set for every purchase of the all new nubia V80 Design and nubia Air at VibeFest. Adding to the excitement were crowdfavorite performances from Charlie Fleming and P-pop group KAIA, who brought high energy and holiday cheer to the stage. From sipping milk tea to sampling the latest in smartphone innovation, guests experienced firsthand how nubia brings “Good Vibes, Great Tech” to life, showing that technology can be as warm, fun, and social as your favorite holiday treat.

At

were

devices: the

Design and nubia Air, both created to elevate how people connect, create, and celebrate the season. The nubia V80 Design stands out with its sleek unibody design, vivid 6.75-inch display, and 50MP AI camera, making it the perfect phone for capturing special moments and holiday reunions with family and friends. Meanwhile, the nubia Air has a slim, ultra-durable build and boasts IP69K/IP69/IP68 water and dust resistance and 33W fast charging for uninter-

rupted entertainment. Whether you’re

binge-watching, gaming, or traveling, the nubia Air is built to keep up. Together, they reflect nubia’s mission to design tech that fits seamlessly into every lifestyleequal parts stylish and smart.

Holiday Vibes and Sweet Rewards

Garmin fēnix Series unveils MicroLED Display

GARMIN is advancing the future of smartwatch technology with the launch of the latest addition to its premium GPS smartwatches, the fēnix 8 – MicroLED. It introduces a first-of-itskind, high-resolution MicroLED display for superior readability in any environment.

“The fēnix 8 series is changing the game for smartwatches with its first-ever ultra-bright MicroLED display to a smartwatch so users can see their maps, stats, health and wellness metrics and more like never before.” —Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing.

As Garmin’s flagship multisport outdoor smartwatch line, the fēnix® series has continued to advance wearable innovation and capabilities. Each milestone, from the world’s first solar-powered smartwatch fēnix 6 in 2020 to the fēnix 7 in 2022, which introduced multi-band GNSS positioning and an integrated LED flashlight, demonstrates the series’ role as a pioneer focusing on outdoor safety and professional sports performance. The fēnix 8 MicroLED continues this legacy as the first wearable device with a MicroLED display.

First-of-its-kind MicroLED display Garmin has pushed the boundaries of wearable technology by achieving a groundbreak-

ing milestone: the successful integration and mass production of MicroLED displays in smartwatches. Offering remarkable brightness in exquisite detail, fēnix 8 MicroLED

features over 400,000 individual LEDs delivering up to 4,500 nits, making it the brightest smartwatch ever.

The new display delivers approximately 15% wider color gamut for richer, more accurate colors. Its ultra-wide viewing angle keeps images clear and sharp even from the side, with contrast up to six times greater. Enhanced burnin resistance and durability triple the display’s toughness, significantly extending its lifespan. The result is a revolutionary display that produces rich colors and high pixel densities with wide viewing angles and superior readability—even in direct sunlight.

Made for any adventure, equipped for the limitless

Built for wherever the adventure leads, fēnix 8 Series is loaded with Garmin’s full suite of performance, navigation, health and wellness1, and connected features, including endurance score, hill score, daily suggested workouts, preloaded TopoActive Maps, dynamic round-trip routing, the Garmin ECG App2, sleep coach, safety and tracking features and more.

The fēnix 8 – MicroLED is now available for P121,290 in all Garmin stores and online. Visit https://ph.garmin.com/products/wearables/fenix-8-microled/ to learn more.

GLOBAL AI device ecosystem company HONOR Philippines recently partnered with the 38th Awit Awards on November 16, 2025, in its pursuit of supporting local music. Captured by #YourAIPhone, OPM icons shone brighter as the whole nation celebrated the success of local music.

“We are very fortunate to be part of this prestigious event. We have the highest respect for our local music scene, and we want to honor them. That’s why we partnered with the longest-running and most legitimate music awardgiving body in the country,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

OPM superstars BINI, Rod Deniel, and Dionela, together with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, were among the artists who performed at this year’s Awit Awards.

