Manila Standard - 2025 November 28 - Friday

400 schools on sit-down strike

Public school teachers to hold classes on corruption, education woes

By Rex Espiritu and Katrina Manubay

PUBLIC school teachers from more than 400 schools across the country are set to stage a sit-down strike today as part of the Black Friday Protest Against Corruption in a lead up to the Nov. 30 Luneta rally.

By Charles Dantes and Ram Superable

FORMER Ako Bicol party-list

assets.

BNC said in its report the AMLC finding was contrary to Co’s earlier claim that he did not receive a single peso in kickback from anomalous flood control projects.

“I want to make it clear that I did not take part in the actual process of splitting the amounts. The money only passed through me,” Co said in one of the videos he released on social media.

BIR

Charlito Martin R.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embraces a resident of the Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila where he announced an additional PhP15M fund for Baseco Hospital to expand medical services for residents. The President also assured that the government will not neglect the community especially since more than 20,000 Baseco residents are already registered with PhilHealth and will benefit from free consultation and diagnostic services under the YAKAP Program.

By Rio N. Araja

ELEVEN people were killed when a truck crashed into a passenger van yesterday in Libod, Camalig, Albay. Authorities said the truck allegedly lost its brakes and collided with the van, causing both vehicles to plunge

been physically present. “We don’t want their families here in the Philippines to panic. After all, they might not have been in the build-

By Charles Dantes

off a cliff into a river.

LTO–Region V director Edgar Allan Castillejos issued a show-cause order against Recson

By Thony Rose Lesaca, Pot Chavez

SEARCH FOR THE MISSING. Firemen are searching for the hundreds of missing people at several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate which caught fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on November 27, 2025. AFP

tary-general Raymond Basilio said this will be the group’s biggest and widest sit-down strike even as he admitted that schools have not officially endorsed the action.

He said based on their previous sitdown strikes in 2014, 2015 and 2018, none of the participating public school teachers faced backlash or sanctions.

“We have elementary, high school and college teachers and professors joining the sit-down strike (today),” he said.

“There is no official approval from most of the public schools. In fact, some of our teachers are being dissuaded from participating. But this will push through because the issues are pressing and impact the education sector too.”

“Public schools are the first to feel the brunt when there are budget cuts,

so it is heartbreaking to hear that public funds are being misused for anomalous projects,” Basilio added.

Today’s “day of action” will begin at 6 a.m. with simultaneous bannerhanging activities in schools across the country. The sit-down strike proper will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This sit-down strike is our contribution as teachers to invite more people to join the ‘Baha sa Luneta 2.0, Protestang Bayan Kontra Kurakot’ on Nov. 30,” ACT said in its media advisory.

Assemblies in Metro Manila will take place at the following locations:

Quezon City: Educators, education workers, and students will march from University of the Philippines-Diliman Quezon Hall at 4 p.m. toward Philcoa along Commonwealth Avenue (northbound lane), where they will converge with health workers and government employees. A program will begin at 5 p.m.

Manila: Teachers and health workers from the Philippine General Hospital, to-

gether with educators from UP Manila, will gather near Oblation Park and march toward Taft Avenue outside Araullo High School to meet other groups.

Pasig City: Teachers, parents, and students will converge at Plaza Bonifacio at 3 p.m.

Muntinlupa: Teachers and parents will hold a candle-lighting protest at Alabang Public Market at 7 p.m.

As this developed, the Philippine National Police said it will deploy 15,097 personnel to secure the Nov. 30 “Trillion Peso March” anti-corruption protests.

Some 8,805 officers from the National Capital Region Police Office will be fielded, while 6,292 more will come from the Special Action Force and the Police Regional Offices in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the Cordillera, PNP spokesperson BGen. Randulf Tuaño said in a briefing at Camp Crame. Tuaño said 973 officers will be stationed at the People Power Monument while 893

will be at the nearby EDSA Shrine. Police presence will also be established in key areas around Malacañang, including Mendiola, Ayala Bridge, J.P. Laurel Street–Nagtahan, Legarda–Figueras, San Sebastian–Recto, Arlegui–P. Casal, San Rafael Street, Padilla Street and 5th Street.

Officers will likewise be posted at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, the Senate in Pasay City, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure office in Taguig City.

“If you notice, our deployment is very large, reaching 15,000 plus, to places where people traditionally go during rallies. In places like freedom parks, a permit is no longer required and we automatically deploy police officers,” Tuaño said.

At present, police forces in Metro Manila are on heightened alert, but NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the security alert status will be upgraded to full alert today.

Financial records in the AMLC report also showed that Co has about P3.9 billion in inflows from 2021 to 2025, far higher than his pre-Congress earnings, Bilyonaryo said.

Investigators also reported that Co appeared to have retained financial control of SunWest Construction and Development Corp., noting that several of his frozen accounts were jointly held with the firm.

Based on AMLC records, among Co’s frozen assets were 205 bank accounts, 12 insurance policies, two AW139 helicopters valued at approximately P919.1 million each, and a Gulfstream G350 jet estimated at over P2 billion, Bilyonaryo said.

Manila Standard sought confirmation from AMLC but it has yet to reply as of press time.

As this developed, AMLC executive director Matthew David, in a radio interview, said the council is now eyeing overseas assets of a highranking official affiliated with an independent constitutional body and a former official.

ment, the company’s claimed project costs, deductions, and input taxes were entirely fictitious, resulting in significant tax deficiencies,” BIR said in a statement.

BIR added that SYMS Construction Trading also collected the full contract amount for a reinforced river wall project in Brgy. Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan. However, inspections likewise confirmed the non-existence of the river wall on site despite the company’s deduction claims and input taxes.

“The false filings submitted by SYMS Construction Trading reflect a clear, intentional effort to conceal income and evade taxes derived from a fully paid but non-existent government project,” it said.

Both contractors and their responsible officers are charged with tax evasion (Section 254) amounting to a total of P13.8 million in tax deficiencies due to fictitious expenses, underreported income, and false valueadded tax (VAT) declarations.

The respondents are also charged for their willful failure to supply correct and accurate information (Section 255).

BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza noted that these cases are part of an “intensified crackdown” on contractors involved in ghost projects and fraudulent tax practices.

He added that the bureau has expanded audits of related contractors and individuals, and will file more criminal complaints in the coming weeks.

BIR investigation revealed that IM Construction Corporation received payments for the construction of a pumping station and flood gate in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy. Physical verification confirmed that no structure of any kind was built.

With zero actual accomplishment, the company’s claimed project costs, deductions, and input taxes were entirely fictitious, resulting in significant tax deficiencies, the BIR said. These false declarations constitute a deliberate, willful attempt to evade taxes while misusing public funds intended for critical flood-control infrastructure, it added.

ASEAN PREPS. In preparation for the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with ASEAN SecretaryGeneral Dr. Kao Kim Hourn in a courtesy call where they discussed key priorities and actions to be taken in relation to the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together.’ The President reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to peace, security, and shared prosperity during the meeting. PCO

The two individuals were the subject of fresh freeze orders that covered 230 bank accounts, 15 insurance policies, two helicopters, and one airplane.

“If we find out that you have property abroad, we can also request foreign authorities to freeze those as well,” David said.

On Wednesday, David, without disclosing the names of the two individuals, said their air assets alone were already valued at P3.9 billion. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said more assets will be frozen as the investigation continues into substandard or even “ghost” flood infrastructure projects.

“This is just the start. More assets will be frozen so we can recover (stolen) public funds. This is our promise – that the money of the people will be given back to the people,” Mr. Marcos said. He said with the latest freeze orders, the total value of frozen assets stood at P11.7 billion.

ing. They could have been elsewhere,” Cacdac said in Filipino. “It happened at 2:51 p.m., in the middle of the day, so we really need to be sure if they were physically there,” he added.

One Filipino worker remains hospitalized after being rescued along with her employer and an infant.

Hong Kong firefighters continued to scour the scorched buildings for the missing.

Over 24 hours after fire broke out in the eight-building housing estate with 2,000 units, flames were still visible in some windows as crews sprayed water on the blackened exteriors.

Authorities have begun investigating what sparked the disastrous blaze, including the presence of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the structures as part of construction work.

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption body said it has launched a probe into renovation work at a housing

tions Office (PCO) said on Thursday.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona and other BSP officials were in Malacañang to review the October 2025 monetary policy decision and the country’s economic outlook with the President, the PCO said.

“The BSP reported that inflation has eased to 1.7 percent, with inflation for

country.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla clarified that it is separate from the one

complex, hours after police said they arrested three men on suspicion of negligently leaving foam packaging at the fire site.

The intense flames in four of the eight apartment blocks were finally extinguished while the fires in three others were under control, officials said Thursday afternoon. One building was not affected.

Multiple residents of Wang Fuk Court, located in Hong Kong’s northern district of Tai Po, told Agence France Presse (AFP) that they did not hear any fire alarm and had to go door-to-door to alert neighbors on the danger.

“The fire spread so quickly. I saw one hose trying to save several buildings, and I felt it was far too slow,” said a man surnamed Suen.

“Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbours, telling them to leave—that’s what the situation was like,” he narrated.

Crowds moved by the tragedy gathered near the complex to organize aid for displaced residents and firefighters, part of a spontaneous effort in a city that has some of the world’s most

the bottom 30 percent of households at –0.4 percent, allowing the Monetary Board to cut the policy rate to 4.75 percent to support more affordable borrowing for families and businesses,” the statement read.

“Although there was poor growth in 2025, the economy is expected to recover by 2026 and return to the government’s target range by 2027,” it read.

Remolona explained to the President that the rate cut was intended to boost demand and support recovery momen-

filed before the Sandiganbayan.

“We have been studying the possibilities that are there for us to keep people in the country because there are several who are leaving… This is aside from the one filed before the Sandiganbayan for those who are under preliminary investigation that is a precautionary hold depar-

densely populated and tallest residential blocks.

“It’s truly touching. The spirit of Hong Kong people is that when one is in trouble, everyone lends support... It shows that Hong Kong people are full of love,” said Stone Ngai, 38, one of the organizers of an impromptu aid station.

But the toll continues to rise and fire service officials told reporters that 51 victims lost their lives at the scene, while four died in hospital.

Hong Kong authorities will immediately inspect all housing estates undergoing major works following the disaster, the city’s leader John Lee said.

Another displaced resident, Wong Sikkam, recalled how his son was one of the firefighters dispatched to the scene.

“My son called me and told me about the fire... I thought it was just a normal fire, like a kitchen accident that would be put out. Who knew it would get so bad?” Wong said.

Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter, who was found with burns on his face half an hour after losing contact with colleagues, according to the fire service director Andy Yeung.

tum, noting that the inflation environment has become “more stable and predictable.”

He said the BSP now expects inflation to hit 3.1% in 2026, within the government’s 2% to 4% target, and ease further to 2.8% in 2027 as supply constraints continue to normalize.

President Marcos reiterated his commitment to protecting economic stability and ensuring “sustained, broad-based growth for all Filipinos” as the country enters a lower-inflation environment.

ture order,” he said in Filipino.

“This one is part of the function of being a government. This is a foreign restriction travel order. For as long as you are under investigation and part of the government, you should not be traveling or leaving this jurisdiction,” he added.

He noted that it is part of the powers

A government spokesman told AFP that 61 people were being treated in hospital. Fifteen were in a critical condition, 27 in a serious condition and 19 were stable.

City leader Lee said 279 were unaccounted for, though firefighters said later that they had established contact with some of those people. Authorities have not updated the figure since.

Lee said more than 900 people sought refuge at temporary shelters overnight.

The Indonesian consulate said around noon that two of the deceased were Indonesians working as migrant domestic workers.

On Wednesday night, sections of charred scaffolding fell from the burning blocks and flames could be seen inside apartments, sometimes belching out through windows into the night sky, casting an eerie orange glow on surrounding buildings.

“The temperature at the scene is very high and there are some floors where we have been unable to reach people who requested help, but we will keep trying,” said Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of

Castillejos directed the driver and the truck’s owner to submit a sworn affidavit to the LTO–Intelligence and Investigation Unit in Region 5 within 10 days of receipt of the order. The driver may face charges of reckless driving, while the registered owner may be held liable for operating a motor vehicle with defective accessories. The vehicle has also been placed on alert status until a valid motor vehicle inspection report is submitted proving that it has passed inspection.

of the Ombudsman.

Remulla, who is also a former lawmaker, underscored the need to have a travel authority even for personal or official capacity. He confirmed that he signed the request on Wednesday afternoon.

fire service operations.

He said the wind and drifting debris likely spread the fire from one building to another, although he added that authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the victims, including “the firefighter who died in the line of duty,” according to state media.

Lee said he was “deeply saddened” and that all government departments were assisting residents affected by the fire.

On Thursday afternoon, some of the residents in adjacent blocks who had been evacuated as a precaution were allowed back into their homes.

Volunteers distributed clothes and lunch boxes at the open-air podium of a nearby mall, while a few people gave out flyers with information about missing people.

Deadly fires were once a regular scourge in densely populated Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighborhoods. However, safety measures have been ramped up in recent decades and such fires have become much less commonplace. With AFP

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

CHR flags violations in ‘Operation Supak’

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday raised concern over the so-called “Operation Supak” in Barangay Layog, Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur.

It cited reports that barangay officials, allegedly acting on orders from the mayor, visited homes of people perceived to be lesbian or gay and compelled them to report to the barangay hall.

Same-sex adult couples were allegedly separated, with a village official saying their actions were prohibited by “the laws of men” and by Islam, according to a recorded interview aired by 89.3 Brigada News FM Cotabato City on November 11.

CHR said such actions violate the dignity and rights of LGBTQIA persons and unlawfully target individuals based on perceived sexual orientation. It stressed that the alleged harassment breaches constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards on equal protection, non-discrimination, privacy, and freedom from arbitrary interference. Rio N. Araja

DOLE-12 opens 4,500 jobs for anniversary fair

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 12 is set to open more than 4,500 local job opportunities as it marks its 92nd founding anniversary with a major job fair on November 30 at SM City General Santos. At least 25 employers from various industries will participate. The event aims to connect jobseekers across SOCCSKSARGEN to decent and productive employment under the theme “Tatak DOLE sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Tapat at Nararapat para sa Lahat.” DOLE said the fair supports its mandate to expand access to the labor market.

