Manila Standard - 2026 January 20 - Tuesday

PH makes ‘historic’ gas find

By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae S. Flores and Rex Espiritu

Lawyer files impeach complaint vs. PBBM; Palace: Baseless rap

By Charles Dantes Maricel Cruz

AN IMPEACHMENT complaint was filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday before the House of Representatives, a move that Malacanang downplayed as “baseless” as House leaders cautioned against using the process to “manufacture a crisis where none exists.”

The complainant, lawyer Andrei de Jesus, cited

Testimony vs. former Speaker ‘insufficient’

By Maricel V. Cruz

SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday acknowledged during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that testimony presented by witnesses was insufficient to implicate former Speaker Martin Romualdez, effectively conceding that no evidence has been established against Romualdez.

comparable to the

Malampaya wells,” he said

helps Malampaya’s contribution and strengthens our domestic gas supply for many years to come,” Mr. Marcos added.

Lawyer

By Maricel V. Cruz and Pot Chavez

NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested former DPWH engineers Bryce Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza at the Senate last night.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division had ear-

• DOJ to seek Alcantara turnover

• Show-cause orders vs. Co, Guteza

lier issued warrants for former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six others accused in a malversation case involving an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan. It was not known as of press time if Revilla and the rest of the accused have been taken into custody.

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has identified and confirmed that 14 flood control projects are “ghost” or non-existent.

“After a careful review of the resolution and its supporting documents, as well as the records, the

Meanwhile, the Senate agreed to allow the DOJ to take custody of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Henry Alcantara following

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday that while deportation may seem the most “logical” way to bring former Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co back from Portugal, it is also the “most improbable.” Remulla made the remarks after ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima urged the government to negotiate Co’s deportation rather than pursue an extradition treaty. “That is the most logical but the most improbable... Ang sinasabi ni Rep. Leila, madali sabihin, but it has to follow the rule of law,” Remulla told Balitanghali.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Dennis Pulma, executive clerk of court of the Sandiganbayan, confirmed that arrest warrants have been issued against the accused.

HOT SEAT. Former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, inset, testifies at the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing yesterday. Also in attendance were ex-DPWH officlals led by Roberto A. Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, Bryce Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza; and contractor Pacifico Discaya. Lino Santos

HISTORIC FIND

Photo shows a flaring operation by Prime Energy, operator of the Malampaya natural gas field off Palawan, which announced a major milestone with the discovery of a new natural gas reservoir containing 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Prime Energy

Sulayman (PS20),

He said the discovery also includes condensate, a high-value liquid fuel that can further support government efforts to stabilize the country’s power supply.

“This additional resource can help support the government’s efforts for the stabilization of our power supply,” the President said.

MAE-1 is the first milestone under the Malampaya Phase 4 drilling campaign, which also includes the Camago-2 and Bagong Pag-asa wells. Malampaya Phase 4 has been certified as a Project of National Significance.

Since its inception, the Malampaya project has generated more than US$13.9 billion in revenues for the Philippine government, while significantly reducing dependence on imported fuels.

The President said the next steps involve the completion and testing of Camago-3, followed by the drilling of the Pag-asa exploration well to pursue additional gas resources.

The discovery was carried out by the SC-38 Consortium, led by Prime Energy, in partnership with UC-38, PNOC Exploration Corporation and Prime Oil and Gas Incorporated.

“This gas discovery is a victory for the Filipino people,” Prime Energy said in a statement Monday.

“When we assumed operatorship,

we committed to the President and the nation to breathe new life into Malampaya and revitalize the indigenous natural gas sector. Today, we are delivering on that commitment.”

The company thanked President Marcos for his leadership, particularly for approving the extension of SC38 and for the enactment of the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the discovery of the significant natural gas reservoir at MAE-1 will unlock indigenous resources and strengthen the country’s long-term energy security.

“This milestone is a testament to the world-class capability of Filipino engineers in securing our country’s energy future…Reliable power fuels our

prior to his election to the House, operated JVN Construction and Trading that had public works contracts in Central Luzon – to the Office of the Ombudsman,

everyday life: the lights in our homes, the continuity of work and enterprise, and the stability our schools, hospitals, and communities depend on,” she said.

“This is truly historic…Natural gas is a critical bridge in our energy mix, supporting power reliability while we scale renewables, energy storage, and grid upgrades,” Garin added.

The Philippine Coast Guard, for its part, said it will “strategically deploy” its assets to ensure heightened security for the MAE-1 gas field.

“The commitment is to deploy our 97-meter vessels and two 44-meter vessels, and even our aircraft, to ensure we protect the gas field,” PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said.

Remulla explained why the government cannot simply cancel Co’s passport to force his return.

‘We need an extradition request to deport him. The mere cancellation of his passport does not work because he has a Portuguese passport. His passport gives him rights and privileges as a Portuguese citizen,” he said

The Philippines and Portugal have no extradition treaty, but it was earlier suggested as an option by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Negotiating an extradition treaty with Portugal just to arrest Zaldy Co takes so much effort and too much time. No sense of urgency can be implied from such an option,” de Lima said.

“What is more reasonable at this point is to negotiate with Portugal for Zaldy Co’s deportation to the Philippines,” she added.

court finds that probable cause exists in this case,” read the January 19 resolution penned by Associate Justice Karl Miranda.

The court also ordered the commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration to include the names of the accused in the Hold Departure List.

According to the prosecution, the respondents allegedly conspired to facilitate the release of P76 million for the construction of a P92.8 million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, which was declared completed but was never implemented, based on inspection reports and witness accounts.

The respondents were found to have falsified accomplishment reports, issued fraudulent billing documents, and endorsed disbursement vouchers.

Revilla’s co-accused are Assistant District Engineer Bryce Hernandez, Engineer Jaypee Mendoza, Engineer Arjay Domasig, Engineer Emelita Juat, Juanito Mendoza, and Christina Pineda.

The Sandiganbayan earlier raffled off the malversation and graft cases filed against Revilla over the alleged P92.8 million ghost flood control project.

The malversation case was assigned to the Third Division chaired by Associate Justice Miranda, while the graft case was raffled to the Fourth Division chaired by Associate Justice Michael Musngi, which will handle the charges against Revilla and the six DPWH officials. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice on Monday confirmed that former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan is facing a plunder complaint in connection with anomalous flood control projects nationwide.

“Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan is a respondent in the case filed by the NBI for plunder, among other charges. He is a co-respondent in the same case as Senator Jinggoy Estrada,” Justice spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said.

Martinez said no subpoena has been issued yet, explaining that this will be done once the case is assigned to a panel of prosecutors.

“As of today, there is no schedule for the preliminary investigation yet. The case will be assigned to a panel of handling prosecutors,” he said.

The plunder complaint against the former DPWH chief is not limited to a single project but covers allegations of ill-gotten wealth amounting to more than P50 million through a series of transactions.

alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust as grounds for impeachment.

Malacañang said it respects the impeachment process even as Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said the complaint filed was “baseless.”

“The Palace recognizes that the filing of complaints is part of the democratic process provided for under our Constitution. We respect this process and trust that Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, will discharge its duties with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law,” Malacañang said in a statement.

Castro added: “All of the President’s actions were in accordance with the law and the constitution. Thus, we can say that there is no basis at this time.”

The impeachment complaint was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jett Nisay, prompting Castro to note the irony that the endorser would be a lawmaker who was recommended to be charged with possible plunder and graft charges in connection with questionable flood control projects.

“What we know for now is that the party-list that endorsed the complaint is one of the eight contractors mentioned by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure,” she said.

The ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways previously referred eight lawmakers – including Nisay who,

De Jesus’ complaint pointed to several issues, including what he described as the President’s alleged failure to veto unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget and the administration’s handling of alleged corruption tied to flood control and other projects.

It also cites as a ground Mr. Marcos’ role in allowing the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which the complainant characterized as a deprivation of due process.

De Jesus said the number of lawmakers who may not support his complaint is “immaterial.”

“What I need to do, I have to do, so that is exactly why I’m here, irrespective of the possible turnout. But then again, miracles do happen. Who knows? The numbers might end up being in our favor,” he said.

“I am confident, however, that the House has the mechanisms, especially the House Committee on Justice, to handle matters of this sort. Impeachment complaints are nothing alien to the House of Representatives,” he added.

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, for his part, said he sees no reason to justify the impeachment rap even as he assured the House will fulfill its mandate to act on and thoroughly study the complaint.

“The matter of impeachment is not a joke. It is a serious and thorough process. It is the responsibility of the House of Representatives, according to the Consti-

to vacate the premises.

“I repeat, this is not enough. This information is not enough to implicate the former Speaker, not even to suggest his involvement. We may only consider this as a lead because there is an alleged connection, but of course Curlee Discaya denied it, so let us leave it at that,” Lacson said during the hearing.

Earlier in the proceedings, Curlee Discaya denied the allegations attributed to him, telling the Senate that they had never entered South Forbes Park and did not even know what the houses there looked like.

The statements were made following testimony from two witnesses identified as staff of a former tenant of a South Forbes Park property, who claimed that Discaya introduced himself as a contractor, mentioned Romualdez as the buyer, and allegedly asked occupants

As of the hearing, no deed of sale, contract, or payment record naming Romualdez has been presented before the committee. Records also show that Romualdez was not the tenant, not the owner, and not a party to any transaction involving the property.

The Senate inquiry arose from a dispute involving a non-renewed lease.

Lacson’s remarks placed on record that the information provided by the witnesses did not meet the threshold to implicate the former Speaker, particularly in light of Discaya’s sworn denial.

Lawyer Ade Fajardo, spokesperson for former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, on Monday dismissed the allegations aired during the Senate hearing, saying they collapse under sworn testimony and the absence ofdocumentary proof.

Fajardo said contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya testified under oath that he

arrest,” he added.

his admission to the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

At the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe into the alleged flood control anomalies on Monday, DOJ officer-in-charge Fredderick Vida said some of the cases had been filed before the Sandiganbayan while others remained under preliminary investigation.

“Presently, 14 projects have been identified by the Department of Justice and we are convinced they are ghost projects,” Vida said.

He added that the issuance of arrest warrants rests solely with the courts once information approved by the Ombudsman are submitted.

He also said the prosecutors were being cautious before endorsing the suits for arrest warrants, stressing that “evidence must withstand judicial scrutiny.”

“If we can initially narrow things down so we don’t have to keep going back, for example if our at the DPWH give us 10,000

projects, we are sure 9,800 of them are definitely not ghost projects, then our universe becomes smaller. Government resources are limited, and so is the time as our people await solutions,” Vida said.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the DOJ will formally request the Senate to turn over Alcantara, stressing that the transfer is meant to ensure the state witness’ safety as he cooperates in the investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects.

“If the chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee so desires, then we will take the necessary appropriate action to take him into our custody,” said Fadullon.

“The secretariat is directed to,” the panel’s chair,

In the same hearing, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson ordered the Senate secretariat to issue showcause orders to [former] congressman Elizaldy Co and Orly Guteza.

“In deference to the latest Supreme Court ruling, we will use the showcause order first, and if not satisfactory, we will cite them in contempt and eventually, we will issue the warrant of

The whereabouts of Co and of Guteza remained unknown, with the former congressman believed to be in Portugal, while his former aide was briefly rumored to be in Marine custody.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday reopened the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control scandal, marking the eighth public session of the inquiry.

Lacson said the committee which he chairs has made significant progress since the controversy emerged last year, overcoming attempts to downplay its work.

“Contrary to the lies and obfuscations that naysayers are trying to spread around, your Blue Ribbon Committee has accomplished so much since the flood control scandal broke wide open in the middle of last year,” he said.

Lacson noted that testimonies from DPWH officials, including Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza, exposed billions of pesos funneled from flood control projects into casinos through a complex scheme.

The hearings also scrutinized former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Ber-

tution, to accept and examine such grievances—and this should be done with utmost care and respect for the Constitution. It should not be used for politicization and cause disunity,” Dy said.

House Committee on Ways and Means chairman Miro Quimbo cautioned against using the impeachment process to stir instability rather than address genuine constitutional violations.

“The House stands for continuity of governance and respect for the will of the electorate…With two years left in the administration’s term, let us keep our government functioning smoothly instead of causing needless disruption,” he said.

“Impeachment is a remedy, not a weapon. It remains as a constitutional mechanism to address grave violations, but we cannot allow our constitutional processes to be hijacked by those seeking to manufacture crisis where none exists,” Quimbo added.

Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, said the complaint will be handled under existing procedures while awaiting the final resolution of the chamber’s motion for reconsideration on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on impeachment proceedings.

“Impeachment is not evaluated in a vacuum. It is a constitutional process that ultimately requires broad institutional support and a clear showing of grave grounds to move forward,” he said.

“At present, the House reflects a clear supermajority across political parties that continues to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the stability of his administration,” he added.

has never entered South Forbes Park, undercutting claims by two Senate witnesses, identified only as “Joy” and “Marie,” that he approached anyone there or issued instructions related to the property.

“The allegations aired in the Senate are logically and physically impossible,” Fajardo said. “Curlee Discaya testified under oath that he has never entered South Forbes Park, making it impossible for him to have approached anyone there or issued any instruction.”

He added that the accusations trace back solely to the staff of an evicted tenant and are not supported by documents, noting that Romualdez’s name appears in no deed, contract, or payment record related to the property.

Fajardo said the record leaves nothing to respond to, stressing that allegations raised in public hearings must be tested against sworn testimony and verifiable records, and that conjecture without documents does not amount to proof.

nardo and revealed practices such as inhouse contracting, bid rigging, padded contract costs, and license renting.

“The case of Bulacan proved to be a gateway, the microcosm of a much more complex and institutionalized plunder within the bureaucracy,” Lacson said.

He pointed out that they have uncovered misuse of public funds involving senior officials in both the executive and legislative branches, as well as irregularities involving the Commission on Audit.

Some officials and contractors are now facing charges at the Sandiganbayan and regular courts, while others are under preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman and the4 DOJ.

Court orders have frozen at least P21.7 billion in assets, and several witnesses are in the DOJ Witness Protection Program while cooperating on restitution agreements.

“We laid out how this deeply rooted scheme operates with systemic precision. It involves a network of actors: namely, the Contractors Group, who collude among themselves to rig public biddings and monopolize flood control projects; key DPWH coordinators, who manage project allo-

In November 2025, arrest warrants were issued against Co and others, including officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corp., over alleged anomalous flood control projects.

The Ombudsman earlier filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others with the Sandiganbayan.

These charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Co has denied the allegations.

The trial of the case against Co before the Sandiganbayan will begin tomorrow, January 20, according to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. Remulla said the Philippine government is exploring other avenues to repatriate Co.

“We will know the possible legal avenues this week, but as of now, the Philippines and Portugal have no extradition treaty,” he said.

increased due to the volatile environment caused by simultaneous geopolitical tensions, despite a potential supply glut looming over the market.

He said protests in Iran and the threat of U.S. intervention have raised concerns that conflict could spread and threaten flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Furthermore, the drone attacks on two Western-operated oil tankers in the Black Sea have added to the tensions in the Middle East and fueled worries of more supplies being affected,” Bellas said.

Despite this, Bellas noted that recent comments by President Trump suggesting a crackdown on protesters in Iran is easing have allayed some fears of supply disruptions.

“Expectations of stability in supply from Venezuela and the larger-than-expected increase in U.S. crude oil and gasoline inventories have also weighed on prices recently,” he said.