About HONOR 400 5G

The HONOR 400 5G features

a cutting-edge 200MP Ultra-clear AI Camera System that includes a 1/1.4-inch large sensor, f/1.9 aperture, and dual stabilization (OIS + EIS) to ensure exceptional clarity even in low-light conditions. A 12MP Ultra-Wide and Macro Camera captures expansive shots, while the 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera delivers professional-grade selfies with lifelike details. With advanced AI editing tools, the HONOR 400 5G allows users to transform photos into dynamic videos using Google’s Veo 2 model on Google Cloud. The HD Moving Photo feature captures vivid, live moments, while the AI Eraser and AI Outpainting tools simplify editing for everyday users. Pricing and Availability Available in stunning color options—Midnight Black, Tidal Blue, and Desert Gold—the HONOR 400 5G is priced at P22,999

now at any HONOR Experience or Partner Store, and online via Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_H400_PR ), Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_H400_ PR ), and TikTok Shop (https://bit. ly/TikTok_H400_PR ). Never miss the latest updates— visit HONOR’s official website at

www.hihonor.com , or follow their social media platforms: Facebook (@HonorPhilippines), Instagram (@honorph), and TikTok (@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ ph/retailers/.

creativity, connection, and the excitement of the season. Guests joined challenges and raffle draws with prizes including nubia smartphones, TT Racing chairs, CoCo merchandise, and shopping vouchers. Every shared photo, milk tea moment, and hands-on demo captured the festive energy that defines the holidays. nubia Philippines continues the celebration with exclusive pay-day deals, offering discounts, freebies, and special bundles across select devices. It’s the perfect opportunity to share innovation and joy with the people who matter most. Through technology and shared experiences, nubia Philippines brings people together. Whether capturing memories, sharing drinks, or exploring new devices, this season is all about discovering your vibe with nubia. Visit @nubiaPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates and new announcements.

MAYA, the Philippines’ No. 1 all-in-one fintech platform and leading digital bank, is pioneering the next stage of contactless payments with the rollout of Google Pay support for Maya Credit Cards—becoming one of the first Philippine banks to enable Tap-to-Pay directly linked to credit cards. Starting November 18, Maya Credit Card users can download Google Wallet from the Playstore and add their cards and tap their Android phones at any Visa or Mastercard contactless terminal worldwide. Soon, the feature will also be directly available via the Maya app. Support for prepaid cards will follow—positioning Maya as the only fintech building toward a multi-card, cross-platform Tap-to-Pay

with Google Pay, the experience will be instant, secure and seamless. Because Maya runs both the payments and banking rails, we can deliver an exceptional endto-end customer experience.”

“We’re proud to work with Maya to bring faster, convenient and more secure payments to the Philippines. This launch underscores our enduring commitment to accelerating financial inclusion and fueling the next chapter of the Philippines’ dynamic digital economy.” said Prep Palacios, Country Manager, Google Philippines. A Shift in How Filipinos Will Pay Most mobile contactless options today

Vibe Fest 2025

HONOR 400 5G powers 38th Awit Awards, captures brightest OPM stars.

Capturing the Vibe: The nubia V80 Design and nubia Air

the center of the festivities

nubia’s newest

nubia V80

nubia executives with the brand’s newest innovations– nubia V80 Design and nubia Air.

They are (from left) Lian Zhaojun (Gavin) ZTE Philippines’ General Manager for Terminals, Ji Pengyun (Perry) GTM Department Head, ZTE Mobile Devices Division (South Asia and SEA), Li Zhiqiang (Justin) CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices Division (South Asia and SEA), and Zhang Jian (Jason) Product Department Head, ZTE Mobile Devices Division (South Asia and SEA).

VibeFest 2025’s powerhouse lineup of performers who brought vibrant energy to the stage during the launch of the nubia V80 Design and nubia Air. From (left) Allen Ansay, Rabiya Mateo, KAIA, Charlie Fleming, and 1st.One

The groundbreaking MicroLED model delivers unmatched clarity, vibrant visuals, and enhanced performance for athletes and adventurers with its rst-of-its-kind MicroLED display on a smartwatch.

AI’s blind spot: Tools fail to detect their own fakes

WHEN out-

raged Filipinos turned to an AI-powered chatbot to verify a viral photograph of a lawmaker embroiled in a corruption scandal, the tool failed to detect it was fabricated -- even though it had generated the image itself.

Internet users are increasingly turning to chatbots to verify images in real time, but the tools often fail, raising questions about their visual debunking capabilities at a time when major tech platforms are scaling back human fact-checking.

In many cases, the tools wrongly identify images as real even when they are generated using the same generative models, further muddying an online information landscape awash with AI-generated fakes.