Applicants will also have access to onsite services including PhilJobNet registration, livelihood program information, and career development assistance. These are meant to help match skills with vacancies and guide workers toward long-term employability. Vito Barcelo

UAP study urges digital audits for seafaring sector

THE University of Asia and the Pacific (UAP), through Center for Research and Communication president Dr. Winston Padojinog, has launched a new study urging the government to “make tax audits digital and transparent” to restore confidence in the seafaring industry. The study warned that alleged abuses involving the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Letters of Authority highlight the urgency of reform.

Researchers found that arbitrary tax assessments are threatening foreign investment in a sector generating P1.06 trillion and nearly 400,000 jobs. They said uncertainty is rattling the manning services industry at a time when the Philippines is already losing ground in the global seafaring market. Katrina Manubay

DOH hit over mismanagement

By Ram Superable

SENATE Minority Leader Alan Cayetano and Senator Joel Villanueva criticized the Department of Health (DOH) over what they described as deep failures in medicine management and basic health services.

During the agency’s 2026 budget deliberations in the Senate, Villanueva drew attention to audit findings showing a dramatic escalation in wasted medicines and health commodities over a four-year span.

The figures showed losses of P95 million in 2020 and P85.2 million in

2021.

Wastage then shot up to P7.4 billion in 2022 and climbed further to P11.186 billion in 2023.

“With regard to the historical data and figures… what measures now are being taken by the Department to prevent the wastage and expiration?” he

posed. The senator stressed that the billions lost represent public money and medicines that should have reached families across the country.

Senator Pia Cayetano, sponsor of the DOH budget, said the biggest spike stemmed from unused COVIDera commodities.

She said pandemic procurement led to heavy stockpiling that outpaced the health system’s distribution capacity.

“The focus would be on asset management and supply chain management; this would allow DOH to be able to more efficiently manage the stock of the commodities,” the senator assured.

Senator Alan Cayetano, speaking

separately, also criticized the department for continued failures in basic health management. Cayetano said gaps in vaccine delivery, nutrition programs, and leadership have weakened the country’s public health foundation.

He warned that persistent mismanagement calls for stronger accountability and swift corrective action.

“The most basic vaccines and nutrition in the budget, as well as the most basic management, leadership, and efficiency, were completely missing,” the lawmaker lamented.

All these concerns converged as lawmakers examined the health department’s performance during Wednesday’s discussions.

PBBM hails Manila’s in-city housing model for LGUs

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on

Thursday praised the Manila City government’s in-city public housing program, calling the newly inaugurated San Lazaro Residences a model that other local governments should emulate for its integrated services and rapid construction.

Speaking at the launch of the 20-story residential complex in Manila, Mr. Marcos highlighted how the project goes beyond providing shelter by em-

bedding essential services directly into the community, including a PhilHealth-accredited health center inside the building.

“It wouldn’t be enough; you would only be building a house,” President Marcos told residents and city officials.

“The life of a person is not just housing; if there’s a need, there is a service… I just saw that there is a health center inside,” he added.

The President credited the Manila City government for driving the project, which was funded through Land Bank

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Inc. and the Philippine College of Cardiology (PCC) on Wednesday recognized Manila Standard with two accolades during the PHA Media Awards 2025 held in Pasig. Manila Standard received a plaque of appreciation in the Media Entity Category for its responsible reporting and strong support for the association’s major health advocacies. The PHA cited the newsroom for its responsible health journalism and support for key initiatives, including

“Usapang Puso sa Puso,” “PHA Puso Muna,” CPR readiness, and the “One Cardiologist for Every City” advocacy. The group also honored Manila Standard reporter Rio N. Araja with the “Best News Story” award for her report, “Heart Doctors Urge PhilHealth to Expand STEMI Package,” published on September 1. The award credited the journalist’s outstanding coverage for presenting critical cardiovascular conditions and issues with clarity and accuracy, reflecting her personal and professional commitment to act in the public interest.

and developed under the city’s urban housing ordinance. The measure reserves affordable units for low-income Manila residents and government workers with Salary Grade 18 and below. Mr. Marcos said the San Lazaro complex, which features community facilities and even a rooftop swimming pool, reflects the city’s broader in-city housing program that began with the Tondominium 1 and 2 projects, followed by the Binondominium, Pedro Gil Residences, San Sebastian Residence, and

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has expressed his willingness to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) “at any time” to clear his name after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co linked him to allegedly anomalous budget insertions. “Regardless

Marcos sent the letter to the ICI after Co, former chair of the House Committee on Appropriations during the 19th Congress, alleged that Rep. Marcos had nearly P51 billion in budget insertions across three years. The former lawmaker alleged that Mar-

Basecommunity. Earlier, the President also visited Baseco Hospital to inspect its services for nearby communities. Mr. Marcos cited Manila’s ability to finish some of its housing projects in as little as three months, saying the pace outstrips that of national government agencies.

“We need to be taught by you how to do that,” he joked, adding that Manila’s approach demonstrates what strong coordination between national and local governments can achieve.

assist your review,” Rep. Marcos told the ICI.

“I extend my full respect to the work of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure and its efforts to uncover the truth behind the ongoing investigation on flood control projects,” the President’s son said in his letter. Rep. Marcos said: “I

WARM WELCOME.

CALLING FOR JUSTICE. Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon voices solidarity with the public as he condemns corruption and calls for justice, joined by Aglipayan Bishop Virgilio Amihan Jr., former governor Lito Coscolluela, and ONE NEGROS ECUMENICAL COUNCIL members. Edwin Ombion

BIRD’S EYE VIEW. Drone footage shows flooding in San Mariano–Cabatacan in Pudtol, Apayao, around 7:40 a.m.

Nov. 27, 2025. Heavy rain continues across Apayao due to the shear line, where cold Amihan winds meet warm Pacific air. Dave Leprozo

OPINION

Huge rally to demand transparency and accountability

WE FULLY support the Trillion Peso March Part 2 that takes place on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the People Power Monument along EDSA to ventilate popular outrage over the multibillion-peso flood control scam.

This protest action is spearheaded by the Trillion Peso March Movement (TPPM), a Catholic Church-led broad coalition of religious groups, civil society and sectoral organizations, political formations and other moderate circles seeking a peaceful end to large-scale official corruption and holding accountable those responsible for the flood control scandal, including top officials and personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

TPMM stalwarts have invited the faithful to join the upcoming rally not to call for President Marcos Jr.’s resignation, but to appeal to hold accountable all those involved in the alleged kickbacks in anomalous, substandard and “ghost” or non-existent flood control projects.

Caritas Philippines president and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo and Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes have rejected calls for extra-legal or unconstitutional action. They stressed their position is for Filipinos to confront corruption head-on and “demand justice, transparency and accountability.”

“Our advocacy is clear. The Trillion Peso March is not to bring down the regime. We are not calling for the resignation of our (corrupt) national officials, but for them to be jailed, and to return the funds they have stolen,” said Bagaforo.

“We don’t support any forces calling for a military junta, revolutionary government or similar actions. In other words, we adhere to the call of the Constitution that we should follow democratic processes.”

For these Church leaders, a leadership transition is not the solution, adding that there “should not simply be a change of guards, but a change in the system.”

What the TPMM leaders stopped short of saying is that the extra-constitutional route is a cure worse than the disease, as military adventurism or a violent takeover of the government will turn the Philippines into a banana republic, leading to an irreversible freefall that will negate the country’s postCOVID growth momentum as one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

The TPMM organizers are wary of the nefarious agenda of former President Rodrigo Duterte-Sara Duterte loyalists in pursuing “Baha sa Luneta 2.0,” so much so that they have vowed to exercise vigilance over possible “hijacking” efforts by the Duterte camp and/or the ragtag group of military retirees fancying themselves as putschists.

In their press briefing, TPMM leaders said they will thwart efforts from Duterte supporters or the military to attempt to destabilize the government, saying that “… definitely no Duterte, nor an unelected junta, can represent our anger and hope.”

“The Dutertes must never be allowed to hijack our movement and wash their bloodstained hands.

“We also warn against undemocratic calls for military intervention towards installing an unelected junta or revolutionary government,” the TPMM stressed.

The TPMM rally organizers are correct in saying that, “We must choose a path forward that strengthens the democratic forces, not play into the hands of political opportunists.”

Separately, CBCP president Cardinal Pablo David has reiterated his support for the convergence of church and civil society groups in the current movement against largescale corruption, which, he said, must be stopped and for those responsible for the flood control controversy to be held accountable.

The TPMM rally organizers are correct in saying ‘We must choose a path forward that strengthens the democratic forces, not play into the hands of political opportunists’

However, David, in pushing for accountability and transparency, has reminded Filipinos to choose the path of non-violence, Constitutional order, and peaceful democratic participation. “Pag mayroong pagamin, pagsisisi at pagsasauli ay mas madaling lumago ang tunay na pagpapatawad,” he said.

The TPMM is on the right track in calling for Constitutional and legal processes to take their due course, given that there has been positive progress at this point in the government’s efforts to run after the flood control scammers from the time President Marcos Jr. himself exposed this issue in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July.

In video statements posted on his official social media pages, President Marcos Jr. ordered all findings of the DPWH and the fact-finding body Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) involving even his cousin, resigned Speaker Martin Romualdez, and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, to be handed over to the Office of the Ombudsman for formal investigation.

The ICI probe is expected to expand in the weeks ahead with at least 1,200 individuals to face criminal prosecution for their involvement in alleged kickback schemes linked to at least 80 anomalous flood control projects done by notorious contractors identified by President Marcos Jr. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Wrongly implicating Grace Poe

THE unfolding flood control scandal has shaken the country because it reveals a pattern of systemic abuse that has caused real harm to millions of Filipinos.

In such moments of national anger, people demand accountability. This is legitimate and necessary. Yet it is also during these moments that innocent people can be swept into the storm through reckless accusations.

Senator Grace Poe is one of those individuals who has been wrongfully implicated in a controversy that demands evidence rather than speculation.

Poe’s name surfaced when former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

In his long presentation, he claimed several senators had received kickbacks from flood control projects.

In some summaries and compilations of implicated individuals, Grace Poe appeared among those tagged. However, this linkage must be examined carefully, because its foundation is weak and the legal value of the claim is minimal.

The problem is that while Bernardo spoke dramatically about the existence of a kickback system, he failed to support his claims with concrete and specific evidence for each person mentioned.

For some officials he referenced project numbers, contractors, or agreements.

For others he simply included their names in broad statements without presenting the docu-

mentary trail that would convert allegation into proof.

In the case of Grace Poe, publicly available accounts do not show Bernardo citing concrete transactions, dates, project IDs, or bank movements that can be independently verified.

His mention of her was not accompanied by documents or detailed descriptions of acts that would meet even the threshold of probable cause.

Bernardo’s mention of Grace Poe was not accompanied by documents or detailed descriptions of acts that would meet even the threshold of probable cause

This difference is important because the mere inclusion of a name in a witness narrative does not generate legal liability.

Bernardo’s testimony, although dramatic and politically explosive, remains a form of allegation.

This affects how his statements are treated.

EDITORIAL

Big step forward in fighting transnational crime

BY THE usual standards of the Philippine judicial system where court cases take many years for decisions to be handed down, the recent conviction of Alice Guo and three others to life imprisonment for organized crime is very significant.

It demonstrates the Marcos Jr. administration’s timely move to outlaw Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs that were allowed to proliferate during the Duterte administration.

The Marcos government positioned itself strongly against organized crime, arguing that large-scale POGO operations were hotbeds not just for gambling fraud, but for human trafficking, financial crime, and even national security risks.

Guo’s conviction is therefore a very concrete public victory as it shows that the state is prosecuting not just small-time operators but powerful figures.

The conviction isn’t just symbolic; it addresses real victims.

It appears that hundreds of foreign workers from multiple nationalities were trafficked in the Baofu compound in Bamban, Tarlac and forced into scam work under threat.

Ordering reparations plus fines of P2 million per person shows that the court treated this as serious trafficking, not just regulatory or gambling violations.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has described the verdict as a “moral and legal

victory” and a demonstration that “no network … no operation too well-funded … no position too powerful to escape accountability.”

Alice Guo’s life sentence... is a milestone in the Marcos administration’s larger campaign against POGOs, transnational crime, and labor exploitation

which amplifies concerns about foreign, especially Chinese, involvement and influence in the POGO industry.

By Jose Antonio Goitia

REP. Zaldy Co’s latest video release has triggered yet another wave of headlines, this time escalating his narrative to drag First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos into a web of supposed rice and onion cartels.

But as I watch this spectacle unfold, I am struck by a singular, recurring reality: the claims arrive with high drama, but they land without a single shred of evidence.

As a consistent advocate for truth and stability, I must call this what it is.

Accusations without proof are not whistleblowing. They are distractions, and distractions become dangerous when the public is fed misinformation disguised as revelation.

Scriptwriting, Not Whistleblowing The inconsistencies in Co’s narrative are glaring.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was right to dismiss these accusations as “baseless” and “total baloney.” When an official describes an accusation as “a script fit for Netflix,” it highlights the fictional nature of these claims.

Tiu clarified the only grain of truth in Co’s rambling was the discussion on lowering rice import tariffs—a policy proposal raised by many, not a conspiracy hatched in the shadows.

To twist policy discussions into insinuations of manipulation by the First Lady’s family is not just dishonest; it is a disservice to the public who deserves clarity on agricultural issues, not conspiracy theories.

A witness who is both confessing wrongdoing and naming others without presenting complete evidence is offering leads rather than legal conclusions.

This is why Bernardo’s statements against Grace Poe have little legal value at this stage.

A Senate hearing is not a court proceeding.

It does not determine guilt or innocence. It is investigative rather than adjudicative.

Testimony in such a hearing may inform future cases, but it does not constitute a verdict. For an allegation to have legal weight, the Office of the Ombudsman must file charges supported by documentary evidence.

This includes paper trails, contracts, audit reports, sworn contractor testimonies with corroboration, financial records, and physical evidence.

None of these have been presented with respect to Poe.

She remains uncharged, and she has categorically denied any involvement, stating she has never participated in corruption and that it is alarming for her name to be mentioned without basis.

Co’s latest claims add noise, not facts

The Credibility Deficit

The attacks have now broadened to include Rep. Sandro Marcos, with Co alleging a staggering ₱51 billion in “ordered” budget insertions. Rep. Marcos has firmly denied this, correctly identifying it as part of a destabilization effort.