On Jan. 13, oil firms announced an increase of 0.30 pesos per liter for gasoline and kerosene, and 0.20 pesos per liter for diesel.

Year-to-date total net increases stand at 0.20 pesos per liter for gasoline and 0.40 pesos per liter for both diesel and kerosene.

cations and orchestrate the collection and delivery of kickbacks; and intermediaries, agents or bagmen, who receive these illicit funds allegedly in behalf of their principals,” Lacson explained.

The committee also exposed conflicts of interest in the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, the reappearance of blacklisted companies under new names, license renting, and contracts awarded to undercapitalized firms.

He credited the hearings with paving the way for transparency reforms in the national budget process, including livestreaming bicameral sessions and tracking budget insertions to their proponents.

The veteran lawmaker praised citizens who followed the hearings and participated in public scrutiny, saying their awareness helped expose systemic corruption nationwide.

“Let this serve as a warning to skeptics, detractors, and hijackers who exploit the vulnerabilities and anger of our people to deepen the fault lines of our nation during these trying times. As the Chairman of this committee I say to you: Shut the f… up!” he concluded.

Navy welcomes new o shore patrol vessel Rajah Sulayman

By Rex Espiritu

THE Philippine Navy has welcomed its newest offshore patrol vessel, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20), which arrived in the country from South Korea on January 17, marking another milestone in the Navy’s fleet modernization program.

The vessel was met in waters off Zambales by BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), the Navy’s first missile-capable frigate, in accordance with standard naval protocols upon entry into Philippine waters.

Following the at-sea coordination and meeting procedures, the future BRP Rajah Sulayman will undergo post-delivery activities and a series of technical checks. The ship is set to proceed with acceptance and pre-commissioning processes before its formal induction into active service.

“The ship is scheduled to undergo acceptance and precommissioning processes prior to its formal entry into active service, which underscores the Philippine Navy’s commitment to strengthening its maritime defense and law enforcement capabilities through a modern, multi-domain, and self-reliant force,” the Navy said.

Last year, the Philippine Navy commissioned two guided-missile frigates and one fast attack interdiction craft, namely BRP Miguel Malvar, BRP Albert Majini, and BRP Diego Silang.

Barzaga apologizes to Razon

By Maricel V. Cruz

MBATTLED Dasmariñas

ECity Rep. Francisco Barzaga apologized to businessman Enrique Razon for linking him to the House of Representatives.

Barzaga said he was “sorry” for the statements he made against the business tycoon and that he is “ready to face the consequences of his actions.”

Barzaga’s statement came after Razon, chairman of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), lodged a cyberlibel complaint against the 27-year-old lawmaker over alleged false

statements posted on social media.

Razon’s counsel, lawyer Laurence Arroyo, earlier said the complaint stemmed from Barzaga’s January 9 Facebook post claiming that National Unity Party (NUP) congressmen received bribes from Razon during various gatherings at Solaire ahead of the 2025 elections in exchange for supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte.

Another January 9 Facebook post by Barzaga, also cited in the complaint, alleged that Razon was the mastermind behind corruption in Congress and that he would disclose everything in a speech upon his return in the first week of February, accompanied by a hashtag calling for Razon’s imprisonment.

“The basis of this complaint is our position that

IN BRIEF

Bondoc les counter on rebellion charges

MUSICIAN-TURNED-LAWYER

Jimmy Bondoc on Monday filed a counter-affidavit over charges of inciting to sedition and inciting to rebellion.

Bondoc said freedom of speech should be protected, stressing that not all expressions of grievance on social media should result in criminal complaints.

The charges stemmed from his social media post stating, “Republic of Mindanao, coming soon,” which he said merely acknowledged calls for Mindanao’s secession.

Bondoc said his words were twisted into incitement, adding that the complaint against him was malicious, perjurious, and legally unfounded.

He is seeking the outright dismissal of the case, saying it lacks factual and legal basis and is intended to harass and intimidate him. Pot Chavez

Relocation for areas a ected by Mt. Mayon

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is prioritizing permanent relocation for communities affected by Mayon Volcano rather than repeated evacuations.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Mayon is currently relatively

allowing the government to focus on long-term planning. He said about 1,000 families living within the two-kilometer danger zone would need to be permanently relocated. While some evacuees may be allowed to return as conditions stabilize, Remulla stressed that permanent resettlement is crucial to prevent recurring displacement. The DILG continues to coordinate with local government units to ensure safety and preparedness as long-term solutions are pursued. Rex Espiritu

DepEd, UP ink pact disaster, risk courses

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of the Philippines to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) education.

In a statement, the agencies said the partnership aims to address gaps in schools frequently affected by natural calamities.

From June to October last year, about 10,700 schools were affected by disasters, impacting an estimated 1.1 million students.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said learning should not be disrupted due to lack of preparedness, adding that the partnership would better equip teachers and students.

UP President Angelo Jimenez said the agreement reinforces the university’s commitment to public service by providing expertise in disaster management and climate resilience. Rolando Ng III

what he said is false and malicious,” Arroyo earlier told reporters.

Barzaga’s actions also prompted the NUP to push for his possible removal from the House, even as it prepares to file separate charges against him outside Congress.

NUP party chairman and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City said it “demeans the House to have somebody like him there.”

“It may also be that the House will consider expelling him to get rid of such a problem,” Puno said at a press conference.

Puno and other NUP members strongly condemned Barzaga’s recent social media posts and public statements accusing party members of receiving bribes, describing the allegations as “baseless, reckless, and malicious.”

Embassy verifying Pinoy involvement in train crash

By Katrina Manubay

THE Philippine Embassy in Spain said Monday it is coordinating with local authorities to determine whether any Filipinos were involved after a Madrid-bound train derailed and collided with an oncoming train in Adamuz, near the city of Córdoba, on January 18.

In an advisory, the embassy said around 400 passengers and staff were onboard both trains, based on information from rail networks.

“Emergency services are responding to the scene. All rail services between Madrid and Andalusia were suspended following the accident and are expected to remain closed on

Monday, January 19, 2026,” the advisory said. The embassy also shared an update from Andalusia’s emergency agency, urging survivors of the crash to inform their friends and families of their safety and to closely monitor local media for updates.

“Train companies have provided the following phone numbers for inquiries about relatives or loved ones onboard: Renfe: +34 900 101 020 and Iryo: +34 900 001 402,” it added. Reports on Sunday said a highspeed train derailed and collided with another oncoming train in southern Spain, causing the second train to be pushed off the tracks and down an embankment.

New AICS rules aim to promote community participation

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said its upcoming guidelines for the implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program will include provisions to shield the program from political influence and promote community participation.

Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said beneficiaries should be aware that no political actors should be involved in payout activities.

“If beneficiaries are aware, the

level of awareness is high, and they themselves will report if they observe anything irregular,” Dumlao said on Monday. She said the anti-political influence guidelines were previously adopted by the DSWD in 2025 under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2025-01, together with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, formerly the National Economic and Development Authority, for the implementation of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“While there is no more AKAP for 2026, we can adopt the same guidelines, which clearly state that the presence of political actors is absolutely prohibited during payout activities,” Dumlao said.

She added that the posting of tarpaulins and posters at payout sites is also prohibited, and that grievance desks must be set up during payout events. Aside from grievance desks during offsite payout activities, Dumlao encouraged the public to report complaints or concerns through the DSWD’s Integrated Grievance Redress Management System.

RALLY. Members of Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot announce

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

PH takes over presidency of 47th AIPA

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives on Monday formally launched the Philippine presidency of the 47th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), with Speaker Faustino Dy III calling on Southeast Asian legislatures to deliver credible laws, transparent governance, and results that improve people’s daily lives.

IN BRIEF

DAR to revive four-year scholarship for ARB kids

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) aims to revive its four-year scholarship program for children of farmerbeneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to help address the country’s aging farm workforce and ensure long-term food security.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado

Estrella III said the agency is exploring ways to mobilize funds to provide free education to deserving children of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Estrella said the program aims to mold farmers’ children into active partners in countryside development, stressing that education is a critical tool in empowering the next generation of agri-leaders.

“Sooner or later, the farm lots awarded to their parents will be passed on to them. We must prepare them through quality education and exposure to modern farming technologies,” he said. Rio N. Araja

DSWD extends P8.4-m aid for Mayon victims

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended more than P8.4 million worth of humanitarian aid to local government units (LGUs) in Albay province assisting families affected by the Mayon Volcano eruptions.

“As of this (Sunday) morning, more than P8.4 million pesos in humanitarian assistance is being extended to the areas affected by Mayon. There may be unrest, and we will continue to provide augmentation support here in the affected areas, especially since there are still families in evacuation centers, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.

Dumlao said the DSWD Region 5 office has been closely coordinating with Albay LGUs to monitor the condition of more than 1,100 families or over 4,000 people currently staying in 12 evacuation centers in the province.

“We talked to the provincial government as well as the local chief executives, we talked about the arrangement for the distribution of family food packs (FFPs). For 15 days the local government units, and then the next 15 days, DSWD will come in. Because we know that this situation will take some time, this tantrum of Mayon,” Dumlao said. Maricel V. Cruz

Solons eye sustainable pension plan for MUP

THE Villafuerte brothers in the House of Representatives eyed the adoption of a new and sustainable pension system for the military and other uniformed personnel (MUP).

Camarines Sur lawmakers Luigi and Miguel Luis Villafuerte are looking at a new law establishing a “sustainable, equitable and financially sound” annuity plan in place of the current one whose long-term sustainability is being doubted by the country’s economic managers.

Migz Villafuerte, chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications technology (ICT), and Luigi Villafuerte, a deputy majority leader, said the ongoing Malacañang review of the non-contributory pension system for MUP should set the stage for an overhaul of the current one that would decisively address concerns over its long-term sustainability in the face of the government’s fiscal constraints.

Maricel V. Cruz

sponsibility demands,” stressing that regional cooperation must be anchored on public trust and institutional credibility.

“Our guiding theme is clear: Parliaments Securing a Peaceful, Prosperous, and People-Centered ASEAN. Communities endure not on aspiration alone, but on laws that are credible, systems that are trusted, and leaders who deliver results,” Dy said.

He said the Philippines’ AIPA agenda aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priorities as ASEAN chair, particularly in deepening dialogue and strengthening cooperation on regional security and economic integration in a people-centered manner.

The launch came as ASEAN marks

the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and prepares for the admission of Timor-Leste as its 11th member.

Dy said such milestone initiatives affirm that peace in the region was built through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law. As ASEAN looks toward Community Vision 2045, Dy noted that the region faces complex and overlapping challenges, including economic uncertainty, security risks, and rapid technological change.

“From my experience leading the House of Representatives, one lesson stands out: public trust is built through results,” Dy said, adding that people

judge governance by transparency, decision-making, and tangible improvements in daily life.

He said these principles extend beyond national borders, noting that trust across ASEAN grows when laws are clear and resources are directed where they matter most.

Dy stressed that peace is more than the absence of conflict, describing it as confidence that differences can be resolved through dialogue and that rules will be respected even under pressure. Through AIPA, he said, legislatures strengthen parliamentary diplomacy by cooperating on shared concerns such as maritime security, transnational crime, cyber threats, and disinformation.

t

DILG:

Admin

By Rex Espiritu

raps

COMPLAINTS against “epal” (attention-seeking) local officials down to the barangay level constitute administrative cases that may result in preventive suspension and must be filed in the proper forum, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said.

In a statement, Remulla urged the public to step forward and file complaints against local officials who use government-funded projects for selfpromotion or personal aggrandizement. “Administrative cases may be filed

may

be

filed vs. ‘epals’ in gov’t

against them, and they may be suspended,” Remulla said.

He said the complaints against the socalled “epal” or self-glorifying elected government officials and appointed barangay leaders may be sued in accordance with Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991 which prescribes the procedures for administrative cases involving local government officials.

DILG national barangay operations director, Dennis Villaseñor explained that complaints against elected barangay officials—punong barangays, members of the sangguniang barangay, and sangguniang kabataan chairper-

sons—should be filed with the appropriate municipal or city councils.

Section 61(c) of the Local Government Code provides that complaints against elective barangay officials should be filed before the city or municipal council concerned, whose decision would be final and executory.

The law also allows the imposition of a single preventive suspension of up to 60 days if the evidence warrants.

Villaseñor said complaints may also be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman which has disciplinary authority over all elective and appointive government officials under Republic Act No. 6770.

LP finds relevance to current issues on 80th year

By Ram Superable

THE Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines marked its 80th anniversary on Monday by honoring generations of Filipinos whose shared aspirations helped shape national sovereignty and a democratic tradition. Founded on Jan. 19, 1946, the party said its history spanned postwar rebuilding, the struggle for freedoms, and repeated tests of democratic institutions. The 20,000-strong party, was last in power during the administration of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III from 2010 to 2016.

“Philippine democracy did not fall from the sky. It was built, and it can be broken,” LP acting president, Lorenzo Tañada III said. “At a time when our democracy is fragile, when more people are losing trust in public institutions, and when insecurity and poverty are worsening in many forms, we choose to persist,” he added. The party linked its anniversary

Pangilinan, also chairman of the Liberal Party.

An anniversary convention hosted by the party is set to bring together its leaders and stalwarts to help nurture future leaders and reassert the party’s vision of an open, inclusive, and transformative society.

“We have no illusions about how difficult this moment is. But our history binds us to this fight. We persist because democracy is not self-sustaining; it demands courage, participation, and sacrifice,” Tañada said. With Teddy Brul

By Vito Barcelo

FOLLOWING years of delays, structural issues, and public criticism, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has renewed its commitment to complete the P802-million Aganan Flyover in Pavia, Iloilo within the year.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said on Monday that the Aganan Flyover is among the agency’s priority unfinished and problematic infrastructure projects targeted for completion in 2026.. During a visit to Iloilo City, Dizon inspected the stalled project and ordered an immediate structural assessment, including a third-party evaluation by a foreign consultant, to ensure the flyover’s integrity before it is opened to motorists.

Dizon said the flyover, which had been reported to be sinking, has already undergone corrective measures and will now move toward completion.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also inspected the project and expressed s over its condition.

The Region 6 office of the DPWH disclosed last year that completing the flyover would require an additional P285 million for jet grouting on 23 piers and widening works, bringing the total project cost to more than P1.1 billion. DPWH-6 acting director Jose Al Fruto said the release of funds would depend on the approval of the 2026 General Appropriations Act, with construction expected to resume between February and March 2026.

While the approved 2026 DPWH budget did not include a specific line item for the Aganan Flyover, it earmarked P1 billion for flyovers, interchanges, underpasses, and long-span bridges nationwide.

In his keynote address, Dy said the Philippines assumes the AIPA presidency for 2026 “with humility and with a clear understanding of what this re-

BAMBANTI FESTIVAL. Isabela province in Northern Luzon unfolds its annual Bambanti Festival described as a cultural and thanksgiving celebration held every fourth week of January, with the pliant and sturdy bamboo as the centerpiece. Bambanti is an Ilocano word for scarecrow, hence the event is also called the Scarecrow Festival. Jessica M. Bacud

GENUINELY FILIPINO. The La Manila Dance Ambassadors and Rondalla stage their 2026 Concert at the Park at the Rizal Park in Manila, showcasing the Philippines’ rich culture and heritage through indigenous dances, notably what they call Panimulang Alay na Sayaw. Richmond Chi

ANTI-CORRUPTION PICKET. Cause-oriented Sanlakas, along with

like-minded groups such as the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, the Partido Lakas ng Masa, the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, and the Samahan ng Mamamayan–Zone One Tondo Organization, staged a protest rally at the Senate of the Philippines on Monday, Jan. 19, to denounce alleged failure of existing mechanisms to hold

complicit ranking officials accountable, as well as the ‘institutional endorsement of corruption’ through the national budget. Norman Cruz

OPINION

The reported ‘widespread anomalies’ in gov’t

NO DOUBT, the anomalies uncovered last year 2025 among the Department of Public Works and Highways’ projects give us the impression the anomalies in the Philippine government are so ordinary and widespread the Philippine government is one entity where anomalies are ordinary.