Among them is a fabricated image circulating on social media of Elizaldy Co, a former Philippine lawmaker charged by prosecutors in a multibillion-dollar flood-control corruption scam that sparked massive protests in the disaster-prone country.

The image of Co, whose whereabouts has been unknown since the official probe began, appeared to show him in Portugal.

When online sleuths tracking him asked Google’s new AI mode whether the image was real, it incorrectly said it was authentic.

AFP’s fact-checkers tracked down its creator and determined that the image was generated using Google AI.

“These models are trained primarily on language patterns and lack the specialized visual understanding needed to accurately identify AI-generated or manipulated imagery,” Alon Yamin, chief executive of AI content detection platform Copyleaks, told AFP.

“With AI chatbots, even when an image originates from a similar generative model, the chatbot often

—“—

“We can’t rely on AI tools to combat AI in the long run.”

provides inconsistent or overly generalized assessments, making them unreliable for tasks like fact-checking or verifying authenticity.”

Google did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.

‘Distinguishable from reality’ AFP found similar examples of AI tools failing to verify their own creations. During last month’s deadly protests

over lucrative benefits for senior officials in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, social media users shared a fabricated image purportedly showing men marching with flags and torches.

An AFP analysis found it was created using Google’s Gemini AI model. But Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot falsely identified it as a genuine image of the protest.

“This inability to correctly identify AI images stems from the fact that they (AI models) are programmed only to mimic well,” Rossine Fallorina, from the nonprofit Sigla Research Center, told AFP.

“In a sense, they can only generate things to resemble. They cannot ascertain whether the resemblance is actu-

ally distinguishable from reality.”

Earlier this year, Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism tested the ability of seven AI chatbots -- including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and Gemini -- to verify 10 images from photojournalists of news events.

All seven models failed to correctly identify the provenance of the photos, the study said.

‘Shocked’

AFP tracked down the source of Co’s photo that garnered over a million views across social media -- a middle-aged web developer in the Philippines, who said he created it “for fun” using Nano Banana, Gemini’s AI image generator.

“Sadly, a lot of people believed it,” he told AFP, requesting anonymity to avoid a backlash.

“I edited my post -- and added ‘AI generated’ to stop the spread -because I was shocked at how many shares it got.”

Such cases show how AI-generated photos flooding social platforms can look virtually identical to real imagery.

The trend has fueled concerns as surveys show online users are increasingly shifting from traditional search engines to AI tools for information gathering and verifying information.

The shift comes as Meta announced earlier this year it was ending its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, turning over the task of debunking falsehoods to ordinary users under a model known as “Community Notes.”

Human fact-checking has long been a flashpoint in hyperpolarized societies, where conservative advocates accuse professional fact-checkers of liberal bias, a charge they reject.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Meta’s fact-checking program, including in Asia, Latin America, and the European Union.

Researchers say AI models can be useful to professional fact-checkers, helping to quickly geolocate images and spot visual clues to establish authenticity. But they caution that they cannot replace the work of trained human fact-checkers.

Wise 1st global non-bank in PH to launch Google Pay

WISE, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, today became the first global non-bank in the Philippines to launch Google Pay for its cardholders.

Both Wise Account and Wise Business customers can now add their Wise cards to Google Wallet and pay using Google Pay on their Android devices and make fast, secure contactless transactions in-store, online, in-app, and on public transport - both locally and internationally.

The launch addresses growing Filipino demand for convenience - according to a BSP report, digital payments now account for over 57% of retail transactions by volume. Wise data2 also shows that users are 1.5 times more likely to transact with their cards on mobile wallets compared to those using physical cards.

More control, better security for Filipinos

In addition to the physical card, customers can also add up to three digital cards from Wise to the Google Wallet, each with their unique card number, providing an extra layer of protection. Customers can freeze and unfreeze these cards instantly, track every transaction in real-time, and even assign

different cards for different types of spending.

With the Wise account and card, customers can now hold, send, spend and manage money globally in over 40 currencies at mid-market exchange rates with no hidden fees. Customers also get two free ATM withdrawals of up to 12,000 pesos each month, making it easy to access cash when needed.

Areson Cuevas, Country Manager, Wise Philippines, said, “Filipino customers shouldn’t have to choose between the convenience of a traditional bank and the transparency of modern fintech. As the first global non-bank to launch Google Pay here, we’re proving you can have both. Whether

you’re a business owner managing expenses across borders, a freelancer receiving international payments, or a traveller exploring the world, you can now tap and pay in over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate - with the same convenience major bank customers enjoy, but with the transparency and fairness Wise is known for.”