Until Co is willing to show his evidence under oath and face the legal consequences of his actions, these allegations remain nothing more than stories

We must ask ourselves: Who is making these claims? As Rep. Marcos noted, the accuser is “a criminal evading accountability, a fugitive from justice—not a crusader.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself has drawn the line, stating, “I do not negotiate with criminals.” This sentiment is crucial. Anyone who claims to hold the truth should be willing to face the law. Real testimony is given before institutions where it can be cross-examined, not in videos filmed from hiding where the narrator

It is important to understand the political context as well. Flood control corruption is vast and involves many actors across different agencies. In such an environm ent, public frustration is immense. There is a temptation to believe that every well known figure must be part of the scheme.

Political rivals also exploit this atmosphere to neutralize or discredit individuals who maintain independence.

Poe has long been known for positions that do not always align with powerful political blocs. Her independence sometimes makes her a target for insinuation because placing her name among the implicated creates the impression that everyone is equally compromised.

This tactic benefits the real perpetrators because it spreads confusion and weakens public resolve to demand accountability from those truly responsible.

Grace Poe’s proven legislative focus also contradicts the allegation. She has centered her work on public services, consumer protection, transparency, and

The case thus feeds into broader geopolitical anxieties: that POGOs were not purely commercial but could be entwined with espionage, foreign intelligence, or transnational criminal networks. Commentators have pointed out the “deep-rooted” nature of organized crime with possible state-linked actors.

The forfeiture of the Baofu compound worth more than P6 billion that operated as a POGO hub shows the government is not only punishing individuals but dismantling the very infrastructure used for scam and trafficking operations.

While Guo’s conviction is a big win, authorities have discovered smaller POGO-linked operations and scam syndicates that have become more decentralized or operate in less visible ways.

One high-profile conviction doesn’t necessarily dismantle the entire network.

The Marcos Jr. administration can claim a big legal win in this particular case, some critics had pointed out why such operations were allowed to proliferate for so long, while others argued the state was slow to act or complicit, especially given the scale of POGO growth under prior administrations.

Alice Guo’s life sentence, more than just punishment for a key figure in the POGO industry, is a milestone in the Marcos administration’s larger campaign against POGOs, transnational crime, and labor exploitation.

It gives the government a high-profile win, strengthens its legal and moral standing to justify tougher measures, and may deter similar syndicates in the future.

controls the cut and the script. A Pattern of Shifting Stories What damages Co’s credibility the most is his own inconsistency.

In past videos, we have seen him alternate between claiming he delivered funds and claiming he received none. Now, he introduces new villains and new amounts, yet the one thing that remains absent is proof.

Where are the documents?

Where are the directives?

Where are the corroborating testimonies given under oath?

When the story keeps changing but no evidence appears, credibility collapses.

The public is being asked to believe the word of a man who refuses to face the justice system over the word of officials who are doing the work of governance.

The Public Deserves Facts, Not Noise I believe the Filipino people are tired of political noise.

We are a nation facing real challenges, and we need real solutions, not fabricated scandals designed to destabilize the administration.

Truth does not hide from scrutiny.

Until Rep. Co is willing to show his evidence under oath and face the legal consequences of his actions, these allegations remain nothing more than stories.

Without proof, and contradicted by every official statement, Co’s new claims—even those targeting the First Family—end up exactly where his earlier accusations did: Noise without evidence.

(The writer, holder of a doctor of philosphy degree, serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and the Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, where he advocates for truth, stability, and the dignity of the Filipino people.)

transportation issues. She has not been associated with pork barrel style transactions or district based infrastructure patronage. Despite the unfairness of the situation, Poe has responded by urging investigators to examine every allegation thoroughly.

She has asked for transparency and has not attempted to undermine the inquiry.

This response is consistent with her long standing advocacy for clean governance. It also contrasts with others who have tried to restrict the investigation or to cast doubt on its credibility.

The larger lesson is clear. Wrongful implication does not produce justice.

It produces noise, confusion, and cynicism. The fight against corruption loses credibility if innocent people are included in the narrative without evidence.

The cause of justice is best served when the nation insists on evidence rather than rumor and on fairness rather than political opportunism. Facebook, X, Instagram, and BlueSky: tonylavs Website: tonylavina.com

Alice Guo was later identified to be Chinese (Guo Hua Ping),

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025

IN BRIEF

Trump advises Takaichi: Don’t provoke China

TOKYO – US President Donald Trump advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan’s sovereignty, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, after a diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing.

The row between Asia’s two biggest economies began after Takaichi said Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on the self-ruled island, which China claims as part of its territory.

In a phone call with Trump on Monday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping pressed the issue, saying Taiwan’s return was an “integral part of the post-war international order,” according to China’s foreign ministry.

Shortly after, “Trump set up a call with Takaichi and advised her not to provoke Beijing on the question of the island’s sovereignty”, the WSJ reported, citing Japanese officials and an American briefed on the call.

“The advice from Trump was subtle, and he didn’t pressure Takaichi to walk back her comments,” the WSJ report added. AFP

AI-generated websites offline in Australia

SYDNEY – Three websites allowing users to create child sexual exploitation material with artificial intelligence have gone offline in Australia, the country’s internet regulator said Thursday.

Canberra’s eSafety said the sites had received over 100,000 visits from Australia and had been linked to a number of highprofile cases of AI-generated child sexual exploitation material of students at local schools.

AFP understands the websites were run by the UK-based Itai Tech, which was fined last week by UK regulator Ofcom for failing to include age verification measures.

Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the website had “failed to put in safeguards to prevent its services being used to create child sexual exploitation material”, and was marketing features allowing users to undress “any girl”.

“With this major provider blocking their use by Australians we believe it will have a tangible impact on the number of Australian school children falling victim to AI-generated child sexual exploitation,” Inman Grant said. AFP

Indonesia floods, landslides toll: 19

JAKARTA – The death toll from floods and landslides on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia rose to 19 people, a rescue official said Thursday, with dozens still missing. Extreme weather has battered North Sumatra for several days, triggering flooding and landslides in several districts across the province.

“There is no update so far this morning, in total, for all the affected locations, 19 people died,” national search and rescue agency official Emy Freezer told AFP, citing data from Wednesday night.

He added that at least 24 people were reported missing in six locations.

Road access to the affected areas has been cut as well as telecommunication and electricity services, Emy said.

Authorities are therefore focusing on clearing debris to reach the isolated locations and provide assistance, he added.

Heavy rain in the neighboring province of Aceh over the past few days triggered floods and landslides, prompting the evacuation of nearly 1,500 people, according to the local disaster agency. AFP

Pope to meet Erdogan amid reg’l tensions

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE – Pope

Leo XIV set off for Turkey Thursday for the first overseas trip of his papacy, which includes a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and comes amid acute tensions in the region.

The trip, which includes a second leg to Lebanon, begins in the Turkish capital Ankara, where the first American pope is expected to arrive shortly after midday. There, he will address authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps before heading to Istanbul in the early evening.

Leo’s first steps abroad will be scrutinized by the world’s media, with more than 80 journalists accompanying him on his papal plane.

Since his election in May as the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope has shown himself to be adept at handling the media, talking to reporters weekly.

In a sign of his desire to reach a wide audience, Leo will deliver all his speeches during the trip in English, his native language, rather than the Italian he usually uses. His first address in Turkey is

Miss Universe owners in Mexico, Thailand hit with trafficking claims

Turkey court acquits 4 photogs over Istanbul mass protests

ISTANBUL – A Turkish court on Thursday acquitted four journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who were on trial over mass demonstrations in Istanbul in March, a case that drew condemnation from press freedom watchdogs.

The four, all photographers, were arrested in dawn raids several days into a huge wave of protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul’s powerful opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a top opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They -- like thousands of protesters -were accused of violating the law on demonstrations and public gatherings.

“There is no solid basis that the defendants committed the alleged offence,” the judge said, ruling to acquit. Akgul is the only one employed by an international media outlet; the other three are Ali Onur Tosun of Turkish broadcaster NOW Haber and freelancers Bulent Kilic and Zeynep Kuray. None of them were present at the court

Hamas calls for fighters to be out of Gaza tunnels

GAZA CITY – The Palestinian militant group Hamas have called on mediating countries to pressure Israel to allow safe passage for dozens of its fighters holed up in tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip.

The request came after the Israeli military said it killed over 20 Hamas members over the past week “who attempted to flee from the underground terror infrastructure in the area”, and apprehended eight more.

“We hold (Israel) fully responsible for the lives of our fighters and call upon our mediators to take immediate action to pressure (Israel) to allow our sons to return home,” Hamas said in a statement.

It was the first time the Islamist group had publicly acknowledged that its members were trapped in the tunnels.

Israeli media has reported that for weeks, between 100 and 200 Hamas militants have remained trapped in a network of tunnels under the city of Rafah, in an area of the Gaza Strip under Israeli military control.

Under the terms of a US-brokered ceasefire that entered into force on Oct. 10, the Israeli army withdrew from coastal parts of the Palestinian territory to a so-called “yellow line” which marks the area under Israeli control.

Earlier this month, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff alluded during a business conference in Miami to the “200 fighters who are trapped in Rafah” and said that their surrender, including turning over their weapons, could be a “test” for both parties in the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas.

However, Israel does not appear to be willing to compromise on their safe release from the tunnel. AFP

in Istanbul. AFP’s management had repeatedly called for Akgul’s acquittal, with his lawyer Kemal Kumkumoglu telling the court at the last hearing on Oct. 24 that there had been no criminal wrongdoing.

Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the decision in a case it has described as “unlawful”.

“The acquittal of the journalists was a relief, but it also showed their arrests were arbitrary,” RSF’s Erol Onderoglu told AFP, saying it was aimed at “obstructing the public’s right to access news”.

The protests, which spread from Istanbul across the country, were the biggest since massive anti-government demonstrations that began at Istanbul’s Gezi Park in

2013 and swept the country. Imamoglu, who remains in jail, was arrested as part of a corruption probe. But his jailing was widely seen as a political move, with the mayor considered the only politician with a chance of beating Erdogan at the ballot box.

AFP’s Akgul said the decision was expected even though it came late.

“Now that the psychological strain of the trial process and my difficulty in focusing are gone, I will continue on my path with even more reporting,” he told AFP after the verdict.

“The right decision has been made. I hope that other journalists who are still inside will also be freed as soon as possible,” he said. AFP

“It was a crime against our entire nation.” He confirmed that the man taken into custody after the daylight shooting two blocks from the White House was “a foreigner who entered our country from Afghanistan.” The suspect had arrived in the United States in 2021 “on those infamous flights,” Trump said, referring to the

evacuations of Afghans fleeing as the Taliban took over the country in the wake of the US retreat after 20 years of war. The shocking attack, carried out next to a metro station at a time when the streets and offices of downtown Washington were bustling, also puts a new focus on Trump’s controversial militarization of an anti-crime push around the country.

Trump has deployed troops to several cities, all run by Democrats, including Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis. The deployments have prompted multiple law suits and protests from local officials who accuse the Republican of seeking authoritarian powers. Trump’s statement also indicated that his equally controversial drive to root out migrants in the country illegally -- the core of his domestic agenda -- will get new impetus.

“We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan” under former president Joe Biden, said Trump. AFP

Reso seeks inquiry on state recovery of ill-gotten wealth

A GROUP of lawmakers on Thursday filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the implementation of civil forfeiture and related measures under existing laws with respect to ill-gotten or unexplained wealth of public officials and employees implicated in the flood control projects controversy.

In filing House Resolution 524, Liberal Party (LP) lawmakers in the House of Representatives led by Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima called for inquiry into the status of recovering properties unlawfully acquired by public officials or employees in light of Republic Act (RA) No. 1379, or the Unexplained Wealth Law, and RA 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The proposed inquiry is meant to identify possible gaps in procedure and implementation with a view to recommending “remedial legislative measures to improve the effectiveness of the government’s anti-corruption mechanisms, and ensure accountability in public service.”

Aside from De Lima, House LP lawmakers include Reps. Edgar Erice (2nd District, Caloocan City), Adrian Michael Amatong (3rd District, Zamboanga del Norte), Arlene Bag-ao (Lone District, Dinagat Islands), Jaime Fresnedi (Lone District, Muntinlupa City), Cielo Krisel Lagman (1st District, Albay), and Alfonso Umali Jr. (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro).

“There has been unrelenting demand of our people for accountability for the flood control projects controversy – including calls for the prosecution and arrest of all government officials and employees, along with their private sector co-conspirators and accomplices. Likewise, there has been an incessant public clamor to recover the stolen funds and assets from these unscrupulous individuals,” the resolution read. Maricel V. Cruz

Cardinal urges Asian Catholics to boost kinship

THE president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has called on Asian Catholic communities to promote “kinship” to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the region’s many cultures and religions.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, who also serves as vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said the Church in Asia must focus more on listening, dialogue, and working together “Asia is a vast mosaic of cultures, languages and religions. Yet in all this diversity, God is gently weaving us together into one family,” David said ahead of the Asian Mission Congress to be held Nov. 27–30 in Penang, Malaysia. More than 900 delegates from Catholic communities across the region, including 10 cardinals, over 100 bishops, 150 priests, 75 religious sisters, and hundreds of lay representatives, are expected to attend the gathering. David, the outgoing president of the CBCP, said the Church must “grow in synodality,” describing it as a posture of humility, bridgebuilding, and genuine encounter. He stressed the need to protect human dignity, care for the environment, and speak truth with compassion in societies marked by poverty, conflict, and fear.

DSWD: Social pension for seniors remains open

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has clarified that its social pension program (SocPen) for senior citizens remains open and with clear guidelines for availment.

DSWD Project Development Officer (PDO) Josie Ann Rivera of the Protective Services Bureau (PSB) said the SocPen applies only to the impoverished elderlies 60 years old and above.

“A senior citizen who is 60 years of age or older, does not have a permanent income or daily livelihood and does not have a pension from the SSS (Social Security System), the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System), the PVAO (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office), and other agencies can apply for the social pension program,” she explained. Rivera also said the pensions are

non-transferable and that only beneficiaries of the program can benefit from the SocPen program.

“The pension reserved for the beneficiary is only for him and cannot be passed on or transferred to another person. And if our beneficiary has been removed from the list and if he has a replacement, a new qualified beneficiary may receive it,” she said.

Rivera said there are only two requirements needed by senior citizens who intend to register--the completed social pension application form and a National ID or any governmentissued ID.

“The submission of these requirements may be done through the local government units (LGUs) or the DSWD’s field offices (FOs),” Rivera said.