The anomalies as recorded in the investigations and findings in the DPWH are so extensive and widespread one would think indeed the Philippine government can no longer be able to restrain and correct rampant corruption in the government and make the people trust the government.

Indeed, Santa Banana, anomalies even in the smallest government agencies, are so normal it seems impossible to correct anomalies in government.

It is the people’s money being stolen by culprits in government because when the National Budget for the year comes out, it is the people’s money that is at stake.

During my term as a younger journalist, smuggling at the Bureau of Customs was the biggest corruption in the government.

There was this case where a security guard in the BOC was driving a luxury sports car.

This anomaly was so big at that time that it needed the Department of Finance to investigate from top to bottom.

If you look at the anatomy of corruption in government, you will find out the cycle of anomalies starts from the time when elections occur in government.

Those running for public office spend so much for elections, like a mayor of a municipality or a governor or congressman of a district.

I used to wonder why so many people wanted to be a mayor or governor, or even just a councilor of a municipality. Then I found out that corruption starts from the moment one is elected to office.

Why? The reason for it is that an elected official spends so much during election time that he has to recover his expenses one way or another.

That is why, a mayor or a governor or congressman has to recover his expenses through many ways.

An example is to have a kickback when a company is given an award for collection of garbage.

Another one is to have a kickback in some way or another in the construction of almost anything. It is so easy to get kickbacks from any government project.

Even in private business you will find out in the budget of big private businesses corruption goes under so many names.

A big amount is set aside for the benefit of

public officials.

The kickbacks that private businesses give to public officials go under many names, like Public Relations Expenses.

The budgets of projects are over-allocated to enable the private companies to be able to bribe people in government.

The cycle of corruption goes on when public officials have to recoup their expenses. In many ways, we the people are to be blamed, because we expect so much from public officials who have no other way but to commit graft and corruption.

The only thing we can try to do is minimize graft and corruption but to stop them altogether would be impossible

I believe that for so long as we have elections we will have to accept rampant anomalies. I know this because long ago when I started as a journalist, I used to visit a good friend of mine who became a congressman and I always saw a long line of people waiting to see him.

When I asked him what all the people wanted, he smiled and told me these are his constituents waiting for help one way or another, either in cash or through other means.

To my mind, as long as we have elections we can expect a cycle of corruption to run in the government.

Of course when corruption gets so pervasive and rampant like how the corruption in public works projects went, it was so rampant that even contractors could afford to display their ostentatious wealth.

The public even admired them. That is how it is in the government. Column space prevents me from explaining in detail how government corruption exists. I’ll talk about it in another column.

I do not expect graft and corruption in government, big or small, to end because of the election system.

The alternative course is dictatorship, but it will be even worse.

So unless we have in government angels and saints we can expect graft and corruption.

The only thing we can try to do is minimize them, but to stop them altogether would be impossible.

When floodwaters rise, so do questions of trust

FLOODS are unforgiving. They remember where money was promised and where it never arrived.

That is why the case of Justice Undersecretary Jojo Cadiz should worry Filipinos far beyond Ilocos Norte, where flood control projects worth hundreds of millions of pesos were awarded to a construction company owned by his teenage son. The company was new. The owner was 19. The capital was improbably large. And the contracts were conveniently located in the home province of both Cadiz and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Cadiz offered his resignation last December, after investigative reporting exposed the conflict. President Marcos declined to accept it. Cadiz quietly returned to work this month, resuming his post in the Department of Justice. The administration insists there has been no finding of guilt. That is true. But governance is not merely about guilt. It is about judgment. And judgment is most clearly tested before a verdict.

Why the Law Leaves Little Room for Comfort

The Constitution is unambiguous: Cabinet members and their deputies may not have direct or indirect financial interests in government contracts (bold letters mine).

“Indirect” is not a technicality—it is the core of the rule. The framers understood that corruption rarely advertises itself openly; it prefers relatives, proxies, and plausible deniability.

No one has yet proven that Cadiz intervened in the awarding of these contracts.

But the Constitutional standard is not proof of bribery. It is the avoidance of conflicts of interest and even the appearance of impropriety.

The Supreme Court has long held that public office is a public trust, not a benefit of proximity to power.

This controversy is not yet a conviction. It is a crossroads

That is why the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation is essential—and why it should be unflinching.

Conflict-of-interest cases do not require evidence of kickbacks. They require proof that public authority and private benefit stood too close for comfort.

The Familiar Defense: Let the Process Work

Every administration eventually reaches this line: Let the investigators do their job. It sounds responsible.

But Filipinos have learned how often “process” becomes paralysis, especially when those under scrutiny sit close to the center of power.

President Marcos has denied allegations that Cadiz acted as a conduit for kickbacks, including claims made by a fugitive former lawmaker.

Without sworn testimony, those accusations remain legally weak.

But leadership is not measured by the

Gross inequality

ABRIEFING paper released in September by international development organization Oxfam revealed that across Asia, there are stark and worsening inequalities across multiple dimensions.

“Wealth is heavily concentrated: the top 10 percent now capture between 60% and 77 percent of national income in major Asian economies; the richest 1 percent hold 40.1 percent of national wealth in India and 31.4 percent in China. Meanwhile, the poorest 50 percent earn only 12–15 percent of total income, a share that has been shrinking since 2022, with over 70 percent of Asia’s inequality occurring within, rather than between, countries,” the report said.

Further, the combined wealth of Asia’s richest 10 billionaires surpasses the annual GDP of several poorer Asian nations, even as gains for the bottom 50% have occurred in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This report kicked off a documentary by Channel News Asia released last week, which focused on the Philippines and explored the deep causes of inequality that persists to this day. Through interviews with experts from the academe, the government, civil society, and with case studies

who shared their personal struggles, the documentary traced the roots of inequality in the country and showed why it continues to plague our society.

By ‘gross’ we mean disgusting and unconscionable

Several factors come into play: the class system during the Spanish era, the dominance of just a few prominent families, unjust land ownership, and the question of who truly benefits from development. Education has profound consequences, beginning from a student’s poverty and lack of access to educational options, spilling over into grim employment prospects. All these preserve the status quo, providing even better prospects for the already rich while consigning the

poor to difficult living conditions. Toward the end of the documentary, however, another issue was raised besides the already daunting factors that have shaped inequality for centuries: corruption.

When funds intended to provide the people with means and opportunities to improve their lives are squandered, those who pocket the money enrich themselves even more. They bury the rest in poverty, stagnation, and hopelessness. And so the cycle is perpetuated.

Calls for a decisive fight against corruption, no matter how often they have been made, do not diminish the urgency of a clean and honest government. Even as many other things compete for the administration’s focus, especially at the start of the year, it must not stray from this objective. Words must be matched by actions, and pronouncements should be carried out without hesitation or half-heartedness. In fact, popularity should not even be a consideration anymore, because true leadership entails making difficult decisions. That there is a significant gap between rich and poor is already a serious matter that must be addressed by policy and firm implementation. That the gap is widening, and through the actions of the very same people who vowed to protect the public’s interest, is grossly unacceptable.

As Trump turns screws, how long can Europe play nice?

BRUSSELS – One headspinning year down, three more to go.

Buffeted by a US superpower turned hostile under Donald Trump, Europe is struggling to set red lines as its once-close ally attacks its laws, eggs on the far-right -- and threatens its sovereignty in Greenland.

Any lingering doubts over the shifting winds in Washington were laid to rest with the release of last month’s US security strategy taking most virulent aim not at China or Russia, but at the European Union.

Europe had barely absorbed that shock when it was blindsided by the US president’s vow to wrest mineral-rich Greenland from EU and NATO member Denmark -- by force if need be.

European nations scrambled a military mission to Greenland to try to defuse Trump’s threat -- but pushing back at the US president is easier said than done.

“Telling Trump ‘You can’t do that,’ is not language that he understands,” summed up one EU diplomat, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.

“We must appease Trump, not poke the beast.”

The bottom line is that Europe’s hands are tied: the continent is surging defence spending to break its security reliance on the United States -- but for now, it still needs US help to end the Ukraine war, and deter the looming Russian threat to its east.

In that spirit leaders have stopped well short of calling out Trump’s threats -- levied right as the Europeans held crunch talks with US envoys on locking in postwar security guarantees for Ukraine.

Instead they have reached for their nowfamiliar Trump playbook: avoid escalation at all costs, and work to mollify the US president -- until the next time.

The half-dozen Europeans with a direct line to Trump, from France’s Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to NATO chief Mark Rutte, can claim some successes with this strategy, namely in

absence of sworn affidavits. It is measured by the standards a president chooses to enforce. Accepting Cadiz’s resignation would not have been an admission of guilt. It would have been an affirmation of delicadeza (italics mine) -- the idea that public confidence matters even when legal liability is unresolved. By keeping him, the President chose loyalty over distance. Why This Story Feels Uncomfortably Familiar

Philippine history is littered with flood control projects that failed to stop floods but succeeded in enriching insiders. Across administrations, infrastructure has repeatedly become the safest hiding place for corruption—buried in concrete, shielded by technicalities, forgotten once the waters recede.

clawing back a seat at the table of talks to end the Ukraine war. But as Denmark’s leader Mette Frederiksen warned this week, with three quarters of Trump’s presidency left to run, there is reason to expect “the most challenging part” is yet to come. And Europe may not be able to play nice forever.

Election tests loom Trump’s threats to Greenland are just one part of the picture.

Last year’s trade standoff with Washington saw Europe strong-armed into what was widely seen as a lopsided deal.

The specter of MAGAfueled interference feeds into the critical issue of whether the EU has the mettle to keep US tech giants in check

Since then Team Trump has pressed an all-out assault branding Europe’s civilization moribund, imposing sanctions over digital rules it calls censorship, and vowing to boost political forces aligned with the president’s MAGA ideology.

Strongman Viktor Orban can expect the weight of US foreign policy behind him in Hungary’s April elections, with Elon Musk’s X acting as a force multiplier for hard-right narratives. And France’s 2027 election looms as a key test.

Trump’s camp has “formulated quite clearly” it would welcome a far-right win in the nuclear-armed EU heavyweight, said Tara Varma, European policy expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. “We have to take them at their word,”

What makes this case dangerous is not only the alleged conflict of interest, but the timing.

The Marcos administration is already facing growing scrutiny over missing, unfinished, or ineffective flood control projects nationwide. In that context, keeping a contractor-linked official in the DOJ sends a damaging signal: that ethics are negotiable when politics intervenes. The irony is hard to miss.

The Department of Justice is tasked with enforcing the law, even as one of its top officials remains under investigation for potentially violating the Constitution’s ethical commands. A Choice Still Available This controversy is not yet a conviction. It is a crossroads. President Marcos can still demonstrate that ethical governance does not wait for

she warned, saying Europe needs to rethink tools designed to counter political meddling from regimes like Russia -- to meet the new US threat.

A ‘bazooka’ for Greenland?

The specter of MAGA-fueled interference feeds into the critical issue of whether the EU has the mettle to keep US tech giants in check.

So far the EU has stared down threats of US retaliation to keep enforcing its laws against online abuses and disinformation, with fines on X and others.

But even penalties in the hundreds of millions are seen as small fry for the likes of Musk -- who pours expletive-laden scorn on the EU and its rules.

So what more can Europe do to try to turn the tables?

Simple, say advocates of tougher action: play the economic card, as America’s biggest bilateral trade partner.

When it comes to Greenland, European law professor Alberto Alemanno says the bloc’s “most tangible threat” to deter Trump is freezing the US trade deal -- an idea gaining ground in the EU parliament.

The tough question is where to draw the line.

“Do we need the territorial integrity of the European Union to be breached? Do we need to see boots on the ground, to see the Americans entering into Greenland, in order to justify this?” asked Alemanno.

Beyond that, the bloc has a powerful weapon called the anti-coercion instrument — never used before — that allows for curbing imports of goods and services and has been invoked as a way to push back over tech and trade, and now Greenland.

Deploying the trade “bazooka,” as it is dubbed, is one idea being brainstormed in Brussels but still seen as a long shot.

“Europe has a number of cards up its sleeve — and it’s chosen consciously or unconsciously not to use them,” said the German Marshall Fund’s Varma. But at some point, she warned, “it might have to.” AFP

court judgments, that proximity to power does not excuse poor judgment, and that public trust is not collateral damage in political calculations. Or he can hope that time, legal ambiguity, and public fatigue will do what floods often do—wash away the evidence and leave the structures of power standing. But floods have a way of returning. And when they do, Filipinos will again ask where the money went—and whether anyone in authority cared enough to step aside when questions first arose.

The issue here is not whether Jojo Cadiz is guilty. That is for investigators to decide. The issue is whether those entrusted with power understand that the highest office in the land sets not only the law’s limits, but its moral floor (bold letters mine). And in a country that drowns every year, that floor matters.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Train collision kills 39, hurts dozens

Europe readying steps vs. Trump tariff ‘blackmail’

BERLIN – Europe is preparing countermeasures against US President Donald Trump’s “blackmail” after he threatened tariffs against several countries over their opposition to his designs on Greenland, Germany’s vice chancellor said Monday.

“We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” said Lars Klingbeil, at a Berlin press conference alongside the French economy and finance minister, Roland Lescure.

“Europe will respond with a united, clear response, and we are now preparing countermeasures together with our European partners.”

Trump vowed on Saturday to hit European countries -- including Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory -- with tariffs of up to 25 percent unless Greenland is ceded to the United States.

Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden already hit back at the threat in a joint statement at the weekend.

Klingbeil said Europe’s response could have three main strands.

First, the current tariff deal with the United States would be put on hold, he said. AFP

IN BRIEF

S. Korea, Italy agree to deepen defense unity

SEOUL – South Korea and Italy agreed Monday to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, space and the defense industry, pledging to confront “global challenges” at a bilateral summit in Seoul.

President Lee Jae Myung hosted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the summit at his office in the first visit by an Italian leader to South Korea in almost two decades.

Speaking alongside the far-right leader following their meeting, Lee said the two countries would “further expand the horizons of cooperation into advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, space, and aviation”.

“In addition, we will pursue complementary cooperation in the defense industry based on each side’s strengths,” Lee added. South Korea has emerged as a major arms exporter in recent years as Central and Eastern European countries -- including Poland -- have signed deals with South Korean manufacturers in the face of Russia’s protracted war in Ukraine. AFP

Vietnam begins congress to pick leaders

HANOI – Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party convened Monday to begin their twice-a-decade congress, where leader To Lam is looking to tighten his grip on power less than two years after assuming the top role. The Southeast Asian nation of 100 million people is both a repressive one-party state and a regional economic bright spot, where the Communist Party has sought to deliver rapid growth to bolster its legitimacy.

Nearly 1,600 delegates representing the party’s more than five million members gathered Monday for a somber tribute to national hero Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, before attending a closeddoor preparatory session of the party congress. The official opening ceremony will be broadcast live Tuesday morning, state media said, with the party’s general secretary, Lam, widely expected to deliver a speech. AFP

Boy ‘fighting for life’ after shark attack

SYDNEY – A 12-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after being mauled by a large shark in Sydney Harbor, Australian police said Monday.