“We’re proud to work with Wise to bring faster, convenient and more secure payments to the Philippines. This launch underscores our enduring commitment to accelerating financial inclusion and fueling the next chapter of the Philippines’ dynamic digital economy,” said Prep Palacios, Country Manager, Google Philippines. How to get started

To add a Wise card to Google Wallet and pay with Google Pay, customers can:

1. Open the Wise app

2. Tap the Card tab to view all available cards

3. Select their card to add, then tap “Add to Google Pay.”

Once activated, customers can tap and pay anywhere Google Pay is accepted, both in the Philippines and around the world.

Credit score explained: Your guide on how it works and boosts financial health

IN the Philippines, where fintech innovation is driving a surge in credit use in the Philippines, responsible borrowing is a powerful tool that can lead to better economic and social opportunities. However, many Filipinos need to understand another concept of credit aside from due dates, interest and repayment schedules: credit scores.

A credit score is a measure of one’s financial trustworthiness which impacts your present and future financial decisions. This number allows financial institutions to evaluate your credit history, repayment behavior and the types of credit one has, allowing them to make a decision based on how low or high your score is. The question now is what happens if my score is low or high?

Low credit scores can lead to rejected loan applications or unfavorable interest rates, making it difficult to secure financing for a car, a house, a multi-purpose or business loan for

a small business, or even qualifying for certain jobs. This can also mean the loan amount will be less than what you applied for with shorter repayment periods and higher monthly amortizations than if you had a higher credit score.

In contrast, higher scores may lead to larger credit limits, easier loan approvals, and better interest rates, allowing you the freedom to apply for credit that best suits your needs with better terms.

To assess your credit score, take a look at your credit report and history. You can request this from accredited credit bureaus in the Philippines, as well as the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) through its Direct-toConsumer (D2C) through Any Accessing Entity (AE) Program. This enables borrowers to get their credit reports issued by CIC’s authorized partners via email, walk-in to any of their partners’ locations, or through its partners’ mobile app. Note that this calculation only

looks at your current credit risk that could still change over time depending on your behavior. How to improve or build your credit score

You can always build your credit score and become financially healthier today, but it requires patience. Essentially, you need a long track record of consistently good financial behavior that can prove to lenders that you’re a responsible borrower. Here are some ways to improve your credit score: Pay bills on time

Always make your bill payments before the due date. This is not just about avoiding the late fees and interest charges, but also the best way to prevent a negative impact on your credit score. Also try to keep your Credit Utilization Ratio ratio, or the amount of credit you use versus your total available credit, below 30%. Anything more than this will suggest that you are a high-risk borrower and rely

Ericsson Mobility: Di erentiated connectivity services gaining momentum

5G Standalone (5G SA) deployments have triggered a notable 2025 growth in the number of communications service providers (CSPs) offering differentiated connectivity commercial models based on 5G SA Network Slicing - where CSPs guarantee quality of service for customer use cases through the allocation of slices of the network.

The statistic is part of in-depth reporting, analysis and forecasting in the November 2025 Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) Mobility Report (EMR).

More than 90 CSPs have now launched/softlaunched 5G Standalone (5G SA) networksan increase of about 30 CSPs from the same period last year and 20 from the June 2025 EMR report.

EMR researchers identified 118 cases - across 56 CSPs - where network slicing is used to provide differentiated connectivity services. Of the 118 cases - 65 have moved beyond proof of concept and into commercial services, across 33 CSPs. These are either subscription services or add-on packages for consumer or enterprise customers.

Twenty-one of the 65 commercial offeringsalmost one third - were launched during 2025 alone.

“We see that service providers around the world are keen to embrace and deploy 5G SA to offer differentiated connectivity based on value services and not just data volume packages,” EMR publisher and Ericsson CTO, Erik Ekudden, says. “As reflected in the case studies in this EMR edition, 5G SA is already enabling differentiated connectivity opportunities. We’ve seen many service providers go from proof-of-concept to commercial deployment in 2025 alone, and we expect to see that trend continuing.”

The November 2025 EMR covers a new forecast timeframe, from 2025 through the end of 2031.