The DSWD has refuted claims circulating online that the monthly pension for indigent senior citizens has increased to P1,500, stressing that the pension remains at P1,000 per month.

“Any information should be verified only through the official social media pages of the DSWD to ensure accuracy,” Rivera said.

According to Rivera, representatives may claim the pension on behalf of elderlies who are unable to personally receive the assistance. Senior citizens with a small business or have unstable income may still qualify under the program’s poverty-related guidelines.

The DSWD gave assurance that its commitment to ensuring that indigent senior citizens continue to receive appropriate and timely support from the government.

Palace condemns Kidapawan violence that left seven dead

THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Thursday condemned the deadly armed violence in North Cotabato that left seven people dead and forced residents to flee their homes.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government is “deeply saddened” by the incident, which occurred in Kidapawan City.

“No dispute, regardless of its history or complexity, justifies the taking of human lives,” Galvez said as he extended condolences to the families of the victims. Authorities reported that the clashes displaced several families who left their communities due to fear, disrupting local peace efforts and inflicting “unnecessary trau -

ma” on affected residents. Galvez assured the public that the national government is in full control of the situation. “Our security forces, in close coordination with the local government units of Matalam and Kidapawan and the provincial government of North Cotabato, are currently securing the affected barangays to restore order and ensure the safety of the civilians.” He said. Peace mechanisms such as the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) have also been deployed, working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to investigate the clash, prevent further escalation, and help resolve the conflict.

IN BRIEF

PhilSA warns against falling rocket parts THE Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Thursday confirmed South Korea’s rocket launch and warned mariners and coastal communities to remain alert for possible

of

The rocket called Nuri/Korea Space Launch Vehicle-IV (KSLVIV) lifted off from the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Jeolla, at around 12:13 a.m. (Philippine Standard Time) on Thursday, Nov.27.

Projected debris from the launch was expected to fall within designated drop zones hundreds of nautical miles off several Philippine areas. According to PhilSA, these areas include waters approximately 390 nautical miles (NM) from Santa Ana, Cagayan; 394 NM from Babuyan Island; 218 NM from Siargao in Surigao del Norte; 228 NM from Mati City in Davao Oriental; and 232 NM from Mercedes, Samar. Rex Espiritu Aquino says education gets P1.38-t ’26 budget

OVER 27 million K-12 and tertiary students are expected to benefit from the 2026 education budget, which allocates funding for classrooms, textbooks, school feeding programs, and free college tuition for more than five million students.

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino noted that the education budget of P1.38 trillion is the highest in Philippine history, but cautioned that the bicameral conference committee process and presidential approval still need careful monitoring.

He called on the youth and all Filipinos to watch the budget process, which for the first time will be livestreamed, to ensure that “education, not corruption, is the outcome of our 2026 budget.” Aquino outlined that the budget includes P65 billion for classrooms, P27 billion for the school feeding program, and tuition support for millions of college students.

Ram Superable PH, Indonesia armies hold cyber system drills

THE Philippine Army (PA) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI AD) enhanced their bilateral expertise on Command and Control Communications and Cyber Systems (C4S) during the two-day PA-TNI AD C4S Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) 2025 at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on November 25 to November 26, 2025. Philippine Army and Indonesian Army C4S experts tackled Signal Operations and C4S Capabilities during the SMEE. They also exchanged best practices and techniques and tackled military communications in the age of modernization and network security.

Apart from the interactive workshop, TNI AD delegates paid tribute to fellow soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty through a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Rex Espiritu

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Clutch finishes lift Miñoza, Singson to TCC golf final

STA. Rosa, Laguna—Martina Miñoza and Mafy Singson stormed into the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational Finals after pulling off tense victories over rivals who refused to yield until the pressure-packed finish at TCC here on Thursday. Both matches went down to latehole heroics, underscoring the razorthin margins and volatility that define elite match play. Miñoza clawed back for a gritty 2&1 decision over Harmie Constantino, while Singson edged Daniella Uy with a clutch birdie on the 17th to secure a 1-up triumph. The day demanded power, precision and mental toughness with both finalists weathering momentum swings and unrelenting pressure to forge an all-South championship for the P280,000 top purse in the P1.5million season finale of the 2025 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Among the two wins, Miñoza’s was the more stunning. Down two holes after eight amid nerves and miscues that ambush players in match play duels, the Del Monte native appeared in danger of unraveling against the more seasoned Constantino.

But Miñoza, carrying a surname steeped in Philippine golf history, rediscovered her composure. She took the ninth, then capitalized again on the 11th to square the match and dramatically shift momentum.

Star-powered AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Manila Run to inspire youth

BEAUTY-QUEEN–TURNED-TRI-

ATHLETE Faith Garcia, volley star Ced Domingo, and AIA Brand Ambassadors Solenn Heussaff and Will Dasovich are set to lend star power –and heart – to the AIA Rock ’n’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by ASICS when it fires off tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 29) at Rizal Park. Despite packed schedules and demanding careers, these personalities made a deliberate choice to show up, using their influence to ignite enthusiasm for fitness among the youth. Many of them have undergone their own fitness transformations over the past decade, and their presence serves as a reminder that health, consistency and balance are achievable even in the busiest lives.

For young fans and aspiring runners, seeing familiar faces prioritize wellness provides a powerful nudge away from screens and toward healthier habits.

They will join a vibrant ensemble of well-known figures, including Barbie Forteza, DJ Chacha, Kim Atienza, Selena Reyes, Kristoffer Martin, Aira Lopez, Dominique Roque, Lance de Ocampo, Gazini Ganados, Elilienne Vigier, Andre Felix and Jose Atienza – each one adding excitement and accessibility to the event. Their participation does more than entertain; it humanizes running and makes the sport feel welcoming to kids, families and new runners who may be lacing up for the first time.

Jahns, Van der Valk seal title duel

STA. ROSA, Laguna—Keanu Jahns and Guido van der Valk forged an unlikely but compelling showdown for the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational crown – an ending few predicted yet one that felt inevitable after the way both tore through their semifinal assignments with ruthless efficiency here on Thursday. Although they entered the P2 million season-ending championship of the Philippine Golf Tour as solid contenders – Jahns seeded No. 2 and van der Valk at No. 4 – their emphatic semis victories defied expectations of grueling, back-and-forth battles. Instead, each turned what was billed as a tight duel into a one-sided clinic.

Van der Valk, in particular, surprised himself. After a 5&4 rout of Mike Bibat in the morning quarterfinals, the seasoned Dutch ace had admitted that stamina could become a major issue with the grueling schedule and the oppressive mid-noon heat.

“For sure, stamina will be a big factor,” he said, mindful of the demands of TCC’s punishing layout.

But once the semis began, he looked anything but weary. Rather, he flourished. He won the first two holes against Clyde Mondilla, then delivered the shot of the day – a breathtaking ace on the 171-yard No. 3 using a 7-iron and Srixon ball. That hole-in-one instantly shifted the match’s mood, putting Mondilla on the defensive and van der Valk fully in command.

The ace earned him a TCC trophy and P20,000 from Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., but more importantly, it fueled a surge that Mondilla, who earlier booted out top seed and Order of Merit champion Angelo Que, 4&3, could never match. Even when the former Philippine Open champion mounted brief charges, van der Valk, 45, countered with his own steady shotmaking and clutch putting to cruise to a 3&2 win.

Transfer of ‘25 SEAG venues to Bangkok favorable to PH

By Peter Atencio

THE transfer of events to Bangkok is favorable to the Philippine delegation.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said this as organizers of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand are now searching for new venues for the 10 sports events that have been cancelled in the province of Songkhla, which is currently experiencing severe, life-threatening flooding, specifically in the Hat Yai area.

This has prompted local authorities to declare a state of emergency in the province.

“It’s favorable. We will not have to travel to go watch the games, and also for the physical therapists and the medical teams. They will just be in one place,” said Tolentino, following a discussion with officials of the Thailand Southeast Asian Games Organizing

Committee, headed by Chaiyapak Siriwat.

“All events might be transferred to Bangkok. So, it’s better for us,” said Tolentino, adding the POC will discuss the changes that will happen during a General Assembly meeting on Tuesday.

Organizers are addressing concerns over the state of the competition venues and the risk of potential outbreaks. The 10 sports events affected are boxing, men’s football, pencak silat, chess, judo, karate, kabbadi, petanque, wrestling and wushu.

But there might be other events that could be affected as well.

Originally, the 2025 SEA Games was supposed utilize existing venues across the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Chonburi province, and Songkhla province.

But Thailand is now preparing contingency plans and assessing conditions in Songkhla on a daily basis.

If necessary, more events could be held in Chonburi.

Organizers in Thailand are also discussing plans to compensate other nations for flight and accommodation costs that have already been booked in Songkhla.

SOME good news first, because why not.

Stallion Laguna FC set at least two records for thrashing Lion City Sailors FC, 5-0, last Wednesday to end their group fixtures on a high note. The team became the first local squad to notch a win in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2025-2026.

The victory was also enough to propel the local side to the knockout stage after securing one of the berths reserved for best third placed teams in the competition.

Altas whip Bombers, secure first slot in NCAA Final 4

By Dennis Abrina

THE PERPETUAL Help Altas punched their ticket to the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball semifinals on Thursday afternoon, defeating the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 81-74, in the quarterfinals at Mall of Asia Arena.

As the top seed of Group A, the Altas (now 10-4) utilized their twice-to-beat advantage to eliminate the Heavy Bombers and become the first team to enter the Final Four.

Altas guard Mark Gojo Cruz led the team with 23 points, adding two rebounds and two assists. Patrick Sleat delivered a stellar double-double performance with 14 points and 10 assists, along with six rebounds.

“Tina-try ko lang talaga to make the

THE DESIGNATED KIT MAN EREL CABATBAT The Designated Kit Man Erel Cabatbat Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC, PFC Nasaf, Melbourne City FC, Ho Chi Minh City FC, Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Naegohyang FC and Suwon FC, the other third best-placed team in the competitions. The draw in the knockout stage is set on January 15. The last eight fixtures will be held on March 28 and 29, while the semis and finals are set between May 20 until May 23. There’s plenty of time for Stallion FC Laguna to rest, prepare and even make changes in its lineup before resuming their campaign in the tournament. As it is, Stallion remains the dark horse in the tournament.

Two goals, one each from Halleran Johnson (22’) and team skipper Chandler McDaniel (44’) gave the Philippine side a 2-0 lead before the half-time whistle. The Singapore-based Lion City Sailors tried to come back in the second half, but Tayla Christensen’s brace (74’ and 83’) put the game away for the local side. McDaniels completed her own brace in the 89th minute for the final score as Stallion FC wound up third in Group B. Stallion lost their initial two games, a 7-0 defeat against Melbourne City FC of Australia and a heartbreaking 1-0 result to host Ho Chi Minh City at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

Joining the Stallion FC Laguna in the quarterfinals are defending champions

The dark horse

the full three points after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bhutan in the ongoing AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Jordan.

The boys showed a lot of promise after giving Iraq a lot of headaches in their first game in Group E. The team fought tooth and nail before yielding, 3-2, to the favored Iraq squad.

Fans are expecting that they will score their first win against one of, if not, the weakest teams in the tournament. Despite its lowly ranking, Bhutan defied the odds and beliefs, holding the Philippines to a scoreless draw.

right read every time. Gusto kasi ni coach Olsen (Racela) for us to take the high percentage shots,” Sleat said about the Altas’ approach.

JRU, who finished the season with a 6-8 record, fought hard, led by Sean Salvador’s 18 points. Allen Laurenaria’s double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds was not enough to extend their Season 101 campaign.

Perpetual Help now awaits the victor of the upcoming rubber match between Arellano and Letran. However, Sleat emphasized the need for continued improvement before the semifinals.

“Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough. We have to add more to our games and put in the extra effort. We also have to grow, not just as individuals but as a team.”

planet. The Blue Wave gained the honor after holding Jamaica to a 0-0 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month. Iceland held the previous record. Five weeks before Curacao set the record, Cape Verde or Cabo Verde also accomplished the rare feat of securing a ticket in the World Cup despite having only 491,233 people as

Speaking of tournaments, the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team or Filipina5 came close to winning its game against Morocco. Leading by two, after Inday Tolentin’s historic free kick and a strike by Cathrine Graversen, the Filipina5 appeared to be on their way in getting a win in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup at the PhilSports Arena. Too bad the game didn’t end after the first half whistle.

Morocco roared back in the second half, eventually winning the game, 3-2.

Sayang talaga! Another heartbreaker happened the other day. The country’s U-17 team failed to gain

The Philippines remains at fourth in Group E with one point, they will face Australia and host Jordan to cap their campaign in the elimination round. Qualifying to the next round will be very hard and almost next to impossible. But just the same, kapit lang po. If there is one consolation in the game against Bhutan, at least the boys halved the points against the happiest country in the world. And for sure Curicao and Cabo Verde are two of the happiest countries in the world as of late.

Curacao, a country with only 156,115 people, became the smallest nation to everqualify for the biggest football event on the

Guido van der Valk delivers the shot of the day – a breathtaking ace on the 171-yard No. 3 using a 7-iron and Srixon ball.

Manny Marcelo

Martina Miñoza

Faith Garcia

Abraham Tolentino

Perpetual Help’s Patrick Sleat scores with a floater. Dennis Abrina

BCDA, KOREIT sign P5.1-b New Clark City golf-resort deal

By Othel V. Campos

STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority

(BCDA) has signed a P5.1-billion agreement with South Korea’s Korea Real Estate Investment & Trust (KOREIT) Asset Management and Sky Blue New Clark City Golf & Resort Corp. to develop a premium golf course and residential villa estate in New Clark City. The deal highlights the growing interest of international institutional investors in New Clark City’s long-term development, according to BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang.

Under the agreement, KOREIT’s Philippine subsidiaries

Eagle-K GC Corp. and Eagle-K RV Corp. will fully develop and manage the 150-hectare estate. The project is expected to create around 1,200 jobs and stimulate economic activity in Tarlac and the surrounding areas.

“KOREIT’s entry shows the level of confidence that major global investors place in New Clark City,” said Bingcang, noting that the partnership strengthens BCDA’s investment pipeline.

He said the project supports regional growth and is another step in making New Clark City a

Eastern Visayas workers, kasambahays, to receive increases in minimum wage

MINIMUM wage earners and domestic workers in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) will receive wage increases this December, following the issuance of Wage Orders by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-VIII (RTWPB-VIII).