The marine predator struck on Sunday afternoon while the boy and his friends were jumping into the water off the harbor’s Shark Beach.

“It was a horrendous scene at the time when police attended. We believe it was something like a bull shark that attacked the lower limbs of that boy,” said Superintendent Joseph McNulty, New South Wales marine area police commander.

“That boy is fighting for his life now.”

At the time of the attack, the children were leaping into the water off a six-meter rock in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.

Recent heavy rain had drained into the harbor, turning the water murky, police said. AFP

Thousands march for Iranian anti-gov’t protesters

LOS ANGELES – Thousands in the United States staged large demonstrations Sunday denouncing the Iranian government’s deadly crackdown on antigovernment

Several thousand people marched in Los Angeles, home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora, while several hundred others gathered in New York, AFP journalist’s in both cities reported.

US protesters could be seen carrying signs condemning a “New Holocaust,” a “genocide in the making,” and the “terror” of the Iranian government.

“My heart is heavy and my soul is crushed, I’m at loss for words to describe

how angry I am,” said Perry Faraz at the demonstration in Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the US.

The 62-year-old payroll manager, who fled Iran in 2006, learned this week that one of her young cousins had been killed during the overseas rallies held in her native country.

“He wasn’t even 10 years old, that’s horrible,” she said.

Demonstrations sparked by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests late December in what has been widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in recent years. The rallies subsided after a govern-

ment crackdown in Iran that rights groups have called a “massacre” carried out by security forces under the cover of a communications blackout that started on January 8. Norway-based Iran Human Rights says it has verified the deaths of 3,428 protesters killed by security forces, confirming cases through sources within the Islamic Republic’s health and medical system, witnesses and independent sources. The NGO warned that the true toll is likely to be far higher. Media cannot independently confirm the figure and Iranian officials have not given an exact death toll. AFP

Guatemala declares state of emergency vs. gangs after prison standoff ended

ESCUINTLA, Guatemala – Guatemala’s president on Sunday declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency to combat criminal gangs after authorities accused wthe groups of killing eight police officers and holding hostages at three prisons. The killings occurred in the Guatemalan capital and surrounding areas a day after gang-affiliated inmates took 46 people hostage in the three prisons across the country to demand incarcerated gang leaders be moved to lower-security facilities.

President Bernardo Arevalo said authorities had retaken control of all three prisons on Sunday. Hours earlier, Guatemala’s police announced “the death of eight of its officers in the line of duty at the hands of criminals.”

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda told a press conference that the killings were carried out “by these terrorists, in response to the actions the Guatemalan state is taking against them.”

Ten other police officers were wounded in the retaliatory attacks, and one suspected gang member was killed, he said.

On Sunday evening, in a nationwide address, Arevalo decreed a 30-day nationwide state of emergency to combat the gangs, starting immediately.

The measure, which must be approved by the opposition-controlled Congress, suspends the right of assembly and permits individuals to be arrested and interrogated without a court order.

The US Embassy in Guatemala advised its personnel to shelter in place and avoid crowds, while the government said schools would be shut on Monday.

At dawn on Sunday, police supported by the army entered the Renovacion I maximum-security prison in Escuintla, about 75 kilometers south of Guatemala City, using armored vehicles and tear gas.

After 15 minutes, they managed to regain control of

MADRID – Spain on Monday reeled from a collision between two high-speed trains in the southern region of Andalusia that killed 39 people and injured more than 70, with the prime minister lamenting a “night of deep pain”

The disaster struck on Sunday evening when a service travelling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz, crossing onto the other track where it crashed into an oncoming train, which also derailed, Spain’s Adif rail network operator posted on X. A police spokesperson told AFP 21 people had died. Antonio Sanz, the top emergencies official in Andalusia, told a press conference that at least 73 people had been injured.

“The situation is likely to see the death toll increase,” he said, adding that “a very complicated night awaits us”. Transport Minister Oscar Puente told reporters that 30 people were rushed to hospital in serious condition, adding that all the injured had been evacuated to receive care.

The disaster took place on a straight part of the track, which was completely renovated, Puente said, adding that the first train to derail was “practically new”, making the accident “extremely strange”. Rail operator Iryo said around 300 people were on board its Malaga-Madrid service.

The hundreds of passengers left in the wreckage hampered the frantic work of emergency services.

“The problem is that the carriages are twisted, so the metal is twisted with the people inside,” Francisco Carmona, head of firefighters in Cordoba, told public broadcaster RTVE.

“We have even had to remove a dead person to be able to reach someone alive. It is hard, tricky work,” he added. Some of the carriages had tumbled down an embankment of four meters, Sanz said at his press conference. AFP

NIGHT OF DEEP PAIN. This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media and verified by AFPTV teams in Madrid, shows emergency personnel working after a train accident in Adamuz, southern Spain, on Sunday. At least 21 people died in the accident which injured dozens when the train derailed and collided with another convoy, which also ‘derailed’ while traveling on the opposite track, the Civil Guard told AFP. AFP

CRIMINAL VIOLENCE. A Guatemalan soldier in an armored vehicle guards the entrance to the men’s Preventive Detention Center in Guatemala City on Monday, Manila time. Guatemala’s government accused gang members of killing eight police officers in several attacks after refusing to

protesters in the Islamic Republic.

PH trackster

Bejoy rules 800-m run at Reno meet

BERNALYN Bejoy took the top honors in the women’s 800-meter run at the Reno Indoor Track MLK Invite held last Sunday at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Nevada.

The 25-year-old Bejoy, who is training with Brazilian legend Joaquim Cruz in the United States, clocked 2 minutes and 13.51 seconds to finish ahead of Rhonda Yaeger (3:01.19).

Bejoy’s training with Cruz, who is regarded as one of the best 800-meter runners in history, came following her bronze-medal finish at the recent Southeast Asian Games.

Cruz, who owns a personal best of 1:41.77, won the gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and bagged silver at the Seoul Olympics, is working out with Bejoy at the Chula Vista Elite Athletes Training Center.

The 62-year-old Cruz, who captured the World Championship title in 1983 in Helsinki, and secured two gold medals at the Pan American Games, is teaching Bejoy his knowledge, going into the 2026 season.

Bejoy placed third in the SEA Games with 2:10.6. She had a season’s-best clocking of 2:06.83 during the heats of the Asian Athletics’ meet in Gumi, Korea.

Bejoy will compete in the Martin Luther King meet next week, before returning to Manila at the end of the month.

Peter Atencio

Austria downplays Beermen’s edge vs. TNT five in PBA finals

By Peter Atencio

THE San Miguel Beermen have the upperhand, with their 6-1 head-to-head record against the TNT Tropang 5G in their past championship showdowns in the Philippine Basketball Association.

When the Beermen confront the Tropang 5G in the coming 2026 Philippine Cup Finals, it will be their eighth time clashing for a championship title.

With the Beermen seeking a seventh crown against the Tropang 5G, coach Leo Austria feels that it won’t be an easy task this time around.

“Binigyan ulit kami ng chance na ma-defend and title namin. People are expecting that we

will dominate the game. But it’s not going to be easy,” said Austria during a pre-finals’ presser on Monday at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Beermen’s dominance of TNT in the finals, includes Philippine Cup victories in 2022 (Season 47) and 2025 (Season 49).

The series gets underway, with Game 1 scheduled on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

The Beermen made the finals after defeating the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in their bestof-seven semifinal series, 4-2.

“Makikita natin na maraming teams na gustong mag-finals. But now, TNT played really well in the semis,” added Austria, a few days after they claimed their finals’ spot with a 101-88 victory over the Gin Kings in Game 6 on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

TNT is on its fourth consecutive conference

PH wheelchair team books 3x3 semis seat

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – The Philippine national men’s 3x3 wheelchair team booked a spot in the semifinal after winning its first two games in the 13th ASEAN Para Games here at Hall 1 of Terminal 21 Korat on Monday.

Led by team captain Kenneth Tapia, Alfie Cabañog, Jannil Cañete and Fel Lander Dawal, the Pilipinas Warriors started strong with a convincing 20-3 victory over Indonesia Tapia was the leading scorer with nine points in the win versus Indonesia. Head coach Vernon Perea said the Filipinos’ landslide victory over the Indonesians set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

“In the first match, we had Alfie and Kenneth running the game very smoothly so iniwan lang natin. We got the chance to finish it early kasi we’re expecting a close match against Malaysia,” Perea said. “Luckily, we came out as the winners.”

Cabañog scored seven points against the Malaysians en route to an 11-7 victory in the second game.

The Philippines is battling hosts Thailand at press time to determine the top seed of the competition. Meanwhile, the women’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball squad is in a must-win situation after losing its first two games in the same venue. Meanwhile, the Pilipinas Lady Warriors absorbed a 2-14 loss to the Thais and a 5-8

Solanoy said as the worst team in the tournament will not be given a bronze medal.

finals, while San Miguel is making its fourth consecutive stint in the Philippine Cup finals.

The Tropang 5G will be shorthanded, with players dealing with significant injury concerns.

But coach Chot Reyes said they have to address this.

“It was a big objective for us. And it was our depth. And we are able to address that with additions in our lineup,” said Reyes, with players like Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, Jordan Heading, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser reinforcing their battered roster.

The Tropang 5G head into the finals without RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams. Pogoy suffered a hamstring injury during the semifinal series, while Williams is nursing a right ankle injury.

The Beermen’s strength rest in their key players, led by nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, team captain C.J. Perez, and long-time star Marcio Lassiter.

MPBL to hold pre-season in February

THE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will hold its pre-season from the first week of February until the second week of March this year.

Newly appointed MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta said during a Zoom meeting on Sunday that league founder Manny Pacquiao decided to stage the tournament to allow participating teams to evaluate and improve their rosters before the start of the Eighth Season. There was no pre-season in 2025.

Oreta, the MPBL’s head of operations before being promoted by Pacquiao on Friday, said there will be no entry fee, with free uniforms being worked out for the players and staff. To minimize expenses, the games will be held within Metro Manila. Furthermore, the tournament fee of the pre-season finalists will be waived for the regular season. Those advancing to the playoffs will be getting a 50 percent discount.

MPBL Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos said the plan is to try new technical rules and new officials, as well as allow league sponsors to test their activities. Teams were given until Wednesday midnight to submit their intent to join the pre-season, with the rules, guidelines and schedule to be finalized by the end of the week.

Former commissioner and now president Kenneth Duremdes, along with team representatives, also attended the meeting.

PSC, PAGCOR lock arms to fast-track nationwide sports development

THE Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation have closed ranks to fasttrack the country’s sports development agenda, signaling a unified push to deliver results on the ground, where Filipino athletes could become world-class.

In a recent meeting with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco, and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio agreed to align priority sports projects and strategic plans aimed at accelerating nationwide sports development.

The high-level discussion focused on strengthening regional training centers, expanding grassroots sports programs, and advancing sports tourism initiatives that can simultaneously raise athletic performance and spur local economic growth.

“Magtutulungan ang PAGCOR at PSC

hasa ang galing ng mga Pilipino,” said Executive Secretary Recto.

“Through this partnership, we reaffirm the government’s commitment to investing in Filipino potential, building not only champions in sports, but also national pride and opportunity for communities across the country,” he added.

Recto agreed with Gregorio and Tengco that alignment at the top is critical to ensuring that government investments translate into modern facilities, wider access, and clearer pathways for young athletes.

The initiative is anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to go all-out in sports and youth development, positioning sports not only as a platform for excellence, but as a powerful tool for nation-building.

Recto emphasized his vision of establishing regional training centers in every province across the country.

To accelerate construction, Gregorio emphasized the need to identify and complete unfinished or underutilized

facilities, notably the Ilocos Norte Sports Institute and Research Building, sports facilities in Siargao and the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Athletic Bowl in Baguio City, among others.

The PSC chief also highlighted the importance of partnering with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) that possess vast tracts of unused land, such as UP Mindanao, UP Diliman, and UP Los Baños.

Construction of sports facilities in UP Mindanao began when Davao hosted the 2019 Palarong Pambansa but has yet to be completed, while the swimming pool inside the UP Diliman campus has remained unfinished for nearly a decade.

“Let’s upgrade and finish these facilities. As an enabler, the PSC will be closely working with the LGUs while collaborating with SUCs to maximize and harness their unused lands with the intention of discovering and developing talent,” said Gregorio.

The Philippines’ Anthony de Mesa tries to score against two Indonesians. R0man Prospero

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio (right) with PAGCOR chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco (left) and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Players and coaching staff of PBA Philippine Cup championship protagonists San Miguel Beer and TNT Tropang 5G are presented by league commissioner Willie Marcial during the PBA Finals’ press conference on Monday at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.

“Ang kailangan,

By Peter Atencio

RIDING the roar of a predominantly Filipino crowd that packed Melbourne Park and lined up hours just to watch her play, Alexandra Eala appeared poised for a breakout moment at the 2026 Australian Open—only to see the energy slip through her fingers.

The 20-year-old Filipina sensation stormed through the opening set with a stunning 6-0 shutout, igniting chants of “Let’s go, Alex!” and waving banners from fans, who came in droves for her first-round clash against American Alycia Parks.

Jung-Ruivivar

helps Stanford turn back UNC

FIL-AMERICAN Paris Olympian

Levi Jung-Ruivivar and senior Ava Sorrento scored a pair of 9.850s at the bars as Stanford won its first Atlantic Coast Conference dual meet of the year inside Carmichael Arena. Their efforts contributed to the Cardinals’ effort to topple University of North Carolina, 197.225–196.400, on Sunday afternoon, in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Cardinals had a season-high 39.600 all-around performance from senior Anna Roberts, who claimed her first all-around title of the season, highlighted by a nearly perfect career-best 9.975 on floor to claim the apparatus title.

Sophomore Ui Soma snared the bars’ title with a season-best 9.925, while Roberts, juniors Sienna Robinson and Temple Landry, and freshman Ana Bărbosu shared the beam title with equal scores of 9.925. Stanford opened the meet on bars with an impressive rotation, improving its team total from 49.050 in the season opener to a 49.425 at UNC.

Soma anchored the rotation with a season-best 9.925, while Roberts posted a 9.900 in the fourth position.

Bărbosu recorded a career-best 9.875 in fifth spot, and Robinson matched that score in the third position.

After one rotation, Stanford held a slim 0.300 edge, 49.425–49.125.

The Cardinals closed the meet with the NCAA Division 1’s third-best beam score this season.

They totalled 49.550 behind four 9.925 routines from Robinson, Landry, Bărbosu and Roberts.

The freshman Jung-Ruivivar added a 9.850 in the second position to complete the lineup. Peter Atencio

PH bracketed with Thailand, Myanmar, Laos in Hyundai Cup

JAKARTA—Defending champion Vietnam will face Singapore in the Group Stage of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026, while seven-time winner Thailand will take on Malaysia following the conclusion of the Official Draw in Jakarta on Thursday for the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN Championship.

Eala fails to exploit hot start, crowd energy in loss to Parks SPORTS

momentum into consistency, while Parks showed the mental toughness needed to weather both the Filipina’s aggressive baseline game and the deafening support behind her.

Eala made life miserable for Parks early with precise shot placements and fearless returns, but the American steadily flipped the script.

But Eala was unable to sustain the early blaze, allowing Parks to regroup and escape with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory on Monday in the women’s singles at Melbourne Park. As the crowd willed Eala forward, the world No. 49 struggled to convert

Parks raised her level in the second set, leaning on heavier serves to race to a 3-0 lead before Eala briefly reignited hope by clawing back to 3-all.