The new reporting EMR period also covers the first expected deployments of commercial 6G. Based on previous mobile generation cycles’ subscriptions uptake, EMR researchers expect the first commercial launches to be driven by leading service providers in frontrunner markets - such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea, China, India, and some Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Global 6G subscriptions are forecast to reach 180 million by the end of 2031, not including the early uptake of AI-enabled Internet of Things devices. The subscription uptake number could increase significantly if 6G launches earlier than previous cycles indicate.

Commercial 6G is expected to launch about a year later in Europe, compared to other countries, than was the case for 5G, primarily due comparably later deployments of 5G SA.

As an ongoing major 5G use case, enhanced mobile broadband is forecast to top 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, comprising about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions at the time. Some 4.1 billion of these subscriptions - about 65 percent - are forecast to be 5G SA. In 2025 alone, 5G subscriptions are expected to top 2.9 billion by the end of the year - equating to about one third of all current mobile subscriptions - an increase of some 600 million subscriptions year-on-year.

heavily on credit which lowers your credit score. To manage this, make several small payments throughout the month instead of one big chunk, and it will keep your reported balance into a low. Limit new credit applications To maintain a healthy credit profile, only limit your applications to what you absolutely need, as seeking too many loans in just a short timeframe suggests financial instability. Lenders may view you to be taking on more debt than you can handle, signaling financial risk to lenders and raising red flags for credit bureaus. Applying for new credit also reduces the average age of all your credit accounts. A long credit history is a major factor in your credit score, hence, getting new unnecessary credit may bring a negative impact to your record for a certain period of time.

Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co in Portugal. Not!

SHOWBIZ

Mexico’s Fatima Bosch is Miss Universe 2025, Ahtisa Manalo in top 5

By Angelica Villanueva

FILIPINO beauty queen Ahtisa Manalo

was named third runner-up at the Miss Universe 2025 coronation on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mexico’s Fatima Bosch won the crown. She is the fourth Mexican woman to win the Miss Universe title.

During the final question-and-answer portion, Manalo was asked how she would use the Miss Universe platform to empower young girls. She cited her work with Alon Akademie, an organization focused on providing equal opportunities for youth.

“I work with an organization called Alon Akademie, where we work with young people to provide them opportunities to make them realize that it doesn’t matter what your life circumstances is, it doesn’t define where you will go,” she said.

She added that she hopes to continue the work on a larger platform “to make sure that people who come from low-income backgrounds are given the same opportunities as everyone else.”

Earlier, in the Top 5 round, Manalo spoke about wanting to serve as a source of hope for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“I come from a very poor background. I started pageants at ten years old to put myself through school and to lift my family out of poverty,” she said. “I was hardworking, I was persistent, and I fight for what I want.”

Thailand’s Praveenar Singh placed first runner-up, Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali was second runnerup, and Olivia Yacé of Côte d’Ivoire finished as fourth runner-up. Bosch’s win came after a turbulent leadup to the finals. The Mexican contestant had walked out of a meeting earlier this month after Thai organizer Nawat Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded her for allegedly failing to post promotional content online. In a livestream, Nawat called for security moments before Bosch exited the room with Miss Iraq.

“What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb,” Bosch told reporters, saying the incident highlighted the need for contestants to speak out. Mexican President Claudia

Jessica Soho challenges young journalists to fight for truth amid corruption

By Angelica Villanueva

AFTER more than four decades in broadcast journalism, Jessica Soho knows the path is anything but easy, but she wants the next generation of journalists to keep going.

Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment at the press conference for her upcoming Halloween movie, KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim The Movie, Soho urged young reporters to stay relentless in their pursuit of truth, even in a country rife with corruption and systemic challenges.

“To the young journalists, I hope you’re doing great. I know that this profession is really difficult, but we have to do it for the country—that’s really it,” Soho said.

The 61-year-old seasoned broadcast journalist stressed that investigative reporting is more important now than ever. “The country needs us even more now to uncover what the public should know and focus on the issues that need attention,” Soho continued, highlighting the human cost of wrongdoing.

She also warned that those in power have already amassed wealth through corrupt practices, leaving ordinary citizens to struggle.

“The corrupt ones? They’re okay—they can leave anytime. You know how much wealth they’ve stolen. But what about us? What about the people who work hard every day just to survive in this country?” she added.

Soho encouraged young journalists to fully leverage the tools and technology at their fingertips.

“More research, especially with the tools at your fingertips and the swipe of your fingers— all that technology should help you do your work better,” she said, while acknowledging the work remains demanding.