Wage Order Nos. RB VIII-25 and RBVIII-DW-06 shall take effect on 08 December 2025, fifteen (15) days after their publication on 22 November 2025. They were reviewed and affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on 18 November 2025 and will cover an estimated 114,126 minimum wage earners and 57,081 domestic workers.

The daily minimum wage rates in all sectors will increase by ₱35. Upon implementation of all tranches, this increase will bring the minimum wage to ₱440 for the agriculture sector, cottage and handicraft, and retail/service establishments employing 10 workers and below, equivalent to ₱11,477 per month. For the non-agriculture sector and retail/service establishments employing 11 workers and above, the minimum wage will increase to ₱470 a day, equivalent to ₱12,259 per month.

About 162,501 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from wage adjustments at the enterprise level in the said region, arising from the correction of wage distortions. Wage distortions occur when the implementation of a mandated wage increase (i.e. wage order) results in the elimination or severe contraction of intentional quantitative differences in

wage or salary rates between and among employee groups in an establishment.

NWPC Advisory No. 01, Series of 2023 provides guidance to correct possible wage distortions. Meanwhile, domestic workers or kasambahays in Eastern Visayas will also receive monthly increases of ₱400 for those in chartered cities and first-class municipalities, and ₱300 for those in other municipalities. This will raise the sector’s monthly minimum wage rate in the region to ₱6,400 and ₱5,800, respectively.

The new wage orders align with the continuing directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the timely and regular review of regional minimum wage rates to reduce uncertainty, enhance fairness for all stakeholders, and foster a stronger link between productivity and wages.

In deciding the amount of minimum wage increases in the region, RTWPBVIII balanced the rights of workers to be protected from unduly low pay and of employers to reasonable profits, as well as the overall development objectives of promoting employment and productivity and preventing inflation.

Retail and service establishments regularly employing not more than ten (10) workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may apply for exemption from the wage increase until 05 February 2026.

Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with valid Certificates of Authority from the Department of Trade and Industry are not covered by the minimum wage law.

world-class, sustainable district in Tarlac province.

The development allocates 77 hectares for an 18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse, 52 hectares for an additional 9-hole course and the remaining land for residential villas and amenities. Commercial operations of the golf course are targeted by the first quarter of 2026.

The P5.1-billion investment is anticipated to support tourism, local enterprises and employment, while positioning New Clark City as an emerging sports and lifestyle hub for both domestic and international visitors.

S&P affirms PH credit rating amid infra probe

S&P Global Ratings on Thursday affirmed its ‘BBB+’ longterm and ‘A-2’ short-term sovereign credit ratings for the Philippines, maintaining a positive outlook.

The debt watcher said that an ongoing investigation into flood control projects, which has temporarily halted some infrastructure works, would not derail the country’s healthy long-term growth trajectory.

“An ongoing probe into floodcontrol projects has halted some infrastructure works in the Philippines. The resultant slowdown in public capital expenditure will dent GDP growth this year. However, we believe this will not derail the country’s long-term growth trajectory, which remains healthy,” S&P Global said in a statement, The positive outlook reflects S&P’s view that the Philippines will maintain its external strength and healthy growth rate, and that fiscal performance will strengthen over the next 12 to 24 months. The agency’s assessment indicates that institutional and policy settings could provide stronger support for sovereign credit metrics during this period.

S&P said it expects real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of

GDP growth forecast for 2025

‘BBB-’ 4.8% 6.2% Philippines’ credit rating

Medium-term growth outlook

4.8 percent in 2025, a decline from the historical trend due to the temporary reduction in public infrastructure spending. However, the agency projects medium-term GDP growth to rebound to about 6.2 percent over 2026 to 2028 on strong public and private consumption coupled with sustained investments. GDP per capita could rise to about $5,800 by 2028.

that development

advancing sustainable and decent work in aquaculture were Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, ILO Country Director Khalid Hassan, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, United Nations Resident Coordinator to the Philippines Arnaud Peral, and partners from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and Food and Agriculture Organization. (Photos by Ali Creo/DOLE-IPS)

ADVANCING STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT FOR A JOB-READY, FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzales (top photo, rightmost) leads the meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on 14 November 2025 at the DOLE Central Office in

Gonzales conveyed Undersecretary Carmela I.

message, which expressed the Department’s commitment to further strengthening strategic alignment with PSAC to

job-ready and future-ready workforce. The meeting tackled the support from industry, academe, and civil society organizations for the Education and Workforce Development Group under Administrative Order 36 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. It also addressed proposed adjustments to the enhanced senior high school work immersion guidelines and the expansion of

DOLE turns work into greener livelihood

THE Department of Labor and Employment continues to strengthen its advocacy toward greener, more sustainable, and transformative jobs through the integration of green initiatives into its existing programs, such as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program. Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for sustainable development and inclusive economic growth, the Labor Department has recently deployed TUPAD beneficiaries to undertake various green community projects, such as the coconut husk upcycling initiative in Manila. Led by the DOLE–National Capital Region (DOLE–NCR) through its Manila Field Office, a total of 30 beneficiaries were deployed to a 30-day employment program to collect and upcycle coconut husks into marketable, eco-friendly products, including home décor, pots, bowls, soap holders, and

JOBS THAT SAVE THE PLANET. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) continues to mobilize the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) initiative to provide green jobs for Filipinos across the country. Some of the more recent initiatives include coconut husk upcycling in Manila (left) and the massive high-value crops planting in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte (right). (Photos from DOLE–National Capital Region and DOLE Caraga) jewelry. The initiative, which ran from October 21 to November 26, is a collaborative effort with the Manila Department of Public Services (DPS) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

INFLATION OUTLOOK. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. to discuss the inflation outlook and monetary policy. The president cites the relief brought by the decline in inflation to 1.7 percent in October and the BSP’s interest rate reduction to 4.75 percent, making it easier to borrow from banks for daily and business needs.

1

CIRCULAR 1223

Series of 2025

Subject: Harmonization with Internationally Accepted ISO 20022 Standard for Retail Payment Systems

The Monetary Board, in its Resolution No. 1098 dated 6 November 2025, approved the issuance of the following requirements to harmonize the use of payment messaging standards and enhance the efficiency and interoperability in processing retail payment transactions.

Section 1. The following definitions shall be included in the Manual of Regulations for Payment Systems (MORPS):

GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

Account identifiers – unique identifier of the transaction account, as assigned by the payment service providers (e.g., account number).

Business Identifier Code (BIC) – a code issued by Swift that uniquely identifies institutions within the financial services industry. It consists of an eight (8)-character core (institution + country + location) and an optional three (3)-character branch code.

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) - a 20-character, alphanumeric code that enables clear and unique identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions and other official interactions. Each LEI contains information about an entity’s ownership structure.

Straight-through processing – refers to payment transactions that are conducted electronically, without the need for manual intervention.

Unique end-to-end transaction reference (UETR) - a universally unique identifier consisting of 36 alphanumeric characters assigned to payment instruction messages carried over Swift. It acts like a tracking number that stays the same throughout the payment chain, enabling all parties to consistently identify, match, and trace the transaction.

Section 2. The Circular shall create the following sections in Part Twelve of the MORPS:

PART TWELVE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS

1203.1 Policy Statement. The Bangko Sentral recognizes the need to align with the use of internationally accepted communication procedures and standards to ensure a safe, efficient, and reliable payment system that supports inclusive economic growth.

Pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11127 or The National Payment Systems Act and Section 102 of the MORPS or the Adoption of the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures, this policy mandates the harmonization with ISO 20022, an international standard for exchanging electronic messages between financial institutions to facilitate seamless, efficient, and secure domestic and cross-border retail payments, with a particular focus on interoperability and straight-through processing.

1203.2 Scope. These requirements shall apply to domestic1 and crossborder retail payments.

1203.3 Internationally Accepted Communication Procedures and Standards. To further improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in processing retail payments, and adherence to global best practices, participants2 are required to comply with the following procedures and standards, where applicable:

a. Efficiency

(1) Messaging formats must include structured and meaningful information, including:

(a) Sender and recipient details, with fields for name and common minimum level of postal address, structured to the extent possible;

(b) Standardized identifiers for all financial institutions and entities in the payment chain including the use of BIC or LEI for enterprises for cross-border payments and payments above agreed thresholds;

(c) Account identifiers to the extent possible to facilitate accurate processing and reconciliation;

(d) ISO externalized codes for payments and paymentrelated processes; and

(e) End-to-end transaction reference to be present in the format prescribed by the clearing system and to be consistent between the sender and the beneficiary to ensure traceability. For cross-border payments, participants must ensure that the UETR field is enabled and that a UETR is included in the message.

(2) Complete and unaltered payment information must be transmitted and maintained throughout transaction processing, including optional data and supplementary information, if provided. Customer remittance information shall be conveyed either by including a minimum required amount of structured or unstructured remittance data within the payment message, or by providing a reference to such information when it is transmitted separately.

(3) The character set3 used for payment messages must align with current market practice, wherein characters are supported or restricted, as necessary, to maintain compatibility.

(4) A common time convention must be applied across all payment messages.4

(5) Participants must use the appropriate ISO 20022 message type for each specific business function.5

b. Transparency and Accessibility

(1) Receiving institutions are responsible for presenting relevant payment information to end-users, including regulators,

clients, and operators, through accessible channels. Information should include, at a minimum, sender details and transaction reference number.

(2) Participants must have the mechanism to maintain for at least five years all necessary records on transactions, both domestic and international, and enable the retrieval and interpretation of payment status and data efficiently.

(3) Participants shall ensure transparency of payment amounts, charges, and any currency conversions involved.

Clearing Switch Operators (CSO) must implement appropriate prevalidation checks to facilitate interoperability, while Automated Clearing House (ACH) participants are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of transaction data, in strict compliance with applicable regulatory standards. Any additional customer information must be handled in compliance with user consent, data privacy laws, and regulations governing data processing, storage, and sharing.

1203.4 Development and Maintenance of Rulebooks Aligned with Internationally Accepted Procedures and Standards. Development and maintenance of rulebooks, being operational in nature, shall be the responsibility of the payment system management body (PSMB). Rulebooks shall include message specifications and protocols, including exception handling. Upon request by the Bangko Sentral, the PSMB shall make this document available for review. The rulebooks shall remain in effect unless superseded by a different messaging standard.

To ensure continued alignment with evolving market practices and global standards, the PSMB shall oversee the yearly review and updating of these guidelines and rulebooks. Participants must also remain compliant with all updates and changes in rulebooks, ensuring that their systems are designed to adapt seamlessly to new requirements without disrupting operations.

1203.5 Reportorial Requirements. The PSMB shall submit reports to the Bangko Sentral, as needed, upon instances of non-compliance with the policy, applying the reporting guidelines set forth in Section 103 of this Manual. Such reports shall include the details and severity of the non-compliance, reasons for its occurrence, and corrective measures undertaken to ensure alignment with the harmonized rulebooks.

1203.6 Enforcement Action. Failure to comply with the requirements under this section shall subject the participants to the appropriate enforcement action provided under Part 15 of this Manual. Further, as determined by the Monetary Board and in accordance with RA No. 11127, the CSO and its directors and/or officers may be subject to corresponding administrative sanctions, while the PSMB may be subject to revocation of its accreditation.

Section 3. Transitory Provision. Participants shall be granted a period of two (2) years from the effectivity of the Circular to achieve full compliance through a phased implementation, with at least one use-case harmonized within the first year from the effectivity of this Circular. Full compliance shall be defined as:

• Phase-out of message translators/adaptors; and

• Compliance across use cases within the scope of the Circular.

An ISO 20022 Harmonization Industry Project Team (Industry Project Team) shall be formed to lead the coordination and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders until its implementation. The members of the Industry Project Team shall be headed by the PSMB and consist of ACH participants, with CSOs tapped as technical experts. To ensure inclusive representation, membership in the Industry Project Team shall be subject to approval by the Bangko Sentral.

Under the oversight of the Bangko Sentral, the Industry Project Team shall define the harmonization approach, including detailed implementation plans, with timelines, technical requirements, and stakeholder support mechanisms through feedback, information dissemination, and capacity-building initiatives. Towards this end, the Industry Project Team shall submit to the Bangko Sentral the regular reports on the following:

a. Results of conformance testing to validate alignment with ISO 20022 messaging standards, including any identified issues and corrective actions taken thereon;

b. Updates on the implementation progress including milestones achieved, challenges encountered, and any delays in adopting harmonized standards; and

c. Statistics on the participants’ operational readiness to process live transactions using the harmonized standards.

Enforcement actions under Section 1203.6 of the Manual shall not apply during the transitory period.

Section 4. Effectivity. This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) calendar days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

FOR THE MONETARY BOARD:

(Sgd) ELI M. REMOLONA, JR. Governor

20 November 2025

1 Refers to domestic transactions performed under the National Retail Payment System Framework.

2 Refers to the operator, issuer, service provider, or any person involved in the payment system other than the end-user, as defined in RA No. 11127.

3 Lower case characters a–z, upper case characters A–Z, numeric characters 0–9, complemented with the following additional characters for a limited selection of data elements as allowed by the CBPR+ usage guidelines /

4 Use of either Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) or local time with UTC offset, as indicated in the BIS-CPMI report.

5 CPMI core ISO 20022 message set include Credit Transfers (e.g. pacs.008, pacs.002), payment returns, (e.g. pacs.004), and payment investigations (e.g. pacs.028).

Note: This Circular can be access at https://www.bsp.gov.ph/SitePages/Regulations/ RegulationDisp.aspx?ItemId=5187

Megaworld, Accor team up for world’s largest Mövenpick

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MEGAWORLD Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality unit of developer Megaworld Corp, is converting its 1,530room Grand Westside Hotel into Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside in a new partnership with global hospitality group Accor, making it the world’s largest Mövenpick hotel.

The 19-story, two-tower hotel, located in Megaworld’s 31-hectare Westside City township in Parañaque’s Entertainment City, is scheduled to open before the end of 2026. The conversion deal covers brand alignment, systems integration and operational enhancements to be completed next year, Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday.

The agreement is the second collaboration between Megaworld and Accor, following the conversion of Belmont Hotel Mactan into Mercure Mactan Cebu.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts manages nearly 7,000 rooms across 15 properties

nationwide and is set to add six new projects, which will bring more than 2,000 additional rooms.

The massive hotel will be linked by a sky bridge directly to the upcoming Westside City integrated casino and entertainment complex and to the Grand Opera House, which aims to position Manila as the “Broadway of Asia.”