The rally, however, was shortlived, as Parks, ranked world no. 100, closed the set with three straight games, punctuating it with an ace to force a decider.

By the third set, the match had swung decisively. Parks found her rhythm and repeatedly broke serve, finishing points with crisp down-the-line volleys that left Eala scrambling.

The once-raucous Filipino crowd gradually fell silent as the American sealed the win in a one-hour and 59-minute battle. Despite the loss, the support for Eala never faded. Fans stayed long after match point, giving her a standing ovation and chanting her name. The outpouring of affection compelled Eala to linger courtside, signing autographs well beyond what most first-round losers would do, according to observers.

The Vietnamese, who won their third ASEAN title in 2024 with a 5–3 aggregate victory over Thailand in the final, were drawn in Group A, where they will also face Indonesia, Cambodia and the winner of the Qualifying Round Play-Off between Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste in the home-or-away single roundrobin opening phase. Thailand, the most successful nation in the history of the competition following title wins in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2022 has been drawn in Group B, which also features Philippines, Myanmar and Laos.

The latest edition of the biennial competition, which was launched in 1996, will run from July 24 to August 26 and will see the 11 Southeast Asian nations face-off to be crowned ASEAN Champions in the 16th edition of the championship.

Brunei Darussalam and TimorLeste will meet in a home-and-away Qualifying Round Play-Off for a berth in the Group Stage. Brunei Darussalam will host the first leg on June 2 while the return leg will be hosted by Timor-Leste on June 9.

Gauff, Medvedev win; Djokovic begins record Slam quest

USA’s Coco Gau celebrates victory over Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova during their women’s singles’ match. AFP

MELBOURNE—Erratic title contender Coco Gauff and three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev reached the Australian Open second round Monday ahead of a defiant Novak Djokovic launching his latest bid to win a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

A bumper day two at the season-opening Grand Slam also sees six-time major winner Iga Swiatek enter the fray. But the tournament is over for seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime who retired from his opening match with cramp, while former champion Sofia Kenin crashed out. Gauff came through against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on centre court 6-2, 6-3, but was less than convincing, with seven double faults and 31 unforced errors.

“I tried not to put too much pressure on myself,” she said. “I am only satisfied if I win, but I am proud of myself regardless of how I get on.”

Her reward is a clash next with Venus Williams’ conqueror Olga Danilovic.

Gauff last year beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open for her second

major crown, but her best performance on the Melbourne hardcourts was a semi-final in 2024.

While she progressed, 2020 winner Kenin tumbled out 6-3, 6-2 to fellow American Peyton Stearns as temperatures soared past 30C and fans again faced long queues to get into Melbourne Park.

Russia’s 11th-seeded Medvedev, runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2024, warmed up for Melbourne with victory in Brisbane and ground to a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) opening win over Dutchman Jesper de Jong after twice being broken when serving for the match.

“I think in general I played pretty well, but there were moments of the match where I could have played better, especially probably on my serve,” he said.

“The most important is to win.”

Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova began her quest for a third consecutive Grand Slam final with a ruthless straight-sets win over Switzerland’s Simona Waltert, while sixth seed Jessica Pegula was similarly dominant against Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. AFP

Junior Altas spikers begin title-retention bid with win over Brigadiers

By Dennis Abrina

DEFENDING champion Perpetual Help needed just one hour and eight minutes to record its first win in the opening of elimination round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 Junior’s Volleyball Fiesta at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City on Monday.

The players of multi-titled coach Sandy Rieta posted a lopsided 2514, 25-19, 25-11 against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers of coach JM Bernal. Palarong Pambansa recruit Daryll Torio scored 15 points, 11 of which came from attacks, to go with 4 service aces to be named the Best Scorer of the Game. Season 100 Finals’ MVP John Lat contributed 9 points, 6 points on 9 attempts on attacks, 2 blocks and an ace, while Limuel Valderama had 8 points, with 4 on spikes and 4 on blocks. Gabriel Macatuno had 6 points. Opposite hitter Justine Castro led the way for the EAC Brigadiers with 9 points, 8 of which were on attacks, to go with an ace.

Season 100 finalists, the Letran Squires won over the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, 27-25, 25-21, 25-17, the Mapua Red Robins outsmarted the San Beda Red Cubs, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21, and the Arellano University Braves ripped La Salle Greenhills, 25-9, 25-17, 25-19.

The defending champion Perpetual Junior Altas Spikers celebrate scoring a point. Dennis Abrina

The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala acknowledges the fans as she leaves the court after her women’s singles match against USA’s Alycia Parks on Day 2 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

IMF cuts PH growth forecasts until 2027 on corruption shocks

5.1% 5.6% 5.8%

IMF growth forecast for 2025

IMF growth forecast for 2026

IMF growth forecast for 2027

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) trimmed its growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.8 percent in 2027 following a downgrade in its 2025 and 2026 projections amid an infrastructure corruption scandal and climate shocks.

In its January 2026 World Economic Outlook update, the IMF said it expects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year before expanding to 5.8 percent in 2027.

These figures represent a downward revision compared to the October 2025 forecast of 5.7 percent in 2026 and 6.0 percent for the following year.

“The downward revision in [gross domestic product] growth projections

for 2026 and 2027 reflects the carryover impact from a downward revision in the IMF’s growth forecast for 2025—from 5.4 to 5.1 percent—and a slower pace of capital accumulation,” the IMF said. It recently lowered its GDP growth projections to 5.1 percent in 2025 and 5.6 percent in 2026 after a sharper than expected economic slowdown in the third quarter.

The fund noted that economic growth in the next two years would be driven by robust consumption and higher investments, supported by monetary policy easing and policy initiatives for private investment.

Risks to the growth outlook remain tilted to the downside, the IMF said, citing external headwinds such as prolonged global trade uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and disruptive financial market corrections.

Domestic risks include extreme climate events and lower than expected reform momentum.

On the upside, accelerated implementation of structural and governance reforms can boost investment and foreign direct investment, increase fiscal multipliers and boost potential growth, the IMF said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 on Saturday, the first of eight widebody aircraft scheduled for arrival through next year to bolster its long-haul operations and the national tourism sector.

The flag carrier is the first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the longrange model. At a ceremony held at Lufthansa Technik Philippines, PAL Holdings Inc. president Lucio Tan

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine government and major automakers have pledged to honor their commitments under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program following a budget clarification that ensures the settlement of outstanding incentives.

The Department of Budget and Management, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Finance issued a joint statement confirming that the recent veto of a fiscal year 2026 budget item does not signal a withdrawal of support for

III welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to mark the arrival of the state-of-the-art jet.

Tan said the aircraft symbolizes the airline’s resurgence and its commitment to global competitiveness.

He noted that the arrival of the A3501000 reflects a resilient and forwardlooking Philippines.

The airline confirmed that five A350-1000 aircraft are expected to join the fleet in 2026, while the final

that existing appropriations under the fiscal year 2025 General Appropriations Act remain available to pay validated obligations to participants such as Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp.

Under the agreed framework, the government will use funding from the fiscal year 2025 budget for the program’s management office and fiscal support arrearages. These funds can be augmented using verified 2025 savings from the Department of Public Works and Highways, provided they meet legal requirements and receive presidential

SEC slashes approval time to boost business stability in PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Monday it is rolling out a series of regulatory, digital and fee-related reforms to maintain the Philippines as a stable business destination while strengthening market integrity.

SEC chairman Francisco Lim told a recent business forum that while economic challenges are inevitable, enforcing standards and ensuring accountability could restore investor confidence.

Lim said the agency is focusing on providing clear rules, reliable processes, and a fair playing field to allow businesses to operate with greater speed and certainty.

“The Philippines remains a stable place to do business—and we in the SEC are working every day to keep it that way. We are strengthening the fundamentals that businesses look for: clear rules, reliable processes and a fair playing field—so they can operate with greater speed, certainty, and confidence,” Lim said.

A key pillar of the reform package includes drastically reducing approval periods. The commission now processes simple matters within three working days, complex filings in seven days and highly technical applications in 20 days. Under a new “deemed approved” policy, applications are automatically greenlit once legal requirements are met, though they remain subject to post-approval audits. Digitalization has also reduced bureaucratic friction through the enhanced OneSEC registration platform. The system now supports end-to-end online incorporation for 81 company types, up from 33, and includes foreignowned entities.

three will arrive in 2027. Marcos led a tour of the aircraft, which is designated to upgrade PAL transpacific services to the US mainland and Canada.

The new model offers a 25-percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to older aircraft. It is also compatible with sustainable aviation fuel and features increased cargo capacity to support the company’s logistics business.

Recognized as the most on-time

airline in Asia Pacific for 2025, PAL now operates a total of 82 aircraft. The fleet modernization is intended to improve operational efficiency and connectivity within the global aviation market.

The expansion aligns with the government’s development goals. Tan said the carrier’s role extends beyond commercial interests to supporting livelihoods and national development in line with the Bagong Pilipinas initiative.

Bohol hosting ASEAN energy summit this week to advance regional security

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Special Senior Officials Meeting on Energy and its associated meetings in Bohol from Jan. 20 to 22, 2026 to advance regional energy collaboration and security. Under the Philippine chairship of ASEAN,

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

extrastory2000@gmail.com

PH shares end lower on profit-taking; Peso plummets to 59.44 per US dollar

PHILIPPINE stocks remained above the 6,400 level Monday despite heavy profit-taking.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index closed at 6,437.78, down 26.89 points, or 0.42 percent.

The all-shares index ended at 3,644.20, lower by 8.13 points, or 0.22 percent.

The peso depreciated to 59.44 against the U.S. dollar Monday from 59.35 on Friday.

“The index fell 0.42 percent but managed to close above 6,400 as profit-taking extended for a second session amid lingering flood-control uncertainty,” AB Capital Securities said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Monday resumed hearings on flood-control projects.

Four of the six sectoral indices

ended in the red. Financials declined the most, falling 1.22 percent, while mining and oil went down 0.68 percent. Holding firms and property also slipped by 0.66 percent and 0.11 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, services climbed 0.55 percent, while industrials inched up 0.01 percent. Trading was light, with value turnover reaching P4.96 billion.

Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows at P30.34 million. Market breadth was negative, as decliners edged out advancers, 112 to 87.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. was the day’s top index gainer, rising 4.26 percent to P31.80, while DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was the day’s worst performer, dropping 4.43 percent to P15.10. Jenniffer B. Austria

and

the

and international business

Jollibee sees growth in coffee, Chinese units

By Jenniffer B. Austria

JOLLIBEE Foods Corp. reported continued momentum in its coffee, tea and Chinese cuisine businesses Monday, citing aggressive store expansion and improved operating performance across key international markets.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Jollibee said its coffee and tea segment posted accelerated growth, driven mainly by new store openings at Compose Coffee and Highlands Coffee.

South Korea has emerged as a major growth market for Compose Coffee, which has a network of more than 3,000 branches. The brand added 1,000 stores in less than 18 months.

In Vietnam, Highlands Coffee retained its position as the country’s

largest coffee brand by market share, serving more than 100 million customers annually. Its network is expected to reach 1,000 stores soon.

Jollibee said Highlands has doubled its footprint over the past three years, supported by double-digit same-store sales and transaction growth. Meanwhile, Jollibee reported improved performance in its Chinese cuisine segment, led by Yonghe King and Tim Ho Wan. In December,

Yonghe King opened 35 franchised stores in China under a new, efficiency-focused model. Jollibee said the expansion supports its push to stabilize operations in China and return the business to sustainable growth.

Tim Ho Wan, acquired by the group in 2024, continued to post improvements following initiatives covering product quality and service. In Hong Kong, Jollibee said all Tim Ho Wan stores became profitable within six months of the acquisition. The group also reiterated its target of scaling Tim Ho Wan to 20 North American stores by 2028.

Jollibee said its Chinese cuisine segment has demonstrated robust business models, resulting in accelerated payback periods of two years, simplified operations and faster store rollouts.

ACEN completes first 60MW solar plant in San Manuel, Pangasinan

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE seemingly endless Congressional and Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) hearings on the flood-control projects scandal has produced a number of conclusions about the state and prospects of this country’s Philippine fiscal and budget systems.

The salient and unquestionably the most consequential conclusion is that the systems have been captured by a five-member mafia.

The first group of Mafiosi are members of the two chambers of Congress. The whole sordid process of blatantly defrauding the nation of billions - not too long ago it was millions - of taxpayer pesos has been starting with senators and members of the House of Representatives (HOR) fooling around with the National Expenditure Program (NEP) proposed to Congress by the Executive Department.

The NEP embodies infrastructure and other expenditure projects that the government’s economic planners consider to be of highest priority for the development of the national economy and the welfare of the Filipino people. All the projects included in the NEP have definite funding sources.

Since NEP projects are programmed projects with definite funding sources, the only function of the HOR and the Senateespecially the former, which is the Constitutional Keeper of the purse - in an ideal world would be to review the NEP data and assuring their integrity and rationality. But Congress is not an ideal place and no sooner have they received the NEP than the Representative start bring out their unprogrammed projects and maneuvering to inserting them into the NEP, edging out NEP’s original programmed projects.

Needless to say, the top and middle-level officials of DPWH are another group of Mafiosi who have captured this country’s government infrastructure program. DPWH officials inform legislators of the projects in their districts that are available for insertion in the NEP and they collude with the contractors in the awarding of contracts and the rigging of biddings.

Truly, when the DPWH, the legislators and the public works contractors get together, it’s “Goodbye, honest NEP, hello corruption.”

A mafia consisting of Congress, DPWH, DBM, the public-works construction industry and COA has come to control the government’s infrastructure program.

commitment to supporting the Philippines’ transition to a low-carbon future.

The facility features 108,752 solar panels and generates approximately 94 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually — enough to meet the energy needs of about 55,000 households. In a statement Monday, ACEN said the plant will avoid more than 58,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, contributing to national climate goals while strengthening energy security in Luzon.

The solar farm utilizes ground-mounted photovoltaic panels and is connected to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines via a 1.8-kilometer transmission line linked to the 69-kilovolt San Manuel Substation. The project is part of ACEN’s expanding renewables portfolio in the Philippines, its largest market. The company also has a presence in Australia, Vietnam, India and Lao PDR, along with investments in Indonesia. ACEN currently has about 7 gigawatts of attributable renewable energy capacity.

Sound budgetary policymaking principles dictate that only clearlyfunded programmed projects should be included in the NEP. Why the representatives and senators maintain a list of unprogrammed projects is obvious: unprogrammed projects, being non-NEP projects, undergo. Unprogrammed projects can get into the NEP only thought the back door, i.e., by insertion. It is upon insertion that all the dreadfully corrupt interactions - allocations, payoffs, kickbacks etc. - between the legislators and the contractors begin to take place.

The second group of Mafiosi who have captured the government infrastructure program is the public works segment of the construction industry. The congressional and ICI hearings brought out facts that have painted public works contractors as being among the most corrupt professionals in this country.

Rig biddings, fill legislators’ and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials’ bank accounts with bribe money, implement substandard projects and fake the completion of projectsPhilippine public works contractors regularly do these things, the hearings revealed. A statement to the effect that public works contractors have joined the ranks of this country’s most despised professionals would not be an exaggeration.