“I cannot assure you that things will get easier because they won’t. I’ve been at it for the past 41 years, and it’s even more difficult now,” the journalist shared.

Reflecting on her decades of reporting, Soho noted the striking similarities between current societal problems and those she covered in the 1980s—a period marked by political instability, economic collapse, and capital flight.

“I’m 61 now, and these are still the issues I’ve been covering. I just hope things have changed. It feels like all the issues from the 1980s have just been recycled to the present day,” she said.

Despite the ongoing challenges facing both journalists and citizens, Soho remained resolute.

“We just have to keep working and keep striving. That’s really it. Let’s fight for our profession and fight for the truth. I also know that nothing is impossible,” Soho stated.

Soho will headline the film adaptation of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s long-running TV special, Gabi ng Lagim bringing real-life Halloween-inspired stories to the big screen.

Featuring Sanya Lopez, Jillian Ward, Miguel Tanfelix, and Elijah Canlas, KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim

The Movie is set to premiere nationwide in cinemas on Nov. 26.

Pauline Mendoza opens up about the realities of showbiz friendships

By Jasper Valdez

AT HER contract signing with All Access to Artists (AAA) on Nov. 13, actress Pauline Mendoza looked back on her first decade in show business and why finding people she can truly trust has been one of her biggest challenges so far.

“My biggest struggle is that it’s actually hard to find real people in showbiz,” she admitted when asked what she has learned in her ten years in the industry.

“It’s not that I don’t have friends, but it’s really hard to know who’s genuine and who’s just there because it’s showbiz.”

She said she’s lucky to have a small circle she can rely on. “I’m grateful for the people who stayed. They make every part of my life lighter. They know what’s happening to me, and they’re the ones who make everything feel easier,” she added.

She shared that her career never really slowed down, but there was a point when she questioned whether she still wanted to push forward. However, that doubt didn’t last long.

“I still want this, I know I can still do it. I know I still have more to offer,” she said. “I keep telling myself I want this, I can do this—and I’m really eager to work again.”

The contract signing with AAA, her first time switching management, came at a time when she felt ready for a reset. Pauline didn’t hide the nerves that came with her big move but said it ultimately

“I gave them my full trust. I know I’m in good hands, and I know they’ll take care of me,” she said. “I know how they take care of and guide their artists; that’s why I feel more at ease now.”

This new chapter also comes with a clearer sense of direction. Instead of playing it safe, Pauline wants to step into roles that stretch her dramatic range.

“I want to do more thrillers… psychological roles,” she shared. “If given the chance, I want to try actual heavy drama—the kind of projects that will really test me.”

She also mentioned actors she hopes to learn from someday, including Jodi Sta. Maria, Judy Ann Santos, Maricel Soriano, and Donny Pangilinan. But she made it clear she’s open to whatever the right material brings.

“I’m open to working with everyone,” she said. “Anybody, really. As long as the project is great, I’m game.”

With the contract now in place, Pauline said she’s focused on moving forward with intention and not just momentum.

“I’m excited for future projects,” she said, adding that working closely with the AAA team gives her confidence that she’s entering this chapter with the right support system behind her.

“I know I made the right choice, and I’m really looking forward to what’s next.”

Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo finishes at Top 5 of this year’s Miss Universe pageant

Sheinbaum later called Bosch an example of women standing up against aggression. Nawat has since apologized.

From left to right: Jacqui Lara, Pauline, Michael Tuviera, and Joselito Oconer

Actress Pauline Mendoza marks a new milestone in her career as she signs with All Access

The cast of ‘KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim the Movie’ with Jessica Soho (fourth from right) and ‘Berbalang’ director Dodo Dayao (leftmost) at the film’s media conference

Seasoned broadcast journalist Jessica Soho

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

& N E X T

By Jasper Valdez

SOME holiday shoppers are skipping the usual mall rush this year, not because they’re spending less but because they’re becoming more intentional.

The search for presents is shifting away from whatever’s trendy and toward something that feels thoughtful. And for many, that means choosing something local.

That shift in mindset is easy to notice at Kultura’s Himig ng Pasko Christmas Market, which is currently in full swing at the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia and runs until Nov. 23.

The week-long event, co-presented by Mastercard, places Filipino-made pieces at the center of the holiday scene—handwoven apparel, pearl jewelry, artisan chocolates, plant-based beauty, and home

C4 LIFE

The quiet return of thoughtful gifting

products—showcasing the kind of gifts that carry stories rather than just price tags.