“Our partnership with Megaworld represents an important step in strengthening Accor’s footprint in the Philippines, a market that continues to demonstrate strong momentum in both international and domestic travel,” said Garth Simmons, chief operating officer for Accor’s

Premium, Midscale and Economy Division.

“Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside will stand as a flagship for our premium portfolio, supported by Accor’s global network and the reach of ALL Accor, which together help drive visibility and demand across key markets,” said Simmons.

Accord chief development officer for Asia Andrew Langdon said the partnership highlights Accor’s long-term confidence in the Philippines.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts managing director Cleofe Albiso said the rebranding underscores the company’s efforts to meet rising international demand.

“The opening of the world’s largest Mövenpick is a powerful testament to our group’s efforts to scale our world-class offerings and meet the demands of the broader international market,” she said.

Analysts said the market has traded in a narrow range recently as it looks for catalysts to sustain a rally above the 6,000 level.

“Sentiment softened amid caution over Fitch’s recent warning on potential risks to the Philippines’ credit standing,” said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp.

“The concern raised added pressure as the market weighed its possible impact on economic performance,” he added.

U.S. stocks, meanwhile, extended their rally on renewed strength in tech stocks and rising expectations of a rate cut.

Among the sectors, only the holding firms index ended in the green, up 2.02 percent. The services index fell the most, down 1.45 percent, while mining and oil also declined 1.25 percent.

Trading was thin as value turnover reached P4.52 billion. Decliners outnumbered gainers 110 to 80, while 63 stocks were unchanged.

Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows totaling P1.013 billion.

Most Asian markets rose Thursday to extend the week’s global rally as traders ramp up bets on a third successive US interest rate cut next month.

With recent worries over stretched valuations appearing to be on the back burner, confidence continues to flow through trading floors, boosting riskier assets, including bitcoin.

Comments from Federal Reserve officials and a string of weak jobs reports have reinforced expectations that next month’s policy meeting will end with another reduction in borrowing costs. Meanwhile, the central bank’s “beige book” of economic conditions around the United States pointed to a growing divergence in consumption, with lower-income populations pulling back.

“Overall consumer spending declined further, while higher-end retail spending remained resilient,” said the report, adding that some retailers felt a negative hit from the record-long government shutdown.

Traders were little moved by data showing a drop in jobless claims, confounding forecasts for a small rise. Jenniffer B.

with AFP

Austria

From left: Chris Cho, vice president for development for Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Korea, and Maldives, Accor; Andrew Langdon, chief development officer for Asia, Accor; Garth Simmons, chief operating officer - Asia, Accor; Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, president and CEO, Megaworld; Cleofe Albiso, managing director, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts; and Arturo Boncato, Jr., group general manager, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts during the signing ceremony for Movenpick Manila Bay Westside.

BUSINESS

SM Prime to open P3.6-b Cebu convention center in late 2026

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM PRIME Holdings Inc. (SMPH) announced Thursday it plans to open the P3.6 billion SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Once operational, the convention center will be operated by SMPH’s hospitality arm, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC). The facility is set to become one of the largest meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) venues in the Visayas region. The new facility will offer more

Private sector back P1.38-t education budget, urges reforms

A COALITION of major Philippine business and education groups has thrown its support behind the proposed P1.38 trillion allocation for the education sector in the 2026 national budget, urging Congress to ensure the increased funding is tied to transparent accountability measures and longterm, evidence-based reforms.

The groups—the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), and Association of Foundations Philippines Inc.—issued a joint statement. They said the investment demonstrates a “clear recognition that sustained human capital development are central to the country’s long-term competitiveness.”

They said the funding is an opportunity to address persistent learning gaps, strengthen teacher quality and improve school facilities. However, they warned that “realizing these outcomes... requires transparent and accountable budget processes that ensure every peso delivers maximum value for learners.”

The coalition called for greater transparency, particularly in the bicameral conference committee where final budget allocations are decided. They said public scrutiny is essential to ensure resources go to programs that most improve learning outcomes. They also called for stronger accountability and corrective action for parties proven to have mismanaged education funds.

than 21,000 square meters (sq. m.) of leasable space across six levels and will boast an over 18,000-person seating capacity. The launch of SMX Seaside Cebu will expand SMX’s total convention portfolio to more than 80,000 sq. m. of event leasable area across 10 venues nationwide.

The current portfolio includes approximately 42,000 sq. m. of leasable event space at locations such as the planned SMXCITE in Pasay, SMX Manila, SMX Aura in Taguig, SMX Bacolod, SMX Davao, SMX Clark, SMX Olongapo, Skyhall Seaside Cebu and the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall.

Peggy Angeles, executive vice president of SMHCC, said the regional expansion reaffirms the company’s position as the largest private convention center network in the Philippines.

“After recent events, we hope SMX Seaside Cebu will play a meaningful role in revitalizing the province’s tourism and business landscape,” An-

geles said.

Pre-booked events, including Philconstruct Cebu in November 2026 and Wofex Visayas in April 2027, have already been confirmed, signaling strong early demand from MICE clients.

SMX Seaside Cebu is part of SM Prime’s 26-hectare South Coast City, a master-planned development in Cebu that will also feature the upcoming SM Seaside City Arena. The estate is envisioned as a major lifestyle and business hub in the southern Philippines. SMHCC expects Cebu’s connectivity through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to boost the MICE industry in the province.

TOURISM PARTNERSHIP.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (left), together with Bella Lai of Visa Government Solutions, Trifina Sala of Visa Philippines, and Undersecretary Shalimar Hofer Tamano, led the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding between the DOT and Visa at the DOT Main Office in Makati City on Nov. 27, 2025. The partnership aims to boost tourism promotion through datadriven insights, digital tools, and secure payment solutions. Through this collaboration, the DOT and Visa will enhance marketing strategies, improve traveler experience, and help strengthen the global competitiveness of Philippine destinations. Norman Cruz

Biz groups want public SALNs, mandatory lifestyle checks for officials

SIX business groups are calling for mandatory lifestyle checks to enforce Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) accountability by government officials. The groups—the Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SHAREPHIL)—issued a joint statement Thursday calling for truthful and public submission of SALNs by all government officials, and mandatory lifestyle checks to validate these disclosures.

“Without rigorous verification, SALNs remain symbolic records rather than effective tools against corruption,” they said.

The groups argued that lifestyle audits are much easier to conduct now with accessible digital footprints that show spending patterns, travel, social media activity, and ownership of luxury assets of public officials and their family members.

“They are essential to uncover if declared wealth aligns with actual living standards,” they said.

The groups noted that the Constitution (Article XI, Section 17) mandates every public official, both elected and appointed, to submit a sworn SALN upon assuming office. High-ranking officials must even make a full public disclosure. Republic Act No. 6713 further extends SALN requirements to spouses and minor children living in the same household and mandates annual updates, they said.

Haus Talk’s Antipolo project, The Hammond 40% booked after launch

HAUS Talk Inc. (HTI) has launched its latest quality residential project, The Hammond, in Antipolo City, with the development experiencing rapid absorption of inventory, the company announced.

The project, officially launched earlier this month, reinforces the company’s strong track record in the economic housing sector and its commitment to providing affordable homes for Filipino families.

The Philippine Stock Exchangelisted real estate company said that shortly after the official launch, 40 percent of The Hammond’s inventory had already been booked, signaling strong demand for accessible, well-

located housing. The fast absorption rate validates market confidence in HTI’s reputation for timely delivery and quality construction.

HTI’s latest project is strategically positioned to address the needs of the mid-market and economic segments.

The Hammond is located in Barangay Hinapao, Antipolo City, Rizal, a popular location for HTI communities.

Antipolo offers a provincial atmosphere with a relaxed climate while maintaining excellent accessibility to Metro Manila, appealing to homebuyers seeking to avoid the city rush without sacrificing connectivity.

The development features 143 units

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines’ (NGCP) Batangas-Mindoro 500-kilovolt Interconnection and Backbone Project (BMIBP), which is estimated to cost around P90 billion.

The BMIBP is an upgraded version of the original Batangas-Mindoro Interconnection Project, which the ERC approved in 2022 but was never implemented.

The regulator said a review of the evidence showed the BMIBP would benefit electricity consumers by pro-

viding continuous, reliable and efficient power supply, as mandated by Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

The ERC evaluated the project and found it compliant with the technical and economic parameters under relevant laws, and applicable rules and regulations of the commission.

The ERC said the project would not only benefit Mindoro Island and its consumers, but “its implementation will facilitate the entry of more offshore wind projects in the country, thereby improving the reliability and security of energy supply.”

The project aims to link Mindoro Island to the Luzon Grid, giving the island access to more reliable and competitive generation sources. It’s expected to encourage the development of power generation on Mindoro, potentially supporting about 343 megawatts of solar photovoltaic and 710 MW of wind farms due to the wider market provided by the interconnection. To support the 500-kV configuration and updated scheme, NGCP cited the latest data from the Philippine Energy Plan 2023-2050 and the national government’s energy policy direction.

of two-story townhouses (two-bedroom inner unit and three-bedroom corner unit) on a 1.6-hectare site. Units were planned for a competitive base price point, making homeownership more accessible and allowing buyers to use financing options like the Pag-IBIG Fund. HTI is known for its timely construction and delivery of projects, leveraging advanced construction methodologies. The developer employs technologies like cast-in-place concrete, adopted in several previous projects, to ensure both build quality and a faster construction timeline.

The Hammond is an economic

complex of single-attached townhomes expected to be completed by 2026. It is designed to deliver the same aesthetic and community planning that helped other HTI projects, like Celestis and Eastview Residences Premiere, sell out quickly. Terence Madlambayan, chairman of Haus Talk, reinforced the company’s core mission.

“Haus Talk remains strongly committed to provide the market with well-built residences that buyers will be proud to call home,” Madlambayan said. “Our products are a testament to our belief that Filipinos deserve the best that we can offer.”

SSS resolved all anti-red tape complaints in eight months

THE Social Security System (SSS) said Thursday it has addressed all complaints lodged against the agency with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) between January and August 2025.

The statement comes after the SSS was cited in recent news reports as one of the most complained-about government agencies, based on ARTA’s data presented to the Senate.

SSS president and chief executive Robert Joseph Montes De Claro said the agency is coordinating with ARTA to validate the reported data of 244 complaints.

“From our own monitoring of ARTA referrals, all complaints received during the period covered were addressed and resolved within ARTA standards as our resolution rate is at 99.3 percent,” De Claro said. De Claro said that for the same period, the SSS tracked about 474,000 emails, which it worked to resolve within ARTA standards.

The majority of complaints relate to service delivery, followed by loan programs and then contributions matters. Service delivery issues mainly involved queuing at branches and repeat visits for benefit claims. Complaints regarding loan programs—including the recently enhanced salary and calamity loans—focused on difficulties with calamity loan applications and challenges in meeting eligibility requirements. Contributions complaints were primarily about nonremittance by employers and long wait times for manual verification.

Foreign, local business groups support BIR tax audit reforms

By Othel V. Campos

THE Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said Thursday they strongly support the actions of Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza to fix systemic tax administration issues and protect taxpayer rights.

The organizations welcomed the push by the Department of Finance (DOF) and the BIR to modernize and standardize audit procedures, ensur-

ing predictability, transparency and building a fair, efficient tax system. The ECCP lauded the temporary suspension of all field audit opera-

tions, including the issuance of letters of authority and mission orders. It said the step is a clear signal of the government’s commitment to good governance and addressing longstanding business concerns regarding transparency, consistency, and integrity in tax audits.

FPI chairperson Elizabeth Lee said industries have long contributed to national development but have been constrained by inconsistent audit practices. She noted that a fair and transparent tax system could unlock that potential, safeguard taxpayer rights and build lasting trust for growth, adding that clarity and fair-

ness reassure investors of the country’s commitment to accountability.

The ECCP also expressed readiness to work with the DOF and the BIR’s newly formed technical working group, saying these reforms would support an audit environment that upholds taxpayer rights while allowing the BIR to meet revenue goals through fair and transparent processes. Both groups also affirmed their willingness to engage with the government to advance reforms that strengthen competitiveness and foster a more rules-based and inclusive Philippine economy.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE state-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Thursday its net income climbed 50.76 percent to P10.67 billion in the first 10 months of 2025 from P7.08 billion in the same period last year.

“These improvements are attributed to increased vessel and cargo traffic, the positive impact of dollar-denominated tariffs, higher storage fees, and stronger regulatory income,” the PPA said. “These results highlight disciplined financial management and more efficient operations across the agency, setting a strong foundation for sustained growth,” it said.

The port authority’s 10-month revenues went up by 10.57 percent to P24.97 billion from P22.58 billion in the same period last year.

Cargo throughput rose 7.47 percent to 262.84 million metric tons in the first 10 months of the year from 244.58 million MT a year earlier.

The PPA said the increase was led by steady demand for construction materials, ongoing infrastructure projects, growth in mining activities and rising exports of raw minerals. It said given this trajectory, cargo volumes are on track to reach at least 301.47 million metric tons by year-end. Container traffic grew 11.04 percent to 7.14 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 6.43 million TEUs, reflecting improved port efficiency and the impact of modernization initiatives.

VIVANT Corp. said Thursday it signed a P3-billion three-year bilateral term loan agreement with China Banking Corp. to refinance debts and support business expansion initiatives.

Vivant said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it would direct the proceeds from the loan facility toward refinancing maturing debt obligations and bolstering the company’s continuing investments in its power and water projects.

The announcement comes as Vivant reported strong financial results. Its consolidated core net income (CCNI) grew 24 percent to P1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company also rose 12 percent

year-on-year to P1.9 billion.

Vivant chief executive Arlo

Sarmiento said he was proud of the resilience of the teams that navigated market challenges and saw positive results from power generation, energy distribution and wastewater treatment operations.

Sarmiento expressed bullish expectations for the final quarter of the year, particularly following the recent acquisition of a solar project in Bataan.

“As we head to the fourth quarter of 2025, we expect to close the year strong. The recent acquisition of a minority stake in Samal Solar Renewable Energy Corp. [SSREC] which operates a solar power plant in

Bataan will bring immediate value to the bottom-line and we expect the upcoming completion of our other business development initiatives to spur future growth,” he said. Vivant Energy acquired in September a 40-percent equity stake in SSREC, the developer and operator of a 53.14 megawatt (MW) solar plant in Samal, Bataan. About 49.19 MW of the plant’s capacity began commercial operations in August this year, while the remaining 3.95 MW expansion is targeted for completion in 2026.