A fourth component of the Mafia that has captured the Philippine government’s infrastructure program is the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The congressional and ICI hearings established (1) DBM’s failure to operate as a guardrail against fraudulent claims for payment for flood-control-related projects and (2) DBM’s readiness to operate as a payment-making machine with regard to those projects. DBM’s operating as a guardrail would have involved it’s looking into the financial capacities, contractual connections and operating records of the contractors that were awarded contracts by DPWH. Rounding off the composition of the Mafia that has captured the government’s infrastructure program is the Commission on Audit (COA), the Constitutionally-mandated auditor of the government’s financial operations.

The DBM and DPWH documents presented to the congressional investigators showed that COA auditors failed to flag floodcontrol projects that either were substandardly-performed or were non-existent. “Who will audit the auditors? “is a question that is increasingly being asked by the Filipino people.

A mafia consisting of Congress, DPWH, DBM, the public-works construction industry and COA has come to control the government’s infrastructure program. The Filipino people have been led by the numerous investigations to believe that the Mafia has been broken up. It hasn’t, all pious claims to the contrary notwithstanding.

The infrastructure Mafia is very much alive.

(llagasjessa@yahoo.com)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

J.P. MORGAN FORUM. Department of Budget

Management Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo met with local

leaders during

2026 J.P. Morgan Philippine Forum’s Macro Tour on Monday. Toledo discussed the 2026 national budget, the budget process and its impact on government spending, and highlighted reforms the DBM is implementing to ensure sound fiscal governance, underscoring the government’s commitment to its ‘Agenda for Prosperity.’

LAGUNA WATER DIVIDENDS. Laguna Water, a non-east zone operating unit of Manila Water providing water, used water and environmental services across several municipalities in Laguna, declares and remits P172 million in dividends to its shareholders, including the provincial government of Laguna for 2024.

BUSINESS

APECO, US firm team up for $200-m Aurora hydrogen project

THE Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. renewable energy firm Ally Power Inc. to assess a potential $200 million, 128-megawatt hydrogen-powered generation facility.

Under the MOU, the proposed project is tentatively planned for a 20-hectare site within APECO. It has been identified as a priority initiative for detailed technical and investment studies.

Ally Power will lead the assessments, while APECO will facilitate coordination within the ecozone to promote sustainable economic development in Aurora.

The agreement was signed Jan. 17 at APECO’s headquarters in Casiguran by APECO president and chief executive Gil Taway IV and Ed Travis, Ally Power’s Asia head of business development.

Taway said the proposed facility is part of efforts to address Aurora’s power constraints and strengthen the province’s long-term energy reliability, which he called a critical factor in attracting new investments.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration, enabling both parties to explore clean energy and infrastructure projects within the ecozone, subject to regulatory approvals.

Specific terms and commercial arrangements will be finalized under separate agreements. Any future power supply arrangements will be structured in compliance with the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and Energy Regulatory Commission regulations.

“We look forward to working with local stakeholders not only to build infrastructure, but also to create quality jobs and support academic programs for young people,” Travis said. “In this way, our initial $200 million investment can help build both infrastructure and long-term opportunities.” Othel V. Campos

DOT, PAL launch Manila transit tours program for foreign visitors

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have launched a transit tour program for foreign travelers passing through Manila, offering curated bus trips to the capital city’s historical and entertainment landmarks during layovers.

Launched in December 2025, the tours are available for booking through the Philippine Airlines official website and the LovePH mobile app. The program aims to transform long wait times into cul -

tural experiences while generating revenue for local guides and transport providers.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the initiative is part of a broader push to improve the country’s

gateways and maximize the potential of local tourist spots. She said the program provides an invitation to foreign travelers passing through to explore Manila’s heritage and allows Filipinos to earn through the tourism industry. The service is available to travelers from visa-free countries with layovers of at least eight hours. The timeframe includes a two-hour buffer before and after the tour to accommodate immigration and airport security procedures.

Starting Jan. 30, 2026, the program will feature four destinations. Morn-

HOUSING BENEFICIARIES. More beneficiaries under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang

Department of

para sa

(4PH) Program receive their units as more housing projects are

and Urban Development

the inauguration of the Bocaue Bulacan Manor on Jan. 17, one of the vertical developments under the Expanded 4PH.

Marcos, Tiu Laurel inaugurate P95-m rice processing facility in Antique

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday inspected a new P94.8 million rice processing facility, a move aimed at boosting food security in the Visayas. The rice processing system, located in Barangay Poblacion 5, was built by the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization. The project was funded through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The facility is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve milling efficiency and enhance rice quality, allowing farmers to secure better market prices. Tiu Laurel said the investment gives Antique farmers the tools to improve livelihoods while supporting the administration’s push for national food security.

“Mechanization and post-harvest facilities play a key role in lowering production costs and improving farm profitability,” Tiu Laurel said.

The facility, valued at P61 million, features a multi-stage rice mill with a capacity of 2 to 3 tons per hour and two mechanical dryers capable of handling 6 tons per batch. The DA’s National Rice Program funded the P25.9 million warehouse and operations building, along with equipment including a hauling truck, forklift, weighing scale and moisture meter.

During the visit, the department also distributed financial aid and insurance checks through the Philippine Crop In-

STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon orders an immediate structural integrity assessment of the long-delayed Aganan Flyover on Monday to ensure the bridge is safe for motorists before its scheduled opening later this year. The Aganan Flyover is designed to serve as an alternative route for drivers traveling along Felix Gorriceta Jr. Avenue and Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Avenue.

surance Corp. to farmers in Hamtic and San Jose de Buenavista. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources turned over 11 fiberglass boats with marine engines to local fisherfolk.

Additionally, the DA awarded agricultural machinery, such as four-wheel tractors and rice combine harvesters, to producer groups. The department also established multiplier farms for livestock and awarded solar power systems to several cooperatives to reduce energy costs. Othel V. Campos

ing tours will visit Intramuros and the National Museum, while afternoon schedules focus on entertainment hubs Solaire and Okada. Each tour lasts four hours, consisting of two hours of sightseeing, an hour with a guide and an hour of free time. An additional two hours is allocated for travel to and from the airport to ensure passengers meet their connecting flights.

The tour is priced at $50 per person. The package includes entrance fees, bottled water, a rain poncho and insurance coverage for medical expenses and accidental death.

Antique airport expansion to boost local tourism in 2026

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation said Monday that the new Antique Airport is expected to boost the province’s local businesses and tourism. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to modernize the country’s airport infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity and the economy. Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the department will continue to modernize regional airports to ensure an efficient travel experience. “Our President always says, his orders are clear, that these airports, ports and all transportation sectors be made more modern and more convenient for our commuters,” Lopez said. Lopez noted the budget for the terminal alone is P126 million.

“We will ensure that every cent goes to the project,” he said. “[When] it goes to the right expenses, the outcome is good.”

With the newly completed passenger terminal building, the airport can now accommodate 360 passengers, up from its previous capacity of 64. The terminal expanded from 181 square meters to 2,224 square meters. The facility also features six check-in counters, an increase from the original two.

A new ramp allows the airport to accommodate up to four jet aircraft simultaneously. Jet operations are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The airport’s control tower was upgraded from three to seven stories to improve visibility and flight safety. Additionally, the runway was extended from 1,430 meters to 1,800 meters, allowing the airport to handle larger jet aircraft.

Nat’l government transfers prime real properties to Supreme Court

THE national government formally signed a deed of donation Sunday transferring nine properties in the cities of Mandaluyong, Makati and Davao to the Supreme Court.

The properties are part of the national government’s property dividends from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, pursuant to Republic Act Nos. 7653 and 7656. These laws mandate the remittance of dividends by government-owned or -controlled corporations to the state.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go and National Treasurer Sharon Almanza signed the deed on behalf of the government. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta signed for the high court.

The transfer reflects the government’s commitment to empowering the judiciary by providing the infrastructure needed to

Finance Secretary Frederick Go administer justice efficiently. All associate justices of the Supreme Court and senior officials from the Department of Finance, the Bureau of the Treasury and the BSP attended the ceremony.

DEPDev opens nominations for 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards for local innovators

THE Department of Economy, Planning, and Development

(DEPDev) has opened the call for applications for the second cycle of the Presidential Filipinnovation Awards to recognize local innovators with solutions capable of national impact.

The awards, established under Executive Order 99 of 2025, serve as the highest national recognition for individuals, startups and enter-

prises with innovations in earlystage commercialization.

DEPDev, acting as vice chair of the National Innovation Council (NIC), said the 2026 edition would prioritize scalable solutions, market readiness and stronger linkages to industry investors.

Selected finalists and awardees will receive cash grants and structured mentoring from industry experts. The program also offers

opportunities to participate in international innovation events and provides a platform to connect with potential partners and investors to accelerate the commercialization of Filipino technologies.

The 2026 competition features an open category for all Filipinoowned enterprises and individuals. The selection process involves a two-level structure starting with sub-national rounds in the Nation-

al Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The process concludes with a national round where the President of the Philippines will formally confer the award to 5 outstanding finalists.

DEPDev Secretary and NIC vice chairperson Arsenio Balisacan said the successful first cycle demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos nationwide.

Balisacan said the second cycle aims to amplify the impact of local innovations to build a more innovative country.

Interested participants are encouraged to submit application forms and documentary requirements through the official portal from Jan. 15 to March 15, 2026. The DEPDev Innovation Staff will manage the proceedings as the NIC Secretariat.

Pabahay

Pilipino

being completed.

Human Settlements

Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Pag IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta and other DHSUD and LGU officials led

DTI imposes three-year safeguard duty on cement

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry has issued an order imposing definitive general safeguard measures on imports of ordinary Portland cement and blended cement, a move welcomed by the local industry following a surge in foreign competition.

The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) said Department Administrative Order 25-15 aligns with findings from the Tariff

Commission.

The commission determined that imported cement directly competes with locally produced varieties and that a surge in imports caused serious injury to the domestic industry.

Under the new order, a definitive safeguard duty will be imposed for three years at P14 per bag, or P349 per metric ton. The measures apply specifically to ordinary Portland cement Type 1 and blended cement.

Local manufacturers suffered substantial operational losses during the investigation period, according to

IN BRIEF

FFCCCII welcomes PH-UAE free trade

THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and United Arab Emirates Special Envoy Ma. Anna Kathryna YuPimentel for finalizing the PhilippinesUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

FFCCCII president Victor Lim described the agreement as a historic milestone, noting it serves as the first Philippine free trade agreement in the Middle East.

The business group said the deal transforms years of strategic engagement into a formal bilateral trade relationship that strengthens ties between the two nations. By championing partnerships across trade, investment, digitalization and sustainability, the CEPA unlocks unprecedented opportunity, the group said in a statement.

The FFCCCII urged the government and private sectors to use the agreement as a springboard to expand exports to the wider Middle East. The group said the country should move beyond its traditional focus on manpower exports to include a broader range of goods and services.

Lim called the work of Special Envoy Pimentel exemplary and said the achievement represents the kind of forward-looking diplomacy that fuels sustainable economic development and creates prosperity for the Filipino people.

Othel V. Campos

Toyota PH offers deals on HEV models

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) is opening the year with a series of promotional offers and service packages across its vehicle lineup, including low monthly payment plans for hybrid electric vehicles and significant cash discounts for crossover SUVs. The company is offering the Ativ 1.5 HEV CVT 2T for a monthly payment of P10,741 under its Pay Light Option.

The specific plan requires a 50-percent downpayment and an amortization period of 60 months. For those seeking a subcompact crossover, the Yaris Cross 1.5 S HEV CVT 2T is available under the same payment structure for P15,504 per month.

Customers opting for straight cash payments can access a P140,000 discount on the Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-S CVT 2T.

Beyond individual vehicle discounts, the automaker is bundling various after-sales benefits with new purchases.

Buyers of selected Vios, Wigo, Avanza, Veloz, Innova, Fortuner and Hilux variants will receive 1 year of free comprehensive insurance through Toyota Insure. The coverage includes protection against own damage, theft and acts of nature, alongside 24/7 personal accident insurance and emergency roadside assistance.

IFC

names VP for Asia and Pacific

INTERNATIONAL Finance Corp. (IFC) named Sarvesh Suri as regional vice president for Asia and the Pacific to lead investment and advisory operations across the region.

Suri brings 25 years of global investment experience to the role and will focus on mobilizing private sector capital to address development challenges and create jobs from India to the Pacific Islands.

The appointment comes as the organization strengthens its regional leadership with two new division directors.

World Bank Group director Keiko Miwa will manage South West Asia and Pacific Islands from Jakarta, while World Bank Group director Arnaud Dupoizat will oversee East Asia from Hong Kong starting Feb. 1.

Suri will be based in Singapore and oversee teams designing solutions in agribusiness, manufacturing, infrastructure and natural resources.

He previously served as IFC regional industry director for infrastructure and natural resources in Johannesburg and spent six years as Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency director of operations.

Japan’s Phiten expands retail presence in PH

JAPANESE health and wellness

brand Phiten has launched its premium retail line at three locations in the Philippines, marking a significant expansion of its specialized recovery technology in Southeast Asia.

The Kyoto-based company, founded more than 40 years ago, is now available at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Lucky Chinatown and Mitsukoshi Mall. The expansion is managed by Techno Holdings Corp, the same group behind wellness brands Karada and Miss Esthe.

The brand is recognized for its patented Aqua Titanium technology, which integrates metals like titanium, gold, palladium and platinum into wearable fabrics.

The company says the technology is designed to reduce muscle and joint pain by improving blood flow and re-

ducing bodily tension.

Phiten president and founder Yoshihiro Hirata established the company in Japan where it now operates about 150 locations.

The brand maintains a presence in 30 countries across North and Central America, Europe and Asia, catering to professional athletes and individuals seeking faster recovery from physical fatigue and stress.

The Philippine retail outlets offer a variety of products including apparel, bracelets, necklaces, tapes, gels and joint supports. The inventory includes a specialized volleyball line and apparel featuring the integrated Aqua Metal technology.

Techno Holdings Corp. plans to further expand the brand’s footprint in the second half of the year by opening the Phiten IP (Inner Power) Salon.

Foreign debt service burden eased in October

By Thony Rose Lesaca

LOWER principal and interest payments in October 2025 pushed the Philippines’ foreign debt service burden down to $11.02 billion from $14.30 billion in the same period last year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed Monday.

the commission. Market share, sales, production, and capacity utilization all fell to their lowest levels as imports increased.

CeMAP executive-director Renato Baja said the duty would help raise capacity utilization, which stood at 53 percent in 2024. He said the measure is expected to sustain jobs, encourage investments and generate positive multiplier effects across the economy.

While implementation remains a key challenge, Baja said the association trusts the DTI and the Bureau of Customs to enforce the measure effectively.

The 22.94-percent year-on-year decline was due to a sharp drop in principal payments and a singledigit decrease in interest payments, according to the BSP. Principal payments fell 41.04 percent to $4.51 billion in October from $7.65 billion previously, while interest payments decreased 2.09 percent to $6.51 billion from $6.65 billion in 2024.

The BSP said the October external debt service burden was equivalent to 2.9 percent of gross domestic product as of end-September, while its ratio to gross national income stood at 2.5 percent.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the country’s foreign debt servicing eased amid lower foreign debt maturities and a foreign borrowing reduction in the government’s total borrowing mix to better manage exchange risks.

Ricafort said the US Federal Reserve’s 175 basis points worth of interest rate cuts since September 2024 also helped lessen the country’s interest payments on external debt.

Ricafort said risks of foreign exchange losses would still warrant a tempered approach in increasing foreign borrowings to finance the budget deficit, while wider deficits could necessitate higher external borrowings by the government.