For the small businesses and independent creatives behind these booths, the season is the biggest chance of the year to introduce their craft to new shoppers.

Kultura leans into that energy by creating a space where shoppers can meet the makers rather than just browse the merchandise.

Mastercard country manager for the Philippines

Jason Crasto acknowledged that noble endeavor, pointing out that Kultura has always put Filipino creativity at the forefront.

“Kultura has always celebrated Filipino craftsmanship, creativity, and heritage,” he said, adding that visitors will “find the magic in every

corner” as they walk through the market.

The space also feels more like a celebration than a bazaar. Live music from rising OPM acts continues throughout the week, and there’s even a vinyl listening booth for shoppers who browse better with retro OPM holiday tracks in the background. For anyone thinking of dropping by, it’s less about buying a lot and more about finding something that feels right for the person you’re gifting.

producing abundant, high-quality, and nutritious food.

This approach supports both the environment and the community.

Sowing sustainability at PeacePond

LOCATED in Binalbagan, Negros

Occidental, PeacePond Organic Farm represents sustainable agriculture and community spirit. This thriving sanctuary is the brainchild of the dynamic husband-and-wife team, Jesus Antonio “Jet” Orbida and Checcs Osmeña-Orbida Checcs and Jet are far more than mere landowners; they are the visionary leadership behind the PeacePond Farmers Association. As president and executive director, respectively, their synergistic partnership is driven by a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and food sovereignty.

This shared passion has been the catalyst for a remarkable transformation, turning a simple plot of earth into a thriving, replicable model of ecological farming that serves as both a sanctuary and an inspiration.

The couple established PeacePond in 2004, developing a five-hectare seaside space in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan. This area serves as the home of the PeacePond Farmers Association (PFA), a community focused on three advocacies: organic farming, solid waste management, and regenerative agriculture.

The last one is key, as it involves restoring soil health and improving local biodiversity. Their goal is not just to farm but to revive the land while

“Before I ventured into organic farming, my wife, Checcs, was already deeply involved in her advocacy on solid waste management, long before I was, even back when we were still in Manila. I retired from my career as a broadcast journalist in 2003, while she also retired from her career in the film and music industry,” Jet explained.

“Our original vision was to transform PeacePond into a wellness resort. But along the way, things took a different direction. I found myself drawn to farming, then aquaculture, and eventually to organic farming, where I finally settled. My wife, meanwhile, remained steadfast in her waste management advocacy,” he added.

Together, they realized that they were still pursuing wellness and wellbeing—just without the “resort” part of the dream.

Her advocacy evolved into a small-scale facility for repurposing and recycling plastics and sachets.

Over time, PeacePond became a recognized demonstration site for Organic Integrated Farming under the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute. Since 2017, it has also been accredited by the Department of Tourism as the only DOT-accredited

circuit—and the only DOT-accredited establishment in their hometown, the Municipality of Binalbagan,” Jet Orbida shared. The PeacePond Farmers Association cultivates a variety of organic produce, including corn, lettuce, basil, papaya, cucumber, squash, and turnips. A significant part of their product line comes from coconut trees grown on their farm, where they produce coco sugar, virgin coconut oil (VCO), and natural vinegar. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, they innovated further by creating kabkab (cassava fritters), coco cider vinegar, and tauge (mung

system that benefits both people and the planet.

PeacePond embodies the Filipino spirit of bayanihan by innovating with what’s available, not expensive tech. They transform scrap metal, bicycles, and discarded bottles into practical tools and livelihoods, seeing value in waste and building community pride.

Through their tireless work, Checcs and Jet Orbida have made PeacePond a living classroom. They empower fellow farmers and community members by showcasing that a sustainable future is not only possible but already within reach. Their story is one of profound dedication, proving that with vision and collective effort, we can cultivate a more peaceful and productive world.

Independent creatives present handcrafted jewelry at the Kultura’s ‘Himig Ng Pasko’ Christmas market

Small brands bring proudly local coffee and chocolate to shoppers looking for meaningful holiday gifts

PeacePond, the true harvest is a community united by sustainability, food sovereignty, and shared purpose

The PeacePond Farmers

Mastercard Philippines country manager

Jason Crasto highlights Kultura’s commitment to Filipino creativity and heritage