The acquisition effectively hiked Vivant’s total attributable operating generation capacity to 471 MW. Alena Mae S. Flores

not just a number on paper; it is electricity for homes, power for businesses and confidence for investors,” Garin said.

GCash

A LABOR coalition, citing endemic corruption and structural governance failures, is calling for sweeping political and electoral reforms to dismantle entrenched patronage networks and elite political monopolies.

The MANLABAN (Manggagawang Laban sa Bulok na Sistema, Pribatisasyon at Korapsyon) coalition also warned against privatization of public services.

The coalition also criticized several privatization projects such as the Pagbilao power plant’s alleged trampling of labor rights and the lack of transparency in the Ninoy Aquino Interna-

tional Airport award. They claim these are symptoms of a broader “chronic lack of accountability, political capture and institutions that prioritize profit or political survival over public welfare. Corruption is not merely a matter of individual misconduct but a “direct consequence of a political culture that is structurally built to reward patronage and protect the powerful, according to Luke Espiritu, president of MANLABAN. MANLABAN’s key proposals focus on breaking political monopolies, enhancing

and

ing

Attending the event are (from left) Upside president and co-founder Arvind Appavu; chief executive Jen Dela Cruz; Unifycx vice president of operations Marc Calumba; Philippine Economic Zone Authority deputy director-general Ma. Veronica Magsino; Ambassador of India to the Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain; Unifycx global vice president for talent acquisition Kavita Handa; and Unifycx chief operating officer Satish Varanasi.

FAMILY STUDY. Boston Consulting Group unveils the results of the Filipino Family Study. Attending the event are (from left) Julian Cua, BCG managing director and partner; Paulo Campos, founding managing general partner of Kaya Founders; Margot Torres, managing director of McDonald’s Philippines; Lynn Pinugu, co-founder of She Talks Asia; Anthony Oundjian, BCG managing director and senior partner; and Lance Katigbak, BCG principal

TRANSPORT

DOTr to deploy Dalian trains to cut queues

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) plans to bring back the threecar Dalian train sets next month to reduce long queues during the holiday season.

Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency is closely reviewing the safety and compliance procedures of the three three-car Dalian train sets in preparation for their return to operation this December.

This follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to not only expedite but also ensure the safe deployment of the Dalian trains for a more convenient and safe ride for commuters.

Lopez inspected the Dalian Trains at the MRT-3 Depot in Quezon City on Tuesday and asked the technical team of the China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. (CRRC) which manages the Dalian Trains to ensure that “safety and requirements checks and procedures for utilization” are followed for the safe and orderly deployment of the trains come December.

“Although the deployment of Dalian Trains must be expedited, we will not compromise on the safety of passengers, so they will first undergo

Security Bank offers easier financing for Mazda vehicles

SECURITY Bank has partnered with Mazda Philippines to deliver more flexible and competitive financing solutions for customers looking to own a premium vehicle. Through the Bank’s award-winning Auto Loan solutions, the collaboration empowers more customers to experience the sophistication and performance of Mazda’s lineup with financing designed around convenience, transparency, and value.

“This partnership allows us to give our customers not only the luxury and performance that Mazda is known for, but also the ease and flexibility of owning their dream car through Security Bank’s Auto Loan,” Ronaldo Reyes, vice president and Dealer & Broker Sales Channel head at Security Bank said. Security Bank and Mazda are offering a limited-time, all-in downpayment Auto Loan offer on select Mazda vehicles until December 31, 2025, available across authorized Mazda dealerships nationwide.

“Beyond financing, our collaboration with Mazda Philippines aims to deliver innovative mobility solutions such as leasing and alternative ownership programs, reflecting the evolving preferences of Filipino drivers. We’re committed to strengthening our partnership with Mazda across both retail and wholesale segments,” Joey Sison, first vice president and Focus Segments head of Security Bank said. Mazda underscored its confidence in the partnership. “We believe more people should experience the premium ownership of a Mazda. That is why, in partnership with Security Bank, we are thrilled to offer an opportunity to upgrade to a globally acclaimed Mazda that seamlessly suits your lifestyle,” Steven Tan, president and chief executive of Mazda Philippines said.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspects the Dalian trains ahead of their expected return to operation in December.

thorough safety checks to ensure the safe travel of our countrymen,” Lopez said.

He said this is a big deal for commuters because it will reduce long lines at stations because Dalian Trains can accommodate more passengers.

Lopez also ordered the MRT-3 management to study the installation of an elevator at the station to help commuters, especially persons with

disabilities (PWD) and senior citizens who have difficulty getting up and down to the station platform.

Meanwhile, the lead engineer of the EDSA Busway Kamuning Station told Lopez that the construction of the modern, commuter-, PWD- and senior citizen-friendly station is expected to be completed by January 2026.

This will be a great relief for PWD and senior citizen passengers because the busway station will now have a wheelchair lift.

The agency earlier said it would spend P89.12 million to construct the new and modern EDSA Busway Kamuning Concourse, including the Kamuning footbridge.

The concourse will feature a wellmaintained, pedestrian-friendly walkway and be equipped with wheelchair lifts to assist commuters, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Darwin G. Amojelar

2GO launches e-trucks in major sustainability push

2GO, the country’s leading multimodal logistics solutions provider, has deployed its first batch of electric trucks, marking a major step toward greener and more sustainable logistics operations.

Sustainability has long been at the core of 2GO’s operations. The company has utilized electric forklifts in its warehouses, ensured its land transportation fleet meets Euro 4 emission standards, and integrated

solar panels to harness renewable energy across key facilities. Eco-friendly packaging solutions are standard, and shipping operations continue to provide one of the most environmentally responsible methods for long-distance cargo transport in the country. The addition of e-trucks further strengthens 2GO’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.

“These new electric trucks represent more than just innovation; they are a reflection of 2GO’s long-standing commitment to sustainability,” Faye Alonzo, 2GO Forwarding Business Unit head said.

“Every step we take, from warehouse operations to the roads, is guided by our responsibility to the environment. With e-trucks, we can move goods more efficiently while significantly lowering our carbon footprint, proving that logistics and sustainability can go hand in hand,” she added.

The new electric vehicles are designed to handle high-volume freight, offering quieter, cleaner, and more energy-efficient operations.

AirAsia Philippines offers P15 base fare seat sale

AIRASIA Philippines has launched a Christmas-themed seat sale, offering a P15 one-way base fare for direct flights from Cebu. With the holidays approaching, the low-cost carrier is helping Filipinos reunite with loved ones without the peak season price stress.

From November 24 to 30, 2025, guests can book flights from Cebu to Iloilo, Davao, and Caticlan for as low as P15, and to Macao for P388 and Kuala Lumpur for P588 only. The travel period runs from November 24, 2025 to November 30, 2026, allowing

guests to plan trips for Christmas, New Year, and even long weekends for 2026.

“During a season when spending easily adds up, every bit of savings becomes an opportunity to give our loved ones something truly meaningful---lasting memories. At AirAsia, we believe the best gifts aren’t wrapped; they’re shared,” AirAsia Philippines Communications and Public Affairs Head First Officer Steve Dailisan said.

“And nothing compares to a heartwarming reunion made possible

by value-driven fares,:” he added. As part of the continued rollout of its campaign “To the Philippines with Love, Fly Direct from Cebu,” AirAsia Philippines will also donate P15 from every seat sold to support relief efforts for communities affected by recent typhoons and earthquakes.

AirAsia is a leading low-cost carrier with licenses to operate in five Asean countries—Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Founded in 2001, the airline has made flying affordable and accessible to more than 800 million guests, connecting people and communities across more than 130 destinations.

Today, as one of the largest airlines in the region, AirAsia is expanding to become the world’s first global low cost network carrier. It operates more than 200 aircraft and holds a significant orderbook for the next decade.

THE Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to high-quality service after passing its external surveillance audit with zero nonconformities, retaining its ISO 9001:2015 Certification.

The TÜV Rheinland Inc. audit held on 21 November 2025 reported zero non-conformities, eight positive observations, and only three opportunities for improvement, a strong sign that CIAC’s quality management system is running exactly as it should.

ISO 9001:2015 is one of the world’s most trusted standards for quality management, helping organizations deliver consistent, reliable, and customer-focused services.

Jojit Alcazar, CIAC president and chief executive applauded the CIAC team for the achievement. “CIAC’s adherence to the Quality Management System has again been proven by the recent audit, ensuring the delivery of quality service to our stakeholders,” he said.

The assessment reviewed CIAC’s estate management and lease processing operations, confirming compliance with all legal and contractual requirements and validating that the organization is on track to achieve its goals.

Auditors also noted several positives, including CIAC’s awards and recognitions, operational improvements, active CSR programs, and the signing of new lease and development agreements that support the corporation’s long-term growth.

As BCDA’s lead aviation and land development arm, CIAC continues to push forward with its mission to transform the Clark aviation complex into the Clark Aviation Capital: a vibrant business center poised to become the Philippines’ premier global aviation and logistics hub.

DOTr launches white beep card caravan at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr), in collaboration with AF Payments Inc. (AFPI), held a white beep card caravan at De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde. This initiative, which aligns with the President’s directive, aims to expedite the issuance of white beep cards to make commuting easier and allow more passengers to avail of the 50 percent fare discount on the LRT1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 lines.

According to Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the caravan aims to reach more students and provide them with more convenient services so that they do not have to leave school.

“Because of this white beep card caravan, our students’ travel will be easier and less hassle for them, especially those who are pursuing classes. They will just load it and they will immediately be able to avail the 50 percent discount,” Lopez said. According to PWD student Bella, the process of getting a white beep card is fast and convenient.

“This is good because they have an announcement, there is news about what will be done, just register and then you can get the card,” said Bella. For senior citizen Mang Romuald, the 50 peace t discount on train fare is a big deal.

From left: Ethel Concepcion, head of corporate marketing and communications, 2GO Group Inc.; Faye Alonzo, business unit head, 2GO Forwarding; Allain Dick, board director, Eclimo Electric Management Inc.; Elizier Santiago, senior assistant vice president and head of operations, 2GO Forwarding.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2025

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SHAKE, Rattle & Roll refuses to stay in the shadows, guided by Regal president and CEO Roselle Monteverde and her son, executive vice president Keith Monteverde Teo, who now carry forward Mother Lily Monteverde’s legacy in shaping the Philippine horror genre.

Just when you think the legendary franchise has run its course, it returns to cinemas and captures the nation’s imagination once more. Now on its 17th outing, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins arrives at the Metro Manila Film Festival as a personal tribute to the woman who built the Regal empire.

Very Wang Nickie Wang

Arlene Muhlach, Ara Mina and a long list of seasoned performers to complete the multigenerational ensemble.

Regal revives horror legacy for MMFF 2025

devotion was clear at the film’s grand launch at Gateway Cinema, one of the most star-studded showbiz gatherings of the year.

Asked what it meant to revive SRR barely a year after Mother Lily’s passing, Keith’s answer came with emotion.

“It means the world to me,” he said. “Shake was the first horror movie I watched with my Lola. When I came home [after leaving a career in the US], I knew I wanted to do this. Working with my mom and the team makes it even more special.”

Roselle added that Evil Origins may be the franchise’s most deliberate installment yet. SRR, she said, has remained a tradition, but traditions must evolve, and that’s exactly what they are doing in steering the franchise.

“The tradition of ‘Shake’ has always been excellence,” she explained. “That’s the standard we hold ourselves to.” It was that pursuit of quality, she admitted, that kept Regal from producing yearly sequels.

“We didn’t make a ‘Shake’ movie for some years because we couldn’t find the right concept. It’s hard. When we began this two years ago, the question became, “What can we do differently?” The answer was to connect the episodes.”

For the first time in SRR history, the film unfolds as a three-part saga linked through time—from 1775 to 2025 to 2050—stitching together a single story of terror across centuries. “You can’t miss an episode,” Roselle said. “It’s one story crafted with care—from production and design to the performances.”

The cast carries the franchise’s long, eerie shadow. Horror veterans Janice de Belen and Manilyn Reynes return, joined by today’s biggest names.

“This was

, appearing in the first chapter, confessed to feeling the pressure of setting the tone. “The first episode carries a lot of responsibility,” she said. “It sets the mood for everything. But based on the teaser reaction, I think we did

It was also the first live performance of “Memory” by both bands. Memory was Sugarcane’s first extended play, showcasing their ability to turn personal experiences into songs that resonated with a broader audience.

said quietly. “We made sure it would be worthy.” And by all early signs, Evil Origins is exactly that—a loving tribute, a chilling revival, and a reminder that no matter the decade, Filipinos will always show up for Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins opens Dec. 25 as an

and close friends

By Angelica Villanueva

CELEBRITY couple Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio are officially married after exchanging vows in a private ceremony with family and close friends. On Thursday, Ronnie took to his Instagram to share a series of photos of their wedding. “Zup! Mrs. Alonte,” he wrote. Loisa reposted the post with the message, “Thank you Lord God.” Ronnie shared photos of the wedding on Instagram on Thursday, giving fans a glimpse of the couple’s special day. Hours earlier, he posted a vlog on their YouTube

channel documenting his proposal. The video showed Ronnie preparing a custom oval engagement ring engraved with “R.L.” and “11.26,” marking the date they became a couple.

The actor revealed that he had planned the proposal for years, gathering clues about Loisa’s “dream engagement.” He surprised her by presenting the moment as a vlog preview before asking, “Will you marry me?” Loisa responded with tears and a “yes.”

Fellow celebrities and fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages following the couple’s long-awaited wedding.

Sugarcane

From left: Roselle Monteverde and her son Keith Monteverde Teo thank the audience as they lead the return of ‘Shake, Rattle

Richard Gutierrez (second from left) stands with ‘SRR’ co-stars (from left) Sassa Gurl, Manilyn Reynes, and Carla Abellana

That

well.”

Manilyn, whose earlier appearances remain etched in local horror history, believes the new film holds its ground. “I’ve done some of the most iconic episodes,” she said. “And this one can match them.”

Alongside the veterans, a younger generation steps in—Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Kaila Estrada, Loisa Andalio, and Elijah Alejo—many of whom were children or not yet born when SRR began terrifying audiences. They join Ivana Alawi,

The film’s true heart remains its dedication to Mother Lily, according to Roselle.

mom’s baby,” she

Ronnie Alonte (right) and Loisa Andalio seal their wedding with a kiss in a private ceremony surrounded by family

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

IYugel Losorata

SAW on my Facebook feed a post from prolific songwriter and recording artist Jim Paredes , who expressed his delight in receiving two trophies from the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, or FILSCAP. This association gathers both the brightest Filipino tunesmiths and, uh, the most devoted-to-their-craft struggling artists.