The BSP earlier reported that the Philippines’ outstanding external debt climbed to $149.09 billion as of the third quarter of 2025, a marginal 0.1 percent increase from the previous quarter.

The BSP said the debt level “remained broadly stable” in the third quarter and that the country’s external obligations stayed manageable, supported by solid economic conditions and prudent policies.

iGaming platform, Buenas PH team up for responsible drive

EMERGING iGaming platform YGS Live is launching quarterly influencer-led events to promote responsible gaming through a new partnership with licensed e-casino operator Buenas PH.

The collaboration features prominent Philippine gaming personalities including ChooxTv, Beatmaster, ForeignGerms, Hypebits and celebrity Mark Herras.

The group, which maintains a combined social media following of more than 150 million, aims to steer audiences toward regulated platforms and away from unregulated or fraudulent sites.

The initiative marks a strategic expansion for Buenas PH, which is operated by HHR Philippines Inc. (HHRPI). By aligning with high-profile creators, the company seeks to establish new standards for creator accountability and viewer safety within the local digital gaming sector.

The partnership was highlighted during the Battle of the Streamers Grand Finals held at City of Dreams Manila on Jan. 18, 2025. Supported by Buenas PH as the presenting partner, the tournament featured top creators competing for a P11 million prize pool.

YGS Live founder Julius Mariano said the partnership ensures that creator influence helps build a transparent and secure gaming culture. He said that the unified stance serves as a catalyst for a more credible digital economy.

HHRPI president Anthony Manguiat said innovation in the iGaming sector should be paired with a commitment to responsibility. He described working with the creator community as a necessary step for sustainable industry growth and a regulated environment. Othel V. Campos

iCare HMO is transitioning to operate as an independent health maintenance organization after 35 years as a subsidiary of Insular Life (InLife), the company announced Monday.

The move follows a strategic shift by InLife to focus on its core life insurance and corporate solutions portfolio across the Philippines.

The transition comes after a period of significant growth for the health care provider. Founded in 1991, iCare HMO underwent a modernization of its core systems and digital platforms under InLife’s ownership.

These operational improvements helped the company climb from 12th place in the market in 2018 to 6th in 2023. This performance eventually drew foreign investment, re sulting in a partial acquisition in 2023.

The organization now operates under a corpo rate philosophy that combines Singaporean operational discipline with Filipino service standards.

Leadership said this structure is designed to maintain affordable healthcare services as the industry faces rising medical infla tion and increasing costs for employers and families.

iCare HMO president and chief executive Geronimo Francisco said the mission is to enable Filipinos to access better health services.

healthcare solutions that are both accessible and sustainable.

Currently serving more than 1 million members nationwide, the company provides flexible healthcare plans to both individuals and corporate clients.

The independent entity plans to leverage its 35-year history to continue innovating within the Philippine

Francisco said that even as medical inflation puts pressure on the market, the company remains focused on delivering cost-efficient

PNB’S AWARDS. Philippine National Bank, through its Trust Banking Group, garners multiple distinctions in the Asset Benchmark Research’s Most Astute Investors 2025, reaffirming the bank’s strong position in the region’s fixedincome investment landscape. Receiving the awards are (from left) PNB senior vice president, trust banking group head and chief trust officer Jiah Santos, PNB senior manager and investment and execution department head Albert Joseph Hampton, PNB senior vice president and investment management division head Dennis Anthony Elayda and PNB president and chief executive Edwin Bautista.

ID INTEGRATION. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reports the successful integration of the National ID with more local government units (LGUs) for improved delivery of services. In the City of Ilagan, Isabela, the online portal, eSulongIlagan, was integrated to the National ID—the first among LGUs in the Cagayan Valley region. Shown are PSA officials led by officer-in-charge (OIC) assistant national statistician Henedine Palabras along with local officials.

Geronimo Francisco, president and chief executive of iCare HMO, delivers the keynote address at iCare’s 35th anniversary celebration.

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

PH seeking cheaper, accessible funds to overcome climate woes

THE Philippines has called for reforms in climate financing to make it fairer, more accessible and responsive to the needs of climatevulnerable nations.

President Ferdinance Marcos Jr.

made the appeal in an address before world leaders and experts at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) last week.

Amid rapid technological, economic and geopolitical shifts, Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressing the need to integrate climate action, adaptation and economic development.

“Borrowing costs for climate-

vulnerable countries exceed growth rates, while debt burdens crowd out investments in health, education and resilience. This is not simply a matter of finance. It is a matter of equity, stability and shared responsibility,” he said.

He cited discussions during the

Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Spain, where countries acknowledged that the current global financial architecture is “no longer fit for purpose.”

Speaking at the global dialogue, Marcos underscored that sustainability is now a shared global responsibility that requires collective action across governments, the private sector and civil society.

“The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week reminds us that sustainability is no longer the concern of any single sector but a shared imperative,” Marcos saidin a Malacañan press release.

“This year’s theme, ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,’ captures this reality well. Progress today means that we must move together with purpose,” he added.

Marcos thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for convening ADSW, describing it as a vital platform for aligning policies, technolo-

gies and investments toward sustainable outcomes.

Marcos was on a working visit to the UAE, his second in just over a year, to further strengthen bilateral ties between Manila and Abu Dhabi, especially in trade, defense and sustainable development cooperation.

He highlighted the country’s development agenda, which focuses on inclusive growth, innovation, resilient infrastructure and strong institutions, while noting the Philippines’ continued vulnerability to climate change.

Marcos pointed to shared challenges faced by many developing economies, including rising debt, fiscal constraints and limited access to development finance.

PNA, Darryl John Esguerra

Sustainability begins with people

By Owen Cammayo

IN RECENT years, sustainability has become a familiar and urgent part of public discourse. We speak about climate targets, renewable energy, waste reduction and environmental reporting. These conversations matter, especially for a country as climate-vulnerable as the Philippines. Yet, in focusing so much on systems and structures, we sometimes overlook a more fundamental truth: nothing is truly sustainable unless people are.

At its core, sustainability is about continuity, what can be maintained, strengthened and passed on. That continuity does not begin with policies or technologies.

It begins with individuals. A society where people are unhealthy, financially insecure, or socially disconnected will struggle to sustain even the bestdesigned initiatives. In this sense, the sustainability of things is inseparable from the sustainability of people. Health is the most basic foundation. A person who is physically and mentally well is more productive, more engaged and better able to plan for the future. Poor health narrows choices and forces short-term decisions. When daily life is consumed by illness, fatigue, or stress, long-term thinking becomes a luxury.

But health does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by social and economic conditions: access to nutritious food, safe housing, education, healthcare and stable livelihoods.

I have personally seen how these factors intersect in very real ways. Individuals who lack opportunity often make choices dictated not by preference, but by necessity. Sustainability, therefore, cannot be separated from inclusion.

This is especially clear when it comes to economic stability. A person with steady income and basic financial security is better positioned to invest in their health, their education and their future. Financial stability allows people to move from survival to planning, from reacting to shaping their lives. Conversely, instability often leads to decisions that may be unavoidable in the moment, but unsustainable over time.

I have seen the impact of this firsthand through skills training and livelihood programs that focus not just on employment, but on dignity and longterm capability.

At Fair Training Center, for example, preparing individuals for work is not only about technical skills, it is also about confidence, discipline and giving people a real chance to improve their circumstances. When people are equipped to earn sustainably, the effects ripple outward to families and communities.

Social well-being is another criti-

cal pillar. People thrive when they feel connected, valued and supported.

Strong families, trusted institutions and cohesive communities create resilience, whether in times of economic stress, health crises, or natural disasters. Social cohesion is often invisible, but its absence is deeply felt.

This understanding has also been reinforced by my exposure to large, diverse communities through the SM Group. Whether in retail spaces, workplaces, or community programs, one sees how access to services, opportunities and shared spaces can meaningfully improve quality of life.

When people feel included in growth, they are more likely to contribute positively to society and care for the environment around them.

Seen this way, sustainability is not only about protecting the future, it is about improving the present. It is about creating conditions where individuals can live healthier, happier and more financially stable lives.

When people are well, they make better decisions for themselves and for others.

The encouraging reality is that this kind of sustainability does not require grand gestures alone. It begins with small, practical actions—one person at a time.

For individuals, it means taking ownership of health, building sound financial habits and nurturing relationships. For institutions, whether businesses, training centers, or community organizations, it means recognizing that investments in people are longterm investments in sustainability.

And for society, it means broadening our definition of progress to include well-being, not just output.

A sustainable future is built not only by protecting forests, oceans, or infrastructure, but by enabling people to live better lives today. Healthy individuals form resilient families. Resilient families build strong communities. Strong communities sustain economies and the environment that supports them.

If sustainability is to endure, it must begin where it matters most: with people. One healthy, happy and financially stable person at a time.

The author is a social and sustainable development advocate and vice president and head of Corporate Communications for SM Investments Corp., the parent company of the SM Group.

Editor’s notes: Owen Cammayo is the Executive Director of BPI Foundation. Manila Standard’s Biodiversity 101 column is open to contributors who share the advocacies of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices that are being pushed by the United Nations. Such contributions are subject to the availability of space and the paper’s editorial policies. The contributions should not exceed 600 words or 4,000 characters.

Weather hazards now worry investors

MORE companies and investors are now sensitive to climate hazards that can strain their profitability, according to MSCI Inc., formerly Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI).

MSCI, an investment research firm that provides stock indexes, portfolio risk and performance analytics and governance tools to institutional investors and hedge funds, said capital markets have not reversed course amid the challenges posed by climate change.

MSCI said investors are acting on the economics of the transition to a circular economy, the cost of inaction and the data that continues to drive performance.

“As physical risks intensify and the global energy transition progresses, investors are sharpening their focus on insights that help differentiate risk, opportunity and long-term resilience,” says Anthony Chan, vice president of Asia-Pacific Sustainability & Climate Research.

“The impact of technological maturity on the earnings of energytransition players―and the potential for physical climate hazards to strain profitability―are now material considerations, even as sustainability and climate regulations continue to change,” he added.

MSCI said the financial stakes are substantial for Southeast Asia.

“The region sits at the intersection of opportunity and risk― supplying key low-carbon technologies while facing some of the world’s greatest physical climate exposure. Looking ahead, company performance and risk profiles will increasingly hinge on how effectively firms adapt to these dynamics,” it said.

How climate change is threatening human rights

WITH rising effects of climate change across the globe, the world has started recognizing that climate change is not just an ecological collapse, but also a human rights crisis.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk echoed this message in Geneva earlier this year and posed a question before the Human Rights Council:

“Are we taking the steps needed to protect people from climate chaos, safeguard their futures and manage natural resources in ways that respect human rights and the environment?” His answer was very simple: we are not doing nearly enough.

In this regard, the impacts of climate change must be understood not only as a climate emergency, but also as a violation of human rights, Professor Joyeeta Gupta told UN News recently She is the co-chair of the international

scientific advisory body Earth Commission and one of the United Nations’ high-level representatives for science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Professor Gupta said that the 1992 climate convention never quantified human harm. She noted that when the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, the global consensus settled on limiting warming to 2° Celsius, later acknowledging 1.5° Celsius as a safer goal. But for small island states, even that was a compromise forced by power imbalance, and “for them, two degrees was not survivable,” said Professor Gupta.

“Rising seas, saltwater intrusion, and extreme storms threaten to erase entire nations. When wealthy countries demanded scientific proof,

the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was tasked with studying the difference between 1.5° Celsius and 2° Celsius,” she continued.

She said that the results were clear that 1.5° Celsius is significantly less destructive but still dangerous. In her own research published in Nature, she argues that one degree Celsius is the just boundary, because beyond that point, the impacts of climate change violate the rights of more than one percent of the global population, around 100 million people.

The tragedy, she noted, is that the world crossed one degree in 2017, and it is likely to breach 1.5° Celsius by 2030.

She underscored that the promises of cooling later in the century ignore irreversible damage, including melting glaciers, collapsing ecosystems and lost lives. UN News

Cities, towns lead transition to circularity

By Earl Paulo Diaz, Moeko Saito-Jensen, Voltaire Acosta and Erika Mary

THIRD OF 4 PARTS

Pasig City: Innovation for scale, for all Pasig’s circular story is powered by people who refused to wait for change. Hardworking women transform textile waste into market-ready products. Dedicated waste pickers who innovate finally gained recognition. They are actively involved queer

community who saw clutter as an opportunity for creativity.

The city understood that transformation was already happening in its communities; it simply needed to be supported, strengthened and sustained.

In 2023, Pasig took a decisive step by opening the Innovation for Circular Economy (ICE) Hub co-designed with development partners to jump-start inclusive innovation for plastics and organic waste in collaboration with United Nations Development Program with support from the Japanese government.

From what was originally envisioned to be a materials recovery

facility has now evolved into a living space. ICE Hub has since become a shared testing ground where circular ideas grow into social enterprises where upcycling collectives and circular start-ups now earn more securely from skills that were once informal or undervalued. It became a story of people reclaiming dignity through circular innovation. Infrastructure has been reshaped to reflect the realities of those who keep the system running. Material Recovery Facilities were redesigned to be inclusive, with safe work areas, and free and accessible tools and spaces that respond to the needs of informal workers, micro-entrepreneurs, women and local leaders who form the backbone of the circular chain. In the experience of a women-led upcycling enterprise at the Hub, its members are now earning several times more than the minimum wage, proving that circular innovation can strengthen livelihoods as much as the environment. Linking these community gains with investment plans and digital systems ensures progress does not remain scattered or short-lived. A peoplecentered smart city, Pasig shows it is one where everyone has a stake in shaping the future. In Pasig, innovation is not just about adopting new technologies; it is about nurturing relationships, trust and collaboration, thriving because communities see themselves not as recipients of change, but as co-builders of a more equitable economy. (To be continued) UNDP Philippines News

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto with the women weavers of ICE Hub. Earl Paulo Diaz/UNDP

A man helps a woman after her car is stranded in waist-deep water. Globally, rains are being more extreme due to impacts of climate change. WMO/Teguh Prihatna

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

Shticks

NADINE Lustre is wearing love lightly and happily.

In a recent vlog interview, the award-winning actress spoke candidly about her current life situation and why her relationship with boyfriend Christophe Bariou feels different from anything she has experienced before. She did not hold back when asked about her current state of heart.

“True! I’m so in love with my steady that I even told him that if we break up, I will not enter a romantic relationship again. Ha-ha-ha! But seriously, I really hope and pray that whatever we share right now will be of the lasting kind,” Lustre said.

For the actress, Bariou stands apart from the men she has previously dated.

“Yes! He’s very okay for me. He may not be perfect, but I feel that he’s already the one. It’s hard to find another one like him!” she added.

Despite her certainty about their bond, Lustre made it clear that wedding bells are not ringing anytime soon.

“Actually, I’m not yet ready for marriage. Being a wife is a different responsibility. But if it happens, then go! But I think it’s not happening that soon,” she said.

Instead, the couple is focused on personal growth and shared goals. Lustre revealed that they are working together professionally while also building their individual paths.

SHOWBIZ

Nadine Lustre on being in love and keeping marriage off the table

“We are both focused on working on ourselves at this point. We’re still in the process of growing as individuals and as a couple. We have businesses together. There are still lots of goals that we want to fulfill!” she said.

And if the time does come for them to tie the knot, Lustre already knows what she does and does not want.

“Honestly, a simple and intimate celebration appeals to me more, wherein we are with our respective families and close friends,” she said. “I like celebrations, but not exactly a grand wedding in a church. I prefer it to be simple, by the lake or ocean with close friends, and then you’ll have an afternoon party. I don’t really dream of a big wedding.”

For now, Lustre seems content exactly where she is, grounded, in love, and in no rush at all.

* * *

IN A recent television interview, Kokoy de Santos said he is not actively looking for a romantic relationship this year, choosing instead to focus on himself and his work.

AVATAR: Fire and Ash showed no signs of slowing down, topping the North American box office for the fifth consecutive week over the long holiday weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The third installment in director James Cameron’s blockbuster fantasy series earned another $17.2 million from Friday to Monday, when Americans observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This brought its U.S. and Canadian total to $367.4 million and its worldwide gross to more than $1.3 billion, according to Exhibitor Relations.

The film stars Zoe Saldana as Na’vi warrior Neytiri and Sam Worthington as ex-Marine Jake Sully, who must confront a new threat to their family on the planet Pandora. Fire and Ash is Cameron’s fourth film to surpass the $1 billion mark, joining the first two Avatar films and Titanic Debuting in second place with $15 million was 28 Years Later: The Bone

Temple, the fourth installment in the zombie horror series, released less than a year after the previous film.

Disney’s animated sequel Zootopia 2 demonstrated its staying power, rising to third place with $12 million over the four-day weekend. In fourth place, The Housemaid, an adaptation of Freida McFadden’s best-selling novel about a young woman employed by a wealthy couple with dark secrets, earned $10.2 million. The Lionsgate release stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried Marty Supreme, featuring Oscars frontrunner Timothée Chalamet as a conniving 1950s table tennis player with big dreams, finished fifth with $6.7 million.

Rounding out the top 10 were Primate ($6 million), Greenland 2: Migration ($3.9 million), Anaconda ($3.8 million), The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants ($3 million), and No Other Choice ($2.7 million). AFP

“But I won’t resist if ever someone special comes along,” he said.

De Santos previously spoke openly about a painful chapter in his life, admitting that his first serious relationship left him feeling lost and depressed.

“There was a point in my life when I really got lost. Maybe

action drama ‘Totoy Bato,’ part of TV5’s revamped primetime slate

it’s because it was my first time falling in love. I gave my all back then. My world revolved around the girl,” he added.

The relationship, which lasted a couple of years, ended after he discovered his partner had cheated on him, an experience he said turned his world upside down.

“When I found out, it felt like my world collapsed. It hurt so bad because you know for yourself that you gave everything to her,” he said, adding that he even turned down acting projects at the time because his focus was entirely on the relationship.

Now, de Santos said he is not searching for romance, but he is not closing the door on it either.

“To be honest, I’m not searching for it. As I’ve mentioned earlier, if a new love comes along, who am I to refuse, right?” he shared.

Professionally, the actor is keeping busy. De Santos is part of the cast of GMA-7’s new afternoon drama House of Lies, which also stars Beauty Gonzalez, Kris Bernal, Mike Tan, and Martin Del Rosario

“I’m glad and proud to be one of the cast members of this interesting project,” he said. “It has a nice plot, and I’m sure viewers will like it.”

TV5 strengthens primetime lineup with drama and news

TV5 has revamped its primetime block, TodoMax Primetime Singko, combining news and drama for weeknight viewers. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with Una sa Lahat followed

by Frontline Pilipinas at 6:15 p.m., providing national news coverage. At 8:00 p.m., Totoy Bato stars Kiko Estrada in the actiondrama inspired by the Carlo J. Caparas komiks and Fernando Poe Jr. film, with Claudine Barretto, Janno Gibbs, Eula Valdez, Diego Loyzaga, and Cindy Miranda joining the cast. Nag-aapoy na Damdamin, airing at 8:45 p.m., returns with JC de Vera, Jane Oineza, Tony Labrusca, and Ria Atayde in a co-production with ABSCBN, exploring themes of love, obsession, betrayal, and redemption.

lineup concludes at 9:30 p.m. with Pira-pirasong Paraiso a romantic drama featuring Loisa Andalio, Charlie

From left: Stars Tony Labrusca, Ria Atayde, Jane Oineza, and JC de Vera headline ‘Nagaapoy na Damdamin,’ which returns to TV5’s primetime lineup

‘Pira-pirasong Paraiso’ anchors TV5’s late-night lineup, weaving a story of love, deception, and family secrets

Director James Cameron (second from right) oversees a performance-capture sequence on the set of ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’

Joseph Peter Gonzales

Nadine Lustre opens up about love, commitment, and choosing personal growth over rushing into marriage

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

By Rolando Ng III

BOYS’ Night Out, once one of Magic 89.9’s programs, made its long-awaited farewell on Jan. 14. Its entire cast of naughtily honest characters—TonyToni, Slick Rick, Sam YG, Gino Quillamor, and Tin Gamboa—took the show beyond the confines of their old radio booth, performing for a live audience at BGC’s Xylo at the Park. It was, indeed, a long time coming, both for them and for generations of fans.

What’s hot at Paris Men’s Fashion Week

MEN’S Fashion Week will kick off in Paris on Tuesday, and from Veronique Nichanian’s farewell at Hermes to Jonathan Anderson ’s second Dior collection, AFP has selected the standout moments not to be missed.

Over six days, 66 houses will present 36 runway shows and 30 presentations for the upcoming Fall/Winter season. After a year of leadership changes at several labels, this season promises more stability as new designers settle in, though uncertain economic conditions continue to weigh on sales, particularly in China.

“We’re in the midst of an economic crisis, and that has repercussions on creation,” said Marie Ottavi of Libération predicting “very pragmatic collections” driven by the “imperative of selling.” Franck Nauerz of Paris department stores Le Bon Marché and La Samaritaine added that for several seasons, fashion has leaned “less on creativity and more on predictability.”

Hermès will close the week with Nichanian’s final collection after 37 years leading the men’s line. The 71-year-old designer leaves a brand known for timeless, refined masculinity, with Londonbased Grace Wales Bonner, who incorporates African influences into her work, set to take over and unveil her first collection in January 2027.

The ‘Boys’ take their final bow

After all, it was the show’s own brand of honesty that bridged gaps among millennials during its long years on the air, no matter how much it tried to trigger its censors back then.

The “Boys”—minus Sam YG and Gino—were taken off the air prematurely by the station in September of last year. While a heated exchange involving Tin severely impacted what would have been the show’s final week, changes in management became the primary reason for their retirement. TonyToni’s subsequent dismissal left her and Slick Rick in a dilemma over whether to continue the show under a new title.

In the end, family had to take priority. As such, the Boys all left collectively from their old home.

A family built over almost two decades, whose connection was shaped by years of turning listeners on with their wild and offthe-cuff conversations. It was in this spirit that all of their hosts remained intact that Wednesday night, treating audiences to their “COVID check,” a game that practically imitated a noontime show’s popular quiz portion, and their unforgiving banter with old friend Jojo the Love Survivor.

Jojo came to the show as a caller caught up in a bad heartbreak. The Boys helped buy him time to ease his pain. Since then, he became part of the gang alongside regulars Rica Cruz and Ramon Bautista. Unfortunately, he later became the subject of an internal feud, accused of jeopardizing his hosts’ safety when they tested positive for COVID-19.

But all was well for them, probably. Laughter was shared as they reminisced about that embarrassment. Yet laughter, no matter how loud or raucous, sharply turned into silence. A pensive mood settled over the hosts as the “Boys,” despite rumors of offers from rival stations, formally closed their chapter on the radio.

After almost two decades of serving real talk and spicy conversations late at night, it was away from their old home where they took their final bow. With an exchange of tears and hugs, Boys’ Night Out’s farewell marked an ending that celebrated all that was good about the show.

mixed reactions. Alice Feillard of Galeries Lafayette said anticipation is high as Anderson shapes a new identity for Dior Homme.

Rising French designer Jeanne Friot will open the week with her first official show, known for inclusive and socially engaged fashion, ahead of Pharrell Williams’s Louis Vuitton show in the evening. Newcomers also include Italian designer Luca Magliano, ERL, KML, Sonia Carrasco , and Ssstein, joining the calendar in the presentation category.

Several expected names are absent: Spanish brand Loewe will stage its unisex collection in March, and Saint Laurent has again opted out. Feillard noted these gaps give smaller but established brands, such as Lemaire, AMI, and Rick Owens, more visibility.

Longstanding pillars including Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, 3.Paradis, and Egonlab will appear, while French designer Simon Jacquemus will close the week with a show at the Picasso Museum expected to draw numerous celebrities. AFP

On Wednesday, Dior will present Jonathan Anderson’s second menswear collection. The Northern Irish designer, 41, earned praise for his debut menswear show last summer, but his October womenswear collection drew

GLOBAL apparel retailer Uniqlo is offering Disneythemed embroidery designs through its RE.Uniqlo Studio in-store repair and remake service. Customers can now personalize Uniqlo items with eight exclusive designs featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck.

Launched in 2022, RE.Uniqlo Studio provides repair, remake, and personalization services for Uniqlo products. The new Disney embroidery allows customers to create one-of-a-kind pieces using iconic characters. The service is available for items purchased in the past or on the same day, excluding collaboration products. Each design costs P250. The lineup includes the four characters in two color palettes as well as their silhouettes. The service is available at RE.Uniqlo Studio counters in the Manila Global Flagship Store, SM Mall of Asia, and BGC High Street locations. RE.Uniqlo Studio originated from a clothing upcycling workshop in Germany

Uniqlo’s embroidery counter

Jonathan Anderson (center) presents his new menswear collection for Dior Homme at Paris Men’s Fashion Week

Gino Quillamor, Slick Rick, TonyToni, and Sam YG—pose together during the show’s farewell live event at Xylo at The Palace in BGC on Jan. 14

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

EOPLE don’t walk into a Pop Mart store just to buy a toy. As most collectors and enthusiasts will tell you, they walk in chasing a feeling.

them perfect for display. Collecting also becomes a social experience. People trade, swap, and talk about figures online and in person, turning every purchase into a shared adventure. Now, Metro Manila collectors have

another place to chase that feeling. Barely a month after opening its first official store at SM Megamall, Pop Mart has launched its second permanent location in Bonifacio Global City. The new store opened on Jan. 16

Two-time Palanca Award winner for children’s short stories Erlinda Flores expresses the child in her

By Marriz B. Agbon

AT FOUR o’clock one Saturday afternoon, the Parish Hall of the Sanctuario de San Antonio filled with wheelchairs, walkers, caregivers, and balloons shaped like Disney characters. It was the Sunshine Place Christmas Party—colorful, orderly, and quietly radical.

My wife Jasmin and I sat among seniors who arrived slowly, some shuffling, others assisted, and many already seated when the program began. For a moment, it felt like a glimpse into our own future: a time when movement would need negotiation, when independence would look different. What followed was not a rehearsal for decline. It was a lesson in how aging can still be lived. Sunshine Place Senior Recreation Center, founded by the Felicidad Tan Sy Foundation, was created to answer a question our society often avoids: What does dignity look like after retirement? Long before “active aging” became policy language, Sunshine Place practiced it— through movement, music, creativity, and care.

than rushed shopping. Blind boxes sit next to larger collectible figures, appealing to everyone from seasoned collectors to casual shoppers who just want to see what the hype is about. For the SM Aura opening, the spotlight falls on Skullpanda, one of Pop Mart’s most popular characters. Known for her expressive designs and distinctive look, Skullpanda anchors the store’s lineup and sets the mood for a space that leans into personality and artistic flair.

As an official store, SM Aura will also be among the first to carry Pop Mart’s newest releases, with selections refreshed regularly to keep things fresh for returning customers. For fans who prefer seeing figures in

What

is graceful aging through the

Before the performances, Sunshine Place president Lizanne Uychaco made her way from table to table, greeting each senior personally. Despite her many corporate leadership roles, she spoke most enthusiastically about this place—

about how happy the people are, how alive.

Sunshine Place, she said simply, has lived up to its name: a safe, joyful community where there is life after retirement.

Then the music began.

Dance numbers followed one after another— tap routines, pop songs, choreographed pieces adjusted carefully to bodies that no longer moved the way they once did. In between were games: passing a balloon, searching for Disney-themed objects, and laughing at small mishaps without embarrassment. Disney villains made appearances too—Ursula from The Little Mermaid, the Evil Queen from Snow White. Once symbols of fear, vanity, and loss of control, they seemed oddly harmless here. In a room full of seniors who were still moving, singing, and laughing, these villains lost their

at SM Aura to give fans in Taguig a closer spot to browse, buy, and uncover surprises. Located on Level 2 and covering 164 square meters, the SM Aura branch sticks to a formula that Pop Mart fans know well. The space is bright, welcoming, and easy to wander through, with displays designed for slow browsing rather person before committing, this adds to the appeal.

lens of a seniors’ party

power. It was a reminder that our deepest fear about aging is not pain or even death, but being left behind.

The highlight of the afternoon came quietly: the Super Seniors Chair Dance. Seniors remained seated while caregivers and partners stood beside them, mirroring movements so the dancers could follow. Arms lifted. Fists pumped. Feet tapped where they could. Wheelchairs became part of the choreography. Tight knees, fading eyesight, unsteady balance— none of it stopped the performance. It simply reshaped it.

These Super Seniors were not performing despite their age. They were performing within it. This was not therapy disguised as entertainment. It was agency made visible. The room leaned forward. Applause came early. Phones rose—not to document frailty, but to

Pop Mart’s expansion into BGC follows a steady rise in the Philippines. What began as pop-up stores at SM Mall of Asia, SM Makati, and SM North EDSA has turned into permanent locations, with its first official store in Ortigas opening last December.

translated, not imposed. Dignity was built into the program.

Later came songs—I See the Light, Part of Your World A Whole New World—performed by voice teachers. Lyrics about longing and discovery sounded different when sung for people who were often told their horizons are behind them. Around us, seniors sang softly, eyes closed, storing the moment.

Before dinner, there was a simple gift exchange. Wrapped boxes passed from hand to hand. No rush. No comparison. Just acknowledgment: you are still part of this circle.

Watching all this, Jasmin and I exchanged a quiet look. We had, in a way, seen our future. Not the medical charts or limitations—but the possibility. That even when the body slows, life does not have to shrink.

This is what aging forward looks like in practice. Not denial of decline.

Not heroic independence at all costs. But thoughtful design—of spaces, programs, and relationships that allow older adults to keep participating, choosing, and moving in ways that make sense for them.

witness

the environment had been designed to let them do it. Caregivers were not directing from above; they were accompanying from beside. Movement was

The Philippines is aging faster than we like to admit. Families are smaller. Caregiving is harder. Retirement often means isolation. The question is not whether we will need places like Sunshine Place, but whether we will choose to invest in them—or leave aging to chance. That afternoon showed what is possible when we take aging seriously. Not perfect. But humane. And unmistakably alive.

Sunshine Place president Lizanne Uychaoco (right) with Harvey Chua

Inah Estrada at the opening of Pop Mart store

From left: SM Aura SAVP Leasing Kai Fagara San Diego, Pop Mart Philippines marketing head Mishen Samonte, Pop Mart Philippines country head Marilen Villamayor, and SM Aura AVP Operations Steph Co

Nadine Samonte and kids and friends grace the opening of the Pop Mart store in SM Aura

OPM singer Jed Madela gets his own blind box at the opening of SM Aura Pop Mart

Super Seniors performing the chair dance during their Christmas party

A life-size Skullpanda statue welcomes collectors and mallgoers at Pop Mart store