He was recognized for, as his post said, “being among the top 5 royalty earners for 2024” and “for having the top-earning local song for 2024.”

The event where he got them was this year’s FILSCAP Fellowship Party, which, being a member myself, I would have likely attended had I been physically present in the Philippines. Should I say that with the celebrated discography of APO Hiking Society, of which he is a chief songwriting member, it is not much of a surprise to see him land on the Top 5 royalty earners list. It must have helped that he and the other surviving member of their iconic troika, Boboy Garrovillo, are touring around—visible and naturally showcasing how great their hit list is.

What’s actually more interesting, which he also noted in his post, was the fact that the said top-earning song is one he wrote, as he recalled, around 1983: “When I Met You.”

THE Philippines’ Arianna Charlize Pantaleon was named Miss Environment International 2025 during the coronation night held at City of Dreams in Parañaque City on Monday. Pantaleon was crowned by Miss Environment International 2023 Shannon Robinson, making it a back-to-back win for the Philippines, as the India-based pageant was not held in 2024.

The 22-year-old Pantaleon, born to Filipino parents in Toronto, Canada, and a graduate in public speaking and communications, also bagged four major special awards: Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, Best in National Costume (designed by Stephen Alvarado), and People’s Choice.

“A historic back-to-back victory for the Philippines. Congratulations, Queen Arianna. Your grace, purpose, and unwavering dedication to the environment continue to make us proud,” said the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization in a congratulatory message.

Miss Uganda Trisha Ahwera finished as first runner-up, while Miss Trinidad & Tobago Rebecca Baptiste was second runner-up. The rest of the Top 6 were Miss India Simi Nair, Miss Vietnam Tran Thi My Lin, and Miss USA Gabriella Jasmin Dixon Rounding out the Top 12 were Miss Belgium Dina Derboven (Miss Congeniality), Miss Netherlands Indi Joy Cathlyn Snel (Miss Social Media), Miss Zimbabwe Zvashe Jamal Maponga, Miss France Helene Marie Brialy Miss Russia Karina Iskanderova (Best in Talent), and Miss Indonesia Putri Aveline

This top-earning Filipino song from long ago

triumph in light of this trend of artists forcing themselves to be current and (this word) relevant, which arguably spawned manufactured singles banking on famous acts who can’t really sing and bands that to me look like crybabies churning out toxic drama instead of truly sincere love anthems. I’m saying this to emphasize that the one who writes authentic poetry and melody, which are done to express and not impress, and who thinks that it’s the song and not the artist, still rules!

“I am amazed,” Jim noted, referring to his 42-year-old magnum opus. “Usually, the top-earning song is a new song, often sung by a new artist.”

“I can only conclude that the younger generations have really

discovered us,” he argued.

The third edition of Miss Environment International 2025, presented by Triumphus Green Initiatives, Inc., in cooperation with the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines, celebrates beauty with a purpose, empowering women from around the world to become advocates for environmental protection, sustainability, and global ecological awareness.

*

* * Michael Angelo Toledo named second runner-up in Man of the Year 2025

MEANWHILE, Mister Taiwan Ven Lee was named Man of the Year 2025 during finals held recently in Bali–Lombok, Indonesia. The Philippines’ Michael Angelo Toledo finished as second runner-up, while Lebanon’s Jean Geagea was first runner-up.

Placing as third and fourth runners-up were Venezuela’s Franlex Eduardo Ramirez Polidor and Puerto Rico’s Angel Zayas, respectively.

“We notice that attendees to our concerts have a lot of young people (11 to 30s now), even in the provinces.” Whoever thinks that whatever you spoon-feed the Pinoy market, they’ll just eat up lacks vision. People in general look for songs that will stand the test of time and artists who are true to their craft and follow the basics, not the ones noisily trying to

be different to go viral, and who don’t give a damn about inspired songwriting.

Jim is grateful and gives a nod to the group who made him, which is the mark of a great artist: “Whatever the reasons are, I just want to thank everyone who listens to APO.”

I think many people did Jim dirty at times he expressed himself in political tones. Well, we have to be reminded that he penned “Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo.” It’s a song about fighting tyranny and promoting peaceful change, with a gloriously uplifting melody. Perhaps none of his haters can create something like that. And that alone should put them in place.

One way or another, a basher may have enjoyed listening to an APO song that Jim wrote.

If I’m asked to name my top 5 Filipino songwriters, I’ll put Jim on the list, along with Ely Buendia Rico Blanco and Vehnee Saturno . I have yet to decide on the fifth one. One common thing about these guys—they had as many compositions recorded at the height of their songwriting prowess.

Jim and Boboy have new songs, by the way. I listened to the latest, “My Angel My Love,” not expecting much. I like that it tried to stay in touch with how they did their masterpieces from yesteryears. Anyway, they don’t need to prove themselves by deliberately being in the now.

They’ve always been here with us, relevant (oh, this abused, misused word again) since we met them.

Toledo, a 24-year-old model from Cebu, graduated with a marketing management degree and previously competed in Mister Fitness Supermodel World 2023 held in Vietnam, where he finished as third runner-up. Toledo followed fellow kings of Mister Pilipinas Worldwide: Kenneth Marcelino’s first runnerup finish in

AS MORE Filipinos rely on online banking, e-wallets, and digital platforms, authorities are warning of a rise in phishing and smishing schemes aimed at stealing personal and financial

Phishing typically involves emails or fake websites posing as banks, telecom firms or government agencies. Smishing uses text messages to trick users into sharing sensitive data. Both methods share the same goal: obtaining personal information that can be used for fraud.

Scammers commonly urge victims to click links that lead to fraudulent sites. Among the most prevalent schemes are bank and e-wallet scams, where fraudsters claim an account has been locked or compromised and ask users to “verify” details through a fake

Other schemes include messages promising rewards or discounts, job offers that guarantee quick income, and fraudulent investment pitches. Authorities have also reported bogus calamity assistance offers, fake telecom promotions, and social media impersonation cases where hacked or impersonated accounts ask contacts to click links or send money. Scammers have also expanded to online marketplace fraud, offering discounted items that never arrive; loan and credit scams that

Touchbass

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Christi Fider charts new career direction

By Nickie Wang

BEFORE she was recognized as an outstanding young entrepreneur by the Philippine Movie

Club for cofounding ARCA Bespoke,

Fider was known as a singer and content creator.

Now, she is building her name in the jewelry industry, shaping ARCA Bespoke into a brand that carries her values, her background, and her commitment to sustainable craftsmanship.

“ARCA Bespoke was launched in 2023, starting with creating the crowns for Ms. Manila,” Fider said. Her connection to jewelry started much earlier. “I’ve been in the jewelry world since I graduated college in 2017, but honestly, the exposure started even earlier. My mom is a jeweler, so it’s always been part of my life.”

By Jasper Valdez

CONTROL has quietly become the new status symbol. As schedules change by the hour and routines rarely stay the same two days in a row, people are embracing products that fit their rhythm instead of forcing them to adjust.

That idea sat at the center of IQOS’ launch of the ILUMA i, introduced in the Philippines on Nov. 19 at Okada’s Cove Manila.

The new device is Philip Morris International (PMI) and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC)’s latest smoke-free alternative for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke or use nicotine products.

Unlike cigarettes, it heats tobacco rather than burning it, aiming to deliver an experience without smoke, fire, or ash. In addition, it’s free of the tedious cleaning that older generations of heated tobacco devices once required.

Her shift toward building a brand began when she reconsidered her work with natural diamonds. “I first worked with natural diamonds alongside my two older brothers, but over time I realized it didn’t align with my advocacy for sustainability,” she said. Discovering lab-grown diamonds — which she describes as more ethical and eco-friendly — led her to create something of her own. “That passion eventually became ARCA Bespoke.”

The name also came naturally. “ARCA is a Latin word that means ‘chest’ or ‘box,’ basically where you keep your valuables. When we came across it, it just clicked,” she said.

Fider considers sustainability the core of the brand.

“Our biggest strength is our core — creating pieces people will truly treasure without harming the environment. Even our gold is recycled, and we encourage clients to bring old pieces they don’t use anymore so we can turn them into something new. With lab-grown diamonds, they’re still real diamonds. It’s a modern innovation that lets people enjoy meaningful jewelry in a more sustainable way.”

ARCA Bespoke specializes in custom-made pieces created through a collaborative process.

“Clients usually describe what they want, and we guide them on what will work best. We create rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even crowns,” Fider said, adding that CAD technology helps clients visualize their ideas.

For the brand’s top-selling pieces, engagement rings — also Fider’s personal favorite — remain at the top of the list.

“We get to be part of something so special. I love it when clients update us after they get a ‘yes’ and when they return for their wedding bands.”

For Fider, entrepreneurship gives her space to express purpose and craft. “An ARCA piece is more than jewelry. It’s made to be treasured for a lifetime. With lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold, you’re making a choice that’s better for the environment. These are pieces you can pass down through generations.”

ARCA Bespoke operates by appointment at its space on Annapolis Street in San Juan.

Where ILUMA i differs is in how much control it hands back to users. The holder now has a touchscreen that lets them check battery life and see how long their session will last. It sounds simple, but the message is pointed—enjoyment doesn’t have to be rushed or dictated by the device.

As Anton Rodriguez of PMI explained, “For the first time ever, now you have complete control of your device. With just a touch, you can see how much battery you have left and how long your experience is for you.”

Rodriguez emphasized that the ILUMA i isn’t simply an upgrade for the sake of upgrading, but a shift in philosophy.

“All of these features focus on three things we want to provide our consumer: value, flexibility, and of course, satisfaction,” he said.

He also pointed to life’s unpredictability as the inspiration for Pause Mode.

“Sometimes, life does not always go in a straight

DREAMS don’t move on their own, they need drivers.

For many aspiring singers, shy beginners, and young music lovers, these drivers come in the form of coaches and mentors who believe in their potential long before they believe in themselves. At RMA Studio Academy, owned

by singer and celebrity vocal coach Jade Riccio, this philosophy has always been at the heart of her mission. Through structured guidance, compassionate teaching, and strong teacher-student support, the academy has become a launchpad for students who once only dreamed of performing. This year’s That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies concert proved just how powerful that kind of mentorship can be. Even one of the strongest typhoons that hit the country today was conquered. The successful event held on November 9 showcased how far students can go when given space, training, and people who genuinely want them to succeed. Throughout months of rehearsals, RMA coaches helped students strengthen their vocal abilities, handle their nerves, and embrace the stage as a home.

New era of personalized pleasure

PMFTC President Gijs de Best (center) joins Anton Rodriguez (rightmost) and fellow executives at the IQOS ILUMA i launch line. And if it doesn’t now, ILUMA i adjusts for you,” Rodriguez said, noting that users can pause and resume without wasting a stick or restarting their session. “With just a swipe, you can continue your seamless pleasure.”

For current IQOS users, the evolution goes further through FlexPuff and FlexBattery, which respond to usage patterns for a longer and more tailored session. Rodriguez summed it up by saying that ILUMA i is meant to “keep pace with your rhythms, your routines, and of course, ultimately, your pleasure.”

These efforts culminated in a concert overflowing with confidence, joy, and artistry. Some of them were captured on video excitedly preparing hours before the show. Their families and friends witnessed the moments that defined their musical journeys. The night also highlighted the wealth of talent nurtured at RMA. Beyond vocal performances, students impressed the audience with their use of a variety of musical instruments. Adding to the grand event, many numbers were performed live with the Philippine Events Orchestra, giving the young artists a professional experience that few student performers ever get. Another highlight of the evening was the

participation of RMA’s celebrity students. Rhian Ramos had a powerful take on “One Way or Another,” Michelle Dee brought emotional depth to her rendition of “Dilaw.” Celebrity kids, often tagged as “showbiz royalty,” also shone brightly, like Scarlet Belo, Tali Sotto, Renzo Jaworski, and Zia Dantes each offering unforgettable moments. Tali charmed the crowd with “Wannabe” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “The Climb.” Zia was so confident in singing “Scars to Your Beautiful” in front of mom Marian Rivera and dad Dingdong Dantes. Ina Raymundo had her rendition of Bette Davis Eyes, Jema Galanza and Chloe San Jose performed high-energy “Proud Mary,” Rain Celmar stunned with her version of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You,”

The focus on user autonomy also aligns with IQOS’ wider smoke-free roadmap. PMFTC President Gijs de Best described ILUMA i as “the next step in our mission to deliver a smoke-free future.” With its latest upgrades, ILUMA i continues the brand’s move toward responsible product design by incorporating recycled materials into its accessories.

The ILUMA i becomes available first in IQOS stores and online starting November 21, with select partners receiving it later.

and Vivoree gave us her take on hit OPM song “Dadalhin.” OPM icon Jose Mari Chan and RMA Studio Academy CEO Jade Riccio elevated the concert even further with their duet of “Let Love Be the Gift.”

Beyond the show’s artistry, That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies carried a deeper and more meaningful purpose. The concert served as a benefit event for the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP), aligning with RMA’s vision of using music to uplift lives. As Jade previously shared, the concert was about giving students the chance to shine while also opening the spotlight to performers from one of the most vulnerable sectors, individuals on the autism spectrum.

Selected ASP members delivered a moving rendition of “True Colors,” reminding the audience of what inclusion, empathy, and expression can do. Their performances demonstrated that talent knows no boundaries and that music remains a universal language. With the overwhelming

number of people who showed up, one wouldn’t think a super typhoon was happening. The leap of faith was worth it.

The evening ended with a memorable group performance of K-Pop Demon Hunters’ hit track “Golden,” filling the Aliw Theater with pride and the glow of dreams realized. That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies was a celebration of growth, mentorship, artistry, and community. Through RMA Studio Academy, many young performers found not only their voices in “That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies” but also the belief that they are capable of conquering anything—the concert stage and a super typhoon. As they say, amore (Italian for love) conquers all. For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.

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Zia Dantes (above) confidently performs in front of parents Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (below) at ‘That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies’ Scarlet Belo shines onstage as one of RMA

Studio Academy’s celebrity students

Tali Sotto impresses her parents, Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto, with an energetic performance on stage

The ILUMA i introduces features like touchscreen control, FlexPuff, and Pause Mode